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Post by Kim on Jul 4, 2016 20:03:09 GMT
It was always gonna be the tour set, the tour cast are only getting 2 days rehearsal, and the only 2 'new' ensemble (Omari Bernard & Annie Kitchen) both were in the first tour cast, so not as much rehearsal needed. The only thing I'd prefer set wise is the original house, and as much as I don't mind the tour Queen of the Night, it suits the younger Rachel's better. Tho the original was a lot better Yeah I knew it was the tour cast from the beginning, the announced that back then do i dont know why It's being released now? Will Ibinabo Jack have to leave early to do Dreamgirls? I'd prefer them to use the original two level house too as well as the original bar. What is the tour set like compared to the orignal - much different? It looks like an 'arena' from what I've seen. Yes I hope they do a different Queen of the Night too, but I don't think they will. I don't think Beverley would like doing the new one much They've probably re-announced the cast for the 4 Fletchers and the 4 different ensemble members, no idea when Ibinabo will leave as obviously it leaves them short a Nicki cover (her ensemble track isn't as important the amount of times I saw it cut down to two scenes) The tour set is a lot simpler then the original, the house being the biggest, although I can't moan about the house set since I saw the completely stripped one a few times. The karaoke bar was completely stripped down to virtually nothing, and during the academy awards scene they took out the screens and Ray Court originally walked around the auditorium during One Moment in Time but that had gone by the 3rd show
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Post by Kim on Jul 4, 2016 19:55:41 GMT
In Germany they used the original tour cabin set, so it might make a come back in London given that it's a six month sit down. I hope you're right about Queen of the Night. The new version is awful awful awful I really don't see how they do not see that. I can't imagine Bev or Deborah Cox in that garb doing this arrangement. I think the only reason I didn't mind the tour Queen of the Night is because of the younger Rachel's, they suited it, although the first few times I saw Carole she didn't seem to comfortable with it. I really do hate the costumes for it and really can't imagine Bev doing it, although if she gets the new gold dress I'll be very happy
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Post by Kim on Jul 4, 2016 17:07:03 GMT
It was always gonna be the tour set, the tour cast are only getting 2 days rehearsal, and the only 2 'new' ensemble (Omari Bernard & Annie Kitchen) both were in the first tour cast, so not as much rehearsal needed. The only thing I'd prefer set wise is the original house, and as much as I don't mind the tour Queen of the Night, it suits the younger Rachel's better. Tho the original was a lot better
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Post by Kim on May 1, 2016 9:17:07 GMT
I think Zoe chose to do a double Saturday show, she just paced herself a lot for it, I'm not sure if Carole did both shows when she was lead.
I'd imagine Rachel will get some Rachel shows as Carole is gonna have some holiday too, and she did say if she gets any notice she'll tweet about it
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Post by Kim on Apr 29, 2016 13:45:34 GMT
That's what I'm hoping for, she's more suited to Rachel anyway, plus I liked Ibinabo as Nicki and the swing fan in me gets excited at them having a decent track.
Carole still had the canary dress so hopefully she'll get the new one soon tho I'll probably only see her in London if there's an understudy on
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Post by Kim on Apr 29, 2016 10:54:05 GMT
I saw both shows yesterday (was booked for the evening but got in early enough to make the matinee) and agree, I found myself getting distracted a lot during it (although that could be because I was sat in the roof) I've seen Carole a few times now and the only times I've thought she was excellent was an evening show and a Saturday matinee, don't know if she performs better to a better crowd. With Rachel I don't always like how she plays Nicki she's suddenly changed a lot before I found her quite cold, like she didn't care that by writing back started it all, yet yesterday she was very emotional. Also I spoke to her after and she won't have any dates as Rachel it'll all be last minute Alex has a new finale dress too, very gold and sparkly like her I'm Every Woman dress, I like it, but then I'm not a fan of the yellow one
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Post by Kim on Apr 2, 2016 19:46:03 GMT
I think it's a balls up in the programme for having Carole on the understudies, although there's been a new reprint for each venue (due to Carole as lead, Zoe as lead, new fletchers and a new/old swing) so not sure why it hasn't been picked up...
I watched on Thursday to see the Frank understudy I liked him as he was different, but could tell it was a understudy performance if that makes sense
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Post by Kim on Mar 5, 2016 18:18:37 GMT
I have to say that she is way too overqualified to be only the first cover and not the alternate, especially with Carol being alternate. I haven't seen Carol as alternate, but did see her as cover in London and thought she was passible, but not wonderful by any means. Rachel actually glides through this and is vocally quite fantastic. The acting is very good too. I would only think that she needs to have a little bit more fun as Rachel, instead of being quite so serious. I think this would eventually happen if she gets more shows under her belt. Her Rachel is slightly younger than the others, so she's more of a Rihanna kind of Rachel, than a Beyonce kind of Rachel. This is what I thought about her, it really should have been the other way round, seeing both girls two days running I actually thought Carole was playing it safe (which at the moment I'm hoping is because she was doing the whole week) then to have Rachel really smashing it was great
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Post by Kim on Mar 4, 2016 9:20:09 GMT
It seems to depend on the show about announcing the understudy. I've seen The Bodyguard a lot in the past year and only 3 times have seen a sign saying Zoe Birkett was playing Rachel Marron, but even on a press night with the Nicki understudy I saw no signs plus no announcement, Canterbury had a full cast list pinned up by the box office but that was all.
I prefer slips in a programme at least if you've been before you can try asking just for a slip, or an announcement
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Post by Kim on Feb 29, 2016 10:17:34 GMT
I have little problem with that if it's gonna make no difference to the sold numbers (i.e I used to join two friends about 45mins after them but we only wanted 3 tickets therefore only 2 needed to que) or if the person in front says 1 friend would be joining a reasonable time later due to first trains... stroll up 10 mins before opening tho and it's the rare time ill get arsey at strangers
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Post by Kim on Feb 26, 2016 11:04:45 GMT
Sort of been announced by Sunderland and Zoe just not the actual show! I'm going for her last two
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Post by Kim on Feb 26, 2016 10:25:19 GMT
Possibly Panto at the King's Theatre, Southsea don't really remember the show but do remember waiting after to meet a care bear...
First proper show was either Grease at the Dominian or Joseph at Southampton Mayflower... my mum would take me to shoes at Southampton a lot until I got bored of going for 5 years then got obsessed when I was 15.. The bank account despises that haha
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Post by Kim on Feb 25, 2016 9:29:47 GMT
Yeah I think she's doing all the Canterbury matinees
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Post by Kim on Feb 24, 2016 15:42:35 GMT
Rachel as Rachel (not confusing at all lol) is fantastic! She is so much more suited to Rachel then Nicki! I really wish she had more dates on!
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Post by Kim on Feb 24, 2016 12:12:26 GMT
What has changed? Maybe they are setting things up for the London run. First gunshot there's a splatter motion on the curtain I think Queen of the Night and How will I Know choreography has changed slightly, also Fletcher seemed to be featured more in How Will I Know Fletcher runs on during Greatest Love Of All reprise hugs Rachel and runs back off, at the same time where The Stalker would come from the shutters he is pushed on with a desk and the dress, same with just before the Mayan bit he comes back with the desk (most pointless bit imo) seals the envolope and leaves the normal way Mayan medley. Rachel now comes from the back on a little podium thing which looked fine until you see someone push it whilst against a lightish backdrop Jimmy now has a helper collecting glasses (didn't actually mind that he was quite funny) Nicki's stabbing seemed very dragged out, he grabs her holds the knife to her throat she makes a gagging noise, they get up he stabs her then she lurches around a bit until Rachel helps her to the floor. They were the biggest changes that spring to mind right now other then Ray Court now wearing glasses. Cast wise Carole was amazing, really liked her voice and acting, I don't think she really suits the current Queen of the Night staging tho... Rachel as Nicki, amazing voice but not my favourite Nicki, seeing her as Rachel this arvo so hopefully I'll enjoy her more... Sy's character seems almost aggressive with wanting Rachel to do what he wants, I actually prefer the slightly camper way I've seen it played before with the snide remarks at Frank. Tony and Bill I had no problems with, no real changes to the roles... The Stalker had the most changes and I didn't really enjoy Mathew Stathers as him, if it's the way he's been told to play him it'd not good, certain bits seemed almost panto like.. At the moment I'm assuming my dislikes are because I'm stubborn with change but I just think if they were going to change things I'd prefer it more like the original production
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Post by Kim on Feb 24, 2016 6:21:46 GMT
Changes... lots of changes
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Post by Kim on Feb 23, 2016 17:25:06 GMT
Not sure if it's just a thing they do here but when collecting my tickets I noticed a cast list for tonight notice. Quite nice to know for once I don't have to try working out the Fletcher
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Post by Kim on Feb 21, 2016 11:24:00 GMT
Same with going crazy because the performer has riffed in a slightly different bit of the song during the song!
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Post by Kim on Feb 21, 2016 9:55:26 GMT
A few years ago there was a woman with bandages all over her arms who used to go around her favourite shows telling people near the front of the stalls a sob story about how she was dying and this was her last chance to see that show or any other and she had a seat right at the back and would they mind swapping with her so she could enjoy one last time at the theatre? If you were a regular at any of the shows she frequented you'd get to see her pull the same stunt over and over again, all so she could buy a crappy ticket at the last minute and then get to sit in a seat that had been allocated months in advance. At Kiss Me, Kate she tried to convince me she had access to advance copies of the film of the show they were making and could get one shipped to me if I gave her my address. It had only been a couple of days since filming finished so she was obviously lying. I don't know why she was trying to get my address but I can't think of any reason that doesn't creep me out, especially as it came just seconds after she'd found out that I'd seen the show more times than she had. Would that be Betty? I came across her in 2003 when she was dieing but still managed to see the same show daily and fly to Japan to see it (her sister worked in a chemist and was a flight attendent)... then come 2010 and she appeared again! Same stunts again, only this time tried getting me banned from a show for hitting her (only interaction I'd had with her was pointing out she'd been at stage door all week so not to be rude and interupt my conversations) luckily the box office staff she complained to knew me and accepted my story... didn't see her again after that
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Post by Kim on Feb 18, 2016 10:59:20 GMT
I *hate* the phone police. You might think it's sad that I can't bear to not be reading the internet ten minutes before curtain, but I *am* going to turn it off before the show, and what I do the rest of the time is *my* business. Same. I've found at a couple of touring venues I've been told off by ushers for merely being on my phone before the show and interval! unless there's awful signal there I should have to go outside just to look at twitter
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Post by Kim on Feb 5, 2016 17:00:45 GMT
Is Rachel John doing the Saturday matinees in Canterbury? Also, who are the Nicki jnderstudies now? As far as I'm aware she should be but not 100% sure... Nicki understudies will be Emmy Willow and possibly Ibinabo Jack not sure who is first cover tho, personally I'm hoping for Emmy since I've missed the few Nicki shows she's had so far
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Post by Kim on Feb 4, 2016 23:17:39 GMT
Can honestly say I was not expecting that bit of casting... although I can't really imagine her with the new Queen of the Night staging at all
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Post by Kim on Feb 1, 2016 22:42:13 GMT
Did anyone on here see Carole as Rachel in London? I've got matinee tickets for Milton Keynes, didn't know until yesterday that Zoe was leaving and had booked hoping to see her. Would really love to see Rachel after all the positive praise from her stint in Memphis but happy to see her as Nikki. Just wondering how Carole fares as Rachel - think I may have seen her Nikki in London. Who was she paired with? I saw her once, she was good, I saw her with Stuart Reid on one of his understudy shows and the only thing I felt was the lack of chemistry between them, hopefully that'll change! Her stint as Nicki was January till closing with Beverley and Alexandra
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Post by Kim on Feb 1, 2016 22:37:27 GMT
Kim, she just replied to my Tweet. She will be alternate Rachel during mid week mats. We're good. I have tickets for 24th and 25th Actually, I snagged a good seat for Thursday that just randomly opened up. So if anyone is interested in my other ticket for the 25th (dress circle, row G) please contact me. Whoop! Glad about this! I'm doing the 23rd and 24th mat, purely so I see her as Nicki first
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Post by Kim on Feb 1, 2016 17:34:48 GMT
From looking at it I think this is what's happening Belfast: Alexandra Burke is leading, Carole Stennett is doing matinees and Rachel John will cover sickness. Canterbury: Carole Stennett will lead while doing midweek matinees, Rachel John will do weekend matinees. Sunderland: Zoe Birkett will lead, Carole Stennett will do matinees and Rachel John will cover sickness. Then from Leicester Alexandra leads again, but I don't know how long for! Are you sure Rachel is doing weekend and not week days? It seems most understudies who alternate will do the weekdays shows and not the weekend, especially the case when there are both Wed and Thursday matinees, I can't imagine Carole doing four shows in two days. It's kinda too much considering the singing they do in that show. I agree, four in two days would be to much! When Zoe's done the double Saturday shows she can't even speak between! And from a purely selfish point of view I really hope Rachel gets the midweek mats as I really want to see her
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Post by Kim on Feb 1, 2016 14:33:27 GMT
Zoe's officially finished as alternate, and is returning as lead purely for Sunderland with Carole doing the 3 midweek matinees as Zoe will do both Saturday shows
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Post by Kim on Jan 31, 2016 11:06:00 GMT
Did both shows of The Bodyguard in Bristol yesterday as it was the cast change, I don't think I've had such awful audiences so close together before. The first show was just the normal rabble eating, talking, constantly on the move for the toilet plus what sounded like an argument going on in the circle. The second show was just full of people trying to film then getting near the end woman two seats down from me had been checking her phone constantly which I'd just been glaring at her for, next thing she starts calling someone, usher came flying down going mad with a torch at her, she puts it in her bag, usher walks away, phones straight back out at that point I leant over and told her to put it away, I never snap at strangers but she had been annoying me all show with her phone.
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Post by Kim on Jan 31, 2016 9:30:26 GMT
The matinee yesterday was the first awful seat I've had but Canterbury I'm stuck with a row Q for a Tues then managed to blag row C for the following weds matinee. But considering no cast has been announced its sold stupidly well!
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Post by Kim on Jan 30, 2016 23:52:33 GMT
Yup should be Carole for the matinées in Woking, Canterbury was a nightmare for me on weekday shows, only time I've had to really search for a show that didn't involve sitting in the roof
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Post by Kim on Jan 30, 2016 13:44:27 GMT
Yes. Alex has been good with attendance this last year I've only known of 3 separate times she's been off
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