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Post by anthony40 on Feb 17, 2023 9:40:07 GMT
I’m going purely from memory here- again, it was over 20 years ago since I saw the show- however the show opens in the Egyptology department of a modern day museum and flashes back to Ramades, leader of the Egyptian army returning from war in Nubia with slaves, including AIDA.
He is engaged to Amneris, however from his end, this is loveless. He gives AIDA to be her handmaiden.
However it is Mereb, Ramades’ personal servant who recognises AIDA for who she really is- a Princess of Nubia.
She begs him to keep quiet for her personal safety however it is when she returns to the settlement where the slaves are their squalid living conditions that she realises that she must speak up, in doing so, reveal her true identity. This is where AIDA sings The Dance of the Robes, with the slaves.
I do remember her father, the King captured when Ramades and his army invaded and AIDA going to visit him in jail.
I don’t remember her mother
Then the problem is Ramades and AIDA falling in love and keeping it from Amneris.
The score and lyrics are great, with My Strongest Suite being a highlight- especially with the way it is staged- initially in a luxurious bathhouse and then on a fashion runway.
The other great thing about this song is, whilst there’s no doubt it’s playful and fun, you soon realise that as the character of Amneris starts to develop and grow, there is a seriousness brewing underneath, especially in the reprise.
Interesting fact- AIDA was released as a concept album, just had Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Chess before it (all lyrics by Tim Rice) and on this concept album, My Strongest Suit was recorded by The Spice Girls.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2023 21:01:45 GMT
Intermission
Initial thoughts, very cleverly staged. HUGE cast!
I don’t know any of these songs.
No problems with the accents
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2023 16:23:24 GMT
Gypsy- the Let Me Entertain You sequence
Rose Tint My World- The Floorshow in the Rocky Horror Show
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2023 15:41:10 GMT
Everybody's got the right to be happy.
No one can be out in jail for their dreams!
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2023 15:05:35 GMT
Depending on how its being staged, that could work.
I remember the theatre we saw it on Broadway was HUGE!
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2023 14:21:39 GMT
Phantom of the Opera has the opera where Carlotta starts croaking like a frog
Both Frederick and Ann go and see a show in A Little Night Music.
There is a show within a show in Newsies
There is the whole Honeybun sequence in South Pacific
The Small House of Uncle Thomas in The King and I
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2023 13:50:43 GMT
The Little Mermaid and The Hunchback of Notre Dame are my two favorite Disney animated films.
The Caribbean Sebastian the Crab and the way he puckers his lips (do crabs have lips?).
There are a few highlights for me:
When Ursula is was 'selling' the idea of being a human to Ariel and she's arching her back saying "Look at me, wasting away to practically nothing" and she's heaving out of her dress.
When Ursula is taking Ariel's voice with her skeletal fingers; and
The whole Kiss the Girl sequence where the flamingos draw the willow leaves back like curtains, the reeds snap like flutes, the frogs on the paddles on Prince Eric's boat, the way the ducks turn the turtles over and use their underbellys as drums and then the fish swim in circles are spitting water out of their mouths to form a fountain- brilliant!
These, and the sequence at the beginning of the film when Ariel and Flounder are chased by the shark is what I'm looking to see in this re-make.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2023 11:04:59 GMT
So excited for Assassins and to see Luke Brady again in something.
Will be booking a full priced matinee for this.
It will be my first time attending a show at Chichester
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2023 10:22:10 GMT
I am going tonight
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 15, 2023 23:07:35 GMT
I saw the show on Broadway with the original cast in 2000 and have been listening to the cast recording in random play ever since.
(To date) I have been waiting 23 years to see it again.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 15, 2023 20:41:48 GMT
A fist glimpse of Melissa McCarty as Ursula
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 15, 2023 14:22:44 GMT
This just came through on an e mail from the Albert. Sounds quite nice. Let's Face the Music Wed 8 Mar The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and West End guest vocalists perform a celebration of musicals from the golden age of Hollywood. Presented by the wonderful Bonnie Langford, this star-studded event features vocalists including Downton Abbey's Julian Ovenden, Ricardo Afonso, Louise Dearman and Anna-Jane Casey. With songs from classic musicals including Gypsy, Carousel, Cabaret, Oklahoma!, plus a very special tribute to George Gershwin, it’s a night not to be missed. That’s my Birthday 🥳 Maybe I should go 🤔
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 15, 2023 12:11:53 GMT
Can't wait to see this
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 14, 2023 15:49:29 GMT
I saw this at The Young Vic.
It wasn't for me so shalt be repeating the experience.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 14, 2023 12:54:39 GMT
And don't forget the songs that could have been included from other shows and sung but weren't because Cameron Mackintosh had no involvement.
This is Sondheim and Bernadette will be performing for a run- not just a night.
Take my money (it's that simple!)
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 13, 2023 15:07:29 GMT
Hello, I'm coming in from the US next month to see some shows, and I purchased a ticket to Cabaret with the intention of seeing Aimee Lou Wood in the role. Just this morning I saw an article saying that she would be out for certain performances, which, as far as I can tell, wasn't indicated in the initial press release. There also doesn't seem to be any indication of which performances she'll be out. But given that I have a ticket to a Wednesday matinee, it seems like I'm right in the "danger zone." Given everything I've heard about the refund policies on the West End, I'm assuming that I would NOT be entitled to a refund if she was out for my performance, even though it wasn't announced beforehand. Is that correct? In either case, has anyone seen her performance schedule published anywhere? Hello, Firstly, welcome (in advance). I hope that in addition to the shows that you have booked that whatever else that you whist you're here, that you enjoy yourself and have fun. Just to respond to one part of your post, usually you wouldn't be entitled to a refund. Most theatres cover themselves by saying that the attendance of any one performer cannot be guaranteed. If the show as a whole could not go ahead because of circumstances beyond the theatres control, like a flooding, an electrical issue that couldn't be fixed in time or something more serious then there would be no question.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 13, 2023 12:09:38 GMT
I have seen a touring production of The Addams Family so know how and where it sits in the show.
What about : "Are they (as in Lucas's parents) ready to scream?"
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 13, 2023 12:05:46 GMT
Schwartz said in an interview pre pandemic that Hunchback is dead and will never come to London in a proper production...which is unbelievably baffling as that production was a sensation This is indeed incredibly disappointing. This is up there as one of my favourite Disney films- that and The Little Mermaid. I have the studio cast recording which is breathtaking and a bootleg* copy of the 2015 Papermilll playhouse staged production with the same cast that I was watching last night. It was so wonderfully imaginative, and the music so soaring and haunting that at one point I found myself weeping at the beauty of what I was witnessing. *I know we're not supposed to discuss bootleg recordings on this forum. Moderators remove if you feel necessary.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 13, 2023 10:39:25 GMT
So far
The Little Mermaid Tarzan AIDA The Hunchback of Notre Dame King David The Jungle Book
Have I missed any?
I know both 101 Dalmatians and Bedknobs & Broomsticks were quite recently given an outing at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre and toured most major cities respectively.
I believe the reworked (a new book) AIDA is being tried out in Holland.
I also understand that a full production of Hercules is currently in rehearsal with an out of town tryout with before setting its eyes on a Broadway run.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 12, 2023 12:49:56 GMT
Same here. And well done to the Moderators
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 9, 2023 18:55:23 GMT
Just listening to a podcast "The Mayor of musical theatre" with Anna Jane Casey which I really recommend as she is great fun. She talks a little about the Sondheim Gala and said that the version of "Not Getting Married" we saw on the BBC was recorded at the dress rehearsal as, on the night, she "fu**Ed it up!" to quote her.I can't say I noticed mistakes on the night but it's such a difficult song. Yeah, she did f**k it up on the night
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 8, 2023 18:24:28 GMT
I swear Hollywood is running out of ideas.
Looks like a mash-up of Grease and Glee!
Streaming on Paramount + on 6th April.
Credit to TheatreFan Shaun Tossell for the head's up
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 8, 2023 9:29:41 GMT
What is the capacity of the venue? (I think) 3,000
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 6, 2023 15:50:18 GMT
I never liked the placing of the song at the start, out of context, before we’ve met the characters. The lyrics seem even more bland and generic without a sense of who is singing them. Not necessarily- remember this is a memory. Alex's memory of the first time he fell in love. That why Guiletta says " Alex, it' all in the past!" In contrast, I can imagine this duet version being used while Alex is in Jenny’s bedrooom, attempting to resist temptation, while George is listening outside. A situation that really does change everything for all the characters in the show. That could work!
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 6, 2023 12:16:44 GMT
I didn't watch any of this (I know it's on playback) I must be one of the few. I do know however that the viewing figures have been HUGE as has the buzz about it.
I saw something on the BBC new where they were trying to work out why it was so popular, looking at the stars of the show, the quality of the acting, the location where it's set, the strength of the writing.
Whatever the combination, they clearly got it right.
I hope that that those who did watch it, enjoyed it as much as anticipated.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 5, 2023 20:12:39 GMT
Sensational concert. I didn’t purchase the programme so I don’t know the names of all performing but there is some serious vocal talent on that stage!
No all Stagey songs either
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 5, 2023 12:05:12 GMT
Some more production shots
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 5, 2023 12:03:47 GMT
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 4, 2023 22:11:58 GMT
I am too Mark.
Unfortunately I don’t know exactly where I’m seated- I pick up my ticket at the box office
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 4, 2023 19:38:04 GMT
This is Jeremy Jordan's mate Benjamin Raulalaperforming at Cadogan Hall tomorrow night.
Is anyone going?
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