93 posts
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Post by avenueqresident on Sept 6, 2016 20:42:33 GMT
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Sept 6, 2016 20:48:00 GMT
Good. I was very disappointed that this was buried. Is Lilly Allen still relevant though? And will La Smith be allowed to touch anything musical-related anytime in the next decade?
I honestly don't think the show really requires a star or a name. It's a popular enough franchise to sustain healthy box office sale.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2016 21:58:13 GMT
I think Lily Allen quit because Helen Fielding wanted to change the story, even though she said that all the songs are complete didn't she? Sheridan Smith also walked out on it.
I wonder if this would go straight to the West End or somewhere like the Old Vic for a tryout first?
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Sept 6, 2016 22:12:36 GMT
I had no idea Allen quit. She is quite talented and has a specific tone that I think would have worked well for this. If replaced, I think it would be a crime to give this to a male composer. There's absolutely a huge gap in the male to female composers (and generally, creatives) in musical theatre.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2016 23:56:00 GMT
I had no idea Allen quit. She is quite talented and has a specific tone that I think would have worked well for this. If replaced, I think it would be a crime to give this to a male composer. There's absolutely a huge gap in the male to female composers (and generally, creatives) in musical theatre. Here's the article from 2 years ago here... www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/07-2014/lily-allen-leaves-bridget-jones-musical_35228.htmlI've got no particular interest in seeing this musical nor the books or films (unless I was dragged by a girlfriend!), but I agree it would be a total shame if Allen's work went to waste and she was replaced, especially by a male composer. Also I have always thought that Allen has been very clever with her lyrics and songwriting. But if the project looked like it was going nowhere, with the author making changes, then I don't blame her for leaving, after all development began in 2009! But at the same time (and correct me if I'm wrong as I mean this with no offence whatsoever), as far as I'm aware she isn't up to THAT much now is she (personal affairs aside)?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 7:16:45 GMT
Yes!! Great! It will tie in well with the third movie being released too.
It will probably try and get a star name but I don't think it needs one, it's a great movie anyway! However, I can only see Renee Zellwegger as Bridget anyway!!
Looking forward to seeing where this goes and how it develops
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2016 18:01:54 GMT
I'm not being funny but Sheridan Smith would make an AMAZING Bridget! The role needs lots of natural comedic timing and Smith certainly has that.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 9:39:09 GMT
I wonder if they'll be able to get Bertie Carvel back to play Mark Darcy again.
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112 posts
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Post by MusicalTalk on Sept 9, 2016 12:19:40 GMT
I am glad Lilly Allen has left the project; this needs a real musical theatre composer and lyricist. Writing cute pop songs is one thing but - as we see time and time again - pop song writers merely cannot produce strong musical theatre scores. It'd be full of half rhymes and 4 chord ballads.
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357 posts
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Post by JJShaw on Sept 9, 2016 12:34:30 GMT
i don't know about that ^, with sara barreilles' score from waitress being such a hit, both commercially and with MT fans, i thought Lily Allen was a good fit for the project
agreed that Sheridan was a perfect fit for the project, i thought she was great in legally blonde and funny girl but neither role (for me) fit her as much as bright jones would (in my head..!)
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18,811 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 9, 2016 13:39:40 GMT
I am glad Lilly Allen has left the project; this needs a real musical theatre composer and lyricist. Writing cute pop songs is one thing but - as we see time and time again - pop song writers merely cannot produce strong musical theatre scores. It'd be full of half rhymes and 4 chord ballads. Um.... Cyndi Lauper?
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Sept 9, 2016 13:50:27 GMT
I am glad Lilly Allen has left the project; this needs a real musical theatre composer and lyricist. Writing cute pop songs is one thing but - as we see time and time again - pop song writers merely cannot produce strong musical theatre scores. It'd be full of half rhymes and 4 chord ballads. Um.... Cyndi Lauper? Kinky Boots' score is awful. As is Finding Neverland's. And Waitress'. I fully agree with MusicalTalk that they should get a proper theatre composer.
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18,811 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 9, 2016 14:21:33 GMT
It's seems to be doing ok without your blessing Michael !
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Sept 9, 2016 14:25:25 GMT
I know completely beyond my understanding though.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 14:59:05 GMT
I'm not being funny but Sheridan Smith would make an AMAZING Bridget! The role needs lots of natural comedic timing and Smith certainly has that. I'd imagine she's after a long break from the stage after Funny Girl. Maybe if it takes Bridget 2 years or so she might return to the project? Yeah I totally agree she probably won't do stage work for a few years as she's really in demand with film and TV too. I presume it will be a few more years until the show opens, as didn't Helen say it is being workshopped but she has written the book?
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2,763 posts
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Post by daniel on Sept 9, 2016 15:43:52 GMT
Kinky Boots' score is awful. As is Finding Neverland's. And Waitress'. In your opinion Michael I loved Kinky Boots' score (live and CD), enjoyed most of Finding Neverland's (haven't seen it live)....listened to Waitress' cast recording and almost fell asleep, not my cup of tea at all, so I agree on that one!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 18:12:22 GMT
Although it's technically old news, it may not be to some. One of the scrapped demos Allen wrote for the show. Bridget's "love song to her fridge"
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6,319 posts
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Post by Jon on Sept 9, 2016 18:23:31 GMT
I really liked the scores for both Kinky Boots and Waitress and don't forget Elton John has had success with musicals like The Lion King, Billy Elliot and Aida. I do wonder what composers would be good for Bridget Jones.
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Sept 9, 2016 18:33:20 GMT
I do wonder what composers would be good for Bridget Jones. Laurence O'Keefe? He composed the scores for Legally Blonde and Heathers (and Bat Boy).
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6,319 posts
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Post by Jon on Sept 9, 2016 18:46:57 GMT
I do wonder what composers would be good for Bridget Jones. Laurence O'Keefe? He composed the scores for Legally Blonde and Heathers (and Bat Boy). I personally think they should have a British composer but O'Keefe isn't a bad shout. As someone who liked Loserville, I've always thought James Bourne and Elliot Davis should tackle another musical.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 19:45:47 GMT
I do hope this doesn't take too long to come to the stage - I hope it goes straight to West End too. I'm hoping around the end of next year (around Christmas time?), I know that is pushing it in terms of development but maybe things are going on behind closed doors? I mean the book is written so then it's just the music and if they are happy with the workshops, they can bring a director on board then the cast. I've been waiting so long for this!!
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6,319 posts
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Post by Jon on Sept 9, 2016 19:52:19 GMT
I do hope this doesn't take too long to come to the stage - I hope it goes straight to West End too. I'm hoping around the end of next year (around Christmas time?), I know that is pushing it in terms of development but maybe things are going on behind closed doors? I mean the book is written so then it's just the music and if they are happy with the workshops, they can bring a director on board then the cast. I've been waiting so long for this!! End of next year would be pushing it, especially as the book will probably be rewritten and music and lyrics probably will take a long time to get going once they find a composer and they need to find a creative team. I'm not expecting it to 2018 or 2019 at the earliest if it does get back off the ground.
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Sept 9, 2016 20:03:52 GMT
Lots of pop stars have had musicals to varying results, the reason they become pop stars, is because they were first class composers in the first place, think U2, Phil Collins, Boy George, ELO, ABBA etc. I thought the score to Waitress is top draw.
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6,319 posts
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Post by Jon on Sept 9, 2016 20:13:34 GMT
Lots of pop stars have had musicals to varying results, the reason they become pop stars, is because they were first class composers in the first place, think U2, Phil Collins, Boy George, ELO, ABBA etc. I thought the score to Waitress is top draw. ABBA's a great example because their songs are like mini stories and Benny and Bjorn have proven with Chess and Kristina that they can write great scores.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 20:21:46 GMT
I do hope this doesn't take too long to come to the stage - I hope it goes straight to West End too. I'm hoping around the end of next year (around Christmas time?), I know that is pushing it in terms of development but maybe things are going on behind closed doors? I mean the book is written so then it's just the music and if they are happy with the workshops, they can bring a director on board then the cast. I've been waiting so long for this!! End of next year would be pushing it, especially as the book will probably be rewritten and music and lyrics probably will take a long time to get going once they find a composer and they need to find a creative team. I'm not expecting it to 2018 or 2019 at the earliest if it does get back off the ground. Yeah I agree 2017 would be pushing it but hopefully 2018. I think 2019 might be abit too late for them if they've already started it and Helen said they are looking for an ideal theatre so hopefully 2018!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 21:17:50 GMT
Maybe even Renee Zellwegger could play Bridget?! That's almost 100% not going to happen but she would be amazing and I think that would be her London debut? She's got the voice for singing too, as we saw in Chicago.
Just watching clips of the film on YouTube and I think Renee is literally amazing in that role, she does an incredible British accent and I just love her!
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92 posts
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Post by bjorne on Sept 9, 2016 21:29:05 GMT
Lazarus is on our way too. Talking about pop stars (in this case maybe something more) who decided to write scores for musicals.
Said that, I really hope to see this musical. I have high hopes about it (or at least I have the high hopes when Lily Allen was on board. Right now I just have hopes) In a funny world if we want a all British woman show they should put the Spice Girls in the composer slot. Let's be honest, it would be fun.
On a side note, Dianne Pilkington would have been great as Bridget.
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Sept 9, 2016 21:30:56 GMT
On a side note, Dianne Pilkington would have been great as Bridget. ^ This, we love. Yes.
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6,319 posts
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Post by Jon on Sept 9, 2016 22:14:09 GMT
Maybe even Renee Zellwegger could play Bridget?! That's almost 100% not going to happen but she would be amazing and I think that would be her London debut? She's got the voice for singing too, as we saw in Chicago. Just watching clips of the film on YouTube and I think Renee is literally amazing in that role, she does an incredible British accent and I just love her! Renee is far too old to play Bridget in her 30s! Not to mention she's never done theatre and I think the producers would rather someone new to play the role for this medium.
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Post by d'James on Sept 9, 2016 22:27:33 GMT
Renee didn't even sing live at the Oscars and Queen Latifah had to take her place.
I'm not sure who I'd want as Bridget. There's so much talent out there that hopefully they'll make the right call.
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