515 posts
|
Post by callum on Nov 7, 2017 21:49:16 GMT
Just singing that song well into her 80s will all of that life and history behind her is more important than any vocal perfection. Even the video of when she sings it at the White House for President Obama and loses her timing and has to start over is something special. A true classy broad. (imo)
|
|
515 posts
|
Post by callum on Nov 7, 2017 21:55:49 GMT
As a point of interest can anyone explain the line 'I lived through Barbara Walters' that Stritch often sings - presumably not what Sondheim wrote in the 70s. Is it just an affectation that Stritch, or someone else added? I don't recall Tracie B singing it in the current production but I could be wrong.
Also, Sondheim's writing of the song so long ago wouldn't fit with the theory that it's about Joan Crawford since Mommie Dearest wasn't until 1980? Just interested in the history of the song.
|
|
2,706 posts
|
Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Nov 7, 2017 22:22:26 GMT
The original lyric refers to Brenda Frazier, the alternative lyric as sung in this production is Shirley Temple. Stritch said that Barbara Walters was her addition because she'd sung it when Walters was in the audience, so that's a non-Sondheim change.
|
|
865 posts
|
Follies
Nov 7, 2017 23:17:27 GMT
via mobile
Post by karloscar on Nov 7, 2017 23:17:27 GMT
Joan Crawford's story would've been well known long before Mommy Dearest was published, never mind the movie. Carole Burnett's I'm Still Here gets all the shifts in mood within the lyric very well, and keeps it in character better than anyone else, and her "I had a Follies number..." intro always makes me laugh.
|
|
515 posts
|
Post by callum on Nov 8, 2017 0:21:36 GMT
|
|
|
Follies
Nov 8, 2017 7:59:48 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 7:59:48 GMT
This is such a weird one for me, because I enjoyed it when I saw it, but in hindsight, I think if it weren't for the cast, I don't know if id enjoy it as much as I did. The production and cast were so amazing, but I think the material and book kinda mould into one, I cannot remember a song rather than Tracies song for example! And we all know that song!
|
|
1,871 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Nov 8, 2017 8:07:34 GMT
As a point of interest can anyone explain the line 'I lived through Barbara Walters' that Stritch often sings - presumably not what Sondheim wrote in the 70s. Is it just an affectation that Stritch, or someone else added? I don't recall Tracie B singing it in the current production but I could be wrong. Also, Sondheim's writing of the song so long ago wouldn't fit with the theory that it's about Joan Crawford since Mommie Dearest wasn't until 1980? Just interested in the history of the song. Well, that's what he told EP in 2011 when she discussed the song at great length with him.
|
|
1,871 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Nov 8, 2017 8:09:05 GMT
But you can hear the struggle in Stritch's voice, the pain, the life well (and not so well) lived. It is visceral and real rather than a performance of a big song (which is what I get from Ms Paige)
There's fine line between visceral and "nails-down-a-blackboard" in my experience....
|
|
475 posts
|
Follies
Nov 8, 2017 8:49:28 GMT
via mobile
Post by bimse on Nov 8, 2017 8:49:28 GMT
I watched a video on YouTube of Elaine Paige performing “I’m still here” in the American production she did. I thought it was dreadful , didn’t suit her at all, and her actions were noticeably repetitive , eying people up and down on the words “and I’m here” .
|
|
865 posts
|
Post by karloscar on Nov 8, 2017 9:29:42 GMT
Paige really didn't get it at all. She never gets below the surface showstopper to the interior monologue where the character reveals more than she intends to.
|
|
885 posts
|
Post by lonlad on Nov 8, 2017 12:41:19 GMT
You're only NOW discovering that Paige can't act??? The woman has had a very very lucky career.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 13:55:04 GMT
What kind of insanity is this? Elaine Paige is THE FIRST LADY OF BRITISH MUSICAL THEATRE.
Clearly someone doubting her acting ability didn't see her star turn in Agatha Christie's 'A Murder Is Announced'. Even Zoë Wanamaker looked humbled to be sharing screen time with her.
Can't act indeed.
|
|
4,962 posts
|
Post by TallPaul on Nov 8, 2017 14:00:02 GMT
If EP can't act then her forthcoming sit-com with Johnny Vegas is going to make for some pretty difficult viewing!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 14:13:17 GMT
What is there about a sitcom starring Johnny Vegas and Elaine Paige that suggests it's going to be *easy* viewing?
|
|
475 posts
|
Follies
Nov 8, 2017 14:33:55 GMT
via mobile
Post by bimse on Nov 8, 2017 14:33:55 GMT
If EP can't act then her forthcoming sit-com with Johnny Vegas is going to make for some pretty difficult viewing! A sit-com with Elaine Paige and Johnny Vegas ? This is a joke ? Please? Anyone? You’ll be telling me next Sherrie Hewson is in it too .
|
|
4,962 posts
|
Post by TallPaul on Nov 8, 2017 14:41:30 GMT
If EP can't act then her forthcoming sit-com with Johnny Vegas is going to make for some pretty difficult viewing! A sit-com with Elaine Paige and Johnny Vegas ? This is is a joke ? Please? Anyone? You’ll be telling me next Sherrie Hewson is in it too . Let's hope it's a joke. That's the general idea with sit-coms, though the BBC doesn't have much form of late!! It's called Home From Home. She plays his mother.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 14:48:06 GMT
If EP can't act then her forthcoming sit-com with Johnny Vegas is going to make for some pretty difficult viewing! A sit-com with Elaine Paige and Johnny Vegas ? This is a joke ? Please? Anyone? You’ll be telling me next Sherrie Hewson is in it too . There was a pilot of it earlier this year starring Vegas with Emilia Fox, Adam James and Joanna Page. The First Lady of British Musical Theatre will appear as a new character of Vegas' mother.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 14:49:56 GMT
Don't knòw if its been put on here, but Imelda and Peter will be doing their talk at the National on December 11th, and Tracie and Josephine will be talking on December 18th.
|
|
475 posts
|
Post by bimse on Nov 8, 2017 14:51:09 GMT
A sit-com with Elaine Paige and Johnny Vegas ? This is is a joke ? Please? Anyone? You’ll be telling me next Sherrie Hewson is in it too . Let's hope it's a joke. That's the general idea with sit-coms, though the BBC doesn't have much form of late!! It's called Home From Home. She plays his mother. Obviously a product of the BBCs Way Ahead Group as part of their More of Less initiative . Yes, exactly ! Reference : W1A
|
|
167 posts
|
Post by paplazaroo on Nov 8, 2017 15:16:08 GMT
I saw this last night and thought it was incredible. It cleverly captures the pathos and essence of regret and love with tangible sadness, it's just such a bold and brilliant piece, really moved me far more than any formulaically structured commercial musical can.
|
|
1,907 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by sf on Nov 8, 2017 17:20:45 GMT
You're only NOW discovering that Paige can't act??? The woman has had a very very lucky career. To be fair (and I don't disagree that her "range" is on the limited side), she was magnificent in 'Piaf'.
|
|
515 posts
|
Post by callum on Nov 11, 2017 22:34:53 GMT
Happy to report that Hugh Grant actually sings Rain on the Roof in Paddington 2.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2017 22:49:45 GMT
You're only NOW discovering that Paige can't act??? The woman has had a very very lucky career. Tsk! Well she’s on my list of People I’d Like To Bump Into And Thank for some cracking afternoons and evenings in the West End over the years. Luck, yes. And some talent too, IMO.
|
|
2,379 posts
|
Follies
Nov 11, 2017 22:53:19 GMT
via mobile
Post by robertb213 on Nov 11, 2017 22:53:19 GMT
EP is at Milton Keynes on Monday, I'm currently in two minds whether to go or not. Has anyone seen the current tour and can recommend it? (off topic from Follies, sorry!)
|
|
885 posts
|
Post by lonlad on Nov 12, 2017 0:34:38 GMT
I thought Paige was Godawful in PIAF --- at least having seen Jane Lapotaire way back when and Elena Roger much more recently, both of whom were extraordinary. EP has precisely zero inner life so can't begin to inhabit anyone from the inside out, just in the broadest, most caricatured brushstrokes. (It was also very badly directed by Peter Hall, during one of his low periods.) I do remember nearly being trampled by the paparazzi when I did see EP's PIAF in their rush to photograph Sarah, Duchess of York. those were the days .....
|
|
865 posts
|
Post by karloscar on Nov 12, 2017 8:27:13 GMT
You could see the effort it took for EP to get into character in Piaf, she's never worked harder, but it was uncomfortable to watch. Around the same time I saw Scottish actress Terry Neason play Piaf, and although she's about four times the size of both EPs put together, she was completely believable in the role, as she got the energy and spirit of Piaf, as well as the sound.
|
|
2,812 posts
|
Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 13, 2017 18:09:21 GMT
I'm surprised by how many empty seats there are for the talk with Imelda Staunton and Peter Forbes on 11 Dec
|
|
2,529 posts
|
Post by n1david on Nov 13, 2017 18:33:32 GMT
I'm surprised by how many empty seats there are for the talk with Imelda Staunton and Peter Forbes on 11 Dec The 3pm platforms are often a lot quieter than the 6pm ones - most of the ones I've been to have had the side stalls and circle closed, so I don't think this is so unusual at this stage. Given that the vast majority of NT platforms are released as podcasts, I'm guessing a lot of people think they'll just catch up afterwards.
|
|
126 posts
|
Post by frontrowcentre on Nov 13, 2017 21:32:27 GMT
Great availably also (4O pounds top price) for this Wednesday 1:30 pm studio performance if anyone is interested. I was about to book but then they released some very good tickets for tomorrow evening which suits me better, and booked one of those instead. Very excited!
|
|
1,871 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Nov 14, 2017 8:54:42 GMT
I'm surprised by how many empty seats there are for the talk with Imelda Staunton and Peter Forbes on 11 Dec
Most people are at work, I would have thought.
|
|