868 posts
|
Post by karloscar on Mar 31, 2019 7:01:38 GMT
Give Mogg or BoJo a year in power and we'll be right back in Victorian times never mind the Thatcher era.
|
|
1,876 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Mar 31, 2019 7:53:43 GMT
I think he would totally agree with you as long as there's a reason for it --i.e. gender flipping and modernizing COMPANY yes but setting FOLLIES at Wembley Arena which is being torn down to make a new runway for Heathrow Airport probably not .....
ooh! That's an interesting idea!
What I do find listening to a lot of lyrics of Company and Follies - shows that even in the 70's were already referencing places, people, events from decades before (Follies in particular here), it becames harder through the passage of time for the contemporary audience to know, understand or even truly get what is being sung/spoken about.
I'm Still Here is a prime example - yes, we get the idea, but without doing a lot of research, anyone under 70 probably would not register any of the reference points in anything but the vaguest sense, without the need for a mass googling session - a lot of work for an audience member!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2019 9:27:03 GMT
I think he would totally agree with you as long as there's a reason for it --i.e. gender flipping and modernizing COMPANY yes but setting FOLLIES at Wembley Arena which is being torn down to make a new runway for Heathrow Airport probably not .....
ooh! That's an interesting idea!
What I do find listening to a lot of lyrics of Company and Follies - shows that even in the 70's were already referencing places, people, events from decades before (Follies in particular here), it becames harder through the passage of time for the contemporary audience to know, understand or even truly get what is being sung/spoken about.
I'm Still Here is a prime example - yes, we get the idea, but without doing a lot of research, anyone under 70 probably would not register any of the reference points in anything but the vaguest sense, without the need for a mass googling session - a lot of work for an audience member!
Furthermore, without any preconception of the piece or theatre in general, how many <30's these day would be aware of the word 'folly' or concept of American 'Follies'?
|
|
|
Follies
Mar 31, 2019 9:49:14 GMT
via mobile
Post by apubleed on Mar 31, 2019 9:49:14 GMT
Sondheim is protective about the writing but not necessarily about the production or concept.
|
|
3,927 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Mar 31, 2019 18:29:22 GMT
I saw this last night for the first time, having had a ticket for summer 2017 but then been ill on the date. It might have been a good thing as there are more performers I like in this year's cast. I found the piece itself a bit mixed, some parts I thought were excellent but there were a few rather dull patches. I find it hard to imagine a better production than this one. The Loveland section was very strange but I presume it's meant to be. I thought that "Losing My Mind" was supposed to be the eleven o'clock number in Follies but Joanna Riding seemed to underplay it & it got less of a reaction from the audience than the preceding & following numbers. "Mirror, Mirror" probably got the biggest reaction of the evening.
Apart from the underplayed "Losing My Mind" I thought Joanna Riding was excellent as Sally, although she still looks so good for her age that the lines about getting middle aged & fat don't quite work! Janie Dee is likewise still in amazing shape & her dancing is incredible, as good as the cast members half her age (while I've seen her in other roles this is the only one that's required proper dancing). I don't think I've seen Alexander Hanson apart from on TV since the Menier A Little Night Music so it was good to see him being excellent in Sondheim again. Some of the younger selves were a better physical match than others, though all acted well.
My main reason for wanting to see this was to see Dame Felicity Lott. She is one of my favourite opera singers, ever since I saw her in my first ever opera at the Royal Opera House, Der Rosenkavalier, 15 years ago next month. I cried in "One More Kiss", not so much for the song itself but because she was singing it & every time I hear her sing nowadays I know it could be the last time (she's 70 now).
I was worried beforehand about the lack of interval but I was okay in terms of needing the loo, though I developed a headache from not being able to drink for over 2 hours - I thought I probably would hence I made sure I booked an evening show rather than a matinee. If I ever see anything at the NT again I need to study @theatremonkey 's site more closely before booking a ticket. I thought I was 1 in from an aisle, thus allowing for a quick exit afterwards, but found that while technically I was making a quick exit would have required jumping down about 10 feet of wall first. I have never seen a theatre auditorium with the side stalls raised up the centre stalls. I wonder what the architect's thinking was?
|
|
119 posts
|
Post by theatregeek on Apr 1, 2019 11:08:04 GMT
I was in on Saturday night in Row C stalls. Last time I had a good circle seat. To be honest, I LOVED being so close to the action, it didn't lose anything for me but boy was I uncomfortable. I'm only 5'7" so never have legroom problems but it was the lack of seat back that did it for me - just couldn't get comfy. Anyway, the show is still in good shape and I relished and embraced the new performers' take on their roles. I used to have a crush on Claire Moore but she's spoiled it now in this role! Lol, not her fault, she was acting it well. I did think Janie's voice was really strained towards the end and funnily enough at the first bow I saw her say to Ben "My God I'm so tired" as she turned to walk away. Very funny. My ONLY slight problem was Joanna Riding - I tried my best to believe in her, I really did, but I'm afraid Imelda's take just won't leave my mind. I am a self-confessed Sondheim geek so I have been in heaven the past few years with this epic production, the amazing Company and Merrily a few years back. What do I do now??? There is a whisper of Assassins right?
|
|
4,596 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 1, 2019 12:34:28 GMT
theatregeek Assassins is scheduled for Nottingham and Newbury (Newbury dates not announced yet). Next year is Uncle Steve's 90th so I guess we'll get some more productions
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2019 13:58:56 GMT
After all this Sondheim-ness going on, it's time to revive 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' in a big old starry version methinks. I'm looking at you Lord Dame Sir Simon Russell Beale for a start.
|
|
7,534 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Apr 1, 2019 14:01:52 GMT
After all this Sondheim-ness going on, it's time to revive 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' in a big old starry version methinks. I'm looking at you Lord Dame Sir Simon Russell Beale for a start. I can still picture Philip Quasts thighs in the NT production.
|
|
3,927 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Apr 1, 2019 18:06:05 GMT
The theatre was designed to echo the Greek Amphitheatre of the past. Hence the fan shape. I get the shape horizontally, it's the shape vertically I don't get i.e. why are the side stalls blocks raised above the centre stalls block. All the pictures I've seen of Greek theatres/amphitheatres show each tier of seats as a continuous curve, not the side seats jacked up 10 feet above the centre ones.
One thing I forgot to say in my comments yesterday was that I thought "In Buddy's Eyes" was a beautiful song in terms of lyrics. I would kill to find a man who thought of me like that.
|
|
3,927 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Apr 1, 2019 18:08:00 GMT
It was simply the fashion back then, and they felt it worked in the architects models... Do other theatres have raised side stalls then? If so which ones? I can't think of any I've been in that do.
|
|
3,927 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Apr 1, 2019 18:13:59 GMT
Oh help, I'm going to the Lowry in August. I hope I haven't inadvertantly booked a disconcertingly raised seat!
|
|
1,908 posts
|
Post by sf on Apr 1, 2019 19:44:52 GMT
Wycombe Swan I think does, as does the Lowry. The Lowry doesn't. The big theatre is a regular proscenium house, and there are no raised sections in the stalls - just a gentle rake from the back to the front. The smaller one had a proscenium stage with three horseshoe-shaped balconies, each with just 2 rows of seats, around the stalls.
|
|
|
Post by craig on Apr 1, 2019 19:58:49 GMT
The Wycombe Swan certainly does. My old local as a kid. I've even performed there a couple of times!
|
|
559 posts
|
Follies
Apr 1, 2019 20:07:38 GMT
via mobile
Post by danieljohnson14 on Apr 1, 2019 20:07:38 GMT
Random question, did Imelda take her wig off at the end of Losing My Mind or is it newly added in for Joanna? I can't remember at all.
I liked the change in movement for Tracie in I'm Still Here, it felt more natural and fluid.
|
|
|
Post by craig on Apr 1, 2019 20:12:49 GMT
Imelda didn't take a wig off at the performance I attended.
I thought it was very effective in Joanna's performance.
|
|
559 posts
|
Follies
Apr 1, 2019 20:17:58 GMT
via mobile
craig likes this
Post by danieljohnson14 on Apr 1, 2019 20:17:58 GMT
Imelda didn't take a wig off at the performance I attended. I thought it was very effective in Joanna's performance. I agree, I think it made the ending of that number more powerful and emotive. I can't remember Imelda's so I can't compare fairly, but Joanna's packed thst punch for me.
|
|
1,908 posts
|
Follies
Apr 1, 2019 20:44:20 GMT
via mobile
Post by sf on Apr 1, 2019 20:44:20 GMT
Random question, did Imelda take her wig off at the end of Losing My Mind or is it newly added in for Joanna? I can't remember at all. It's new. Imelda Staunton also didn't pop pills during the song, she just took a drink.
|
|
|
Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Apr 1, 2019 20:44:45 GMT
Imelda didn't take a wig off at the performance I attended. I thought it was very effective in Joanna's performance. I agree, I think it made the ending of that number more powerful and emotive. I can't remember Imelda's so I can't compare fairly, but Joanna's packed thst punch for me. I always found Imelda's very affecting (especially compared to other performances I'd seen of it before). She held the note until her voice became like a groan (sort of like the sound the grudge makes? I can't think of a better way to describe it) and then it sort of disappeared into the music and she stood there blank faced, mouth open as if she'd gone brain dead and walked off stage. I don't know how much of that stayed in though as I haven't seen the new cast yet.
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Apr 1, 2019 21:48:01 GMT
I enjoyed my second visit tonight more than I did when I saw the original cast. I just felt that I connected with it more this time.
Joanna Riding actually often sounds quite similar to Imelda Staunton when she sings. She didn't disappoint.
A female member of the ensemble fainted at the side of the stage at one point and had to be really helped to get off the stage. No show stop though. I hope she's OK!
4 stars this time.
|
|
|
Post by craig on Apr 1, 2019 22:10:25 GMT
I was at the matinee on Saturday and two people behind me upped and left DURING Losing My Mind! I was totally absorbed in the performance but had a vague awareness of movement behind me and then noticed they had gone. What is WRONG with people!?
|
|
1,037 posts
|
Post by jgblunners on Apr 1, 2019 22:24:09 GMT
Imelda didn't take a wig off at the performance I attended. I thought it was very effective in Joanna's performance. I agree, I think it made the ending of that number more powerful and emotive. I can't remember Imelda's so I can't compare fairly, but Joanna's packed thst punch for me. I find it interesting to hear that, as I personally found the Imelda version without the pills and wig removal so much more effective. There was nothing to distract, just pure emotion and completely allowing the lyrics and Imelda's superb acting through song to pack the punch. In every other part of the show, I thought Joanna Riding was more appropriate for the role than Imelda, but those 3 minutes of Losing My Mind still belong to Imelda for me.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Apr 2, 2019 9:41:29 GMT
I was at the matinee on Saturday and two people behind me upped and left DURING Losing My Mind! I was totally absorbed in the performance but had a vague awareness of movement behind me and then noticed they had gone. What is WRONG with people!? One of the things I really liked about Company was the puzzled sigh Rosalie gave out at the end of each sequence interacting with her friends. What indeed....
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Apr 2, 2019 9:49:42 GMT
The theatre was designed to echo the Greek Amphitheatre of the past. Hence the fan shape. I get the shape horizontally, it's the shape vertically I don't get i.e. why are the side stalls blocks raised above the centre stalls block. All the pictures I've seen of Greek theatres/amphitheatres show each tier of seats as a continuous curve, not the side seats jacked up 10 feet above the centre ones.
One thing I forgot to say in my comments yesterday was that I thought "In Buddy's Eyes" was a beautiful song in terms of lyrics. I would kill to find a man who thought of me like that.
At the Follies day there was some discussing of this. The Theatre was conceived as a continuous run of seats on the amphitheatre model. But they needed a break to put in the technical staff half way up. As I looked around it made sense. The wings are most likely on the line the theatre was supposed to be. I think it was Dominic Cooke who said this ruined the theatre and made it problematic, and with cc TV etc today it wouldn't be needed. Perhaps a remodel will happen... I will just add that its perhaps not surprising that anyone who is prepared to kill would find Sally the most interesting character..
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2019 10:05:08 GMT
I was at the matinee on Saturday and two people behind me upped and left DURING Losing My Mind! I was totally absorbed in the performance but had a vague awareness of movement behind me and then noticed they had gone. What is WRONG with people!? One of the things I really liked about Company was the puzzled sigh Rosalie gave out at the end of each sequence interacting with her friends. What indeed.... I was just thinking the other about how much I *didn't* like this precise thing! I know that the point of the vignettes when combined with some of the lyrics ("these good and crazy people, my married friends") is to sort of let us in on the idea that Bobbie's friends are, at least sometimes, pretty weird, but after the third or fourth "... wow", I started to wonder if Bobbie even *liked* any of her friends.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2019 11:16:58 GMT
One of the things I really liked about Company was the puzzled sigh Rosalie gave out at the end of each sequence interacting with her friends. What indeed.... I was just thinking the other about how much I *didn't* like this precise thing! I know that the point of the vignettes when combined with some of the lyrics ("these good and crazy people, my married friends") is to sort of let us in on the idea that Bobbie's friends are, at least sometimes, pretty weird, but after the third or fourth "... wow", I started to wonder if Bobbie even *liked* any of her friends. Also a point that I'd been thinking about. I feel like in 2018 it was a lot more subtle, more as Mr Snow describes, a "puzzled sigh" which worked, but the 4th wall-breaking, enforced "wow" towards the end of the run seemed to provoke a bigger audience reaction. It is quite strange though as someone who values her friends to be quite so dismissive of them. I feel like it became a more obtuse way for the audience and Bobbie to relate and interact. As outsiders to it, we are left thinking "wow" of these people, they're a bit much. So Bobbie turning to the audience and saying 'wow' almost with them, makes her even more relatable.
|
|
307 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by westended on Apr 2, 2019 11:19:56 GMT
How easy would this show be to tour?
|
|
4,596 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 2, 2019 11:25:15 GMT
How easy would this show be to tour? In arenas the set would fit in fine and so would the 200audience members
|
|
1,908 posts
|
Follies
Apr 2, 2019 13:29:18 GMT
via mobile
Post by sf on Apr 2, 2019 13:29:18 GMT
The Lowry doesn't. The big theatre is a regular proscenium house, and there are no raised sections in the stalls - just a gentle rake from the back to the front. And I may be losing mine! Where am I thinking of, then... The Theatre Royal in Plymouth?
|
|
|
Follies
Apr 2, 2019 16:26:33 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2019 16:26:33 GMT
Just reading back on this thread,there is sooo much going on in this show that it definitely warrants multiple visits to take all the intricate nuances and special moments on board.Like Company and 42nd St,this is musical theatre gold and should be cherished as such.
|
|