7,491 posts
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Post by alece10 on Mar 5, 2016 11:37:09 GMT
I saw Natasha the first time she went on as Fanny. It must have been early December when Sheridan was off sick for 2 performances. You could sense an atmosphere in the audience at the beginning as they had come to see Sheridan but by the end of Act 1 they were won over and she, deservedly, got a full standing ovation at the end. No one can match Sheridan for her comic performance which is perfection but Natasha makes up for it in the singing department.
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185 posts
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Post by boybooshka on Mar 5, 2016 12:31:11 GMT
Anyone tempted to exchange tickets will be missing an incredible performance by Natasha Barnes. She blew the roof off last night and the audience loved it. I was there last night too and totally agree, she was fab. I wasn't disappointed to miss Sheridan, though that said I will be making a trip to the Savoy, lol.
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1,186 posts
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Post by Steve on Mar 5, 2016 23:56:52 GMT
I went to the last show, and loved it. For me, it's not the 5 star show it is with Sheridan Smith, but it's still a solid 4 star show without her. (1) The laughter test: Laughs are down about 50 percent without the star of the show. Natasha J Barnes has described acting in this show as similar to following the breadcrumbs of Smith's technique, and if there is one thing Barnes has mastered, it's the deadpan reaction, followed by a quick moment of fourth wall breaking insincerity. She got big laughs doing that. Where Barnes can't match Smith is in the moment to moment comedy playing, the alertness and aliveness in every moment that makes Smith so special; (2) The tears test: Barnes comes up a winner here, about equal with Smith for heart-rending moments. Her "People" had an ultra-sensitive tender build-up to a very satisfying emotional outpouring, and my tear ducts answered her call accordingly. She smashed the final three songs, especially "The Music that Makes Me Dance," where the strength of her voice came into it's own; (3) The charisma test: When Sheridan Smith is in the show, she is a magnet to the eye, and I found I couldn't take my eyes off her. There is something so charming and effervescent, vulnerable and alive about her. Removing her from the equation allows others to catch the eye: with Marilyn Cutts's Rose being the most magnetic performer in tonight's show. Everything she did was compelling and true, and Rose's duet with Eddie, "Who taught her everything she knows?" got a massive and well-deserved ovation. Darius Campbell's Nick Arnstein was the second most compelling watch tonight, with his solo number, "Temporary Arrangement," a stand-out, and the little bit of "People" he gets to reprise truly excellent. Natasha J Barnes was, for me, the third most magnetic draw to my eye, and became more and more compelling as the weight of the emotions she was asked to express increased. I'm really glad I got to see her, and I look forward to seeing Sheridan Smith giving her 5 star performance at the Savoy. 4 stars.
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Mar 6, 2016 0:45:31 GMT
Was there tonight too and Steve's post nails it. Have to say that I've adored SS every time I've seen her in FG but removing her does equal out the performances. Thought Natasha held her own with Marilyn, Darius, Joel and the rest of the ensemble who really shone tonight. Also understood what Shenton said about the flashes of a young MsStaunton and heard that incredible warmth and timbre that Garland had. Disappointed there was no acknowledgement off the entire cast and specifically SS's contribution throughout the run. Hope all the troubles are ironed out before Savoy.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 6, 2016 8:14:34 GMT
Can Natasha belt out a tune and sing more powerfully the La Smith ?
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5,265 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 6, 2016 8:29:29 GMT
Reich have you seen Sheridan sing this?
She barely gets through it, let alone "belts it"
From what I'm reading, the understudy can ACTUALLY sing it which is a start.
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Post by crabtree on Mar 6, 2016 11:07:33 GMT
And don't forget any performance by an understudy is an amazing achievement as they will not have had the time, the detail and the luxury of all those rehearsals.
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638 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Mar 6, 2016 11:33:11 GMT
Reich have you seen Sheridan sing this? She barely gets through it, let alone "belts it" From what I'm reading, the understudy can ACTUALLY sing it which is a start. Sheridan belts nothing. I'm in total agreement with Mr B here. She didn't even hold the last note in Parade and gave up long before the music ended. She appears to be a very nice person but I do think she's a bit Emperor's New Clothes and no one seems to question her performances
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Post by aimee16 on Mar 6, 2016 12:05:03 GMT
Post deleted
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Post by Michael on Mar 6, 2016 12:41:20 GMT
Wow, that Rain on my Parade was perfection. Why can't I be living closer to London?
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Post by Joseph Buquet on Mar 6, 2016 12:57:07 GMT
Reich have you seen Sheridan sing this? She barely gets through it, let alone "belts it" From what I'm reading, the understudy can ACTUALLY sing it which is a start. Sheridan belts nothing. I'm in total agreement with Mr B here. She didn't even hold the last note in Parade and gave up long before the music ended. She appears to be a very nice person but I do think she's a bit Emperor's New Clothes and no one seems to question her performances ...Is this a statement of fact, or based on the one/limited number of performances you've seen? I acknowledge that there are better singers out there, but when I saw her she certainly held that note to the end. Her singing exceeded my expectations
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 13:04:57 GMT
Natasha sounds fantastic, can't believe I retuned my tickets for this last week, so not only will I not get a refund, as it was presumably no longer sold out, I could at least have nabbed some tickets for the Savoy if I'd hung on. Hey-ho, you live and never learn.
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343 posts
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Post by johartuk on Mar 6, 2016 13:53:48 GMT
Wow, those audios are amazing! Natasha can certainly belt it out! It's interesting comparing Natasha's 'Don't Rain On My Parade' with Sheridan's (which is one of the option vids that pops up after the first vid finishes - so I listened to Sheridan's first). Sheridan's a fab actress with great comic timing, but she isn't a strong singer, whereas Natasha makes it seem effortless.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 15:28:38 GMT
Wow... she has one hell of a voice! I hope all those horrid people on twitter shut up after hearing her!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 15:34:08 GMT
Also found Sheridan's version of Don't Rain on My Parade! She does sound amazing!
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Post by kirstylovesmusicals on Mar 6, 2016 16:09:35 GMT
My view on the this Sheridan buying fans tickets thing!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 16:11:53 GMT
My view on the this Sheridan buying fans tickets thing! I just watched this Kirsty! I have been one of your subscribers for a year or so!
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5,265 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 6, 2016 16:15:03 GMT
Just seen an article about her tweets to the producers saying effectively "see you in court" for 'pressuring' her to go on.. Good god.
Her agent really needs to get her off Twitter.
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5,265 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 6, 2016 16:16:42 GMT
They must have been very low indeed then. Natasha sounds great.. I'm hoping Sheridan is off when I see it at the Savoy after hearing that. . Sheridan belts nothing. I'm in total agreement with Mr B here. She didn't even hold the last note in Parade and gave up long before the music ended. She appears to be a very nice person but I do think she's a bit Emperor's New Clothes and no one seems to question her performances ...Is this a statement of fact, or based on the one/limited number of performances you've seen? I acknowledge that there are better singers out there, but when I saw her she certainly held that note to the end. Her singing exceeded my expectations
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Post by Jon on Mar 6, 2016 16:24:29 GMT
I think she should use the months hiatus to give herself a break from Twitter and just concentrate on the TV series she's filming before coming back to Funny Girl.
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7,491 posts
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Post by alece10 on Mar 6, 2016 17:35:38 GMT
I'm pretty sure that I have seen more performances of Funny Girl with Sheridan than anyone on here (and no I am not some strange Sheridan "stalker") and her singing voice has just got better and better and more powerful as the run has gone on. As others have said you cant keep your eyes off her when she is on the stage, which is for most of the show and no one does comedy like her. I am not taking anything away from Natasha as she is brilliant in the role and has done a fantastic job.
And what is it with Twitter and famous people? They seem to want to play their whole life out in 160 words or less for the world to know about ..... Thankfully I don't have a twitter account so never get to read anything on there.
Interesting youtube recordings too. Has the Menier started allowing people to record the show on their phones now?
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18,774 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 6, 2016 17:57:26 GMT
Mystic Burly predicts a tour starring Natasha after the Savoy run..... Whaddya reckon?
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Post by musicalfloozie on Mar 6, 2016 18:01:45 GMT
I really hope it would tour as it's not a show I'd travel specially to London for but would definately book tickets if it came local.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 18:57:00 GMT
Are all members of the Ensemble transferring with this to the savoy? Some tweets make me think they are not.
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18,774 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 6, 2016 19:21:57 GMT
I don't know his name but that male chorus member with the blondish hair, who played the groom in the his Love Makes Me Beautiful routine was adorbs I might stalk stalk him for a bit
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Post by theatre-turtle on Mar 6, 2016 19:52:17 GMT
I don't know his name but that male chorus member with the blondish hair, who played the groom in the his Love Makes Me Beautiful routine was adorbs I might stalk stalk him for a bit Would we be allowed a dedicated cute chorus boy thread?
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3,926 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 6, 2016 19:53:29 GMT
I went to the Menier box office at about half past 6 last night & got a 2nd row returned ticket for this - it's the first time I've seen a box office assistant look positively grateful at someone asking about returns so I guess they must have had quite a few tickets returned!
I am very glad I decided to give it a go as I really liked the show, much more than I was expecting to. All I knew about it before hand was 2 songs & that it was loosely biographical. It was much more amusing than I was expecting. I know it's called Funny Girl but somehow I wasn't expecting it to be so funny!
I thought Natasha Barnes was brilliant. I haven't seen Sheridan Smith to compare (having seen her in Legally Blonde I have sworn off ever seeing her in another musical) but I thought Natasha's acting was excellent & I find it very hard to believe that Sheridan could sing the role as well as Natasha did. Having seen Natasha in the Union's Chess I knew she had a great voice & I could just relax & enjoy her singing rather than worry if she would be able to hit the notes, as I would have done with Sheridan. "People" had me tearing up & I had goosebumps in her final two songs.
So I am very glad Sheridan did pull out of the last few shows or I wouldn't have had a great evening!
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18,774 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 6, 2016 20:16:49 GMT
I don't know his name but that male chorus member with the blondish hair, who played the groom in the his Love Makes Me Beautiful routine was adorbs I might stalk stalk him for a bit Would we be allowed a dedicated cute chorus boy thread? You need to ask? lets objectify a few actors!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 20:19:16 GMT
I don't know his name but that male chorus member with the blondish hair, who played the groom in the his Love Makes Me Beautiful routine was adorbs I might stalk stalk him for a bit Ooh, Burley! I'm guessing you mean Luke Fetherston.... Tall, pretty, camp... He was in the bar with the girlies the night we went, eating his (rather smelly) dinner before the evening show. Gave us a treat by bennnddding over the barrrr to show us all his cutie butt in his trackies! As an administrator, pleeeaase give us permission to start a cutie chorus boy thread!
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18,774 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 6, 2016 20:24:34 GMT
I don't know his name but that male chorus member with the blondish hair, who played the groom in the his Love Makes Me Beautiful routine was adorbs I might stalk stalk him for a bit Ooh, Burley! I'm guessing you mean Luke Fetherston.... Tall, pretty, camp... He was in the bar with the girlies the night we went, eating his (rather smelly) dinner before the evening show. Gave us a treat by bennnddding over the barrrr to show us all his cutie butt in his trackies! As an administrator, pleeeaase give us permission to start a cutie chorus boy thread! Permission granted! As long as we keep it this side of classy. I know you will
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