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Post by David J on May 6, 2016 23:09:10 GMT
Little Carrie Hope Fletcher is also in those videos
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2016 0:59:34 GMT
I don't have objections to regional theatres taking on large scale musicals. Quite the opposite, and I have been amazed by the imagination production teams use to overcome their limitations. But for a musical like this, a bit more investment clearly goes a long way. I totally agree. I always thought a regional/subsidised production of Chitty would be great to see, and it is great that theatres like the West Yorkshire Playhouse are prepared to take the risk, but the scale and investment really is needed if it has any chance of living up to the original production. After all, the Palladium car cost £750,000 - the most expensive stage prop in history! I found a few song audios from Lee and Carrie's opening night on Wednesday...It annoys me how they're using the film arrangements for Toot Sweets, and Hushabye Mountain (and putting in Caractacus' puppet dance break in Doll on a Music Box)! They were all just perfect the way they were in the original production.
{Spoiler - click to view} Speaking of Toot Sweets, does this production have the dogs run on at the end? And who is singing Hushabye Mountain with Caractacus in this version? Truly?
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2016 4:29:45 GMT
Wow, I am really impressed by Carrie's voice in those recordings, she sounds so mature compared to Les Mis... considering how young she is, to sound like this, is really impressive!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 7, 2016 7:12:15 GMT
It will never be a patch on the Palladium production which was, in every aspect, perfect. The vast majority of people seeing this will not have seen the London production and could care less about what acrobatics the car does or doesn't perform, or anything else that happened at the Palladium.
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Post by David J on May 7, 2016 8:26:53 GMT
I don't have objections to regional theatres taking on large scale musicals. Quite the opposite, and I have been amazed by the imagination production teams use to overcome their limitations. But for a musical like this, a bit more investment clearly goes a long way. I totally agree. I always thought a regional/subsidised production of Chitty would be great to see, and it is great that theatres like the West Yorkshire Playhouse are prepared to take the risk, but the scale and investment really is needed if it has any chance of living up to the original production. After all, the Palladium car cost £750,000 - the most expensive stage prop in history!
{Spoiler - click to view} Speaking of Toot Sweets, does this production have the dogs run on at the end? And who is singing Hushabye Mountain with Caractacus in this version? Truly? Michael Rose was one of the original producers who could invest in this musical before he found himself in everybody's bad books. I suppose nowadays somebody like Cameron Mackintosh can only put on a production like the original. {Spoiler - click to view} There's no real dogs. You know those toys where you have a pole that you hold on one end, and on the other there is a wooden animal with a wheel underneath it to trundle along the ground, with legs attached to the sides going round and round. Thats what they use. A shame, since the appearance of real dogs always got a huge reaction. I remember the time the first tour came to the Mayflower, it was in the news that the production team had lost one of the dogs, but found it had been sleeping on one the seats of the car all night.
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Post by Honoured Guest on May 7, 2016 8:45:15 GMT
The vast majority of people seeing this will not have seen the London production and could care less about what acrobatics the car does or doesn't perform, or anything else that happened at the Palladium. Exactly! This is a Music & Lyrics production touring large-scale musical theatre very widely, throughout the UK. It's not intended to trump the special effects element of an earlier production at the London Palladium with its history of opulent popular spectacle. The company isn't called Music, Lyrics & Glitzy Spectacle, my dears.
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Post by missmelon on May 10, 2016 13:50:48 GMT
Touring productions are never going to be on the same scale as ones that are based permanently in the West End because they are moving around so much. When you perform in one theatre day in, day out, props and special effects can be so much more elaborate as you know exactly what you can and can't do in the venue, and you also don't have the constant get-in and get-outs to contend with. I'm off to see Chitty on Saturday in Milton Keynes, and I can't wait! I did actually see the show in the Palladium, however I was only about 7/8 so have very little memory of the show other than enjoying it! (as a side note, does anyone know where stage door is at MK theatre? Planning to arrive a bit early to try and suss it out but if anyone could give me a rough guide that would be much appreciated )
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Post by The Matthew on May 10, 2016 14:22:24 GMT
(as a side note, does anyone know where stage door is at MK theatre? Planning to arrive a bit early to try and suss it out but if anyone could give me a rough guide that would be much appreciated ) IIRC, if you're standing outside facing the main entrance it's round to the left.
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Post by missmelon on May 10, 2016 14:44:27 GMT
(as a side note, does anyone know where stage door is at MK theatre? Planning to arrive a bit early to try and suss it out but if anyone could give me a rough guide that would be much appreciated ) IIRC, if you're standing outside facing the main entrance it's round to the left. Brilliant, thank you
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Post by CG on the loose on May 15, 2016 12:36:26 GMT
Saw this last night with some trepidation, having loved the film since I first saw it in the cinema age 6, but slightly to my surprise given the negative comments up thread, I was utterly delighted by it. I also saw and loved the Palladium production, but certainly wasn't expecting a regional touring production to try to match that for scale and effects... perhaps that's why I wasn't disappointed by this one.
It was a slightly unusual show due to a last-minute indisposition... and before anyone starts calling "technical issues", it was young Daisy Riddett playing Jemima who was taken ill. There was a short stop to the show a few minutes in (necessitated, I understand, by the need to re-balance the car for the changed weights of its occupants) before it was announced that the role of Jemima would be played by Alex Bird - who I last recall seeing in the Wicked ensemble a few years back! She did an absolutely cracking job, as did the cast around her, especially young Aaron Gelkoff as Jeremy, for whom it must have been more than a little strange.
It left the ensemble a female down, as swing Kathryn Barnes was already on covering for Associate Choreographer Joanna Goodwin who had traveled ahead to Nottingham to rehearse the local sewer kids for the next date on the tour, but as ever when a company is filling the gaps, you really wouldn't have known from the audience perspective that anything was other than completely normal.
I was especially intrigued to see how I'd rate Lee Mead - I've enjoyed his previous stage roles and have also seen him in concert where his vocals were anything but "weak" as had been suggested up thread. Happily I thought his Caractacus was spot on - he has a wonderful connection with the children, totally natural and therefore completely believable, and his voice is as good as I remember (I wonder if the broken mic issues mentioned earlier were the reason for others' less positive experience?).
Carrie's voice is beautiful but I wasn't entirely convinced by her Truly. Incidentally, I didn't notice Hushabye Mountain being unduly sped up (maybe they've slowed it again), but did think Lovely Lonely Man was rather rushed.
I loved Sam Harrision's and Scott Paige's spies - their timing is immaculate, and Michelle Collins and Shaun Williamson made their Baron/Baroness parts as funny as I'm ever likely to find them (never did much like their bit of the story!). Andy Hockley is fabulous with his apparently Uncle Albert-inspired Caractacus Snr and Matt Gillett equally so as the Child Catcher (nice to see a cover emerge from the shadows to take the role in his own right).
Round all that off with an incredibly hard-wording and talented ensemble, a wonderful bunch of sewer kids and an excellent orchestra led by Andrew Hilton and you have a hugely entertaining, feel-good show which left me beaming from ear to ear.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 12:39:46 GMT
An employee of the MK theatre has noted that there have been a lot of techy issues during it's stay, resulting in a tough week for them.
But yes, by all accounts, my friend went last night and said it was wonderful - I'm pleased that things have been sorted.
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Post by missmelon on May 16, 2016 11:48:06 GMT
Ahh good to find out what the technical issue was! Very interesting to hear the female ensemble was a member down, really didn't notice which is always a good sign! I thought it was a brilliant performance from all, and the energy in the audience was fantastic with everyone clapping along to the upbeat songs! Fantastic show very well executed by all involved, thoroughly enjoyed by myself and my friend
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2016 13:32:06 GMT
I also have a friend who works at the Milton Keynes Theatre, apparently other than two performances, every performance over the two weeks had technical issues. With two performances actually having to be stopped in order for the show to continue. And at one point in the first week, stopping in Act I for about half an hour, carrying on to the end of Act I (which was 5 minutes) and then still having the interval. So a very tough start.
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 16, 2016 13:37:10 GMT
Does the crew change during a tour? I know there was a cast change- but I'm not sure how this works, do the stage hands change with each venue? Is it not considered strange for a show that has already been running for a while to have so many tech difficulties mid-run?
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Post by trapdoor on May 16, 2016 13:53:22 GMT
The show will tour crew and use each venue local crew. Without casting aspersions, faults can often occur due to local stage hands who have to pick up and learn a show plot with little rehearsal, although other difficulties can be down to venue logistics, acoustics, sight lines, venue equipment etc. These things happen.
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 16, 2016 13:56:57 GMT
I guess this is a very tech- heavy show too, isn't it?
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2016 14:38:39 GMT
Maybe they should get John Doyle on it... we can all imagine the car being there?
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Post by dan on May 20, 2016 20:00:53 GMT
For a touring production I'm actually really impressed with the car. It's the interval in Nottingham now and I thought the Act 1 close was amazing. Yes it's a little jittery when people are getting off and on, but it moved perfectly in sync with the projections and music. Looking forward to Act 2.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2016 6:17:28 GMT
Does the car actually rise above the stage? From pictures, it looks like the car is above other cast members on stage?
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Post by danb on May 30, 2016 7:46:28 GMT
Perhaps the car could double as the percussion section or house the keys? ?
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Post by theatreliker on May 30, 2016 12:26:23 GMT
Does the car actually rise above the stage? From pictures, it looks like the car is above other cast members on stage? It looks like it's on a crane from what I've seen.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2016 14:30:45 GMT
Does the car actually rise above the stage? From pictures, it looks like the car is above other cast members on stage? Yes the car rises up and "Flys" its on a crane that's hid very well. It "Flys" more than once but its the scene at the end where it "Flys" above the heads of other cast members
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2016 14:44:14 GMT
Does the car actually rise above the stage? From pictures, it looks like the car is above other cast members on stage? Yes the car rises up and "Flys" its on a crane that's hid very well. It "Flys" more than once but its the scene at the end where it "Flys" above the heads of other cast members Oh okay thank you! From what I read I didn't think it flew but I'm happy that it does!
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2016 17:39:30 GMT
Yes the car rises up and "Flys" its on a crane that's hid very well. It "Flys" more than once but its the scene at the end where it "Flys" above the heads of other cast members Oh okay thank you! From what I read I didn't think it flew but I'm happy that it does! This gives you an idea (Not my picture, found it on Instagram) http://instagram.com/p/BDtdtC9R5DA
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2016 18:08:10 GMT
Oh okay thank you! From what I read I didn't think it flew but I'm happy that it does! This gives you an idea (Not my picture, found it on Instagram) http://instagr.am/p/BDtdtC9R5DA Yes that's the picture I saw! It looks very clever, glad it actually flies!
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Post by shady23 on May 31, 2016 15:58:09 GMT
I am off to see it on Saturday in Newcastle, have seem it previously at the Palladium and on tour so looking forward to it.
Not sure about the casting though.
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 31, 2016 19:11:16 GMT
I am off to see it on Saturday in Newcastle, have seem it previously at the Palladium and on tour so looking forward to it. Not sure about the casting though. Would love to hear your thoughts after
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Post by PhantomNcl on Jun 2, 2016 16:14:07 GMT
I saw it in Newcastle last night and was very impressed. I'd seen the original London production and one of the subsequent UK tours, and this one works beautifully.
The cast are all superb. I've never been a Lee M fan, but his voice was perfectly suited to the role, and as other posters have attested he has a great rapport with the kids. Carrie H-F was a very polished Truly, and her 'Doll on a music box' number was very skilfully performed. Michelle Collins was possibly the weaker of the cast vocally, but turned in a very good performance, and had great rapport with Shaun Williamson. Great comic performances from Grandpa, Boris and Goran, and all the kids sailed through as though they were seasoned performers.
I missed the Childcatcher's song 'Kiddy-widdy-winkies', but he still had a very menacing presence, especially with the shadows that are cast before he appears on stage.
It was great to see such a large cast in a touring musical, and to hear a decent orchestra too!
The set is really clever, and I thought the projections worked really well throughout the whole show, especially during the driving/sailing/flying scenes.
The car mechanics aren't hidden as well as they were in previous productions, and the car no longer flies into the auditorium, but it's a very clever effect and looks great.
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Post by shady23 on Jun 4, 2016 20:56:07 GMT
Saw the show this afternoon. Have been to several versions before; the previous tour and the Palladium and this was very good in comparison.
Not a Lee Mead fan particularly but he was perfectly cast in the lead role and did a very good job.
Michelle Collins and Shaun Williamson made a perfect comedy couple and the supporting cast were excellent. Loved the staging and set design.
As for Carrie Hope Fletcher, I have never seen her in a show before and maybe I had unrealistic expectations as we are constantly told how wonderful she is but I was a bit underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong; she was good but maybe more suited to a second cover Truly and Ensemble rather than lead.
I may be on my own with that observation but I expected a bit more.
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Post by musicalfloozie on Jul 6, 2016 21:43:16 GMT
A lovely evening at Sheffield theatre watching Chitty. I was actually impressed with the staging of the show and although you can see the car crane it didn't take much away from the performance. Never seen Lee Mead or Carrie before but would say they were both good in the roles and gave fantastic vocals and performance. Again would say Michelle Collins probably wouldn't get credit for an amazing performance but was passable. Good humour bought to the show by Goran and Boris. My fave numbers were probably ol bamboo and toot sweets and ensemble were on point in these (how I wish I could dance!) Was a good one to tick off my to watch list but probably wouldn't race back to see it. Few audience mishaps with naughty people on phones etc but staff soon seem to sort it out and the kids sat near us were better behaved than their parents!!
Off to watch endless rounds of YouTube clips of Dick Van Dyke in film haha.
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