267 posts
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Post by stageyninja83 on Sept 16, 2017 19:13:32 GMT
Was great this afternoon. I have never lsitened to any of the music, or had any idea of the story, so have no idea about any of the changes...but I loved it. George Ure was definitely the highlight, after only ever seeing him as Boq, I had no idea he had such a good voice. Hoping this actually leads to something bigger, cause I am now in love with this show. Isn't he doing Big Fish at the Other Palace next?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2017 19:46:03 GMT
Well. Never has such a great cast been wasted on such a rotten show. The Lord came on with Arlene Phillips and talked about the show in Germany. Needless to say he didn't sell it well so I hope he's got someone else in to do the marketing there. Arlene told us to use our imaginations which meant no roller skates. I almost left there and then. How very dare they.
They've updated some of the lyrics to go all modern like but they've kept the 80s music though. So that's nice. There's an embarrassing bit at the beginning of the second half where they make a valiant attempt to go all Hamilton. Suffice to say I don't think Lin Manuel will be making any calls.
Liam Tamne gives us his best Frank N Furter in some fugly shoes for those who like that sort of thing. Rusty and Dusty are so going to run away together and dump poor Pearl. Due to the shocking lack of roller skates and some cost saving on the electricity the races happen in darkness. On the plus side, it allows you to sing 'Holding Out For A Hero' with the score. Bonnie Tyler should sue. Do do do dooooo, aaaaah, aaaaaaaah!
Highlight of the whole show is Mica Paris creeping around the back of the stage looking for a paracetamol. Perhaps she had a migraine. I certainly did.
Oh and Coco didn't even attempt a French accent. All of the other trains had a bash at an accent except her. Very bad form.
Really the whole thing could have done with a tap routine. And some skates. Both would have been more impressive.
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1,659 posts
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Post by fiyero on Sept 16, 2017 22:10:02 GMT
I loved the show this evening. Odd how it is a mix of sings I know from the cast recordings, recognise from seeing the show and ones I don't know. Would have been interesting to see the difference each evening. I think it is a bit dangerous that some of the changes will date more than the show already has (swipe right) I was disappointed they ran out of cast lists so I didn't get one. They did say I could email then for a copy. Now to book some tickets to Germany...
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2,820 posts
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Post by ceebee on Sept 16, 2017 22:47:57 GMT
Oh do please stop bitching Mica Paris - I'm not a huge fan but she was bloody good Saturday afternoon. Catty Queenie comments are so passe.
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132 posts
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Post by blobble84 on Sept 17, 2017 0:55:00 GMT
Arlene told us to use our imaginations which meant no roller skates. I almost left there and then. How very dare they. There's an embarrassing bit at the beginning of the second half where they make a valiant attempt to go all Hamilton. . Surely you weren't expecting roller skates for a workshop performance in a tiny theatre? And I'm sure "The Rap" at the start of the second half has been in there since the days of the Apollo Victoria?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 1:21:37 GMT
I saw the show tonight without knowing anything at all about it (beyond the fact that there are usually rollerskates) and had a really good time.
The plot is total nonsense, but it's endearing nonsense, in the same way that We Will Rock You was and Bat Out of Hell is. I like the idea that the whole show is about trains, it stops it ever taking itself too seriously and means it's okay for characters to behave like total stereotypes without it seeming cliche.
Does anyone have a song list from today's performances? I really enjoyed the score but as I've just discovered, it's changed so much since 1984 that it's completely impossible to find what songs were in the version you saw without knowing what you're looking for. I enjoyed them all though, there were a few highlights, Crazy, Starlight Express, the finale song, Uncoupled and another one which was reprised about 12 times that I've now forgotten but liked at the time.
George Ure can SAAAAAAAANG, I had no idea he was concealing that voice! He was definitely the best, closely followed by Christina Bennington and Natalie McQueen, and of course the ravishingly attractive Liam Tamne and Oliver Tompsett. I'm surprised they managed to get that many big names for the show, but I suppose if you mumble about it having a full run at some point everyone will rush towards it. I'm not sure if the actress playing Momma actually had severe vocal damage or was just pretending, either way she seemed to be able to hit all the notes easily enough but I was still waiting for her to miss several of them because she sounded in so much pain.
The weak point of the show was the races - or lack thereof - so I'd be interested to see a full version where the skating is included. I hated Phantom and Evita and was left unmoved by Cats so I'm glad to have finally enjoyed a Lloyd-Webber show (I quite liked Wizard of Oz but he didn't do a lot on that one). He was quite nice, very friendly to everyone who spoke to him which surprised me as I'd been informed that he's a certified knob. Overall a great night of theatre.
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Post by d'James on Sept 17, 2017 9:25:05 GMT
I can only give you the song list from memory that we had on Friday. I'll leave the races out but they're on iTunes. The stuff between the songs is often different to anything recorded so I'll just list the songs if that's OK.
ACT ONE: Overture 1992 Entry of National Trains Rolling Stock 1984 Crazy Call Me Rusty I Got Me Freight 1992 AC/DC 1992 Pumping Iron 1984 Coda of Freight Make Up My Heart Momma's (Poppa's) Blues 1992 Laughing Stock Starlight Express
ACT TWO: The Rap 1992 U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. 1984 (1992 is more countrified though) (Right Place, Right Time 1992) Starlight Sequence 1992 I Got Me (Dinah's Disconnection) One Rock'n'Roll Too Many I Do Light At The End Of The Tunnel 1992
Edit: The 1984 version of U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. has pretty much the introduction we had. In fact the 1984 version has a lot of the introductions to songs we had whereas the 1992 version tends to be just the songs. Actually I'll go back and give my suggestions of which version to listen to which would be most like we saw on Friday (if I don't put a date next to it either doesn't exist or is too different. (One Rock'n'Roll too many is a duet on both recordings.)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 9:31:24 GMT
Agree about George Ure, what a voice! And great characterisation for Rusty. Am a little bit in love lol! Hoping to see him on skates very soon...
Shame Right Place only appeared in 1/5 performances.
Otherwise what an amazing week. Great idea. Worked brilliantly. Funnily enough without the big costumes, wigs and makeup I think I connected with the actual story better than ever.
All that remains to be seen now is if these changes make it to Germany, a U.K. tour version, or if we will finally have it back in the West End.
ALW said something very interesting yesterday - he said some things were right, some needed improving but he'd soon have an up to date version he was happy with that he could "hand over if someone wanted to produce it." Implies he doesn't wish to produce it himself. In last few years he seems to be letting go of his intense involvement of producing his own shows and concentrating on being the author. It's a change I've noticed since Love Never Dies and I think it's a good thing for him, he appears much more relaxed these days.
Right now this week is done, time for me to move to the Sunset Boulevard thread where I'll be on turban watch up and down the country for the next six months!
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Post by d'James on Sept 17, 2017 9:41:09 GMT
Have to say I didn't enjoy the portrayal of Electra on Friday - nothing to do with the shoes although they were unnecessarily hideous.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 10:23:19 GMT
I can only give you the song list from memory that we had on Friday. I'll leave the races out but they're on iTunes. The stuff between the songs is often different to anything recorded so I'll just list the songs if that's OK. ACT ONE: Overture 1992 Entry of National Trains Rolling Stock 1984 Crazy Call Me Rusty I Got Me Freight 1992 AC/DC 1992 Pumping Iron 1984 Coda of Freight Make Up My Heart Momma's (Poppa's) Blues 1992 Laughing Stock Starlight Express ACT TWO: The Rap 1992 U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. 1984 (1992 is more countrified though) (Right Place, Right Time 1992) Starlight Sequence 1992 I Got Me (Dinah's Disconnection) One Rock'n'Roll Too Many I Do Light At The End Of The Tunnel 1992 Edit: The 1984 version of U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. has pretty much the introduction we had. In fact the 1984 version has a lot of the introductions to songs we had whereas the 1992 version tends to be just the songs. Actually I'll go back and give my suggestions of which version to listen to which would be most like we saw on Friday (if I don't put a date next to it either doesn't exist or is too different. (One Rock'n'Roll too many is a duet on both recordings.) Thank you so much! I don't know how much it changed between Friday and Saturday but that's brilliant, thank you, I can now YouTube songs to my heart's content
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Post by d'James on Sept 17, 2017 10:43:34 GMT
I can only give you the song list from memory that we had on Friday. I'll leave the races out but they're on iTunes. The stuff between the songs is often different to anything recorded so I'll just list the songs if that's OK. ACT ONE: Overture 1992 Entry of National Trains Rolling Stock 1984 Crazy Call Me Rusty I Got Me Freight 1992 AC/DC 1992 Pumping Iron 1984 Coda of Freight Make Up My Heart Momma's (Poppa's) Blues 1992 Laughing Stock Starlight Express ACT TWO: The Rap 1992 U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. 1984 (1992 is more countrified though) (Right Place, Right Time 1992) Starlight Sequence 1992 I Got Me (Dinah's Disconnection) One Rock'n'Roll Too Many I Do Light At The End Of The Tunnel 1992 Edit: The 1984 version of U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. has pretty much the introduction we had. In fact the 1984 version has a lot of the introductions to songs we had whereas the 1992 version tends to be just the songs. Actually I'll go back and give my suggestions of which version to listen to which would be most like we saw on Friday (if I don't put a date next to it either doesn't exist or is too different. (One Rock'n'Roll too many is a duet on both recordings.) Thank you so much! I don't know how much it changed between Friday and Saturday but that's brilliant, thank you, I can now YouTube songs to my heart's content I'm sure other people will disagree with the year's I've said and might want to add bits but that's the bare bones. Right Place, Right Time was only performed on Friday apparently.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 13:40:39 GMT
Oh do please stop bitching Mica Paris - I'm not a huge fan but she was bloody good Saturday afternoon. Catty Queenie comments are so passe. Oh I thought she was marvellous. Rather nice poncho too. Surely you weren't expecting roller skates for a workshop performance in a tiny theatre? 'Starlight Express' without skates is like 'Cats' without cats. And you have to admit that with that rake at The Other Palace it would have been more fun to have had them on skates for this show hurtling down a sheer drop from the back of the auditorium while trying to wrestle with the score. I'm sending The Lord my feedback so that he can work on the show some more.
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132 posts
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Post by blobble84 on Sept 17, 2017 16:39:13 GMT
Yes, for a proper production, but not a workshop.
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123 posts
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Post by Joseph Buquet on Sept 17, 2017 17:12:19 GMT
I loved the show this evening. Odd how it is a mix of sings I know from the cast recordings, recognise from seeing the show and ones I don't know. Would have been interesting to see the difference each evening. I think it is a bit dangerous that some of the changes will date more than the show already has (swipe right) I was disappointed they ran out of cast lists so I didn't get one. They did say I could email then for a copy. Now to book some tickets to Germany... I was there last night and have got a (rather creased) spare cast list which I can send you if you'd like
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Post by gskater on Sept 17, 2017 17:15:00 GMT
I saw the show last night on the final night. Went in a bit sceptical due to the spoilers and the fact it was not on roller skates.
Wow, was I wrong. I left being totally blown away and buzzing. I've still got the new song "I Got Me" songwormed in my head.
The cast were absolutely fantastic and so so talented. Arlene's staging without skates was brilliant and proved it can still work without skates. It was done brilliantly and helped strip bare back the characterisation and story. The story has been better explained throughout and the relationships between the characters.
I was sceptical about replacing papa with mamma, but it worked. It was nice for Red Caboose to get a bigger role as the baddy and not only more lines with him doing dodgy deals with greaseball but the return of his song "wide smile". The only criticism here is the song refers to CB who was the communications car, and red caboose was the "brake truck". So that doesn't make much sense in its old form.
The score was brilliant. He's stripped it back to almost the original and updated it. David Yasbek's tinkering has been iradicated with the removal of "whole lotta locamotion" and his version of "the rap".
I love the new song "I got me" it's catchy, almost drum and bass feel with the rhythm and it stuck in my head.
I loved what he's done with "the rap". Accapella and most of the 1992 lyrics which explain the story more. It has a stomp feel with no orchestra just the performers using their feet for the rhythm, very clever.
Some lyric changes too. Starlight Express verses have changed and some of the lyrics to "I do" have changed to make more sense of Pearl regretting she messed Rusty around.
I actually like "I Do" which was introduced in 2012. Much prefer it to "next time you fall in love".
A new character "Tasita" which is the quiet car, although not introduced by name. Think he needs to think of a better name. I did like the reference to Bjork when she was shhhhhhhing the others a reference to its oh so quiet.
The prince of wales becomes Brexit which got a laugh. The return of Belle, but just as a side kick with the others no sub storyline or solo song.
The race scores were a return to the originals, but faster tempo and new bits. The races, although weren't staged, we were warned about by Arlene at the beginning. These will obviously be staged in the next tour, rather than the lights just going out.
Question is will they re-film new race sequences or extend the stage out around the stalls for choreographed races like we are doing in Bournemouth. With the right venues, races could be staged around the stalls, although not on the scale of Apollo Victoria or Bochum, but still better than the dodgy 3D film which is now so old.
George Ure as Rusty was brilliant and by far the best Rusty I have seen out of all the 20 performances I have seen over the years. The characterisation was really good and showed his character as being a bit cheeky and lovable as well as his vulnerable side.
I would have suggested a TV show "I am the starlight" a search for a new Rusty, similar to JCS or Maria with the lord as a judge. This would put Starlight in the minds of people who have never seen or heard of the show before and would be good publicity with either a big tour of a wed end revival. But after last night we need George back as Rusty.
I am still buzzing and excited from last night. I wish I could see the workshop again. Still at least I am privileged to be able to perform it in 8 weeks with live races as Dustin.
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1,659 posts
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Post by fiyero on Sept 17, 2017 17:41:53 GMT
I loved the show this evening. Odd how it is a mix of sings I know from the cast recordings, recognise from seeing the show and ones I don't know. Would have been interesting to see the difference each evening. I think it is a bit dangerous that some of the changes will date more than the show already has (swipe right) I was disappointed they ran out of cast lists so I didn't get one. They did say I could email then for a copy. Now to book some tickets to Germany... I was there last night and have got a (rather creased) spare cast list which I can send you if you'd like That would be lovely, I'll see if they get back to me with a copy and let you know
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Post by Seriously on Sept 17, 2017 17:50:28 GMT
Oh do please stop bitching Mica Paris - I'm not a huge fan but she was bloody good Saturday afternoon. Catty Queenie comments are so passe. Wow. Your third post and you're telling us what to do. So who were you before you got banned?
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Post by d'James on Sept 17, 2017 18:07:28 GMT
So true. They could even have used Momma in Girls' Rolling Stock like Belle on the OLC. I know she's an engine but it shouldn't matter. They had new lyrics for it in Bochum for the English show so why not use them for the workshop. It's only two and a half minutes long and it's a shame for the characters. They did indeed! And yup it's so short and so many of the fans love it! Was not in the original tours but was back in the most recent one. Funny you were at the English show; reckon we must have been at a few Starlights together without realising! Don't think I replied to this - how rude of me. I haven't been to many other 'important' nights apart from the last night of the last UK Tour in Milton Keynes. I hope it's not too long until it's back in the UK, even with the stuff I didn't like as much I'd still love it more than most other shows I'm sure.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 18:22:55 GMT
I'm probably gonna get a strong telling off for this but if anyone got an audio of the show, especially from the last couple of nights, I'd appreciate if you could send it to me
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 18:27:11 GMT
They did indeed! And yup it's so short and so many of the fans love it! Was not in the original tours but was back in the most recent one. Funny you were at the English show; reckon we must have been at a few Starlights together without realising! Don't think I replied to this - how rude of me. I haven't been to many other 'important' nights apart from the last night of the last UK Tour in Milton Keynes. I hope it's not too long until it's back in the UK, even with the stuff I didn't like as much I'd still love it more than most other shows I'm sure. Haha, no worries. Funnily enough I was at the last night in Milton Keynes :-)
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Post by d'James on Sept 17, 2017 18:28:44 GMT
There we are. Three times at least!!
What were the basic lyrics to I Got Me? 'I Got me, and that's all I need' or am I misremembering?!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 18:47:16 GMT
So I enjoyed it yesterday from a first time viewer of the show. And turns out, I really knew nothing about the show or score, I didn't recognise any of it! The plot itself is obviously thin, but its fun to watch. I personally liked the score even though it is a bit of a mess in all its twists and turns. I don't think I've heard a score attempt to cover so many genres, from 80's pop to electro, country and gospel! Very clearly the highlight is the cast, who really elevated the material. George in the lead was fantastic! He has such a charisma and stage presance, when he is onstage you just can't help but watch him. Added to that is his fantastic voice and cute personality and charm. Oliver Tompsett was his usual fantastic self also, really singing his face off and playing the dick role well. I was dissapointed in Act 1 over the lack of Natalie, but heading into Act 2, she got to show off both her voice and comic chops, shes really damn funny! I personally also really liked Mica, I thought she was alot of fun, and her and George almost stopped the show with their duet in Act 2 where he finds Starlight Express or whatever was going on. That was the only song in the show that really got a huge, extended amount of applause and cheering, and rightly so. A couple of issues... I still had no clue what the Starlight Express actually was at the end of the show! Clearly I was either not paying enough attention, or its not given away through the song. But I had to ask a friend after who had seen the show before. And the new lyrics stood out like a sore thumb, which really bugged me. Its clearly an old score, so the newer lyrics just stood out and really didn't feel they sat well with the rest of the score. I could tell where the new lyrics were, even though I hadn't seen the show. They had a different feel to the rest of the songs, rather than just a blending in with the rest. I am intrigued to see a full scale production, but at the same time I enjoyed the simpicity of this version. If The Other Palace decide next year to do a full production version of this, even without roller skates, I would definately go! It was just alot of fun and I think, for me anyway, that was mainly down to the cast!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 18:49:23 GMT
There we are. Three times at least!! What were the basic lyrics to I Got Me? 'I Got me, and that's all I need' or am I misremembering?! And yet they still fawn over Greaseball and need another man to race with. It made no sense. If they wanted to make a real stand for womens right, why not have a female engine to race against Greaseball??
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Post by d'James on Sept 17, 2017 19:08:36 GMT
There we are. Three times at least!! What were the basic lyrics to I Got Me? 'I Got me, and that's all I need' or am I misremembering?! And yet they still fawn over Greaseball and need another man to race with. It made no sense. If they wanted to make a real stand for womens right, why not have a female engine to race against Greaseball?? Agreed! They should just have Dinah fawning over him and have her independence bit in the second half. Also they need to mix up the genders more. Flat-top could be female. The quiet carriage or sleeping car could be male. (I think the reason for not doing that would be how it sounds though.) Electra is crying out to be female, just listen to Josie Aiello's version, more so than Poppa I would say although I would happily have them both be female and just Greaseball and Rusty male. If they could just make it clear that all they cared about was racing and being with the fastest (apart from the two love stories) that would be ideal.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 19:18:54 GMT
I'd rather they cut Rusty and Pearls love story and have CB as the main villain. Yes it would be a big overhaul but it would be more exciting.
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2,820 posts
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Post by ceebee on Sept 17, 2017 19:24:12 GMT
Oh do please stop bitching Mica Paris - I'm not a huge fan but she was bloody good Saturday afternoon. Catty Queenie comments are so passe. Wow. Your third post and you're telling us what to do. So who were you before you got banned? Hi Seriously - I've never been banned from anything. I've been on this forum for a long time, tending to read and enjoy the comments and banter that goes on. However, the bitching about MP grated - particularly as I felt she gave a good performance. Just because some of us are lurking, reading and valuing this forum doesn't mean that we don't have a voice should we choose to use it. On the contrary, those who choose to bitch and snipe would be better served investing their energy in more positive dialogue about the shared passion for theatre that we all have. So on my fourth post, I'm explaining myself to somebody who presumes I got banned because I dared to speak up? Open your mind a little, and if in saying "us" you count yourself as one of those who enjoys bitching performers, then yes, I am telling you what to do. I don't even know who you are, but I'm guessing that your talent doesn't extend much beyond your keyboard. That said, as a fan of Kenneth Williams, I admire your choice of photo.
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Post by d'James on Sept 17, 2017 19:24:45 GMT
I'd rather they cut Rusty and Pearls love story and have CB as the main villain. Yes it would be a big overhaul but it would be more exciting. I don't agree, but I can see where you're coming from.
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2,820 posts
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Post by ceebee on Sept 17, 2017 19:26:07 GMT
A love train triangle? Could get this show properly back on track...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 20:55:14 GMT
Ooo another point, I hated that Electra character. The introduction song was long and wore thin very fast, I thought the styling of Liam was pretty dreadful too, and his eyes were watery the whole time, he looked like he had just come off a coke binge backstage. It was overly camp but not even in an entertaining way, and being a gay who loves some camp, this I didn't really care for it at all. He has a great voice though, so there you go.
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Post by d'James on Sept 17, 2017 21:25:02 GMT
Ooo another point, I hated that Electra character. The introduction song was long and wore thin very fast, I thought the styling of Liam was pretty dreadful too, and his eyes were watery the whole time, he looked like he had just come off a coke binge backstage. It was overly camp but not even in an entertaining way, and being a gay who loves some camp, this I didn't really care for it at all. He has a great voice though, so there you go. I didn't like his voice/style of singing. That song is definitely one which relies on its staging though, I agree it can be a bit repetitive when just listening to it.
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