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Post by theatremadness on Apr 24, 2017 17:42:53 GMT
So Tim Rice has just let slip on twitter that his old 80's musical Blondel is being revived at the Union Theatre this summer. One for the musical theatre purists I should think! I know a revised version had been re-titled Lute! but not sure whether the Union production will follow suit or not.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 24, 2017 18:24:59 GMT
Didn't a production open at the Shaw Theatre when Spamlot opened in Wendy's End ?
I seem to remember an interview with Rice saying I did the comedic mediavial musical first which backfired on him as Blondel got naff reviewes
Anyone see it? Would be interesting to know what people thought of it
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 24, 2017 18:32:34 GMT
Didn't a production open at the Shaw Theatre when Spamlot opened in Wendy's End ? I seem to remember an interview with Rice saying I did the comedic mediavial musical first which backfired on him as Blondel got naff reviewes Anyone see it? Would be interesting to know what people thought of it Yes - 2006 at the Pleasance! Was completely re-written by then and, of course, original composer Stephen Oliver had already passed away by then, too. Original production only lasted 8 months at the Aldwych, but that was after 11 months already at the Old Vic. Never saw the Pleasance production, but this exists: I would 100% see the Union production, though!
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 24, 2017 22:42:58 GMT
Being very old - I do remember seeing Blondel at the Palace Theatre Manchester back in the 80's before it transferred to London. I actually remember very little about it other than it starred Paul Nicholas in the title role and featured Cantabile - a close male harmony group of the time playing singing monks. I do remember it being funny with some good tunes.
Running Back for More was recorded by Elaine Paige I think in a more up beat tempo version - she was seeing Tim Rice at the time!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Apr 24, 2017 22:57:43 GMT
One of my favourites.
I only know it from my twin cassette cast recording. But the songs stuck with me.
No reason why it can't make a good return to the stage - with a decent cast and director.
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2,557 posts
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Post by viserys on Apr 25, 2017 6:27:21 GMT
I seem to remember that I saw Blondel somewhere in the... I wanna say, 90s? My old programmes live at Mum's, so I can't check, but I KNOW I saw it in London in one of the fringe theatres of the period. The Bridewell maybe?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 13:41:59 GMT
Oooh fabulous. I love their stuff. "The tiiiiiiide is high but I'm hooooolding on" . . .
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on May 12, 2017 14:28:49 GMT
21st June - 15th July!
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 12, 2017 16:23:12 GMT
Just seen that the original LBC is being re-released at the end of the month. Just had to order it on Amazon. Yay!
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7,493 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 12, 2017 16:43:57 GMT
I remember seeing it at The Old Vic with Paul Nicholas. I had the cast recording but it was on cassette and lost it a long time ago. Be interesting to revisit it.
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1,329 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on May 12, 2017 18:08:53 GMT
Press everywhere about this today but can only see two shows on sale currently - the matinees on the first weekend... has anyone managed to book for other dates?
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 12, 2017 18:24:26 GMT
I remember seeing it at The Old Vic with Paul Nicholas. I had the cast recording but it was on cassette and lost it a long time ago. Be interesting to revisit it. You can hear Act 1 here: It does occasionally sound a bit 1980s Sitcom theme song like - but there is enough there to keep me interested and entertained. I must have listened to it so much growing up - the lyrics came back very quickly. I always fancied playing one of the monks!
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Post by showgirl on May 13, 2017 4:37:46 GMT
Press everywhere about this today but can only see two shows on sale currently - the matinees on the first weekend... has anyone managed to book for other dates? I found the same and wondered if fans had already rushed in and booked up the other dates within hours of tix going on sale!
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1,329 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on May 13, 2017 8:06:03 GMT
Press everywhere about this today but can only see two shows on sale currently - the matinees on the first weekend... has anyone managed to book for other dates? I found the same and wondered if fans had already rushed in and booked up the other dates within hours of tix going on sale! Exactly what I wondered, but a bit unusual not to list the other dates but show them as 'sold out' - can't make either of those, so really hoping it's a glitch!
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Post by caa on May 13, 2017 10:26:04 GMT
I found the same and wondered if fans had already rushed in and booked up the other dates within hours of tix going on sale! Exactly what I wondered, but a bit unusual not to list the other dates but show them as 'sold out' - can't make either of those, so really hoping it's a glitch! All dates seem to be on sale now
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1,329 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on May 13, 2017 10:44:38 GMT
Ooh fab, thanks caa
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Post by justafan on May 22, 2017 9:22:32 GMT
I've not visited the Union before - is it unreserved seating?
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Post by CG on the loose on May 22, 2017 9:28:32 GMT
I've not visited the Union before - is it unreserved seating? Yes - but when you collect your ticket you're given a number and they call you through in groups of 10 or 20, so there is SOME organisation to it, but not a lot! There's a bar and cafe at the theatre if you want to arrive a little earlier to get a good slot.
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Post by theatregeek on May 22, 2017 16:07:41 GMT
I saw this at The Old Vic in the 80's too - I was a baby! Queued round the block for Cats tickets and didn't get in so went to this. I found the music catchy, bought the LP (vinyl - blush) and quite enjoyed it, but the night we were in there were many technical issues with quite a clunky set. There was definitely something there to play with and expand I thought at the time so maybe now is that time.
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119 posts
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Post by theatregeek on May 22, 2017 16:09:25 GMT
I've not visited the Union before - is it unreserved seating? Yes - but when you collect your ticket you're given a number and they call you through in groups of 10 or 20, so there is SOME organisation to it, but not a lot! There's a bar and cafe at the theatre if you want to arrive a little earlier to get a good slot. It's a strange little place but very atmospheric. I saw Out House there a couple of years ago, you are VERY close to the actors
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1,329 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on May 22, 2017 16:40:10 GMT
Yes - but when you collect your ticket you're given a number and they call you through in groups of 10 or 20, so there is SOME organisation to it, but not a lot! There's a bar and cafe at the theatre if you want to arrive a little earlier to get a good slot. It's a strange little place but very atmospheric. I saw Out House there a couple of years ago, you are VERY close to the actors They've moved across the road into their new, and slightly (not hugely!) more spacious premises since then. Front row is still to all intents and purposes on the stage, but the back is a little more distant than the third row it was in the old space!
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on May 22, 2017 20:01:25 GMT
Thanks all for the comments 😀😀
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2017 14:08:18 GMT
Well hello Connor Arnold!
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 27, 2017 18:18:52 GMT
My OLC recording arrived this morning - it still holds up as a good show
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Post by galinda on May 28, 2017 21:30:42 GMT
I fancy seeing this but have heard this theatre is unbearably hot? Is it that bad?
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Post by wickedgrin on May 28, 2017 23:12:42 GMT
I fancy seeing this but have heard this theatre is unbearably hot? Is it that bad? Yes! Certainly on a warm summer evening!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 24, 2017 14:56:55 GMT
Interval at this afternoon's poorly attended matinee.
Am sat next to a portable Aircon unit so not melting!
Have to say that I am mostly enjoying it. The original elements of the score stand out as being far stronger than the new compositions.
Rice's lyrics are still very witty and we'll placed. The new script is ok. Not great but not so bad that it takes you out of the show.
Design is decent with some fun shabby modern medievalisms. Lighting still needs to bed in but does a decent enough job.
There is no amplification for the voices which is fine for the concerted numbers and for the older male voices. But for the rest they do tend to get lost in the mix. I appreciate that cost is a key factor here but if you can't project over five musicians in a studio space then your training is lacking...
Will report more on the individual performances at the end.
It is a piece worth seeing but don't expect to be blown away.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 24, 2017 16:27:31 GMT
Just sitting down to a cold brew coffee after the show.
And my impression s from the first half were confirmed by the second.
We got more new material here and it wasn't strong.
Aim For The Heart is an ok song but not memorable enough to be a duet and then the finale encore.
The new song for the Duke of Austria is the weakest moment in the show. It adds nothing and seemingly comes at the expense of one of the best duets from the original score.
'I know we all have to meet Waterloos but why is the wrong train the only one that runs on time?'
I can't remember the exact title but it is a duet for the Duke and the Assassin and it is sorely missed.
In terms of performances there are many positives. The quartet of monks hold the show together with some virtuosic close harmony work. Neil Moors has the best voice into the company and has great fun as King Richard.
James Thackeray as Prince John is clearly channeling a young Alan Cumming. Full of allure and sleaze. And if he were miked his voice would land more forcefully.
It is the central casting where the lack of vocal power is all too obvious. Connor Arnold is a very winning stage presence and every bit as pretty as his photos indicate. He has a pleasing voice but he can't fill the space with it. Again in a show with mics this wouldn't be an issue but here it was.
Jessie May as Fiona had similar troubles with projection but she also didn't seem quite comfortable with where the role sat in her voice. She acted well but I felt she was struggling to integrate her head and chest voices with some of the songs.
Direction is ok. Nothing startling original but clear storytelling in the main. Choreography was a bit repetitive in places but performed confidently by all.
All in all I would have preferred them to have kept more of the original score. But I was still entertained and the many felicities of what Oliver and Rice created is still very evident.
Incidentally it did reach 31C in there by the end of the show. That was with Aircon units running and only twenty in the audience on the coolest day of the week...
I can't give it more than 3 stars but it is a curiosity worth exploring.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 24, 2017 19:24:55 GMT
Thinking more about things on my way home, I think it would be fair to say that if you enjoyed Galavant when that was being shown on TV, you would probably enjoy Blondel. They have a similar spirit and Blondel has somewhat better lyrics.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 24, 2017 20:09:51 GMT
Have they spent more than £8.94 on production values?
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