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Post by tom on Dec 8, 2017 21:59:48 GMT
Parsley said the singing was bad? I thought it was just superb! Utter nonsense.... It wasn't bad it just wasn't good. All 3 female leads struggled with the score @ times. Occasionally shouting which is not ainging[/quote] Must have seen an off night. Was excellent tonight
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 8, 2017 22:10:54 GMT
I saw the Wednesday matinee (TodayTix rush - way back but still a decent view). Shockingly full, considering I'd checked the theatre website the previous evening and it looked empty.
I didn't see the original but thought this was great, with some nice twists. A snappy two hours 15 minutes running time (including the interval), so it didn't drag. The songs aren't the most memorable, but they fit.
Good to see Chris Peluso back as well. Hadn't realised he was in the cast.
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Post by musicalmarge on Dec 9, 2017 8:29:40 GMT
Parsley said the singing was bad? I thought it was just superb! Utter nonsense.... It wasn't bad it just wasn't good. All 3 female leads struggled with the score @ times. Occasionally shouting which is not ainging[/quote] A rock belt, smooth opera soprano, choir boy falsetto, musical theatre twang, a deep jazz bass voice, Mongolian throat singing, crazy squeals of Carol Channing - it’s all just vibration in the vocal folds to produce sound and noise. It’s all a form of singing. The cast of Woman in White are some of the best singers on the West End stage.
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Post by phantz on Dec 10, 2017 13:03:03 GMT
Saw Woman in White matinee yesterday and was blown away. Focussing the action back on the actors rather than the gimmicks of projection and fat suits was absolutely the right move. My friend described it as the best singing she had ever seen on stage and I would have to agree. Only issues I had was the lack of focus from Chris Peluso's Sir Percival Glyde. It felt more like he was charming himself rather than his targets: his aggressive outbursts seemed out of place and forced as a result. Castilligios's (Fosco) italian accent inexplicably slipped from time to time but the intent of his two big numbers complimented the story so much better and his 'Get Away With Anything' was a genuine showstopper (no mice in sight). The trio of ladies were completely in sync and the relationship between Laura and Marion was convincing and moving. I was disappointed by O'Byrne's Christine Daae in Love Never Dies. As Laura, however, she is just outstanding.
See it before it's gone.
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Post by anthony on Dec 11, 2017 3:28:15 GMT
Saw Woman in White matinee yesterday and was blown away. Focussing the action back on the actors rather than the gimmicks of projection and fat suits was absolutely the right move. My friend described it as the best singing she had ever seen on stage and I would have to agree. Only issues I had was the lack of focus from Chris Peluso's Sir Percival Glyde. It felt more like he was charming himself rather than his targets: his aggressive outbursts seemed out of place and forced as a result. Castilligios's (Fosco) italian accent inexplicably slipped from time to time but the intent of his two big numbers complimented the story so much better and his 'Get Away With Anything' was a genuine showstopper (no mice in sight). The trio of ladies were completely in sync and the relationship between Laura and Marion was convincing and moving. I was disappointed by O'Byrne's Christine Daae in Love Never Dies. As Laura, however, she is just outstanding. See it before it's gone. Given that Greg was born in Italy and was brought up in Milan, I'm not sure that it was an accent?
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Post by musicalmarge on Dec 11, 2017 11:02:17 GMT
Saw Woman in White matinee yesterday and was blown away. Focussing the action back on the actors rather than the gimmicks of projection and fat suits was absolutely the right move. My friend described it as the best singing she had ever seen on stage and I would have to agree. Only issues I had was the lack of focus from Chris Peluso's Sir Percival Glyde. It felt more like he was charming himself rather than his targets: his aggressive outbursts seemed out of place and forced as a result. Castilligios's (Fosco) italian accent inexplicably slipped from time to time but the intent of his two big numbers complimented the story so much better and his 'Get Away With Anything' was a genuine showstopper (no mice in sight). The trio of ladies were completely in sync and the relationship between Laura and Marion was convincing and moving. I was disappointed by O'Byrne's Christine Daae in Love Never Dies. As Laura, however, she is just outstanding. See it before it's gone. Given that Greg was born in Italy and was brought up in Milan, I'm not sure that it was an accent? Hehehehe..... I was about to say the same thing. Greg IS Italian! His accent is real! I thought he was sensational. I’m going to return.
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Post by phantz on Dec 11, 2017 15:25:51 GMT
Castilligios's (Fosco) italian accent inexplicably slipped from time to time ..... Given that Greg was born in Italy and was brought up in Milan, I'm not sure that it was an accent? That's what I found bizarre! Almost like he was directed that way.....but that didn't make sense to me. It was mainly in the early exchanges - he warms up and runs with it later on.
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Post by Montmartre on Dec 11, 2017 16:17:10 GMT
What is the running time of this show, including interval please?
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176 posts
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Post by tom on Dec 11, 2017 16:21:26 GMT
What is the running time of this show, including interval please? Think it finished around 9:50 the eve I went
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Post by westendcub on Dec 11, 2017 17:41:01 GMT
I shall be attending tonight, I don’t know much about this ALW show other than ‘I Believe My Heart’ when it was an Duncan James from ‘Blue’ single!!
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Post by daniel on Dec 11, 2017 18:13:38 GMT
I'm also in tonight, and know absolutely nothing about the show! Very much looking forward to it.
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Post by chernjam on Dec 11, 2017 19:09:48 GMT
Anyone heard if there's plans on a cast recording?
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Post by westendcub on Dec 11, 2017 22:36:04 GMT
Another great production at ‘Charing Cross’ I loved how fresh I came into this piece with only ‘I Believe My Heart’ and what a lovely very Andrew Lloyd Webber score I have missed out on, some wonderful lyrics & melodies woven throughout.
I would say it’s my least favourite set they have done since Thom took over, nothing too wrong with it and fits the piece but others have just been more creative in the space.
The cast are good with some stunning vocals. I’m so glad we get a chance to see shows revived on the off-west scene & fringe (anyone know what musical is next for Charing Cross??)
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Post by westendcub on Dec 11, 2017 22:37:37 GMT
I'm also in tonight, and know absolutely nothing about the show! Very much looking forward to it. Really enjoyed it, what did you think? I rather like Chris beard even though he was villainous with it!!
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Post by jay78uk on Dec 11, 2017 22:51:50 GMT
I'm also in tonight, and know absolutely nothing about the show! Very much looking forward to it. Really enjoyed it, what did you think? I rather like Chris beard even though he was villainous with it!! Was in tonight too. Saw the original production three times- rather liked the score and victoriana! Accepting this is a fringe production, i rather enjoyed this. It zipped along, the narrative was much clearer than the original production, and great vocals throughout other than an off rendition of ‘all for laura’. Think a frog in throat as otherwise the actress playing part was vocally perfect. Count fosco had great comic timing- didnt miss the mice at all- and glyde was believable and menacing. Dont sit in front ten rows if you dont like smoke- half audience close to choking during finale, which was unintentionally hilarious. Whilst i love the score, most of the problems with the original score remain e.g. uneven pace, some v poor characterisation and moments of brilliance and sentiment followed by cartoonish crassness. Still love it though! 18 quid rush tickets from tix great value and nice to get pints at bar. But could have done without flooded gents, smelly bar and... ironically a mouse scurrying around. Maybe to be expected given theatre underground.
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Post by phantz on Dec 12, 2017 9:34:24 GMT
Really enjoyed it, what did you think? I rather like Chris beard even though he was villainous with it!! ....great vocals throughout other than an off rendition of ‘all for laura’. Think a frog in throat as otherwise the actress playing part was vocally perfect.... That's really interesting as the same thing happened when I saw it. Absolutely rock solid, then that moment of croak - and certainly not the highest note she sings - is it a directional instruction then?
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Post by jay78uk on Dec 12, 2017 21:52:19 GMT
....great vocals throughout other than an off rendition of ‘all for laura’. Think a frog in throat as otherwise the actress playing part was vocally perfect.... That's really interesting as the same thing happened when I saw it. Absolutely rock solid, then that moment of croak - and certainly not the highest note she sings - is it a directional instruction then? Well, i guess marian’s character is v stressed and upset when she sings the song. But would seem odd to deliberately sing it poorly, particularly given its one, if not the stand out song of the show
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Post by Dawnstar on Dec 13, 2017 22:52:18 GMT
I saw the matinee today & I was so-so on it. I didn't see the original production but I did see a play adaptation about 10 years ago, which I remember as one of the dullest nights I've spent in a theatre. This was certainly better but I found it extremely melodramatic & the lyrics sometimes pretty clunky. Music-wise it only seems to have 2 really good tunes, but then Bizet managed to get by in The Pearl Fishers with only 1 so I guess Lloyd Webber can manage with 2!
The stand-out performance for me was Greg Castiglioni as Fosco, excellent both vocally & dramatically. It was believable that Marion could be attracted to him, which I gather wasn't the case in the original production. I also thought Anna O'Byrne & Carolyn Maitland were very good as Anne & Marion (the former I've seen in several other roles but it was my first time seeing the latter). I was not as impressed by Chris Peluso as Glyde. It's an interesting casting decision to have him as the villain when he has the looks for a hero but at times he seemed a little lacking in force. I also found his American accent came through quite a lot, which was distracting (unlike Anna O'Byrne, who did perfect RP).
Overall I'm glad I saw it but I think 1 viewing was probably enough.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 8:50:34 GMT
Really liked this and a big improvement on the original staging and direction. Great set and costumes (especially considering the venue), uniformly strong cast (actually preferred all roles to the original cast and replacements). Characterisation was better, especially Fosco who is no longer a big cartoon character.
As a piece it is occasionally too melodratic and Ann's 'I have a secret' is a bit too overused. Also some things I think would be better spoken than sung.
Main changes I spotted were replacing lammastade with the wedding song and lost souls being cut (which is a shame).
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 20:03:18 GMT
I'm being lazy...but any offers kicking about on this one. I can't see any on the Monkey but I might be being dense.
merci buckets etc.
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Post by jgblunners on Dec 17, 2017 21:33:56 GMT
I'm being lazy...but any offers kicking about on this one. I can't see any on the Monkey but I might be being dense. merci buckets etc. £18 Rush on TodayTix
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Post by theatrelover123 on Dec 17, 2017 21:46:04 GMT
It's being comped on lots of theatre groups/clubs.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Dec 17, 2017 22:47:15 GMT
Yes, every single theatre club seems to be given away tickets for this so I guess it's not doing very well.
It's a nice enough production with a good cast and strong vocals but I don't think it's a very good show. It's certainly one of my least favourite Lloyd Webber shows.
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Post by Mark on Dec 18, 2017 0:20:12 GMT
It's being comped on lots of theatre groups/clubs. I must be in the wrong clubs! I got rush tickets through Todaytix, row P stalls excellent view. Lots of empty rows behind us though. The show was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Act one was a bit of a bore, started feeling very sleepy about halfway through the act. Certainly picked up for the better in act two. I didn't find it very typical of an ALW score. Some great moments but the music was all a bit meh.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 6:36:23 GMT
I was the opposite, enjoyed act 1 and that flew by but act 2 dragged
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Post by anita on Dec 18, 2017 10:39:05 GMT
It's being comped on lots of theatre groups/clubs. Not on the 3 I belong to it isn't!
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Post by theatrelover123 on Dec 18, 2017 12:13:45 GMT
It's being comped on lots of theatre groups/clubs. Not on the 3 I belong to it isn't! It is on the 4 I belong to. But mainly one
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Post by SageStageMgr on Dec 18, 2017 19:06:08 GMT
I am on literally all of them. Haven’t seen it comped yet.
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Post by SageStageMgr on Dec 18, 2017 19:12:05 GMT
Incidentally I seat G4 in stalls for tonight - £18 todaytix app.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 19:20:12 GMT
Incidentally I seat G4 in stalls for tonight - £18 todaytix app. Are they still going? Do they still sing their opera stuff?
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