|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 5:48:48 GMT
Runs 18 Nov - 3rd March
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 21, 2017 6:32:25 GMT
|
|
2,563 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by viserys on Aug 21, 2017 6:34:09 GMT
Am I wrong in thinking that a circus show might better belong on a bigger stage than the Menier's? Sounds like this is planned with a transfer in mind. Since I've never seen Barnum, I'm not uninterested, even if I had hoped for Me & My Girl. At least it's not another Sondheim.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 6:47:42 GMT
Well I wasn't expecting that... I had the same initial reaction as you, Viserys. But the big thing for me is who they cast as Barnum. I've never seen a production, and the reason I avoided he recent tour was for one reason (Brian Conley).
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Aug 21, 2017 7:09:01 GMT
Well I wasn't expecting that... I had the same initial reaction as you, Viserys. But the big thing for me is who they cast as Barnum. I've never seen a production, and the reason I avoided he recent tour was for one reason (Brian Conley). I thought Brian Conley was great in the tour. This seems like an odd choice since it's been done so recently though. I would have been really excited about it if I hadn't seen the Chichester production and subsequent tour, but now I can't really be bothered unless some discounts come up when it's on.
|
|
1,316 posts
|
Post by tmesis on Aug 21, 2017 7:15:21 GMT
Love Barnum but really strange choice for C. Factory. Loved the original CF production but that was in a massive tent. Will need a really inventive production to get round the limited space.
|
|
7,503 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by alece10 on Aug 21, 2017 7:23:39 GMT
Well ive never seen Barnum so another show to add to my list. Will they do it in the round or seats on 3 sides.
|
|
1,718 posts
|
Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 21, 2017 7:23:39 GMT
Well I wasn't expecting that... I had the same initial reaction as you, Viserys. But the big thing for me is who they cast as Barnum. I've never seen a production, and the reason I avoided he recent tour was for one reason (Brian Conley). Agreed. Brian Conley had the stage presence and pulled off the showmanship of the role but I'm looking forward to hearing someone SING the songs, as opposed to speaking every line or shouting their way through them.
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 21, 2017 7:34:33 GMT
Paper thin plot and only one memorable tune in the entire show.
Still, I was never going to like it because circus depresses the hell out of me. It always looks a bit... I dunno... dirty?
|
|
1,316 posts
|
Post by tmesis on Aug 21, 2017 7:55:49 GMT
Paper thin plot and only one memorable tune in the entire show. Still, I was never going to like it because circus depresses the hell out of me. It always looks a bit... I dunno... dirty? To quote Funny Girl: 'Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade.'
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 8:33:22 GMT
How marvellous. Let's hope it's as smashing as this . .
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Aug 21, 2017 8:47:57 GMT
I've seen Barnum done in a smaller space than the Menier and it totally worked. Contrary to some here I think the score is terrific from beginning to end and the book is strong enough that the show doesn't need the full circus thing.
|
|
|
Post by crabtree on Aug 21, 2017 8:48:28 GMT
Another cheer here for Brian Conley...he may not have done all the stunts but he was darned entertaining. I can see it being totally reinvented at the Chocolate Factory. Good for them.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Aug 21, 2017 8:50:16 GMT
How marvellous. Let's hope it's as smashing as this . . Is that Crawford with them at the end when seeing the scores??
|
|
92 posts
|
Post by herculesmulligan on Aug 21, 2017 8:51:43 GMT
Is there enough headroom at the Menier for him to be able to do a tightrope walk?!
|
|
112 posts
|
Post by MusicalTalk on Aug 21, 2017 8:55:58 GMT
Well the production done in an actual tent didn't get a transfer, so it'll be interesting to see how this stripped down version does.
I love the score - but found the book bland as anything. Let's hope Babani puts Seth MacFarlane or NPH in the role immediately.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 8:57:06 GMT
I thought this was an April Fools joke for a minute, but then realised we're in late August.
But if they can pull it off then that'll be great. Just seems a bit odd that it's relatively soon after the Brian Conley tour (which I am now deeply regretting missing). I thought Cameron Mackintosh would've pumped a bit more life into that production before this sort of thing would come along - seems to be no mention of his and Bramble's "revisions" for this production.
Great poster though! I guess the question is, who will play Barnum?
...And will there be a "high"-wire at the Chocolate Factory?
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Aug 21, 2017 8:58:48 GMT
Is Charlie Stemp too young for Barnum?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 8:59:49 GMT
How marvellous. Let's hope it's as smashing as this . . Is that Crawford with them at the end when seeing the scores?? Yes, he assisted them with the performance and choreography and with the music for the routine.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 9:00:55 GMT
Is Charlie Stemp too young for Barnum? I think Barnum is supposed to be about 60-odd by the end, so probably yes. Also he's doing the Palladium panto during the run.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 9:04:08 GMT
Please lets not have one of the Strallen clones as Charity.
I'm disappointed it's not Me and My Girl.
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Aug 21, 2017 9:37:42 GMT
I got excited - then saw the venue. The original cast production back in the 80s was spectacular. The stunts Michael Crawford did every night were incredible. You were on the edge of your seat and literally felt you were watching high risk, dangerous stunts. Brian Conley in the more recent incarnation was the right age had the stage presence and singing voice but all the dazzle and spectacle had been squeezed out of Cam Mack's production. The tight rope was very low, no death defying swinging round by the neck for him, not even the zip wire from the circle which builds the excitement in 'Join the circus' Even 'Jumbo' the elephant seemed cheap and small. I'm not sure what room there will be to do anything at the Menier? Juggle?
|
|
1,510 posts
|
Post by anita on Aug 21, 2017 9:44:00 GMT
Love Barnum. Got the Michael Crawford video & saw the Paul Nicholas version.
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 21, 2017 9:55:24 GMT
At least Brian Conley apologised for his voice being off due to having a cold at the start of the show. That's every show. The longest cold in the history of medicine
|
|
371 posts
|
Post by popcultureboy on Aug 21, 2017 10:04:19 GMT
Please lets not have one of the Strallen clones as Charity. I said the same thing this morning when I saw the announcement, but I won't be at all surprised when they announce Scarlett Strallen in the role.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 10:39:56 GMT
Feeling this choice of production is slightly convenient, especially given its timing, with relation to the PT Barnum musical film being released worldwide end of December. #cashingin
|
|
1,907 posts
|
Post by sf on Aug 21, 2017 11:16:22 GMT
Well I wasn't expecting that... I had the same initial reaction as you, Viserys. But the big thing for me is who they cast as Barnum. I've never seen a production, and the reason I avoided he recent tour was for one reason (Brian Conley). I usually can't stand Brian Conley on television, but he was very good in the tour. His brashness really worked with the character. The show itself is loudly mediocre - a third-tier Cy Coleman score tied to a by-the-numbers book. Yes, the key is going to be who they cast.
|
|
|
Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 21, 2017 11:20:00 GMT
A chamber Barnum should work in a similar way to how a chamber Pippin absolutely can.
It is a small number of key principals, no need for vast chorus resources. It has a non naturalistic narrator leading you through the story and doesn't rely on big sets.
It was the first big musical I saw (with Crawford on top form) and so I have fond memories of it as a piece.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Aug 21, 2017 11:40:00 GMT
It will be interesting to see who they cast in the title role - the success of the whole show depends on this. The recent Chichester revival did not transfer into town as Cameron would have liked due to the casting of Christopher Fitzgerald who was very uncharismatic! Cameron also tinkered with the book to make it work better without success.
The original production only worked due to the charisma of Jim Dale on Broadway and Michael Crawford in London who both gave show stopping performances and the spectacle disguised the shows flaws - the book! Stripping the show back will only expose these.
As others have said - not an ideal or obvious choice for a Menier production - they must be looking to transfer like Funny Girl and this will all depend on the casting of the lead. I can't think of anyone who could do this quite frankly let alone anyone who is prepared to commit the time to (potentially) a year in the WE on top of a Menier run.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 11:58:22 GMT
It will be interesting to see who they cast in the title role - the success of the whole show depends on this. I know who would be perfect! I'm going to send Cynthia Erivo a tweet right now to suggest it to her. I think she'll like that.
|
|