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Post by theatremadness on Aug 25, 2017 16:05:28 GMT
Cast has been announced for a revival of Jason Robert Brown's Parade in a promenade production taking place at the World's oldest working paper mill, the Frogmore Paper Mill in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead. The audience will apparently follow the actors around the mill as the show unfolds for an immersive and probably very emotional experience of the show! Runs from 7th - 16th Sept (including Sunday, no matinees). You can keep updated on twitter at @paradeatthemill 😊 www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Cast-Announced-for-PARADE-at-Worlds-Oldest-Paper-Factory-20170825 |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 25, 2017 16:10:20 GMT
Sounds good!
Tissues at the ready.
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 26, 2017 10:06:49 GMT
I have never been so moved by a show like I was with Parade.
I saw the Donmar Warehouse production however many years ago and to this day (truth) whenever I tell anyone about it I still get goosebumps.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 26, 2017 10:11:17 GMT
I have never been so moved by a show like I was with Parade. I saw the Donmar Warehouse production however many years ago and to this day (truth) whenever I tell anyone about it I still get goosebumps. Me too. A friend rang me the day after I saw it and I actually started to cry on the phone recounting the story. He thought I'd gone loop-de-loop. I can feel myself filling up thinking about it now. The Hope Mill production was brilliant. |
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Post by nash16 on Aug 30, 2017 12:04:00 GMT
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 30, 2017 12:25:10 GMT
Looked on there main website and cannot see how to book tickets?
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Post by theatremadness on Aug 30, 2017 12:51:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 13:46:16 GMT
I don't think there's a law against playing a role you've already played, or casting someone for a role who's already played it. |
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Post by firefingers on Aug 30, 2017 18:07:48 GMT
Booked for this. Mum lives out that way so I can get to a bed easily afterwards. Never seen or heard Parade but the way friends of mine have raved about it thought I should give it a whirl.
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Post by nash16 on Aug 31, 2017 0:41:22 GMT
I don't think there's a law against playing a role you've already played, or casting someone for a role who's already played it. I didn't mention anything about a law, lol. Just intrigued if anyone knows why they've cast someone who had previously played the part? Short rehearsal time? |
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Post by firefingers on Sept 14, 2017 22:33:13 GMT
Did no one else see this?
It is bloody fantastic. Incredible use of space pulling you right in from the start. Fully immersive at points, I enjoyed my nibbles and (non-alcoholic) champagne at the governor's party. The audience often found themselves stood with actors singing amongst them, making you part of the funeral or court room etc. The space was used ingeniously, my favourite being the chain gang scene stage outside in a shallow stream. Astounding from a tech point of view to, with everyone radio miced and excellent lighting design, but all operated in an unobtrusive manner, with the tech hidden surprisingly well.
Very talented cast and band (though we never saw the band which I think is a missed opportunity, going from one room to another past them could have been a treat). Overheard someone saying they only had two weeks to rehearse which you wouldn't believe from the quality of some of the performances.
I believe the last couple of shows are sold out but I'll be keeping an eye on this company for sure. And at £20, it was a bargain.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 16, 2017 10:47:31 GMT
Did it pack the necessary emotional punch?
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Post by firefingers on Sept 16, 2017 12:40:03 GMT
Did it pack the necessary emotional punch? Pretty much. Moving between spaces meant feeling completely enveloped a little difficult as it broke up the action, but in the scenes it was just so intimate (depending on where you stood of course). Spoilers of course: {Plot and production spoilers - click to view}The church scene was incredible, the coffin is lead through the crowd and then the audience follow it as mourners into the church and you sit in rows. It was very simple but very affecting, and the guy playing Frankie Epps did a great job of his number.
Duets were often staged with some space between meaning you could be very close to one performer or another. This Is Not Over Yet was heartbreaking if you knew it would all end in tears.
The lynching was done with Frank being hung from a beam, done incredible slickly I might add (didn't see them attaching to the hidden harness to assumed they wouldn't actually hang him and just black out lights etc) and then you had to push through the proud lynch mob and past/under Frank's body. Harrowing stuff. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 16, 2017 12:45:45 GMT
Sounds brilliant.
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Post by dan on Sept 16, 2017 20:17:47 GMT
It's hard to objectively review because it's my favourite show/score etc anyway... but it's a stunning and immersive experience at this venue and with this cast. It brought me to tears a number of times, some of that being the story, but some of it being the sheer scale and creativity on show here. Being surround by cast who are interacting with you and hearing different harmonies depending who is next to you was fascinating. Right now, my favourite theatrical experience I've had. The venue added so much, going to the "basement" and seeing the lifeless body was quite something, and then using Mary as a device to follow the rest of the show very much kept her in the story throughout. The lynching and final death were stark, walking through it afterwards. Wow. Technically brilliant. No idea where the band were or how that all worked in terms of music and vamping in between moving the whole audience, but incredible. All on 2 weeks' rehearsal!
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Post by firefingers on Sept 16, 2017 20:37:47 GMT
Technically brilliant. No idea where the band were or how that all worked in terms of music and vamping in between moving the whole audience, but incredible. ! I spotted several CCTV camaras hidden about, so I expect cues taken from that (though no screens for cast to see MD which was very impressive, I know performers who'd have a aneurysm if they don't have someone cueing them in...). There was a wireless sound desk using an ipad and other kit and the operator was often in the room with us (I'm a sound engineer so had to have a peak) but he kept to the shadows well. Guessing there was a stage manager watching on CCTV who was cueing when to take the band out of vamps and lighting to go with it etc. Indeed very, very impressive for such a brief run. |
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Post by anthony40 on Sept 16, 2017 20:43:55 GMT
I've not seen this production but every time I listen of the Broadway Cast recording I am just reminded the brilliance if this music and show, based upon such a tragic set of (true) circumstances.
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Post by theatremadness on Sept 21, 2017 17:43:19 GMT
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