3,301 posts
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Post by david on Apr 2, 2018 7:53:23 GMT
Have to agree with this. It gets very disheartening when you get the emails or brochures for regional theatres and a lot of the shows are ones that where there a few months ago or from the previous year. I can can appreciate that they may be popular shows like Blood Brothers that bring in the crowds, but let’s be a bit more ambitious with the programming and try new stuff. Okay, not everything will appeal to everyone, but at least it will provide a bit more variety for people. I get the jist of your points, but slightly disagree. Sunset Blvd is just about to complete an 8 month tour after over 15 years off the road. Miss Saigon is doing 8 months on the road after 12 years off. Matilda is doing it's first UK stint on the road. Kinky Boots goes out for its debut run later this year. For non-Londoners thats some good solid new stuff on the road, before you even take into account An Officers & The Gentleman, The Last Ship and Motown - all shows doing new tours. Granted Wicked, Evita, Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde etc are all doing the rounds after 3-5 years off. It's easy to get bogged down with the low-end productions like Fame, Blood Brothers, Summer Holiday etc all back on the circuit but if you focus on the tree's you'll miss the forest. That said. I'm almost dubious about the future of solid, big productions touring extensively in the future, in the UK at least. I've attended too many shows lately were sales has been terrible, too many empty seats and its does make me question the financial viability of maintaining touring shows. Obviously the cash cow-likes of Les Mis, Wicked, etc, are sure fire box office certs and the little re-hash mini-budget shows will break even by limiting their accounts, its the mid-large range shows that may suffer. Take the West End production of Young Frankenstein, as it is, on the road and I'm not sure it would break even. Definitely agree with your points here. Over the last 12 months or so there definitely has been more new stuff touring as you say, both plays and musicals which were or are selling well and getting great reviews such as Funny Girl, but as you said, touring shows ultimately comes down to economics rather than a lack of desire to get shows to a wider audience rather than just in the WE. Also, from a personal POV it’s better for my bank balance if more shows can tour rather than stay in the WE.! |
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Apr 2, 2018 8:56:14 GMT
Anything new would be great. At the moment it seems to be the same things coming back again and again and again... Have to agree with this. It gets very disheartening when you get the emails or brochures for regional theatres and a lot of the shows are ones that where there a few months ago or from the previous year. I can can appreciate that they may be popular shows like Blood Brothers that bring in the crowds, but let’s be a bit more ambitious with the programming and try new stuff. Okay, not everything will appeal to everyone, but at least it will provide a bit more variety for people. I also don't understand how they decide which venue they play when. Jersey Boys finished last week in Sunderland yet it's coming to Newcastle at the end of July. If people were bothered wouldn't they travel the twenty minutes or so between venues? Perhaps they won't but people who enjoyed it would probably be more likely to go and see it again if it was more spaced out. Three months apart is too soon for most. |
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821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Apr 2, 2018 8:57:32 GMT
I'd love to see Book of Mormon, Dreamgirls and Half A Sixpence tour. I'd also really like that Memphis tour to happen! That's the one show I never got to see in London and really wish I had.
As for the touring market I'd just quite like it to continue how it has been for the past year or so. There seems to be a good mix of 'new' shows, ones that haven't toured for a fair few years and then the ones that seem to constantly be on tour.
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315 posts
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Post by westended on Apr 2, 2018 8:59:06 GMT
I'd love to see Book of Mormon, Dreamgirls and Half A Sixpence tour. I'd also really like that Memphis tour to happen! That's the one show I never got to see in London and really wish I had. As for the touring market I'd just quite like it to continue how it has been for the past year or so. There seems to be a good mix of 'new' shows, ones that haven't toured for a fair few years and then the ones that seem to constantly be on tour. What shows are constantly on tour? |
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821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Apr 2, 2018 9:27:43 GMT
westended Blood Brothers for one. Frequently on tour may have been a better way of phrasing it, there's definitely shows that seem to tour every year or two. Maybe it's just because there tends to be a fair few months gap between shows visiting venues around here that makes me feel they're always on tour.
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315 posts
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Post by westended on Apr 2, 2018 9:33:22 GMT
westended Blood Brothers for one. Frequently on tour may have been a better way of phrasing it, there's definitely shows that seem to tour every year or two. Maybe it's just because there tends to be a fair few months gap between shows visiting venues around here that makes me feel they're always on tour. Thanks for explaining:) Blood Brothers keeps touring as they probably want a permanent home back in the West End? I think 9-12 month run at the Playhouse Theatre would be good. People would flock to see it - it’s such an iconic play! |
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7,050 posts
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Post by Jon on Apr 2, 2018 10:32:49 GMT
westended Blood Brothers for one. Frequently on tour may have been a better way of phrasing it, there's definitely shows that seem to tour every year or two. Maybe it's just because there tends to be a fair few months gap between shows visiting venues around here that makes me feel they're always on tour. Thanks for explaining:) Blood Brothers keeps touring as they probably want a permanent home back in the West End? I think 9-12 month run at the Playhouse Theatre would be good. People would flock to see it - it’s such an iconic play! It ran for over 20 years at the Phoenix, it doesn’t need to clog up another West End Theatre. It was basically running on fumes |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 2, 2018 11:27:35 GMT
I think you have to consider whether you’d put your own money behind some of these suggestions. It’s all very well expecting banks, producers, and other people in general to back a tour of Once or Memphis. As much as I’d like to see these as a customer, I wouldn’t touch them with a bargepole from an investment point of view. I might consider if there was a huge star name attached and guaranteed for the entire tour but other than that, not a chance.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 14:32:53 GMT
I think you have to consider whether you’d put your own money behind some of these suggestions. It’s all very well expecting banks, producers, and other people in general to back a tour of Once or Memphis. As much as I’d like to see these as a customer, I wouldn’t touch them with a bargepole from an investment point of view. I might consider if there was a huge star name attached and guaranteed for the entire tour but other than that, not a chance. I don't think you do have to consider that at all - this thread only asks what shows you would like to see touring, and I bade that only on shows I want to see, not whether investors would care about them. I think most of us realise that a lot of the suggestions in this thread may not be commercially viable, but we can still wish and hope nevertheless. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 14:43:01 GMT
MEMPHIS!! And since it looks like we aren’t going to get West End productions of them: Something Rotten Catch Me If You Can (so I can give it a second chance) I'd add Groundhog Day to that list if it doesn't return soon. (Although I wonder what they were going to do with the multi-revolve for the US tour) Well, first and foremost I'd hope they put the manufacturing and engineering contract out to tender so a different company could do it this time and hopefully avoid all the issues they experienced with the Broadway version. In theory its just more motors and a slightly more complex revolve structure. Single revolves tour fairly efficiently so with a multi-revolve it may take a little longer to 'fit up' but still entirely doable. I think the staging of GHD was so perfectly fitting for the piece that I cant imagine how they'd do it without the multi-revolve. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 14:51:04 GMT
I'd add Groundhog Day to that list if it doesn't return soon. (Although I wonder what they were going to do with the multi-revolve for the US tour) Well, first and foremost I'd hope they put the manufacturing and engineering contract out to tender so a different company could do it this time and hopefully avoid all the issues they experienced with the Broadway version. In theory its just more motors and a slightly more complex revolve structure. Single revolves tour fairly efficiently so with a multi-revolve it may take a little longer to 'fit up' but still entirely doable. I think the staging of GHD was so perfectly fitting for the piece that I cant imagine how they'd do it without the multi-revolve. Heres the London revolve at its basic component level. Easily broken down into parts. God I love google. |
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Post by jamb0r on Apr 2, 2018 15:11:46 GMT
Re: Groundhog Day US tour - Tim Minchin confirmed in a tweet this tour is no longer happening ☹️ last I read the set etc is all in a lockup in Reading waiting to hopefully find a home in London.
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227 posts
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Post by paulbrownsey on Apr 2, 2018 15:13:30 GMT
But when will we get a tour with a decently-sized chorus?
Chorus size has dwindled over the years. It's not uncommon to see a total of 17 or 18 performers for something that requires a big chorus. Do we really want to see, say, South Pacific with four nurses and five sailors?
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243 posts
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Post by musicallady on Apr 2, 2018 15:35:25 GMT
I would love a producer to take a risk and to bring back some older classics to the touring rosta Brigadoon Camelot The Boy Friend Bless the Bride Salad Days They are all great scores. Better than most of the things that reach the stage these days. It takes classy casting and quality productions and great marketing to persuade people to give them a go. But once people get to know older shows, they will love them. Brigadoonand Bless The Bride yes please. Loved doing them as an amateur. I’d love to see The Desert Song and The Music Man tour. Two more amateur favourites. |
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Post by justfran on Apr 2, 2018 17:20:08 GMT
Add me to the list of people who would love to see a tour of Once 😊 Sadly I do think it would need a ‘name’ to sell it. I’d also like to see new touring productions of 42nd Street, Singin’ in the Rain and further dates added to the Saturday Night Fever tour please!
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Post by deanjones1489 on Apr 2, 2018 18:27:00 GMT
I Would love to see Jesus Christ Superstar back on tour, but the 1996- 2002 Gale Edwards version that was used for the 2000 film version. That was a spectacular production.
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253 posts
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Post by No. on Apr 2, 2018 18:39:35 GMT
I’d love to see 42nd Street head out if it closes at Drury Lane, Charlie would be sure to pull in families and I would like to see Aladdin at some point
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Post by peggysue on Apr 2, 2018 19:45:09 GMT
I would love to see Half a Sixpence, Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever and Godspell
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19,650 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 2, 2018 21:48:35 GMT
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4,968 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 2, 2018 22:58:59 GMT
The Lion King could easily hit the road again.
Same as Beauty and the Beast (which I love to see again)
Whistle Down The Wind
I agree with Mark on Catch Me If You Can
Newsies maybe a ATG tour
Bright Star would be inspired
As would be A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
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4,968 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 2, 2018 23:18:02 GMT
I'd love to see Book of Mormon, Dreamgirls and Half A Sixpence tour. I'd also really like that Memphis tour to happen! That's the one show I never got to see in London and really wish I had. As for the touring market I'd just quite like it to continue how it has been for the past year or so. There seems to be a good mix of 'new' shows, ones that haven't toured for a fair few years and then the ones that seem to constantly be on tour. What shows are constantly on tour? Where to start and sure I am going to miss many off. Rocky Horror Show Priscilla Spamalot Avenue Q The Rat Pack Chicago Petticoats and Dreamboats Joseph Hairspray Jersey Boys Starlight Express Jesus Christ Superstar Grease The Sound of Music Mamma Mia Shrek The Musica Fiddler On The Roof 42nd Street Thoroughly Modern Millie Legally Blonde Footloose Fame Dirty Dancing Cats Let It Be Buddy Cabaret |
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Post by iamamazing on Apr 3, 2018 8:50:50 GMT
I know I've posted already but here is my list of shows to go out witching the next 5 years
Book of Mormon (2019)
Lion king (20th anniversary tour)
Billy Elliot (2nd tour)
Beauty and the beast inspired by the remake probably
Wicked (3rd tour after the film is released)
42nd street
Tina the musical
The tours id think go out or come to the west end would be
Love never dies (tour)
Something rotten (London short run)
On your feet (tour)
Dear even Hansen (London)
Waitress (Piccadilly)
Spongebob (London dominion)
Mean girls
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5,138 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 3, 2018 10:02:30 GMT
When it was announced that Everybody's Talking About Jamie was transferring to the glittering West End, the Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres, when interviewed on the radio, said that there will also be a tour at some point, almost certainly starting at the Lyceum in Sheffield.
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4,955 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 3, 2018 11:56:34 GMT
Think it's about time The Book of Mormon toured. DEFINITELY! Surely it’s an easy show to tour? Not much set is there? Not much set plus it’s very dull and unamagiamtive |
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2,241 posts
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Post by richey on Apr 3, 2018 12:23:34 GMT
Not sure which shows she's talking about, but I noticed in the Manchester Palace brochure that the Director mentions the world premiere of two new productions later this year. Anyone heard what these may be?
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