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Post by viserys on Jun 23, 2017 7:03:27 GMT
Big Fish is still the worst musical I've seen live and that was with the masterful Norbert Leo Butz so I can't imagine how it would be without him.
I wouldn't say it was the worst but it sure didn't work - a bunch of production numbers in search of a story line. Andrew Lippa's bland score didn't help.
Could you two elaborate a little? I really liked the movie ages ago and was gutted I missed it in New York, since I thought it could make for a wonderful musical. Though admittedly I only listened to the cast recordings once or twice and didn't feel compelled to return to it. Would like to know more why you thought it didn't work.
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Jun 23, 2017 8:25:26 GMT
Viserys, the mists of time have somewhat clouded my specific memories but my overall impression was of a show set in two separate worlds of unequal interest. The fantasy world of Edward Bloom's tall tales is all elaborate production numbers while the modern world of the dying Edward and his stressed out son is, by contrast, colourless and plain. The show dipped (for me) every time we returned to the present day family scenes. The son, Will, was not particularly well characterized and his songs reflected that.
Best thing in the show for me was Edward's courtship of the love of his life, Sandra. The act one closer in a field of daffodils - the show used daffodils in the same way The Girls uses sunflowers - was the most effective scene by far. And yet even there Lippa's music couldn't rise to the occasion.
Now, unlike Snutte, I didn't see it on Broadway. I saw it in LA in a big production that used the original Broadway sets. The cast was competent but not Broadway level. The presence of Norbert Leo Butz and Kate Baldwin might have made me appreciate it more. But as it was I found it to be, sadly, something of a bore.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 8:31:33 GMT
"two separate worlds of unequal interest" is my most favourite review summary of late (sincerely!)
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Post by Michael on Jun 23, 2017 8:42:06 GMT
I love Big Fish's score, so I'm really looking forward to a possible West End / UK production.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 23, 2017 8:45:44 GMT
"two separate worlds of unequal interest" is my most favourite review summary of late (sincerely!) An even better quote would be" two separate worlds of equal un-interest"!
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253 posts
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Post by No. on Jul 25, 2017 14:01:52 GMT
Does anybody think there's a possibility of Chitty coming back, maybe temporarily for the anniversary?
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1,430 posts
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Post by showtoones on Jul 25, 2017 14:50:01 GMT
we still don't know what's going intot he Aldwych. The Lord wouldnt let one of his theaters go empty...thoughts? Tina? Fiddler? Caroline or Change? Joseph?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2017 16:01:32 GMT
Does anybody think there's a possibility of Chitty coming back, maybe temporarily for the anniversary? Not sure, but isnt Mary Poppins supposed to be giving it another go in London at Drury Lane after 42nd St. MP + Chitty reach for the same demographic so Im not sure whether both would visit concurrently.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2017 16:03:31 GMT
we still don't know what's going intot he Aldwych. The Lord wouldnt let one of his theaters go empty...thoughts? Tina? Fiddler? Caroline or Change? Joseph? Which Lord? Isnt Aldwych Nederlander?
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253 posts
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Post by No. on Jul 25, 2017 16:28:21 GMT
Does anybody think there's a possibility of Chitty coming back, maybe temporarily for the anniversary? Not sure, but isnt Mary Poppins supposed to be giving it another go in London at Drury Lane after 42nd St. MP + Chitty reach for the same demographic so Im not sure whether both would visit concurrently. Not sure really. I think Chitty would perhaps be too big for Drury Lane but I'm not sure. It was at the Palladium before so maybe they bring the set ideas from the touring production into a smaller theatre?
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5,288 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 25, 2017 17:46:33 GMT
I've already said- the Tina musical is going in there in spring 2018 we still don't know what's going intot he Aldwych. The Lord wouldnt let one of his theaters go empty...thoughts? Tina? Fiddler? Caroline or Change? Joseph?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2017 18:10:01 GMT
Not sure, but isnt Mary Poppins supposed to be giving it another go in London at Drury Lane after 42nd St. MP + Chitty reach for the same demographic so Im not sure whether both would visit concurrently. Not sure really. I think Chitty would perhaps be too big for Drury Lane but I'm not sure. It was at the Palladium before so maybe they bring the set ideas from the touring production into a smaller theatre? chitty too big for Drury Lane??! seriously?!
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Post by Raven on Jul 25, 2017 18:41:19 GMT
we still don't know what's going intot he Aldwych. The Lord wouldnt let one of his theaters go empty...thoughts? Tina? Fiddler? Caroline or Change? Joseph? Which Lord? Isnt Aldwych Nederlander? Yeah, the Aldwych is a Nederlander theatre and not owned by ALW.
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1,430 posts
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Post by showtoones on Jul 25, 2017 20:33:08 GMT
Which Lord? Isnt Aldwych Nederlander? Yeah, the Aldwych is a Nederlander theatre and not owned by ALW. Oh my bad...I though ALW owned that theatre. If TINA is going there in 2018, I guess they'd have a filler?
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5,288 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 26, 2017 12:33:39 GMT
Anyone seriously discussing whether Chitty will return to the west end.. and to Drury Lane.. is seriously clueless.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 26, 2017 13:52:34 GMT
I cannot see Chitty returning, especially the tour, which was just mawkish projections and a car that went up and down and didn't go into the audience. Chitty is a bit like Buddy, big hits at the time, but the audience has since moved on.
Be interesting if there is a big announcement from Baz this Friday to wrap up before the summer holidays, very little news comes out in August.
If it is to be 'Tina', well I for one - am underwhelmed aren't the West End had enough of Jukebox shows?
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Post by Rory on Jul 26, 2017 15:15:44 GMT
Anyone seriously discussing whether Chitty will return to the west end.. and to Drury Lane.. is seriously clueless. Do you know what's going in here before Tina, mrbarnaby?
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5,288 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 27, 2017 8:27:19 GMT
That I don't know , sorry. I would predict a play though as it's essentially a playhouse and it would only be a short season. Anyone seriously discussing whether Chitty will return to the west end.. and to Drury Lane.. is seriously clueless. Do you know what's going in here before Tina, mrbarnaby?
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3,086 posts
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Post by Rory on Jul 27, 2017 9:32:47 GMT
Thanks for coming back to me mr b. I suspect you're right. Baz replied to a tweet last week to say that there will be news about a transfer for the NT's Consent soon. Might be that.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2021 19:11:29 GMT
Was thinking recently about the number of shows that have seemingly been hinted at a run on this side of the pond recently and wondered how many were still on the way.
Mean Girls With Sonia Friedman’s involvement it was inevitable that rumours would swirl, and I’m sure she even said it herself that she was bringing it to London. Hadestown I thought that this was heavily tipped to make a return to the west end following its success on Broadway. The one which I regret never seeing at the National. The Prom Recently tipped on here to be eyeing up a West End home for next year. Anastasia I thought was due to appear here following a planned European tour, though I could be misremembering or inventing that. Next to Normal After a long period of waiting the first rumour for Next to Normal to appear on this side of the shore was mentioned here recently. If/Then Allegedly with Kerry Ellis at the helm. Sunday in the Park with George Was confirmed for the Savoy before the horror story that was 2020, has since gone extremely silent. Something Rotten! Still coming to the Birmingham Rep after being postponed earlier this year.
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Post by pianowithsam on Nov 22, 2021 19:32:52 GMT
Was thinking recently about the number of shows that have seemingly been hinted at a run on this side of the pond recently and wondered how many were still on the way. Mean GirlsWith Sonia Friedman’s involvement it was inevitable that rumours would swirl, and I’m sure she even said it herself that she was bringing it to London. HadestownI thought that this was heavily tipped to make a return to the west end following its success on Broadway. The one which I regret never seeing at the National. The PromRecently tipped on here to be eyeing up a West End home for next year. AnastasiaI thought was due to appear here following a planned European tour, though I could be misremembering or inventing that. Next to NormalAfter a long period of waiting the first rumour for Next to Normal to appear on this side of the shore was mentioned here recently. If/ThenAllegedly with Kerry Ellis at the helm. Sunday in the Park with GeorgeWas confirmed for the Savoy before the horror story that was 2020, has since gone extremely silent. Something Rotten!Still coming to the Bristol Rep after being postponed earlier this year. Getting a little off-topic now but Hadestown has been the best show I've seen to date (not to make you regret it even more or anything!). Saw it towards the end of the run and booked tickets for the following weekend immediately after we came out of the show. Would be really nice if it gets a transfer even though the cast that are currently playing on Broadway (and that did the National run) are just perfect.
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Post by cjamess on Nov 22, 2021 20:32:48 GMT
Newsies also finally coming to the UK with a credible British choreographer attached
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6,334 posts
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Post by Jon on Nov 22, 2021 20:40:46 GMT
Newsies also finally coming to the UK with a credible British choreographer attached I like Newsies but it's not that well known outside of the USA.
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 22, 2021 21:18:16 GMT
Was thinking recently about the number of shows that have seemingly been hinted at a run on this side of the pond recently and wondered how many were still on the way. Mean GirlsWith Sonia Friedman’s involvement it was inevitable that rumours would swirl, and I’m sure she even said it herself that she was bringing it to London. HadestownI thought that this was heavily tipped to make a return to the west end following its success on Broadway. The one which I regret never seeing at the National. The PromRecently tipped on here to be eyeing up a West End home for next year. AnastasiaI thought was due to appear here following a planned European tour, though I could be misremembering or inventing that. Next to NormalAfter a long period of waiting the first rumour for Next to Normal to appear on this side of the shore was mentioned here recently. Mil If/ThenAllegedly with Kerry Ellis at the helm. Sunday in the Park with GeorgeWas confirmed for the Savoy before the horror story that was 2020, has since gone extremely silent. Something Rotten!Still coming to the Bristol Rep after being postponed earlier this year. Mean Girls was listed at one stage on Wiki going into the Savoy pre-pandemic. Anastasia most of the set can be brought over on a portable hard drive, it has a glorious score. If this fails to get a main West End theatre, I would think Bill Kenwright would put this into his new theatre, same for If/Then. Heathers and Be More Chill seems to have been successful, Anastasia and If/Then could follow that route. Sure you mean the Birmingham Rep for Something Rotten, hope it does happen, it is a mildly enjoyable musical, however a bit bit year 8 senior school, to confuse omelette with Hamlet. One not on you list and can so see it coming over and that is Ain’t to Proud.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2021 21:38:05 GMT
Just adding some UK regional shows that might be coming in as well...
Groundhog Day Not technically regional, but strong rumours of it returning to the Old Vic in 2022. Hopefully will find a more permanent home after!
The Boy in the Dress Was confirmed by Gregory Doran that it was due to go to the Savoy after Sunday in the Park With George, but of course was cancelled by COVID so I wonder if that is still the plan or has things now changed. Especially as the RSC's priority was getting Matilda back up and running first, they have managed to do that now.
What's New Pussycat? Nothing confirmed, but it seems like it would be one to transfer. I can imagine maybe a run at the Dominion after Grease.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Again, nothing confirmed but another one that could potentially transfer after its tour finishes in May (though I reckon Mary Poppins or Frozen would need to close first to avoid an overload of Disney). Perhaps somewhere more intimate like Garrick if The Drifters Girl doesn't extend.
Mrs. Doubtfire Surely now they've announced a month run in Manchester next year, they must be looking at the West End after?
...and finally I hope this will happen too from Broadway...Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!
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Post by Mark on Nov 22, 2021 21:41:47 GMT
I also hear The Bands Visit is due to come over next year (wasn’t a fan but willing to give it another try). And presumably Mrs Doubtfire will arrive after Manchester. And wasn’t Jagged Little Pill rumoured for the Trafalgar?
I think we’ll see a lot or change next year.
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Post by Jon on Nov 22, 2021 22:40:43 GMT
There's not exactly an abundance of theatres available to fit all the rumoured shows. The only big theatres I see being available realistically are the Savoy, the Shaftesbury, the Dominion and possibly the Prince Edward but I reckon the latter is being saved for the rumoured Oliver! revival.
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Post by ceebee on Nov 22, 2021 22:54:13 GMT
Groundhog Dsy isn't a rumour. It's definitely returning.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2021 0:01:20 GMT
I dont see Hadestown returning. It was a slow burn at the RNT and whilst there was a buzz within theatre circles, it largely came and went unnoticed.
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Post by inthenose on Nov 23, 2021 6:39:13 GMT
N2N is definitely happening. The issues, I was just told, are the venue and, inevitably, investment. It'll be West End.
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