84 posts
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Post by littlefluffychick on Jul 1, 2018 22:15:17 GMT
I saw the new cast on Wednesday and thought I would share my views. Momar was on as Lola and I thought he did a decent job, although his voice sounded a little tired and cracked at certain points in the show. I personally prefer Simon’s Lola, but nothing at all wrong with Momar.
Oliver as Charlie was really really good. No tuning issues, great acting and very clear dialogue, I heard parts of the show I’d never heard properly before thanks to Oliver’s delivery. He really was impressive and his Soul of a Man was a real highlight - the best I’ve heard (sorry Jordan Fox,who we all know is the best understudy in the west end).
Natalie as Lauren just didn’t do it for me at all. She gurned her way through the show like a crazy woman, and was really over the top compared to Verity’s performance. Not for me at all and I just couldn’t see the connection building between Lauren and Charlie because of Natalie’s hammy performance. She’s very talented, just not my cup of tea.
I had the pleasure of seeing Susie Mcaddam on as Nicola and I have to say I thought she was fab. Great acting and voice, and a totally refreshing spin on quite an underwhelming character. I thought she was awesome.
The rest of the cast were great too, so all in all a good cast change from my perspective, although I’ll be avoiding Natalie if I can. It’s just personal preference. I love this show and am so sorry it’s closing. Sad face 😞
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2018 15:39:22 GMT
I think Natalie is a performer that tends to divide people. Its interesting, because I have heard some loved her and some hated her as Elphaba. I loved her in Wonderland but I have several friends who didn't. I've seen her now in several shows: Wicked, Murder Ballad (both as Ensemble and Sara), Wonderland and Starlight Express and loved her in all of them, but it is interesting to see that alot of my friends either really like her or really don't.
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4,159 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jul 2, 2018 16:09:11 GMT
I've only seen her in Wonderland but came out of that performance a fan. I thought she was brilliant an outshone Kerry Ellis. I'd be interested to see her in this but not sure i'll be making a return visit what with the tour starting soon as well.
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821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Jul 2, 2018 16:11:30 GMT
I loved Natalie in Wonderland and Murder Ballad but I'm still undecided on her Lauren, I much prefer her Lauren to the past two leads but at the same time I'd still rather see her understudy.
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316 posts
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Post by martello736 on Jul 3, 2018 11:26:27 GMT
I thought that Natalie was a very poor Elphaba and medicore in Wonderland and Starlight Express, but she's probably my favourite Lauren of the 6 I've seen (Natalie, Amy, Elena, Verity, Emma Crossley and Suzie McAdam). She was definitely the funniest and had vastly more depth than the usual shallow portrayals of that role do.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2018 11:35:56 GMT
Oooo I don't think I've ever listed my favourites for Kinky Boots, but I imagine it would be something like:
Charlie: 1. Jordan Fox 2. David Hunter 3. Killian Donnelly 4. Paul Ayres Lola: 1. Matt Henry 2. Simon-Anthony Rhoden 3. Arun Blair-Mangat Lauren: 1. Amy Lennox 2. Verity Rushworth 3. Elena Skye
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821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Jul 3, 2018 14:15:47 GMT
Love a favourites list, reckon mine would be
Charlie: 1. David Hunter 2. Jordan Fox 3. Oliver Tompsett
Lola: 1. Matt Henry 2. Simon-Anthony Rhoden 3. Jemal Felix 4. Momar Diagne
Lauren: 1. Suzie McAdam 2. Natalie McQueen 3. Verity Rushworth 4. Elena Skye
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2018 15:13:24 GMT
I've seen the show seven times now... who the hell is Mutt?!
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821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Jul 3, 2018 15:18:47 GMT
Mutt is one of the ensemble, one of Don's mates in the factory, currently normally played by Keith Higham.
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695 posts
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Post by cheesy116 on Jul 3, 2018 15:33:06 GMT
All the ensemble actually have 'names' that are really only known by the cast/fans as to differentiate them. They're not called that in the programme and the names are never used during the show. The woman with the mullet is literally called 'Mullet'.
My favourites would be (from who I've seen myself)
Charlie: Killian Donnelly, Paul Ayres, Michael Vinsen, Jordan Fox, David Hunter
Lola: Matt Henry, Callum Francis, Simon Anthony Roden, Momar Diagne, Craig Thomas.
Lauren: Amy Lennox, Natalie McQueen, Elena Skye.
The Charlie's were difficult to do, I've never disliked any of them! Craig Thomas was terrible as Lola
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821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Jul 3, 2018 15:38:06 GMT
'Maggie' is mentioned once I believe (just before Soul of a Man) but on the whole no the names aren't mentioned. Ensemble are 'Maggie', 'Gemma-Louise', 'Mutt' and I think the other is 'Hooch'? They mainly have the names for the swings benefit. (Yes I'll admit to being one of those fans who actually know this info)
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119 posts
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Post by theatregeek on Jul 4, 2018 12:57:55 GMT
Sneaky, I see they have raised the prices for the final performance.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2018 13:26:44 GMT
Sneaky, I see they have raised the prices for the final performance. Yeah I've kept my eye on the final show just to see how it sells, prices are now as high as £150 but people are clearly buying them. They put 16 seats at £150 in the Stalls a couple weeks ago, now there is only 4 left! 16 seats were put at £150 in thr Dress too and two have gone so far. Most of the Stalls are gone now, only about 100 seats left. Cheapest left is £45. About half the Dress is gone. Cheapest left being £59.50. About a third of the Upper is gone. Still some £25 up there if anyone wants to see the final show cheap. Its a decent view.
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343 posts
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Post by sophizoey on Jul 4, 2018 14:57:00 GMT
Interval after I won the TodayTix lottery this morning. This show is absolute GOLD.
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66 posts
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Post by bodobear on Jul 4, 2018 15:03:44 GMT
Sneaky, I see they have raised the prices for the final performance. Yeah I've kept my eye on the final show just to see how it sells, prices are now as high as £150 but people are clearly buying them. They put 16 seats at £150 in the Stalls a couple weeks ago, now there is only 4 left! 16 seats were put at £150 in thr Dress too and two have gone so far. Most of the Stalls are gone now, only about 100 seats left. Cheapest left is £45. About half the Dress is gone. Cheapest left being £59.50. About a third of the Upper is gone. Still some £25 up there if anyone wants to see the final show cheap. Its a decent view. Thanks for that! I kept booking off cause... no money 😅 but better don’t wait too long if I don’t want to spend half a fortune on a ticket. Although... let’s not talk about what I paid for the final WWRY show... 🤦🏼♀️
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343 posts
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Post by sophizoey on Jul 5, 2018 5:17:08 GMT
Okay so this show was so delightfully fun and probably the best thing I saw on my trip to London. Completely kicking myself for not seeing it sooner because now I have a limited time to enjoy this in town. There wasnt a weak link in the whole cast and I genuinely had the most smiley afternoon.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jul 5, 2018 6:49:06 GMT
Apologies if already mentioned but there's an offer on during July for 40% off
Use code KBNEWCAST
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2018 8:04:38 GMT
Okay so this show was so delightfully fun and probably the best thing I saw on my trip to London. Completely kicking myself for not seeing it sooner because now I have a limited time to enjoy this in town. There wasnt a weak link in the whole cast and I genuinely had the most smiley afternoon. I'm guessing you'll see it at the Sunderland Empire/NCL Theatre Royal/Edinburgh Playhouse on tour too? I'm definitely doing Edinburgh but I might do either Glasgow or Sunderland to celebrate finishing my exams.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 17:18:53 GMT
Almost three years since they opened the show, Kinky reunion at Pride today!
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Post by d'James on Jul 7, 2018 18:25:33 GMT
The face on Amy.
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1,430 posts
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Post by showtoones on Jul 8, 2018 0:12:29 GMT
Was Fra Fee in the original cast? I didn’t know he was but ‘‘twas in the photo...
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Jul 8, 2018 6:06:00 GMT
No he wasn't
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Post by kiwi on Jul 9, 2018 10:09:52 GMT
Saw this for the second time on Saturday night and had a total blast. Can't wait to see it again when it comes to Edinburgh.
I was surprised at how empty it was though. Considering it was pride thought it would have been a lot busier.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2018 10:54:00 GMT
Saw this for the second time on Saturday night and had a total blast. Can't wait to see it again when it comes to Edinburgh. I was surprised at how empty it was though. Considering it was pride thought it would have been a lot busier. I think its a bit of a double edged sword, as alot of people just want to go out after the parade for a drinks etc.
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Jul 10, 2018 18:07:12 GMT
Saw the new cast last night. The show is just so fun and uplifting, definitely one of my faves on the West End right now. Simon-Anthony Rhoden is just brilliant as Lola and I'm so glad he stayed on, as I loved every second he was on stage. I really enjoyed Oliver Tompsett's voice and he totally nailed Soul of a Man (somehow one of my fave musical theatre songs!). I thought his Charlie was a bit dour though, which first struck me when he went to see Harry (he looked like a bit of a stick in the mud next to Jordan Fox). It was nice to see a new take on the role (out of the other Charlies I'e seen Paul Ayres gave me fish out of water vibes, whilst David Hunter (my fave) was more hapless and the funniest in the role for me) but it took me a while to warm to. Also, I kept noticing an absolutely hilarious ensemble member going all out in the background of every scene. Turns out it was Jonathan Carlton, an understudy Charlie. Has he gone on yet? I presume he joined at the cast change? Anyway a friend of mine wants to see the show so I might see it again on Saturday. What were we saying over on the stage door thread about superfans?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2018 18:16:42 GMT
Saw the new cast last night. The show is just so fun and uplifting, definitely one of my faves on the West End right now. Simon-Anthony Rhoden is just brilliant as Lola and I'm so glad he stayed on, as I loved every second he was on stage. I really enjoyed Oliver Tompsett's voice and he totally nailed Soul of a Man (somehow one of my fave musical theatre songs!). I thought his Charlie was a bit dour though, which first struck me when he went to see Harry (he looked like a bit of a stick in the mud next to Jordan Fox). It was nice to see a new take on the role (out of the other Charlies I'e seen Paul Ayres gave me fish out of water vibes, whilst David Hunter (my fave) was more hapless and the funniest in the role for me) but it took me a while to warm to. Also, I kept noticing an absolutely hilarious ensemble member going all out in the background of every scene. Turns out it was Jonathan Carlton, an understudy Charlie. Has he gone on yet? I presume he joined at the cast change? Anyway a friend of mine wants to see the show so I might see it again on Saturday. What were we saying over on the stage door thread about superfans? Glad you enjoyed the show! Jonathan hasn't gone on yet, though he has gone on for Harry once or twice, and is even on tonight for Harry! I agree David Hunter is probably one of my favourites, but Jordan Fox was pretty remarkable. Save some superfan vibes for when Jordan plays the role for most of August and see him, he is sensational!
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Jul 10, 2018 18:26:42 GMT
Ooh, that sounds like some HYPE 😉 I Jordan Fox's performance at West End Live this year. Will definitely have to try and go when he's on.
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821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Jul 10, 2018 19:09:40 GMT
I’ll second that hype. Jordan really is a must see Charlie in my eyes
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Jul 14, 2018 7:45:57 GMT
And just like that, I'm dayseating Kinky Boots on a day when Jordan Fox has two scheduled performances! 😉 My friend's coming up to visit and I suggested ages ago that we should see KB as she hasn't yet, so it's ended up happening completely accidentally.
(Queue looking fairly healthy, 10 waiting at quarter to nine).
Looking forward to seeing where this new Charlie fits in my 'ranking'.
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Jul 14, 2018 8:41:21 GMT
Nope, scratch that, it's Jonathan Carlton's debut today. Serendipitous!
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