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Post by david on Sept 4, 2019 19:06:32 GMT
Just seen on the Hope Mill theatre website that they are producing a version of Zorro the musical next year from 14th March - 18th April. Tickets now on sale. hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/zorro/
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 4, 2019 19:11:33 GMT
Ooooh well spotted david!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 4, 2019 19:22:30 GMT
I know nothing about this show. But whether it’s good or bad I think it’s great that the Hope Mill are bringing lesser known shows to Manchester audiences.
However I would ask that we do not get Zorro on the cheap. If I want to see shows with am dram production values I’ll choose to see them. Recent musical productions at the HM have looked “thrifty” to say the least.
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Post by 49thand8th on Sept 4, 2019 19:24:38 GMT
Oh wow, I saw this on my first trip to London 10 years ago. Bad and fun!
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Post by robertb213 on Sept 4, 2019 19:32:33 GMT
Hardcore musical fans can do a double-show day with Back To The Future! 😀
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Post by david on Sept 4, 2019 19:37:09 GMT
Just having a quick listen to the London cast recording now and I’m quite enjoying it. Totally agree with you BurlyBeaR, I hope we get a production that doesn’t scrimp on staging or the band. If the production is anything like Spring Awakening production at Hope Mill (which for me was the best thing they have produced so far), then I’ll be happy.
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 4, 2019 19:40:57 GMT
I'm torn on this one. I loved the WE production a decade ago & saw it 22 times. I then went to see the Paris production which, while using the same sets & costumes, had been re-written & obviously had a different cast & didn't enjoy that nearly as much. So I'm not sure I'd want to see a production that, from what I gather about reading comments on here about previous Hope Mill productions, is highly unlikely to live up to the WE in scale or budget, plus might use the re-written plot.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 4, 2019 20:05:03 GMT
ZORRO 4th Wall 😐
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2019 20:32:03 GMT
God, sounds quite stressful. They'll probably be encouraging everyone to get up and dance during Bamboleo.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2019 20:32:48 GMT
Hardcore musical fans can do a double-show day with Back To The Future! 😀 No need lol - the hardcore among us can do Phantom and BTTF on the same day :-)
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 4, 2019 20:36:57 GMT
Stay over and do POTO, BTTF and erm... Z all in two days!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2019 20:42:38 GMT
Stay over and do POTO, BTTF and erm... Z all in two days! Haha, I am thinking of doing the Manc triple - but that'll be BTTF, Les Mis and Phantom in May. Might even do the quadruple and chuck in West Side Story. What a year for Manchester!
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Post by david on Sept 4, 2019 21:01:06 GMT
Stay over and do POTO, BTTF and erm... Z all in two days! Haha, I am thinking of doing the Manc triple - but that'll be BTTF, Les Mis and Phantom in May. Might even do the quadruple and chuck in West Side Story. What a year for Manchester! Totally agree with you Dom about Manchester theatre with all these shows booked in for next year. Ive got tickets sorted for everything you’ve listed except LM which I’m seeing in Liverpool. On the horizon, there is Tracie B in MAME as well at the end of this month so some great stuff to look forward to in the coming months. I’m just not looking at the credit card bill after all this ticket buying!
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 4, 2019 21:04:05 GMT
So you'll finally have a legitmate reason to wear that mask, BurlyBeaR, as you're out and about in Manchester. I suppose you'll be wanting your cape back to complete the look. ☹
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 4, 2019 21:06:24 GMT
Just having a quick listen to the London cast recording now and I’m quite enjoying it. Totally agree with you BurlyBeaR , I hope we get a production that doesn’t scrimp on staging or the band. If the production is anything like Spring Awakening production at Hope Mill (which for me was the best thing they have produced so far), then I’ll be happy. I agree that Spring Awakening was fantastic and possibly the best looking and sounding production at the HM ever. But before that Parade was done very simply but looked and sounded fantastic, Hair of course went on to greater things, as did Yank! and Pippin. However Little Women, Rags, Jerry Springer, Aspects (mini orchestra rather than the look of it), Putting It Together have all left something to be desired. I can’t speak for Return of the Soldier or Club Mex as I didn’t see them. I do not underestimate the financial challenges involved with such a small theatre but prices have increased significantly and considering what you can get at the palace or op house in a cheaper seat for a more mainstream show it doesn’t stack up from a customers point of view. I don’t know what the answer is but there’s only so much goodwill that can be expected from people when it comes to how productions look. Jerry Springer was, in my opinion, very very poor.
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Post by david on Sept 4, 2019 21:06:37 GMT
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 4, 2019 21:11:00 GMT
So you'll finally have a legitmate reason to wear that mask, BurlyBeaR , as you're out and about in Manchester. I suppose you'll be wanting your cape back to complete the look. ☹ I have acquired a new cape, longer, more luxuriously lined in the finest vermillion satin, and swishier than before. I’ll be showcasing it at POTO MCR next year.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 4, 2019 21:11:47 GMT
I gave david a preview, as you can see.
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Post by david on Sept 4, 2019 21:47:03 GMT
Just having a quick listen to the London cast recording now and I’m quite enjoying it. Totally agree with you BurlyBeaR , I hope we get a production that doesn’t scrimp on staging or the band. If the production is anything like Spring Awakening production at Hope Mill (which for me was the best thing they have produced so far), then I’ll be happy. I agree that Spring Awakening was fantastic and possibly the best looking and sounding production at the HM ever. But before that Parade was done very simply but looked a and sounded fantastic, Hair of course went on to greater things, as did Yank! and Pippin. However Little Women, Rags, Jerry Springer, Aspects (mini orchestra rather than the look of it), Putting It Together have all left something to be desired. I can’t speak for Return of the Soldier or Club Mex as I didn’t see them. I do not underestimate the financial challenges involved with such a small theatre but prices have increased significantly and considering what you can get at the palace or op house in a cheaper seat for a more mainstream show it doesn’t stack up from a customers point of view. I don’t know what the answer is but there’s only so much goodwill that can be expected from people when it comes to how productions look. Jerry Springer was, in my opinion, very very poor. With MAME opening at the end of the month I just hope that they haven’t scrimped on the orchestra with this. I’m booked in for the 1st preview. With those productions you’ve listed, I certainly came out of AOL feeling that I wanted a a larger orchestra with that production as well as the Sondheim review one as well. I was at the Chester Storyhouse to watch A Little Night Music which I think had around 8 or 9 musicians but actually sounded much larger than that if that makes sense and was great to listen to. With the increasing ticket prices, certainly I would like to see the increase invested in improved sets and an orchestra.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 5, 2019 5:56:06 GMT
Let’s hope that the involvement of Tracie B will mean that Mame gets the treatment.
We should mention as well that HM committed to paying minimum wage which is, as I understand it, not always the case at London fringe theatres. But then again they advertised for ‘volunteers’ for the chorus in Jerry Springer.
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Post by theatre241 on Sept 5, 2019 6:11:42 GMT
Let’s hope that the involvement of Tracie B will mean that Mame gets the treatment. We should mention as well that HM committed to paying minimum wage which is, as I understand it, not always the case at London fringe theatres. But then again they advertised for ‘volunteers’ for the chorus in Jerry Springer. Jerry Springer wasn’t produced by the Hope Mill it was a new production company. The in house productions are the ones that say Aria Ents
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 5, 2019 6:37:36 GMT
I know, but all of the others I mentioned except for Club Mex I think were Aria.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2019 7:44:39 GMT
I agree that Spring Awakening was fantastic and possibly the best looking and sounding production at the HM ever. But before that Parade was done very simply but looked a and sounded fantastic, Hair of course went on to greater things, as did Yank! and Pippin. However Little Women, Rags, Jerry Springer, Aspects (mini orchestra rather than the look of it), Putting It Together have all left something to be desired. I can’t speak for Return of the Soldier or Club Mex as I didn’t see them. I do not underestimate the financial challenges involved with such a small theatre but prices have increased significantly and considering what you can get at the palace or op house in a cheaper seat for a more mainstream show it doesn’t stack up from a customers point of view. I don’t know what the answer is but there’s only so much goodwill that can be expected from people when it comes to how productions look. Jerry Springer was, in my opinion, very very poor. With MAME opening at the end of the month I just hope that they haven’t scrimped on the orchestra with this. I’m booked in for the 1st preview. With those productions you’ve listed, I certainly came out of AOL feeling that I wanted a a larger orchestra with that production as well as the Sondheim review one as well. I was at the Chester Storyhouse to watch A Little Night Music which I think had around 8 or 9 musicians but actually sounded much larger than that if that makes sense and was great to listen to. With the increasing ticket prices, certainly I would like to see the increase invested in improved sets and an orchestra. Whilst I agree with all this and really felt ALNM outshone AOL by a mile at the time, I do feel it's not really fair to compare Storyhouse productions with Hope Mill. Storyhouse productions are done in rep so they can split the cost of production/cast across multiple shows(businesses) and across a longer period of time. Also Storyhouse is National Lottery, Arts Council, etc etc funded. Hope Mill is entirely home grown - and the difference shows. I do think Hope Mill could be employing MDs with a better grasp of orchestration, which sometimes comes at a detriment to the productions (especially with the huge wealth of young talent on their doorstep at RNCM & Chetham's) but this has the potential to come with huge financial implications. That said, ticket prices at Hope Mill have risen by almost 50% whilst the quality of production has (generally) dropped inversely - Pippin / Spring Awakening vs Aspects of Love / Return of the Soldier.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2019 7:48:28 GMT
Let’s hope that the involvement of Tracie B will mean that Mame gets the treatment. We should mention as well that HM committed to paying minimum wage which is, as I understand it, not always the case at London fringe theatres. But then again they advertised for ‘volunteers’ for the chorus in Jerry Springer. Jerry Springer wasn’t produced by the Hope Mill it was a new production company. The in house productions are the ones that say Aria Ents The 3 men behind Jerry Springer's Production Company, Northern Ricochet, have all previously collaborated on Hope Mill productions, that's how they met.
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Post by geweena on Sept 5, 2019 7:58:38 GMT
Is this also Zorro? Just announced on twitter...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2019 8:02:53 GMT
Urrrrrrr Why does everything these days have to be ALL STAR, SUPER MEGA, PHANTASMIC, etc? Can't we have productions sold on their production merit not sold on the casting of some lack on a 6-month Soap hiatus?
I'm tired, it's early.
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Post by anniel on Sept 5, 2019 12:32:54 GMT
Just having a quick listen to the London cast recording now and I’m quite enjoying it. Totally agree with you BurlyBeaR , I hope we get a production that doesn’t scrimp on staging or the band. If the production is anything like Spring Awakening production at Hope Mill (which for me was the best thing they have produced so far), then I’ll be happy. I agree that Spring Awakening was fantastic and possibly the best looking and sounding production at the HM ever. But before that Parade was done very simply but looked and sounded fantastic, Hair of course went on to greater things, as did Yank! and Pippin. However Little Women, Rags, Jerry Springer, Aspects (mini orchestra rather than the look of it), Putting It Together have all left something to be desired. I can’t speak for Return of the Soldier or Club Mex as I didn’t see them. I do not underestimate the financial challenges involved with such a small theatre but prices have increased significantly and considering what you can get at the palace or op house in a cheaper seat for a more mainstream show it doesn’t stack up from a customers point of view. I don’t know what the answer is but there’s only so much goodwill that can be expected from people when it comes to how productions look. Jerry Springer was, in my opinion, very very poor. I do disagree with your views about the Aria shows very respectfully BurlyBeaR, in that I think the shows themselves were weaker, than Pippin or Yank or Parade (my absolute favourite Hope Mill show). What Hope Mill offer is a chance to see some brilliant performers (Rebecca Trehearn singing Children of the Wind - amazing! The lead girl in Little Women was brilliant!) even in mediocre shows. And to be close enough to see the whites of their eyes! I have paid similar prices in London to see a quarter of Daniel Radcliffe in a play. And he's very small to start with.... I know the prices have gone up, but for such good proximity and the chance to see unusual work, I would champion Hope Mill all the way. And, unless you get offers at the other Manc theatres, you get a much better view for the same money. To sit at floor level at the Royal Exchange is £44. (And I was a bit underwhelmed by the set of West Side Story). I also loathed Jerry Springer but thought that was the material, not the show. There was some excellent singing in it.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 5, 2019 12:51:34 GMT
I know anniel , I’m trying to make a point by comparing apples and pears and not being fair. I love the HM and do want to champion it, but it’s no longer a reasonable bet that you book for a musical and see something that both looks and sounds professional. And you get the same sort of immersive experience at somewhere like the Southwark Playhouse for cheaper ticket prices (although granted I think their capacity is bigger so the returns potentially higher). As I said I don’t know what the solution is, they do an amazing job without external funding to bring lesser known shows to Manchester and maybe I have unrealistic expectations. I see Zorro is priced at £25. I’m pretty sure Springer was £27 but was by far the cheapest looking thing I’ve seen there. I’ve seen better looking amateur shows. I guess I’ll just have to stop advance booking and wait for feedback before going. Which s a shame because I go as a party of 6 and I imagine the HM would rather like to have our ticket money as early as possible.
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Post by alece10 on Sept 5, 2019 13:06:48 GMT
I remember little about the music when I saw it in London but I do remember there was fire, flying around the stage on ropes and it was quite good fun.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Sept 5, 2019 13:25:38 GMT
If they bought a job lot of parallelograms when they got that one they like to hang above each set, I guess they could be suspended in a kind of Z formation. All this stuff about dancing on the tables, "get-on-your-feet music" and the action spreading from the stage sounds like purgatory!
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