449 posts
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Chess
Jul 6, 2017 13:00:51 GMT
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Post by SageStageMgr on Jul 6, 2017 13:00:51 GMT
The one major issue I have with some of the content, particularly on the original cast recording, is at one point the Russian refers to the American as "a fruit", with Florence saying he is not "one of them". This is a strange choice (although the inference was quickly changed) as I don't see what Trumper had done to imply he was gay. Unstable, "a nut" and "off his head" (the later lyrics) perhaps, but what does being a fruit have to do with anything?
Later on, Trumper laments that his Dad thought he was "no good, and probably queer" but that feels unnecessary too - although that lyric makes more sense in context of his unhappy childhood.
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Post by mallardo on Jul 6, 2017 13:25:24 GMT
"Trumper" could hardly be a more unfortunate name for a leading character. On the other hand he is a bit of a self-pitying narcissistic jerk.
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Chess
Jul 6, 2017 19:38:18 GMT
Post by Dawnstar on Jul 6, 2017 19:38:18 GMT
The one major issue I have with some of the content, particularly on the original cast recording, is at one point the Russian refers to the American as "a fruit", with Florence saying he is not "one of them". This is a strange choice (although the inference was quickly changed) as I don't see what Trumper had done to imply he was gay. Unstable, "a nut" and "off his head" (the later lyrics) perhaps, but what does being a fruit have to do with anything? I thought "a fruit" meant the same as "a nut". I have heard the expression "a fruit and nutcase" used so thought it was 2 different shortenings for the same expression. I have never come across it used as slang for someoen being homosexual. There seems to be no end of seemingly-innocent words that have been turned into slang terms for some aspect of sex or sexuality.
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Post by d'James on Jul 6, 2017 20:18:27 GMT
Fruit, I would always assume to mean gay (as they use it in my favourite movie). Fruitcake would be equal to a nut in my vocab. Not that I know the story in this case.
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449 posts
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Post by SageStageMgr on Jul 6, 2017 21:00:34 GMT
It's quite common, Dawn, although *very* 1970's/80's slang. As is "one of them" e.g "don't turn your back on him, he's one of them", traditional homophobic comedy you'd expect someone like Jim Davidson to come out with, not Sir Tim Rice... Major says it to Basil Fawlty as a sign of his dated views in Fawlty Towers...
It just seems an odd piece of writing
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3,926 posts
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Chess
Jul 6, 2017 21:37:19 GMT
Post by Dawnstar on Jul 6, 2017 21:37:19 GMT
It's quite common, Dawn, although *very* 1970's/80's slang. Ah, then I guess it had gone out of usage by the time I (b. 1985) was old enough to know what homosexuality was.
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Post by d'James on Jul 6, 2017 21:55:11 GMT
It's quite common, Dawn, although *very* 1970's/80's slang. Ah, then I guess it had gone out of usage by the time I (b. 1985) was old enough to know what homosexuality was. Yes. I'm a tiny bit younger than you but I know it from Clue (the Movie (based on Cluedo)).
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10 posts
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Chess
Jul 7, 2017 18:00:27 GMT
Post by holbee22 on Jul 7, 2017 18:00:27 GMT
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51 posts
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Chess
Jul 10, 2017 14:04:56 GMT
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Post by chess on Jul 10, 2017 14:04:56 GMT
I have to put in a good word for the semi-reviled Broadway Trevor production. I loved it. I actually go back every couple years to Lincoln Center to watch it. I found the book by the now-worshiped American playwright Richard Nelson. It is the only version I have ever seen where I actually cared about the characters, wondered about their backstories, bought the love story at its center. A magnificent cast as well. It's obviously political but puts the emphasis on the people. There is actual heart there. The "Heaven Help My Heart" scene between Florence and Molokov is beautiful. It had the audacity to cut favorite numbers from the black album because they didn't make any theatrical sense (somewhat like the new trend of giving "Someone Else's Story" to Svetlana--wha..huh?). I have seen many Chess's since (including the truly ridiculous S&M Chess Board Chorus/Orchestra Clive Revel UK touring production) but none have come close to the cohesion of the original Broadway production. I know I am in the minority, but I hated the idea of the cuts when I heard about it originally and only went because I was literally just walking by the theatre and someone offered me a 10.00 ticket. I fell in love with the show and saw it three more times, including the final performance. One of my absolute favorite theatre experiences of my lifetime. Is there video of the Broadway production at the Lincoln center? Because if Ithere one that would be a reason for my first ever trip to the US.
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Chess
Jul 11, 2017 16:24:32 GMT
Post by jgblunners on Jul 11, 2017 16:24:32 GMT
I think someone mentioned this earlier in the thread, but I can't remember if it got answered - didn't Tim Rice say the version recorded at the Royal Albert Hall (Groban/Pascal/Menzel/Ellis, etc.) was the 'definitive' version? If so, has he given a reason as to why is he attempting to re-write it again? I always find it fascinating when shows undergo such never-ending re-writes - you've got to wonder if the creatives will ever be happy with it?
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1,445 posts
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Chess
Jul 11, 2017 16:36:39 GMT
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Post by steve10086 on Jul 11, 2017 16:36:39 GMT
I think someone mentioned this earlier in the thread, but I can't remember if it got answered - didn't Tim Rice say the version recorded at the Royal Albert Hall (Groban/Pascal/Menzel/Ellis, etc.) was the 'definitive' version? If so, has he given a reason as to why is he attempting to re-write it again? I always find it fascinating when shows undergo such never-ending re-writes - you've got to wonder if the creatives will ever be happy with it? Yes, I mentioned it, and I don't understand why they keep wasting their time messing about with it.
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Chess
Oct 13, 2017 14:11:18 GMT
Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 13, 2017 14:11:18 GMT
Bump
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4,588 posts
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Chess
Oct 13, 2017 14:19:24 GMT
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daniel likes this
Post by Someone in a tree on Oct 13, 2017 14:19:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 14:25:15 GMT
No idea what ENO have in mind for this but please spare us semi staged or Idina with her hands in her pockets.
Would LOVE a full scale revival of this. Anthem, Nobody's Side, I Know Him So Well, Heaven Help My Heart some of the best MT songs of all time.
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Chess
Oct 13, 2017 14:31:49 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 14:31:49 GMT
They're going to bring back the original cast, I can feel it in my waters. Elaine, Tommy, Murray and Siobhan. And Elaine's hairdryer.
Take that Menzel.
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18,773 posts
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Chess
Oct 13, 2017 15:10:38 GMT
Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 13, 2017 15:10:38 GMT
Who can play Barbara Dickson?
Will there be furry hats?
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3,057 posts
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Chess
Oct 13, 2017 15:12:58 GMT
Post by ali973 on Oct 13, 2017 15:12:58 GMT
Kerry Ellis for Florence. Though I find her sometimes dull, often a very ordinary actress, her vocals are thrilling and she would totally kill it especially in the high octave belts. Nobody's Side would be thrilling.
Rebecca Trehearn as Svetlana. Because she is amazing, always gives a layered performance and her voice is like honey.
Ramin Karimloo as Freddy. Because he can sing and it's time he plays a real bad boy.
Tam Mutu as Anatoly. Because we want to see him opposite Ramin, clearly?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 15:17:18 GMT
Wot, no part for Suasn Boyle then?
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Post by richey on Oct 13, 2017 15:55:08 GMT
Wot, no part for Suasn Boyle then? she could be the Arbiter. Just as long as she doesn't have to take part in One Night in Bangkok.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 16:07:21 GMT
Ramin Karimloo as Freddy. Because he can sing and it's time he plays a real bad boy. Tam Mutu as Anatoly. Because we want to see him opposite Ramin, clearly? Fabulous. Especially for the bit when they're in Bangkok and Anatoly and Freddie go to have a thai massage before they end up wrestling with each other in a sauna leaving Florence to play with her rook. Why am I not directing in London's glitzy West End?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 16:40:25 GMT
Can't really say much as I'm not directly linked to the production but from the looks of it it's going to be a bit more flamboyant than the previous ENO musicals. Might finally break away from Lonny Price's semi-staged revivals. Curious to see who they cast; I imagine they would like to secure a bigger name, as is the tradition.
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1,119 posts
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Chess
Oct 13, 2017 17:58:16 GMT
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Post by martin1965 on Oct 13, 2017 17:58:16 GMT
Ramin Karimloo as Freddy. Because he can sing and it's time he plays a real bad boy. Tam Mutu as Anatoly. Because we want to see him opposite Ramin, clearly? Fabulous. Especially for the bit when they're in Bangkok and Anatoly and Freddie go to have a thai massage before they end up wrestling with each other in a sauna leaving Florence to play with her rook. Why am I not directing in London's glitzy West End? Blimey! You really need to take a chillaxitive😆
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 18:01:03 GMT
Why am I not directing in London's glitzy West End? CRB checks?
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Chess
Oct 13, 2017 18:06:29 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 18:06:29 GMT
Nobody's Side would be thrilling. If you say so.
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Post by musicallady on Oct 13, 2017 18:46:09 GMT
For me there will only ever be one Anatoly and that is Maurice Clarke.
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Chess
Oct 14, 2017 14:48:07 GMT
Post by paulbrownsey on Oct 14, 2017 14:48:07 GMT
I have never come across it used as slang for someoen being homosexual. There seems to be no end of seemingly-innocent words that have been turned into slang terms for some aspect of sex or sexuality. Liberace won his libel case against the Daily Mirror in 1956 in part because columnist Cassandra called him "fruit-flavoured": "He wrote of Liberace as "…the summit of sex — the pinnacle of masculine, feminine, and neuter. Everything that he, she, and it can ever want… a deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling, chromium-plated, scent-impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling, fruit-flavoured, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love"." [Guardian] But I think the word "fruit" was more USA slang for a homosexual than British slang.
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Post by Sue on Oct 14, 2017 22:24:35 GMT
Madalena Alberto for Florence.
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 14, 2017 23:38:23 GMT
Guys these names are great for theatrical circles, but remember you have to sell a shed load of tickets for the Colesium. That is why I see Nicole Scherzinger as the perfect Florence, both vocally and box office draw. Also think it would be great if Elaine Paige made a come back, but this time as Svetlana (much older).
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Chess
Oct 15, 2017 3:53:43 GMT
Post by ali973 on Oct 15, 2017 3:53:43 GMT
^ I wouldn't say no to Nicole as Florence. She was fabulous in Cats Not sure about Elaine, though. She's kind of dominate unnecessarily. She also doesn't have singing chops anymore.
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Chess
Oct 15, 2017 7:59:06 GMT
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Post by martin1965 on Oct 15, 2017 7:59:06 GMT
Am afraid my fellow Bexleyite is right. If this is confirmed at the ENO then they will need star casting, particularly because for joe public it will be an unfamiliar work. Kerry Ellis and Nicole?
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