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Post by Sue on Jan 24, 2016 21:16:19 GMT
I saw in one of the recent articles that the orchestra will be on stage a la Sweeney so probably puts paid to much in the way of a set. If that's the case I presume they will extend the stage over the orchestra pit and bring the action forward? Is that what they did for Sweeney? Oo that'd be fab if so - I saw WNO's Sweeney a while ago and loved the fact that the orchestra was so involved in the show. For once it gave them the recognition they deserve.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2016 17:22:38 GMT
Michael Xavier and Glenn Close in a turban. What more could anyone want from this show?
I just cannot wait.
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Post by critchyboy on Jan 25, 2016 22:09:27 GMT
Good plan. I don't think you need to know the Sunset songs in advance to enjoy them, which I find I do need with a lot of shows. I can remember loving the music from the first performance I saw. Enjoy! I'd not heard the songs before I saw it on stage either and I instantly loved them. I'm really looking forward to hearing this production (I don't say see as I've got a cheap seat so don't expect to see much!) I think I'll be hearing more of the show than seeing any of it too!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 12:44:56 GMT
There will indeed be a staircase.
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Post by Sue on Jan 26, 2016 19:29:04 GMT
Hoorah, I didn't think they'd exclude it but you can never say never!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 26, 2016 19:40:00 GMT
There will indeed be a staircase. Insider........?! Come sit by me mrmusicals!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2016 10:50:17 GMT
Oh, BurlyBeaR....people will talk!
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Post by horton on Jan 27, 2016 11:06:58 GMT
Sorry to be churlish but I can't see these concerts doing anything other than REDUCING the likelihood of a full revival any time soon.
Concerts are all very well but they are not the full show.
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 12:40:43 GMT
Using the original costumes - no expense is spared yet again with an Andrew Lloyd Webber revival You could spend whatever you wanted and you wouldn't beat Norma's original costumes (and it's only Norma's that are not new for this production - presumably because the originals have been in Glenn Close's wardrobe the last 20 years). The original costumes is a positive thing, not a negative one.
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 12:44:10 GMT
Sorry to be churlish but I can't see these concerts doing anything other than REDUCING the likelihood of a full revival any time soon. Concerts are all very well but they are not the full show. What's your point? You think the "concert" (semi staged production) *shouldn't* happen, or you *wish* it wasn't happening? Seeing as it's been 20 years since the last full scale production of Sunset in the West End, I don't see anyone falling them over themselves to produce one. In many ways this semi staged production, with a proper orchestra, and amazing casting for the lead role, is better than a new permanent West End revival for me.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 27, 2016 12:45:21 GMT
Using the original costumes - no expense is spared yet again with an Andrew Lloyd Webber revival You could spend whatever you wanted and you wouldn't beat Norma's original costumes (and it's only Norma's that are not new for this production - presumably because the originals have been in Glenn Close's wardrobe the last 20 years). The original costumes is a positive thing, not a negative one. I agree! I want it to look the same as it did before. Turbans, sunglasses, monocle thingy on a long chain.... Fabulous. Hopefully they'll give everything a good going over with the Febreze though
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Post by horton on Jan 27, 2016 16:01:51 GMT
Sorry to be churlish but I can't see these concerts doing anything other than REDUCING the likelihood of a full revival any time soon. Concerts are all very well but they are not the full show. What's your point? You think the "concert" (semi staged production) *shouldn't* happen, or you *wish* it wasn't happening? Seeing as it's been 20 years since the last full scale production of Sunset in the West End, I don't see anyone falling them over themselves to produce one. In many ways this semi staged production, with a proper orchestra, and amazing casting for the lead role, is better than a new permanent West End revival for me. My point is that a fully staged revival would be better- but having mopped up a lot of the potential audience- and media interest in particular- this run of concerts is likely to deter any producers who were toying with a revival. Kenwright has revived most of ALW's other works so he would be a likely candidate, for instance. People are getting very excited about these few concerts but it is a pity we have to settle for such meagre scraps these days.
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Post by Baemax on Jan 27, 2016 16:25:16 GMT
To me, the pity is you don't seem to have thought very much of the last West End revival of Sunset (the transfer from the Watermill), as even though it wasn't what you would call a large-scale revival, it was still marvellous.
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 19:03:16 GMT
To me, the pity is you don't seem to have thought very much of the last West End revival of Sunset (the transfer from the Watermill), as even though it wasn't what you would call a large-scale revival, it was still marvellous. It was marvellous at the Watermill (one of my best theatre experiences, combined with the wonderful location and fabulous restaurant). But in the West End... it looked cheap and basic. A West End show needs an orchestra!
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 27, 2016 19:18:44 GMT
What's your point? You think the "concert" (semi staged production) *shouldn't* happen, or you *wish* it wasn't happening? Seeing as it's been 20 years since the last full scale production of Sunset in the West End, I don't see anyone falling them over themselves to produce one. In many ways this semi staged production, with a proper orchestra, and amazing casting for the lead role, is better than a new permanent West End revival for me. My point is that a fully staged revival would be better- but having mopped up a lot of the potential audience- and media interest in particular- this run of concerts is likely to deter any producers who were toying with a revival. Kenwright has revived most of ALW's other works so he would be a likely candidate, for instance. People are getting very excited about these few concerts but it is a pity we have to settle for such meagre scraps these days. That Watermill revival which I thought was glorious in the West End and was a real star turn for an exquisite Katherine Evans, was produced by Bill Kenwright, even though the sets were basic, the strength of the glorious score and acting saw this one through.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 27, 2016 19:26:51 GMT
We'll get the glorious score with the full ENO orchestra, the acting of Glenn, an amazi g supporting cast and the fabulous costumes. Hardly "scraps" surely?
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 20:50:52 GMT
We'll get the glorious score with the full ENO orchestra, the acting of Glenn, an amazi g supporting cast and the fabulous costumes. Hardly "scraps" surely? Exactly! I'd happily live on scraps like that
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 20:53:11 GMT
Who was toying with a revival? After 20 years and no full scale revival you can keep waiting if you want. I'd rather see this production.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 27, 2016 22:19:39 GMT
Just to clear up speculation, my friend interviewed John Napier a few months ago and he confirmed that unfortunately all the original sets no longer exist.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 27, 2016 22:23:20 GMT
What's your point? You think the "concert" (semi staged production) *shouldn't* happen, or you *wish* it wasn't happening? Seeing as it's been 20 years since the last full scale production of Sunset in the West End, I don't see anyone falling them over themselves to produce one. In many ways this semi staged production, with a proper orchestra, and amazing casting for the lead role, is better than a new permanent West End revival for me. My point is that a fully staged revival would be better- but having mopped up a lot of the potential audience- and media interest in particular- this run of concerts is likely to deter any producers who were toying with a revival. Kenwright has revived most of ALW's other works so he would be a likely candidate, for instance. People are getting very excited about these few concerts but it is a pity we have to settle for such meagre scraps these days. Have to agree with this. I think this special run will just about exhaust all the present interest there is in Sunset Boulevard. It simply does not fit in with the current zeitgeist of the most popular musicals. It was also a hard sell for many of the 15 local societies who were granted to licence to perform it last year. I was in one such production and we had uncharistically poor box office on it (and anecdotally I've heard similar stories elsewhere)
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Post by couldileaveyou on Jan 27, 2016 22:53:29 GMT
The point is that Sunset is not a good musical, the only attractive it has is the star who plays Norma. This is the reason why it might struggle in amateur productions and the reason why is not revived is because it's very expensive to run. (I mean, creating a full-scale production for just 43 shows would be the stupidest thing a producer can do)
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Post by horton on Jan 27, 2016 23:20:02 GMT
We'll get the glorious score with the full ENO orchestra, the acting of Glenn, an amazi g supporting cast and the fabulous costumes. Hardly "scraps" surely? Exactly! I'd happily live on scraps like that Compared to the original production: scraps. And yes, the original set was broken up.
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 28, 2016 7:05:00 GMT
Exactly! I'd happily live on scraps like that Compared to the original production: scraps. And yes, the original set was broken up. Does anyone really think we were going to see something to rival the original production ever again?!
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Post by loureviews on Jan 28, 2016 7:43:11 GMT
The point is that Sunset is not a good musical, the only attractive it has is the star who plays Norma. This is the reason why it might struggle in amateur productions and the reason why is not revived is because it's very expensive to run. (I mean, creating a full-scale production for just 43 shows would be the stupidest thing a producer can do) Having seen a fab amateur production last year I disagree completely and think this is definitely a good musical based on a good film.
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 28, 2016 8:58:26 GMT
I think it is a brilliant musical with absolutely gorgeous music and a world class plot, being based on closely on such a classic and brilliant movie/script. ALW often cites it as his "most complete" show, and I would agree with him. I just think it requires a real touch of class to work properly, which can mean different things in different productions, but it (the show) need to be a "star" in one way or another. Glenn Close, the ENO orchestra, and the Anthony Powell costumes give the upcoming production the star quality the show needs.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 28, 2016 13:25:20 GMT
Loving the avatar steve10086!
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 28, 2016 14:15:27 GMT
Loving the avatar steve10086! Had to be done :-)
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 28, 2016 14:43:54 GMT
The point is that Sunset is not a good musical Err, that's just a mere opinion, not fact!! We found that many people just had not heard of it... 20 years after it's West End heyday, it had been forgotten or wasn't known by casual theatregoers.
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Post by gra on Jan 28, 2016 20:06:01 GMT
The point is that Sunset is not a good musical, the only attractive it has is the star who plays Norma. This is the reason why it might struggle in amateur productions and the reason why is not revived is because it's very expensive to run. (I mean, creating a full-scale production for just 43 shows would be the stupidest thing a producer can do) Having seen a fab amateur production last year I disagree completely and think this is definitely a good musical based on a good film.
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Post by gra on Jan 28, 2016 20:08:07 GMT
I agree. Also saw a great amateur production at Potters Bar last year. It was very well attended and got a great reception.
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