Open Air Theatre, Regents Park 2018 musical(s)?

Criticise Wicked all you want, most of the actresses that have played those two roles have huge fanbases within the theatre world. And Louise holds a distinction within the theatre of being the only one ever to play both roles, which goes to show how much of a range vocally she has. I agree she isn't at all famous, but don't discount her as a completely unknown person.

Ellen Greene's performance, I agree, was iconic. But it still doesn't take away from the fact you critique someone for being 30-something when she was 60-something. Iconic or not, she was still three decades older than Louise, and way too old for the part. Unless Audrey is the Norma Desmond of the theatre world, that you can never age out of?

Personally I'm all for Sheridan Smith reprising her performance from 2006/7, on audio she sounds fantastic formthe role. Too old?

Firstly, I was not criticising Wicked. Its a role that has been played by many actresses over the years and they all tend to blur into one. There is nothing stand out in their performances, uness you're the type of fan who shares every single riff from Defying Gravity on Youtube... I didn't say Louise Dearman wasn't an unkown, it's just that she has done nothing of note, apart from Wicked. She has yet to even create a new role from scratch. Think Elaine Paige in Evite, Glen Close in Sunset Blvd, Sutton Foster in Mille, Ethel Merman in everything. Having a theatre fan base really isn't that big of a thing....

Ellen Greene was asked to play Audrey for 3 performances, in an encore presentation because its the role she will always be known for and because it was just 3 performances. She would never be cast in a new full production of the show, but if she was i would still go and see it!

Also, please could you refer me to the post where i apparently critiqued someone's age? As i have said no such thing. Please check facts before you post.

Some of you uber fans are so touchy.   At what point did anyone say she wasn't talented?

There were more opportunities years ago? Complete nonsense. There are now so many shows running, being created, workshopped, revived, toured, that there are alot more opportunities nowadays.

It doesn’t really really matter if people are “well known” for the open air, they don’t have a history of celebrity or stunt casting.

Honestly I'm disappointed the Louise Dearman aspect of the conversation has gone on so long without anyone addressing @remark's possibility of Sunday in the Park with George for 2019. Is that a rumour or a wish? And if it's a rumour, how substantive is it and how generally reliable is the source?

I didn't catch the actress' name, but she played the blind girl in The Toxic Avenger at the Arts last year - she'd be fabulous!!

The original Sarah in The Toxic Avenger at Southwark Playhouse, Hannah Grover, was fantastic too. I didn't see Emma Salvo to compare but I was crying with laughter watching Hannah Grover.

Basically we're going to need seven alternate Audrey's to keep everyone happy!

Damn. Well, maybe if we wish REALLY REALLY hard.....

One of the problems with Sunday in the Park is that the general ticket buying public are terribly literal and it would probably take a huge ad campaign for them to realise this wasn't a one off/once a week show. And they'd have to perform on Sundays or people would complain.

Promo artwork tweeted earlier. Little Shop of Horrors looks rather twisted!

It's different. I rather like it. As long as it isn't that infernal Venus flytrap plant thing again.