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Post by singularsensation10 on Sept 6, 2017 18:42:37 GMT
My rankings: Elphaba 1. Ashleigh Gray (x2) 2. Jodie Steele (x2) 3. Jennifer DiNoia (x20) 4. Louise Dearman (x4) 5. Alice Fearn (x17) 6. Willemijn Verkaik (x16) 7. Rachel Tucker (x18) 8. Michelle Pentecost (x2) 9. Laura Emmitt (x8) 10. Natasha Ferguson (x1) 11. Nikki Davis-Jones (x1) 12. Natalie Andreou (x12.5) 13. Jemma Alexander (x1) 14. Emma Hatton (x86.5) 15. Jacqueline Hughes (x9) 16. Kerry Ellis (x5) 17. Natalie McQueen (x8) Glinda 1. Suzie Mathers (x34) 2. Lucy van Gasse (x1) 3. Sophie Linder-Lee (x36) 4. Helen Woolf (x11) 5. Gina Beck (x4) 6. Carly Anderson (x5) 7. Victoria Farley (x1) 8. Carina Gillespie (x13) 9. Emily Tierney (x6) 10. Elizabeth Futter (x1) 11. Rosa O'Reilly (x1) 12. Savannah Stevenson (x93) 13. Maria Coyne (x5) 14. Lauren James Ray (x2) Fiyero 1. Oliver Savile (x73) 2. David Gale (x1) 3. Justin Thomas (x3) 4. Sam Edwards (x10) 5. Kane Oliver Parry (x3) 6. Bradley Jaden (x6) 7. Jeremy Taylor (x97) 8. Matt Willis (x1) 9. James Darch (x7) 10. Matthew Croke (x7) 11. Liam Doyle (x1) 12. Ben Freeman (x4) Still yet to see the new lot but looking forward to it. Jesus Martello how did you sit through Emma Hatton 86.5 times......! 😂😂
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Post by singularsensation10 on Sept 5, 2017 23:23:24 GMT
Just on the tube home from the cast party (yup, I know. My inner 14 year old self was dying) so first chance I've had to properly debrief.
My main thoughts are that the cast as a whole is pretty strong, the show is in great shape heading into its 12th year etc etc etc...
Bradley looks super short but actually both of the girls are pretty tall so they're all the same size. That's all I could think of with him - his voice is fine, his acting was fine, he's pretty fit and looks good with a manbun, but looks short next to the girls.
Sophie - I either LOVED her or HATED her. No in between. Her voice is very sweet but has a thin timbre. I think with the show having been open for such a long time, we are now getting into the terriory of actresses (namely Sophie) just becoming a derivation of previous actresses to play the role. It was almost like "ok I've got a funny line coming up so I'll have to turn my head and deliver it to the audience" kind of thing. Also her Welsh accent came out twice, when she said "that Winkie prince whose reputation" and "gratitution" both said with her accent. Didn't love her, didn't hate her. She's certainly very young.
Alice. Holy mother of Jesus that girl can act. Everything was so believable. I believed every word she said. Her voice is like silk which is even more stunning when juxtaposed with her acting. Her act 1 Elphaba shows more geekiness and vulnerability than I've ever seen, and then we follow her journey to her strong, pissed off act 2 Elphaba. Her acting is even better than her vocals which is saying something as her singing is so effortlessly incredible. There have been a few comments about her vocal technique and that her voice will be ruined by the end of her run? Nah. Not this girl. She's got her technique down to a T and is singing it with ease and clarity. Incredibly placed and thought out on her part.
Few things I noticed - the comments about it being UnlimiTED? Not anymore, it's 100% unlimiTID, almost to the point of a charicature. Ensemble mics were turned up far too loud. Melanie Le Barrie sounds like she's from Birmingham - I like the dress though (especially made for black skin tone) The posh seats in the middle are incredible. No wonder they're worth £90+. Amazing view, amazing sound. I don't think ticket prices should be that high but they are certainly premium. Anyone that hasn't seen alice yet - please go and see for yourself how effortless her vocals are, and how believable her acting is.
Ps Carina's pregnant!!!!!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Sept 4, 2017 13:47:12 GMT
I'm also looking forward to tomorrow! Really intrigued to see Alice and Sophie.
When does the tour start? I'm really hoping for Amy Ross - I don't think we'll get a new Glinda as well as a new Elphaba though.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Sept 1, 2017 23:23:05 GMT
Does anyone else think we need another great magical fantasy show in the West End besides Wicked? And by that I don't mean Aladdin because I find it very mediocre. But something fresh and big and bold would be nice. Something that can sweep us off our feet like Wicked did the first time we saw it. YES! In the past 11 years the ability to make magic happen on stage must have come on leaps and bounds since Wicked opened..?
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 31, 2017 19:29:47 GMT
Many happy returns to a beautiful lovely lady.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 31, 2017 19:22:48 GMT
For me, vocally it's Amber hands down. I can't recall any other time when somebody's vocal performance left me physically shaking. Ever. Yet that's how I was at the interval. That said, she may as well have been singing the songs at a concert, there wasn't really a great deal of acting for me. Marisha, however, is an equally amazing vocalist. I don't think her voice is as strong and clear as Amber's, but she has different qualities. She has a much more raw tone, and she brings a lot more emotion to the part. Her acting is streets ahead too. When I saw Amber, I was watching Amber Riley sing Dreamgirls. When I saw Marisha, I was watching Effie White. These are my sentiments exactly. There is no denying Amber's talent but there is equally no denying Marisha's characterisation. The audience reacted differently to both performances too. Lots of mid-song whoops and applauses for Amber, akin to a concert - whereas Marisha's applause and audience reaction was largely at the end of the songs, as though we had been on the journey with the character. Don't get me wrong, I loved both girls. But Marisha tipped it for me as I felt she 'got' the character more.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 30, 2017 17:59:20 GMT
Great news for Bronte that she has got such a great role, she has the range to do the songs justice, she may need a crash course in piano playing though. Sorry I can't tell if this is sarcastic or whether you're under the illusion that the girls playing Carole actually play the piano in the show?
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 27, 2017 11:20:50 GMT
Also heading to media night! Looking forward to it.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 26, 2017 12:34:45 GMT
The whole 'back door' thing was purely logistics - we all know how hectic getting people into the AV is on even a normal night let alone on a busy night like that. Of course they weren't going to let Stephen Schwartz and past cast members get accosted by fans while they were in the theatre.
That being said, I do believe tickets should have been free for everybody - not just YouTube-rs and Z-listers, but also fans.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 25, 2017 13:16:58 GMT
To be honest, I find the whole getting annoyed over the "no new Elphaba" situation to be a bit ridiculous. Yes, it would be nice to get a brand new Elphaba but some people act as if the world has ended that an Elphaba has been promoted internally or that a lead has returned after a hiatus, while proclaiming that the they will never see the show again (which, let's face it, we know isn't true). The Amy Ross rumours are very encouraging however, I would like to see them be true. Totally agree with this post!!!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 22, 2017 22:24:53 GMT
When does Beautiful close? ... Could Cassidy Janson return? CJ was my favourite Elphaba but I really don't see her returning unfortunately. She was with the show for almost 3 years and that was 10+ years ago. I'd really love to see her return but don't think it's likely.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 22, 2017 11:34:16 GMT
I saw Alli twice on Broadway - she was a phenomenal Glinda, and paired so well with Nicole Parker (who was also one of the best Elphabi I've seen).
I've seen a lot of discussion about whether Wicked works better with an English or an American accent but as a linguist and someone that has studied accents quite in depth it has absolutely nothing to do with accent and everything to do with culture. Despite speaking the same language (almost) we have very little culturally in common with the US. So parts of the show work very differently in both settings. I don't agree with the comments that Wicked is an American show because Oz is a fictional place, however I do see why people would say this.
No idea what made me segue from talking about Alli Mauzey to that but felt it needed saying? Haha
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 18, 2017 15:19:46 GMT
In tonights Evening Standard, Miranda is quoted as saying he will appear as Hamilton in some of the UK performances. I'm not gonna lie I read that as "Miranda is quoted as saying she will appear as Hamilton in some of the UK performances" and I imagined Miranda Hart dressed as a man dancing around camply rapping My Shot and then I was like "oh. Lin. Of course..." Inspired casting. Groundbreaking in the usual Hamilton fashion. I'd pay good money to see this. More than once.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 17, 2017 8:06:10 GMT
Just had a quick listen. She sang DG exactly like Alice (as she has been told to do) - however the timbre of her voice is very different to Alice so what works for Alice won't necessarily work for Laura. That being said, it's a very strong vocal performance and if that's what she can do first time out, sky's the limit! Such wingspan!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 16, 2017 17:58:40 GMT
Andy Coxon...... 👀👀👀 hello....
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 16, 2017 17:55:19 GMT
Less than a year I think? Alice came in at last cast change right? You make it sound as if it's been a decade 😂😂 Didn't mean it that way... in fact I was one of the pro-Alice members of this board when it was announced and people were upset that Willemijn wasn't going to replaced by someone new. I meant it in an excited way - interested to hear her take on it.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 16, 2017 17:22:55 GMT
Ooooooh looking at the time I could still just about get there..... I've got a terrible headcold though and wouldn't want to be that sniffling sneezing audience member. Interested to hear her considering she's the first brand new Elphaba in a long time.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 15, 2017 21:31:18 GMT
Sticking my two penn'orth in - first time I was in the 3rd row and personally I found it too close, I'm about 5 foot 2 and felt I had to look up to the stage a bit. Second time I was about 8 rows back and preferred that. ok super useful thank you. We're both 6"2 so don't think it would be that much of an issue but I do like to sit further back to take it all in. That being said, I'm sure I was 2 or 3 rows back when I went before. Will keep my eye on it. Thanks ruby :-)
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 15, 2017 19:46:38 GMT
Just checked today tix and I can get Stalls row D for £42.50. Looks like it's the second row back. Theatremonkey is this too close?? Or am I grabbing a bargain?
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 15, 2017 19:42:08 GMT
And if you're already in London, or can be there reasonably early, there are always day seats to consider. I am already in London. Hadn't thought of this. Will look into it. Knew I recognised his face. Think I matched with Callum Train on tinder once. oh do tell, lol! He is rather lovely in my opinion. No gossip I'm afraid - it was one of those where you matched, chatted a bit and it amounted to nothing. The joys of being a millennial. I just knew I recognised the face!!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 15, 2017 11:56:06 GMT
Are they still doing dynamic pricing? And will they do it at weekends? I'm keen to go this Friday but wondering when the best time to buy is....
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 13, 2017 19:10:26 GMT
Interesting questions being asked and discussed here.
At what point does a piece cross the line over to one of the shows you are talking about - even a show that is on a limited run for 6 months is still being performed exactly the same 8 times a week, and if an understudy goes on they are not (in your words) changing the characterisation. So at what point does it cross the line? 1 year, 10 years, 25+ years?
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 6, 2017 21:23:56 GMT
Knew I recognised his face. Think I matched with Callum Train on tinder once.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 6, 2017 21:22:44 GMT
I booked - mainly because I've been banging on about how much I love this show / the 2009 Broadway/2011 West End production and want to relive that. Quite ready for it to be incomparably different though!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 4, 2017 17:08:29 GMT
I read there will be two lotteries - love this idea. Makes tickets much more accessible IMO. People prefer to do things last minute these days, and feel like they're getting a bargain. Thus lotteries are perfect.
Not sure about returns, I'm not sure how much of a thing that is here compared with NYC?
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 4, 2017 17:06:35 GMT
Layton is amazing, I almost feel he needs a bigger platform than Seaweed after he was such an amazing Angel in Rent. I wonder if he'll be in the running to play Lola in Kinky Boots in due course as he'd look a good fit IMO. There's no denying he is one talented chap, actually saw him both as Angel and as Seaweed on the last tour. He is horribly miscast as Seaweed, where as Angel was a perfect role for him. Like I said, the guy is SO talented but Seaweed is the wrong role for him. He's too young to play Lola but YES I can see him being an incredible Lola, in time.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 3, 2017 7:09:53 GMT
I feel like Wilson and Gad are a believable couple - isn't part of the storyline that Seymour is the guy that could never get Audrey under normal circumstances?
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jul 28, 2017 10:50:14 GMT
After being forgotten about at the London Cast goodbye speeches I doubt it. If she was going to be lead no way would she be forgotten about. Hmmm or was she forgotten about because she's not leaving just transferring? She got quite a few shows which she knew about in advance which is strange for a normal understudy.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jul 26, 2017 7:00:24 GMT
There is a lot of unnecessary negativity in this thread. Agree with this - sometimes the 'opinions' on this thread feel negative for the sake of having something to say. I'd urge you all to listen to the audio of Rachel and Louise's first show vs their respective lasts before you comment on Alice and Sophie as though their first show is an accurate way of judging their abilities. I'm really looking forward to going to the show in a couple of months when they've found their feet and making a proper, live judgement :-)
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jul 25, 2017 16:56:56 GMT
My money is on Jessamy. Would like to see Hayley Gallivan back at some point.
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