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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 10, 2017 7:35:56 GMT
At some point around 1990 the Contessa Belowpar and I were in Rome and completely by accident we discovered Brooks Carmen was playing at the Theatro Argentina. Carmen is a piece I’ve never really liked but remember this with affection. I doubt my memory but I recall we sat on sand at the edge of a ‘ring’ and were ‘close to the action’. Smallish band and even the twerp Don Jose didn’t annoy. Will definitely go to Wilton’s.
It will be interesting to see if the awful Lucia isn’t toned down. Leaving water running in a bathroom which was louder in the Slips than the singing, the sex scenes that provoked outright laughter and other howlers can all be altered. But the split design of the set would be very expensive to fix. Shame as it’s a favourite piece.
By contrast I thought quite highly of the Carsen Falstaff production.
All of this must have been programmed by Holten and it will be a couple of years yet before we see his successors hand as a shaper of things?
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 7, 2017 14:28:07 GMT
Looks like the orchestra are very much 'in a pit' for this, and from other pics online it looks as if it's a little more than semi-staged? Guess we'll find out tonight if anyone is going to the first performance? http://instagr.am/p/BSjhvoKj-lk Why do people feel they have to write "An evening of Culture...". I think it’s something to do with British reserve and not wanting to be thought of as being hoity toitty or overly serious. I love a good night out. Sometimes it’s in the theatre and I neither need to feel apologetic or to feign anti intellectualism about it.
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 5, 2017 19:33:11 GMT
Yes, Carousel is one of my least liked shows. Mawkish with some highly dubious themes. I dislike very few performers, but unfortunately Katherine Jenkins is one of them. So I have no hesitation in not attending this show, even if it gets raves! So two negatives make....an unmissable show?
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 5, 2017 19:32:41 GMT
Just occasionally it would be nice to get a production of Carousel that didn't result in everyone leaping on to their soapboxes to demonstrate how much more enlightened they are than people in the 1940s. The whole point of Carousel is that you're supposed to find domestic violence unacceptable. That's why it's written that way. There has never been a time when audiences were intended to be comfortable with either side of Billy and Julie's relationship. Maybe I'm too dumb to get that but have seen 3 or 4 productions and I'm just squirming in my seat. I love Oscar H. but if he thinks "you've got to be taught...", then domestic violence is also unforgivable and he should have spelt that out too. Glorious Score and going on the 22nd.
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 5, 2017 14:55:19 GMT
That Guardian rating is shocking. He slagged it because it didn’t move him. How did he get to the theatre wearing those old fashioned diving boots? Has he no sense of Rhythm? Did he not notice all the smiles the audience were wearing as they left. The buzz was palpable and there was none of the 'must make haste if I’m to get the 10.58 to Chipping Guildford' you get at the end of most shows. Even a casual observer of audiences would have pick up on the energy and JOY it gave them. If the Guardian wants to create the image that its read by humourless, joyless, bleeding heart liberals, then they need to hire him to do their theatre reviews……Oh hang on a min….
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 5, 2017 10:48:50 GMT
I didn't personally see her, but just seen a pic on twitter, Kate Middleton was at 42nd Street last night! I can't shake off the possibility that the Duchess of Cambridge is parsley. Well I've never seen either of them in any room togehter. QED?
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 5, 2017 8:05:58 GMT
Just a reminder the bookshop closes next week.
Stock is getting a little thin but at 75% off there are a few bargains to be had.
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 3, 2017 5:31:28 GMT
Amateur productions of Chorus Line in Brighton on Wednesday and Gypsy in Lewes on Friday and we're off on Friday to Deal for a production of Pirates of Penzance. Seems like the South Coast is the place to be this week!
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 31, 2017 7:26:01 GMT
^ That the one just along from the Palladium? A couple of years back I was upset to see most of their vinyl stock in a skip outside. Thats the one. Can we see you? www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10932730PS "a couple of years back...." Tempis Fugit.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 30, 2017 11:09:06 GMT
The Classical/Jazz shop I referenced in Great Marlborough St is Harold Moore’s Records. www.hmrecords.co.uk/Or maybe was. Walked past the other night and it was closed. Can’t’ remember the exact wording of the sign in the window re refurb, but I left with no confidence it would be back. It’s inevitable, but still very sad.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 29, 2017 12:12:35 GMT
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 29, 2017 12:06:29 GMT
Isn't it true that in order to obtain permission to professionally stage West Side Story, you have to 'recreate' Jerome Robbins original Choreography? Impossible without notation.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 29, 2017 9:59:23 GMT
I've been humming In The Shadows and Shuffle Off To Buffalo at work for the past few days since seeing this win Saturday night.
Ha. I've been humming You're Getting To Be a Habit With Me - can't get it out of my head.
If if helps, it’s a song that has been parodied with other lyrics Heres one by Alan Sherman Though you once were the best bunny at the Playboy Club, You're getting to be a rabbit with me I just sit there and stare as you hop from shrub to shrub You're getting to be a rabbit with me When I proposed to you that evening last spring, You said you'd be my mate So I went out and bought a two-carat ring, And both of them you ate! Then your ears grew an inch, and your nose began to twitch, And I noticed your tail was attached permanently So I keep you in the back yard, in a wooden hutch, 'Cause you're getting to be a little too much Like Bugs Bunny, You're getting… However Google is failing me because there’s another version where “getting to be a rabbit” has other connotations and eventually this persistence has the singer reluctantly concluding the song with “…Can’t take it.”
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 29, 2017 9:50:04 GMT
If you are unfamiliar, which I doubt, with the original movies from where are these numbers originate, there is a great Busby Berkeley 9 disc box set which as way of a further treat contains a disc with all the numbers together. This is regularly watched, and watched. Some are so inventive and surprisingly racy. I think we can firmly classify this as a jukebox musical right? Possibly. I think all the songs are Dubin and Warren, but the big advantage to me, is the casat are not attempting to mpersonate others singing. Certainly its a loose adaptatin of a classic movie. (That said, I do wonder if Miss Eastons preparation involved listening to a lot of Barbra's records? Perhaps she always sounded like that?)
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 28, 2017 22:27:41 GMT
The set is practically the same as the original, only the backdrops are a new. The wall or dressing rooms and train car are the same. I was looking at the brochure for the original UK tour and there was a huge bird cage type frame with the girls all holding ropes of flowers. Not sure what number it was used for. I have an original program.... somewhere? So pleased they kept the opening but in my memory the cast were dressed in b+w? Also checking the coins they carried on were larger and resonated more? And Catherine Zeta Jones dress was pleated so she just sasshayed about the stage. Be interested if the program confirms? Put me down as another with a huge grin ear to ear. And the audience tonight were wild for it. Roars,llike when someone scores in a sports arena greeted many of the moves. One to remember.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 28, 2017 15:23:01 GMT
I am going to.... be disappointed, at this rate: revisiting, after c 45 years, one of the largest cities in the UK and which has several theatres, yet nothing much to see, so far as I can tell. Hence I won't name and shame, but will report back if I do manage to unearth something. I wish you would name and shame. A service and warning to us all. My mother has moved to Milton Keynes and there's never anything on for me, except for touring Opera Companies. She didn't ask my permission and now complains that I never take her to the Theatre any more. Honestly some people... 42nd Street tonight. Thanks to whoever posted about the reduced price previews. Have avoided the thread for about a week and hoping it can live upto the last production.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 27, 2017 13:10:38 GMT
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 27, 2017 12:47:54 GMT
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 23, 2017 6:57:09 GMT
...and he's not a 'Judge'.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 21, 2017 12:49:52 GMT
Something like The Lion King and Aladdin has had multiple song writers, one being Tim Rice and wonder how his share his worked out? It is well known that Trevor Nunn made many of his millions entirely by writing the lyrics to "Memory" because there was no-one else around to do it. Several pop stars of recent years have also been given a co-writing credit on their hits simply to boost their income a bit. Not just recently. Try Henry V111 and Greensleeves. Or Trad. Arr by ....
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 16, 2017 8:44:58 GMT
I think Clooney would get the part if he was lucky.
When I take my glasses off and look in the mirror, the resemblance is...there.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 15, 2017 10:01:26 GMT
I thought about this while Groundhog Day played last year. It needs high energy particularly from the lead, yet he has to keep repeating the same words and actions many, many times during each performance. If he gets at all lazy he’ll make mistakes as to which variant he’s going to move to. Quite a challenging role.
The irony of course being that’s one of the things the show is all about. Improve by small margins every day and life can get better.
This has also caused me to reflect that the two most annoying performances I’ve ever paid to see were both Jukebox musicals to awards the end of their runs. The chorus in a Grease Matinee couldn’t all get in time doing the hand jive. And for the Million Dollar quartet it was half way through the first act before I realised the actor who couldn’t stop lurching when singing, was supposed to be playing Elvis and his famous hip movement. Million Dollar? I’ve rewarded much better performances in Tube stations at the appropriate scale. Give me amateurs over that.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 15, 2017 6:20:20 GMT
Tried to book but website wouldn't let me register my mobile no. Tried verious versions ++, spaces etc but gave up in frustration.
Anyone had similar problem? Solution?
May try again tomorrow.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 14, 2017 7:55:52 GMT
There’s many of these and a shop in Dartmouth (and probably elsewhere) that sells all this stuff on dinner mats and coasters etc.
Just thought someone might like to know.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 14, 2017 7:37:36 GMT
"John Paul George Ringo And Bert" was at the Phoenix in the 70s, using Beatles songs. If you are old Mz Fitz what does that make me? I remember JPGR&B very well. I thought of it as a very funny play with music sung and played by a band who were not in the narrative. Still my memory may be faulty as Wiki points out this was August 1974 and calls it a musical. Just look at some of the emerging talent it featured. Writer Willy Russell. • John Lennon : Bernard Hill • Paul McCartney : Trevor Eve • Ringo Starr : Anthony Sher • Singer and pianist : Barbara Dickson
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 13, 2017 11:15:36 GMT
While we're mentioning them, can we mention The Boy From Oz? mainly for the outfits Hugh Jackman wore... I always have to remember that although jukebox musicals sometimes irritate me, that musical was intrinsic in my Musical Theatre nerdery and indeed my professional life. So maybe we shouldn't be so snobby (directing that at myself as well) I'm all for jukebox musicals! I'm the only person in the world that really enjoyed Thriller! What's wrong with going to see great songs performed great(ly)?! Better than the puke GB finds on the floor to eat and then regurgitate init I have no idea what GB stands for here but I concur. If anyone should know about finding puke on the floor and regurgitating it...take a bow Mrs Lovett!
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 13, 2017 8:06:13 GMT
MMMM.
My most Geeky fanboy stuff might be for Verdi. A quick count reveals by next week I’ll have seen 18 of about 25 ‘major’ works. (Some Operas have minor revisions when performed in French or Italian and some are radically reworked or expanded. Don Carlo/Carlos). I’ve been to his birthplace and home but am annoyed that on my one visit to Milan we failed to go to the retirement home he built for Opera singers. BUT I’ve seen the best of his work and won’t go out of my way to see the rest.
I think about his when I visit Art Galleries. Does everything Picasso ever touched bear merit? Was he never ill, hungover or simply uninspired? I’ve seen some very average pictures on display simply because of who they are attributed to. They have no merit at all to me and I wish I’d spent the time looking at other pictures.
You can take this further when you get to the ‘attributed to’ label. If the authorship of something attributed to Shakespeare is in doubt well the play has hardly gained its place in the cannon and why revive it if it has no merit? If scholars want to study it then they shouldn’t rely on one cheap production. It’s even worse in the art world. Getting something attributed adds considerably to the financial value but doesn’t change the picture. Yet several pictures which were once in storage suddenly go on show once a new artists name is attached. We know from his brother Theo’s records how many ‘Sunflower’ paintings Van Gogh did. (From Memory) it’s about 12 yet there are about 17 on display in major Galleries around the world. A couple of decade ago a Japanese insurance firm blew the market apart with how much it paid for one that came on the market (I think it was the first $100m+ sale). It has never been sent to the Rijsmuseum for authentication as the downside is too large and in the art market no one wants to expose chicanery. So if you are looking at a Sunflower picture, what are you really looking at? Isn't the same true for the 'attributed to Shakespeare' plays?
The reasons for MMMM. I also have 10 bootlegs by Van Morison recorded between 69 and 74. I have no interest in anything live produced before or after that period and will buy any more that fit. Sometimes the sound is execrable and on one you can hear a couple of drunks urging him to play “Freebird”. It’s just I find his musical development very interesting in that period. Its online where he performed but there’s no way of knowing if bootlegs exist. So it remains an open challenge.
A guy I know who travels a lot spotted that the two earliest Wagner Operas were being given very rare performances in Eastern Europe this spring. He got excited and set himself the challenge of working out how he could see all 12(?memory again) of his Operas in one year. Sadly, other commitments killed his chance to see the second Opera and the idea remains alive in his mind, but dormant for now.
I’m sitting on the fence with this one. I think it’s a worthless task aiming to be a completest, BUT I can see the appeal.
So, tell me is it a male thing? Setting oneself a (completely arbitrary) challenge?
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 13, 2017 7:10:38 GMT
The only one I've seen was The Million Dollar Quartet.
My therapist is optimistic that at least a partial recovery might one day be possible.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 11, 2017 11:05:37 GMT
Sadly we can only find time to book in the last week and it appears to be sold out?
Will try box office.
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 10, 2017 6:29:42 GMT
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