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Post by bren on Mar 27, 2017 0:23:41 GMT
Have to agree with the above. I thought Emma Watson was charming and engaging throughout. I find her likeable. She doesn't have a great voice- that's for sure- but she still made the role her own. Watching the animated movie back, the characterisation of Belle is quite bland so as an actress I think Emma did well, given the limitations of the role. I'm not sure what people expected...
Maybe my expectations were too low after reading the scathing reviews here, but she far exceeded them.
Really enjoyed Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe. Pity she wasn't onscreen more. The 'exclusive gay moment' was a total anticlimax but I felt it was clear from the rest of the film that Le Fou was gay.
Visually it was great- so much colour and fabulous costumes.
'Be our guest' was wonderful.
I do think the movie is too long and one or two of the new songs didn't add much, but overall I feel it did justice to the original.
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Post by bren on Mar 23, 2017 11:24:18 GMT
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Post by bren on Mar 19, 2017 0:07:49 GMT
Loved this- great ensemble cast. Jon Robyns, Roxanne Pallet and Ray Quinn are all super. Really catchy score. Fantastic choreography. Great staging- looked very sharp. The book was a little questionable at times; quite crude- e.g. simulated fellatio onstage and quite a few tasteless jokes. Still it did seem like an older crowd rather than a family show crowd.
Overall I would still recommend it highly! Just maybe not one for the kids.
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Post by bren on Mar 19, 2017 0:02:58 GMT
^ I haven't seen this yet but a huge 'No' from me to the suggestion of Emma Stone as Belle. I don't think I could bear to sit through it with her. Though maybe I'll eat my words when I see Emma Watson.
Emma has a sweet voice; obviously it's quite delicate but the level of auto tune is unnecessary.
It would maybe have been better to cast an unknown like they did with Cinderella?
Still, it all seems to be working out box office wise- monstrous so far!
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Post by bren on Mar 2, 2017 20:17:45 GMT
How long is Amber in this for, booking up until Oct 2016. Will she be in it for longer. I really need to book. I thought you saw it already, Sarah?
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Post by bren on Mar 2, 2017 17:03:37 GMT
To be fair sister act in only doing a week at most venues, wonder if it would sell two weeks. Not a fan of Alexandra to be fair, I didn't like sister act. The whole production was a bit weird. Only can see it going into a small venue in London. I guess Alexandra is limited to what leading ladies, she could play. I have heard she will not do Dreamgirls, as she likes all the attention on her, she wouldn't have that. Time will tell I guess. I don't believe she has been offered Dreamgirls, let alone would she turn it down due to wanting to have all the attention on her. She is not an Effie and her tone is completely different to Liisi LaFontaine- I can't imagine her doing Deena either. This does sound like another fabrication and I'm beginning to wonder whether a number of the accounts posting here recently have been set up for this express purpose.
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Post by bren on Mar 1, 2017 15:49:33 GMT
^Thanks for sharing.
Looks enjoyable- Jon Robyns is very likeable!
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Post by bren on Mar 1, 2017 15:38:08 GMT
^ I don't think that's true, Hayley. If her West End run hadn't been a success, then she wouldn't have been asked to do the tour- which was a sellout, as has been with the Sister Act show.
She was only ever on for a short period in the West End for the Bodyguard as the show was finishing up in any event due to another show being booked in. I remember Dan Wootton did a story at the time which was discredited by the cast and producers.
As for crazy fans, there are probably only a small number who would book to see multiple shows. I think she has many casual fans . People do seem to be more likely to part with cash if there's a 'name' involved.
Just an observation, but for someone who has nothing good to say about AB, you do enjoy posting about her.
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Post by bren on Feb 28, 2017 23:02:21 GMT
^The original West End production was launched with Patina Miller, who was relatively unknown at the time, and the UK tour had Cynthia Erivo at a time when she was unknown.
Also Craig RH's involvement would likely interest people.
So if Alexandra isn't available or isn't chosen to do it, I'm sure they'll manage!
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Post by bren on Feb 24, 2017 0:01:11 GMT
I do like Cynthia- im willing to give her the benefit of the doubt on this but it seems a bit of a pointed remark.
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Post by bren on Feb 23, 2017 23:45:03 GMT
Just don't see why Alexandra Burke wanted to do this production. She is better than this. I imagine they're pretty thrilled with how it's all worked out. The show has been well received by critics (not all fans of course) and has been pretty much a sell out. It's decent money for Alexandra and they'll probably do a cast recording. I do think they should strengthen the staging if it goes to the West End, and I would like to see a few more nuns to beef up the vocals. Maybe a bit more choreography rather than armography. It's a bit odd to say we need something new when there are shows playing in the West End for years... if breakfast at tiffanys, with pixie Lott, can go to the West End, this can!
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Post by bren on Feb 21, 2017 14:27:13 GMT
Oooo sh*t, backlash will be heading their way now for those who have booked those dates to see Amber. I wonder how they will split the dates between Karen and Marisha for these dates? Anyone who gives them backlash for that is being ridiculous - they've given loads of notice of practically all these dates (even nearly a month for the March ones), and Amber is only taking a full week off a couple of times and is otherwise spreading her holidays out. Not sure any other show has already announced their lead's holidays for 9 months down the line! Will definitely plan both to see Amber again and to see Marisha - was potentially going to go on 18 March anyway so if Marisha's on then I might still do that. Am I wrong in thinking that a lot of people will have booked months in advance though- particularly if they wanted decent tickets. Not disputing the fact that Amber needs holidays but of course some people are going to be disappointed if they've paid over £100 for a ticket. It's pretty common for holidays to be announced in this way where a 'big name' is used- it was certainly done for Beverley and Alexandra in the Bodyguard and for Sister Act. Still, they've dealt with it as best they can in the circumstances.
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Post by bren on Feb 21, 2017 12:23:00 GMT
Amber Riley will be on holiday on: 17th and 18th March 2017, 25th and 26th April 2017, 29th and 30th June 2017, 1st, 4th and 5th July 2017, 1st to 5th August 2017, 26th and 27th September 2017 and 13th and 14th October 2017. Thanks for sharing this. I just had a check of my tickets for October...would have been quite disappointed if she was off then. But of course she needs and deserves holidays!
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Post by bren on Feb 12, 2017 23:35:23 GMT
^ I can only live in hope!
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Post by bren on Feb 12, 2017 23:08:43 GMT
Any idea if there are plans to bring this to the West End?
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Post by bren on Feb 6, 2017 12:14:07 GMT
I'm sure Elaine Paige said on her show that they were waiting for a suitable theatre to become available. Thank you- it's an enjoyable show. I was afraid it had been shelved as its four week run in Dublin wasn't a huge box office success. Glad to hear that they're finding a new home for it.
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Post by bren on Feb 6, 2017 0:50:34 GMT
Any news on whether this is heading to the West End?
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Post by bren on Feb 3, 2017 15:14:48 GMT
Interesting suggestion.
Leona has an incredible voice but I'm not sure she has the presence or personality to pull it off- her dancing might need an upgrade too- I could be wrong though.
Hard to know if she would commit to it or give her recording career another shot.
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Post by bren on Feb 2, 2017 18:59:16 GMT
Any idea on when this is supposed to tour the UK again? And who the cast might be?
I know people mentioned Alexandra but I can't see her doing it again.
I would love to see Rachel John as Rachel Marron full time but she's gone onward and upwards now!
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Post by bren on Jan 31, 2017 14:54:29 GMT
^ Thanks so much.
I might hold off on listening to it so I have the element of surprise.
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Post by bren on Jan 30, 2017 20:45:29 GMT
Yes, Listen is in this production, but very different to the film. It's now a duet between Effie and Deena. Thanks. Intrigued to hear that!
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Post by bren on Jan 30, 2017 20:37:55 GMT
I booked to see this in October. Looking forward to it. I'm sure this has been discussed multiple times, so apologies in advance, but is 'Listen' in this production? It was written for the movie, right?
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Post by bren on Jan 27, 2017 0:52:55 GMT
She so deserves this! Terrific choice.
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Post by bren on Jan 26, 2017 11:47:55 GMT
^ Fair enough. Hopefully it will be a strong cast and they'll have improved the sets.
I haven't seen it live before so I'm looking forward to it!
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Post by bren on Jan 26, 2017 11:40:42 GMT
Do we know if it's the cheap nasty low budget tour or a proper professional version ? It's the cheap nasty low budget tour What's the basis for saying this or am I missing something? It's not an amateur society touring the production so why wouldn't it be a 'professional' version?
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Post by bren on Jan 25, 2017 20:40:40 GMT
I've been found out! 😝
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Post by bren on Jan 24, 2017 17:06:42 GMT
I hope Brenda Edwards is back as Motormouth Maybelle!
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Post by bren on Jan 18, 2017 15:36:15 GMT
I like Jodie but this sounds cringe worthy.
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Post by bren on Jan 17, 2017 19:26:19 GMT
^ It happened twice or three times I think. I just found it difficult to watch him onstage. He's a talented man but he felt miscast and cringe worthy for me at times. What's he talented at? He's got a decent voice but he's not right for this show. He reminds me of Barry Manilow.
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Post by bren on Jan 17, 2017 18:09:12 GMT
^ It happened twice or three times I think. I just found it difficult to watch him onstage. He's a talented man but he felt miscast and cringe worthy for me at times.
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