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Post by theatremadness on Jul 8, 2017 11:20:40 GMT
How could I forget? Rory Kinnear in Count Arthur Strong! Only God knows why....and he ain't telling us!!!!
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 8, 2017 10:54:35 GMT
It just has to be Elaine Paige. There's no other British MT Lady who has had the career she has. From the moment she was thrust into the spotlight as Eva Peron in Evita way back when, she really hasn't stopped, and her career spans more than just the theatre in a way that we just don't see anymore. The last of which to reach her level 'celebrity status' for being a television entertainer is probably John Barrowman. Could be wrong as I don't have my thinking hat on yet!
Anyway, Elaine is now a well-known entertainer and TV personality and maybe even a household name. Some possibly don't even know she started out in theatre! Much like Imelda Staunton. But her wider career is still linked to theatre. TV appearances, chat shows, her radio show, touring and more. Everything she does is for the good of and to promote theatre in a positive way, and she's able to do that due to her reign as Leading Lady in countless high-profile productions that caught the public eye, and she/her agent/producers capitalised on it at the right time, and now she has a loyal fan base that grew up as she did, and new fans introduced to her all the time as she's still current in certain circles!
I'm a big fan - you may think she's "past it" or she's "lost it" or she's "over the hill" or whatever, but you'd be hard pressed to find someone still doing as much for the industry now as they did in their heyday. That's why, for me, Elaine Paige has to be the First Lady of British MT and I'm always slightly confused and annoyed when Kerry Ellis is bestowed with that title. Very talented and a few telly appearances, sure, but being attached to the hip of Brian May from Queen doth not a Lady make.
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 7, 2017 20:09:10 GMT
Christ that was excruciating but what a match!!! Can't deny that I'm over the moon that Murray won but Fognini is quite the force to be reckoned with!!
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 7, 2017 15:58:46 GMT
Well that's 1 GBR in the 2nd week! Congrats Johanna Konta on a brilliant match!! 6-4, 6-1
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 7, 2017 14:48:49 GMT
Two Brits out today so far. Will the other two make it to week two?! Didn't watch the Bedene game but I felt so sorry for Heather Watson by the end of hers, I was frustrated for her! Started off so well but was dominated in the next 2 sets, though she did put up one hell of a fight. Whether it'll make her feel better that the challenge the umpire didn't grant Watson as she didn't vocalise it wouldn't have made a different to the points I don't know, but she did seem in a little huff at the end - snatching the towel and keeping her head down & ignoring all the fans wanting autographs. Frustrating, yes, but a shame to go like that. Konta is now the bookies favourite to win the Women's Singles - though that's because the previous 2 bookies favourites have been knocked out, so hope it's not a kiss of death! But she's a brilliant player so fingers crossed, even though this is the first time she's made it to the 3rd round of Wimbledon, so she should be very proud whatever happens. One can only hope that you'd expect to see Andy Murray in the 2nd week - but you never know!!
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 6, 2017 23:02:14 GMT
Got bored and turned over and put the Test Match on!!! Anyone remember the great Henry Leconte and I use 'great' very loosely. Henry Leconte is going to be a contestant on Celebrity Masterchef this year!
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 6, 2017 17:37:42 GMT
So, I've seen a good chunk of them over my relatively young years; West Side Story at Sadlers Wells, Gypsy at Chichester/Savoy, Company in Concert (Donmar version) at the Queen's for Sondheim's 80th, Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi, Merrily at the Harold Pinter, Into The Woods at Regent's Park, Assassins at the Menier, Side By Side By Sondhiem at the Brockley Jack and Putting It Together in Guildford (with Follies at the National coming up). In terms of productions - I reckon I'd rank Assassins at the Menier top of that list for me, it was just absolutely thrilling in every sense! I'd probably put Company up top but it was in concert as opposed to a full production.
But I had to choose Company as his greatest overall work, in my opinion. Most of his stuff is pretty emotional, yes, but his hits me in a way that some of the others don't. I don't even particularly relate to it at all, but I can relate to and empathise the emotions and for some reason it gets me deep down. I think the score is just beautiful and it's probably the one I could listen to in its entirety without skipping any tracks. I love the device of a series of vignettes strung together by revolving around this one constant and the various different interpretations this leads to. It's also tremendously funny and witty with a great set of characters who are at the same time completely recognisable yet realistically caricatured.
Anyway, above all that, the string section in 'Another Hundred People' on the Original Broadway Cast Recording was enough for Company to get my vote!
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 5, 2017 17:03:09 GMT
Yes that makes sense! That poor net is getting quite a beating this match, though.
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 5, 2017 16:48:29 GMT
Maybe Andy is playing extraordinarily well, but for me, Dustin Brown isn't really living up to the 'hype' that surrounded him preceding this match. Yes he is entertaining to watch and some of the rally's have been bloody wonderful, but his playing seems to be more erratic than anything else at the moment!
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 5, 2017 15:27:49 GMT
What an incredible match - they were obviously very well paired!! Thought for a moment that it was slipping away from Jo Konta but she pulled it back so well. But amazing stamina from both of them & so happy for Jo!! And now for Andy!!!
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 5, 2017 13:40:47 GMT
Started listening to Great Comet recently and enjoyed it a lot. It's so different and very interesting to listen to. The harmonies are gorgeous and I can't believe it didn't win Best Orchestrations at the Tony's this year.
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 5, 2017 10:45:30 GMT
Deeply depressed. My friend who was in ICU relapsed and passed away suddenly. That's such sad news, Steve, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Wishing you all the very best and if there is anything at all we can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. X
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 4, 2017 17:47:14 GMT
Can't believe the amount of retiring going on in the Men's Singles. 3 over the 2 days of play so far, with 2 today alone! Feels like Andy Murray is the only top-seeded player that has played an entire match!!
It's been hinted at that some players who know full well that they are not fit enough to start competing due to injury or whatever, will of course say nothing as then they don't get their substantial bags of money for playing....I think something might be done about that after this year!
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 3, 2017 20:04:43 GMT
Unfortunately, it seems it may have stemmed from this Trump-loving (I say this not to use that as an excuse to dislike her, but it features quite heavily on her twitter feed, and as you can see, she's not the nicest of them...) mother:
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 3, 2017 13:00:35 GMT
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO CHOOSE. SEND HELP, CAST RECORDINGS/DVD's AND PROBABLY COOKIES.
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 2, 2017 12:55:02 GMT
'A yelp of existential pain'?! What the f***! How on earth was anything I said 'a yelp of existential pain'?! I can't say for sure, but I think the Cardinal may have been referring to Parsley!
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 30, 2017 18:13:33 GMT
Maybe its a soundtrack you need to hear in person It's not. In my opinion!
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 30, 2017 13:34:30 GMT
I take it you never saw The Princess and the Frog, Big Hero 6 or Moana, then? I think the whole point is why didn't they do it in the film in the first place. The same with Harry Potter. Changing it later looks just like a PC move. I personally don't care if parts are played by any colour, any colour of skin - but alas it doesn't work like that. OK..... An all black cast?? I think this is a disgrace and PC blind colour casting gone too far. What about an all white cast of The Lion King? Madness... I'm sorry but it has to be said.
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 30, 2017 11:13:58 GMT
This is quite a big thing on Broadway, where loads of big Broadway stars perform on cruise ships, usually at the request of Seth Rudetsky! Quite an impressive line up so I presume it's either going to be a quality thing and/or the pay is very good (as it most certainly is for performing on ships!). Interesting to see whether the idea takes of, but it does seem like it's for the more well-off...
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 29, 2017 22:03:33 GMT
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 29, 2017 18:17:19 GMT
Swear I saw exactly the same production in Southampton and Dartford I presume you did, as this is the transfer of that UK Tour
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 29, 2017 15:36:56 GMT
Also, looking back through this thread, when this was on tour, the comments on here were really largely positive - but on its move to London, the comments on here have been distinctly middle-of-the-road to negative (and then some). I wonder why this is?? Because we're a bit thick and poor oop north and don't really understand theatre so we're childishly starry eyed with any bit of old crap we're fortunate enough to see because anythings better than being indoors siding pots and blacking the front step. Ummmm your words, not mine!! Haha. It was a genuine question - groupbooker said above that most of the scenes had quite a few changes in them from when they saw it in Plymouth (which I guess was also the same at the other venues on the tour), and even said that some sections were overkill, so that's more what I was hinting at - maybe those changes were not for the better!
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 29, 2017 12:38:31 GMT
Opens tonight I believe. It will be fascinating to see what the critics make of it. I suspect more positive than the remarks on here as usual. Lots of availability and offers for this show at the moment. It may do better during the school holidays? Yes, I'm also really interested to read the reviews tonight, though I also suspect they'll be largely positive. Mark Shenton gave it 4* in The Stage when it was on tour, which seeing as he gives 5* to anything and everything (including Kenwright's Joseph tour alongside Imelda Staunton's Gypsy), that almost seems like a 1*!! I joke, of course. Also, looking back through this thread, when this was on tour, the comments on here were really largely positive - but on its move to London, the comments on here have been distinctly middle-of-the-road to negative (and then some). I wonder why this is??
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 27, 2017 18:57:10 GMT
I know it's a family show, but that's not the point. Matilda, Mary Poppins, Chitty. They don't treat kids like they're stupid, they invest in some actual drama, tension and stakes amidst all the fun, and they work because the majority of kids can take it. Here, they seem to think kids can't handle anything above very mild peril and the show suffers for it. Where in Poppins and Chitty is there anything more than mild peril? They're not exactly The bleedin' Exorcist! 👻 Haha maybe - but it's the way its presented. No offence intended here dear Bear, but I'm guessing you didn't see Poppins or Chitty on stage as a kid? Well I tell ya, before it was tragically cut, Temper Temper was one of the scariest things I had ever seen live when I was a kid - and I loved it!! And I defy any kid not to be scared of the Child Catcher - when played right! It was sophisticated peril (I think I just made that up) that was not dumbed down for kids. All of your bedroom toys coming alive (and not in a Toy Story kind of way) and taking you to court and a weird old man trying to lure kids with sweets and kidnapping them....hello!! WitW had none of this, I felt, and the comedy didn't appear to be exactly aimed at young kids, so it just left me wondering who the show is for and why!
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 27, 2017 17:09:23 GMT
which is when all reviews are embargoed until, I believe. They are, which is why I can't go into my own thoughts at the moment, theatremadness . That makes sense - look forward to hearing your thoughts in a couple of days time!
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 27, 2017 16:39:27 GMT
I was also there last night! Wasn't too bothered about Rufus Hound being off and I thought Chris Aukett did remarkably well as Toad, since he was informed at 5pm, the show started at 7pm, and he had never run through the entire show from start to finish. A couple of semi-noticeable slip ups and a bit "deer in headlights" but that's hardly surprising and he should be ever so proud of himself. He could also have a job as a Rufus Hound impersonator as he looked, acted and sounded exactly like him. If I hadn't have been told, I might even have been fooled. But a nice speech from Simon Lipkin pre-show.
As for the show, well in my opinion it is completely unremarkable in every respect. The ultimate definition of style over substance, with the style also being just ok. Tl;dr BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING.
It looks alright, I guess, but the stage looked pretty bare most of the time. It looks big, sure, but looking at how much of the proscenium was blacked out, it seemed to me that they weren't using anywhere near the full potential of the Palladium stage. Why use such a big theatre? Lighting was cool and the pretty big orchestra sounded great. Shame they have such dull and bland material to play.
The story/script itself seemed to be a pretty much non-entity. It was pretty much devoid of all humour, it had nowhere near the right mix of silliness, drama and pathos for any child to keep themselves interested and take something away from it apart from shouting "POOP POOP" around the house for the foreseeable future, and too mind-numbingly boring for any adult without an interest in theatre to need to see it on their own. The main character, who appears to have many faults as a person, learns absolutely nothing by the end of the show and is redeemed by no one!! The songs are a big let down. They are masked by a big orchestra and big orchestrations, but they are mostly forgettable with lazy, predictable lyrics and uninteresting music. All a big shame as I usually find Stiles & Drewe to be very listenable and wittily unpredictable. This whole project feels like they've written the most commercial score they can think of (to varying degrees of success) and abandoned all of their usual heart, soul & cleverness.
The character choices and directorial devices were, again, pretty lazy and uninspiring on the whole. Different accents depicting different animals, dress them in a mix of current fashion and animal characteristics, all been done before. I know if it ain't broke don't fix it, but why did they even need to bother at all? And I'm pretty sure Craig Mather's accent would be a terrible insult to anyone who lives anywhere close to the West Country! Choreography pretty bad on the whole, I thought. Not all of it - but a lot of it was reminiscent of choreography you'd expect to see in amateur and youth productions. No disrespect to any of them, of course, but not what you'd expect from a professional show on the Palladium stage! Cast were pretty good on the whole - and they sounded great as an ensemble. But all directed with no real character choices and are made to sound as if they could all drop into Mary Poppins/Made In Dagenham/Half A Sixpence at a moment's notice.
OK, so I realise that all reads as if it's the worst musical I have ever seen. It really isn't. But what it is, in my opinion, is almost worse. It's an unnecessary musical and that is SO frustrating. The team behind it seem to have made absolutely no conscious effort to bring anything new or interesting to this story. The sub-plot of Mrs Otter's daughter has absolutely no drama surrounding it, and neither does the rest of the show. I know it's a family show, but that's not the point. Matilda, Mary Poppins, Chitty. They don't treat kids like they're stupid, they invest in some actual drama, tension and stakes amidst all the fun, and they work because the majority of kids can take it. Here, they seem to think kids can't handle anything above very mild peril and the show suffers for it. There's just so reason for it to be a musical of this scale (though it is nice to see!), especially with an almost 1 hour 20 Act 1. A 90 minute straight-through version would've had more impact. But still, the reaction at the end was extremely positive and loud, which is good. And a pretty well-behaved audience, too.
I'd give it 2* or 3*, maybe even a 3.5* but it's certainly not anything more than that, in my opinion! Press performances Mon-Thurs this week, with the official "Gala" performance on Thursday, which is when all reviews are embargoed until, I believe.
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 27, 2017 15:46:10 GMT
For anyone who saw and loved The Revenant, the 2002 novel written by Michael Punke on which the film is based is an awesome companion!
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 27, 2017 14:14:00 GMT
Now here's one to tick off the list!! Tim McArthur directs the first revival of long-forgotten 1989 musical Metropolis that starred Judy Kuhn & Brian Blessed once upon a time! Wikipedia tells me that the 1927 film is set in the futuristic year of 2026(!!) and the musical around the year 2000(!!!!). Runs 10th - 29th October 2017.
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 26, 2017 22:39:21 GMT
Yeah I'm not sure what year we're in here? Autumn & Xmas 2017 and then Winter 2018? Or all 2018? And what's the difference between Xmas & Winter? Seeing some of the shows you've listed under Winter 2018, I presume you mean Winter 2017, unless you're expecting Jamie & Mary Stuart to be running a year and a half from now...
Anyhow, Evita will be at the Phoenix in the Autumn, with The Exorcist during Autumn/Winter and beyond, possibly.
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 26, 2017 12:44:02 GMT
They found that Magic Money Tree, then!! Probably deep in one of those wheat fields.
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