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Post by showbizkid on Jul 4, 2017 9:16:19 GMT
I think the casting is great. If it all works out it has the possibility to be huge with West End, Broadway, German, tours galore etc - or it could go the Beaches, Amelie, Viva Forever route and not work. Fingers crossed it is a big gigantic HIT new show!!
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jul 4, 2017 8:59:49 GMT
The woman who helps toad escape is Jenna Boyd who is fabulous in everything she does. Problem is the part is disjointed (come from nowwhere) as she also plays the hedgehog and was meant to play barge woman until they gave it to Denice. Different actors playing different roles not uniformed throughout the show can be a tricky one.
The problem with this show is that A) how are you meant to care about toad if he is so bad B) it is just not funny enough C) the book is bad D) the music is just ok....
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Post by showbizkid on Jul 4, 2017 8:05:57 GMT
I think he's probably a better judge of whether there's a reason he can't do it than you are - given that he is actually there at the time, and you are not. If he needs to have rest, a physical therapy session, eat or drink, or just keep himself well away from the accumulated germs of a stage door crowd to avoid getting ill, how would you know? Buying a ticket to a show gets you just that - a ticket to the show. It doesn't get you a meet-and-greet. Actually I played one of the most demanding roles in theatre when I was 20, most of the cast members slipped through the other exits. I purposely went and signed programmes and had photos with fans because I was once one of those as a child. Of course I am not the lead role in DEH on Broadway but knowing what it's like to do 8 shows a week in a vocally strenuous show - going to the stage door really doesn't take that much. Indeed a ticket doesn't get you to meet anyone I agree.
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Post by showbizkid on Jul 4, 2017 7:30:10 GMT
You're racistt. I'm sorry, but it has to be said. One T. Actually no I'm not racist - I don't think an Asian is less than a white person or that a black person is lower than a ginger haired person. I just want everything to be clear from the starting post and complete blind colour casting works every way. My point is and you still don't understand, why wasn't Kristoff black in the film then? And why can't a white person play Simba in Lion King? Surely that is racist? Hm...
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Post by showbizkid on Jul 4, 2017 7:26:03 GMT
To be honest I'm on Diana's side. It takes nothing but effort to go to a stage door and sign some programmes. It is annoying for actors yes but it is part of the job, success, status, ego, fans and everything that goes with it. There is no reason why he cannot go downstairs and sign programmes. Period.
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Post by showbizkid on Jul 3, 2017 15:38:08 GMT
Secret Garden Tarzan Nice Work If You Can Get It Little Mermaid
And best of all
Scarlet Pimpernel!!!!
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 30, 2017 13:18:49 GMT
I mean congratulations to Disney for embracing diversity on Broadway...now if only they'd do it more in their actual animated films... 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.
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 30, 2017 7:15:23 GMT
Dreadful reviews - but Willows was one of the most boring shows I had ever seen! I agree with so much of what they have to say!
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 30, 2017 7:06:16 GMT
Liverpool really is the second best city outside of London. The architecture is stunning (not to mention the Liverpool Empire theatre and the Royal Court are both something to be seen, even the Playhouse and Everyman are both a delight). The Albert Dock, the two Cathedrals are better than any in the UK - I could go on..... But yes the Scouse Brow a dark sluggy line for eyebrows is liked in Liverpool, Essexand Newcastle by girls and yes they do wear curlers in their hair outside as a social statement that they "are going out"....
Finally, Bill has produced some excellent work over the years so I look forward to Cilla!
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 23, 2017 9:34:59 GMT
So sadly I was left cold by this tonight. It just never quite clicked for me. Maybe it's just me, perhaps I'm not the target market - the design is good, the casting is good, but the book and score just aren't up to scratch. Given how much I loved Sixpence and Poppins, it's a real disappointment from the same team. Ran pretty much bang on 2.5 hours, no real technical hiccups to note. Mixed reaction from the audience, some clapping and cheering, some more muted. Programmes £6.50 and are the larger, glossier sort. Assortment of the usual merchandise including t-shirts, mugs and the like. Adverts for the cast recording coming soon. Worth a watch if at a discount and with a family, but sadly can't really recommend it as anything more than "just okay". 3 stars. I saw this last night and completely agree. Wonderful cast, set, cute story, nice production but it's all a bit boring. 7/10 To delve deeper into the story it actually brings up horrible class issues in British society!!
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 23, 2017 9:31:20 GMT
I don't know why people insist that it needs to be a more serious piece of theatre. It's a cartoon..on stage. They did what they could do to make it less glib, without talking bats and supernatural creatures with powers. Otherwise- it's a princess show made for a family. I really don't see people can have such strong opinions about it while being completely okay with Aladdin or the atrocity that was Beauty and the Beast. Not trying to discount what your producer friend thinks of it- but considering the long list of producers associated with a show these days, especially a show owned by Disney- I would say that just because you've put in some money it doesn't mean you call the artistic shots. You misunderstood me, it doesn't need to be a more serious piece of theatre. It just needs to be BETTER! With a completely different design and rewritten. There is a good show somewhere in there. The score and basic plot for example is fine. It was just badly made.
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 23, 2017 5:19:49 GMT
This will never ever ever happen guys. I know one of the producers of this and he told me how unhappy they are with the show on Broadway but it's selling fairly well for now.... but won't do more than a year or so. Might not even make a cast change.
The whole thing needs a rewrite, Gleb Ramin's part drastically changed or cut, a new set (the design is the most disliked feature by the creatives), the ghastly projections cut, new direction, dozens of re writes, Rasputin put back in and a huge overhaul. It's historically and culturally gauche. It just won't happen.....
It was my most disappointing show I saw on Broadway last month. It's just naff and looks and feels like a regional show. It should have been so much better.
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 23, 2017 5:16:07 GMT
It's technically not a West End theatre. Its an Opera House. Oh wow - genuinely didn't know that! Nice little factoid there. Of course it's a West End theatre!! It's just that ENO have been there for the past 4 decades. It's had various musicals perform there. It's theatre on the same street as others in the West End. In awards it wouldn't be classed as fringe now!
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 19, 2017 9:20:44 GMT
You obviously haven't been inside the Liverpool Empire! And what if you are sitting on the end of a row? Granted if in a small theatre and you are stuck in the middle of a row but I wasn't. Trust me, even in theatres the size of the Empire, it is entirely noticeable from the stage and around the auditorium as people walk up and out the aisles. Im glad you waited to leave until the interval, but personally, even though I didn't enjoy the production the experience was tainted by various people (mid row) forcing other people to stand up as they pushed their way out of the rows and back up the aisles. It shows a blatant disregard to the other patrons and performers and a lack of respect, especially when its done mid song etc. At the very worst people should leave it until an appropriate scene change if they really feel they can not suffer through to the interval. I really do not think you have performed on the Liverpool Empire stage. I have 5 times. It is bigger than the Palladium and Dominium and you cannot see the audience. You can almost hardly see the conductor - it's like performing in space, a large black open cosmos. Anyway I didn't leave mid show I left at the interval, but had I wanted to leave during the show sat at the very extreme far right row E 4 & 5 no one would have cared. That was my point.
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 18, 2017 16:49:27 GMT
I'm astonished at the range of opinions on this. It's extremely rare that I'd consider leaving during a show. I really hope it's not as bad as people are saying. I quite like the soundtrack and Kerry Ellis is an amazing talent so I'm hoping that will be enough. I'm expecting it to be camp and kitsch. The show is not camp and kitsch it's boring and dreadful.
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 18, 2017 16:48:06 GMT
I think if a show is so bad people should be able to do what they want no? Life is too short on a beautiful sunny day to be sat watching something that is so terrible. Being bored at the theatre is torture! We've all been there. Especially if they do not cause any distraction to others and it is in a huge barn of a theatre like the Liverpool Empire. As remark said, leaving in the middle of a performance will always be distracting if not to the performers, then to those in the audience. And a show being so bad is subjective. I have no issue with people that leave in the interval. You obviously haven't been inside the Liverpool Empire! And what if you are sitting on the end of a row? Granted if in a small theatre and you are stuck in the middle of a row but I wasn't.
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 18, 2017 13:37:48 GMT
They were saying that it's rude to leave during the performance, not at the interval. I think if a show is so bad people should be able to do what they want no? Life is too short on a beautiful sunny day to be sat watching something that is so terrible. Being bored at the theatre is torture! We've all been there. Especially if they do not cause any distraction to others and it is in a huge barn of a theatre like the Liverpool Empire.
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 18, 2017 13:11:25 GMT
Well. Thats 150 minutes I'm not getting back. Fairly forgettable score and a really weak book in my opinion. It looked ok, but a bit cheap in places. Poor mans panto. Can anyone enlighten me as to why the 'Looking Glass'/Giant mirror thing took off ala spaceship in the second act? Almost as confusing as the giant UFO that seems to abduct Grizabella in Cats. Quite a few people walked out during both acts not to return, which I thought was fairly rude - atleast wait until the interval/end. Wendi Peters was great and was really surprised by her singing voice. Think we had Jessica Croll as Alice who did an alright job with what she was given. WTF was with those knee high boots though. No-ones worn them since the 90s, well except maybe Prince Charming. One saving grace for me was the sound design. Loud and punchy and appropriately so. I left yesterday in the interval in Liverpool. Why on EARTH is it rude? I paid my own money to see it, the show was beyond dreadful and it was a gorgeous day outside. I rarely leave shows but as a consumer I have a right to leave when the standard is what I saw yesterday. Cheap set, awful story, bland music, bad acting and looked like a theme park show. We all disliked it very much indeed I'm sad to say and were happy to leave. 3/10
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 15, 2017 15:27:00 GMT
Saw this last night. A sweet cheap show with not enough bodies on stage. Set almost non existent around its stolen Matilda jigsaw like odd design. Worst set for an Annie I've ever seen.
Amanda or Miranda or whatever her name is was dreadful. She can't sing and her acting was surprisingly bad too, no range in her voice, character and she wasn't even funny.
The Annie we had (don't know name) was actually very good as were the rest of the cast including the dog. Felt like a touring show and expected much better. Cute kids of course.
Glad I saw it but won't go again and hope it doesn't extend. A cute 6/10
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 15, 2017 15:19:40 GMT
The worse choreography of ANY show I have seen in my life!!! Fact...
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 13, 2017 11:15:26 GMT
What on earth did I watch last night! I hated this!! Some fun effects but gosh I was bored. It was We Will Rock You on Acid!!!! 4/10
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 11, 2017 23:18:45 GMT
Or accents I mean!
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 11, 2017 23:18:32 GMT
Will just British actors be used on Broadway??
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 11, 2017 23:03:51 GMT
I loved the ozzy version of this show!! Total success for me after the London failure
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 11, 2017 22:59:44 GMT
This will never ever ever happen in London. Bette is on 150 thousand a week and ten percent of the box office and merchandise. The reason why the maths work is that tickets cost so much more than the 30/70 pounds we are used to in the UK (premiums aside). Yes it's an EVENT but is one just in the Big Apple!
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 7, 2017 22:30:00 GMT
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 showbizkid on Jun 7, 2017 22:24:44 GMT
I've booked again!! Go see it everyone!!!!
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 6, 2017 17:47:04 GMT
When does La Cage open?
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 6, 2017 17:45:57 GMT
Of course, the dirty costumes to me repesented the workforce of society, hard work and the physical affect long term employment has on our mind, body and spirits no?
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 5, 2017 23:48:14 GMT
Balcony closed?? Madness... Thing is I would say 80 percent of the people I work with DONT go the theatre in London. That's the reason, not the shows! You need to get a better job then! sarcasm aside - teachers, lawyers, bankers, airline staff, hotel industries, restaurants, retail, media (the list goes on) what percentage of your co workers go to the theatre? I bet you it's rather low (or they go twice a year) and it's not because people can't afford if either.
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