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Post by danb on Jul 26, 2023 12:04:17 GMT
Reports of “how terrible” he is are exaggerated to the point of losing impact and credibility and it makes me doubt reliability and integrity of said posters opinions. Just sounds like the proverbial grinding axe. [/quote]
How so? Christian is a massive sing, and when they rolled JB out to great fanfare I assumed they’d gone American because they couldn’t find what they needed here, or had found the second coming. The fact that Muscato has come in and proven them otherwise (when he was here all along, next to Houchen and Jaden and all our other great voices) just goes to show they should have some faith in homegrown talent. Zoe Birkett was a stunning Satine, and there all along. I personally have nothing to gain or lose from stating ‘my truth’. Just, y’know, having sn opinion and stuff.
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Post by danb on Jul 26, 2023 9:48:49 GMT
In ‘Moulin Rouge’ his voice sounded workmanlike at best. I had no idea what the fuss was about (the less said about the acting the better). I had hoped that he would sound better in a more legit MT role, but the reports from here say not.
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Post by danb on Jul 26, 2023 9:45:26 GMT
Of all the Joe's I've seen, the only one I think that really got it spot on was the original, Kevin Anderson I also agree. It's great to see the love for him on this forum. With all the sacking of the two leads and Patti's reaction and carrying on I sometime think that he's been forgotten about. In fact he was the first Joe that I saw. I have both cast recordings and sometimes wish if I could Glenn Close's vocals against Kevin Anderson's it'd be the 'perfect' cast recording of this show. Glenns vocals or Glenns performance? I’d definitely agree with the latter, over anyone. I’d pop Paige at the top for vocal performance.
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Post by danb on Jul 25, 2023 11:09:10 GMT
There are so many ‘Motown’ style catalogue shows touring local theatres that I just can’t see this motivating Beryl & Doreen to get on a coach, when they saw something that sounds identical only the other week. I think they need to start the MJ promo now as-well, pointing out its’ USP and that its not just Thriller or that Ben guy that tours curtained off arenas.
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Post by danb on Jul 25, 2023 8:45:17 GMT
The POW was a revolving door of rubbish back then wasn’t it? Didn’t really get a long runner til ‘Mamma Mia’ moved there to make way for ‘Poppins’? Personally I though ‘Tommy Steele - What A Show’ to be it’s low point
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Post by danb on Jul 25, 2023 3:32:25 GMT
I think producers like to cast a fresh-faced young lead and always have - think Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady. They love the story of the young "discovery" and the fact that they don't have to pay them the salary of a more experienced "star" name. Tom Francis will be just fine opposite a younger Norma. I think he can easily play late twenties - is he in his late twenties? Mid, I think.
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Post by danb on Jul 24, 2023 19:17:18 GMT
I don't think it's tough to fill, it's had plenty of big hit shows and rarely has a flop. I think it was just a poor choice or show for the UK. Well it’s tough to fill if the show has no appeal It was certainly a surprise when they announced it, and where it was going. Like putting an end of the pier revue into Drury Lane. The PE has always had at least ‘exciting’ shows in even if not to my taste, and the best frontage & that big billboard (LED now) on the side. The surprise is that such a dull jukebox like ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ has done so well on Broadway rather than why its failed here.
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Post by danb on Jul 24, 2023 13:23:01 GMT
Is it too much to ask that Rob Houchen will finally play Tony in full musical. Keeping everything crossed It isn’t often that someones voice brings me to ‘tears’, and not a discreet trickle but full on sobbing (swells of emotional music…yes…songs with emotional attachments…yes, but voices not so much) but Houchen singing ‘Maria’ was one of the most beautifully perfect things I have ever heard. To hear him sing Tony fully would be completing life.
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Post by danb on Jul 24, 2023 11:40:27 GMT
Good point. A lot of these male leads these days seem to be barely graduated from drama school - I hate to break it to you, guys, but as you grow older, other people suddenly look very young PS: I would agree that Tom would look extremely young compared to classic Normas like Patti, Elaine or Glenn, but not if they need to keep a significant age difference to Nicole's younger-looking Norma. Besides, we still don't know what Lloyd may be cooking up. I think Tom is the least concerning of the names mentioned. He only looked young in ‘& Juliet’ because of the styling. To me he looks late 20’s/early 30’s which is fine as a playing age for Joe, and his voice is great too.
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Post by danb on Jul 24, 2023 8:53:24 GMT
My understanding is that how this production will be ‘reimagined’ is yet to be confirmed, but interestingly LondonTheatreDirect’s paid social media ad (seen on Facebook) reads as follows: Nicole Scherzinger stars in this new concert version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about a faded Hollywood icon. ‘Concert version’?! Oh I do hope this is a typo/cock-up. I mean, I’d happily go and watch it, but surely the pricing would be concert level, not acknowledging sight lines so much etc.
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Post by danb on Jul 24, 2023 8:15:07 GMT
The original run W/E Joes all seemed age appropriate. Do people ‘break’ earlier these days so we have a glut of mid-20’s male leads instead?
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Post by danb on Jul 24, 2023 7:43:48 GMT
I know that in the past we’ve discussed the Adelphi being a producers perfect theatre due to size & location. That 1500 capacity across only 3 levels delivers financial heft at the weekend and allows for closing a level on down days. I think ALW’s plan for Drury Lane is to be able to drop its capacity without damaging what makes it Drury Lane, to attract more ‘transient/6 month to a year’ pieces from the get go. Its miraculous that ‘Frozen’ is still in, given the amount of discounting and balcony closing, but I suspect its’ plan was to recoup in the first year and anything else was a bonus.
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 18:56:19 GMT
Brilliant final question on Pointless Celebrities last night - they selected the topic "21st century Broadway musicals". The three options were to name any song on the soundtrack of 1) Waitress 2) Come From Away or 3) Frozen I was pleased to get many pointless answers (For anyone not aware of how the show works, the aim is to find an answer that none of the 100 people surveyed said.) More information provided in spoiler tags below so as no to spoil it for anyone who might want to watch it. {Spoiler - click to view} The contestants chose songs from Frozen. All the songs from CFA were pointless answers apart from Me and the Sky, Welcome to the Rock and 38 Planes. I was quite surprised someone said 38 Planes over some of the others. Yes!!!! I was screaming ‘Bad Idea -Reprise’ at my sky glass, which prompted it to suggest any number of things and made me need to rewind it a bit to hear the answers. Love ‘Pointless’.
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 17:26:41 GMT
Yes, I totally realise that.
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 16:51:30 GMT
Given Newsies couldn't sell the Troubadour, the chances of it going into the Prince Edward are very slim. Home of numerous financial smashes ‘The Troubador’? I’m just blue sky thinking (you can punch me later) If the production exists, and the set exists and the cast haven’t all booked other jobs I really don’t see why they wouldn’t give it a go for a month and see if they can salvage it before it tours? They’re going to have to reblock it for traditional spaces anyway. Dark theatre = no bar sales. Open theatre with ready made product that just needs restaging work? Why the hell not? If it picks up it can lead straight into the tour. Otherwise we’ll just end up with another ghastly musical revue for a few months til MJ.
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 16:42:36 GMT
Is/was there only WSS and A Chorus Line that are choreographically ‘protected’? Do any other shows have any sort of covenant on performing the original choreo? Fiddler as well. In general, Robbins was notoriously tight with legalities regarding his work. Think we may have been sailing close to the wind with our 5th year production. We spent all our time marvelling at the flying rig & glowing make up for Fruma Sarahs ghost.
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 15:50:19 GMT
Is/was there only WSS and A Chorus Line that are choreographically ‘protected’? Do any other shows have any sort of covenant on performing the original choreo?
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 15:47:48 GMT
Think he’s looking at the Noel Coward (ex-Albery) where it first opened when he was a…cough…lad.
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 15:46:12 GMT
Fits the vibe for Joe I figured they were going for, but not exciting for me. Makes me wonder what Houchen is doing as he's surely the ideal candidate. Do we know the answer to this? Is he physically large enough to play against Nicole unless she does it in court shoes. She’s only 5’5” IRL so anything is possible? Surely Robs insane voice would be somewhat wasted singing Joe?
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 15:41:03 GMT
Can’t they just put ‘Newsies’ in there and see how it flies in town? Plenty of space, plenty of boxes to play with and the crazy loge things. The outlay can’t be that much to transfer something, however specific it might be to its home.
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Post by danb on Jul 23, 2023 13:48:26 GMT
He’ll be great. He was excellent in Rent and is a fair few years older now. He is, however, in danger of becoming the new Jordan Luke Gage if she doesn’t find something with a bit of edge.
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Post by danb on Jul 22, 2023 16:57:06 GMT
I wish he’d missed the day I saw Moulin Rouge…
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Post by danb on Jul 21, 2023 21:29:52 GMT
Oh I love this. If it just goes one notch better than the last tour I’ll be in heaven.
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Post by danb on Jul 21, 2023 20:53:26 GMT
I’m sure it’s mentioned further back in this thread but there is a fantastic documentary ‘You Are Here-A Come From Away story’ on you tube, detailing the events and people of CFA. This show is so special and details such an important part of modern history that it is hard not to feel the same emotions you feel watching the show. Highly recommended.
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Post by danb on Jul 19, 2023 13:44:34 GMT
Just had an e-mither stating that the lottery is turning into ‘£29 seats’ on sale of Fridays for the week ahead.
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Post by danb on Jul 19, 2023 13:21:24 GMT
Theres only really central stalls or front row with much leg room in the Palladium. The side blocks of stalls are really tight due to their curve, and I don’t remember ever being comfortable in either circle.
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Post by danb on Jul 19, 2023 6:52:00 GMT
Self Esteem is an actual person?? I am officially old and clueless on current pop culture. Yes, its like a stage name, possibly a band name.
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Post by danb on Jul 18, 2023 11:00:26 GMT
I’m fairly sure I saw Rebecca Taylor (Self Esteem) in an AmDram production of The Witches of Eastwick waaay back… Can’t find my programme, or anything on the web to back this up though! I absolutely loved Slow Club and what she’s been doing as Self Esteem, so would definitely be tempted back by this casting… What shes been doing first in Slow Club then as SE has bordered on performance art, which this ‘Cabaret’ very much reminds me of.
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Post by danb on Jul 18, 2023 9:39:35 GMT
Strong cast! I could watch Jess Daley sing the phone book…Mel Jacques, Gio Spano…this is getting more interesting by the minute.
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Post by danb on Jul 17, 2023 20:22:49 GMT
Who? 36 year old Self Esteem? 🖤 think it might actually get me there.
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