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Post by johartuk on Apr 17, 2016 11:02:32 GMT
I would like a remake of "Whistle down the wind" with Andrew LLoyd Webber's music. A Whistle Down The Wind film musical would be interesting, but I'd prefer to see it taken back to the setting of the original film. When I heard that ALW was writing a stage musical based on the film, I was excited, but he seemed to completely ignore what made the film so endearing. It's a shame, really, because the film was really charming and touching. The other night, I was watching the film The Wedding Planner (Jennifer Lopez and Matthew Mcconaughey) and it struck me that it could work well as a musical. Also, I've always thought Letter To Brezhnev would work well as a musical. Ditto Willy Russell's Dancin' Thru The Dark, which is based on his play Stags & Hens. I agree about Moulin Rouge - I'm surprised it hasn't made the screen to stage transition already, to be honest.
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Post by johartuk on Apr 10, 2016 15:36:14 GMT
I just watched the clip and I have to say I was actually really impressed. Yes there's room for improvement in her vocals and movements but at the end of the day she's 12...it's obviously one of her favourite songs to sing and in my eyes, if she is basing her performance on an adult Elphaba's then what's the harm done? If watching the show/clips on YouTube has helped inspire her to get up on a stage and sing in front of a nation, then I think that's far more important than if her movements and phrasing are too similar to a professional West End performer. She isn't basing her performance on someone, though - she's slavishly copying, to the point where it's completely unnatural and stilted. It made me feel uncomfortable, because it felt forced, which made me wonder about her reasons for auditioning. Unfortunately, TV talent shows bring the 'Mama Rose' types out of the woodwork, pushing their little darlings to audition. Hollie Steele is one example that springs to mind - clearly not comfortable and ended up having a melt-down during her BGT semi-final (which millions of viewers witnessed because it was on live TV) when she forgot the lyrics to her song. Why anyone would allow their child to audition for BGT is beyond me. I always think it's a case of fame-seeking parents or parents who indulge their child and are incapable of saying 'no'! I can think of far better ways of encouraging a love of performing - getting involved with school productions (many adult performers mention 'getting the bug' from doing drama classes at school and performing in school productions), actually going to the theatre to see productions, watching musicals on TV/film, and going down the stage school/college route.
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343 posts
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Post by johartuk on Apr 10, 2016 11:10:26 GMT
It wouldn't surprise me if Babs Windsor is approached (to play Fairy Godmother?), as she was in the last Palladium panto, so that would be a connection they could exploit.
I wonder if Biggins has been approached?
I can't imagine Britney in a panto! She'd have to sing live!
Kylie would have been interesting, though I see her more as Fairy Godmother than Cinders.
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343 posts
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Post by johartuk on Apr 10, 2016 10:38:14 GMT
I really wasn't impressed by her. She seemed affected and unnatural in both her vocals and her movements. My impression was that she had spent several months watching a vid of one of the West End Elphabas and had slavishly copied every vocal inflection, every physical mannerism and every facial expression.
It would have been interesting to see Beau sing as Beau instead of what we did see - an impression of an adult playing Elphaba.
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343 posts
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Post by johartuk on Mar 10, 2016 13:56:14 GMT
Oh lord so not only do I have to contend with Lee's crazy old ladies but now we have Carrie's crazy teenagers! Be an interesting audience! You've forgotten to factor in the Lee and Carrie fans who aren't crazy (who, I would guess, are very much in the majority, but people see the behaviour of a minority and decide they must all be like that), and of course, the many members of the audience who won't be fans of either, but will just be there to see the show.
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Post by johartuk on Mar 6, 2016 13:53:48 GMT
Wow, those audios are amazing! Natasha can certainly belt it out! It's interesting comparing Natasha's 'Don't Rain On My Parade' with Sheridan's (which is one of the option vids that pops up after the first vid finishes - so I listened to Sheridan's first). Sheridan's a fab actress with great comic timing, but she isn't a strong singer, whereas Natasha makes it seem effortless.
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Post by johartuk on Mar 2, 2016 14:35:07 GMT
She's back tonight according to her latest tweets. Offering to buy people tickets (in once case even train tickets from Leeds!) for the Savoy run is a lovely gesture but she definitely shouldn't have to offer anything. No offence to those who accept her offer but personally I just couldn't knowing what she is going through. There are some real morons on twitter and what they're tweeting to and about Sheridan is ridiculous! That being said, she has rather made a rod for her own back by offering to buy tickets, etc. It was a daft (though lovely) thing to do, and sadly, some people are assuming that they have the right to pester her and be downright rude.
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343 posts
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Post by johartuk on Feb 10, 2016 11:09:44 GMT
Well yes, but should they have rushed out something half-baked just to catch in on the hype? Two years is a long time as you say... by then Frozen will have faded so far from memory, that people may enjoy revisiting it and its songs. Hopefully they'll get two young unknowns for the leads - the show will sell itself and doesn't need star names so it's a great opportunity to give young performers their big chance - much like Idina and Kristin Chenoweth in the original Wicked. What about a nationwide search to find elsa/ana? Everyone and anyone can audition, a bit like X factor but with those parts in mind! If a casting show was like X-Factor, there would be six weeks of auditions, featuring tone deaf weirdos and fame-seeking desperados. Then, two weeks of Frozen Bootcamp, culminating in a 'Beg Off', in which those still left standing plead for a place in the live shows (which actually happened in the last series of XF, but was quickly pulled when viewers and TV critics slated it)! Finally, we have the live shows, with a judging panel consisting of Simon Cowell, Cheryl Whatevershe's-callingherselfnow, Keith Lemon and Sinitta! It could work if it was along the lines of the BBC casting shows, with Idina Menzel on the judging panel. Though no doubt they'd have Let It Go as the 'farewell' song, with the removal of an item of clothing and sailing into the air on a giant snowflake!
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Post by johartuk on Feb 3, 2016 23:02:56 GMT
I've just been watching this.
Overall, I thought it was pretty good - though I was worried by how much of the script I know!
The T-Birds and Pink Ladies were well cast - the actress who played Marty was excellent, as was Frenchie!
Julienne Hough was good as Sandy. At times, she looked a lot like ONJ.
Aaron Tveit was OK, but I felt that he lacked the comic ability that Danny needed to have, and he wasn't expressive enough.
I wasn't overkeen on Vanessa Hudgens at first, but she really grew on me - her 'The Worst Thing I Could Do' was excellent! Also, she did amazingly when you bare in mind that her dad had died a few hours before the live broadcast!
It was lovely to see the original Frenchie and Doody (from the film) popping up.
I was disappointed that they cut the bit at the dance where the boys mooned at the TV camera (and the principal's waspish announcement about sending the footage to the FBI, whose experts would be able to identify the miscreants!).
I wasn't keen on Frenchie's new song. It sounded too modern, so didn't fit with the rest of the piece.
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343 posts
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Post by johartuk on Jan 22, 2016 13:49:35 GMT
And from me!
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