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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 18, 2022 19:30:51 GMT
Fleur had the best show dance. It felt like a proper piece of choreo.
Molly did nothing to impress in terms of performance or engagement. She might have done well technically but there was no spark.
Helen was doing steps and moves but too frequently it was just that with not enough dancing. You could see all the working parts but it didn't all coalesce.
Hamza came as close as he could to throwing the final. None of his efforts matched his earlier performances. But he had banked enough goodwill to win regardless.
Fleur was the best on the night. But there was nothing anyone could do to overturn the favourite.
Personally I would drop the show dance. They just seem to fall slightly short of expectations.
Perhaps we could see a Lindy Hop challenge instead. Just to shake things up.
And they could open up a public vote for obe of the dances. Take away the judges choice and let the public choose.
It is time for a refresh
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Hex - NT
Dec 15, 2022 20:52:36 GMT
via mobile
Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 15, 2022 20:52:36 GMT
And she was rewarded with a huge ACE grant of £2 million ...
And it also lead to the demise of Kneehigh
So we perhaps don't want a similar outcome
Norris has been bad for the NT. I don't want to see his failures rewarded with a payoff
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 14, 2022 8:39:41 GMT
The residents lined the square as the cortege set off. That felt pretty inclusive to me.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 14, 2022 2:40:42 GMT
I haven't watched Eastenders in decades. But for some reason I felt drawn to watching the episodes saying farewell to Dot.
They absolutely did her proud.
I must admit that I had no idea who most of the younger characters were but that was of little consequence. The focus was on Sonia and she really carried the emotional weight of the episodes.
But what truly made it special was the return of faces from the past.
Seeing Lord Cashman return as Colin was wonderful. And then to see him with Barry... Well I was in floods.
Their kiss all those years ago was a real moment.
Nice to see Lofty and Mary again. And it was a lovely touch to incorporate members of June Brown's family in the congregation at the funeral.
I know that soaps have fallen out of fashion. I doubt we will ever see viewing figures in the 20+ million again. But the BBC got this just right. It was a memorable TV moment and a very fitting tribute to a legendary actor.
Bravo to all involved
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 13, 2022 20:30:31 GMT
Or maybe the trailers are just click bait to tempt you to stream it.
I know I won't be.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 12, 2022 21:40:12 GMT
Tony was essentially a withdrawal
An unusually timed one. But he wasn't eliminated by the judges
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 12, 2022 21:24:29 GMT
I feel bad for Cameron having been overlooked for two seasons now. Neil has been badly treated over a number of years.
Vito is a real asset. Carlos suffers from Kevin Clifton syndrome - he is too intent on making himself look good rather than keeping focus on his partner.
I hope Gio stays for another year or two. He is really the best at showcasing his partner. And he was badly let down by being paired with Richie. That was just so uncomfortable to watch
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 12, 2022 21:13:25 GMT
Of the four finalists, three of the pros are in their first season. Only Gorka has done this before.
Not sure what that says about this season though!
Looking at the track records of the finalists, Fleur and Molly have both been in the dance off FOUR times. That has never happened before.
Hamza and Helen have never been in the dance off. Neither had Will until last night.
I would love to see the actual voting figures. Perhaps it is time for the dance off to be abolished and for the lowest combined scoring partnership being eliminated each week.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 12, 2022 11:29:22 GMT
Very late this week
Will and Fleur had to dance off. The judges saved Fleur (Anton saved Will. All other Judges saved Fleur). Will was eliminated
I do find this a rather engineered result. Yes, they all are to some extent.
But the critique of Will's paso was harsher than the other two of the night even though the others displayed faults that were not mentioned. Indeed Molly showed zero Spanish flair but that was ignored.
They were just playing into the 'Survivor' narrative.
We have two finalists who have been in the dance off 8 times between them. That is just ludicrous.
Hamza is going to win unless he suffers an injury.
It is time for a big judging shake up. Shirley and Motsi need to be replaced by people who can stay in the seats and judge the dancing not the narrative.
I know it is a popularity contest (which is why being in the bottom two 4 timed should have seen you go home long ago)
But with the lack of critical engagement by half the panel, we are seeing perverse outcomes.
Craig is usually more accurate with his critique. Anton brings the experience of being the longest serving pro. But Shirley and Motsi just bring gush.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 11, 2022 21:18:15 GMT
It was not a great semi final
The AS and Waltzes were dull
The AT lacked any connection or sensuality
I didn't like any of the Pasos. Molly didn't have anywhere near enough Spanish feel. Fleur was hampered by poor music. Will was too angular.
The comments and scores were too positive.
It was a drawn out, dull show
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 11, 2022 0:01:27 GMT
The Judas Kiss was a revival having been premiered in 1998.
So yes, it did transfer from the Hampstead but it wasn't new writing in 2012
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 10, 2022 21:27:44 GMT
I would be interested to see how many plays that originated at the Hampstead that have gone on to a transfer/future professional production over the past 5/10 years
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 10, 2022 20:37:56 GMT
Last year the Christmas Radio Times was about five quid. Will give it a miss!
Will be watching:
Sewing Bee Pottery Throwdown Bake Off x 2 MasterChef x 2 Two Doors Down (probably my favourite comedy these days) Inside No 9 Call the Midwife
Other than that, will be very much as the mood takes me.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 10, 2022 12:45:00 GMT
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 9, 2022 14:15:15 GMT
I only really like AT when it is danced to authentic music. It always feels forced if done to a pop song.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 8, 2022 22:24:50 GMT
Dances for this week
Fleur & Vito: Charleston to Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano by Fiorello and Paso Doble to The Time Is Now by Moloko
Helen & Gorka: Argentine Tango to Here Comes The Rain Again by Eurythmics and Waltz to Only One Road by Céline Dion
Molly & Carlos: Paso Doble to Survivor by 2WEI ft Edda Hayes and American Smooth to Easy On Me by Adele
Hamza & Jowita: Charleston to Pencil Full Of Lead by Paolo Nutini and Waltz to What The World Needs Now by Burt Bacharach
Will & Nancy: Couple's Choice to Know How / Fools Gold / Step On Young MC / The Stone Roses / Happy Mondays and Paso Doble to Uccen – DWTS Remix by Taalbi Brothers, DWTS
3 Pasos is an unbalanced outcome. Someone messed up planning there.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 8, 2022 18:16:40 GMT
Oxfordsimon and Burley Bear have got a klaxon that goes off when someone posts about Megan Markle. They are so quick on the subject. I have searched settings but I can’t find the button. Either a mods thing option or very strong feelings on the subject Why the need to make this personal? Feels unnecessary to focus an attack on two members. I thought better of this place
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 8, 2022 11:53:08 GMT
Well, there is a big difference between inviting the press in and the press intruding on you uninvited and being fed stories and (potentially) lies by your family or their employees to distract from other family drama? At least in this way they have control over what is being said and can put their story across. I doubt I'll be spending 6 hours watching it but I'm sure lots of people will, either cos they are interested or because they are trying to find new fodder to hate on them with. LOL A story is exactly what they are presenting. It isn't anything close to the truth. It is just a story sold to make them millions.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 8, 2022 9:07:53 GMT
It's great that they can protect their family and their privacy in this way. It must be dreadful to have your lives blighted by being followed by cameras and journali...
Oh...
That's exactly what they have taken millions of dollars to allow.
Self-serving narcissistic hypocrites that they are.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 7, 2022 22:22:19 GMT
This thread started with you posting a similar reaction to Lily Allen and she ended up being nominated for an Olivier award. I stand by my thoughts on both people The fact that the Oliviers delivered an inexplicable nominee matters nothing.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 7, 2022 16:38:58 GMT
This is how the Guardian sums it up...
'A fabulous musical then, just a shame about the music.'
Then then give it 4 stars..
If a musical has bad music, it is a bad musical.
End of.
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Hex - NT
Dec 7, 2022 14:08:22 GMT
via mobile
Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 7, 2022 14:08:22 GMT
2 stars from The Stage who headline the review with 'A woeful mess'
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 6, 2022 22:46:24 GMT
FFS
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 6, 2022 21:34:11 GMT
Host...
Shame it was Matt to leave rather than Noel who is the most irritating host on TV
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 3, 2022 12:05:54 GMT
Doran's view is simply wrong.
He wouldn't state that a character living with schizophrenia should only be played by an actor with lived experience of schizophrenia.
So why should some conditions be essential when it comes to casting and others not?
I am absolutely in favour of increasing casting opportunities for those living with disabilities. But I am not going to support any move to restrict roles to certain categories of actor.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 3, 2022 11:58:57 GMT
Anyone else had the opportunity to catch this?
Only my second Janacek (after a baffling Broucek at ENO decades ago), but it was quite mesmerising.
You don't listen to a Janacek score for tunes to whistle on the way home but each nuance in the libretto was enhanced by the scoring.
The sizeable orchestra was in fire. Totally wonderful playing.
The cast were exceptional.
It is a curious plot but it sweeps you along and makes me want to explore Capek's original play.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 2, 2022 23:51:42 GMT
Sounds utterly, utterly horrific
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 2, 2022 23:45:02 GMT
Much depends as to how you view Richard and his scoliosis.
The evidence seems to be that Richard didn't view himself as being disabled. He was a very accomplished warrior.
Just because Shakespeare chose to focus on the Tudor propaganda about the man, do we have to share that focus?
Personally I don't have a problem in looking at the psychology of the character more than the physical aspects.
Now some could argue that the physical informed and maybe even created the psychological.
But as the historical figure doesn't appear to have viewed himself as disabled, I think modern directors can be free to interpret the piece in ways that go beyond the Tudor view.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 2, 2022 23:37:38 GMT
Molly and Kym had to dance off. The judges saved Molly (Craig, Motsi and Shirley saved Molly. Anton saved Kym). Kym was eliminated
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 2, 2022 9:21:01 GMT
I loved the energy, the kids company in particular, the music was strong
But the script just didn't work for me. I wanted more Cinderella as she should be at the heart of the story.
The video game sequence was very strange.
Innovation is to be encouraged but it has to be better than the original otherwise it is change for the sake of it.
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