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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 23, 2022 16:36:22 GMT
I find the explosion in the number of this sort of biographical jukebox shows to be really lacking in imagination and creativity.
Sure they are entertaining for the right crowd.
But they are not going to help build the repertoire or the future of musical theatre.
I know it is difficult to create new musicals with (largely) original scores. But that is where my interests lie.
That isn't snobbish. It is rooted in a deep love for musical theatre. Stories being told through words and music. Not the story of a performer or group of performers being played out with their songs making up the score.
There are many shows that failed to find a West end home over recent years. Shows that could have found an audience but never got the opportunity. So I don't buy the oft repeated line that theatres will necessarily be dark without jukebox shows.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 23, 2022 15:57:15 GMT
I'm not going to this theatre anytime soon then. Certainly nothing there to tempt me either. I get why producers are attracted to these projects. They sell to the non specialist audience. But with the rise of bad behaviour in recent years (and more particularly post lockdowns) at similar productions, something needs to change.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 23, 2022 11:35:49 GMT
Very sad to hear of the passing of Cherry Valentine.
A talented queen and taken far too young.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 22, 2022 15:55:58 GMT
It's a puppet!
You can rest safe
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 22, 2022 14:35:25 GMT
Not for me. Which is fine.
For a piece like this, I would be looking for a sound world that evoked an earlier era. A nostalgic feel.
Perhaps there are hints of Honk but it sounds a bit generic.
Other songs might be better, of course
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 22, 2022 11:26:01 GMT
Miss Saigon has a very particular setting in terms of location and time period. Anything that takes you away from that needs very careful consideration.
I can see a case for the Engineer being a lady boy who became a hustler once his age caught up with him and so bringing elements of drag/female impersonation into the character.
But a female Engineer does feel at odds with the setting of the story. Particularly, as others have noted, the way Kim is let down by the men in her life.
The role doesn't involve much harmony or ensemble singing so the switch doesn't harm the score particularly.
I shall just stick to the OCR I think
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 22, 2022 7:40:17 GMT
Most of Act 2 of Merrily We Roll Along has me blubbing.
Not a specific number as such just the way we know that the growing optimism has already been shattered.
I saw the Donmar production and was teary throughout Act 2
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 22, 2022 0:26:24 GMT
Somewhere from WSS. My sister sang it to my cat Gilbert as he was taken on his final trip to the vet.
That was more than 35 years ago and I am tearing up now.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 21, 2022 20:29:33 GMT
It is a real chance for a reset. After a decade of mediocrity and box ticking, we need a return to great theatre making. Get the quality right and audiences will return.
Find a new show that will transfer and bring financial returns for at least a decade and that will really help.
Shame we have to put up with effectively 18 months of Whyman programming first.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 20, 2022 22:16:11 GMT
Joint appointment is a bit of a surprise. Much will come to the details of how they will split the responsibilities and their working relationship.
We shall see
It isn't continuation Doran/Whyman which is a positive
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 20, 2022 22:05:42 GMT
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 20, 2022 14:20:36 GMT
Let's not have someone trying to dictate what can and can't be posted on a discussion forum.
If you don't like what people post, just ignore them or block them.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 20, 2022 13:02:43 GMT
Chichester does use a community chorus from time to time...
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 19, 2022 20:50:53 GMT
This book is a great resource for filling gaps in your royal history knowledge. ISo many amazing stories
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 19, 2022 20:41:12 GMT
The problem with any retelling of this story is how to create tension when we already know the essence of the story.
Of the versions I have seen, I do prefer the original which I saw very early on in the run. It felt better than the rather heavy handed focus on the conflict between Catholic and Protestant communities which came to the fore with the earlier reworkings.
But they have never found a way to build real tension into the musical.
There is a lot of good music to be salvaged.
But the plot is a harder but to crack
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 19, 2022 19:50:10 GMT
Not sure Whyman has the depth to direct Hamlet. No matter who she puts in the lead.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 18, 2022 9:20:53 GMT
I agree that MPs, Peers and the staff of the Palace of Westminster should have some sort of priority. A plus One would also be appropriate. I don't get allowing MPs to bring four guests. That is excessive.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 18, 2022 0:19:44 GMT
I agree that the ceremonial side of things is disruptive but that, at least, is a known and timed factor.
They started with 1 line each side of the hall and then moved to two. So they have done all they can to get people through in an efficient but not disrespectful way
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 17, 2022 23:50:49 GMT
They are encouraged not to pause as it delays the flow of the lines.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 17, 2022 19:02:03 GMT
Daniel Evans hasn't directed much Shakespeare but he has at least done some. He has acted in a good number.
Plus he knows how to put on a big crowd pleasing show which should help RSC finances if he can find the right musical.
I suspect he has a pretty decent little black book of high profile contacts who might be persuaded to do a season or two.
Tamara Harvey seems to be a new writing specialist. But has broadened her scope in her current role.
I am not hugely enthused by this as a possible leadership pair. But I am very happy to see what they could achieve.
Anything is better than 5 more years of the current mess
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 17, 2022 18:56:27 GMT
My final guess is Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey. Which wonderfully leaves Nadia Fall or Indhu Rubasingham open for the NT! Interesting. One of those is possibly the nicest person I’ve ever met in theatre, and the other is one of the worst bullies I’ve ever encountered..! Do tell... In private if necessary!!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 16, 2022 20:28:50 GMT
I saw it on Broadway in 1996. It was looking tired then.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 16, 2022 16:10:53 GMT
What is so amazing about the set?
It has never struck me as a piece where the scenery was hugely important.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 15, 2022 22:31:25 GMT
Just to confuse matters, Andrew and Harry will be permitted to wear uniforms when they stand guard as part of the vigil
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 15, 2022 11:59:32 GMT
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 14, 2022 23:41:01 GMT
With a new tour of Shrek in the offing, productions of that will be more limited
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 14, 2022 19:49:29 GMT
As far as I have been able to find, Anne is the first female royal to walk in this sort of procession. So she is able to set his own tradition.
I think the reason that Harry and Andrew were not in uniform is because they no longer hold any official position with the armed services and as this is a formal ceremony, only current military representatives are in uniform. They were still wearing the medals they earned whilst in service.
Black arm bands are, I think, a matter of personal choice.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 14, 2022 8:36:09 GMT
And as for the possibility of redundancies, the timing is a little insensitive but that sort of change is inevitable.
Clarence House will no longer be a site of major royal activity. The new Prince of Wales will be based in Windsor not London and so the new team will be based there.
And with the Royal Household seeking a more streamlined approach, not running duplicate establishments for the King is the right move.
Some of the Clarence House staff may move with Charles, some may transfer to Windsor.
At least this isn't like some ancient dynasties rulers where close servants were killed to help serve the dead ruler in the afterlife.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 14, 2022 8:30:44 GMT
Given that countries are still joining the Commonwealth, I see no reason for it to come to an end imminently. Countries might move away from having a monarch, but there are economic and cultural benefits that are worth preserving or acquiring.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 13, 2022 16:42:10 GMT
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