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Post by Deal J on Feb 4, 2019 15:07:59 GMT
I loved The Second Coming (for that is what it was called) - according to Wikipedia it lost out on 2 BAFTAs in 2004: I’ve never seen the US QAF, but I adore the UK version. So many great performances and stories. And that soundtrack was immense - I was a big fan of Almighty records at the time, so this was a real treat. I remember speaking to my Mum on the phone from my Uni college and being really surprised that she’d been watching it. And this surprise turning to dread as she asked “What is rimming, though?”
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Post by Deal J on Feb 3, 2019 12:12:12 GMT
Thanks for this - I’d been wondering about this one and whether to go along for a laugh. The humour isn't exactly sophisticated. The level is along the lines of "I'll just jump over this puff" (referring to the furniture, not the very camp man lying on it). There are lots of gay jokes, many as offensive as they were in the 1980s, but here they're acceptable if you treat this as parody. Definitely not booking for this, then. I don’t see “gay=funny” as acceptable, parody or not. Unless I’m missing something from the context?
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Post by Deal J on Feb 1, 2019 19:38:22 GMT
That’s really interesting, thanks sf.
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Post by Deal J on Feb 1, 2019 19:08:49 GMT
[...] although for me the definitive one - sorry, Beth Howland - is Veanne Cox on the 1995 Broadway revival album. She nails the sheer terror underpinning the song, she's all the funnier for NOT going completely over-the-top and overplaying the laughs, and her diction is astonishing. I think she's also the only recorded Amy who sings the melody absolutely correctly. How strange, your post has made me realise I’ve never listened to this cast recording! I just hopped over to SondheimGuide.com and was surprised to read this production had 43 preview performances before a run of 60 - that’s quite unusual, isn’t it? Also surprised to read the choreography was by Rob Marshall. I’ll listen to the Veanne Cox version later tonight - would you recommend the rest of the album?
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Post by Deal J on Jan 31, 2019 14:25:17 GMT
Gosh, I remember going to the Theatre Museum when I was a wee lad, but I only vaguely remember the content. If I recall correctly the 'Wind in the Willows' set was their largest exhibit, and they had costumes and set designs, some of which transferred over to the V&A.
I have a vague recollection of an animated display using some of the 'Spitting Image' puppets, but I must be remembering that wrong as it doesn't really fit with the theatre theme.
I may even have some photographs hidden away somewhere... I'll have to have a rummage and see if I can find them.
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Post by Deal J on Dec 24, 2018 12:21:57 GMT
Not yet - I won’t be seeing it until it the tour comes further north next year - but the fan sites are saying it’s as good as ever and that Stephen Webb is a great Frank. The production photos on TimeWarp.org.uk look great - it’s clearly the same “party” production set and costumes that have been used for a fair few years now, but as much as I’d love to see something new (more gothic horror, less party) I’d still rather see another cast in the same production than no Rocky at all! I bet the NYE show will be very exciting, my friend went last year and said it was so much fun to ring in the new year with Rocky. Please let us know how it goes and what you think of it, james1969 !
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Post by Deal J on Dec 6, 2018 0:04:39 GMT
Yes, Ru will be hosting thankfully - there were talks a few years back for a UK version but with Jodie Harsh hosting. That fell through for some reason, and as much as I like Jodie, I couldn’t imagine the show working as well without Mama Ru front and centre.
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Post by Deal J on Nov 23, 2018 19:11:32 GMT
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Post by Deal J on Nov 1, 2018 12:34:31 GMT
Is there a list of which narrators are appearing at which venue So far the following have been officially announced via twitter: - Dom Joly - Brighton, Milton Keynes, Wimbledon, Woking
- Beverley Callard - Manchester
- Alison Hammond - Birmingham
- Steve Punt - Stoke, York
- Philip Franks - Sheffield, Torquay, Belfast, Oxford, Bromley
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Post by Deal J on Oct 31, 2018 23:34:16 GMT
Oh yes - I forgot to look for the golden rabbit! I think I might have heard a League of Gentlemen reference though - the main character in the original story had a landline number of “triple four, four, two, four, four” that Stephanie Cole’s character said was “easy to remember”...
I really liked this, very much their modernisation of the “Ghost Watch” experience. I love the amount of pre-broadcast groundwork that was laid down - the One Show interview, telling The Sun they had abandoned their plans to film in the old Granada Studios... “live” tweeting during the broadcast... lovely stuff.
I was interested to read that there IS truth in the old Granada Studios having being built on the site of a cemetery. These boys know their onions!
“I told you we should have got Pam Ferris” 😂
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Post by Deal J on Oct 31, 2018 19:28:03 GMT
I don’t know how reliable “MTAS Official” are, but they’re reporting that the narrators for the tour will be: Alison Hammond Dom Joly Beverly Callard (as BurlyBeaR has already said) Steve Punt Philip Franks
I’ve seen the last two in the role before and really enjoyed their take on the role. Not sure about the others, but at least it’s new fodder for the partici...pation nuts!
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Post by Deal J on Oct 14, 2018 22:46:40 GMT
Anyone else think "the ghost monument" is going to be the TARDIS? Bravissimo!
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Post by Deal J on Oct 13, 2018 11:51:58 GMT
I did this a few Hallowe’ens ago when it was outside Birmingham REP during their run of The Exorcist.
I loved it, even though I watch loads of horror movies I was still petrified during this. Really tense. The binaural effects are very impressive, it still unnerves me remembering them.
I hadn’t heard of FLIGHT - I’ve just read the description on their website and that sounds really good too. Is that scary too? I’m not sure I could stomach 30 minutes!
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Post by Deal J on Oct 12, 2018 11:48:20 GMT
Yikes, is that right?! So there's no WHAM! at all? Oh dear.
The deliciously tacky website - shades advised before opening - lists a few more songs:
Excuse the capitals - theirs, not mine.
I was really up for this (and will probably still go) but I'm disappointed by some of the song choices so far.
No WHAM! is criminal, and I was hoping for something from the likes of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Bananarama, Soft Cell etc... I guess rights are preventing them from using their material too.
Using "Surprise, Surprise" and "I could be so good for you" is a bit of a cheat as they're more classic TV themes than "eighties pop anthems".
I'm guessing that'll be the Ryan Paris "Dolce Vita", and not the Sparks track - although much as I adore Sparks, that's probably a good choice.
I wonder if they're having to frantically re-write the book if they were expecting to be able to use certain songs?
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Post by Deal J on Oct 10, 2018 22:20:22 GMT
I enjoyed it, but as others have said it’s a bit predictable. Having said that though, I did find myself caring for some of the characters and how it would all pan out, and the inclusion of some side-stories kept it moving.
Zawe Ashton pretty much stole every scene she was in, I really enjoyed her performance. The penultimate episode was quite engaging as well, with its tightened focus and plenty much more of the (until then) surprisingly underused Okenado.
On a related note, last night I watched “Hereditary” - a recent horror film starring Toni Collette. In an interview on the extra features she tells of how she felt she’d done enough horror, but read this script and felt inclined to do it. I loved it - lots of character focus to make the viewer invest more in the horror elements, and some stunning visuals.
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Post by Deal J on Oct 9, 2018 11:31:55 GMT
Really pleased to see this project is getting close to funded. Two new reward tiers have been added - a "no frills" ticket option for £35, and an extra special tier which includes (amongst lots of other goodies) an additional pair of tickets to the private industry matinee workshop performance. Funding options are open until Monday lunchtime, please help if you can! Thank you. Link to Kickstarter Page
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Post by Deal J on Oct 2, 2018 11:52:44 GMT
Hello again - I see the RO'B concert thread has been locked, but to confirm your suspicions @theatremonkey & @remark, the announcement on the website is that the concert has been cancelled. TimeWarp themselves had nothing to do with the concert or its cancellation though, they were just helping promote it.
Very sad, I've booked a weekend in London for Company on Saturday and had planned that for Sunday. I was hoping I could soften the blow a little and book for Heathers instead, but they don't do Sundays. I'll have to do non-theatre things instead... the very idea!!
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Post by Deal J on Oct 1, 2018 22:23:02 GMT
I wonder what these teenage delinquents would think of such age-blind casting...
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Post by Deal J on Oct 1, 2018 22:06:21 GMT
I haven't seen anything on the TimeWarp official fan club site, nor the various social media accounts that seem to get casting information pretty quickly... hopefully news will come soon. Gutted that the RO'B concert we weren't allowed to talk about has fallen through.
I loved the last UK cast, but I'm excited for something new. I'd really love to see a new staging, but I suspect we'll get another outing of the "party" set. Either way, Rocky Lives, which keeps me happy!
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Post by Deal J on Sept 30, 2018 17:50:23 GMT
Although the League have gone much further with it... far more bodily fluids, for example! I liked when they messed with the gravity too.
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Post by Deal J on Sept 22, 2018 11:30:40 GMT
A new British musical about friendship, love & survival, set in Soho across 60 years, featuring the songs of Marc Almond and Soft Cell. In a world tainted by bigotry and injustice, this is a tale of acceptance, survival and love, featuring the songs of Marc Almond and Soft Cell. We all need at least one truly accepting, safe place. Timeless and ageless, tough and tender, firm but fair, outspoken bar manager Marcia presides over just such a place – a basement space in Soho where everyone and anyone can be themselves, whether it be the 1940s, 1970s, the 1980s or in this troubled new millennium of ours. The name of the place may change – Le Grand Guignol, Gutter Hearts, The Pink Flamingo - but the ethos never will. There is no prejudice accepted here, no hatred and no blame. Just love, acceptance and friendship - with added dancing, laughing, drinking and loving. Welcome to Soho. Welcome to Marcia's bar!
I love Soft Cell so I'm really excited that this new musical is progressing... it's been a work in progress for the last two years with some work shops, rehearsals and part-performances already under its belt, and now they've set up a kickstarter campaign to help fund their showcase workshop next month. The kickstarter rewards for donors include tickets for the showcase workshop at The Vaults Theatre on 24 October, and advance booking for the first production (TBC 2019). I'm also proud as punch to be able to say that my nephew Elliott Wooster is one of the cast. Elliott was a finalist in this year's Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and although I have a bias he is a fantastic singer and performer. Please help if you can! Thank you. Link to Kickstarter Page
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Post by Deal J on Sept 22, 2018 10:48:06 GMT
I'm just telling you, whoever is doing their social media has it down. I can honestly say it's the best I've seen done for a musical, let alone one that didn't even open yet. Completely agree, I've been following their instagram account and they're putting out fresh and interesting content each day. Love their Sunday Sondheim celebrations. It's not just great advertising, it's helping to create a huge buzz for those who have already booked. Very impressive.
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Post by Deal J on Sept 20, 2018 22:22:31 GMT
"The slotted spoon CAN catch the potato!"
...said no-one (other than Jack's mother), ever.
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Post by Deal J on Sept 19, 2018 17:15:55 GMT
Not "Mornington Crescent: The Musical" then?
(Leaves thread disappointed)
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Post by Deal J on Sept 19, 2018 11:25:16 GMT
My most common offences are currently "Mischief! Mischief!" and "Times 'is 'ard"... and if the occasion calls for it, "Owwww, I'm a good girl, I am!". How very.
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Post by Deal J on Sept 17, 2018 11:12:36 GMT
Really enjoyed this at the Birmingham Arena last Friday, although I agree there's a real disconnection when seeing something like this in an arena. The sound during the Les McQueen song was dreadful, I barely caught any of the lyrics. Strange as the sound was relatively good during Tubbs & Edward's song, I guess they must have had too much volume on Les's guitar. Other than that though it was a real good treat (mmm!)... a really good balance of new material and the greatest hits. Quite a bit for fans of theatre to have a giggle at, too: {Spoiler - click to view}Legz Akimbo: "I'm a Horse!" "It's a War!"
...and Ollie ranting about how theatre should be more than men banging dustbin lids -- "that won a f@*king Olivier in '94!"
I was initially disappointed by how much the programme cost, but as mentioned above it's actually rather hefty and has loads of great material in it. Thankfully there are hardly any adverts either - from first glance it looks like only 1 page about the LoG vinyl release. Some lovely merchandise too, I got a nice Papa Laz t-shirt. Perhaps the most bizarre moment of the evening was Birmingham Arena proudly declaring their "cashless bar" above 4 bartenders, only 2 of whom were accepting card payment. "Anyone paying cash?" the other two were shouting down the astonishingly long queue!
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Post by Deal J on Sept 1, 2018 10:26:18 GMT
...strange and interesting... Oh! Great to read your comments, I'm going tonight and have been very nervous about for similar reasons to yours. Now I'm less nervous and more excited!
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Post by Deal J on Aug 22, 2018 22:41:08 GMT
Great news via their social media accounts - "Tick Tock" will be included in this production!
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Post by Deal J on Aug 19, 2018 18:50:55 GMT
or in the style of Spamalot "Life of Brian" Eric Idle did something like this at the Albert Hall called "Not the Messiah". I have it on DVD but haven't got around to seeing it yet after that abysmal Christmas TV show he did with Brian Cox.
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Post by Deal J on Aug 10, 2018 11:20:56 GMT
Really excited for this - FOX have confirmed a UK premiere date of Thursday 27 September (two weeks after the US).
I've loved all of the seasons, but the first time it was broadcast I gave up on Coven after a few episodes - when a friend convinced me to give it another go I loved it. I think the change of pace put me off initially, but it's worth sticking with - particularly given it's becoming more pivotal to the whole AHS 'universe'.
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