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Post by tr252 on Jan 21, 2017 21:39:32 GMT
One of the male ensemble members (I think James Darch who I mentioned yesterday) was wearing a skirt during TWAI/WITF... does this usually happen? It stood out for me a little as I've never noticed before. Yes, I've noticed that in a few bootlegs of the Broadway production as well. It does seem to be normal for some strange reason. Well, it fits in well with the shows running theme of acceptance. I forgot to mention that Rachel got a few screams and claps when she ran on stage at the beginning of the show. A nice touch, luckily there was no other unnessecary screaming for the rest of the show.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 21, 2017 21:20:34 GMT
A few more details and thoughts from today... We arrived at 2pm to huge queues outside the theatre, they seemed to be late opening and we were sat in our seats at 2:30pm and it was announced that due to issues out of their control there would be a delay in starting - not sure what it was but I was slightly worried Rachel wouldn't be on as I had booked to see her and I wouldn't be able to get back down before her last shows next weekend. Luckily, Rachel was on. Carina was excellent - a really polished performance I thought. Today's matinee audience seemed to really get into the show, I often find the crowd can lack energy at matinees, but not today. She also had a beautiful voice. Anita Dobson wasn't great... my first time seeing her. She sounded like a robot in the first act, so monotone in her delivery and Rachel and Carina in particular were acting her off the stage. She did improve slightly in the second act. Enjoyed Ildriss today. He has really settled down into the role even from when I saw it in November. Rachel bloody Tucker - what can I say? Yes, her vocals weren't on top form today - it was completely riff free, she didn't even do the higher part of No Good Deed which she's been doing pretty much every performance since Broadway, but it didn't matter. She still sounded great, her belt is phenomenal, so powerful and her tone is just so rich. I think what really struck me was the little things in her performance today, she knows Elphaba through and through. I particularly liked how she hugged the grimmerie really tight to chest before putting it in her bag while Carina was getting her the cloak before the flying section of DG. Such a classy performance from one of the West Ends finest actresses. Great stuff. She will be missed but I've had the absolute privelege of seeing her approximately 10 times over the years and she has blown me away each and every time. There was a small lighting error when the Wizards head came on. I don't think the 'system' (probably a more technical term for this?!) switched over to the scene very smoothly. I didn't actually notice until all the lighting changed slightly when The Wizard was meeting Elphaba and Glinda. One of the male ensemble members (I think James Darch who I mentioned yesterday) was wearing a skirt during TWAI/WITF... does this usually happen? It stood out for me a little as I've never noticed before. I think I saw our infamous Emma/Alice fan lingering around stage door afterwards.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 21, 2017 18:02:25 GMT
"A little tired" and "perfection" seem to be a little contradictory! Ha - when I wrote that I knew someone would comment. Of course she was still wonderful amazing vocally but I meant perfect in portrayal as Elphaba.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 21, 2017 17:32:48 GMT
Just out of the theatre after the matinee. My last time seeing Rachel. Admittedly she sounded a little tired vocally but still an absolute force to be reckoned with. Perfection. So happy I got see her twice while she's been back in London. I'll give more detail later.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 21, 2017 8:48:45 GMT
I'll be in for the matinee today - my last time seeing Rachel! Should be a good one.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 20, 2017 13:06:31 GMT
Looking forward to seeing Carina tomorrow then! Also I wouldn't mind if James Darch was on in that Fiyero costume.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 19, 2017 0:31:10 GMT
Can we please stop. This argument happens on every page at the moment you bunch of wind up merchants! 😝 Let's have a positive conversation about the next couple of weeks where have exciting last and first shows to discuss. Aha, I probs only gonna see willemijn a few times. I'm mainly gonna go for my favourite Elphaba(alongside Emma), Alice Fearn😍 I probably won't see Willemijn. I have other trips planned to London over the next few months but none of them involve the theatre so I doubt I'll get time. I don't have the luxury of living too close. Plus like I said on the last page, I need some exciting casting to pull me back.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 19, 2017 0:23:15 GMT
Can we please stop. This argument happens on every page at the moment you bunch of wind up merchants! 😝
Let's have a positive conversation about the next couple of weeks where have exciting last and first shows to discuss.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 18, 2017 23:47:36 GMT
It's starting to hit me that this Saturday will be the last time I will (probably) ever see Rachel Tucker as Elphaba. When she left last time I always hung onto the thought that she could return because of how highly she spoke of playing the role but I can't see her returning now after this stint. I'm not sure I will want her too either - she's had such a fantastic and triumphant run. It would be a bit like that Friends movie that is always rumoured - don't let that happen, it ended in the best way possible.
I will return to Wicked again after this weekend but Rachel has had such an impact on my life as Elphaba that it will definitely take some exciting casting for me to do so.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 18, 2017 20:12:55 GMT
How annoying is the bar in front of row A (I can't imagine they will have removed it in the refit) in the grand circle and also how is the view in general? Any comments much appreciated.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 18, 2017 20:08:14 GMT
I'd love to see Rachel John in the role, what a great suggestion! I saw her playing Rachel's sister in The Bodyguard and she was wonderful. I think she would definitely bring something fresh to the role which is what we really need after having Rachel Tucker and Willemijn - and that's not meant in a bad way, Rachel T is my favourite ever, but as they have both played the role for a while now, new blood is really what is needed! Please can Suzie Mathers stay.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 16, 2017 15:45:26 GMT
For Madonna you have to BUY access to the presale, and then you have to battle through the ticketmaster fiasco in competition with zillions of other mugs who've paid for the privelege of buying a ticket.. Then when you've got your very expensive tickets they add on a huge booking fee PER TICKET. She's worth it though I'm very pleased you're describing yourselves as mugs. That's shocking. I do wonder how much concert ticket prices will rise before people say no. Most I've paid is £100 to see Justin Timberlake, he was sensational and we were front row but I'm not sure I'd pay much more than that.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 16, 2017 15:38:31 GMT
I'm guessing you've never tried to get Glastonbury tickets? Nope! Have got tickets for various in-demand concerts in the past though (Kate Bush, Take That, front row One Direction etc.) all far easier than I did this! I usually just sail through a booking process. Haha, that's good going, I can imagine Kate Bush especially was a similar situation. The Glastonbury gods have certainly been kind to me and continue to be this year but it's such a stressful ticket day!!
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Post by tr252 on Jan 16, 2017 15:32:08 GMT
I wonder if the producers will care that it's being reported that it was really easy to get tickets? Doesn't make it sound like the hottest ticket in town, does it? They're retweeting comments that say that so they don't seem to care. Although I'm amazed that some people found it so easy. Probably the most difficult ticket booking situation I've ever had.I'm guessing you've never tried to get Glastonbury tickets?
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Post by tr252 on Jan 16, 2017 13:35:55 GMT
I've got a ticket for row A of the grand... anybody know what these seats were like pre refurbishment? I imagine pretty decent?
Also, is Lin Manuel in this from November? Or is that not happening?
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Post by tr252 on Jan 13, 2017 9:14:28 GMT
Elphaba:
1. Rachel Tucker 2. Nikki Davis Jones 3. Louise Dearman 4. Kerry Ellis 5. Michelle Pentecost
Glinda:
1. Louise Dearman 2. Gina Beck/Suzie Mathers (Very different portrayals but I can't decide between them!) 3. Savannah Stevenson
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Post by tr252 on Jan 11, 2017 17:29:20 GMT
I genuinely don't get what he expects? Someone Emma Hatton sitting in a chair not moving and just singing riffing the songs? I think together we've cracked it.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 11, 2017 17:25:16 GMT
I'm not sure I understand when he says letting the "emotion get in the way of her voice". What does that even mean? She's an actress in a musical showing emotion through song... I genuinely don't get what he expects?
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Post by tr252 on Jan 11, 2017 9:59:18 GMT
I agree that you shouldnt judge someone in a role unless youve seen them live definitely. In terms of Elphabas my top 3 are probably Willemijn, Rachel and Jennifer Dinoia. All bring something different to the role and Im not sure I could put them in order. I will always have a soft spot for Idina as my first Elphaba too but I was never taken in by Emma Hatton. Her portrayal did nothing for me at all I got as far as when he reached Emma Hatton then had to turn it off. I have no words. I agree with him when he says everybody has their own personal preference. I just can't fathom that somebody could love Emma's voice singing Elphaba's songs so much. Emma can sing and with the right song I really like her voice but as Elphaba she sounded so strained. Each to their own!
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Post by tr252 on Jan 6, 2017 20:06:09 GMT
I don't think the book works at all in terms of serving its purpose of telling a story - I haven't seen the film so didn't have a clue what was going to happen, and I was thoroughly bemused at how dramatic moments just got swept aside - one moment it was implied the kid had been kidnapped, the next he's asleep in another room?! The IP address doesn't match - of course it wouldn't because the stalker sent letters, not emails! There's no real goodbye at the end at all. I'm afraid I found it laughably bad, and not in a so-bad-it's-good way like WWRY was. I thought the accents were for the most part pretty poor as well - only Rachel seemed to have a handle on what accent she was aiming for! It doesn't have to be a fine piece of drama, but it does need to make sense and be easily followed! I saw this show back in November for the first time and I have to agree with this. I did think Beverley and Rachel were fantastic. Ben Richards was like watching a plank of wood - is he like this all of the time? It was pretty cringey to see. I had to double check that the sister died - maybe it was obvious, but like you said it seemed to just jump along to the next scene and I was a little confused, half expecting to see the sister pop back up after a stint in hospital. I also agree about the kid being kidnapped part... and the fact that Rachel let her son just go off to bed on his own later on. Surely after a traumatic incident you would be keeping your family close and put your son to bed at night. I know it's a musical but a little more realism would have been nice, it just seemed rushed. The audience were pretty good when we were there - the older man behind us was giving a running commentary which could have been annoying but I actually found it hilarious and gave me quite a lot of amusement. When the stalker was pointing his laser into the crowd, a few people started laughing and I heard him go to his wife, "Well, I just don't find that funny.". I too haven't seen the film so have nothing to compare it to.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 4, 2017 10:54:02 GMT
Ms Tucker tweeted yesterday that she only has 24 shows left as Elphaba which got me thinking how quick this last run has been, but also how consistent both Rachel and Alice are. Apart from a few weeks immediately after cast change when Laura Emmitt was back standing by while Alice got rehearsed up, we've had no green emergencies and the role has only been played by Rachel or Alice - can't remember going so long without an u/s going on or an ex-Elphie getting an emergency call up! I agree. Plus I think Rachel has been very consistent over the past year that she's been playing the role on Broadway as well. I guess having played the role for so long she knows her voice and body inside out!
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Post by tr252 on Jan 2, 2017 12:37:33 GMT
Today is a bank holiday because New Year's Day fell on a Sunday. Lucky UK - we don't have that in Germany. When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, it's simply bad luck.. Ah I forgot you didn't live in the UK. We had Monday and Tuesday last week bank holidays because Christmas Day and Boxing Day was a Sunday and Monday.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 2, 2017 12:21:04 GMT
I agree with Shady, probably just a lot of people in London. Today is a bank holiday because New Year's Day fell on a Sunday.
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Post by tr252 on Jan 2, 2017 11:52:16 GMT
Anyone knows what was going on with today's dayseat queue? I was there early and first in line, but when the box office opened, the queue went back to the stage door. I've done a quick head count and ended up at roughly 75 persons, and it's a one show day... It weren't the usual fans either (in fact, I think I was the only one...) It's a bank holiday... New Year theatre trip for many since they couldn't go yesteday?
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Post by tr252 on Dec 31, 2016 14:51:33 GMT
Yes, her last last was incredible - what an experience. I didn't even mind the cheering because I could actually still hear her as I was sat in the cirle and the noise seemed to be coming mostly from the stalls.
I can't be at her last show this year but I am going the weekend before to see the matinee. I reckon this will be Rachel finished with Elphaba so I am looking forward to seeing her in the role one last time.
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Post by tr252 on Dec 29, 2016 16:23:41 GMT
The comment under this video are so over the top, e.g. "DEAD OMG"
Is it just me that thinks she sounds as flat as pancake when she goes for it? It's just a scream.
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Post by tr252 on Dec 28, 2016 14:49:08 GMT
I really don't understand where they find the time or money if I'm being completely honest. I'm all for people spending their money how they wish, of course, but to go every week is just so excessive.
Granted I live in Manchester but even finding a spare Saturday in November to see a matinee was hard enough.
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Post by tr252 on Dec 28, 2016 12:12:27 GMT
Give me a well sung to score Elphaba any day of the week over a riffed up performance, and I'm including Rachel in this who I have made no secret is my ultimate Elphaba but has been pulling riffs out all over the shop in her latest West End run. Don't get me wrong, they give me a thrill and they're executed very well but still, this score! It's amazing as it is!
There's another opinion that is not right or wrong...
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Post by tr252 on Dec 27, 2016 16:26:59 GMT
Have we honestly taken 178 pages to come to the conclusion that maybe, theatre is actually subjective? You wouldn't be human if you didn't form an opinion when you saw a show, or saw the same show with multiple different performers playing one role, but that doesn't make what you think the "definitive truth". In my opinion, Rachel is a fantastic and nuanced actress who gives a complex and multi-layered portrayal of Elphaba, formed from 4 years of experience playing the role across two continents. Also in my opinion, I find her a bit overly aggressive for the sake of it at times and I think her pronunciation of certain lines is slightly unnatural as clearly the meaning has been lost over the 1000+ shows. Nothing I have said in this paragraph, is correct, or indeed incorrect, you would be welcome to put a "not" in front of everything to express exactly the opposite to what I think, and you too would be equally valid in your thoughts. There is often a myth that there's a general consensus about who is good and who isn't, but that too means nothing, my favourite Elphaba is Ashleigh Gray and I know several people that would tell you she's a vocal damaged, broadly average, disproportionately popular standby who should never have been allowed near a lead role. Conversely, I'd say the same about Nikki Davis-Jones, but I know that she is several people's favourite. Being overrated is a vague and indefinable concept, and is too often used as a way of saying, "you might like them, but I don't". Everyone's thoughts are valid, but this nonsense about "so and so can't act" and "this person can't sing" is just stupid. I know we joke about cast members sleeping with casting producers, but that doesn't actually happen - at least not in Wicked - maybe in Kenwright tours *cough* Sarah Harding *cough*. Everyone who is cast in any role is done so because they are judged to be able to play that role, and of the 17 Elphabas I have seen, even my least favourite was still unmistakably adequate at what they do - and again, it's only my opinion that they were only "adequate" and not mindblowing from start to finish. Rachel can act, Emma can sing, Alice can growl, Jodie can belt, Cassidy Janson can switch from Defying Gravity into Natural Woman mid-sentence and hold an end note for longer than the entire run of I Can't Sing (okay, I made that last one up). Let us not dwell on how miscast we think perfectly well cast people are, and instead on why we like the performers we do. Excellent post.
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Post by tr252 on Dec 22, 2016 21:59:50 GMT
This sounded atrocious! It sounded like her vocal chords were ripping in half, this is not safe on her voice especially when on a good show she can barely hit the normal "Fiyero". Emma has been a disaster as lead, her acting is some of the most lifeless and bland we've had in the show, and her vocals are just far too strained, especially when she had an entire week off the week before this, probably due to vocal damage attempting to screech the score! Funny, coming from you, who's "queen" damaged her voice long term and here you're taking the piss and saying Emma was damaging her voice, this was nearly a year ago and where's Emma now? Still singing, doing her thing with no vocal damage what so ever, so you might wanna think before you say things! Calm down Emma.
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