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Post by westendwendy on May 5, 2017 20:51:39 GMT
It's a shame that the Bridewell website is so bad / I didn't know My Fair Lady with GEOIDS productions was even playing there. It's an odd and wonderful stage space at the same time. I didn't even know this was on!
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Post by westendwendy on May 5, 2017 17:49:56 GMT
A wonderful night. As an advert for musicals it worked really well. Made me want to see certain performers in action. Highlights Rachel Tucker/Defying Gravity such a full voiced version in comparison to La Menzel - effortless. Not better, just different and refreshing. Wow. Marisha Wallace/AIATY - grittier version than Amber - man, this girl was annnnggggry by the end. I'd like to go see her in the role to see what she brings to it. Amber made me cry first time I saw DG so would like to see Marisha in context of the show. Talented School of Rock kids giving it stacks on a stage the size of a postage stamp with Magic getting the first sneak preview of new alternate Steven Leask Simon Gleeson Beautiful rendition of Evermore - less keen on his Bring Him Home... bit shouty in places. Trevor Dion Nicholas - what a performer. Brought some star quality 'showbiz pizzazz' to proceedings strutting around the stage. A Commanding performance made me want to see more. Declan Bennett/Gethsemane - need to go see JCS again. Stripped down but powerful version Honourable mentions: Beautiful singing from Spirit kids but someone needs to rein in some of the theatrical gurning going on by a few. Loved Matt Henry in the Kinky Boots number - so classy and what a voice. Less great. Could've spread the big 'diva' numbers about a bit and livened up the first half. Hosts Mel and Ruthie. Their schtick seemed to be two middle aged women bumbling around in Asda who've lost their shopping list along with the plot. And I say this as a woman of a certain age who oft times has a bumble. Mel spent the evening lusting after, in no particular order Declan Bennett - huge cringey section of grabbing his discarded sweaty shirt and sniffing it and getting all 'unnecessary', Che's sexy accent, sailors (insert hunky sailor man in uniform joke here), bum cracks of technicians bending down doing their job. It was tired and predictable and I wonder if a male host had spent the evening doing the same to female performers would he have got away with it? Hi di his Peggy in desperate need of some bromide. The sound was appalling - mics coming in late, muddy sound at the start of School of Rock and On the Town. Wind In The Willows - grabbed my interest and high energy cast but some of the lyrics were lost. Really felt for the Mountview students choir backing the singers I couldn't hear them at all until the final Aladdin number when it seemed the sound desk found the on switch for their mics and they were competing with genie Trevor to see who could sing loudest. Conclusion - would book again - fabulous night, marvellous singing. Hosts and sound need looking at. 😊 Side note: Was it just me or did Ruthie sound exactly like Elaine Paige when announcing shows (listen in on Sunday see what you think) Totally agree on the sound - what a mess!!!! But I presume being a one off concert it's rather difficult to get the equipment needed as well as all the levels correct. Terrible balances, mics not working etc..
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Post by westendwendy on May 5, 2017 17:44:16 GMT
No they aren't. Even for next years 30th. I was told by the producer Meinolf no.
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Post by westendwendy on May 5, 2017 15:48:08 GMT
Also, it should go without saying but people are allowed to have opinions on thinking certain shows are better than others without being told to leave or delete their account. For GOODNESS sake Snutte - it was a jokkkkkkke!!!! Half a Sixpence is a terrific show and if anyone prefers that then fine. Haha.... Really... One question - are you English or American? And if so based here in the UK or the US?
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Post by westendwendy on May 4, 2017 22:57:14 GMT
The Magic of Musicals was a concert that was released on VHS starring Marti Webb and Mark Ratray (sp?) in the '90s. Couldn't they come up with something slightly more original over 20 years later? And with more inspired songs that aren't from these shows that have played since forever? It's not called Magic of Musicals it was "Magic" AT the Musicals. The whole point is that it's produced for a broadcast on Magic radio.
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War Paint
May 4, 2017 22:52:58 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on May 4, 2017 22:52:58 GMT
Having seen six show a few weeks ago - if I had to choose one to see again tomorrow it would be WarPaint. It's hysterical. Sure Patti chews her words but this show has some of the best one liners ever in a musical. I adored it. (Far super is to the mess Anastasia!) I can't wait for a cast recording! Christine is sublime....
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Post by westendwendy on May 4, 2017 22:13:43 GMT
42nd street is one of the best shows EVER!!! Please delete your profile....
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Post by westendwendy on May 4, 2017 21:54:51 GMT
What a great night at the Albert Hall. The Dreamgirls segments made the price of the ticket alone - wow! She was incredible. Super performances by Rachel Tucker also. Her Defying Gravity brought the house down. Biggest let down was John Partridge being self indulgent and eggy and Ruthie Henshaw who proved she can't present or really sing that well anymore. She's past it. Great spots from School of Rock, Kinky Boots, Lion King, Blood Brothers, Evita, La Cage... Did Bill Kenwright sponsor this?
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Post by westendwendy on May 1, 2017 5:41:01 GMT
I'm sure Dreamgirls and 42nd Street will get there!
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 28, 2017 6:53:14 GMT
Downloaded the two songs. Liisi's voice is not the best...
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 27, 2017 14:09:10 GMT
Musicians in major shows can earn double or almost triple ensemble members get paid. Yes I think that's overpaid - it's just because the MU musicians union is much better than actors equity!
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 27, 2017 13:04:04 GMT
Carousel the musical at the beautiful London Coliseum Theatre last night. I hated it - what a horrible production. Katherine Jenkins couldn't act, opera singers blending with musical theatre voices don't work, Alfie Bow walked around like he was holding a barrel under his arms and had no emotional connection to any songs, the whole concept awful, other parts miscast, the set pants and the whole show left me cold. The only good thing about it was the plastic bobby horse, the cute chorus, the overpaid orchestra and the end. Haha... Not even "You'll Never Walk Alone" affected me - no tears or choking up at the end of Carousel means something is disastrously wrong. A big fat spinning merry go round boring flop. 4/10.
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 26, 2017 8:16:33 GMT
It's not badly received... It's been on the West End three,(four if you include St James!) and is currently touring again!
Next conversation...
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Anastasia
Apr 26, 2017 0:00:04 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 26, 2017 0:00:04 GMT
I knew the important reviews for this would be mostly negative. The film in the 90s was amazing - the stage show I saw last week varied from great to bad to a big mess. Such a shame as the cast is very good just the production, book and direction generally poor. It needs a lot of work - there is a great show in there somwwhere! Has anyone else apart from me seen it on here?
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 25, 2017 23:56:56 GMT
I saw the prices for that venue and refused to book.....
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 25, 2017 23:26:03 GMT
I saw the show and Karen was on. I was expecting her to be not so good after reading comments on here - I thought she was great! Her And I Am Telling You wasn't smash hit standing ovation sensational but all the other songs including I Am Changing, One Night Only and Listen she smashed it. She also brought a bounce and cheeky smirk to the role, acted the journey well, owned the role and I thought she did a super job. I wasn't disappointed and glad I saw her. Well done Karen! Standing ovation at the end 9/10
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 24, 2017 16:44:22 GMT
This will never transfer to the West End. Period. Bette is on 150,000 dollars a week before a cut of the box office. It's too expensive and ticket prices in the West End are nowhere near what they are on Broadway (premium for this are 750!!!!) It will never ever happen sad to say.. It's a one off event.
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Follies
Apr 24, 2017 10:35:55 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 24, 2017 10:35:55 GMT
Are they doing any seats with Amex does anyone know?
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 22, 2017 12:41:14 GMT
My money is on Gaga for Elpheba
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 21, 2017 7:33:34 GMT
Locked up in a haunted lighthouse singing the worst songs possible with no storyline THE MUSICAL
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 21, 2017 6:33:38 GMT
Amazing news if Sutherland and Tarento work is seen around the UK. Out of my six shows I saw on Broadway last week I thought their Titantic and Ragtime blew them out of the water. (No pun intended) congrats to them...
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 20, 2017 21:12:04 GMT
Thanks, snutte. I personally did not bother addressing this because it's futile..while I make no pretense that Anastasia is the answer to the Broadway musical, and certainly think Groundhog Day is by far a "better show", Anastasia is certainly selling better. Anastasia hasn't opened yet. Plus I'm talking creatively and theatrically not about how many dollars it has made so far without having any reviews yet. It's common sense why that would be selling better as millions adored the movie musical and "Journey To The Past" is a belter loved by so many. I rushed to book a flight and ticket for Anastasia and Hello Dolly I wouldn't have for Groundhog Day despite it being a popular film. That said, I think GD is a better show than both of them. I know you dislike me being negative about Anastasia (I really wish I wasn't) - but wait until you see it yourselves guys. There is lots wrong with it when Groundhog Day in comparison is a solid and impressive piece of theatre.
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 20, 2017 21:05:34 GMT
If the part suits that - good for her she's super talented. I love the clips I've seen. I don't know why you even brought it up. It's about casting and nothing should be taken personally. Every casting director, agent, producer, director and actor like it or not should know that. Excited to see it!
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 20, 2017 20:03:09 GMT
It had a better set than Charlie on Broadway! Can't wait to see it in Wimbledon!
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 20, 2017 20:01:17 GMT
Having seen the mess that is Anastasia last week it is nowhere near the standard and success of Groundhog Day. Glad to see Andy is just doing 4 shows this week and taking it easy.
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 20, 2017 19:55:27 GMT
Crazy prices. From 20 pounds at Southwark (which is a nicer space) to 60 at the crumbling sticky floored Arts?! What a joke.... Great to see it has a future life but a bad move making it three times more expensive.
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 20, 2017 19:51:00 GMT
At this tonight, the WORST music I've ever witnessed in a musical in my life. What a horrible show. Nice cast but dreadful material. "Ring the belllsssss ring the bellsssss love the belllllssssss"... I rarely leave at the interval but this disaster made me think about leaving during act one! 1/10 AVOID. How on earth did this make it past a workshop? I love to support new work too - but what a turkey!
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 19, 2017 13:06:56 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 19, 2017 6:22:24 GMT
I have photos of all the other designs but I don't know how to upload. Either way they are all dreadful. It has a good advance so I doubt I will close this summer. I personally just think in the style of Love Never Dies someone somewhere will get it right one day! Such a shame though neither London or Broadway hit the nail on the head...
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 17, 2017 19:21:18 GMT
I finally saw "Come From Away" yesterday afternoon - a heartfelt musical about the stranded people in Newfoundland during 9/11 or as the show says 9/12. There's lots of hype for this one act 100 minute production and it didn't fail.... It celebrates human kindness, resilience, spirit and faith brilliantly with impressive performances from a cast that look just like your next door neighbours (real people). That said, I found it funnier and more entertaining than it was touching - and I wish they had pushed the real and raw angle more and balanced the emotion out (as well as adding a second act). I felt more sorry for the animals in the planes than the people in New York. Being such a sensitive issue - remarkably the show rarely goes there. I don't think the words Twin Towers were mentioned once. Still, a superb new show and the most creative I have seen during my trip to NYC. It will do well at the awards I think. 8/10 I'm not sure it would play in London sadly.
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