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Post by horton on May 1, 2020 15:08:47 GMT
This has gone spectacularly off the rails. Last time I checked, Tick Tick Boom ends with "m", not "c".
Nevertheless, following Chess (though I'm tempted to add Jeeves) here comes...
Sunset Boulevard
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Post by horton on May 1, 2020 13:56:15 GMT
Incidentally, that sofa is a shocker!
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Post by horton on Apr 30, 2020 18:57:37 GMT
Linzi Hately would do it superbly. I'm not for one moment suggesting she could sell it. But she would be brilliant.
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Post by horton on Apr 27, 2020 17:25:20 GMT
How desperate are we that a show can be considered good DESPITE it's story? I feel sorry for all those mugs who worked hard to make score, book and lyrics as incredible as possible for other shows, when apparently there's no need. I guess all the shows you love are perfect from beginning to end. I can't say I am fond of any where you have to turn a blind eye to THE STORY! And even worse, people have to especially hold their nose to the ending. And yet it's still "nice".
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Post by horton on Apr 27, 2020 8:08:03 GMT
How desperate are we that a show can be considered good DESPITE it's story?
I feel sorry for all those mugs who worked hard to make score, book and lyrics as incredible as possible for other shows, when apparently there's no need.
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Post by horton on Apr 26, 2020 7:34:54 GMT
I’m not sure that suggesting that UK politicians of any persuasion are in the market for killing people off is very helpful. If we could keep the discussion rational please? I was under the impression this was a joke thread, no? I certainly wasn't intending to be "helpful".
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Post by horton on Apr 25, 2020 11:19:00 GMT
Not a musical, but Godot.
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Post by horton on Apr 23, 2020 22:35:29 GMT
Fingers crossed...
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Post by horton on Apr 23, 2020 22:34:14 GMT
Imelda has become the hammiest ham in Ham-town. I am baffled by her popularity. I'll stick with my memories of Bette, thanks.
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Post by horton on Apr 21, 2020 11:42:33 GMT
This was one of the worst set of principals and worst-directed shows I've seen in a LONG time. Charmless and witless, apart from a couple of skilled veterans in the chorus who clearly belonged in a much better production. So glad I didn't have to leave the house for this!
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Post by horton on Apr 20, 2020 9:40:42 GMT
Bit scared by Arlene Phillips choreographing it. Her best years are behind her to put it politely. "Best years"- ha!
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Post by horton on Apr 20, 2020 8:19:57 GMT
Now I simply cannot stop envisioning a Spooky Mormon Hell Dream Version of Dolly. Starring Imelda this was actually the correct title
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Post by horton on Apr 19, 2020 7:35:10 GMT
Yes. Or no. Or yes? Isn’t she contractually obliged to appear in every professional musical in Australia ? I'd be happy with that.
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Post by horton on Apr 17, 2020 13:26:17 GMT
Elaine Paige is the obvious replacement, surely? Haven’t people suffered enough this year?! She cannot do comedy and can only play grotesques. No way. Plus she can’t shift tickets like Imelda. I've certainly seen her being funny in the past. Imelda has turned into a grimacing gargoyle. I couldn't even watch Follies until after she'd been replaced. She would un-sell any show to me (and in retrospect, I realize she was the only thing I hated about Into the Woods at the Phoenix, when she wasn't nearly so well-known. Ian Bartholomew, on the other hand, was a delight). Josie Lawrence would be interesting and Dawn French could be incredible, but I was just thinking about people who might get cast rather than dream casting.
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Post by horton on Apr 16, 2020 23:09:15 GMT
Elaine Paige is the obvious replacement, surely?
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Post by horton on Apr 14, 2020 9:42:18 GMT
If there was a clear timetable of how this pandemic will proceed, agencies, theatres and producers would make definite decisions.
However we just don't know a) what the bug will do and b) how the government will respond. Will we be allowed to open theatres in July? August? September? January?
Will open air theatres open earlier? Will theatres have to sell alternate seats?
None of us know, which is why producers, theatres and agencies are trying to tread water as long as patience allows.
I have huge sympathy for all ticket outlets- they simply do not have systems on stand-by to deal with this many exchanges/ refunds all in one go- emergency plans are one thing, but who could reasonably envisage the closure of all events nationwide for 3- 6 months? I don't think it's something any of use could have imagined.
There is so much uncertainty at present, I think the wisest strategy is not to make promises that can't be fulfilled later.
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Post by horton on Apr 13, 2020 17:17:53 GMT
There are so many roles he could have taken on stage, but he never seemed that interested in a theatre career.
I don't know why, but I would have loved him to play the Major General.
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Post by horton on Apr 12, 2020 19:15:45 GMT
Sounds bleak- we may as well all start applying for jobs in Tesco.
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Post by horton on Apr 11, 2020 12:44:07 GMT
I've seen too many recessions to think the Arts won't get the sh*t kicked out of them. I agree that at times like this, tastes become more conservative. The metropolitan working from home experience is not shared by the vast majority of the country.
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Post by horton on Apr 11, 2020 8:24:00 GMT
Following the uniquely massive financial stimulus and support for those who can't work, the government will be penniless.
Expect savage cuts to all "non-essential" services, including to the Arts: a swathe of funded venues and companies face closure.
If you thought austerity was bad...
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Post by horton on Apr 9, 2020 22:22:37 GMT
I hope this isn't true. I'd always assumed Cameron Mackintosh was one of the more generous producers. He isn't. I don't know if this story is true though.
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Post by horton on Apr 8, 2020 8:14:23 GMT
The theatre world is a poorer place without a monkey in it
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Post by horton on Apr 7, 2020 8:40:11 GMT
I think cinemas and theatres will have the greater mountain to climb to entice people back because of the close proximity. It will happen, it just might take a little while. I think a lot of older people and immuno-compromised people will still be very cautious of a second wave. I know I for one don't want to catch it at any point in time! Unless theatres do things like alternate seating- or open air shows, I think a lot of the core grey-haired audience will be slow to return. I am talking to lots of other producers who are looking at 2021, because they have decided 2020 is a write-off.
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Post by horton on Apr 6, 2020 20:45:09 GMT
Is that like the misinformation the national press is allowed to issue about "routine tests"?
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Post by horton on Apr 2, 2020 10:21:31 GMT
End of June is date I've been given repeatedly as the very earliest theatres can open. The knock-on consequences for scheduling are anyone's guess.
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Post by horton on Mar 30, 2020 16:40:51 GMT
Sorry, I thought the cancellation had been announced, but since as you point out, this is a speculation thread, I am sure my industry colleagues, who will have heard what I have heard, will realize that it is not left to me to confirm anything on this board. Try not to sound sanctimonious.
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Post by horton on Mar 30, 2020 8:21:24 GMT
When the theatres closed initially, I was told they would be shut for 12 weeks- which would take us up to late June. If that is the time theatres can resume operations, allow for a week to re-tech and prepare for public opening. That's if everything goes to plan!
So sad for Stephen Schwartz- Children of Eden (though far from perfect) was finished off by the Gulf War. Now this. So much for there being miracles if you believe. The hardest part of love is letting go.
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Post by horton on Mar 26, 2020 16:12:34 GMT
The shut down occurred literally as rehearsals were about to begin. Whenever theatres re-open, Hairspray will still need time to actually rehearse before opening.
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Post by horton on Mar 24, 2020 22:37:56 GMT
very, very sad
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Post by horton on Mar 24, 2020 12:04:14 GMT
I was due to be at Leeds Grand Theatre today which, unlike the nearby Playhouse, is solely a receiving house. This is the exact wording from the cancellation email I received on Tuesday: "If you can afford to, please consider donating the cost of your tickets - the money will be split between the theatre and company who was bringing the production to the venue." Although there is no specific reference to percentages, if it's on a 50/50 basis, Leeds Grand will actually receive the largest share, as it has already changed a non-refundable £3 booking fee. I don't want either the 'landlord' or 'tenant' to fail but, after some thought, I've asked for a refund, which I'm then going to donate to Northern Ballet, the company I was supposed to be seeing. The split is generally around 70-30 in simple terms in favour of the producer, though the deal can vary depending on the desirability of the show, length of run, merchandise agreements, presence or absence of an interval (allowing for booze sales) etc etc The producer does not receive any of the booking fees in my experience (maybe I do bad deals?)
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