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Post by steve10086 on Sept 20, 2023 11:40:44 GMT
Also, this is being co produced by Michael Harrison - I can't imagine this will be particularly lavish. Don't expect the AV set - it ain't gonna be that I do certainly wonder about this. I don't think I've ever seen a lavish MH production! His Joseph was SUCH a let down compared to the 1991 RUG one. So yes, despite ALW's promises on immersiveness, I can't see an extensive AV/Bochum style set with three huge tracks on multi-levels. (Though hope I am wrong!). I image massive use of projections, video, lasers, LED screens etc etc.... That’s my concern. The original Palladium Joseph was my first show, and one of my all time favourites, and it was just as good when it came to the Adelphi years later. But the MH version of Joseph at the Palladium was awful. Hope he doesn’t repeat this with Starlight. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 20, 2023 12:02:20 GMT
Here's a interesting video from Youtube's Wait In The Wings Thankyou for that- a fascinating watch. I’d forgotten just how spectacular that set was- especially in NYC. I do think if they get this right, it could run and run. There aren’t that many big shows for families to go and watch- Lion King, Frozen… so I think there’s a gap for a huge show like this, but as someone said- pricing will be key , particularly in todays climate. |
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Post by BVM on Sept 20, 2023 12:15:12 GMT
I think it's very optimistic to slate this to sell out, or even sell well, if only because of the theatre. It's an excellent venue and I'd love for it to host successful productions, but the long haul out to Wembley is a hard sell to many. That said, I'll probably make a trip (pending the prices), maybe waiting to see if it does sell or whether it goes the way of Newsies with the heavy discounts. Even as somebody who is not partial to ALW productions on the whole, this is an iconic production and one that I have to go see, even if not for the material itself. Every single time you post, my brain goes... "PUNX-A-TAWWW-AWWW-NEY! (is a little town with a heart as big as any town)." My head literally sings your username. Loudly! I love Groundhog Day btw :-) |
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Post by BVM on Sept 20, 2023 12:18:42 GMT
Here's a interesting video from Youtube's Wait In The Wings Thankyou for that- a fascinating watch. I’d forgotten just how spectacular that set was- especially in NYC. I do think if they get this right, it could run and run. There aren’t that many big shows for families to go and watch- Lion King, Frozen… so I think there’s a gap for a huge show like this, but as someone said- pricing will be key , particularly in todays climate. The NYC set was insane. Even though it didn't encircle the audience like London (or go to front of Circle) it surely must be the biggest most technically impressive proscenium (plus extension) set ever! Four levels connected by bridges, see-saws, profiles.... Gutted I was too young to ever have seen it in NYC. John Napier is just a genius. It's a long slightly painful story how the show didn't take off there. |
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Post by max on Sept 20, 2023 12:21:53 GMT
With 'immersive' a lot of set spectacle can be substituted by the spectacle of fellow-audience reaction. So MH may not short change even if physical set doesn't wow. Cost goes into audience management; though here (with dangerous skating) the audience won't be interspersed with performers when skating at least.
Some kind of velodrome shape might work with higher tiers of track too so they're not just circling. Main dramatic action in the middle like field events in athletics.
Audience sections for fans of particular racers? Could be hilarious: self declared misogynists all corralled into the Greaseball area; geeks and dreamers in Rusty; and people who switch and change their frequency being fabulous in the Electra zone.
Food court opportunities:
Dinah's Diner.
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Post by d'James on Sept 20, 2023 12:40:00 GMT
With 'immersive' a lot of set spectacle can be substituted by the spectacle of fellow-audience reaction. So MH may not short change even if physical set doesn't wow. Cost goes into audience management; though here (with dangerous skating) the audience won't be interspersed with performers when skating at least. Some kind of velodrome shape might work with higher tiers of track too so they're not just circling. Main dramatic action in the middle like field events in athletics. Audience sections for fans of particular racers? Could be hilarious: self declared misogynists all corralled into the Greaseball area; geeks and dreamers in Rusty; and people who switch and change their frequency being fabulous in the Electra zone. Food court opportunities: Dinah's Diner. Sadly they got rid of Buffy, but I guess Carrie could be in charge of the cloakroom. |
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Post by marob on Sept 20, 2023 13:12:15 GMT
I know nothing about this other than it’s singing trains on roller skates. That’s so bonkers that I have to see it.
Venue is off-putting though. I like the space, but the one time I went nearly put paid to a two-show day. The underground wasn’t running to the station round the corner. Had to get the Bakerloo line, which was reduced service, to Wembley Central then walk the rest of the way. Then the show was half an hour late starting. Only got to the evening show with about three minutes to spare.
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Post by max on Sept 20, 2023 13:18:12 GMT
d'james: "Sadly they got rid of Buffy, but I guess Carrie could be in charge of the cloakroom". Sadly it took me a while to compute Buffy = Buffet. This show is too sophisticated for me.  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 20, 2023 13:29:37 GMT
Here's a interesting video from Youtube's Wait In The Wings Hyperbole alert before anyone watches that. “Every night after rehearsals the cast removed the bloodstained bandages to reveal their blistering, fractured feet” . Ok hun 🙄 |
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Post by alece10 on Sept 20, 2023 16:16:01 GMT
"Burnt their eyes from the sweat dripping in them" Pleaseeeeee!
Trust the Yanks to be over dramatic.
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Post by steve10086 on Sept 20, 2023 18:54:55 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role?
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Post by viserys on Sept 20, 2023 18:56:53 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role? He gets an overhaul and emerges for the final race as Sunny, the solar-powered train. |
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Post by steve10086 on Sept 20, 2023 19:01:36 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role? He gets an overhaul and emerges for the final race as Sunny, the solar-powered train. But apparently he’s still “steam” powered?! And I guess Electra is no longer “the engine of the future”. It’s the world turned upside down!!! |
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Post by d'James on Sept 20, 2023 19:17:31 GMT
He gets an overhaul and emerges for the final race as Sunny, the solar-powered train. But apparently he’s still “steam” powered?! And I guess Electra is no longer “the engine of the future”. It’s the world turned upside down!!! Steam doesn’t only have to come from coal. Maybe he’s nuclear. Rewrite Light At The End Of The Tunnel instead of ‘Nuclear Fission Leaves A Nasty Emission,’ they will sing ‘Burning Coal Leaves A Nasty Ozone Hole.’ Maybe they’ll all convert to clean energy at the end but it gets way too complicated. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2023 19:36:35 GMT
A lot depends who can rollerskate go a decent level as regards casting wouldn't it. Kinda. Though I can't lie, I'd pay good money to see Michael Ball pulled along on a shopping trolley. I always think of another ALW alumni when I think of rollerskating the legendary Michael Crawford. I think there is more chance of seeing that Michael back on skates personally and when will he finally get his deserved knighthood. |
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Post by max on Sept 20, 2023 20:25:11 GMT
But apparently he’s still “steam” powered?! And I guess Electra is no longer “the engine of the future”. It’s the world turned upside down!!! Steam doesn’t only have to come from coal. Maybe he’s nuclear. Rewrite Light At The End Of The Tunnel instead of ‘Nuclear Fission Leaves A Nasty Emission,’ they will sing ‘Burning Coal Leaves A Nasty Ozone Hole.’ Maybe they’ll all convert to clean energy at the end but it gets way too complicated. This post took me back to 'A Strange Loop'. As Che said: 'Can't think why...' |
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Post by erik24601 on Sept 20, 2023 22:50:05 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role? Or it could just be a retro piece set in the 80s still… |
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Post by d'James on Sept 21, 2023 0:06:45 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role? Or it could just be a retro piece set in the 80s still… That would be the dream. |
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Post by erik24601 on Sept 21, 2023 0:09:39 GMT
Here's a interesting video from Youtube's Wait In The Wings I don’t think I’ll ever be able to unsee Elaine Paige as Thomas the Tank Engine…. |
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Post by steve10086 on Sept 21, 2023 7:21:08 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role? Or it could just be a retro piece set in the 80s still… Except that ALW has already said “it’s not about dirty old coal powered steam engines, our steam engine is an engine of the future”. |
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Post by showtoones on Sept 21, 2023 7:38:35 GMT
Does anyone know how long the first booking period will be?
X
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Post by theatrefan62 on Sept 21, 2023 7:54:35 GMT
Or it could just be a retro piece set in the 80s still… Except that ALW has already said “it’s not about dirty old coal powered steam engines, our steam engine is an engine of the future”. Maybe they'll be more literal and it's set in space in the future, a bit like the Orient Express Dr Who episode. |
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Post by anthony40 on Sept 21, 2023 15:00:47 GMT
Or (can you guess) it's re-imagined!
Everything else seems to be, or it's a concert version, so why not Starlight Express?
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Oct 16, 2023 6:39:56 GMT
Anyone have any info on the pre-sale and onsale dates?
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 16, 2023 9:34:10 GMT
There isn't even a seating plan yet so like...it's gonna be a while.
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