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Post by mrbarnaby on May 19, 2023 23:40:12 GMT
I'd take this with a grain of salt, a VERY small grain (it's Jamie Lloyd after all) but I hear it's going to have a big set and that ALW wants to take to Broadway later down the line since the planned Evita revival is quote "not ready". Not sure if it will include Nicole as well but it's currently not in her contract to be first on Broadway. Rubbish. A 16 week run won’t pay for much of a set, let alone a big one. And even if they did do that- it wouldn’t work on Broadway and would have to be rebuilt. It’s going to be an another stage and some microphones. That’ll be it. |
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Post by mattnyc on May 20, 2023 0:28:41 GMT
I'd take this with a grain of salt, a VERY small grain (it's Jamie Lloyd after all) but I hear it's going to have a big set and that ALW wants to take to Broadway later down the line since the planned Evita revival is quote "not ready". Not sure if it will include Nicole as well but it's currently not in her contract to be first on Broadway. Rubbish. A 16 week run won’t pay for much of a set, let alone a big one. And even if they did do that- it wouldn’t work on Broadway and would have to be rebuilt. It’s going to be an another stage and some microphones. That’ll be it. They could bring in the “Masquerade” staircase from our closed PHANTOM…. |
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Post by annette on May 20, 2023 1:01:02 GMT
Julian Ovenden?
Jamie Muscato?
Giles Terera?
Wesley Taylor, Jason Veasey or Aaron Lazar ( if it’s permissible to bring over actors from The US)
Jonathan Bailey ( it it doesn’t clash with Wicked filming)
Alex Gaumond?
The first actor to play the role of Hamilton in the UK ((his name escapes me momentarily).
Luke Evans?
Aneurin Barnard
Harry Styles (stranger things have happened) 😏
…and I’m sure Philip Scofield will be looking for work shortly ( he has proven his mighty musical/acting chops in Joseph and Dr Doolittle 🤨).
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Post by BVM on May 20, 2023 5:05:26 GMT
Quite. And Sunset is in no way a perfect show. I’ve never quite got over the fact that aside from the title song, the tune of which we hear all through act 1, there are only two new songs in Act 2 (AIWNSG and Too much in Love)…everything else is a reprise. I always feel like the the opening 20 minutes is wonderful and the rest is all a bit lazy. Just my opinion of course. Aren't there 'sort of' 3 new songs in Act 2 - kicking off with the title song. We hear its introduction (not the main melody) before Joe's very first sung lines in Act 1, and the main melody does feature when Joe's car turns into the mansion during the musically wonderful 'Car Chase'. But isn't it substantially held back for the top of Act 2, or have a I forgotten another use in Act 1? I remember first seeing the show on the Faith Brown tour. I do agree there could be more new music in Act 2, but that had an interesting affect on 'Too Much In Love To Care'. Never my favourite on the CD it was absolutely brilliant in story placement, and I think that partly comes from it being a new breath of fresh air amidst the suffocating situation - borne out by the repeated music. That could just be an excuse for recycling Act 1's motifs - but in this case I think it does have meaning; while having a downside as well. Yes I agree. Sunset Boulevard is definitely an Act 2 song (with motifs and phrases heard in Act 1). A bit like Masquerade in Phantom - the melody also heard in Act 1 but the “main event” is top of Act 2. In fact it’s not atypical of ALW musicals of that era. Only Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again and the main body of Past The Point Of No Return are melodies not heard in some format in Act 1. Oh and (the very short but very wonderful) Twisted Every Way. As others have alluded to, Act 2 especially is a full body of music, interwoven with reprising themes. (And with lush orchestrations, it works for most). Unlike Cats and Starlight which are mainly discrete songs. |
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Post by BVM on May 20, 2023 5:07:58 GMT
Well first off, kudos to all those who started the speculation on here. When I saw the "rumor" posting that had "rumor" mentioned 5 times in the first 5 sentences I really didn't think it was a real story. Happy to be proven wrong. Sunset remains one of my all time favorites/tied with Aspects. So now I'm thinking I might have to bite the bullet and come in the Fall for a 4 day stay to see both (and maybe Phantom just because) - not a bad way to spend my 50th birthday  Anyway - the thing that gets me excited about this production - NS can sing. And if it has a full orchestra and its well sung, that is enough to make me happy. I saw a 70+ year old Glen Close with a 40 piece orchestra and practically no set 5 times and loved it each time. (Had zero interest in the actors play instruments interpretation) And I'm open to a new /fresh production. We have to remember, 30 years later the idea of "Silent films" is even more foreign to a modern audience. But the idea of being used and dismissed as a celebrity and the shattering it can do to a person is more relatable, even more so in a social-media obsessed world. So there's some universals here that could make this even more impactful for sure in the right hands. You definitely should come over! I’d be amazed if we ever have Aspects and Sunset together in the West End again. And the current Phantom cast are wonderful! |
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Post by carmella1 on May 20, 2023 5:45:09 GMT
I do not know why, but could the reimagining be something like an older rocker who was big but now finds no audience for her music and Joe be turned into a songwriter? Or is that too close to A Star is Born? Most Joe's would be too close to her age. I do not get Rob Houchen as world weary.
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Post by newyorkcityboy on May 20, 2023 7:35:41 GMT
Julian Ovenden? Jamie Muscato? Giles Terera? Wesley Taylor, Jason Veasey or Aaron Lazar ( if it’s permissible to bring over actors from The US) Jonathan Bailey ( it it doesn’t clash with Wicked filming) Alex Gaumond? The first actor to play the role of Hamilton in the UK ((his name escapes me momentarily). Luke Evans? Aneurin Barnard Harry Styles (stranger things have happened) 😏 …and I’m sure Philip Scofield will be looking for work shortly ( he has proven his mighty musical/acting chops in Joseph and Dr Doolittle 🤨). Julian Ovenden and Philip Schofield are both older than Nicole - and Luke Evans is only a year younger 😀 |
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 20, 2023 7:50:13 GMT
I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring an American over for Joe
Phillip S is on the verge of being cancelled so he won’t be turning up in this!
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Post by theatremiss on May 20, 2023 8:35:51 GMT
I have a feeling NS wouldn’t want to be “aged” I don't know I think she'd be up for it I get the impression she's quite a laugh and also think she takes acting things quite serious based on some interviews I've seen her do back in the day. Someone I know who worked on Cats said NS wanted to be a more glam Grizabella so I’m not hopeful |
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2023 10:07:59 GMT
I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring an American over for Joe Phillip S is on the verge of being cancelled so he won’t be turning up in this!
With all the hubbub about AI the past few weeks, I do wonder if someone is at work on an app that scans all your online posts and perhaps eavesdrops on your conversations so that it can send you an "early warning alert" of sorts: "Your recent activity suggests you have a 37.5% chance of being canceled within the next 45 days. Do plan accordingly."
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Post by max on May 20, 2023 10:10:21 GMT
Hehe - I was being fake naive. But yes...'that' situation. : ) Nevertheless, I'm holding out for Patti as Max in the reimagined version. |
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Post by max on May 20, 2023 10:18:27 GMT
Is ALW writing a CATS sequel by stealth?: CHIMPS. They feature in 3 of his musicals, and elsewhere there's monkeys.
Sunset Boulevard: Chimp
The Woman In White: Chimp
Tell Me On A Sunday: Chimp (Marti Webb started this whole shizzle)
The Phantom Of The Opera: Monkey
Love Never Dies: Monkey
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Post by annette on May 20, 2023 10:33:20 GMT
I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring an American over for Joe Phillip S is on the verge of being cancelled so he won’t be turning up in this! The mention of ‘Scofe’ on the list was a jape, but this could be a chance of Ant and Dec to alternate come to think of it. Hayden Oakley was another name that came to mind.Also Bertie Carvel. And if they do bring an actor over from the US, Aaron Tveit would be on my wish list. Nicole S seems a very strange fit to me. Jinkx Monsoon would fit the bill better ( did anyone see her singing the number from ‘Chicago’ on the last RP final? She was sensational). |
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Post by annette on May 20, 2023 10:39:34 GMT
Julian Ovenden? Jamie Muscato? Giles Terera? Wesley Taylor, Jason Veasey or Aaron Lazar ( if it’s permissible to bring over actors from The US) Jonathan Bailey ( it it doesn’t clash with Wicked filming) Alex Gaumond? The first actor to play the role of Hamilton in the UK ((his name escapes me momentarily). Luke Evans? Aneurin Barnard Harry Styles (stranger things have happened) 😏 …and I’m sure Philip Scofield will be looking for work shortly ( he has proven his mighty musical/acting chops in Joseph and Dr Doolittle 🤨). Julian Ovenden and Philip Schofield are both older than Nicole - and Luke Evans is only a year younger 😀 But ultimately does that matter as long as the age gap isn’t glaring. Whatever age Norma is supposed to be, however ‘reimagined’ this production is going to be, they’ll surely going to have to age NS up a bit? There’s certainly nothing of the ‘faded’ beauty about her naturally and if anything she looks younger than she is ( I always get her mixed up with Kim Kardashian, but my eyesight is not as good as it once was). |
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Post by newyorkcityboy on May 20, 2023 10:56:07 GMT
Julian Ovenden and Philip Schofield are both older than Nicole - and Luke Evans is only a year younger 😀 But ultimately does that matter as long as the age gap isn’t glaring. Whatever age Norma is supposed to be, however ‘reimagined’ this production is going to be, they’ll surely going to have to age NS up a bit? There’s certainly nothing of the ‘faded’ beauty about her naturally and if anything she looks younger than she is ( I always get her mixed up with Kim Kardashian, but my eyesight is not as good as it once was). Depends how different they’re going. The core of the piece is that Norma is washed up yet still very much hopeful/deluded. While Joe, though younger, is already world-weary and cynical. They are distorted mirror images of each other. It works for a while, till Joe finds hope, causing Norma to lose hers. It doesn’t really work if Joe is older than her. She already has a father figure in Cecil B DeMille. |
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Post by dan28 on May 20, 2023 11:28:38 GMT
This role is all about head voice, painting with the sung notes. Finesse.
So I am thrilled with this casting. She is already miles ahead of Glenn Close.
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Post by Scswp on May 20, 2023 12:24:34 GMT
This role is all about head voice, painting with the sung notes. Finesse. So I am thrilled with this casting. She is already miles ahead of Glenn Close. Really? Like most roles, Norma involved some use of mixed and head voice, but the majority of the role is sung in chest voice, isn’t it? Certainly Norma’s two big songs have impact because of the use of chest voice. |
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Post by dan28 on May 20, 2023 13:23:28 GMT
Of course the endings of the songs have more chest voice but the whole building up should be based on head/mix if you ask me.
A form of delicate craftmanship that not many people have.
Debra Byrne is my favourite Norma who understands this very well. When I hear her sing, I always picture that that's what Gloria Swanson of the original film should sound like, if the role was written as a sung role.
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Post by magnificentdonkey on May 20, 2023 16:04:30 GMT
In fact it’s not atypical of ALW musicals of that era. Only Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again and the main body of Past The Point Of No Return are melodies not heard in some format in Act 1. Oh and (the very short but very wonderful) Twisted Every Way.Funnily enough, Twisted Every Way IS heard in Act 1 as well, being a part of ''Prima Donna'' there. It is in fact used as a counterpoint to the main melody and is sung by the Managers with the lyrics of: Who'd believe a diva
happy to relieve a chorus girl,
who's gone and slept with the patron?
Raoul and the soubrette,
entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur,
he must have been with her!
You'd never get away
with all this in a play,
but if it's loudly sung
and in a foreign tongue
it's just the sort of story
audiences adore,
in fact a perfect opera!This is the exact tune used in Act 2 for Twisted Every Way. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. |
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Post by showtoones on May 20, 2023 17:00:59 GMT
I want to thank 42ndblvd for sharing this information with us on Monday. Everyone came for this poster saying it was made up when they were just trying to send this information to the people who are really interested in it.
So thank you.
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Post by Rory on May 20, 2023 17:06:01 GMT
I want to thank 42ndblvd for sharing this information with us on Monday. Everyone came for this poster saying it was made up when they were just trying to send this information to the people who are really interested in it. So thank you. Hear, hear! |
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Post by BVM on May 20, 2023 17:10:16 GMT
In fact it’s not atypical of ALW musicals of that era. Only Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again and the main body of Past The Point Of No Return are melodies not heard in some format in Act 1. Oh and (the very short but very wonderful) Twisted Every Way.Funnily enough, Twisted Every Way IS heard in Act 1 as well, being a part of ''Prima Donna'' there. It is in fact used as a counterpoint to the main melody and is sung by the Managers with the lyrics of: Who'd believe a diva
happy to relieve a chorus girl,
who's gone and slept with the patron?
Raoul and the soubrette,
entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur,
he must have been with her!
You'd never get away
with all this in a play,
but if it's loudly sung
and in a foreign tongue
it's just the sort of story
audiences adore,
in fact a perfect opera!This is the exact tune used in Act 2 for Twisted Every Way. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. Wow well spotted you're completely right! Mind blown lol. Especially as that is my fave section of lyrics in Prima Donna (You'd never get away with all this in a play, but if it's loudly sung and in a foreign tongue it's just the sort of story audiences adore, in fact a perfect opera! - brilliant!) and I love Twisted Every Way. But in 35 years I'd never noticed it was the same melody. So there truly is very little new in Act 2 Phantom - yet still a sensational score. |
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Post by jr on May 20, 2023 18:39:47 GMT
I have never heard of NS. For me a star is someone who most people can recognise, specially regular theatre goers. Jamie Lloyd I know, and like sometimes. Enjoy! Thanks. I've done my research  Still, in my opinion, not a theatre/film star, which is what I was expecting before the announcement. But hey, she seems much loved, so enjoy the show. |
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Post by singingbird on May 20, 2023 21:53:11 GMT
Not much to add to this except it's completely bizarre and out of nowhere. Is there really a market for this?? I thought it far more likely we'd be getting the gay male Tell Me on a Sunday or a new Starlight Express.
I'm not complaining, though. I have no opinion on NS, other than she seems miscast in this. I have loved Jamie LLoyd's work but this isn't a high concept show like Evita or Assassins, where you have set piece scenes that don't exist in objective reality. This is a largely naturalistic show, albeit a heightened slightly dreamlike one - so it seems an odd fit for him. But I love this show and I'll never turn down an opportunity to see a new take on it.
Isn't Don Black having a good run this year? Bonnie & Clyde, Aspects, Third Man and now this.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2023 22:18:43 GMT
I'm totally ready for the gay male mashup of Tell Me On a Sunday on the New Starlight Express.
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