Mrs Henderson Presents - Noel Coward Theatre

i strive to be you! x

What a lovely production this is, I had a charming evening at this show last night.

It's old fashioned and niche, I don't imagine it lasting beyond it's current limited run at the Noel Coward theatre but if to goes to the right venues will work to go out and tour.

I have only seen the film once (I recall on a plane years ago) so I don't know the movie inside out and only remembered the vague storyline so felt quite fresh to the plot again going in and hurrah there was a plot and was a good book - although my big niggle was the awful man from 'Eastenders' - it was unfunny and cringed every time he broke the fourth wall - If I had my way the character would be completely cut.

I thought the songs were suited to the piece, I don't think it is the most memorable score in the world and there isn't a break-out song but all sung well and all quite charming.

The audience in last night was an older crowd, I was in stalls row D and the 3 levels seemed full - I think the 4th level was closed. Standing ovation at the end, I could be swayed to go along to this again during it's run. I must say it was a lovely audience, not a single bad behaviour spotted - no checking of phones, full silence when the overture started!! 

I agree with the above that I really don't understand the criticism of Tracie... thought she was fabulous!

Knew nothing about the show (completely missed it in Bath) and have never seen the movie, but found it really enjoyable.

Emma Williams is a star - she shines throughout the show and her portrayal of Maureen's journey from a shy girl to a Windmill girl was completely believable. I'm so happy to have her back on a West End stage, and I do hope she'll finally be cast as Glinda.

The Lord Chamberlain choreography was truly bizarre and completely out of place. Wonder who came up with that stupid idea to keep it. And get rid of that "comedian". He was barely OK during his first 2 or 3 appearances, but after that I was rolling my eyes and moaning whenever he entered the stage again.

The score worked well during the show but isn't very memorable - apart from "If Mountains Were Easy To Climb" which I was still humming on the way back to my hotel - and which sent shivers down my spine when Emma Williams sung it in the show.

The lightbulb moment was genius.

As they are doing Thursday Matinees, I'll be returning in April.

My seat was in row C which is now the front row. Wasn't though back when I booked as they've removed the first two or three rows since then. While I usually like sitting up front, I wish I had asked for being moved further back. The view is great, but the legroom is terribly cramped - and I'm only 5'10. My legs were still hurting 30min after the show. These seats would be OK for dayseat prices, but asking for full price is an impudence.

And just one last thing: All the Windmill girls are gorgeous, and it is completely beyond my understanding how anyone could come up with anything different.

Why not? Apart from her fixation on originating roles, I can't see a single reason to not take over as Glinda. It's one of the most iconic roles in Musical Theatre, and she'd be more than capable of playing her.

Would you two have said the same if I had proposed her for Fantine?

Then we have to agree to disagree. Glinda is a much more high profile role than Fantine, and I could easily see Emma as Glinda but not so much as Fantine. Actually, I think Fantine would be a step back in her career - leading vs supporting (at best) role.

And hasn't Fantine been recently cast rather young? I can only guess, but Celinde Schoenmaker is/looks younger than Emma.

I still think Emma would be perfect as Glinda and hope she'll be cast.

She's said before (and fairly recently) that she'd like to do Glinda and has auditioned but not got it before, so that seems to not rule it out. And given how hard she's had to work to get back into the West End (was Love Story 3 or 4 years ago?) and that she's had a bit of a drought of work, I would think the chance to be based in London for a year and to get on the radar of directors etc. would be welcome. Most recently, she's done an ATG tour and Mrs Henderson (which was a punt as there was no guaranteed West End run) so I'd think Glinda would be a step up in some ways. I think it'd be an interesting choice and probably enough to tempt me back to see Wicked for the first time in ages.

Wicked has not just one, but two of the biggest Musical Theatre roles ever... it is no surprise at all every female performer is compared to these roles, therefore no surprise they are brought up regularly.

I've been a fan of emma williams since her Chitty days but she is also a frustrating actress to be a fan of just because she prefers to originate roles.

She is not too big to accept a replacement role at all, and actually recently this forum has shown how many people had never heard of her. Much as I love her she does have a string of flops behind her, and she could really do with a big role to get her wider recognition. The Sound of Music dubacle was such a missed opportunity as that could have really got her more attention

Emma has said numerous times Glinda is one of her dream roles and I could see her in the role, she has one of the most beautiful sopranos and can be funny too. I just think she may sadly be getting too old for the role

I'm surprised she has yet to play Miss Honey as she workshopped the role.

Funnily enough she was rumoured for Fantine a couple of years ago when Caroline Sheen got the role. And she has proven that she can do more than just soprano in shows like annie get your gun, desperately seeking Susan etc.

Any chance the Wicked sh*te could be in the actual Wicked thread.