Just For One Day - Old Vic / Shaftesbury

Forgot to come back and do this previously...

I'd like to thank all the commenters throughout this thread who prepared me for quite how appalling this production was. I went in with the right frame of mind and managed to be entertained by just how lazy and offensive I found it. That, and a pint of rum and coke at the interval, were just about enough to steel me for the second act, rather than going home. It was also lovely to be reminded of just what a jolly jester Thatcher was. That japester!!!

This. Stop looking at yesterday with todays filter. None of these concepts were commonplace in Freddie's lifetime.

Sorry folks. Went on a Freddie Mercury hyperfixation binge a couple of years ago, and as a result people trying to re-write his personal life is particularly annoying to me!!

We truly don’t need to guess about this stuff about him because everyone even tangentially connected to him wrote a book! And the contents of his house just went up for auction. He actually told people before he died that he didn’t mind them cashing in on their stories and memorabilia. He had a pragmatist’s approach to it all and could be rather cynical.

To bring it slightly back on topic, he was cynical about Geldof’s motivations for Live Aid, and thought he was in it as much for the fame as helping people. Unsurprising that the musical doesn’t really mention that!

Freddie's inner circle was very protective of him when his health was failing and he made generous provision for them all in his will. All their recollections that I've ever seen of them talking about him have been very positive and affectionate.

People may not realise that Queen had no commercial need to play Live Aid they had come off a hugely successful album "The Works" and the tour which included the then biggest gig ever when they played Rock In Rio. The Live Aid performance seemed to gather mythical status after Freddie died. Queen were always an amazing Live Band and their concerts were broadcast quite often. It was only when you stop and think that Live Aid wasn't a Queen audience it really struck you how amazing that performance was.

Freddie I'd have never thought of as trans in any way. It was more he was so unique and flamboyant he might have identified as himself. What past legends might have identified as under today's rules we can only guess.

Freddie who I've been a huge fan of his music and persona for over 40 years had what I considered his off stage quite quiet camp persona and that on stage very macho commanding presence. Also he changed his look when he cut his hair short and grew his moustache. There was a couple of years when the leotards had stopped before he got the moustache and vest - the classic LIve Aid look. But a lot of people just remember the Bohemian Rhapsody/We are the Champions very flamboyant outfits and then the vest and moustache 80's look.

I rarely watch "Days of Our Lives" video as he is so gaunt and dying. I just prefer to remember the legend of him at his greatest.
 

Freddie always thought it was ironic that as a gay man he wrote so many tunes that "football" fans would sing. The majority of Queen's fanbase in Freddie's lifetime were likely hetrosexual males who had been fans from quite early on.

The other band members in one of the many documentaries about them said mockingly people suddenly realised that Freddie was gay when I Want To Break Free video got banned in the US. They said the fact that he had named the band Queen might have been a clue before you even consider what his persona was.
 

@scarletmood

Freddie was a bundle of contradictions, which is what makes him fascinating still.

😁 Like being a ‘unique’ individual who deliberately adopted the ‘Castro Clone’ style because it helped him blend in.

I think we sometimes forget just how different our culture is now to the 70s and 80s because of the way our media landscape has changed communication. Freddie could not have even imagined social media!

The likes of Lennon, Freddie with today's world would be interesting with social media. Freddie I can imagine would have enjoyed collaborating with some of the modern artists but I don't think he'd have been a big fan of social media unless it was to release his music or his "inner circle who all had the pet names" would have been a private group on whatever platform.  Like John Deacon in the band he was a more private individual whilst Brian and Roger would appear on TV programmes more readily and had higher profile partners.

Anyway back to the LiveAid musical when will it be renamed and where is it transfering to in the West End. Also I hope it tours as it would be a huge success on a "Number 1" tour to the major cities.

"Just For Half A Day"

I agree with Freddie probably being into the felines on Instagram or maybe even his cats having their own profile. But when we think about two different eras are we thinking of Freddie at say 40 or the age he would have been now nearer 80. 

Me too. Any looking likely? Not sure what is free or when. I know they hoped to go straight into a theatre but apparently the venue fell through. I also suspect a rather different cast as some have gone off to do other things. But it’s a rather ensemble piece so not sure it matter too much.