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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2018 8:39:46 GMT
Yeah the whole casting thing has been confusing this year - normally cast gets announced 3 months before they start! I guess they were changing things and seeing what worked right until the last minute. But yes, odd that this alternate GB/Electra has been created - maybe so Richard Woodford would stay? They have such a complex system of swings and covers in Europe and 1st cast do less performances than in UK so they don't really need an official alternate.
Anyway, I guess it's easier for people who have been in show before like Carla and Sian to be Swings as they already know many roles and know the show backwards (even though it's changing). Carla is an accomplished performer with a great voice but I do feel she sometimes looked a bit bored as Pearl.
Shame about the preview being cancelled but looking on FB, Instagram and Twitter and the extent of the technical overhaul they have undertaken, I am not massively surprised.
ANYWAY, I am going to start the hapless process of praying there will be a new cast recording in due course. Only took three years to get the 25th anniversary one out....
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Post by bodobear on Jun 5, 2018 12:18:33 GMT
They were indeed changing things around throughout the rehearsal period - especially Greaseball and Caboose were switched around quite a bit. Ben Carruthers told us that he was asked by the creative team to audition for Caboose (which he was supposed to do instead of Greaseball) for example so changing everything back and forth must have been a pain for everyone.
I actually assume they created the alternate GB/Electra so Richard Woodford would stay after they gave Greaseball back to Ben Carruthers. I don’t know for sure though.
For Sian it was definitely a time thing why she wanted to go back to Swing. And the variation. But she always wanted to be able to put more time and effort into her YouTube channel (and Instagram etc alongside this) but just couldn’t due to the show.
I assume it’s a similar thing for Carla as she has her fitness coaching now.
Cancellation is no surprise, that’s true. They have done a lot of work around the theatre, so things can always cause delays. It’s just very unfortunate and I hope the preview on Thursday goes ahead as I’m just on my way to the airport to fly back to Germany and go back to London on Friday night.
As for the CD... If they decide to do another one, which I’m really not sure about but given all the changes it could be, I hope it’s a live recording and not this studio thing they released for the 25th anniversary.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2018 16:32:58 GMT
As for the CD... If they decide to do another one, which I’m really not sure about but given all the changes it could be, I hope it’s a live recording and not this studio thing they released for the 25th anniversary. The weird thing is they claim the 25th is a live recording! CLEARLY it sounds studio with canned applause added. But why when it took TWO YEARS to sign it off would they claim it is live? Very odd. (For myself I don't mind either way but seems odd to pretend it's something it's not. If they decided on studio then I could do without the fake applause!) |
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Post by Raven on Jun 5, 2018 16:36:59 GMT
Regarding a cast recording, Rose Ouellette posted a photo on Instagram with Georgina, Richard, Dan and some of the other cast members in a recording studio, tagging Starlight Express, so I do think they are in the process of producing a 30th anniversary recording. It's just unfortunate that it sounds like it'll be a studio recording instead of a live recording.
I also heard that they have done away with Pearl's pretty pink wig, which I adored! They've apparently decided to give Pearl back the blonde wig. Not too impressed with that!
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Post by musicalmarge on Jun 6, 2018 23:54:14 GMT
The open dress first preview took place tonight from fb and Twitter.
ANYONE?
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Post by Raven on Jun 7, 2018 17:04:12 GMT
The open dress first preview took place tonight from fb and Twitter. ANYONE? Bodobear saw the show last night but mentioned she wasn't back until Friday so hopefully we should hear over the weekend.  Also, I thought they'd only changed Pearl's wig but other people have been saying her whole costume has been changed and she is no longer pink at all. I wonder what the reasoning behind that was? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2018 17:55:19 GMT
Deciphering some of the comments on the German fan FB page, sounds like it's visually spectacular and sounds awesome. Content wise whole think seems very very close to The Other Palace workshops, including song order and arrangements. Tassita has become Carrie (luggage van?). Sadly no Girl's Rolling Stock about which am gutted lol (though Right Place is in). No mega mix yet but rumour seems to be that it will be added soon.
Going next weekend so will be sure to report back after that!
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Post by bodobear on Jun 8, 2018 7:44:11 GMT
I went last night but I honestly really didn’t enjoy it. Still have to gather my thoughts on it though (and start packing) so might be able to comment further tomorrow 😅
Songs are pretty much the way they were at The Other Palace so little surprise there, but still went to changes to the lyrics in almost every song as well, even if just slightly in some cases. The sound was way better, sometimes a bit too loud even for my taste.
As for the rest - I need some time to type it out 😂
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2018 10:28:34 GMT
I went last night but I honestly really didn’t enjoy it. Still have to gather my thoughts on it though (and start packing) so might be able to comment further tomorrow 😅 Songs are pretty much the way they were at The Other Palace so little surprise there, but still went to changes to the lyrics in almost every song as well, even if just slightly in some cases. The sound was way better, sometimes a bit too loud even for my taste. As for the rest - I need some time to type it out 😂 Thanks Bodobear! Do indeed type out your full thoughts. Would be really interested to hear them :-) |
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Post by Raven on Jun 8, 2018 15:28:31 GMT
The reactions I have read so far have been predominantly negative. There's been mention of the sheer lack of choreography and frustration that costumes have been changed. Apparently Electra is now uninspired and bland grey, Pearl is white with a blonde wig and Dinah is now brunette.
It's actually made me quite sad to read it all. Why tamper with a show that didn't need tampering?
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Post by Raven on Jun 8, 2018 17:55:01 GMT
Production shots of Pearl and Coco and Belle from the theatre foyer. Not a fan at all.
Pearl's costume is awful in white: she looks like a nurse. And don't get me started on that wig...
Not too fond of Belle or Coco either. Coco is too masculine for me and Belle is a disappointment. All they've done is recycled Ashley's costume and added some new pieces to it.
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Post by bodobear on Jun 8, 2018 18:52:49 GMT
The costumes and the lack of choreography were what put me off the most! Especially Electra and Caboose are horrible in my opinion. Apart from the races the whole set wasn't REALLY used much. A lot happened on the main stage, there was a lot less happening on the sides during the numbers - at least that's how I felt. If anything was happening in terms of choreography. During "Make Up My Heart" Pearl spent most of the time just standing center stage with barely any movement which made a - to me - already boring number even worse.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jun 9, 2018 4:53:51 GMT
The worst thing.... GLITTER HAS BEEN BANNED!!
ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH! What HAVE THEY DONE?!!!!!!
Seeing it next week. I’m sure if everyone hates it, it will play this year and they will return to some form of the old show no? Belles’s costume is AWFUL and as for Pearl? RIP.....
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2018 8:31:09 GMT
The worst thing.... GLITTER HAS BEEN BANNED!! ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH! What HAVE THEY DONE?!!!!!! Seeing it next week. I’m sure if everyone hates it, it will play this year and they will return to some form of the old show no? Belles’s costume is AWFUL and as for Pearl? RIP..... What kind of car is Belle and what kind of car is Carrie? Which is the old Ashley costume with glasses on the head (and why are the glasses there)? Thanks. |
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Post by bodobear on Jun 9, 2018 8:43:10 GMT
The worst thing.... GLITTER HAS BEEN BANNED!! ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH! What HAVE THEY DONE?!!!!!! Seeing it next week. I’m sure if everyone hates it, it will play this year and they will return to some form of the old show no? Belles’s costume is AWFUL and as for Pearl? RIP..... What kind of car is Belle and what kind of car is Carrie? Which is the old Ashley costume with glasses on the head (and why are the glasses there)? Thanks. The old Ashley costume is Belle and she’s a Bar Car (hence the glasses). Carrie is a Luggage Car. |
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Post by tommy on Jun 9, 2018 8:43:26 GMT
Good to see that it's still running after all those years in Bochum. Have good memories of seeying the show there, feels more like a sports auditorium than a theatre, but impressive to see.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2018 9:28:34 GMT
What kind of car is Belle and what kind of car is Carrie? Which is the old Ashley costume with glasses on the head (and why are the glasses there)? Thanks. The old Ashley costume is Belle and she’s a Bar Car (hence the glasses). Carrie is a Luggage Car. Ahhhh ok thanks, makes sense. Ish. (Buffet cars are still more common that bar cars!). So has been changed since The Other Palace - I thought sleeper car and a quiet carriage made good sense! |
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Post by d'James on Jun 9, 2018 9:29:52 GMT
What kind of car is Belle and what kind of car is Carrie? Which is the old Ashley costume with glasses on the head (and why are the glasses there)? Thanks. The old Ashley costume is Belle and she’s a Bar Car (hence the glasses). Carrie is a Luggage Car. Seems odd. I’ve never heard of a Bar Car, but have heard of a Sleeping Car. Just recreate the original (London) Belle costume. The glasses on the head remind me of the Pop Tarts Duvay had on her head (not quite as bad though). |
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Post by bodobear on Jun 9, 2018 17:23:52 GMT
Since yesterday they put the Megamix and skate around back in, and here's one of todays matinee.
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Post by indis on Jun 9, 2018 17:42:02 GMT
didn't they also change the role of Papa into Mama?
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Post by d'James on Jun 9, 2018 17:59:45 GMT
That’s not a Megamix; it’s a medley.
Anyway, it’s so disjointed. The other one flowed so well. I wanted the Megamix redone but that is a bit of a mess.
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Post by viserys on Jun 9, 2018 19:11:15 GMT
Thanks for posting the video, it was interesting to see the new costumes and hardly any were as bad as I had feared. Not sold on the flappy big skirt they stuck Mama into or the equally flappy boxer shorts for the Rockies.
Seeing a brunette Dinah reminded me that Dinah DID start as a brunette back in London when Frances Ruffelle played her. I think she only went blonde on Broadway.
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Post by d'James on Jun 9, 2018 20:54:21 GMT
Yeah. Dinah’s always brunette in my head because of Frances.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jun 10, 2018 7:55:09 GMT
I adore Andrew Lloyd Webber for so many of his amazing songs. That I GOT ME new song melody is the most annoying horrible repetitive tune I’ve ever heard in my life. To think that replaced A Lotta Locomotion makes me want to set myself on fire and throw myself on a train track in protest! Arggghhhhhh!!!
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Post by d'James on Jun 10, 2018 15:48:15 GMT
I adore Andrew Lloyd Webber for so many of his amazing songs. That I GOT ME new song melody is the most annoying horrible repetitive tune I’ve ever heard in my life. To think that replaced A Lotta Locomotion makes me want to set myself on fire and throw myself on a train track in protest! Arggghhhhhh!!! Yeah I didn’t love it at the Workshop, especially for 987th reprise. It doesn’t make sense for Dinah to sing I Got Me at the beginning of the show. She should have her I Got Me moment after U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. Frankly I would prefer it to be Girls Rolling Stock with new female empowerment lyrics but if I Got Me had to be in the show it should be there. A Lotta Locomotion should be the girls’ introduction, albeit with new orchestrations and new lyrics. It gives them a proper introduction rather than a really short one followed by a song which can stand alone from the show. I will wait until it’s out of previews though before judging fully. |
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