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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 13, 2024 11:21:27 GMT
Reading the synopsis the whole thing sounds absolutely terrible. Also, Tracie Bennett..how does she keep getting these gigs? I mean, Mame at the Hope Mill, great. Follies at the NT… ok, I could get into it I suppose. But she’s very specific appeal-wise isn’t she? It really puzzles me. She was unbearable in How to Succeed. I think everyone came out of that production in traction |
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 13, 2024 12:25:14 GMT
I have to ask why is the National doing this show? I totally get Stephen Sondheim and agree he is an ingenious. But shouldn't quality be the arbiter of what shows go into the National, not because they've got their hands on a mediocre piece of work by the most famous composer in musical history? It’s not his best, but this show is FAR from mediocre. Especially given this is (rumoured to be) the full NY production. It was lavish, it was visually creative, and the first act is rich in Sondheim unique wordplay and wit. If we’re claiming lack of quality, this is a hundred times better than the underprepared “The Witches” that the National put on recently. IMO The National is a perfect fit because it’s a space that can afford to put on more experimental work and this show wouldn’t suit a more traditional commercial venue. I wasn't a fan of The Witches, but it got great reviews. Reading the synopsis the whole thing sounds absolutely terrible. Also, Tracie Bennett..how does she keep getting these gigs? I mean, Mame at the Hope Mill, great. Follies at the NT… ok, I could get into it I suppose. But she’s very specific appeal-wise isn’t she? It really puzzles me. She was unbearable in How to Succeed. Agreed. But Tracie was briiliant in Hairspray and Over the Rainbow. |
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 13, 2024 12:35:51 GMT
Everyone came out of How To Succeed poorly - it was honestly one of the worst things I've ever sat through so I don't think it's fair to judge Tracie on that (she's been great in everything else I've seen her in)
If it is the NT, it really is the perfect place for it.
Prestige venue well known for Sondheim productions (Sweeney, ALNM, Follies, Sunday, Forum) will be able to do it as it was previously staged, big orchestra, and people will be falling over themselves to be in it.
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 13, 2024 12:40:52 GMT
Grade 1 listed in and out. Grade II*, actually. Higher than the older world-famous Crucible Theatre, but lower than the younger Lloyds of London building. |
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Post by aspieandy on Aug 13, 2024 12:55:29 GMT
Ah, didn't check - relied on the member of staff's words. Thank yaw.
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Post by SilverFox on Aug 13, 2024 13:35:21 GMT
Grade 1 listed in and out.
Also, just to be accurate, there is no such thing as an interior or exterior listing. English Heritage may well name certain features or dismiss things ("Interior not inspected"), but everything is still covered by the listing. If features are specifically mentioned ("original staircase to 1st & 2nd floors") then it would be unusual, but not unknown, for it to be altered or removed.
AFAIK there are currently only three active theatres in the West End with a Grade 1 listing - TRDL, TR Haymarket and ROH Covent Garden, though the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank is grade 1.
Outside London, Bristol TR; Richmond (Yorks) Georgian TR; Bury St Edmunds TR; and lucky Newcastle has both TR and Tyne Theatres included. Oxford Sheldonian, though not really active (many theatre features were dropped between planning and building), is also grade 1. The theatre at Chatsworth House is also grade 1, though rarely used, and some other grand stately homes have private theatres.
You are absolutely correct though, the NT refurb is not before time. It has been looking increasingly shabby.
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Post by parsley1 on Aug 13, 2024 14:58:03 GMT
I have to ask why is the National doing this show? I totally get Stephen Sondheim and agree he is an ingenious. But shouldn't quality be the arbiter of what shows go into the National, not because they've got their hands on a mediocre piece of work by the most famous composer in musical history? It’s not his best, but this show is FAR from mediocre. Especially given this is (rumoured to be) the full NY production. It was lavish, it was visually creative, and the first act is rich in Sondheim unique wordplay and wit. If we’re claiming lack of quality, this is a hundred times better than the underprepared “The Witches” that the National put on recently. IMO The National is a perfect fit because it’s a space that can afford to put on more experimental work and this show wouldn’t suit a more traditional commercial venue. Absolutely correct People fawn over Sondheim in a very luvvie manner No denying his genius and position in musical history But he is absolutely not commercial on large live theatre stages in the way that ALW managed to be And many of your lay theatre goers won’t know about him in any great detail There are better and much safer ways to make a theatrical buck than staging a Sondheim |
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Post by AddisonMizner on Aug 13, 2024 19:16:43 GMT
I can’t believe I haven’t posted in this thread.
I’m really excited for this!
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Post by thedrowsychaperone on Aug 14, 2024 9:24:07 GMT
Absolutely makes sense for the NT, I imagine they were pretty desperate to film it in NY so bringing it to the UK makes it much easier to film AND NTLive do a lot of the heavy lifting for this too...
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Post by blamerobots on Aug 14, 2024 10:54:27 GMT
In the modern day where musicals like this which are harder to get to because they don't run for long a proshot/filmed version is essential. Especially for preserving Sondheim's legacy, since this is partly his last work...
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Post by andrew on Aug 14, 2024 10:56:47 GMT
Really glad that they'll film it, and really glad the NT is taking it (if indeed they do). It would have been a very sweet and appropriate move though if Cameron Mackintosh had put himself out there and done a limited run in one of his theatres, since he had such a good and long-running commercial relationship with Sondheim. But if he passed then somewhere like the YV/NT were the appropriate venues.
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Post by blamerobots on Aug 14, 2024 10:58:30 GMT
The NT still had a pretty good relationship with Sondheim, so I think it is fitting for them to stage it as a goodbye.
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Post by khiar on Aug 14, 2024 12:59:34 GMT
In NY I thought the show was middling with flashes of brilliance, so I don't know if I'll give it another try in London or not. But I am definitely glad at the prospect of it being filmed. We're so lucky to have so many proshots of Sondheim's various shows - they certainly had a hand in sparking my interest in theatre. It would be a shame if his last work did not carry on the tradition.
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Post by mistertonymac on Aug 14, 2024 13:47:30 GMT
I can't wait to see the first half of this again.....alas, it really does turn into a snooze fest in part two. It really needs some songs, which I know can't be helped but it does not make for a great experience after the brilliance of the first hour or so.
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Post by idinafanzel on Aug 14, 2024 15:34:26 GMT
Dennis & Tracie are transferring to London
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 14, 2024 17:13:52 GMT
I can't wait to see the first half of this again.....alas, it really does turn into a snooze fest in part two. It really needs some songs, which I know can't be helped but it does not make for a great experience after the brilliance of the first hour or so. Agreed. I think if the 2nd half was more like the cast recording aka reduced to 30 ish minutes, it would be much stronger and more cohesive. The second half is needed it can't just end on a dancing bear - Perhaps add underscore to the Colonel & Inferno's speeches in Wandering? Perhaps that's why I work for a local authority and not musical theatre! |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Aug 14, 2024 18:01:56 GMT
Oh I thought the scene with Marianne and the Bishop was the highlight
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Post by parsley1 on Aug 14, 2024 19:50:07 GMT
RN will announce his last season on 23/9/24 week
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Post by thedrowsychaperone on Sept 24, 2024 10:05:00 GMT
Just confirmed, Lyttelton April '25 alongside the return of London Road in the Olivier
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Post by theatrenerd on Sept 24, 2024 10:08:59 GMT
Tracie Bennett, Rory Kinnear and Denis O’Hare
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 24, 2024 10:11:00 GMT
Tracie Bennett, Rory Kinnear and Denis O’Hare Good start! |
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Post by andrew on Sept 24, 2024 10:22:01 GMT
I hadn't appreciated that this was a direct transfer, same creative team etc. With the cast as above this is going to sell out fast, I may have to re-engage my NT membership...
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Post by blamerobots on Sept 24, 2024 10:24:03 GMT
Ough becoming a patron. Not missing this
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Post by parsley1 on Sept 24, 2024 10:29:39 GMT
Just confirmed, Lyttelton April '25 alongside the return of London Road in the Olivier Mmmh we confirmed this yesterday dear in the general thread |
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