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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 1, 2016 9:54:33 GMT
West end theatres are full of tourists, more than people who like musicals aren't they?
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Show Boat
May 1, 2016 12:41:41 GMT
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Post by loureviews on May 1, 2016 12:41:41 GMT
Thats a bit like saying that if you like music you can name all of the classic artists from the 50s. Which I can ...  |
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Post by duncan on May 1, 2016 18:00:44 GMT
Go on then, without reference to Google or any other internet search engine or other similar device - name every single major recording artist of the 1950s.
Your time starts now.......
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Post by loureviews on May 3, 2016 6:51:19 GMT
Now you're just being silly.
But of course just as if you like classic musicals you will know Show Boat, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, Gypsy, King and I, maybe Pal Joey, Babes in Arms, Call Me Madam, then if you like 50s music you will not only know Elvis and Buddy Holly but also Bill Haley, Carl Perkins,Tommy Steele, Marty Wilde, Michael Holliday, Frankie Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Brook Benton, Bobby Vee, Alma Cogan and The Drifters ...
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Post by cathyfromlex on May 3, 2016 14:38:15 GMT
I saw Show Boat last week and absolutely loved it! I cannot sing its praises enough. This is an absolutely fantastic modern production of a classic musical. There is no weak link in the cast, with my favorites being Gina Beck, Rebecca Trehearn and Alex Young, if I had to pick. As you may have guessed from some of my spellings, I'm an American. I'm from the South. I thought the accents were very will done and I am very hard to please about that sort of thing. The music, singing and dancing really can't be beat. Highly recommend!
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Post by showgirl on May 3, 2016 18:24:26 GMT
Don't forget, Londoners tend to work a couple of weeks ahead with their lives too, and that has an effect as well. Gosh, what a luxury, only to plan 2 weeks ahead - must move to London! Seriously, as dedicated theatregoers will know, and especially those who live elsewhere in the UK and abroad, you have to plan months ahead to factor in travel - and accommodation if needed. But I know theatremonkey was making a serious point about bookings improving and I'm glad to hear it, as this is one show I'd unhesitatingly recommend to just about anyone and everyone I know, and I'd rarely be able to say that. |
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Post by Dawnstar on May 3, 2016 18:34:35 GMT
Cathyfromlex, what did you make of them using a Confederate flag in place of having them sing the "N" word in order to establish racism? I thought it was clever, but wondered what a Southern Lady would make of it? At what point do they do this? Clearly it was too clever for me as I've seen the show in both London & Sheffield & totally failed to notice it. I'm not even sure I'd know what the confederate flag looks like. |
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Post by cathyfromlex on May 3, 2016 18:35:30 GMT
Cathyfromlex, what did you make of them using a Confederate flag in place of having them sing the "N" word in order to establish racism? I thought it was clever, but wondered what a Southern Lady would make of it? Also, I have it on good authority bookings are picking up well, based on strong reviews and word of mouth. Certainly when I was in line to collect my tickets, 2 parties ahead of me were making advance bookings, and in the expensive seats. Don't forget, Londoners tend to work a couple of weeks ahead with their lives too, and that has an effect as well. It was a bit of a shock to see the Confederate flag in the opening (because I hate it so much), but I thought it was highly effective as it transitioned into the American flag. It gives the message with a few short visuals that things had moved along from institutionalized slavery, but as we soon find out, not far. I think they struck the right balance with the use of the "N" word. It would sanitize things too much to leave it out completely, but when it is used it had devastating impact. I could go on and on about lots of wonderful little touches that subtly kept reinforcing that racism didn't end with slavery. I hope you are right about the bookings picking up, because this production shouldn't be missed. Absolutely perfect casting and perfect execution IMO. On Saturday evening, the stalls were almost completely full and I'd say the circle was at least half full. |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2016 19:09:49 GMT
Does anybody think this will close before 7th Janurary?
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Post by cathyfromlex on May 3, 2016 19:19:34 GMT
Cathyfromlex, what did you make of them using a Confederate flag in place of having them sing the "N" word in order to establish racism? I thought it was clever, but wondered what a Southern Lady would make of it? At what point do they do this? Clearly it was too clever for me as I've seen the show in both London & Sheffield & totally failed to notice it. I'm not even sure I'd know what the confederate flag looks like. It was a projection on the back wall right at the beginning. |
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Post by ali973 on May 4, 2016 8:06:31 GMT
Seeing this tonight.
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Post by Dawnstar on May 4, 2016 18:47:25 GMT
Thanks cathyfromlex, you confirmed my thoughts on the flag. It really did work so well, as indeed did the other touches. Dawnstar, the Confederate Flag is the one that has a red background, blue cross in the centre, containing white stars. If you ever watched "Dukes of Hazard" it was the flag painted on the car. I'm not going to link to one from here, though, as I feel the same as cathyfromlex about it. It's on par with a swastika, now. I've Googled the Confederate flag. Given the similarity in colours to the US flag I think I vaguely registered the projection but just assumed without properly looking that it was the US flag. I'll have to look out for it properly when I get round to visiting Showboat again. I'm afraid I'm not sure I've even heard of "Dukes of Hazard" let alone watched it. |
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Show Boat
May 4, 2016 19:35:15 GMT
via mobile
Post by aksis on May 4, 2016 19:35:15 GMT
I do hope they can keep it up for a while as I probably wont make it to London before November and hope to catch it.
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Post by ali973 on May 4, 2016 22:03:24 GMT
It was so dead. Circle is of course closed, but the stalls were tragic. The entire left and right side had probably ten patrons each, and the middle part hardly full. Many people from the sides moved to the centre, and it still didn't fill. Many of the patrons are also as old as the show itself. #NotAnAgist It's a dated show, but considering the plot and the age of it all, the tempo is actually pretty good. Rebecca is fabulous, though I don't like how her role is unresolved. Gaylord shows up some twenty years later and is forgiven without even trying. The black characters are of course secondary, and they're only there to further the central characters' lives. Then again, for the time it was written, it was probably groundbreaking. I saw the Hal Prince version 700 years ago when I was a teen, and could swear that there was a big ol' happy finale with Kim doing a big dance number. Has this been removed from this production? Honestly, I'm very surprised how this boat ain't sinkin' considering the attendance.  h |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 4, 2016 22:12:30 GMT
What a terrible shame  |
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Post by basdfg on May 4, 2016 22:17:30 GMT
Ouch. I presume it will be busier on the Saturday Matinee when I Go so I doubt there be any seat moving
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Post by ali973 on May 4, 2016 22:19:49 GMT
^ Fair enough, and I agree that it might be busIER but two shows on a Saturday can't possibly cover expenses when you have a theatre mostly empty everyday of the week.
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 4, 2016 22:34:40 GMT
What strategies do the producers really have to fill seats ? It's a great show and got great reviews . It's not too expensive either and half price at TKTS.
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Post by JJShaw on May 4, 2016 22:55:40 GMT
thats a terrible shame! i do hope it picks up, its a glorious show
i completely agree with you ali973 about gaylord and julie
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Post by showgirl on May 4, 2016 22:58:25 GMT
Agree it's a shame if the show isn't selling well; can't help thinking the location doesn't help as it's just not visible in the way that something on Shaftesbury Avenue or the Strand is, so won't attract passing trade or raise its profile.
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Show Boat
May 4, 2016 23:18:04 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on May 4, 2016 23:18:04 GMT
Saw this this afternoon.
Was hanging around during the interval and heard a dude chatting to a foh geezer with a loose tongue -
The producers decided on 3 matinees a week coz they thought it would be more popular. Box office is disappointing for these but doing better than evenings where they r lucky to be getting 700. They are hoping word of mouth helps business pick up.
And so do I. 'Twas a lovely afternoon (marred slightly by the fact that people of a certain age ain't so worried about keeping silent). The lass that's the main lass has a welly pair of lungs on her and brought a tear or 7 to my ear when she sang the reprise of that flying bird song in act 2
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Post by ali973 on May 5, 2016 8:25:12 GMT
TBH I just think that this type of show is just not popular. True, it's a classic by all means, but it doesn't ring like The King & I, Guys & Dolls or other shows from the golden era, nor is its film one that is particularly one of those Hollywood musicals that everyone grew up watching.
It must have done well because Sheffield, where West End size productions with West End performers are limited and when you're playing in the city's flagship theatre. But when you're in the West End you're competing with a lot of other shows, especially when you have shows with big stars making all the headlines (Sunset, Funny Girl, etc).
On another note, can someone just give Rebecca a recording contract or a concert at the St. James or Hippodrome? Her voice is really special.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2016 8:33:39 GMT
There are barely, if any, offers for this which is ridiculous if attendance is so low. They need to do what they can to get people in and spread the word
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Post by Michael on May 5, 2016 8:47:12 GMT
On another note, can someone just give Rebecca a recording contract or a concert at the St. James or Hippodrome? Her voice is really special. Please! Not sure if you've heard of this show before, but some time ago, there was a concert version of Bobby Cronin's The Concrete Jungle staged at the St. James Theatre, and Rebecca played the main character Abby. There are a few songs/videos on Youtube, and, luckily, they've also released a cast recording with her*). I'd recommend you to give it a listen, it's AbFab. Favourite Songs: Reasons (!), That Girl Should Be Me, Don't Think, Chapter 13 and Sleeping Sideways. *) www.amazon.co.uk/Concrete-Jungle-International-Studio-Recording/dp/B00BSNI924/ |
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2016 8:56:06 GMT
Ouch. I presume it will be busier on the Saturday Matinee when I Go so I doubt there be any seat moving I saw the Saturday matinee last week - the stalls were almost full but only because they had closed the circle. |
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