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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2019 18:31:11 GMT
I don't mind adults playing kids at any age, but surely the twins would only have been mid-20s when they died, so the actors playing them maybe shouldn't be visibly middle-aged?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 25, 2019 18:44:35 GMT
This is one of the (numerous) reasons I don’t like this show. Adults playing children makes me cringe personally (opening of funny girl... hideous) but I appreciate some people find it funny/novel but even so there are limits.
I’m taking absolutely nothing away from the actors concerned, or their talent, all of whom are entitled to earn a living. But 19 years in the same role? And 30 years “on and off” in the same role playing kids and young men?
Good luck to these actors in what they do next, they deserve better more rewarding work. And Bill Kenwright‘s casting department get a grip and view this as an opportunity for change. I was talking to a lovely 76 year old lady at the weekend who has BB as one of her all time favourite shows and even she had to admit the last run at the Palace was “very tired”.
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 25, 2019 19:00:11 GMT
Did you enjoy your trip to Manchester, Tibidabo? I'm pleased that you and Burly were able to put aside your differences over Dame J. That's the great thing about TheatreBoard. 🙂 |
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 25, 2019 19:46:21 GMT
I was talking to a lovely 76 year old lady at the weekend Did you enjoy your trip to Manchester, Tibidabo? Well, I'd actually call that libellous. No one has ever described me as lovely. |
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 26, 2019 11:38:51 GMT
This is one of the (numerous) reasons I don’t like this show. Adults playing children makes me cringe personally (opening of funny girl... hideous) but I appreciate some people find it funny/novel but even so there are limits. I’m taking absolutely nothing away from the actors concerned, or their talent, all of whom are entitled to earn a living. But 19 years in the same role? And 30 years “on and off” in the same role playing kids and young men? Good luck to these actors in what they do next, they deserve better more rewarding work. And Bill Kenwright‘s casting department get a grip and view this as an opportunity for change. I was talking to a lovely 76 year old lady at the weekend who has BB as one of her all time favourite shows and even she had to admit the last run at the Palace was “very tired”.
I LOVE the show, as a piece, but it needs a serious overhaul in every aspect of it creatively. I have lost respect for the way it is treated as a faithful old retainer by Bill Kenwright, playing on audiences who love familiarity and cosiness.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 26, 2019 11:50:08 GMT
This is one of the (numerous) reasons I don’t like this show. Adults playing children makes me cringe personally (opening of funny girl... hideous) but I appreciate some people find it funny/novel but even so there are limits. I’m taking absolutely nothing away from the actors concerned, or their talent, all of whom are entitled to earn a living. But 19 years in the same role? And 30 years “on and off” in the same role playing kids and young men? Good luck to these actors in what they do next, they deserve better more rewarding work. And Bill Kenwright‘s casting department get a grip and view this as an opportunity for change. I was talking to a lovely 76 year old lady at the weekend who has BB as one of her all time favourite shows and even she had to admit the last run at the Palace was “very tired”.
I LOVE the show, as a piece, but it needs a serious overhaul in every aspect of it creatively. I have lost respect for the way it is treated as a faithful old retainer by Bill Kenwright, playing on audiences who love familiarity and cosiness.
Would you like to see a edgier more gritty production? I think the current one is laughably dated and camp. |
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 26, 2019 12:00:24 GMT
I LOVE the show, as a piece, but it needs a serious overhaul in every aspect of it creatively. I have lost respect for the way it is treated as a faithful old retainer by Bill Kenwright, playing on audiences who love familiarity and cosiness.
Would you like to see a edgier more gritty production? I think the current one is laughably dated and camp.
Oh totally. There is so much mileage in it.
It is unbelivably hokey now. With a 80's sensibility that's long since lost it's charm. (although I suspect this is why many of its regular audience love it)
Even elements of the musical direction I can't take seriously (the EastEnders "doof-doofs" mainly!)
If the powers that be actually cared about it, they would inject some creative lifeforce into it.
It deserves better than being another Mousetrap.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 26, 2019 15:07:04 GMT
Would you like to see a edgier more gritty production? I think the current one is laughably dated and camp.
Oh totally. There is so much mileage in it.
It is unbelivably hokey now. With a 80's sensibility that's long since lost it's charm. (although I suspect this is why many of its regular audience love it)
Even elements of the musical direction I can't take seriously (the EastEnders "doof-doofs" mainly!)
If the powers that be actually cared about it, they would inject some creative lifeforce into it.
It deserves better than being another Mousetrap.
I really like the Mousetrap...plus the sets for that were redesigned in 1965 and 1999.  |
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Post by hannechalk on Feb 26, 2019 15:27:57 GMT
The new Mickey and Eddie are two gents in their twenties, so there's a start. Linzi Hateley is considerably younger than the other most recent Mrs J's.
The concept as it is just works though, although I appreciate it is not everyone's cup of tea. They have full houses most nights.
There have been some updates to some parts of the production.
I think it might be easing it towards a new direction.
As for the leaving cast, Mark Hutchinson hasn't got any new projects lined up, but is looking forward to spending time at home and giving workshops.
Sarah Jane Buckley is joining the tour of The Girls from April.
Sean Jones will be playing Macbeth at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool from 7th till 16th March, which will be a bit of a Blood Brothers-reunion as it also stars his wife Tracey Spencer Jones, Warwick Evans and Gillian Hardie, and is produced and directed by Daniel Taylor.
Then he will be at Theatr Clwyd in Jacqueline Wilson's Wave Me Goodbye from 23rd April till 4th May - in which he'll play a 10year-old. 😀
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 26, 2019 15:33:37 GMT
I'd love to see La Hateley as Mrs J - I think she'd be sensational.
But I don't think I could sit through the Bob Thomson/Kenwright production as it stands, again (having seen it 5 times over the past 22 years).
Plus the tour is not stopping by anywhere near home for me.
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 27, 2019 1:26:03 GMT
Totally agree with you all been saying it for few years now but had such a backlash from people gave up lol seen it 56 times over last 22 or so years .... but stopped going about 4 years ago for same reasons mentioned last few posts
It’s becoming almost a parody ... needs a new production everything else seems to have over the last few years and mainly done ok
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 27, 2019 7:43:42 GMT
I wonder who could give this some new life?
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 27, 2019 9:34:01 GMT
I wonder who could give this some new life? Ivo van Hove? |
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Post by hannechalk on Feb 27, 2019 10:08:06 GMT
I wonder who could give this some new life? Ivo van Hove? They've already got a Dutch speaker running fanfeeds (thatta be me), why not have a Flemish one in charge of them? 😀 |
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 27, 2019 10:19:51 GMT
Imagine Jamie Lloyd tackling it? - especially at the Regent's Park Theatre - now THAT would be something to get excited about!!!!
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 27, 2019 14:50:20 GMT
Can anyone tell me how long Paula Tappenden (Mrs Lyons) has been associated with the show?
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Post by hannechalk on Apr 13, 2019 12:35:22 GMT
I finally got to see Alex Patmore as Mickey last night, and he is fantastic! He has been getting glowing reviews in the press.
With Joel Benedict as Eddie, they bring a whole new chemistry and dynamics to the show.
It was an absolute joy to watch!
As for bad behaviour at a show, head over there....
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Post by hannechalk on May 9, 2019 12:56:46 GMT
Linzi Hateley is taking a break from the show, and her replacement is... Lyn Paul!
It is being billed as her farewell-tour.
Josh Capper and Alison Crawford are also leaving. Josh has been on as Mickey a few times, and Alison as Linda.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2019 12:58:23 GMT
Hoorah! It's not really 'Blood Brothers' without Lyn Paul.
I'll maybe accept Kiki Dee as a substitute.
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Post by greeny11 on May 9, 2019 17:20:55 GMT
I do hope this really is a farewell tour for Lyn Paul - she is good, but far too old for the part now. Personally, I would have liked someone new instead. I saw Linzi a couple of weeks ago and thought she was only OK - her accent varied wildly, I didn't find her to be that convincing in the more emotional parts, and her singing was rather nasally (as it was in Mamma Mia).
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Post by theatreian on May 9, 2019 17:53:19 GMT
Whatever anyone thinks about the show there is no denying Lyn really owns the part of Mrs J. Glad to see this is being recognised with her farewell tour! I seem to remember Cher having a farewell tour some years ago and there was also the 25 farewell tours of Frank Sinatra. Still glad for Lyn!
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Post by horton on May 9, 2019 18:02:02 GMT
So are they re-writing the show to explain why the twins are raised by their grandmother?
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Post by greeny11 on May 9, 2019 18:13:18 GMT
So are they re-writing the show to explain why the twins are raised by their grandmother? They just about got away with it last time when Sean Jones and Mark Hutchinson were the twins (albeit they too looked too old for their parts), but now they have much younger actors as Mickey and Eddie - it is going to look like she's their grandmother. |
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Post by xanady on May 9, 2019 18:27:20 GMT
Rather ungentlemanly of me to discuss a ladies age,but the wonderful Miss Paul is now 70 years of age.Saw her in the show last year and she attacked the role with great gusto and energy.Sang with pure emotional drive and appeared to be fighting fit in the role.She deserves a heralded farewell tour in the role.A real showbiz trooper of the old- school variety like Dora Bryan.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2019 19:31:45 GMT
Whatever anyone thinks about the show there is no denying Lyn really owns the part of Mrs J. Glad to see this is being recognised with her farewell tour! I seem to remember Cher having a farewell tour some years ago and there was also the 25 farewell tours of Frank Sinatra. Still glad for Lyn! Lyn Paul only owns the role if you haven't seen Barbara Dickson or Kiki Dee before her. |
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