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Post by ali973 on Jun 4, 2016 7:46:06 GMT
A production in Australia opens in the summer with Caroline O'Connor as Fanny. I believe she's played Fanny before. Musical theatre veterans David Hobson, Nancye Hayes, Judith Roberts and Susan-ann Walker feature as part of the leading cast in a production directed by Gale Edwards and choreographed by Kelley Abbey.
Re: London production, Barnes or not, I agree with Barnaby that this is one shabby show. It any elegance and style.
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Post by stevej678 on Jun 4, 2016 8:05:21 GMT
Just back from seeing it tonight and Natasha is much better than SS. She can SING the songs and is adorable and funny. The audience went mad for her and she seemed visibly moved at the end. I don't imagine anyone would feel shortchanged after seeing her performance. Truly, A star is born. Sadly though it's still the same misconceived production. All grey and soulless. Mirrored wings reflecting props and furniture being hoiked off the travelators and a floral front cloth resembling a shower curtain. It looks cheap and ugly. Still, I enjoyed it purely for Barnes... The funny thing is I thought that watching Funny Girl minus Sheridan would make the evening more about the show itself rather than the leading lady. However, Natasha's performance was so good on every level that actually the evening turned out to be all about her. Quite the reaction from the audience as you say and quite emotional at the curtain call with Natasha looking pretty overwhelmed by the ovation she received (and richly deserved). So glad I got to see Natasha's performance and whether Sheridan returns in the near future or not, I imagine Miss Barnes' career will take a very different trajectory in terms of the roles she secures in the future after this. |
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Post by ali973 on Jun 4, 2016 8:38:45 GMT
^ I get that. But I think there is something to be said when realism trumps creativity. I'm no creative director so I wouldn't know HOW, but I would think there are ways to convey the realities of a period without making it dreary and charmless. Look at how Chicago uses no set whatsoever, and the company is clad in black costumes and yet they've created an electrifying experience with it.
Even if simple and to the point was direction they took, the quality and finishing of the visual elements is rather poor. Many of the costumes and props just look badly put together.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 9:03:07 GMT
The Chicago revival was very much non-realistic, styled in a way that reflected the mid nineties (wow, that long ago). Fosse's orriginal was interesting, like some erotic dream version of the twenties. I saw the Funny Girl design as being reflective of the actual time, no sprucing it up, the art deco nods giving it some sense of style that peeps through that.
It did its job pretty much I thought, no more but no less.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 9:42:51 GMT
I think Chicago should incorporate a full on set instead of the band and see how it works
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Post by emilyrose on Jun 4, 2016 11:50:21 GMT
I think Chicago should incorporate a full on set instead of the band and see how it works Really? I completely disagree, I love the use of the band and the interaction with it. I think changing of sets for every scene would take away that which makes it special and unique. |
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Post by infofreako on Jun 4, 2016 12:16:18 GMT
Likewise. The staging of Chicago makes it what it is
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Post by longinthetooth on Jun 4, 2016 13:48:45 GMT
Now I'm going to make myself very unpopular here, I think, as Natasha's performance left me stone cold. Yes, she can belt out a song, but I found myself actually disliking her character more and more as the show went on. I saw Sheridan at the Menier and was blown away by her performance, even though I know her singing voice isn't as good as others. However, I went in with an open mind to seeing Natasha - I've seen many an understudy who I've loved, so it wasn't that. Interestingly, as she took her bow (in tears), a voice behind behind me in the audience said, "here she goes, turning on the tears" .... make of that what you will.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 4, 2016 14:22:58 GMT
No, sorry. It's just bad design. All grey and soulless. Mirrored wings reflecting props and furniture being hoiked off the travelators and a floral front cloth resembling a shower curtain. It looks cheap and ugly. My interpretation was that it was "in keeping" with the feel of the period. Their lives were not adorned with much, and it showed. On stage, what they could do technically was very different. It was more about huge flat sets and glittery costumes, rather than the cohesive visual experience we expect today. That's what this production was trying to capture, I think. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 4, 2016 14:23:37 GMT
She is way too old! A production in Australia opens in the summer with Caroline O'Connor as Fanny. I believe she's played Fanny before. Musical theatre veterans David Hobson, Nancye Hayes, Judith Roberts and Susan-ann Walker feature as part of the leading cast in a production directed by Gale Edwards and choreographed by Kelley Abbey. Re: London production, Barnes or not, I agree with Barnaby that this is one shabby show. It any elegance and style. |
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Post by ali973 on Jun 4, 2016 14:28:20 GMT
I agree, she's too old for this. But she's Caroline O'Connor and we love her.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 14:31:19 GMT
If this did tour the UK, I can see Natasha playing Fanny
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 4, 2016 14:34:33 GMT
George you see many things..
...Sheridan back in rehearsals
...Returning to the show on Tuesday or maybe next thursday
...Unicorns
I
Love
It!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 4, 2016 15:15:31 GMT
If this did tour the UK, I can see Natasha playing Fanny Well, we can be pretty sure who WONT be playing Fanny can't we  I agree though, it would be a good back story for the tour, "See the girl who took over from Sheridan Smith and slayed it!" It's only one removed from "See Sheridan Smith slay it". However, I imagine Nats will have her eye on something more than touring FG for another year, and producers might want to cash in on her name while its up there. Who's that girl in the Chicago tour at the moment playing Roxie? She might be good for the tour. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 15:32:47 GMT
If this did tour the UK, I can see Natasha playing Fanny Well, we can be pretty sure who WONT be playing Fanny can't we I agree though, it would be a good back story for the tour, "See the girl who took over from Sheridan Smith and slayed it!" It's only one removed from "See Sheridan Smith slay it". However, I imagine Nats will have her eye on something more than touring FG for another year, and producers might want to cash in on her name while its up there. Who's that girl in the Chicago tour at the moment playing Roxie? She might be good for the tour. I could never see Sheridan doing touring shows! Nobody that big ever does touring shows, I don't think. Yeah I guess Natasha would want to do different shows after this. She's certainly made her name in the theatre world now! Is a Funny Girl tour defiantly happening then? Yeah Hayley Tammadon from Chicago would defiantly be a good choice I think. She would most certainly do it |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 4, 2016 15:41:05 GMT
I could never see Sheridan doing touring shows! Nobody that big ever does touring shows, I don't think. Mark my words the day will come when Sheridan Smith is glad of a tour. It might be a while off but it will happen. Joan Collins is taking her one woman show round the country again this year I note. At the age of 83. Now, she may not have the talent of Sheridan, but she is most certainly a star and a bigger name than Ms Smith will ever be. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 15:55:50 GMT
I could never see Sheridan doing touring shows! Nobody that big ever does touring shows, I don't think. Mark my words the day will come when Sheridan Smith is glad of a tour. It might be a while off but it will happen. Joan Collins is taking her one woman show round the country again this year I note. At the age of 83. Now, she may not have the talent of Sheridan, but she is most certainly a star and a bigger name than Ms Smith will ever be. [ Oh I never knew that Joan Collins was doing a UK tour of her show. She is so amazing for her age!! I think she's great. I can't see Sheridan ever running out of work to be honest! She's an absolutely incredible actress. She is naturally funny but can also show that she is an amazing drama actress too. Did you ever see her in The Widower, Mrs Biggs or Cilla? Especially in the last 2, she was so so so amazing!! Her acting was surreal, the best I've ever seen. Watch them if you haven't, you will be stunned! I would most certainly cast her in my theatrical productions when I am older if I could! I'm sure she'll have loads of jobs lined up for her |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 4, 2016 16:11:10 GMT
I saw Cilla and was totally underwhelmed by her singing.
She looked the part though.
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Post by stevej678 on Jun 4, 2016 16:19:57 GMT
I could never see Sheridan doing touring shows! To be fair, there's not much sign of her doing West End shows at the minute either! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 16:24:20 GMT
I saw Cilla and was totally underwhelmed by her singing. She looked the part though. Oh no, I was totally overwhelmed! She sounded just as good, if not better, than Cilla herself! Her acting was amazing too. I've planned musicals all based on that! Did you see her in Mrs Biggs? She was amazing in that too, so so good as that character |
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 4, 2016 17:04:40 GMT
I saw Cilla and was totally underwhelmed by her singing. She looked the part though. Oh no, I was totally overwhelmed! She sounded just as good, if not better, than Cilla herself! Her acting was amazing too. I've planned musicals all based on that! Did you see her in Mrs Biggs? She was amazing in that too, so so good as that character Are these musical revivals you think Sheridan is perfect for or have you written musicals specifically for her? |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 4, 2016 17:09:31 GMT
I saw Cilla and was totally underwhelmed by her singing. She looked the part though. Oh no, I was totally overwhelmed! She sounded just as good, if not better, than Cilla herself! Her acting was amazing too. I've planned musicals all based on that! Did you see her in Mrs Biggs? She was amazing in that too, so so good as that character No, I'm afraid I'm not drawn to watching stuff she's in because, guess what, I don't like her! However as I've said before she did win me over with her Fanny. So im going easy on her  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 17:12:04 GMT
For someone who doesn't like her, Burly, you ain't half racked up a fair number of posts on this thread!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 17:15:04 GMT
I get the feeling people are trying to make her the next generations Judi Dench or Helen mirren but I just can't see it. Everything I've seen Sheridan in she has been a version of herself, especially on stage. Her TV work has been better. And these off stage dramas won't help, generally the greats have more class and are less about celebrity.
Funny girl touring will probably help recoup some funds, not sure how financially successful this run will be. Although I'm also not sure how much of a draw funny girl the show will be on the road.
And big names do sometimes tour, Ian mckellen and Michael ball to name two off the top of my head
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 17:20:51 GMT
You only know you're truly great when you are featured in Coronation Street!
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