Dreamgirls - Savoy / UK Tour

Is Nicholas Bailey on?

Who is the best Deena you have seen? I have only seen Liisi...

I saw Jocasta as Lorrell and she was amazing! I also saw In the Heights with her as Camila and she was amazing too. Shes a brilliant performer, especially with Heights where she covered and played pretty much all the major female roles bar a couple at one point or another!

What a difference a cast makes. Tonight was my third visit and was blown away by this cast who were all fantastic. I thought Liisi was great as Deena, but then i had the misfortune to see Lily Frazer the 2 previous times. She definitely grew into her character as the night went on and thought she played the journey very well. Loved Carly as Lorrell. At first i wasnt sure as she played it quite childish, but she definitely came into her own in Aint No Party, probably the best i've heard it.

Amber Riley was everything i hoped she would be and her vocals were better than any of the other Effies i have seen. Granted she didnt always go for the higher notes, but i'm glad because it meant she wasn't screeeching at the top of her range. It's still odd that most of AIATY is sung behind the table and chairs.

Ther pacing at the start was very fast, almost too fast i feel and the male ensemble really need to tighten up on the dancing as some of it was messy. They were much more drilled at the start of the run.

And that curtain is still the biggest showstopper. I want it. So glad i got to see this cast before they leave.

Do the male ensemble still sweat disgusting amounts from the second they step onstage?

they'll be happening all over the country, every venue should be doing them.

Slightly off-topic ramble but for those who aren't aware, for two weeks every October, theatres nationwide do bucket collections for the charity Acting For Others, supporting theatre professionals on- and off-stage who have come into times of hardship. More info: actingforothers.co.uk

Not sure what I just witnessed but Amber gave it everything she had tonight, vocally the best thing I've heard on stage ever. ? I don't really know what else to say on that. Liisi was fantastic, sounded quite raspy having been ill recently but her 'Listen' was the best she's sang it, and Carly Dyer smashed it as Lorrell (presumably her last one as she was crying during the bows??). Tosh on for Jimmy, and it's obvious why he's taking over.

Finally bought the cast recording.

Disappointed it doesn't have the libretto in it - cheap b'stards!

Jocasta is great, but Liisi really is in a league of her own!

I like the film alot, but i wish they had more faith in the material and the fact that the show IS a musical. For the first part they only kept in the singing when the dreams were singing as part of the group, and then suddenly they start singing 'Family' to each other and it's jarring.

The film tries to do its best, I suppose. It works best when they are "singing" ie in concert, studio, rehearsals. This is why I don't do movie musicals. I just don't think the genre works anymore. It's totally legit to burst out into song on stage, but it just seems off in the film.

On another note, I heard that no, it's not Amber that is causing the Broadway delay as was speculated. They actually want to tinker with the format of the show and bring back some of the original Michael Bennett staging. TBH some of the original was so iconic and missed. The Vogue sequence was great, the automated platforms of Steppin to the Bad Time, etc and the choreography of Act II opening and One Night Only is pretty messy.

Has any sort of schedule been confirmed for after Amber leaves? I’m looking to go on that Thursday and wondering who it might be as wouldn’t mind seeing Moya’s debut!