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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 25, 2018 8:39:22 GMT
I’ve yet to see it, but I was amused by a line in the review in the Telegraph that the show made Annie look like The Ring Cycle.
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Post by showoff on Apr 25, 2018 8:45:38 GMT
What’s on Stage **** Broadway World **** Time Out **** Metro **** Seems to me some of you are desperate for this to fail. And some of the frankly homophobic comments on this thread should make you all ashamed. Could you please illustrate where there have been homophobic comments on here? I don't think criticisms of the show count as homophobic remarks. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 8:50:41 GMT
Indeed I don't think a dislike of Will Young constitutes homophobia....
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Post by stevej678 on Apr 25, 2018 8:55:02 GMT
The only thing wrong with Strictly Ballroom in Leeds was that the original songs weren't particularly memorable but there was still a heck of a lot to enjoy about the production.
Refreshing the score with a couple of new, stronger original numbers was really all that was needed, perhaps with a Strictly professional/celebrity as the male lead, alongside Zizi.
Instead, we've got Will Young's Strictly Ballroom and the magic and heart of the original production has been all but lost with the changes they've made. Such a shame and a missed opportunity. The producers have no one to blame for the mixed reviews other than themselves.
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Post by dani on Apr 25, 2018 9:30:58 GMT
Some of the reviews say basically nothing about Will Young's performance, which seems a little strange to me, given that it is his presence that will shift about half the tickets.
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Post by kathryn on Apr 25, 2018 9:53:13 GMT
I've got tickets for this next friday, up in the Grand Circle. It doesn't look to have sold very well and reviews are very mixed - I wonder if we'll end up being upgraded?
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 25, 2018 9:53:32 GMT
Metro actually gave it 3*
Times 2*
Evening Standard 3*
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 25, 2018 9:55:23 GMT
Wow people saying they don’t like a show is regarded as homophobic, go figure.
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Post by Steve on Apr 25, 2018 10:03:57 GMT
Some of the reviews say basically nothing about Will Young's performance, which seems a little strange to me, given that it is his presence that will shift about half the tickets. I suppose the reviewers don't see themselves as in the ticket selling business. But of course, you are right. This is a variety show, in which Will Young, the winner of Pop Idol, performs covers, just like he did in Pop Idol. Audiences, "come and relive the glory days of the first Pop Idol!" This is such a weakness of this show. Who is going to fill Will Young's shoes when he bows out? Who has got that kind of pull with general audiences. I mean, by and large, this is the ONLY singing part! It really is dumbfounding, sitting there watching Zizi Strallen be muzzled, knowing how well she can sing! Dumbfounding, knowing that this show, which is I found a very pleasurable variety show - it doesn't deserve the moniker of "musical" - will probably shutter when Will Young bows out because of this strange conception. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 10:07:37 GMT
Some of the reviews say basically nothing about Will Young's performance, which seems a little strange to me, given that it is his presence that will shift about half the tickets. As Steve says above, it's not a reviewer's job- nor should it be- to think 'what will shift tickets' and focus on that. Perhaps some of them chose to adopt the 'if you can' say anything nice don't say anything at all' stance on Young, perhaps he made little impact despite being the centre of things? perhaps they had other things to say that filled a word count? Perhaps in fact they decided not to buy into the marketing machine that has for some reason made it the Will Young show and ignore him...who knows. But it is a most odd manipulation of what once sounded like a fun musical. |
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Post by dani on Apr 25, 2018 10:11:37 GMT
Some of the reviews say basically nothing about Will Young's performance, which seems a little strange to me, given that it is his presence that will shift about half the tickets. As Steve says above, it's not a reviewer's job- nor should it be- to think 'what will shift tickets' and focus on that. Perhaps some of them chose to adopt the 'if you can' say anything nice don't say anything at all' stance on Young, perhaps he made little impact despite being the centre of things? perhaps they had other things to say that filled a word count? Perhaps in fact they decided not to buy into the marketing machine that has for some reason made it the Will Young show and ignore him...who knows. But it is a most odd manipulation of what once sounded like a fun musical. If he's at the centre of things, his performance needs some analysis or comment. Surely the show wouldn't be happening without him being in it, so if he's anonymous - or bad - that needs talking about. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 10:15:48 GMT
As Steve says above, it's not a reviewer's job- nor should it be- to think 'what will shift tickets' and focus on that. Perhaps some of them chose to adopt the 'if you can' say anything nice don't say anything at all' stance on Young, perhaps he made little impact despite being the centre of things? perhaps they had other things to say that filled a word count? Perhaps in fact they decided not to buy into the marketing machine that has for some reason made it the Will Young show and ignore him...who knows. But it is a most odd manipulation of what once sounded like a fun musical. If he's at the centre of things, his performance needs some analysis or comment. Surely the show wouldn't be happening without him being in it, so if he's anonymous - or bad - that needs talking about. Well, take it up with those reviewers then? Your original point was centred around 'shifting tickets' which isn't a reviewers job to consider. And actually what they choose to focus on in reviews is also their prerogative. I don't have the time or inclination to read all the reviews for this, but I doubt they all ignore his performance, and if they did it might be with reason....or strange coincidence. |
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Post by Snciole on Apr 25, 2018 10:39:25 GMT
I sent along my friend and Strictly Ballroom fan Emma to review this and she loved it viewfromthecheapseat.com/2018/04/25/strictly-ballroom-piccadilly-theatre/Seeing all the other reviews we may even get on the poster! It does sound odd, I think my expectations of a musical are that most of the cast have numbers whether it be a big ol' ensemble song or a lovely sad solo song. It becoming a Will Young concert would be great if he was in the same calibre as Beverley Knight (The Bodyguard is basically a concert for the actress playing Rachel) but his star doesn't shine as brightly, he's been in the business over 15 years and whilst I am sure he still has his fans he isn't and he shouldn't be the reason to go see this. The production images looked fantastic and it is a real shame it has got such shocking reviews, I think it has a lot of potential but I think they are realising that Will Young isn't the ticket seller they had hoped and expect the marketing to reflect more of the rest of the cast. |
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Post by Snciole on Apr 25, 2018 10:42:36 GMT
Times also 2 stars Surprised at Sarah C in whatsonstage.com who should know better It is pretty clear WoS focus is on selling tickets rather than editorial content. Good luck selling tickets to a show where your reviewer has given it 3* or less |
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Post by Lemansky on Apr 25, 2018 10:52:19 GMT
After being at the 1/2 cancelled first preview we are going back to this tonight. I hope at least that it's tightened up a bit, considering that it's press tomorrow (I think). Otherwise I'm not too excited about it. How did you find it? I have my replacement date next week and I'm not looking forward to it. Maybe that'll be a positive thing though. We both left feeling we'd wasted part of our lives that evening! The first half did seem better than we remembered, much tighter & the cast had settled in which was good. We enjoyed the end of the 1st act but then the 2nd half was such a mess! I also hated that in order for Fran & Scott to be able to sing their only lines of song, Wally had to touch them so the music flowed into them or some such nonsense. Just such a waste. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 25, 2018 11:16:00 GMT
What a mess. Should have left it alone. Totally explains the awkward atmosphere between the three leads on Graham Norton’s radio show. Zizi obviously knew it was a turkey and that the focus on WY was spoiling it. I’m sure members of the Will Young fan club will defend it/him to the hilt though.
I’ve been moderating this thread from day 1. A couple of posts referring to Will Young’s physIcal appearance have been removed in the past few weeks. As for homophobia there are no such comments unless I’ve missed something, in which our new member should PM me or report the offending post(s) so they can be dealt with.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 11:33:56 GMT
Indeed I don't think a dislike of Will Young constitutes homophobia.... Well not unless the reason you don't like Will Young is because he's a gayer of course . . . It really is dumbfounding, sitting there watching Zizi Strallen be muzzled, Oooh, now you've made the show sound interesting. 'Fifty Shades of Foxtrot'! |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 25, 2018 11:43:10 GMT
I’m slightly bemused why this has got such bad reviews and reactions from people on here! It’s not the best show ever but I had a great time watching it I must say.
Of course it’s a wasted opportunity to not have the rest of the cast sing, and I’m certainly not a Young fan but he was a pleasant surprise to me. Quite funny, decent accent , and I found it worked as a concept, though what they do when he leaves is beyond me. They’ll end up with bloody Ray Quinn or someone. Though judging by the word of mouth and reviews- it won’t last long enough to recast him.
The leads are adorable and the supporting performances are faultless.
Why all the vitriol towards it?!!
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Post by kathryn on Apr 25, 2018 13:05:46 GMT
Indeed I don't think a dislike of Will Young constitutes homophobia.... Well not unless the reason you don't like Will Young is because he's a gayer of course . . . It really is dumbfounding, sitting there watching Zizi Strallen be muzzled, Oooh, now you've made the show sound interesting. 'Fifty Shades of Foxtrot'! Oh dear lord, don't let EL James hear you say that! We'll end up with the Fifty Shades of Grey musical that no-one is asking for! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 25, 2018 16:46:54 GMT
Because it was developed by The Old Vic so made sense to premier there. Then it was rushed over to Broadway and landed in the one of the busiest seasons for new productions of late. I get the impression it was only intended as a short run in the UK as a means of testing it pre-US. I assume you are talking about Groundhog Day?
The production for that was a disaster. the producers fast tracked this to Broadway on the strength of a rave from Ben Brantley in the New York Times and to spite Scott Rudin for pulling out. if they transferred this into a smallish theatre in the West End and gained a bit of traction and transferred to Broadway now, it would have survived, due to the shortage of new musicals.
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 25, 2018 16:53:43 GMT
@emicardiff and I premiered our version last year in Edinburgh, though... and nobody turned up. Could be because we thought the fringe started in September, come to think of it. Which explains the funny looks at the venue we hired, which is usually a senior citizen daycare centre canteen. Also why we had to do it in their car park instead. Which was chilly for some of the cast - talk about a wind around the Trossachs. At least in Scotland there is free parking!!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 17:35:21 GMT
Well not unless the reason you don't like Will Young is because he's a gayer of course . . . Oooh, now you've made the show sound interesting. 'Fifty Shades of Foxtrot'! Oh dear lord, don't let EL James hear you say that! We'll end up with the Fifty Shades of Grey musical that no-one is asking for! Will that also star Will Young? And that choice of facial hair? because I might be in. Even if 50 Shades the musical has LONG been copywrighted by me and @theatremonkey except our version is actual filth. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 17:36:51 GMT
Because it was developed by The Old Vic so made sense to premier there. Then it was rushed over to Broadway and landed in the one of the busiest seasons for new productions of late. I get the impression it was only intended as a short run in the UK as a means of testing it pre-US. I assume you are talking about Groundhog Day?
The production for that was a disaster. the producers fast tracked this to Broadway on the strength of a rave from Ben Brantley in the New York Times and to spite Scott Rudin for pulling out. if they transferred this into a smallish theatre in the West End and gained a bit of traction and transferred to Broadway now, it would have survived, due to the shortage of new musicals.
Yes. Ah. Agree about it getting rushed over to the US. I wouldn't call the production itself a disaster, but the US production specifically was as a result of the rush, like you mention. |
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Post by shady23 on Apr 25, 2018 17:51:53 GMT
Oh dear lord, don't let EL James hear you say that! We'll end up with the Fifty Shades of Grey musical that no-one is asking for! Will that also star Will Young? And that choice of facial hair? because I might be in. Even if 50 Shades the musical has LONG been copywrighted by me and @theatremonkey except our version is actual filth. If Will Young was in the 50 Shades musical he would be cast as someone who waltzes in for no apparent reason when Christian and his lady friend are having a "moment". Sing something random, then waltz out again. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 17:54:35 GMT
If the only person who sings in this show is Will Young, and the singing is entirely natural for both situation and character, then this sounds like a play with songs to me.  |
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