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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 10:08:41 GMT
But the irony is that a lot of the fans weren't even born when the film was released. I wasn't born when 'My Fair Lady' was released but that doesn't stop me loving it. |
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Post by danb on Jul 6, 2018 10:25:36 GMT
But the irony is that a lot of the fans weren't even born when the film was released. I wasn't born when 'My Fair Lady' was released but that doesn't stop me loving it. Pretty sure that you can remember ‘Pygmalion’ being published eh Ryan? 😬😘 |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 10:37:33 GMT
I wasn't born when 'My Fair Lady' was released but that doesn't stop me loving it. Pretty sure that you can remember ‘Pygmalion’ being published eh Ryan? 😬😘 Start walking now and no-one gets hurt. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 11:50:57 GMT
In a very genuine way, what do people want to see developed about the show A very fair question, well in the spirit of this board. To me, the first thing is the tone. It's uneven. There's a mismatch of styles through the show. We aren't sure if we are watching a musical comedy, a satire, a drama or quite what. The changes in pace and plot twists are fine, but they don't really feel as if each part belongs in the same show. There are many places where things happen, then the character vanishes for a long period despite having had an important set-up. The result is that a character could thus be discarded, as clearly there isn't enough in the role to justify it. There are certainly parts of act 2 in particular that need stronger songs. An awful lot of reprises fill in some gaps, but highlight the scarcity of music compared to the first half. The second's dialogue also feels sketched in - it needs far more peppy humour for a start (that oddly vanishes after the first 50 minutes despite a lot of potential for it). The show could be more fun than even "Legally Blonde" if it were given the chance to smooth the edges and decide what it really wants to be. I guess those who really know musical theatre will simply be less satisfied than the majority of the - mostly young - audience who just care about having a good time. The show delivers that, but to me it seems a bit of a shame to let it out on a wider audience now, risking having something with bags of potential mown down instead of being allowed to mature. That's my worry. It is by no means ever going to be deserving of anything other than success, but is the jump right now too soon?
Thank you for this. Very interesting to get an understanding of what people mean by "not ready". Very true points made there.
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Post by mallardo on Jul 6, 2018 15:19:21 GMT
With all due respect one can find things wrong with just about every show. But that is not to say those shows are not "ready". Heathers has been around since 2010. The creators have tampered with it but it's basically the same take on the movie it always was. It's ready. Does it belong in the West End? That's another question.
One can say it's an off-West End/off-Broadway show, not big enough for prime time. But people said that about Little Shop of Horrors (for example) so what are the criteria? When one considers the shows that have populated the Haymarket stage in recent months, this one looks like a potential blockbuster.
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362 posts
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Post by JJShaw on Jul 6, 2018 15:34:10 GMT
Seen quite a few self-righteous twitter posts about how this show and TOP have been encouraging young people to go to the theatre more and about how many tickets are priced at £25 and under (when theyre just £25... not under) and it just bothers me because they havent done any of that!
The success of this show is that it was an already established show in the MT niche, and it was headed by a celebrity who has a predominantly young fanbase. This isn't a brand new musical even if its a UK premiere as its based on a cult film too! Yes it could have flopped and not done well, but on paper putting those things together is a rather solid recipe for at least a modest success.
Happy for its success, not happy about the delusion.
As far as the "ready for W/E" debate, I think it comes down to the show not feeling like a west end show, and it feels more like an off west end/off-broadway show, which I do agree with.
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Post by danb on Jul 6, 2018 15:45:21 GMT
In a very genuine way, what do people want to see developed about the show A very fair question, well in the spirit of this board. To me, the first thing is the tone. It's uneven. There's a mismatch of styles through the show. We aren't sure if we are watching a musical comedy, a satire, a drama or quite what. The changes in pace and plot twists are fine, but they don't really feel as if each part belongs in the same show. There are many places where things happen, then the character vanishes for a long period despite having had an important set-up. The result is that a character could thus be discarded, as clearly there isn't enough in the role to justify it. There are certainly parts of act 2 in particular that need stronger songs. An awful lot of reprises fill in some gaps, but highlight the scarcity of music compared to the first half. The second's dialogue also feels sketched in - it needs far more peppy humour for a start (that oddly vanishes after the first 50 minutes despite a lot of potential for it). The show could be more fun than even "Legally Blonde" if it were given the chance to smooth the edges and decide what it really wants to be. I guess those who really know musical theatre will simply be less satisfied than the majority of the - mostly young - audience who just care about having a good time. The show delivers that, but to me it seems a bit of a shame to let it out on a wider audience now, risking having something with bags of potential mown down instead of being allowed to mature. That's my worry. It is by no means ever going to be deserving of anything other than success, but is the jump right now too soon? I agree with regards to the music in act two, and the things that happen lend themselves more to a cinema screen or at least to a larger space. They have already cut Veronicas best friend (Betty) and doubled her up with Martha, so this dilutes what we see of Veronicas character away from the Heathers & JD. The over simplifying of plot points is true of most movie > stage musicals so is hardly a surprise. This IS the story and this IS what happens in it. The only real difference is the elevation of Martha and the (brilliant) use of characters after they are dead. I wish there were a few stronger tunes in act 2; this would elevate it into a great musical rather than the good one that it currently is. IMHO. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 16:26:03 GMT
Does it belong in the West End? That's another question. Exactly, mallardo . I'd say at the moment it is of sufficient quality to maybe slide through as it is doing - there's a lot worse been there before it - but it could be so much stronger. danb gets it right, "good rather than great," and it deserves to be far more. Full disclosure- haven't seen it (frankly couldn't afford it) but I think the debate here is actually settled by the fact it's a 'Cult Hit' much like the mentioned Little Shop of Horrors. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But it is (for better or worse depending on your thoughts on the music) one of those shows that has a hardcore following among musical theatre types, mostly the younger demographic who also love it's 'niche' status and the fact it's not the 'big famous show' there's always been shows like that about, and most of them are pretty good shows. But it's a certain in-crowd ironically Heathers like quality about it that propels them. Combining that with a star that appeals to a similar demographic- but with enough crossover/additional audience coverage and there's a mini-hit on your hands. Would it sustain a year or more in the WE? I don't think so. Particularly not without Carrie. Does that mean it's a bad show? no. Does that mean it's a truly excellent show? also no. Is it a good musical with a possibly slightly strange to some niche appeal with a bonus "star" yes, so it'll do just nicely in a small theatre in the WE for a few months. (all of the above obviously based on my general knowledge of the musical not this specific production but I think you get my point) |
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Post by danb on Jul 6, 2018 16:30:44 GMT
Exactly, mallardo . I'd say at the moment it is of sufficient quality to maybe slide through as it is doing - there's a lot worse been there before it - but it could be so much stronger. danb gets it right, "good rather than great," and it deserves to be far more. Full disclosure- haven't seen it (frankly couldn't afford it) but I think the debate here is actually settled by the fact it's a 'Cult Hit' much like the mentioned Little Shop of Horrors. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But it is (for better or worse depending on your thoughts on the music) one of those shows that has a hardcore following among musical theatre types, mostly the younger demographic who also love it's 'niche' status and the fact it's not the 'big famous show' there's always been shows like that about, and most of them are pretty good shows. But it's a certain in-crowd ironically Heathers like quality about it that propels them. Combining that with a star that appeals to a similar demographic- but with enough crossover/additional audience coverage and there's a mini-hit on your hands. Would it sustain a year or more in the WE? I don't think so. Particularly not without Carrie. Does that mean it's a bad show? no. Does that mean it's a truly excellent show? also no. Is it a good musical with a possibly slightly strange to some niche appeal with a bonus "star" yes, so it'll do just nicely in a small theatre in the WE for a few months. (all of the above obviously based on my general knowledge of the musical not this specific production but I think you get my point) Oh ffs, alright alright, we’ll have a whip round and get you a gallery seat at the Haymarket so you can cast judgement in luxurious comfort! x 😇 |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 6, 2018 16:31:26 GMT
What’s with the 7:45pm start after the transfer?
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Post by Jon on Jul 6, 2018 16:32:12 GMT
What’s with the 7:45pm start after the transfer? It’s a Kenwright thing, |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 16:33:04 GMT
Full disclosure- haven't seen it (frankly couldn't afford it) but I think the debate here is actually settled by the fact it's a 'Cult Hit' much like the mentioned Little Shop of Horrors. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But it is (for better or worse depending on your thoughts on the music) one of those shows that has a hardcore following among musical theatre types, mostly the younger demographic who also love it's 'niche' status and the fact it's not the 'big famous show' there's always been shows like that about, and most of them are pretty good shows. But it's a certain in-crowd ironically Heathers like quality about it that propels them. Combining that with a star that appeals to a similar demographic- but with enough crossover/additional audience coverage and there's a mini-hit on your hands. Would it sustain a year or more in the WE? I don't think so. Particularly not without Carrie. Does that mean it's a bad show? no. Does that mean it's a truly excellent show? also no. Is it a good musical with a possibly slightly strange to some niche appeal with a bonus "star" yes, so it'll do just nicely in a small theatre in the WE for a few months. (all of the above obviously based on my general knowledge of the musical not this specific production but I think you get my point) Oh ffs, alright alright, we’ll have a whip round and get you a gallery seat at the Haymarket so you can cast judgement in luxurious comfort! x 😇 You can just buy me the DVD (does anyone buy DVDs any more) Actually one of those Slushy things they're selling sounds good right about now. But if I don't like it I'm tweeting Carrie to complain. |
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Post by danb on Jul 6, 2018 16:45:13 GMT
PM me ur address and I’ll send it to you. I want it back mind! I thought I had two but I think I sold the vanilla one at a car boot. x
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Post by ellz97 on Jul 7, 2018 3:09:02 GMT
Hi, I'm new here! I'm just curious, as it's a fairly small cast, what happens if someone gets ill? Are there understudies for all the main characters? Who would go on as Heather Chandler, Veronica, etc.? Tried looking on The Other Palace cast page but it doesn't say who the understudies are..
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Post by shady23 on Jul 7, 2018 3:30:13 GMT
There must be as one went on mid show yesterday.
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Post by ensembleswings on Jul 7, 2018 5:12:03 GMT
Hi, I'm new here! I'm just curious, as it's a fairly small cast, what happens if someone gets ill? Are there understudies for all the main characters? Who would go on as Heather Chandler, Veronica, etc.? Tried looking on The Other Palace cast page but it doesn't say who the understudies are.. They have understudies despite the cast size. Not sure on who the cover is for all roles but I know Olivia Moore is understudy Veronica and Lauren Drew understudy Heather Chandler and Duke. |
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Post by sophie92 on Jul 7, 2018 6:49:05 GMT
Here are the understudies for this production:  |
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Post by katykate on Jul 7, 2018 8:37:59 GMT
Just booked for this in October. Never seen the film but curious to see this after the good response it’s had. Interested to see CHF in a musical as I like her voice and never caught her in any shows before.
If nothing else it’ll be a nice day out and a hopefully fun show. Looking forward to it!
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Post by ellie1981 on Jul 7, 2018 9:05:47 GMT
If anyone wants to see the film on the big screen, the BFI Southbank and Prince Charles Cinema will be showing it through August for the 30th anniversary. I’ve already booked for one of the Q&A screenings with Michael Lehmann and Lisanne Falk.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 7, 2018 9:16:25 GMT
Seeing the matinee today. Looking forward to it. Just realised that apparently I'm stalking Carrie - this will be the seventh production I've seen her in!
And if anyone tries to watch the football on their phone during the performance, I hope someone 'does a LuPone' and gives them hell!!
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Post by japhun on Jul 7, 2018 11:50:17 GMT
Booked on 3 September. Loved this at TOP, so hoping the Haymarket production is as good! £55 for stalls on the West End vs £60+ at TOP is proof of dynamic pricing at its most efficient, but still a drop in the bucket compared to Broadway  |
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Post by littlesally on Jul 7, 2018 11:51:23 GMT
Seeing the matinee today. Looking forward to it. Just realised that apparently I'm stalking Carrie - this will be the seventh production I've seen her in! And if anyone tries to watch the football on their phone during the performance, I hope someone 'does a LuPone' and gives them hell!! We are at today’s matinee too. I’m sure the audience would deal severely with anyone watching the football. Hope the staff are on high alert too! |
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 7, 2018 18:09:22 GMT
Loved this today. Wasn't too keen on the soundtrack when I first heard it but I really enjoyed it live. Sold out showing and the audience were impeccably behaved. Yes they go crazy at the end of each song but not ridiculously so and it was actually lovely to see them all so into the show (for many of them it clearly wasn't their first trip either!). CHF was in fine voice - she'll always be a stronger singer than actress but she did really well. Jodie Steele was fabulous as Heather Chandler and pretty much stole every scene she was in. And a huge payrise to whoever decided to have Dominic Andersen in just his pants for pretty much all of Act 2. It was hot enough today already!! 😍
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 18:24:50 GMT
Awww you gotta feel bad for the other guy considering everyone fancies Dominic and no one pays attention to the other one it seems.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 18:35:12 GMT
Awww you gotta feel bad for the other guy considering everyone fancies Dominic and no one pays attention to the other one it seems. Calling Chris Chung “the other guy” and “the other one” probably doesn’t help him either, to be fair  |
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