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Post by Polly1 on Feb 15, 2016 23:41:06 GMT
OK, I'm putting this under plays because as far as I'm concerned, it's a play with music but I don't mind if someone wants to move it.
Went to the second preview and it looked in pretty good shape. Very high production values for this theatre. Didn't see the play in its previous incarnation with Tracie Bennett and must admit had never even heard of Liza Maxwell, wasn't expecting much when the publicity harped on about Loose Women, but was very pleasantly surprised by her acting and singing (wonder how her voice will hold up on the very long tour however). Similarly, didn't know Sam Attwater at all, also very good, struck me as rather like a young David Morrisey. The weak link I felt was Gary Wilmot, whom I usually love - seemed a bit miscast but expect he will grow into the part more during the run. A lot of similarities in the writing to Quilter's other play, Glorious, plenty to hold the interest between the songs. I hope it does well (maybe then the Mercury will put on some more quality stuff!)
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 16, 2016 1:08:47 GMT
Am very intrigued to see this new production saw the tracie Bennett production 6 times and it was fantastic she was amazing ... So was wondering how this new production would hold up ... Not too sure about Lisa maxwell but hope she proves doubters wrong ... I love Gary wilmott he had saved many weak tours recently ... Hope he does settle into the role as really it holds the whole play together ... May give it a go in Coventry
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Post by stefy69 on Feb 16, 2016 6:55:00 GMT
Oh yes ! The Tracie Bennett production was truly excellent made you believe she was Judy Garland  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2016 20:39:02 GMT
Lisa Maxwell as Judy Garland
End of the Rainbow
By Peter Quilter
With Gary Wilmot and Sam Attwater
Paul Taylor-Mills in association with Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Join Judy as she makes her explosive London come back at the height of the swinging sixties. This fiercely funny and emotionally charged play finds the once-glittering star sparring with her new fiancé, her devoted accompanist, and her own demons. Filled with Garland’s legendary tenacity, razor-sharp wit and once-in-a-generation voice.
Featuring Garland’s most memorable songs The Man That Got Away, Come Rain Or Come Shine, The Trolley Song and of course Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
End of the Rainbow stars Lisa Maxwell (Loose Women and The Bill), Gary Wilmot (Me and My Girl and Chicago) and Sam Attwater (EastEnders and Dancing on Ice).
“There are moments in the theatre when you lean forward in your seat, with shivers racing down the spine, and realise there is nowhere else on God's earth you'd rather be. End of the Rainbow is one such occasion...One of the greatest musical performances I have ever witnessed."
Daily Telegraph
* * * * * The Times
* * * * * Sunday Express
* * * * * Daily Express
* * * * * Daily Telegraph
* * * * * Independent
Reviews from previous production.
End of the Rainbow is an emotional drama which offers you the chance to get to know the broken and at the same time, brilliant woman that Judy became.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2016 20:40:23 GMT
Sod it, I've just booked anyway. I love me a bit of Judy (quelle surprise). I bet the audience is full of "friends"  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2016 21:09:05 GMT
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 19, 2016 21:14:22 GMT
The play is brilliant, and Tracie Bennett was sublime in the previous production. I just struggle to see anyone top that performance...
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2016 22:34:08 GMT
Did you hear TB on Graham Norton's Saturday Radio 2 prog the other week? She was promoting Henderson but Rainbow inevitably came up. She gave the impression that it was a flop on Broadway.
She sounds very insecure.
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Post by loureviews on Feb 19, 2016 22:38:47 GMT
The play is brilliant, and Tracie Bennett was sublime in the previous production. I just struggle to see anyone top that performance... The same goes for Hilton MacRae. |
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 20, 2016 0:41:33 GMT
Going to take the plunge and give this production a go saw the last production with tracie Bennett 7 times right from the first previews to west end to the tour .... Really hope I don't end up regretting it .... It playing some varied venues from really small to quite large houses ... So far looks like not selling to well ? ..... It a great play I loved it so much before .... From the photos the set looks almost identical shame it wasn't more like the original one would be bit different
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Post by Polly1 on Feb 20, 2016 16:17:01 GMT
I did start a thread on this in 'Plays' as in my opinion (& Liza Maxwell's) it is a play with music. However perhaps someone can merge. Didn't see the original but enjoyed it very much in Colchester.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 20, 2016 20:28:26 GMT
Threads merged and moved to Musicals
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 24, 2016 22:28:10 GMT
Well I did it and went ..... Sadly part of me wishes I didn't ... Firstly I'm a huge fan of end of the rainbow and the TB &H mc version it was sublime ..... Sadly this pales in comparison
The set was nice
Wig was terrible
Says band in programme but you never saw them or mentioned in curtain call ? Suspect pre recorded ? Maybe does anyone know ?
The usual fabulous Gary wilmott I agree is miscast
I must say I was surprised but felt Sam Atwater was the strongest performance .
Lisa maxwell has huge shoes to fill TB s and judys of course you do want her to do well but she just does not have the voice or the power some of the talk of the town moments really were cringeworthy in parts just shouts and some of the top notes are just missed off ...... Her accent morphs between Judy Piaf Mae West and Blanche from the golden girls I really was hoping for more from an ex impressionist but may be that's it TB enveloped the essence of Judy you believed her she was Judy .
Lisa's acting is adequate although some of the best lines get lost ... The singing is passable just ...... The final moments are badly staged where as in previous version audience was moved to tears by over the rainbow .,, this felt again awkward no emotion most of that was down to bad direction and lighting ...,,. The encore by myself was just too big a sing for her ..... I hated when TB dropped it from the tour ... But this time it would have been better ...if it had of been . I also think it's overpriced we paid cheapest seats at £22 circle was closed stalls just over half full ... Don't know how it will sell in larger theatres ... The writing and Judy deserve better .... Just my humble honest thoughts
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 24, 2016 23:03:27 GMT
Do t get me wrong I think Lisa maxwell gave it her all but the role was just too big left her exposed a little
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 8:43:09 GMT
Well here is a clip of Lisa singing...
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 25, 2016 17:33:03 GMT
As I say she just never got the notes or tone seeing her live last night ...
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 25, 2016 17:39:20 GMT
Not sure if link will work but found Tracey Bennett singing it live when you saw that fantastic performance .... last time then seeing Lisa last night if you go to see it think you would agree ....
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 25, 2016 19:09:55 GMT
Gave me goose bumps even just watching on you tube
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 26, 2016 8:30:14 GMT
Oh dear. Looks like Ms Maxwell has over stretched herself. I wouldn't mind the singing if the acting was good but if she can't do a consistent accent then that's a worry.
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 28, 2016 2:35:56 GMT
If anyone does fancy giving it a go travel zoo have tickets offers for some dates for as low as £10
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Post by lou on Apr 12, 2016 12:19:48 GMT
Just received an email and text to say the tour is being cut short and I need to phone for a refund as it won't be playing Birmingham now.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 12:43:54 GMT
I had a strange thought last night... could this slip into the Noel Coward for a brief run after Henderson?
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Post by lou on Apr 12, 2016 13:32:18 GMT
I think it's being cancelled due to poor ticket sales and losses so would be surprised if it went into the West End.
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Post by zsazsa on Apr 12, 2016 14:02:45 GMT
Do we know when the tour will now end?
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Post by lou on Apr 12, 2016 14:06:21 GMT
It doesn't say in my email (Birmingham was the end of June). It said this:
The Following is a statement from the production team:
“It is with great sadness that we have had to make the difficult decision to end the UK Tour of End of the Rainbow earlier than planned. We will have played in 13 cities, to consistently wonderful reviews and standing ovations each night, and we are hugely disappointed that we won't be able to share this brilliant production with more audiences. I would like to sincerely thank the entire team for bringing this incredible play to the stage, and to the cast for telling Judy's story so wonderfully each night.”
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