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Post by partytentdown on Aug 15, 2016 13:27:56 GMT
Not from me, it isn't. Lost count of the numbers I've told to "go see" - and been thanked after  . Sure it's worth seeing but there is a lot wrong with it. The old fashioned use of front cloths? The comedy baddie panto duo? The set? A whole new world arrangement? Casting? Text? The fact that the best part of the show is Friend Like Me? I could go on. Sure it's a good show, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's had mixed reviews from people on here and most I know. For bubble gum fun sure it's great. Wendy, you seem to have really taken agin this show. Remember, people are allowed to have different opinions and just because some differ from yours, you don't need to keep trying to convince them to agree with you! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 14:35:45 GMT
How's this doing at the box office? It was full to the rafters when I went last week, but it is the summer hols. Yes the summer holidays probably help it enormously |
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Post by theatremadhatter on Aug 17, 2016 0:31:17 GMT
Managed to catch this again last week. Dean was off longer than his holiday with a hamstring injury & I thought it was worth a re-visit... Oh my god it's so much better without him!! The show still has its same flaws but flows so much better without Dean at the helm IMO. The relationship with Jasmine was better, the honesty, humility and cheekiness of Aladdin was much better played and you actually felt something for him and his relationships throughout with the Genie & the three friends too. Less played to the audience and it felt more integrated. Also the show got a much better response from where I was sat including the bows, the cheers seemed more even.
Actually Lauren Chia is playing Jasmine till Weds and after last week I am interested to see what it's like with another Jasmine too.
When I went it was a full house again. There were about 45 people who entered the lottery. I didn't win unfortunately but managed to get a return last minute so looks like it's selling pretty well.
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Post by ctas on Aug 22, 2016 23:24:09 GMT
Won the ticket lottery today and I have to say I enjoyed Dean's performance a lot more from front row where you get a great view of his facial expressions. Couldn't hear him very well though, quiet mic plus being next to the pit band meant I had no chance. Marsha Songcome was on as Jasmine and she was just wonderful, much preferred her to Jade Ewen. The part itself is so limited and she really did a lot with a little. Oliver Lidert was the Genie and he was great too! Full house for a Monday night and a good crowd for the lottery too.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2016 13:47:26 GMT
Seeing this tonight, finally! Leon Craig is on as Genie. So excited!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2016 15:01:22 GMT
Does anyone know when the main cast are on holiday? Usually shows include it on the website when there is scheduled holiday but I can't find it at all on the official site . . .
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2016 10:18:10 GMT
This is on sale at TKTS albeit at full price
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Post by showtoones on Sept 8, 2016 19:44:25 GMT
Seems that an understudy Genie goes on an awful lot in this show. Does he have regular days off each week?
The Genie in Broadway rarely misses
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 12:00:13 GMT
Well. I have to say I loved it! Oliver Lidert was on as the genie and he was great I thought. Don't know what the main actor is like but I can't imagine he's much better than Oliver. 'Friend Like Me' is sen. sa. tion. al. with a capital SEN. SA. TION. AL! I was almost on my feet after it finished. Also loved 'A Whole New World' - and I didn't work out how it was done and don't want to know. Again, I practically gave the carpet a standing ovation. Lots of other great numbers and a terrific cast - some of the costume changes are brilliant. Loved Jade Ewen as Jasmine, loved Jafar and Iago and LOVED Rachid Sabitri, Nathan Amzi and Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Omar, Babkak and Kassim. They should all get a joint Best Supporting Actor Olivier! Yes, it might all be a bit panto but it's no worse a show for it.
But most of all, I loved Dean John Wilson's pecs performance. Great at the comedy moments, nice voice (not necessarily the strongest but sounds lovely), lovely looking, genuine and great chemistry with the genie and especially Omar, Babkak and Kassim.
The pecs are lovely too. I was mildly distracted by them at various points during the show but quite rightly so.
All in all the show was s-pec-tactular!
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Post by Ade on Sept 9, 2016 12:34:58 GMT
Well. I have to say I loved it! Oliver Lidert was on as the genie and he was great I thought. Don't know what the main actor is like but I can't imagine he's much better than Oliver. 'Friend Like Me' is sen. sa. tion. al. with a capital SEN. SA. TION. AL! I was almost on my feet after it finished. Also loved 'A Whole New World' - and I didn't work out how it was done and don't want to know. Again, I practically gave the carpet a standing ovation. Lots of other great numbers and a terrific cast - some of the costume changes are brilliant. Loved Jade Ewen as Jasmine, loved Jafar and Iago and LOVED Rachid Sabitri, Nathan Amzi and Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Omar, Babkak and Kassim. They should all get a joint Best Supporting Actor Olivier! Yes, it might all be a bit panto but it's no worse a show for it. But most of all, I loved Dean John Wilson's pecs performance. Great at the comedy moments, nice voice (not necessarily the strongest but sounds lovely), lovely looking, genuine and great chemistry with the genie and especially Omar, Babkak and Kassim. The pecs are lovely too. I was mildly distracted by them at various points during the show but quite rightly so. All in all the show was s-pec-tactular! Whereas I was distracted by the pecs because the rest of the performance left me cold. |
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Post by littlefluffychick on Sept 9, 2016 17:29:57 GMT
I saw this again over the summer with my children and nephew. It has improved significantly since I saw it last during previews. I thought Dean and Jade were great. I saw the understudy Genie (Leon) who was ok but nowhere near as good as the principal guy. High brow? No. Panto? No. Just an enjoyable evening of fun for the family. Give it a chance moaning Minnies!
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 9, 2016 17:47:21 GMT
We aren't moaning minies.... Have you seen the creativity in Lion King or more importantly the fact that Beauty and the Beast was an epic scale Broadway musical while also being a low key Panto in the UK.
Aladdin is pure bubble gum theatre but has nowhere near the sophistication, standard and style of the shows mentioned. That's all. I'm certainly not against it at all, just a little disappointed with what they came up with creatively.
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Post by littlefluffychick on Sept 9, 2016 17:59:20 GMT
Yes I have seen the Lion King, several times and IMO you cannot directly compare the two - creatively or otherwise. The Lion King had a brand new story and the luxury of talking/dancing animals to project to the stage whereas Aladdin had to work within the constraints of a historical and very well known story. Why not just enjoy Aladdin for what it is (and by the way they have staged it and written the book with a slightly satirical take on pantos, the production knows exactly what it is) rather than compare it to other shows which simply aren't comparable?
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Post by theatremadhatter on Sept 9, 2016 19:44:00 GMT
Seems that an understudy Genie goes on an awful lot in this show. Does he have regular days off each week? The Genie in Broadway rarely misses Well Trevor said in an interview he played the Genie 86 times on broadway and that was just him not to mention the other covers. Perhaps it's just not as notable there as Trevor is such a big presence in comparison here. I think he's only been sick twice the rest being holidays which they have to take 5 weeks over the year contract. Amazes me though that he doesn't have an alternate nor does Matt Henry in Kinky Boots but so many shows like School of Rock do! |
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 9, 2016 20:15:02 GMT
Yes I have seen the Lion King, several times and IMO you cannot directly compare the two - creatively or otherwise. The Lion King had a brand new story and the luxury of talking/dancing animals to project to the stage whereas Aladdin had to work within the constraints of a historical and very well known story. Why not just enjoy Aladdin for what it is (and by the way they have staged it and written the book with a slightly satirical take on pantos, the production knows exactly what it is) rather than compare it to other shows which simply aren't comparable? Im not comparing "the shows" of course they are different with animals/dancing teacups/Arabian dancers that's obvious. I'm simply saying that it's not the same high spec first class 9 or 10/10 standard that Lion King or Beauty are. Put simply the show/set/book/characters/journey/jokes just aren't as good! Sure it's fine, I've got nothing against it. It's a sweet show but it won't win the Olivier for best musical. |
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Post by ali973 on Sept 14, 2016 21:53:42 GMT
So I just saw this..
Must be the worse case of appropriation and cultural stereotypes blended badly together..
Putting politics aside, it's quite much better than what I expected, and by far more entertaining than Beauty and the Beast or Lion King.
Visually it's great, but inconsistent. Aladdin's sidekicks are fabulous (is one of them the Aladdin understudy..he should be..), and Friend Like Me was actually pretty great. A Whole New World starts beautifully, but then it just deflates, and I was a bit disappointed in seeing two guys dressed in black wooble the fabric (it's the best way I can describe it). The market scenes are rather badly done, and the choreography can be either good or really bland.
Jade Ewen is fabulous. She's probably the strongest of the leads, and does everything she needs to do superbly. Cast her in everything from now on, I say. Dean John-Wilson tries hard and slightly struggles, and I feel he doesn't really let himself go, and he sounded like he has buck teeth. Everything came out with a "sh" whenever it was an "s" that needed to be said. Trevor Dion Nicholas was quite fantastic and is a powerhouse.
Otherwise, it's okay.
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Post by andrew on Sept 14, 2016 22:04:32 GMT
Jade Ewen is fabulous. She's probably the strongest of the leads, and does everything she needs to do superbly. Cast her in everything from now on, I say. Dean John-Wilson tries hard and slightly struggles, and I feel he doesn't really let himself go, and he sounded like he has buck teeth. Everything came out with a "sh" whenever it was an "s" that needed to be said. Trevor Dion Nicholas was quite fantastic and is a powerhouse. Otherwise, it's okay. Interestingly I came out the opposite way. Ewen felt like she had nothing to do when I saw it so I just lost interest in her as a person, whereas DJW I thought was likeable and talented. You're overall impression of the show though was spot on for me. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2016 22:10:05 GMT
Jade Ewen is fabulous. She's probably the strongest of the leads, and does everything she needs to do superbly. Cast her in everything from now on, I say. Jade's finest career moment to date. Even The Lord loves it at the end. 'nuff said. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2016 22:14:00 GMT
I thought she was a weak Jasmine. Or maybe she was just having a bad night when I saw this.
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Post by ali973 on Sept 14, 2016 22:14:01 GMT
I actually had no idea who she is.
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Post by viserys on Sept 15, 2016 5:23:59 GMT
I didn't like Jade Ewen much either as Jasmine, she came across too much like uppity C-list celebrity (even if unintentional) than sweet charming Disney princess. However, Jasmine is also seriously underdeveloped - as is Aladdin himself, even though he "Proud of your boy" is meant to add some depth to his character.
I agree, Kevin, it would have been interesting to see a more culturally authentic version instead of just slapping the movie on stage. The Lion King is really the only Disney musical that's become a huge worldwide success and I believe it's because it's just because it manages to recreate the movie BUT also add its own dimensions with the staging, authentic African sounds and far more depth to the characters.
I've found Aladdin very entertaining (more so on Broadway where James Monroe Inglehart blew me away) but having seen it twice, I have no desire to see it again.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Sept 15, 2016 7:39:51 GMT
I wasn't too keen on Jade either. She left me cold, which she did in her role in ITH too, though her singing was impressive in that where I thought it was underwhelming in Aladdin.On the other hand I really liked Dean. Isn't it interesting how subjective a cast can be.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 8:15:48 GMT
Jade Ewen is fabulous. She's probably the strongest of the leads, and does everything she needs to do superbly. Cast her in everything from now on, I say. Jade's finest career moment to date. Even The Lord loves it at the end. 'nuff said. No wonder he loved it: he wrote it, produced it, chose her to sing it (over Mark Evans), and even played on stage at the Actual Eurovision Song Contest. The only thing he didn't do was write the lyrics... It's my time, it's my time...la la la...it's my time. Oh, and Arlene "staged" it for the event (although I don't think Jade getting prodded in the boob by the violin bow was intentional!) Didn't go a bundle on Jade in In The Heights either... Acting?  |
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Post by daniel on Sept 15, 2016 19:57:59 GMT
I'll be honest, I really didn't warn to Jade or Dean when I saw this back in July, in all honesty there was nothing about either of their performances that stood out for me. I enjoyed the show overall but not as much as I was hoping to. I'd try it again, but probably after cast change.
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Post by Hamilton Addict on Sept 17, 2016 15:34:44 GMT
Bought the cast album earlier this week, it's so good, if only the musical itself was that good. This show has so much potential, I really don't know how it was done so badly. I'm a huge fan of The Lion King, so this was such a disappointment.
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