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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 16:32:04 GMT
I have seen Aspects many times and would like to see it again. The Menier production was the least successful of them all. Not entirely sure why. I remember the not liking the actress playing Rose.
Spring Awakening. I listened to it once and its been collecting dust on the shelf since. Any suggestions as to why it bombed so quickly here??
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Post by martin1965 on Nov 15, 2017 17:48:24 GMT
Richard Stilgoe turned down the offer to write the lyrics, because he found the material distasteful too. Oh, and the Gale Edwards production I think was definitive. Didn't like the original, loved that version. Wouldn't it be a coup de theatre if the small Hope Mill Theatre, that seems to be punching above its weight got Sean Connery to play the role of George in Aspects. It would be more than a coup! It would be a freaking miracle😊 |
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Post by martin1965 on Nov 15, 2017 17:50:07 GMT
Btw when does booking open? Nothing at all on the website.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 18:23:14 GMT
(Are you suggesting it should be a Bond?!) They could get Russ Abbot - Basildon Bond. For one dreadful moment I thought you were then going to suggest Bella Emberg as Rose... But I jest. The part’s a doddle actually; I was going to suggest it could be played by a chimp. Brooke Bond.  (But then he died and was cast in the next Lloyd Webber show...  ) |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 18:28:04 GMT
The best man for the part in all honesty- Premium Bond. But he’d be lucky to get it. Chance in a million...  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 15, 2017 18:36:04 GMT
Btw when does booking open? Nothing at all on the website. Wont be for a while yet I think. They only just opened booking for Toyboy Diaries. The HM doesn’t start to sell out until it gets much closer to the date for some reason, possibly because it’s unallocated and that push to bag a good seat isn’t there. I suppose the recognition factor of Aspects might change that though. However I think you’ll have little trouble getting a ticket for Spring Awakening right up to the run starting. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Nov 15, 2017 20:54:17 GMT
The part’s a doddle actually; I was going to suggest it could be played by a chimp. Are you sugesting our own @theatremonkey for the role? I'm another one who saw the UK tour of Aspects in 2008. I remember liking the music but not much liking the characters. The standout performer for me was Poppy Tierney. (What's she doing nowadays? Haven't see her in anything since.) |
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 15, 2017 21:30:34 GMT
Wouldn't it be a coup de theatre if the small Hope Mill Theatre, that seems to be punching above its weight got Sean Connery to play the role of George in Aspects. Well Roger Moore was supposed to be a coup when he was cast as George in the original production until it all came unstuck...! (Are you suggesting it should be a Bond?!) You just know I was gasing there, now I would be very curious and I think it be very unlikely that anyone did see Rodger Moore, licenced to ill, think he did something like 10 previews before being given some friendly advice. Could you imagine how equally bad Pierce Brosnan would be in the role, whilst on the bond theme? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 22:14:24 GMT
^ I don’t think he did any previews at all, Phantom. He bowed out very gracefully during rehearsals and Kevin Colson stepped in to save the day. (Magnificently, I might add!)
(This was one of Lloyd Webber’s ‘smoother’ negotiations!)
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Post by steve10086 on Nov 15, 2017 22:26:02 GMT
^ I don’t think he did any previews at all, Phantom. He bowed out very gracefully during rehearsals and Kevin Colson stepped in to save the day. (Magnificently, I might add!) (This was one of Lloyd Webber’s ‘smoother’ negotiations!) I think you’re right, though I do have an original Aspects poster with his name on somewhere. Wish I had a Judi Dench Cats poster to go with it. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 22:33:11 GMT
^ I don’t think he did any previews at all, Phantom. He bowed out very gracefully during rehearsals and Kevin Colson stepped in to save the day. (Magnificently, I might add!) (This was one of Lloyd Webber’s ‘smoother’ negotiations!) I think you’re right, though I do have an original Aspects poster with his name on somewhere. Wish I had a Judi Dench Cats poster to go with it. I’ve got a My Fair Lady one with Martine McCutcheon’s name on somewhere. I reckon that’s worth a bob or two. |
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Post by steve10086 on Nov 15, 2017 22:39:35 GMT
I think you’re right, though I do have an original Aspects poster with his name on somewhere. Wish I had a Judi Dench Cats poster to go with it. I’ve got a My Fair Lady one with Martine McCutcheon’s name on somewhere. I reckon that’s worth a bob or two. Talking about Cats!!! Meow  lol |
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Post by martin1965 on Nov 16, 2017 6:59:33 GMT
^ I don’t think he did any previews at all, Phantom. He bowed out very gracefully during rehearsals and Kevin Colson stepped in to save the day. (Magnificently, I might add!) (This was one of Lloyd Webber’s ‘smoother’ negotiations!) [br Yep he never actually did any performances, if you have a poster though with him top billed its prob worth something. |
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Post by martin1965 on Nov 16, 2017 7:03:00 GMT
I think you’re right, though I do have an original Aspects poster with his name on somewhere. Wish I had a Judi Dench Cats poster to go with it. I’ve got a My Fair Lady one with Martine McCutcheon’s name on somewhere. I reckon that’s worth a bob or two. Lol! I had booked months in advance for MFL for my daughters birthday and then as the date loomed all the stuff blew up about her going sick. Luckily she was there for our performance and was actually ok in it. Whenever i look at prog i chuckle. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2017 7:14:41 GMT
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 16, 2017 8:08:29 GMT
I’d hazard a guess that this chorus of disapproval for Aspects is based on the Menier production... David Essex production for me, awful !!! He broke out of character a few times to do the whole 'knowing' wink I'm David Essex thing to the ladies in the audience.....but I hated the show regardless.
I'm sure he didn't do that in Eastbourne, but he was certainly the main draw for the assembled audience.
I actually think it's a very good show. Very "adult" for ALW. Beautiful songs, really delves into the characters. bit racey in places. Almost Sondheim-esque.
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 16, 2017 8:12:24 GMT
I would agree - I think the whole storyline of older George and very young Jenny and the song "The first man you remember" might have been intended as innocent, but comes across as rather creepy. Maybe it's our modern cynical minds, I dunno. Done right, Aspects of Love can be mildly entertaining, but as someone else said, the characters are not really all that likeable. I enjoyed the Menier production and have good memories of a German version in Dresden many years ago. That said, it's one of those shows that could only tempt me back with the right cast. It's definitely a symptom of our more suspicious minds now. Which is a real shame to be honest.
I've watched a couple of old films which at the time, thought nothing untoward of, and now watching them in the post Yewtree landscape, they made me feel a bit icky. It has tainted everything unfortunately. It's not the production/film's fault, it's us...
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 16, 2017 8:14:35 GMT
I have seen Aspects many times and would like to see it again. The Menier production was the least successful of them all. Not entirely sure why. I remember the not liking the actress playing Rose. Spring Awakening. I listened to it once and its been collecting dust on the shelf since. Any suggestions as to why it bombed so quickly here?? Spring Awakening bombed so much, I never got an opportunity to see it!
The Gale Edwards Aspects sounds really good. Alas, a bit before my time.
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 16, 2017 8:15:43 GMT
The part’s a doddle actually; I was going to suggest it could be played by a chimp. Are you sugesting our own @theatremonkey for the role? I'm another one who saw the UK tour of Aspects in 2008. I remember liking the music but not much liking the characters. The standout performer for me was Poppy Tierney. (What's she doing nowadays? Haven't see her in anything since.)
She did the 2010-11 tour of Chess, as Svetlana.
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Post by loureviews on Nov 16, 2017 12:39:52 GMT
Aspects .. my friend Gary created the role of George (then James) on its first private recording then went on to tour in the role in 1993. So he (and Dinsdale Landen who couldn't sing but was fab in the Sydmonton production) are 'my' Georges. David Essex and Dave Willetts were OK in very different versions - I actually liked the chamber piece feel at the Menier.
Having said this the plot is daft and no version has ever done justice to the score, one of ALW's underrated pieces IMO.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2017 13:21:09 GMT
Might be worth splitting this thread into an Aspects and Spring one?
Anyway, Aspects of Love - probably by favourite ALW musical after Starlight Express (strange but true). The score is gorgeous. Lucky enough to have seen all 4 versions. Agree the Gale Edwards version is probably the best. Visually looked great, had some fantastic casts and the characters were the most likeable than in any version I thought.
The original I think was underrated. A lot of these more intimate shows get criticised for the originals being overblown. An element of this is true. But Bjornson's set was quite extraordinary. The way it kept folding out to reveal scene after scene I thought was breathtaking. Saw Ball and Susannah Fellows, shortly after Ann Crumb was injured. Both excellent. One of my biggest regrets never seeing Sarah Brightman in it.
The Nikolai Foster version I also enjoyed. Though the David Essex show aspect of it was irritating. Though his name was selling out venues - that age old problem - guess it's better to have him in it so that Aspects can be financially viable than for it not to happen at all. At least it wasn't Pellow lol. And he was ok in fact. Was the middle aged screaming that was irritating and the fact he had top billing, and I think final bow. Matt Rawle made Alex quite unlikeable I thought.
The Menier version was ok - thought could have been better.
ANYWAY a roundabout way of saying I'm thrilled to hear it's being done again and I will be going to Manchesterford. Despite unreserved seating which I hate lol!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2017 14:34:50 GMT
Might be worth splitting this thread into an Aspects and Spring one? Anyway, Aspects of Love - probably by favourite ALW musical after Starlight Express (strange but true). The score is gorgeous. Lucky enough to have seen all 4 versions. Agree the Gale Edwards version is probably the best. Visually looked great, had some fantastic casts and the characters were the most likeable than in any version I thought. The original I think was underrated. A lot of these more intimate shows get criticised for the originals being overblown. An element of this is true. But Bjornson's set was quite extraordinary. The way it kept folding out to reveal scene after scene I thought was breathtaking. Saw Ball and Susannah Fellows, shortly after Ann Crumb was injured. Both excellent. One of my biggest regrets never seeing Sarah Brightman in it. The Nikolai Foster version I also enjoyed. Though the David Essex show aspect of it was irritating. Though his name was selling out venues - that age old problem - guess it's better to have him in it so that Aspects can be financially viable than for it not to happen at all. At least it wasn't Pellow lol. And he was ok in fact. Was the middle aged screaming that was irritating and the fact he had top billing, and I think final bow. Matt Rawle made Alex quite unlikeable I thought. The Menier version was ok - thought could have been better. ANYWAY a roundabout way of saying I'm thrilled to hear it's being done again and I will be going to Manchesterford. Despite unreserved seating which I hate lol! Yes, it was breathtaking! I loved the moment when the 'bricks' forming the back wall suddenly split horizontally, in zig-zag formation, creating 'mountains' with bold light coming from behind. I didn't see Ann Crumb either, I saw her understudy, Carol Duffy who I thought was superb. (Apparently she was also Patti Lupone's understudy in Sunset...) And I did see Sarah Brightman! I think she did a twelve week stint. After I'd bought the tickets on the strength of her casting alone, it was announced that she would not be performing on my date. I contacted the box office and asked to change them for another date. No can do... After some argy-bargy, being referred to 'the producers' who listened and were sympathetic, they agreed to change them. So I got to see her after all. |
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 17, 2017 14:29:04 GMT
Might be worth splitting this thread into an Aspects and Spring one? Anyway, Aspects of Love - probably by favourite ALW musical after Starlight Express (strange but true). The score is gorgeous. Lucky enough to have seen all 4 versions. Agree the Gale Edwards version is probably the best. Visually looked great, had some fantastic casts and the characters were the most likeable than in any version I thought. The original I think was underrated. A lot of these more intimate shows get criticised for the originals being overblown. An element of this is true. But Bjornson's set was quite extraordinary. The way it kept folding out to reveal scene after scene I thought was breathtaking. Saw Ball and Susannah Fellows, shortly after Ann Crumb was injured. Both excellent. One of my biggest regrets never seeing Sarah Brightman in it. The Nikolai Foster version I also enjoyed. Though the David Essex show aspect of it was irritating. Though his name was selling out venues - that age old problem - guess it's better to have him in it so that Aspects can be financially viable than for it not to happen at all. At least it wasn't Pellow lol. And he was ok in fact. Was the middle aged screaming that was irritating and the fact he had top billing, and I think final bow. Matt Rawle made Alex quite unlikeable I thought. The Menier version was ok - thought could have been better. ANYWAY a roundabout way of saying I'm thrilled to hear it's being done again and I will be going to Manchesterford. Despite unreserved seating which I hate lol!
It was Tim Rogers by the time I got to see the tour. I don't remember him being that likeable either, so maybe it was a directorial decision.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 17, 2017 14:44:43 GMT
Might be worth splitting this thread into an Aspects and Spring one? Bit of a hatchet job, but done. |
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Post by chernjam on Nov 18, 2017 5:57:17 GMT
Might be worth splitting this thread into an Aspects and Spring one? Anyway, Aspects of Love - probably by favourite ALW musical after Starlight Express (strange but true). The score is gorgeous. Lucky enough to have seen all 4 versions. Agree the Gale Edwards version is probably the best. Visually looked great, had some fantastic casts and the characters were the most likeable than in any version I thought. The original I think was underrated. A lot of these more intimate shows get criticised for the originals being overblown. An element of this is true. But Bjornson's set was quite extraordinary. The way it kept folding out to reveal scene after scene I thought was breathtaking. Saw Ball and Susannah Fellows, shortly after Ann Crumb was injured. Both excellent. One of my biggest regrets never seeing Sarah Brightman in it. The Nikolai Foster version I also enjoyed. Though the David Essex show aspect of it was irritating. Though his name was selling out venues - that age old problem - guess it's better to have him in it so that Aspects can be financially viable than for it not to happen at all. At least it wasn't Pellow lol. And he was ok in fact. Was the middle aged screaming that was irritating and the fact he had top billing, and I think final bow. Matt Rawle made Alex quite unlikeable I thought. The Menier version was ok - thought could have been better. ANYWAY a roundabout way of saying I'm thrilled to hear it's being done again and I will be going to Manchesterford. Despite unreserved seating which I hate lol! Aspects of Love was the very first Broadway musical I ever saw ( the very FIRST) and instantly made me an ALW fan. My folks had insisted I needed to "broaden my horizons" and we went to see a Broadway show of my choosing from the TKTS booth - and I had seen a commercial for Aspects and heard a clip of "Love changes everything" and thought - it sounds nice. Had zero idea anything else about the show. Thought it was odd that the other big show by the same composer was across the street (Phantom) and you couldn't get tickets for that for months... To be young again Anyway - I remember when the first act ended I couldn't believe a full hour and 15 minutes had flown by. The music, the performances (Ann Crumb is so underappreciated and no one has equaled her Rose in my book, especially not Brightman - but honestly I just don't like her voice) When the set broke open to become a mountain, I remember just being blown away. A few years later, the Robin Phillips version toured the US after a successful run in Canada. (I think Gale Edwards production was similar) - it was simply these white curtains, a few props and lighting - and it was even more beautiful, more nuanced. The story telling, the performances were spectacular. Drove 4 hours one way just to see it. And regretted I couldn't stay for the evening performance. I remember my girlfriend at the time being overwhelmed and moved to tears long after the performance. I'm really curious - will this be a full production (full orchestra, sets, etc) or is this a smaller regional theatre? And how close is it to London? If I fly in from the US to see this is it worth the trip? |
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