4,369 posts
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Motown
Jan 20, 2016 18:54:09 GMT
Post by Michael on Jan 20, 2016 18:54:09 GMT
Motown is a jukebox musical about Berry Gordy founding and running the Motown record label and his relationship to the label's various artists. It opens at London's Shaftesbury Theatre on 11th February.
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4,369 posts
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Motown
Feb 11, 2016 18:24:16 GMT
Post by Michael on Feb 11, 2016 18:24:16 GMT
Previews start tonight. Anyone going - or at least in the near future?
Tbh, I have no real interest in seeing this and I'm likely to give it a complete miss - unless it'll be getting rave reviews on here.
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5,901 posts
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Motown
Feb 11, 2016 19:04:21 GMT
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 11, 2016 19:04:21 GMT
Nah... No interest at all in this.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Feb 11, 2016 19:13:35 GMT
I saw the Dress Rehearsal last night. It's just ok. The book is quite bad and the set looks cheap and tacky. They haven't tried very hard since it's a show which relies on people just wanting to hear some of Motown greatest hits. The cast deliver the songs with gusto and there are a few nice numbers, but it's annoying that they only sing small and in some case tiny portions of brilliant songs.
It can be enjoyable if you are prepared to believe the story that Berry Gordy was a lovely guy who cared deeply about all Motown performers, never exploited them and considered them family.
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Post by Michael on Feb 11, 2016 19:50:00 GMT
They should have rather made a show about Fat Mike and his label Fat Wreck Chords - now that's a show I'd be rushing to see. |
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Motown
Feb 11, 2016 20:45:49 GMT
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Post by infofreako on Feb 11, 2016 20:45:49 GMT
They should have rather made a show about Fat Mike and his label Fat Wreck Chords - now that's a show I'd be rushing to see. Me too. Would be quite a show |
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Motown
Feb 11, 2016 20:47:17 GMT
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Feb 11, 2016 20:47:17 GMT
I completely forgot this was even coming such is the lack of interest I have. Is there even any promotion because I've not seen any? Hopefully it won't stay long.
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Post by Seriously on Feb 11, 2016 21:47:33 GMT
It seems odd that someone would chose to write a "Jukebox" musical, but by cramming in as many hits as possible, not give the audience any time to enjoy them.
The restaurant equivalent of having lots of starters, but no main course?
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Post by tayzerpin on Feb 11, 2016 22:31:50 GMT
Maybe it should be referred to as a Tapas musical?
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Motown
Feb 11, 2016 23:30:27 GMT
Post by theatremadness on Feb 11, 2016 23:30:27 GMT
Already extended to Feb 18th 2017 according to Baz, with 200,000 new tickets on sale!
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Motown
Feb 12, 2016 0:45:29 GMT
Post by wickedgrin on Feb 12, 2016 0:45:29 GMT
Heavens - just checked the Shaftesbury Theatre website and limited availability for near future shows! Only premium seats left for some performances at an eye watering £145!!! Looking at the video footage the show looks very cheap! The producers must be making a FORTUNE!
Thank goodness this show is not on my "to see" list! I despair at the state of the theatre industry when this is selling so well and Mrs Henderson I suspect will struggle to get an audience!
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Post by Michael on Feb 12, 2016 5:11:10 GMT
Already extended to Feb 18th 2017 according to Baz, with 200,000 new tickets on sale! If this ends up running longer than Memphis, I'm giving up hope completely. |
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Post by Stasia on Feb 12, 2016 6:10:46 GMT
I haven't seen lots of advertising for this, this show has no "stars" and yet - no day seats, no offers, ticket prices are way more higher than I'm ready to pay for it - and yet it extends! How does this happen?
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Post by viserys on Feb 12, 2016 6:41:40 GMT
I would hope that so far it's been people nostalgic for the Motown sounds - the kind of groups that also flock to see stuff like Mamma mia, Sunny Afternoon, Let it Be and so on. If it's as cheap and tacky as you people say and no song fully played out, word should get around quickly and sales will dry up. Maybe. Hopefully. I feel bad about wishing a show to go away, but I'm so tired of this kind of jukebox musical clogging up theatres.
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2,051 posts
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Motown
Feb 12, 2016 6:43:36 GMT
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Post by infofreako on Feb 12, 2016 6:43:36 GMT
Makes no sense whatsoever. Can only imagine its an easy sell to the tourist market just wanting to hear the songs
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Motown
Feb 12, 2016 7:49:04 GMT
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Feb 12, 2016 7:49:04 GMT
At least it's on at the Shaftesbury, a theatre I only ever pass if I'm going to see a show there, so I won't be looking at the place every time I go to London.
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Motown
Feb 12, 2016 21:01:13 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 21:01:13 GMT
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2,051 posts
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Motown
Feb 12, 2016 23:39:12 GMT
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Post by infofreako on Feb 12, 2016 23:39:12 GMT
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Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 13, 2016 0:04:51 GMT
I don't think the members of this board are the target audience for this show. Looks like it will do a lot better than Memphis, despite having none of the originality and charm.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 13, 2016 9:23:56 GMT
That's depressing. The general public sure are easily pleased.
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Motown
Feb 15, 2016 8:01:48 GMT
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2016 8:01:48 GMT
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Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 8:05:32 GMT
This is so depressing.
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Motown
Feb 15, 2016 8:34:50 GMT
Post by ali973 on Feb 15, 2016 8:34:50 GMT
I would be interested to see who actually books to see the production in London.
I think there is something to be said about the demographic of audience in the US. I remember when the show opened in Chicago, my best friend (African American) got numerous calls from family and friends, who are normally not necessarily into the normal "Broadway in Chicago" roster. Same with the Color Purple national tour.
I think to a certain extent, there is a similar kind of behavior in the UK. I remember seeing a lot more diversity in Memphis, Bodyguard, the all-black Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.
So despite it being so pedestrian, minorities want to see minorities onstage, and I feel that producers/creative really need to get out of their comfort zone and examine shows that could reach out to a new demographic. I know this does not apply to a show like Bend It Like Beckham or Memphis, but there must be an untapped market being catered to in the Motown case.
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Motown
Feb 15, 2016 10:53:56 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 10:53:56 GMT
Why? God forbid a show should do well... |
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Motown
Feb 15, 2016 11:08:56 GMT
Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 11:08:56 GMT
From all I've heard, Motown is a cheaply produced song revue with next to no set and no story whatsoever. When such a show runs for longer and is more successful than an original show (take Memphis as example, but many new shows failed recently), this will discourage people from trying out or funding new shows and more such shows will be put on.
The West End deserves better shows.
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