821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Sept 25, 2019 12:18:08 GMT
Rebecca’s last show is this Saturday (28th) Melissa’s first show as principle is Monday 30th. Just picked up a £25 stalls ticket for October thanks to the TodayTix sale, so I’m looking forward to going back to the show and seeing Melissa and all the other cast members who’ve joined since I last went in April.
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3,578 posts
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Post by Rory on Sept 26, 2019 22:31:13 GMT
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3,578 posts
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Post by Rory on Sept 26, 2019 22:38:20 GMT
At least it keeps Thriller Live out of the Apollo for now anyway!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 4:29:55 GMT
Interesting that Nica is saying that if they can’t sing then they can’t play the role. That never stood in the way of casting John MaCrea...
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Sept 27, 2019 10:01:01 GMT
Interesting that Nica is saying that if they can’t sing then they can’t play the role. That never stood in the way of casting John MaCrea... I mean it’s one thing to suggest, as is your right, that you didn’t enjoy John’s performance, but another thing entirely to suggest he can’t sing?!?
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185 posts
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Post by MoreLife on Sept 27, 2019 10:31:31 GMT
Interesting that Nica is saying that if they can’t sing then they can’t play the role. That never stood in the way of casting John MaCrea... I mean it’s one thing to suggest, as is your right, that you didn’t enjoy John’s performance, but another thing entirely to suggest he can’t sing?!? Amen to that!
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447 posts
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Post by tr252 on Sept 27, 2019 10:47:37 GMT
I mean it’s one thing to suggest, as is your right, that you didn’t enjoy John’s performance, but another thing entirely to suggest he can’t sing?!? Amen to that! I’m glad others were baffled by that post as well. Maybe it’s not to everyone’s taste (personally I think he’s got a lovely voice) but there’s no denying his singing ability.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 15:43:36 GMT
Apologies if any offence has been caused, but his vocals were pitchy and off on both occasions I saw him, and in several clips I’ve seen, hence I formed my judgement from those experiences.
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Post by happytobehere on Oct 3, 2019 23:04:41 GMT
Finally got round to seeing this show tonight & i’m kicking myself for not going sooner!
Really touching story, especially with the dynamic between Jamie and his mum. Melissa Jaques is sensational, her ‘He’s My Boy’ was the best performance all night. The entire ensemble was really great, I liked that I kinda got a sense of personality from even the smallest characters & a few reminded me of some people from my own school days!
I wasn’t especially blown away with Layton Williams as Jamie. His acting was brilliant but I personally didn’t like his vocals. He sounded quite strained & lost his accent constantly. I’d be really interested to go back & see how good his understudy is.
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3,351 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 22, 2019 9:00:12 GMT
Attended yesterday to see the scheduled Monday evening Luke Latchman day as Jamie (now officially billed as Jamie on the website). He was very good and the theatre seemed full.
Great view from the second row, which is much better than the front row due to the high stage.
There have been some more cast changes recently, so not many of the original cast left (although one lead has returned to the show recently). They haven't properly updated the cast list on the electronic screen yet, as this still shows several people who have left (although it did get the covers who were on yesterday correct).
Rita Simons is excellent as Miss Hedge. Really shows the vulnerability of the character and injects some comedy into the lines. Hasn't quite nailed the rap yet, but it doesn't really matter.
Gillian Ford was on as Ray. It may have been her first time (if not, she's rarely been on). Did a great job in the circumstances. She's on as Margaret from Thursday until Saturday if anyone wants to catch her.
Momar Diagne was on as Laika Virgin. He is very tall compared to the others.
Phil Nichol has returned to the cast as Hugo. Looks older than when he left and he's changed his performance around a bit. Seemed to be having more fun.
Two of the swings were on, with Marvyn Charles as Sayid and Adam Taylor as Levi. Both good and I think I've worked out when Adam's unadvertised date as Jamie is, so hoping to see him in the role.
Two new ensemble members have joined recently too. Tilly La Belle Yengo as Fatimah and Alexander Archer as Mickey. They both did great.
And Melissa Jacques was excellent as Margaret again. Hadn't realised that she's actually from Sheffield, where the musical is set.
Can't fault this a musical. Prefer this with Luke so do look up his dates (on his Twitter) if you'd like to see him.
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176 posts
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Post by james1969 on Oct 22, 2019 15:05:48 GMT
Could that be because he’s older than when he left ? (as indeed we all are) 😭
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176 posts
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Post by james1969 on Oct 22, 2019 15:10:40 GMT
Attended yesterday to see the scheduled Monday evening Luke Latchman day as Jamie (now officially billed as Jamie on the website). He was very good and the theatre seemed full. Great view from the second row, which is much better than the front row due to the high stage. There have been some more cast changes recently, so not many of the original cast left (although one lead has returned to the show recently). They haven't properly updated the cast list on the electronic screen yet, as this still shows several people who have left (although it did get the covers who were on yesterday correct). Rita Simons is excellent as Miss Hedge. Really shows the vulnerability of the character and injects some comedy into the lines. Hasn't quite nailed the rap yet, but it doesn't really matter. Gillian Ford was on as Ray. It may have been her first time (if not, she's rarely been on). Did a great job in the circumstances. She's on as Margaret from Thursday until Saturday if anyone wants to catch her. Momar Diagne was on as Laika Virgin. He is very tall compared to the others. Phil Nichol has returned to the cast as Hugo. Looks older than when he left and he's changed his performance around a bit. Seemed to be having more fun.Two of the swings were on, with Marvyn Charles as Sayid and Adam Taylor as Levi. Both good and I think I've worked out when Adam's unadvertised date as Jamie is, so hoping to see him in the role. Two new ensemble members have joined recently too. Tilly La Belle Yengo as Fatimah and Alexander Archer as Mickey. They both did great. And Melissa Jacques was excellent as Margaret again. Hadn't realised that she's actually from Sheffield, where the musical is set. Can't fault this a musical. Prefer this with Luke so do look up his dates (on his Twitter) if you'd like to see him. Could that be because he’s older than when he left ? (as indeed we all are) 😭 Read more: theatreboard.co.uk/thread/418/everybodys-talking-sheffield-crucible-apollo?page=139#ixzz635zkV1AP
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3,351 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 22, 2019 17:03:03 GMT
I’m trying to work out if he stopped dying his hair!
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315 posts
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Post by westended on Oct 27, 2019 16:17:27 GMT
Anyone heard any rumours to who the next Miss Hedge is?
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Post by danb on Oct 27, 2019 17:02:57 GMT
I hear they’re giving all of Steps a turn. Lee is up next.
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3,321 posts
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Post by david on Oct 27, 2019 17:31:42 GMT
I hear they’re giving all of Steps a turn. Lee is up next. How many shows a week will he be doing - 5,6,7,8 ?
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3,351 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 29, 2019 10:03:32 GMT
There last night to see Adam Taylor on as Jamie, in what I think is only the third time he's played the role. Which ticks my having seen all five people who have played Jamie off my list (if I'm right in thinking that the previous second cover never went on).
For various reasons, they chose to not announce that Adam was on beforehand, although it was possible to work it out from Layton and Luke's scheduled absences.
I sat in Stalls Centre Row R, which is the furthest back I've sat, but really isn't that far back due to it being a small theatre. The rake is good and you get a clear view of the stage. The whole place was pretty full with few discount offers, although there were some free seats directly in front, which is always nice. Generally a good audience, but it is cough season.
Where there was a challenge is that Adam was noticeably quieter than the rest of the cast, so a lot of his lines were difficult to catch. It might be how he naturally plays the role, but his microphone levels could do with being turned up. He plays a soft Jamie, less outrageous. His good looks go a long way and he makes the most in showing off his long legs.
Vocally, some inexperience in the role does show, but that's to be expected as second cover. Thought he did a great job considering and I'd happily see him in the role again. I thought he really came into his own during "Ugly in This Ugly World" and really connected with the emotional aspects of that song.
I also like that they've not shrimped on preparations for the second cover, with photographs of the correct performer in place for "Work Of Art", although it was even more obvious than usual that that song wasn't being performed live as the sound quality was completely different to the rest of the show.
When I attended last week, I noticed that they hadn't updated the cast board with some of the cast who joined during the cast change. That was completed this week, with the exception that the cast board said Daniel Davids was on as Levi. I've only just noticed that, but the current Levi is Ziggy Tyler Taylor and I think it was Ziggy who was on.
Three covers on as well:
Gillian Ford as Miss Hedge - quite remarkable in that she's played all of her three roles (Margaret, Ray and Miss Hedge) in the past week. Thought she was excellent as Miss Hedge and hope to catch her when she's on as Margaret.
Bianca Szynal as Fatima - did a good job as second cover.
Marvyn Charles as Sayid - he seems to be on a lot and is always good.
This is one of those shows that holds together remarkably well regardless who is on.
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4,806 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 8, 2019 10:34:01 GMT
Bianca returning December 9th. Not sure until when yet
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316 posts
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Post by ABr on Nov 8, 2019 10:42:09 GMT
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4,806 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 8, 2019 10:47:41 GMT
Ooo a nice long stint! Preeya is great casting too
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Post by coulddobetter on Nov 8, 2019 12:05:32 GMT
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130 posts
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Post by sb on Nov 8, 2019 13:11:09 GMT
Bianca was amazing during her last run, this is a very welcome return!
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491 posts
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Post by djdan14 on Nov 14, 2019 23:45:45 GMT
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Post by d'James on Nov 15, 2019 13:12:57 GMT
I’m sure he’ll be great but I’d love them to find a real ‘nobody’ with these open calls one day.
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Nov 15, 2019 13:14:27 GMT
I’m sure he’ll be great but I’d love them to find a real ‘nobody’ with these open calls one day. I mean, he is a nobody really, isn’t he? I do understand what you mean, but Jamie is quite a demanding role so I think they’d struggle to find someone to take it on full-time without any sort of formal training whatsoever. Which is why I’ll never understand these sort of open calls!
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