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Post by 49thand8th on Nov 22, 2016 17:17:13 GMT
Is this doing (or going to do) well with school groups as it has on Broadway?
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Post by wickedgrin on Nov 22, 2016 18:58:10 GMT
It was packed when I saw this. I would have thought it would have been popular as a family show - especially for the boys. Perhaps it's a school holiday thing.
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Post by westendwendy on Nov 23, 2016 23:53:20 GMT
Saw this finally tonight. Very busy.
It's a very nice show and we enjoyed it. The book and story are lovely and the kids are superb. The music isn't the best and it feels like there are only 4 Whistle Down The Wind type simple tunes in it (along with the Someone Else's Story children balled). Surely Lloyd Webber realises it is the same melody?
I know this has been brought up before (most recently with the photographer in Half a Sixpence) but why on earth do gay men have to be played as camp in theatre? (The two gay parents) Even the poor schoolchild had to say he loved Eurovision, glitter and Barbera Streisand. I just find it stereotypical, crass, low rent and well.... Kinda offensive! That you laugh at them because of a limp wrist etc....
Anyway that aside and the annoying stair rails that block the view for the side stalls - the show is in great shape and you must all see it. Why isn't this lead guy doing all performances?
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Nov 24, 2016 1:19:51 GMT
Probably the best observations by westnedwendy..I do agree on the score..it sounds like reject Whistle Down the Wind tunes, and can see the Someone Else's Story comparison. Agreed on the camp remarks too. I don't find them necessarily offensive, but certainly pedestrian.
I didn't care for it at all, TBH and glad I saw it on a Sunday so that it didn't occupy another show's slot in my limited time in town.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2016 8:44:21 GMT
Why isn't this lead guy doing all performances? It's the same on Broadway. The role is considered too demanding. |
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Post by westendwendy on Nov 24, 2016 9:21:10 GMT
These people need to try doing Starlight Express in Bochum, Germany 8 times a week. That's like doing a marathon, up hill, in the dark, singing in a different language, belting your lungs out, wearing weights and carrying a microwave on your head. Anyway on reflection from last night the show is great fun and finally after years of Woman in White and Stephen Ward a hit for Andrew Lloyd Webber. But still as a show, text and book 8/10 music 5/10.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 24, 2016 9:31:42 GMT
In Germany there are alternates left right and centre. You can never guarantee who will go when, so I don't really necessarily agree that they set the bar high in Starlight.
The lead in School of Rock, in a way, has to do more than the skaters in Starlight. The latter is more of an ensemble piece, the type of singing is a lot more gentle and spaced out, and their performances compliment each others. The lead in SOR pretty much carries the entire show on his shoulders, barely gets any rest off stage, and has all the attention (and pressure on him). Not belittling Starlight ensemble, but SOR lead demands a lot more. From what I saw I can see why there would at least be a standby if not alternate.
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Post by westendwendy on Nov 24, 2016 10:13:39 GMT
That's nonsense. Starlight in Germany is the most demanding show any actor can ever do. Have you seen the show over there? They use 4000 calories per show and the rollercoaster set is unlike
anything we've seen over here.
Yes there are swings and understudies but unless sick or on holiday the first cast actually do 7 shows a week. (They got rid of Tuesday nights): It is two hours of pure cardio, extreme belting, wearing the heaviest costumes in the business (Greasball is 20kg) and singing always out of breath, on wheels. Give me School of Rock anyday. Anyway a great show!!
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Post by viserys on Nov 24, 2016 10:42:55 GMT
Um... I have seen Starlight Express numerous times over the years and I've NEVER seen the full first cast. There are always understudies and swings on. Apart from skating uphill to the second race track once in a while there is nothing particularly taxing about the skating. I don't know if you have ever been on roller skates, Wendy, if so you'd knew that you float along pretty much once you're in motion, you're not dragging an iron ball and chain along with you.
None of the songs are particularly taxing either. The most vocally demanding song - "I am the Starlight" - is sung standing still (Poppa) and sitting down (Rusty). This is nothing compared to the "rocking out" the Dewey Finn-actor has to do every day with several demanding songs.
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Post by theatremadness on Nov 24, 2016 11:11:46 GMT
I'm getting to see this this afternoon and I'm really excited! I don't particularly mind who I have on, and despite some reservations from a hefty amount on this board, I have a feeling it's a show I'm gonna love, it's definitely right up my street.
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Nov 24, 2016 11:19:19 GMT
Is it that surprising that one can have a crush on a slightly bigger man?  I didn't say there was anything wrong with having a crush on a slightly bigger man... I was just teasing lovely  Your reply did look a little like you found it weird to have a crush on him '... really?', if you see what I mean, but I've no doubt you would never mean anything nasty by it! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2016 11:27:44 GMT
I didn't say there was anything wrong with having a crush on a slightly bigger man... I was just teasing lovely Your reply did look a little like you found it weird to have a crush on him '... really?', if you see what I mean, but I've no doubt you would never mean anything nasty by it! Hahaa I know you were lovely, no worries I didn't mean it in a nasty way, purely a comic way |
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Post by westendwendy on Nov 24, 2016 12:38:20 GMT
Um... I have seen Starlight Express numerous times over the years and I've NEVER seen the full first cast. There are always understudies and swings on. Apart from skating uphill to the second race track once in a while there is nothing particularly taxing about the skating. I don't know if you have ever been on roller skates, Wendy, if so you'd knew that you float along pretty much once you're in motion, you're not dragging an iron ball and chain along with you. None of the songs are particularly taxing either. The most vocally demanding song - "I am the Starlight" - is sung standing still (Poppa) and sitting down (Rusty). This is nothing compared to the "rocking out" the Dewey Finn-actor has to do every day with several demanding songs. You obviously have never seen the show in Bochum, Germany. The shows in the UK and on tour are easy I agree. Germany is the production I was referring too. The track over there is a huge rollercoaster arena with three different levels. The costumes are crazy heavy and the skating is very difficult indeed, so much so every year a few performers drop out as you are trained for 4 months 10 hours a day 6 days a week to become Olympic standard stunt skaters. As for the singing from Pearl to Rusty the vocal ranges expected are crazy high and the whole ensemble harmony track is complicated and also difficult. Try singing Light At The End Of the Tunnel while carrying a bag running around Hyde Park and you get the idea. Plus with injuries and holidays you are correct that a full first cast is rare but that aside they are contracted to do the entire show. Bringing this back to School Of Rock the lead is a difficult one yes and sure he can have an alternate. I just don't think it is the most difficult one ever. |
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Post by ali973 on Nov 24, 2016 12:42:31 GMT
LOL oh dear. viserys, wanna take it over?
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Post by viserys on Nov 24, 2016 12:50:00 GMT
 Wendy, I AM German, I was referring to the Bochum production when I said I had seen it around 40-50 times, so trust me when I say I am quite familiar with the show. Anyway, I don't see a point in argueing since I don't think there's even a disagreement here. Both Dewey Finn and the leads in Starlight Express are physically demanding parts and whoever performers them deserves to have at least one alternate to get some rest and they do. |
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Post by westendwendy on Nov 24, 2016 13:50:22 GMT
Agreed. They are all demanding roles. I just disagree when you say the skating isn't taxing. From being IN it is the most difficult show myself and all the other cast members have ever done... Rolling Stock alone brought grown men to tears it is that difficult and that's without even going up to the second or third levels.
Back to School of Rock I want to go again - the show was great. Best thing about it is the book. I hope it is here to stay and sells well.
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Post by theatremadness on Nov 24, 2016 15:54:29 GMT
At the interval now, loving it!! True, it dips slightly when the kids aren't on but when they are on, holy moly!!! Sitting in the circle & I'd love to come back and see it again from closer to the front in the stalls to really feel like I'm in it. Gary Trainor on as Dewey, he's so fantastic it's hard to imagine how he could be bettered!
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Post by tito on Nov 27, 2016 2:10:53 GMT
Hi there!
I'm visiting London on February and can't decide wich show to watch on my single slot available since I'm already watching The Book of Mormon and Cursed Child so I'd really appreciate a bit of advice. These are my options: Dreamgirls, Half a Sixperience and School of Rock. I know they're very different from one another but I love all kinds of musicals. Wich one should I see?
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Post by Mark on Nov 27, 2016 5:15:26 GMT
Hi there! I'm visiting London on February and can't decide wich show to watch on my single slot available since I'm already watching The Book of Mormon and Cursed Child so I'd really appreciate a bit of advice. These are my options: Dreamgirls, Half a Sixperience and School of Rock. I know they're very different from one another but I love all kinds of musicals. Wich one should I see? Dreamgirls, by a mile |
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Post by viserys on Nov 27, 2016 9:33:03 GMT
I love the (autocorrect?) typo of Half a Sixperience  As all three are so different from each other, I think you will get as many different opinions here as there are responses. I haven't seen Dreamgirls yet, so I can't judge if it should be first choice above the others, but I enjoyed the other two greatly and I couldn't even decide which one of those I'd recommed. Half a Sixpence is wonderfully old-fashioned fun, the kind of show you don't see often these days. School of Rock has its flaws, but I loved the energy of the show and seeing these tiny kids rock their instruments was amazing. Dreamgirls has fabulous singers. Do you travel to London fairly regularly or just once in some years? If the former, I'd suggest Half a Sixpence since it will presumably have the shortest shelf life, while SoR and DG will probably run for a year or longer. and you can catch them another time. If the latter, DG is probably the "buzziest" show you wouldn't want to miss out on. Also weigh prices/discount/seating options for each show. Sixpence is on GILT, the other two are not. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 20:56:18 GMT
I'm loving this! These kids are incredibly talented. Ready for act two!
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Post by cheesy116 on Nov 28, 2016 21:30:27 GMT
I'm loving this! These kids are incredibly talented. Ready for act two! Glad to hear you're enjoying! Who is on as Dewey ? Let us know what you think at the end |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 22:53:36 GMT
Don't remember his name, but there were no covers or u/s today.
Loved it!
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Post by argon on Nov 28, 2016 22:54:40 GMT
ALW has lost his Mojo were it comes to scores these days, differently a candidate for one of his weakest, the stark realisation is that he probably needed help with this (pride dented) from a Now/Today modern musical composer. Yes the kids were talented but that's the world these days it is just unfortunate they had to work with that material.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 23:30:47 GMT
Yeah the score is definitely the weakest part of this. The bit where Dewey is amazed that the kid has managed to write a song as 'good' as Teacher's Pet reminds me of in Rent when it takes Roger a year to write a song as 'good' as Your Eyes. Just cos you tell us they're good songs doesn't mean that they are.
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Your reply did look a little like you found it weird to have a crush on him '... really?', if you see what I mean, but I've no doubt you would never mean anything nasty by it! 
