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Post by peggysue on Feb 22, 2020 20:58:17 GMT
Full house for this at Newcastle this afternoon. It was never going to be as good as the West End version (one of my favourite ever productions) but I really enjoyed it and it was much better than the previous tour. A great central trio of excellent performances who seemed to gel together well. Miles Western’s Bernadette was second only to Tony Sheldon’s. Nick Hayes as Adam/Felicia had a lovely voice and his Confide In Me was one of the highlights of the show. Joe McFadden gave a very different interpretation of Tick/Mitzi and was a joy to watch. He seemed to be loving being on stage and gave off a real warmth that just made me smile watching him. Agree with a post on a previous page that the new staging of Felicia’s opera song didn’t really work, with the ensemble doing a rather odd contemporary dance. The bus was fine, served it’s purpose. Have seen better and also much worse! I felt the role of the Divas had been increased a bit too much and almost seemed intrusive when they were always on the stage, rather than separate to the main action like I’m used to seeing them. Minor quibbles though as the good far out weighed the bad. A fun afternoon with lots of heart and smiles, what more could you want on a wet and windy February day!
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Post by richey on Mar 8, 2021 13:52:29 GMT
Tour to recommence in June apparently and they've set their sights on bringing it back to the West End.
As much as I enjoyed this tour I'm not sure it's WE worthy.
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Post by viserys on Mar 8, 2021 13:55:14 GMT
This was due to come over to Cologne, but was cancelled. Hope this means they will still bring it over. It may not be WE quality, but it's the kind of positive cheerful show that's just perfect right now.
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Post by chestwig on Mar 8, 2021 13:58:10 GMT
Saw this tour. Very poor in comparison to the original. Deffinately not worthy of a run in the West End in this state...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2021 14:10:29 GMT
This production had a great cast I felt and it's a fun show and you can't go far wrong with that score. I agree it's the show we need on tour right now but it's not a West End worthy production.
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Post by richey on Apr 22, 2021 9:46:21 GMT
So apparently the producers of the tour have faced criticism that despite auditioning trans actors for certain roles, they've only been given understudy roles to cis males.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Apr 22, 2021 10:09:01 GMT
So apparently the producers of the tour have faced criticism that despite auditioning trans actors for certain roles, they've only been given understudy roles to cis males. That's a very poor response from producers, which will likely lead to more criticism. It basically amounts to "We had already cast a cis male in this role before it really became an issue, so we're sticking with it but you should praise us for casting a trans understudy". It's very clumsy and fails to take note of the problem at the core of the criticisms. Ok then. Looking forward to them casting a cis white male in the role of Effie in the next tour of Dreamgirls. |
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Post by Mark on Apr 22, 2021 17:38:30 GMT
Not wanting to be controversial by asking this but genuinely curious - with all the upset over this casting, would the same people follow that trans actors shouldn't be cast as cis characters?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 22, 2021 18:16:51 GMT
I’m sorry but this is just stupid.
People would rather pay to see someone not as good in the role because they are ticking a box? That’s a dangerous precedent to set, and one that does no one any favours.
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Post by QueerTheatre on Apr 22, 2021 18:22:47 GMT
I’m sorry but this is just stupid. People would rather pay to see someone not as good in the role because they are ticking a box? That’s a dangerous precedent to set, and one that does no one any favours. Maybe this will help you understand and move beyond ignorance t.co/pK6D9KaKSv?amp=1 |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 22, 2021 18:23:46 GMT
Not ignorance at all. And your link didn’t work. |
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Post by QueerTheatre on Apr 22, 2021 18:42:02 GMT
Not ignorance at all. And your link didn’t work. The link does work, and you are being ignorant. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 22, 2021 18:46:02 GMT
Not ignorance at all. And your link didn’t work. The link does work, and you are being ignorant. Sure Jan. Thanks for the input. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Apr 22, 2021 18:47:55 GMT
I am looking into this topic more generally at the moment and I haven't been able to find any data about the size of the trans acting community amateur and professional.
I may just be not searching properly so any steers would be gratefully received.
Is it better not to stage a piece featuring a trans character than to stage it with a non trans actor in the role?
Are there other options such as ensuring trans representation on the production team so that the performance is respectful and as authentic as possible?
Should productions seek permission from rights holders to rearrange the score to accommodate the vocal range of a specific cast member? (This is not just an issue with trans performers, it applies more widely)
Should amateur companies be held to the same standards as professional productions when it comes to trans casting/representation?
These are the sorts of questions I am seeking to answer for myself.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 22, 2021 18:50:07 GMT
I don’t get what they are supposed to do. They opened the casting up to trans actors- but no one presented themselves for lead roles that they deemed suitable.
Again- are they supposed to cast people just for the sake of it and NOT the best people for the roles just to tick a box?
Cancel the whole show so 100 people have no work?
Would love to know.
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Post by QueerTheatre on Apr 22, 2021 18:50:40 GMT
Please read the link I posted, the open letter we wrote will hopefully make it more understandable to you.
Also highly recommend the documentary Disclosure on netflix, which explores the danger of casting Cis actors in Trans Roles.
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Post by danb on Apr 22, 2021 18:56:46 GMT
Whilst being told what I must be thinking, and what I’m doing by holding opinion a, b or c really pees me off, it does seem like they have missed an opportunity to cast it authentically. They should just give the role to the best person that they see for it end of.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 22, 2021 19:00:33 GMT
Please read the link I posted, the open letter we wrote will hopefully make it more understandable to you. Also highly recommend the documentary Disclosure on netflix, which explores the danger of casting Cis actors in Trans Roles. Does this also work the other way that trans actors can ONLY play trans characters? Seems only fair , no? |
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Post by QueerTheatre on Apr 22, 2021 19:04:29 GMT
Like I said, watch and read. I'm not going to debate my existence and my job with a stranger on a message board.
I've given you access to all the answers you want - what you do with them is up to you.
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Post by Mark on Apr 22, 2021 19:19:56 GMT
Nobody knows who walked through the door to auditon. You'd have a very hard time convincing me that someone could play the role of Bernadette better than Tony Sheldon, who played the role to great acclaim for many years.
Could a trans man play the role of Albin in La Cage aux Folles? As Jamie in ETAJ? Could a trans woman play the role of Alison in Fun Home? Effie in Dreamgirls? No reason why they shouldn't if they are the best person for the job, but according to your logic, a trans actor shouldn't play those roles.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 22, 2021 19:22:44 GMT
Like I said, watch and read. I'm not going to debate my existence and my job with a stranger on a message board. I've given you access to all the answers you want - what you do with them is up to you. You can’t answer my simple question. By your logic- a trans actor should only play trans roles. Glad that’s sorted! |
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Post by cjamess on Apr 22, 2021 19:42:00 GMT
Like I said, watch and read. I'm not going to debate my existence and my job with a stranger on a message board. I've given you access to all the answers you want - what you do with them is up to you. You can’t answer my simple question. By your logic- a trans actor should only play trans roles. Glad that’s sorted! That is the same bizarre counter argument that people use with the conversation of black actors playing traditionally non-black roles such a shame Mr Barnaby, yawn. There are hardly any roles specifically written for a trans performer therefore they should be offered first. However I worry that the producers simply won't put on these shows if the talent is not available at that specific time. The talent is definitely there but people might be attached to other projects, In a similar vain to Disney not finding the talent to put on Newsies in the UK. |
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Post by robertb213 on Apr 22, 2021 20:09:43 GMT
This is a tricky one. Trans actors have so few opportunities that it seems a real shame to not cast a trans actor in a trans role, especially if he was good enough to be chosen as understudy. Maybe Western was just seen to be better in the auditions? A proven leading man with vast stage experience...who knows. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's outrageous but it does seem a real shame. It's not like Western is a 'name' that will get bums on seats. Although apparently he has an Olivier!
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Post by stagebyte on Apr 22, 2021 20:34:53 GMT
They put an open casting call out which was pretty inclusive as this isn’t the normal way of doing things in the industry.
They got 7 trans women into the audition room. Unclear if more auditioned or whether the 7 were finals.
It would be interesting to know just how many trans actors make up the talent pool in musical theatre. How many of those are in the 50-60 year old bracket which is the supposed age of Bernadette.
As it was an open call how many applicants were experienced actors or good amateurs or just fit the profile and having a go?
Bernadette is written very sensitively while needing excellent comedy timing. Is it possible that none of the auditionees had the extra sparkle/experience/talent to make it to the lead. That might’ve just been the bald fact of the matter.
However, one of the auditionees was good enough to secure the rolein the ensemble and as an understudy. That should be celebrated, no? While not successful for the lead this time does this success not provide young trans actors with hope?
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Apr 22, 2021 20:57:06 GMT
I don’t get what they are supposed to do. They opened the casting up to trans actors- but no one presented themselves for lead roles that they deemed suitable. Again- are they supposed to cast people just for the sake of it and NOT the best people for the roles just to tick a box? Cancel the whole show so 100 people have no work? Would love to know. Just to use the Dreamgirls comparison again - and I don’t mean this in a heated way at all, just trying to get the counter argument across - but would you feel the same if a white girl was cast as Effie because no black girls who auditioned were deemed suitable? But a talented black girl was given the understudy role and we were told we should celebrate that as a win for diversity and acceptance? There would be outrage (and rightly so) It’s not exactly the same situation, granted, but this is the attitude which is readily accepted when it comes to trans roles and trans actors. |
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