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Post by sf on Mar 17, 2019 18:44:04 GMT
The Grange Arts Centre is still there. It's part of Oldham College, but they hire the venue out to other productions too.
I must have seen Raving Beauties but I have no memory of it. Somewhere in the house there's a copy of They Started Here, but I've no idea where it is.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2019 21:00:38 GMT
In my old programmes collection have found a brochure-type programme for a show called A SLICE OF SATURDAY NIGHT which I can’t remember a thing about.I must have seen it on tour, perhaps in Manchester.Any recollections? Did it bomb?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2019 21:24:31 GMT
A Slice of Saturday Night has done the rounds a few times now. I believe one of the more recent tours starred Sonia (The Mersey!)
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 18, 2019 21:27:46 GMT
A Slice of Saturday Night has done the rounds a few times now. I believe one of the more recent tours starred Sonia (The Mersey!) Errrrm yeah!
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2,706 posts
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Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Mar 19, 2019 16:44:54 GMT
It ran for a couple of years in London (off West End).
Best forgotten, but I saw it in Manchester when the tour starred Gary Glitter.
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Post by horton on Mar 21, 2019 14:09:53 GMT
There are plenty more to dig up.
I rather enjoyed Spin of the Wheel.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2019 14:38:51 GMT
There are plenty more to dig up. I rather enjoyed Spin of the Wheel. I'd never heard of that one so had to look it up. Thankfully it's on Maria Friedman's website. It definitely was a blink and you miss it show. It didnt even last a month.
I didnt move to London until 1990, so just slightly before my time here.
It sounds.... interesting. Was it a comedy??
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Post by horton on Mar 21, 2019 16:12:59 GMT
Yes but that song was very catchy! And it was at the Comedy Theatre. The COMEDY.
I went along expecting much more audience participation, but it was a tame rom-com.
The only song I remember is the one where the guy is being given the answers before the quiz- hence the butterfly reference. I liked that song- wasn't it the Act 1 closer?
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Post by horton on Mar 22, 2019 16:37:19 GMT
Digging deep into the late 80s/ early 90s: how about Nunsense at the Fortune?
Pip Hinton was in that too. (She was David Burt's mother btw)
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Post by esteveyb on Mar 23, 2019 20:10:01 GMT
Oh loved Mrs Henderson Presents! I mean, Emma and Tracie, that is WINNING in my eye! Was this actually a flop? I assumed it was a limited engagement - it didn't close early? I secretly enjoyed Viva Forever - I saw it in previews and was underwhelmed, but then I saw it a few days before it closed and was pleasantly surprised by the changes they made. They clearly did not workshop it enough - it needed an out-of-London run in Manchester or somewhere. Made In Dagenham is the most upsetting flop for me. I LOVED Gemma Arterton in it - she made that show, and not even the ropey lyrics (This Is America was dire) and some bits of the book failing stopped me loving it. I've since seen the Hornchurch/Ipswich actor-musician version as well, and quite a few amateur local versions of it and I do think it was massively under-appreciated here.
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Xanderl
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Post by Xanderl on Mar 24, 2019 7:55:20 GMT
In my old programmes collection have found a brochure-type programme for a show called A SLICE OF SATURDAY NIGHT which I can’t remember a thing about.I must have seen it on tour, perhaps in Manchester.Any recollections? Did it bomb? I saw this on tour in the late 80s or early 90s. It’s actually pretty good - from the synopsis you might assume it’s a jukebox musical but actually the songs are pastiches of 60s pop and (judging by “I Fancy You” which is the one I remember as a highlight) the lyrics are quite witty
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Mar 24, 2019 8:35:17 GMT
I've just dug out my programme as I have a strong memory of this (not sure why!) from circa 1989/90. I do wish programmes would say where I saw it, as I couldn't honestly say. However, it began life at The Nightingale, Brighton, then went to The King's Head and on to the Arts (first perf 27 September 1989) and the Shaftesbury (where I'm pretty certain is where I saw it.)
I remember it being an up-beat, fun show and I have fairly strong recollections of the title song, which sounded like something a cross between The Bay City Rollers and Kenny (remember them?!) could have churned out.
I could be doing them a disservice, but I don't recognise any of the cast names, although one of them was in Brookside and, because his face in the programme looked vaguely familiar, I researched further and discovered he was latterly in Hollyoakes, The Bill, Emmerdale, etc. etc. and was also husband number ? of Denise Welch.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Mar 24, 2019 9:08:11 GMT
If this was revived by Southwark or similar I’d be there!
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343 posts
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Post by johartuk on Mar 25, 2019 11:52:04 GMT
I've just dug out my programme as I have a strong memory of this (not sure why!) from circa 1989/90. I do wish programmes would say where I saw it, as I couldn't honestly say. However, it began life at The Nightingale, Brighton, then went to The King's Head and on to the Arts (first perf 27 September 1989) and the Shaftesbury (where I'm pretty certain is where I saw it.) I remember it being an up-beat, fun show and I have fairly strong recollections of the title song, which sounded like something a cross between The Bay City Rollers and Kenny (remember them?!) could have churned out. I could be doing them a disservice, but I don't recognise any of the cast names, although one of them was in Brookside and, because his face in the programme looked vaguely familiar, I researched further and discovered he was latterly in Hollyoakes, The Bill, Emmerdale, etc. etc. and was also husband number ? of Denise Welch. David Easter? He was Pharaoh in Joseph at Palladium (1991).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2019 12:13:02 GMT
Did anyone else catch Always - The musical about Edward and Mrs Simpson? It ran at the Victoria Palace from May - July 1997.
Although it bombed massively, i rather enjoyed and and saw it twice. There were parts of it that were truely dreadul but some of the score is good and i still listen to some of it. The lyrics are sometimes basic, and you can see the rhymes coming a mile off, but some good melodies. Clive Carter, Jan Hartley, Shani Wallis and Sheila Ferguson (who shouldnt do musicals again after this and The Man In The Iron Mask)
Best Song: The Reason To Live is to Love, sung by Shani Wallis and Worst Song: Carousel of Love (Sheila Ferguson)
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Post by carriesparkle on Mar 25, 2019 13:06:55 GMT
It is ten years this year since Too Close To The Sun graced the West End.
RIP Ernie.
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4,799 posts
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Post by The Matthew on Mar 25, 2019 13:22:35 GMT
I saw Always. IIRC it seemed to drag a little but wasn't that bad a show. With a title like that they were asking for trouble, though.
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749 posts
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Post by horton on Mar 25, 2019 16:29:38 GMT
Now you mention David Easter- what about 'Girlfriends' at the Playhouse?
I quite liked it but boy was it a lonely experience going to see that show!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2019 21:26:29 GMT
In my attic,I have found a series of Orbis part-work publications called ‘The Musicals Collections’ from I am guessing the 90’s which included a CD.Some rather rare shows including BABY which I have never come across in the Uk.Was it a flop? Also PICKWICK.Was this considered a WE flop?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2019 23:38:05 GMT
I also have the complete Musical's Collection. It was an odd selection of shows and the recordings were a mix of Original Cast recordings, guest singers and choral societies.
Baby only only had a UK tour in the late 80's. It starred Tim Flavin, Susie Blake and Caroline O'Connor. I saw it at the Alex in Birmingham. I have grown to love the show and score over the years, but the tour didn't do a huge amount for me back then. I have a friend who was in the tour and it wasn't a happy one, because of someones diva behaviour and demands! It was destined for the West End, but the tour fizzled out before it could come in.
I think it could definitely be updated and revived and would be great for a venue like The Southwark Playhouse.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2019 8:57:08 GMT
Thank you,Much appreciated information
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309 posts
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Post by barrowside on Mar 27, 2019 9:50:21 GMT
I'm not sure Pickwick was a flop in the West End unless it didn't recoup. It ran 694 performances at the Saville. It flopped on Broadway after only 56 performances.
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253 posts
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Post by No. on Mar 27, 2019 9:55:51 GMT
Too soon to say Waitress??
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 27, 2019 10:49:42 GMT
I'm not sure Pickwick was a flop in the West End unless it didn't recoup. It ran 694 performances at the Saville. It flopped on Broadway after only 56 performances. I caught the tour in the 90's and found it to be quite poor
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Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Mar 27, 2019 11:04:39 GMT
In my attic,I have found a series of Orbis part-work publications called ‘The Musicals Collections’ from I am guessing the 90’s which included a CD.Some rather rare shows including BABY which I have never come across in the Uk.Was it a flop? Also PICKWICK.Was this considered a WE flop? Baby ran about six months on Broadway in the mid eighties. I love the score and, as a show it works really well; moving and heartwarming. I think it was first done here at the long gone Wythenshawe Forum in Manchester in 1990-ish. Pickwick is less successful, suffering from having to yoke together disparate source material from different stories into a full evening, There was a TV production of it with the original star, Harry Secombe (also in the nineties revival), and it passes the time pleasantly enough. The recordings came from John Yap’s TER label, using cut down versions of existing CDs or using excerpts from new full score recordings. There were seventy five in all. Some twenty plus years later, there may still be some of the studio recordings not yet fully released. Ivor Novello’s Dancing Years was one of the set and only just released in its entirety this year. I think there may well be a full Gigi, Seven Brides, Fantasticks, Music Man, 42nd Street and Fiddler on the Roof recorded but that’s speculation based on full recordings of others appearing well after.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 27, 2019 11:56:14 GMT
In my attic,I have found a series of Orbis part-work publications called ‘The Musicals Collections’ from I am guessing the 90’s which included a CD.Some rather rare shows including BABY which I have never come across in the Uk.Was it a flop? Also PICKWICK.Was this considered a WE flop? Baby ran about six months on Broadway in the mid eighties. I love the score and, as a show it works really well; moving and heartwarming. I think it was first done here at the long gone Wythenshawe Forum in Manchester in 1990-ish. Pickwick is less successful, suffering from having to yoke together disparate source material from different stories into a full evening, There was a TV production of it with the original star, Harry Secombe (also in the nineties revival), and it passes the time pleasantly enough. The recordings came from John Yap’s TER label, using cut down versions of existing CDs or using excerpts from new full score recordings. There were seventy five in all. Some twenty plus years later, there may still be some of the studio recordings not yet fully released. Ivor Novello’s Dancing Years was one of the set and only just released in its entirety this year. I think there may well be a full Gigi, Seven Brides, Fantasticks, Music Man, 42nd Street and Fiddler on the Roof recorded but that’s speculation based on full recordings of others appearing well after. TER also recorded Anyone can whistle with Freidman. Barrowman and Dame Julia! I'd love for it released. The Don't ballet section is on the Soundcloud and is well worth a listen
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Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Mar 27, 2019 12:03:17 GMT
Baby ran about six months on Broadway in the mid eighties. I love the score and, as a show it works really well; moving and heartwarming. I think it was first done here at the long gone Wythenshawe Forum in Manchester in 1990-ish. Pickwick is less successful, suffering from having to yoke together disparate source material from different stories into a full evening, There was a TV production of it with the original star, Harry Secombe (also in the nineties revival), and it passes the time pleasantly enough. The recordings came from John Yap’s TER label, using cut down versions of existing CDs or using excerpts from new full score recordings. There were seventy five in all. Some twenty plus years later, there may still be some of the studio recordings not yet fully released. Ivor Novello’s Dancing Years was one of the set and only just released in its entirety this year. I think there may well be a full Gigi, Seven Brides, Fantasticks, Music Man, 42nd Street and Fiddler on the Roof recorded but that’s speculation based on full recordings of others appearing well after. TER also recorded Anyone can whistle with Freidman. Barrowman and Dame Julia! I'd love for it released. The Don't ballet section is on the Soundcloud and is well worth a listen He keeps saying it will be released, so maybe next? There’s a fair bit of music which has never been heard in an official recording It took years for their One Touch of Venus to get released but it was well worth it in the end.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 27, 2019 12:36:56 GMT
TER also recorded Anyone can whistle with Freidman. Barrowman and Dame Julia! I'd love for it released. The Don't ballet section is on the Soundcloud and is well worth a listen He keeps saying it will be released, so maybe next? There’s a fair bit of music which has never been heard in an official recording It took years for their One Touch of Venus to get released but it was well worth it in the end. Yes Venus is fab. Doesn't it use a few different orchestras and conductors? I'm sure i read Whistle is similar as it the producers found some additional music
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2019 13:44:42 GMT
Sincere thanks for all this insight.There is a wealth of great knowledge on this sight. Fascinating stuff.World class! Really appreciate it.
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Post by distantcousin on Mar 27, 2019 18:59:30 GMT
It ran for a couple of years in London (off West End). Best forgotten, but I saw it in Manchester when the tour starred Gary Glitter.
The London run starred Sonia, I believe!
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