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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2017 23:16:16 GMT
Hmm... so this show. Well, I did enjoy it. It wasn't amazing, and it wasn't really deserving of the rave reviews it got (but no show really is) but I had fun. Definately got the emotional kick, I teared up a couple of times, in both the Finale and {Spoiler - click to view}
the moment the husband died, which I thought was beautifully done. The cast are fantastic. The six girls give it their all, thr kids are great and the ensemble is great. There wasn't really a weak link. However, having now watched it, it does make me angry even more about the Oliviers. Thr Girls really aren't on equal footing in terms of the size of role. And I don't have a clue how the danny role got nominated, purely because it is such a small role. The design is brilliant, I loved the set and lighting! Has anyone noticed Sophie Louise-Dann has worns the same costume pretty much the past three musicals she has done? That being said, the weak link in this show is the score. Some gems are in there, it is undeniable. But there are some really questionable songs. A song about boob jobs? I mean, Sophie love, whilst your at it, tell us about what you injected into that face of yours! And the woman singing to a vodka bottle. This score would have zero crossover appeal. Which leads me to my next point... ... why does this show really need to be done? It was a good night, but this show will never play once it is done in London. It can't play in a different country, the jokes are so British. And it would take alot of re-writes in the score to make it appeal elsewhere. Tesco gets mentioned about 15 times, I doubt it will have the same effect saying Wallmart. But I enjoyed it, it was fun. 3 1/2 Stars. |
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Post by theatremadness on Mar 18, 2017 23:22:44 GMT
Haven't seen the show yet (will probably get round to it at some point I guess but it's not hugely high on my list), so thanks for your thoughts danieljohnson14. Only thing I'd say in terms of what you mentioned about crossover appeal - I don't see why a different country would come into the equation. I'm sure if they wanted a life after London, they'd only be looking at touring the UK and possibly releasing amateur rights - and that's all they'd need really! A touring audience is certainly the type of audience they would appeal too really, certainly not abroad and especially not America/Broadway, I'd say! Though I've been wrong before, so who knows...  |
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 18, 2017 23:24:34 GMT
You can see the creatives have extensively re-worked this from Manchester, where I never remember it been that funny, which in turn had a profound effect felt more moved when it got to the seldom serious bits, as mentioned by several the leads were solid, it was more of an ensemble number, but saying that. I cannot agree with the make-it-up-as-you-go-along Oliver committee bestowing a motley collective nomination for the cast. However I thought Clare Machin to be the stand out.
The set remains the same as Manchester and is very Ikeaesque.
As much as it gave me a good bubbly feeling in the theatre and sitting on the train home, I equally found it forgettable.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2017 23:24:53 GMT
Haven't seen the show yet (will probably get round to it at some point I guess but it's not hugely high on my list), so thanks for your thoughts danieljohnson14 . Only thing I'd say in terms of what you mentioned about crossover appeal - I don't see why a different country would come into the equation. I'm sure if they wanted a life after London, they'd only be looking at touring the UK and possibly releasing amateur rights - and that's all they'd need really! A touring audience is certainly the type of audience they would appeal too really, certainly not abroad and especially not America/Broadway, I'd say! Though I've been wrong before, so who knows... Very true I agree. It couldn't play outside the UK in its current form, but it could definately tour well! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 18, 2017 23:29:25 GMT
Haven't seen the show yet (will probably get round to it at some point I guess but it's not hugely high on my list), so thanks for your thoughts danieljohnson14 . Only thing I'd say in terms of what you mentioned about crossover appeal - I don't see why a different country would come into the equation. I'm sure if they wanted a life after London, they'd only be looking at touring the UK and possibly releasing amateur rights - and that's all they'd need really! A touring audience is certainly the type of audience they would appeal too really, certainly not abroad and especially not America/Broadway, I'd say! Though I've been wrong before, so who knows... Never know might end up in Toronto where failed Britsh musicals tend to go. But the appeal is going to be limited as mentioned - as was Bend It Like Bechham before that, but saying that never sneer at a hit British musical, it will keep you on first name terms with the bank manager. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 18, 2017 23:31:12 GMT
Hmm... so this show. Well, I did enjoy it. It wasn't amazing, and it wasn't really deserving of the rave reviews it got (but no show really is) but I had fun. Definately got the emotional kick, I teared up a couple of times, in both the Finale and {Spoiler - click to view}
the moment the husband died, which I thought was beautifully done. The cast are fantastic. The six girls give it their all, thr kids are great and the ensemble is great. There wasn't really a weak link. However, having now watched it, it does make me angry even more about the Oliviers. Thr Girls really aren't on equal footing in terms of the size of role. And I don't have a clue how the danny role got nominated, purely because it is such a small role. The design is brilliant, I loved the set and lighting! Has anyone noticed Sophie Louise-Dann has worns the same costume pretty much the past three musicals she has done? That being said, the weak link in this show is the score. Some gems are in there, it is undeniable. But there are some really questionable songs. A song about boob jobs? I mean, Sophie love, whilst your at it, tell us about what you injected into that face of yours! And the woman singing to a vodka bottle. This score would have zero crossover appeal. Which leads me to my next point... ... why does this show really need to be done? It was a good night, but this show will never play once it is done in London. It can't play in a different country, the jokes are so British. And it would take alot of re-writes in the score to make it appeal elsewhere. Tesco gets mentioned about 15 times, I doubt it will have the same effect saying Wallmart. But I enjoyed it, it was fun. 3 1/2 Stars. Could launch boob jobs with Tesco Clubcard points. |
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Post by infofreako on Mar 18, 2017 23:55:54 GMT
Thanks for both those reviews, similar feelings to those I left the theatre with the other week.
I do think this could have a life on tour, possibly more so than in the West End. It felt a bit like a touring production to me.
I also think amateur groups will lap this up if it becomes available to them.
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Post by wickedgrin on Mar 19, 2017 0:23:56 GMT
Yes, the amateur groups (especially in Yorkshire) will love it - leading roles for ladies of a certain age which amateur groups are full of.
Regarding international versions of the show I would agree that it does not seem to lend itself at all, however, I said the same thing about Blood Brothers (references to the George Henry Lee store) and Billy Elliot - both pieces I thought were very of their location and time - how wrong I was!
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Post by mallardo on Mar 19, 2017 8:17:02 GMT
Whatever ones feelings about it there's no reason - other than its quality - this show couldn't be exported. The movie was a world wide hit, remember, so it's a known product and there's nothing about it that's so local as to be mystifying to foreign audiences. It's a very human story with a big heart that anyone could respond to. Throw in a pinch of titillation re the calendar and it's potentially a winning formula.
POL's thought that it might play Toronto is probably a good one. It's not Broadway, of course, but the North American tour bookers turn up in Toronto to check out new shows so... you never know. And Australia would seem to be an obvious market.
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Post by viserys on Mar 19, 2017 8:27:34 GMT
Yea I don't understand the worry about "not working internationally" - I haven't seen the show or the movie (yet) but a bunch of middle-aged women rallying for a good cause sounds like an universal topic to me.
Does Hollywood ever worry about international appeal when they inflict their ultra-patriotic American "we save the world!" stuff onto the rest of the planet? People lap it up anyway.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 19, 2017 8:39:44 GMT
Frankly I don't even know where Yorkshire is, it's not its Britishness that prevents it from being a great show.
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Post by Mark on Mar 19, 2017 9:37:15 GMT
Every amateur group in the country will be wanting this! Six large roles for women of a certain age - a dream!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 11:05:31 GMT
Oh jeez, I take it back!  but on a sidenote, if people aren't going to see it in London, as some are saying, do they really wanna see it in North America? On hindsight, I think my review came across more negative than I meant it to. I did enjoy the show alot, but it really does have flaws and they, for me, mainly lie in the score. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 11:17:13 GMT
And also, with the score, I was really looking forward to Joanna's big 11 o'clock numbee "Killimanjaro" as I had heard it was an amazing song and a highlight of the score. But nothing really happened with it. The final note was amazing, that is a given, but there was nothing particularly spectacular about the song itself.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 11:30:48 GMT
Mrs Henderson Presents is in Toronto at the moment and I would've said that's a fairly similar show to girls
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 11:38:03 GMT
Mrs Henderson Presents is in Toronto at the moment and I would've said that's a fairly similar show to girls It is in terms of the overall show, but the score for The Girls would need some hesvy work because it has so many jokes to do with being British, I honestly think alot of a Toronto audience would just be confused. I' British and even I was confused as to why this woman was singing about Tescos, whilst another was singing to a vodka bottle. They will just think the woman is a raving drunk, which in fairness, isn't far off! But I dunno, I think Gary would need to do some real work to the score to get it to play elsewhere other than the UK. |
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Post by infofreako on Mar 19, 2017 11:41:42 GMT
I don't think the international thing itself is an issue. People have been saying the same on here about Hamilton not being popular here.
If a musical is good enough the theme will translate across borders
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 11:44:10 GMT
The other obvious thing we are forgetting, are producers going to put anymore money into a show that doesn't sell in the West End, where its prime market is? I have no doubt they will take it on a UK Tour, and Henderson flopped but is doing its months run, but I would doubt producers will put more money into the show for, say, a US Tour if it flops here.
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Post by infofreako on Mar 19, 2017 12:23:35 GMT
The other obvious thing we are forgetting, are producers going to put anymore money into a show that doesn't sell in the West End, where its prime market is? I have no doubt they will take it on a UK Tour, and Henderson flopped but is doing its months run, but I would doubt producers will put more money into the show for, say, a US Tour if it flops here. I agree with you on that. Just playing devils advocate really. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 12:49:36 GMT
...whilst another was singing to a vodka bottle. They will just think the woman is a raving drunk, which in fairness, isn't far off! To be fair, the character of Ruth had a cheating husband and chose to drink so that she could console herself and was confident enough to bare all. I think I would do the same in her position. I'm not sure her being a raving drunk is necessarily true. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 12:56:31 GMT
...whilst another was singing to a vodka bottle. They will just think the woman is a raving drunk, which in fairness, isn't far off! To be fair, the character of Ruth had a cheating husband and chose to drink so that she could console herself and was confident enough to bare all. I think I would do the same in her position. I'm not sure her being a raving drunk is necessarily true. I completely agree, but for some who may not be paying as much attention and being as emotionally invested, they could potentially see her as just a drunk, especially in the next scene we see her in. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 19, 2017 13:21:51 GMT
However interesting reading the programme I noticed that there are only 3 producers on this show, but stumped to see one of these being the Shuberts, which are the heavyweight Broadway theatre owners, so they only produce on this side of the Atlantic for one reason.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 13:38:52 GMT
I mezn, even if the score has its issues, do not miss this show for these performances. Lets be honest, the Ensemble don't get much to do at all in this, but The Girls, The Husband and The Kids are all fantastic! |
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Post by confessor on Mar 20, 2017 19:53:40 GMT
I'm going to see this next Wednesday, and after some of these reviews I'm a bit more cautious, but still looking forward to it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2017 19:57:04 GMT
I'm going to see this next Wednesday, and after some of these reviews I'm a bit more cautious, but still looking forward to it. Don't be cautious, its a good show. |
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but on a sidenote, if people aren't going to see it in London, as some are saying, do they really wanna see it in North America?