223 posts
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Feb 4, 2017 21:40:32 GMT
I thought his body type and demeanour was more masculine than I would expect from Angel. He doesn't have the kind of feminine grace I've seen in other interpretations, for example original broadway cast. He is a swing and has to cover 3 male ensemble tracks as well as being 2nd cover Mark. He has to fit the other characters as well. He is the 2nd cover Angel. Jordan who is 1st cover is recovering from injury but able to be in the show. |
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836 posts
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Post by duncan on Feb 18, 2017 9:48:55 GMT
Saw this last night and overall I found it to be a moving piece that spoke to me in ways that not many productions have. I suspect if I'd seen it 20 years ago when I was in my 20s I'd have enjoyed it even more but even now I had a little something in my eye during the I'll Cover You reprise.
A couple of issues with the sound, the levels are all over the shop in a couple of numbers which meant the vocal were almost totally drowned out by the band and Angel was mic'd up something terrible in his introduction as he sounded like a Dalek whilst he was talking to Tom but thankfully it only lasted for that first minute or so.
Jordan Laviniere has been covering Angel all week and he put in a wonderful performance, giving it his high kicking all. From the programme we also seemed to be missing Jenny O'Leary from the ensemble with Katie Bradley taking her solo spot in Seasons in Love.
Of the cast its Laviniere and Ryan O'Gorman who really stand out, O'Gorman has a voice like smooth treacle and is pitch perfect as the man who loves and loses (not sure about that hideous jacket he has to wear for a lot of the second half though!)Philippa Stefani is also a powerhouse as Mimi which does mean that the Mark and Roger characters do tend to get lost amidst the more flamboyant and/or interesting performances.
8/10
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Post by Laineee on Feb 18, 2017 23:25:23 GMT
Saw this tonight, and completely agree with Duncan's review above. Didn't have any issues with Angel being over mic'd tonight, but the vocals really could do with being put up a notch as they really did get lost in the bigger numbers - overheard a few people at the interval complaining that they were struggling to follow what was going on because they couldn't make out what was being sung. Overall, (despite some of my fellow audience members - but that's one for the bad behaviour thread) a fantastic night out - have come home and gone straight for my old Broadway dvd  |
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9 posts
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Post by ToshiBoy on Feb 19, 2017 5:53:40 GMT
Sorry, but in any Sound Operator's defence, they can only push what is given, if a cast is not giving out then sound can't do a thing but create feedback if they push it too hard, then complaints about that will happen.
Lighting, Sound, Stage Management... It doesn't matter, yes things happen and sometimes technical difficulties occur but its not always the operators fault, the cast are as much to blame in some situations!!
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19,656 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 28, 2017 19:14:24 GMT
Oh god what a huge eff-up. Should have been at the Empire tonight but the trains from manc to Liverpool are all delayed and cancelled. Only two out of eight of us have made it  Destined not to see Rent |
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1,819 posts
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Post by stevej678 on Feb 28, 2017 23:25:16 GMT
Wow, just wow. In complete awe of Philippa Stefani after seeing Rent this evening. She was fantastic in In The Heights but she's taken it up another notch here and then some. Simply incredible. I don't think there was an ounce of her that wasn't flung into that performance. Stage presence, attitude and soaring vocals giving way to raw emotion that really hit home. Easily the loudest cheers at the curtain call were reserved for her (there was an instant standing ovation for the whole cast too).
Lucie Jones was also particulary impressive - great comic timing! There's something slightly gawky about her on the stage at times which is really endearing. There's brilliant chemistry between Lucie and Shanay Holmes as Joanne Jefferson, Take Me or Leave Me was a real highlight. It's hard to imagine anyone not falling under the spell of Layton Williams' Angel too while Billy Cullum ties the whole thing together in a nicely judged and understated way.
After waiting so long to see this show and then only managing the first 20 minutes of Rent in London before proceedings were brought to a sudden halt, I'm so glad to have had a second chance to see this 20th anniversary production, with a full cast and no sound issues. If anyone needs me, I'll be singing either Light My Candle or Seasons of Love for the rest of the week.
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Mar 1, 2017 3:18:05 GMT
. It's hard to imagine anyone not falling under the spell of Layton Williams' Angel too while Billy Cullum ties the whole thing together in a nicely judged and understated way. After waiting so long to see this show and then only managing the first 20 minutes of Rent in London before proceedings were brought to a sudden halt, I'm so glad to have had a second chance to see this 20th anniversary production, with a full cast and no sound issues. If anyone needs me, I'll be singing either Light My Candle or Seasons of Love for the rest of the week. As far as I heard it was not Layton but his cover Harrisson Clark yesterday. I think Layton posted his schedule for this week and he is starting from Wednesday matinee |
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Post by stevej678 on Mar 1, 2017 8:19:45 GMT
As far as I heard it was not Layton but his cover Harrisson Clark yesterday. I think Layton posted his schedule for this week and he is starting from Wednesday matinee Just looking at the cast pics in the programme and there's no doubt it was Layton who was on last night. Someone also tweeted Harrison on Monday saying they couldn't wait to see him on Tuesday and he replied to say he wasn't on. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 8:25:40 GMT
But surely Moscow would know, with its superior surveillance?
Stasia probably has a drone swooping around the auditorium to check these things.
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Post by benny20 on Mar 1, 2017 8:59:08 GMT
As far as I heard it was not Layton but his cover Harrisson Clark yesterday. I think Layton posted his schedule for this week and he is starting from Wednesday matinee Just looking at the cast pics in the programme and there's no doubt it was Layton who was on last night. Someone also tweeted Harrison on Monday saying they couldn't wait to see him on Tuesday and he replied to say he wasn't on. Jordan Laviniere was on as Angel last night. Leyton due on this afternoon if he is fit enough |
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Post by stevej678 on Mar 1, 2017 9:12:40 GMT
Just looking at the cast pics in the programme and there's no doubt it was Layton who was on last night. Someone also tweeted Harrison on Monday saying they couldn't wait to see him on Tuesday and he replied to say he wasn't on. Jordan Laviniere was on as Angel last night. Leyton due on this afternoon if he is fit enough Mystery solved! Should have taken my glasses. |
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Mar 1, 2017 19:45:40 GMT
But surely Moscow would know, with its superior surveillance? Stasia probably has a drone swooping around the auditorium to check these things. If I had money for drones, I would spend them on flights and theatre tickets and see Rent again... My bad luck - they are not on the week I'm in the UK in March. So I was thinking that they really need a few more weeks in London after the tour, as I need to see them again! |
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543 posts
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Post by freckles on Mar 12, 2017 13:29:56 GMT
Finally caught up with this in Woking yesterday. Loved it! A really great production and I thought all of the cast fantastic, with special mentions for Angel, Mimi & Tom Collins. Yes, the show as a whole can be challenging in places, but I'm sure the untimely demise of Jonathan Larson kind of halted any refinement that would perhaps have been done in previews, so I "take it for what it is" and there are some fine moments.
Layton Williams is such an amazing presence, his dancing and gymnastics, while singing, were quite something. Was quite tickled to see him sashaying through the shopping centre afterwards with just as much sass! Mimi's Out Tonight was fantastic too.
The only sound issues I noticed were during La Vie Boheme and Finale; the mix was off when different people were singing different melodies, so you couldnt get the overall effect.
What a great theatre that is too. I can't imagine that set fitting into the St James.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2017 0:01:23 GMT
Have finally booked to see this at the Curve on April 1st. Have never seen the show live but it has always been a show I have had a deep affection for. The score is brilliant in my opinion, I love both the Film, Cast Recordings and the Final Performance Live Recording. And I have a real affection for Jonathan Larson, who was a genius in making this musical. It is one of those shows I really love, even though I haven't seen it live so am very excited, especially with this cast and production, which I have heard amazing things about. Layton Williams and Lucie Jones sound like phenomenal performances and those who were on here during the In the Heights days know just how much I love Phillipa Stefani, who's performance in In the Heights was one of my highlights of the year. She is phenomenal and I think this is just a perfect role for her!
Anyone who has a spare two hours this weekend, this is a brilliant documentary on the making of Rent as the stage show and film, as well as Jonathan and his life as a kid up until his death, it is fascinating and one of my favourite musical documentaries, completely worth the watch:
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2,051 posts
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Post by infofreako on Mar 17, 2017 0:05:05 GMT
Will have a watch of that. As I've said this production has converted me having avoided Rent for many years. Youll love it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2017 0:07:15 GMT
Will have a watch of that. As I've said this production has converted me having avoided Rent for many years. Youll love it. I have a feeling I will really love it, especially with this cast an amazing score! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2017 0:09:57 GMT
But infofreako do watch it if you get the chance, its a brilliant documentary, and really emotional, as you hear accounts from people who knew him and they describe his love of the theatre, the show and how inspiring he was... I cry everytime I watch it, they go into really emotional accounts of the day he died and how he was found and it is heartbreaking. Not gruesome or anything but really emotional to hear from those who loved him. |
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Post by infofreako on Mar 17, 2017 0:17:43 GMT
The first production I saw was an amateur one in Brighton which was guided by people from the original London cast late last year. Without that I'm not sure I would have gone to see this production so I should give some credit there
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Mar 19, 2017 0:49:09 GMT
I cant wait to see this at the curve in a couple of weeks, I was there for the orginal london cast and Ive not seen it for many years!
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Post by dan on Mar 19, 2017 18:43:59 GMT
Does anybody know if Lucie Jones will still be performing in the show before/after Eurovision week? I think there is only one stop left on the tour after Eurovision.
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2,051 posts
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Post by infofreako on Mar 19, 2017 18:57:57 GMT
2 stops after Eurovision. Nottingham and Tunbridge Wells. I can't see her doing much of the week immediately before if any.
If she does return to the show after Eurovision I would guess at the weekend of the Nottingham run then the whole of Tunbridge Wells week
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Post by infofreako on Mar 19, 2017 19:03:20 GMT
Up to York at the end of April mentions cast including Lucie and Layton.
Poole and Coventry in early May only mention Layton then Nottingham mentions both again.
No idea if you can read anything into that.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2017 23:38:44 GMT
Anyone wanting to see this, the whole run in Leicester is close to sold out at all shows apart from the Friday 5pm show (next week). Because of this (barely any tickets have sold for that performance) every seat in the theatre is £15-£20. Get on it people!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2017 1:29:00 GMT
Just recieved an email from the Curve saying the producers have gotten in contact suddenly to say Lucie Jones will no longer be appearing in either of Saturday's performances. Slightly dissapointed, but then I am mainly interested in Phillipa and Layton so you can't win 'em all.
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Post by infofreako on Mar 30, 2017 7:00:08 GMT
Just recieved an email from the Curve saying the producers have gotten in contact suddenly to say Lucie Jones will no longer be appearing in either of Saturday's performances. Slightly dissapointed, but then I am mainly interested in Phillipa and Layton so you can't win 'em all. I was going to mention this yesterday but couldnt find the tweet when I searched for it. I assume its to do with the London Eurovision Party on Sunday. |
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