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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2017 12:53:26 GMT
Anyone interested in geabbing a ticket for Saturday, both the email and letter the Curve sent this morning has said Lucie Jones will not be performing in either performance, Christina Modestou is taking over for those two performances, who originated the role of Nina in In the Heights at the Southwark and is currently in the Ensemble of Rent.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 16:17:11 GMT
I mean, so much to say I wanna take a proper sit down to write my thoughts, but right now the only emotion is inconsolable. Who knew a story you know well can still move you like that!
Also, wan emergency understudy situation! Kevin Yates had to take over from Ryan O'Gorman due to a sudden indisposition at interval.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 16:49:41 GMT
OK, so I have never seen Rent live before. I own the film and live recording of the final Broadway performance, and own both the Cast Recording and the Soundtrack. I was hesitant to see it live, as I love the music and show that I was nervous that it may be ruined somehow. Until I heard Philippa Stefani and Layton Williams was in the cast. Then I knew I had to see it. And... ... it was possibly, the best show I have seen this year, and possibly of the last couple of years quite frankly! I didn't realise I would be so moved by a story I knew so well, but I probably cried about 30/45 minutes of the 2h 35m running time, as did alot of the audience. It was just stunning! The cast are insane! Special shoutout to Ross Hunter and Ryan O'Gorman, who were surprises for me, as was Shannay Holmes, who were all astounding. And credit to Kevin Yates, who had to take over at interval from Ryan. He was great, in a not eady role that he had to do from the midway point! And have a cheely crush on Ross Hunter, he was one of my personal favourites. The cast overall were fantastic! Now... Philippa!!!! I mean, waht more can be said! She was incredible! Her vocals killed it, her Out Tonight was awe-inspiring and her realism in the acting really surprised me, just how damn good she is. Whenever she was on stage, I couldn't take my eyes off her, just brilliant! And Layton, well, there is not much else to add to it. He was sensational, and had the audience engaged the moment he went on until the finale. He needs to take over Matt Henry in Kinky Boots! Both him, Phillipa and Ross got the biggest reactions at curtain, a full house standing ovation almost instantly at that! I loved the design too. One thing that always annoyed me about the Original was the design as I found it always too colourful and glitzy for the story. But this is gritty and grimy, and it really works. The costuming is done really well. And what they do with the set and lighting makes it so impactful, it really was special. This feels like such a special show, and I cheekily hope we see this again, maybe another limited run in London after the tour, as it really is sensational. Must look at tour dates, as it ends in May, I have to see this again! Just phenomenal! 5 Stars from Me!  |
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Apr 1, 2017 17:17:02 GMT
I saw Kevin cover the second time I went to see it in London. I loved him. Yes I went really for Ryan. I was lucky after 6 shows I saw 5 main roles covered and all 3 Angels. Kevin was also absolutely lovely to meet. I saw him do both his covers. Someone who I need to see in his future shows he does.
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Post by infofreako on Apr 1, 2017 17:31:30 GMT
OK, so I have never seen Rent live before. I own the film and live recording of the final Broadway performance, and own both the Cast Recording and the Soundtrack. I was hesitant to see it live, as I love the music and show that I was nervous that it may be ruined somehow. Until I heard Philippa Stefani and Layton Williams was in the cast. Then I knew I had to see it. And... ... it was possibly, the best show I have seen this year, and possibly of the last couple of years quite frankly! I didn't realise I would be so moved by a story I knew so well, but I probably cried about 30/45 minutes of the 2h 35m running time, as did alot of the audience. It was just stunning! The cast are insane! Special shoutout to Ross Hunter and Ryan O'Gorman, who were surprises for me, as was Shannay Holmes, who were all astounding. And credit to Kevin Yates, who had to take over at interval from Ryan. He was great, in a not eady role that he had to do from the midway point! And have a cheely crush on Ross Hunter, he was one of my personal favourites. The cast overall were fantastic! Now... Philippa!!!! I mean, waht more can be said! She was incredible! Her vocals killed it, her Out Tonight was awe-inspiring and her realism in the acting really surprised me, just how damn good she is. Whenever she was on stage, I couldn't take my eyes off her, just brilliant! And Layton, well, there is not much else to add to it. He was sensational, and had the audience engaged the moment he went on until the finale. He needs to take over Matt Henry in Kinky Boots! Both him, Phillipa and Ross got the biggest reactions at curtain, a full house standing ovation almost instantly at that! I loved the design too. One thing that always annoyed me about the Original was the design as I found it always too colourful and glitzy for the story. But this is gritty and grimy, and it really works. The costuming is done really well. And what they do with the set and lighting makes it so impactful, it really was special. This feels like such a special show, and I cheekily hope we see this again, maybe another limited run in London after the tour, as it really is sensational. Must look at tour dates, as it ends in May, I have to see this again! Just phenomenal! 5 Stars from Me! Come to Tunbridge Wells end of May |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 18:25:11 GMT
I mean, so much to say I wanna take a proper sit down to write my thoughts, but right now the only emotion is inconsolable. Who knew a story you know well can still move you like that! Also, wan emergency understudy situation! Kevin Yates had to take over from Ryan O'Gorman due to a sudden indisposition at interval. Aw, I know that reaction. I had to sit down on a (very cold!!) bench in Victoria for a bit before I could get my sh*t together and move. I'm so pleased you loved it!! Very excited to see this on Wednesday now! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 20:10:33 GMT
Just seen that tonight, Maureen will be played, as announced, by Christina Modestou. Collins will be played by Kevin Yates and Angel will be played by Jordan Laviniere. I'm surprised, as Layton was phenomenal this afternoon!!
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Post by LaLuPone on Apr 1, 2017 20:20:07 GMT
Just seen that tonight, Maureen will be played, as announced, by Christina Modestou. Collins will be played by Kevin Yates and Angel will be played by Jordan Laviniere. I'm surprised, as Layton was phenomenal this afternoon!! Hope Layton's better by Tuesday as I missed him in the St James. Is Christina good as Maureen by the way? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 20:24:18 GMT
Just seen that tonight, Maureen will be played, as announced, by Christina Modestou. Collins will be played by Kevin Yates and Angel will be played by Jordan Laviniere. I'm surprised, as Layton was phenomenal this afternoon!! Hope Layton's better by Tuesday as I missed him in the St James. Is Christina good as Maureen by the way? I do wonder if it is just so he can have a show off to rest, as he was really full-out this afternoon! He was phenomenal. I hope he is back on Tuesday for you.
Christina is great, really fantastic, her vocals are insane! Take Me or Leave Me was one of the highlights, but there were many highlights haha. If you get her, you won't be disappointed!
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Post by infofreako on Apr 1, 2017 20:29:42 GMT
I think after his lay off through injury and operation they're taking it fairly easy with Layton
Looks like he may have needed vocal rest. Hopefully he will be raring to go come Tuesday
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 8:48:53 GMT
I have a question for everyone, one that I would be curious to hear opinions on. I am going with the assumption everyone here knows Rent or the basic story, or knows about the ending, but if you don't and don't want to be spoiled, please don't continue reading, as I don't want to spoil it and I am on a mobile device and it won't let me add a spoiler tag and the discussion that may follow will obviously contain spoilers, but I am curious...
So the question is, do people think Mimi should of died at the end of the show, or remained alive like the show portrays? Because I have heard several opposing views so I am curious. I personally think the way Philippa did it was way more effective than done, for example by Mimi in the 2008 Recording, but I think, for me, the best ending is the one they have, as it shows that, in a show where second chances and justice don't really exist, for her to survive and be with Rodger, it makes second chances become a thing for these characters, and bring happiness back to the group who, since the events of midway through Act 2, basically have everything that could go wrong, go wrong. And also emotionally, I couldn't deal with the death of two of the eight leads, I think it would just be the most heartbreaking thing they could do to an audience. I see it as a head vs. heart decision, as artistically, it would probably work better to just have her die and leave the ending as tramatic, but emotionally, both for the audience and the remaining characters, it would of been just too much to hav her die, and leave Rodger even lonelier than he has been.
Am curious to hear your thoughts guys, and I warned people to not read so please don't come at me for spoiling it haha.
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Post by jgblunners on Apr 2, 2017 9:16:23 GMT
Am curious to hear your thoughts guys, and I warned people to not read so please don't come at me for spoiling it haha. I agree that she should stay alive - Act Two is pretty depressing, so the show really needs something at the end to lift the audience's spirits and inspire a bit of hope. Also, her revival is what prompts the segue into the Finale, which is really beautiful and would no doubt be a whole lot more depressing if it had to reflect on Mimi's death rather than her coming back. The moment Mimi wakes up is very difficult to do well, but I agree that Philippa got it spot on and didn't go over the top. |
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Post by infofreako on Apr 2, 2017 9:27:24 GMT
Definitely works the way it is for me. Renewed hope and positivity and an uplifting moment
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Post by infofreako on Apr 2, 2017 9:34:30 GMT
Booked 3 visits during the final week of the tour. The lady in the box office thought I was mad.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 9:34:32 GMT
It's sort of reverse La Boheme, if you will. Mimi died in the original opera, but Schaunard didn't, so presumably in introducing one heartbreaking death in Angel, Larson thought he might as well continue to defy the source material by at least having Mimi survive.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 9:38:12 GMT
Am curious to hear your thoughts guys, and I warned people to not read so please don't come at me for spoiling it haha. I agree that she should stay alive - Act Two is pretty depressing, so the show really needs something at the end to lift the audience's spirits and inspire a bit of hope. Also, her revival is what prompts the segue into the Finale, which is really beautiful and would no doubt be a whole lot more depressing if it had to reflect on Mimi's death rather than her coming back. The moment Mimi wakes up is very difficult to do well, but I agree that Philippa got it spot on and didn't go over the top. I agree, I think the way Philippa did it, as well as how it is staged by the cast is spot on, even with the fact Roger has to help her up and hold her up when they sing the Finale. Using the final Broadway performance as an example, where Renee performed it as she literally gets up and sits up almost straight away, that never really worked for me. But again, that leads to me always thinking that the way it was originally staged really doesn't fit the material, whilst the way it is staged with this production is a lot better suited to the material and overall feel of the piece. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 9:42:33 GMT
Two thoughts on the Mimi question (as with everything Rent I've spent too much of my life thinking about this) firstly that as well as the general messing with the source material Baemax notes above, Larson was adament that Rent would be about hope and/or life rather than death. Somewhere I have the actual quotes from him on the matter which I will dig out...basically however Larson wanted his play and his take on the AIDS crisis to end on a note of hope.
My other thought is always though, just how long is Mimi realistically going to survive? she's a drug addict with (we can assume now) a fairly advanced state of illness. She's homeless/lives in a squat with no health insurance. So it's a momentary repreive, and that reality of death still isn't very far away. Which for me works in the context of Larson's 'No Day But Today' idea- yes Mimi lives, but probably only for now, which reinforces the 'live each day fully' notion.
As ever Dr Rent here has WAY too many thoughts on the matter...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 9:50:18 GMT
Two thoughts on the Mimi question (as with everything Rent I've spent too much of my life thinking about this) firstly that as well as the general messing with the source material Baemax notes above, Larson was adament that Rent would be about hope and/or life rather than death. Somewhere I have the actual quotes from him on the matter which I will dig out...basically however Larson wanted his play and his take on the AIDS crisis to end on a note of hope. My other thought is always though, just how long is Mimi realistically going to survive? she's a drug addict with (we can assume now) a fairly advanced state of illness. She's homeless/lives in a squat with no health insurance. So it's a momentary repreive, and that reality of death still isn't very far away. Which for me works in the context of Larson's 'No Day But Today' idea- yes Mimi lives, but probably only for now, which reinforces the 'live each day fully' notion. As ever Dr Rent here has WAY too many thoughts on the matter... Ahaha I am that person too who loves to do research and know the ins and outs of everything, you're not alone there, I have always had a slight obsession with this show and characters! I agree that realistically, she probably doesn't survive longer than a good 3-6 months after the show, if that. But, in my head, I want to believe that she is alive and her and Roger are still together now, as I think Roger could of been the person to help her live on, rehabilitate and survive. I also think Joanne and Maureen are still together, Mark was the last to find somebody, Collins thought he would never love again, but had a dream vision of Angel to find love and that he will always love him, so Collins found another lover. In my head, that is what happened, or at least what I choose to imagine happening, as I don't want to think anything grim or horrible happened afterward to them, even though it is likely something tragic happened to one or two of them afterward. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 11:52:26 GMT
Ahaha I am that person too who loves to do research and know the ins and outs of everything, you're not alone there, I have always had a slight obsession with this show and characters! I confess I read this and chuckled with a 'you have no idea' ....I am too, and was for want of sounding like an old person 'There the first time around for Rent' Oh and I also wrote a PhD on it...so I think that counts as doing my research to know the ins and outs to the extreme  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 15:53:55 GMT
Ryan confirmed on twitter it was vocal issues that he couldn't do the second half of Saturday's matinee and the evening show, but if that was him weak, I cannot wait to hear him vocally strong! He sounded phenomenal! But thinking back (and don't quote me on this!) but I don't think he appeared in the final scene of Act 1 in the Diner so that may of been where he couldn't continue.
Also interesting, usually the solo moments in "Seasons of Love" is designed to put two soloists (three in this production) in the spotlight from the Ensemble. Usually the vocals are done by Christina, Kevin and then Jenny. I was surprised they didn't give Christina's solo to another Ensemble member so that one of them had a big moment. I can understand more why Kevin sang his part however, as obviously he got thrown on during the interval, so they couldn't really think about that when he had to get ready and everything.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Apr 2, 2017 16:49:41 GMT
I had a ticket for this yesterday afternoon but i must admit i decided not to go. I have never seen the show before and whilst i am interested to see it, from a vague idea of the story and some of the comments on here i decided that it was a bit too much of a depressing and gritty show for me to really see at the moment as i'm just not in the mood.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 16:52:07 GMT
I had a ticket for this yesterday afternoon but i must admit i decided not to go. I have never seen the show before and whilst i am interested to see it, from a vague idea of the story and some of the comments on here i decided that it was a bit too much of a depressing and gritty show for me to really see at the moment as i'm just not in the mood. Oh I am sorry you felt that way. Admittedly, yes it is a dark show, with a lot of very dark subject matter, but it is also a beautiful show, with amazing music and performances that, honestly, are some of the best I have ever seen! If you do get the chance to see it anywhere else on tour, I would highly recommend seeing it. |
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Post by danb on Apr 2, 2017 19:58:30 GMT
I'm hearing that Lucie might be out for the next few days, which would be sad for her to miss Cardiff. Does anyone know any more?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 20:05:20 GMT
I'm hearing that Lucie might be out for the next few days, which would be sad for her to miss Cardiff. Does anyone know any more? Yes, she is missing the Saturday performances, but is doing all the weekday performances. But if you do miss her, her understudy Christina is fantastic, so don't feel let down.
And even though it is not on the website, she won't be performing at all in Coventry due to performing at Eurovision.
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Post by infofreako on Apr 2, 2017 20:14:50 GMT
I suggested a couple of pages back she would miss both Poole and Coventry as both theatres websites only mention Layton whereas those up to the end of April and those after Eurovision mention both Lucie and Layton.
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