42nd Street at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

For those curious, Emma just replied to my tweet about her costume, she is a Swing for the Staircase/Finale when they run out of Swings!

I saw the matinee yesterday - my first visit since Lulu joined the cast - and I’m squarely in the minority that enjoyed her performance. It wasn’t as pure vocally as Sheena, but her voice has its own qualities and I liked her characterisation. I can’t honestly say I preferred one over the other, they were different and I enjoyed both. And I look forward to seeing what Steph brings to the role on my next visit.

Sat in A23 - first time that side after a couple of A1 visits - loved the view from there too. May just have to see it again from there...

I also did the theatre tour in the morning, which was really interesting - great to see the stage lit with the Pride rainbow and to hear Lulu’s hits belting out of the speakers as they tested the sound system, and to see the under-stage machinery. They wouldn’t be drawn on exactly when the theatre is due to close for its refurb, saying that 42nd Street keeps extending so who knew!

I wonder how desperate/urgent the refurb is. If 42nd Street continues to perform well and make a lot of money for everyone involved, and RUG decide they do want Frozen in there, would they be willing to put back the refurb in order to maximise revenues from 42nd St. but also not miss out on the money printing machine that Frozen is inevitably going to be.

Depends on the timescale, if Disney wants Frozen for May or June 2020 then they’d want the theatre to be ready by early May, I can’t imagine RUG wants a Hamilton situation so I imagine the latest 42nd Street could stay open is March or April next year, ideally they’d close it in January or February so they have wiggle room.

Now that Lulu has left (which is a shame) and Steph has taken over, has a new standby been announced for Maggie/Dorothy?

*cue the Jaws theme*

Lulu's offical twitter posted picture from the Pride/Farewell warm up with the caption: "just a few of the gang at at yesterdays Gay Pride warm up and Lulu's goodbye (for now)".

So either this is meant as she will see them in the future socially etc OR a million fans worst fears are realised and they will bring her back soon!

Where's the 8 weeks come from? I'd not seen that online before, but maybe I missed something. Looking forward to seeing who Dorothy will be after that and I'd have no problem with the suggestion that danieljohnson14 has given!

To pretty much confirm the 8 weeks, I have seen Steph say on Instagram she is excited to play the role for the whole Summer, which would be pretty much 8 weeks.

Now I'm expecting Lulu to return, which is be thrilled about. But Tracie Bennett is dream casting and, if anything to please @ryan after several conversations over a glass of wine as to why she'd be perfect, let's get Jane McDonald in there for at least a limited run.

Jane McDonald would be FAB!

I’d definitely go see this if Ria Jones reprised her role from the Paris production, I’d also love to see Elaine Paige do it but I remember someone saying upthread that she most likely wouldn’t want to.

What is Steph's last day?

I've booked but may end up missing her.

They will probably want to get a "name" in for the fall and holidays