|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2018 2:15:45 GMT
Sorry! Pressed too soon! Apparently, Chris Howell is 2nd cover Abner Dillon. Oooo that's a step down from Bert to Abner! But I suppose he is the only other person who could play the role realistically. |
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Mar 22, 2018 2:49:23 GMT
Sorry! Pressed too soon! Apparently, Chris Howell is 2nd cover Abner Dillon. Oooo that's a step down from Bert to Abner! But I suppose he is the only other person who could play the role realistically. I feel like I remember reading that Sam Murphy went on as Abner once so they can put someone young on if they are desperate. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2018 13:51:06 GMT
Oooo that's a step down from Bert to Abner! But I suppose he is the only other person who could play the role realistically. I feel like I remember reading that Sam Murphy went on as Abner once so they can put someone young on if they are desperate. Yeah he went on a couple of times, he was the second cover though so it was always the plan he would go on if need be. I wish I was there to see that!  |
|
|
|
Post by singularsensation10 on Mar 23, 2018 8:27:59 GMT
Could it not work so he is just rich and dumb rather than old, rich and dumb so that a younger actor could play him? I’ve only seen the show a few times but I don’t recall anything about him being old in the text?
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Mar 23, 2018 10:06:42 GMT
Could it not work so he is just rich and dumb rather than old, rich and dumb so that a younger actor could play him? I’ve only seen the show a few times but I don’t recall anything about him being old in the text? Well, not really. Abner is really the sugar daddy to Dorothy who leads him on having the younger lover in Pat Denning. |
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by jgblunners on Mar 23, 2018 10:15:14 GMT
Just got a TodayTix rush seat for tonight - excited to see the new cast!
|
|
1,102 posts
|
Post by zak97 on Mar 23, 2018 10:29:23 GMT
Could they not use Pat as Abner worst case scenario, as the Pat understudies are very young. Would keep the idea of an old and young man.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Mar 23, 2018 11:37:57 GMT
Could they not use Pat as Abner worst case scenario, as the Pat understudies are very young. Would keep the idea of an old and young man. That would make sense but Pat Denning usually understudies Julian Marsh and so to understudy Abner would seem a real step down. I suppose in a long running show with holidays and illness it is impossible to cover every single role to perfection and occasionally compromises have to be made. |
|
1,102 posts
|
Post by zak97 on Mar 23, 2018 11:57:31 GMT
Could they not use Pat as Abner worst case scenario, as the Pat understudies are very young. Would keep the idea of an old and young man. That would make sense but Pat Denning usually understudies Julian Marsh and so to understudy Abner would seem a real step down. I suppose in a long running show with holidays and illness it is impossible to cover every single role to perfection and occasionally compromises have to be made. It’s not abnormal to understudy two characters though. And the likelihood of going on as a second cover is naturally less. |
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Mar 23, 2018 15:33:16 GMT
Their West End Eurovision indent
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by jgblunners on Mar 23, 2018 19:22:08 GMT
Just arrived and the cast board says that Clare Rickard is on for Peggy again tonight, so not only am I seeing the new cast members but it’s also my first time seeing the show without Clare Halse!
Interestingly, Steph Parry is listed under the ensemble section on the cast board. I never noticed CJ listed there, and I’m sure that there are more names there than usual, so maybe they’ve started listing the full cast rather than just the people who are performing in this specific show.
|
|
160 posts
|
Post by stageyqueen on Mar 23, 2018 20:13:17 GMT
Just arrived and the cast board says that Clare Rickard is on for Peggy again tonight, so not only am I seeing the new cast members but it’s also my first time seeing the show without Clare Halse! Interestingly, Steph Parry is listed under the ensemble section on the cast board. I never noticed CJ listed there, and I’m sure that there are more names there than usual, so maybe they’ve started listing the full cast rather than just the people who are performing in this specific show. Be interested in your thoughts. Hope you enjoy the show. |
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by jgblunners on Mar 23, 2018 23:03:16 GMT
Wow - I had forgotten just how happy this show makes me. From the opening chord I had a massive grin on my face and it stayed put for pretty much the whole show. I still get chills at the sight of Peggy stood alone in a spotlight in the middle of that massive empty stage. The new ensemble members have fitted in wonderfully - I spotted a couple of moments where timing went ever so slightly out but I’ll let them off since it’s only their sixth show. I know it’s only a small part but Joel was fantastic as the thief, he was much more acrobatic than Greg used to be and it looked great.
The new principles - Ashley’s dancing seemed more showbiz and stylish than Stuart’s, but his voice was weaker, and Matthew Goodgame was great as Pat but I personally preferred Norman’s voice. I’m afraid I very much missed Sheena - Lulu makes Dorothy a lot more vicious and a more believable diva, which is great, but her voice is not right for these songs. She’s got a great voice, but it just doesn’t fit with this style of music and I didn’t like the changes that were made for her.
As I said above, Clare Rickard was on for Peggy tonight and she did a magnificent job. Playing Peggy as slightly less sure of herself at the start really helped her to punctuate her star turn in Act Two, but I feel that Clare R just doesn’t have the natural star quality of Clare H. There’s nothing wrong with Clare R’s performance - it was wonderful - but Clare H just has that little extra something that makes her performance seem even more special.
I’ll definitely be trying to see Steph Parry as Dorothy, and I still want to see Philip as Billy too. I’m glad that the show is still so joyous and in such great shape.
|
|
1,133 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Mar 23, 2018 23:05:26 GMT
Working a few front of house shifts at Drury Lane next week so will be able to report back on Lulu!
|
|
|
|
Post by danb on Mar 23, 2018 23:51:37 GMT
Working a few front of house shifts at Drury Lane next week so will be able to report back on Lulu! I don’t think so Steve! In my head you are a more theatrical version of Alan Partridge coming live from Hospital Radio Daventry or similar, not esconced in actual theatreland! Devastated. 😢 (I have characters for you all!) x |
|
1,133 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Mar 24, 2018 2:07:21 GMT
Working a few front of house shifts at Drury Lane next week so will be able to report back on Lulu! I don’t think so Steve! In my head you are a more theatrical version of Alan Partridge coming live from Hospital Radio Daventry or similar, not esconced in actual theatreland! Devastated. 😢 (I have characters for you all!) x I'm not following? Should I be following... |
|
|
|
Post by danb on Mar 24, 2018 6:40:10 GMT
I don’t think so Steve! In my head you are a more theatrical version of Alan Partridge coming live from Hospital Radio Daventry or similar, not esconced in actual theatreland! Devastated. 😢 (I have characters for you all!) x I'm not following? Should I be following... Probably not...I just hadn’t imagined you being a FOH type is all. 🤔 |
|
160 posts
|
Post by stageyqueen on Mar 24, 2018 8:02:13 GMT
Wow - I had forgotten just how happy this show makes me. From the opening chord I had a massive grin on my face and it stayed put for pretty much the whole show. I still get chills at the sight of Peggy stood alone in a spotlight in the middle of that massive empty stage. The new ensemble members have fitted in wonderfully - I spotted a couple of moments where timing went ever so slightly out but I’ll let them off since it’s only their sixth show. I know it’s only a small part but Joel was fantastic as the thief, he was much more acrobatic than Greg used to be and it looked great. The new principles - Ashley’s dancing seemed more showbiz and stylish than Stuart’s, but his voice was weaker, and Matthew Goodgame was great as Pat but I personally preferred Norman’s voice. I’m afraid I very much missed Sheena - Lulu makes Dorothy a lot more vicious and a more believable diva, which is great, but her voice is not right for these songs. She’s got a great voice, but it just doesn’t fit with this style of music and I didn’t like the changes that were made for her. As I said above, Clare Rickard was on for Peggy tonight and she did a magnificent job. Playing Peggy as slightly less sure of herself at the start really helped her to punctuate her star turn in Act Two, but I feel that Clare R just doesn’t have the natural star quality of Clare H. There’s nothing wrong with Clare R’s performance - it was wonderful - but Clare H just has that little extra something that makes her performance seem even more special. I’ll definitely be trying to see Steph Parry as Dorothy, and I still want to see Philip as Billy too. I’m glad that the show is still so joyous and in such great shape. So glad the show still makes you happy. I agree with all of your comments above. I saw the show last Mon and Wed- Clare R was in for Peggy as well. I agree Joel is excellent especially the way he leaps around. I also thought Ashley ‘s singing was weaker but then thought he was possibly drowned out slightly by the amazing male ensemble who are excellent. Perhaps he just needs to be mic’d Better? Like you, I missed Sheena and her voice. Lulu certainly is more like “Dorothy” in age and appearance, but I really do not like her voice or what they have done to the songs in order to accommodate it. Like you, I will look forward to seeing Steph Parry Cover her next week. |
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Mar 24, 2018 9:39:08 GMT
Lulu certainly is more like “Dorothy” in age and appearance See now this has always confused me about the show. So you're saying Dorothy is around Lulu's age which according to the Internet is 69. However when she was a little girl she saw her first Julian Marsh show. Doesn't that mean Julian is older than her? If young Dorothy watched something directed by Julian he's got to be quite a bit older than her. |
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Mar 24, 2018 9:55:02 GMT
I guess that makes sense, it's not like we have to believe every word that comes out of her mouth and "little girl" could have been when she was 40. You did make me go and look up that Sunset quote, I knew when it was but just couldn't quite remember the exact wording, good job the internet seems to know everything!
|
|
3,347 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Dr Tom on Mar 24, 2018 11:38:29 GMT
Lulu certainly is more like “Dorothy” in age and appearance See now this has always confused me about the show. So you're saying Dorothy is around Lulu's age which according to the Internet is 69. However when she was a little girl she saw her first Julian Marsh show. Doesn't that mean Julian is older than her? If young Dorothy watched something directed by Julian he's got to be quite a bit older than her. The character ages are all open to question. You have Dorothy who hasn't had a hit for 10 years and saw Julian Marsh as a girl. Abner as her sugar daddy and a rich businessman. Pat, who used to tour with Dorothy, but the implication is she looks after him and is younger. It doesn't work if you try and rationalise these with the current cast (and covers), unless you assume there's a certain amount of showbiz lying about ages and backgrounds involved. Regarding Abner, I think he could be played younger, rich and unattractive. People use the term "sugar daddy" to imply they're being kept, usually by someone older, but not always. That line doesn't tend to get much of a laugh in the show anyway, so I'm not sure all the audience understands it. |
|
4,026 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Mar 24, 2018 13:53:15 GMT
Rickard herself was a revelation as Peggy, a desperately unconfident loveable dope, the opposite of the magical Mary Poppins can't-take-your-eyes-off-her charisma of Clare Halse. Where Halse is extraordinary, a pocket rocket dynamo of dazzling amazement, Rickard is relentlessly ordinary. And the effect is to hugely boost the narrative value of the show, giving us an ordinary avatar for our own ordinariness, someone riddled by insecurity, to root for. When Halse's Peggy declared she was a "good" dancer, she delivered the line with vim, but Rickard infuses doubt into the declaration, rendering her Peggy vulnerable, even when she is feigning boldness. The result is that, while I was less dazzled by Rickard than Halse, (Halse is pure magic, like Tinkerbell in Peter Pan), I cared more about her character, and in a show as shallow as this, that's precious. On the strength of Steve's comments (he's the best reviewer on here in my opinion) I've just got a last minute ticket for the matinee, as Clare Rickard is on the cast board again for today. Anybody that can apparently give this show any depth has got to be worth seeing. |
|
3,476 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Mar 24, 2018 14:21:32 GMT
I've bitten the bullet on this and have bought a ticket for the matinee in ten mins. I hate tap, hate traditional Broadway shows, but trust the advice and reviews of fellow theatreboarders. Here goes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2018 15:13:42 GMT
I too wondered about the comment on seeing her first Julian Marsh show when she was 10, but I always took it as either a joke or her thinking off the top of her head something to impress him, not realising that it was factually incorrect.
|
|
3,476 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Mar 24, 2018 15:53:59 GMT
Well it's only the interval but i have to say I think it's fantastic. Lulu is excellent in my view, great voice, great presence. The whole cast though - wow. The orchestra - wow. The staging - wow. The set and costumes - wow. It has taken me back to an era I never saw. Would i see it again? Probably. It's bombastic and brilliant, with flawless dancing.
|
|
