Musical Revivals at the ENO

I think it not going well all depends on on ENO did these revivals in the first place? As you say yourself, it was to boost finances, not to get good reviews.

If you look closely at any of the Man of La Mancha posters there is no ENO logo at all, so i'd guess the producers are simply paying for the space in which case reviews and sales figures matter not a jot to ENO as their budget is solid either way.

I think we'll find out very very soon whether GradeLinnit Musicals will continue at the Coliseum

Next year, look - it's Martin Guerre...

I have to say the main attraction of the ENO musicals has been the orchestra. Got a less than half price deal on the day for Sweeney for prime centre stalls. Loved the music,hated the production especially the neon graffiti. And to be honest Emma Thompson neither acted or spoke/sung enough to convince. And Bryn nearly fell off one of the steps to the stage. Loved the Orchestra in Sunset , but that bloody horizontal mannequin ! And as I said if they’d lowered Glenn in on the Man of La Mancha staircase if would have been spectacular. And let’s be honest the turban should have been in her contract. Couldn’t face Carousel or Chess. If I’m honest MOLM was probably best suited as I find it very Operatic in its style, but lost in the space. I’m intrigued to see how On Your Feet will fit. It doesn’t appeal terribly, but the last time I dismissed a jukebox musical it was Jersey Boys and when I went to see it I loved it and it became my benchmark for jukebox shows.

Don’t joke. The reworked version is due to open at the Old Vic

I've enjoyed all that I've seen there. Sunset and Chess twice. Only disappointment with Sweeney was the view but I won't make that mistake again.
And I'm looking forward to a bit of Gloria Estefan in June.

I look forward to that!

I agree with Bobbybaby the main strength of these Grade/Linnit/ENO musicals has been the orchestra and the ensemble.

The Sweeney Todd production wasn't a patch on the pie shop version which was on a stone's throw away at the same time. However the orchestra and chorus were top notch and it was packed to the brim with musical theatre talent in the supporting roles (Rosalie Craig, Matthew Season-Young, Alex Gaumond, John Owen-Jones and Philip Quast - the last three of whom would all have been more appropriate casting that the current lead in Man of La Mancha). That said Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson were bona fide box office gold - and the production only ran for about 15 performances - leading to complete sell out performances well in advance - so it was a pretty good way to kick start the partnership.

Since then they've always had six week runs - and none have ever sold out massively in advance.

Sunset Boulevard had the benefit of a Hollywood star reprising her Tony award-winning performance, in a show what had barely been seen since the original west end production - and certainly never with an orchestra and company as large. It was a lousy production, but became a hit largely because of Glenn Close and those love letter reviews.

There really was no need for another Carousel (opera north had done it recently in a version which came to the Barbican) and certainly not one with lacklustre leads who were dramatically inert - and in another ropey Lonny Price production. But it sounded amazing with a full orchestra and chorus, lots of the dancing/dancers were great - and actors like Gavin Spokes and Alex Young knocked it out of the park.

Chess was fine when it eventually happened - but the delay in announcing the cast meant it had no feel of 'event theatre' - which was the hallmark of both Sweeney and Sunset. But is was brilliantly sung and played - with almost all of the casting decisions seemingly justified.

And Man of La Mancha - well maybe they thought - it's had four Broadway revivals and yet never been done here since the original production (which incidentally ran about 250 performances compared to over 2,300 on Broadway - alarm bells surely) and there's a big song that everyone knows. And whilst I've not seen it - and I'm sure that it's exactly as I imagine - at least the ensemble is made up of some great west end musical theatre actors.

I suspect that Grade and Linnit are not great theatre producers. The Sweeney was a 'drag and drop' from the Lincoln Centre concert production which had starred Terfel and Thompson, and their Sunset was built around someone who had a proven track record with the show. Everything since then has lacked any sort of creative overview. Maybe if they'd chosen different shows, maybe if they'd had better directors (I mean we've got some pretty good ones here in the UK), maybe if some of the casting had been more on point, maybe if they hadn't tried to do such long runs, maybe if they'd fixed the lousy Coliseum sound system, then they could have continued to replicate the earlier successes. As it is the things that have remained strong throughout are the orchestra and the ensemble.

Next year looks set to make them a lot of cash.

I’m gonna be that person who can’t tell you what it is, but I’ve heard Baz is announcing on Thursday so you should know soon enough. (Will say they’ve gone for a new-er musical than what they have done previously)

Don’t really want to gloat, especially as the ENO have had su a torrid time and they need a bit of love, however I feel they will do a musical and the stars will align and that will blow everyone’s socks off.

I would never discourage an organisation to stop their output on quality alone, instead must try harder next time. Choice is always a great problem to have. I saw Man of La Mancha and was in a top seat for £22 through todaytix, So there are good discounts.

Hmm...

The Lord of the Rings?

I'm looking forward to The Wild Party starring Daniel Day Lewis and Amanda Holden.