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Post by sparky5000 on May 16, 2019 16:29:44 GMT
I don’t think it’s necessary that a famous name is cast in this for it to sell. It has survived on Broadway very well without one (though I’m happy to be corrected. I’m so desperate to see Rachel John back on stage it’s unreal. She would be just luvver-lee. This is true, it will sell on name alone. If they want to have a younger Eliza for the West End production it’s a fantastic opportunity for a relatively unknown talent to be picked, if that’s the way they want to go! |
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Post by sophie92 on May 16, 2019 16:45:31 GMT
I’d love to see Charlotte Wakefield play Eliza
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Post by basdfg on May 16, 2019 17:44:27 GMT
Great news.
I can see Danny Mac being considered for Freddie.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2019 20:41:43 GMT
OMG I am so excited for this! If they cast it right there’s no reason to get a name for Eliza - the show can sell itself and we can have the names in the other roles. So I really hope they find some new unknown talent and let her have her big break in the role.
Then when it’s struggling stunt cast Kerry Ellis for 4 weeks. If she can go green twice she can go back to flogging flowers in Covent Garden.
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Post by basdfg on May 16, 2019 21:03:17 GMT
If it is based on Broadway won't the producers probably want to keep the similar age gap between Eliza and Henry. So less likely someone unknown if Eliza will be played by someone 30+.
I wonder if they will off Diana Rigg the chance to do it on the West End?
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Post by littlesally on May 16, 2019 21:53:45 GMT
Do we think it could tempt Cynthia Erivo back to the West End?
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 16, 2019 22:05:34 GMT
I am not sure the West End wants her back. We need the drama on stage - not around it.
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Post by Oleanna on May 16, 2019 22:06:25 GMT
Do we think it could tempt Cynthia Erivo back to the West End? Arguably her voice is not right for it. |
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Post by musicalmarge on May 17, 2019 7:15:34 GMT
Do we think it could tempt Cynthia Erivo back to the West End? A since when was Eliza black? B since when did Eliza’s vocal tone totally change?! C NO! |
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 9:52:42 GMT
My dad will flip out of Eliza is mixed race or black. He went into a rant about it last year. He is not a fan of colour blind casting.
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Post by mrk on May 17, 2019 10:13:27 GMT
There is a word for people that don't like colour blind casting. You would think the reactionary sorts that plagued this board and its predecessors since Billy Elliot days would have evolved in their attitudes but I guess not.
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 17, 2019 10:15:05 GMT
I am not a fan of people who object to colour blind casting
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 10:42:07 GMT
Funny enough, I was wondering about colour-blind casting last night too. I don't see it would be an issue. There were certainly black people in all classes in London at the time the show was set. That we whitewashed them out of history books so the fact wasn't recognised is the actual issue at stake, I feel. I could see it getting a lot of press coverage.
I think unlike Oliver or Les Misrables the class aspect makes it part of the story.
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 10:44:40 GMT
I am not a fan of people who object to colour blind casting What about a white man playing Nelson Mandela? That is what my dad always asks. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 17, 2019 10:49:08 GMT
I think it could be interesting to see what casting actors of colour as Eliza and Doolittle could add to the piece. By adding race to the prejudices already shown towards the working class characters, it could add something new to the show. It would, of course, provoke a strong reaction - but that is not in and of itself a bad thing.
I am not sure that Sher would be the director to take the show in this particular direction but I believe it could work with the right team at the helm.
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 10:58:59 GMT
I think it could be interesting to see what casting actors of colour as Eliza and Doolittle could add to the piece. By adding race to the prejudices already shown towards the working class characters, it could add something new to the show. It would, of course, provoke a strong reaction - but that is not in and of itself a bad thing. I am not sure that Sher would be the director to take the show in this particular direction but I believe it could work with the right team at the helm. I doubt they would do acknowledge race. It be like a the elephant in the room - never mentioned on stage. |
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 11:00:18 GMT
There is a word for people that don't like colour blind casting. You would think the reactionary sorts that plagued this board and its predecessors since Billy Elliot days would have evolved in their attitudes but I guess not. My Fair lady being class based is one that I think falls into the category that colour blind casting would only work if it is acknowledged on stage. The Sound of Music is another It does a diservice to racism if a black Eliza was not shown to suffer racial prejudice.
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 17, 2019 11:02:20 GMT
I am not a fan of people who object to colour blind casting What about a white man playing Nelson Mandela? Will that ever happen. Or is colour blind casting only for roles originally conceived as white? How about black actors playing the white parts and vice versa? May make ignorant white folk a bit more empathetic |
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Post by Oleanna on May 17, 2019 11:07:33 GMT
I am not a fan of people who object to colour blind casting What about a white man playing Nelson Mandela? Will that ever happen. Or is colour blind casting only for roles originally conceived as white? Nelson Mandela was a REAL PERSON, come on now. Eliza Doolittle is a fictional character. Rules of colourblind casting: 1. Are they a real person? If yes, then colourblind casting is not appropriate, except in an artistic reimagining i.e Hamilton. If no, then go wild. Except if they fall into... 2. Is race/heritage integral to the story? If yes, then colourblind casting is not appropriate. If no, then go wild. Also, as interesting as it is to have conversations about how likely it would have been to have a cockney flower seller of colour at that time, rule number... 3. Colourblind casting does not necessarily alter the narrative of that character. For example, if a person of colour played Eliza Doolittle, they would be exactly that: a person of colour playing Eliza Doolittle. The ideas of Eliza as a character now having been raised a person of colour in her own timeframe, and the changes that implies to the character are arguably moot. The character is the same, they’re just being played by an actor. Colourblind casting means exactly that: you are blind to the colour of the actor, and are there to see them play a character. |
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Post by Oleanna on May 17, 2019 11:09:18 GMT
My dad will flip out of Eliza is mixed race or black. He went into a rant about it last year. He is not a fan of colour blind casting. Then he’s welcome to stay at home. |
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2019 11:09:28 GMT
There is a word for people that don't like colour blind casting. You would think the reactionary sorts that plagued this board and its predecessors since Billy Elliot days would have evolved in their attitudes but I guess not. My parents are despite to see My Fair Lady but my dad as vowed not to go if Eliza is non white. I doubt they alone.
Then I very much hope that they do cast a non-white actress in the role (assuming she has the requisite singing and acting talent of course). Outdated attitudes like your parents' have no place in modern theatre as far as I'm concerned. Respecting and encouraging talent regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation costs nothing but having a bit of basic respect for fellow human beings. |
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 11:10:41 GMT
What about a white man playing Nelson Mandela? Will that ever happen. Or is colour blind casting only for roles originally conceived as white? Nelson Mandela was a REAL PERSON, come on now. Eliza Doolittle is a fictional character. Rules of colourblind casting: 1. Are they a real person? If yes, then colourblind casting is not appropriate, except in an artistic reimagining i.e Hamilton. 2. Is race/heritage integral to the story? If yes, then colourblind casting is not appropriate. Also, as interesting as it is to have conversations about how likely it would have been to have a cockney flower seller of colour at that time, rule number... 3. Colourblind casting does not necessarily alter the narrative of that character. For example, if a person of colour played Eliza Doolittle, they would be exactly that: a person of colour playing Eliza Doolittle. The ideas of Eliza as a character now having been raised a person of colour in her own timeframe, and the changes that implies to the character are arguably moot. The character is the same, they’re just being played by an actor. Colourblind casting means exactly that: you are blind to the colour of the actor, and are there to see them play a character. A black Eliza is more realistic than a black Higgins. More black cockneys than upper class people in 1910 London.
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 11:11:21 GMT
My dad will flip out of Eliza is mixed race or black. He went into a rant about it last year. He is not a fan of colour blind casting. Then he’s welcome to stay at home. And if everyone does the show closes. |
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2019 11:12:14 GMT
Then he’s welcome to stay at home. And if everyone does the show closes. I think you'll find the people who stay at home will be the minority. Most people have more sense. His prerogative of course, but that sort of attitude is thankfully not going to be held by enough people to cause any damage to the show at all - Les Mis has had ethnic minority actors playing leading roles and funnily enough no-one batted an eyelid. |
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Post by Oleanna on May 17, 2019 11:12:52 GMT
Nelson Mandela was a REAL PERSON, come on now. Eliza Doolittle is a fictional character. Rules of colourblind casting: 1. Are they a real person? If yes, then colourblind casting is not appropriate, except in an artistic reimagining i.e Hamilton. 2. Is race/heritage integral to the story? If yes, then colourblind casting is not appropriate. Also, as interesting as it is to have conversations about how likely it would have been to have a cockney flower seller of colour at that time, rule number... 3. Colourblind casting does not necessarily alter the narrative of that character. For example, if a person of colour played Eliza Doolittle, they would be exactly that: a person of colour playing Eliza Doolittle. The ideas of Eliza as a character now having been raised a person of colour in her own timeframe, and the changes that implies to the character are arguably moot. The character is the same, they’re just being played by an actor. Colourblind casting means exactly that: you are blind to the colour of the actor, and are there to see them play a character. A black Eliza is more realistic than a black Higgins. More black cockneys than upper class people in 1910 London.
Not sure audiences buy ignoring the colour of an actor when watching a show.
May I invite you to read my post again? It may be your perception that “audiences won’t buy ignoring colour”, but all that seems to suggest is that you have a very superficial view of modern theatre audiences, probably informed by a small circle of reference, at the centre of which sit your parents. |
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