Carousel - Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Changes since last week: brass band enter stage through audience instead of rear of stage. Firepit in place for second half. Not sure when these were introduced.

Well, I'm no critic but I think the show has improved since last week alot. The second half was smoother, the poles coming on and off were less disruptive - I don't recall them being placed in holes in the ramped section after the carousel dance sequence but I might be wrong. Still not a fan of the choreography, though I will admit that as the heavens opened in the second half, the imagery was quite profound in the mix of rain and mist on a sodden stage. I must give a nod to the cast for delivering in such variable weather. Last week I felt this was a 3* show - tonight's effort took it to 4*, and still I think this show is a couple of tweaks away from being a great show. The star for me is the music, and I hope Tom Deering is recognised for what he has done.

I am beginning to suspect that Bonnie Langford, Arlene Phillips and Harriet Thorpe all living and sleeping in a car until another press night happens and then out they jump. They have been at every one for the last week 😂

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WoS
⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Stage
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ES

He seems to be giving everything 5 stars these days (Hairspray, Pippin, Anything Goes, Joseph, Cinderella ) - I think he just wants to see himself quoted in advertisements.

The Guardian review says:
"There is a gritty heroism among the cast, too, several of whom are understudies stepping in for self-isolating actors".
Does anyone know why, in this case, a self-isolating actor doesn't mean the whole show being called off for a stretch, as with so many West End shows. Is it because it's outdoors?; or can be proven the actor hadn't been in contact with other cast members?
What a tangled mix of rules.

Cast members were isolating as part of test and trace without having tested positive, which is how they were able to proceed

It is a wasted opportunity, the Open Air Theatre is one venue where an actual working Carousel could be used for realism.

Interesting that theres a fair few 5 star reviews knocking about but no one who has seen it on here has given it such...

I agree mostly with the stage review of 3 stars (although I'd have given it 2) as it talks most about Act 2's problems. Been thinking about how I'd likely have liked it even less without the revolve... amazing the different a piece of staging like that does make.

I was there tonight. A beautiful warm dry evening helped I’m sure and the audience response was very enthusiastic with a good number of standing ovators, especially for the principals. There were some magical interactions between the music, the haze and the gentle breeze that you simply don’t get in any other venue.

I think I’d echo a lot of what’s been said already - first half is pretty wonderful - what songs! - and everyone in fine voice. Billy as a reflection of modern day toxic masculinity worked perfectly for me. I don’t think I’d ever realised quite how poisonous his soliloquy is in the past.

They try very hard after the interval and I really admire the attempt to make the show morally “right” but you can’t just cut a load of it and expect the plot and pacing to still work. So it just sort of fizzles out with nothing vaguely resembling a resolution. If I hadn’t known the show I’d have been very surprised that that was it when the lights went down for the end of the show.

But having said all that I’m still pleased they’re making these non-traditional productions of old(er) musicals at Regents Park. I’d 100% book for whatever they programme in 2022, and possibly even be a little miffed if it was even relatively unaltered.

Well I've never really ever fancied a production of Carousel before, but the reviews of this have got me intrigued enough to get a cheap ticket to check it out.
It's during the last week of the run so fingers crossed the weather holds out.