1,119 posts
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 16:30:26 GMT
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Post by martin1965 on Oct 27, 2017 16:30:26 GMT
On the opposite side of the scale to the London Coliseum, when Chess played the old Union Theatre, it sold out in a shot, so yes the piece is popular with the British public, but the Colesium has to shift 2,400 more tickets than the union at 6x the price, it is names that shift tickets, not the show, so as others have alluded to they will need a name or 2, I mentioned earlier in this thread Nicole Scherzinger who single handedly sold out the London Palladium for Cats, I feel she would have the same effect if she played Florence for ENO. Much as i love the Union it is so small it hardly qualifies as an arbiter for joe public. For the barn that is the Colosseum they will at least two STAR names. |
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1,119 posts
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 16:32:31 GMT
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Post by martin1965 on Oct 27, 2017 16:32:31 GMT
It's only on for a month, she'll turn up at least three nights a week for that. Just sayin' . . .  With Jonathan Pryce as The Arbiter. Would sell tix |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2017 16:34:13 GMT
I honestly think Florence could be a great musical theatre debut for a (good) pop singer wanting to make a cross over debut without a long term commitment. Kelly Clarkson, please. OMGosh. Kelly would belt the living whatyamacallit out of 'Nobody's Side'! |
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Post by ali973 on Oct 27, 2017 16:37:26 GMT
Yes. I also think that the 2003 casting of Belgian pop diva Lara Fabian was spot on vocally. She was hired as Florence, then swapped with Julia Murney and was to play Svetlana, then pulled out altogether, which is when they ushered in Sutton Foster.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2017 16:39:58 GMT
On the opposite side of the scale to the London Coliseum, when Chess played the old Union Theatre, it sold out in a shot, so yes the piece is popular with the British public, but the Colesium has to shift 2,400 more tickets than the union at 6x the price, it is names that shift tickets, not the show, so as others have alluded to they will need a name or 2, I mentioned earlier in this thread Nicole Scherzinger who single handedly sold out the London Palladium for Cats, I feel she would have the same effect if she played Florence for ENO. Much as i love the Union it is so small it hardly qualifies as an arbiter for joe public. For the barn that is the Colosseum they will at least two STAR names. For the Colosseum they’d need three star names, a chorus of gladiators and at least twenty lions. For the Coliseum they can trim it down a bit... (although they’ve already got the lions in the auditorium...) |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2017 17:19:26 GMT
The late, incredibly great, Josefin Nilsson in the Swedish production was the most stunning Svetlana ever.
I actually think the four leads in the Swedish cast, Tommy Körberg, Helen Sjöholm, Josefin Nilsson and Anders Ekborg, are probably the perfect cast as a whole (although of course I adore La Paige).
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3,057 posts
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 18:04:55 GMT
Post by ali973 on Oct 27, 2017 18:04:55 GMT
I think an overlooked Svetlana was London's original Siobhan McCarthy (in fact..I find Siobhan one of the most underrated West End divas ever..she really ought to be more well known and I'd love see her do Norma Desmond). Often Svetlana is synonymous with the fabulous Barbra Dickinson, who actually never played Svetlana in a staged production.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2017 18:36:45 GMT
She’s never been overlooked by me.  I’m a big fan. A real sweetie too...  No diva. At all. I’m not sure anyone would know of Barbara Dickson as ‘Svetlana’. She’s probably just known as ‘the other one’ singing I Know Him So Well with Elaine Paige. On Top of the Pops. She did sing the role in concert, but was taken ill once mid-performance, and the day was saved by Karin Glenmark. Now that’s something to watch on Youtube! Barbara is terrific, as she was singing the Mistress on the original studio cast recording of Evita. She didn’t sing that part on stage either... Mrs Johnstone on the other hand... |
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 19:40:57 GMT
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Post by jgblunners on Oct 27, 2017 19:40:57 GMT
Kerry Ellis seems to be retweeting and liking a looooooot of tweets from people saying they want to see her as Florence. It probably doesn't mean anything, as she surely wouldn't be allowed to make hints if the casting hasn't been announced yet, but it at least implies that it's a role she's had her eye on...
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Post by Seriously on Oct 27, 2017 19:46:37 GMT
Why are people wanting Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis? They've done it before. Let's have someone new.
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3,057 posts
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 20:14:04 GMT
Post by ali973 on Oct 27, 2017 20:14:04 GMT
I'd actually enjoy Kerry playing Florence. You can depend on her to belt flawlessly, and this is is a belting role.
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 20:21:51 GMT
Post by Seriously on Oct 27, 2017 20:21:51 GMT
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3,057 posts
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 20:23:21 GMT
Post by ali973 on Oct 27, 2017 20:23:21 GMT
Did you read what I said? I said I would like her to play FLORENCE.
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Post by Seriously on Oct 27, 2017 20:45:37 GMT
Did you read what I said? I said I would like her to play FLORENCE. I didn't bother reading your post. |
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 21:40:11 GMT
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Post by alece10 on Oct 27, 2017 21:40:11 GMT
Why are people wanting Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis? They've done it before. Let's have someone new. If it's Idina my friend will refuse to go. She was not brilliant in the RAH concert and looked quite bored throughout. Sang it well though. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2017 21:41:48 GMT
Did you read what I said? I said I would like her to play FLORENCE. I didn't bother reading your post. I’m still chuckling and I first read this half an hour ago...! Kenneth Williams’ face in your avatar is the perfect match for it too! Classic!  |
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Post by karloscar on Oct 27, 2017 21:47:40 GMT
Never mind an overlooked Svetlana, Siobhan McCarthy was even better as Florence, and made the romance with Anatoly (Tommy Korberg) far more believable than EP ever did.
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Oct 27, 2017 21:51:39 GMT
Given the current fashion I expect it will be played with no interval, and gender blind casting with two guys playing Florence and Svetlana! It will take the lyrics of "I know him so well" to a whole new level - "wanting far too much for far too long"...."wasn't it good - oh so good".....
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3,057 posts
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Chess
Oct 27, 2017 21:58:10 GMT
Post by ali973 on Oct 27, 2017 21:58:10 GMT
Never mind an overlooked Svetlana, Siobhan McCarthy was even better as Florence, and made the romance with Anatoly (Tommy Korberg) far more believable than EP ever did. Oh? When was this? I wasn't aware she played Florence. |
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Post by n1david on Oct 27, 2017 22:33:57 GMT
Given the current fashion I expect it will be played with no interval, and gender blind casting with two guys playing Florence and Svetlana! It will take the lyrics of "I know him so well" to a whole new level - "wanting far too much for far too long"...."wasn't it good - oh so good"..... Been done.... (ok not in a full production). John Barrowman/Daniel Boys on JB’s tour. |
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Post by karloscar on Oct 27, 2017 22:53:40 GMT
Siobhan took over from Elaine at the Prince Edward after a year, and her Svetlana Grania Rennihan was third to play Florence, and then Ria Jones I think. They always had a leading lady to hand. Siobhan, Tommy and Michael Howe as Freddie were particularly good together for a short while.
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3,057 posts
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Chess
Oct 28, 2017 5:54:01 GMT
Post by ali973 on Oct 28, 2017 5:54:01 GMT
That's correct- there are a few recordings floating out there with Grania and Ria. I believe Ria was the last one to play Flo in London. Thanks for that, I had no idea she was the first replacement.
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4,993 posts
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Chess
Oct 28, 2017 6:52:53 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on Oct 28, 2017 6:52:53 GMT
Thank god we are spared LP’s directing abilities
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Chess
Oct 28, 2017 7:21:24 GMT
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Post by danb on Oct 28, 2017 7:21:24 GMT
(Walks across stage balletically)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2017 7:21:38 GMT
i really think they will need to pull it out the bag casting wise to fill the theatre. chess is no where near as well known as the likes of carousel
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I’m a big fan. A real sweetie too... 
No diva. At all.
