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Post by Steve on Aug 31, 2024 15:28:59 GMT
Tom Stoppard did an adapation of The Matchmaker which was staged at the NT in 1981 although he deleted Dolly Levi. It was mainly centred around Cornelius and Barnaby (called Weinberl and Christopher in this version) and their day "On The Razzle".(The name of the adaption) I seem to remember Felicity Kendal swopped genders to play Christopher (Barnaby) for some inexplicable reason. Stoppard was adapting the older material that Thornton Wilder also adapted. Thornton Wilder added Dolly to that material. I suppose the difference between "Pygmalion" and "The Matchmaker" is that "Pygmalion" is a serious drama, by and large, whereas "The Matchmaker" is a frivolous comedy. Seeing a frivolous comedy without the famous music feels much harder for audiences to cope with. As in, it feels less entertaining. |
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Post by oldstager on Sept 1, 2024 10:51:12 GMT
So embarrassing! Just remembered my old friend Prunella Scales played THE MATCHMAKER at Chichester Festival Theatre in 1993. The last revival of the play I am fairly sure and, I think, not a great success. |
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Post by max on Sept 2, 2024 17:43:27 GMT
I loved this tonight - mostly! Imelda was fantastic, the orchestra stunning, and the whole production almost exactly what I hoped it would be. Two exceptions and one is really minor. Jenna Russell and Harry Hepple, though wonderful individually, do not make a believable couple for me. The age gap is just too obvious. The other really minor thing - the gum chewing percussionist in the orchestra was very distracting once noticed - particularly during the whole of 'Love, Look in My Window'. I also wanted to lock Ermengarde in the milliners shop cupboard, but I suspect that was more or less the effect they were going for. Percussionists are so cool to watch, the way they keep a rhythm and can play all kinds of crazy offbeat counter rhythms against it. Mental and physical isolation of the highest order. Patting head and rubbing stomach is for us amateurs. A month after you observed him, I was in the front row and got a full view of this gum chewing virtuoso, and to cap it all I noticed that..... HE DOESN'T CHEW IN TIME TO THE MUSIC! Now that is skill Brava Maestro! |
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Post by jr on Sept 2, 2024 21:16:48 GMT
Have a single front row ticket £25 for next Monday 9/9 available on noticeboard. Offers accepted.
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8,153 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 3, 2024 8:12:00 GMT
I made a second visit to see the show last night after seeing the first performance a couple of months ago.
Still as good and I didn't notice any changes.
Imelda, as always was on top form.
Stalls was pretty full from what I could see and a reasonable audience. Not as enthuasic as the first night audience and no entry applause for Imelda and no standing ovation for the title song but she did get extended applause. Full standing ovation in the stalls at the end.
Unfortunately the evening was spoilt by the view. We were half way back in the stalls in, what would normally be great seats, however the two people sitting directly in front of us were extremely tall. The man in front of me was about 6.5" and when they sat down turned around and half apologised so I am guessing its a regular issue when they go to the theatre. In front of them were a further 2 tall people and so, as both my friend and I are quite short, we missed anything that happened on over half of the stage. Even moving my head from side to side didn't help. Such a shame and it really did spoil the evening. It was no ones fault and nothing we could do but I do think its one of the worst views I have ever had going to the theatre.
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Post by 141920grm on Sept 3, 2024 11:04:13 GMT
Coincidentally was in last night too- noticed no major changes but lots of new details/little choices mainly from the principals that all of us enjoyed! Rapturous applause also for the entry of the national train, which, despite much discussion here about its 2D-ness, remains a lovely sight. Thought the sound was still very nice but almost verging on too quiet- as the coughers and phone alarms around me were far less respectful to the music :/
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8,153 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 3, 2024 11:26:41 GMT
Coincidentally was in last night too- noticed no major changes but lots of new details/little choices mainly from the principals that all of us enjoyed! Rapturous applause also for the entry of the national train, which, despite much discussion here about its 2D-ness, remains a lovely sight. Thought the sound was still very nice but almost verging on too quiet- as the coughers and phone alarms around me were far less respectful to the music :/ I heard 3 different phones go off last night. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 3, 2024 12:44:28 GMT
"Hello, is that you Dolly? I'm struggling to hear you, LOTS OF BACKGROUND NOISE"
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Post by erik24601 on Sept 3, 2024 12:47:08 GMT
"Hello, is that you Dolly? I'm struggling to hear you, LOTS OF BACKGROUND NOISE" Thank goodness you included the comma. |
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5,156 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 3, 2024 16:18:39 GMT
Two tickets for tonight just posted on the Noticeboard.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 3, 2024 16:39:10 GMT
Discussions happening for bringing this back to the Palladium next summer again, with Imelda.
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 3, 2024 16:43:46 GMT
Considering the number of times (including Saturday nights) that comps have been available for this run - that surprises me.
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5,891 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 4, 2024 6:30:03 GMT
Considering the number of times (including Saturday nights) that comps have been available for this run - that surprises me. Yes same here. Maybe they think it’s the best way to claw some money back |
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Post by danb on Sept 4, 2024 7:42:36 GMT
They should send her off round the provinces with this! It’d make a killing. If Sheridan can do it…😀
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 4, 2024 7:49:28 GMT
I mean they should sent this out on tour but send it out with someone funny please.
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Post by danb on Sept 4, 2024 8:08:51 GMT
I can’t see Faith Brown pulling in the same crowd.
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5,891 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 4, 2024 8:24:45 GMT
Linda Robson
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Post by danb on Sept 4, 2024 8:53:03 GMT
McDonald!!! It’s staring them right in the face.
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328 posts
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Post by barrowside on Sept 4, 2024 9:03:00 GMT
I wonder is a tour planned. It looks designed to tour with most of the spectacle on the screen. The Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin have teased an announcement of a big golden age musical next week. It could also be Kiss Me Kate.
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Post by solangelafitte on Sept 4, 2024 9:12:43 GMT
I wonder is a tour planned. It looks designed to tour with most of the spectacle on the screen. The Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin have teased an announcement of a big golden age musical next week. It could also be Kiss Me Kate. Sadly I'm pretty sure that's just Calamity Jane for August next year. It's on the tour's website but not on the Bord Gais one yet. I'd be more that happy for Dolly to come back next summer or tour. Though if we're sticking with Imelda maybe we could get a couple of changes in the rest of the cast. As much as I adore Jenna she was miscast. |
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5,177 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 4, 2024 9:15:43 GMT
McDonald!!! It’s staring them right in the face. It really is 😂 |
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Post by ladidah on Sept 4, 2024 10:40:35 GMT
Ey' Up Dolly
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Post by 141920grm on Sept 4, 2024 11:45:48 GMT
would love a proshot of this but given the lack of filming notices/camera sightings I won’t get my hopes up :/
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5,177 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 4, 2024 12:07:11 GMT
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Post by singingswimmer on Sept 4, 2024 13:36:28 GMT
would love a proshot of this but given the lack of filming notices/camera sightings I won’t get my hopes up :/ A pro-shot would be fantastic but I was really hoping for a cast album. I am doubtful either will happen. Cast albums are normally recorded early in the run to help promote the production. Recordings do happen after a show closes, like the studio album of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Anyway, I guess I will have to wait until pieces of the show pop up on Youtube. |
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