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Post by distantcousin on Apr 11, 2016 15:58:22 GMT
I saw this. 7/10. Glen can't sing it. She cracked 7 times. You pray she reaches the high notes and belting endings, she's off the beat and it all feels very eggshells. A super show but not the theatre wow night out I expected. I agree on this. I didn't feel the score was in a safe pair of hands and I was on tenterhooks watching and I never truly relaxed into her role, because she simply is not that vocally assured in the role - which let's face it wasn't written for an actor that sings. All ALW's female leads have big areas written in that very difficult "passagio" vocal break of a woman's voice. I felt she was rushing certain songs too and the orchestra were having to catch up. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 11, 2016 17:16:06 GMT
I do wish people would wait for the songs to finish before applauding though. You don't get a medal or free membership of the Glenn Close fanclub if you're the first one to clap, and you're drowning out that fabulous orchestra. :/ OMGosh. That orchestra was just scrumptious. The moment when you first see them lit behind the screen and the overture starts. Oh my. I do agree a little about the applause before the end of the song but even I have to admit I had to restrain myself from giving a one man standing ovation when La Close sang "I've come hoooooooooooome at laaaaaaaaaaast". I think a little involuntary clap happened. And perhaps a squeal. My bad. The opening bars of that overture make me feel funny at the best of times but hearing it at the same time as seeing that opening projection on a huge screen with the orchestra behind was heart-stopping. |
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 11, 2016 17:23:18 GMT
I saw this on Saturday afternoon (9th April).
Let me state the controversial opinion in this review straight away - I don't think Glenn Close was the star of the show. Yes, she was very good, and it was nice to see her in a role she did 20 years ago, but I didn't think her performance was amazingly good, and comparing her to Imelda Staunton in GYPSY is just laughable. At no point did I feel as though I was witnessing a performance of that calibre. This is not just based purely on her singing (which was actually better than I feared it would be at this time in her life), but her acting. The audience did go crazy for her (applauding before she had even sang the last note, like some on here have said, and giving standing ovations), but I think this was more down to her reputation, and the fact that she was doing this same role 20 years, rather than being based on the performance that she actually gave. As I say, this is bound to stir up controversy.
The real star for me was Michael Xavier, and in my mind he actually carried the show. His was an excellent performance, showing why he is a performer constantly in demand. The rest of the cast were also very solid in their respective roles.
The production itself was brilliant. The score sounded glorious with the full orchestra (and a very good score it is by Andrew Lloyd Webber), and this resulted in some truly spine tingling moments. As someone said above, when the spotlight is turned on Norma just before she sings 'As If We Never Said Goodbye' and the orchestra swells, I think every hair on my body was standing on end! Also, the staging was far from being semi-staged, and it felt like a full production. I did't miss anything (though granted I am not old enough to have seen the original production). Lonny Price shows yet again that he is a master in presenting these style of shows.
All-in-all, a nice production, with another solid four-stars, but I did't leave walking on air in the same way that I had with SWEENEY TODD last year at the same venue.
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Post by crabtree on Apr 11, 2016 18:27:32 GMT
and here's a thought.....if there was to be a second run of this, and Imelda took over, I wonder........
anyone remember the Forbideen Broadway take of when Elaine p did it on broadway (One more inch, and you'll see my face, I'm too short for the big staircase..)
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 11, 2016 19:02:50 GMT
and here's a thought..... if there was to be a second run of this, and Imelda took over, I wonder........anyone remember the Forbideen Broadway take of when Elaine p did it on broadway (One more inch, and you'll see my face, I'm too short for the big staircase..) I find the idea as implausible as that of Miss Close wearing a coat made out of curtains and doing Rose's Turn. |
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Post by crabtree on Apr 11, 2016 19:06:39 GMT
Burly, that wasn't a sincere suggestion, and Ms Staunton should never take over these days, but oh the energy that she has, the coiled up frustration. Would we say Momma is a tougher part to perform? Not so many staircases usually, but vocally?
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Post by greenswan on Apr 11, 2016 20:52:29 GMT
Just a belated thank you as the reviews on the board here made me book it. I really, really enjoyed it. The sound of the orchestra was amazing and there are so many great songs. I didn't miss anything in terms of the staging - never seen the original production though.
Glenn Close is definitely a bit wobbly vocally but it kind of fits in with the part - still glad to see her.
Unfortunately the lyrics of all the singers get lost a bit. Probably due to my balcony seat.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 10:18:53 GMT
Clapping and cheering during the last note has kinda become a thing that has caught on in theatre. It even happened a lot in the live recording of Gypsy, especially the big numbers, so I have just become used to it and sometimes even join in! Embrace it I say personally  My favourite example of over the top is this recording of Zoe doing I Will Always Love You on the UK Tour of The Bodyguard... it is too much and quite literally insanity defined in a theatre: |
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Post by alece10 on Apr 12, 2016 11:48:02 GMT
Clapping before a song has finished seems to be happening more and more these days and it was mentioned not long ago on the bad behaviour thread. It is annoying but seems that we will have to live with it from now on.
I blame programmes like X Factor and Britains Got Talent where the audience seem to applaud throughout the whole performance. That would drive me mad sitting in the audience.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 11:52:11 GMT
I blame Broadway. Since Jennifer Holliday in Dreamgirls, it has become a staple over there that has been brought over here.
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Post by PalelyLaura on Apr 12, 2016 13:05:37 GMT
Saw this last night and loved it. Glenn Close was amazing, her voice wasn't 100% but as others have mentioned it really suited the character. She really owned the stage whenever she was on. Michael Xavier and Siobhan Dillon were fantastic too. It was my first time seeing the show, and I didn't know any of the songs, but I loved it, and it sounded amazing with the full orchestra. I didn't care about the lack of a full set - the minimal look worked, and I LOVED the "cars". Only bit I didn't like was the dummy of Joe hanging over the stage - genuinely couldn't see the point at all. I didn't mind the young Norma so much, I thought her appearances made sense.
I was in seat A6 in the balcony which was an absolute bargain, £12 for a great view - only the bottom right corner blocked, which barely made any difference, and the safety rail which I found easy to look past.
Hung around at the stage door afterwards, after about half an hour Glenn came out, she signed several programmes and posters before getting into her car. Michael Xavier also came out and is even more attractive in person than on stage (I know I'm very late to this particular party!).
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 12, 2016 13:35:19 GMT
Clapping before a song has finished seems to be happening more and more these days and it was mentioned not long ago on the bad behaviour thread. It is annoying but seems that we will have to live with it from now on. I blame programmes like X Factor and Britains Got Talent where the audience seem to applaud throughout the whole performance. That would drive me mad sitting in the audience. Yes, it's a vulgar 21st century affectation highly influenced by the great unwashed masses being drawn into the West End on the promise of "celebrity" and TV reality casting. Afraid we are stuck with it. |
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Post by mrdanvers on Apr 12, 2016 13:44:17 GMT
The show is brilliant. Today's 3-star review in Time Out is an absolute joke, and is both sexist and ageist. And it's obvious he knows it was great, really. Proves this publication is a shadow of its former self. Does Andrzej Lukowski even like musical theatre.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 12, 2016 16:38:22 GMT
The show is brilliant. Today's 3-star review in Time Out is an absolute joke, and is both sexist and ageist. And it's obvious he knows it was great, really. Proves this publication is a shadow of its former self. Does Andrzej Lukowski even like musical theatre. To be fair it's the material he seems to dislike rather than the performances. www.timeout.com/london/theatre/sunset-boulevardHaving said that I used to to subscibe to the on-line Time Out Manchester but stopped because it was full of absolute rubbish seemingly written by people with huge chips on their shoulders. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 18:11:12 GMT
Hung around at the stage door afterwards, after about half an hour Glenn came out, she signed several programmes and posters before getting into her car. Michael Xavier also came out and is even more attractive in person than on stage (I know I'm very late to this particular party!). Did she sign for everyone or did some miss out? |
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Post by andrew on Apr 12, 2016 21:45:19 GMT
Last night she signed everyones she reasonably could. The actual space to get near her is pretty slim as they park the car at the kerb, and so you've got the width of the kerb on either side of the stage door to line up at. She jumped up over the roof of the car at one point to get people, and she took her time at both sides. I missed out, if I'd known I would've lined up on the other side of the car when it moved in. Thankfully when she left the other leads hung around like the rest of us muggles and was able to have a chat with them.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2016 20:07:32 GMT
Last night she signed everyones she reasonably could. The actual space to get near her is pretty slim as they park the car at the kerb, and so you've got the width of the kerb on either side of the stage door to line up at. She jumped up over the roof of the car at one point to get people, and she took her time at both sides. I missed out, if I'd known I would've lined up on the other side of the car when it moved in. Thankfully when she left the other leads hung around like the rest of us muggles and was able to have a chat with them. Thanks for letting me know. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2016 22:35:52 GMT
I could quite happily sit through this again and again and again. Glenn Close really is a star; people were on their feet before she even hit that last note tonight.
And I don't think we will ever hear this score played so brilliantly again in our lifetimes.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 13, 2016 22:52:40 GMT
I could quite happily sit through this again and again and again. Glenn Close really is a star; people were on their feet before she even hit that last note tonight. And I don't think we will ever hear this score played so brilliantly again in our lifetimes. Me too. I saw it twice last weekend and I could easily sit and watch and hear it again right now. I loved it. |
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Post by drowseychap on Apr 13, 2016 23:40:52 GMT
I saw the original production 5 times and the tour and the water mill production .... Which I did enjoy and in that production at last appreciated the Betty and Joe songs ... Katherine evens was fantastic ...... But I agree saw it Saturday and could quite happily sit through it all again ... Glenn is just riveting to watch ... A master class ....
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Post by westlondon on Apr 14, 2016 2:37:26 GMT
The show is brilliant. Today's 3-star review in Time Out is an absolute joke, and is both sexist and ageist. And it's obvious he knows it was great, really. Proves this publication is a shadow of its former self. Does Andrzej Lukowski even like musical theatre. I have to say I think this review is actually the best I've read. It completely sums up how I felt when I left the theatre (having had a great night I fully concede!). The performances ARE brilliant, the orchestra sounds incredible and the staging is very effective. It's just the SHOW...  ?. By my count there are only two tunes in act 2 which you haven't already had rammed down your throat for an hour...("As if we never..." and "Too much in Love"). Even the title song feels like a reprise coz it's been used in every bit of underscore! And some of the lyrics...you absolutely cannot put the emphasis of the word "Studio" on the "O", but Don Black just doesn't seem to care...shoe-horning dubious couplets in and sometimes sounding completely at a loss with what to do with Webbers music...I mean why does Max have to sing "woooooooould yoooooooou ratheeeeeeer IIIIIIIIIIII poooooouuuuuuured foooooor you a dry martini.."!??! Why couldn't he have just SPOKEN THE LINE??!! I think these things annoy me more in Sunset because it is so nearly a really good musical (Lots of it is great..."Lets have lunch"etc...) ...it just seems to fall short due to slightly lazy writing...for me anyway:) |
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Post by alece10 on Apr 14, 2016 7:18:42 GMT
I would like to see it again before it closes but was rather spoilt with my dress circle seat and cant afford another one. I just know I will be frustrated sitting up in the balcony so think I will have to settle with the one performance and the memory.
Also, a couple of people have posted that she stands on top of her car at the stage door to sign stuff. So she literally climbs on top of a car at her age?
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Post by lonlad on Apr 14, 2016 8:16:52 GMT
westlondon is exactly right --- don black must be the luckiest man in showbiz to have ridden so far on such minimal ability. well, at least he's a lovely man (which he is).
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 14, 2016 8:32:04 GMT
I adored the first night (preview) so much I gritted my teeth and bought the front row stalls centre for last night (my friend, on hearing this, impulse bought the seat next to me).
I’d love to rave on and on about just how wonderful Glenn Close is, but I don’t think I’d do justice. Riveting indeed. Her facial expressions, the way she moves around the stage, it’s extraordinary. I thought her voice was better last night. And although I found Siobhan as Betty shrill in my first viewing, I loved her last night. Glenn Close at curtain call threw her arms up in the air, full diva-ish, and I was smitten kitten fan-girly! Thrilling stuff.
One of the best nights of musical theatre for me, and I’ve seen some stuff!
And Glenn Close signed my programme. There was a small crowd at stage door (my friend had seen this on the first Saturday and the area around stage door was very crowded); Glenn Close came out around 10.50 with her sharpie and signed. I’m utterly thrilled.
That front row stalls, the view is sublime. I’m back on the last night, again in the stalls but way over to the side.
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Post by ali973 on Apr 14, 2016 9:28:46 GMT
^Me too! I saw the first and second performances and booked first row for the final night.
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?. By my count there are only two tunes in act 2 which you haven't already had rammed down your throat for an hour...("As if we never..." and "Too much in Love"). Even the title song feels like a reprise coz it's been used in every bit of underscore! 
