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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2016 21:11:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2016 22:20:20 GMT
I really enjoyed it, on reflection of my two viewings of it. It was an event as much as pure theatre, and I wonder if some people have lost sight of that, caught up in the hype of the Hollywood actress hoopla. However it can't come close to the original production. There was so much I missed in this semi staged version. However, the production did extremely well, despite being hampered by a miscast/poorly directed Joe, an aged Norma D and one or two weird directorial choices. (hampered by a sparse set on a massive stage) It was sung beautifully by Dillon and Johannson, and the ensemble. It reaffirmed for me, just why it is my favourite musical and was great to see it appreciated by a large audience audience again. I wonder how ticket sales stacked up vis a vis its last London run at the Comedy Theatre....(which I thoroughly enjoyed) Totally agree with all of this - an amazing production that I am so glad I experienced. But it WAS caught up in the hype and indeed, it really can't come close to the original. A bitter sweet experience for me. Wonderful to see Sunset in the West End again, one of my all time favourite musicals. But such a shame that the mega musicals of the 80s/90s are now a bygone era and the money no object approach to staging I doubt we will ever see again. I wonder what's next for Sunset..... |
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Post by ali973 on May 6, 2016 22:26:01 GMT
Saw this tonight after having seen the first two performances.
Michael is REALLY hamming it up. Not into his take..at all.
Is it only me or is there less of Young Norma? Or did I just learn to ignore her?
And lastly, was there always a projection of people dancing in a ballroom in the background during the waltz in Perfect Year?
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2016 22:31:15 GMT
Saw this tonight after having seen the first two performances. Michael is REALLY hamming it up. Not into his take..at all. Is it only me or is there less of Young Norma? Or did I just learn to ignore her? And lastly, was there always a projection of people dancing in a ballroom in the background during the waltz in Perfect Year? It's true, over the course of the run, Xavier has been playing it more and more for comedy. He does get a few laughs which I think is encouraging him to do it more. Is not right for Joe though! |
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 7, 2016 7:52:25 GMT
Saw this tonight after having seen the first two performances. Michael is REALLY hamming it up. Not into his take..at all. Is it only me or is there less of Young Norma? Or did I just learn to ignore her? And lastly, was there always a projection of people dancing in a ballroom in the background during the waltz in Perfect Year? I saw the first preview and projection was already there! |
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Post by distantcousin on May 7, 2016 11:09:51 GMT
Saw this tonight after having seen the first two performances. Michael is REALLY hamming it up. Not into his take..at all. Is it only me or is there less of Young Norma? Or did I just learn to ignore her? And lastly, was there always a projection of people dancing in a ballroom in the background during the waltz in Perfect Year? Exactly - I am mystified why only a few of us can see what a total ham he is! (maybe too thirsty - and therefore blinded - by his good looks?!?!) Yes, there was always a projection of ballroom dancing (I noticed it on 6th April) - whatever motif was Lonny Price coming up with this time?? - some of his directorial choices were so unfocused. Maybe the fault of this is the semi staging not creating a fully-realised "world" for the production, visually. |
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2016 12:08:51 GMT
Sad that this limited run has come to an end. I don't think we will hear this score played like this again for a long time.
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Post by ptwest on May 7, 2016 16:52:22 GMT
I finally get to go tonight, after all the comments and reviews on here I can't wait to actually see this for myself. Hope they all go out on a high!
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Post by CG on the loose on May 7, 2016 17:29:18 GMT
Saw this tonight after having seen the first two performances. Michael is REALLY hamming it up. Not into his take..at all. Is it only me or is there less of Young Norma? Or did I just learn to ignore her? And lastly, was there always a projection of people dancing in a ballroom in the background during the waltz in Perfect Year? Exactly - I am mystified why only a few of us can see what a total ham he is! (maybe too thirsty - and therefore blinded - by his good looks?!?!) Yes, there was always a projection of ballroom dancing (I noticed it on 6th April) - whatever motif was Lonny Price coming up with this time?? - some of his directorial choices were so unfocused. Maybe the fault of this is the semi staging not creating a fully-realised "world" for the production, visually. I'm in the hammy camp too - though not so much for it to be totally discordant for me, his was certainly my least favourite performance, coming after (in order) Glenn, the orchestra, Siobhan, Ria, Fred, Julian and the whole ensemble! |
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Post by ali973 on May 7, 2016 17:40:31 GMT
The chimp was brought out wearing diapers in today's matinee.
There was an ovation when Hog Eye pans the spotlight on Norma
and a close to full house standing ovation for As If We Never Said Goodbye.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 7, 2016 20:15:37 GMT
The chimp was brought out wearing diapers in today's matinee. There was an ovation when Hog Eye pans the spotlight on Norma and a close to full house standing ovation for As If We Never Said Goodbye. Omg. Fantastic. |
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Post by Being Alive on May 7, 2016 21:31:35 GMT
This afternoon was magnificent. My third trip of the run, and so sad its over. Glenn was wonderful again, and acted the best I've seen her. Xavier was great, and him and Siobhan is the most beautiful pairing.
The ovation at the end of Never Said Goodbye bought a lump to my throat and tears streaming down my face. She just owned it.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 7, 2016 21:53:15 GMT
ALW on stage tonight I hear.
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 7, 2016 21:59:23 GMT
I saw it this afternoon too. Glenn close was just even more sensational than a few weeks ago. I hope she walks away with an Olivier next year.
And I never wish to see Xavier and his strange 'pecs' ever again. Bored of him now.
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Post by Phantom of London on May 7, 2016 22:08:58 GMT
Yeap Andrew, Christopher Hampton and Don Black did the curtain call at the end.
Interesting I bumped into Don Black in Caffe Nero next door with his lovely wife, who I chatted to, for about 20/30 minutes before the show, a great, spot on chap.
The atmosphere could generate enough green energy to power the West End for a few days.
People have been wrong when they have said this is the theatrical event of the year, it's the theatrical event of the decade.
Now it is the last show and the ENO are having a tough time, they cannot seem to get a break from anywhere - they are being pushed under a bus very slowly, I hope that Sunset Boulevard is catalyst for something better for the company and they catch a break from now on.
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Post by ali973 on May 7, 2016 22:21:31 GMT
Here's the ALW bit.. I have other bits up on my Instagram and Tumblr if anyone is interested, and will upload the chimp bit soon.. There was a full on ovation during "I've come home at last" and pretty much a full house standing ovation when the song was ove. http://instagr.am/p/BFH0YMNEZaw |
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Post by ali973 on May 7, 2016 22:25:42 GMT
Oh, and Halle Barry was in the audience.
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 7, 2016 22:27:03 GMT
It really should do a run at the Palladium..
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 7, 2016 22:33:21 GMT
Michael Xavier was really awful tonight, he delivered a true masterclass in overacting.
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Post by ali973 on May 7, 2016 22:43:46 GMT
Kevin, I love the idea! YES!
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Post by Phantom of London on May 7, 2016 23:56:30 GMT
Michael Xaviers acting has got more comedic during the run, with mixed results.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 6:04:08 GMT
One of the finest performances I've ever seen on stage, especially in a musical (Glenn Close) and one of the very worst (Michael Xavier).
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Post by mrpianoman on May 8, 2016 6:59:22 GMT
What's with all these negative comments about Michael's performance!? I saw the show again on Friday evening and thought he was absolutely superb in the role and what a voice too! Glenn should definitely be awarded the Olivier for this next year - it would be crime otherwise! One of the best performances I have ever witnessed in a musical production.
I think they seriously need to consider a tour of this show again with Ria as Norma.
What shows are Michael and Siobhan going on to next I wonder? I think Siobhan would be great in School of Rock or Finding Neverland if Sierra or Laura Michelle Kelly don't come over.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 8, 2016 7:06:53 GMT
Glenn Close's performance in this was better than Imelda Staunton's in Gypsy. By quite a stretch too. Yep, read it twice. That's what I said.  |
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Post by mosiemo on May 8, 2016 7:08:48 GMT
Yeap Andrew, Christopher Hampton and Don Black did the curtain call at the end. Interesting I bumped into Don Black in Caffe Nero next door with his lovely wife, who I chatted to, for about 20/30 minutes before the show, a great, spot on chap. The atmosphere could generate enough green energy to power the West End for a few days. People have been wrong when they have said this is the theatrical event of the year, it's the theatrical event of the decade. Now it is the last show and the ENO are having a tough time, they cannot seem to get a break from anywhere - they are being pushed under a bus very slowly, I hope that Sunset Boulevard is catalyst for something better for the company and they catch a break from now on. Phantom, was that you sat at the other end of his table? I was at the next table with three friends and we spoke to him not long after he'd sat down. He was really lovely, as was his wife who we saw again when we were leaving the Coliseum and she asked us if we'd enjoyed it. I don't think I've ever been in a theatre with an atmosphere quite like that before. A fabulous evening. |
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