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Post by h86 on Jun 30, 2022 11:55:57 GMT
You’ll also see a wonderfully talented cast, great leads, the amazing Gavin Lee, some awesome choreography, a stunning dress, top notch vocals. If you just base your decision on comparisons to the original then you’ll be disappointed but it’s a modern take and there are differences, that’s the whole point. I am a little confused and perhaps you can elaborate please. What exactly makes it a modern take? Belle with reading glasses and no apron. Gaston not punching Le Fou every second. Projections and video wall utilised a lot. Removal of Maison Des Lunes. Gaston’s ladies being called ‘villages lasses’ as opposed to ‘silly girls’.
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Post by Jon on Jun 30, 2022 12:00:12 GMT
I don't think you can compare the original production with this production as that was made by Disney's theme park division whereas Disney Theatrical came about from The Lion King plus the original production was downsized on Broadway when it moved from the Palace to the Lunt Fontanne so it's not the first time Disney has scaled down Beauty
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Post by alece10 on Jun 30, 2022 14:03:45 GMT
Someone posted that the big showstopper numbers lacked in spectacle. Without giving anything away to those planning on seeing it I don't think they could have chucked anymore into that number apart from adding a kitchen sink and maybe some whistles!
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Post by danb on Jun 30, 2022 14:24:59 GMT
Someone posted that the big showstopper numbers lacked in spectacle. Without giving anything away to those planning on seeing it I don't think they could have chucked anymore into that number apart from adding a kitchen sink and maybe some whistles! Another four ensemble would have been nice…
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Post by h86 on Jun 30, 2022 14:50:09 GMT
Someone posted that the big showstopper numbers lacked in spectacle. Without giving anything away to those planning on seeing it I don't think they could have chucked anymore into that number apart from adding a kitchen sink and maybe some whistles! Another four ensemble would have been nice… Just out of interest what is the normal ensemble numbers for productions such as this?
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Post by danb on Jun 30, 2022 15:26:37 GMT
No idea? Enough to fill the massive empty stage?
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Post by SuttonPeron on Jun 30, 2022 23:24:00 GMT
By all means go if you want, but you´ll be getting a smaller cast, much cheaper (or as Disney would say "modern") costumes, a set that´s mostly projections, nowhere as grand as the monumental original; and a band that´s almost a third of what the Broadway orchestra was. You’ll also see a wonderfully talented cast, great leads, the amazing Gavin Lee, some awesome choreography, a stunning dress, top notch vocals. If you just base your decision on comparisons to the original then you’ll be disappointed but it’s a modern take and there are differences, that’s the whole point. I love when shows are reimagined for modern audiences, as long as they respect the human factor and don’t see modernizing as a way cheapen the show. My Fair Lady at the Coli, South Pacific and Anything Goes at the Barbican… to name a few, are perfect examples that show that it can be done. Disney, on the contrary, uses the “latest theatrical technology” as an excuse to hire less people and deliver a product of a much lesser quality than both the original production and many wonderful non-replicas.
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Post by fiyerorocher on Jun 30, 2022 23:58:42 GMT
Someone posted that the big showstopper numbers lacked in spectacle. Without giving anything away to those planning on seeing it I don't think they could have chucked anymore into that number apart from adding a kitchen sink and maybe some whistles! Another four ensemble would have been nice… Exactly this! It just felt very empty with the numbers they had.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jul 1, 2022 0:42:18 GMT
No Matter What is quite a dreary song so no real loss they've cut it. I find it strange that despite cutting three songs, the show is still 2 hours 40 minutes. I think it's a lovely little song that sets up the relationship between Belle and her papa. I'm sad to hear they have cut it.
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Post by h86 on Jul 1, 2022 16:57:40 GMT
You’ll also see a wonderfully talented cast, great leads, the amazing Gavin Lee, some awesome choreography, a stunning dress, top notch vocals. If you just base your decision on comparisons to the original then you’ll be disappointed but it’s a modern take and there are differences, that’s the whole point. I love when shows are reimagined for modern audiences, as long as they respect the human factor and don’t see modernizing as a way cheapen the show. My Fair Lady at the Coli, South Pacific and Anything Goes at the Barbican… to name a few, are perfect examples that show that it can be done. Disney, on the contrary, uses the “latest theatrical technology” as an excuse to hire less people and deliver a product of a much lesser quality than both the original production and many wonderful non-replicas. Have you actually seen it? I’ve seen my fair lady which I enjoyed but it had some terrible sound issues.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 1, 2022 17:54:05 GMT
This is like saying that you’re not going to see Sunset Boulevard ever ever again because it doesn’t have the Napier sets. It will never be staged like that again so fine, stop seeing revivals. Really? I’m all for the material being retained and not mucked about with (although I find myself being more relaxed about that these days) but insisting that the production matches the original isn’t reasonable. My first experience of BATB was lovely. Go see it, and try to find within yourself the mental capacity to deal with the fact that it’s changed. Things change.
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Post by inthenose on Jul 1, 2022 18:15:28 GMT
This is like saying that you’re not going to see Sunset Boulevard ever ever again because it doesn’t have the Napier sets. It will never be staged like that again so fine, stop seeing revivals. Really? I’m all for the material being retained and not mucked about with (although I find myself being more relaxed about that these days) but insisting that the production matches the original isn’t reasonable. My first experience of BBATB was lovely. Go see it, and try to find within yourself the mental capacity to deal with the fact that it’s changed. Things change. It feels like most "changes" are downgrades nowadays because of the development of new technology - and the world we live in with Covid meaning cost cutting is inevitable. Sometimes it really feels like one is paying more to get less. Some people, myself included, are leery about revisiting a beloved past show with a sub-par (compared to the original) revival. The original production had a cast of 33, this revival has three fewer. It has fewer musicians, fewer/smaller sets replaced by much cheaper projections - which require fewer crew. I accept why downsizing happens - it doesn't mean I have to like it or endorse it by giving over hard-earned. And if I do decide to do so, and discover a production is inferior in my view to a previous incarnation, I'd be well within my rights to share those feelings publicly. For those who haven't seen it before it provides an opportunity. For fans of the show, it gives them a chance to see a version of the show on stage. The option is there at least. I just feel many (not all) revivals at the moment are like chocolate bars, getting smaller and more expensive each year.
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Post by Jon on Jul 1, 2022 18:15:35 GMT
This is like saying that you’re not going to see Sunset Boulevard ever ever again because it doesn’t have the Napier sets. It will never be staged like that again so fine, stop seeing revivals. Really? I’m all for the material being retained and not mucked about with (although I find myself being more relaxed about that these days) but insisting that the production matches the original isn’t reasonable. My first experience of BBATB was lovely. Go see it, and try to find within yourself the mental capacity to deal with the fact that it’s changed. Things change. I agree, you cannot compare to the original production because it no longer exists and hasn't existed for 20 years.
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Post by inthenose on Jul 1, 2022 18:22:54 GMT
This is like saying that you’re not going to see Sunset Boulevard ever ever again because it doesn’t have the Napier sets. It will never be staged like that again so fine, stop seeing revivals. Really? I’m all for the material being retained and not mucked about with (although I find myself being more relaxed about that these days) but insisting that the production matches the original isn’t reasonable. My first experience of BBATB was lovely. Go see it, and try to find within yourself the mental capacity to deal with the fact that it’s changed. Things change. I agree, you cannot compare to the original production because it no longer exists and hasn't existed for 20 years. Well, I mean, you can... and people do. Everyone constantly compares previous productions of shows (Cabaret to the Mendes production or Legally Blonde to the original production, for example) in practically every thread about a revival. I think it is actually very helpful in highlighting when standards slip. Miss Saigon a while back on tour - would you rather see a huge physical helicopter on stage, or go to a different venue a year later, pay £10 more for a similar seat and see a projection?
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Post by d'James on Jul 1, 2022 18:28:30 GMT
I agree, you cannot compare to the original production because it no longer exists and hasn't existed for 20 years. Well, I mean, you can... and people do. Everyone constantly compares previous productions of shows (Cabaret to the Mendes production or Legally Blonde to the original production, for example) in practically every thread about a revival. I think it is actually very helpful in highlighting when standards slip. Miss Saigon a while back on tour - would you rather see a huge physical helicopter on stage, or go to a different venue a year later, pay £10 more for a similar seat and see a projection? Exactly. If it was a completely reimagined production I would be interested, but by the sounds of it, it’s like they’re doing this on the cheap. I, for one, would love to see a reimagined version of Blood Brothers. I’m not back in the UK for long, so I have to make tough decisions. This was a ‘possible’ on my list and the reviews on her have helped me decide. Don’t know why I’m trying to justify myself.
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Post by jacob on Jul 1, 2022 18:38:53 GMT
sure, the design and show itself is not ‘bad’.. it just missed the mark for me in terms of set depth and production quality - for Disney I wanted more not asking for a complete replica here, and I’m sure many are satisfied with the show as it is!! but in comparison to shows like Wicked and Moulin Rouge w grand sets (that notably also can / have toured ) b&tb felt lacking
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Post by h86 on Jul 1, 2022 19:08:18 GMT
There is much more to a show than a set and the number of people on stage. I personally don’t chose whether to watch a show on this basis.
For me it’s the story, the music, the talent of the cast, that all help me determine whether I want to see a production. The other stuff, set, projections, costumes, number of people in the band etc all contribute to it but aren’t the deciding factor as to whether I want to go and see a production.
When watching a revival, I want it to be different. I don’t want to see the same thing again.
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Post by d'James on Jul 1, 2022 19:25:46 GMT
There is much more to a show than a set and the number of people on stage. I personally don’t chose whether to watch a show on this basis. For me it’s the story, the music, the talent of the cast, that all help me determine whether I want to see a production. The other stuff, set, projections, costumes, number of people in the band etc all contribute to it but aren’t the deciding factor as to whether I want to go and see a production. When watching a revival, I want it to be different. I don’t want to see the same thing again. Depends how they advertise it I guess.
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Post by danb on Jul 1, 2022 19:42:59 GMT
There is much more to a show than a set and the number of people on stage. I personally don’t chose whether to watch a show on this basis. For me it’s the story, the music, the talent of the cast, that all help me determine whether I want to see a production. The other stuff, set, projections, costumes, number of people in the band etc all contribute to it but aren’t the deciding factor as to whether I want to go and see a production. When watching a revival, I want it to be different. I don’t want to see the same thing again. I have no memories of the original production so no axe to grind there. I was just very disappointed in what I saw vs what I was expecting.
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Post by apwl on Jul 2, 2022 11:44:16 GMT
Looks like they are doing on the day standing tickets for £15 on the website if anyone is interested.
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 2, 2022 12:05:53 GMT
Do you have to stand on the stage, to beef up the ensemble? 😂
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Post by SuttonPeron on Jul 2, 2022 21:15:31 GMT
This is like saying that you’re not going to see Sunset Boulevard ever ever again because it doesn’t have the Napier sets. It will never be staged like that again so fine, stop seeing revivals. Really? I’m all for the material being retained and not mucked about with (although I find myself being more relaxed about that these days) but insisting that the production matches the original isn’t reasonable. My first experience of BATB was lovely. Go see it, and try to find within yourself the mental capacity to deal with the fact that it’s changed. Things change. Like I said before, Disney has used the "reimagined" excuse to reduce the costs as much as possible, while marketing the production as lush and large (something this show doesn´t need) and charging very expensive prices for tickets. I have only compared it to the original because it is the only other production of the show that Disney Theatricals produced in the UK, therefore the most familiar to UK-based people. I could name several non-replicas that were just as good. When so much is charged for a ticket, I expect to see why in the show. That means a large cast, a visually impressive (not neccessarily enormous) physical production, a large 100% live orchestra/band, a good sound design and as much attention to detail as possible. And if I think it failed to hit the mark, I might share why I thought so publicly.
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Post by iseestars on Jul 2, 2022 22:09:14 GMT
saw it today after seeing it a couple of times on tour. set changes are definitely noticeable and for the better stage is a lot more filled and i think fits with the show a lot better. a couple small costume changes which i think work well (belles pink dress being a big one). think it was a really strong show and Alyn was on as Gaston and was really good defo a stand out vocally! audience pretty much sold out too it seemed, checked for standing room view at back of stalls and seems to be good especially for the low ticket price.
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Post by h86 on Jul 3, 2022 9:07:22 GMT
This is like saying that you’re not going to see Sunset Boulevard ever ever again because it doesn’t have the Napier sets. It will never be staged like that again so fine, stop seeing revivals. Really? I’m all for the material being retained and not mucked about with (although I find myself being more relaxed about that these days) but insisting that the production matches the original isn’t reasonable. My first experience of BATB was lovely. Go see it, and try to find within yourself the mental capacity to deal with the fact that it’s changed. Things change. Like I said before, Disney has used the "reimagined" excuse to reduce the costs as much as possible, while marketing the production as lush and large (something this show doesn´t need) and charging very expensive prices for tickets. I have only compared it to the original because it is the only other production of the show that Disney Theatricals produced in the UK, therefore the most familiar to UK-based people. I could name several non-replicas that were just as good. When so much is charged for a ticket, I expect to see why in the show. That means a large cast, a visually impressive (not neccessarily enormous) physical production, a large 100% live orchestra/band, a good sound design and as much attention to detail as possible. And if I think it failed to hit the mark, I might share why I thought so publicly. You’ve seen it then?
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Post by Paulw on Jul 7, 2022 22:41:37 GMT
I saw this tonight having never seen it on stage before, I can say I have seen better Disney musicals than this but it was perfectly watchable even if a little slow at times.
Belle was covered by Grace Swaby and I thought she was ok but a little quiet at times when you would have expected her not to be.
Lighting was the standout for me.
Oh and did I mention there was a showstop?
When Belle comes down the stairs for dinner her dress got caught in the stairs as she was walking down, she sat down at the of of her bit (with the Beast helping her) to try and get it free and from where I was sat it looked like the flying candlesticks smashed straight into her, but she must have been ok as 10 minutes later she was back on and looked ok.
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Post by LaLuPone on Jul 7, 2022 23:04:48 GMT
I was also there tonight, was about to come and report the show stop myself! The set piece did knock into her but it was moving so slowly that I think it would have just been a tap, I reckon it’s also not as heavy/sturdy as it looks. It was quite comical watching it sort of bounce slowly off her as Beast pushed it back. I was Row F stage right side so got a very clear view of all that. I was about 4 seats in from the aisle, which was a bargain as a Disney Day Seat, was great to be so close to the stage and only missed a tiny bit of stage right at the back. I would have felt short-changed paying £70 for this though, I believe it’s the last seat before prices drop. I actually thought Grace was wonderful. I’d seen Courtney in Bristol last September and thought she was so brilliant so I was a bit upset to hear she was going to be off at first but I was really glad I’d seen Grace in the end. When you say she was quiet do you mean her singing? I actually thought she had a really strong clean belt, maybe the sound was better from where I was sat? Listening to her sing A Change In Me, I actually thought she could be a great Elphaba.
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Post by h86 on Jul 8, 2022 8:16:05 GMT
I saw this tonight having never seen it on stage before, I can say I have seen better Disney musicals than this but it was perfectly watchable even if a little slow at times. Belle was covered by Grace Swaby and I thought she was ok but a little quiet at times when you would have expected her not to be. Lighting was the standout for me. Oh and did I mention there was a showstop? When Belle comes down the stairs for dinner her dress got caught in the stairs as she was walking down, she sat down at the of of her bit (with the Beast helping her) to try and get it free and from where I was sat it looked like the flying candlesticks smashed straight into her, but she must have been ok as 10 minutes later she was back on and looked ok. I agree with you regarding Grace. I saw her in Liverpool and was just a little underwhelmed after having seen Courtney, who is absolutely sublime as Belle. Those flying scrolls things look so good but often travel low to the stage so if you are in the wrong position then there is going to be a collision. Relieved to hear the Grace was ok though.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jul 10, 2022 20:37:58 GMT
Saw the show a few days ago for the first time since September and OH MY GOD they’ve upped their game!
The show wasn’t bad or unenjoyable first time round, but it did leave me slightly underwhelmed outside of the bigger numbers (Gaston and Be Our Guest) - but everyone’s energy was off the scale the other night and I loved it!
There’s still a pantomime, camp energy to it (especially Cogsworth and Madame), but it really works in the best way. Courtney is amazing, and Shaq blows the previous (dishonourably discharged) lead out of the water in voice and acting and as leads they have a real chemistry. Gavin Lee is a scene stealer every time he’s on stage (as always!), and Be Our Guest leaves you shaking with adrenaline all the way through the interval!
They have made scenery additions that make the stage feel more full, but it still has the tour-feel with the minimal scenery and wolf projections which can make the stage feel a bit empty but the large ensemble do help to fill out the stage!
If you enjoy Disney productions then I do highly recommend this production - the cast more than makes up for any lack in set design
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Post by Paulw on Jul 11, 2022 19:46:01 GMT
I saw this tonight having never seen it on stage before, I can say I have seen better Disney musicals than this but it was perfectly watchable even if a little slow at times. Belle was covered by Grace Swaby and I thought she was ok but a little quiet at times when you would have expected her not to be. Lighting was the standout for me. Oh and did I mention there was a showstop? When Belle comes down the stairs for dinner her dress got caught in the stairs as she was walking down, she sat down at the of of her bit (with the Beast helping her) to try and get it free and from where I was sat it looked like the flying candlesticks smashed straight into her, but she must have been ok as 10 minutes later she was back on and looked ok. I agree with you regarding Grace. I saw her in Liverpool and was just a little underwhelmed after having seen Courtney, who is absolutely sublime as Belle. Those flying scrolls things look so good but often travel low to the stage so if you are in the wrong position then there is going to be a collision. Relieved to hear the Grace was ok though. Sorry for my delayed reply work gets in the way of having fun sometimes! I am not saying she is bad as I enjoyed her performance but just felt it was lacking at some points that weren't the big numbers or choruses
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 14, 2022 19:46:39 GMT
Started 20 minutes late today due to technical difficulties. Further show stop at about 8:30pm. Now just announced we’re taking an early 15 minute interval. Anyone’s guess if this will get to the end or not!
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