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Post by anthony on Aug 31, 2022 17:41:06 GMT
She has never done this in the 15 odd times I’ve seen this show….. Well, she did when I saw it... . . (why all the dots?) The description earlier of her hand movements being like Mariah Carey is 100% spot on. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 31, 2022 19:33:53 GMT
Posts removed. Let’s all express our opinions without sniping at other members please.
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Post by SuttonPeron on Aug 31, 2022 22:02:40 GMT
I just think that this show represents a really worrying trend of scaling back to the point the original show is not recognisable anymore. Change for change sake. This. I’m certainly not in favor of keeping shows “frozen” a-la- A Chorus Line. But changes should be done to make the show better or different. I didn’t mind the new town set, but the rest… I didn’t find a single improvement or anything exciting. And then there’s the score, which sounds too much like the 2017 movie and too little like the original show. No longer recognizable. Danny Troob’s original orchestrations are a true work or art. The new arrangements seem like a flat, cheap and overly dramatic version where they altered a masterpiece for no reason. So many moments that give me goosebumps in the OBCR seemed incredibly flat on this version. The changes don’t make sense. |
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Post by inthenose on Aug 31, 2022 22:31:40 GMT
As I said before, I don’t see how this was a step up in any way from UK Productions who were known for being incredibly cheap - and this was Disney.
I just expected better. Casting wasn’t great either.
Edit: additional to above semi-review, I did like the flying candles and bits, but it was a bit janky as one of them looked ready to fall off. But these things happen.
Also, didn’t appear automated as they jerked along and I could almost feel each tug from the fly floor. Not smooth at all.
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Post by anthony on Sept 1, 2022 5:51:14 GMT
I just think that this show represents a really worrying trend of scaling back to the point the original show is not recognisable anymore. Change for change sake. This. I’m certainly not in favor of keeping shows “frozen” a-la- A Chorus Line. But changes should be done to make the show better or different. I didn’t mind the new town set, but the rest… I didn’t find a single improvement or anything exciting. And then there’s the score, which sounds too much like the 2017 movie and too little like the original show. No longer recognizable. Danny Troob’s original orchestrations are a true work or art. The new arrangements seem like a flat, cheap and overly dramatic version where they altered a masterpiece for no reason. So many moments that give me goosebumps in the OBCR seemed incredibly flat on this version. The changes don’t make sense. 100%! I am not against changes at all, when they make sense and add to the show. If anyone is interested in German musical theatre, for its revival that happened 10 years after it originally opened, Elisabeth reworked some elements and added a new song, which further explored the relationship between the 2 protagonists. It added a lot to the show and the song which was added ( Wenn Ich Tanzen Will) is now one of the most recognisable Germany musical songs. Additionally, Tanz der Vampire reworked its ending 15 years after its premier, and it was really well received. My problem isn't even about the cheapening, if I'm honest. I can get by with cheap sets. But removing key songs and scenes, to the point it leaves gaping plot holes, is just baffling? Reworked orchestrations that sound cheap and 1 dimensional? I honestly just don't understand it. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Sept 1, 2022 6:17:13 GMT
It's also pretty insulting because they'd never try to put on something so cheap and half-assed on Broadway, so they take full advantage of the lower standards for musicals in London
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Post by inthenose on Sept 1, 2022 7:48:14 GMT
It's also pretty insulting because they'd never try to put on something so cheap and half-assed on Broadway, so they take full advantage of the lower standards for musicals in London Lower ticket prices too, to be fair. *many* shows you can get rush for £25 here, no chance for tickets that cheap on Broadway. That said, I couldn’t imagine seeing something this cheaply done in a major (in our case the majorest and most famousest!) Broadway house. It just wouldn’t and doesn’t happen. This is the Palladium, not a Luscombe penny pinching Rocky Horror tour dropping in for 6 weeks at the Playhouse or something. If people stand for it, standards drop. It becomes the norm. It’s not acceptable really. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 1, 2022 7:54:11 GMT
It’s ironic considering the prices they are charging for the show.
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Post by h86 on Sept 1, 2022 9:05:41 GMT
It’s ironic considering the prices they are charging for the show. It’s selling well though isn’t it? I really don’t see it as cheap. It has automated sets, revolve, video wall, projections, characters fly….. it’s anything but cheap in my eyes. |
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Post by MusicalTalk on Sept 1, 2022 10:59:31 GMT
I think the issue people have is the it's "cheap" compared to the original production that played at the Dominion.
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Post by Jon on Sept 1, 2022 11:06:00 GMT
It's also pretty insulting because they'd never try to put on something so cheap and half-assed on Broadway, so they take full advantage of the lower standards for musicals in London The original Broadway production of Beauty was replaced by the touring production when it moved theatres so actually I think there is a chance they could put this production on Broadway. |
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Post by danb on Sept 1, 2022 11:45:46 GMT
I think the issue people have is the it's "cheap" compared to the original production that played at the Dominion. But it isn’t cheap to go and see. Sure, there is an element of comparison with what went before, but when the differences are so obvious and stark it does take the mickey a bit. |
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Post by h86 on Sept 1, 2022 11:55:51 GMT
I think the issue people have is the it's "cheap" compared to the original production that played at the Dominion. I guess some people see the original as opulent and enchanting with the design. I was not actually a fan of the original set and design, maybe that’s why I prefer this newer one. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 1, 2022 11:59:08 GMT
Agreed. I found the original one to be really over designed
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Post by sph on Sept 1, 2022 12:18:31 GMT
It's also pretty insulting because they'd never try to put on something so cheap and half-assed on Broadway, so they take full advantage of the lower standards for musicals in London The original Broadway production of Beauty was replaced by the touring production when it moved theatres so actually I think there is a chance they could put this production on Broadway. This is true, but the first US touring set of Beauty and the Beast was still far more elaborate than most touring productions. |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Sept 1, 2022 16:04:04 GMT
And, on top of that, the characters feel much more flat. Especially Belle. She is much less quirky than how Susan Egan shaped the character for the show, and sadly resembles Emma Watson´s onedimensional take. For example, Belle no longer replies "Thanks for asking!" to Gaston at the end of Me. Am I supposed to think those changes are for the better? |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 1, 2022 16:30:46 GMT
Sounds like the show at the Palladium is a completely different beast (hee hee  ) to the one i saw in Manc. We have Belle doing a Mariah impersonation, riffing up and down, her head wobbling side to side with one finger in her ear and wagging the other finger in the air, doing curtseys and winking at members of the audience. Then we’ve got Shaw Taylor doing something or other, the set juddering to a halt every five minutes, the flying candelabras not flying or swinging all over the place knocking people over. Chunks of the show missing so no one can understand WTF is going on, songs cut… does Mrs Potts still actually sing Beauty and the Beast or has that gone too?. It’s starting to sound like Disney has sold this property to the Mischief Company! |
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Post by h86 on Sept 1, 2022 16:40:55 GMT
And, on top of that, the characters feel much more flat. Especially Belle. She is much less quirky than how Susan Egan shaped the character for the show, and sadly resembles Emma Watson´s onedimensional take. For example, Belle no longer replies "Thanks for asking!" to Gaston at the end of Me. Am I supposed to think those changes are for the better? Belle is much more strong willed and feisty in this newer version. Thank god she isn’t sorting the washing in ‘Me’ like the original and that she doesn’t thank the chauvinistic, misogynist Gaston for proposing!! Changes for the better in this modern world. |
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Post by inthenose on Sept 1, 2022 17:17:09 GMT
And, on top of that, the characters feel much more flat. Especially Belle. She is much less quirky than how Susan Egan shaped the character for the show, and sadly resembles Emma Watson´s onedimensional take. For example, Belle no longer replies "Thanks for asking!" to Gaston at the end of Me. Am I supposed to think those changes are for the better? Belle is much more strong willed and feisty in this newer version. Thank god she isn’t sorting the washing in ‘Me’ like the original and that she doesn’t thank the chauvinistic, misogynist Gaston for proposing!! Changes for the better in this modern world. Not everything in theatre - or life for that matter - revolves around gender politics and are motivated by “changing for the modern world”. Sometimes a show is just worse, regardless of whether it’s more diverse, “modern” or whatever barometer we are measuring progress by. Updating depictions of gender roles doesn’t instantly make a show better. Or worse. These issues are incredibly important to a noisy minority, but 99% of theatregoers aren’t sitting there caring whether Belle is folding clothes or leading a Joan of Arc style crusade. They are experiencing a fantasy musical about a singing household objects and just want to see good singing and dancing and hear the songs they know. Sometimes revivals are simply downgraded, cheaper versions with bigger profit margins for the mega producers, who know full well that at this stage people are paying for “a version of” Beauty and the Beast - and they deliver just that - no more, no less. Full price tickets do not offer value at this show. |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Sept 1, 2022 17:26:55 GMT
And, on top of that, the characters feel much more flat. Especially Belle. She is much less quirky than how Susan Egan shaped the character for the show, and sadly resembles Emma Watson´s onedimensional take. For example, Belle no longer replies "Thanks for asking!" to Gaston at the end of Me. Am I supposed to think those changes are for the better? Belle is much more strong willed and feisty in this newer version. Thank god she isn’t sorting the washing in ‘Me’ like the original and that she doesn’t thank the chauvinistic, misogynist Gaston for proposing!! Changes for the better in this modern world. In the original production, Belle is arranging her garden, not sorting the washing. Just like anyone who´s alone at their cottage would do. And surely staying silent is better than using sarcasm to expose Gaston´s lack of intelligence... and get the audience to laugh at him. |
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Post by hadeswasking on Sept 1, 2022 17:39:56 GMT
Sounds like the show at the Palladium is a completely different beast (hee hee ) to the one i saw in Manc. We have Belle doing a Mariah impersonation, riffing up and down, her head wobbling side to side with one finger in her ear and wagging the other finger in the air, doing curtseys and winking at members of the audience. Then we’ve got Shaw Taylor doing something or other, the set juddering to a halt every five minutes, the flying candelabras not flying or swinging all over the place knocking people over. Chunks of the show missing so no one can understand WTF is going on, songs cut… does Mrs Potts still actually sing Beauty and the Beast or has that gone too?. It’s starting to sound like Disney has sold this property to the Mischief Company! Can this actually happen? I'd love to see that |
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Post by h86 on Sept 1, 2022 18:06:02 GMT
Belle is much more strong willed and feisty in this newer version. Thank god she isn’t sorting the washing in ‘Me’ like the original and that she doesn’t thank the chauvinistic, misogynist Gaston for proposing!! Changes for the better in this modern world. Not everything in theatre - or life for that matter - revolves around gender politics and are motivated by “changing for the modern world”. Sometimes a show is just worse, regardless of whether it’s more diverse, “modern” or whatever barometer we are measuring progress by. Updating depictions of gender roles doesn’t instantly make a show better. Or worse. These issues are incredibly important to a noisy minority, but 99% of theatregoers aren’t sitting there caring whether Belle is folding clothes or leading a Joan of Arc style crusade. They are experiencing a fantasy musical about a singing household objects and just want to see good singing and dancing and hear the songs they know. Sometimes revivals are simply downgraded, cheaper versions with bigger profit margins for the mega producers, who know full well that at this stage people are paying for “a version of” Beauty and the Beast - and they deliver just that - no more, no less. Full price tickets do not offer value at this show. It’s a family shows and it’s important for kids to see what a modern woman looks like. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 1, 2022 18:17:48 GMT
Belle is very clearly a fairy tale character. Kids understand the difference.
And strong independent modern women still do laundry...
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Post by LaLuPone on Sept 1, 2022 18:26:16 GMT
Technically Belle isn’t a modern woman because Beauty and the Beast and indeed most Disney Princess movies are set centuries ago, otherwise Belle could just FaceTime her father instead of using a magic mirror!
I do agree that modern feminist women should be portrayed in these kind of stories but modern feminist women are allowed to still do laundry! I’m sure Belle’s father helps out around the house as well!
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Post by h86 on Sept 1, 2022 18:34:03 GMT
Belle is very clearly a fairy tale character. Kids understand the difference. And strong independent modern women still do laundry... But why not change it? Have her do something that does not conform to older gender stereotypes. |
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) to the one i saw in Manc. 