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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2017 9:42:35 GMT
Saw the matinee yesterday (4th November) at the Palace Theatre, Manchester. Superb performance from Ria Jones, now my favourite Norma (I saw Patti LuPone, Petula Clark, Faith Brown). She has an amazing voice , and really does justice to what I think are some of ALW’s best songs . Fact is, she SINGS beautifully, and impressively. I’ve seen clips of Glen Close in this role, and to be honest, I found her uncomfortable to watch, yes she’s a better actress, but in this she’s way over the top, and her singing is not good enough for many of these songs. Just my opinion of course. Couldn't agree more. Ria SINGS these stunning SONGS. As did LuPone, Paige and Buckley. It's a great production. Booked to go again in Birmingham and Bristol. Glenn is totally uncomfortable to watch as she just doesn't have the voice. Am praying she won't get cast in the film though I know am in a minority and will be disappointed. That said films of the great musicals are always huge disappointments anyway (Phantom, Les Mis etc etc) so guess it won't matter. The only one that really worked for me was Evita. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2017 9:45:19 GMT
Oh and they need to do a Souvenir Brochure. A big lavish tour needs some decent merchandise.
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Post by carmella1 on Nov 5, 2017 15:16:01 GMT
I think Glenn's performance on stage, not the singing is what made it so popular. She cannot sing. When I saw it she made an announcement before the show that she had a cold. I have no idea how many times she would have said this. But with all that the only reason I can think of for making this into a movie is the reaction she got on stage. I am not sure this would translate to a movie unless her voice is dubbed. When I saw it there were groups of Glenn's fans who would applaud her every move from her entrance to applauding before the song was over and I do not mean just the ending. They had no idea there was more to be sung. A totally not necessary movie but it would give work to people working on it and I do not mean the leads I mean the production
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Post by sf on Nov 5, 2017 15:47:18 GMT
I think Glenn's performance on stage, not the singing is what made it so popular. She cannot sing. Close doesn't have the greatest voice. She is not physically incapable of singing. Obviously she can sing - at the performance I saw, she hit all the notes. Other people, Ria Jones included, have sung the role better than Close did - but Close brought something else to the table. To me, her acting choices were brilliant enough that they compensated for her vocal shortcomings. But then, my favourite Norma of all the performers I've seen in the role is Rita Moreno, whose singing voice is on a level with Close's. Again, an extraordinary acting performance, and the big numbers were thrilling even though some of her predecessors in the role had stronger singing voices. |
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Post by anniel on Nov 5, 2017 16:54:26 GMT
I think Glenn's performance on stage, not the singing is what made it so popular. She cannot sing. Close doesn't have the greatest voice. She is not physically incapable of singing. Obviously she can sing - at the performance I saw, she hit all the notes. Other people, Ria Jones included, have sung the role better than Close did - but Close brought something else to the table. To me, her acting choices were brilliant enough that they compensated for her vocal shortcomings. I totally agree. I wept when Close sang With One Look - I just couldn't help myself. she gave one of the most powerful performances I have ever seen - and that was from the balcony in the Coliseum! She just radiated Star! (Or should I say, the greatest star of all?) I am definitely #Team Close. I was blown away by Danny Mac, whose singing has improved so much since I saw him in 'On the Town' in the Summer. He was very good indeed. I was worried he would just be stunt casting but he was very impressive. Loved Max and Betty too. It was a great production. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 5, 2017 17:51:19 GMT
When it was in at the Coliseum I was down that weekend with friends who aren’t huge theatre fans and annoyingly tardy about booking stuff. They’d got Kinky sorted for Friday while I was at SB. I was going back to SB for the Saturday matinee and after hearing my review on Friday night in the hotel bar decided to go along.
They’re still talking about it.
Glenn Close absolutely oozed star quality in that role. I’m not even a fan of her other work, but she brings genuine Hollywood credibility to Norma in a way that none of the others could from what I’ve seen of the performances on YouTube . The scene where they play Joan of Arc with the projector and the “flickering lightbeams” choked me up. And her AIWNSG with those huge diamanté jewells sending lasers around the stalls....I’ll never forget that.
I’ve just seen Ria three times in Manchester and she is brilliant in it, but it’s a different approach altogether. More cartoonish and I don’t mean that negatively, it’s just that the nuance is not there. But I suppose knowing how it feels to be a Hollywood star who is ageing and possibly never going to work again is restricted to relatively few people.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2017 18:42:10 GMT
When I saw it there were groups of Glenn's fans who would applaud her every move from her entrance to applauding before the song was over and I do not mean just the ending. So in my opinion I think all these Glenn fans were MASSIVE fans of hers before seeing her in Sunset. And would love her whatever. The Hollywood star etc. I'm really not a film person and had have never seen her in anything. Had she been an unknown who landed the role in Sunset, IMHO, the 'amazing' acting would have been considerably less noticed; compared to the fact that someone had been cast in a musical who couldn't sing! Fair enough in the LA recording she hits the notes (which she didn't when I saw her at the Coliseum) but there is nothing pleasant about the quality of her voice. For me anyway. Horses for courses and all that though. (On another matter, she is WAY too old. Not an issue 2 miles away in the Coliseum balcony but a huge issue ready for her close up on film. Norma is meant to in her 50s and still very sexually attractive). |
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Post by theatreian on Nov 5, 2017 18:42:30 GMT
Yes in saw Glenn at the start of the run and she was amazing. A true star in every sense of the word. That production oozed quality and the score sounded the best it has ever sounded. Having said that I still love Petula's Norma, her being the actress to have played it the most.
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Post by chernjam on Nov 6, 2017 5:57:15 GMT
When I saw it there were groups of Glenn's fans who would applaud her every move from her entrance to applauding before the song was over and I do not mean just the ending. So in my opinion I think all these Glenn fans were MASSIVE fans of hers before seeing her in Sunset. And would love her whatever. The Hollywood star etc. I'm really not a film person and had have never seen her in anything. Had she been an unknown who landed the role in Sunset, IMHO, the 'amazing' acting would have been considerably less noticed; compared to the fact that someone had been cast in a musical who couldn't sing! Fair enough in the LA recording she hits the notes (which she didn't when I saw her at the Coliseum) but there is nothing pleasant about the quality of her voice. For me anyway. Horses for courses and all that though. (On another matter, she is WAY too old. Not an issue 2 miles away in the Coliseum balcony but a huge issue ready for her close up on film. Norma is meant to in her 50s and still very sexually attractive). I'd consider myself a Sunset fan first and foremost. Eagerly anticipated this ALW work (had just gotten into theatre and was excited to see the prospect of a new ALW blockbuster and was intrigued by the story and all even though I knew very little about it) so I followed every tidbit of info about the show as it readied for the World Premiere. Bought Streisands back to broadway on June 29, 1994 (the original date of the World Premiere that got pushed up because of technical issues) just to hear the two songs. And saw the original broadway production 8 times with each Norma (and understudy Karen Mason) - the US tour 3 times and the recent revival 4 times I say all that because when I heard Close was doing the ENO and then coming back to Broadway with it I was really disappointed. I remembered how much I liked it originally on Broadway but then when I saw Buckley sing it effortlessly was thinking "oh wow, that's how it's supposed to be sung." I couldn't imagine 20 + years improving that at all - and didn't want a show and score I loved so much to become "GLENN CLOSE'S SUNSET BOULEVARD" rather than the Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical Sunset Boulevard - which it seemed to be moving with this revival. But I was happily proven wrong. For me, she nailed this in a way I don't think she was able to in 1994. The production with Lonny Price's very creative and fresh approach; that symphonic orchestra - and then the lady who with one look indeed broke my heart. I agree, there were moments that I worried "Oh shoot I hope she can hit that note" but it only added to the magic that is live theatre (and she happily hit every note, each of the 4 times I saw her in the Spring... including one time when she was fighting that cold). I'm still in withdrawls since Sunset closed. To the point that I'm considering my first ever trip to the UK just to see the revival on its stop to London. But for me, I will be thrilled if they film Sunset - and soon - just to preserve what was an amazing performance |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2017 10:52:46 GMT
(On another matter, she is WAY too old. Not an issue 2 miles away in the Coliseum balcony but a huge issue ready for her close up on film. Norma is meant to in her 50s and still very sexually attractive). I personally think Glenn Close looks WAY more attractive now she's older than she ever did in the 80s and 90s. |
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 6, 2017 11:18:09 GMT
I’m yet to see the tour, but I’m really excited for it.
Echoing what everyone said about Glenn, I watched the Collesium production 3 times and she was magnificent every single time. Yes, it would be wonderful if she could sing it like Buckley or LuPone, but I’ll take a magnificent actress who is a good enough singer than a wonderful singer who can’t act.
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Post by karloscar on Nov 6, 2017 13:02:02 GMT
What I really want to see is the Sondheim version of Sunset, which he was going to write for Angela Lansbury in the early seventies before deciding it was a bad idea. Can't help thinking it would've been a much better show.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2017 13:10:55 GMT
What I really want to see is the Sondheim version of Sunset, which he was going to write for Angela Lansbury in the early seventies before deciding it was a bad idea. Can't help thinking it would've been a much better show.  |
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Post by bimse on Nov 6, 2017 15:41:43 GMT
What I really want to see is the Sondheim version of Sunset, which he was going to write for Angela Lansbury in the early seventies before deciding it was a bad idea. Can't help thinking it would've been a much better show. I hate Angela Lansbury singing , her Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd sounds so strained. Even though it’s a speak/sing kind of role (not sure what the correct term is) I still find it uncomfortable to listen to. Same as I find Glen Close uncomfortable to listen to as Norma Desmond, even though she’s a good actress, but having said that I wouldn’t say she’s a GREAT actress, her Norma Desmond is (for me) way over the top and not an enjoyable performance at all. I think for me, the key word is MUSICAL. It’s a musical, which requires a musical performance, not a rasping , pretend to sing and act like crazy performance . |
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 6, 2017 16:53:54 GMT
What I really want to see is the Sondheim version of Sunset, which he was going to write for Angela Lansbury in the early seventies before deciding it was a bad idea. Can't help thinking it would've been a much better show. I hate Angela Lansbury singing , her Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd sounds so strained. Even though it’s a speak/sing kind of role (not sure what the correct term is) I still find it uncomfortable to listen to. Same as I find Glen Close uncomfortable to listen to as Norma Desmond, even though she’s a good actress, but having said that I wouldn’t say she’s a GREAT actress, her Norma Desmond is (for me) way over the top and not an enjoyable performance at all. I think for me, the key word is MUSICAL. It’s a musical, which requires a musical performance, not a rasping , pretend to sing and act like crazy performance . What is it with The Gays and La Landsbury?! I can't bear her. Grating voice and decidely overrated. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2017 17:08:44 GMT
What is it with The Gays and La Landsbury?! I can't bear her. Grating voice and decidely overrated. No-one but NO-ONE does "A customer!" in 'Worst Pies In London' quite like Angie. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2017 17:36:01 GMT
If people think Angela Lansbury's voice is grating, then i presume they have never heard the recordings of Mame or Dear World. Her voice is fantastic. She conveys so much in 1 song.
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Post by karloscar on Nov 6, 2017 20:06:27 GMT
Some of the great performances in musical theatre have been by actors whose singing style was unconventional. Joel Grey, Lotte Kenya, Gertrude Lawrence, Rex Harrison, Ron Moody, Michael Crawford, Yul Brynner, Carol Channing to name but a few. It's rarely about making a pretty sound.
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Post by bimse on Nov 6, 2017 20:51:16 GMT
Some of the great performances in musical theatre have been by actors whose singing style was unconventional. Joel Grey, Lotte Kenya, Gertrude Lawrence, Rex Harrison, Ron Moody, Michael Crawford, Yul Brynner, Carol Channing to name but a few. It's rarely about making a pretty sound. Rarely about making a pretty sound? Don’t think I’d agree. I’d say “unconventional” sounding performances are the rare ones. There’s “unconventional” which I’d agree can be lyrical , and “unconventional “ which is not pleasant to listen to . |
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Post by karloscar on Nov 6, 2017 22:01:56 GMT
Well that depends what you mean by unconventional, and what you find pleasant. Listening to Ruthie Henshall is quite unpleasant to me, while I recognize her talent I can't abide her vocal style. Thankfully we are all drawn to different voices and performers rather than all liking the same thing which would favour the bland and colourless.
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Post by drowseychap on Nov 7, 2017 0:24:22 GMT
In Birmingham next week .... not sold very well it’s on travelzoo for £18 ... got tickets tonight but website is shockingly slow and keeps having errors and makes you wait in line till it allows you on  Took 2 of us 40 mins to book on 2 devices crazy .... but got £36. Seats for £18 yay |
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Post by LaLuPone on Nov 10, 2017 20:44:52 GMT
Is this a show/production that looks particularly better from back stalls than mid-circle or vice versa? Can't decide where to book.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 11, 2017 7:49:06 GMT
There’s a lot of going up and down stairs, and some scenes happen high up which you may miss if you can’t see the top of the stage.
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Post by hulmeman on Nov 11, 2017 8:10:43 GMT
There’s a lot of going up and down stairs, and some scenes happen high up which you may miss if you can’t see the top of the stage. And turbans, you don't want to miss the turbans. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 11, 2017 9:50:18 GMT
There’s a lot of going up and down stairs, and some scenes happen high up which you may miss if you can’t see the top of the stage. And turbans, you don't want to miss the turbans. I loved her entrance costume. Glad they kept lots of the original ideas with the “accessories”. |
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Took 2 of us 40 mins to book on 2 devices crazy .... but got £36. Seats for £18 yay 