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Post by andrew on Mar 2, 2022 11:44:56 GMT
I have to admit I'm surprised at the fairly negative reaction to the casting, I thought stunt casts were what we campaigned against. It's interesting that people think this will close in a few months off the back of a lack of star names, we're about to enter the Spring/Summer seasons with Covid very much shut away for now, I'd have thought a buzzy, obsessed over and awards laden production of an extremely well known musical just down from Trafalgar Square will do well. "People will never pay £250!": I think they might, they've ramped up the "experience" side of this, rich people will always splash money on something that seems premium, and even when the top price drops, I'm surprised people think this is so expensive that it can't possibly turn a profit. I'm no expert, but I'm not nearly as condemning of this productions prospects without Eddie Redmayne gyrating around every night.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Mar 2, 2022 11:47:25 GMT
I understand those thinking this doesn't need a "name" to continue, but I do have to say that I'm surprised at the level of "name" (or lack thereof) in this new cast announcement since I do think it needs someone of Redmayne/Buckley's calibre and fame to justify the prices. I know there are arguments for and against stunt casting, but as mentioned higher up the thread, the production needs those prices to stay afloat, so I was expecting another name of some sort to help bring in the big bucks.
I paid £120 per ticket for this, which is a bargain compared to some tickets but still higher than I usually would, based on two things - the stellar reviews and Eddie Redmayne. I don't usually go in for celebrity/stunt casting, but this is hardly Peter Andre as Vince Fontaine (Lord help us!) and is rather a highly gifted, sought after actor in a production which seems like a bit of a personal/vanity project, and which always felt like a limited engagement you'd be "lucky" to catch. So I was willing to pay more to see Redmayne whilst he was in the role. As good as the reviews for the production as a whole are, and as good as he is as a performer, I wouldn't pay the same amount to see Fra Fee.
I expect many are of the same view, and that those top prices won't stay there for long, which probably isn't good for any hope of longevity for the production...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2022 11:55:53 GMT
The programmes are £15 which is expensive. It is a nice production though with good essays. It's in the style and proportions of a 12" album sleeve. We had a wonderful evening at the show so we did want these as a memento. Thanks so much! Yes, definitely want a memento. Do you recall if they sell shirts or anything like that? Might bring something home for my roommate for taking care of my dog!  |
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Post by theatreian on Mar 2, 2022 12:01:55 GMT
I don't know how they can justify these prices with the new casting. No disrespect to the new cast but their fame is not in the same league.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 2, 2022 12:03:28 GMT
If you took the themed surroundings away, and take the star casting away, and restage it for a proscenium theatre, what have you got left if it comes to touring it? Another “dark” interpretation of cabaret on a bare stage. Yawn. We’ve had that flogged to death on tour for the last few years with various second rate performances and I can’t see how there’s any hunger for it outside of London again. So they’re going to need to make their money back while it’s in town.
And speaking of that, oh how I would LOVE to see a different (these days) version of Cabaret. One where Sally Bowles belts out those tunes unashamedly like Liza did. I know it’s fashionable to hate the film these days but it’s popular for a reason. Bring THAT version to the stage and I’m here for it.
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Post by jaggy on Mar 2, 2022 12:22:28 GMT
I never considered Redmayne and Buckley as “stunt casting”. Both began their careers in theatre and starred in musicals either on film or stage. I can only speak for myself but I wanted actors with stage experience and a name. I mentioned how I’d be interested in seeing some like Billie Piper; a known name in the UK and an Olivier winner. I don’t think people on this board necessarily wanted a repeat of the Mendes production, casting the likes of Molly Ringwald and Terri Hatcher (although they typically had a theatre actor work alongside them as Emcee). I consider that to be stunt casting but I guess everyone has their own definition of the term.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 2, 2022 12:27:01 GMT
Stunt casting is where the name is deemed more important than the ability/performance surely.
This is star casting. Well, it was while Eddie R was in it.
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Post by interval99 on Mar 2, 2022 12:38:35 GMT
Must admit when I booked to see Jessie it was in the expectation that she would be belting out the numbers.
It's odd to think that having a version of cabaret where the numbers are full on show stopping belt outs would be considered the radical version but would certainly be popular
The title song delivery in this version does work in the theatre and full credit to Jessie/Emily who have been able to get the audience from thinking what the hell are they doing snarling the start to being won over by the powerful ending . The other numbers don't come off so well.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Mar 2, 2022 12:40:29 GMT
Stunt casting is where the name is deemed more important than the ability/performance surely. This is star casting. Well, it was while Eddie R was in it. Agreed, I think my previous post incorrectly used "stunt" interchangeably with the concept of star casting. I don't believe for a second this production was ever guilty of "stunt" casting, but it does have "star" casting to thank for the success of its inflated prices. It's commendable of course they've recast with skilled performers rather than cheapening the show with a name for the sake of it, but in doing so they will hopefully be aware of the repercussions in cost - not many people will pay £250 without a star name, no matter how much they dress up the experience around it. |
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Post by jaggy on Mar 2, 2022 12:42:55 GMT
Stunt casting is where the name is deemed more important than the ability/performance surely. This is star casting. Well, it was while Eddie R was in it. Yes, exactly and I don’t think that’s something the majority on this thread wanted. A melding of the two was the ideal. Whereas this is just casting. And I agree with everything in your previous post about the production if it tours. |
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Post by ladidah on Mar 2, 2022 12:48:30 GMT
I agree, this falls a little flat.
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Post by crowblack on Mar 2, 2022 13:44:56 GMT
If you took the themed surroundings away, and take the star casting away, and restage it for a proscenium theatre, what have you got left if it comes to touring it? Another “dark” interpretation of cabaret on a bare stage. Yawn. We’ve had that flogged to death on tour for the last few years with various second rate performances and I can’t see how there’s any hunger for it outside of London again. So they’re going to need to make their money back while it’s in town. And speaking of that, oh how I would LOVE to see a different (these days) version of Cabaret. One where Sally Bowles belts out those tunes unashamedly like Liza did. I know it’s fashionable to hate the film these days but it’s popular for a reason. Bring THAT version to the stage and I’m here for it. I wasn't aware it was fashionable to hate the film: why? I love it! Having not been able to make the preview date I originally booked for this, I decided not to bother trying again in part because I didn't see much point in employing Buckley and then not have her belt out the songs, and with a lacklustre Cliff too then how does that character or relationship work? |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 2, 2022 13:49:15 GMT
If you took the themed surroundings away, and take the star casting away, and restage it for a proscenium theatre, what have you got left if it comes to touring it? Another “dark” interpretation of cabaret on a bare stage. Yawn. We’ve had that flogged to death on tour for the last few years with various second rate performances and I can’t see how there’s any hunger for it outside of London again. So they’re going to need to make their money back while it’s in town. And speaking of that, oh how I would LOVE to see a different (these days) version of Cabaret. One where Sally Bowles belts out those tunes unashamedly like Liza did. I know it’s fashionable to hate the film these days but it’s popular for a reason. Bring THAT version to the stage and I’m here for it. : why? I love it! Having not been able to make the preview date I originally booked for this, I decided not to bother trying again in part because I didn't see much point in employing Buckley and then not have her belt out the songs, and with a lacklustre Cliff too then how does that character or relationship work? Well, insomuch that a more upbeat version never gets a chance any more. Iknow there’s a very dark element to the story, I’m not suggesting some “springtime for Hitler” type thing here but the film managed to portray that darkness and still had showbiz pizazz. |
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Post by shambles on Mar 2, 2022 13:53:45 GMT
If you took the themed surroundings away, and take the star casting away, and restage it for a proscenium theatre, what have you got left if it comes to touring it? Another “dark” interpretation of cabaret on a bare stage. Yawn. We’ve had that flogged to death on tour for the last few years with various second rate performances and I can’t see how there’s any hunger for it outside of London again. So they’re going to need to make their money back while it’s in town. And speaking of that, oh how I would LOVE to see a different (these days) version of Cabaret. One where Sally Bowles belts out those tunes unashamedly like Liza did. I know it’s fashionable to hate the film these days but it’s popular for a reason. Bring THAT version to the stage and I’m here for it. I wasn't aware it was fashionable to hate the film: why? I love it! Having not been able to make the preview date I originally booked for this, I decided not to bother trying again in part because I didn't see much point in employing Buckley and then not have her belt out the songs, and with a lacklustre Cliff too then how does that character or relationship work? Because she's just as much a very good actress as she is a singer? |
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Mar 2, 2022 13:56:42 GMT
Sally isn't supposed to be a good singer, the film is the only major time the role has ever been sung with powerhouse vocals and it just doesn't fit.
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Post by shambles on Mar 2, 2022 14:01:54 GMT
Sally isn't supposed to be a good singer, the film is the only major time the role has ever been sung with powerhouse vocals and it just doesn't fit. Kander and Ebb never loved the film for that very reason. Their favourite Bowles has always been Judi Dench, who arguably "sang" even less than Jessie Buckley does. |
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Post by crowblack on Mar 2, 2022 14:10:21 GMT
Sally isn't supposed to be a good singer, the film is the only major time the role has ever been sung with powerhouse vocals and it just doesn't fit. I know she isn't! I'm distantly related to the writer so I'm familiar with various versions of the stories. But why bother employing an actress who famously can, pretending to be one who can't? |
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Mar 2, 2022 14:17:55 GMT
Sally isn't supposed to be a good singer, the film is the only major time the role has ever been sung with powerhouse vocals and it just doesn't fit. I know she isn't! I'm distantly related to the writer so I'm familiar with various versions of the stories. But why bother employing an actress who famously can, pretending to be one who can't? Because she's also a really good actress. Are you suggesting no one who happens to sing well should play Sally? Besides, I don't think she sings the role all that badly, her Sally is a bad singer not because she can't hold a tune but because she's a pretty talentless performer - lots of over emoting, speaking/shouting the words to emphasise feeling etc. When she sings the songs outside the Kit Kat Club, like Maybe This Time, she sings them pretty straight because she's not performing to anyone in the world of the show. |
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Post by andrew on Mar 2, 2022 14:22:45 GMT
I'm sorry, but who says that Buckley doesn't belt the songs? Apart from Maybe This Time, she belts her *** off in Mein Herr and (of course) Cabaret, way more than other Sallys. I doubt people who are commenting stuff like that have actually seen the show 😂
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 2, 2022 14:23:44 GMT
I wasn't aware it was fashionable to hate the film: why? I love it! Having not been able to make the preview date I originally booked for this, I decided not to bother trying again in part because I didn't see much point in employing Buckley and then not have her belt out the songs, and with a lacklustre Cliff too then how does that character or relationship work? Well, insomuch that a more upbeat version never gets a chance any more. Iknow there’s a very dark element to the story, I’m not suggesting some “springtime for Hitler” type thing here but the film managed to portray that darkness and still had showbiz pizazz. Was there ever a time in which an upbeat version of Cabaret has been staged? |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 2, 2022 14:26:48 GMT
Sally isn't supposed to be a good singer, the film is the only major time the role has ever been sung with powerhouse vocals and it just doesn't fit. Kander and Ebb never loved the film for that very reason. Their favourite Bowles has always been Judi Dench, who arguably "sang" even less than Jessie Buckley does. If things were only ever staged the way the authors imagined it then that’s every modern day Shakespeare out of the window. I doubt last years Carousel would have made it to the stage either as well as a million other shows. What the authors imagined is the very last thing we need to concern ourselves with, it seems. |
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Post by crowblack on Mar 2, 2022 14:26:55 GMT
I'm sorry, but who says that Buckley doesn't belt the songs? Apart from Maybe This Time, she belts her *** off in Mein Herr and (of course) Cabaret, way more than other Sallys. I doubt people who are commenting stuff like that have actually seen the show 😂 I haven't seen the show: I was going by the reviews and comments. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 2, 2022 14:28:47 GMT
Well, insomuch that a more upbeat version never gets a chance any more. Iknow there’s a very dark element to the story, I’m not suggesting some “springtime for Hitler” type thing here but the film managed to portray that darkness and still had showbiz pizazz. Was there ever a time in which an upbeat version of Cabaret has been staged? Since the film I mean. And the version we did at school with Lesley Herring as Sally. It was a direct Liza copy and she was FABULOUS ( aged 14). |
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Post by shambles on Mar 2, 2022 14:35:46 GMT
Kander and Ebb never loved the film for that very reason. Their favourite Bowles has always been Judi Dench, who arguably "sang" even less than Jessie Buckley does. If things were only ever staged the way the authors imagined it then that’s every modern day Shakespeare out of the window. I doubt last years Carousel would have made it to the stage either as well as a million other shows. What the authors imagined is the very last thing we need to concern ourselves with, it seems. You do if the intention of their writing still holds, and is also the one you are trying to put across. Sally is to be deeply deluded about her ability and prospects, which works better when she doesn't come across as a talented performer. |
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Post by interval99 on Mar 2, 2022 14:50:15 GMT
I'm sorry, but who says that Buckley doesn't belt the songs? Apart from Maybe This Time, she belts her *** off in Mein Herr and (of course) Cabaret, way more than other Sallys. I doubt people who are commenting stuff like that have actually seen the show 😂 Seen the show and seen plenty of Sally's over the years who have conveyed the emotions and power of the songs as much as Jessie does and in many cases more so. |
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