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Post by richey on Mar 20, 2016 14:17:23 GMT
"Bessie! The musical. A day to write and a day to think up the exclamation mark" |
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Post by lesmislover on Mar 21, 2016 18:30:12 GMT
What a great review Stevejohnson678.
For most of Act One and the early part of Act Two, however, this is a terrific, fun evening at the theatre. The central performances of Hannah Price, Joanna Sawyer and Gareth Gates, combined with the hard-working efforts of the talented ensemble, help ensure that the majority of the show soars and easily eclipses previous touring productions of Footloose. Holding on for a Hero and Let's Hear it For The Boy are perhaps the two standout moments, brilliantly staged and performed. Gareth Gates steals the limelight in both numbers but there's lots taking place around him for those not easily distracted by the sight of gold or bad dance moves! The show does lose its way in the middle of Act Two, but recovers to finish with the iconic title track and the obligatory euphoria of an encore medley. The audience at the Palace Theatre on Friday evening needed little invitation to finish the night on their feet, cutting loose and dancing in the aisles!
This last paragraph sums up the whole show. Thanks.
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Post by lesmislover on Apr 3, 2016 9:31:38 GMT
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17 posts
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Post by lesmislover on Apr 21, 2016 7:13:54 GMT
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2,263 posts
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Post by richey on May 12, 2016 7:42:24 GMT
Saw it in Liverpool last night. What a car crash of a show. Whoever cast Lee Brennan an should be shot. I've never seen a more over - the - top caricature. Admittedly the one song he got to himself was ok but his acting was, to put it mildly,not good. Plus when he took his clothes off I thought I might be a little bit sick.
Maureen Nolan kept looking as if she'd wandered in from another show and her accent kept veering from mid - American to scouse.
What is it with the obsession for actors to also play instruments. Is it merely a cost cutting exercise? Yes they were very talented but it so distracting when someone pulls a trumpet out mid speech or is playing an oboe whilst serving dinner.
The two highlights for me were when a rather cute beary guy got carried away with his country dancing and split his trousers, and also when a waitress in skates was pushed offstage but they didn't give her enough momentum and she ended up tangled in the side curtains.The audience response was fairly mediocre too. During the encore when the cast encouraged everyone to get up am dance at least half (myself included) resolutely stayed seated.
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Post by danb on May 12, 2016 8:04:45 GMT
This came to our actual town (not a nearby city) a few weeks ago and I still couldn't muster the interest to go. I remember being underwhelmed by the first tour years ago with Cassidy Jansen & Rachel Wooding amongst others, and couldn't see it getting better as a result of one of 911 being in it! Had I known that it was actor/musician I may have gone for a laugh. How on earth can you add energy to a piece if, as Richey above says, someone stops to pull out an instrument! If the state of touring theatre is such that it can't be afforded without this, I'd either rather they didn't bother, or just have to charge more making it more elitist or doing half week stops? Such a shame.
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217 posts
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Post by Rozzi Rainbow on Jul 3, 2016 18:40:59 GMT
I saw this yesterday and really enjoyed it. I've seen it quite a few times over the years. The actors also playing instruments took a bit of getting used to, but I thought they did extremely well, as they took it in turns to play keyboards at the side of the stage and were often in most scenes - if their character wasn't needed, they were playing an instrument. I though the Willard character was a bit strange, especially in the first half. I don't think this was anything to do with Gareth Gates, I think it was more the direction. I liked him better in the second half. I would have also liked to see Lee Brennan, but he didn't seem to be in any places near me. It felt very modern, not like it was an 80s show. I fact, I don't think they mentioned when it was set. I liked the sign that said "Welcome to Bomont, West Virginia" - I'd always wondered where Bomont was!
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jul 3, 2016 19:03:42 GMT
It's the age old question again. Does being a reasonably successful singer automatically mean you are going to be a decent actor..
Kind of insulting to those who train for years to try and master the art.
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19,786 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 3, 2016 20:19:34 GMT
Willard is supposed to be a halfwit isn't he? Sorry I haven't seen the film, but please tell me that's what GG was playing?
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299 posts
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Post by bengal73 on Sept 22, 2016 21:41:57 GMT
Saw this in Blackpool this evening. Gareth Gates was unwell so an understudy Willard was on and was very good. The venue was probably about 50% full and there were a fair number disappointed at the lack of Gareth.
As a show it was a very inoffensive evening at the theatre and very well performed by a young enthusiastic cast.
The staff at the theatre made no efforts at all to stop people wandering around the theatre or chattering amongst themselves though which made it a struggle to hear at times.
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2,778 posts
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Post by daniel on Jan 18, 2017 23:21:34 GMT
Seems to have slipped off the radar, but this is touring again with Gareth and Maureen, including a West End run in September.
Opens in Wimbledon in April.
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2,263 posts
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Post by richey on Jan 19, 2017 9:43:39 GMT
Seems to have slipped off the radar, but this is touring again with Gareth and Maureen, including a West End run in September. Opens in Wimbledon in April. Hope having a break will have refreshed it. It was looking miserable when i saw it in Liverpool |
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Post by stevej678 on Jan 19, 2017 13:21:20 GMT
It's a shame that Maureen Nolan and her dire vocals are back. Along with Nigel Lister playing Reverend Shaw Moore, the two of them sucked the life out of an otherwise very enjoyable production (with an excellent young cast of actor musicians).
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2,778 posts
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Post by daniel on Apr 21, 2017 21:24:28 GMT
Went to the first night of the new tour in Wimbledon tonight - it's got its flaws for sure but I actually really enjoyed it. There's been some changes since last year's tour, which pleasantly surprised me. Some scenes have been re-staged, there's a new revolving set piece which they use for the shouting at the train, "Almost Paradise" scene in Act II. They've got a new show front cloth, and the clothing rail has gone. There were bits of new choreography and vocal arrangements, generally positive. The cast I feel were generally improvements on the previous tour. I did miss the previous Ren and (cover) Willard, but the new Reverend and Ren's Mom were improvements. Maureen Nolan is just Maureen  The only thing that let's this show down is the cheap production. It does work as actor-musician (just about) but some of the part doubling up is dubious, and with a few more musicians and performers it could really have an extra oomph. Still, I had a good time. For me it's a three star production of a four star show. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2017 16:01:16 GMT
Saw this about two weeks ago. Wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. Nice story, fun score and very talented performers/musicians. Very impressive how they all play multiple instruments in the show on top of their acting duties.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 9:03:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2017 22:54:00 GMT
I'm seeing the show for the first time on Thursday. I have no prior knowlage of the actual show, I've never seen the movie or anything, so I'm excited to see it! And a cheap deal with lastminute.com! Obviously some of the songs are iconic so I know what kind of music to expect, and I love me some Gareth Gates so this will be fun. |
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2,409 posts
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Post by theatreian on Sept 10, 2017 16:06:37 GMT
Saw this last year. Gareth was off that week but a great little show with some good 80's hits. Sure you will enjoy it Daniel.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Sept 11, 2017 8:44:25 GMT
I thought this was coming to Sunderland this week but turns out that is Flashdance. I keep getting the two confused, especially as both contain a 00's male pop star as the lead. Flashdance "starring" Ben from A1. Even though I loved A1 and him specifically, and tickets can be got for fifteen quid with an ATG for opening night, I still cannot muster the enthusiasm to go and no doubt that's the same for Footloose.
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Post by dazzlair on Sept 12, 2017 22:35:41 GMT
Saw it this evening at the Peacock. Utterly daft but quite entertaining. Make sure you check in your expectations and brains along with your coat.
Gareth Gates was actually the highlight and stole every scene he was in. I was willing so hard for every ensemble number to just power up. The eagerly awaited crowd pleasers like Let's Hear It For the Boy and I Need A Hero could have been so much more effective if they had used a backing track to beef them up. As it is, the songs sounded thin and lacking.
The cast worked their butts off. Ms Nolan was fine. I'm used to this actor-musician malarkey now so it didn't even register as incongruous. What I did find jarring was the lighting. It was random and off-putting with spotlights all over the place.
All in all, 3 out of 5.
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Post by hulmeman on Sept 14, 2017 19:29:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2017 19:49:37 GMT
This is crazy and I LOVE IT!! So much fun!! Great music and dancing, and Garath Gates stealing every scene he is in with his comedy and his body! Fabulous!  Of the two I've seen today, this is MILES more enjoyable than Annie in my opinion! Just so much fun! |
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Sept 14, 2017 20:14:49 GMT
Ouch! Then why not one star? Or none? Two seems a little generous! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2017 20:19:00 GMT
When I saw Footloose not burning the theatre to the ground would have been generous.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2017 21:13:52 GMT
I loved it, I loved it, I LOVED IT!! I was dancing in the aisles along with the rest of the audience (surprisingly, it was pretty much full!). Its just so much fun! So camp and fabulous! the cast are fantastic. Gareth steals literally every scene he is in and is just brilliant in that role! I had so much fun tonight! If you just want a fun night out, nothing too heavy, do not miss this show! Its so much fun, I'm definitely gonna try and catch it again before it leaves! |
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