1,248 posts
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Post by joem on Sept 2, 2022 0:51:17 GMT
Just so this section doesn't become "Theatre board Obituaries" I thought I'd post something about a performer and creator who is very much alive and kicking and at the top of his form.
Neil Hannon (aka The Divine Comedy) is currently performing a fairly unprecedented feat - the first ten studio albums of his career (two per night) at the Barbican, complete with an 11 person ensemble, over five consecutive nights. Only his latest work, which is fairly recent, is excluded.
I have followed his career with great interest and always thought he might end up writing musicals, maybe even updating the revue genre, but so far only his "Swallows and Amazons" songs have made it to the stage in a theatrical work. Comparisons are often made with Noel Coward - in his songwriting style - and his stunning version of "I've Been To A Marvellous Party" (not on any Divine Comedy album but part of the excellent Noel Coward tribute "Twentieth Century Blues") was one of the added goodies tonight.
The concerts are a good-natured, joyous celebration for anyone remotely interested in his music. Hope to see him get his break in theatre soon.
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2,760 posts
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Post by n1david on Sept 2, 2022 6:01:28 GMT
I've been at the two concerts so far and I'm there tonight, but the reschedules mean I can no longer do the last two nights. Thoroughly enjoying the shows so far, Neil is an engaging personality but I'd like him to chat a bit more about the songs. He's written before about some of 'Casanova' being embarrassing in the era of #MeToo, and there were certainly occasions last night when he looked a bit uncomfortable ('Frog Princess' is a really unpleasant song in any context). However he seems reluctant to criticise some of his early efforts too much, particularly on 'Short Album about Love' - which I guess makes sense in case some of his more banal numbers are "somebody's song", they don't want it slagged off when sitting next to their beloved...
Anyway, agree that the concerts are great fun so far, Neil Hannon is a force of nature, witty and intelligent, I'd love to hear him have a go at a musical but not sure he'd quite manage the rigour. His attempts to tell the story of 'Promenade' were, erm, amusing...
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