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Post by comdengreenfan on Jul 4, 2019 11:35:36 GMT
The London production opened thirty years ago today at the Prince Edward Theatre. Many fond memories. Anyone else?
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8,159 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jul 4, 2019 11:38:17 GMT
The London production opened thirty years ago today at the Prince Edward Theatre. Many fond memories. Anyone else? Was that the one with EP and John Barrowman? |
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Post by comdengreenfan on Jul 4, 2019 11:40:27 GMT
Yes, but Howard McGillin originated Billy. JB took over and I think it was his first job! Don't forget the fabulous Kathryn Evans stopped the show with "Buddy Beware".
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2019 12:57:37 GMT
Ahhh yes, it was sensational - one of the very first West End shows I saw, I must have been about 13.
Bought the cassette and must have worn it out the amount I listened to it.
EP at the height of her career really. Barrowman an excellent MT actor then before he became capable of only playing Barrowman. And Kathryn Evans indeed show stopping. Great times.
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Post by CG on the loose on Jul 4, 2019 13:17:09 GMT
I'm in denial that it was anything like 30 years ago, but yes, I saw it during JB's stint - a birthday treat in the days before I realised I could just go to the theatre whenever I felt like it (funds permitting)!
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Post by craig on Jul 4, 2019 13:21:14 GMT
One of my favourite scores but I've never seen it live. I pray for a Sutton Foster revival at some point.
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4,988 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 4, 2019 13:23:39 GMT
Great show. Loved it in Sheffield and at the Nash.
I remember John Barrowman singing about his status as a Top and then blowing Gabriel
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2019 13:27:36 GMT
I'm in denial that it was anything like 30 years ago, but yes, I saw it during JB's stint - a birthday treat in the days before I realised I could just go to the theatre whenever I felt like it (funds permitting)! Same - was dependent on my Dad taking me up to London on the train in those days - so was pretty much birthdays and Christmas. |
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Post by frankubelik on Jul 4, 2019 17:45:38 GMT
It was one of those shows which was superbly directed, cast and choreographed. I remember wanting to rewind after every number - the pace, energy and joy was terrific (and I saw it multiple times). It suffered when a heavy handed Louise Gold took over and Nunn's version paled in comparison to this one. Bravo to all involved.
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1,970 posts
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Post by sf on Jul 4, 2019 18:42:37 GMT
The London production opened thirty years ago today at the Prince Edward Theatre. Many fond memories. Anyone else?
Oh-my-God-I'm-old. I saw Elaine Paige and John Barrowman, and then Paige's replacement, Louise Gold.
At the time, I loved it. I still love the score, and a lot of things about the show - the Sheffield/touring production a few years ago was wonderful - but I'm afraid the Chinese jokes in John Weidman and Timothy Crouse's updated (that is, basically completely new) book have aged very, very badly indeed.
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Post by missthelma on Jul 4, 2019 18:47:27 GMT
Firstly you are all too young! 13?? I was about that in dog years when I saw it I believe. It was a very good production, saw it from a box and we had a little sitting room at the back. And a private loo I'm sure, I may be adding that through the mists of memory. Never been in one before or since so can't confirm if that's normal
Have to hunt out the programme as can't recall who was the female lead, certainly wasn't Paige. I want to say Kim Criswell but feel sure that's only cause I was listening to her version the other day. Sally Ann Triplett? Anna Jane Casey? Little Bo Peep?
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Post by mrmushnik on Jul 4, 2019 23:22:35 GMT
The London production opened thirty years ago today at the Prince Edward Theatre. Many fond memories. Anyone else?
Oh-my-God-I'm-old. I saw Elaine Paige and John Barrowman, and then Paige's replacement, Louise Gold.
At the time, I loved it. I still love the score, and a lot of things about the show - the Sheffield/touring production a few years ago was wonderful - but I'm afraid the Chinese jokes in John Weidman and Timothy Crouse's updated (that is, basically completely new) book have aged very, very badly indeed.
I agree, the Sheffield production was wonderful. Maybe Daniel Evans will revive it at Chichester as it’s perfect for the audience down there. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 4, 2019 23:28:11 GMT
Agreed that Anything Gies was super, but it tanked on tour and the producers had to pull the tour early.
Was that production 30 years ago the last West End production.
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Post by Oleanna on Jul 5, 2019 0:01:44 GMT
Agreed that Anything Gies was super, but it tanked on tour and the producers had to pull the tour early. Was that production 30 years ago the last West End production. Nope, the Trevor Nunn production played the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 2003, after having opened at the National the previous year. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2019 18:44:05 GMT
I've only seen the Sheffield production, which I absolutely adored. Great plot, fab songs, very funny, and that production was superb. I saw it three or four times, and it's one of a couple of things that I name straight away as the thing I'd most like to see again if I had a magic theatre wand (this and the Sheffield Annie Get Your Gun, and The Nap). Debbie Kurup was fabulous. Alex Young was just so funny. OH I WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN.
I have no idea why that tour bombed - I'd have seen it again a dozen times if I had the money.
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