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Post by David J on Nov 1, 2021 16:50:30 GMT
It may be too little too late after the retcon that was the Timeless Child, and RTD has endorsed it so the chances of that being reversed is unlikely.
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Post by David J on Oct 20, 2021 19:25:35 GMT
Also watched Beauty and the Beast number. Got the same problem with Mary Poppins where Mrs Pott's cockney accent doesn't feel natural
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Post by David J on Oct 20, 2021 19:15:26 GMT
It's not just the costumes and tap dancing I've got a problem with its the way they stop and start between lyrics at times "don't believe me ask the dishes.......they can sing, they can dance. Really breaks up the pace.
That moment when the song would slow down on that resounding "course by course" by the end is sped up amidst the tap dancing. Couldn't the creatives thought up something that emphasize those words.
Other odd choices include two random guys, in non object costumes, singing "we do jokes, I do tricks" and then Lumiere says "with my fellow candlesticks"
Nice use of projections I agree, and it would look better from the stalls. But I think there was a nice build up to that big set piece and the different objects appearing one at a time in the original. Feels a bit flat line here.
Most inspired moment is the cogsworth pulling the plug moment. Best moment there.
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Post by David J on Oct 9, 2021 22:43:40 GMT
I’m sure JOJ said in an interview or something that when he first played Valjean at a young age he felt he wasnt ready for it and should wait till he was older
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Post by David J on Oct 9, 2021 9:20:56 GMT
Ramin, as a good example, went away and earnt his place as Valjean in this prestigious show, earning the part not just on talent alone but experience. He did contracts in the ensemble, covered Marius (phenomenal), went and did Raoul, came back as Enjolras. I never saw him live so can’t judge him too much but watching videos of him in the Broadway revival he certainly had the vocals for it but he too resorted to shouting. As well as talking some of the lyrics that has infected the musical increasingly with future casts. Same could be said for his fellow cast members so the direction is probably part of the problem. There was a q&a I saw with Philip quast that chichester festival theatre hosted (online). He gave some real insight into Trevor Nunn’s directing, bringing his experience as a Shakespeare director, where he knew how to get his casts to mean every word they said or sang. It’s night and day compared to the direction nowadays
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Post by David J on Oct 8, 2021 16:32:52 GMT
I've only experienced the Queens version of the original, but watching recordings and clips of the Palace version gosh I wish I went to see it. Especially for the large sets and orchestra.
If I were to defend the Queens version however, it would be how intimate the action felt sitting close to the stage. With the set extending out to where the boxes are and the cast standing there during the Paris scenes.
I haven't got anything against the 'new' set. I liked back in 2010 and think it's a great touring set. But it will never replace the original and the replacement is a complete downgrade.
Seen many casts. First time seeing the Queens was back in 2006, with Sean Kingsley as Valjean, Michael McCarthy as Javert Joanna Ampil as Fantine, Stephen Tate and Katy Secombe as the Thenardiers, Gary Tushaw as Marius, Gemma Wardle as Eponine and the one and only Ramin Karimloo as Enjorlas. Sadly I can't remember much about the performances. The only thing that stuck out was how deep Sean Kingsley's voice was as Valjean.
Perhaps the best casts I've seen, overall, were the 2010 touring cast (minus sadly Earl Carpenter who was off sick) and the 2012-13 Queens Theatre cast with Geromino Rauch, Sierra Boggess and Tam Mutu. Which I suppose is telling how the quality of the casting went down over the last decade minus exceptions
My dream cast would be (and those I've seen live)
Valjean: John Owen Jones (Geromino Rauch close behind) Javert: Jeremy Secomb Fantine: Rachelle Ann Go Enjorlas: Bradley Jaden Marius: Craig Mather Eponine: Carrie Hope Fisher Thenardier: Steven Meo
People I didn't like were Phil Daniels as Thenardier and Haydn Tee as Javert
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Post by David J on Sept 28, 2021 22:16:02 GMT
Wow, to think Judi Dench is coming back to the Kit Kat Club all these years later Or is Ralph Fiennes still fancying some musical singing
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Post by David J on Sept 16, 2021 11:36:03 GMT
[quote author=" David J " source="/post/375540/thread" Warning - the bath studio advised not sitting in the front row when I saw it. And I can testify to that[/quote] Hi David, Would you please let me know, in spoilers if needed, what the issue is with the front row? Thanks [/quote] {Spoiler - click to view} At the end, Jonathan Slinger's character gets into such a rage that he flings stuff at Rosie. Some of which flew close to the edge of the stage.
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Post by David J on Sept 15, 2021 21:54:11 GMT
Where on earth are £8 seats, on the roof?! it's quite a small theatre. Only stalls and a gallery. The gallery only has 4 rows and the £8 seats are the back two rows on either side of the theatre. Although they're advertised as seats, I believe they're actually standing? I've never been there. But it looks quite intimate. From what I hear, in those cheap “seats” you might as well be listening to a radio dramatisation than watching a piece of theatre
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Post by David J on Sept 12, 2021 7:21:37 GMT
Mary Poppins Beauty and the Beast Aida Aladdin The Lion King
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Post by David J on Sept 5, 2021 13:28:52 GMT
Went to see this yesterday tonight for Rachelle Ann Go.
Mixed bag really. Theres now an over reliance on talking the lyrics rather than conveying through song. I overheard someone during the interval saying he can’t get into it because he can’t understand what’s being said. I wonder whether that is one result
Made me yearn for more Earl Carpenter, Nic Greenshields, Luke McCall and Cameron Blakely. The latter I must say did a great Bamatabois without resorting to the usual camp.
Even Charlie Burn stood out as the something-and-nothing Cosette just for the fact she straight up sang the role. And beautifully too. Even Will Barratt in his brief appearances as the army captain. Frankly found the guy in the last concert was trying too hard acting those few lyrics he had
Rachelle was fine but I didn’t get a sense of Fantines plight. Understandable though since she’s only been there for a week. Did resort to a few riffs in IDAD
Was disappointed with Jon Robyns. Really enjoyed his performance back in early 2020 but he felt like he was going through the motions tonight. Bring him Home was lovely but otherwise I wasn’t bowled over by his singing
Which made Bradley Jayden, whose Javert I didn’t take to back in 2020, stand out above the leads. Still too young but he found a better balance between singing and acting the role and he gives his 100% as usual. All of a sudden I was looking forward to the next scene he was in. Only during his suicide did I find he went overboard with the shouting the lyrics and “I’m having a breakdown” performance
The Thenardiers. They are who they are. Only hope the added ad-libbing doesn’t move over to the actual production. Preferred Gabrielles Mme Thenardier
Harry Apps gives a good performance as usual. Jamie Muscato had some charisma as Enjorlas. Don't think much of Shan Ako as Eponine. Her On My Own is pretty forgettable.
What spoiled yesterday’s performance was the audience behaviour. Never known it this bad. Sitting in the dress circle there was lots of talking when there was a lull. Maybe it’s because there were people in who needed the plot explained to as it went along. I dont know
But there was a family who came in late and sat infront of me, and they couldn’t sit still leaning over each other whispering. Very distracting
Meanwhile I didn’t see who it was but a few audience members were complaining to an usherette about someone being distracting.
Worst moment was in that moment Eponine died and the music softly dies away, and someone’s cheery ringtone blared out. Thankfully the audience expressed their frustration
😡
Doesn’t make me want to see Les Mis again for a long time. New cast announcement doesn’t excite me
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Post by David J on Sept 2, 2021 17:48:10 GMT
I do find it ludicrous to see such hyperbolic language in their descriptions of productions that are nowhere near the rehearsal room. I know it is the easy way out when it comes to marketing writing but it is for us the audience to decide whether this production of M4M is 'darkly comic'. The director will have things in mind now that will get thrown out in the rehearsal room long before an audience gets anywhere near the show. The description of Merchant sounds very little like the play I know. The idea that it is Shylock's play went out decades ago. To put together a description of the piece with zero reference to Portia seems perverse. Something is rotten in the state of the marketing department Doesn't surprise me in this day and age. I see this more and more in these advertising. Either its just a bunch of buzzwords, or the director is indeed going to cram in as many contemporary issues into the play as she pleases. Always put story first and let the themes and issues seep through, that what I always say.
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Post by David J on Aug 30, 2021 20:09:59 GMT
Never liked Zizi's singing either. I'm not a vocal expert but the way she sings vowels in the higher and lower notes sounds nasally with an uncontrolled trill.
First time hearing her sing "Practically pEEErfect in every wAAAy!". Oof!
Also prefer Laura Michelle Kelly's poised and collected Mary Poppins, whereas Zizi's is beams and smiles all the time.
I've seen Charlie Stemp do cockney in Half a Sixpence. Yet somehow he has to exaggerate it here.
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Post by David J on Aug 26, 2021 22:12:29 GMT
Sally Chang made her debut just two nights ago as the first actress to play Dennis (or Denise). She did fine, but I could tell she needs to settle into the role and let the jokes land. How exactly have they worked this? Is Perkins played as a female character or as a trouser role? Have any lines been changed? She's playing a female actress (Denise) playing a male role. No lines have been changed
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Post by David J on Aug 26, 2021 19:29:39 GMT
Saw this again.
Had a great time again especially with a packed auditorium roaring with laughter.
I did however feel it was lacking compared to what I wrote further up this page.
It's not the fact that I've seen the show recently. I expected that. It's just that yesterday's cast wasn't as strong as last time. Maybe it was because I last saw it not long after the show re-opened and they were going the extra mile performing to a reduced audience. But yesterday it did feel like they were going through the motions speeding through at times.
The strongest were the ones I saw last time. Jack Michael Stacey (now principal Max), David Kirkbride, Ellie Morris and Ciara Morris. It's clear they're the seasoned pros in this show. Liked Ross Green as Chris, especially his breakdown during the ledger moment.
It only exposed the lesser performances. Elan James as Jonathan and Oliver Clayton as Trevor could do with speaking up. Sally Chang made her debut just two nights ago as the first actress to play Dennis (or Denise). She did fine, but I could tell she needs to settle into the role and let the jokes land.
Overall though I had a good time.
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Post by David J on Aug 15, 2021 23:56:50 GMT
8 times seeing the original version of Les Mis at the Queens. Once for the 'new' one at the Sondheim. Seen the two Lawrence Connor tours three times. Then the 2019 concert once as well as the 2008 Bournemouth concert.
Have seen Phantom 4 times at Her Majesty's. Once for the 2012 tour.
Old Vic's Christmas Carol is the play I've seen the most at four times.
Saw Play That Goes Wrong for the third time recently and am thinking of seeing it again
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Post by David J on Jul 31, 2021 21:22:30 GMT
Blow Gabriel Blow got some on their feet as well
This musical is fluffy as it gets but it’s Cole Porters songs delivered by a first class cast that sells it
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Post by David J on Jul 31, 2021 20:07:26 GMT
Awesome time watching this.
Audience is loving every minute. The tap dance on the title number got a standing ovation! Though there is a lady next to me oohing, aahing and reacting to a line every few minutes
😒
Must be the post lockdown release but it’s as if everybody wants this to be the best night they’ve had in ages. There was a man a right at the front row who got his phone out and do a sweeping video of the auditorium, getting everyone to wave and cheer
Got rush ticket near the side row p but the view is perfect.
Highlight for me is Sutton Foster and Robert Lindsay one upping each other in Friendship
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Post by David J on Jul 30, 2021 15:35:49 GMT
I know Mary likes rum punch but the image of her with those bottles of spirits looks wrong to me. So too the idea that she goes into somewhere like the savoy and nick their platter of cakes
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Post by David J on Jul 29, 2021 8:28:10 GMT
There's a lot of gaslighting going on in media against fans of a beloved property. I've seen plenty of this in the entertainment industry.
Someone expresses concerns regarding changes to a tv show/established character/story etc., then someone involved with the production throws insults at them rather than address the criticism.
At the moment, Netflix released Masters of the Universe: Revelation and fans have raised concerns about changes to the characters. The creator Kevin Smith is going on a rampage telling them to grow up.
What companies need to do is have a social media policy stopping their workers doing this sort of thing. Stop tweeting all day, be professional and do your job. Maybe this woman will get fired but a lot of companies like to circle their wagons.
Makes me question what sort of creatives are now involved over at Her Majesty's
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Post by David J on Jul 24, 2021 10:53:51 GMT
What seats are rush tickets offering?
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Post by David J on Jul 21, 2021 10:20:29 GMT
Two flies were playing football in a saucer.
One says "practice"
The other says "why?"
"Because next week we're in the cup"
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Post by David J on Jun 30, 2021 13:14:00 GMT
And there were some understudies on as well including Jack Michael Stacey as Max I thought he'd taken over as lead Max from the show re-opening. The website still says he is an understudy
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Post by David J on Jun 30, 2021 9:14:43 GMT
Thought I'd treat myself and see this again on Saturday.
Absolutely glorious.
I've seen this twice before but it feels as fresh as when I first saw it thanks to the talented cast. The timing, the reactions, everything was spot on. And there were some understudies on as well including Jack Michael Stacey as Max and Tom Bulpett as Chris and Oliver Clayton as Jonathan.
And despite the restricted numbers the audience was roaring with laughter.
It dawned on my how much of a journey you go on with those characters as the audience yearns them on to their doom.
Forget dreary Under Milk Wood. Forget Cinderella with its moving seats. Forget Les Mis with a cast that's too young for some of the parts.
Theatre is alive and kicking over at the Duchess Theatre!
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Post by David J on Jun 21, 2021 16:19:43 GMT
Finally ticked off St Martins as well. Don't know when I'll go to the Lyric and Fortune. I like to get moderately scared watching horror movies at home but not at the cinema, let alone the thought of seeing Woman in Black.
Maybe I could see Six again at the Lyric or Austentatious. But I am choosier these days about what I want to trapse up to London to see.
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