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Post by robertb213 on Aug 23, 2022 14:38:06 GMT
I suppose I object to the suggestion that adapting existing material is laziness. We wouldn't have many shows if the rule of only original ideas are allowed for musicals. So true. There'd be no Les Mis, Phantom, Wicked.... even West Side Story is adapted from Romeo & Juliet. |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 23, 2022 14:13:30 GMT
I thought Carrie did really well. And Michael was poorly, to be fair, you can hear it in his voice. But Alfie.... no thank you.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 23, 2022 14:07:54 GMT
I don't get the complaints of musicals being adapted from films or even revivals of classic musicals. To each their own…I, personally, just enjoy original ideas coming to fruition. To me, just taking a story that’s already been adapted into a movie and throwing some songs together to fit the storyline is pure laziness. Again, my opinion. I do half agree with this, and there are far more examples of musical adaptations that added nothing to the original material (Pretty Woman, I'm looking at you). But then when it's done right, the results can be brilliant. I'd argue that Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots and Priscilla are all far better as musical adaptations than their original non-musical forms. |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 18, 2022 18:54:13 GMT
Yep, Earth Angel. Is this the first time 2 shows have run at the same time with the same song? There have been other examples in jukebox shows. For example, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” is in both Tina and Moulin Rouge. It's hard to find a song that isn't in Moulin Rouge 🤣 |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 17, 2022 12:29:35 GMT
I may get a Plus 1 when I review it in Cambridge in October, I'll post nearer the time if I do 😁
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 16, 2022 23:07:50 GMT
The one that I sadly missed was Bombay Dreams. Did anyone on here see it. I assume it's just too big to be revived but i love the score, and the lengthy making of documentary shows a piece of such energy and colour. So sad to have missed it. How long did it run. Was it a success? I so love 'Love's never easy' - very sensaul I'm amazed that Leicester's Curve hasn't done a revival of this yet. Maybe one day. |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 14, 2022 22:14:15 GMT
Haven't seen yet so can't comment but...you can't really compete with SJB 😂 I watched her the other night thanks to YouTube.... she really is sensational. |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 14, 2022 19:54:55 GMT
Strictly Come Dancing in the UK Dancing With The Stars in the US and Australia and (I believe) other parts of the world. I'm just curious, as all others are based upon the UK concept, does anyone know the name has changed? I assume because not all territories showed Come Dancing on which our title is based, so when it was exported they came up with the more generic Dancing With The Stars to reduce confusion. |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 14, 2022 19:02:00 GMT
They had close to a 3 million dollar costume budget on Broadway, and they were all designed by Bob Mackie...anything was going to pale in comparison. True....doesn't explain the weaker script and performances though! |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 14, 2022 19:00:54 GMT
The show has always had contestants with some kind of training. Claire Sweeney was in the first year, she trained at Italia Conti. Audiences definitely prefer contestants who go on a journey and develop, but having people with some element of previous experience isn't a new development, it's just picked up on more now.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 14, 2022 15:05:21 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 13, 2022 19:00:31 GMT
Michael has a great voice, at least his casting will mean something good came out of Legally Blonde 🤣
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 13, 2022 16:31:59 GMT
I've only seen it done by a youth theatre group but I remember thinking it had some really good stuff in it. If I can find the film anywhere I'll be interested to see how it transfers.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 12, 2022 19:48:19 GMT
I reviewed this in MK on Tuesday, this fell very middle of the road for me.
Cheap set, lacking the dazzling wow and high Camp spectacle you'd expect from Cher. A bit too long with some obscure song choices that could've been cut. Danielle Steers sounded sublime, and Samantha Ivey was on for Debbie Kurup in her debut. She could've sounded more like Cher but had a great voice. Millie O'Connell was way too OTT for me, basically a gurning caricature. The finale comes as a bolt of high energy which is lacking for most of the show until that point.
I'm watching the Broadway version now (thank you YouTube), dear God Stephanie J Block is brilliant. Costumes and sets are way better than ours, and the script and delivery also do a far better job of getting Cher's personality across, it's far funnier.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 12, 2022 11:51:13 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 11, 2022 6:25:08 GMT
Agree with all that, I thought NYMT smashed it. All the vocals were fantastic, some parts even stronger than at Drury Lane last week. Also fascinating to have a gender-swapped Freddie and the Arbiter for a different spin on it. For anyone who saw the NYMT at Manchester cathedral last year, Freddie is played by Lois Mia Chapman who played Esmeralda in that production. Definitely a shame on the various sound and lighting issues last night, it was the first performance so hopefully they'll iron that all out.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 10, 2022 22:21:13 GMT
Obviously didnt see that one, please post a link so I can have a full read of you review I really am interested. I do disagree but I respect your professional experience. As I say I will see South Pacific again in November and I will try to watch objectively.😁 No problem, here you go! northwestend.com/south-pacific-sadlers-wells/ |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 10, 2022 17:33:33 GMT
I'm a massive fan of Rob Houchen but I thought he was a bit lacking in the acting stakes and unconvincing in this. I think he's just stronger as an singer. Still a top talent though and I'd watch him in anything. His Marius was superb. Interesting...Press reviews found him to be superb. I think I need to go again and maybe take off my rose coloured glasses😁 booked for Leeds in November. One of the press reviews was mine 😁 I just found him a bit wooden and not particularly convincing as a lieutenant. Vocally he's exceptional, I just don't think he's a very strong actor. |
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 9, 2022 23:23:42 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 9, 2022 14:46:53 GMT
This doesn't bode well, I can't think of anyone in Legally Blonde who I want to see murdering "Santa Fe"!
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 8, 2022 18:38:41 GMT
American Idiot, I think? And The Christmasaurus 😁
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 8, 2022 12:58:29 GMT
I'm a massive fan of Rob Houchen but I thought he was a bit lacking in the acting stakes and unconvincing in this. I think he's just stronger as an singer. Still a top talent though and I'd watch him in anything. His Marius was superb.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 6, 2022 18:42:05 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 5, 2022 19:12:28 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 5, 2022 19:10:03 GMT
I love Biggins but, bless him, but he will go to the opening of a paper bag and Claire Sweeney is usually there too. I’m quite shocked that Harriet Thorpe, Gaby Roslin and Arlene Phillips don’t appear to have been there, as they always seem to be at everything too. Can’t blame them though, I’d be the same if I could blag some freebie tickets. 😂 I can't judge as I was on a freebie ticket myself! 🤣 |
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