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Post by bimse on Nov 7, 2017 18:06:38 GMT
He does “The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round”. In Spanish. With a rose in between his teeth. (A kind of ventriloquism...) Wearing incredibly tight bullfighter’s pants. Whatever part he’s playing. Now that’s what I call “accomplished”... I rest my case .......
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Post by bimse on Nov 7, 2017 17:23:49 GMT
Oh yes he is... (apparently!) (From Brendan’s website:) Pantomimes Starkey, Peter Pan December 2017, Hull New Theatre The King, Sleeping Beauty December 2016, The Grand, Swansea Baron Hard-up, Cinderella, December 2015, Darlington Civic Theatre The King, Jack and the Beanstalk, December 2014, Lyceum Theatre, Crewe King Stefan, Sleeping Beauty, December 2013, Venue Cymru, Llandudno Baron Hard-up, Cinderella, December 2012, Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Herman the Henchman, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, December 2011, Southport Theatre The Sultan, Aladdin, December 2010, Southport Theatre More accomplished than me anyway...! But is he any good? What is his “spesh”? Does he do the “busy bee” or the “tree of truth”?
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Post by bimse on Nov 7, 2017 16:32:56 GMT
The worst panto appearance I ever saw was Frank Bruno , in Bradford . I can’t call it a “performance” because he simply didn’t do anything Bruno went “HU HU HU HU” in his deep voice , and walked off. I've written about Frank Bruno before on the celebrity casting thread. Very similar to your Bradford story bimse , he was playing the genie at Wimbledon a million years ago and was the first celebrity I had seen in anything ever. He rode onto the stage on a tiny kiddie tricycle (which some people found truly hilarious) grunted a bit and rode off. Twice. That was it. It was truly dreadful. It put me off celebrity casting to such an extent that I actively avoid it. Glad it’s not just me that’s deeply unimpressed by celebrities with nothing to offer this important aspect of our culture Tibidabo. I’m told Pamela Anderson was quite dreadful in her panto appearances too, as were most of the big brother contestants who suddenly think they’re performers . I can’t imagine why anyone would see them as any kind of attraction ? Brendan off coach trip anyone? But maybe I’m being unfair, I don’t know what talents Brendan has to offer , he might be an accomplished panto performer for all I know .
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Post by bimse on Nov 6, 2017 20:51:16 GMT
Some of the great performances in musical theatre have been by actors whose singing style was unconventional. Joel Grey, Lotte Kenya, Gertrude Lawrence, Rex Harrison, Ron Moody, Michael Crawford, Yul Brynner, Carol Channing to name but a few. It's rarely about making a pretty sound. Rarely about making a pretty sound? Don’t think I’d agree. I’d say “unconventional” sounding performances are the rare ones. There’s “unconventional” which I’d agree can be lyrical , and “unconventional “ which is not pleasant to listen to .
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Post by bimse on Nov 6, 2017 18:37:39 GMT
The worst panto appearance I ever saw was Frank Bruno [/quote]Jarred Christmas. Catalogued several times on here, won't repeat it. But, ugh. [/quote]
Never saw Jarred Christmas , but heard about him , sounds horrendous. Sorry for reminding you !
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Post by bimse on Nov 6, 2017 16:07:35 GMT
The worst panto appearance I ever saw was Frank Bruno , in Bradford . I can’t call it a “performance” because he simply didn’t do anything , he just appeared on stage every now and then , looking bewildered , to shouts of BRUUUNO! BRUUUNO! from the kids in the audience. The hard working comic who was holding the entire show together (Paul Squire, a joyous performance ) made everyone laugh , Bruno went “HU HU HU HU” in his deep voice , and walked off. Talk about money for old rope , pointless.
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Post by bimse on Nov 6, 2017 15:57:36 GMT
I love pantomime, but there are so few true panto performers left these days. It’s a very special art, if done properly . Christopher Biggins is playing Dame in Richmond, in what might be his last panto. Sadly I won’t be able to get to Richmond.
That’s a good enough cue for a Biggins story which amused me greatly ....... When Biggins won “I’m a Celebrity...” he was asked what training could possibly have prepared him for being deposited into a strange place, made to do silly things, and forced to spend great lengths of time with people who might annoy or irritate him. Biggins replied that he’d done panto with The Krankies .
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Post by bimse on Nov 6, 2017 15:41:43 GMT
What I really want to see is the Sondheim version of Sunset, which he was going to write for Angela Lansbury in the early seventies before deciding it was a bad idea. Can't help thinking it would've been a much better show. I hate Angela Lansbury singing , her Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd sounds so strained. Even though it’s a speak/sing kind of role (not sure what the correct term is) I still find it uncomfortable to listen to. Same as I find Glen Close uncomfortable to listen to as Norma Desmond, even though she’s a good actress, but having said that I wouldn’t say she’s a GREAT actress, her Norma Desmond is (for me) way over the top and not an enjoyable performance at all. I think for me, the key word is MUSICAL. It’s a musical, which requires a musical performance, not a rasping , pretend to sing and act like crazy performance .
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Follies
Nov 5, 2017 14:09:04 GMT
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Post by bimse on Nov 5, 2017 14:09:04 GMT
I hated the guys in drag, it didn’t fit, wasn’t well performed. Glad they’ve changed it , but it’d be interested to know why .
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Post by bimse on Nov 5, 2017 9:05:37 GMT
Saw the matinee yesterday (4th November) at the Palace Theatre, Manchester. Superb performance from Ria Jones, now my favourite Norma (I saw Patti LuPone, Petula Clark, Faith Brown). She has an amazing voice , and really does justice to what I think are some of ALW’s best songs . Fact is, she SINGS beautifully, and impressively. I’ve seen clips of Glen Close in this role, and to be honest, I found her uncomfortable to watch, yes she’s a better actress, but in this she’s way over the top, and her singing is not good enough for many of these songs. Just my opinion of course.
Danny Mac, who I had no prior knowledge of, was a revelation, perfect for Joe Gillis. Just one slight flaw (as a previous poster has observed) was his constant pronunciation of “ booo-leeeee-vard” in the second act opener was jarring , but these are two really fine principal performers . Adam Pearce was wonderful as Max, what a voice! Molly Lynch gave a lovely performance as Betty , in fact all the ensemble were well cast .
The set was well thought out, busy at times, good projections , but I would have liked to see a bit more gothic bling for the mansion interior, it was a bit too dark, and I wasn’t keen on the way Norma kept getting stranded at the top of the stairs , in view of the audience , before either returning back down stairs, or wheeled off on a tower .
Overall , I absolute loved this show , memorable performances all round , and I’ll try and see it again , maybe in Bradford . Liverpool is on the tour , but I’m not keen on the Empire.
On the merchandise front , I’m glad I was at the matinee, as programmes were selling out, and I noticed photocopies being prepared for the evening audience.
I sat in the front circle (I hate the overhangs at the Palace , in the rear stalls and circle , which make it appear like you’re looking through a letterbox, they should sell these seats as restricted view, the top of the set is rarely visible, not always an issue for some shows I know). The circle was about 2 thirds full, and the gallery was open , so I guess not a bad matinee audience .
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Post by bimse on Nov 3, 2017 22:27:52 GMT
5* from The Stage? Really?
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Post by bimse on Oct 29, 2017 15:37:22 GMT
Wow @burlybear that Young Frankenstein magnet is the mother of all souvenir magnets. I like a nice handbill myself , they look good framed , the fold out half sized ones aren’t as good somehow , lots of information but not as good to frame .
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Post by bimse on Oct 28, 2017 21:46:50 GMT
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Post by bimse on Oct 28, 2017 15:50:33 GMT
Not surprised either, I agree it’s a dreadful production of a great opera . Some really pretentious and self-indulgent ideas which totally ruin the piece . I’m surprised it’s been brought back . This is the second consecutive production of Lucia di Lammermoor which has massacred a beautiful opera .
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Post by bimse on Oct 28, 2017 14:10:44 GMT
Every year the family book a surprise theatre trip for my birthday. This year the offspring left it to Mr Tibs, who chose and booked Annie. (Will review on both Annie and Bad Behaviour threads another time.) However. After about 10 minutes Mr Tibs leaned over and the conversation went like this: Him: She seems a bit young to be wielding a gun. Me: Eh? That's not a gun. It's a scrubbing brush. Him: I know that, tch. But later she'll have a gun, right? Me: There are no guns in Annie! Him: Yes there are. It's not called 'Annie Get Your Scrubbing Brush,' is it?😖😖😖🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫 That’s priceless , I love it 🤣🤣 From your review Tibidabo that conversation was funnier than the show ? Annie is one of those shows I intend to avoid forever, and I only ever saw “Annie get your scrubbing brush” once , in New York with Bernadette Peters playing the part of Bernadette Peters . A first and last time for both the show and it’s star .
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Post by bimse on Oct 22, 2017 19:07:01 GMT
I also remember going to plays at the Opera House, usually comedies, one memorable one being a version of Nearest and Dearest with Hilda Baker, Jimmy Jewel and Madge Hindle.[/quote]
Do you have any recollection what year Hylda Baker and Jimmy Jewel did their stage play at the Royal Opera House? They did it at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool in the 1960s for a tremendously successful summer season , but as I understand they didn’t get on very well with each other , and it wasn’t repeated .
The Blackpool season had a pre season run in Bristol, maybe Scarborough was also a pre season showing?
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Post by bimse on Oct 20, 2017 6:40:54 GMT
Thanks for reminding me of this, she was hilarious , as was Olivia Colman in Beautiful People. I also loved Meera Syal as the granny in the chat show comedy .
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Post by bimse on Oct 20, 2017 6:38:21 GMT
Meera Syal ..... National Treasure if ever there was one .
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Corrie
Oct 19, 2017 16:15:11 GMT
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Post by bimse on Oct 19, 2017 16:15:11 GMT
Coronation St is definitely looking very much like Sitges in low season (from what I’m told 🤔) . I think they’re planning on relocating from Salford to Spain, they could rebrand it as Eldorado ..... on second thoughts forget that idea 🙄
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Post by bimse on Oct 18, 2017 16:17:10 GMT
I'm seeing this in about a months time. I wouldn't miss any opera at ROH with DiDonato in the cast. She's also doing a recital there, with Pappano on piano, in June 2018, so that's mandatory too. Joyce DiDonato is tremendous, saw her as Romeo in a very dark production of I Capleti e I Montecchi in Zurich , well worth seeing, it's on DVD , I'd recommend it to Bellini and DiDonato fans .
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Post by bimse on Oct 18, 2017 16:14:11 GMT
We'll be there on the final performance in two months time! Have just secured a S/H CD set of Sutherland/Horne/Bonyange for £12 and will be fully prepared. I always enjoy the Cheryl Studer/Samuel Ramey/Jennifer Larmore recording . I saw Jennifer Larmore as Arsace in Berlin, she was sensational , and it was an excellent production, very well imagined , Semiramide as a Jackie Onassis type character.
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Post by bimse on Oct 18, 2017 11:31:14 GMT
Is anyone seeing Semiramide? I must admit I'm not seeing it, I can't justify the expense of a trip to London and Covent Garden prices, not in view of the fact I watched the live streaming from Munich a few months ago.
I thought the cast were wonderful , I always enjoy Daniela Barcelona (met her once in Pesaro , she was delightful , but that's for another thread). Joyce diDonato was superb as well , as expected.
It's a difficult opera to stage , but I thought the setting was good and interesting .
If I lived locally I'd happily take a cheap seat or a standing place to see it again, but as I say the addition of transport and accommodation in London can't be justified at present.
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Post by bimse on Oct 7, 2017 20:04:07 GMT
Another vote for Lisbon. They also sell those little egg custard tarts everywhere. And they are beyond delicious! If we are throwing out capitals for a weekend break, can I also chuck in Budapest? I went over the summer, and that place is just amazing... The custard tarts are delicious, they're a must when in portugal, and I agree about Budapest too, I've had a few days there two summers running now, and just love it .
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Post by bimse on Oct 7, 2017 13:22:54 GMT
Same here, as non-Brit without a telly, I get really lost when it comes to celebrities or famous people. Usually, when I ask at work whom certain person is I get the answer "He was in Strictly/EastEnders/Corrie/etc." I'm British, have a TV and had no idea who Danny Mac is either . I'm hoping he's a revelation as an actor. I'm so looking forward to Sunset Boulevard , but I must admit my heart sank when I found out his background . I realise plenty of really good actors have been in soaps , such as Suranne Jones, Sarah Lancashire etc , but for every one of these fine actors there seems to be an over publicised one act shouty soap actor .
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Post by bimse on Oct 7, 2017 13:12:36 GMT
Lisbon is often overlooked and it’s absolutely beautiful. I was there every few weeks for a couple of years when a friend was working there and it’s a great weekend destination at any time of year. I agree about Lisbon, it's a lovely city and you can very easily (and cheaply) get to Sintra to see the royal palaces. I nearly went back to Lisbon in August , but decided on Porto (flights were amazingly cheap). It's a charming city, full of faded grandeur, surprisingly set on a river gorge, with some beautiful bridges over the river and gorge . Amazing buildings with coloured tiles on the inside and outside, including the most beautiful railway station I've seen . I meant to add, the Portuguese people I've met are incredibly helpful, friendly and welcoming. Always a big plus .
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