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Post by bimse on Oct 7, 2017 13:09:24 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 .
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Post by bimse on Oct 1, 2017 7:40:33 GMT
Seeing the Spanish version of The Bodyguard (El Guardaespaldas) next Thursday in Madrid. I also bought tickets for the Spanish versions of Billy Elliot and Next to Normal (Casi Normales), both in Madrid as well. I'm glad they are bringing new musical adaptations to my country for a change, instead of reviving Mamma Mia or The Sound of Music again. I was in Madrid in May, and noticed Billy Elliot was due to open . I'd be interested to know if it's a success there? Do the audience "get" the background story of the miners strike ? I was surprised to see see it playing in Budapest as well, I always thought Billy Elliot would be too British in its setting for European audiences .
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Post by bimse on Sept 29, 2017 21:48:30 GMT
I'm guessing the original poster will have been to Vegas already and seen something... My vote is for 'O', the most original, breathtaking show you are ever likely to see anywhere, beating Le Reve (not Cirque but Dragone, creator of Celine Dion's A New Day at Caesar's) by a whisker or two because of its sheer size. Le Reve has been through several incarnations too, and having seen it twice, I preferred its first version! 'O' is the best. Ka is superb, and Mystere too. Love is great. Zumanity is also worth a go. Criss Angel is appalling (got a refund for inaccurate representation on Cirque's website). Not seen the Michael Jackson show- doesn't appeal. Offers for all shows on Cirque's website, depending on when you want to go. I saw Mystere shortly after it first opened, and O when that first opened , I haven't seen any other of Cirque du Soleil's Las Vegas shows, but Mystere was my favourite . I wonder who is now recreating the comedy element in Mystere , which was (I believe) created by Brian Andro. Their shows which I've seen at the Albert Hall always seem "lost" in that big space .
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Post by bimse on Sept 25, 2017 15:38:40 GMT
Gypsy Queen @ Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester tonight. Must check this Theatre out . What are the seating arrangementslike? Proscenium , in the round ?
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Post by bimse on Sept 21, 2017 16:25:45 GMT
Many years ago my late Aunt and her friend were in Morecambe and decided to see the variety show starring the late Ronne Coyles. They obviously only glanced at the posters and/or programme, or just didn't read them properly, but I distinctly remember them returning home still complaining that the star of the show didn't look like Ronnie Corbett, or sound like him , in fact they seriously doubted it WAS Ronnie Corbett , should have complained .....
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Post by bimse on Sept 20, 2017 20:09:06 GMT
Sheila Steafel as Popsy Wopsy , and as a posh lady singing "twiddly bits". Glorious ! Perfect timing !
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Post by bimse on Sept 20, 2017 18:26:41 GMT
Where does the tour go to in Europe?
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Post by bimse on Sept 20, 2017 18:23:55 GMT
^ These univercities are'nt all what their cracked up to be... (Your fighting a loosing battle there.) Well said @caiaphas, I'm really cringing now 🤣🤣
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Post by bimse on Sept 20, 2017 16:48:57 GMT
I'm just about to hit 5 years since my first day of University. My first day wasn't emotional or anything, I was excited! I had chatted to half my housemates on facebook before so I knew of them, and I showed up early to be the first one there so I wouldn't be the awkward final guy. We joined up with three other flats and had a party and went out later in the night and, to quote Donna in Mamma Mia "...". I loved University, but in hindsight I would of switched courses to one a bit more in line with what I wanted to do. Also my final year was difficult personally, with the anniversary od a specific event coming up in two days that quite literally changed my life, so in hindsight, if I could of stopped speicifc things occuring in order to make that lifechanging thing not occur, I would go back to do that in a heartbeat. That is probably one of my biggest regrets. Aw sorry, no offence, but "would OF" "could OF"? Hate to say it but that's always "would HAVE" and could HAVE" .
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Post by bimse on Sept 18, 2017 13:16:59 GMT
The Capitol is such a gorgeous venue. I was looking around at the architecture during the interval and it's truly unique. Always fun to catch a show on my infrequent nights in Sydney (and elsewhere!) The Capitol is such a gorgeous venue. I was looking around at the architecture during the interval and it's truly unique. Always fun to catch a show on my infrequent nights in Sydney (and elsewhere!) Mark is right about the Capitol. In the 1960s, Sydney lost many of its best theatres and cinemas which were torn down in the name of commercial redevelopment and most of them were not replaced. However a few did survive, the best two being the Capitol and the State. The Capitol was superbly refurbished by Cameron Mackintosh when 'Miss Saigon' first played in Sydney and the State has managed to keep going mainly for films but the occasional live show like Barbara Cook's 'It's Better With a Band' at a Sydney Festival some years ago. If anybody is interested, just go to Google Images and put in 'Capitol Theatre Sydney' and 'State Theatre Sydney' for some spectacular pictures. I googled Capitol Theatre, Sydney, and it does indeed look beautiful . I love theatres like this , although there are a few modern theatres I like too (I don't intend to divert the thread though) such as the beautiful Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff, and the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
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Follies
Sept 17, 2017 21:49:11 GMT
via mobile
Post by bimse on Sept 17, 2017 21:49:11 GMT
I didn't see it as a cheap laughs move at all. Buddy's Folly, "The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues", was presented here as a Vaudeville act, with proscenium curtain, footlights etc so the two female impersonators seemed appropriate. That was my take anyway. I saw it as cheap and tacky and offensive as I did with the 'camp' photographer. Even now I know it was included in the original production, i can't see the need for the introduction of the drag aspect, I didn't think it added anything and for me it wasn't well performed, and wasn't funny. Apparently it was was dropped by the time the show opened on broadway, so no need to include it here. It spoiled an otherwise superb show .
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Post by bimse on Sept 17, 2017 17:31:48 GMT
Is it the same as the Heritage Open Days? These were last weekend too, often there are some very interesting buildings to look round , including theatres. Last year in the north west where I live, the Blackpool Opera House was open , which I missed due to being away on holiday, this year the beautiful Grand Theatre in Blackpool. I chose to visit the Plaza Theatre in Stockport , nearer to where I live. It's a beautiful Art Deco cinema/ theatre , and you could see the backstage, dressing rooms, projection room, and I was allowed to try my hand at operating a follow spot . The open day was run by a delightful team of knowledgable and friendly volunteers .
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Post by bimse on Sept 17, 2017 10:14:19 GMT
For those asking about Ria, i thought she was very good. It was played slightly campy and cheesy but this is the first time i've seen the show other than some clips of some of the famous songs being performed so i don't really know if that's the norm(a). I'll get my coat. Funny you said this. I thought the same. It was almost too tongue in cheek at moments but I'm biased, I like my Norma to be quite dark and gothic. Second act was far stronger, agreed. Oh and that car..... I practically sunk down in my seat with disappointment - they had better paint the wood around it as it just looks like a bad wacky races joke. And set clunk. It sounded like a kwik fit garage at times and it was really jarring to me, took me right out of the show and really spoilt it for me. Overall room for improvement - hope it settles and improves before manchester, otherwise I'm selling my tickets. Been looking forward to this show , it's the only ALW I really like. I'm not sure how you'd play Norma camp and cheesy though? I hope I'm not going to be disappointed , Ria Jones got terrific reviews for her Norma at the Coliseum , does anyone know if she's giving basically the same performance ?
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 17:36:16 GMT
I remember watching TV as a child and into my teenage years, seeing people like Bruce Forsyth, Anita Harris, Brian Rix, David Nixon and the like, and at the end of the programme, while the credits were still rolling, and usually while the applause was still going on, the volume would be taken down while an announcer told us that Bruce Forsyth (or whoever) was now appearing at the Strand/Whitehall/Adelphi Theatre, London in Whatever the show was. The Victoria Palace also seemed to feature quite a lot, as did the Prince of Wales, I think. I used to be really impressed, thinking that being in something in a theatre up in the West End was really posh. Then those announcements got phased out for some reason. Well remembered! Yes .... up here in the far north on Saturday evenings after watching The Clitheroe Kid , the announcer would say Jimmy Clitheroe is now appearing in Tom Thumb at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool . I think they used to have a written announcement later on , with the credits?
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 16:46:37 GMT
...........Must be the most touching post we've had on Theatreboard. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, from seeing Jack Tripp, in my youth (with my late brother) with Jimmy Clitheroe and the amazing Anita Harris as principal boy, in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Manchester Palace, to the anecdote I posted , I have wonderful memories of Jack .
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 16:29:40 GMT
My earliest theatrical memory dates from when I was about 3 or 4. My first ever trip to the Royal Theatre in Northampton to see The Wizard of Oz. As soon as the lights went down for the overture, I started to panic and we had to leave! At least I was still allowed to eat the Meltis Fruit Jellies when we got home. Amazing that I managed to overcome that panic to come to love theatre! My little nephew, 4 years old, had a major panic attack/strop type episode at Stig of The Dump, and had to be removed. Pity because I was so looking forward to it , having always enjoyed the stories on Jackanory as a child. I'm hoping he hasn't been traumatised for life , oxfordsimon your anecdote gives me hope .
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 16:23:43 GMT
I saw Les Dawson twice in panto, but alas never with Roy Barraclough. He was with John Nettles and to this day, I'm not sure how much of the ad-lib and anarchy was "rehearsed" because John Nettles always looked as if he didn't know what day of the week it was, but something tells me he was always in control! Love the Jack Tripp/Sunset Boulevard line. When I was a naïve youngster I did comment to my panto going pal,Isn't it funny how Allen Christie is always in the same panto as Jack Tripp...... I never saw John Nettles with Les Dawson in panto, but my late brother did, and he told me they were brilliant. They often did panto together , John nettles was apparently a wonderful "baddie". Ah! The innocence of youth ! Allen Christie was the perfect stooge for Jack Tripp , and I'm told they were devoted to each other . My late brother was a very keen theatre fan and loved pantomime . He corresponded with Jack Tripp for several years while he (my brother) was compiling details of all Jack's pantomime appearances. My brother died suddenly , and I informed Jack . He sent me a lovely letter saying how much he appreciated corresponding and reminiscing with my brother , although they never met, and Jack later sent a last Christmas card for my brother , asking me to place it in his room so he would know Jack was thinking of him. So unexpectedly thoughtful, a delightful man and one of the finest performers this country has produced .
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 15:16:47 GMT
Forgot to add, no animals , these were earlier productions , I think most of her later presentations have introduced an animal or two .
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 15:15:16 GMT
I saw a few of Ellen Kent's opera presentations in Manchester a few years back and hated the productions , they were so cheap and very amateurish , despite some good singers, including Aida which had a procession of a large number of locally recruited blacked-up slaves in chains, sack cloth outfits and Phyllis Diller wigs . Ludicrous. The barber of Seville was just a cheap production and boring , Rigoletto was better but I think the courtiers had provided their own shoes, lots of tatty trainers on view. The storm scene was an off stage fan with someone throwing on screwed up pages from the Manchester evening news. Norma was surprisingly well sung, for one night only , stand and deliver , Druid outfits and some stone henge type boulders .
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 14:55:42 GMT
Oh gosh I'm enjoying this thread! I think a future "theatreboard" get together should feature tonyloco's memoir's. Great stuff! Mention earlier of Jack Tripp, who was for me the best pantomime dame ever. Sometimes raucous and sometimes subtle. One of my earliest theatre memories was a production of "Aladdin" at the Royalty Theatre, Chester. It started Mikki and Griff and started my life long panto love of led in lines for songs. Theirs was " Aladdin, you look so sad you are usually such a clown", which lead to their then hit "Little bitty tear"! (another favourite was from "Babes in the wood" - Little John - "I will carry Robin Hood out of the forest, because He ain't heavy, he's my brother"!) Those lead in lines are so funny, especially given that they're perfectly acceptable in panto ! Not a lead in line as such, but I remember seeing Les Dawson playing Dame Ada in Babes in the Wood at the Bradford Alhambra on the 70s. The late Roy Barraclough was the Bad Robber , until he came on as the Bad Robber's sister , Cissie. Cue a wonderfully funny Cissie and Ada routine ! Yes I mentioned Jack Tripp earlier , a delightful Dame, and a brilliant comic performer. I remember his "Busy Bee" routine at Sadlers wells , which was hilarious, with much water being spat out all over, and becoming progressively more and more manic . I had been to see the newly opened and much anticipated Sunset Boulevard with Patti LuPone the evening before , and Jack got a huge laugh during his water spitting routine when he exhaustedly declared "it was never like this in sunset boulevard! "
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 14:38:33 GMT
Saw Follies on Monday, Matilda Wednesday, Mosquitos last night, and Oslo tonight. All in total for only £27.50 How on earth did you manage all those for £27.50? I'm very impressed!
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Post by bimse on Sept 14, 2017 15:11:08 GMT
My earliest theatre going memories are of pantomimes, from my childhood I vividly remember the incredibly funny Jack Tripp as Dame , an immaculate and very subtle dame , with the most fantastic repertoire of routines. I later saw him at Sadlers Wells in Babes in The Wood with Roy Hudd, they convulsed a largely adult audience at the performance I saw ...... the Busy Bee routine was a classic of comic timing. Jack Tripp was a real gentleman off stage .
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Post by bimse on Sept 14, 2017 15:05:08 GMT
Twang! Tried out at the Palace Theatre in Manchester I believe. I have a poster for it , Barbara Windsor and Ronnie Corbett were in it. Did they both go with the show to London ? Where did it play there ?
Thanks for the info on Rogers and Starr tonyloco, I'm mixing them up with Burdon and Moran .
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Post by bimse on Sept 14, 2017 14:11:45 GMT
I meant to use the above quote to refer to, sorry I'm not up to speed with using the site, it'll get better , promise.... I just wanted to ask tonyloco if Rogers and Starr were the drag act who did magic? I'm told they were wonderful . I love reading your reminiscences! Maybe an encore thread is in order !
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Post by bimse on Sept 14, 2017 14:08:48 GMT
It was either the Vauxhall Tavern or the Black Cap! Late 70s/early 80s? Am I right? Or the Two Brewers Well, caiaphas and alece10, you are warm but not hot. Yes, I was participating in shows, but not in pubs and not all drag acts by any means. Other performers included Long John Baldry, Diane Langton, Elaine Paige, Brian Protheroe, Gaye Brown, Rita Webb as well as the ones previously mentioned. The time was 1973 and the shows were at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, directed by Joan Littlewood. They started as a series of variety nights called NUTS. It was Joan's idea to mix traditional variety material – songs, sketches, spesh acts, etc – with people from the local community like journalists, care workers, councillors, etc., who would interact with the audience on matters of local concern. Was this a crazy idea? You betcha! But Joan did have some crazy ideas. I was playing the piano as part of the bar entertainment and also accompanying some of the acts on stage. I shared the stage work with Long John Baldry's regular pianist, Ian Armit, who played for LJB, Diane Langton and Elaine Paige while I played for the point numbers for Rogers and Starr, Rita Webb, etc. Hinge and Bracket did not need a pianist but I did have the honour to play for Dame Hilda Bracket some years later in a music hall bill at the Lyric Hammersmith. So now you know. I'm too old to do any playing these days, and besides nobody does the kind of shows that I used to play for anyway. All together now: AAhhh!
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