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Post by christya on Apr 3, 2023 12:32:57 GMT
So basically, I need to book before 10th June! Sorry, never paying money to see Alexandra Burke again.
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Post by christya on Mar 19, 2023 19:34:21 GMT
I wish his son well, but I'm not letting ALW off for the way he behaved. His being unable to be there for the new opening night is absolutely understandable, but the mess with the West End cast still happened. That sentiment in the circumstances reflects badly on you I'm afraid. Well, I don't much care about that. People don't get a pass because something bad happens to them. He isn't suddenly a good person who treated his cast with respect.
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Post by christya on Mar 19, 2023 18:18:39 GMT
I wish his son well, but I'm not letting ALW off for the way he behaved. His being unable to be there for the new opening night is absolutely understandable, but the mess with the West End cast still happened.
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Post by christya on Mar 8, 2023 16:30:34 GMT
Rotten thing to do to get rid of the BBC Singers just before the Proms. I suspect it won't be seen that way by everyone - some people I know who are in a local (very high profile) choir have been posting on Facebook about how maybe their choir will get a look in. And I suspect that's exactly what will happen - or at least, choirs of their type and quality.
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Post by christya on Mar 6, 2023 10:06:09 GMT
With a lesser-known musical like this I do wonder if people out in the regions who book to see it might be somewhat confused by the absence of Jack and Rose... Coincidentally, the musical first opened on Broadway in 1997, the same year the movie was released! I remember hearing stories at the time about people complaining that 'My Heart Will Go On' wasn't in it, or asking who was playing Jack and Rose. And if I'm remembering rightly, Forbidden Broadway had a field day with both film and show.
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Post by christya on Mar 4, 2023 0:23:43 GMT
Think this one will be a pass for me. I loved the Drury Lane production, so it would be difficult to follow that one. Then, it has Ruthie in it, and she's one of those performers I just don't like to watch for some reason. Nicole was the last straw. She was so bland and lacking in much of anything in Anything Goes, the idea of watching her after seeing Clare Halse in the role is just...no, thanks.
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Post by christya on Feb 24, 2023 16:31:34 GMT
It should be reserved for a particular type of person, as far as I'm concerned. Angela Lansbury - that makes total sense. The first time I ever saw it happen was for Joan Plowright in 'Time and the Conways', and it felt justified, but I later wanted to withdraw my participation because I detested the play so much, and two of her children were in it (they were awful) and another directed, so I sort of felt she was partially responsible for my wasted evening.
I jest. Or at least half jest. But most of the time, entrance applause is bloody awful.
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Post by christya on Feb 20, 2023 9:04:46 GMT
I keep clicking the clip video to see if Halle will grow on me. Nope. It's a shame, because she clearly has a beautiful voice and could sing it properly, but no, she had to mess with it. Why can nothing be sung without riffs anymore? It's not right for everything! I'm also distracted by something odd going on with her eyebrows, but I don't suppose she can help that. The hair, though. How can they mess up Ariel's lovely red hair?
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Post by christya on Feb 18, 2023 10:13:54 GMT
That is a lovely dress. One of the things I disliked about the original is that the ball gown made Cinderella look a bit ridiculous (despite the script, etc saying she looked amazing). Linedy's vocals might make me want to shove cheese in my ears, but she'll look lovely in that dress onstage.
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Post by christya on Feb 10, 2023 19:17:10 GMT
To be fair, I think it's a poor sound quality in the clip, it will likely sound much better on the recording. That said, she's clearly an inferior talent to CHF. My guess is the casting was rushed or they couldn't attract major talent due to the controversies in the London production. Never liked this song, too 'pop' for my liking (which is why I'm not a fan of 'Wicked' either). This is somewhat contrived melodically, one of his weaker efforts in my view. I thought so too, but it wasn’t any better in Spotify, and that’s supposed to be an official single.
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Post by christya on Feb 10, 2023 15:41:26 GMT
It does sound suspiciously like someone started a conversation with "Hey, so the audience can't see the band anyway..."
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Post by christya on Feb 10, 2023 14:32:54 GMT
There was also a fairly glaring missed cue in 'Into the Woods', so there's another one they took from the dress.
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Post by christya on Feb 10, 2023 13:53:25 GMT
Oh good grief. This is appalling. Even the quality of the recording is bad. I can't believe they took that gorgeous, soaring song and made it into this lispy, painful, shouty mess.
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Post by christya on Feb 7, 2023 10:05:14 GMT
The papers make a great souvenir. I have a 'Newsies Banner' from Broadway (one of the cast snagged it for me, the one that Corey Cott held up during Once and For All) and it's probably my favourite bit of Broadway memorabilia. I havent scrambled for a London one as frankly I have nowhere left to put anything, but I do wish people would chill a bit and not snatch from others! And no, having a child with you is not a reason to get stuff.
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Post by christya on Feb 6, 2023 20:30:54 GMT
Did they seriously hype it for the announcement of one venue?
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Post by christya on Feb 6, 2023 15:26:29 GMT
The problem I have with the 'reasonable alternative' thing is that I don't want an 'alternative', I want the best seat available. I'm 5'2" - I don't want to sit 'further back'. Why should my choice of seats be limited because I'm going alone? The seat is there, just let me buy it!
I've even arrived at the theatre once or twice to find them trying to move me on the night for the convenience of someone else. I don't mind if it's an actual equivalent - for example I was once asked to move from my aisle seat on one side of the theatre, to the same aisle seat at the other end of the row - but no, I won't move further back or into a worse seat. It's the same as a plane, really - an upgrade, or equivalent, or I stay put.
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Post by christya on Feb 6, 2023 10:26:29 GMT
I can usually manage to fudge it by booking the other seat in a different window or via a booking system that doesn't have the restriction, but on the odd occasion I haven't been able to do it, I'd rather just not go. No, I won't take one of the scattered single seats at the back of the stalls when there are seats front of circle that you just don't want to sell me. I want the best view available, and if the seat is free and I'm not allowed to buy it just because I happen to be visiting alone, well, I have other places to spend my money.
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Post by christya on Feb 6, 2023 1:11:35 GMT
I was disappointed, to be honest. Way too much pop, and almost no showtunes. Most of the songs I’d never heard before. Some amazing voices, but if I’d known the set list was going to be like that, I wouldn’t have gone.
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Post by christya on Feb 6, 2023 1:00:34 GMT
It was a long time ago, maybe it was just his own last scheduled shows. I wasn’t a fan of Woman in White so maybe got it mixed up.
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Post by christya on Feb 5, 2023 22:38:23 GMT
Yeah I don't think it's necessarily a bad deal, I worked out that I couldn't do the trip myself for under £2000 and theirs is longer than the one I looked at. Which is part of the problem - the first part of the trip is stuff I've already done, in the Toronto/Niagara area.
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Post by christya on Feb 5, 2023 17:51:28 GMT
Well, the details for the Newfoundland trip arrived. Suffice it to say that I will not be going. Ouch!
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Post by christya on Feb 5, 2023 17:47:52 GMT
MB has a huge fanbase who are devoutly loyal. To them MB is the best Marius, which of course he isn't in my opinion. Just as Colm W fans believe him to be the only JVJ, another myth, again in my opinion . MB is very popular and seems a nice chap, also puts bums on seats. Years ago, I did a concert at the Royal Albert Hall where Michael was a soloist. It was the day after Woman in White closed, and he didn’t come to the rehearsal with the choir the day before because he didn’t want to miss a show. When he walked into rehearsal on the day, I realised all over again why I was once a huge fan. The charisma was off the charts. He actually apologised - to the choir of amateurs! - for not being there the day before. And he was fantastic in the concert. He seemed like a good bloke. I’d love to see him in this, if it wasn’t so pricey and if it had a different Alex.
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Post by christya on Feb 5, 2023 17:27:52 GMT
Bailey was on for Miss Flemming today ( not that I was there!) Yeah the only two listed were Lewis for Kurt and Bayley for Ms Fleming/Veronica’s Mom. They both did a great job, though Bayley seemed too young, it’s not like she can help that though! I feel a bit guilty for not being more impressed today, overall. A lot of people up there were giving their all and doing a great job. It was a fun show. But there’s an overly knowing element to some of the performances now, and it’s not a good thing. I also wish they’d sort out the ages, though a lot of that might be down to having to have people covering lots of different roles.
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Post by christya on Feb 5, 2023 14:34:23 GMT
Seeing this today for the first time in ages. It’s not terrible or anything but god, it has gone downhill. The Heathers are mediocre at best, JD looks forty (shave, at least!) and I suspect quite a few people are out because there are some seriously implausible substitions going on in places. I’m not even convinced Ms Fleming is wearing the usual costume but will need to look it up later. It just all has the feel of a show being performed by people who know the audience will go for it regardless.
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Post by christya on Feb 3, 2023 21:14:49 GMT
Even Michael sounded shaky on that one, though I did like that he backed off from the old 'changES' pronunciation he used to do. But there is no excuse for the wobbling/cracking going on from Boygo at the end. A West End leading man, at those prices? Nope.
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Post by christya on Feb 2, 2023 23:37:46 GMT
Saw the latest casting and my instant reaction was "Oh, no!" The prices are hideous anyway, but I'm certainly not paying them now.
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Post by christya on Feb 2, 2023 11:15:59 GMT
I suppose! My main concern isn't so much this production, as it potentially informing future productions, both professional and amateur. I'm sure she'll sing it well, it just seems a shame for another role to fall to the people who also get everything else.
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Post by christya on Feb 2, 2023 9:53:47 GMT
I think we have different ideas of 'pretty'! But that production was weird looking overall, actor-musician and more modern than most productions. LuPone looks like she's a small costume change away from playing Miss Hannigan. Way better than making her a traditionally attractive, young blonde woman who looks like a pretty costumed doll in the pics.
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Post by christya on Jan 31, 2023 17:48:59 GMT
I don't think he's too young, but I do think he could do with being a bit more like a man who has obviously been put through the ringer. Also, those posters make him look a bit like Daniel Radcliffe.
Lovett though - lord, no. Far too pretty. Please don't make Lovett a 'pretty' role, it makes no sense and some of us would like to have some roles left we can do!
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Post by christya on Jan 3, 2023 11:09:00 GMT
From row of the royal/dress circle (whichever is the first one up in any given theatre). As central as I can get it. I really detest seeing heads in my way, and if I sit even a row back you can guarantee the person in front will be a 'leaner' (why do people do that? Why? You're front of circle, you already have a great view!).
I quite like front row of stalls too, if the stage isn't too high or I've seen the show before. High stage is better than heads in front!
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