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Post by westended on Apr 30, 2024 18:33:51 GMT
Seen pictures of the early stages of the get-in: looks like the show is getting a sub stage lift (like Legally did) for the production in London.
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Post by westended on Jan 4, 2024 21:52:48 GMT
Paid a visit to the Palladium last night to see Peter Pan. To sum it up: it needs a refresh. Obviously it wasn't bad as it's the Palladium (it just can't be bad), but it could be so much better when compared to the previous pantomimes Crossroads has produced at the venue. I'll break down my thoughts a little further below.
I'm not sure if this is just me, but I felt like there may have been some budget cuts this year? The set felt like it was a little lacking this year, with some scenes looking great, and some others not so great visually (the Mermaid's Lagoon was an example of this for me). Additionally I don't really feel the effects were anything to rave about like they have been in previous years. The various crocodiles that feature are all relatively old stock of The Twins FX and the end of Act One sequence was ok, but nothing new. The "revolutionary" new flying effect the Twins described didn't really hit the mark. Being sat in Row G of the Royal Circle, you could easily see how it's executed. Another point is that it's Peter Pan...and there was hardly any flying at all really, apart from the small sequence towards the beginning. Costumes were great all round however.
Musically speaking, some of the medley/mashups were a bit strange. Again, perhaps budget cuts? Many songs featured were from past catalogues of Crossroads' other regional Peter Pan productions and some quirky choices of arrangements of pop songs (beginning of Act 2 for example), didn't really feel like they fit in with the show and were just pulled from a catalogue and plonked into the show to fill out time. Rob Madge's medley was a nice message, but it again didn't really feel like those songs fit together as well as other options could have. Their Act 2 number was a highlight for me though.
Zerdin didn't look like he wanted to be there. His scenes were almost predictable line after line, with the same jokes used year on year on year. The Neverlanders featured so little...what was the point in them being there? Gary Wilmot didn't have as much to do as previous years, neither did Nigel Havers. His plot line of being old is getting far too old now....
Highlight for me were of course the ensemble who always work so hard, as well as Louis and Frances who both have great voices!
By far the best thing about the show is of course Julian Clary. Without him, I doubt the Panto's Residency would have lasted as long as it has. New material is always a breath of fresh air, and his number about Paul was touching. He is certainly the star of the show and is miles above the rest of the cast!
All in all, the show needs a big mix up. Hopefully the 2024-25 show will live up to the expectation that so many of us have, which sadly the show may have missed this year.
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Post by westended on Dec 30, 2023 16:33:05 GMT
Yes. I did the pre-show tour. Nothing majorly new to see, a few areas reserved for special guests usually (with some costumes from previous pantos). A nice experience though. Do you get to go onstage/sub-stage?
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Post by westended on Dec 30, 2023 12:42:22 GMT
Has anybody done the Pre-Show Tour before Peter Pan?
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Post by westended on Dec 29, 2023 21:08:18 GMT
Does the Peter Pan programme contain a page confirming the panto’s return for 2024?
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Post by westended on Sept 1, 2023 11:08:26 GMT
From the sight of an LED Wall and the use of cameras in the rehearsal photos, I’m guessing we’ll have some close up imagery similar to Oklahoma
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Post by westended on Aug 30, 2023 13:53:06 GMT
Sheffield Crucible?
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Post by westended on Aug 14, 2023 15:20:54 GMT
A 17-Piece Orchestra is being used in this production
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Post by westended on Aug 14, 2023 10:20:26 GMT
Summer 2024 from my understanding... Where though?
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Post by westended on Aug 10, 2023 12:16:42 GMT
I wonder who will be cast?! I am expecting some bigger names to perhaps bring back some of the hype SIX has lost? They are rumours circulating that Hannah Lowther may be joining the cast.
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Post by westended on Jul 25, 2023 16:53:01 GMT
It is me, or does Shrek's ears look about an inch or two longer than normal? The actual ears in the show are shorter, and more akin to the original makeup design. (as seen via the Make Up Designer's Insta Page) They probably hired a cowel, or just didn't have the budget to make better looking ears for the first promo shoot many months ago.
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Post by westended on Jun 13, 2023 13:08:08 GMT
Perhaps too big a venue but, a transfer of Some Like It Hot could potentially work well in Drury Lane?
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Post by westended on May 26, 2023 15:17:42 GMT
Does anyone have a list of the orchestra in this production? I do - 4 reeds, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 French horn, 1 double bass, and drums. Relatively close to the original orchestration then! (bar one or two players)
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Post by westended on May 26, 2023 10:07:42 GMT
Does anyone have a list of the orchestra in this production?
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Post by westended on May 10, 2023 19:17:57 GMT
Does anyone when the full cast announcement will be?
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Post by westended on Apr 19, 2023 18:20:51 GMT
More to the point, who in the cast has been bumped out for the London run? It seems so far all the principals, apart from Christina Bianco. Guessing we will get a new Dorothy as Georgina is currently in Oklahoma. Regarding ensemble, presume it might be similar as the Curve (?) subject to the original performers' calendars - they could have well signed a contract knowing the production would have a London stint as well as a major UK Tour. Might have been a different story for the original principals by the looks of things...
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Post by westended on Feb 7, 2023 10:17:29 GMT
Appears there's some sort of announcement coming with the following photos in the story trying to get you to sign up for the updates/newsletter It's an extension to the 30th July 2023
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Post by westended on Jan 28, 2023 14:23:50 GMT
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Post by westended on Nov 27, 2022 12:20:32 GMT
Set Plans seen towards the end of 'Curve Classroom - The Wizard of Oz Set and Projection Designs' on YouTube clearly have lines showing the size of the Palladium stage and its FOH features on top of the existing set at Curve. Extra red lines also show the Palladium Orchestra Pit.
Another full-proof sign of a transfer to the Palladium Summer 2023
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Post by westended on Jul 25, 2022 11:31:02 GMT
With the announcement of the Curve’s new ‘42nd Street’ production taking the Summer 2023 slot at Sadler’s Wells, I guess that pushes a potential transfer of CFY there out of the mix?
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Post by westended on Jul 17, 2022 11:39:12 GMT
Does anyone know the size of the band for the tour?
Is it a reduction in numbers compared to the 2019 + 2021 Palladium runs?
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Post by westended on May 22, 2022 10:15:03 GMT
London Palladium….. Summer 2024…. With Imelda…… What’s Summer 2023 at the Palladium ?
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Post by westended on May 5, 2022 14:19:39 GMT
Theatre Royal Drury Lane tweeted this too.
Another Concert like Bonnie and Clyde again perhaps?
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Post by westended on May 1, 2022 22:29:31 GMT
Looks like Luke was set to be Prince Sebastian
This situation is just so so awful - handled extremely badly
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Post by westended on Apr 7, 2022 15:51:41 GMT
(as seen in a post on Twitter)
Directed by Nick Winston and Samuel Holmes Choreographed by Nick Winston Design by Philip Whitcomb
Mark Goucher is producing
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Post by westended on Apr 4, 2022 10:10:42 GMT
Looks like a new production I think, with a new logo too.
‘ returns to the stage in a newly imagined production’
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Post by westended on Mar 8, 2022 17:14:50 GMT
Just 1 Olivier Award nomination - lol! ALW will be FUMING
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Post by westended on Mar 8, 2022 11:13:56 GMT
A regional theatre in the US, Hale Centre Theatre, did a production of Newsies in the round and it looks quite good!
(Link to the trailer)
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Post by westended on Feb 28, 2022 18:58:11 GMT
Well Samantha Pauly ( K Howard Six on Broadway) spilled on a live that she’s been cast in the show Which live is this? It is saved?
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Post by westended on Feb 26, 2022 14:29:46 GMT
Confirmed to have a 35-piece orchestra!
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