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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 13, 2021 0:09:00 GMT
First preview of Sunset Boulevard at the Adelphi. Those stage mechanics!... One of the best sets I’ve ever seen! Oh those 1980’s early 90’s show!!! Ahhhhhhh
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 12, 2021 12:19:59 GMT
Bombay Dreams. Said no one, ever. I LOVED that show
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 12, 2021 12:18:56 GMT
Some of the music in Love Never Dies was written at the same time as Sunset though. Wow, I'd love to have drinks with him! It would be fantastic to listen to him talk about music — his or others' (although I'm not sure you'd get a word in edgeways!). He always seems so enthusiastic about music and theatre. Haha, same. Though I'd be absolutely desperate to talk Starlight Express and I feel sure he wouldn't want to! That was the main show I spoke about! That and Love Never Dies. This was a good ten years ago. I have photos of it too. Graham Norton was there too. Fun evening.
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 12, 2021 11:21:27 GMT
I like it. I've liked all the songs to be honest. If you don't like the songs or the sound of the show don't invest any more time exploring it and don't go to see it, rather than just moaning about how terrible it is all the time. It will make your life happier. Me too - I've also liked all of them. And completely agree - the line of people waiting to not like the songs and then going on about it is all quite tedious. ALW hasn't written a Sunset Boulevard since, well, Sunset Boulevard, 28 years ago. All the Cinderella stuff is (unsurprisingly) in his style of the last two decades; have no idea what people were expecting. Perhaps not as iconic as the earlier stuff, bit to my mind still fantastic work with a rightful place in the West End. Not true. Some of his music in Love Never Dies is superb and of the same standard as Sunset. I had drinks with ALW at a Ritz hotel a few years ago (true story) and he told me he thinks that’s the score he’s most proud of. In regards to negative comments. When you love 20 cakes and have been a fan of them for 30 years ..... if 1 comes out that disappoints you, surely you are allowed to evaluate rationally why that is. Simple. Cotton wool culture is equally as bad as an overly critical or negative one.
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 12, 2021 1:33:28 GMT
Gosh, loads. Could do the ALW ones. Joseph - About half of it. King Of My Heart for the 00s version. JCS - Could We Start Again Please (well, added for the stage version I guess) Evita - You Must Love Me Cats - The various Italian things that replaced Ballad Of Billy McCaw. Song and Dance - Unexpected Song (though melody was already there) Starlight - Make Up My Heart, Crazy, Next Time You Fall In Love, I Do, Whole Lotta Locomotion, I Got Me, Megamix (deffo the ALW show with the most new songs). Sunset - many interlinking sections By Jeeves - About half of it compared to Jeeves Whistle Down The Wind - The Gang Beautiful Game - Boys In The Photograph Tell Me On A Sunday - Multiple, for the DVO version. Wizard of Oz - 5 new ALW songs Love Never Dies - new melody to verses in Beauty Underneath (and lots of re-ordering of stuff) Phantom stage show, Aspects, Woman In White, School of Rock have yet (I think) to get a new song! There are also loads of songs removed and general re-writing. "Musicals aren't written, they are re-written" as they always say. A couple of other from faves of mine. Miss Saigon - Maybe (God I wish they'd put It's Her Or Me back in). Chess - Someone Else's Story. Then that Act 2 opener that Burke sang at the ENO. The WORST decision ever made in theatre was to cut It's Her Or Me
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 12, 2021 1:26:00 GMT
Every Movie’s A Circus - Sunset Boulevard A great addition!
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 12, 2021 1:24:48 GMT
KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMANNNNNNN
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 12, 2021 1:24:04 GMT
I love Andrew Lloyd Webber but these SONGS ARE ploddy, clunky, 80’s Eurotrash in sound with cheesy chord patterns, all sound like they are rejects from Whistle Down The Wind and all TERRIBLE! The Six music is genius - I’m sorry this is bad. He needs to stick to romantic string classical music - WhT can’t get recreate the musical masterpiece similar to Evita. I find it fascinating that he is so hit and miss.
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 11, 2021 16:29:21 GMT
The only reason this was done is due to MONEY.
It needs to be cheaper to run. Period.
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 9, 2021 1:33:16 GMT
I don’t get why people hated on him. He actually made me cry! Honestly... It was only really American critics a lot of whom were probably self loathing 'masc' gays or overly woke Twitter nobodies who got annoyed by his campness. The irony is of course (and Americans don't get irony) is that in criticising 'camp' they are actually being homophobic...oh and misogynistic if we want to make out that camp = feminine which of course it doesn't. Most gay men are camp to some degree (especially Americans), in fact I've never met a gay man totally devoid of camp (myself included) so why we pretend it doesn't exist instead of celebrating it in all it's fabulousness is beyond me x Most gay men are camp? Hahahahaa.... You have no idea. Maybe in your rainbow glitter circle Queen. Most my gay mates are either geeks, bikers, bears, punks, leather guys, serious businessmen, builders, politicians or muscle tattooed pigs and are NOT the stereotypical camp, limp wristed, show tune loving, West End Wendy’s that you suggest. But perhaps I’m older than you, Hm. Back to my nail file and Kylie now. #snap
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 7, 2021 23:50:55 GMT
They could easily turn this into a series quite quickly Reduce the orchestra size a bit to help with cost. But 6 x 1hr shows could be ready by Easter. Just change the presenter and only use proper singers. Hahahahaa I love this A new presenter and people who can sing!!! Yes please
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 2, 2021 4:59:35 GMT
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 1, 2021 14:04:28 GMT
Saw it at Regents Park and really enjoyed it from what I remember. And for anyone who is bovvered.... Woke From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search For other uses, see Woke (disambiguation). "Stay woke" redirects here. For the documentary, see Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement. For a definition of the word "woke", see the Wiktionary entry woke. A protest in St. Paul against police brutality by Black Lives Matter supporters which popularized the widespread use of the word woke Woke (/ˈwoʊk/ WOHK) is a term that originated in the United States, referring to a perceived awareness of issues that concern social justice and racial justice.[1] It derives from the African-American Vernacular English expression stay woke, whose grammatical aspect refers to a continuing awareness of these issues. First used in the 1940s, the term has resurfaced in recent years as a concept that symbolizes perceived awareness of social issues and movement. By the late 2010s, woke had been adopted as a more generic slang term associated with left-wing politics, progressive or socially liberal causes such as anti-racism, LGBT rights, feminism and environmentalism. It has also been the subject of memes, ironic usage and criticism for its methods and consequences.[2][3] Its widespread use since 2014 is a result of the Black Lives Matter movement.[1] Woke was used by the mainstream media far before BLM. Mainly not to do with racism but politically correct culture gone mad such as naming snowmen snow-people etc. It is not a racial narrative but about the modern day changing (pros/cons/common sense) v social justice of many areas of society. Some of course like racism/homophobia should be challenged - some are simply ridiculous. Back to Seven Brides / I hope it is produced again in all its glory or readapted for a modern day audience!
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 1, 2021 13:58:16 GMT
This repeated use of 'woke' is tiresome. Many of us totally agree! But with the current zeitgeist to put a warning before Disney films and the current narrative is to rewrite history and frown on anything that is not inclusive, seemingly misogynistic and a quest to include only left wing mantra into current shows - this causes great issues with old classic musicals. Sometimes this is a wonderful thing BTW, sometimes not. When it comes to producing old classics - this does not fall into the cultural mindset of many creatives today. Unless they can readapt them - these shows will be seen in a negative light sadly. I sadly see a day when The King and I, Kiss me Kate and others will no longer be performed.
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 1, 2021 0:56:01 GMT
Could it be done in today’s woke monster mindset? I doubt it.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 24, 2021 0:26:50 GMT
Has there been any talk on whether the Cinderella character is gay? bway.ly/ocpxx4#https://nypost.com/2019/05/16/cinderella-musical-gives-prince-charming-a-gay-twist/
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 23, 2021 21:29:58 GMT
It’s just a link to his page no?
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 22, 2021 11:45:45 GMT
There is more of an ice staircase for London, but don’t get too excited about any other improvements! Oh believe you me... I don’t!!!!
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 21, 2021 6:37:30 GMT
Pretty sure the dress doesn’t go into the floor anyway. I’m sure when I saw it in NYC it just got sucked backwards upstage. London will have a new ice staircase, I think the first time it will have been done properly. They need a new ice staircase and hydraulic castle rising from the floor like pride rock! I had so many visions in my head when I heard Frozen would be a musical. Think 1980’s epic musical sets - think Sunset Boulevard, Time or Metropolis. Glad they are putting in a staircase!
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 20, 2021 10:48:11 GMT
I actually think Norma is a masterclass in acting in musical theatre. Amazing how different all these sensational performers are and many of them just have that missing notch. All of them including Ria and Glen and Petula above are all great. But who IS NORMA? Who was the best actor AND best singer AND best person for the ego and sensitivity of the role?
Elaine Paige sang is amazingly but was OTT, Betty Buckley was a super singer actress but a tad hard, Ria (my least favourite too pitchy and cruise ship), Patti sang the songs gloriously and had a real bitchy American feel about her Norma but she’s not the best person for acting in song,
Who else?? I suppose Glen is the Norma but I do feel too old sadly.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 19, 2021 8:01:15 GMT
If there is a musical to come to London after a pandemic it’s this one i hope and pray it comes over. I’m obsessed with the soundtrack, would love for the musical version to o come over here. Best thing I ever saw on Broadway! Ever! And I’ve seen over 70 shows over 20 years.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 19, 2021 7:50:13 GMT
Much better than Ria’s grating shrill pitchy tones but I have to say I was still very disappointed in Mazz too, it’s not enough just to “sing it” like this. She hardly acted the song at all. No thought process, too American (Glen Close has that Hollywood old school mid Atlantic thang going on), and no sense of character from Mazz. Shame. It’s like the opposite of Ria now! Considering she’s a much better singer, she still doesn’t work for me. Norma is such a difficult role to play. Can’t sing it too much, can’t over act, can’t be too much of a diva or OTT, needs the sub text, hope and loss mixed with ego and the faded star. I think Glen Close (though vocally not the best singer) is the best followed by Kathryn Evans. She was sensational. I’d love Barbara Streisand to play her, or to see and hear her - though too old, the surgery would match the part and she has that star quality already.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 14, 2021 0:40:55 GMT
I don't particularly think any show has overstayed. I do think that a production can become tired over time though and needs to be freshened up. How many shows are as tight and nuanced and groundbreaking a decade on from opening night? Some could just do with a good redesign. Not a scale-down to save money, but a good refresh with input from the original creatives where possible. For example - the design of Phantom is VERY 80s. As long as there are enough venues to take new shows, I think it's fine for the larger, long-running ones to remain as long as people are buying tickets for them. That being said, we don't know what tourism will look like in a post-covid, post-brexit world yet which may impact shows like Phantom and Les Mis. We LOVE 80s MEGA musicals BRING BACK METROPOLIS!!!!
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 14, 2021 0:39:59 GMT
Frozen hasn't yet opened but has already outstayed it's welcome, imo. Agreed. So disappointing on broadway. I hope they make changes, they know it doesn’t have the magic and spectacle of Lion King!
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 13, 2021 1:16:26 GMT
I too will take some cake! (But have heard similar to Marge). You stick with out of work West End Wendy rumours - I’ll stick with Westminster. That said, I do hope all shows get back on their feet very soon. Cheers
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