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Post by longinthetooth on May 28, 2022 18:56:11 GMT
I met her once, when she was playing Eponine. I was waiting before the matinee to speak to an ensemble member I know, and she came along. Just a couple of her fans were there, no great crowds of Hopefuls. I felt it looked a bit funny not to speak to her as well, as there was no one else there, and she came across as very pleasant. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, though .....
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Post by longinthetooth on May 28, 2022 18:50:22 GMT
We saw this a couple of days ago. I liked it. It was nice. Bland words for how I found much of this show.
My Fair Lady has long been one of my favourite musicals ever, so I was worried this version wouldn't come up to expectations. I was waiting to be swirled up in the soaring orchestra strings - I wasn't. I wanted louder, and more. Amara and Harry H-P were ok, and Stephen K Amos wasn't as poor as I was expecting, having read reports earlier. Not struck on the actor playing Freddie either, but let's face it, Freddie is a wet lettuce anyway. The only part I really loved was the Ascot Gavotte. I was sitting in the Dress Circle, so most of the action looked as if it was set inside a box.
I bought tickets when there was a sale on one of the numerous sites, and was pleased I hadn't paid full whack. As I said, it was 'nice' - but my friend clearly enjoyed it more than I did, so there you are.
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Post by longinthetooth on May 9, 2022 14:10:10 GMT
I hate to say this, but I've never heard of Ncuti Gatwa, never having watched Sex Education. After having been bored to tears with Jodie Whitaker and the Chibnal era, though, I'm awaiting his arrival with great anticipation.
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Post by longinthetooth on May 4, 2022 14:56:33 GMT
It was like catching up with a group of old friends. I loved it.
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Post by longinthetooth on May 3, 2022 18:44:20 GMT
Does anyone know if BBC London covered the story? Yes, they did. Summer Strallen spoke too.
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Post by longinthetooth on May 2, 2022 11:21:23 GMT
I'm torn between going to see this one last time, or refusing to let ALW/RUG have a single penny more of my money.
I would think this debacle would put off many actors from ever wanting to work for ALW again.
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 30, 2022 17:48:29 GMT
Frock of the week must have been very well made because it looked hideous compared to some of the others. Haven't spotted the finalists yet, but the annoying one who you want to fail is fairly obvious. I thought it looked like an overall. I hated it.
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 30, 2022 17:46:14 GMT
I've never seen it, so it may turn out to be another first for me. Having read all the above, though, it may well depend on who is cast.
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 29, 2022 22:27:44 GMT
Late to the party - again. Caught up with this at yesterday's matinee. Despite it being a school day, it was like being at a convention of mini Elsa's - never seen so many blue party dresses! I have to say, though, all the kids in our vicinity were impeccably behaved.
We had a browse around the theatre beforehand - an usher informed us that £65 million had been spent on the refurb. It does look great, but how they justify spending that sort of money I don't know! Very interesting seeing Elsa's and Ana's dresses on display.
I enjoyed the show, but wouldn't go mad about it - apart from the transformation, which was to our simple eyes completely stunning. Worth every penny of our cheap Spring sale tickets just for that!
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 24, 2022 16:51:54 GMT
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 24, 2022 14:02:53 GMT
That whole piece about the guy in the audience with the sandwich in One Man Two Guvnors along with the various “stooges” used on stage… brilliantly done when I saw the tour with Gavin Spokes but so much of that show relied on the deception that I’d never want to see it again I think. It would be disappointing. I remember crying with laughter at the man with the sandwich, then the doubts creeping in when he didn't return after the interval.
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 7, 2022 13:08:37 GMT
Audience engagement? I'm out.
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 5, 2022 20:07:30 GMT
Interestingly, in the article in The Stage he says, "I am thrilled to be working with the team at Zaffre and we are having so much fun. These novels are going to be a love letter to all the theatres and performers I've worked in and with around the world." This could imply ghost writers, or the editorial team, who knows?
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 1, 2022 13:44:38 GMT
Wow. Given it was announced on 1st April makes me wonder if the cast is an April fools joke! Seriously impressive. That's exactly the first thought that jumped into my mind!
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 30, 2022 22:57:51 GMT
All I know is, I won't be going near it while she's in it.
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 30, 2022 21:39:54 GMT
Interesting view from Andrew Hilton, who has been MD in a lot of touring shows (not sure if he's current MD on Chicago, he has been involved with the show) on Twitter:
"It seems “Be Kind” is only needed if you agree, and celebrity casting is only accepted if you approve.
"VERY disappointed in so-called “professionals” today & their vitriol. Auditions happen, US approval is needed; never rash decisions. Ticket sales for shows are in need!"
Then further on in the Twitter conversation:
"At the end of the day it’s genius marketing! Name another 25-year-old show (on yet another tour) that is getting discussed across all social media, making tabloid news and being discussed on TV. All that exposure and advertising – for FREE!"
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 30, 2022 19:33:02 GMT
Finally saw this today. Sorry to say it left me cold, apart from a couple of moments - but I guess I am not the target audience, being of the older generation. I found it long winded (could easily have lost half an hour from the first half alone) and, as a massive lover of musicals, I even found myself thinking 'oh no, not another song'. Sam Tutty wasn't on, but I have to say his alternate, Marcus Harman, was superb, the one saving grace. Sorry, DEH fans.
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 29, 2022 9:44:37 GMT
Everyone who has booked will be fairly safe, as the chances of her being on will be minimal.
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 14, 2022 22:53:47 GMT
UK tour of Sunset Boulevard in Bristol - the lights go down, the orchestra strikes up . . . and the man sitting in front of us turns to his wife and loudly complains “oh god, you didn’t tell me it was a musical!!” (I assume he wasn’t won over as they disappeared during the interval and never returned) That reminds me of an incident at the National, a musical (the name of which escapes me). Posh lady saying to her friends, "I'm so sorry, I had no idea it was a musical. I knew I should have booked for Henry V" !!
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 14, 2022 18:47:25 GMT
When I saw the show a couple of weeks ago, there was an announcement at the start (in the dulcet tones of ALW) about the usual stuff of turning phones off, but then he said people were very welcome to film all they wanted during the curtain call and finale. The phones were out en masse at the end, but funnily enough not one to be seen before that time.
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 10, 2022 16:02:09 GMT
I saw her name being bandied about, but thought it was a joke! Surely they wouldn't employ her ....
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 6, 2022 20:29:33 GMT
The question of small children is a tricky one. We've all had the seat kicking, whining child behind us. I am still traumatised from a visit to Shrek, when a mum, grandmother and toddler of no more than 18 months settled down behind me. I use the term 'settled' loosely. The child ranged from grizzle to full on cry throughout, and was passed from Mum to Grandma and back again in a vain attempt to quieten him. Thankfully they left in the interval.
On the other side of the coin, I remember the sinking feeling I had when what appeared to be a couple of hippies turned up at Phantom with a little girl of between 4 and 5, and sat down a few seats away from me. Well, when the chandelier rose, the look on the little girl's face was priceless, sheer wonder. She was transfixed throughout the whole show - it was so lovely to see.
I was mildly interested to see a single man with two small children plus booster cushions in the front row at Cinderella the other day. I did wonder how he explained away a couple of things, but I didn't notice any untoward misbehaviour from the kids.
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 6, 2022 19:58:44 GMT
Words, words, words, I'm so sick of words
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 6, 2022 19:38:49 GMT
I can hear the bells ...
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Post by longinthetooth on Mar 4, 2022 15:01:39 GMT
I’m at the tour of Les Mis on Tuesday. I know all the words. I do find it tricky singing both parts of the confrontation but I’ll give it a go. I’m sure those in the rear circle would rather hear this pension administrator sing rather than dean chisnell etc… (I assume this how they actually think!) I had a really good chuckle at this :-) Imagine the fun you'll have in One Day More too - all those parts to have a crack at! Don't forget to take a bag of wrapped sweets (Werthers for preference) and pass them along the row very loudly in the quiet moments, and to exclaim loudly "Is that Susan Boyle??" during I Dreamed a Dream ;-) Also, don't forget to get up and go to the loo during Bring Him Home - after all, it is a quiet bit, with not much happening.
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