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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 11:59:44 GMT
Thanks for the heads up! I've booked for the 13th.
Is it too much to expect them to have gone back to the original score. I hope there's no modern updates, like the hideous rapping cat in Cats.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 12:16:18 GMT
Thanks for the heads up! I've booked for the 13th. Is it too much to expect them to have gone back to the original score. I hope there's no modern updates, like the hideous rapping cat in Cats. LOL, the rapping Tugger really grew on me. The 1st time I saw it at the Palladium I was totally WTF is this farce? But I saw that production repeatedly then subsequently on tour and ended up loving it - strange I know. The whole cheesiness of "jellicoolest cat" and the guy's moves I thought were fab. Re: Starlight can imagine a mixture. They won't go back to the original I'm sure (it's moved on such a long way since then I just can't see it) and I think the main point of this is to try out new stuff. That said there are a few axed numbers that I know people have a lot of affection for (There's Me, Belle and Only He/You) that I wouldn't be surprised to see reappear - probably with new lyrics and dramatical context. Can't see the reintroduction of Belle now we have Duvay. And There's Me rather than showing Caboose's softer side I think was just in conflict with the character. The song went briefly to Dinah as "That's Me" during the New London previews (but didn't make the final cut), so maybe that's a possibility. Fascinated to see what the ever-changing 11 o'clock number will be! I've liked Only He, Only You, Next Time, Only He (tour/Bochum version) and I Do very much, but could it be time for yet another new song? I can't write lyrics or music but I'd so love to be involved in this!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 13:38:22 GMT
And now i have Only He going through my head, belting it out like Stephanie Lawrence!
Ive liked some of the updates, but i think Next Time You Fall In Love is the worst one yer.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 13:49:56 GMT
And now i have Only He going through my head, belting it out like Stephanie Lawrence! Ive liked some of the updates, but i think Next Time You Fall In Love is the worst one yer. I agree - don't dislike it but is my least favourite of the songs they've had in that position!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 14:52:25 GMT
Just booked for the Saturday matinee
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 15:18:07 GMT
Im presuming New London doesnt refer to the theatre?? I'm pretty sure it never played tgere
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Post by fiyero on Aug 30, 2017 15:30:28 GMT
The song went briefly to Dinah as "That's Me" during the New London previews (but didn't make the final cut), The cats objected to being mown down by it, I guess . Extra seats on all dates were released a bit ago. I got one! After having remorse as soon as it sold out the first time I've now booked for Saturday evening!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 15:38:54 GMT
No, it played the Apollo Victoria. I suppose Dom could have referred to the "New" London production which replaced the original, but I read it as a reference to the Covent Garden Cats Home. Ha, yes sorry, I was referring to the "New" (aka 1992/3) version of Starlight at the Apollo Victoria. This is when Belle and CB were cut and the show was significantly shortened. Also when Crazy, Next Time You Fall In Love and the Megamix were added. They had a preview period where things were regularly changed and There's Me was sung by Dinah but called That's Me. It was eventually cut completely. Whole thing was also re-orchestrated to sound more 90's pop than 80's pop. I think a lot of it was on the back of the 1992 Jason Donovan Joseph and was the second big project ALW did under Nigel Wright's influence, aiming for chart success perhaps. Certainly in the early 90s Joseph and Starlight were marketed together, often sharing half pages in programmes at other shows. (Off topic but chucking in Sunset at the Adelphi, Cats at New London, Les Mis still at Palace and Miss Saigon at Drury Lane makes it my fave West End era ever)
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Post by danb on Aug 30, 2017 16:27:41 GMT
Looking back, I don't think we went to Starlight for the music, more the 'total theatre' immersion. I suspect this is why it's always seemed so weedy on tour.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 16:34:53 GMT
Looking back, I don't think we went to Starlight for the music, more the 'total theatre' immersion. I suspect this is why it's always seemed so weedy on tour. I couldn't agree more. Starlight will only ever really survive for a long run if it was in a production like the original staging. It was all about the spectacle. Something that couldnt be seen anywhere else. I'd love to see what it could be in an Arena tour.
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Post by alison on Aug 30, 2017 19:46:43 GMT
Wooot, I got the last ticket for the Saturday matinee! I was on holiday when this was announced and sold out, so I was miffed to miss it. The London production was the first West End show I saw (summer 1999 with Adrian Hansel as Rusty).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 23:37:15 GMT
Having just been down a rabbit hole of Starlight songs on you tube (where does the time go when I'm on youtube??) I take back what i said earlier, Crazy is the worst new song that they added.
I understand why they cut Ashley, Belle just slowed the whole thing down and didnt add anything to the story, of what there was of a story, but CB should have stayed as the villan. I'm really excited to see what new things they have in store.
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Post by cirque on Aug 31, 2017 9:50:19 GMT
i do think its odd that we talk today about immersive theatre as if this has just been discovered.Of course Starlight Express was a great piece of immersive work and sittting in Front Circle at Apollo Victoria a thrilling experience.Go back also to Astley,Restoration and Jacobean Masque....it has always been a feature of innovative theatre artists to seek ways of immersing the audience.Hope Starlight does emerge from the new workshops with tour potential on large scale...extended stays in found spaces.One can only hope...be better than a pros tour with screens etc.Never really excited about that revival./
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Post by daniel on Aug 31, 2017 10:38:48 GMT
I too was hoping that the workshops may lead to a fully-staged arena-style event, however I'm hearing that the Kenwright version is going out on tour again next year, which will put a stop to any arena show I reckon
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2017 10:52:35 GMT
I too was hoping that the workshops may lead to a fully-staged arena-style event, however I'm hearing that the Kenwright version is going out on tour again next year, which will put a stop to any arena show I reckon Out come the screens and projectors then
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2017 10:56:54 GMT
I too was hoping that the workshops may lead to a fully-staged arena-style event, however I'm hearing that the Kenwright version is going out on tour again next year, which will put a stop to any arena show I reckon Interesting. Though surely there must be something bigger planned - can't see them doing these workshops just to update the Kenwright tour (which incidentally wasn't conceived by Kenwright - is pretty much a replica of the previous tour). So either they are thinking of a new West End version. Or they are thinking of Bochum updates for it's 30th there next year. But yes, I agree arena tour very unlikely. Mainly I assume due to cost/return. With a commercial hat on (showBUSINESS and all) the UK tours have all been close to sell outs - so there's no incentive to spend any more money. Does anyone remember the 1st year of the original tour? That did longer sit downs at the larger touring theatres. Set was a bowl which moved to reveal entrances etc and also gave two level staging. There was a 'lollipop' track extending into centre stalls. Screen for 3D races was bigger than subsequent tours (which were actually pretty good then as a reflection of noughties technology) and star field of LEDs for I Am The Starlight was deeper and more spectacular. It was a great solution to touring Starlight and I have really fond memories of it. Jane Horn and James Gillan lead a great cast. Re the races, we have to be realistic that theatres up and down the country can't be gutted to put tracks in. 3D technology has moved on though and I think UPDATED 3D races probably remains the best way of bringing Starlight to the regions.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2017 11:01:13 GMT
Maybe they should consider a tent tour, like the Australian "Cats." That way they would have total control of the auditorium layout all the time, easily putting in race tracks among seats - and could also visit places that don't usually get theatre. That's an amazing idea! Cats also did this in Germany I think. Though again would need significant investment!
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Post by danb on Aug 31, 2017 11:34:49 GMT
i do think its odd that we talk today about immersive theatre as if this has just been discovered.Of course Starlight Express was a great piece of immersive work and sittting in Front Circle at Apollo Victoria a thrilling experience.Go back also to Astley,Restoration and Jacobean Masque....it has always been a feature of innovative theatre artists to seek ways of immersing the audience.Hope Starlight does emerge from the new workshops with tour potential on large scale...extended stays in found spaces.One can only hope...be better than a pros tour with screens etc.Never really excited about that revival./ I'm not sure where you got that from? We're talking about a production that opened 30 plus years ago? Artaud, Berkoff et al before that surrounded the audience with their 'total theatre' many years before that. No one is saying that this is anything new, just that it was exciting at the time...
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Post by digipal on Aug 31, 2017 19:07:11 GMT
My very first foray into musical theatre was going to see Starlight in London 33 years ago, so it has a very special place in my heart. I now make an annual pilgramage to Bochum to see it it how it should be: in an amazing space where you can sit amongst all the action. A UK revival with all the bells and whistles would be amazing. If it works commercially in Bochum, surely there's a space in London where it would work again: Hammersmith Apollo, that empty space in The O2 where they were going to build a casino, where they did The Railway Children in Kings Cross, in a tent in the Queen Elizabeth park in Stratford? P.S. Freight is great :-)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 0:03:02 GMT
My very first foray into musical theatre was going to see Starlight in London 33 years ago, so it has a very special place in my heart. I now make an annual pilgramage to Bochum to see it it how it should be: in an amazing space where you can sit amongst all the action. A UK revival with all the bells and whistles would be amazing. If it works commercially in Bochum, surely there's a space in London where it would work again: Hammersmith Apollo, that empty space in The O2 where they were going to build a casino, where they did The Railway Children in Kings Cross, in a tent in the Queen Elizabeth park in Stratford? P.S. Freight is great :-) Amazing - I have also been doing the annual Bochum pilgrimage ever since the 1st UK tour ended. Delighted I'm not the only one as haven't met that many people from the UK there! Same as you my first trip to a musical was Starlight in 1987 when I was 11 - have never been so blown away and that's the moment my MT love was born!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 0:52:39 GMT
Wooot, I got the last ticket for the Saturday matinee! I was on holiday when this was announced and sold out, so I was miffed to miss it. The London production was the first West End show I saw (summer 1999 with Adrian Hansel as Rusty). Amazing! See you at The Other Palace lol. Wel jel you saw Adrian Hansel, I never saw that cast but he had great reviews as Rusty and is also a really nice genuine guy :-)
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Post by Seriously on Sept 1, 2017 2:08:30 GMT
I thought the reason ALW couldn't stage the original version again in the UK was because the Health & Safety laws had changed since then, making it pretty much impossible. So I wonder if he's looking for a new way to physically represent the trains?
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Post by d'James on Sept 1, 2017 2:22:17 GMT
I thought the reason ALW couldn't stage the original version again in the UK was because the Health & Safety laws had changed since then, making it pretty much impossible. So I wonder if he's looking for a new way to physically represent the trains? I know one of the original cast later got injured and sued, but with the right waivers in place, why not?
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Post by blobble84 on Sept 1, 2017 21:59:56 GMT
Aside from the fact the rain would make it lethal, I'd love to see it at the open air theatre.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 22:35:06 GMT
Same for "Cats" at the New London.Why? What was wrong with the original format?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 22:37:07 GMT
Aside from the fact the rain would make it lethal, I'd love to see it at the open air theatre. Could do hang up a bit of tinsel and do it on ice!
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Post by daniel on Sept 1, 2017 22:39:48 GMT
Same for "Cats" at the New London.Why? What was wrong with the original format? I never saw it but I imagine it's something to do with the revolving auditorium? There was apparently a sign that said "latecomers will not be admitted whilst the auditorium is in motion"
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Post by d'James on Sept 1, 2017 22:44:43 GMT
No way would they let that venue be out of action for that long, LOL. I thought the reason ALW couldn't stage the original version again in the UK was because the Health & Safety laws had changed since then Correct, they would never get it licenced in that way, now. Same for "Cats" at the New London. I know one of the original cast later got injured and sued Stephanie Lawrence, wasn't it? Very sad. That wasn't who I was thinking of. Turns out the person I was thinking of was in the second cast and beyond. I thought Stephanie Lawrence got injured in Cats.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Sept 1, 2017 22:52:55 GMT
Thanks for the heads up! I've booked for the 13th. Is it too much to expect them to have gone back to the original score. I hope there's no modern updates, like the hideous rapping cat in Cats. Fascinated to see what the ever-changing 11 o'clock number will be! I've liked Only He, Only You, Next Time, Only He (tour/Bochum version) and I Do very much, but could it be time for yet another new song? I'm curious after reading this. Did Only He turn into Only You for a while? If so, was it a duet version (the same as the Michael Crawford/Frances Ruffelle version on Crawford's album)? Or something different? Or just the short duet that follows Only He on the OLC?
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Post by d'James on Sept 1, 2017 23:10:42 GMT
Fascinated to see what the ever-changing 11 o'clock number will be! I've liked Only He, Only You, Next Time, Only He (tour/Bochum version) and I Do very much, but could it be time for yet another new song? I'm curious after reading this. Did Only He turn into Only You for a while? If so, was it a duet version (the same as the Michael Crawford/Frances Ruffelle version on Crawford's album)? Or something different? Or just the short duet that follows Only He on the OLC? Love the Frances version, and nice that it's someone from the original cast. I'm not sure if that was the version in the show though. I like this version: I saw the first UK Tour twice in Manchester (one was a first date), and to begin with they were using Next Time You Fall In Love before moving to Only He/You the second time I saw it. I did not like Jane Horn as Pearl.
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