4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Sept 24, 2016 22:21:08 GMT
Rent in Concert? I thought it was fantastic and the cast was well known so tickets sold themselves really. I ended up going three times in three different cities. For some reason I am not as enthusiastic about booking this though.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 22:30:34 GMT
Each to their own. Maybe it was just my date (it was the first night) but the cast were forgetting the words, the lighting wasn't...lighting up the stage in time, the sound was awful and if I didn't know the score I wouldn't have had a clue what they were saying most of the time. Plus I felt it unnecessary to cut bits out and felt a few of the roles were entirely miscast.
I actually think it's the shoddiest show I've seen in terms of production values so I've got my fingers crossed that this will be much better.
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Sept 25, 2016 8:17:25 GMT
I saw the tour in November 2013 and it was so underwhelming and disappointing Half of the cast were demonstrating lack of connection with their onstage partners and half of the songs were about "look how good I can hold that note, ain't I the best?" They almost ruined that story for me. In 2012 I saw Rent in Greenwhich theatre and it was truly moving. Hoping for this one to be more like Greenwich then that tour.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Sept 25, 2016 8:28:59 GMT
The Rent In Concert tour was just single nights at venues though. It's easy enough to sell a theatre for a single night on the back of a named cast and a well known show, but a lot harder to sell one for a week.
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297 posts
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Post by bengal73 on Sept 25, 2016 8:45:58 GMT
Didnt see that tour but I would think Rent in Concert is a very different concept to a staged production
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2016 8:47:07 GMT
It wasn't the concept that was the issue and it was at least half-staged.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2016 14:04:25 GMT
Hopefully it'll get a good response in London which might fuel it on tour. I had reservations about it booking the WMC here in Cardiff (I had expected the New Theatre, where Clwyd usually go, but it seems perhaps the joint production are thinking bigger is better)
Clwyd are definatly going from strength to strength in their productions, and I think Bruce Guthrie will do a good job with this production, so hopefully early good press might boost sales.
I have seen a lot of Rent in my time (a lot a lot) and I thought Rent in Concert was shoddy as hell. A lot of good performances mixed in there but gah. It was no Rent Remixed but it wasn't good.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Sept 25, 2016 14:30:26 GMT
I had reservations about it booking the WMC here in Cardiff (I had expected the New Theatre, where Clwyd usually go, but it seems perhaps the joint production are thinking bigger is better) I'm hoping we still get Clwyd's annual drama visit to the New (and Swansea Grand) at the beginning of March! As you say, Rent is produced in association with Clwyd and WMC. I'm also looking forward to Headlong's new musical Junkyard which Clwyd has co-produced.
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Post by d'James on Sept 25, 2016 15:46:21 GMT
What was Rent Remixed exactly? Was it the same words to different tunes or something?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2016 16:54:16 GMT
Rent Remixed was the same story and songs, but using very different orchestrations. I liked some of it, but the rent heads were having none of it. Alot of the 'remixed' songs are on YouTube.
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165 posts
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Post by MoreLife on Sept 27, 2016 16:09:05 GMT
It wasn't just about different orchestrations... there were some arguable changes to the script and, erm... interesting staging choices, which I always thought were the results of conversations among the creative team of this kind:
- Oh look, here's our Mark and Mimi, we will say they both moved to New York from London! - Wait, but she is supposed to sing about Spanish babies and her mum talks to her in Spanish with a South American accent...? - So what, London is so cosmopolitan! Let's be creative... let's remix things! - And, erm... why is Mark wearing Abercrombie clothes, isn't he meant to be a bit geeky looking? Whoa, and the tank top during 'Tango, Maureen'? Is he now going full-opera on the high notes of 'La vie Boheme', isn't this supposed to be a rock musical? - Come on, this is so cross-over! People will love it!! And he's got muscles, we need to show them off. - I see. Wait, why is Angel coming on stage carrying a pink, very cheap looking, plastic Christmas tree? - It was on offer at ASDA... - And that thing he's wearing... is it white leather? - Well, all white, like an angel... - Right... ok, everything is fine then. Absolutely fine!
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4,598 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 27, 2016 17:20:36 GMT
Wish I got round to seeing it. I love a good car crash!
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2,153 posts
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Post by richey on Sept 27, 2016 18:46:47 GMT
I actually quite liked Remixed!
I've just booked to see it at Theatr Clwyd (which is a lot nearer for me than London) and sales there look pretty healthy.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2016 23:04:59 GMT
It wasn't just about different orchestrations... there were some arguable changes to the script and, erm... interesting staging choices, which I always thought were the results of conversations among the creative team of this kind: - Oh look, here's our Mark and Mimi, we will say they both moved to New York from London! - Wait, but she is supposed to sing about Spanish babies and her mum talks to her in Spanish with a South American accent...? - So what, London is so cosmopolitan! Let's be creative... let's remix things! - And, erm... why is Mark wearing Abercrombie clothes, isn't he meant to be a bit geeky looking? Whoa, and the tank top during 'Tango, Maureen'? Is he now going full-opera on the high notes of 'La vie Boheme', isn't this supposed to be a rock musical? - Come on, this is so cross-over! People will love it!! And he's got muscles, we need to show them off. - I see. Wait, why is Angel coming on stage carrying a pink, very cheap looking, plastic Christmas tree? - It was on offer at ASDA... - And that thing he's wearing... is it white leather? - Well, all white, like an angel... - Right... ok, everything is fine then. Absolutely fine! As i said..... the Rentheads didnt like it
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165 posts
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Post by MoreLife on Sept 28, 2016 9:41:40 GMT
As i said..... the Rentheads didnt like it Well... personally I would have been very happy with some re-imagination and fresh ideas being thrown in. Unfortunately it is in my nature to hope for good ideas, though!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2016 14:42:42 GMT
Feeling ashamed that I have never seen this show, and know very little about it. (I think I know one song from it... with a number in it.) Anyway, I've booked. I find the St James/Other Palace hit and miss, so hoping it will hit.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Oct 3, 2016 13:38:19 GMT
I really need to book my ticket for this at St James.
Also, has anyone else seen that Anthony Rapp is doing two weeks of shows at the St James at the same time as Rent?
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185 posts
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Post by boybooshka on Oct 4, 2016 0:34:05 GMT
I really need to book my ticket for this at St James. Also, has anyone else seen that Anthony Rapp is doing two weeks of shows at the St James at the same time as Rent? I saw Anthony Rapp a few years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe, he did the same show as he did at the Menier the same year. It was obviously great to hear him sing songs from Rent live, and talk about Jonathan Larson. However it became very cringe worthy particularly, but not solely, when he was channelling his dead mother! He just didn't come across well at all, and i left feeling a bit nauseated and vowing never to watch him live again.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2016 7:37:03 GMT
I think this time Rapp is just doing a solo concert rather than 'Without You' (the show mentioned above based on his book) I adore Rapp, and find the book (more so than the stage version) very moving, but I completely see how it might feel awkward/cringe worthy without my rose-tinted Renthead glasses on
(It was a bit awkward that I'd interviewed him for research and then found myself sat in the front row crying though. Smooth.)
ETA: And yes Rent:Remixed really was that bad. I'm also all for them changing/updating a bit (RWCMD did an excellent version a couple of years back that tweaked things a bit) but it was awful. I have entire thesis chapters and conference papers discussing why, but a short version, to quote my Mother 'Why is it so white?'
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4,159 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Oct 14, 2016 14:11:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2016 14:56:20 GMT
Can't decide what I think
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Oct 14, 2016 15:12:19 GMT
Love it. Really looking forward to seeing it at the St James.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2016 16:23:14 GMT
I think with the choreography in there it will naturally improve. And without Lucie Jones too. I just can't take to her.
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2,153 posts
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Post by richey on Oct 22, 2016 22:54:30 GMT
Overall I enjoyed the show. Still some teething problems, mainly loads of missed lighting cues and one marvellous Acorn Antiques-esque moment where Joanne picked up the phone before it rang. Loved Ryan o'Gorman as Collins, his reprise of "I'll cover You" was stunning. His relationship with Angel was brilliant too. Lucie Jones was surprisingly good. I actually enjoyed "Over the Moon" for the first time ever. There were some brilliant moments of choreography but also some questionable ones too (very ott in Rent and bizarre in "Contact") Glad I've seen it at a cheap price now though and not paid a fortune to see it in London.
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2,153 posts
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Post by richey on Oct 27, 2016 21:29:46 GMT
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56 posts
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Post by carriesparkle on Oct 29, 2016 16:05:33 GMT
Saw this last night and loved it.
I am of an age that I saw the original West End production as a rebellious teen (as if there's any other kind) and adored it. It felt like a show for anyone who'd ever felt misunderstood by "The Man", or isolated, and a reassurance that you can create your own family and your own life.
Since then I've seen multiple other versions, and they've all pained me (including the film) - too slick, too glossy, too by-the-numbers, too unsympathetic. I had come to terms with the idea that, tragically, I'm just getting old. No longer did I identify with Mark and Roger, who I'd started to view as spoilt and selfish. Maybe it was time to let go of this - to keep my fond memories of being a teenager and allowing another generation its own interpretations.
But this - this was what I'd wanted all along. Honestly, the attention to Nineties detail was beautiful, from the wristbands Roger was wearing (and his Kurt Cobain hair) to the shoes (dear me, the SHOES). I can't imagine how puzzled the 20something cast must have been by some of these elements, but I noted it and I loved it.
It had the heart that RENT requires. Without a certain amount of commitment and, yes, innocence in the way it's performed, it (and its characters) can come across as superficial and shallow. But this was moving, it was real, and it took me back 20 years in all the best ways.
Recommended.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 7:11:51 GMT
The producers have cancelled Rent's run in Sheffield. Why would they have done this? And you can't say bad ticket sales because it wasn't due to go on sale till today.
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213 posts
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Post by zsazsa on Nov 20, 2016 13:07:55 GMT
Saw this in Aberdeen last night. Mixed feelings.
I loved Layton Williams as Angel. I had reservations that he might camp it up too much but his portrayal was fierce, beautiful and moving. Ryan O'Gorman as Benjamin is also great and his vocals on I'll Cover You (Reprise) are spine tingling.
Understudy, Joshua Dever, was on for Mark. He was good and will be even better given the chance to grow into the role more.
Really liked the musical staging particularly in Tango Maureen and La Vie Boheme. Roger does not play guitar in Your Eyes, I have always thought getting Roger to play guitar at that point a bit land and contrived. Take Me As I Am left me a bit underwhelmed though.
Ross Hunter did not have enough edge or intensity as Roger. Lucie Jones' Maureen was ok but could be more of a pouty diva.
Liked the design but from where we were sitting, in the circle, some faces were obstructed. In the parents's quartet we could not see any of them.
The sound was also a bit on the quiet side. Yes this meant every voice and lyric was clearly audible but felt it lost it's rocky edge.
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2,764 posts
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Post by daniel on Nov 23, 2016 13:37:11 GMT
Anybody considering seeing this in Malvern this week, promo code RENT952 will give you a lovely special offer, available all performances.
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297 posts
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Post by bengal73 on Nov 23, 2016 14:40:00 GMT
Im obviously missing something. Finally got round to listening to this and thought it distinctly average. Wanted to like it, know plenty of people who rave about it. I do have a ticket to see it in London so maybe I will feel differently after that. Listening to it has dropped my expectations drastically though
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