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Post by robertb213 on Aug 10, 2022 22:21:13 GMT
Obviously didnt see that one, please post a link so I can have a full read of you review I really am interested. I do disagree but I respect your professional experience. As I say I will see South Pacific again in November and I will try to watch objectively.😁 No problem, here you go! northwestend.com/south-pacific-sadlers-wells/
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 10, 2022 17:33:33 GMT
I'm a massive fan of Rob Houchen but I thought he was a bit lacking in the acting stakes and unconvincing in this. I think he's just stronger as an singer. Still a top talent though and I'd watch him in anything. His Marius was superb. Interesting...Press reviews found him to be superb. I think I need to go again and maybe take off my rose coloured glasses😁 booked for Leeds in November. One of the press reviews was mine 😁 I just found him a bit wooden and not particularly convincing as a lieutenant. Vocally he's exceptional, I just don't think he's a very strong actor.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 9, 2022 23:23:42 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 9, 2022 14:46:53 GMT
This doesn't bode well, I can't think of anyone in Legally Blonde who I want to see murdering "Santa Fe"!
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 8, 2022 18:38:41 GMT
American Idiot, I think? And The Christmasaurus 😁
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 8, 2022 12:58:29 GMT
I'm a massive fan of Rob Houchen but I thought he was a bit lacking in the acting stakes and unconvincing in this. I think he's just stronger as an singer. Still a top talent though and I'd watch him in anything. His Marius was superb.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 6, 2022 18:42:05 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 5, 2022 19:12:28 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 5, 2022 19:10:03 GMT
I love Biggins but, bless him, but he will go to the opening of a paper bag and Claire Sweeney is usually there too. I’m quite shocked that Harriet Thorpe, Gaby Roslin and Arlene Phillips don’t appear to have been there, as they always seem to be at everything too. Can’t blame them though, I’d be the same if I could blag some freebie tickets. 😂 I can't judge as I was on a freebie ticket myself! 🤣
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 5, 2022 11:36:46 GMT
Rhydian Roberts, Richard Fleeshman and the legendary Biggins at South Pacific last night.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 4, 2022 21:49:51 GMT
Whoever they go with, Christian needs to have wide-eyed naivety, rather than 'I'm hot and I know it' or dull as a plank of wood which seem to be the roads they prefer to go down when casting.
Also Satine needs to have some vulnerability to her, she should be more than just a powerhouse. I bet Zoe is brilliant when she's on but I can't bring myself to sit through it again!
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 3, 2022 21:07:39 GMT
I agree, it's one of the few film-to-musical adaptations where the musical is better. They should make a film of the musical. Although Reese Witherspoon was and will always be perfection in that role 😁
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 3, 2022 10:39:22 GMT
Yeah this is a long slog. There's some good stuff in there but it needs some major editing, it starts to feel like it's never going to end. It's perfectly pleasant, quite sweet, just all a bit too nice to be interesting. Not S&D's strongest score either, a few pretty melodies but nothing really standout.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 3, 2022 6:12:01 GMT
It needs a new book and score as well, if they're in the mood to fix things! 🤣
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 2, 2022 9:42:59 GMT
Finished about 9.55pm last night and that's with starting about 5 minutes late.
I thought Samantha was a significant improvement on Idina who just shouted everything. Joel, Hadley and Samantha were all great, but Frances jarred with me, she was the only one who felt like she was just singing in a concert rather than playing a character.
The choreography was a bit weird, I agree.
Definitely an enjoyable night, and for me Samantha was the standout, I thought she showed real power rather than just being the pretty voice that she used to be known for.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 31, 2022 19:00:41 GMT
robertb213 - Thanks for the positive review. I was meant to have been at yesterday's matinee but due to the train strikes, I was unable to attend so I've moved my ticket to this coming Saturday's matinee. I'm glad the train trip from Liverpool will hopefully be worth it. I was definitely in minds whether to make the journey down to Birmingham or wait for it to come to Liverpool next Feb before reading your post. You're welcome! I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Post your verdict once you've seen it 😁
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 31, 2022 17:09:37 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 31, 2022 15:01:32 GMT
Didn't fancy this at all though I have followed the tour reviews so far and can see they're uniformly excellent. My dilemma now is that it's the only production available when a visit to Oxford coincides with the tour arriving there so though the ticket prices are horrendous, I might have to bite the bullet, pay up and see it rather than go without theatre all week. At least the combination of an adult and child cast makes it sound more palatable. I would say go for it, I'm normally very wary of kids in shows but these were fantastic, and it's all done in such a stylish and enjoyable way. I really did think it was great.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 31, 2022 13:06:29 GMT
I'm reviewing the last Preview today, verdict to follow later 😁
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 31, 2022 13:05:15 GMT
Just wanted to "give a little love" to this production, I reviewed it in Birmingham on Friday night and thought it was absolutely brilliant. Having a professional adult ensemble against the child principals works really well, the show looks and sounds great, choreography is cleverly done and the kids are just brilliant. I've only ever seen it done by local youth groups before and this was leagues above those. Highly recommended. 2 hours including interval 😁
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 27, 2022 9:47:58 GMT
Northampton doesn't have an accent, does it? I volunteer there and I've never noticed one.
Joel will be a million times better than Matt, he was excellent on the last tour.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 27, 2022 8:03:03 GMT
Exactly. Legally Blonde was a bad production of a brilliant musical. 101 Dalmatians is a great production of an OK musical.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 25, 2022 18:57:01 GMT
I reviewed this last night, two really likeable leads, energetic choreography and the songs still sound great. Recommended of you can get to Kilworth House Theatre!
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 24, 2022 22:50:04 GMT
The kids aren't in it that much, certainly not worth missing the whole production for.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 24, 2022 19:56:14 GMT
I'm reviewing in Birmingham on Friday, I'll report back!
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 24, 2022 13:15:16 GMT
I went with 3 stars. Kate Fleetwood is fabulous and the show looks great with a few standout songs but for me it never stepped into "wow" territory. The modernisation and "influencer" stuff jarred with me (although it got a few laughs from others) and I thought it could've all been done better. Pleasant enough and there's some brilliant bits in it, but something felt lacking as a complete product.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 23, 2022 22:27:17 GMT
At Regent's Park 101 Dalmatians last night - Tom & Giovanna Fletcher, Tamsin Outhwaite, Claire Sweeney, Ranvir Singh, Harriet Thorpe, Linda Robson, Michelle Heaton, and pretty much all of the recent Legally Blonde cast. that sounds like a papering exercise... It was Press Night.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 23, 2022 21:32:45 GMT
At Regent's Park 101 Dalmatians last night - Tom & Giovanna Fletcher, Tamsin Outhwaite, Claire Sweeney, Ranvir Singh, Harriet Thorpe, Linda Robson, Michelle Heaton, and pretty much all of the recent Legally Blonde cast.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 22, 2022 8:19:41 GMT
Luke Bayer is also distracting attractive. He is, but I expect you saw Luke Baker. (also very good looking) Haha, thank you! Edited. 🤣 Bayer seems a sweet lad but Baker all the way for me!
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 22, 2022 8:11:19 GMT
Agreed on Glove, it's definitely my least favourite song and I generally skip it but I understand its place and purpose for the Larry relationship. It could be better though.
I saw the show for the second time last weekend. My first viewing was January 2020, thought it was great but didn't move me emotionally. I've since fallen in love with the show more and seeing it for a second time really hit me. I teared up several times in the first act, and from the start of Evan's confession through to the end of So Big/So Small I was just a crying wreck which I wasn't prepared for. I'm not saying it's a perfect show but nothing gets me 'in the feels' (as the kids say) like this one.
Marcus was on as Evan and he was brilliant, he played it slightly more awkwardly than Sam and didn't quite have the same ease with the high notes, but he was still fantastic, as were the rest of the cast.
I wish they'd incorporate the film ending into the show, with Evan actively trying to learn more about Connor and being able to give the Murphys something real about their son.
I will try and see it a third time before it closes in October. I just need to remember to take tissues now apparently!
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