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Post by bimse on Nov 18, 2017 10:27:32 GMT
Alastair Sim playing Hook/Darling in Peter Pan. Circa 1965. One of my first theatre visits was to see Peter Pan, in the 60s, at the Manchester Opera House, with Alastair Sim as Captain Hook and Wendy Craig as Peter Pan. They used to tour the London presentation for a few weeks in the new year, I think . Then again for other family visits in the 60s we saw Jimmy Clitheroe and Nat Jackley (as his “mum”) at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool , and later Jimmy Clitheroe (again) in Jack and The Beanstalk , with possibly the finest principal boy Anita Harris, and the sublime Jack Tripp as Dame. Then we had visits to summer shows in Blackpool, seeing people like Ken Dodd, Tessie O’Shea, and Charlie Cairoli at the Tower Circus. My first theatre visit , without family , just myself and my brother, when we were working and could afford to take ourselves off for a theatre trip was in 1980 to the Grand Theatre, Leeds, to see Barry Humphries in “A Night with Dame Edna”. Such happy days .
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Post by bimse on Nov 18, 2017 7:32:10 GMT
Yes, I heard him several times being sensational when he first appeared and, as you say, he is now reduced almost to nothing. Maybe he might be worth including in my list even though he was not a dramatic tenor to start with, although his Hoffmann was certainly dramatic enough! I only managed to see Villazon once, as Lensky. He was off sick when I was supposed to see him in both Hoffmann & Don Carlos. That would have been 2008 so perhaps related to his vocal crisis. Tenor Colin Lee vanished abruptly from the stage a couple of years ago but I don't know if that was due to vocal health or some other problem, there was just an announcement that he was retiring with immediate effect. I remember hearing Colin Lee, he was very good indeed , seemed to specialise in bel canto roles , he often “shadowed” Juan Diego Floréz. I never saw him perform but he was regarded as much the better actor of the two . Anyone know why Colin Lee retired ?
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Follies
Nov 18, 2017 7:05:35 GMT
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Post by bimse on Nov 18, 2017 7:05:35 GMT
Will it be issued as a dvd? I hope so , I loved it .
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Post by bimse on Nov 17, 2017 16:14:57 GMT
Is there definitely going to be booking through to the end of September ?
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Post by bimse on Nov 17, 2017 15:14:18 GMT
Now that’s how to do it Imagine her in this production with the orchestra .... that look 👀 at the end wonderful
Indeed. For me La Evans was far and away in the top 3 all time Norma's. Absolutely amazing.
I really enjoyed this clip, thanks for posting, a great performance, yes musical theatre (not meant in any derogatory way). I think Ria Jones is tremendous in the current tour and can’t wait to see her again. I hadn’t realised Kathryn Evans is married to Peter Purves . But I can’t help thinking , there’s a brilliant casting idea for Norma Desmond .... Paul O’Grady ! What’s his singing like?
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Post by bimse on Nov 17, 2017 7:58:22 GMT
Wonder if it’s the broadway production? A friend saw that and said the set was fantastic, and wants to go again, but I wonder if the same production would fit the Palladium stage, which is very shallow? Has there been a US tour which used a different set?
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Post by bimse on Nov 15, 2017 21:25:09 GMT
Jimmy Krankie.
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Post by bimse on Nov 15, 2017 16:40:59 GMT
Not very exciting , not much that I’m going to rush to see . Maybe Frankenstein, but Cherry Orchard and Happy Days? Disappointing .
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Post by bimse on Nov 14, 2017 13:43:08 GMT
Is that phrase something from the show? I wonder if runs outside of London have time and money to rely on word of mouth to gain an audience ? Brand recognition ? I doubt the average theatre goer outside London would recognise it or name the composer . You could apply that exact theory to the recent announced tour of Kinky Boots and Matilda and even the current tour of Wicked. I’d venture to say the titles you mention could already have a somewhat higher profile in the public eye, being derived from films or books that have been around for a while as a reference for the public. ( with the possible exception of Kinky Boots which is lower profile but has a drag component which looks fun ), However I’m not sure Book of Mormon has anything for the public to immediately recognise , apart from the South Park writers. Even the title doesn’t sound fun. I hope I’m wrong, I want our theatres to be successful and full houses for a wide variety of shows.
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Post by bimse on Nov 13, 2017 21:21:59 GMT
It has very strong positive word of mouth and excellent brand recognition because of the composers. It has ran in London for near to 5 years with mostly sold out audience. It isn't an elaborate show, so therefore cheap to run. Some local advertising is needed, but this will also get picked up by local radio stations and publicised that way. If that doesn't work you can stick your arm in the air and say 'Hasa Diga Ebowi" and curse his rotten name. Is that phrase something from the show? I wonder if runs outside of London have time and money to rely on word of mouth to gain an audience ? Brand recognition ? I doubt the average theatre goer outside London would recognise it or name the composer .
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Post by bimse on Nov 13, 2017 21:00:36 GMT
I wonder how well this will sell when it tours eventually (hopefully soon), do the general public know much about it ? very well I suspect, or at least that will be the hope of the producers. It's a well-known show and I would expect them to chuck a huge marketing spend behind it, as with when it first opened in London a couple of years ago. It's doing long sit-down runs in some of the bigger venues, which tends to suggest producer confidence. I’m not so sure it’s a well known show, it’ll take an awful lot of marketing outside of London , as was the case for the London opening. I’ve seen very little about this show on TV or in the media generally , beyond actively seeking information on it .
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Post by bimse on Nov 12, 2017 11:36:12 GMT
I admire the celebrities for having the guts to have a go, but it’s the clapping I can’t get past . The audience clapping along to just about every piece of music, same old beat , right from the opening titles to the closing titles , they even clapped over the guest singers last Sunday . You could hardly hear the music . They surely must have completely different audience members for each and every programme , on account of the repetitive strain injury to their hands .
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Post by bimse on Nov 11, 2017 21:50:22 GMT
They were convicted and rehabilitated. Should they be prevented from having public careers? I think there is a huge difference between someone who has (hopefully) atoned for their sins and someone who was never held accountable such as Saville. The BBC might be a bit quick to the mark holding back the Agatha Christie adaptation, but let's be realistic - if they screened it without definitive answers regarding the allegations, they'd be accused of pandering by part of the media. It's a lose/lose situation. I find it quite nauseating to see this “celebrity” cavorting on TV. Maybe he’s atoned for his crime , but every time I see him acting the fool and attempting to be funny, my thoughts go to his victims (a well known singer and his family) and I wonder how they feel ? I just don’t think such people should be in the public eye . They’d have difficulty getting work in many lines of employment that don’t put them in the public eye.
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Post by bimse on Nov 11, 2017 20:57:15 GMT
A “celebrity” chef who served two years for burglary doesn’t seem to trouble the TV guardians of our morality .
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Post by bimse on Nov 10, 2017 15:10:03 GMT
Always go by myself unless I win a pair of tickets in which case I try to rope someone in but never with husband as he's not interested. The worst case scenario is having someone along who doesn’t want to be there , or isn’t enjoying the show. They will spoil your enjoyment. You are better off alone than being in that situation, plus you don’t have to return a favour (said he, selfishly!).
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Post by bimse on Nov 10, 2017 14:09:11 GMT
I know lone theatre visits can be difficult for some . After my partner died I found it incredibly difficult to attend a theatre or cinema by myself. My first attempt was a cinema relay from the NT, I walked past the cinema twice before thinking , if I don’t go in, I’ll never go in. I went in , enjoyed the performance , and haven’t looked back. I often went to the theatre alone, even travelled to Zurich three times to see opera performances by myself , and to London several times. It’s empowering, and gives you “me” time, and you’re not having to please or wait for others. I holidayed alone as well, city breaks and long haul. It’s an achievement. I’m now once again happily partnered , but I’m happy to attend the theatre by myself, in fact it’s a good idea to not be in each others’ pocket all the time.
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Post by bimse on Nov 10, 2017 11:52:21 GMT
The shows were wonderful then maggiem, we used to see a panto or variety show, and sometimes the circus at Belle Vue .
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Post by bimse on Nov 9, 2017 20:18:54 GMT
Thanks for the information viserys, that’s interesting. What other shows have gone out on tour? Whenever I’m away from the UK im always interested to see what’s playing in other countries.
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Post by bimse on Nov 9, 2017 18:24:56 GMT
Je suis annoyed. The French tour of Priscilla has been cancelled which includes the performance in Nice I had booked. Since flight and hotel are paid for, I can't cancel the trip anymore, although I suppose there are worse places than the Côte d'Azur to spend a few days in. I am also a little bit proud that I managed to handle the to and fro about the refunds with Ticketmaster France in French. Sad though that apparently it wasn't selling. Sorry to hear that viserys, annoying for you. Interesting that Priscilla was touring France, not something I’d have imagined . Was it an exclusively French tour or one from elsewhere? I don’t think I’ve heard of musicals touring France . I know several have played in Paris .
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Post by bimse on Nov 9, 2017 12:26:28 GMT
When Sir Ken was in summer season at the Blackpool Opera House, his show would always over run, so the second house patrons would be directed to queue in the adjacent Winter Gardens to wait for the first house to come out. As a youngster I remember waiting with my Dad and family, queuing round the winter gardens pavilion theatre (another theatre, now sadly unused, within the winter gardens complex). The excitement built up as the first house came out, happy patrons telling those waiting how good the show was . I can remember, when I was a kid, waiting outside the theatre (can't remember which one, I think it was the Palace) in Manchester for second house at the pantomime. it was said he almost had to be pulled off the stage so they could leave and we could get in. the panto was good too! Ken Dodd did pantomime at the Manchester Palace Theatre twice (to my knowledge), “Robinson Crusoe” in 1968-69, and “Dick Whittington” in 1993-94 (with the brilliant Susan Maughan as principle boy). He also did a variety show there in 1977-78, which I saw. This was just before the theatre closed, and there was a big debate about which theatre, the Palace or Opera House would be saved. As I remember the theatre was really struggling and it was only thanks to Ken Dodd that there was a show at all , that Christmas. However , apart from Doddy it was quite a lacklustre show. Ken Dodd never did pantomime at the Opera House, but appeared three times in the spectacular variety shows (similar to the big summer season seaside shows) which were often presented at Christmas, in 1961-62, 1963-64 (I think, but this may have been 62-63), 1973-74.
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Post by bimse on Nov 9, 2017 8:56:33 GMT
When Sir Ken was in summer season at the Blackpool Opera House, his show would always over run, so the second house patrons would be directed to queue in the adjacent Winter Gardens to wait for the first house to come out. As a youngster I remember waiting with my Dad and family, queuing round the winter gardens pavilion theatre (another theatre, now sadly unused, within the winter gardens complex). The excitement built up as the first house came out, happy patrons telling those waiting how good the show was .
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Post by bimse on Nov 8, 2017 14:58:16 GMT
Which direction is she heading in ? Back to Israel or back to the U.K. to face the music in the headmistress’s office? Heathrow-bound. Landing in 15 minutes. Naughty corner it is then, for Priti !
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Post by bimse on Nov 8, 2017 14:51:09 GMT
A sit-com with Elaine Paige and Johnny Vegas ? This is is a joke ? Please? Anyone? You’ll be telling me next Sherrie Hewson is in it too . Let's hope it's a joke. That's the general idea with sit-coms, though the BBC doesn't have much form of late!! It's called Home From Home. She plays his mother. Obviously a product of the BBCs Way Ahead Group as part of their More of Less initiative . Yes, exactly ! Reference : W1A
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Follies
Nov 8, 2017 14:33:55 GMT
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Post by bimse on Nov 8, 2017 14:33:55 GMT
If EP can't act then her forthcoming sit-com with Johnny Vegas is going to make for some pretty difficult viewing! A sit-com with Elaine Paige and Johnny Vegas ? This is a joke ? Please? Anyone? You’ll be telling me next Sherrie Hewson is in it too .
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Post by bimse on Nov 8, 2017 14:29:44 GMT
Currently I'm tracking Priti Patel's flight online. Which direction is she heading in ? Back to Israel or back to the U.K. to face the music in the headmistress’s office?
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Follies
Nov 8, 2017 8:49:28 GMT
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Post by bimse on Nov 8, 2017 8:49:28 GMT
I watched a video on YouTube of Elaine Paige performing “I’m still here” in the American production she did. I thought it was dreadful , didn’t suit her at all, and her actions were noticeably repetitive , eying people up and down on the words “and I’m here” .
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Post by bimse on Nov 7, 2017 18:06:38 GMT
He does “The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round”. In Spanish. With a rose in between his teeth. (A kind of ventriloquism...) Wearing incredibly tight bullfighter’s pants. Whatever part he’s playing. Now that’s what I call “accomplished”... I rest my case .......
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Post by bimse on Nov 7, 2017 17:23:49 GMT
Oh yes he is... (apparently!) (From Brendan’s website:) Pantomimes Starkey, Peter Pan December 2017, Hull New Theatre The King, Sleeping Beauty December 2016, The Grand, Swansea Baron Hard-up, Cinderella, December 2015, Darlington Civic Theatre The King, Jack and the Beanstalk, December 2014, Lyceum Theatre, Crewe King Stefan, Sleeping Beauty, December 2013, Venue Cymru, Llandudno Baron Hard-up, Cinderella, December 2012, Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Herman the Henchman, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, December 2011, Southport Theatre The Sultan, Aladdin, December 2010, Southport Theatre More accomplished than me anyway...! But is he any good? What is his “spesh”? Does he do the “busy bee” or the “tree of truth”?
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Post by bimse on Nov 7, 2017 16:32:56 GMT
The worst panto appearance I ever saw was Frank Bruno , in Bradford . I can’t call it a “performance” because he simply didn’t do anything Bruno went “HU HU HU HU” in his deep voice , and walked off. I've written about Frank Bruno before on the celebrity casting thread. Very similar to your Bradford story bimse , he was playing the genie at Wimbledon a million years ago and was the first celebrity I had seen in anything ever. He rode onto the stage on a tiny kiddie tricycle (which some people found truly hilarious) grunted a bit and rode off. Twice. That was it. It was truly dreadful. It put me off celebrity casting to such an extent that I actively avoid it. Glad it’s not just me that’s deeply unimpressed by celebrities with nothing to offer this important aspect of our culture Tibidabo. I’m told Pamela Anderson was quite dreadful in her panto appearances too, as were most of the big brother contestants who suddenly think they’re performers . I can’t imagine why anyone would see them as any kind of attraction ? Brendan off coach trip anyone? But maybe I’m being unfair, I don’t know what talents Brendan has to offer , he might be an accomplished panto performer for all I know .
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Post by bimse on Nov 6, 2017 20:51:16 GMT
Some of the great performances in musical theatre have been by actors whose singing style was unconventional. Joel Grey, Lotte Kenya, Gertrude Lawrence, Rex Harrison, Ron Moody, Michael Crawford, Yul Brynner, Carol Channing to name but a few. It's rarely about making a pretty sound. Rarely about making a pretty sound? Don’t think I’d agree. I’d say “unconventional” sounding performances are the rare ones. There’s “unconventional” which I’d agree can be lyrical , and “unconventional “ which is not pleasant to listen to .
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