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Post by Oleanna on May 18, 2022 0:29:35 GMT
Any more news on this?
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Post by Oleanna on May 11, 2022 13:10:47 GMT
Savoy pencilled?
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Post by Oleanna on May 2, 2022 1:13:23 GMT
There’s a possibility that King George may become friends with Prince Edward, and that Oliver! may find himself in the room where it happens...
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Post by Oleanna on Mar 17, 2022 23:52:44 GMT
We could shorten the running time already by limiting it only to scores for which Sondheim contributed both music and lyrics. I don’t think anybody going to this will be hoping for half of West Side Story.
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Post by Oleanna on Mar 15, 2022 22:12:24 GMT
I think there will only be 1 or 2 token Americans. After all this is our British tribute to him. The Americans will, or have had their own. Maybe Dame Julie? Great suggestion! Would love Dame Julie.
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Post by Oleanna on Mar 15, 2022 20:58:41 GMT
Tyne Daly? Chita Rivera? Rita Moreno? Donna McKechnie? Nathan Lane? Len Cariou? George Hearn? Victor Garber? Lonny Price? Mandy Patinkin? Chip Zien? Joanna Gleason? Michael Cerveris? Neil Patrick Harris?
If they wanted to pick from a list of U.S. names...
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Post by Oleanna on Feb 24, 2022 20:40:41 GMT
Thats a great line up. Debbie Kurup is long owed a big break to fully lead a new show. Hopefully it will come into town at some point. The one part that confuses me about this production, is how do you do The Cher Show without any iconic Bob Mackie costumes? I know nothing about costume design, but some of her outfits are synonymous with certain songs or eras and therefore have to look right. At what point does it go from inspired by to copied? Bob Mackie designed all the costumes for the show - both new outfits, and meticulous recreations of old classics! That was for the Broadway production. This is a new production with a new design.
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Post by Oleanna on Feb 16, 2022 1:32:03 GMT
Gosh Erin Doherty would be a STELLAR Sally. Sadly I suggested Andrew Scott in jest with no idea if he can sing but I would absolutely see it if he can He was in watching before Christmas.
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Post by Oleanna on Feb 7, 2022 16:59:56 GMT
Were any songs omitted?
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Post by Oleanna on Jan 20, 2022 0:32:26 GMT
Transfer discussions have started… Thrilled to hear this, though those of us who were around the first time will be somewhat trepidatious about this transferring successfully.
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Post by Oleanna on Jan 13, 2022 12:46:20 GMT
It’s time for shows to stop blaming Covid for everything and just say it’s down to poor ticket sales for cancelled venues. If the first venue is going ahead then no reason Ipswich couldn’t. The only venues with a reasonable means for blaming Covid at the moment are Scottish/Wales/NI. But poor ticket sales are, in large part, due to COVID?
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Post by Oleanna on Jan 11, 2022 21:42:00 GMT
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Post by Oleanna on Jan 5, 2022 8:09:28 GMT
Looking at the online cast list I don’t think we had the originally cast Diana Morales (listed as Diana but inexplicably called Deanna onstage?) Morales’ first name is always pronounced “Dee-ann-uh”.
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Post by Oleanna on Dec 1, 2021 5:34:04 GMT
Exciting! Random question but worth a shout - I'm reviewing this on press night and they've allocated me two tickets, does anyone want to come along for a freebie? Tuesday 7th December, 7.30pm start. I won't know where the seats are until I get there but they'll be top price. There's no interval so you don't have to talk to me much, and I promise I'm not a murderer... 🤣 Let me know if it's any use to anyone, if not I'll contact them and they can reallocate it. Have messaged you!
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Post by Oleanna on Nov 25, 2021 23:36:22 GMT
Yep signed in. Still says all sold out I think you need to sign out first.
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Post by Oleanna on Sept 1, 2021 15:32:37 GMT
There’s a cast change happening early in the new year.
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 25, 2021 14:31:25 GMT
With what are they taking liberties? I meant nothing to do with race, if that was your question. That said, it might add to a newbie's confusion in following what is already a complex plot, with a black Fantine and a white Cosette. I remember my first time seeing it - I had a hard enough time following who everyone was! With the time skips and not knowing the plot, it would be that bit more confusing. But this is beside the point I was making, and wouldn't bother me at all as a long time fan of the show. I was referring to the casting policy I have referenced above and throughout this thread, where the new graduates from the same handful of drama schools are cast - year on year - in their professional debut(!) at the highest of high levels. Within theatre, they are debuting at the very top. There is nothing higher in theatre. Career wise, unless they break into TV and movies, they are performing at the highest level they likely ever will. No dues have been paid, no stagecraft learnt from playing to paying audiences. It's raw talent with none of the nuance. Les Mis used to be the pinnacle of musical theatre. Graduates would do rep, or work fringe, and experience real life before being handed a major supporting role in the West End, in the second most successful musical of all time. They would work in bars, struggle for roles, learn their craft and enter the show with years of stage and real world life experience behind them. There is no variety to it, not enough experienced heads and, crucially, very little care taken in pushing these kids into roles they just aren't ready for. Thanks for clarifying.
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 23, 2021 18:58:30 GMT
Taking liberties again, I see. I'm sure they're all terrific performers, though. With what are they taking liberties?
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 20, 2021 18:10:25 GMT
Just looking through the calendar at The Crazy Coqs, having recently enjoyed a couple of things there, and came across a listing for this. I’ve booked tickets (there aren’t many left), but really looking forward to seeing Phillip Griffiths, who I so loved during his time at The Phantom of the Opera. www.brasseriezedel.com/events/flop-hit-songs-from-musical-misfires/
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 13, 2021 12:21:15 GMT
I really applaud the fans of this show who believe in it so passionately and support and follow every production and development. It’s wonderful that something like a piece of theatre can have such a loving following. I wish I could say I loved it so much that it prompted me to get into arguments with strangers on the internet, but I’m afraid life is just too short.
For people who are enjoying the current production, I applaud you for putting your money where your mouth is, and looking deeper and still connecting with the material.
For those who don’t like the current production, that’s okay too. Please do try to see it before making your mind up though. Your rationale will always be more substantial and supported.
To those who are passionate and opinionated, thank you. That’s what art is for. Just be careful not to create such a wall around this thing that you love that it becomes inaccessible or off-putting to a whole generation of potential new fans, who will be just as passionate and opinionated.
Long may The Music of the Night play. In whichever production that might be, and however many musicians may be in the pit.
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 13, 2021 9:16:17 GMT
Sorry but is this not reaching a point of absurdity? Some costumes have been changed. Is there any evidence they’ve been “cheapened”- unless we know this, then it is a subjective assumption. There is, actually. I'm not an expert on costumes so I feel reluctant to comment, but I do know a couple of people who have previously worked on the costumes, know them extremely well, and they can instantly tell when corners have been cut. I'm not sure what you want by 'evidence' unless you mean a side-by-side comparison, but there's plenty of that on Tumblr if you want to look there (one such example here). The one I noticed as a costume layperson was Christine's Masquerade dress, which is why I mentioned previously that the bodice for that is simplified - it's lacking the beading it used to have. I have a suspicion a fair few of these costumes came from the Connor tour, where corners were cut to the point where the producers had to amend some of the credits following a request from Björnson's estate. Or, maybe, not every aspect of this production has happened under the dark cloud of your narrative? Maybe at some point it’s OK for you to say “I don’t really know why these decisions were made, because I don’t know the people who make them.” You can still admit that and, at the same time, stand by your opinion that it sucks.
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 13, 2021 0:16:41 GMT
The costumes are the same.
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 11, 2021 1:49:40 GMT
Pleased to see that the B'way production remains intact, proscenium, black box effect, curtain, and Björnson chandelier in their full glory (pic taken yesterday - not mine): IMHO the London one just seems rather plasticky and Disneyfied in comparison now (see below - pic not mine): I think we’re all quite clear on the changes by now, aren’t we? Incidentally, I’ve never been a fan of the way the proscenium is integrated into the existing architecture of The Majestic. It seems to go against what is already there, rather than work with it.
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 10, 2021 13:28:08 GMT
I don't know if it's of any use to anyone but my sister came to stay for the weekend and insisted on seeing a show so I thought Hairspray would be a safe bet for a non theatre goer! Managed to get Row D centre stalls 5 mins before the show (Sun 8th, 4pm) for £25. Should have been £201.25 - Just went to the Box Office. I tried this last week, but upon arrival at the Coli, was told that there “is no physical box office for this production”. I was given a number to call, and, after ringing for 10 minutes with no answer (it was 19:10 at this point), I gave up and went to the Phoenix, where I got a lovely £25 front Dress Circle ticket for Come From Away.
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 6, 2021 22:09:37 GMT
Middle question, down steps into a trap door. From whence they entered at the top of the scene...
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 6, 2021 6:48:09 GMT
Cancelled?
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Post by Oleanna on Jul 29, 2021 22:19:47 GMT
One annoying thing to note - ALW promised months back that he would change Christine's cadenza in Think Of Me. He did a whole competition on social media for fans to come up with their submissions and what do we get? The cadenza from the Broadway production/film... That competition was for the *Broadway* production.
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Post by Oleanna on Jul 25, 2021 19:40:49 GMT
The set piece depicted in the image is not the proscenium. I know. But it isn't the original design either, it's the planning submission design, with the sculptures crowded in the corner of the box where it meets the internal frame. Hence the original proscenium doesn't look like it's returning. I see what you mean. Afraid I didn’t quite understand you initially.
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Post by Oleanna on Jul 25, 2021 19:33:24 GMT
That’s not the proscenium. Not sure if you mean it's not the proscenium in the picture, or it's not the proscenium right now in Her Majesty's. If the former, you can see enough of the detail to align it with the planning submission design based on the tour. The stage picture wouldn't have looked like this in the original when the boxes are used. The set piece depicted in the image is not the proscenium.
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Post by Oleanna on Jul 24, 2021 17:35:46 GMT
Looks like they're insisting on destroying the proscenium, then. I also saw the ad on the Tube the other day. At least they've stopped using the 'Brilliant Original' tagline. That’s not the proscenium.
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