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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 22:16:03 GMT
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane from March 20, 2017!!
Well... that was unexpected!!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 4, 2016 22:18:00 GMT
I am guessing for a limited run.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 4, 2016 22:18:06 GMT
Not convinced that will be able to fill that theatre!
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Post by theatremadness on Aug 4, 2016 22:18:46 GMT
George22 told us all if I remember correctly!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 22:20:01 GMT
Isn't this a bit, well, random?
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Post by talkstageytome on Aug 4, 2016 22:21:19 GMT
True. But at least it's something new (in a manner of speaking) and a bit surprising.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 4, 2016 22:23:09 GMT
I think it's actually a bit depressing. This show has had numerous revivals including Chichester a few years ago. It's a dated musical and it just about sums up the ambition of British musical theatre today. Sigh.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 22:25:36 GMT
I've never seen it live so I can't judge, but it is just a bit of a "ermmm ok?" choice. From my perspective though, obviously those who have seen it may have a different opinion of it.
I have a Showboat fate feeling about this one... which is a shame as Showboat is amazing having seen it! I hope this is too, but the Drury Lane is a huge theatre to fill eight times a week!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 4, 2016 22:29:56 GMT
I saw it at Chichester and the most recent Broadway revival a few years back and it's actually a really dull musical. Obviously a couple of great tap numbers but the rest of it is so creaky. Unless they have mega stars lined up for this, it will really struggle.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 22:32:43 GMT
So safe to say Charlie will bow out at the end of its current booking period on January 7, 2017 rather than extend any further?
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Post by talkstageytome on Aug 4, 2016 22:38:55 GMT
Looks that way.
Yeah, it's not the most exciting announcement ever, and echoing what has been said above - I can't see this news alone stirring up much interest with casual theatregoers / the general public.
I've not actually seen this musical live before so it'll be nice to cross it off the list, but it's a bit.. eh...neither here nor there.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 22:40:52 GMT
How long did the Original London Production run for (at the same theatre funnily enough!)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 22:46:39 GMT
Also, that poster is too dated. Hopefully they will re-do or completely re-imagine it!
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 4, 2016 22:46:42 GMT
Saw a tour in Bromley, a few years back.
But will be good to see a full West End production.
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Post by mallardo on Aug 4, 2016 22:48:10 GMT
Mark Bramble was the director (and co-book writer) of the last Broadway incarnation, over a decade ago. Does this mean it will be a version of that production?
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Post by theatremadness on Aug 4, 2016 22:48:14 GMT
How long did the Original London Production run for (at the same theatre funnily enough!) August 8, 1984 - January 7, 1989. Launched Catherine Zeta-Jones' career and won the 1984 Evening Standard & Olivier Award for Best Musical! From Wikipedia: "The career of teenaged Catherine Zeta-Jones, a chorus member in the 1984 West End production, was launched when a vacation and an illness felled both the actress portraying Peggy Sawyer and her understudy when one of the producers happened to be in the audience. Zeta-Jones filled in and was impressive enough to be cast permanently in the role shortly afterward."
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Post by Jon on Aug 4, 2016 22:56:02 GMT
42nd Street was a hit in its original run but it didn't run as long as the other 80s long runners but it's still the third longest running show at Drury Lane after Miss Saigon and My Fair Lady.
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Post by zsazsa on Aug 4, 2016 23:01:51 GMT
Is this the same production due to run in Paris?
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 4, 2016 23:12:21 GMT
I saw the 80's production at Drury Lane and it was a complete knockout! I remember the show started with the curtain raised just a foot and all you saw were dancing, tapping feet. The choreography was superb too with some astonishing numbers - "We're in the Money" and the title song.
However, times have changed and this will stuggle with no doubt pared down sets, ensemble and band. Without some big names this is going to struggle I would have thought.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 23:13:54 GMT
I believe the Paris production is a completely separate production. This production is by the same producers as sunset boulevard at the ENO
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 4, 2016 23:37:41 GMT
Perhaps a big name then?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2016 0:10:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2016 0:29:48 GMT
It says nothing about it being a limited run. I (like I guess a lot of people on here) will be very surprised if it manages to run for long. I have always heard the name "42nd Street" but have no idea what it is about or what songs are in it. I have a sad feeling that Drury Lane will end up like the Palladium if this doesn't work out, and only be used for limited runs and TV stuff.
Suppose Mary Poppins won't be transferring in after all, unless it goes to one of Cameron Mackintosh's slightly smaller houses (seeing as this tour seems to be going to smaller venues i.e. Newcastle and Norwich).
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Post by Jon on Aug 5, 2016 0:38:21 GMT
Well they wouldn't be able to fit a cast of 50 in a playhouse! It says nothing about it being a limited run. I (like I guess a lot of people on here) will be very surprised if it manages to run for long. I have always heard the name "42nd Street" but have no idea what it is about or what songs are in it. I have a sad feeling that Drury Lane will end up like the Palladium if this doesn't work out, and only be used for limited runs and TV stuff. Suppose Mary Poppins won't be transferring in after all, unless it goes to one of Cameron Mackintosh's slightly smaller houses (seeing as this tour seems to be going to smaller venues i.e. Newcastle and Norwich). I wouldn't be surprised if we see a 60th anniversary revival of My Fair Lady at Drury Lane in 2018 followed by Frozen in 2020 assuming the latter does huge business on Broadway.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2016 0:40:37 GMT
I really like this show. It's an old fashioned show, with so many great numbers and fantastic tap routines. Just 2 weeks of previews though. seems odd for such a big show. I wonder who will be going out a chorus girl and coming back a star. It's a great role for someone to make their name in. Just found this: www.42ndstmusical.com/# Its the US production, directed by the guy doing the London production. It looks really cheap
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Post by junet on Aug 5, 2016 1:50:04 GMT
This is one of my favourite musicals, seen it about half a dozen times, one of those actually on Broadway. It is considered old fashioned now but if you like tap dancing and big numbers then I think it's right up there with the best.
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Post by The Matthew on Aug 5, 2016 5:05:31 GMT
Launched Catherine Zeta-Jones' career and won the 1984 Evening Standard & Olivier Award for Best Musical! From Wikipedia: "The career of teenaged Catherine Zeta-Jones, a chorus member in the 1984 West End production, was launched when a vacation and an illness felled both the actress portraying Peggy Sawyer and her understudy when one of the producers happened to be in the audience. Zeta-Jones filled in and was impressive enough to be cast permanently in the role shortly afterward." I have my doubts about that. I was in the audience one time when Catherine Zeta-Jones was on as a cover for Peggy Sawyer (filling in for Barbara King), but the whole "stepping in and becoming the star" thing also happened a couple of years earlier when Barbara King went on as Peggy Sawyer to fill in for an absent Clare Leach shortly before getting the role full-time. The show closed a year or so later, but I don't doubt they'd have done it a third time if they'd wanted to cast a fourth Peggy. What really launched Catherine Zeta-Jones's career was getting cast in The Darling Buds of May on TV, with the resultant "ooh, hot teen" coverage from the tabloids.
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Post by viserys on Aug 5, 2016 6:03:39 GMT
I would be surprised if this was NOT the Paris production. It runs from 17 November to 8 January in Paris, so has two months to move across the channel and settle into Drury Lane. It's done in English in Paris with a starry West End cast including Dan Burton, Alexander Hanson and Ria Jones. Why would those people "only" do it in Paris and not in London? Why would the Chatelet bother to mount such a big expensive musical for less than two months?
Just my guesses though. I've booked for the Chatelet, partly because I was in Paris anyway and could easily extent a day, partly on the strength of this cast.
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Post by dippy on Aug 5, 2016 6:49:38 GMT
I thought the Theatre du Chatelet production was meant to be going to Broadway after Paris. The Paris one is directed by Stephen Mear and this by Mark Bramble so I'd find it a bit odd if they were the same.
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Post by Michael on Aug 5, 2016 7:13:31 GMT
I have absolutely no interest in this show, so they'd need some stellar casting to get me into the Drury Lane.
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