542 posts
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Post by jek on May 31, 2023 21:31:03 GMT
I went to the matinée of the RADA production of Company today. Some strong performances but I suspect the singing would have been better in a Guildhall production of which I've seen quite a few, including a very good version of Merrily We Roll Along. The only person I recognised in the audience was Mark Shenton.
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3,080 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 16, 2023 13:53:58 GMT
Jane Eyre - Royal Academy of Music
An enjoyable enough evening, complete with air conditioning.
RAM have a lovely theatre. The orchestra and vocals for this one are sublime.
This is very much a chamber musical and not one I know, even though it had a run on Broadway. I must say, I've never been drawn into the Brontë novels and this didn't change my mind, but I enjoyed the evening. This is a rather long show (2 hours 50 minutes) so bear that in mind.
A lot of potential in the cast, but I didn't pay £5 for a programme, and RAM don't seem to want to promote their students on their website, so I can't say who was on, other than the people around me were almost all there supporting one student or another.
The main annoyance was a group of young people in the back half of Stalls, who kept laughing loudly at certain people and inappropriate times. I did see an audience member complain during the interval and was told they were not RAM students (I'm guessing from another similar institution then, but I didn't recognise anyone). They stopped during the second half, so something worked. That's professionalism for you.
Still decent availability for anyone who'd like to see this rarely performed show.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 21, 2023 9:32:50 GMT
Mrs Beeton Says... A Musical - Mountview
This is a rather quaint little show, performed by the MA Musical Theatre students. On the one hand, it tells the story of Mrs Beeton, but at the same time, it's a modern social commentary on an era where women suffered through repression and tragedy, often portrayed through comedy. As a musical, it's one I didn't previously know, but an excellent choice for a theatre school as there are lots of characters and opportunities for portfolio development. It works very well for MA students too, with them being older than the typical undergraduate.
This is a strong MA year, but it should be, as you look at the Spotlight profiles of the cast, and a lot have worked professionally after their original degree, but are now back for more training. That also says something about the number of opportunities available for actors today. There are some excellent character actors in this cohort.
I did find the details of Mrs Beeton's life fascinating. Lots I didn't know.
For a Mountview production, this one hasn't sold as well as usual. I suspect that reflects the subject matter, which doesn't sound too appealing on the surface. I won't get chance to see the second cast, but I'd certainly watch another production of Mrs Beeton Says.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 21, 2023 10:34:03 GMT
Jane Eyre - Royal Academy of Music I'm gutted I missed this. I think it's only been done in the UK once before and I love the score. The Broadway production at least, was one of the last big sung through musicals of the era, but i believe it has been changed a lot since then. If you like a sung through show, definitely check out the OBCR.
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3,080 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 24, 2023 11:23:17 GMT
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - International College of Musical Theatre
This nearly slipped my radar, but I was able to get into the Friday matinee (the first of four performances - the run at the Bridewell Theatre concludes today).
All professional level, with a decent orchestra. Being a Friday matinee, there were plenty of performers in the audience, some I recognised but I'm struggling a bit with names. I'm sure I was recognised as well (as a regular audience member, if nothing else). This wasn't as full as it could have been, but I'm sure it will be busier on a Saturday.
The graduating class of ICMT must be rather small this year and there was only one male member in the main cast (a second made a brief cameo, but may well be from another year). They performed admirably. This is one of those musicals I've never quite had chance to see before. It's entertaining, with some catchy tunes. There are also opportunities for audience involvement. Unsurprisingly, one of the audience members I half recognised did rather well in the spotlight.
This is performed with an interval. One hour and fifty minutes. This is my first ICMT production and I was impressed.
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542 posts
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Post by jek on Jul 7, 2023 13:43:22 GMT
I went to see the Royal Academy of Music Carousel yesterday afternoon. It was inventively staged with some lovely singing. Some of the acting wasn't so good but they are very young. Also some very good dancing. As a bonus the lad playing Billy Bigelow, Ari Olaffson, (I saw Cast A) is Icelandic and represented Iceland in Eurovision 2018. Notable from a quick google how many of the cast are overseas students - Hungarian, American, German, Dutch.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jul 7, 2023 15:41:03 GMT
If you bought a program please could you grab a picture of the two casts? Thank you!!
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jul 7, 2023 15:43:51 GMT
I didn't realise there are two casts. While the seating pricing is excellent value the programmes are a bit steep @ £5. Bought one the first time I visited but not since.
Mountview give a free information sheet with cast details, which I file and if I'm spared will check in a few years time to see how their careers have developed.
I did think our Billy Bigelow was a fine singer but not a great actor but would never have guessed he's Icelandic.
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542 posts
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Post by jek on Jul 8, 2023 16:11:53 GMT
thistimetomorrow I'm afraid that I am defeated by the convoluted way that is required to post a picture on this board (though I understand why that is necessary.) Cast members were as follows (cast A followed by Cast Z): Billy Bigelow: Ari Olafsson/ Job Greuter Julie Jordan: Reka Jonas/Joanna Adaran Carrie: Emily Botnen/ Chloe Saracco Enoch Snow: Thomas O'Kelly/Edward Conroy Mrs Mullins: Shamael Guy Nettie Fowler: Sarah Von Egypt Starkeeper etc.: Jack Lark Jigger Craigin: Patrick D'Arcy/ Joe Kelly Louise Bigelow: Rachel Chan/ Aiofe Dardis Carnival boy: El Haq Latief/ James Lim Enoch Snow Jr: Joao Almeida/ Adam Norton Millworker: Tamara Tare Fisherman/sailor: Niklas Brunner MD: Niall Casserly/ Jemma Starling Hope that helps.
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Post by Steve on Jul 8, 2023 17:56:05 GMT
thistimetomorrow Cast members were as follows (cast A followed by Cast Z): Billy Bigelow: Ari Olafsson/ Job Greuter Julie Jordan: Reka Jonas/Joanna Adaran Carrie: Emily Botnen/ Chloe Saracco Enoch Snow: Thomas O'Kelly/Edward Conroy Mrs Mullins: Shamael Guy Nettie Fowler: Sarah Von Egypt Starkeeper etc.: Jack Lark Jigger Craigin: Patrick D'Arcy/ Joe Kelly Hope that helps. MASSIVE help, thanks Jek! Yes, this was absolutely great! No attempt to write out the redemption arc, like the Regent's Park production did, which is in fact the whole point of this show, in my opinion. "We'll never walk alone" and "If I loved you" are akin to religious experiences of redemption, and Julie Jordan is less an advert for domestic violence, more a kind of female Jesus figure, offering unconditional love and forgiveness. That's the deep primal core of the show that gets everyone crying, if it works. And indeed, Bruce Guthrie hit this one out of the park, with his dazzling propulsive choreography and his simple makeshift moveable sets and props (that rely on evocative projections on 5 independently moving curtains at the back, of stars, and falling blossoms, and whatnot). My seasoned, caustic and jaded friend, who shed nary a tear at either the London Colliseum or at Regent's Park ended up bawling her eyes out in this one. Cast A Julie Jordan, Reka Jonas, has the acting chops to suggest the enormous wells of compassion that the role requires (she's almost as saintly as Gemma Sutton's Julie at the Arcola lol). Unfortunately, I share Paul's view (above) that Ari Olafsson, an immensely powerful singer at both belt and whisper ranges, is not as emotive an actor (yet) as he is a singer, a sort of Alfie Boe redux. This is the only thing that held the show back a little for me. The strongest performance in Cast A, in my opinion, was the funny, passionate goofball of a Carrie Pipperidge, Emily Botnen, who weaved a spell of spry moment-to-moment dynamism wherever she went, trilling into a rousing powerful belt, when not effortlessly wisecracking. A Sondheim award runner-up, she's a performer to look out for. Almost as good were Patrick D'Arcy's wolf-in-sheep's clothing Jigger Craigin, less macho violent than your typical Jigger, but heaps more conniving and sly; and Thomas O'Kelly's Mr. Snow, who balanced the character's ambitious buoyancy with his moral stiffness to perfection. Anyway, it's a shame this show doesn't get a run somewhere. It's not the magnificent dazzling spectacle that the National's production was, and it's not quite as miniature perfect as the Arcola show was, but it wipes away the flaws of the last two London efforts with ease. Weep on. I'd try to snaffle returns to see the other cast tomorrow (Cast A is on again tonight, with Cast Z finishing things up tomorrow), if I didn't feel that would be unfair to those who haven't seen this production at all. 4 and a half stars of joy and tears from me.
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Post by eoghan31 on Jul 8, 2023 19:17:31 GMT
Cast A on Friday afternoon were absolutely sublime. Job Greuter’s Billy outstanding. His vocal strength as he performed Soliloguy was astonishing in strength and emotional power in fact one of the most powerful I have heard of this song. Joanna Adaran’s captured the heart and soul of Julie from the second she stepped on stage which was beautifully and essentially believably paired with the Billy of Job Greuter as she was with Joanna Adaran’s mischievous and winning Carrie. A production which thrilled from the spectacular inventiveness of the opening sequence which righty drew applause to the final last note performed by an orchestra of 27 musicians (13 of which on strings) playing one of the most gorgeous scores in musical theatre. Outstanding in every way and humbling to be in the company of the talent of the students from the Royal Academy of Music who gave us a production of Carousel which I will treasure.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jul 8, 2023 22:48:59 GMT
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 10, 2023 9:22:00 GMT
I saw Cast Z twice (I would have preferred to have seen both casts, but it wasn't obvious when I booked, and as it happens, I couldn't make the Cast A performances anyway). Cast Z was Job Greuter as Billy and Joanna Adaran as Julie. I only know that from spending £5 on a programme, which I almost never do, but it's near impossible to find out the casts otherwise. It's as if RAM don't want the students to get work.
I do think that this was a fantastic production, traditional and all the better for it. The only obvious cut was "The Highest Judge of All" (despite this being listed in the programme), so this ran more than 3 hours. The modern touch being the use of projections for the backdrop, but this was done in a way that didn't grate. And, being at RAM, you'll rarely hear a fuller orchestra.
I believe this was an MA class, and it showed with the students being older than usual, drawn from a variety of backgrounds and from around the world. You do have students using this type of programme to transfer from singing to performance. Ensemble signing sounded fantastic and there are many students here who would fit straight into a professional chorus. The main weakness I picked up on was accents, but there are ways to work around that. I know who I think should make it out of this class. There was one standout from the cast I saw, but time will tell.
RAM is slightly off the radar as a musical theatre training ground, but it's fast approaching Mountview and ArtsEd for the quality of student productions. The main difference is musical theatre is only a small part of what RAM offer. I do hope that their students get a lot more of the positioning in the industry that they deserve.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jul 10, 2023 9:23:24 GMT
I know who I think should make it out of this class. There was one standout from the cast I saw, but time will tell. Oooh very curious who you thought. I also saw Cast Z
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Post by max on Sept 11, 2023 15:24:49 GMT
Sondheim and Goldman's 'Follies' at Royal Central School Of Speech & Drama 26 - 28th September (MA Music Theatre course)
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 16, 2023 19:59:32 GMT
PPA (Guildford) is presenting One Man 2 Guvnors, Legally Blonde and Flashdance this term (October and November). I don't think I'll make these, but sharing the details in case they're useful to anyone. Booking link here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/performancepreparationacademy
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Post by raiseitup on Sept 20, 2023 11:31:22 GMT
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Sept 21, 2023 9:13:05 GMT
Looks like MV have put their prices up! Used to be £15 for The Mack, now £19.50
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3,080 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 9, 2023 12:06:17 GMT
ArtsEd's production of Made in Dagenham has quietly gone on sale. These can sell out quickly.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 10, 2023 11:23:45 GMT
ArtsEd's production of Made in Dagenham has quietly gone on sale. These can sell out quickly. Just 39 matinee tickets left for two weekday performances. All evenings and both Saturday sold out Fortunately for me I'd already ruled this one out due to existing bookings on all five show dates. At Arts Ed they use Ticket Source and that means once a show is sold out it stays sold out which usually happens as you say almost immediately. When I enquired at the box office I was told that if I just turned up for a performance I would almost certainly get a seat but that still carries an element of risk so not ideal. I think every show I have seen at Arts Ed was supposedly sold out but there were plenty of empty seats so they must hold a lot back for industry professionals. Mountview only occasionally sells out and they do accept requests to be notified if seats subsequently become available for a sold out show. I would otherwise have missed Les Miserables there a few years ago. Their forthcoming shows have plenty of availability, quite a contrast, and their price increase with no senior concession won't have helped.
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 23, 2023 12:15:36 GMT
Sweet Charity at ArtsEd is now on sale. Go quick. Some dates already sold out.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Oct 23, 2023 13:13:47 GMT
Missed their announcement and checked just now, only weekday matinees left
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3,080 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 5, 2023 22:24:45 GMT
Some thoughts on the ArtsEd and Mountview productions I've seen this week.
Both very strong, although it did hit me that there was less diversity of actor types than I can remember, perhaps a casualty of Covid era auditions and the challenges of getting international students post Brexit.
Two shows about women standing up for their rights.
Made in Dagenham - Arts Ed
I saw both casts. As usually happens, I preferred one over the other, but also one show had a few microphone problems so that didn't help matters. Thursday and Friday matinees, with several actors in (and one of Theatreboard's favourite critics). Neither matinee was particularly full, which is always a shame as they were sold out on the website. I did overhear several conversations I probably shouldn't have (while sat at my seat) and I now appreciate much more the challenge of attending a Thursday matinee in Chiswick that runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, then trying to not to be late to the West End show you're starring in.
I really liked this. Very similar standard to Mountview's recent version. There were some odd casting choices, some odd accents, a gift comedy role that didn't really go to a comic actor, plus some relatively minor parts that were double cast. But I know there are reasons for these things. Having seen several actors announce which parts they're playing in Rent, this does make me a lot more excited to see that production.
9 to 5 - Mountview
A lot of the audience really liked this. They were whooping and cheering. But they were mostly Mountview students. The whole culture of Mountview always seems so different to Arts Ed.
I saw the Saturday matinee, which I think was the first performance. This is billed as very dark, although that didn't come across to me. It is dark in that the set is black and white (with the props all made out of cardboard), dim lighting, everyone dressed interchangeable in black, grey and white etc (with odd exceptions for effect). There's a very slight change to the ending. The songs are done very well and there's an excellent dance number in the second act. Otherwise, this is rather manic.
Thankfully, for those of us who prefer to avoid gunshots, the gun is also made of cardboard.
My main concern is that some will say this is a triumph for direction, production and set design. It screams modern fringe production. But for actors looking for representation, hiding them all behind black and white make up makes them all so much less memorable and means it's hard for any one of them to stand out. It is very good, but I'm not convinced this particular show needs a radical reinvention just yet.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 6, 2023 0:25:06 GMT
Grand Hotel The Musical is being staged by the University Of Chichester Musical Theatre students at The Assembly Theatre, Bognor Regis Campus from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 November.
Booking via Ticket Source, both Saturday performances are already sold out.
I've only seen Grand Hotel on You Tube so off to the seaside to see it live.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Nov 6, 2023 0:32:05 GMT
I also saw Made in Dagenham on Friday matinee and enjoyed it a lot. The leading lady did a excellent job and I hope to see her again in something else. The rest of the cast were generally good, although a couple of them probably needed more direction. Overall, a very enjoyable production. Also surprised by the amount of empty seats which is a pity.
Look forward to their production of Sweet Charity.
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Post by capybara on Nov 6, 2023 19:04:22 GMT
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Nov 7, 2023 9:17:36 GMT
Oh amazing! I love Hunchback!! Tried to get tickets for Bird's production a few years ago, but unfortunately their productions weren't open to the general public.
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Post by demelza on Nov 14, 2023 23:21:43 GMT
I know it's not a musical, but couldn't find the equivalent thread in the plays forum, but have seen that RADA are putting on Angels in America Part One at the end of the month. Very curious to see how it'll work
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Post by theatrefan77 on Nov 15, 2023 1:07:20 GMT
I tried to book but they don't seem to offer a seating plan for Angels in America, so I'll give it a miss.
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 15, 2023 7:51:23 GMT
I tried to book but they don't seem to offer a seating plan for Angels in America, so I'll give it a miss. When I’ve attended RADA events, it’s been unallocated seating. Queue up and take your pick of remaining seats.
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