318 posts
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Post by Scswp on Dec 8, 2019 12:44:18 GMT
The new show site doesnt have JR in the cast! Very interesting! I wonder what has happened... I’m not JR’s biggest fan but I did think she was quite a good fit for Irene. It definitely looks like she has departed the production... I’m hopeful that we see some fantastic casting for this. Jenna Russell is doing Piaf next year, though I think that was scheduled before Dolly. I like her and thought she was very good in Grey Gardens, but think she’s probably a little too old for Irene?
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Post by mtgeek on Dec 8, 2019 13:19:40 GMT
I love Imelda and think she could be inspired casting. I saw it with Bette on Broadway last year (although I know it’s a different production) and it was probably the craziest theater experience I’ve ever had. Like Bette would just have to breath and her fans would start hollering. Actually be nice to see it when it feels a bit less like a Bette convention - as much as I enjoyed the show lmao
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318 posts
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Post by Scswp on Dec 8, 2019 13:47:06 GMT
I love Imelda and think she could be inspired casting. I saw it with Bette on Broadway last year (although I know it’s a different production) and it was probably the craziest theater experience I’ve ever had. Like Bette would just have to breath and her fans would start hollering. Actually be nice to see it when it feels a bit less like a Bette convention - as much as I enjoyed the show lmao I agree. I saw Bette in it too and she was a hoot! A totally crazy experience indeed! I enjoyed it very much though!
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3,072 posts
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Post by Rory on Dec 8, 2019 14:05:02 GMT
I don't think JR has left. They are obviously relying on Imelda Staunton to sell it initially and are keeping the rest of the cast back until it has been fully cast. Jenna Russell has not appeared on the website as yet at any stage.
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Post by learfan on Dec 8, 2019 14:15:22 GMT
Didn't see her as Irene at all. Would be much better if she did Passion after Piaf. She apparently wants to play Fosca.
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572 posts
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Post by princeton on Dec 8, 2019 14:17:19 GMT
No reason at all to suspect Jenna Russell is no longer associated with the production.
I understand that the marketing plan was always to initially promote Imelda Staunton in the title role - as is pretty much always the case with Hello, Dolly. Hence why the official press release, ads and website only mention her.
The rest of the cast will be dripped out over the next few months as a way of maintaining interest. Had Baz not given the scoop on Jenna then her announcement would have been another 'moment' in the PR campaign.
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Post by mtgeek on Dec 9, 2019 19:49:02 GMT
I love Imelda and think she could be inspired casting. I saw it with Bette on Broadway last year (although I know it’s a different production) and it was probably the craziest theater experience I’ve ever had. Like Bette would just have to breath and her fans would start hollering. Actually be nice to see it when it feels a bit less like a Bette convention - as much as I enjoyed the show lmao I agree. I saw Bette in it too and she was a hoot! A totally crazy experience indeed! I enjoyed it very much though! I will probably never have an experience like that at a theater again - lmao
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515 posts
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Post by callum on Dec 9, 2019 21:14:11 GMT
Wonder whether Horace will be another ‘name’...
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572 posts
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Post by princeton on Dec 10, 2019 0:10:01 GMT
Wonder whether Horace will be another ‘name’... More than likely - though maybe a well-known theatre actor rather than a household name. Imelda's Virginia Woolf co-star would be a good choice.
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 10, 2019 0:24:44 GMT
Conleth would actually - I'd never looked at him as a Horace if I'm honest. I sort of have my heart set on Peter Forbes, who I think would just be wonderful, and we already have proof they work well together.
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Post by princeton on Dec 10, 2019 0:31:51 GMT
Peter Forbes is high on my list (I agree he'd be wonderful and a reunion would be splendid) but Conleth Hill's Roger De Bris in The Producers was such a masterful creation (even better than Gary Beach on Broadway) that I look for every opportunity to dream cast him in a musical comedy.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 0:40:10 GMT
Andy Nyman announced as Horace Vandergelder
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3,062 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jan 10, 2020 8:30:47 GMT
Andy Nyman announced as Horace Vandergelder Excellent choice, apart from it means he can't be leading a tour of the recent Menier production of Fiddler, which I was secretly hoping for.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 13:56:24 GMT
Getting more and more obvious that it should be Jenna as Dolly opposite Andy. Doesn't he read a little young opposite Imelda? Unusual cast choices all round.
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Post by xanady on Jan 10, 2020 19:33:53 GMT
^Andy Nyman on board as well?This gets better by the minute.However,do agree with Dr Tom that Fiddler deserved a longer life with Nyman in the lead.It would have sold well on tour.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2020 17:29:15 GMT
Andy Nyman announced as Horace Vandergelder Excellent choice, apart from it means he can't be leading a tour of the recent Menier production of Fiddler, which I was secretly hoping for. Is Fiddler on the Roof touring? I'd be very glad if it is as I missed the London production!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 22, 2020 12:33:46 GMT
It’s going to be a more thoughtful Dolly according to Imelda in the Graham Norton radio prog just now. All the fun but with a bit more depth.
Deep Dolly anyone?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 13:48:25 GMT
I guessed that was probably the case with who they are casting and I say it's a good thing. Like Norma Desmond, Dolly keeps getting put in the cartoony/drag queen category of how it should be played and Dolly (although obviously much lighter) does have an element of pathos and sadness too, she isnt just a 2d cartoon. I predict Brits will probably like it and Americans think it's a travesty
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5,278 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 22, 2020 19:36:40 GMT
Weren’t you expecting this?
Imelda is too brilliant and intelligent an actress to just play this role for campy comedy laughs and applause. Can’t wait to see her take on it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 22:43:24 GMT
This is a bit how Betty Buckley played her in the US tour.
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Post by latefortheoverture on Feb 23, 2020 19:54:50 GMT
Imelda also said they tried to get Ms Bette Midler but she declined.
Would've been great to have Ms Midler over here for it, but more than happy with Ms Staunton.
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 23, 2020 20:05:35 GMT
Considering Bette was being paid $125K a week, it's hardly surprising that she said no on what they were able to offer her here.
I still can't imagine Imelda being... funny? At least funny in the way that Dolly is meant to be. But hey, she's our great so she's the woman to do it.
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Post by intoanewlife on Feb 23, 2020 20:13:58 GMT
I was a huge Midler fan until I saw her in this. I didn't think she was even remotely funny but I did think the production itself was fantastic.
I thought Imelda was hilarious is both Virginia Wolf and Gypsy x
I love Andy Nyman too, he was amazing in Fiddler, but I don't think I could sit through it again.
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Post by xanady on Feb 28, 2020 22:32:25 GMT
Just picked up a couple of tickets for late August,the day before we see Sunday’s final perf at the Savoy. Only ever seen this live with the great Dora Bryan who smashed the part.My programme is up in the loft somewhere but Wiki tells me it was circa 1989...how time flies!
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Post by djdan14 on Mar 5, 2020 23:59:41 GMT
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Post by Mark on Mar 5, 2020 23:59:55 GMT
Harry Hepple as Cornelius Tyrone Huntley as Barnaby Clare Halse as Minnie
As per Baz
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Post by White Lilacs on Mar 6, 2020 1:03:28 GMT
I didn't expect Tyrone in this! Will definitely have to see it now.
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Post by alece10 on Mar 6, 2020 7:58:56 GMT
Harry and Clare. 2 of my favourites. Glad I'm going to the first show.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 6, 2020 8:23:53 GMT
I really like everyone in the cast but Staunton. Hopefully she has lots of holidays planned!
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4,458 posts
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Post by poster J on Mar 6, 2020 9:12:14 GMT
Clare Halse! Now I'll have to book this! So pleased to see her get another West End show.
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