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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2018 22:20:08 GMT
If not Bette. What about Imelda for the London production!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2018 22:33:32 GMT
If not Bette. What about Imelda for the London production! God knows, I love Imelda but no. Just no. She was phenomenal in Gypsy, she was kinda pants in Follies in my opinion, totally miscast bar Losing My Mind. I don't see her in this at all personally. I actually think a couple of names spring to mind. Jane McDonald would of course be fabulous, but also Wendi Peters would be great. And then, of course, Tracie Bennett is just the obvious choice. Really, come on now, that is just obvious. If it does come, hopefully Gavin will come over with it. He's long overdue a return to London and he can add a second Olivier to his colection!  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2018 5:31:31 GMT
If any role in any show screams “iconic Americana leading lady” it’s Dolly Levi. I don’t think a Brit would do the role justice if I’m honest. I’m desperate for this to come to London, don’t get me wrong, but if Bette can’t do it here I don’t think it should transfer.
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Post by Scswp on Aug 31, 2018 6:14:26 GMT
If not Bette. What about Imelda for the London production! God knows, I love Imelda but no. Just no. She was phenomenal in Gypsy, she was kinda pants in Follies in my opinion, totally miscast bar Losing My Mind. I don't see her in this at all personally. I actually think a couple of names spring to mind. Jane McDonald would of course be fabulous, but also Wendi Peters would be great. And then, of course, Tracie Bennett is just the obvious choice. Really, come on now, that is just obvious. If it does come, hopefully Gavin will come over with it. He's long overdue a return to London and he can add a second Olivier to his colection! I think you’re right that Imelda doesn’t seem appropriate for this role - does she have the general cheekiness and the cheesiness required? Not sure. She was great in Gypsy and, in my opinion, was good in parts of Follies - but this is a totally different ball game, I think. Wendi Peters would be more suitable, but she isn’t a big enough name, I don’t think. Plus, hasn’t she done this show already somewhere- or have I imagined that? Anyway, I think the idea of an ENO Summer run for a limited time like Chess and Sunset might be the most suitable route for a London run. Here’s hoping. |
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Post by ali973 on Aug 31, 2018 7:50:27 GMT
Imelda can't do glam and fab. I know people love her and I appreciate her skill, but I don't need to see her in a musical to hear her "sing".
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2018 13:46:10 GMT
I'm telling ya, Miss Bennett is the one!  |
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Post by ali973 on Aug 31, 2018 14:15:36 GMT
She'd be a stunning Monday evening Dolly.
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Post by Scswp on Aug 31, 2018 14:29:26 GMT
I'm telling ya, Miss Bennett is the one! I don’t think she’s a big enough name for the ENO or as a name to fill the Palladium. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2018 14:49:15 GMT
I'm telling ya, Miss Bennett is the one! I don’t think she’s a big enough name for the ENO or as a name to fill the Palladium. I didn't say she could sell it, I just wanna see it.  |
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Post by musicalmarge on Aug 31, 2018 23:07:50 GMT
Ok.... Bette was in London looking at theatres. (Palladium)
BUT Apparently she wanted to do 8 weeks at the Palladium but the figures didn’t add up and it needed to be a minimum of 12 weeks
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2018 1:38:52 GMT
I hope it happens. I wouldn’t mind Bernadette coming over to do it, but Bette will make it an event - it’s ‘her’ show this time around and I think those that follow the arts will know that. I hope it happens - the cast album is so much fun.
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Post by drowseychap on Sept 1, 2018 2:03:39 GMT
Loved tracie bennet in rainbow 🌈FABULOUS darlings but yep like people say is she that big of a name sadly not
Can’t think of many who would be as big as draw as Bette. ?
Now people mock but saint Jane of the McDonald is currently selling out a tour. Had 2 prime time tv shows a top 5 album and a BAFTA this year so she would definitely put bums on seats
If it does come I do think Bette will to some times like others say u get to a time in life and it isn’t only about the pay cheque
If not I’m sure Bonnie will be in the wings oh the outrageously gorgeous and camp su pollard. 🤗
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2018 11:25:04 GMT
Jane McDonald has, in the past year, hit a peak at her career quite frankly. She has been EVERYWHERE! I don't doubt for a moment she could shift a sh*t-load of tickets! @ryan and daniel would be there every night! |
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Post by Jon on Sept 1, 2018 11:37:54 GMT
I hope it happens. I wouldn’t mind Bernadette coming over to do it, but Bette will make it an event - it’s ‘her’ show this time around and I think those that follow the arts will know that. I hope it happens - the cast album is so much fun. Bernadette was excellent when I saw it but I would be there in a heartbeat if Bette reprised for a limited run |
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Post by tommy on Sept 2, 2018 14:30:18 GMT
Perhaps already named on here, but what if Streisand would return to the part in case of a London run? If would perfectly fit within the ENO musical series following Sunset, Chess,... And certainly the musical theatre event of 2019 like Sunset used to be in 2016. |
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Post by Scswp on Sept 2, 2018 15:00:25 GMT
Perhaps already named on here, but what if Streisand would return to the part in case of a London run? If would perfectly fit within the ENO musical series following Sunset, Chess,... And certainly the musical theatre event of 2019 like Sunset used to be in 2016. Absolute dream casting that would be - but, alas, will never happen. Streisand, even by her own admission, did not like doing repetitive theatre, even in her young days. Plus, she prefers to record instead of performing live and she could never sing the score nowadays anywhere near the way she originally did. I’d love to see this, but it’ll never happen imo. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2018 17:08:48 GMT
Perhaps already named on here, but what if Streisand would return to the part in case of a London run? If would perfectly fit within the ENO musical series following Sunset, Chess,... And certainly the musical theatre event of 2019 like Sunset used to be in 2016. Absolute dream casting that would be - but, alas, will never happen. Streisand, even by her own admission, did not like doing repetitive theatre, even in her young days. Plus, she prefers to record instead of performing live and she could never sing the score nowadays anywhere near the way she originally did. I’d love to see this, but it’ll never happen imo. ‘I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m sure she did an interview with Ellen basically stating she’s done with live performing (unless it’s a charity event or something), and that her last tour was her last. Plus I thought she was busy trying to make Gypsy happen. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2018 18:11:15 GMT
Couldn't Elaine Paige do it? As a farewell to live performing? She won't let her last West End role be Dick Whittington surely?!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2018 18:55:48 GMT
Couldn't Elaine Paige do it? As a farewell to live performing? She won't let her last West End role be Dick Whittington surely?! Could she? Absolutely. Should she? God no. I’m demanding Bette! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2018 19:10:33 GMT
If Marge’s intel is to be believed, and Bette only wanted 8 weeks in a 12-week booking, they could absolutely fill the remaining four with Elaine Paige. That would be sublime.
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Post by LaLuPone on Sept 2, 2018 19:20:03 GMT
To be honest I’d have almost the same hype for Elaine in this as I would for Bette. Bette of course is Bette but Elaine is musical theatre royalty and I unfortunately wasn’t born when she was in Evita, Chess or Sunset. I’d love to get to say that I saw both Elaine and Patti live on stage in a musical just once.
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Post by Scswp on Sept 2, 2018 20:01:27 GMT
Yes please to Elaine Paige - I’d be happy to see her do it. Plus the score would be suitable for her voice nowadays.
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Post by Stephen on Sept 5, 2018 11:41:42 GMT
I'd also like to see EP do it. I know this isn't really important and perhaps an unpopular opinion BUT I can't imagine she will attract the insane cheering and standing ovations that Bette did.
I don't know the show too well besides listening to the cast recording but it appears that this is really part of it?
Maybe I'm wrong about her. Just from seeing the response to her entrance during panto I can't imagine people going crazy.
All that being said I'd like to see her in it!
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Post by Scswp on Sept 5, 2018 14:34:00 GMT
I'd also like to see EP do it. I know this isn't really important and perhaps an unpopular opinion BUT I can't imagine she will attract the insane cheering and standing ovations that Bette did. I don't know the show too well besides listening to the cast recording but it appears that this is really part of it? Maybe I'm wrong about her. Just from seeing the response to her entrance during panto I can't imagine people going crazy. All that being said I'd like to see her in it! Yes, I think you’re right about the general whooping and cheering being an integral part of this show and I think this is much more a feature of American, rather than British, audiences. The presence of such behaviour in the audience elevated the material in my opinion. That’s why I think whoever plays Dolly will not receive that level of adulation/vocal appreciation from a British audience, not even Bette herself (although she would probably get more than most!) Elaine Paige would not receive the same level of hullabaloo as Bette by any means, but I can’t really think of anyone who could. Nevertheless, even for Bette, the whooping would never reach the levels of a New York audience and, therefore, the material (to my mind) would be much less elevated. Yes to Bette though - I’d happily sit through it again. Yes to Elaine - for the last four weeks or for 1-2 shows per week (like Donna Murphy did). Don’t think this is likely though. |
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Post by callum on Sept 11, 2018 20:12:11 GMT
Would contribute to previous posts that the sheer ecstasy of seeing it on Broadway was the crowd going absolutely nuts and egging on Bette, who in turn was winking back to the audience, and then we'd love her even more! The whole tongue-in-cheek 'back where she belongs' narrative is, in my opinion, not comparable to London. This show isn't Sunset Boulevard. The thin plot, gregarious humour, classic score and over-the-top character of Dolly Levi herself fits perfectly with Broadway sensibilities. The show, and Bette, really were back where they belonged.
I can't see it being being anything other than a come-down coming to London.
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