1,905 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by LaLuPone on Aug 18, 2022 8:20:14 GMT
Obviously very early stages if it’s even true (Theatre Fan can come through with the rumours sometimes and other times not!) but we love a bit of speculation on here!
I think it would be great if it did open here in the UK, I love the score (I know a lot on here found it generic and bland but I love the way they made each song sound very poppy and modern but also gave it that distinctive musical theatre sound at the same time). I think they could do some amazing things with this on stage, if Pasek & Paul write some additional songs that hold up to the ones in the film and they cast it well, it could be a massive hit.
I can already envision it at the Gillian Lynne, with the edges of a circus tent forming the proscenium arch, and making full use of the revolve as part of the circus show. This Is Me as the Act I closer obviously!
|
|
|
|
Post by cezbear on Aug 18, 2022 8:33:37 GMT
I know this will make lots of people very happy and can see it being very popular, but I can't stand a single song from it so won't be going anywhere near!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2022 8:38:06 GMT
Honestly I found the film to be pretty weak and quite boring. Some decent songs but I'd never watch it again and definitely wouldn't rush to see it on stage.
|
|
18,805 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 18, 2022 9:04:36 GMT
I hated it too. Cannot understand the love.
|
|
4,560 posts
|
Post by Mark on Aug 18, 2022 9:12:32 GMT
Part of what I love about the film is the cast, which will obviously be lost on stage.
|
|
1,510 posts
|
Post by anita on Aug 18, 2022 9:22:22 GMT
Why? "Barnum" is so much better!
|
|
232 posts
|
Post by singingbird on Aug 18, 2022 9:27:27 GMT
My biggest problem with The Greatest Showman is that, in reality, Barnum was - by all accounts - a fascinating, dark, manipulative and extremely complicated character, and the film utterly fails to explore any of this rich material.
There is a brilliant, piercing, psychological musical just begging to be written about him, and about the nature of those forced to sell their souls and dignity as 'spectacle', but in both Barnum and this he's presented as a fairly one-dimensional All-American hero. It's a bit like Walt Disney - they both carefully maintained a popular image but, if you scratch the surface even just a little bit, there's a much more powerful story to be told.
|
|
5,276 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 18, 2022 9:41:40 GMT
Why? "Barnum" is so much better! Not based on the last production it isn’t! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2022 10:06:01 GMT
Not based on the last production it isn’t! And remind me who directed that? Oh yes Timothy Shreader ..Mr "let's do something different" Mind you I think he was held back by Cameron Macintosh I remember seeing a documentary at the time with CM going apesh*t at him. I thought Mr barnaby meant the menier version, sure that was the most recent one |
|
4,593 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 18, 2022 10:12:48 GMT
And remind me who directed that? Oh yes Timothy Shreader ..Mr "let's do something different" Mind you I think he was held back by Cameron Macintosh I remember seeing a documentary at the time with CM going apesh*t at him. I thought Mr barnaby meant the menier version, sure that was the most recent one The MCF productoon was one of the worst things ive ever seen |
|
18,805 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 18, 2022 11:48:14 GMT
The choreography in the film annoyed the hell out of me. Couldn’t bear it. All that tribal, aggressive marching towards camera punching the air. Very prevalent in This Is Me and Greatest Show. I actually sat in the cinema actively hating it. Foomin’!
|
|
6,316 posts
|
Post by Jon on Aug 18, 2022 11:52:31 GMT
It's not too surprising that there is a stage version of TGS in development, the film was a huge hit.
I suspect it would go into a bigger theatre than the Gillian Lynne if it ever comes into fruition.
|
|
4,448 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Being Alive on Aug 18, 2022 11:59:06 GMT
An entirely mediocre movie, with a few good songs, that holds up because of a solid cast and a charismatic lead.
Stick to Barnum, do a big production of that in a similar vain of Diane Paulus' Pippin, and have a star in that if you want - any redeeming features of the film would be lost on stage.
|
|
18,805 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 18, 2022 12:00:14 GMT
It's not too surprising that there is a stage version of TGS in development, the film was a huge hit. I suspect it would go into a bigger theatre than the Gillian Lynne if it ever comes into fruition. If it was going to hoik Wicked out of the Apollo I could support it, but that’s not gonna happen 🙄 |
|
4,593 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 18, 2022 12:08:08 GMT
That would be worse than ravens leaving the Tower.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2022 12:21:43 GMT
Lol funny that on a musicals forum the response to this news has been largely negative.
|
|
614 posts
|
Post by jamb0r on Aug 18, 2022 13:47:34 GMT
Lol funny that on a musicals forum the response to this news has been largely negative. The response to pretty much *every* new show/adaptation/venture is largely negative on this forum! I adored the film and really hope this comes to fruition! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2022 13:55:21 GMT
I'd disagree on that, but even if true. Its not even negative against the adaption, its against the original source material which surprises me. I always thought I was alone in my dislike of this hit movie
|
|
|
|
Post by budd on Aug 18, 2022 14:07:04 GMT
Found the film so very insipid and grating, but its success could signal good things for this as well. The film did benefit from Jackman's presence; can't quite remember if Zendaya was anywhere close to the big of a deal that she is now.
|
|
3,760 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Aug 18, 2022 14:10:10 GMT
I adored the film and really hope this comes to fruition! I did too and still do. My sister and I were at the first UK preview screening with champagne and chocolates. At the introduction the woman said 'these sings will get stuck in your head and you'll be humming them for weeks'. She wasn't wrong! I just thought this was fresh and just sensational- on so many levels |
|
|
|
Post by happytobehere on Aug 18, 2022 14:33:45 GMT
I’m person my not a fan of TGS & I’m not sure how well it would do without the star power of the likes of Hugh Jackman/Zac Efron/Zendaya. Could see it lasting a good six months depending on the reviews etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by FrontroverPaul on Aug 18, 2022 21:42:03 GMT
Lol funny that on a musicals forum the response to this news has been largely negative. The response to pretty much *every* new show/adaptation/venture is largely negative on this forum! I adored the film and really hope this comes to fruition! Must confess I don't post as often as I used to because there is so much negativity here these days. I'm sure that trend has increased in the last 18 months. While everyone has the right to post what they like within forum rules I just don't see the point of announcing what films/shows/performers etc. somebody dislikes. Hate is a really horrible word and in my opinion used too often. War, sickening crimes, even what we are doing to our planet are to be hated, not entertainment or entertainers. |
|
259 posts
|
Post by kyvai on Aug 18, 2022 21:57:15 GMT
I wonder if Hugh Jackman would open it……would seem like an obvious choice.
I didn’t really get the film first time I watched it, but, a close family member absolutely loves it so I have seen it/heard the songs A LOT and have to say it has grown on me. Now I think it’s Not Bad Overall, and I do enjoy playing a medley arrangement of the songs on piano. I think it’d be quite popular, depending on how expensive it was.
|
|
|
|
Post by cezbear on Aug 19, 2022 8:57:47 GMT
The response to pretty much *every* new show/adaptation/venture is largely negative on this forum! I adored the film and really hope this comes to fruition! Must confess I don't post as often as I used to because there is so much negativity here these days. I'm sure that trend has increased in the last 18 months. While everyone has the right to post what they like within forum rules I just don't see the point of announcing what films/shows/performers etc. somebody dislikes. Hate is a really horrible word and in my opinion used too often. War, sickening crimes, even what we are doing to our planet are to be hated, not entertainment or entertainers.
Even though I was quick to say I wouldn't be going near, I do agree the negativity can be a bit much sometimes. However I'll qualify my negative response with - I am glad for people who love the film if it does happen, it's just not one for me. And my bank balance thanks me for that!
|
|
2,563 posts
|
Post by viserys on Aug 19, 2022 9:12:09 GMT
I think the negativity in general may be due to so much that's being announced is so insipid, like the endless string of movie adaptations. My heart sinks every time when I read "[Movie from the 80s/90s] is being adapted for the stage!" - when it eventually comes out, it may be a positive surprise and I may grow to like or even love it, but initially I just can't muster much interest. Same goes for the endless deluge of jukebox musicals, especially now that they have regressed from creating original stories around the songs (as in Mamma Mia) to just tribute shows like Tina and Drifters Girl.
I WISH with all my heart that there'd be more announcements that would make me bounce around with excitement, whether it's brand-new stuff or adaptions of books or even movies that make go "Oh, I'd really love to see this, this could be great!"
As for Greatest Showman, I think many got swept up in the hype back then and have since calmed down (as is so often the case with hypes). I enjoyed it and some songs made it onto my playlists, but never really got the hype. Done right, this could be a great stage show and unlike so many current popular musicals, at least it has some truly good songs, though I hope they'll rearrange them. Paul/Pasek have a gift for melodies, but then ruin them by drowning them in obnoxious loud beats.
|
|
|
|
Post by FrontroverPaul on Aug 19, 2022 10:30:42 GMT
I understand the backlash against the increasing number of jukebox musicals, film adaptations and revivals, meaning fewer innovative and creative new works open in mainstream theatres, but musical theatre is part of show business. The people whose investment may ultimately lead to a long-running West End show will have done their homework and be hoping for a return on their money. Not everyone but
surely the vast majority.
If I had had a hundred thousand to spare a few years or decades ago with the opportunity of investing it in a musical based on Only Fools & Horses or Pretty Woman or The Four Seasons I would have gone for it. Dear Evan Hansen, Spring Awakening or Alanis Morissette probably not.
If Greatest Showman is being developed as a stage musical I'm more than happy to invest a chunk of the kids' inheritance in it if there's an opportunity. Certainly if I'm still here I will be sitting at this PC to book tickets for the show the second it goes on sale along with thousands of others.
|
|
6,316 posts
|
Post by Jon on Aug 19, 2022 10:54:43 GMT
I understand the backlash against the increasing number of jukebox musicals, film adaptations and revivals, meaning fewer innovative and creative new works open in mainstream theatres, but musical theatre is part of show business. The people whose investment may ultimately lead to a long-running West End show will have done their homework and be hoping for a return on their money. Not everyone but surely the vast majority. If I had had a hundred thousand to spare a few years or decades ago with the opportunity of investing it in a musical based on Only Fools & Horses or Pretty Woman or The Four Seasons I would have gone for it. Dear Evan Hansen, Spring Awakening or Alanis Morissette probably not. If Greatest Showman is being developed as a stage musical I'm more than happy to invest a chunk of the kids' inheritance in it if there's an opportunity. Certainly if I'm still here I will be sitting at this PC to book tickets for the show the second it goes on sale along with thousands of others. People on here often forget that show business is a commercial enterprise, the clue is in the name. Even the classics like My Fair Lady or Fiddler on the Roof are based on existing material. |
|
3,760 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Aug 19, 2022 10:54:44 GMT
I think the negativity in general may be due to so much that's being announced is so insipid, like the endless string of movie adaptations. My heart sinks every time when I read "[Movie from the 80s/90s] is being adapted for the stage!" - when it eventually comes out, it may be a positive surprise and I may grow to like or even love it, but initially I just can't muster much interest. Same goes for the endless deluge of jukebox musicals, especially now that they have regressed from creating original stories around the songs (as in Mamma Mia) to just tribute shows like Tina and Drifters Girl. I WISH with all my heart that there'd be more announcements that would make me bounce around with excitement, whether it's brand-new stuff or adaptions of books or even movies that make go "Oh, I'd really love to see this, this could be great!" As for Greatest Showman, I think many got swept up in the hype back then and have since calmed down (as is so often the case with hypes). I enjoyed it and some songs made it onto my playlists, but never really got the hype. Done right, this could be a great stage show and unlike so many current popular musicals, at least it has some truly good songs, though I hope they'll rearrange them. Paul/Pasek have a gift for melodies, but then ruin them by drowning them in obnoxious loud beats. Despite the popularity and feel-goof of a show such as Mamma Mia! both here, on Broadway and other countries in the world Sondheim once said something akin to 'the dumbing down of musicals leads to the dumbing down of peoples expectations and prevents them from learning'. |
|
6,316 posts
|
Post by Jon on Aug 19, 2022 10:56:29 GMT
Despite the popularity and feel-goof of a show such as Mamma Mia! both here, on Broadway and other countries in the world Sondheim once said something akin to 'the dumbing down of musicals leads to the dumbing down of peoples expectations and prevents them from learning'. I do respect Sondheim but that quote made him sound like a snob. |
|
2,266 posts
|
Post by theatreian on Aug 19, 2022 10:58:12 GMT
It was such a big film with a huge cast, it would be interesting to see how they translated it to the stage. I loved the soundtrack and I am sure it would be a huge hit if done well.The soundtrack alone has sold 2.4 million just in the UK. Sometimers we forget the money involved in putting shows on and the risk involved. It is a business designed to make profits so maybe some of the more obscure shows won't get much of a showing in these uncertain times .
|
|
