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Post by QueenOfTheDance on Jun 21, 2006 10:13:30 GMT 9.5
No it really doesn't! But then I think Chichester have started to cater for the older members of their audiences and forget about any kind of artistic integrity they might have had. I remember a couple of years ago they got rid of a director who tried to make their 'Cabaret' too 'raunchy' and instead toned it down and sugar coated it for the blue rinse brigade. It makes me sick... Cabaret is one of my favourite musicals and it really needs to be as gritty and as repulsive as it can be to get the messages across. Too many people think musical theatre is light and fluffy, but it's as important as any form of drama, and still has as many different and important things to get across. Anyway, another little rant there...moving on... Sound Of Music...I don't know when it opens but yes, i shall be there! I love Anthony Head so much I'm not overly keen on the show...the stuff with the kids I could live without, but the darker stuff in it is great. Hope John picks us a good Maria I have faith in him!! Hope you get to see Elena, babe...I really wouldn't want to put you through Abby whatever-her-name is....although I would love to hear your opinion on her!! Looking forward to some good old reviews then this weekend!! ;D Haven't seen the tour of My fair Lady and prob won't to be honest...I don't really like the musical...stupid because it's a great musical, I just have this weird thing about it!! How is Eliza? Is it that Amy Nuttall? Apparently, one of my fave actors, Joe Mcfadden, is in Chitty tour!! Now I HAVE to see it!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Post by helen on Jun 22, 2006 3:43:55 GMT 9.5
I saw Amy Nuttall, she had a good voice, and was a decent actress. It's not one of my favourites. My mum likes it, so I've seen it with her twice, once on London (Martine McCutcheon had done her disappearing act by that point, I saw Joanna Riding, who was just fantastic) and once on the tour. One problem though, at the performance I went to in Edinburgh, there was a large number of the blue rinse brigade sat in the row behind. All through the performance they had this bag of sweets that they kept passing to each other and rummaging about in it for ages, making as much noise as was humanly possible. If it was a show I actually liked a lot, I'd have said something.
I can't understand toning down Cabaret. It doesn't strike me as one the blue rinse brigade would enjoy, but that's what happens when something gets put in the hands of a sub standard director who hasn't bothered to research the show.
Sound of Music opens on November 5 I think. Hopefully John will find us a good Maria (that is, if ALW hasn't found one already).
I'll probably see the Chitty tour. It's in Edinburgh in December and January, so I might go then. When does it come near you? What's Joe McFadden been in before? I've heard of him, but I can't place him.
I hope I see Elena, but I might try to go this Saturday afternoon to see Abby Whatshername. I'm interested to see both of them, Elena to see what all the fuss is about, and Abby so I can have a good bitch about her once I've seen her. Although, as I said, as long as I see Philip, I'm happy. Knowing my luck, I'll see Abby and Philip's understudy!
I get back Sunday night, so I'll give you some reviews on Monday.
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Post by QueenOfTheDance on Jun 25, 2006 7:49:19 GMT 9.5
Ooh looking forward to the reviews!! Did you see Sunday...? Did you see Evita? I hope you saw Elena if so. And Philip!!! Oh the excitement is too much Joe Mcfadden...well, i saw him in a musical called 'How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying' in Chichester (bad show, amazing performance) then in London in a play called 'Rainbow Kiss'...he is truly an astounding actor. He was in a series called Sex, Chips and Rock N Roll too? And he was in Rent in London at one point. I hope he will be Caracticus when it comes near me (not sure when that is) but he's def confirmed for Edinburgh, you lucky thing!! Give him my love Have the heard of the musical Jekyll and Hyde? xxxx
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Post by helen on Jun 27, 2006 7:22:11 GMT 9.5
I'm back! Thanks for the directions to dress circle. I found it, but I took the wrong turning, so I was walking around in circles for ages, but somehow stumbled upon the Cambridge Theatre. What a shop Dress Circle is. Very expensive, but great. I managed to restrain myself from buying one of those Phantom ornaments.
Well, Phantom and Les Mis were amazing. The guy that played Phantom was phenomenal. I cried so much. Unfortunately, Madame Giry was hopeless. I was sitting right underneath the chandelier, so it was pretty scary when it fell. Go see it if you get the chance, but make sure you get front stalls in the centre.
Les Mis I just love. I can't say enough good things about it. Just go see it. However, when you're going to see either of them, remember the hankies. I forgot them both nights, my friend ended up taking his jumper off so that I could wipe my face! I was sitting at the end of a row (don't sit there unless you get a good discount) and have you ever noticed that the people on the ends of rows are usually earliest and the ones in the middle are the ones rushing in at the last minute?!
I didn't see Evita. I went to see Avenue Q instead. Have you ever seen it? It's absolutely fantastic and hillarious! It's basicly taking the micky out of Sesame Street. It's well worth seeing. I was surprised that I liked it so much. It was unbelievable how a musical using puppets was so enjoyable. We were lucky to get tickets as we only got the tickets an hour before it started, so we probably got two of the last tickets.
I wanted to see Sunday in the Park after all the great things you've been saying about it, but sadly I didn't have enough time. Do you know how long it's going to be in London for? I won't be in London again till December at the earliest, so I hope I'll be able to catch that and Evita and The Woman in Black and probably Les Mis again and Wicked if Kerry Ellis has taken over the role of Elphaba. So many shows, so little time.
I'll be going to see Chitty in Edinburgh, but I won't book until much nearer the time. Joe McFadden sounds really good. Where will you be seeing the show?
I have heard of the Jeckyll and Hyde musical. I've never seen it, but I've heard a few of the songs. Have you seen it? Is it any good?
Will you be going to see Spamalot when it opens? I'm not going to bother with that one.
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Post by QueenOfTheDance on Jun 28, 2006 11:44:20 GMT 9.5
So glad you had a great time and that you found Dress Circle ;D
Isn't it fabulous?? I love looking at those Phantom ornaments and the Wizard Of Oz ones. Were the fabulous gay musical theatre oracles working when you were in there?
Who's in Les Mis and Phantom in the leads at the moment? That's so damn annoying that Madame Giry is rubbish. I guess after Miranda anyone would be downhill though. I remember seeing a clip on a dvd of something...could be the extras on the film...with Madame Giry being appallingly mean...I didn't like that. Is she a lot differently written for the stage?
Sunday in The Park is booking til September at the moment I think...oh no, you must see it!!
Avenue Q...don't know much about it, it looked kind of annoying to me, especially as I've seen Julie Atherton (who's in it I think) in some cabaret things at the Donmar and didn't like her style at all. I don't know. Could you tell me more about it? I'm such an old cynic, haha!
Won't be going to Spamalot either...for the same reason...
Will be seeing Chitty in Southampton...we'll probably get some idiot like Timmy Mallet as Caracticus while you have lovely Joe *weep* you must tell me everything about him if he doesn't come down here!!
Jekyll and Hyde...my drama company just did it, just wondered what your opinion of it was. I think it's very badly written to be honest but some of the songs are very good. Bit musical by numbers though, if you know what I mean? No heart, really, just a sweeping score etc etc
Last few musicals I've been in: By Jeeves, She Loves Me, Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum... you know any of them?
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Post by ladygiry on Jun 29, 2006 6:06:16 GMT 9.5
;DI must admit, I have not seen "Wicked" but I've been introduced to the soundtrack recently and have fallen in love with it! IDINA IS THE AWESOMENESS!!!!!! Anyway, I'm a HUGE musical fan. I've only seen one on broadway though, and that was "The Lion King." It was very good. But I have seen dozens of film musicals. *clears throat and begins to list*: Funny Girl, The Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, Annie, West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz, The King & I, RENT, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (all 3 versions ), Grease, Yentl, Hello Dolly, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, A Star is Born, and Funny Lady. My favorite is a tie between Funny Girl (Barbra Streisand IS the greatest star) and The Phantom of the Opera. The Sound of Music and West Side Story are tied for second place. Yeah, I know, I'm an old fashioned musical nut. ^^
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Post by Kierah on Jun 29, 2006 10:42:47 GMT 9.5
BWAHAHAHA 'twas I who converted you to Wicked! >D
In other news: LOADS OF WICKED CLIPS ON YOUTUBE. GO CHECK IT OUT.
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Post by QueenOfTheDance on Jun 29, 2006 10:44:19 GMT 9.5
Ahhh yey another musical fan!!
I have to say, I'm not as keen on the older musicals on the whole...I don't know why...There are some I love though. I love the old film of Kiss Me Kate. And Oklahoma and Carousel are amazing dramatic pieces, although the films are not my faves. Ooh yes West Side Story is fabulous too. Now that is an amazing film.
I don't admit it much in public but Annie is fabulous too ;D
Haven't seen The Lion King...can't say it looks my kind of thing. You are very lucky you've been to Broadway!! I would give my right arm to go!
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Post by QueenOfTheDance on Jun 29, 2006 10:45:48 GMT 9.5
BWAHAHAHA 'twas I who converted you to Wicked! >D In other news: LOADS OF WICKED CLIPS ON YOUTUBE. GO CHECK IT OUT. Ooh yesssss I've been watching them!! They've got some fab bootlegs of loads of shows on there. Check out 'the Last Five Years' xxx
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Post by ladygiry on Jun 29, 2006 10:46:20 GMT 9.5
Yes, Kierah, it was you who converted me...and I am grateful. ;D
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Post by ladygiry on Jun 29, 2006 10:48:12 GMT 9.5
Well, I was like eleven when I say "The Lion King" so don't think me too much of a geek. *smiled sheepishly* But Annie is very good. Have you ever seen "Funny Girl"? Or heard of it?
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Post by QueenOfTheDance on Jun 29, 2006 10:54:56 GMT 9.5
Haha I don't think you're a geek at all!! I love the film of The Lion King and to be honest I didn't think a stage show could improve on it. Plus I like to see people's faces when they act...that's just my stubborn reasoning!!
I'm sure it's a great show though, just not my thing.
Right, I can see flying pointy things are going to be coming in my direction but....I don't really like Barbara Streisand *hides*
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Post by ladygiry on Jun 29, 2006 10:57:11 GMT 9.5
I'm not going to hurt you.....you're allowed your own opinion.
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Post by QueenOfTheDance on Jun 29, 2006 11:03:42 GMT 9.5
*Breathes a sigh of relief*
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Post by ladygiry on Jun 29, 2006 11:04:51 GMT 9.5
I mean, I can't really hurt you for not liking Barbra when one of my own best friends can barely stand her.
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