Cats

[Deleted]

Nicole just sang a duet version of Memory with one of the contestants on The X Factor tonight, still a beautiful rendition even though the guy couldn't sing, she was great!

[anthony40]

I actually watched the DVD today

[bengal73]

Saw it last week in Eastbourne and the interval signing was definitely in place. Really enjoyed it again and remain a fan of the new Rum Tum Tugger

[Deleted]

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Leona will depart the Broadway Production this month after a run of just two and a half months. I get the slight feeling based on the shortness of her run, this wasn't initially planned? Could the reviews of her performance been a reason for the shortened run? Or could it of been planned from the get-go?

[Deleted]

I have to laugh at 'time has flown by.' What did she expect? It was 3 months!

[ali973]

No I believe her engagement was always meant to be limited. It's not that sudden, it's been circulated prior that she would leave "soon" and someone recently saw Cats and said catch her while you still can in the next few weeks (I think it was Heather Headley).

[Deleted]

Ah I wasn't aware of that then, I do apologise. I assumed her contract would be the 6 months or something so I thought it strange. Well then, she is leaving guys and gals!

[universetipping]

Even though it was advertised as such, I thought her stint would be extended.
Seems like she did a reasonably good job for a first stab at musical theatre.
Wait, didn't she do that 'Walking on Sunshine' movie musical?!

[d'James]

I really liked that film. (Preferred it to Mamma Mia anyway.)

[westendwendy]

I loved that film! Lol.... What fun.

Who will replace her?

[Oleanna]

Maybe Elaine Paige will finally get to do Grizabella on Broadway...

[Deleted]

Heather Headley wouls be rather fabulous!

[zak97]

Sept 14, 2016 8:57:54 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

Heather Headley wouls be rather fabulous!

Yes, I was just thinking the same!
Whoever it is though, I would rather it was an actress with legitimate 'meat to the bones' credits, not a pop star who'll do the standard good but not great.

[Deleted]

I love Nicole but it really wasn't a smart decison to turn this down, she was phenomenal in it and could of nabbed a Tony nomination for the role like she managed with the Olivier (which I don't think she was far behind Lorna in terms of winning either!).

That being said, she ia the best thing about The X Factor this year. Her and Shazza kill me with their antics!

[ali973]

Sept 13, 2016 23:34:05 GMT universetipping said:

Even though it was advertised as such, I thought her stint would be extended.
Seems like she did a reasonably good job for a first stab at musical theatre.
Wait, didn't she do that 'Walking on Sunshine' movie musical?!

Same. They also sort of alluded to an extension. 

[mrtumnus]

Was at the opening night in Glasgow last night where it played to a full theatre (almost sold out tonight also). The magic of the show was enough to withstand the character assassination of Rum Tum Tugger.
Going by the comments of those around me and the reactions of the audience in general, I would say the majority attending were seeing it for the first time. Life left in the old musical yet.

[jgblunners]

Sept 14, 2016 21:09:03 GMT mrtumnus said:

Was at the opening night in Glasgow last night where it played to a full theatre (almost sold out tonight also). The magic of the show was enough to withstand the character assassination of Rum Tum Tugger.
Going by the comments of those around me and the reactions of the audience in general, I would say the majority attending were seeing it for the first time. Life left in the old musical yet.

RE: The new Tugger, how are people generally reacting to it? I saw the show for the first time in Southampton, but knew the original Tugger song quite well from cast recordings, so was surprised to see it had been changed. I understand that they want to keep the show modern by adding a hip-hop segment, but the 'new' number is just a bad re-hash of the old one. I think they would've done better to completely re-write it

Edit: What pained me the most was that the ensemble was singing the tune from the old number, but it felt so slow and just made the whole number drag, which was awful because the whole point of hip-hop/rap is surely for it to be fast-paced and energetic?

[Deleted]

I quite like the new Tugger (I know I am in the minority on here). Do think it's a classic example of things being slated by the uber fans but going down pretty well with core audiences - it certainly has every time I've seen it.

I do generally like it when things are changed in long running shows though - keeps it fresh. (Starlight does it a lot)

Oh apart from replacing It's Her or Me/Now That I've Seen her with Maybe. Which is a travesty lol!

[d'James]

Starlight does do it a lot but although I like the new songs, they have less and less relevance.

[bengal73]

Sept 17, 2016 10:18:03 GMT @sharpe12 said:

I quite like the new Tugger (I know I am in the minority on here). Do think it's a classic example of things being slated by the uber fans but going down pretty well with core audiences - it certainly has every time I've seen it.

I do generally like it when things are changed in long running shows though - keeps it fresh. (Starlight does it a lot)

Oh apart from replacing It's Her or Me/Now That I've Seen her with Maybe. Which is a travesty lol!

I too like the new Tugger. Ive seen it 3 times in its current form and each time its been well received

[mrtumnus]

For me the the biggest change was in his stage presence (or lack of it). The old Tugger stood out where-ever he was on stage, an iconic figure.The new is just another cat. The rehashed song did little for me but the original was never one of my favourites to listen to although I enjoyed it as a performance song.

That's 3 songs changed now.
Mungojerry & Rumpleteaser - Prefer the original
RumTumTugger - Prefer the original.
Growltiger - Prefer the new version.

[Deleted]

Thinking of seeing this in Wimbledon having seen it twice in London and being a fan since childhood of the VHS. How is Marianne Benedict as Grizabella, if anyone has seen her in the role yet!

[ada92]

Oct 15, 2016 20:43:21 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

Thinking of seeing this in Wimbledon having seen it twice in London and being a fan since childhood of the VHS. How is Marianne Benedict as Grizabella, if anyone has seen her in the role yet!

She is fabulous - go see it! Reduces you to tears. The whole cast is so together and professional in a very physical and tiring show. I have seen this cast on 4 different occasions and locations and it has been consistently excellent.

[tcodd1]

Oct 15, 2016 20:43:21 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

Thinking of seeing this in Wimbledon having seen it twice in London and being a fan since childhood of the VHS. How is Marianne Benedict as Grizabella, if anyone has seen her in the role yet!

I saw the show a few weeks ago in Oxford and it was amazing! Definitely on par with the West End run. Marianne Benedict was a fab Grizabella, and her Memory was flawless - a fantastic balance of pure emotion and a wonderful belt! Definitely worth seeing!

[ali973]

Happy to hear that Marianne is good. She does have a nice voice and was a good replacement to Hannah in Wizard of Oz. I'm seeing Cats on Broadway in December and in Dubai in February with Marianne.