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Post by annette on Apr 6, 2023 15:22:13 GMT
Yes, I saw Jaqueline Spivey in the show on Broadway and being overweight is definitely an important factor of the lead character’s issues.I personally couldn’t think of any UK-based actor of the right age who fit the bill, so I’m guessing we may see a a debut performance for Usher ( I believe ASL was Jaquel’s first professional role). I think predictive text got the better of me when I wasn’t looking. How embarrassing. Not Jacqueline Spivey obviously, JAQUEL! |
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Post by Mark on Apr 6, 2023 15:24:37 GMT
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Post by annette on Apr 6, 2023 15:35:44 GMT
Billy Nevers? I'm not especially familiar with his physique but I've seen him vocally wanting it. I also thought Waylon Jacobs might have been hinting something recently but definitely the wrong build. Unless of course they want to go the fat suit route, Hairspray style (I'm joking,... I think).
Correcting myself as have just remembered Nevers is in Groundhog Day anyway.
Can’t see them going the fat suit route, but you never know 😏. Waylon Jacobs is a good shout though. |
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 6, 2023 16:24:59 GMT
If they go the fat suit route, this shouldn't go ahead. Simple as - don't do a show if you can't cast it.
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Post by theund3rstudy on Apr 21, 2023 21:36:41 GMT
So I have it on good authority that the finals were actually this week - Thursday and Friday. Any thoughts on who they might cast?
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Post by stuartmcd on Apr 22, 2023 8:22:28 GMT
fb.watch/k3kFN_s2-I/This feels incredibly misleading. No mention on that post to the fact they are just producers.
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Post by theund3rstudy on Apr 22, 2023 8:56:02 GMT
fb.watch/k3kFN_s2-I/This feels incredibly misleading. No mention on that post to the fact they are just producers. Oh I have to agree... it doesn't really make sense. |
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Post by Mark on Apr 22, 2023 10:48:50 GMT
It’s almost like they know the show isn’t going to sell itself…
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Post by theund3rstudy on Apr 22, 2023 11:27:54 GMT
It's a shame. Hopefully they'll do lots of clever promo and marketing. I'd rather an authentically new and original show did well rather than yet another jukebox... or adaptation...
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 22, 2023 12:19:10 GMT
I just think this is such a bizarre choice for the Barbican of all places
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Post by theatregoer22 on Apr 22, 2023 17:32:50 GMT
I had a look at pricing out of curiousity and some seats are more expensive than for My Neighbour Totoro, which seems bizarre to me.
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Post by annette on Apr 23, 2023 4:58:04 GMT
fb.watch/k3kFN_s2-I/This feels incredibly misleading. No mention on that post to the fact they are just producers. Oh I have to agree... it doesn't really make sense. Where was this montage of producers posted? I have never seen marketing quite like that.Past reviews and a list of prestigious awards yes, but why would a line-up of starry producers mean anything to potential ticket buyers? A very strange choice and confusing choice which I doubt would persuade anyone to buy a ticket. Surely the NT would know that? Having seen the show twice in NY and absolutely loved it, I agree that a huge space like The Barbican is both an artistic and financial head scratcher. I’m guessing a more appropriate,intimate space was not available for the period the producers wanted to bring the show over, but these days waiting for the right space rather than diving into one that certainly on face value seems totally wrong might have been a better idea. it would be so sad to see this very innovative, joyous and important piece of theatre not make a full impact here in the UK for the reasons above.I’m not sure how the show was marketed in the US as it’s not an easy sell, but it certainly had an off-Broadway try-out and early concert versions in clubs before the sadly truncated Broadway run. if they’re not bringing over the US cast and hopefully not going down the star name route, perhaps a short run in one of the major cities may have given it better visibility before it arrived in London? Still it’s not over until the fat Usher sings… ( I use the word *fat* here as it is often used in the show, not as a jibe at any larger people on the board). |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 23, 2023 6:10:58 GMT
They should be ashamed of how they are promoting this with those producers. Person after person are commenting “OMG this cast! Must book” and no one is correcting them. Shameful.
This is going to be a financial disaster here- and they know it.
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Post by danb on Apr 23, 2023 6:42:28 GMT
Is there seriously no large playhouse that this can go into? It’s gonna die on its arse otherwise. Lyric Hammersmith would be preferable to the Barbican…the Garrick? That size. Its like they’re trying to sell it as ‘art’ rather than ‘a bit niche’.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2023 9:15:26 GMT
At least in the States, it seems to be somewhat of a trend that starry producers are given a lot of promotion as if that is something that really matters to theatergoers. I guess it is part of the whole "Influencer" phenomenon, but I agree that it rings hollow and can be confusing to some.
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Post by theund3rstudy on Apr 23, 2023 10:28:11 GMT
Have heard that Eddie Elliott will be playing Thought 5 or Thought 6... apparently he was the first to be cast...
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 23, 2023 18:06:45 GMT
Have heard that Eddie Elliott will be playing Thought 5 or Thought 6... apparently he was the first to be cast... Don't know who that is, googled, still none the wiser. |
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Post by theund3rstudy on Apr 23, 2023 18:59:47 GMT
Have heard that Eddie Elliott will be playing Thought 5 or Thought 6... apparently he was the first to be cast... Don't know who that is, googled, still none the wiser. Well he's been around for YEARS! But certainly isn't a 'name'. Perhaps they're going with less high profile actors to save them having to pay top dollar for the cast! |
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 23, 2023 19:51:59 GMT
I have half a suss Giles Terera will probably be in this somewhere
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Apr 23, 2023 20:17:13 GMT
I have half a suss Giles Terera will probably be in this somewhere You think? I feel like he's too big of a name to play one of the Thoughts and he's not exactly the right type for Usher. |
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 23, 2023 20:27:34 GMT
Yeah he's not right for Usher but I do think he might end up as one of the thoughts 🤷🏻♂️ they're gonna need some name recognition in there
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Post by theatrelover123 on Apr 23, 2023 20:54:25 GMT
I’m guessing Jennifer Hudson will be Usher with Billy Porter, Mindy Kaling and Alan Cumming as 3 of the Thoughts. Possibly Giles and the Krankies as the other 3. Will place some money on it tomorrow
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Post by theund3rstudy on Apr 23, 2023 21:05:29 GMT
I have half a suss Giles Terera will probably be in this somewhere Well Eddie has just understudied Giles at The National so arguably they are in the same casting bracket... but I do think Giles is probably too 'big' to play a supporting role. |
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Post by keekio2 on Apr 24, 2023 6:17:01 GMT
I think Nicole Dennis is also in this
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Post by theund3rstudy on Apr 24, 2023 6:47:53 GMT
I think Nicole Dennis is also in this Oooh what makes you say that? To be fair that would be good casting. |
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