215 posts
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Post by Peter on Jul 21, 2024 20:58:12 GMT
Well some live brass or reeds in the band wouldn’t have gone amiss - add a bit more life into the orchestration…
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Post by blamerobots on Jul 21, 2024 21:10:24 GMT
Andy won't shell out money he doesn't need to.  Digital brass and woodwinds sound fine these days; maybe the issue you had was that they didn't use the brass and wind appropriately in the orchestration or in a significant enough way. The greatest orchestration will make the average punter REALIZE the use of instruments in the song for the effect it gives. I remember watching a local production of Oliver and the revised orchestrations for that show are truly glorious and made me appreciate the craft. |
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Post by d'James on Jul 21, 2024 23:22:27 GMT
Nobody missed it, but as you say, completely unnecessary; where money could be spent elsewhere… Like where? Costumes, for example. |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jul 21, 2024 23:36:43 GMT
I totally agree. They took a beloved, fun, hi-tech rock and roll spectacular and reduced it to a dull, uninspiring damp squib A Rock and Roll spectacular? Are you sure you're not confusing Starlight with 'Buddy' that played over the road at the Victoria Palace for 6 years? If someone said they saw a rock and roll spectacular, Starlight Express wouldn't be on my list of possibilities |
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Post by d'James on Jul 21, 2024 23:39:57 GMT
I totally agree. They took a beloved, fun, hi-tech rock and roll spectacular and reduced it to a dull, uninspiring damp squib A Rock and Roll spectacular? Are you sure you're not confusing Starlight with 'Buddy' that played over the road at the Victoria Palace for 12 years? If someone said they saw a rock and roll spectacular, Starlight Express wouldn't be on my list of possibilities Was Buddy there for the whole twelve years? |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jul 21, 2024 23:42:44 GMT
A Rock and Roll spectacular? Are you sure you're not confusing Starlight with 'Buddy' that played over the road at the Victoria Palace for 12 years? If someone said they saw a rock and roll spectacular, Starlight Express wouldn't be on my list of possibilities Was Buddy there for the whole twelve years? No, you're right, it moved around alot.
edited to correct.
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Post by shownut on Jul 22, 2024 6:34:15 GMT
Was Buddy there for the whole twelve years? No, you're right, it moved around alot.
edited to correct.
Starlight had a mostly rock/pop score and ran from March, 1984 to Jan, 2002 (just under 18 years) so not sure what the comparisons are to BUDDY. BUDDY had its merits but it is hardly what one could call a spectacular. |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jul 22, 2024 7:01:16 GMT
Buddy is a rock and roll show.
Starlight Express wasn't. At least IMHO
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Post by shownut on Jul 22, 2024 10:16:06 GMT
Buddy is a rock and roll show. Starlight Express wasn't. At least IMHO I'll accept that. |
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1,561 posts
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Post by showtoones on Jul 24, 2024 19:01:34 GMT
For those who have seen Ashlyn and Scott, how do they rate against Jeevan and Kayna?
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 24, 2024 19:22:21 GMT
For those who have seen Ashlyn and Scott, how do they rate against Jeevan and Kayna? I know someone asked this before. It's very hard to review individuals without accidentally upsetting anyone. All four of them are very good. I've seen every combination. I suspect it was coincidence last week that both Scott and Ashlyn were on together, but they pair so well. I would book to see them together any time. Jeevan and Kayna are very good together as well. I hold Kayna in high regard having seen her as a student. Starlight Express is almost an easier role than she had in Rent at ArtsEd (putting aside the roller skates, and it's a real talent to skate, dance, sing, and act). It's more obvious that Kayna is shorter than Scott than it was with Jeevan. Kayna will go far in any case. Jeevan has a charm to him. He's a younger than most of the cast and I think that appeals to many people in the audience. I know that some people have suggested that he might more naturally end up paired with Hydra at the end of the show. I hope I can repeat that without causing offence. He also comes across as being rather lovely and I'm sure he will have a career as a performer. I hope that helps. This is one of those shows that you can't help buy enjoy (so long as you don't take it too seriously), regardless of who is on. |
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Post by showtoones on Jul 24, 2024 19:25:54 GMT
I feel like i want to see all of combinations as well. I think the show is just fun. I know people here pick it apart...it's not like the original..etc...but the concept for me, just works.
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2,371 posts
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Post by theatreian on Jul 26, 2024 14:52:14 GMT
This was the last show I saw on my London trip. I saw it last night and enjoyed it. I had only seen it once in 1998 so couldn't really remember much about it.I was impressed with the theatre and entry area. It reminded me of the Abba Voyage arena. The staging is excellent and the skills on show very good along with excellent lighting etc.It's probably not a show I would revisit but I'm glad I saw it. The control character , we had Barnaby was excellent . For his age this is a massive role. As to seating we sat in Locomotive section on row Q. Although these were the cheapest seats I thought they were excellent as it is only these seats were you get the overall view of the whole track etc as the front sections quite a bit happens behind you.
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53 posts
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Post by chess on Jul 27, 2024 12:35:47 GMT
I have seen the show in 1986. I liked it then as it was only my second west end show after chess. I saw it again in it’s revived version a couple of years later. I must say I was impressed this time, I really, really liked it. As others said so I also got some voyage vibes. Definitely going to see it again.
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1,380 posts
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Post by BVM on Jul 27, 2024 14:05:33 GMT
Saw this again on Wednesday and must admit am really enjoying it now. Seen for what it is think it's a great piece of theatre. It has a lot of heart and that really comes across.
Some more increased and enhanced lighting sequences since last time I went. Cast are all very confident on skates now. And all of them bringing great characters to their roles.
The ballads in particular are better than Bochum I'd say with their mix of kitsch, dry ice, pinks and blues and warm and glittering projections. The star-field in the sequence is awesome.
Remind me to avoid school holidays in future though. Was surrounded by hyperactive little kiddies!
Now - cast recording when exactly? Do hope it won't need an online campaign like Sunset did!
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608 posts
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Post by chernjam on Jul 28, 2024 3:31:02 GMT
Saw this again on Wednesday and must admit am really enjoying it now. Seen for what it is think it's a great piece of theatre. It has a lot of heart and that really comes across. Some more increased and enhanced lighting sequences since last time I went. Cast are all very confident on skates now. And all of them bringing great characters to their roles. The ballads in particular are better than Bochum I'd say with their mix of kitsch, dry ice, pinks and blues and warm and glittering projections. The star-field in the sequence is awesome. Remind me to avoid school holidays in future though. Was surrounded by hyperactive little kiddies! Now - cast recording when exactly? Do hope it won't need an online campaign like Sunset did! Glad you asked - I didn't want to sound like a broken record...  |
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1,380 posts
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Post by BVM on Jul 28, 2024 13:56:59 GMT
Saw this again on Wednesday and must admit am really enjoying it now. Seen for what it is think it's a great piece of theatre. It has a lot of heart and that really comes across. Some more increased and enhanced lighting sequences since last time I went. Cast are all very confident on skates now. And all of them bringing great characters to their roles. The ballads in particular are better than Bochum I'd say with their mix of kitsch, dry ice, pinks and blues and warm and glittering projections. The star-field in the sequence is awesome. Remind me to avoid school holidays in future though. Was surrounded by hyperactive little kiddies! Now - cast recording when exactly? Do hope it won't need an online campaign like Sunset did! Glad you asked - I didn't want to sound like a broken record... Haha - fear not chernjam, the (lack of) new (complete double CD) Starlight Express cast recording is definitely going to be my next obsession.... |
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 28, 2024 18:18:15 GMT
I did attend both matinees this weekend. Both were sold out in advance (as most shows are right now), but I managed to get excellent Rush tickets in the first class carriages. The £29.50 offer for single seats seems to have largely disappeared, but Rush is giving a similar standard of seats (although you don't get to choose where to sit).
Lots of swings have been getting the chance to go on for the smaller parts. They've also got this finishing by 3:!5pm (probably by starting on time and keeping the interval short). So nice to be in Wembley on a non-event day as well (although the Boss fans yesterday weren't too bad).
I'm used to recognising regulars at shows. Typically, it's the Newsies and Heathers fans in their late teens who go multiple times per week. For Starlight, the regulars are much closer to pensionable age. The audience for this one is very much into nostalgia, with a few people bringing children/grandchildren along.
I've also now ticked off my final Control from the bingo card.
The first race today went a bit awry, but I missed seeing exactly how. One of the trains ended up without a carriage, and a couple of skaters quietly disappeared out of the side exits. The right two trains still won in the end. Two skaters also went down in the background just before the bows. I was in the back row of first class and I had someone signing so close to my ear that I'm sure I could easily have ended up kissing him with only the slightest tilt of my head (he is cute...). I know who everyone is, but I'll spare names in these cases.
It's always funny watching parents tell their kids what words are being spelt out in Uncoupled. I've no idea what they say at the end.
Somehow, this show doesn't get old. There isn't all that much to it, but sometimes you just want to be entertained for a couple of hours.
I did have to turn down the opportunity to attend a Mormon church service offered to me afterwards. There just wasn't enough singing or dancing. The Mormons are missing a trick by not recruiting on roller skates.
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Post by chocolatemoose on Jul 29, 2024 12:29:38 GMT
I'm going to the matinee this Thursday, so excited !
Can anyone tell me what getting in to the venue is like ? I want to make sure we arrive in time to buy a programme etc before it starts !
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Post by danb on Jul 29, 2024 12:46:03 GMT
I’d just get there a good 40 mins before to soak up the experience & get through any crowds, queue for merch, get a stupid sticker stuck over your drink etc. 🚂 ⚡️
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7,054 posts
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Post by Jon on Jul 29, 2024 12:50:07 GMT
I found it really easy to get to the Troubadour even with a few changes. I'd advise getting the Met Line over Jubilee as it skips a lot of stations
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Post by d'James on Jul 29, 2024 12:55:27 GMT
I’d just get there a good 40 mins before to soak up the experience & get through any crowds, queue for merch, get a stupid sticker stuck over your drink etc. 🚂 ⚡️ A sticker? |
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 29, 2024 12:56:53 GMT
I'm going to the matinee this Thursday, so excited ! Can anyone tell me what getting in to the venue is like ? I want to make sure we arrive in time to buy a programme etc before it starts ! Enjoy! It is very easy to get in. The usual bag/security checks at the entrance. There's a small outside area with a bar (and people smoking etc). Ticket checks on the main door. A large open space, but it gets quite busy. Merchandise is on the right as you go in. You can't miss it. There's a long bar. Prices clearly displayed and free water in coolers. Toilets way around to the far side. The gents is large and clean. The ladies always has a queue. There's also a cast screen to the right of the bar which is worth checking. It's not always obvious who you're seeing under the costumes/wigs/makeup, especially if you're sat further back. Two main doors into the venue. Door 1, on the left, is easiest for the first class carriages and platforms. You may need ushers to direct you. They don't always send you to the right place, so it's a good idea to check where you're sitting in advance also. It is very hard to leave during the show as the entrances and walkways are the skating areas, so try and use the toilets etc first. Obvious things like keep your hands/belongings well inside the seating area if you're sat by any of the skating areas. I'm sure none of this needs saying, but others may read this and you'll be amazed what some people think is acceptable/sensible. You can film the megamix at the end. It is quite long (over six minutes). Have your phone/camera running when the first bows start as the megamix starts from there without warning. There's next to no mobile data connection in the venue (at least not on 3), so you really have to go outside in the interval if you want to check messages etc. It might only be me who does this. Hope that helps. For merchandise, it's probably easiest to get this before the show as there's always a queue afterwards, but you shouldn't have a problem. Do let us know what you think. |
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Post by alece10 on Jul 29, 2024 12:57:20 GMT
I’d just get there a good 40 mins before to soak up the experience & get through any crowds, queue for merch, get a stupid sticker stuck over your drink etc. 🚂 ⚡️ Isn't the sticker so that you don't spill your drink on the track getting to your seat? |
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 29, 2024 13:01:53 GMT
I’d just get there a good 40 mins before to soak up the experience & get through any crowds, queue for merch, get a stupid sticker stuck over your drink etc. 🚂 ⚡️ A sticker? They cover the drinks (with a straw) presumably to stop people spilling their drink as they go to their seat. Obviously dangerous for skaters. I've never felt the need to take a drink in (just bottled water occasionally). You really don't need to be there 40 minutes before to just stand in a busy room waiting to go into the main theatre. Yes, the waiting area with the music and light show is quite nice, but I'd find it overpowering. Arrive 10 minutes before and you should be through security within 60 seconds, with still time to go to the bar/toilet etc. Make it 15 minutes if you want time to consider the merchandise options. |
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