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Post by dm913 on Oct 30, 2023 16:06:21 GMT
sorry to ask again but does anyone have the running time now it has run in Tends to finish 22:05-10 |
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Post by bram on Oct 30, 2023 16:41:12 GMT
Thanks dm913
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Post by danb on Oct 30, 2023 19:38:29 GMT
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Post by ceebee on Oct 30, 2023 20:05:58 GMT
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Post by alece10 on Oct 30, 2023 23:20:34 GMT
Just back from seeing Rachel. Equally as exciting as Nicole.
I have to up in 6 hours for work so I'll report more fully tomorrow.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Oct 31, 2023 6:25:47 GMT
Im sure I’ll be the very last to the party on this but I’ve just been watching a pretty decent full length video of the second Sydmonton try out in 1992. Not the very first one with Ria Jones and Michael Ball but Patti’s unofficial audition for Norma with Kevin Anderson. Google “Jeff smith sunset blvd”. Who is Max in this? I think it was Michael Bauer, who initially played Cecil B DeMille in the OG London cast, who then played Max later on in the London run.
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Post by Alejo on Oct 31, 2023 7:09:36 GMT
Im sure I’ll be the very last to the party on this but I’ve just been watching a pretty decent full length video of the second Sydmonton try out in 1992. Not the very first one with Ria Jones and Michael Ball but Patti’s unofficial audition for Norma with Kevin Anderson. Google “Jeff smith sunset blvd”. Who is Max in this? I think it was Michael Bauer, who initially played Cecil B DeMille in the OG London cast, who then played Max later on in the London run.
Yes, from memory I thought it was Michael Bauer too, although I couldn't find any reference to it online or in his bio in the Sunset programmes. Betty is Luann Aronson. |
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Post by lolli on Oct 31, 2023 8:18:11 GMT
Any word on a cast recording for this?
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Post by alece10 on Oct 31, 2023 15:50:24 GMT
Having been to the first preview of Sunset and seeing Nicole I decided to go again and See Rachel Tucker.
I really cant say I have a favourite as each brought something different to the role.
I thought they were pretty much equal singing wise but felt that Rachel acted the songs rather than just sing them and she is a better actress overall. The last 20 minutes or so I thought were very different as Rachel goes full on mad and when the camera zoomed in on her face at the end see looked quite frightening. It was a superb performance.
Tom Francis is an absolute star. He is on the stage pretty much the whole time and what a voice and stage presence. I really hope he goes on to bigger things as he totally deserves it.
Orchestra sounded even better (if that is possible) and if this doesn't win an Olivier for sound design then there is something wrong.
Loved watching the Act 2 opening again and picking up things I missed last time. I don't remember the monkey sitting in the window ledge or the cardboard cut out of ALW. Have they been there from the beginning?
Also having seen video of how this is done with all the security surrounding Tom it is amazing that you don't see any of them (apart from 1) when they are broadcasting it. One thing I thought odd was on the first preview Tom kneels down against a poster for the show and Nicole outside the theatre but last night this didn't happen. I remember saying to my friend as we entered the theatre that I was surprised they didn't have a Rachel version of the poster outside as, considering how much detail there is in the show, that they could have printed off another poster with her on.
Good audience with long ovations for the 2 big numbers and Tom's entrance in Act 2 as well as full standing ovation at the end. The other thing I noticed was that in the quiet parts and high drama parts you could hear a pin drop. The audience were so quiet, so well done everyone.
Those who have seen it a few times can you tell me if they have toned down the amount of blood on Norma at the end? On the first preview Nicole was covered in the stuff but Rachel didn't have nearly as much on her last night. Maybe they over did it the first night and now use less.
Also loved the fact that when the stage goes completely dark towards the end they even turn off the emergency lights so there is a total blackness.
Man in the row in front walked out after With One Look. You could see he was hating it as he never applauded and during the applause for this song he had his ears covered. He told the usher on his way out that he thought the show was a "pile of s**t". 2 other people in front of me also didn't return after the interval. Guess it is still dividing people but you would think a few weeks into the run people would read up a bit before especially as the tickets aren't cheap.
Bought the colour brochure which is absolutely beautiful and worth the money I think and also bought a very classy notebook for £12 but don't think I will use it. Just looks nice on the table.
Anyway I am planning another visit or two before it closes probably with Nicole as her performance is rather iconic.
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Post by ukpuppetboy on Oct 31, 2023 18:08:18 GMT
Im sure I’ll be the very last to the party on this but I’ve just been watching a pretty decent full length video of the second Sydmonton try out in 1992. Not the very first one with Ria Jones and Michael Ball but Patti’s unofficial audition for Norma with Kevin Anderson. Google “Jeff smith sunset blvd”. Who is Max in this? I think it was Michael Bauer, who initially played Cecil B DeMille in the OG London cast, who then played Max later on in the London run.
Michael Bauer is playing DeMille here also. Can’t help with the Max I’m afraid, though he’s great. As are the cameos of Caroline O’Connor. |
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Post by princeton on Oct 31, 2023 19:28:20 GMT
Michael Bauer is playing DeMille here also. Can’t help with the Max I’m afraid, though he’s great. As are the cameos of Caroline O’Connor. If I recall correctly Max was played by Charles West who was the replacement Warbucks in the original London production of Annie, and then spent most of the 80's touring in the role. Earlier in his career he'd played Cervantes/Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha in Australia and a stint on Broadway (though I think he only understudied the part in London). By the time of the Sunset workshop he's was in his mid-60s and had pretty much stopped acting and begun writing crime novels. |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Oct 31, 2023 21:02:18 GMT
There's a great little behind the scenes video from that 1992 presentation, recorded by the man who directed it at Sydmonton.
Who do people recognise in it? Nick Colicos, Caroline O'connor, Michael Bauer is definitely Cecil B Demille, not Max as I thought it was.
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Post by chernjam on Oct 31, 2023 22:46:46 GMT
There's a great little behind the scenes video from that 1992 presentation, recorded by the man who directed it at Sydmonton. Who do people recognise in it? Nick Colicos, Caroline O'connor, Michael Bauer is definitely Cecil B Demille, not Max as I thought it was. Andrew MacBean has been sharing some real gems on his youtube page (including this one^) would love to know what he thinks of the new Sunset |
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Post by danb on Oct 31, 2023 23:30:44 GMT
”Man in the row in front walked out after With One Look. You could see he was hating it as he never applauded and during the applause for this song he had his ears covered. He told the usher on his way out that he thought the show was a "pile of s**t".”
To be fair, I wasn’t sold until the big sing out at the end of ‘Lets Do Lunch’. Before then, whilst the overture was gorgeous it was a too bit ‘lo-fi’ up to that point.
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Post by chernjam on Nov 1, 2023 1:42:18 GMT
Man in the row in front walked out after With One Look. You could see he was hating it as he never applauded and during the applause for this song he had his ears covered. He told the usher on his way out that he thought the show was a "pile of s**t". 2 other people in front of me also didn't return after the interval. Guess it is still dividing people but you would think a few weeks into the run people would read up a bit before especially as the tickets aren't cheap. Bought the colour brochure which is absolutely beautiful and worth the money I think and also bought a very classy notebook for £12 but don't think I will use it. Just looks nice on the table. Anyway I am planning another visit or two before it closes probably with Nicole as her performance is rather iconic. Honestly, how old was this guy "covering his ears" storming out? And stopping to tell the Usher it was a "pile of S * ( T" Whatever, his credit card cleared. Best he left if he was that cranky In the meantime, I just went to ReallyUseful.com to beg for a cast recording. Can't believe its come to that. I resisted pointing out how practically every Sondheim revival seems to get a new recording and there's nowhere near the market in demand for 5 different of "Passion" that there would be for this cast's Sunset |
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Post by mkb on Nov 1, 2023 2:17:21 GMT
...Good audience with long ovations for the 2 big numbers and Tom's entrance in Act 2... However much anyone rates a performance, making it all about themselves and interrupting with ovations (and often whooping and hollering) mid-show is not "good" and should be in the bad behaviour thread. This sort of American-style response needs to be binned. |
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Post by alece10 on Nov 1, 2023 6:35:00 GMT
...Good audience with long ovations for the 2 big numbers and Tom's entrance in Act 2... However much anyone rates a performance, making it all about themselves and interrupting with ovations (and often whooping and hollering) mid-show is not "good" and should be in the bad behaviour thread. This sort of American-style response needs to be binned. Whilst I agree that whopping and cheering mid song or even applauding before the song has finished is wrong I don't see any reason why people applauding at the end of songs is wrong. A long ovation is just a sign of appreciation and happens in most musicals after an exceptional performance. |
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Post by capybara on Nov 1, 2023 11:40:16 GMT
Made a return visit to the Savoy to see Rachel Tucker. She did not disappoint. In fact, she was absolutely stunning in every sense.
It’s not even worth trying to compare her performance as Norma with that of Nicole Scherzinger. They both play her so brilliantly but with very different interpretations. It’s impossible to rate one as better than the other and both performances really need to be seen to be believed. But what I will say is that Rachel’s ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’ was as spellbinding as it comes. Breathtaking.
Being sat closer in the stalls allowed be to feel more connected to the production. And it truly is a groundbreaking piece of musical theatre. I’ve never seen anything quite so daring and imaginative. So much could go wrong but it is carried off to perfection.
I’m upping my star rating. It’s a five from me.
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Post by BVM on Nov 1, 2023 13:11:55 GMT
My fourth trip to see this on Monday, to see Rachel Tucker this time.
She put in a flawless performance; there was no way she could have done any better. Her vocals were perfect throughout and WOL and AIWNSG were both stunning.
Promised myself I wouldn't compare as it's not about comparisons and all actors bring different things. But having been thrice already, and both being used to Nicole's Norma and obsessed with it, I couldn't stop my mind from doing it. Either Nicole fits Lloyd's vision so perfectly, or she had been directed in to it so perfectly (or both) I just find her perfection in the role. Making it hard for anyone else. So whilst I loved Tucker's performance, I just didn't 100% "get" her Norma. Not her fault as I said, I didn't think she could have done it any better, it was in many ways a masterclass in musical theatre.
I also, for the very first time, and very transiently, had a vague longing for the original. In the Entr'Acte when Tucker was in the turban I just suddenly thought about what an insanely wonderful Nunn's Norma she would be - and something I'd love to see. I never had that feeling previously.
So yeah, full of praise for Tucker and she was wonderful, but for me the Lloyd version reaches 100% with Scherzinger. And I know there is that vague MT "cool kid" thing of the sets that make a big deal about preferring the alternate - but I really do think they've got headliner and alternate in the right spots here. Just my own opinion FWIW of course.
(I was also slightly distracted by a) the hint of an Irish accent often coming though and b) how much I thought she resembled Alison King (Carla Connor from Corrie)).
In other news the Row B key worker seats are incredible. First time there. A good 1m from pit plus a low stage made for a wonderful view. Couple of rows behind didn't seem to be raked, so I'd probs go back to F/G ish behind these for next best view.
Oh and I managed to source one of the much coveted Souvenir Brochures. Seemingly only on sale at the farthest merch booth at the end of all the stairs (though perhaps I missed them higher up).
And overall the whole thing remains stunning. Easily my current fave show in London by an absolute mile. I wish the conversation was about extending/transferring here rather than the inevitable Broadway murmurings where who knows how it would be received. Continue to build it here, let it win a few awards, go with the momentum, do an OLC etc etc would be my wish, and then see about other territories.
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Post by BVM on Nov 1, 2023 15:17:04 GMT
Man in the row in front walked out after With One Look. You could see he was hating it as he never applauded and during the applause for this song he had his ears covered. He told the usher on his way out that he thought the show was a "pile of s**t". 2 other people in front of me also didn't return after the interval. Guess it is still dividing people but you would think a few weeks into the run people would read up a bit before especially as the tickets aren't cheap. Bought the colour brochure which is absolutely beautiful and worth the money I think and also bought a very classy notebook for £12 but don't think I will use it. Just looks nice on the table. Anyway I am planning another visit or two before it closes probably with Nicole as her performance is rather iconic. Honestly, how old was this guy "covering his ears" storming out? And stopping to tell the Usher it was a "pile of S * ( T" Whatever, his credit card cleared. Best he left if he was that cranky In the meantime, I just went to ReallyUseful.com to beg for a cast recording. Can't believe its come to that. I resisted pointing out how practically every Sondheim revival seems to get a new recording and there's nowhere near the market in demand for 5 different of "Passion" that there would be for this cast's Sunset Good work! How did you contact RUG chernjam? I shall do the same. Anyone that knows me can probs stop reading now as I am about to bang on about the same thing for the millionth time but why oh why are RUG era London revival cast recordings so few and far between, as in virtually non existent. I think (someone correct me of I am wrong) but Starlight Express (original and 1993 "new") and Phantom (OLC and RAH 25th) are the only London productions RUG have recorded twice! As you say Sondheim gets recorded every 5 mins. And Cameron is excellent at recording his revivals. Les Mis 25th, Miss Saigon Prince Edward, Oliver Drury Lane, Mary Poppins with Zizi and Charlie - all recorded! Funnily enough I follow things in Vienna pretty closely and VBW manage to record almost everything whether new or revival. Had an e-mail yesterday that Amadeus the new Falco musical will have it's CD out soon, very soon after opening. They have made an incredible 4 Elizabeth CDs with all the revival casts! And of course they produced a stunning complete CD of Cats a couple of years ago - my fave Cats recording in existence! So yeah - let's for the love of God have this insane production of Sunset recorded! |
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Post by normasturban on Nov 1, 2023 16:43:49 GMT
Both women are delivering some of the finest work in the West End right now.
It’s Tucker for me simply because I find it a slightly more nuanced acting performance overall and Rachel’s AIWNSG is next level but I think both are rather wonderful.
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Post by iamluisfelipe on Nov 1, 2023 17:15:27 GMT
Quite off topic but does anyone know if the public can attend the red carpet of the Evening Standard Awards? it happens to be in a couple of weeks and i'll be in london at the same time and i was thinking if its possible to watch/cheerish the red carpet like some american awards.
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Post by A.Ham on Nov 1, 2023 17:37:58 GMT
My souvenir brochure arrived today from Theatre Shop. Absolutely beautiful and well worth a tenner. Lovely to have all the stunning press shots in a nice glossy brochure.
Slightly annoyed it was sent in a large envelope - the ones with a brown paper front and card back - rather than in cardboard packaging, but thankfully it arrived unscathed. I guess as I didn’t pay for shipping I shouldn’t complain!
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Post by chernjam on Nov 1, 2023 17:58:48 GMT
Honestly, how old was this guy "covering his ears" storming out? And stopping to tell the Usher it was a "pile of S * ( T" Whatever, his credit card cleared. Best he left if he was that cranky In the meantime, I just went to ReallyUseful.com to beg for a cast recording. Can't believe its come to that. I resisted pointing out how practically every Sondheim revival seems to get a new recording and there's nowhere near the market in demand for 5 different of "Passion" that there would be for this cast's Sunset Good work! How did you contact RUG chernjam? I shall do the same. Anyone that knows me can probs stop reading now as I am about to bang on about the same thing for the millionth time but why oh why are RUG era London revival cast recordings so few and far between, as in virtually non existent. I think (someone correct me of I am wrong) but Starlight Express (original and 1993 "new") and Phantom (OLC and RAH 25th) are the only London productions RUG have recorded twice! As you say Sondheim gets recorded every 5 mins. And Cameron is excellent at recording his revivals. Les Mis 25th, Miss Saigon Prince Edward, Oliver Drury Lane, Mary Poppins with Zizi and Charlie - all recorded! Funnily enough I follow things in Vienna pretty closely and VBW manage to record almost everything whether new or revival. Had an e-mail yesterday that Amadeus the new Falco musical will have it's CD out soon, very soon after opening. They have made an incredible 4 Elizabeth CDs with all the revival casts! And of course they produced a stunning complete CD of Cats a couple of years ago - my fave Cats recording in existence! So yeah - let's for the love of God have this insane production of Sunset recorded! Hey BVM - I went to reallyuseful.com and scrolled to the bottom of the web page, under the Contact us section. I got a generic response today which I took as more hopeful since when I bothered them in the summer about re-recording Aspects it was more personalized saying "there were no plans at the moment but that they would pass it along." After hearing an unauthorized version, while I still love Aspects as a score and some of the new cast were wonderful as were the orchestrations, it didn't seem worth it. As limited as the unauthorized clips have been of Nicole AND Rachel are, they're absolutely thrilling. I can't listen to Patti or Glenn at all anymore |
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Post by longinthetooth on Nov 1, 2023 21:15:15 GMT
Given the weather forecast, Tom's walk around the Strand could be interesting tomorrow.
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