Mrs Henderson Presents - Noel Coward Theatre

[greeny11]

I saw a midweek matinee last week and it was virtually full. I think it'll reach the end of it's limited run but won't extend beyond that. As for the show, I really enjoyed it, but preferred act 2 to act 1. The best songs for me were Innocent Soldier and If Mountains Were Easy To Climb. The cast were great, but I really was cringing everytime Jamie Forman came out to do his bits to the audience.

[lou]

There are some good offers on Amazon tickets at the moment, including Saturday performances.

[Deleted]

Feb 23, 2016 20:42:14 GMT westendcub said:

I shall be going along to this tomorrow eve...turning in a musical week..that will be show 3!!

i strive to be you! x

[Deleted]

Feb 24, 2016 3:05:59 GMT daniel said:

Does anybody know how well this is selling? Had a nosey online before and it didn't look to be too busy even this week...is it the sort to pack in the crowds at weekends and in the holidays with quieter midweeks?

Interesting with the Tour due to start sometime in 2017, they're obviously aiming for a London run of a year or so before hitting the road.

I've just had an offer of £89 seats for £35 

[westendcub]

What a lovely production this is, I had a charming evening at this show last night.

It's old fashioned and niche, I don't imagine it lasting beyond it's current limited run at the Noel Coward theatre but if to goes to the right venues will work to go out and tour.

I have only seen the film once (I recall on a plane years ago) so I don't know the movie inside out and only remembered the vague storyline so felt quite fresh to the plot again going in and hurrah there was a plot and was a good book - although my big niggle was the awful man from 'Eastenders' - it was unfunny and cringed every time he broke the fourth wall - If I had my way the character would be completely cut.

I thought the songs were suited to the piece, I don't think it is the most memorable score in the world and there isn't a break-out song but all sung well and all quite charming.

The audience in last night was an older crowd, I was in stalls row D and the 3 levels seemed full - I think the 4th level was closed. Standing ovation at the end, I could be swayed to go along to this again during it's run. I must say it was a lovely audience, not a single bad behaviour spotted - no checking of phones, full silence when the overture started!! 

[freckles]

I really enjoyed this show and thought all of the cast were great. After reading comments on here, I was a little dubious but thought Tracie Bennett excellent, and didn't mind Jamie Foreman - I thought the format with him as a kind of narrator worked. I have always liked Emma Williams, and she didn't disappoint.
Barring a couple of songs, I did find the score rather pedestrian and can imagine that the cast album is rather dull, but the plot was strong and I wholeheartedly enjoyed seeing a "proper", old-fashioned musical that I hadn't seen before.
I agree however that the Lord Chamberlain choreography was totally bizarre and out of place, those scenes reminded me a little of some in Stephen Ward, although whoever mentioned the Ministry of Silly Walks got it spot on! And I thought Mr Van Damm had too many similar numbers, all starting with a dreaded single chord.
But overall a lovely show.I liked it.

[Deleted]

I agree with the above that I really don't understand the criticism of Tracie... thought she was fabulous!

[danielwhit]

Overall I can't find much to fault about this. Went earlier in the week and really enjoyed the afternoon. I knew virtually nothing about the history of the Windmill before I went, nor had I seen the film.

I did feel during the show a lot of songs are very "standalone" - they don't need the wider context to work. I wouldn't be surprised if some songs find their way eventually into musical concert evenings (if the show finds a crowd and a future life). However, I've struggled to recall much of the music since the show!

I agree with many other comments that the comedian character falls horrendously flat - however the fact this has been the case since its previous run suggests this is exactly what they were aiming for (however sorry you feel for the actors who have to peddle that material!). On the flip side, I couldn't see any problems with any of the other portrayals - it reads to me as if all the critique of Tracie Bennett stem from being different to the film.

I'd happily go back, suspect it is a show which grows with a second viewing.

[Michael]

Knew nothing about the show (completely missed it in Bath) and have never seen the movie, but found it really enjoyable.

Emma Williams is a star - she shines throughout the show and her portrayal of Maureen's journey from a shy girl to a Windmill girl was completely believable. I'm so happy to have her back on a West End stage, and I do hope she'll finally be cast as Glinda.

The Lord Chamberlain choreography was truly bizarre and completely out of place. Wonder who came up with that stupid idea to keep it. And get rid of that "comedian". He was barely OK during his first 2 or 3 appearances, but after that I was rolling my eyes and moaning whenever he entered the stage again.

The score worked well during the show but isn't very memorable - apart from "If Mountains Were Easy To Climb" which I was still humming on the way back to my hotel - and which sent shivers down my spine when Emma Williams sung it in the show.

The lightbulb moment was genius.

As they are doing Thursday Matinees, I'll be returning in April.

My seat was in row C which is now the front row. Wasn't though back when I booked as they've removed the first two or three rows since then. While I usually like sitting up front, I wish I had asked for being moved further back. The view is great, but the legroom is terribly cramped - and I'm only 5'10. My legs were still hurting 30min after the show. These seats would be OK for dayseat prices, but asking for full price is an impudence.

And just one last thing: All the Windmill girls are gorgeous, and it is completely beyond my understanding how anyone could come up with anything different.

[mrbarnaby]

I don't think EmmaWilliams will be hoping to be the 28th takeover as Glinda somehow!

[Michael]

Feb 28, 2016 9:09:41 GMT mrbarnaby said:

I don't think EmmaWilliams will be hoping to be the 28th takeover as Glinda somehow!

Why not? Apart from her fixation on originating roles, I can't see a single reason to not take over as Glinda. It's one of the most iconic roles in Musical Theatre, and she'd be more than capable of playing her.

[mallardo]

I have to agree with Mr. B.  Emma Williams is well past that point in her career.  There are some veteran leading ladies who have taken on the role - especially on Broadway - but not very many.

[Michael]

Would you two have said the same if I had proposed her for Fantine?

[mallardo]

I would say she's too young and too much of a soprano for Fantine - at this point. But it's a future possibility, unlike Glinda.

[Michael]

Feb 28, 2016 12:15:16 GMT mallardo said:

I would say she's too young and too much of a soprano for Fantine - at this point. But it's a future possibility, unlike Glinda.

Then we have to agree to disagree. Glinda is a much more high profile role than Fantine, and I could easily see Emma as Glinda but not so much as Fantine. Actually, I think Fantine would be a step back in her career - leading vs supporting (at best) role.

And hasn't Fantine been recently cast rather young? I can only guess, but Celinde Schoenmaker is/looks younger than Emma.

I still think Emma would be perfect as Glinda and hope she'll be cast.

[Scots UK Theatre]

Why does every other topic on this site have to end up talking about Wicked.

[notmymuse]

Feb 28, 2016 12:28:32 GMT Michael said:

Feb 28, 2016 12:15:16 GMT mallardo said:

I would say she's too young and too much of a soprano for Fantine - at this point. But it's a future possibility, unlike Glinda.

Then we have to agree to disagree. Glinda is a much more high profile role than Fantine, and I could easily see Emma as Glinda but not so much as Fantine. Actually, I think Fantine would be a step back in her career - leading vs supporting (at best) role.

And hasn't Fantine been recently cast rather young? I can only guess, but Celinde Schoenmaker is/looks younger than Emma.

I still think Emma would be perfect as Glinda and hope she'll be cast.

She's said before (and fairly recently) that she'd like to do Glinda and has auditioned but not got it before, so that seems to not rule it out. And given how hard she's had to work to get back into the West End (was Love Story 3 or 4 years ago?) and that she's had a bit of a drought of work, I would think the chance to be based in London for a year and to get on the radar of directors etc. would be welcome. Most recently, she's done an ATG tour and Mrs Henderson (which was a punt as there was no guaranteed West End run) so I'd think Glinda would be a step up in some ways. I think it'd be an interesting choice and probably enough to tempt me back to see Wicked for the first time in ages.

[Deleted]

Feb 28, 2016 14:48:16 GMT notmymuse said:

Feb 28, 2016 12:28:32 GMT Michael said:

Then we have to agree to disagree. Glinda is a much more high profile role than Fantine, and I could easily see Emma as Glinda but not so much as Fantine. Actually, I think Fantine would be a step back in her career - leading vs supporting (at best) role.

And hasn't Fantine been recently cast rather young? I can only guess, but Celinde Schoenmaker is/looks younger than Emma.

I still think Emma would be perfect as Glinda and hope she'll be cast.

She's said before (and fairly recently) that she'd like to do Glinda and has auditioned but not got it before, so that seems to not rule it out. And given how hard she's had to work to get back into the West End (was Love Story 3 or 4 years ago?) and that she's had a bit of a drought of work, I would think the chance to be based in London for a year and to get on the radar of directors etc. would be welcome. Most recently, she's done an ATG tour and Mrs Henderson (which was a punt as there was no guaranteed West End run) so I'd think Glinda would be a step up in some ways. I think it'd be an interesting choice and probably enough to tempt me back to see Wicked for the first time in ages.

From the looks of the ticket sales for Mrs Henderson

She might be able to play Glinda sooner than you think

[Deleted]

Wicked has not just one, but two of the biggest Musical Theatre roles ever... it is no surprise at all every female performer is compared to these roles, therefore no surprise they are brought up regularly.

[Deleted]

Feb 28, 2016 9:43:49 GMT mallardo said:

I have to agree with Mr. B.  Emma Williams is well past that point in her career.  There are some veteran leading ladies who have taken on the role - especially on Broadway - but not very many.

Is she though? 'Wicked' is a big show and I doubt Emma Williams would be particularly well known outside of a handful of West End Wendies. Who'd have thought 10 years ago that Ruthie Henshall would have been a takeover in 'Billy Elliot'?

[Deleted]

I've been a fan of emma williams since her Chitty days but she is also a frustrating actress to be a fan of just because she prefers to originate roles.

She is not too big to accept a replacement role at all, and actually recently this forum has shown how many people had never heard of her. Much as I love her she does have a string of flops behind her, and she could really do with a big role to get her wider recognition. The Sound of Music dubacle was such a missed opportunity as that could have really got her more attention

Emma has said numerous times Glinda is one of her dream roles and I could see her in the role, she has one of the most beautiful sopranos and can be funny too. I just think she may sadly be getting too old for the role

I'm surprised she has yet to play Miss Honey as she workshopped the role.

Funnily enough she was rumoured for Fantine a couple of years ago when Caroline Sheen got the role. And she has proven that she can do more than just soprano in shows like annie get your gun, desperately seeking Susan etc.

[Deleted]

Feb 29, 2016 14:23:03 GMT @joe10086 said:

Feb 29, 2016 14:23:03 GMT @joe10086 said:

Emma has said numerous times Glinda is one of her dream roles and I could see her in the role, she has one of the most beautiful sopranos and can be funny too. I just think she may sadly be getting too old for the role

Kristin Chenoweth was 35 when she did 'Wicked', Emma Williams is only 32 . . .

[duncan]

Any chance the Wicked sh*te could be in the actual Wicked thread.

[Mr Wallacio]

Yes, let's talk about the Olivier noms it received instead. I didn't think it'd be eligible this year, but I don't really understand their rules. It's a pity it was eligible because I don't see it winning anything against the people/shows it's up against. I suppose there's a tiny chance it could get Best Musical since Bend It will have closed and Kinky isn't British, but I think KB has that one in the bag (or maybe ITH will do it as extra promotion for when Hamilton arrives).

[Deleted]

Mar 1, 2016 7:00:31 GMT Mr Wallacio said:

Yes, let's talk about the Olivier noms it received instead. I didn't think it'd be eligible this year, but I don't really understand their rules. It's a pity it was eligible because I don't see it winning anything against the people/shows it's up against. I suppose there's a tiny chance it could get Best Musical since Bend It will have closed and Kinky isn't British, but I think KB has that one in the bag (or maybe ITH will do it as extra promotion for when Hamilton arrives).

I think the race is between Kinky and In The Heights personally. I'd love for Mrs Henderson to win, but In The Heights is the better show!