446 posts
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Post by tr252 on Jan 6, 2017 20:06:09 GMT
I don't think the book works at all in terms of serving its purpose of telling a story - I haven't seen the film so didn't have a clue what was going to happen, and I was thoroughly bemused at how dramatic moments just got swept aside - one moment it was implied the kid had been kidnapped, the next he's asleep in another room?! The IP address doesn't match - of course it wouldn't because the stalker sent letters, not emails! There's no real goodbye at the end at all. I'm afraid I found it laughably bad, and not in a so-bad-it's-good way like WWRY was. I thought the accents were for the most part pretty poor as well - only Rachel seemed to have a handle on what accent she was aiming for! It doesn't have to be a fine piece of drama, but it does need to make sense and be easily followed! I saw this show back in November for the first time and I have to agree with this. I did think Beverley and Rachel were fantastic. Ben Richards was like watching a plank of wood - is he like this all of the time? It was pretty cringey to see. I had to double check that the sister died - maybe it was obvious, but like you said it seemed to just jump along to the next scene and I was a little confused, half expecting to see the sister pop back up after a stint in hospital. I also agree about the kid being kidnapped part... and the fact that Rachel let her son just go off to bed on his own later on. Surely after a traumatic incident you would be keeping your family close and put your son to bed at night. I know it's a musical but a little more realism would have been nice, it just seemed rushed. The audience were pretty good when we were there - the older man behind us was giving a running commentary which could have been annoying but I actually found it hilarious and gave me quite a lot of amusement. When the stalker was pointing his laser into the crowd, a few people started laughing and I heard him go to his wife, "Well, I just don't find that funny.". I too haven't seen the film so have nothing to compare it to. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2017 20:50:20 GMT
Yeah, one plot hole that in my 9 times, still haven't noticed it mentioned, especially in the Dominion run... in the second half, just after the moment at the climax of All At Once, where is Fletcher at the time? It is never explained, even in the scene after. We hear where the security guy is but never where Fletcher as when all the drama in the house was going on?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2017 22:58:01 GMT
I don't think the book works at all in terms of serving its purpose of telling a story - I haven't seen the film so didn't have a clue what was going to happen, and I was thoroughly bemused at how dramatic moments just got swept aside - one moment it was implied the kid had been kidnapped, the next he's asleep in another room?! The IP address doesn't match - of course it wouldn't because the stalker sent letters, not emails! There's no real goodbye at the end at all. I'm afraid I found it laughably bad, and not in a so-bad-it's-good way like WWRY was. I thought the accents were for the most part pretty poor as well - only Rachel seemed to have a handle on what accent she was aiming for! It doesn't have to be a fine piece of drama, but it does need to make sense and be easily followed! I saw this show back in November for the first time and I have to agree with this. I did think Beverley and Rachel were fantastic. Ben Richards was like watching a plank of wood - is he like this all of the time? It was pretty cringey to see. I had to double check that the sister died - maybe it was obvious, but like you said it seemed to just jump along to the next scene and I was a little confused, half expecting to see the sister pop back up after a stint in hospital. I also agree about the kid being kidnapped part... and the fact that Rachel let her son just go off to bed on his own later on. Surely after a traumatic incident you would be keeping your family close and put your son to bed at night. I know it's a musical but a little more realism would have been nice, it just seemed rushed. The audience were pretty good when we were there - the older man behind us was giving a running commentary which could have been annoying but I actually found it hilarious and gave me quite a lot of amusement. When the stalker was pointing his laser into the crowd, a few people started laughing and I heard him go to his wife, "Well, I just don't find that funny.". I too haven't seen the film so have nothing to compare it to. I thought Ben Richards was wooden as well, and he had zero chemistry with either Beverley or Rachel (not for the ladies' lack of trying either - I think Rachel is a great actress and Beverley gave a solid performance in that respect, though as I said I thought Memphis suited both of them better and gave them more of a chance to shine in the acting department). I realised the sister had died, and actually thought that scene was quite touching, but I thought the Oscars scene and its denouement were really badly done (aside from Beverley's great performance at showing a more nervous, vulnerable and emotional side of her character). I found Rachel letting her son go to bed by himself after everything that had happened a bit odd as well. I agree it just seemed rushed - nothing was given a chance to properly develop or flow, and instead we got more dance breaks and performance sections than were really necessary - it just seemed to me that whoever wrote the book couldn't decide if they were going to do a Whitney Houston jukebox musical to the max with glitter and over-produced staging, or a serious musical theatre piece with a pretty dark plot. It could have worked as either, but as a mix it just doesn't all gel. |
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Jan 7, 2017 0:06:47 GMT
I struggle to see why this is successful as anything other than people expecting a Whitney tribute night - the book is dreadful, the set looks cheap and the abrupt ending just doesn't work except as a lead in to a song. Reading this, I tried to remember what happened at the ending... but I realised I could barely remember anything about the plot, and nothing about the ending. Which to be honest, really says something about the book of this musical. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2017 17:20:29 GMT
I'm going to miss this show! Seen it 3 times (once at Dominion) and always lifts me up! Great show also is great to see it with girlfriend/groups of friends!
I do wonder if the tour will be 2017 or 2018, I think 2018 could work better so things aren't rushed. Will hopefully see the tour again with some of my friends!
I always love seeing people enjoying going to the theatre when I see this show and see people enjoying themselves! |
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2,775 posts
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Post by daniel on Jan 7, 2017 17:25:57 GMT
I believe the tour is a 2018 start, though I may be wrong!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2017 18:03:18 GMT
I believe the tour is a 2018 start, though I may be wrong! Ah thanks!! I thought that would make more sense, glad it is touring again!! It wouldn't surprise me if it did a year long tour then filled another W.E theatre, like we've just seen.
Interested to see who they cast as Rachel.
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94 posts
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Post by Kim on Jan 7, 2017 19:30:39 GMT
Just saw the last matinee, pretty sure majority of the audience had the plague as all there was was coughing.
Was a strange last one as only two of the cast (to my knowledge) are actually leaving so it was basically just a normal show with a month break really.
We had Charles Hagerty as Sy Spector, he's been on for nearly two months now, he is a great Sy and has changed his performance as lot since the first time I saw him. Sad this is leaving as I've followed the tour since opening in Southampton and seen all the Rachel's (although the only ones I didn't see were the first west end cast). Will be nice to have some money now tho 😂
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378 posts
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Post by Ade on Jan 7, 2017 23:10:04 GMT
Ugh I'm off to see this tomorrow night. I'm dreading the singing issue. Last time I saw this was the first preview of this run and I think I must have been in a lucky spot as I didn't have anyone around me misbehaving. I have seen the show 9 times (3 times at the Dominion) and it has never been an issue for me. I know this may be a lucky streak for me, but I honestly wouldn't worry about it too much.  So ironically at the performance this evening the couple on the other side of the aisle had to be removed. First an usher asked her to stop violently waving her arms and singing along. Then she went to get her supervisor who gave it a go to no avail. In the end they disappeared with the husband, who then came back and had to convince the wife. Overheard the usher talking at the interval saying about the incident a few weeks ago and saying they thought they were going to have to get police again. On the plus side, the cast were brilliant as usual and it felt like a fitting end to the run. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2017 23:15:49 GMT
Anything special tonight? Any speeches? Any tears? Other than these two crazies, was the audience good?
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378 posts
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Post by Ade on Jan 7, 2017 23:17:33 GMT
Anything special tonight? Any speeches? Any tears? Other than these two crazies, was the audience good? Nope nothing special at all. Audience was good but I did expect them to be a bit more full on if I'm honest. |
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1,996 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 8, 2017 11:22:06 GMT
I don't think the book works at all in terms of serving its purpose of telling a story - I haven't seen the film so didn't have a clue what was going to happen, and I was thoroughly bemused at how dramatic moments just got swept aside - one moment it was implied the kid had been kidnapped, the next he's asleep in another room?! The IP address doesn't match - of course it wouldn't because the stalker sent letters, not emails! There's no real goodbye at the end at all. I'm afraid I found it laughably bad, and not in a so-bad-it's-good way like WWRY was. I thought the accents were for the most part pretty poor as well - only Rachel seemed to have a handle on what accent she was aiming for! It doesn't have to be a fine piece of drama, but it does need to make sense and be easily followed! Moving the setting to the present day, instead of leaving it as an early 90's period piece didn't help either. Whilst the film screenplay is fine (and was written by Lawrence Kasdan, a well respected writer), it doesn't withstand the meddling that the hack who's adapted it for the stage has imposed on it. Apart from possibly emphasising a love triangle angle involving the sister, which does give it an added dimension. |
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1,996 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 8, 2017 11:24:52 GMT
I saw this show back in November for the first time and I have to agree with this. I did think Beverley and Rachel were fantastic. Ben Richards was like watching a plank of wood - is he like this all of the time? It was pretty cringey to see. I had to double check that the sister died - maybe it was obvious, but like you said it seemed to just jump along to the next scene and I was a little confused, half expecting to see the sister pop back up after a stint in hospital. I also agree about the kid being kidnapped part... and the fact that Rachel let her son just go off to bed on his own later on. Surely after a traumatic incident you would be keeping your family close and put your son to bed at night. I know it's a musical but a little more realism would have been nice, it just seemed rushed. The audience were pretty good when we were there - the older man behind us was giving a running commentary which could have been annoying but I actually found it hilarious and gave me quite a lot of amusement. When the stalker was pointing his laser into the crowd, a few people started laughing and I heard him go to his wife, "Well, I just don't find that funny.". I too haven't seen the film so have nothing to compare it to. I thought Ben Richards was wooden as well, and he had zero chemistry with either Beverley or Rachel (not for the ladies' lack of trying either - I think Rachel is a great actress and Beverley gave a solid performance in that respect, though as I said I thought Memphis suited both of them better and gave them more of a chance to shine in the acting department). I realised the sister had died, and actually thought that scene was quite touching, but I thought the Oscars scene and its denouement were really badly done (aside from Beverley's great performance at showing a more nervous, vulnerable and emotional side of her character). I found Rachel letting her son go to bed by himself after everything that had happened a bit odd as well. I agree it just seemed rushed - nothing was given a chance to properly develop or flow, and instead we got more dance breaks and performance sections than were really necessary - it just seemed to me that whoever wrote the book couldn't decide if they were going to do a Whitney Houston jukebox musical to the max with glitter and over-produced staging, or a serious musical theatre piece with a pretty dark plot. It could have worked as either, but as a mix it just doesn't all gel. Spot on, dear! Too much meddling! I would have less rousing numbers, and kept it much tighter to a dramatic storyline. This theatrical hybrid tries to be both and doesn't succeed. |
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1,996 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 8, 2017 11:32:47 GMT
When I had a stand up row with a pair of chavs at the end of Little Shop of Horrors the other week (as reported in bad behaviour thread), and said to them that people hadn't bought tickets to hear THEM sing, they seemed genuinely incredulous that singing during the show might not actually be normal behaviour. This again takes me back to my point about people not learning etiquette about theatre from parents, teachers etc. Perhaps not everyone can afford to be regular theatre goers and haven't learned the rules. Theatre is not just for the middle classes after all. I know it's annoying but I'm passionate about wider participation. Yes, etiquette in many aspects of society is rapidly eroding and being usurped with new norms that many of us find repellent. I blame the parents!  |
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59 posts
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Post by hayley1212 on Jan 9, 2017 21:12:16 GMT
Is it true, it's back on tour in 2018?
Anyone know, whos going to play Rachel or Frank?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2017 21:27:23 GMT
Is it true, it's back on tour in 2018? Anyone know, whos going to play Rachel or Frank? It is 100% heading back on tour, from a very reliable source. As for casting, I am not aware. I imagine a late 2017/early 2018 start though. |
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59 posts
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Post by hayley1212 on Jan 9, 2017 21:36:35 GMT
Do you think Alexandra Burke will be back?
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2,775 posts
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Post by daniel on Jan 10, 2017 0:34:41 GMT
Do you think Alexandra Burke will be back? It's going to be on tour at the same time as Sister Act...wouldn't surprise me if Alexandra did one or the other. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2017 7:29:13 GMT
Do you think Alexandra Burke will be back? It's going to be on tour at the same time as Sister Act...wouldn't surprise me if Alexandra did one or the other. I'm surprised Sister Act is going to be running until 2018! I'm not convinced Alexandra would do The Bodyguard again simply as she did the show for like 2 years, so wouldn't she have had enough of the part? Also, I know she wants to record more singles too once she's finished in Sister Act as well |
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59 posts
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Post by hayley1212 on Jan 10, 2017 8:14:01 GMT
I have heard from a source. A familiar face will be Frank and Rachel?
Alexandra finishes her run with sister act this August, I know she's appearing on strictly.
Would she tour it again?
Who's back as Frank??
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2017 8:36:24 GMT
I have heard from a source. A familiar face will be Frank and Rachel? Alexandra finishes her run with sister act this August, I know she's appearing on strictly. Would she tour it again? Who's back as Frank?? She's doing Strictly?! Wow! That'll be amazing! Surprised though as I really wanted her to release some more music after Sister Act! Alexandra could get lots of theatre roles so I'm not sure if she'd do The Bodyguard again but could be proven wrong. Interesting to hear it's a "familiar" Rachel, wonder if they're still casting celebs in those roles |
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59 posts
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Post by hayley1212 on Jan 10, 2017 8:48:44 GMT
I have heard from a source. A familiar face will be Frank and Rachel? Alexandra finishes her run with sister act this August, I know she's appearing on strictly. Would she tour it again? Who's back as Frank?? She's doing Strictly?! Wow! That'll be amazing! Surprised though as I really wanted her to release some more music after Sister Act! Alexandra could get lots of theatre roles so I'm not sure if she'd do The Bodyguard again but could be proven wrong. Interesting to hear it's a "familiar" Rachel, wonder if they're still casting celebs in those roles |
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59 posts
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Post by hayley1212 on Jan 10, 2017 8:50:15 GMT
Well Alexandra is working for Craig.
Who else has played Rachel before that may come back?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2017 9:23:12 GMT
I did wonder what's next for Beverley Knight. But I'd hoped for greater things for her than bouncing back and forth playing Rachel Marron for the rest of her career, becoming the Glenn Carter for the Bodyguard  |
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59 posts
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Post by hayley1212 on Jan 10, 2017 10:29:36 GMT
I doubt Bev will be doing the tour, she didn't want to do it last time. She's a bigger star than this.
Stuart Back? He isn't doing anything else since he left?
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