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Post by showtoones on Jun 18, 2024 1:29:35 GMT
Will this get a cast recording? Why would you say that? OMG - Mr. B is hilarious…I just laughed out loud |
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Post by ladidah on Jun 18, 2024 6:29:49 GMT
They may want to use a Cher Believe style effect...
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 18, 2024 7:34:18 GMT
They may want to use a Cher Believe style effect... Or just have Stephanie J Block release an EP of her singing songs from the show as Cher |
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Post by westendwhistledown on Jun 18, 2024 10:07:40 GMT
Going to press night tonight, excited and will review later!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 18, 2024 22:25:16 GMT
Saw this tonight on press night and what a dull, tedious evening it is.
Adrian Dunbar gives perhaps the worst performance I’ve ever seen or heard In a musical. An atrocious American accent, which he just abandons 3 lines in, and just plain amateur ‘singing’
Against him- poor lamb, is the glorious Stephanie J Block. Everything he isn’t- she is. In total control of every line, lyric and note. Sounding absolutely glorious (though bizarrely being drowned out by the unbalanced sound levels) often. I truly felt awful for her having to act against a lump of wood.
The rest- serviceable, except Jack Butterworth who’s dancing raises the temperature and manages to make even Charlie Stemp look average.
2 stars (one for Butterworth, one for Block)
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Post by parsley1 on Jun 18, 2024 22:34:02 GMT
Very good reviews so far
Mainly 4 stars
Even one quoting
“Cole Porter’s musical variation on The Taming of the Shrew gets an exhilarating revival, even if the Line of Duty star’s singing is less than sensational”
Still giving it 4 stars
Bit weird for a critic when singing is quite essential in a musical
Or it used to be anyway
I wonder if apathy to sh*t shows reflects the general acceptance of the poor state of this country as whole
And musicals standards should be in the election manifesto
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1,286 posts
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Post by nash16 on Jun 18, 2024 22:37:50 GMT
Reviews so far:
Daily Fail: A Rave (editor hasn’t assigned stars yet)
Torygraph: 4*
Guardian: 4*
Independent: 4*
Whatsonstage: 4*
Broadway World: 4*
Evening Standard: 3*
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431 posts
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Post by dlevi on Jun 18, 2024 23:01:09 GMT
Saw this tonight - I found it sporadically terrific . Bart Sher has done a bad job with the show - it begins in the dullest way possible so much so that when they finally get to "Another Openin'" it fails to land. How can one of the great opening numbers in musical theatre not land? About 45 minutes in Stephanie Block relaxes and delivers a great "I Hate Men" The second act opens with a splendid "Too Darn Hot" and there are some terrific songs which follow. BUT: The set is awful. And a lot of the lines fall flat.But when all is said and done it's 2 stars. ( I haven't mentioned Mr Dunbar because there really is no point in doing so.)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2024 6:11:14 GMT
People always complain about singing not being up to scratch, but then happily overlook great singers who can't act. Acting is just as important in a musical, in some ways even more so. If you only care about singing see a concert or listen to a recording 🤷♂️
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1,267 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 19, 2024 6:33:00 GMT
People always complain about singing not being up to scratch, but then happily overlook great singers who can't act. Acting is just as important in a musical, in some ways even more so. If you only care about singing see a concert or listen to a recording 🤷♂️ But nobody does concerts of musicals anymore. Oh…. |
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Post by ladidah on Jun 19, 2024 7:01:30 GMT
I'm amazed at the four stars.
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Post by ladidah on Jun 19, 2024 7:01:52 GMT
Saw this tonight on press night and what a dull, tedious evening it is. Adrian Dunbar gives perhaps the worst performance I’ve ever seen or heard In a musical. An atrocious American accent, which he just abandons 3 lines in, and just plain amateur ‘singing’ Against him- poor lamb, is the glorious Stephanie J Block. Everything he isn’t- she is. In total control of every line, lyric and note. Sounding absolutely glorious (though bizarrely being drowned out by the unbalanced sound levels) often. I truly felt awful for her having to act against a lump of wood. The rest- serviceable, except Jack Butterworth who’s dancing raises the temperature and manages to make even Charlie Stemp look average. 2 stars (one for Butterworth, one for Block) That is how I felt too, he looked even worse because she was so wonderful. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 19, 2024 7:37:22 GMT
I’m amazed at how they’ve got away with this in the reviews.
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Post by ladidah on Jun 19, 2024 7:40:42 GMT
It's almost like they think it's a 5 star production, but just knock off a star for him.
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 19, 2024 9:06:56 GMT
Glad the reviews are good for this - Dunbar is nowhere near as bad as some people have said (to me anyway), a little miscast maybe but the rest of the cast are so strong it's sort of fine, and he does have a weird charm that makes it all work.
Can't wait to go again
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Post by Rory on Jun 19, 2024 9:45:03 GMT
I've seen Adrian Dunbar two or three times on stage, albeit in plays, and he's a very charismatic performer.
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Jun 19, 2024 9:49:49 GMT
I had a fantastic evening seeing Kiss Me Kate on Monday, Adrian Dunbar's overall performance more than made up for his three star vocals and I'll be going again at least twice more.
In my usual centre front row seat - booked at almost full price, not rush - and I'm sure the stage was much higher than for previous musicals. Two nearby couples moved at the interval after speaking to an usher.
While I still wouldn't choose to sit anywhere else, front row is not recommended if you want to see everything and should probably carry a restricted view warning. Second and third maybe borderline.
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3,559 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jun 19, 2024 10:02:34 GMT
I'm amazed at the four stars. I'm not - it's not anywhere near as bad as some folk are making out, hence why I have rebooked to see it a second time. (But then I'm not in the pursuit of perfection - when I find myself laughing at the core writing / gags then I know it is working for me, even if some of the performances are misfires.) It's a strong company and a good night out. |
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 19, 2024 10:10:27 GMT
Adrian Dunbar gives perhaps the worst performance I’ve ever seen or heard In a musical. An atrocious American accent, which he just abandons 3 lines in, and just plain amateur ‘singing’ Against him- poor lamb, is the glorious Stephanie J Block. Everything he isn’t- she is. In total control of every line, lyric and note. Sounding absolutely glorious (though bizarrely being drowned out by the unbalanced sound levels) often. I truly felt awful for her having to act against a lump of wood. I've not seen this show as yet so am not in a position to comment but I wonder- and this is purely speculation (again, I've not seen the show) but I wonder, is that because, in terms of musicals, Stephanie J Block is a more seasoned and experience stage actor, where as Adrian Dunbar, is an actor who is more in front of a camera? |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 19, 2024 13:10:31 GMT
Adrian Dunbar gives perhaps the worst performance I’ve ever seen or heard In a musical. An atrocious American accent, which he just abandons 3 lines in, and just plain amateur ‘singing’ Against him- poor lamb, is the glorious Stephanie J Block. Everything he isn’t- she is. In total control of every line, lyric and note. Sounding absolutely glorious (though bizarrely being drowned out by the unbalanced sound levels) often. I truly felt awful for her having to act against a lump of wood. I've not seen this show as yet so am not in a position to comment but I wonder- and this is purely speculation (again, I've not seen the show) but I wonder, is that because, in terms of musicals, Stephanie J Block is a more seasoned and experience stage actor, where as Adrian Dunbar, is an actor who is more in front of a camera? It’s because he’s wooden and can’t sing and looks deeply uncomfortable throughout. Almost as uncomfortable as the audience feels watching him. |
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Post by jaggy on Jun 19, 2024 13:25:44 GMT
I have to agree that Dunbar looked visibly uncomfortable - which zapped any charisma he may naturally exude. The rest of the cast are clearly more comfortable and therefore giving better performances.
I think he's a bit of a black hole in the production and shouldn't have been hired. Brian Stokes Mitchell he ain't.
Overall, I found the show to be... fine. I enjoyed myself but the book scenes were sometimes laborious, especially the Shakespeare scenes, and the direction/ musical numbers were paint by the numbers. The show needed a more whimsical director like Stroman to distract the audience from the bad book. I also don't think Sher is the director for a musical comedy. I felt like everyone in the cast had better performances in them.
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Post by alece10 on Jun 19, 2024 13:41:59 GMT
I've not seen this show as yet so am not in a position to comment but I wonder- and this is purely speculation (again, I've not seen the show) but I wonder, is that because, in terms of musicals, Stephanie J Block is a more seasoned and experience stage actor, where as Adrian Dunbar, is an actor who is more in front of a camera? It’s because he’s wooden and can’t sing and looks deeply uncomfortable throughout. Almost as uncomfortable as the audience feels watching him. I didn't feel at all uncomfortable. |
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Post by Jon on Jun 19, 2024 13:44:03 GMT
The role of Fred needs a proper singer, it's a very different role to say Moonface Martin which Adrian Dunbar could easily do with his singing ability.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 19, 2024 14:25:56 GMT
It’s because he’s wooden and can’t sing and looks deeply uncomfortable throughout. Almost as uncomfortable as the audience feels watching him. I didn't feel at all uncomfortable. 🫢 |
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Post by westendwhistledown on Jun 19, 2024 14:45:38 GMT
I think some of these theatreboard reviews are pretty savage. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Would give it a 4*, it's a fun night out and I would give it a chance regardless of your views on AD as Stephanie is worth the ticket price. Instant standing ovation and plenty of laughs along the way.
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