Rob Madge’s Regards to Broadway - Garrick

[ilovewemusicals]

“It’s two weeks before I’m due to make my Broadway debut. I’m midway through packing my suitcase, putting my passport in its cute little holder from Dunelm (maybe after New York I’ll be able to afford a John Lewis one) and I receive a phone call. “Hey Mr Producer!” I sing in the style of Andrea McArdle. I then see my agent is also on the line. I know what it is. They want Jinkx Monsoon to play me on matinees to get a few more bums on seats but I have told them, she can’t do a Brummie accent. “Rob”, I hear, “We are going to have to postpone”. White noise. Like that sound effect when someone gets diagnosed with an illness on Coronation Street. My legs give way and I fall onto the bed (cos I’m dramatic like that). I look at the open suitcase, resigning myself to the fact I will never get my John Lewis passport holder. Four in a Bed’s on the telly. In the space of one phone call, I’ve gone from potential Broadway star and Tony Award winner to unassuming armchair critic of Seaside Shores B&B.”

When Rob was 12 they used to put on shows in the living room. When Rob was 26 their show about putting on shows in the living room was meant to transfer to Broadway. When Rob was 27 this Broadway transfer got postponed. Join Rob as they return to their family home in the Midlands and experience the greatest humbling of their life.

“They’ve come home at last” Nicole Scherzinger, 2023

Sunday 26th May at 2:30pm and 7:30pm

[nash16]

Apr 14, 2024 15:24:21 GMT ilovewemusicals said:

“It’s two weeks before I’m due to make my Broadway debut. I’m midway through packing my suitcase, putting my passport in its cute little holder from Dunelm (maybe after New York I’ll be able to afford a John Lewis one) and I receive a phone call. “Hey Mr Producer!” I sing in the style of Andrea McArdle. I then see my agent is also on the line. I know what it is. They want Jinkx Monsoon to play me on matinees to get a few more bums on seats but I have told them, she can’t do a Brummie accent. “Rob”, I hear, “We are going to have to postpone”. White noise. Like that sound effect when someone gets diagnosed with an illness on Coronation Street. My legs give way and I fall onto the bed (cos I’m dramatic like that). I look at the open suitcase, resigning myself to the fact I will never get my John Lewis passport holder. Four in a Bed’s on the telly. In the space of one phone call, I’ve gone from potential Broadway star and Tony Award winner to unassuming armchair critic of Seaside Shores B&B.”

When Rob was 12 they used to put on shows in the living room. When Rob was 26 their show about putting on shows in the living room was meant to transfer to Broadway. When Rob was 27 this Broadway transfer got postponed. Join Rob as they return to their family home in the Midlands and experience the greatest humbling of their life.

“They’ve come home at last” Nicole Scherzinger, 2023

Sunday 26th May at 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Or, when life hands you a lemon…

Poor Rob.

[erik24601]

Interesting (but perhaps not surprising) to note that this is produced by Lambert Jackson and not Paul Taylor Mills.

[ladidah]

Stupid question - but does anyone have any ideas on what format this show will be?

[ilovewemusicals]

Saw the matinee today and… TheatreBoard was mentioned, several times, on a West End stage. No spoilers but woo!!

[Rory]

May 26, 2024 16:10:42 GMT ilovewemusicals said:

Saw the matinee today and… TheatreBoard was mentioned, several times, on a West End stage. No spoilers but woo!!

What was said about it, dare I ask?!

[ilovewemusicals]

Comments some people posted about the Broadway postponement that infuriated his mum. He did respect the theatre community having a place to discuss theatre though.

[Being Alive]

We...do not come off well in this 😂

[sph]

To be fair, I don't think anyone criticised the show itself in that thread, but they did point out how producers made a mistake trying to take a show like that to Broadway. I don't think that's an unjust opinion.

I've seen many excellent fringe shows that I would recommend to anyone, but they wouldn't work on Broadway.

[ThereWillBeSun]

May 26, 2024 16:14:51 GMT ilovewemusicals said:

Comments some people posted about the Broadway postponement that infuriated his mum. He did respect the theatre community having a place to discuss theatre though.

When you’re in the public domain.

Expect an opinion?

[sph]

Did they quote anyone specifically?

[theatrefan62]

May 26, 2024 21:05:25 GMT ThereWillBeSun said:

May 26, 2024 16:14:51 GMT ilovewemusicals said:

Comments some people posted about the Broadway postponement that infuriated his mum. He did respect the theatre community having a place to discuss theatre though.

When you’re in the public domain.

Expect an opinion?

Exactly, and no one from memory was criticising Rob. Just the producers and their crazy decision to do the transfer , especially at sky high prices. This was also heavily commented on on broadwayworld.

tbh Rob hasnt come off all that well since the broadway cancellation. It's too much saying 'I'm fine', while going on to create multiple social media posts and a whole show about it. Just seems more bitter than they like to make out. Also robs attitude around the child legally blonde tiktok trend a few weeks ago put me right off. The mask has slipped a bit.

[bonnotonno]

May 26, 2024 21:31:15 GMT sph said:

Did they quote anyone specifically?

They quoted 'tears before bedtime' which is said in the international thread. The mention of theatreboard wasn't very negative, more so that their mum was annoyed by the posts. Rob was jokingly bitter about how there was indeed tears before bedtime. 

[bonnotonno]

I really enjoyed this, very funny and very emotional. They are a great performer and great writer. It was very emotional and they told the story in a way that was relatable in terms of dealing with disappointment etc. - despite the situation being rather unique to Rob and their team. Also technically was very good in terms of the staging. They have created something really special out of a horrible situation

[Dr Tom]

But did any TB members get name checked (and were they there in person to enjoy the fame)?

In preparation for Rob’s next show, I think they’re brilliant!

[ceebee]

Imagine getting bitter over Theatreboard...
Sounds like perfect membership credentials to me.

[theatercat]

No name checking, was more a reference to the fact that someone said there was going to be tears before bed time and it turned out to be true, and that their mum swore off checking reviews but couldn't help checking

Show it's self was brilliant. I really enjoyed my sons a queer and was slightly worried about a follow up without videos to rely on but it was just as poignant and funny. It felt refreshingly honest, very little blame or pity parties.

Some of the references were lost on my non theatre partner but they also loved it.

It genuinely felt like the applause at the matinee would have lasted for a long time if not cut off

[theatreliker]

Well, shout out to Rob's parents. 👋

[imstillhere]

I saw a preview of this and I have to say, it's definitely not my vibe. Frankly, the entire production comes off as tone-deaf and self-indulgent. It seems to shy away from delving deep into any real themes of failure and pain, which I find quite cowardly. Madge's contemporaries are making much more braver work. A show about a New York run being cancelled simply lacks the substance to be engaging. I believe Madge should aim for something more ambitious and less self-centered in their next project.  

Making a show about a ( utterly deludued) Broadway production being postponed and then heading straight into the West End is like the opposite of the hard-won success of Operation Mincemeat. There’s simply nothing to say here.

[Being Alive]

But tell us how you really feel!!

[alece10]

Preview?
Thought this was a 2 off performance (matinee and evening).

[andrew]

May 27, 2024 15:18:57 GMT imstillhere said:

I saw a preview of this and I have to say, it's definitely not my vibe. Frankly, the entire production comes off as tone-deaf and self-indulgent. It seems to shy away from delving deep into any real themes of failure and pain, which I find quite cowardly. Madge's contemporaries are making much more braver work. A show about a New York run being cancelled simply lacks the substance to be engaging. I believe Madge should aim for something more ambitious and less self-centered in their next project.  

Making a show about a ( utterly deludued) Broadway production being postponed and then heading straight into the West End is like the opposite of the hard-won success of Operation Mincemeat. There’s simply nothing to say here.

How hilarious that this is exactly the kind of comments this show makes fun of. Tell us you're tone deaf without telling us you're done deaf...

[nash16]

Rob’s mum will be entering the chat in 3mins.

[adamkinsey]

But what were the songs like? Has Rob discovered a talent for lyric writing or are they cliched? Are any of their tunes catchy?

[ladidah]

I wanted to catch this, but it didn't work out.

What was the show like, did it feature home movies like last time?