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Post by Michael on Apr 15, 2016 12:09:55 GMT
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Post by talkstageytome on Apr 15, 2016 12:42:19 GMT
Oh brill, looks like it's getting some good reviews then. 3* from The Stage (although a large majority of the review focused on details of the plot which I don't necessarily agree with(jibes and comments about 'muddied feminism', it seems to me that the reviewer didn't quite 'get' the plot, which is rather wonderfully blatantly feminist) and much in the way of comment about this particular production. Never mind.) 4* from Whatsonstage I've persuaded my family to see this next weekend so I'm going twice now! Fantastic!  |
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Post by theatre-turtle on Apr 15, 2016 13:56:54 GMT
Can anyone shed light on the changes to the book and score some of the reviews refer to?
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Post by BGLowe on Apr 15, 2016 15:52:39 GMT
Can anyone shed light on the changes to the book and score some of the reviews refer to? They have changed the 'party' part in 'What you want' from being Jamaican to being Bollywood. There are also a few other subtle changes to make it more current (Class of 2015, references to The Apprentice, references to Hollyoaks). That's all I can remember off the top of my head. I saw this on Wednesday, at the matinee. I felt the whole thing was quite lacklustre (although I do blame the audience also - stalls 3/4 full and the circle 1/4 full meant that it was quiet) and the energy from the cast just wasn't there until the second act. Lucie has a lovely voice but for me had very little character - she wasn't funny or heartfelt. Jon Robyns shone above anybody else on the stage and I was waiting for his scenes. Overall, this is my fifth time of seeing LB (3 times in London and 1 on tour with Faye Brooks) and I enjoyed this version the least. |
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Post by Michael on Apr 15, 2016 16:32:56 GMT
I've persuaded my family to see this next weekend so I'm going twice now! Fantastic! Well done  I'm there, too - front row. |
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 15, 2016 17:45:11 GMT
After Oliver last year - anyone know what the Christmas musical is this year at the Curve?
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Post by theatreliker on Apr 15, 2016 20:30:56 GMT
There are guesses that it's Grease. The back of the brochure says an 'electrifying' musical and a 'sticky' family show in the studio (Stick Man or The Twits have been suggested?). I think they are announcing their Autumn/Christmas season this month.
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Post by theatreliker on Apr 15, 2016 20:37:10 GMT
And, in my opinion, if it is Grease it's a bit of an uninspired choice again.
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Post by djp on Apr 15, 2016 21:17:57 GMT
There are guesses that it's Grease. The back of the brochure says an 'electrifying' musical and a 'sticky' family show in the studio (Stick Man or The Twits have been suggested?). I think they are announcing their Autumn/Christmas season this month. isn't electrifying Billy Elliot? |
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Post by theatreliker on Apr 15, 2016 21:21:23 GMT
There are guesses that it's Grease. The back of the brochure says an 'electrifying' musical and a 'sticky' family show in the studio (Stick Man or The Twits have been suggested?). I think they are announcing their Autumn/Christmas season this month. isn't electrifying Billy Elliot? But that's on tour somewhere else surely. Electrifying... Grease Lightning. That's probably the link. |
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 15, 2016 21:27:44 GMT
Yes, probably Grease - family friendly! Sorry to have dragged this thread off topic! Back to Legally Blonde...........
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Post by Michael on Apr 15, 2016 23:16:36 GMT
Yes, probably Grease - family friendly! If it actually were Grease, I need to pay Leicester a third visit this year. I don't even dare admit it, but I've yet to see Grease on stage... Sorry to have dragged this thread off topic! No worries. Dragging topics offtopic is usually my job though  Back to Legally Blonde........... Back in my hotel room after seeing the show tonight. What a great show this is. I've so missed Legally Blonde and I can't wait to be back tomorrow. The cons:Why the hell did they change the arrangements of some songs? Don't fix what isn't broken - the original score was perfect, and the changes made it worse. I didn't quite like the slow start of So Much Better, and the Bollywood stunt in What You Want was completely out of place. I felt that Ian Kelsey was miscast as Callahan. He seemed to feel uncomfortable and out of place. Tupele Dorgu was just an average as Paulette. She wasn't really likeable, more of a caricature and overacted pretty badly. And is it just me or did anyone else find her also unhealthily skinny? Seriously, she needs to gain at least 15 pounds. I do think they should have gotten Jodie Jacobs back, she's in a completely different league. The pros:The band - eight musicians with a brass section - sounded great. Lucie Jones. Need I say more? Great voice and acting. Couldn't take my eyes off her. She's perfect for the role. Jon Robyns is one of the best Emmetts I've seen. I still prefer Alex Gaumond, but he's very close. As futuristic as the set might look at the beginning, it actually worked very well and I was unnecessarily worried when I first saw a photo a few days ago. It's not the set we're used to (e.g. no sorority house), but I thought it was cleverly done. Unobstructed view from the front row with plenty of leg room (at least in the centre seats). (Further) Changes to other productions:The "Gentlemen, behave. This is Harvard Law, and not match.com" part was cut from the selection committee scene in What You Want. Vivienne's party was changed into a formal (gown/tuxedo) party, and Elle didn't grab Enid's glasses when she pretended to be Gloria Steinem. After the court adjourned to the crime scene, the judge wasn't sitting on a toilet but still behind her bench. Misc:Someone should really tell Vivienne that "to thine own self be true" was actually written by Nigel Bottom, and not William Shakespeare. Bruiser didn't bark, it was prerecorded. Rufus felt extremely uncomfortable on stage and dragged his owner off-stage. What was the purpose of the hipster in dungarees in Paulette's salon? He looked completely out of place. In the first class room scene, I firstly mistook the other girl for Vivienne, as Vivienne was wearing a white dress. I mean she's supposed to be wearing black even when nobody's dead, right? |
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Post by theinvisiblegirl on Apr 16, 2016 9:38:12 GMT
On my way to Leicester for the matinee. Just worked out that this will be the 18th time I've seen the show!
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 16, 2016 11:37:53 GMT
On my way to Leicester for the matinee. Just worked out that this will be the 18th time I've seen the show! Enjoy.....I am sure you will. |
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Post by Joseph Buquet on Apr 16, 2016 22:09:56 GMT
Never been to the Curve before, but travelled up from Bristol especially to see this tonight.
It was definitely worth it - I thought that it was a fantastic production at a highly innovative venue. For me, there was no weak link in the cast. Lucie Jones was note-perfect, and brought just the right level of humour and warmth to the role. Very impressive. I'm not a John Robyns fan - I find his voice very nasal. But he suits the role of Emmett, and was good in this. I don't understand the negative comments about Tupele Dorgu - she was game, funny and energetic. Also thought that Ian Kelsey gave a solid performance.
Supporting roles were equally as good - especially Phoebe Street as Vivienne. Also really enjoyed Rachel Stanley, who I remember from Chicago years ago. Would've liked her to have been in it more - a class act.
They really need to work on their skipping in the Brooke Windham skipping scene. There were so many trips!
Band was excellent. Some new arrangements here and there, which were interesting to hear. I enjoyed the Bollywwod section!
There were a few microphone issues which really need to get sorted. Also, at times I felt that the band drowned out the singing a bit.
Sets were simple but effective. A few projections. Even a couple of fireworks. Could maybe have done with some more set pieces, but it wasn't essential.
Looking forward to more visits to the Curve. Really enjoyed seeing a production which felt very different to the Broadway/West End one.
After the show, the wall between the backstage and the foyer had been lifted, so you could see all of the wigs, costumes and props in the backstage area. Something to look out for if you go, and find that sort of thing interesting.
Michael - were you at the end of the central block of row C? In a blue shirt?
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Post by Michael on Apr 16, 2016 22:37:52 GMT
Seen it two more times today and I did notice a few more changes they've made in this production:
Instead of asking her dad to fund her studies at the golf course, Elle asks him at his medical practice. Also, her dad is shown as plastic surgeon injecting botox in a patient's face who also has odd lips.
The Greek chorus in Positive is wearing boxing clothes and gloves, and didn't do the Delta Nu "choreography".
Both the Legally Blonde Remix and There Right There seemed to be shorter than usual and ended abruptly when I was expecting the songs to go on.
I noticed lots of one word changes during the show - but too many to remember them all. A few examples: Nikos left a Lady Gaga CD in the poolhouse (instead of a Cher CD), Elle's neighbour was Beyoncé (instead of Richard Simmons (was it Simon Cowell in the London production?)), Elle talked Mariah Carey (instead of Beyoncé) out of buying a truly heinous top at Macy's (instead of Fred Segal's).
The student formerly known as Aaron Schultz was renamed to Fergus McCall and had a Scottish (?) accent. Nonetheless, Vivienne said during her party that she must convice Aaron Schultz to join their study group.
In Serious, Warner says that his brother has a fiancée, but when Elle browses Elle magazine, she sees pictures of their wedding.
Emmett is already wearing a tie (even before Elle is taking him shopping), and guys get beat up on his street for wearing a particular tie instead of a shirt.
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Post by Michael on Apr 16, 2016 22:41:17 GMT
Michael - were you at the end of the central block of row C? In a blue shirt? I was wearing a blue jumper, but I was in A5 (Matinee) and B11 (Evening). |
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Post by dan on Apr 16, 2016 23:54:36 GMT
I really enjoyed myself with the show. As for positives, the production looked great and had some great casting (Jon & Jamal most notably).
Although Lucie had a great vocal, I didn't feel she had the comedic chops and didn't laugh once at her / with her performance. I was not a fan of the Paulette casting choice either. Or Callahan.
The feeling I was left with was "flat". The whole experience felt flat and like something was missing. Maybe I was spoilt with the westend production, but I also preferred the touring version and the production at Kilworth House last year. The Curve stage is fairly epic if you don't fill it, and I think this version could do with a smaller stage. I just didn't get much chemistry between the cast. In fact, just seeing Jamal made me long to see Bend It again!
Although that all might sound fairly negative, I did enjoy it and hope it does well and hope the cast grow into the show.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 18, 2016 6:27:38 GMT
Well, I've taken the plunge and booked for this! I'm actually quite excited! The score seems fun, so hopefully will not be disappointed.
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Post by westendcub on Apr 18, 2016 11:38:40 GMT
Well, I've taken the plunge and booked for this! I'm actually quite excited! The score seems fun, so hopefully will not be disappointed. I’m really hope you enjoy the musical, for me it’s really become a favourite show of mine. It’s the show that Broadway just didn’t seem to get but for a movie to stage production I think it actually excels the film (which I struggled to watch recently as I missed them breaking into song at the key moments!) I saw twice on the West-End and the recently twice at ‘Upstairs at the Gatehouse’, I nearly booked for this but saving the reserves for other theatre outings instead as I was pleased as punch with the recent fringe production. |
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Post by Jasmine on Apr 19, 2016 9:11:46 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed this last night. Wasn't impressed with the set though - seems like most of the budget went on those big neon lighting strips and projection screens, which didn't add much imo (although the Brooke Wyndham video was quite good). The roll on stuff looked very tired, alarmingly wobbly in places and we could hear a lot of creaking and cracking at times!
But my misgivings about the design were made up for by the energy of the cast (didn't notice any trips in the skipping routine last night) and the musical itself is so joyous you can't help but have a good time.
Quite a few empty seats around me and I was on row B!
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Post by talkstageytome on Apr 20, 2016 22:35:14 GMT
Saw this tonight and LOVED it! The music was fab, the set was nice all be it simplistic, the cast was very good. I adored Lucie Jones as Elle, especially her voice. And Jon Robyns was a fabulous Emmett. I am a fan of course but I thought he really was fabulous. 'Chip on my shoulder' was my favourite song of the night. Noticed a lot of riffing from them both, which worked for me even though I don't love rigging normally (it was in the riff-y bits anyway so... ).
I'll echo most of what others have said about Callahan and Paulette, although I thought she sang Ireland very nicely.
Overall just a fabulous production of a really wonderful show, I'm so happy to br seeing it with my family this weekend too.
Also I caught the internship paper, yay!
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Post by Michael on Apr 22, 2016 21:33:10 GMT
Tonight, they lost Serena after Omigod you guys. Not sure why and there was no announcement, but they handled it perfectly. If you hadn't known there was supposed to be a third Sorority/Greek Chorus girl, you wouldn't have noticed.
Margot and Pilar covered all her lines, and even Elle didn't address Serena. However, they were one letter short to form ELLE WOODS at the end of act one, so Fergus McCall came on stage but chose the wrong position, as the book covers read LELE WOODS.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Apr 22, 2016 21:36:55 GMT
Tonight, they lost Serena after Omigod you guys. Not sure why and there was no announcement, but they handled it perfectly. If you hadn't known there was supposed to be a third Sorority/Greek Chorus girl, you wouldn't have noticed. Margot and Pilar covered all her lines, and even Elle didn't address Serena. However, they were one letter short to form ELLE WOODS at the end of act one, so Fergus McCall came on stage but chose the wrong position, as the book covers read LELE WOODS. That's incredibly professional. Which one did the rap in Bend and Snap? |
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Post by talkstageytome on Apr 22, 2016 21:39:37 GMT
Tonight, they lost Serena after Omigod you guys. Not sure why and there was no announcement, but they handled it perfectly. If you hadn't known there was supposed to be a third Sorority/Greek Chorus girl, you wouldn't have noticed. Margot and Pilar covered all her lines, and even Elle didn't address Serena. However, they were one letter short to form ELLE WOODS at the end of act one, so Fergus McCall came on stage but chose the wrong position, as the book covers read LELE WOODS. Oh I forgot to mention that we had no Serena at all on Wednesday night! |
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