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Post by staygee on Jan 24, 2017 10:28:43 GMT
Overall thought the show was very good. Didn't realise how bizarre the storyline was just from listening to the CD. Joanne was ok, obviously no Sutton Foster with the vocals but her dancing was very good. She just didn't pack a big punch in those big numbers (although this was slightly due to the whole thing not being loud enough). Forget about the boy in particular was a bit of a let down. Other leads very good, Michelle did just fine. Really liked the Jimmy. Some slight sound issues but it was the first preview so understandable. This review was almost exactly how I felt about the production! I usually am a fan of Racky Plews' work and this didn't disappoint. Overall I had a great time. The only disappointing ones were Joanne and Michelle. Joanne did a good enough job but she didn't have the power on the big moment. Michelle wasn't terrible but she made what is a brilliant role very second-fiddle. I suspect whoever replaces her in a few weeks will sort that out. Loved the Jimmy - I saw Sam Barrett in Moby Dick and was impressed then as well. Jenny Fitzpatrick as Muzzy was a real treat. If it's coming to town I'd give it a shot. |
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Post by duncan on Feb 3, 2017 20:59:54 GMT
At the interval, and there is nothing wrong with the show but I'm finding it a struggle. Not sure why, it's just not connecting with me.
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836 posts
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Post by duncan on Feb 3, 2017 22:33:28 GMT
Second half is 1000 times better. Enjoyable fluff by the end. 6/10
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836 posts
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Post by duncan on Feb 3, 2017 23:40:53 GMT
Thoroughly Modern Millie - Playhouse Edinburgh
The first half just didn’t engage with me at all, Not sure why I wasn’t enjoying it as the cast were good and the songs were nice but come the interval I was thinking that this was a dud. The show has within the first 20 minutes or so a bizarre scene of Michelle Collins doing yellowface which is paid off at the end of the scene (where it turns out she is a white American actress who is on the run and is hiding out by pretending to be Japanese) but for 5 minutes or so it came across as a horribly racist attempt to shoehorn in a famous name. I'm not sure if that was why I was having issues with the show for the first 80 minutes or so.
Things were thankfully amped up in the second half as they introduced comedy and the songs started to shine. The minor characters came to the fore as they rescued both the show and the characters who had been kidnapped for the slavery racket and thankfully this made the last hour very entertaining. Although the ending is a massive cop out with a lot of characters interacting in ways that make you think about the happenstance of it all but I'll let it slide because that second half was terrific.
Strictly winner Joanne Clifton is playing Millie, I'm not familiar with her work but here she showed she is certainly more than a dancer.
6/10 - there is potential here but its squandered in a torpid first half.
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19,661 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2017 9:43:35 GMT
Any info on who is taking over from Collins?
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1,819 posts
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Post by stevej678 on Feb 5, 2017 10:27:38 GMT
One star review from the Mail on Sunday. Describes the show as "a thoroughly past-it Millie" which hits rock bottom with "Michelle Collins's squawking". Ouch.
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Feb 7, 2017 16:33:52 GMT
Just gonna plant a little (slightly informed) seed that maybe the next Mrs Meers might be male. Has that been done before?
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Post by groupbooker on Feb 8, 2017 0:57:08 GMT
Perhaps it's Craig Revel Horwood - then he could have the entire cast sing, dance and play musical instruments all at the same time!! Wonderful!
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Post by lou105 on Feb 11, 2017 9:38:31 GMT
Any info on who is taking over from Collins? It looks like they've taken the first night in York off sale (Feb 27th). I think that's about the right time for the replacement to be starting, so I'm wondering if they've dropped a performance for a rehearsal day? Still no name. |
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Post by zsazsa on Feb 11, 2017 9:48:39 GMT
I saw this on Thursday. I was impressed with Joanne Clifton as Millie although she tends to over gesture during her ballads. Sam Barrett sings the role of Jimmy beautifully. One of the biggest applauses of the night was for Jenny Fitzpartick's rendition of 'Only In New York.'
The audience also loved Graham MacDuff as Trevor but for me I felt at times he was milking it a bit too much.
Michelle Collins is definitely the weak link. Her performance comes across as a celeb who has been thrown into a panto with just a day's rehearsal.
For just an 8 piece band the music still sounded quite full. I do suspect there was some click tracking going on.
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Post by ianm on Feb 11, 2017 13:43:18 GMT
Any info on who is taking over from Collins? It looks like they've taken the first night in York off sale (Feb 27th). I think that's about the right time for the replacement to be starting, so I'm wondering if they've dropped a performance for a rehearsal day? Still no name. As the first night (Monday 30 January) of the run in Edinburgh was also cancelled, I suspect it is more likely to be for technical reasons to do with the get in. |
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Post by lou105 on Feb 11, 2017 14:04:56 GMT
Fair enough. York is notorious for limited space, I believe. I haven't booked but I'm wondering if they will now offer the more generous Members' first night discount on the Tuesday instead!
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Post by ianm on Feb 11, 2017 14:12:44 GMT
Fair enough. York is notorious for limited space, I believe. I haven't booked but I'm wondering if they will now offer the more generous Members' first night discount on the Tuesday instead! Doubt it. In Edinburgh they honoured the first night discount when transferring a previouly purchased ticket to the new opening night, but the website still showed the original second night prices for those still to buy a ticket. Worth asking at the Box Office though, as the Tuesday has now become the opening night. |
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Post by aldolpho on Feb 13, 2017 14:40:18 GMT
Saw the show on Saturday evening. Generally impressed with the cast and some really lovely stuff going on in the numbers and the scenes. Joanne was great and Katherine Glover (as Dorothy) and Graham MacDuff (Graydon) were standouts.
Two main issues: Michelle Collins was well below par as Meers. Part of the blame lies with her (for example, knowing her lines /lyrics and singing in tune would be a start) but surely the director should have intervened before allowing such a performance to hit the stage.
Secondly I was underwhelmed by the band. It should have rocked along nicely despite the small number of players, but virtually every number had a click track (not for vocals but for additional recorded instruments). As such the live band were essentially "playing along" - they all had headsets in - and the MD wasn't even conducting from Keys 1. The whole thing was very bland and uninvolving from a musical perspective to be honest, and such a sharp contrast to the last UK tour which had a fabulous 10 piece fully live band which brought so much more energy to the show.
There was a tech issue on Saturday night - think it was with the MD's keyboard - which caused a show stop within the first minute during the opening number.
Enjoyable show but could have been so much better.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 20:48:33 GMT
Collins finishes her run next Saturday. Still no new Mrs Meers?
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590 posts
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Post by lou105 on Feb 18, 2017 11:51:53 GMT
Still no word on the replacement. Moreover one of the towns which is hosting this in a few weeks has posters up on buses, telephone boxes etc which have Michelle Collins on them, with top billing!
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 18, 2017 12:06:24 GMT
Dare I ask why she is only doing such a short stint in this tour?
It does seem to be a growing trend now where leading actors in musicals perform short runs or perform on a rota. No-one, it seems is prepared to commit for a (say) a year in case (I suppose) more lucrative TV work comes along.
The current Funny Girl tour, takes this to a new level where there are 2 sets of leads, seemingly randomly alternating venues - it's not even one week on and one week off. I suppose this was to accommodate Sheridan Smith, who either needed weeks off to rest or more likely squeezing in filming another TV drama? But why a different leading man too?
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Post by Scswp on Feb 18, 2017 12:11:39 GMT
I think in the case of Funny Girl, Darius is a sort-of known name to boost ticket sales at Natasha's venues. Sheridan is enough of a draw at her venues (and, allegedly, didn't hit-it-off with Darius - maybe that's the reason for different leading men).
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Post by stageyninja83 on Feb 20, 2017 8:32:08 GMT
Been told that the new Mrs Meers is going to be hilarious and that I should book a ticket. I couldn't stand Michelle Collins in the role so quite frankly anyone would be an improvement! If we're going down the drag route I'm hoping for Lucas Rush.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 19:32:04 GMT
Dare I ask why she is only doing such a short stint in this tour? It does seem to be a growing trend now where leading actors in musicals perform short runs or perform on a rota. No-one, it seems is prepared to commit for a (say) a year in case (I suppose) more lucrative TV work comes along. The current Funny Girl tour, takes this to a new level where there are 2 sets of leads, seemingly randomly alternating venues - it's not even one week on and one week off. I suppose this was to accommodate Sheridan Smith, who either needed weeks off to rest or more likely squeezing in filming another TV drama? But why a different leading man too? She is appearing in a new play at Park Theatre in March And is unable to be in 2 shows at the same time |
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Post by stageyninja83 on Feb 24, 2017 0:00:29 GMT
Looks like I get my wish! Going to be interested to see a guy take on this role.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2017 6:55:51 GMT
Looks like I get my wish! Going to be interested to see a guy take on this role. do you know who it is? |
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Post by stageyninja83 on Feb 24, 2017 9:41:45 GMT
Looks like I get my wish! Going to be interested to see a guy take on this role. do you know who it is? Lucas Rush I believe |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2017 10:01:36 GMT
As much as I love Lucas and love watching him perform, I don't think he would ever do a production that's so cheap. He said himself he's being very picky about jobs. |
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Post by stageyninja83 on Feb 24, 2017 10:14:42 GMT
As much as I love Lucas and love watching him perform, I don't think he would ever do a production that's so cheap. He said himself he's being very picky about jobs. The fact that Racky is directing it is probably a big part of the reason he is doing it and the fact that it will be quite a different take on the part to previous people in the role. It's going to be confirmed imminently. |
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