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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 23, 2018 13:48:30 GMT
As long as it's on the GCSE syllabus (and so sells to school parties), it will stay the same.
First, it sells without problem anyway.
Second, the teacher lesson plans will all be based around the current production and staging. There would be uproar (mostly from teachers) if pupils are taught based on the current production, then go and discover it has changed. It's a change that just wouldn't make financial sense until this leaves the GCSE syllabus (at which point, there's a good chance it will stop touring for a while).
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Post by Seriously on Sept 23, 2018 14:53:05 GMT
Students aren't taught on the current production and staging. They're taught on the text.
That's like saying they have to go see one specific production of King Lear.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2018 15:01:54 GMT
Well that depends on whether it's English teachers or drama teachers. English is all about the text, sure, but I bet drama teachers love a long-term consistent production that they can use to emphasise non-textual elements of a production without having to come up with the classroom work on the fly every year.
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 23, 2018 15:51:47 GMT
You'll find English teachers like a consistent production as well.
For Shakespeare, for example, that's why they choose the same filmed version to show every time.
If you were to look at a certain video site, you might even find evidence there that students have all been told to look at the same production of Blood Brothers as homework (yes, it's illegal, as are many recordings used in classrooms, but the realist in me understands why it happens).
Teaching isn't an easy profession and no English Literature class nowadays is going to be just about reading the texts.
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Post by Seriously on Sept 23, 2018 15:55:43 GMT
Do you want to phone the RSC and tell them to stop mounting new productions, or shall I?
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Post by Jon on Sept 23, 2018 16:40:08 GMT
I’m surprised Blood Brothers is still on the GCSE syllabus
I don’t agree that productions should stay the same, we have seen revivals where a new approach can really revitalise a show say like Ivo Van Hove’s production of A View From The Bridge or Sam Mendes’ Cabaret and Oliver!
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Post by Seriously on Sept 23, 2018 16:43:42 GMT
To put this into context, the coat Mrs J wears is the same coat Stephanie Lawrence wore in 1990.
That's 28 years of Kenwright not paying for a new costume for the leading lady.
When Marti Pellow played the Narrator, he bought his own shirts, because he hated the ones provided.
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Post by tommy on Sept 23, 2018 19:29:53 GMT
I think Blood Brothers is a tricky one. I understand the argument about it becoming a museum piece but what changes do you suggest? I've seen the tour over ten times and every time have been crying by the end and felt moved throughout. In my opinion Willy Russell wrote a great musical that stands up for itself and really doesn't require a fresh interpretation! The most obvious things are the orchestrations, which are terribly dated. The drum machines, tinny synthesizers and some of the guitars are to be point of being cringey now, and detract from the dramatic sections of the shows. I would love for it to be re-orchestrated into something with a far more timeless feel. Maybe with a folk edge to it. On the orchestrations I agree, particularly the ouverture I think. But in general change isn't always for the better, and it might be tricky on this long running hit show that still plays to standing ovations each night... |
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Post by Stephen on Sept 23, 2018 20:04:11 GMT
The last time I saw Blood Brothers the overture was a just a wall of sound and vibration. Some new orchestrations could indeed be wonderful.
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Sept 23, 2018 22:35:49 GMT
Uncle Bill just refuses to spend money on it. In his eyes it works perfectly well (at making him money) and spending any money on it won't make him any more. He knows full well if he does an availability check on the cast and they say they're available for the next tour, he doesn't need to offer them any extra money as they have no other work to go to. He also only has to pay for a few days' rehearsals if everyone has done it before. When Mark took over as Mickey he put a picture of his 3 year old daughter on the Act 2 "House" set. She's 18 now! I think you're referring to Sean Jones who has been playing Mickey for 16 years. Personally I think he can still get away with it but Mark Hutchinson who plays Eddie is, in my opinion, looking far too old for the part. |
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Post by hannechalk on Sept 25, 2018 9:06:33 GMT
First of all, don't feed the trolls.
The picture on the wall of the house in Act II is of Sean Jones' eldest daughter. Does it really matter whose or which baby is on there, and how old she is now? Does it impact the show at all? No. In some shows his youngest daughter comes out with Donna Marie at the start of Act II (Our Donna Marie already has three, she's a bit like me that way) in her own contemporary clothes - a nice little touch, which doesn't affect the show either, whatever she's wearing or however old she is. But it's a little 'Aaaw'-moment when it happens.
Why would the set need changing? I don't get that. Blood Brothers has been performed with the set stripped to the bare minimum in small theatres, and the story is just as powerful, and received just as well.
As for the music - I like it as it is.
What would the point be of moving the setting? It's drawing full houses and standing ovations anyway.
As for the clothes - why would they need to be updated? They do the job, as long as they don't fall apart.
I will concur that looking only at the new pictures, and not knowing what it is about, I'd guess it's a story about a woman torn between two lovers. But when you're at the show you get taken in by the story and the acting.
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Post by Seriously on Sept 25, 2018 20:45:42 GMT
Well, I mentioned Sean putting the picture on the set as an example of how long he's been there. When he first put it there she was 3, she's now 18.
If you can't understand that, there's not much point answering your other questions.
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Post by theatreian on Sept 25, 2018 21:32:11 GMT
Going to Shrewsbury October 10th to catch the matinee and Linzi. Can't wait.
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Sept 26, 2018 5:17:01 GMT
People having different opinions to you does not make them a troll hannechalk and if that comment is aimed at me I'd like to know why? |
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Post by hannechalk on Sept 26, 2018 8:20:50 GMT
People having different opinions to you does not make them a troll hannechalk and if that comment is aimed at me I'd like to know why? Well, someone is feeling paranoid. It wasn't. |
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Sept 26, 2018 9:45:26 GMT
People having different opinions to you does not make them a troll hannechalk and if that comment is aimed at me I'd like to know why? Well, someone is feeling paranoid. It wasn't. Hanne, as your comment came directly after mine and you were not specific then it was not an unreasonable question to ask. |
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Post by hannechalk on Sept 30, 2018 13:39:01 GMT
I went to see Blood Brothers last night at the Swansea Grand Theatre.
Linzi Hateley was indisposed, therefore Sarah Jane Buckley played Mrs Johnstone (she is normally Mrs Lyons) and Amy-Jane Ollies was Mrs Lyons (normally Donna Marie/Miss Jones). Which left Alison Crawford pull double duties as Donna Marie/Miss Jones as well as her own, wherever possible.
They were both brilliant in their different roles!
I looked at it with previous comments on this thread in mind, so the first thought was 'How will Mrs Lyons look when she is naturally half the age of her son?'. And it was fine. I still get swept up in the show and just follow the story.
I think I also saw some different lighting, clothes and thought I heard some different arrangements in some bits, but I could be totally wrong. I have problems with my memory, and I was in a different spot than usual.
I still loved it, and am looking forward to hopefully catching Linzi next month in Stoke.
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Post by MrsCondomine on Oct 3, 2018 15:45:36 GMT
"I wish I was our Sammy Our Sammy's nearly 50". Am sat at work valiantly trying to stop tears of laughter rolling down my face. Man I love Blood Brothers and all its weird casting. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 3, 2018 17:32:24 GMT
It’s at the Lowry in April. Which means it will have done Manchester, St Helens, Salford, Preston, Wallasey, Liverpool and Blackpool by the end of the tour. That’s the North West pretty much covered in blood.
A couple of friends haven’t seen it and want to go. I’ll do it, just for Linzi but last time I said never again. That dreary music, geriatric Mrs J and middle aged men playing children is a right turn off. But seeing as I’ve inly ever seen a Nolan I will give it a chance.
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Post by theatreian on Oct 3, 2018 21:17:14 GMT
Hope to see Linzi next week. I love this show so Burly you must give it a chance. I am biased I know coming from Liverpool and seeing it from the first production, but it is a great show.
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Post by SageStageMgr on Oct 6, 2018 21:27:35 GMT
Not been the same since Keith Burns left. The definitive Narrator
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Post by Roxie on Oct 6, 2018 21:40:44 GMT
I haven’t seen this in YEARS! I was working at the local theatre when it came with one of the Nolan sisters. I thought it was great but as I watched it about 4 times in one week (ushering made me feel like I could have stepped in to some shows by the end of the run) I haven’t seen the need to watch it since. Looking forward to this in Stoke later in the month!
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Post by Seriously on Oct 6, 2018 21:56:37 GMT
Not been the same since Keith Burns left. The definitive Narrator I'm a Warwick Evans fan myself. |
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Post by SageStageMgr on Oct 6, 2018 22:48:13 GMT
Not been the same since Keith Burns left. The definitive Narrator I'm a Warwick Evans fan myself. I did actually see Warwick Evans. I love him on the 1995 cast recording. Was a little disappointed in him live, I booked specifically to see his return to the show in the tour quite a few years back. Thought he was quite wooden but vocals were good. The main thing I remember was his magnificent, bouffant 80’s hair, which was spectacular and stole the show. |
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Post by MrsCondomine on Oct 8, 2018 12:13:40 GMT
The main thing I remember was his magnificent, bouffant 80’s hair, which was spectacular and stole the show. NOW Y'KNOW THE DEVIL'S GOT YOUR HAIRSPRAY YOU KNOW HE'S GONNA STYLE YOU |
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