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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 16:30:26 GMT
@burlybear you know we'd ALL have been there for that Yes, there's always a shortage of powerful tops. Ask anyone around here!  P.s if you want to tag me you have to use @ and admin  hahaha oh dear! and ah ha good to know (I was being lazy and not quoting anyway...) |
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 15, 2017 17:36:09 GMT
Just sitting down with a coffee after this afternoons performance so thought I'd share my initial thoughts
- it is wonderfully staged. The opening sequence and the carousel waltz were stunning (I do love me a good revolve). It's a fully staged show though, I wouldn't say there is anything semi staged about it (I've paid more for full blown productions with less set).
- neither Alfie or Katherine put in a good acting performance. I'm normally really forgiving but they just didn't. I kept wanting them to be better. And they weren't. I mean, she was ok I guess (although the death scene didn't work, she didn't cry - as she's not an actress, so it didn't feel as it should). Poor Alfie though, this is not his show (and the wig!)
- however, very well sung. For me, the show belongs to Alex Young as Carrie and Gavin Spokes as Enoch. Beautiful pairing. Also, Brenda Edwards singing You'll Never Walk Alone is worth the price of admission.
3* from me. This could have been a masterpiece. It's just not led well enough.
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 15, 2017 17:55:07 GMT
Isn't Katherine missing a performance? The show night be worth catching then?
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Apr 15, 2017 18:06:52 GMT
Isn't Katherine missing a performance? The show night be worth catching then? She is. This Tuesday night. I have my ticket for then. Sadly, it doesn't seem Alfie is missing a show. |
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Post by shady23 on Apr 15, 2017 18:13:25 GMT
Was at the matinee today.
Enjoyed the first act more than the second, it descended into panto at times.
Supporting cast were great but underused.
Sets had so much potential but staging too frequently seemed to be "Alfie, storm around stage a bit".
Couldn't find any feelings for Katherine Jenkins character at all. Gina Beck would have slayed that. Katherine cannot act . Her reaction to the life defining moment was like "oh well.... never mind"
Nicolas Lyndhurst's cameo made Wendi Peters in Wonderland look like a huge part. Utterly pointless.
Alfie sounds divine but is miscast.
Worth a cheap ticket in the gallery though.
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 15, 2017 18:14:53 GMT
Was at the matinee today. Enjoyed the first act more than the second, it descended into panto at times. Supporting cast were great but underused. Sets had so much ppotential but staging too frequently seemed to be "Alfie, storm around stage a bit". Couldn't find any feelings for Katherine Jenkins character at all. Gina Beck would have stayed that. Katherine cannot act. Nicolas Lyndhurst's cameo made Wendi Peters in Wonderland look like a huge part. Utterly pointless. Alfie sounds divine but is miscast. Worth a cheap ticket in the gallery though. Literally. At the interval I jut thought 'Gina Beck and Ramin Karimloo PLEEEEEASE' |
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Post by justafan on Apr 15, 2017 18:15:42 GMT
Please god when I go the understudies are on 🤞
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Post by shady23 on Apr 15, 2017 18:19:32 GMT
Yes! Ramin would have been perfect.
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 16, 2017 0:57:16 GMT
Seeing this today serves to remind me of the last time we have had a full blown Rogers and Hammerstein production in the West End and it is The Sound of Music and the London Palladium all those years ago, so strange a staple of the West End has gone many years without a full production, today wasn't one.
Rogers and Hammerstein are/is the greatest composers in musical theatre, with Carousel their greatest work, so a near operatic score that incorporates delectable ballet, so what's not to like? Well the wigs were laughable, but the shortcoming in acting, which I didn't think was too bad and I could excuse - was more than made up by this great and an absolute pleasure hearing that score accompanied by a 42 piece orchestra being lavishly sung.
Now I was hoping for Nicholas Lyndhurst call Billy Bigelow 'a plonker' for making such as hash of his life, but that never happened. Great seeing him on stage, but if you blinked you missed and probably wise he didn't sing.
4 Stars
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Post by sondheimhats on Apr 16, 2017 4:15:43 GMT
Ramin is a better fit for the role than Alfie, but to be honest I don't think he has the acting chops for this either.
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Post by ShoesForRent on Apr 17, 2017 10:49:59 GMT
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Post by ali973 on Apr 17, 2017 10:56:21 GMT
^ Agreed.
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Post by martin1965 on Apr 17, 2017 12:07:35 GMT
Renee Fleming!! She's not bad😄 |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 17, 2017 12:21:52 GMT
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Post by CG on the loose on Apr 18, 2017 22:43:38 GMT
As mentioned in 'General', I was upgraded at Carousel tonight because the Balcony was closed. Rest of the place seemed fairly sparsely populated even with everyone relocated from the cheap seats.
How's it been on other nights? Wondering how much was down to the Jenkins effect (her absence, that is) keeping people away as much as it drew me to book for this specific performamce.
Enjoyed Molly Lynch in the role, beautiful voice - blame for the lack of chemistry between her and Boe I lay squarely at his feet. He sang well enough, if you want to hear a soulless rendition of numbers that should be dripping with feeling - hot-tempered, hot-blooded - but that was all.
Even the wig had given up on the acting... now ponytail rather than whatever the hell that was in the production photos.
Alex Young and Gavin Spokes were great - warm, funny, in fine voice - and I enjoyed the rich, mellow rumble of Brenda Edwards' Nettie. The full chorus sounded wonderful but I didn't get the wow factor from the orchestra that I did with Sunset. Not sure if that was sound issues or just that this score doesn't stir me as that does.
So... glad I went? Yes. Glad I got upgraded? Yes! Who wouldn't be? My remarks on t'other thread were somewhat tongue in cheek - I just wasn't prepared to splash out on seeing this!
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Post by sayers500 on Apr 18, 2017 22:54:33 GMT
How's it been on other nights? Have heard that it's been totally full when Jenkins has performed. Was also there tonight and totally loved it despite the cheap set and Boe's less than convincing acting. It's great to hear a fantastic score played by a full orchestra and a capable supporting cast. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 19, 2017 10:22:23 GMT
I really enjoyed Molly Lynch, Jigger , Snow and Julie. Also the upgrade from the rafters to the stalls was great but as for the rest ...
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Apr 19, 2017 10:44:55 GMT
I was there last night, and fully enjoyed it. It was my first time seeing Carousel, and I am not familiar with it at all, so I have to say I was blown away by the piece - what a wonderful story and set of songs.
I really liked Molly Lynch as Julie, and I actually thought Alfie Boe was okay - nothing more, but perhaps I came in with low expectations following the reviews, both here and in the press. But generally it sounded fantastic, so, so glad I went.
Edited to add a question as a Carousel-newbie:
Is the choreography an inherent part of the musical (in the same way you have to use the proscribed dancing in West Side Story)? Or is it up to each production to put their own choreography on the Carousel Waltz scene and the Ballet?
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 19, 2017 11:55:13 GMT
I'm sure multiple productions have scaled down the dancing elements and if you do not have a decent orchestra to do justice to the wonderful score then I can see why ... although I love dance and carousel's dance music so I'm all for it
I didn't enjoy the choreography for this production way too many jazz hands
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 22, 2017 20:28:56 GMT
Enjoyed it more than most here. First exposure to Boe and never mind the bits between songs he just cant' deliver a lyric. At that Miss Jenkins was so much better, great diction and a pleasant voice. She's the one i would like to see again.
Cant understand why Alex Young isn't getting more praise. Its a big stage and it was fine during the music but dragged when she wasn't on stage.
I actually loved Blow High, Blow Low/Hornpipe, so there's just no accounting for taste.
From the upper circle it looks like Mr Boe's wig has had a trim?
Some great insight on this thread thank you.
PS is Clambake the weakest moment in one on of the 'big 4' R&H musicals?
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Post by notmymuse on Apr 23, 2017 12:51:33 GMT
I was there last night, and fully enjoyed it. It was my first time seeing Carousel, and I am not familiar with it at all, so I have to say I was blown away by the piece - what a wonderful story and set of songs. I really liked Molly Lynch as Julie, and I actually thought Alfie Boe was okay - nothing more, but perhaps I came in with low expectations following the reviews, both here and in the press. But generally it sounded fantastic, so, so glad I went. Edited to add a question as a Carousel-newbie: Is the choreography an inherent part of the musical (in the same way you have to use the proscribed dancing in West Side Story)? Or is it up to each production to put their own choreography on the Carousel Waltz scene and the Ballet?I I'm pretty sure you can do what you like for the choreography. I've seen a few productions and they have been very different, some very inventive indeed. I suspect the script gives direction in what the dances have to achieve (as the ballet obviously has to help tell the story) but not the precise moves. Glad you enjoyed it! |
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 24, 2017 22:45:55 GMT
I have not seen this production but the star keeper in the script is "discovered" as the above. So no directional change to the script.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 13:37:22 GMT
Well. I'm not sure if I got Alfie Boe last night or a floorboard with a wig on it. I couldn't tell the difference. Answers on a postcard please.
Katherine Jenkins was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting poor and thought she was actually rather lovely. I thought the score suited her well and she looked knockout. She's not what you'd call an actress but she holds a clutch bag beautifully.
Derek Hagen as Jigger and Alex Young and Gavin Spokes as Carrie and Enoch Snow were the highlights for me but the whole cast certainly work hard for the money. Brenda Edwards gives her two numbers a bit of wellie too.
The orchestra sounded great and there's a bit of revolve action as well which is always nice. They recreate Kylie Minogue's 'Slow' video for 'This Was A Real Nice Clambake' which was clever and Nicholas Lyndhurst plays The Starkeeper like an elongated Leslie Jordan which was fun.
Oh, and "semi staged" my eye.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 14:17:22 GMT
Katherine Jenkins was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting poor and thought she was actually rather lovely. I thought the score suited her well and she looked knockout. She's not what you'd call an actress but she holds a clutch bag beautifully. She is the national living treasure of Wales. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 15:17:42 GMT
Katherine Jenkins was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting poor and thought she was actually rather lovely. I thought the score suited her well and she looked knockout. She's not what you'd call an actress but she holds a clutch bag beautifully. She is the national living treasure of Wales. I think Nerys Hughes would disagree. |
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