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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 16:06:40 GMT
say a Hollyoaks fan there for the hot-but-wooden actor in a touring production Of course, not all ex-Hollyoaks actors fall into that category! For example, Nico Mirallegro and Calvin Demba are both excellent actors. Of course not! many a grand actor in any kind of soap (as per my initial post) |
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Post by kathryn on Feb 15, 2017 16:08:06 GMT
The English language has such a rich and varied vocabulary, with so many nuances of meaning. It's a shame not to use it, when warranted. Thanks for the lesson, miss. You won't mind my colourful use of language (which might or might not be deemed derogatory towards women) in future then? I mean, I do hope I won't be called a misogynist or anything... You don't really want us to get in to the whole structural inequality thing again, do you? I feel like we've gone over that argument more than enough times. (As it happens, I think the argument about the word '****' (I wonder if the board will allow that through?) is misguided. Not keen on the use of 'gay' as an insult but feel that's a bit different - no-one I know uses '****' as anything but an insult, so its usage has changed its signifying value from its original meaning.) Edit: No, the board doesn't like 'the c word'. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 16:12:19 GMT
Thanks for the lesson, miss. You won't mind my colourful use of language (which might or might not be deemed derogatory towards women) in future then? I mean, I do hope I won't be called a misogynist or anything... You don't really want us to get in to the whole structural inequality thing again, do you? I feel like we've gone over that argument more than enough times. (As it happens, I think the argument about the word '****' (I wonder if the board will allow that through?) is misguided. Not keen on the use of 'gay' as an insult but feel that's a bit different - no-one I know uses '****' as anything but an insult, so its usage has changed its signifying value from its original meaning.) Edit: No, the board doesn't like 'the c word'. For the sake of argument, I a woman, use both 'dick' and variations of and 'the C word' regularly, and personally don't mind the latter at all.
And yes, not beating that dead horse of an argument with someone who clearly is looking to argue for argument's sake.
ETA: I may start using 'Clitface' I quite like it...
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Post by kathryn on Feb 15, 2017 16:16:34 GMT
You don't really want us to get in to the whole structural inequality thing again, do you? I feel like we've gone over that argument more than enough times. (As it happens, I think the argument about the word '****' (I wonder if the board will allow that through?) is misguided. Not keen on the use of 'gay' as an insult but feel that's a bit different - no-one I know uses '****' as anything but an insult, so its usage has changed its signifying value from its original meaning.) Edit: No, the board doesn't like 'the c word'. For the sake of argument, I a woman, use both 'dick' and variations of and 'the C word' regularly, and personally don't mind the latter at all.
And yes, not beating that dead horse of an argument with someone who clearly is looking to argue for argument's sake.
ETA: I may start using 'Clitface' I quite like it...
I like the sound of clitface too. There's a joke in there about not being able to see/find it. Sensitive and overlooked?? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 16:18:57 GMT
I think as well that its easy to forget that those of us on this board are likely to be the more regular theatre goers and will know about performers or shows that the more casual theatregoer may not. For a lot of people the way into theatre is by seeing someone they know from the telly in it, or in a very familiar show. I also would prefer a non name who can handle the role but that isn't always good for business. This is the thing. Regular theatre goers would get excited to see MT stars in a show but majority of a theatre audience are people just going to the theatre for a treat, one off etc. I would've thought producers want to sell as many tix as possible and when a 'name' of the TV is in a show it can attract people. Usually is done for new musicals. If a show is super well known then you wouldn't get celebrities in it - 'Billy Elliot', 'Wicked' etc.
It has got better recently, imo. You must remember that half the people off the TV who care cast in shows have been in musicals before and have had training in the MT spectrum too. Imelda Staunton, Alexandra Burke, Amber Riley, Sheridan Smith, Claire Sweeney, Beverley Knight, Carley Stenson etc are all off of the TV or are Singers but have made great names for themselves in musicals - that's the same as what you're trying to say isn't it?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 16:47:20 GMT
You don't really want us to get in to the whole structural inequality thing again, do you? I feel like we've gone over that argument more than enough times. (As it happens, I think the argument about the word '****' (I wonder if the board will allow that through?) is misguided. Not keen on the use of 'gay' as an insult but feel that's a bit different - no-one I know uses '****' as anything but an insult, so its usage has changed its signifying value from its original meaning.) Edit: No, the board doesn't like 'the c word'. For the sake of argument, I a woman, use both 'dick' and variations of and 'the C word' regularly, and personally don't mind the latter at all.
And yes, not beating that dead horse of an argument with someone who clearly is looking to argue for argument's sake.
ETA: I may start using 'Clitface' I quite like it...
FYI: clitface (noun)- someone who claims their lips are sealed when in fact they cannot resist opening them only to reveal something of very little significance (not to be confused with 'Tw*t', which is commonly used to describe someone obnoxious. Only on specific occasions are these words interchangeable.) |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 16:55:49 GMT
For the sake of argument, I a woman, use both 'dick' and variations of and 'the C word' regularly, and personally don't mind the latter at all.
And yes, not beating that dead horse of an argument with someone who clearly is looking to argue for argument's sake.
ETA: I may start using 'Clitface' I quite like it...
I like the sound of clitface too. There's a joke in there about not being able to see/find it. Sensitive and overlooked?? Of course the same might be applied to 'bell-end'... |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 16:58:41 GMT
So we started off talking about miscast celebrities and now we're talking about ****s and ****s and *******s, but try as I might I can't bring myself to see it as a change in subject.
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 15, 2017 17:20:35 GMT
Blimey! You go away for a few hours and suddenly the Oxford Dictionary of Asterisks is being quoted verbatim.
Best 'name' I've ever seen is Kunal Nayyar in The Spoils at the Trafalgar Studios. Absolutely brilliant theatre actor. I'd go and see him recite the phone book!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 17:23:39 GMT
Let's get back to the subject, eh?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 18:11:53 GMT
Should this thread be in General Chat, not in Musicals?
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 15, 2017 18:22:05 GMT
Should this thread be in General Chat, not in Musicals? more like Digital Spy..... |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 18:58:43 GMT
How's this for almost reverse 'name' recognition. At Dreamboats and Petticoats last night, I assumed that your man playing Older Bobby was "some soap star"because I sort of recognised him but couldn't place him. On googling him I find it was in fact Jimmy Johnston who I know from my obsessive watching of the NT Oklahoma! Lesson there for me not to leap to conclusions about a Bill Kenwright tour  Back on topic more, I'll be honest I'm going to see Gaslight because I have a bit of a thing for Kara Tointon, and also because I REALLy want to see Keith Allen. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 19:04:23 GMT
^^Love Kara too! She's fab and loved her in Sound of Music so hope she does a musical too
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Post by alison on Feb 15, 2017 20:04:23 GMT
I really dislike watching a "name" put in a poor performance in a show where you know they've been cast purely in an attempt to put bums on seats. On the other hand, if they're actually capable of doing a decent job of the role (and some are, for sure), I have no issue with it. It's a reality of the business that sometimes the producers are going to have to put their profits first, or very little new would end up being produced.
One of my favourite celebrity castings I've seen remains Antony Costa (from Blue) in Blood Brothers. I went in expecting very little and ended up loving him ... his singing varied from poor to somewhat decent depending on the night, but his acting was surprisingly solid, and ultimately I found him very believable and really enjoyed his performance. Also Matt Cardle in Memphis, who surprised a lot of people.
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Post by danb on Feb 15, 2017 20:32:26 GMT
How's this for almost reverse 'name' recognition. At Dreamboats and Petticoats last night, I assumed that your man playing Older Bobby was "some soap star"because I sort of recognised him but couldn't place him. On googling him I find it was in fact Jimmy Johnston who I know from my obsessive watching of the NT Oklahoma! Lesson there for me not to leap to conclusions about a Bill Kenwright tour Back on topic more, I'll be honest I'm going to see Gaslight because I have a bit of a thing for Kara Tointon, and also because I REALLy want to see Keith Allen. I'll fight you for Ms Tointon...hands off! 😀 |
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Post by duncan on Feb 15, 2017 21:23:41 GMT
I think as well that its easy to forget that those of us on this board are likely to be the more regular theatre goers and will know about performers or shows that the more casual theatregoer may not. For a lot of people the way into theatre is by seeing someone they know from the telly in it, or in a very familiar show. I also would prefer a non name who can handle the role but that isn't always good for business. This is the thing. Regular theatre goers would get excited to see MT stars in a show but majority of a theatre audience are people just going to the theatre for a treat, one off etc. I would've thought producers want to sell as many tix as possible and when a 'name' of the TV is in a show it can attract people. Usually is done for new musicals. If a show is super well known then you wouldn't get celebrities in it - 'Billy Elliot', 'Wicked' etc.
It has got better recently, imo. You must remember that half the people off the TV who care cast in shows have been in musicals before and have had training in the MT spectrum too. Imelda Staunton, Alexandra Burke, Amber Riley, Sheridan Smith, Claire Sweeney, Beverley Knight, Carley Stenson etc are all off of the TV or are Singers but have made great names for themselves in musicals - that's the same as what you're trying to say isn't it?
I mentioned in the Wonderland thread that I was impressed that Wendi Peters agent had got her top billing despite her limited stage time. The issue for the Producers of course being that in Edinburgh and other locations Wendi Peters is going to put far more bums on seats than Kerry Ellis. Kerry may be well known in musical theatre circles but that's a very limited pool of people and those circles wont fill the Playhouse 8 times a week. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2017 21:29:13 GMT
Wendi was unimpressive in the Frank Wildhorne concert. Out of her depth
She might sound better with a jam tart in her gob.
Or three.
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Post by viserys on Feb 16, 2017 6:34:32 GMT
I think it very much depends on the "name" in question. The last 10-15 years have seen an enormous rise in vapid "reality TV" and "talent show" stars with zero qualification whatsoever. As a foreigner who doesn't follow these things, the names mean nothing to me and I would certainly not book for any of them. I wasn't impressed by the few I've come across.
But it's different when it's someone who's actually had some drama/MT training and was just lucky to get a well-paid part on television, then goes back to the stage. I watch a lot of British TV through VPN and there have been plenty of people I first saw on TV without knowing their backgrounds, so I'm usually thrilled to get a chance to see them live on stage. When it comes to plays there's such a huge choice in London that I book either because it's a subject I find fascinating or because of who's in it. I booked "The Maids" last year solely to see Uzo Aduba live as I think she's incredible in OITNB (not British, I know). Right now I wish I could see "La Ronde", not because of the play itself (ugh) but because I thought Alexander Vlahos was by miles the best thing about "Versailles" on TV and would love to see him live. So yes, when it comes to me, casting the right people will nudge me to book a ticket, but I don't consider these people stunt casting.
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Post by stevej678 on Feb 16, 2017 8:20:37 GMT
One of my favourite celebrity castings I've seen remains Antony Costa (from Blue) in Blood Brothers. I went in expecting very little and ended up loving him ... his singing varied from poor to somewhat decent depending on the night, but his acting was surprisingly solid, and ultimately I found him very believable and really enjoyed his performance. I agree about Antony Costa. Saw him in Save The Last Dance For Me last year and while his vocals were fairly weak, his comic timing was surprisingly good. The same production also had Lola Saunders as one of the central characters - acting wise she was also reasonably impressive, however she tried to belt out every note of every song, with no light or shade from one line to the next, so it came across like she was just trying too hard to impress. How's this for almost reverse 'name' recognition. At Dreamboats and Petticoats last night, I assumed that your man playing Older Bobby was "some soap star"because I sort of recognised him but couldn't place him. On googling him I find it was in fact Jimmy Johnston who I know from my obsessive watching of the NT Oklahoma! Lesson there for me not to leap to conclusions about a Bill Kenwright tour Antony Costa and Lola Saunders in Save The Last Dance For Me aside, the two Dreamboats shows and their sister production generally avoid casting names. Many of the cast have toured with all three shows and that chemistry comes across on stage. Elizabeth Carter who is currently touring as the lead in Dreamboats and Petticoats (having also played the role in Dreamboats and Miniskirts and been the lead Marie in a couple of tours of Save The Last Dance For Me) is fantastic. I could listen to her sing anything (her rendition of Terry Stafford's Suspicion in Save The Last Dance For Me is probably a personal favourite from the three productions). If only there wasn't the propensity to stunt cast so often, there might be a chance to see her spread her wings in something else! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 8:36:08 GMT
stevej678 that's good to know! I wasn't really making assumptions about their casting choices (as in being judgemental that they cast 'rubbishy soap stars' more my 'hmm your man looks familiar there, but I can't place him, ah he must be off the telly somewhere' type assumptions! Antony Costa is indeed surprisingly great!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 9:37:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 9:45:37 GMT
^ EDITED DUE TO FALSE MEMORY !!
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Post by lou105 on Feb 19, 2017 11:48:08 GMT
Fascinated to hear Louisa Lytton on Sunday Brunch saying that she was asked to play Sandy on the Grease tour. She asked if she could be Rizzo instead because she didn't think her singing was strong enough for Sandy!I mean..Good for her, but..What a way to cast.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 15:05:15 GMT
I really dislike watching a "name" put in a poor performance in a show where you know they've been cast purely in an attempt to put bums on seats. On the other hand, if they're actually capable of doing a decent job of the role (and some are, for sure), I have no issue with it. It's a reality of the business that sometimes the producers are going to have to put their profits first, or very little new would end up being produced. One of my favourite celebrity castings I've seen remains Antony Costa (from Blue) in Blood Brothers. I went in expecting very little and ended up loving him ... his singing varied from poor to somewhat decent depending on the night, but his acting was surprisingly solid, and ultimately I found him very believable and really enjoyed his performance. Also Matt Cardle in Memphis, who surprised a lot of people. Matt Cardle was great in Memphis, I was definitely one of the people who were pleasantly surprised! There are certain names who make me want to see the shows they are in (Imelda Staunton being one, though it's difficult to argue she's not as much of a theatre actress as she is a film actress, just as for a lot of really good acting "names"), and there are shows where I will see it despite certain names being cast because I love the show (Ronan Keating being cast in Once being an example of that - love the show, don't like the man, though he wasn't completely terrible). It's not something I would ever make a blanket judgement on though - it will always depend on the particular show and particular cast, and I think to have a blanket rule on this type of thing risks missing out on a lot of good theatre, even if you have to take the risk that you might see a dud every now and again! |
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