396 posts
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Post by djp on Feb 15, 2016 21:28:33 GMT
Chicago is such a great piece and the production that opened at the Adelphi was astounding but why does it deserve endless tired revivals Because its a very successful musical with some good songs and choregraphy, a decent story, comedy, and good looking dancers. Roxie is an actresses dream because she can be played very differently. And there's a lot of scope in Velma for a powerful performance, and in Billy for stunt acting that won't hurt the show. It also doesn't need 24-30 people to act it. Thats far more likely to sell then something bland , something new with a dud concept , soemthing new with no hit songs, something with a social message based on hsitory no one knows , or an imported US musical, designed for a minority audience that doesn't exist here. |
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396 posts
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Post by djp on Feb 15, 2016 21:37:19 GMT
Right. I've never seen Chicago - I love the film - so had reasonable expectations. This was not good. Hayley Tammedon has got the acting down to a T. But she can't sing. Not anywhere near powerfully enough anyway. All the Roxie sass was there, but with none of the power to bump it up with. John Partridge - seriously the less said about him the better. With his MT background I'd expected him to be the best thing in it. But god he's also vocally weak. And can't act. He can dance, but didn't have the opportunity to show it unfortunately, so he's just wasted in his dance role. 4 days rehearsal with the company showed. Sam Bailey - what a disappointment. Maybe first night nerves but she was not Mama Morton. Not by Brenda Edwards or Sandra Marvin standards anyway. She had no authority in that prison and didn't show it. And was in some ridiculous blonde wig that just was laughable. And she didn't deliver vocally. Not the Sam Bailey power that we know. HOWEVER Sophie Carmen-Jones was INCREDIBLE as Velma. Sass, sex, gorgeous vocals, power, attack. Everything you want in a leading lady. Overall this was a very disappointing evening. Maybe first night nerves. But I wont be rushing back to see this, I'll stick with the film. Rather than the £40 tickets!! Surprised Hayley can't sing it. She could belt pretty well in Spamalot. I was thinking she would act it too cheesily to be credible or interesting. I liked the last tour with Ali Bastian - she's hasn't got the most powerful vocal, but it sounded good, she could stay with her Velma's power, and she acted it really well, and is a beautiful dancer. I would have stuck with that. I imagine this choice is based on trying to get Emmerdale fans in - , and Hayley won the last series of dancing on ice on her fanbase despite being the weakest skater there. John Partridge was underpowered in a Chorus Line I thought too. Otherwise it looks like you suggest -a triumph of name casting gone mad- with one pro included in the leads to try and keep it sounding credible. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Feb 15, 2016 23:15:12 GMT
I am just back from press night. And boy what a let down.
We need a new production, this is looking as tired as the casting.
Partridge - no vocals. He just can't sing the role - and that is all he really needed to be able to do.
Tamaddon - grins too much, lacks dance skill, no belt
Carmen-Jones - I really didn't take to her voice. She is a great dancer and looks amazing on stage - but when she needed power in the vocals, it just wasn't there. Maybe she was under the weather - but I just didn't think she had the vocal chops to sell the big notes.
Bailey - passable
Best thing is the lovely Mary Sunshine who has a voice to die for.
Chorus - pretty certain that they were being boosted by pre-recorded vocals... and the dancing needs more precision. A lot more.
It was all so very limp. The MD, in particular, needs to learn how jazz works. There was no sense of musical style - other than from the players themselves.
Someone needs to develop a new production that can tour. Chicago is a great score - this production is just so dated now.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Feb 15, 2016 23:25:36 GMT
Oh and a note to the production team members sat in front of me...
You look very foolish just leaping to your feet during the curtain calls. It was clear you only did so because you are part of the team. But it also should have been clear to you from the audience reaction that there was no massive enthusiasm for this performance. Three people standing up... waaahaaay!
One other positive(ish) - the ushers in the New Theatre were very attentive tonight. They stopped people recording on their phones at least twice during the performance. First time I have seen that happen. Didn't stop the old man behind me commenting on the action throughout. He did eventually stop after the third death stare....
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2016 23:25:37 GMT
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Post by oxfordsimon on Feb 15, 2016 23:27:33 GMT
Sorry Burly - it might tighten up as it goes on. But I doubt it. There are some pretty boys in very tight trousers - if that helps.
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2016 6:46:38 GMT
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Post by Seriously on Feb 23, 2016 2:03:39 GMT
If anyone has a program for this, would they mind letting me know how big the band is?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 12:45:12 GMT
If anyone has a program for this, would they mind letting me know how big the band is? I think it's just the cast who wear the tight trousers, not the band. |
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Post by valj on Feb 25, 2016 11:04:36 GMT
I don't think this deserves all the negative reviews. I saw it last night at Wimbledon and thoroughly enjoyed it, though I may be biased as it is one of my favourite musicals. The band were great, the dancing excellent, Sophie Carmen Jones and Hayley Tamaddon sang and danced perfectly. Only Sam Bailey was a bit underwhelming with a weird wig, although she was better when singing Class. John Partridge couldn't really sing but managed not to mess things up too much. Maybe people who have only seen the film feel a bit disappointed with the bare bones style of the production, but that is how Chicago on stage is done, and it's the music and lyrics which make it worth seeing. Most of the audience seemed happy too.
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Post by missmelon on Feb 25, 2016 11:19:54 GMT
Booked tickets to see this with my friend, though it looks as though there is going to be a cast change before we see it as above the list of dates it says "starring John Partridge as Billy Flynn, further casting to be announced."
Very excited as have never seen Chicago on stage or the film - not sure why as the few songs I know from the show I love!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 13:32:39 GMT
It's a very 'tour' cast. It was the first time I've seen it, but I'm familiar with the score. My partner, who knows the show backwards says it was fine, but disappointing.
The ensemble work hard, and the band (there's 10 of them) look and sound terrific! John Partridge plays the part well, but can't nail those big notes. Sam Bailey, the opposite. She can sing, but her scenes are off.
I loved Hayley and Sophie. Hot Honey Rag was a highlight! The show belongs to A D Richardson though, simply brilliant!
It was great to finally see the show - one of the best all round scores out there, and always great to see some Fosse choreography!
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 24, 2016 11:41:39 GMT
Reviews seem to be improving, for Manchester anyway. Anyone been over the last few weeks? I'm going Monday.
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Mar 24, 2016 11:56:36 GMT
I saw it at the beginning of its week in Wimbledon and absolutely adored it. It's one of my favourite musicals and scores and this production was brilliant. I thought Sam Bailey sounded absolutely phenomenal (she gives what is now my favourite version of When You're Good To Mama) and also acted well. Thought the two women playing the leads were fantastic and both gave really incredible, different and nuanced performances. As mentioned above, A D Richardson is truly outstanding. The orchestra were just sublime, and the Entracte to Chicago will always remain one of the most joyous and fun experiences you can have in a theatre. The ensemble were hot, they were tight, they were sexy. Loved them. Biggest let down was John Partridge unfortunately but what can you do. His singing was off, you could park a bus in his vibrato and not much to write home about his acting either. It detracted from All I Care About mostly, but luckily it didn't distract too much and his Razzle Dazzle was pretty good.
I really hope you enjoy yourself BB - I had the most fabulous time!!
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 24, 2016 13:08:01 GMT
Ooh! Quite looking forward to it now!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 14:05:17 GMT
I've booked to see this production three times in Dublin and my heart sank when I saw all the initial negative reviews, but now since the reviews on here are picking up, as well as the reviews on twitter I am now very much looking forward to seeing this production for my first (three) times  |
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 28, 2016 21:51:23 GMT
Wow. I take it all back. What a fab evening! Excellent leads, Sam Bailey included, and no problems with her accent as some reviews have said. Hayley Tamaddon really very, very good. John Partridge can sing, and at one point seems hell bent on proving it as if in response to the comments in reviews, but I didn't found his voice particularly attractive if that makes sense. However he milks the slime-ball characterisation to the max and it works. Absolutely gorgeous cast. Especially Fred Casely who I've just been stalking researching to find was played by Francis Foreman. WOOF  The whole thing looked fresh, I dont understand the reviewers who said the design and costumes are past their sell by date. It was as stylish and sexy as ever. I think I've seen four incarnations of this show, including the west end. I think tonight's might have been the best  I could easily sit through it again tomorrow. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2016 20:05:28 GMT
Christmas season announced at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.
12th - 31st December 2016.
On sale Monday, cast TBC.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 1:52:55 GMT
Hey guys!
So it's like 2am and I just got back from Dublin after a double whammy of Chicago (my first two times ever seeing the show live!)
So I wanna say right off the bat that I am totally smitten by ensemble member Adam Denman, he's got it all. But anyway, onto the more serious part of the review.
From the remarks about the production I heard on here I was very worried about whether the show (which has been my most anticipated show to see since I started liking MT) And Chicago did not disappoint. Everything about this production screamed with excitement and energy, everything from the big, well known scenes such as "All the Jazz" and "Hot Honey Rag" to the smaller and more intimate scenes like "Class", it just had a vibrant fresh feeling to it. My favorite moments from the show would definitely be "All the Jazz" "When you're good to Mama" and "Cell Block Tango" with many other amazing standouts such as "Roxie" and "Mr Cellophane" (a song I didn't like in the film version!)
21st May - Matinee: Full lead cast show, and the cast had an amazing energy!
Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie: I wasn't exactly sure how the stage version of Roxie was meant to be played so I let Hayley take me for the ride with the role as I didn't expect her to be the same as Renee Zellwegger or other incarnations of Roxie I had seen in bootlegs. Her portrayal was very ditsy and she really played up the child-like, naive side to Roxie. At times this benefited her character in scenes like "We both reached for the gun" and "Me and my baby" while at other points it was a bit too much. This is not to say however that Hayley couldn't play the serious side to Roxie, she has so many brilliant moments throughout the show and is more than capable of dancing, singing and bring the sex appeal to the show!
Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma: WOW! WOW! WOW! Sophie slayed the show, seriously, she slayed it! From the moment she entered the stage she just had this amazing presence where you knew every eye was going to be focused on her. "All the Jazz" was such a treat to watch as she is so fluid in the role, in all aspects including dancing, singing, acting and of course, the sex appeal, which she brilliantly flaunts again in "Cell Block Tango". I could go on forever about Sophie as she really stole the show! (P.S, she threw me a rose at curtain call!)
Sam Bailey as Matron Mama Morton: I loved her! She really played up the sarcastic, greedy side of Mama Morton which I adored, with all her eyebrow raises, eye rolls etc... But in scenes like the hanging of Hunyak, she displayed such believable emotion for losing one of her girls, it was quite beautiful I must say! Also, this lady has a set of pipes, she slayed the ending of "When you're good to mama" with her belting of those final high notes, for which she received thunderous applause!
John Partridge as Billy Flynn: I was nervous about seeing John as people have spoken about him negatively in terms of performance and personality outside the show, but in both aspects I was quite pleased with John. His acting was believable and his take on Billy was very to the point, you knew he was a greedy asshole and that wasn't going to change! I was so pleased that he held that extra long high note in "We both reached for the gun" for at least 20 seconds! I met John after the show at stage door and he was honestly so lovely, without me having to ask he came over and asked me did I want my programme signed and asked me did I enjoy the show and that he was happy to hear I was having a blast and then as I spoke about how it was my first two times and I'd be back again for the evening show, he told me "well you're very lucky, as you get the chance to see a new Roxie tonight".
21st May - Evening: Full lead cast show, except for Hayley Tammadon!
Lindsey Tierney as Roxie: Yep, for the closing night in Dublin, and with it being only my second time I got to see an understudy for Roxie, and she was PHENOMENAL! Hayley was ill and couldn't do the evening show (which shocked me, as for the matinee Hayley sounded and looked phenomenal, no signs of illness or fatigue whatsoever!) At the time I didn't know this, but this was Lindsey's debut as Roxie, which puts me in even more awe! Guys, she just nailed it! Vocally, she was quite a bit stronger than Hayley (some of this can be chalked up to Hayley being ill) but Lindsey has a gorgeous voice on her. I preferred her portrayal of Roxie in comparison to Hayley. Lindsey really left her mark on the stage, shining in every scene she was in and not getting outdone by Sophie. Lindsey played a more serious, sassy and confident incarnation of Roxie, and it really did work for her. Also, Lindsey has no trouble with the dancing or singing in the role, and she managed to be just as sexy on stage as Sophie, which is really difficult to do! She had a few lines flubs here and there, but nothing that distracted from how amazing she was. I still can't believe it was her debut, just wow!
As for other cast members, I would like to give shout outs to Neil Ditt who played Amos, he was just so awkward and adorable and you really felt for him, he was just so clueless, but in a likable way. He nailed "Mr Cellophane". Francis Foreman as Fred Casely, he really just got this part down, he was hilarious and he was sexy! All the female ensemble really stood out, but I really have to mention Frances Dee as Hunyak, she really just gave a solid performance even though the majority of the time she was only saying "not guilty." To be honest it's so difficult to name specific ensemble members because every single one genuinely made an impact on my experience, they all just rocked it, amazing dancers, singers and all had great chemistry on stage!
So, that is my reviews of Chicago in Dublin. If anyone has anymore questions regarding anything I may have left out (which is entirely possible, I have been awake over 22 hours) feel free to ask and I'll try to answer as best as I can. Definitely go see this production if you can, you won't regret it!
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5,795 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 22, 2016 6:19:57 GMT
I don't get it. You booked to see a show you've never seen... Twice... On the same day? Bizarre. Good job you liked it.
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 22, 2016 6:29:47 GMT
I don't get it. You booked to see a show you've never seen... Twice... On the same day? Bizarre. Good job you liked it. It's called optimism Mr B  |
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5,795 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 22, 2016 8:38:37 GMT
/bizarre
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2016 10:56:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2016 18:22:43 GMT
So now all the 3 leads are ex-soap stars!
I think Jessie Wallace is great casting! Would certainly prefer to see her than Sam Bailey!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2016 19:30:31 GMT
Very enjoyable show, though I thought the stage seemed quite crowded at times, during the big dance numbers.
Sam Bailey was surprisingly good!
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