Dreamgirls - Savoy / UK Tour

[Dave25]

How was her alternate?

[rhi]

So I too was disappointed not to be seeing Amber after the hype on here. I didn't check online before the show so only found out when I went to buy merchandise that Amber was off (I was in the grand circle so no cast board or TV on just a sign on the bar).
I would have been less annoyed had Amber been ill but to know they just changed for whatever reason they're saying.
Anyway, Karen Mav has an incredible voice so don't be disappointed if you see her instead of Amber. The only thing was that she forgot her lines during 'Listen' and there was an awkward silence for a while unil it was Deena's turn to sing but they made up for it with the rest of the song - highlight of the show those 2 girls singing together!
I think Karen was very nervous because she was hitting some crazy high notes during the show but didn't go for any of the high notes in 'I Am Telling You' (which surely is written in the score?) and I was expecting more but she still sang it very well. Maybe when she's been on a few more times she'll sing them because she has the range for it.
From where I was sitting her acting was fine but in row D of the grand circle I couldn't exactly see all her facial expressions. Good view from there otherwise though!
The rest of the cast are brilliant! Particularly likes Liisi and agree with the comments on here that she starts off performing more timidly then grows with the character's progression and is fabulous
Whilst it's annoying that I saw an alternate's first show rather than someone more settled into the role this is my new favourite show.
I wish I could see it again soon but I live in Manchester. I plan on coming to Amber's last show to hopefully see her in this role whenever that will be so I guess I'll have to be patient.
Apologies if this is long I've typed it on my phone and usually just "observe" this forum haha
Edit: Karen's 'I am Changing' was also a highlight she hit all the notes there!

[Deleted]

Thinking about it, Effie is such a demanding role!! I dont know how Amber will be able to do 7 she a week and keep a good voice but to be honest Imelda did it with Gypsy.

So jealous people are seeing it now and I've got to wait until Feb!!

[theatreian]

Saw the performance with Karen May on Friday and have to say was very underwhelmed. Her vocal on and I am telling you was one of the worst I have witnessed. No notes held, her voice was shrill and have to say was not impressed by what I saw. The audience was full of groups of women who I think thought Amber was on as it was not publicised at all well. One night only was also very poorly sung, Listen was a slight improvement apart from the missing section when lyrics were forgotten.
I do not see why audiences get so excited about what is a mediocre score at best. Yes there are several good songs when sung properly, but the rest is fairly unforgettable.

[ali973]

One of the worst you have witnessed ..ever? or one of the worst you have witnessed singing this song? Given this is the first major production in a while (and the first in the UK) I was just curious as to who else you've seen? I've only seen Cynthia Erivo tackle the song live, otherwise I've studied many many live audience recordings from the '80s onwards.

[theatreian]

I was meaning on that specific song. I have heard it several times over the years, mostly in concerts etc and on tv but I expected much more from the show. The theatre staff did not seem to know on the night why Amber was not on and as I had booked the show in April it was really disappointing for Amber not to be on, particularly as the website says Wednesday is her night off. The theatre did have pre printed slips for complaints to the theatre company however.

[Mark]

Amber is out tonight, presumably for the royal variety performance

[cheesy116]

Karen Mav will be on again tonight and tomorrow evening, not previously scheduled to be. Cue the usual rude tweets about it! I can understand people's frustrations but there's no need to tag the actress when you're ranting

I've now just seen its because Amber is performing at the Royal Variety show this evening

[Dave25]

Dec 5, 2016 21:53:39 GMT theatreian said:

Her vocal on and I am telling you was one of the worst I have witnessed. No notes held, her voice was shrill and have to say was not impressed by what I saw. 

That's what I noticed in all her youtube video's too, she does not hold notes. Many times she starts a note on the right key for a split second, then she takes the rest of the note a step down (lower note), creates her own melody or just keeps the note short. I was wondering how she woud be able to hold a note in the show or that they maybe had to unteach her that habit during rehearsals, but reading this it seems like she still does it.

[Deleted]

She wasn't scheduled to be off? That's terrible. They would have known about the Royal Variety ages ago!

I'd be furious. I get the whole 'you pay for the show, not the star' thing, but if I'm going to Dreamgirls, I'm going for Amber.

[Deleted]

Was she always scheduled to sing or has she replaced Sheridan?

[Deleted]

Some disappointed replies to the tweet.

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2016 20:35:17 GMT @trekkiemonster said:

Was she always scheduled to sing or has she replaced Sheridan?

Dreamgirls was always announced as part of the line up along with other shows such as The Girls and An American in Paris. 

Is Karen Mav the main alternate over Ruth Brown then??

[d'James]

Very sad for the person who came from Italy. I assume they haven't just thrown together the Royal Variety without any notice just today.

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2016 20:46:32 GMT d'James said:

Very sad for the person who came from Italy. I assume they haven't just thrown together the Royal Variety without any notice just today.

Yes I thought that.  Poor chap.  

[Deleted]

As soon as Dreamgirls were announced as a guest at the Royal Variety, they should've said Amber will not be performing

[Mark]

Very clever to now have Amber "above the title". Her name hasn't been used in any of the online/tube posters either

[nelmsey]

I was there tonight and I think she must have just been nervous the other day as she was really great tonight. The audience absolutely loved her.

[barbra99]

I was there tonight with 3 friends (Row D Stalls) and whilst we were slightly irked that Amber was off we were still excited to see the show.

Something strange happened at the very beginning of the show. The overture started and you heard the first few lines of Move but the front curtain didn't rise, so after about 30 seconds the show was stopped and we had the announcement from the gods about a technical issue. They started the show again 5 minutes later.

Unfortunately, we were all underwhelmed by the alternates performance. The acting was wooden, there was no chemistry with other cast members and whilst the first verse of "And I am telling you" was ok, she just seemed to either run out of steam, or lost her confidence and so, threw the rest of the song away.

I have to say that the issues don't end with her and we were all underwhelmed by the rest of the cast in the first act.

However, I did enjoy the second half more and the alternates vocals improved dramatically. I also loved Listen as a duet and thought it worked really well.

The entire front stalls rose to their feet for the bows.

[ali973]

Dec 6, 2016 21:25:59 GMT Mark said:

Very clever to now have Amber "above the title". Her name hasn't been used in any of the online/tube posters either

Does this policy work in London as it does in the US in having the right to demand an exchange if the above-title performer doesn't show up?

[daniel]

Dec 7, 2016 3:11:05 GMT ali973 said:

Dec 6, 2016 21:25:59 GMT Mark said:

Very clever to now have Amber "above the title". Her name hasn't been used in any of the online/tube posters either

Does this policy work in London as it does in the US in having the right to demand an exchange if the above-title performer doesn't show up?

Sadly not as a "right", it comes down to the discretion of the producer.

[ali973]

Ummm...today's performance is canceled because the cast is ill.

[HereForTheatre]

They aren't the only ones. The only reason i didn't go today is because I've got man flu and can't move out my bed, it's a good job really!

[wickedgrin]

And so we come to this discussion yet again - are you paying to see the show and/or the star. At least the staff at the Savoy will be well used to this having had to deal with the Sheridan Smith debacle earlier in the year.

Miss Paige started all the alternate casting in Evita back in the 70's. She declared she could only do 6 shows a week and a schedule was announced for the alternate. I remember praying she would be on (she was) when I saw the show as I lived a long way from London at the time and I had booked especially to see her. So I do understand completely people being disappointed especially when a particular star's performance has been praised to the skies.

Now, I am more laid back about it. I never pay top price anyway so if "the star" happens to be off I appreciate seeing the understudy and fortunately have the opportunity to book to see the show again if I choose.

But it will remain an issue. They must have known about the Royal Variety Show and should have announced her absence well in advance.

[wickedgrin]

Dec 7, 2016 13:34:13 GMT ali973 said:

Ummm...today's performance is canceled because the cast is ill.

AS they are still in previews presumably they have not had chance to rehearse the understudies. To cancel a show sounds drastic though - it's not like it's a fringe theatre on a budget!