20 posts
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Post by fridayfan on Nov 26, 2017 17:58:41 GMT
Saw the current tour at the Edinburgh Playhouse last night. I have seen this production in its various incarnations over the years and certainly when I saw it at the Savoy and its previous tour I was blown away by its grittiness and integrity to exploring a dark time in history. Last night I felt somewhat overwhelmed. Louise Redknapp was a poor choice for Sally. Yes she could sing the role (with some melodic adjustments) but she could not Act this multifaceted role. Ironically her bio in the programme had so much info that a smaller text size needed to be used and ended with “making her theatrical debut”. I loved Will as the Emcee in my previous visits but last night I felt his performance lacked the danger he once brought to the role. I think vocally his voice lends itself so well to this era, particularly in ‘I Don’t Care Much’, reminiscent of his beautiful version of ‘All The Things You Are’ in the film of Mrs Henderson Presents. The audience was full of Louise & Will fans who were more interested in seeing the celebrity rather than engaging with the plot. This resulted in some in appropriate whooping at some of the shows darker moments. I get the impression that this tour has not been given the same directorial attention to detail of the previous runs and has been rushed together in same fashion BK puts together his tours of Joseph and Blood Brothers. I noticed a few changes to the Emcee part, reduced anger scene and not so much troughing of the notes in the money scene. I thought in the previous productions that big these scenes took an unnecessary toll on his voice so I’m not sorry they changed those, and it certainly didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the show. I can’t think of much else that has changed. |
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175 posts
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Post by james1969 on Nov 26, 2017 20:41:32 GMT
Anyone seeing it next week in Dublin ? My boyfriend and I are going on Saturday night.
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3,333 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 2, 2017 17:13:59 GMT
Caught the 5pm matinee in Dublin yesterday (the show runs until 7:45pm, so a very quick turnaround before the 8:30pm performance).
Maybe two thirds full, although I believe the late showing was practically sold out.
The only version I know well is the Alan Cumming version. This one is very changed around, with the Kit Kat Club reduced in prominence a lot. Will Young is great and plays up the camp elements of the MC role.
This is really a show of two halves. The first half is played for laughs (too much for my taste). The second half suddenly becomes deadly serious. Unfortunately, not all of the audience could tell the difference (one of the older members of the audience laughed loudly any time she saw/heard mention of the Jews being persecuted, for instance).
From overhearing nearby conversations during the interval, it also seemed that audience members didn't really know the history of the period. I don't know if this is because it was a largely Irish rather than British audience. Some people were not happy with the gay aspects of the musical. There were also people assuming that the Cliff role was the heel in the story.
I thought Louise Redknapp was fine. She tried - and much of the plot really makes more sense with Sally Bowles being a less accomplished singer (although another interval comment near me - assuming that Louise's voice had gone because she'd been performing the show all week - I don't think they got the concept of touring shows).
The end if moving and I had to start the applause as no one else was going to. A full standing ovation.
I don't think the reordered elements here are perfect, although I can see why they made it much less of a Sally Bowles' story. But this is certainly worth seeing in its final week and it's a shame the tour has been so short.
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295 posts
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Post by fossil on May 26, 2018 7:25:49 GMT
The Liza Minneli film is on Talking Pictures TV tonight at 9.00pm
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Post by Mr Snow on May 26, 2018 8:57:17 GMT
The Liza Minneli film is on Talking Pictures TV tonight at 9.00pm i don't often wish I was younger but I can't help feel envious of anyone who is about to see this for the first time. |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 10:21:01 GMT
The Liza Minneli film is on Talking Pictures TV tonight at 9.00pm i don't often wish I was younger but I can't help feel envious of anyone who is about to see this for the first time. Oh gosh I agree. I know that it's really not how Sally Bowles was intended but away from the plastic hips, the drink, the gay husbands and beating up David Gest, that performance is just so electrifyingly magnificent and just shows Liza May at the very height of her considerable powers. It's really quite something to behold and deserves to be classed as legendary. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2018 16:01:19 GMT
Looks like the Kenwright/Rufus Norris tour is heading out again. Wolverhampton Grand - 3 to 7 September 2019.
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Post by partytentdown on Dec 23, 2018 16:04:49 GMT
Looks like the Kenwright/Rufus Norris tour is heading out again. Wolverhampton Grand - 3 to 7 September 2019. I don't think Rufus Norris has been within a mile of that production for some time. |
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128 posts
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Post by emeraldbaudelaire on Feb 1, 2019 19:29:42 GMT
Just seen the Bill Kenwright version is touring again anyone seen the last run?
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19,673 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 1, 2019 19:37:32 GMT
Yes it was terrible thanks to Will Young(ridiculous) and Louise Redknapp (can’t act, no charisma) and the rip off Chicago design.
It was equally bad with Samantha Barks who was, at that stage in her career, not good enough to carry it. Do not get me started on Wayne Sleep as the MC.
But even without the so-called personalities I just don’t think it works on stage. I’m not going to be taken in again, and I don’t care who’s in it.
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Post by biffo on Feb 4, 2019 22:48:44 GMT
Yes it was terrible thanks to Will Young(ridiculous) and Louise Redknapp (can’t act, no charisma) and the rip off Chicago design. It was equally bad with Samantha Barks who was, at that stage in her career, not good enough to carry it. Do not get me started on Wayne Sleep as the MC. But even without the so-called personalities I just don’t think it works on stage. I’m not going to be taken in again, and I don’t care who’s in it. I have to disagree with all your sentiments and personal views on Will Young, Louise Redknapp and Sam Barks. It's probably best you do stay home and keep your worthless points of view to yourself, as they mean nothing... ...but then again, that's just my view. |
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Post by djp on Feb 4, 2019 23:29:41 GMT
Just seen the Bill Kenwright version is touring again anyone seen the last run? Depends who is in it. Will Young was good as the MC - convincingly corrupt . I saw it with Siobhan Dillon last and she could really sing and act a convincing Sally - so well that I don't think she will be bettered.But Sally requires a very strong singer and a really good actor, so look carefully if its name casted and you want the thing to work fully.
The show worked perfectly well on tour - the staging and choregraphy worked and the ensemble was fine, - it gets the laughs and the serious points got the appropriate point too. It just depends if they went through the lead casting looking for a standout performance ,or a name who can't act well enough.
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19,673 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 5, 2019 7:52:58 GMT
Yes it was terrible thanks to Will Young(ridiculous) and Louise Redknapp (can’t act, no charisma) and the rip off Chicago design. It was equally bad with Samantha Barks who was, at that stage in her career, not good enough to carry it. Do not get me started on Wayne Sleep as the MC. But even without the so-called personalities I just don’t think it works on stage. I’m not going to be taken in again, and I don’t care who’s in it. I have to disagree with all your sentiments and personal views on Will Young, Louise Redknapp and Sam Barks. It's probably best you do stay home and keep your worthless points of view to yourself, as they mean nothing... ...but then again, that's just my view. Members of this forum are allowed to dislike things, and to express those dislikes. If you don’t want to read that then I’m afraid you’re in the wrong place. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2019 8:29:52 GMT
In general terms I’m not a fan of BK productions. And like most shows that keep being lifted from storage no doubt this has cheapened along it’s course.
But the original incarnation of this production at The Lyric with Anna Maxwell Martin was superb. Well cast, well designed and well directed!
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1,997 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 5, 2019 9:01:28 GMT
I loved the original Lyric Theatre production and also very much appreciated some of the changes that came in with that Will Young and Michelle Ryan iteration. (some were improvements)
I did think the costuming and choreography on the later versions became less avant garde and esoteric and a bit more mainstream and, yes Chicago-esque.
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Post by partytentdown on Feb 5, 2019 9:04:16 GMT
I loved the original Lyric Theatre production and also very much appreciated some of the changes that came in with that Will Young and Michelle Ryan iteration. (some were improvements) I did think the costuming and choreography on the later versions became less avant garde and esoteric and a bit more mainstream and, yes Chicago-esque. I distantly recall the Lyric version... What changed in the tour? I've seen the tour and remember similarities with both (the big white letters spring to mind) but I feel the original was far far darker in tone |
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3,333 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 5, 2019 9:12:26 GMT
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19,673 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 5, 2019 9:27:49 GMT
Good idea. Merged.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2019 10:21:07 GMT
But the original incarnation of this production at The Lyric with Anna Maxwell Martin was superb. Well cast, well designed and well directed! J'approve! Anna Maxwell Martin was my favourite Sally after Liza! |
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1,997 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 5, 2019 14:20:34 GMT
I loved the original Lyric Theatre production and also very much appreciated some of the changes that came in with that Will Young and Michelle Ryan iteration. (some were improvements) I did think the costuming and choreography on the later versions became less avant garde and esoteric and a bit more mainstream and, yes Chicago-esque. I distantly recall the Lyric version... What changed in the tour? I've seen the tour and remember similarities with both (the big white letters spring to mind) but I feel the original was far far darker in tone Oh gosh, quite a lot - I would say nearly half of the staging was changed.
I'd have to go through the song list and come back to you.
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5,142 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 24, 2019 13:21:27 GMT
Rough Crossing is in town this week, so John Partridge was on the wireless this morning. He was asked what his dream role would be. His reply was something along the lines of he doesn't really have one to avoid being disappointed, but he'd love to play the Emcee in Cabaret. So as we know he has a close relationship with Bill Kenwright, you read it here first...maybe! The dates just about work. Two tickets for BurlyBeaR? (Incidentally, the tash is in preparation for The View Upstairs.) |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 24, 2019 14:55:46 GMT
I can only imagine what kind of horrific mess he’d make of that. Probably do it with a Bolton accent.
Pass!
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Apr 25, 2019 15:41:30 GMT
As it's now been confirmed that the new Cabaret tour will open at the Churchill Theatre Bromley on Wed 28 August I've booked my favourite front row seats for the opening night.
It was a complete sellout when last at Bromley and I thought Will Young was awesome. Nothing against John Partridge but I'd love to see Will back as Emcee.
I'm deeply grateful that so many touring shows open in Bromley, Dartford or Wimbledon, all easy journeys from my part of Kent.
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Post by kzf on Apr 25, 2019 17:25:13 GMT
Would love to book already but I'm holding out for casting. I thought Will Young was great in the previous tour but I certainly wouldn't hurry back to see Louise anytime soon!
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Post by xanady on Apr 27, 2019 15:36:17 GMT
This is one I have never seen live and my dancer daughter wants to see it.Am guessing it might be the sort of thing Hayley Tamaddan might get or a Strictly celeb?
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