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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 21:44:10 GMT
Well. Kelli is just as glorious as the first time I saw her, it's quite the warmest, wittiest and most effortless performance in London's glitzy West End right now. Ken Watanabe has settled in more and Ruthie really was wonderful. I'm so pleased I got to see her. Plus I had a MUCH better view of DJW's pecs this time around and they are quite the joy to behold. He puffed out his chest quite delightfully tonight so he must have known I was in. And his arms are mahoosive. Someone's clearly been working out.
'Shall We Dance' (rightly) still steals the show even though 'I Have Dreamed' is the best song in the show. Well, in most shows actually.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 22:44:01 GMT
I love I Have Pecced.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Sept 11, 2018 9:19:18 GMT
Thank you hitmewithurbethshot for the chart of casting. Do you have it in slightly higher resolution as I'm having troubling deciphering the names! 
Does anyone know if Kellie or Ken have any days holiday planned for the remainder of the run, or any days in the week they don't perform?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 11, 2018 12:11:25 GMT
It’s a shame that pecs aside, he’s totally rubbish in this show.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 11, 2018 12:11:56 GMT
Thank you hitmewithurbethshot for the chart of casting. Do you have it in slightly higher resolution as I'm having troubling deciphering the names!
Does anyone know if Kellie or Ken have any days holiday planned for the remainder of the run, or any days in the week they don't perform?
Thank you This is all available information on the shows website. |
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Post by showoff on Sept 11, 2018 13:30:16 GMT
She literally is just that - superhuman. It’s such an emotional performance that she deserves so much. When tens of thousands of people lose their partners/children/parents every day and still have to go to work - are we all superman too? I admire her tenacity to continue after such a tragedy but you don’t really have much of a choice. You just have to keep going... Grief does not make you superhuman - it makes you a warrior and a survivor. Actually, you don't. Many people take extended bereavement leave from work, take a break. Some people just fall apart, and you know, that's OK too. I saw a family who had lost their three children in a car accident and they said, some weeks you just cannot get out of bed the grief for them was so huge. Even if they just lose a spouse. What's happened here is on another level to lose a young child, and then her unborn one is horrific. Then add in that she herself has injuries whereby she would be eligible to take leave from work just for that. And then add in what her job involves. It involves giving so much of herself, and to have everybody in the audience looking at you every night. No matter how you want to describe it, I don't think this is an average thing, just like any other grieving person does. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2018 15:17:42 GMT
When tens of thousands of people lose their partners/children/parents every day and still have to go to work - are we all superman too? I admire her tenacity to continue after such a tragedy but you don’t really have much of a choice. You just have to keep going... Grief does not make you superhuman - it makes you a warrior and a survivor. Actually, you don't. Many people take extended bereavement leave from work, take a break. Some people just fall apart, and you know, that's OK too. I saw a family who had lost their three children in a car accident and they said, some weeks you just cannot get out of bed the grief for them was so huge. Even if they just lose a spouse. What's happened here is on another level to lose a young child, and then her unborn one is horrific. Then add in that she herself has injuries whereby she would be eligible to take leave from work just for that. And then add in what her job involves. It involves giving so much of herself, and to have everybody in the audience looking at you every night. No matter how you want to describe it, I don't think this is an average thing, just like any other grieving person does. Musicalmarge does have a point. it will depend on the emploer but many people have to return to work, unless they can afford to take unpaid leave or can get signed off by doctor (which is the option many will opt for to keep being paid). Not saying Ruthie isn't incredibly strong by doing this, but she is in a slightly more fortunate position when it comes to employment. Some employers will also have blanket rules on time off people allowed for different relatives, so even if say you were brought up by a grand parent, because they weren't their actual parent you wouldn't be allowed time off. Some places are pretty heartless on these type of things |
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 13, 2018 8:07:00 GMT
People have to work because they need the money.
The UK generally has reasonable levels of support for situations such as bereavement, both within companies and through the welfare state.
It is a very different life if you work on short-term contracts, unless you have insurance. And the whole concept of a welfare state is totally alien in the US.
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Post by theatreian on Sept 13, 2018 13:43:38 GMT
What a fantastic show this is. Saw it yesterday at the Matinee and all cast were on including Ruthie. Glorious vocals and Kelli is sublime.
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Post by barrowside on Sept 13, 2018 21:12:34 GMT
I saw this last night and it is indeed exquisite. It was so beautifully sung and acted. Kelli O'Hara was the most glorious Anna, quintessentially English with an beautiful soaring voice. Several people were in tears as early as "Hello Young Lovers". The chemistry between Kelli and Ken was amazing. Even apart from her huge courage and dignity, Ruthie Ann Miles gave what must be the finest interpretation of Lady Thiang. Something Wonderful doesn't come near to describing her performance.
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 18, 2018 7:46:51 GMT
I went again last night (front row TodayTix), mainly so I could see Ruthie Ann Miles before the end of the run.
Completely overlooked in advance that Annalene Beechey was on as Anna. She was very good (again), although I have to try and go back now to see Kelli one final time before this closes.
Lewis Fernee was on as Louis.
The audience was well-behaved throughout too. Fairly full, at least in the Stalls. Much of the front row was taken by some understandably proud parents of the King's children.
Anyway, the main reason I went was to see Ruthie, who was excellent. I thought she played the role differently to Broadway, especially with the added dimension of the walking stick and various other actors passing it to her at different times.
There is a bit of an age mismatch with Ruthie and Jon Chew, as he looks older than she does.
She, of course, sang "Something Wonderful" in a wonderful way.
Overall a much softer portrayal than Naoko Mori, who is also excellent. It is always amazing when a show has this many talented people assigned to it.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Sept 18, 2018 7:55:50 GMT
Went last Thursday also to catch Ruthie Ann Miles once more before the end of the run. She was once again wonderful and I much prefer her portrayal of Lady Thiang to Mori's.
I'm also glad to have seen Kelli O'Hara for a third time. Can't get enough of her! She's just perfect as Anna
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 19, 2018 12:03:09 GMT
According to West End Understudies, Jacqui Sanchez is on as Lady Thiang today.
(was advertised as Ruthie for the matinee and Naoko for the evening performance)
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 24, 2018 8:17:56 GMT
Last week!
Went to the Matinee Saturday and (being very frank) it did seem a little long this time. (Strangely not the Uncle Tom Ballet which I enjoyed more)
EXCEPT of course, whenever Kelli was on. Yes, it’s true love and now she’s going away…….
Sad not to have seen Ruthie, the notes she floats on the soundtrack CD of Western People Funny are sublime.
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Post by showoff on Sept 25, 2018 10:27:59 GMT
Well, there's nothing more to add to this thread, but I will just go with the majority here and say this show is simply stunning. There's no other words really.
The three women, Kelli, Ruthie and the actress who plays Tuptim are all so amazing, beautiful voices and portrayals, I loved them all. The children were delightful. The whole cast were sublime.
The sets, to me, were beautiful too, simple, but perfect for the show to allow the cast to shine in the space. And I adored the Uncle Tom ballet, it held me captivated throughout.
I have to say, it's one of my all time favourite performances of any show. It blew me away, and that was hard to do as my expectations were already very high with everyone's praise. I'm so happy and privileged to have seen this wonderful show. It was a true delight.
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 25, 2018 21:44:05 GMT
Back from what I know will be final visit to the show tonight.
Couldn’t have gone better. One of the best front row seats I’ve had. The audience behaved. And I finally got to see Kelli, Ken and Ruthie together (for the first time since I saw it on Broadway).
Lewis Fernee on as Louis.
So sad not to see those definitive song performances again. Hello Young Lovers and Something Wonderful will never sound better.
At least there’s a cinema broadcast and possible UK tour to look forward to.
“What more can I say?”
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Post by Marcus on Sept 29, 2018 8:38:34 GMT
Saw this last night for the second time, and got to see Ruthie who is stunning in the role.
It’s such an old school musical but done so beautifully. I found tom’s cabin much more interesting this time, not quite sure why.
Kelli O’Hara is glorious, her voice is so perfect and light. It’s a joy to see someone of such star quality on the Palladium stage. Can she come back soon please!
I also had a much better view of Dean this time - glorious voice and thank you to the costume designer!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 23:21:41 GMT
I was at the last performance tonight and enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Ken's diction hasn't improved but I thought his comic timing was better, and Kelli is quite simply divine.
The night belonged, however, to Ruthie Ann Miles, who was quite simply astonishing. How she has the strength to do that I will never know, but I have the utmost respect for her. She was understandably emotional at the end (and a bit earlier as well) and didn't come out for the second curtain call, but she got a hugely deserved ovation. Very glad I got to see her in the role - it's very clear why she won the Tony, she's just fantastic.
No speeches or anything special at curtain call, just the majority of the cast coming out for an additional bow after the usual ones. Looked to be nearly a full house, I couldn't see many empty seats at all.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2018 23:30:54 GMT
Long clips of "I Whistle a Happy Tune", the scene where the King makes Anna get down to his level, "Something Wonderful" (a masterclass from Ruthie!), "Getting to Know You" and "Shall We Dance?" have been released. It looks great!
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Post by jrj624 on Oct 21, 2018 2:40:06 GMT
I see where they have filmed this and will be showing it in cinema's at the end of November ... beginning of December. Has anyone heard if they have mentioned if there are plans for a DVD/Blu ray release at some point as so far it is not scheduled to play anywhere near me.
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 21, 2018 13:24:45 GMT
I see where they have filmed this and will be showing it in cinema's at the end of November ... beginning of December. Has anyone heard if they have mentioned if there are plans for a DVD/Blu ray release at some point as so far it is not scheduled to play anywhere near me. No announcement, although I see some places have encores/alternative dates scheduled. Based on that, I wouldn't expect a DVD. |
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Post by jrj624 on Oct 23, 2018 19:48:14 GMT
I see where they have filmed this and will be showing it in cinema's at the end of November ... beginning of December. Has anyone heard if they have mentioned if there are plans for a DVD/Blu ray release at some point as so far it is not scheduled to play anywhere near me. No announcement, although I see some places have encores/alternative dates scheduled. Based on that, I wouldn't expect a DVD. These cinema showings are often not available in smaller markets so it's a real shame if they wouldn't consider a DVD release at some point down the road. I'm sure I'm not the only person that would enjoy seeing these but due to location they are not available. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 23, 2018 22:06:41 GMT
It’s often a rights issue too. A lot of people would like a permanent copy.
These broadcasts do sometimes end up on BroadwayHD, Sky Arts and the like, so there’s always a chance.
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Post by LaLuPone on Nov 7, 2018 17:43:56 GMT
So I've seen on the ATG website that The King and I will be in Manchester Opera House for 2 and a half weeks from mid April and also in the Sunderland Empire for a week and a half in June, so the big UK Tour that was hinted at before is obviously happening.
(Tickets on sale for these two venues on Friday)
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Post by Scswp on Nov 7, 2018 17:46:49 GMT
So I've seen on the ATG website that The King and I will be in Manchester Opera House for 2 and a half weeks from mid April and also in the Sunderland Empire for a week and a half in June, so the big UK Tour that was hinted at before is obviously happening. (Tickets on sale for these two venues on Friday) Starring whom, I wonder? |
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