Anastasia - West End 2019?

[theatremadness]

Might as well start while the rumour mill is fresh!!

[Jon]

If it ends up happening, I could see it at somewhere like the Phoenix or Aldwych.

[Deleted]

Hope so, loved this.

[Mark]

A bit of a let down on Broadway this one was, but no doubt it's got selling power.

[macksennett]

Hope Ramin Karimloo and Caroline O'Connor transfer over the pond with this!

[mrbarnaby]

This will go the way of Neverland. It won't get a theatre. There is zero buzz about this show.

[ali973]

^ I support that. It's funny how I just secreted this a few hours ago before the announcement, and was thinking of Evelyn Hoskins as Anya/Anastasia and Maureen Lipman as the Duchess.

It doesn't require a large theatre. In fact, I felt that the set on Broadway tried to reduce the size of that stage. It's literally a unit set with small moving pieces. I agree that the Phoenix or Aldwych would be ideal. I'd rather see it someplace with some character than a refurbished contemporary fit out like the Adelphi.

[Deleted]

Disagree that there's no buzz, it has developed quite a fanbase unlike Finding Neverland ever did. I'm not sure what the stats are on how watched the film was here vs in America but I'd definitely consider it more widely known and loved than the Finding Neverland film.

[Deleted]

Jun 22, 2017 23:39:46 GMT @snutte said:

Disagree that there's no buzz, it has developed quite a fanbase unlike Finding Neverland ever did. I'm not sure what the stats are on how watched the film was here vs in America but I'd definitely consider it more widely known and loved than the Finding Neverland film.

Baz reports on the buzz he experienced at the show on Broadway:

The crowd, five or six deep, forms outside the stage door of the Broadhurst Theatre on W. 44th Street as soon as the audience can reach the exits after a performance of new musical Anastasia.

When the stars appear — Christy Altomare, as the title character who claims to be the surviving daughter of the last Russian tsar, and Derek Klena and Ramin Karimloo as the men who love her — the screams erupt.

I’ve walked past this particular tableaux a dozen times since the show by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (with a book by Terrence McNally) started previews in March.

I realised right away it wasn’t aimed at me — but I was intrigued, in spite of myself, by British producer Bill Taylor’s creation for Stage Entertainment.

So I went along. And every stalls seat — and as much of the circle and balconies as I could see — were jammed with young girls, their sisters, mothers, aunts, plus teachers, brothers and boyfriends.

Some I spoke to told me they had grown up watching the Fox animated movie (voiced by Kirsten Dunst and Meg Ryan) released 20 years ago (the rights are now owned by Disney). A few songs from the film have made it into the stage show.

Others in the stalls knew Ingrid Bergman’s 1956 movie Anastasia.

A few people had warned me off going. But though it makes little attempt to follow historical fact, I found myself drawn in. And I was fascinated by the audience, who would scream and holler at various points.

Essex-based Karimloo told me he had never experienced anything like it. ‘There are the young audiences, the nostalgic audiences, and the crowd that’s seen Wicked — and the crowd that likes to see strong women in a show who aren’t defined by men.’

After I left, I headed to Sardi’s to meet Taylor and Ms Ahrens.

Next to us was a table with students and teachers from DaySpring art school in Missouri. They went wild when I introduced Ahrens to them. A few cried. All wanted to see the show again.

Taylor told me that Anastasia will tour the U.S. next year — and be on the London stage by 2019.

[showbizkid]

This will never ever ever happen guys. I know one of the producers of this and he told me how unhappy they are with the show on Broadway but it's selling fairly well for now.... but won't do more than a year or so. Might not even make a cast change.

The whole thing needs a rewrite, Gleb Ramin's part drastically changed or cut, a new set (the design is the most disliked feature by the creatives), the ghastly projections cut, new direction, dozens of re writes, Rasputin put back in and a huge overhaul. It's historically and culturally gauche. It just won't happen.....

It was my most disappointing show I saw on Broadway last month. It's just naff and looks and feels like a regional show. It should have been so much better.

[ali973]

I don't know why people insist that it needs to be a more serious piece of theatre. It's a cartoon..on stage. They did what they could do to make it less glib, without talking bats and supernatural creatures with powers. Otherwise- it's a princess show made for a family. I really don't see people can have such strong opinions about it while being completely okay with Aladdin or the atrocity that was Beauty and the Beast.

Not trying to discount what your producer friend thinks of it- but considering the long list of producers associated with a show these days, especially a show owned by Disney- I would say that just because you've put in some money it doesn't mean you call the artistic shots.

[Deleted]

Oh this would be tsar-iffic news if it happens.

[showbizkid]

Jun 23, 2017 5:42:06 GMT ali973 said:

I don't know why people insist that it needs to be a more serious piece of theatre. It's a cartoon..on stage. They did what they could do to make it less glib, without talking bats and supernatural creatures with powers. Otherwise- it's a princess show made for a family. I really don't see people can have such strong opinions about it while being completely okay with Aladdin or the atrocity that was Beauty and the Beast.

Not trying to discount what your producer friend thinks of it- but considering the long list of producers associated with a show these days, especially a show owned by Disney- I would say that just because you've put in some money it doesn't mean you call the artistic shots.

You misunderstood me, it doesn't need to be a more serious piece of theatre. It just needs to be BETTER! With a completely different design and rewritten. There is a good show somewhere in there. The score and basic plot for example is fine. It was just badly made.

[ali973]

I want a lot of things too

I get you didn't like it. But again, I honestly think this is the best they can do given it's based on a children's cartoon, and that they're aiming for a family audience anyway and a "Wicked" spillover.

I highly doubt producers are upset given how well its doing. Plus, no signs of them totally revamping if they're already making plans for a US tour. I am certain a 2018 first stop and early tour schedule will be made public very soon.

The show proved to be critic free and Tony immune and is still doing well. New York is a much tougher sell than London. So if they can make it there, they can make it in London.

[Deleted]

Ramin wouldn't transfer. He has a kinda crap role. Which isn't his fault but considering he has done things like Phantom and Les Mis, this is a bit of a downgrade for him and I imagine the oppertunity to escape, he will happily welcome it.

[ali973]

A paycheck is a paycheck. He was clearly convinced to do it on Broadway, where the stakes are by far higher, so I don't see why he wouldn't consider reprising it in London where his fan base is very strong. He's been interviewed about it and he says he is so impressed and surprised by the reception and having a good time. I actually take the paycheck is a paycheck part back- he was involved in the show in workshop stage, so it does mean something to him and not just a job.

The part IS badly written, a combination of Javert and Phantom, but second to Anya/Anastasia, the show is his. He gets to play the bad guy and has the best guy songs.

I do agree that he WILL leave very soon though, and might be the first person to leave the cast. He's got quite a few gigs planned and announced already.

[vabbian]

get rid of the other characters

just have Ramin

shirtless

2.5 hours no interval

all the Olivier awards

[Deleted]

Ramin is hardly in a position to turn down lots of roles, unless he wants to alternate between Jean Valjean and Phantom for the rest of his life. It's not like he's getting offered lots of chances to originate new interesting roles. If he would accept Murder Ballad at the Arts then I sincerely doubt reprising his Anastasia role is off limits.

Not saying he'll do it or not do it, but this role and show are not beneath him by any means.

[westendwendy]

Jun 23, 2017 9:35:11 GMT ali973 said:

I want a lot of things too

I get you didn't like it. But again, I honestly think this is the best they can do given it's based on a children's cartoon, and that they're aiming for a family audience anyway and a "Wicked" spillover.

I highly doubt producers are upset given how well its doing. Plus, no signs of them totally revamping if they're already making plans for a US tour. I am certain a 2018 first stop and early tour schedule will be made public very soon.

The show proved to be critic free and Tony immune and is still doing well. New York is a much tougher sell than London. So if they can make it there, they can make it in London.

Critic FREE? HAHAHAHAHAHAA........ The reviews were bad!

[Deleted]

The reviews were mixed to negative. Critic free means that the reviews don't matter which they don't as the show makes over a million each week. And the audiences love it, judging by the vocal response they give every show.

[ali973]

Thanks, that's what I meant by critic free. I never expected it to be a critic's darling. It's doing better than Groundhog Day and Great Comet, both being very original and innovative, both with various nominations, and one with quite a famous leading man whose departure soon could cause serious ticket decline. I also don't love the fact that both Groundhog Day and Comet-both better shows than Anastasia from an artistic and intellectual angle-are in a shaky situation, but this is the truth. This is how capitalism works- Anastasia is a hit despite not being nominated, despite "weaker" material, despite being based on a cartoon and its historic fickleness,

Re: Ramin- unless he finds something else, I don't see why he won't transfer it. It's good pay in a show that is doing well, and I think he's been pretty happy with how it has been going for him so far. He also workshopped it in the past, so I would imagine he has a certain level of ownership in this and would like to see it come full circle if it comes to London. He's rather one dimensional, but man, with that guy hits those high notes it really does not matter.

[carmella1]

Its only a downgrade in that it was a throw in part, Gleb. I honestly cannot think of anything Ramin has done in the West End except various parts in both Phantom and Les Mis. Or Love Never Dies which again is Phantom. Last year's show at the arts was not exactly a blockbuster and it struggeled. I think he may be in a rather odd position as he is really only known for those two shows in various parts. He has made a career of them and his exercising.

[Deleted]

Jun 23, 2017 16:15:37 GMT carmella1 said:

He has made a career of them and his exercising.

Yeah I know but I mean . . . 

The defence rests Your Honour.

[Deleted]

He's very talented and a popular guy, its a tough one. I do think he will be the first to leave, but I do think one or teo of the other main cast may come over.

There is soemthing with family musicals based on animated movies and sticking around. The leads always seem to stay for the longest time, or at least one of the leads. Like Aladdin on Broadway, the Genie and Aladdin stayed for three years and Jasmine and Jafar are still there, even though, of the four, Genie is the only one really that exciting. It is very much a paycheck is a paycheck and good for them, keep that money rolling in.

[ali973]

^ I think it has to do with the fact that it's Disney. The compensate very well.