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Post by David J on Feb 17, 2016 19:11:32 GMT
First time I'm seeing this rare Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. With Jodie Prenger starring.
Hope this is good. |
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Post by steve10086 on Feb 17, 2016 19:58:24 GMT
I wish they'd revive the Denise van Outen version, instead of reverting to the original (more or less). It was amaIng to see Marti Webb performing the original at the St James, but with new performers I think the show needs updating.
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Post by David J on Feb 17, 2016 20:52:03 GMT
This is quant. Nothing more than a series of relationships this woman goes through. Very repetitive. Some songs sounded very reminiscent of I'd be surprisingly good for you (Evita), the sunset boulevard theme tune, and even the pharoahs story (Joseph)
This is well suited for the elderly audience in tonight
Jodie Prenger does a stirling job, portraying the emotions this woman goes through
Some of the touring venues are complete madness. This show consists of a small apartment lounge with the orchestra behind it. The St James Theatre would make perfect sense. Not the mayflower, new Alexandra, Bristol hippodrome, Manchester palace, new Wimbledon, bird gais.
Yes they're one night performances but still...
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Feb 17, 2016 21:11:56 GMT
I want to go and see this because I have never seen it, but I'd be going in Bristol. Every time I check on the ticket situation there are loads of seats remaining, which is a shame for any show, let alone a one nighter.
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 18, 2016 11:44:10 GMT
I wish they'd revive the Denise van Outen version, instead of reverting to the original (more or less). It was amaIng to see Marti Webb performing the original at the St James, but with new performers I think the show needs updating. I agree. That hasn't been done since 2004. I saw the Claire Sweeney tour in 2011 and was astounded how most of the libretto had reverted back to the original with dreadful anachronisms and outdated reference points, yet was trying to make it contemporary in other ways (mainly design) Either make it contemporary or do it as a period piece - one or the other - not a jumbled mish mash. |
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Post by David J on Feb 18, 2016 12:16:25 GMT
Second act was a 30 minute 'An Evening with Jodi Prenger'.
She sang a little ditty at the start, answered some questions and then sang Another Suitcase in Another Hall with her understudy, Jodi Beth Meyer, and ended the evening with Unexpected Song
Jodi was hilarious, at one point fooling everyone in thinking ALW was in tonight. She told about her time in Oliver, how she tended to feed Bullseye, but had to stop because the dog, rather than sniffing out Sykes, noticed that the woman lying still in the ground was the one giving him treats.
She mentioned the Imelda Staunton Gypsy, and how she'd love to play Mama Rose.
She spoke about all the animals she keeps. Geese, crabs, parrots and so forth. Currently having a "Hotel Excalibur" built for the chickens. No wonder she is attracted to the Watermill Theatre with it's collection of ducks, chickens and geese
Overall, I wouldn't say this was a waste of time, but for a 40 minute drive up to Berkshire and then back in the downpour, feeling like I was the only one in his 20s there, it certainly felt like that
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Post by chinatoy on Feb 19, 2016 20:44:39 GMT
The travelling for this makes for exhausting reading. Poor Jodie! She's going to be wrecked!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 15, 2016 20:24:37 GMT
Starring Jodie Prenger opens next week. I've been reminded that I'm going to the Manchester performance on 25th as I got an ATG email for ticket offers on band A and B. Promo code MANCHESTER if anyone's interested.
Ive never seen it before and I note that it's playing only one night in each venue. Possibly a case of Hit And Run? I shouldn't expect much from the staging I guess. Jodie and a chair? Take that look off your face....
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 15, 2016 20:28:23 GMT
Correction, it opened this week. In Lowestoft.
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Post by steve10086 on Apr 15, 2016 22:04:34 GMT
Correction, it opened this week. In Lowestoft. My in-laws saw it last week in Cardiff. |
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Post by David J on Apr 15, 2016 22:10:36 GMT
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Post by basdfg on Apr 15, 2016 22:11:52 GMT
It has being going for weeks. It was in Chelmsford I believe on Mothers Day.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 15, 2016 22:14:19 GMT
How embarrassing! I did do a search for an existing thread but nothing came up. Technical blip. I'll merge  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 15, 2016 22:18:31 GMT
Bump for technical reasons |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 15, 2016 22:19:57 GMT
There.
So.... Is it crap?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2016 23:22:17 GMT
Its three nights in the Bord Gais in Dublin (Seats over 2'200) and selling dreadfully!!! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 26, 2016 18:36:46 GMT
Saw this last night. Hmmmmm. I can't really decide what I thought about it. I guess I wasn't keen on the story. Bit of a victim type ricocheting from one crappy relationship to the next? I can glaze over listening to that whilst eating pizza with friend A, B or C any night of the week. I'd say the same to her as I say to them. GET A GRIP LOVE. It was just a bit depressing I thought, and samey.
I have to say she sang it beautifully though. And there were a couple of lovely songs that I hadn't heard before and I'd like to look up and hear again. And no mean feat to sing solidly for an hour. Tough gig I imagine. She has a tremulous quality to her voice in quieter songs that I've not noticed before, probably because she's usually belting something out. Her acting was good too.
After the the interval she glammed up (thank god, because the costumes in first half were awful) and did a bit of Q&A which was a bit cheesy to be honest. I think being yourself on stage must be very difficult indeed and in an effort to come across as funny/engaging it was a bit false. 3 more songs: Secret Love, Another Suitcase Another Hall and an ALW one from a song and Dance that I didn't know. For Suitcase she brought on her understudy and performed it as a duet which was a nice touch.
Overall a a pleasant evening. Kept me off the Pot Noodle.
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Post by chernjam on Apr 26, 2016 20:33:20 GMT
I have to agree with Steve10086 - why did they revert back to the original production? Did they excise all the new music ALW wrote? Some of the new stuff was really nice (Ready Made Life; Somewhere, someplace, sometime -- I think that's the title) and the updates were ok at the time (doubt anyone does speed dating anymore)
Even more curious is how this- a show about an english girl coming to America - never really was revived here in the US.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2016 2:37:19 GMT
Speaking of the Watermill Theatre, does anyone know what this year's summer musical is?
Not that I'm planning on going, just interesting to see what they can tackle in that space...would have thought they'd announce it by now.
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Post by danb on Apr 27, 2016 7:53:39 GMT
What do people consider the best recorded version of 'Unexpected Song' to be? I'm looking for something beautifully sung but without the operatic slant of Brightman or the simplicity of Van Outen!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2016 8:02:39 GMT
There's always the Bernadette Peters' version where she sings completely out of sync with the orchestra (I know there's a name for this but I have forgotten it!). I just love this. It's another of my all time favourite play it LOUD and singalong songs. I can even do it out of sync like she does! Available on the Hey Mr Producer! concert recording.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2016 10:37:56 GMT
she sings completely out of sync with the orchestra. I know there's a name for this but I have forgotten it! "Cocking it up"? Oh, you mean intentionally? Syncopation? In my case it's called "single variety cider". |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2016 11:06:28 GMT
What do people consider the best recorded version of 'Unexpected Song' to be? I'm looking for something beautifully sung but without the operatic slant of Brightman or the simplicity of Van Outen! Sorry danb, it's the Sarah Brightman version all the way for me. |
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Apr 27, 2016 11:31:14 GMT
There's always the Bernadette Peters' version where she sings completely out of sync with the orchestra (I know there's a name for this but I have forgotten it!). I just love this. It's another of my all time favourite play it LOUD and singalong songs. I can even do it out of sync like she does! Available on the Hey Mr Producer! concert recording. God I love that version from Hey Mr Producer, and standing in the middle of my living room screaming it at the top of my lungs. Sometimes I even hold a clipboard for the full effect. |
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 27, 2016 12:18:53 GMT
There's always the Bernadette Peters' version where she sings completely out of sync with the orchestra (I know there's a name for this but I have forgotten it!). I just love this. It's another of my all time favourite play it LOUD and singalong songs. I can even do it out of sync like she does! Available on the Hey Mr Producer! concert recording. Back-phrasing is possibly the word you're looking for here, and I must confess that Bernadette's Hey Mr Producer version is probably my favourite too. Every time I think of it in my head I think it can't be as bad as I'm imagining, then I watch it and yup.....there she is just completely ignoring the orchestra, conductor and tempo and doing her own thing and I just love it!!! |
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