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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 10:39:56 GMT
Feeling this choice of production is slightly convenient, especially given its timing, with relation to the PT Barnum musical film being released worldwide end of December. #cashingin
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Post by sf on Aug 21, 2017 11:16:22 GMT
Well I wasn't expecting that... I had the same initial reaction as you, Viserys. But the big thing for me is who they cast as Barnum. I've never seen a production, and the reason I avoided he recent tour was for one reason (Brian Conley). I usually can't stand Brian Conley on television, but he was very good in the tour. His brashness really worked with the character. The show itself is loudly mediocre - a third-tier Cy Coleman score tied to a by-the-numbers book. Yes, the key is going to be who they cast. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 21, 2017 11:20:00 GMT
A chamber Barnum should work in a similar way to how a chamber Pippin absolutely can.
It is a small number of key principals, no need for vast chorus resources. It has a non naturalistic narrator leading you through the story and doesn't rely on big sets.
It was the first big musical I saw (with Crawford on top form) and so I have fond memories of it as a piece.
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 21, 2017 11:40:00 GMT
It will be interesting to see who they cast in the title role - the success of the whole show depends on this. The recent Chichester revival did not transfer into town as Cameron would have liked due to the casting of Christopher Fitzgerald who was very uncharismatic! Cameron also tinkered with the book to make it work better without success.
The original production only worked due to the charisma of Jim Dale on Broadway and Michael Crawford in London who both gave show stopping performances and the spectacle disguised the shows flaws - the book! Stripping the show back will only expose these.
As others have said - not an ideal or obvious choice for a Menier production - they must be looking to transfer like Funny Girl and this will all depend on the casting of the lead. I can't think of anyone who could do this quite frankly let alone anyone who is prepared to commit the time to (potentially) a year in the WE on top of a Menier run.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 11:58:22 GMT
It will be interesting to see who they cast in the title role - the success of the whole show depends on this. I know who would be perfect! I'm going to send Cynthia Erivo a tweet right now to suggest it to her. I think she'll like that. |
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Post by bellboard27 on Aug 21, 2017 12:47:33 GMT
It will be interesting to see who they cast in the title role - the success of the whole show depends on this. I know who would be perfect! I'm going to send Cynthia Erivo a tweet right now to suggest it to her. I think she'll like that. Surely Joe Pasquale has got there first? |
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 21, 2017 14:01:59 GMT
Oh yes a bit of gender blind casting and no interval - it's all the rage!!!
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Post by showbizkid on Aug 21, 2017 14:44:02 GMT
Ugh...... the recent tour was boring. Such an odd choice after Chichester too.
Shame they didn't go for Me and My Girl.
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Post by zsazsa on Aug 21, 2017 15:58:42 GMT
The timing seems to tie in with the release of 'The Greatest Showman movie.
I would love Linzi Hateley to reprise her role as Charity.
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 21, 2017 16:46:24 GMT
The recent production in Chichester was poor, unusual for Timothy Shreader to drop the ball, however his associate director (forgot the name, sorry), picked the ball up and run with it and turned it into an excellent production, starring Brian Conley,mwhich should have gone into the West End.
Barnum is synonymous with circus skills especially tightrope walking and anything short of that and the audience will feel short changed. What is strange here the Menier has lined up the show, without naming who is going to star and with someone that needs to be a 'quad' threat, you would have thought they would have lined their star up at the same time.
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Post by boybooshka on Aug 21, 2017 16:56:03 GMT
Meh. I really like the show, it was the first proper stage musical i saw (original London production with Michael Crawford) but as many others have said it just feels very soon after the Chichester production and tour, both of which i saw. So short of some amazing casting, my bank account can breathe a little sigh of relief.
In a couple of decades or so Charlie stemp would be perfect.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 17:02:46 GMT
I suggest Miss Michael Ball for the role. If for nothing else but the joy of watching him get up on the high wire, let alone get from one end to the other.
Or perhaps they've managed to get Huge back on stage playing the role in the musical AND in the film for maximum publicity?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 17:20:49 GMT
I suggest Miss Michael Ball for the role. If for nothing else but the joy of watching him get up on the high wire, let alone get from one end to the other. bloody thing would snap haha |
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 21, 2017 19:21:52 GMT
What is strange here the Menier has lined up the show, without naming who is going to star and with someone that needs to be a 'quad' threat, you would have thought they would have lined their star up at the same time. They must have someone lined up even if they have not announced? |
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 21, 2017 19:24:00 GMT
C'mon Edna Turnball and Count Fosca were both fat suits!!!
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 21, 2017 19:25:49 GMT
What is strange here the Menier has lined up the show, without naming who is going to star and with someone that needs to be a 'quad' threat, you would have thought they would have lined their star up at the same time. They must have someone lined up even if they have not announced? I would've thought so, it would be very strange to announce the production then try and find someone with all the pre-requisites. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 21, 2017 20:57:52 GMT
Really? Yawn. What a crap choice. It's only recently finished a big run on tour .
At least it will save me some money.
It's sure to be Scarlett as Mrs B
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 21, 2017 21:10:54 GMT
I just love Barnum.
Can't help it. Have done so for years
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Post by showbizkid on Aug 21, 2017 21:52:33 GMT
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
There are 30 other musicals I wish they were doing but this one...
That said I feel like paying just to see the high wire act hahahaha...
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Post by princeton on Aug 21, 2017 21:59:11 GMT
Gordon Greenberg previously directed Barnum at a theatre in Florida in 2008, with Brad Oscar (a one-time Max Bialystock in New York and London) in the title role. According to this review Oscar didn't do his own 'aerial stunts' rather they had a shadow double - not exactly clear how it worked but perhaps we can expect the same at the Menier. In which case it may not be quite as difficult to cast as it at first seems. palmbeachartspaper.com/theater-review-maltz-jupiters-barnum-offers-three-rings-of-entertainment/ |
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Post by princeton on Aug 21, 2017 22:03:43 GMT
Richard Fleeshman and Oliver Tompsett both worked with Greenberg on Guys and Dolls - perhaps they are possibilities. As did Simon Lipkin - but the dates clash with Nativity the musical
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 22, 2017 0:24:46 GMT
It won't be very high wire in the Menier - mind you it wasn't high at Chichester either.
Crawford was sensational doing this at the London Palladium where the wire stretched across the Palladium proscenium. It was a real thrill him crossing the wire while singing to Jenny Lind in one of the boxes - the wire leading to her box - I've just realised what I have written!!!! LOL. Must lay off the G&T!! He never fell off when I saw the show but if he did he always had another go. LOL!! Plus his amazing rope slide down to the stage from the gods!
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Post by ali973 on Aug 22, 2017 3:55:32 GMT
Oh Gawd how boring. Awful awful show. Saw at Menier. Just okay to look at, the rest is boring.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 22, 2017 6:42:04 GMT
Oh Gawd how boring. Awful awful show. Saw at Menier. Just okay to look at, the rest is boring. Eh? |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 22, 2017 6:43:09 GMT
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz There are 30 other musicals I wish they were doing but this one... That said I feel like paying just to see the high wire act hahahaha... It won't be very high, the ceiling is about 3metres from the floor! |
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