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Post by CG on the loose on Jun 22, 2016 10:17:43 GMT
Both fair points TM - I think I had unreasonable expectations based on the 'gasp, amazing' comments I've read but it was certainly a stunningly beautiful effect.
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Post by nrets001 on Jun 22, 2016 10:45:39 GMT
My expectations were high having seen it in NY last year and for that reason I came away disappointed.
Don’t get me wrong it’s an all singing, all dancing show, with wonderful sets and costumes, specially the scene in the cave – tap dancing, glitz and glitter galore. My problem was, the show has been rejigged for the English audience which means it is far more pantoesque than the US stage show.
Also I was bitterly disappointed in the two leads, Dean John-Wilson and Jade Ewen, both of who I felt were not up to it vocally. Dean has a lisp which was very evident last night, it’s funny because I’ve seen him only recently in Atomic Bomb and not noticed it before. Obviously it’s only been on a short time, but I didn’t get any chemistry between the two.
Some of the ‘tricks’ were fantastic, the flying carpet I thought was done very well, I looked for strings etc and couldn’t see any but the song, A whole New World, which is the song of the whole show was so disappointingly sung, very quiet and out of tune and the two voices, in my opinion, did not blend well.
Not much I can say about the Genie, played with great energy, so much so that there were times that I felt he was going to ‘run out of puff’ and for a ‘larger’ man I thought he coped very well with the choreography, at one point he even did a cartwheel across the stage, however, sadly for me I remember the Genie as being a ‘larger than life’ character and I didn’t get that last night. The genie magic he performs on stage is done really well, you’d expect that from a Disney production, fireworks and streamers etc and at the end when Jafar makes 3 wishes and has 3 costume changes actually onstage on a platform raised above the stage it’s amazing and will blow the minds of children in the audience.
Aladdins 3 friends have quite a physical role, lots of dancing, fighting. They seemed to have ‘gelled’ well and I got the feeling that on (and off stage) they were friends, also I thought that Kassim, Omar and Babkak, Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Rachid Sabitri and Nathan Amzi had great chemistry with Aladdin, which will only get stronger as the show continues.
So for me, it felt like a very glorified extravagant panto which I did enjoy but didn’t come away ‘raving’ about it. For kids it will have the wow factor and I’d certainly go back again but just not yet – and also maybe when Dean’s cover is on!!!
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Jun 23, 2016 17:21:43 GMT
I saw today's Matinee. That was my first time seeing the show in London; I've previously seen the show three times on Broadway and absolutely loved it, apart from the new 'A Whole New World' arrangement and the vocally disappointing Courtney Reed. At least she had a great chemistry with her Aladdin, Adam Jacobs, so her casting was OK for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the London production, but I prefer the Broadway production - mostly because of the cast. Jade Ewen is a better Jasmine than Courtney Reed but still lacked something - maybe the missing chemistry with Dean John Wilson. Trevor Dion Nicholas is almost as good as James Monroe Iglehart whom I still prefer. And I was really underwhelmed by Dean John Wilson. He's not the strongest singer and lacked charisma. In fact, I didn't really care about his Aladdin. Does anyone know how old he is? He didn't look much older than 16. I really think that Stephen Rahman-Hughes would have made a better Aladdin. And as good as Don Gallagher's Jafar is, Jonathan Freeman is in a league of his own.
All in all still a great show, but the cast lets it down a quite a bit.
I was in the Loge LG1.1. Good seat, really close to the stage and enough leg room, but you do miss parts of the set. Nonetheless a bargain for £50.
Lastly, am I the only one who finds that the new monitor for the cast list doesn't have the same charm as the cast board they had previously?
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Post by welsh_tenor on Jun 23, 2016 17:33:11 GMT
And I was really underwhelmed by Dean John Wilson. He's not the strongest singer and lacked charisma. In fact, I didn't really care about his Aladdin. Does anyone know how old he is? He didn't look much older than 16. ... Lastly, am I the only one who finds that the new monitor for the cast list doesn't have the same charm as the cast board they had previously? DJW is 27 and I too thought he was ok, just didn't stand out (nor Jade who I actually thought was the u/s!) I hate the cast screen, same at Wicked too shoved above the box office. The old cast boards were (and are) nostalgic and I love seeing them! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2016 17:37:45 GMT
Aladdin is meant to be young so id say his look is spot on. Stephen looks too old to be aladdin, great as he is
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Jun 23, 2016 18:08:17 GMT
Aladdin is meant to be young so id say his look is spot on. Stephen looks too old to be aladdin, great as he is I think Aladdin is supposed to be young, but he had to pay his price for living on the street so he should look somewhat older and wiser. And DJW looks way too young. I wouldn't even sell him booze without proper ID... |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jun 23, 2016 18:58:30 GMT
I am on the same page as Michael and nrets001, that it is a great show, but the magic didn't transfer over from Broadway, I too was disappointed with the leads.
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Post by dan on Jun 23, 2016 23:23:56 GMT
I get absolutely flummoxed when I'm reading people saying Dean isn't a strong singer! His technical ability is incredible and I personally love his tone too, though appreciate it might not be for everybody. I'm not sure what other people are hearing sometimes. His voice blows me away.
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Post by CBP1 on Jun 23, 2016 23:31:47 GMT
I get absolutely flummoxed when I'm reading people saying Dean isn't a strong singer! His technical ability is incredible and I personally love his tone too, though appreciate it might not be for everybody. I'm not sure what other people are hearing sometimes. His voice blows me away. He's clearly very good at vocal gymnastics. But he does it all the time and I think he almost tries too hard. For me it's the old cliché that sometimes less is more. I love a bit of well placed riffing but more often than not I just like to hear the melody sung as written. *disclaimer* I haven't seen Aladdin yet! |
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Post by theatremadhatter on Jun 24, 2016 0:16:34 GMT
I get absolutely flummoxed when I'm reading people saying Dean isn't a strong singer! His technical ability is incredible and I personally love his tone too, though appreciate it might not be for everybody. I'm not sure what other people are hearing sometimes. His voice blows me away. I have to agree with Michael. Dean can clearly sing, at times he has a nice tone true, but he loves to riff esp. whenever I've seen him in concert or other in other shows and it happens in parts of Aladdin but his main problem (and this applies to lots I've seen him in) is he very often flat, maybe one of the main reasons he riffs around the note instead but he does consistently lose pitch. So although I agree he has a nice voice I don't think he is technically incredible. Also thinking about it's probably why I was underwhelmed with Jade & Deans charisma as they didn't blend nicely. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2016 6:54:50 GMT
I wasnt wowed by his singing, but i didnt think he was a bad singer at all and im rarely 'wowed' by a singer anyway. He sang well and didnt have any struggles. But i did think he nailed the cheeky charm and charisma of aladdin. As did the three friends
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Jun 24, 2016 7:00:38 GMT
He'll have two more shows today and tomorrow Evening to win me over
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Post by nrets001 on Jun 24, 2016 10:47:02 GMT
I saw today's Matinee. That was my first time seeing the show in London; I've previously seen the show three times on Broadway and absolutely loved it, apart from the new 'A Whole New World' arrangement and the vocally disappointing Courtney Reed. At least she had a great chemistry with her Aladdin, Adam Jacobs, so her casting was OK for me. Overall, I enjoyed the London production, but I prefer the Broadway production - mostly because of the cast. Jade Ewen is a better Jasmine than Courtney Reed but still lacked something - maybe the missing chemistry with Dean John Wilson. Trevor Dion Nicholas is almost as good as James Monroe Iglehart whom I still prefer. And I was really underwhelmed by Dean John Wilson. He's not the strongest singer and lacked charisma. In fact, I didn't really care about his Aladdin. Does anyone know how old he is? He didn't look much older than 16. I really think that Stephen Rahman-Hughes would have made a better Aladdin. And as good as Don Gallagher's Jafar is, Jonathan Freeman is in a league of his own. All in all still a great show, but the cast lets it down a quite a bit. I was in the Loge LG1.1. Good seat, really close to the stage and enough leg room, but you do miss parts of the set. Nonetheless a bargain for £50. Lastly, am I the only one who finds that the new monitor for the cast list doesn't have the same charm as the cast board they had previously? Ditto |
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Post by Michael on Jun 26, 2016 6:24:58 GMT
I've seen the show two more times since Thursday. All my seats were in the £50 price range. Yesterday, I was up in the Grand Circle row B. Not recommendable as the legroom is extremely cramped. I had an aisle seat so could at least stretch one foot towards the aisle, but it was still very uncomfortable. Actually, they needed to pay the audience to sit up there. It was also pretty distant from the stage, and it was unpleasantly hot. Halfway through the first act, I noticed some fresh breezes of air, but it didn't help much. On Friday, I had a fifth row outer seat in the Stalls. Slight side view, but the biggest problem is the non-existent rake there. My favourite seat was, in fact, the one from Thursday in the Loges at the front of the Dress Circle. Close to the stage, no-one in front of you and good legroom. You'll miss a few things because of the side view, but that apart, these are very good seats. Still wish they were doing dayseats instead of a lottery, but what can I do... I still think Aladdin, as a show, is perfect, apart from the odd A Whole New World arrangement. However, after seeing the show three times, I can still not warm to the two leads. Trevor Dion Nicholas is a good - no, great - Genie. Yes, he's pretty much of a carbon copy of James Monroe Iglehart, but I thoroughly enjoyed his Genie. That said, I'm sure there are plenty of British actors who could have been an equally amazing Genie, so I'm no quite sure why he was brought over. I'm still not sure what I don't like about Jade Ewen's Jasmine. I really thought about it but still can't nail it down. Sometimes, especially on the higher notes, I found her voice squeaky - and overall not too strong but rather thin and breathy. She just didn't wow me. I really tried liking Dean John Wilson's Aladdin, but I think he's miscast. He's too clean and polished for living on the streets, lacks charisma and, how shall I put it, street credibility / cleverness. And he looks way too young. More often than not, his voice is flat (thanks, theatremadhatter, that's the word I was looking for). I really think that Stephen Rahman-Hughes would have been a much better Aladdin - and I don't find him too old. Before seeing the show, stupid me has already rushed in booking three more tickets (one in August and two in September) as I love the show, but after that, I'll be taking a break until I either know for sure that the Aladdin understudy is on - or after cast change. I will however see it one more time on Broadway in December. I really thought this could be my new guilty pleasure. Too bad it isn't  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2016 8:09:04 GMT
I think somepeople might be over thinking the characters. Its a disney show, gritty realism is not the point
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 26, 2016 8:26:50 GMT
Also, seeing the same show Numerous times in a matter of days? The thought of it makes me die a bit inside.
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Post by welsh_tenor on Jun 26, 2016 10:49:26 GMT
Also, seeing the same show Numerous times in a matter of days? The thought of it makes me die a bit inside. You should spend some time in the Wicked forum... Some of the fan accounts regularly catch all 8 shows in a week! |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 26, 2016 16:12:07 GMT
Sorry but these people need to get a life. I'm surprisedAladdin isn't selling better- lots of availability on the Delfont website. Maybe people put off by the steep prices. Also, seeing the same show Numerous times in a matter of days? The thought of it makes me die a bit inside. You should spend some time in the Wicked forum... Some of the fan accounts regularly catch all 8 shows in a week! |
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Post by samjane92 on Jun 27, 2016 11:57:22 GMT
Saw the matinee on Saturday. Good show overall with lots of shiny costumes, the cave was great, fun quick changes and of course the magic carpet.
I have seen Jade in In The Heights and Dean in Songs for a new world & Miss Atomic bomb (loved all three) but wasn't particularly wowed in this. They just didn't seem to have the chemistry you would expect and at no point did I get goosebumps as I did in their previous performances, it just felt a bit safe from both of them. The reprise of Proud of your boy and a whole new world were the best parts from them, such a shame as they definitely drew me to the show.
Jafar and his assistant were far too panto as were some of the fight scenes and corny lines, the Genie had some good moments and a nice voice but I wasn't wowed like most seem to be.
Stephen Rahman Hughes was by far my favorite performer and our group all agreed he should have been Aladdin, especially as he looks so great for his age! The number with the three friends was great fun.
I agree with what was said about the market place looking cheap in comparison, the buildings all looked too small for the scene, I am sure it was anything but cheap but it just stood out as a bit strange can't quite put my finger on it.
Couple of tech issues, at one point the genies entrance was aided by a stage hand running onto the stage to open a door, his flashy blue suit only one half came off on the first try and Babkak fluffed a line. Perhaps it was where I was sitting (Row H Dress to the left for the second half, right rear stalls first half as my family were separated) but it was distracting seeing a stage hand waving material under the magic carpet for the first part of a whole new world, surely they could have hid him better?
Overall it is a show worth seeing once (in the same way as the Lion King, great effects, big budget from disney) but I am in no rush to go back. Small standing ovation maximum a quarter stood up at the end. My mum actually preferred the tour of Chitty Chitty bang bang but our friends who maybe go to the theatre less than once a year thought it was brilliant so I guess it depends on what else you have seen recently.
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Post by bellboard27 on Jun 27, 2016 12:26:15 GMT
Late to the party, but yesterday's Sunday Express gave this 2 stars (Daily Express had given it 5 stars).
"Its creators attempt to flesh out the two dimensional characters by adding a dismal combination of schmaltz and camp. Too arch for children and too trite for adults, it is hard to see at whom this slick, cynical show is aimed."
"The phoniness of the exercise is underlined by the fact that although the cast list their birthplaces as Middlesbrough, Bolton and Orpington, they adopt mid-Atlantic accents. That said, the most irksomely ingratiating performance comes from the one genuine American, Trevor Dion Nicholas as the Genie. Apart from the cost of the sets and the cost of the seats, there is nothing to distinguish this."
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 27, 2016 21:52:04 GMT
To be honest, I don't know what everyone is expecting when it comes to the performances of Jasmine and Aladdin. They are two insipid roles.. Who are merely required to wear skimpy costumes and look fit. There's no great writing or depths to their parts so they do what they can. They aren't playing Hamlet and Hedda Gabler.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Jun 27, 2016 22:00:17 GMT
To be honest, I don't know what everyone is expecting when it comes to the performances of Jasmine and Aladdin. They are two insipid roles.. Who are merely required to wear skimpy costumes and look fit. There's no great writing or depths to their parts so they do what they can. They aren't playing Hamlet and Hedda Gabler. I'm really quite shocked at all the criticism - I thought it was a really professional and strong show with some very magical moments. I thought both leads were great and sang well. Perhaps I was just mesmarised by the beautiful and toned partially dressed guys (and possibly, to a lesser extent, girls). |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2016 1:45:34 GMT
The trailer has been released, must say it does look beautiful! Jade looks stunning as Jasmine!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2016 8:16:13 GMT
The trailer has been released, must say it does look beautiful! Jade looks stunning as Jasmine! She's a revelation. I don't think I'd be able to concentrate for 5 minutes with DJW's pecs waving about in front of me, she manages to do it for a whole show. Every. Single. Night. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jun 28, 2016 13:09:02 GMT
Late to the party, but yesterday's Sunday Express gave this 2 stars (Daily Express had given it 5 stars). "Its creators attempt to flesh out the two dimensional characters by adding a dismal combination of schmaltz and camp. Too arch for children and too trite for adults, it is hard to see at whom this slick, cynical show is aimed." "The phoniness of the exercise is underlined by the fact that although the cast list their birthplaces as Middlesbrough, Bolton and Orpington, they adopt mid-Atlantic accents. That said, the most irksomely ingratiating performance comes from the one genuine American, Trevor Dion Nicholas as the Genie. Apart from the cost of the sets and the cost of the seats, there is nothing to distinguish this." I di say earlier in this thread, that I expect this show to get great reviews from the tabloids and less so from the broadsheets, well I was completely wrong if anything it has been the exact opposite!!! When I saw the second show, I wasn't wowed by the leads, they seemed to have distinct lack of chemistry, this seems to not have improved much, but as the show was early in previews I left it there, as critism would have been unfair. Go figure. |
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