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Post by anita on Sept 20, 2021 9:10:02 GMT
And what fantastic views of the countryside in the film.
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Post by Theatre Fan on Sept 22, 2021 20:17:18 GMT
Enjoy 💖 x x x
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Post by zak97 on Sept 22, 2021 20:23:12 GMT
There was a day or two in this thread when Beverley was expected to be announced as Margaret when Layton was joining
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Post by Theatre Fan on Sept 22, 2021 20:54:41 GMT
There was a day or two in this thread when Beverley was expected to be announced as Margaret when Layton was joining Would of been incredible, fingers crossed one day x |
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Sept 22, 2021 21:20:59 GMT
I think both versions have their strengths. The stage version has a better script, lines land better and are funnier, the character of Ray is more fleshed out and used far better, and you obviously get the energy in the room during the musical numbers. Some of the visuals during the musical numbers in the film were better (Work Of Art in particular is fabulous), flashbacks give some songs more meaning, the change from Loco Chanelle's ballad to 'This Was Me' and the scenes that go with it are phenomenal (and the drag queens in the stage version just aren't funny and add nothing), and I also love that we actually get to see Mimi Me perform a number which we're deprived of in the stage version. But I really enjoyed both versions! The bit in bold has always been one of my pet peeves with the musical - we never really get a payoff to the Mimi Me character, or even a meaningful reveal. It always feels like a missed opportunity and a bit of an anticlimax. Agree both versions have their strengths, although for me personally the movie has the edge on the stage show. I thoroughly enjoyed what they've done with some of the musical numbers, think Sarah Lancashire gives a standout performance and provides the whole movie with a huge amount of heart (though I find it a shame that the visuals during her big number rather shift the focus to Jamie and his father rather than her character) and overall it's just wonderful to see a modern British musical done so well on screen. |
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Post by hannechalk on Sept 24, 2021 19:05:07 GMT
I'm watching the movie, and it's leaving me cold, to be honest.
Sure, there are some good performances, and the countryside is stunning.
I don't know if it's because I'm tired, and I should try again another day.
Although well sung, 'He's My Boy' was rather tepid. Any other time it's given me goosebumps, but not this time. Maybe because they were focusing on Jamie and his dad, and you didn't stay with/in Margaret's feelings.
Ray's character is vastly underused.
I just don't warm to the characters, or the story in this format.
I liked 'This Is Me' though.
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Post by amp09 on Sept 24, 2021 19:26:23 GMT
I'm watching the movie, and it's leaving me cold, to be honest. Sure, there are some good performances, and the countryside is stunning. I don't know if it's because I'm tired, and I should try again another day. Although well sung, 'He's My Boy' was rather tepid. Any other time it's given me goosebumps, but not this time. Maybe because they were focusing on Jamie and his dad, and you didn't stay with/in Margaret's feelings. Ray's character is vastly underused. I just don't warm to the characters, or the story in this format. I liked 'This Is Me' though. Turn the heating on or grab a blanket 😝 |
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 25, 2021 22:59:32 GMT
Jamie on Thursday was my final planned visit to a "normal" show. It didn't seem quite normal, but I had no idea it was Melissa Jacques last show until she was given flowers at the end. There was an instant standing ovation and extended applause for her too. Plus Jamie Campbell and family were in (with Jamie wearing a very impressive dress made up of the show poster image).
I was lucky enough to be front row centre.
I had young Chinese ladies either side, who seemed to have both come as individuals. Both wearing masks (as were most of the front row). But one of them was on her phone a lot of the show with the screen dimmed and took some very obvious photos holding her phone right up (neither lady was all that tall). The ushers did not seem to notice. Normally I would say something, but there wasn't a discreet opportunity. They were perfectly quiet.
Otherwise, the same cast were on as last time I saw this (despite what the website suggests). Everyone was excellent as usual.
Two bloopers.
Sejal Keshwala couldn't find her party blower in the birthday scene.
In the drag scene, the curtain came down on David O'Reilly, leaving him half in front of the curtain. It took him a while to get untangled.
Let's see what closing afternoon tomorrow brings. I'm not front row, but I did book early and got a prime seat. I'm sure it will be an emotional one!
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3,334 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 26, 2021 20:26:37 GMT
Reporting back from today's closing performance (before this restarts next year).
A very receptive, but also very well behaved and polite audience. The lights must have been hotter than usual as several of the cast had watery eyes from the start.
A few little tweaks and touches to make it clear it was the last clothes. A lot of the pupils had stickers on their blazers. James Gillan saying "That was our story" instead of "That's our story" at the end to give a sense of closure. The drag queens all applauding each other instead of vying for attention. Noah kissing Hiba on the cheek at the end of the bedroom scene instead of blowing her a kiss.
Gillian Ford was on as Margaret and she sang her heart out, really getting the emotion across in both If I Met Myself Again and He's My Boy. Harriet Payne was on as Miss Hedge and Zahra Jones was on as Becca. It's a shame Melissa Jacques had to leave the production just before the closing performance, but you would never know this wasn't the regular line up which just shows how tight the cast is and everyone everyone did their bit.
Noah held it together remarkably well until My Man Your Boy, but he couldn't hold back the tears for the rest of the show and rearranged his lines in the final scene in a way that made very little sense, but no one cared. At the end of the show, he took off his shoes and left them on the stage (creating an Instagram ready moment).
I can't leave a closing review without mentioning how strong the entire cast is. Sejal Keshwala really gets the humour of Ray across. Hiba Elchikhe sings beautifully and you feel every bit of Pritti's vulnerability. And, although Luke Bayer will always be the Jamie I most remember, Noah has a special place in my heart, he sings well, looks right for the role and it's been a pleasure to watch him grow in experience and confidence since he started the role while he was still at Mountview. That is to say nothing about the other pupils who hold everything together (and constantly beat Marvyn at Rock-Paper-Scissors).
It must have been a really emotional day for Harriet Payne and James Gillan who have been with the show since the very first performance in Sheffield. And it was certainly emotional for the audience. When I left, there were still people on the front row crying uncontrollably, with one girl huddled on the floor against the stage. As the director said in his closing speech, this show means such a lot to so many people. I do hope it returns to the West End soon.
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Post by eua78 on Sept 26, 2021 20:30:52 GMT
Has anyone heard of any of the national cinema chains showing this? I’ve found it at Curzon in London but even if I could justify the cost of the train I don’t have the time to get there and back. Its mainly the independents/arty cinema chains. Curzon etc. Don't think any of the national chains took it on |
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Post by Theatre Fan on Sept 26, 2021 21:48:26 GMT
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Post by HereForTheatre on Oct 10, 2021 15:52:27 GMT
I just watched the film and I have mixed feelings. It was nice to see some things expanded, like actually seeing the drag show, but some of it left me cold and just a general feel of not having enough atmosphere about it or something. The performances seemed a bit under powered to me as well and i felt like nearly all the comedy was thrown away. I am glad that they cut the first loco song though and what they replaced it with was one of my fave things about the film, i loved it and actually feel like they should add that to the show. Have all those clips projected on to the set or something while Loco just stand there and sings. I have mixed feelings about the Dean resolution as well, the show always did leave me wanting that to be slightly expanded but then to get that in the film....it ended up feeling a bit too easy and unrealistic for him to have flipped 180 like that?
I did enjoy it and there were great bits but I think i need a little more time to process for a final verdict.
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Post by TallPaul on Dec 27, 2021 16:05:17 GMT
While you've got the BBC Sounds app fired up, BurlyBeaR, you should listen to BBC Radio Sheffield's hour long special on Jamie. You were, after all, there at the beginning, 153 pages ago. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0b8l3z1They've also done one of those lip-sync things to Where We Belong. It starts with my friend Paulette, looking gorgeous, in a segment filmed at the world-famous Crucible Theatre. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2dvlZWfHQK1zBn380nRcQFC/where-we-belongEveryone else is allowed to listen and watch too. I'm kind like that. Unlike the film, I don't have a small part in either. 🙂 |
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