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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2018 21:11:44 GMT
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2,417 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Mar 27, 2018 21:14:22 GMT
Does he like anything??
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Post by broadwaylover99 on Mar 27, 2018 21:15:34 GMT
Only one thing... himself! |
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Post by Mark on Mar 27, 2018 21:15:35 GMT
I think he’s missing the point with this one
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Post by anthony40 on Mar 27, 2018 21:19:10 GMT
I've actually met him on (at least) three occasion- once with his husband- and whilst on each occasion the conversation was brief, he now recognises me by face.
He even gave me his theatre programme once, which I later sold on eBay.
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Post by shady23 on Mar 27, 2018 21:42:35 GMT
I think any splinters the audience get are more likely to be from the decaying building rather than the show!
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Post by Mark on Mar 27, 2018 22:07:08 GMT
He even gave me his theatre programme once, which I later sold on eBay. Funny that! He once gave me a programme too at the opening of a big musical. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2018 6:16:51 GMT
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Post by freckles on Mar 28, 2018 6:47:28 GMT
Shenton has become ridiculous; I no longer respect his opinion. Ever since he branched out with the aptly named Theatre Mates website, his partisan tendencies have become ever more pronounced. “Mates” (whether they be performers, creatives, management or website advertisers) will get a fantastic review whatever they do, with any failings glossed over, while “non-mates” (an ever increasing circle, it would seem) will be pilloried out of little more than petty spite.
Comments such as those about Ruthless on Twitter, and the totally unprofessional quote yesterday of a random Facebook comment about Chicago, show just how low he has sunk - maybe he’s paid by clicks now and needs to generate them?
Of course the performances in Ruthless are “broad”; that’s the whole point. It’s supposed to be over the top and silly; did Shenton seriously go into that expecting subtle nuances? And who is he to say that a revival is pointless? We don’t all jet constantly between London and NYC (moaning about how tired we are from all the theatre we’ve GOT to see) - I, for one, was delighted for the opportunity to see Ruthless, and I really enjoyed it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2018 21:59:13 GMT
So I loved this, and clearly the audience did too! Firstly front row is a steal. At just £21, there is zero restriction. An eye height stage and a metre of legroom. If you wanna see this cheap, don't miss out those seats! Cast wete all around great. Jason surprised me alot, he was fabulous. Also shoutout to Kim who was brilliant too, as was Lara. Now, I know some are over the Tracie stealing the show news, but that is just what happens, in Act 1 at least. She is only in one scene and two cameos in Act 2, but my god, when she is on she nakes the impact. And it was very obvious audience members were eagerly waiting, shs received entrance applause and cheers from some. She really was fabulous, as was the whole cast, no complaints! Its alot of fun, slapstick humour, its worth a trip!  |
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Post by alece10 on Mar 29, 2018 8:58:51 GMT
So I loved this, and clearly the audience did too! Firstly front row is a steal. At just £21, there is zero restriction. An eye height stage and a metre of legroom. If you wanna see this cheap, don't miss out those seats! Cast wete all around great. Jason surprised me alot, he was fabulous. Also shoutout to Kim who was brilliant too, as was Lara. Now, I know some are over the Tracie stealing the show news, but that is just what happens, in Act 1 at least. She is only in one scene and two cameos in Act 2, but my god, when she is on she nakes the impact. And it was very obvious audience members were eagerly waiting, shs received entrance applause and cheers from some. She really was fabulous, as was the whole cast, no complaints! Its alot of fun, slapstick humour, its worth a trip! Clearly The Times didn't see the same show that we all did. Gave it 2 stars and didn't like Tracie Bennett. They seem incapable of giving any musical more than 2 stars. |
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Post by anthony40 on Mar 30, 2018 14:13:01 GMT
I have a question. I haven't seen the show (still contemplating) however I saw Jason Gardiner being interviewed and his stated categorically that his character is a woman- not a drag queen or a transexual- but a woman.
So, no disrespect to his acting abilities, stage presence or sexuality, but if the character is a woman, why not cast a woman?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 15:13:07 GMT
I have a question. I haven't seen the show (still contemplating) however I saw Jason Gardiner being interviewed and his stated categorically that his character is a woman- not a drag queen or a transexual- but a woman. So, no disrespect to his acting abilities, stage presence or sexuality, but if the character is a woman, why not cast a woman? It's just become tradition with that role for it to be played by a man. It started back in the original priduction, because I read a story somewhere a while ago now, saying that the original actor showed up to the audition and simply gave the best audition of anybody else and was cast. From there, it has just stuck. Jason gives a great performance here, he really is fabulous and knows exactly what he is doing, so I can see why he was cast. Its not just star casting, it really does work! |
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Post by robertb213 on Mar 30, 2018 15:26:58 GMT
Guess it's just the same as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and Mary Sunshine in stage versions of Chicago 😁
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 15:40:12 GMT
Guess it's just the same as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and Mary Sunshine in stage versions of Chicago 😁 And the same arguement can be made for old women always being cast as a 12 year old boy in Peter Pan. 😂😂 |
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Post by daisy24601 on Mar 31, 2018 13:49:09 GMT
Well. I just loved it. Loved loved loved it. It still makes me laugh out loud now thinking about it. I think the kids nowadays call it 'LOL'. It's a campalicious, frothy delight. In a strange way it reminds me of a slightly lighter showbiz mother/child version of the film 'Serial Mom'. The songs are catchy, the jokes come thick and fast and I just loved all the references to old films and Broadway musicals and the cast are sensational PLUS there's some tap dancing. Jason Gardiner camps it up a storm (as do they all) and has a strange look of Dame Diana Rigg in the second act (AND there's a turban!) and Kim Maresca who plays the mother is simply fabulous. Tracie Bennett pretty much steals the show with her drunk acting and big 'I Hate Musicals' number but she's challenged pretty strongly in the second act by Lara Denning as the assistant Eve who . . {SPOILER!! DONT DO IT!!}
. . . has quite possibly one of the best on stage deaths I have seen in a long time. The image of her grabbing the curtains still makes me scream.
It's OTT and has all the subtlety and depth of the cast of TOWIE in a puddle but oh, it's a joy. I will definitely go back again. If they charged me £75 to see it, I wouldn't begrudge a single pound of it. Even if the theatre needs burning down and starting again. I knew God would punish me for panning 'Fiddler'! Your spoiler was my biggest laugh moment in the show, so good  I saw the show last night and loved it. So much fun, so over the top and stellar performances from all. Really glad I went. The theatre is quite grotty but I have been there 3 times now and sat in various places and been able to see well from all of them which, being short, is a big plus for me! |
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Post by stageyqueen on Mar 31, 2018 19:05:14 GMT
So I popped along to the Arts Theatre this afternoon to see Ruthless. The theatre itself has see better days, would appear to being held together with Duct tape! As for the toilets my cats litter tray is bigger! The staff were friendly though and it had a nice atmosphere about it.
The show had me in fits of giggles from the off. Jason Gardiner was hilarious as was Tracie Bennett- as I watched her, I thought she would make a good Dorothy Brock when Lulu’s 42nd Street run ends ( The dates would seem to fit as well)
I won’t drop any spoiler but although Act 1 was funny, it was a bit slow getting going but by the time Act 2 came around there was no such issues. Had me laughing in fits for it’s entirety.
I probably would not return for a 2nd visit and was happy I got the seat (Stalls Row A) for £20
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Post by dlevi on Apr 3, 2018 8:04:34 GMT
I guess I was in a sour mood when I saw this because despite the lines themselves being funny and the lyrics very clever, this was one of the most amateurish pieces of theatre I've ever seen in the West End. Cheap sets ( I get the director's concept but the execution was haphazard) ill-fitting costumes ( but the wigs were swell) as well as sluggish direction and apathetic choreography. There really wasn't an aspect of this that I felt was "professional". Oh well.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 4, 2018 22:15:00 GMT
Saw this tonight not knowing what to expect and found it delightful and funny.
Grabbed one of the front row seats that appeared online at about 10:30am (don’t know if they were unsold day seats). Perfect view. The stage isn’t particularly high and, with it being a small stage, everything takes place close to the front anyway.
First half is really funny, very home sitcom setting like. Second half has a scene change and still funny but slightly less so. It is, of course, all very tongue in cheek. A huge number of lines are recycled from other musicals and songs are in the style of other more famous ones, but I think you’d have a great time whether you spot these or not (I picked up a few references but missed a load too).
Could have done without the series of loud gunshots, but at least they were recordings rather than live weapons.
All the cast were great and have quite a theatre pedigree between them. A good result for this small venue and also one of the few times I’ve been there with the temperature not being an issue.
One less desirable note. I’m sure someone in front grabbed some unattended programmes on the way out and put them under his newspaper. Probably should have said something but it happened too quickly. Just not the sort of thing I’d expect to see in a theatre.
Which reminds me that there is no security in place or bag checks at the Arts, unusual in this day and age.
Anyway, a recommended performance and go for the front seats if you can. Great fun.
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Post by anita on Apr 5, 2018 8:44:35 GMT
There were bag checks when I went.
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 5, 2018 8:51:51 GMT
There were bag checks when I went. My bag was checked last night. Oddly most theatres check as you enter the building, but I was checked as I showed my ticket to enter the auditorium. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 5, 2018 11:07:05 GMT
There were bag checks when I went. My bag was checked last night. Oddly most theatres check as you enter the building, but I was checked as I showed my ticket to enter the auditorium. Ok, thanks, must be the ushers checking downstairs. I didn't have a bag so didn't notice checks going on. |
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Post by buckybear on Apr 7, 2018 23:58:18 GMT
Saw this today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of laugh out loud, high camp fun with a terrific cast who were superb - and their timing was impeccable. I’m not sure how it would have come across with a different set of actors in the roles, but this cast are great. And Tracie Bennett, Drury Lane is just a short stroll down the road when this closes...
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Post by julian on Apr 14, 2018 18:56:51 GMT
I got to see this and I can’t recommend it enough. It is hilarious and not to be missed. Jason Gardiner is brilliant and what a fabulous voice he has. As usual Tracie Bennett is superb. The whole cast are good, it was a brilliant evening out
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 14, 2018 19:33:08 GMT
What’s the legroom like on the front row stalls?
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