91 posts
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Post by anniel on Mar 19, 2016 23:31:33 GMT
Would love to hear reports of the new cast.
I saw Ollie Thompsett do White Christmas in Leeds last year and he was brilliant. I had been a bit dubious beforehand about how he would sing all of the more traditional standards, after seeing him in WWRY and in Rock of Ages, but he was fantastic and a much much better dancer than I had expected.
It must be really hard taking over a role someone has previously received great plaudits for.
I did like David Haig and Sophie Thompson but am keen to how the American chap and Sam Spiro are too.
I have a ticket booked in a couple of weeks.....it will be my fifth time of seeing it! I hope it's still as good!
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4,819 posts
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Post by Mark on Mar 19, 2016 23:40:44 GMT
Saw it tonight. Ollie was great, though nobody to compare him to as its my first time seeing this production. My last encounter was i believe 8 or 9 years ago when the Donmar production toured.
Whole cast were very strong. Loved Sam Spiro.
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91 posts
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Post by anniel on Mar 20, 2016 0:09:05 GMT
Saw it tonight. Ollie was great, though nobody to compare him to as its my first time seeing this production. My last encounter was i believe 8 or 9 years ago when the Donmar production toured. Whole cast were very strong. Loved Sam Spiro. Thanks, Mark! Am really looking forward to it. Again! |
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4,819 posts
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Post by Mark on Mar 20, 2016 1:16:51 GMT
Theatremonkey - I got a £15 2nd row dress circle seat at 6pm. Bargain!
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682 posts
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Post by westendcub on Mar 20, 2016 11:32:24 GMT
Was at the matinee yesterday, I'm glad I have finally seen a production of 'Guys & Dolls' & the staging was excellent..
I'm not a huge fan of the score or story meaning even the talented cast couldn't bowl me over & make me love this.
It feels too long & act one just drags on, Act 2 is far better but the ending feels so rushed!
I must say that 'Sit down, rocking the boat' is an absolute delight & the choreography from the male ensemble is marvellous throughout- 'Luck be a lady' was a bit of a letdown - such a good song but was not keen on the arrangement
I would say there are far better things to go see in the West-End such as upcoming Savoy run 'Funny Girl' but then again 'Guys & Dolls' score has never clicked or appealed
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2016 9:32:47 GMT
Really enjoyed this again as I wanted to see the new leads and they are pretty sensational. Richard Kind was great and Oliver Tompsett was terrific - much better than Jamie Parker IMO plus he could sing the score so much better than Parker too. Also really loved Gavin Spokes as Nicely and 'Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat' is really one of the most thrilling songs in a musical.
But Samantha Spiro. A-Ma-Zing. Not as broadly comic a performance as Sophie Thompson but her Miss Adelaide has real heart and soul. Her 'Take Back Your Mink' was brilliant and 'Sue Me' was glorious as well.
Also, I wonder if Oliver Tompsett's dimples are eligible for the Best Supporting award at the Oliviers?
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Post by brenth on Mar 21, 2016 14:54:40 GMT
Love Samantha Spiro she's a national treasure but only a few of us have realised it.
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Post by cmcphail on Mar 22, 2016 18:13:36 GMT
Little bit of an accident today at the matinee. After the scenes taking place in the sewer, the actor playing Harry the Horse was struck in the head by the manhole cover whilst claiming through. There was about 30 seconds of silence before the show continued, with another actor taking over his dialogue for the rest of the show. I hope the guy is okay.
As far as the rest of the show went, I really enjoyed the performances of the new Adelaide and Nathan, I thought they were better than the performers at the Savoy.
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Mar 22, 2016 18:19:26 GMT
Yes, the new cast has given this show a big lift. Richard Kind is a funny and authentic Nathan Detroit - and he can really sing! - while Oliver Tompsett is quite a different Sky Masterson, kind of a goofy guy with a permanent grin on his face which sounds wrong but he makes it work for him - plus his chemistry ("yeah, chemistry") with Siubhan Harrison's Sarah Brown is palpable. Star of the show though is Samantha Spiro. She's hilarious and touching and all Adelaide should be. Her "Take Back Your Mink" with the Hot Box girls is fabulous, as is everything else she does. Just a great performance.
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5,996 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 22, 2016 21:13:47 GMT
I'm so tempted to sit through this uninspired production purely to see Spiro.. I just know she will deliver the goods and be fabulous in it. Hmmmm
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Post by d'James on Mar 22, 2016 21:15:51 GMT
There's no way I'll sit through any production of Guys and Dolls again in a long time. Luckily I'm not a fan of SS.
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543 posts
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Post by freckles on Mar 23, 2016 9:37:01 GMT
Saw this with the new cast yesterday and loved it. Oliver is tremendous, although he plays it cheeky rather than tough, but it works and his voice is divine.
I thought that both Sam Spiro and Richard Kind were wonderful,and made their characters very likeable (which they aren't always) but they are both way too 'mature' for the roles. As they are both such great comic actors they just about get away with it, but I think it stretches credibility a bit.
Pleased to see that Gavin Spokes has stayed on as Nicely Nicely as he's brilliant too.
Thouroughly enjoyed it all over again.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 16:58:20 GMT
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122 posts
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Post by kirstylovesmusicals on Mar 23, 2016 19:59:52 GMT
Seeing this tomorrow in Newcastle. Will report back when I can!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 20:22:43 GMT
So disappointed Louise is not doing Plymouth.
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7,251 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 23, 2016 20:32:58 GMT
Does the show feel any different at the Phoenix compared to the Savoy, I assume it's downsized a little as the Phoenix is smaller than the Savoy
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4,046 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 23, 2016 20:46:39 GMT
Louise is set to return to the tour from June 7th until July 30th with scheduled shows off on the 2nd, 15th and 16th of July. I guess I'll be seeing Louise after all then, as I'm going on 30th July. I can't decide if I'm pleased or not until they announce who the other Miss Adelaide is going to be. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 24, 2016 13:19:27 GMT
Does the show feel any different at the Phoenix compared to the Savoy, I assume it's downsized a little as the Phoenix is smaller than the Savoy Saw this last night with my free "win" tickets. Was given Dress Circle 2nd row B1 & B2 (B1 bit restricted but not too bad, especially for free). I'm normally a front stalls gal, as I was when I saw it at the Savoy. The staging is very similar, didn't see any difference at all, frankly. The sound, for me, was pretty quiet - judging by the couple in front who were constantly whispering "what did he say", "what was that" I don't think I'm the only one that struggled. So, new music pit. Quite bright lights onto the music which was at times distracting. New Adelaide - really didn't like the panto performance from Sophie Thompson so was looking forward to Sam Spiro. She forgot the words! A Person Can Develop A Cough last night included the lyrics "I am not making any sense" ..... Nathan Detroit - Oh, how I loved Richard Kind. Witty, funny, great voice, his "Sue Me" on his knees - lovely stuff. Sky Masterson. As mentioned before, Oliver Tompsett is "goofy", comical and somewhat patronising performance; great voice through Luck Be A Lady. I hadn't realised Jason Pennycooke was Harry The Horse in this - he's one actor I always love to see on stage. Still don't get the Salsa dancers walking to the front of stage at the end of the scene and walking off to the wings. Both times now the applause has finished and it's just a bit - odd. The pacing felt off too, yeah it's early for this cast, but I didn't feel as engaged as my earlier visit to the Savoy. Perhaps another reason I don't like to go beyond the Stalls. Glad I've seen Richard Kind, really pleased I didn't pay hard cash for it. |
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543 posts
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Post by freckles on Mar 24, 2016 14:13:41 GMT
Jason Pennycooke was Benny Southstreet.
I was on the front row, and noticed a distinct chilliness between Ms Spiro & the MD - Gareth Valentine. When I saw this at the Savoy, he was very animated, singing along and there was a bit of interaction between him and Miss Adelaide during Take Off Your Mink.
During said number yesterday, he had his head down throughout and she whined "Why are you ignoring me?" at one point.
The pit is very cramped, and I heard someone ask where the rest of the brass section was. They were told under the stage, behind a screen!
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1,330 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 24, 2016 14:30:20 GMT
Jason Pennycooke was Benny Southstreet. I was on the front row, and noticed a distinct chilliness between Ms Spiro & the MD - Gareth Valentine. When I saw this at the Savoy, he was very animated, singing along and there was a bit of interaction between him and Miss Adelaide during Take Off Your Mink. During said number yesterday, he had his head down throughout and she whined "Why are you ignoring me?" at one point. The pit is very cramped, and I heard someone ask where the rest of the brass section was. They were told under the stage, behind a screen! Of course, Benny! Duh. Yes, the Savoy Miss Adelaide threw gloves pointedly at the MD in Take Off Your Mink, lots of winking and eye contact. Interesting comment, Freckles. |
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Post by rumbledoll on Mar 24, 2016 15:07:45 GMT
Enjoyed these interaction bits between Sophie and conductor in Savoy as well! Gave it even more of a cheeky flavouring and it was plain fun to watch. I cannot see Sky as a patronising type and would certainly not be keen on a constantly grinning type either. I thought Jamie's Sky was beautifully ballanced containing both vanity & vulnerability but I am biased obv 'cause I just love him too much  |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 24, 2016 15:14:48 GMT
I may be biased by the Marlon Brando "too cool for school" Sky Masterson, but that is how I feel Sky should be played. I really liked Jamie Parkers Sky. Oliver is damn handsome! American college group behind me in the interval - "who is the young guy" ....
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Mar 24, 2016 15:19:23 GMT
Jason Pennycooke was Benny Southstreet. I was on the front row, and noticed a distinct chilliness between Ms Spiro & the MD - Gareth Valentine. When I saw this at the Savoy, he was very animated, singing along and there was a bit of interaction between him and Miss Adelaide during Take Off Your Mink. During said number yesterday, he had his head down throughout and she whined "Why are you ignoring me?" at one point. The pit is very cramped, and I heard someone ask where the rest of the brass section was. They were told under the stage, behind a screen!
Freckles, we were at the same show and must have been very close to each other. I was in the second row on the centre aisle and I too heard Samantha comment to the MD - who kept his head down for the entire show, not just for her. At the end, he stood up and took his bow BEFORE the four principals made the gesture to the pit which I have never seen before. Seemed like he was the one with the problem.
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Post by freckles on Mar 24, 2016 15:28:23 GMT
Oh Mallardo, we could have said hello!
I noticed because I'd quite enjoyed watching the MD at the Savoy, but he was a completely different person. I suppose everyone has off days.
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543 posts
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Post by freckles on Mar 24, 2016 15:33:31 GMT
I am very conflicted about Sky M. I adored Jamue Parker's portrayal, he was very cool and seemed more of the era. However, I've always had a bit if a thing for Oliver Tompsett and his voice just melts me.
So I like them both.
I need to check out the tour now, of course, to get the full set.
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