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Post by steve10086 on Feb 23, 2020 10:19:13 GMT
I thought I saw it as I peered over the crowd in front of the merch stand, but perhaps I was wrong. I signed up for news about it a few months back. I think I’m just impatient! They were selling the Australian recording when the show opened last year - perhaps it’s that you saw. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2020 10:48:18 GMT
Yes they are selling the Live Australian version in the theatre. This is the same version of the show as is currently playing. But of course not this cast.
Still hoping they will release the new London cast. These things always take longer than you think (9 to 5 - am looking at you!) and having been announced last Autumn is now in the classic period where it's all gone rather quiet....
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2020 18:24:09 GMT
I thought I saw it as I peered over the crowd in front of the merch stand, but perhaps I was wrong. I signed up for news about it a few months back. I think I’m just impatient! They were selling the Australian recording when the show opened last year - perhaps it’s that you saw. I think you’re right. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2020 18:28:19 GMT
Yes they are selling the Live Australian version in the theatre. This is the same version of the show as is currently playing. But of course not this cast. Still hoping they will release the new London cast. These things always take longer than you think (9 to 5 - am looking at you!) and having been announced last Autumn is now in the classic period where it's all gone rather quiet.... I see. I really hope they release one too. Do they ever promise one and then not bother? Surely that’s not fair! 😂 |
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Post by scarpia on Feb 29, 2020 0:09:11 GMT
Finally made it back to the Prince Edward to see this - the last time I was at this theatre was to see one of the final performances of the original, which I adored and saw an embarrassing amount of times.
This was *almost* as good, but it more than surpassed my expectations that I'd set slightly low as I have such fond memories of the original, and regret some of the changes to the show imposed by Disney. I also miss the original set - the house felt more solid and more of a character, but without swamping the story like the mansion in Sunset. That said, the projections are miles and miles better than anything we got back in 2004 (not surprising, remember those ghastly projections in The Woman in White)? And the scene changes are extremely slick. The pace was a lot faster than the original production; I think the running time is shorter.
My major gripe was that they've ruined 'Feed the Birds'. Partly because of Petula Clark (I get the cameo casting, but she really needs to retire), who sings the song so low that the key is completely wrong for it; partly because the climax of the song was oddly underplayed; and partly because of the set - far too warm colours...the show's written for the Bird Woman to be scary and creepy to the kids in the first act, but by the second they realise she's harmless. I suspect the producers are still overreacting to Ben Brantley's ridiculous review of the original that claimed the Bird Woman was too scary and looked like a corpse raised from the dead. Oh, and 'Temper Temper' is much missed; 'Playing the Game' doesn't have much interest in it, though the staging isn't bad. I felt 'Temper Temper' had a clear point to it; 'Playing the Game' just felt extraneous.
That all said, GREAT cast all round (Ms Clark aside). Zizzi is fantastic Mary and a perfect voice for it - ever so slightly on the point of curdling, which is just right for the role. And she has bags of stage presence. Charlie Stemp is a great performer but a little too young IMHO as Bert. He's a natural fit for the role but I'd prefer to see him do it in 5-10 years' time; Bert needs to be a little bit older so you can believe he's accumulated the wisdom in life that he has. I was surprised Claire Moore didn't go for the vocal acrobatics that Rosemary Ashe did - was that a directorial decision?
I suspect the orchestra is smaller than last time round - I haven't got my old programmes on me to check. Does anyone know?
The audience seemed to be loving it, quite possibly more than I remember them loving the original. I wonder whether this will manage to stay around as long. The timing seems better for the show now - some of the aspects of the story seem to resonate more post financial crisis, and audiences are more used to a more abrasive Poppins than back in 2004 when everyone expected Julie Andrews but didn't get it, especially now that we've had Mary Poppins Returns and Saving Mr Banks.
I'll definitely be returning at some point in the run.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Feb 29, 2020 12:29:11 GMT
Perhaps 2019 should now be removed from the title of this thread ?
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Post by theatre241 on Mar 1, 2020 11:30:08 GMT
I saw this thanks to my amazing lottery ticket in row T, Fantastic view and sound! Does anyone know where Mary flies up to because the overhang cut there final part of the flight
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 1, 2020 11:37:08 GMT
Perhaps 2019 should now be removed from the title of this thread ? Yes, done. |
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Post by AddisonMizner on Mar 2, 2020 19:28:29 GMT
I finally saw this on Saturday at the matinee. This was my first time ever seeing MARY POPPINS on stage, but the film holds a very special place in my heart and is still a favourite.
This stage version was absolutely GLORIOUS! Yes, it is very different to the film, but it still has the same amount of heart that the film has always had. The big ensemble numbers particularly jump from the stage. I had a huge smile on my face the whole way through, I cried quite a bit at numerous parts, particularly in the second act, and I left feeling like a child again, and wanting to see it again. I hope I get another chance to.
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Post by jcs619 on Mar 7, 2020 23:25:27 GMT
Just got back from today’s matinee and whilst I don’t like to criticise I have to say I found the show seriously underwhelming.
I’m afraid it’s not a patch on the 2004 version in any way at all.
Everything was just so much better in the original version from the set to the orchestrations to the illusions.
Whilst the cast are extremely talented and hard working (I especially liked Zizi) I just didn’t get the buzz that I did all those years ago from seeing it...
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Post by ruby on Mar 8, 2020 0:07:35 GMT
Was Charlie Stemp on today? I must admit I was rather disappointed not to see him on Friday night but still enjoyed the show very much.
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Post by jcs619 on Mar 8, 2020 10:04:43 GMT
Was Charlie Stemp on today? I must admit I was rather disappointed not to see him on Friday night but still enjoyed the show very much. No, he was absent on Saturday afternoon. The guy who played Bert was very good but I was looking forward to seeing Charlie as I thought he was great in Half A Sixpence. |
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Post by Theatre Fan on Sept 13, 2020 20:05:30 GMT
Released 6th November 💖
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Post by appoul on Nov 5, 2020 19:09:41 GMT
Anyone waiting for it tomorrow? My copy is going to arrive in 7-10 days as I live in Greece...
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Post by alece10 on Nov 5, 2020 19:16:31 GMT
I've got Apple music so will bed downloading it tomorrow.
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5,826 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 6, 2020 0:41:35 GMT
Not sure what this can add when everyone in it is inferior to the original cast .. maybe the comedy factor of reliving Petula Clark’s dreadful performance ?
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Post by appoul on Nov 6, 2020 22:52:01 GMT
I suppose they felt they had to release it as the most recent version of the show (there are a couple of changes that were introduced after the Australian cast recording was released).
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Post by wardrobemistress76 on Nov 7, 2020 13:29:27 GMT
It bugs me that they have chosen to call this the ‘definitive’ cast recording. It’s far from definitive - in every way. The orchestrations, the cast, the OTT audience cheering/applause/whistling, etc...
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Post by Boob on Nov 7, 2020 14:17:41 GMT
Definitively awful.
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Post by appoul on Nov 7, 2020 14:25:59 GMT
I managed to listen to it online. I am sad to say that the recording did not live up to my expectations. And I am definitely not fond of this recent version of "Playing the game" (I first thought of this when I saw the show back in January but now I am sure about it). They tried to make it more faithful to the original books (as was "Temper Temper" initially) but they have reduced Mary Poppins's role in it and now I think it's worse. As for the new ending of "Chim Chim Cheree" (end of act 1, it now ends with Bert singing) it seems to be more appropriate in musical terms but it is not closer to P.L. Travers's book, in which the children read Mary Poppins's message after she has flown away.
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Post by appoul on Nov 7, 2020 14:39:23 GMT
It bugs me that they have chosen to call this the ‘definitive’ cast recording. It’s far from definitive - in every way. The orchestrations, the cast, the OTT audience cheering/applause/whistling, etc... Yes, the orchestrations and the balance of the various instruments' sound are far from satisfactory... I'm not sure if they made it sound like this because it is (supposed to be) a live recording. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2020 16:21:29 GMT
I love cast recordings and as far as I'm concerned the more the merrier. I wish more subsequent casts were recorded and I wish more lesser known musicals were recorded. And certainly a new OLC after months of the rona is deffo something to be celebrated for me.
Onto the specifics - it's a nice recording and am enjoying it! Confess I can't notice any differences from the Aussie live cast recording though I'll take their word that there's a couple!
Do agree with others opinions though that certainly these aren't vocally the best actors MP has ever seen. I mean you can't really beat LMK and Linzi Hateley from the original CD.
Cam Mac is obsessed with these live recordings now. Les Mis Manc Palace, Miss Saigon Prince Edward, Oliver Drury Lane, Half A Sixpence all also live; can't remember last time he did a studio one. Les Mis and Miss Saigon were pretty much technically flawless for a live recording. I agree this Mary Poppins isn't quite as 'clean.' It's made by exactly the same team though. Who knows if it was a choice to have it sound more 'live' (Les Mis/Saigon sound almost like a studio version) or if there was less money/effort.
As for 'definitive,' I mean that's only ever a personal choice. My personal definitive would be LMK and Linzi in a studio recording but of this version with these orchestrations. So doesn't exist. It's nothing but marketing spiel at the end of the day. Plastering 'definitive' across the CD probs makes the Prince Edward coach trips 1% more likely to buy it.
That said I also think definitive is used in cast recordings to mean the most up to date version and the version that has settled as the worldwide 'standard.' As such OLCs are rarely definitive as shows are often at the start of their global journey.
ANYWAY was fab to have a physical CD arrive in the post. A Kylie CD and the Les Mis blu-ray on the same day was quite a treat lol (I need to get out more; but, errr, we're not allowed!). Prince of Egypt CD next, assuming it's not delayed again. And of course Les Mis. Will be interesting to see what the technical quality is for that and if the Boe fan girls/middle aged ladies have been drowned out.
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Post by steve10086 on Nov 8, 2020 12:07:40 GMT
Only half way through, but loving this new recording. The atmosphere is great!
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Post by Boob on Nov 8, 2020 17:26:13 GMT
I managed to listen to it online. I am sad to say that the recording did not live up to my expectations. And I am definitely not fond of this recent version of "Playing the game" (I first thought of this when I saw the show back in January but now I am sure about it). They tried to make it more faithful to the original books (as was "Temper Temper" initially) but they have reduced Mary Poppins's role in it and now I think it's worse. As for the new ending of "Chim Chim Cheree" (end of act 1, it now ends with Bert singing) it seems to be more appropriate in musical terms but it is not closer to P.L. Travers's book, in which the children read Mary Poppins's message after she has flown away. What a pity they’ve messed with the end of Act 1. It was heart-stoppingly beautiful before. |
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Post by scarpia on Nov 8, 2020 20:25:19 GMT
Sad to hear the recording's not great; I greatly cherish the OLC and that one (and that production) will always remain my definitive Poppins. I did enjoy the revival earlier this year when theatres were still open; it did have the impact of the original (and the reduced set and loss of 'Temper Temper' were unfortunate) but it was still very good.
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