449 posts
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Post by SageStageMgr on Aug 5, 2017 17:49:09 GMT
That's nice dear
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Aug 5, 2017 23:08:01 GMT
Every papering agency I've belonged to or got tickets from has always had very strict rules about not talking about the shows involved - and for good reason, too. I totally agree. I've been given numerous comps over the years but I am respectful enough to NOT mention it!!! |
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637 posts
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Post by AddisonMizner on Aug 6, 2017 17:17:05 GMT
I saw SCHOOL OF ROCK on Thursday evening (3rd August). Whilst the show is not going to change the world, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
When the project was first announced, I felt that Andrew Lloyd Webber was just the wrong composer for it. For me, it needed a more modern, up-to-date composer, with a pop-rock sensibility. Someone like Tim Minchin for instance. However, I am glad to be proven wrong. I do prefer my Lloyd Webber scores lush and romantic, a I feel that this is where he excels, but his score here is fantastic, and certainly as dynamic as his one for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. The songs develop story and character without being cloying or sentimental. I have had them in my head for days, and been playing raw Broadway Cast Recording non-stop!
The book is genuinely funny, probably more so than the original film. It has all the key moments from the film, but builds on them, and has its own moments of hilarity.
The staging and direction is simple, but very effective. It is performed with absolute gusto by the entire cast. The energy and attack made the show super snappy and slick, and it didn't drag once. The role of Dewey (performed I think by Stephen Leask at my performance), must be absolutely exhausting with the amount of energy that is required. It is not a role that can be "phoned in". Stephen was excellent (even if it is just a Jack Black impression). However, the show really flies when the child cast performs on their instruments, elevating it beyond just a good night out. I don't know whether it is me just getting more sentimental as I get older, but I did find it quite emotional when they all performed together on their instruments.
Some slight negatives, would be the occasional veering off into pantomime. I know this is primarily a show aimed at children, but did not feel this was necessary. I found the awful stereotype of the gay parent particularly uncomfortable. In this day and age, should this really be how such things are put across? It was just there to get a quick laugh, and unacceptable. I could be thinking to much into it though. Some of the roles are also criminally underwritten (such as Patty played by Preeya Kalidas).
Overall though, a thoroughly entertaining evening, and I would definitely go again.
4 stars.
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341 posts
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Post by adrianics on Aug 6, 2017 21:15:11 GMT
Patty originally had her own song but this was removed during previews on Broadway, I believe. I agree that it's a very underwritten role and it's a shame that the incredibly talented and funny Preeya Kalidas (the only good thing about the Godawful Bend It Like Beckham) isn't given much to work with.
I completely agree with you re the score, I was so pleasantly surprised by it. Special mention to the book as well, which I was astounded to find out was written by Julian Fellowes, it's so genuinely funny and in sync with Mike White and Jack Black's sense of humour that I never would have guessed he wrote it.
I rewatched the film a few weeks back, it's a really great movie and there's things the film does better and things the show does better. Expanding the roles of the kids and seeing their home lives was a masterstroke and adds a great dimension to the story. Katie, my favourite child character from the show, is also barely in the film.
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19,677 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 7, 2017 6:32:26 GMT
Regarding the sterotyping of the gay parents, are we not allowed to portray stereotypes any more then? Because if not the whole darned show would have to be changed because they're ALL stereotypes.
Or is it just the gays we're afraid of offending? Are we not allowed to reflect the fact that there are some very camp fellas in this world, and yes some of them will be bringing up children?
And what about the flamboyant kid in the show who likes the sparkly clothes? How's that for stereotyping? No-one ever mentions that.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 8:23:13 GMT
Regarding the sterotyping of the gay parents, are we not allowed to portray stereotypes any more then? Because if not the whole darned show would have to be changed because they're ALL stereotypes. Or is it just the gays we're afraid of offending? Are we not allowed to reflect the fact that there are some very camp fellas in this world, and yes some of them will be bringing up children? And what about the flamboyant kid in the show who likes the sparkly clothes? How's that for stereotyping? No-one ever mentions that. Great point; agreed. I'm gay and I thing the gay parents are hilarious. Think some people just looking to be offended. |
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on Aug 7, 2017 10:02:27 GMT
When the only portrayals of gay people were camp stereotypes then it was a problem. Thankfully times have changed, and I think we've reached a point where a camp stereotype is fun occasionally.
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5,150 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 12, 2017 17:23:52 GMT
Just out from the matinee today, so thought I'd share my immediate thought.
I went in to this expecting to hate it. I don't mind the film, but it didn't scream 'this needs to be a musical'' to me.
I really enjoyed myself! I'll admit, the first 20 minutes I found myself going 'what is this' or 'why am I here' as I couldn't get in to it. But the second the kids play their instruments for the first time, it's like the show went from 50 to 100% in a flash.
Stephen Leask was Dewey. Like I said, i took a little time to get my head in to this, but as soon as I did, I thought he was fantastic! It's a huge role - he doesn't leave the stage basically! Florence Andrews was a wonderful Rosalie Mullins (she looks just like Sierra Boggess - you can tell Andrew shaped the role around her!) Preeya Khalidis did great with what she had - which isn't much - and she's so much better than that. (What can we get her in next that's bigger - I think she's wonderful!)
And those kids. Jesus Christ. Everyone has been going on about them, and I'm not really a fan of child actors (unless they're playing Matilda...) but WOWZERS. Instrument playing was epic. But my highlight was the girl playing Tomeka - she was LIVING to be on that stage!
My show highlight though, was the Cats joke. No one got it, apart from me, and I was HOWLING. People were looking UP at me from downstairs I was laughing that loud 🙈It was genuinely the funniest joke I've heard in years in theatre
I'd give it 4 stars - and I'll be going back. My seat was £15 on the end of the front row of the circle. Yes. Safety rail block but you forgot after a minute.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2017 17:37:21 GMT
When the only portrayals of gay people were camp stereotypes then it was a problem. Thankfully times have changed, and I think we've reached a point where a camp stereotype is fun occasionally. i really dont think times have changed. On TV the majority of gay characters are still a stereotype and musical theatre certainly uses them for cheap laughs. |
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1,562 posts
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Post by showtoones on Aug 12, 2017 18:09:42 GMT
Regarding the sterotyping of the gay parents, are we not allowed to portray stereotypes any more then? Because if not the whole darned show would have to be changed because they're ALL stereotypes. Or is it just the gays we're afraid of offending? Are we not allowed to reflect the fact that there are some very camp fellas in this world, and yes some of them will be bringing up children? And what about the flamboyant kid in the show who likes the sparkly clothes? How's that for stereotyping? No-one ever mentions that. It's a show...entertainment...Zaza in La Cage is camp as tits. That's the point. It is used for humor in School of Rock but I'm gay and I think it's funny. Just like in Africa, not everyone has AIDS but people certainly roar with laughter in Book of Mormon. Is that unfair or unkind to people who are HIV positive? |
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Aug 12, 2017 18:16:10 GMT
^ Our Burly detests Mormon with a passion, so maybe not the best example to use to persuade him!!
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4,177 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Aug 12, 2017 18:58:41 GMT
I think they are purposely stereotypical. It might be offensive if they had the idea for gay dads and then wrote them as camp because they think that's what all gay people are like, but you don't get that impression, it's knowing, it's part of the comedy they are camp and stereotypical gay dads. I find them quite funny.
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19,677 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 12, 2017 22:24:35 GMT
^ Our Burly detests Mormon with a passion, so maybe not the best example to use to persuade him!! No need to persuade me, I think me and showtoones agree. I do despise BOM though  |
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1,562 posts
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Post by showtoones on Aug 13, 2017 4:43:44 GMT
^ Our Burly detests Mormon with a passion, so maybe not the best example to use to persuade him!! No need to persuade me, I think me and showtoones agree. I do despise BOM though Burly - I got cha back on this one! |
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2,775 posts
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Post by daniel on Aug 13, 2017 9:52:27 GMT
^ Our Burly detests Mormon with a passion, so maybe not the best example to use to persuade him!! No need to persuade me, I think me and showtoones agree. I do despise BOM though Turn it off Burly...like a light switch  |
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19,677 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 13, 2017 10:30:35 GMT
No need to persuade me, I think me and showtoones agree. I do despise BOM though Turn it off Burly...like a light switch Don't you want me to tell you why I despise it first?  |
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2,775 posts
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Post by daniel on Aug 13, 2017 11:42:04 GMT
Turn it off Burly...like a light switch Don't you want me to tell you why I despise it first? I really do, but will I regret starting you off? 😂 |
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1,562 posts
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Post by showtoones on Aug 13, 2017 23:20:48 GMT
I actually would love to know why Burly dislikes BOM. He is always thoughtful in his posts and it would be interesting to hear his thoughtout point of view.
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4,989 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 14, 2017 0:02:43 GMT
Turn it off Burly...like a light switch Don't you want me to tell you why I despise it first? Stick you finger in the air angry say "Hasa Diga Ebowi" and curse his rotten name!! |
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4,989 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 14, 2017 0:04:29 GMT
Just out from the matinee today, so thought I'd share my immediate thought. I went in to this expecting to hate it. I don't mind the film, but it didn't scream 'this needs to be a musical'' to me. I really enjoyed myself! I'll admit, the first 20 minutes I found myself going 'what is this' or 'why am I here' as I couldn't get in to it. But the second the kids play their instruments for the first time, it's like the show went from 50 to 100% in a flash. Stephen Leask was Dewey. Like I said, i took a little time to get my head in to this, but as soon as I did, I thought he was fantastic! It's a huge role - he doesn't leave the stage basically! Florence Andrews was a wonderful Rosalie Mullins (she looks just like Sierra Boggess - you can tell Andrew shaped the role around her!) Preeya Khalidis did great with what she had - which isn't much - and she's so much better than that. (What can we get her in next that's bigger - I think she's wonderful!) And those kids. Jesus Christ. Everyone has been going on about them, and I'm not really a fan of child actors (unless they're playing Matilda...) but WOWZERS. Instrument playing was epic. But my highlight was the girl playing Tomeka - she was LIVING to be on that stage! My show highlight though, was the Cats joke. No one got it, apart from me, and I was HOWLING. People were looking UP at me from downstairs I was laughing that loud 🙈It was genuinely the funniest joke I've heard in years in theatre I'd give it 4 stars - and I'll be going back. My seat was £15 on the end of the front row of the circle. Yes. Safety rail block but you forgot after a minute. Not true. i was in the same audience and fully got the Cats joke, equally works in New York. |
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Aug 14, 2017 4:42:03 GMT
I might be wrong, but when I saw the show on Broadway, I think Dewey said "Uargh, my least favourite composer" when the girl sang Memory.
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5,150 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 14, 2017 12:54:47 GMT
Oh ok, it didn't feel like many others got it - it probably had made me laugh so much that I didn't probably notice - happy to be corrected  |
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4,177 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Aug 14, 2017 12:56:57 GMT
It got a surprising amount of laughter when I went. It surprised me how many people got it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 13:02:09 GMT
Can we *Spoiler* the joke? Not see it but feel left out haha
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5,144 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 14, 2017 13:23:53 GMT
The joke was very well received when I saw it.
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