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Post by Scswp on Jan 27, 2017 6:16:05 GMT
Where are these pictures? I can't see them on Google or on the Wonderland website (unless I'm missing them, which is possible!!!!)
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Post by ali973 on Jan 27, 2017 6:58:43 GMT
Alice's/Kerry's outfit is horrible and tacky. Otherwise, I actually think it looks fine and better than what I anticipated. From what I recall there were no pictures of the Mad Hatter or The Queen.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 27, 2017 8:19:22 GMT
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 27, 2017 8:20:35 GMT
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Post by crabtree on Jan 27, 2017 8:36:23 GMT
What is it about dear Alice that she has to have all manner of terrible conceits thrown at her...the original narrative has been strong enough to keep our interest for decades. There's a twisted logic and narrative drive already there, and if directors were to delve into the material itself instead of using Alice as a Maguffin to drive the director's irrelevant fantasies we would, certainly Alice would, be all much better off.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2017 8:39:20 GMT
I like Kerry's costume. What else is she supposed to wear  and the boots are fabulous! My one issue, hasn't she had the same hair since forever?! Come on Kerry, switch it up girl! Even the style of it is becoming very samey. And the hot lead male looks great too, as do all the boys in the "One Knight", boyband style number.  |
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Post by alison on Jan 27, 2017 16:05:36 GMT
Alice's/Kerry's outfit is horrible and tacky. Otherwise, I actually think it looks fine and better than what I anticipated. From what I recall there were no pictures of the Mad Hatter or The Queen. Natalie (Mad Hatter) is on the right of the photo of Kerry and Stephen posted below. I agree with you on Alice's dress, I can see what they're trying to do but I don't like it. I'd rather she was in something completely different, like she was on Broadway:  Just over a week until Birmingham. I'm either going to love it and spend my whole month's theatre budget going as many times as possible, or hate it for being different. Still not certain which, although obviously I'm hoping for the former. Maybe I should put away some money for another trip to Death Takes a Holiday once James Gant takes over as Death now.  |
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Post by shady23 on Jan 27, 2017 16:32:34 GMT
I heard an advert on local radio today for the Sunderland leg of the tour. It was diabolical. Hardly any music, just a bored sounding voice listing names in the show and let's face it, the average person doesn't know these people. I would be very surprised if anyone's booked as a result of it!
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Post by duncan on Jan 27, 2017 16:57:38 GMT
Going by the amount of tickets still on sale for this evening I may need a megaphone to speak to the person sat next me.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 27, 2017 18:53:58 GMT
Who on Earth thought this would have any appeal to anyone let alone regional audiences? Going by the amount of tickets still on sale for this evening I may need a megaphone to speak to the person sat next me. |
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Post by duncan on Jan 28, 2017 0:00:25 GMT
I was in the Circle and would say that was about 60% full, going by the website before curtain up the balcony wasn't very full and I couldn't see the stalls but it was nowhere near a sell out. HOWEVER you do have to remember that the Playhouse is bigger than most West End theatres with a capacity of over 3000.
As for the show itself, well actually I enjoyed it - its not brilliant but its nowhere near being a disaster and is an amiable enough timewaster. The story is fine for what it is, its the usual clichéd romance nonsense but its done in a very entertaining way, even if Jack (one of the romantic leads) does disappear for most of the second half of the show.
Musically its not as bombastic as I was expecting, its definitely more Phantom of the Opera than A Little Night Music but its not two hours of full on Power Ballads, its heavy metal lite or at least it was to me, I may be deaf to the full on power ballad though- the main issue I have with the score is that the best song in the show was for me the first one.
There are some odd directoral choices in the performances which see the March Hare and Cheshire Cat be teeth grindingly awful whilst Dave Willets hops about like a rabbit for his first scene and then doesn't rabbit on for the rest of the show. Loved what the actors did with the roles of the mouse and the Mad Hatter.
I liked the general set design although there appeared to be an issue with the lights on the right hand side of the biggest circle as throughout the night they flashed a different colour every 5 minutes or so.
Major kudos though to Wendy Peters agent for getting her top billing in this despite the fact she is only on stage for about 15 minutes of a 130 minute runtime.
I'd give it a 7/10. Not a must see but I found it a pleasing diversion for the evening.
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Post by Scswp on Jan 28, 2017 7:15:32 GMT
Yes, I agree. The Queen of Hearts is a very slight role in this, I would say. Other characters (Jack, White Rabbit and particularly The Hatter) are much more heavily featured. Not sure why Jack disappears in the Second Act (I'm sure he didn't in the original). But, you're right - the advertising featured Peters heavily for such an underdeveloped role.
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Post by Scswp on Jan 28, 2017 7:23:53 GMT
PS Duncan
What was the first song in this version? I've yet to see it.
You're right about the music too - that is, if it's like the original. It's an eclectic mix of styles, though there are several power ballads, especially for the Hatter. Alice has a couple too. The Queen of Heart's 'Off With Their Heads' began as a sort-of power ballad, but was shortened, styled and reigned-in somewhat on Broadway. I didn't like that version - I preferred the slightly more full-on version from the pre-Broadway recording. I suspect Peters has the reigned in version?
Seeing this in a couple of weeks in Birmingham.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 7:27:50 GMT
PS Duncan What was the first song in this version? I've yet to see it. You're right about the music too - that is, if it's like the original. It's an eclectic mix of styles, though there are several power ballads, especially for the Hatter. Alice has a couple too. The Queen of Heart's 'Off With Their Heads' began as a sort-of power ballad, but was shortened, styled and reigned-in somewhat on Broadway. I didn't like that version - I preferred the slightly more full-on version from the pre-Broadway recording. I suspect Peters has the reigned in version? Seeing this in a couple of weeks in Birmingham. I haven't seen the show yet, but I believe the first song is the one used in the actual Broadway run "The Worst Day of My Life"  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 28, 2017 7:46:34 GMT
Manchester opening night and Saturday night has most of the stalls and circle sold. Grand circle empty. Wednesday night stalls has a lot of empty seats. They're going to have to push this harder but it doesn't sound like that advert will help!
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Post by ali973 on Jan 28, 2017 7:47:21 GMT
The Worst Day of My Life was a great tune, and the little girl who sang it had a knockout voice. I don't understand why they never recorded it.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 7:49:25 GMT
The Worst Day of My Life was a great tune, and the little girl who sang it had a knockout voice. I don't understand why they never recorded it. Carley Rose Sonenclar was just something else! You'd never find another child with a voice like that. |
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Post by Scswp on Jan 28, 2017 7:52:56 GMT
Who sings this song in the uk version? Pre-Broadway, Alice sang it, then it became a duet for Alice and her daughter. Is this still the case?
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Post by shady23 on Jan 28, 2017 8:24:32 GMT
Manchester opening night and Saturday night has most of the stalls and circle sold. Grand circle empty. Wednesday night stalls has a lot of empty seats. They're going to have to push this harder but it doesn't sound like that advert will help! Opening night will be the press night so half of Coronation Street will be in with comp tickets |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 28, 2017 9:41:54 GMT
Manchester opening night and Saturday night has most of the stalls and circle sold. Grand circle empty. Wednesday night stalls has a lot of empty seats. They're going to have to push this harder but it doesn't sound like that advert will help! Opening night will be the press night so half of Coronation Street will be in with comp tickets Oh yes, all the biggies. Anthony Cotton and that one who plays Fizz  |
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Post by duncan on Jan 28, 2017 10:06:57 GMT
Its Alice and company for the opening number - the ensemble being her work colleagues etc and providing backing vocals. I made it 18 cast members at the curtain call.
For those interested as well - there was a note somewhere that I now cant find that had the schedule for Kerry, she did the matinee last Saturday but doesn't appear to be doing the matinee today, I'm assuming it's because it was opening weekend last week and they wanted to see how well it worked in front of an audience.
Good reaction last night as well, the issue being that those who go will probably enjoy it but they aren't really doing enough to get people to go.
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Post by alison on Jan 28, 2017 10:22:28 GMT
Not sure why Jack disappears in the Second Act (I'm sure he didn't in the original). Jack the character did, because I Am My Own Invention used to be sung by an image of Lewis Carroll, played by the same actor. We saw Jack being taken prisoner during I Will Prevail at the top of act two then not again until the scene before Together. They seem to have now swapped that song to the White Rabbit, but it sounds like they haven't thought about putting Jack back into the story for that segment. |
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Post by Raven on Jan 29, 2017 12:39:34 GMT
I saw this last night and really enjoyed it. I felt the second act was much stronger overall than the first half although the opening song "Worst Day of my Life" kick started the show well. The duet "This Is Who I Am" between Kerry and Natalie gave me goosebumps! Their voices harmonised so well and that was the big stand-out song for me, as well as "Through The Looking Glass".
Performance wise, I loved Natalie's portrayal of the Mad Hatter. She stole every scene she was in, often almost overshadowing Kerry. I do think this could be the year that Natalie has her breakthrough and can understand why critics have been saying she's one to watch. Kerry's vocals were as strong as ever. On occasion, I felt her acting at the beginning wasn't as strong however this improved as the show went on. Could just be she's still settling into the role as this is their first week of performances so not going to dwell too much on that. Stephen Webb cranked up the charm as Jack and brought some good humour to the show.
Overall, I personally enjoyed the evening. There were some slow moments at the beginning with some weaker songs, however the second act more than makes up for this.
On another note, does anyone know where I can find a recording of Wonderland? I've looked through YouTube but didn't have much success. I'm sure I read somewhere there does exist an older recording of the original production.
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Post by Scswp on Jan 29, 2017 13:32:17 GMT
I have both recordings, but bought the original one a few years ago on eBay. You could try there.
I personally think that the Hatter has two of the best songs in the show and they're both big power ballads. Now with the addition of a new song with Alice, the Hatter may end up being the slightly better part (with the exception of 'Finding Wonderland' - which is the best song). Alice's other songs are a bit ordinary IMO.
Still looking forward to seeing it though. Does Natalie McQueen do the huge 'mad' belting ending to 'I Will Prevail' or does she do the slightly lower modified ending like Kate Shindle had to adopt during the course of her run?
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Post by zsazsa on Jan 29, 2017 13:46:39 GMT
Saw this last night with no prior knowledge of the show but thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book is flawed and in this version verges on pantomime but the score is great. Frank Wildhorn sure knows how to compose incredible female duets.
Both Kerry Ellis and Natalie McQueen are vocal dynamite. It was lovely to see Dave Willetts having grown up listening to his voice on a number of recordings. And as for Wendi Peters, the woman is comedy gold and deserves to be cast is more musicals, she would be a wonderful Drowsy Chaperone and could see her as Vera Charles if Mame ever gets its long overdue revival.
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and the boots are fabulous! My one issue, hasn't she had the same hair since forever?! Come on Kerry, switch it up girl! Even the style of it is becoming very samey.
