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Post by daniel on May 2, 2017 21:37:03 GMT
Don't let me dissuade you Dan, go see it, you might like it!
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 21:38:54 GMT
Don't let me dissuade you Dan, go see it, you might like it! Oh please, you know I love a power ballad and campness! Mixed with a glass or two of wine, Ima have a fabulous time on Saturday! |
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19,661 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 2, 2017 21:58:57 GMT
I was actually really impressed by Kerry. Did you enjoy her hair-tucking? |
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2,775 posts
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Post by daniel on May 2, 2017 22:02:42 GMT
I was actually really impressed by Kerry. Did you enjoy her hair-tucking? Didnt even notice! |
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19,661 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 2, 2017 22:04:06 GMT
Did you enjoy her hair-tucking? Didnt even notice! Someone must have had a word. Good! |
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on May 2, 2017 22:11:45 GMT
I was there tonight too.
Whoever rewrote the book only had one good idea: to turn this into a show targeted towards yummy mummies in their early late-40s who have an existential crises. I thought that was a path in the right direction if one is to seriously "target" their musical. The rest is really foolish. I have no issues with shows who know themselves and don't pretend to be something they aren't. This show at least knows its true self. Funny enough, this is the theme of the show, isn't it? The show actually could be better with a slight rewrite to the existing book. If only the book took a similar tone to the songs. things would flow much better. It's very clear that the score and book were developed individually with no one overseeing a seamless integration. There are times that I convinced myself that this was Kerry Ellis sings Wildhorn, and only bothered to pay attention during the songs- some of which were well placed, and some weren't. The best song, written for this specific production, "This is Who I Am" sung by Alice and the Mad Hatter (following her rehab) is so out of place, and so unnecessary especially after Alice has JUST completed singing a showstopping-type ballad. But we all loved it, and the boys behind me clapped until their palms bled.
Natalie McQueen can sing and has a belt that rivals Kerry's dancing, but her OTT character was so poorly developed. Is she supposed to be a Joker-type sexy mama or is she supposed to be funny too? Wendy Peters..Sorry I'm not British and I don't live here so I don't know what goes on daytime TV, but this woman is delightful and is an old school Broadway dame. If there was ever a decent size Hello Dolly production, she should be Dolly. She was fun and very focused. I felt embarrassed for Dave Willets at the beginning..dressed up in that costume, paws up and prancing all over this place. But then he started singing, and I was impressed by how at his age, his voice is actually rather beautiful and was hoping for him to sing some more. Naomi Morris as Alice's daughter is great. Lovely presence, great voice though slightly misdirected after she enters the looking glass. I felt that she channelled Linda Blair too much and was wishing someone who exorcise the demons out of her.
I'm not a big fan of adapting American shows for a British audience (a la Wicked and Lion King), but in this case, "Anglo-filing" Wonderland worked quite well, and I didn't find myself annoyed.
So yes, much to my embarrassment, Ali enjoyed Wildhorn's Wonderland in Wimbledon. Many people judged me on Facebook after I posted a picture of the curtain, so I hope to get tickets to Who's Afraid of the Virginia Wolf matinee tomorrow to redeem myself.
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4,779 posts
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Post by Mark on May 2, 2017 22:16:26 GMT
Well this has changed an awful lot since Broadway (which I caught in second week of previews).
The book was clunky back then. Now its even worse.... The dialogue and the way the plot unfolds is just ridiculous. The direction is extremely clunky, lots of standing about without much purpose.
That said, the score is a highlight. As daniel says, "Power Ballad the Musical" would be an appropriate title. New song "This is who I am" - I thought was excellent, one of the strongest in the score along with Finding Wonderland, Through the looking glass and I Will Prevail. Band completely drowned the vocals out in the opening number.
Cast - Kerry surprised me, I've never really been a fan before but she really won me over. Excellent vocals and acting from her tonight. Mcqueen was good - but the only comparison I have for the role is Kate Shindle, a tough act to follow. The overall sound mix didn't help. Dave Willetts - A quick google tells me he's played Valjean, Phantom, Sweeney etc... Whoa... hes lost his voice now thats for sure.
Nice to meet you daniel! A coincidence to be sat next to you for sure.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 22:17:47 GMT
I was there tonight too. Whoever rewrote the book only had one good idea: to turn this into a show targeted towards yummy mummies in their early late-40s who have an existential crises. I thought that was a path in the right direction if one is to seriously "target" their musical. The rest is really foolish. I have no issues with shows who know themselves and don't pretend to be something they aren't. This show at least knows its true self. Funny enough, this is the theme of the show, isn't it? The show actually could be better with a slight rewrite to the existing book. If only the book took a similar tone to the songs. things would flow much better. It's very clear that the score and book were developed individually with no one overseeing a seamless integration. There are times that I convinced myself that this was Kerry Ellis sings Wildhorn, and only bothered to pay attention during the songs- some of which were well placed, and some weren't. The best song, written for this specific production, "This is Who I Am" sung by Alice and the Mad Hatter (following her rehab) is so out of place, and so unnecessary especially after Alice has JUST completed singing a showstopping-type ballad. But we all loved it, and the boys behind me clapped until their palms bled. Natalie McQueen can sing and has a belt that rivals Kerry's dancing, but her OTT character was so poorly developed. Is she supposed to be a Joker-type sexy mama or is she supposed to be funny too? Wendy Peters..Sorry I'm not British and I don't live here so I don't know what goes on daytime TV, but this woman is delightful and is an old school Broadway dame. If there was ever a decent size Hello Dolly production, she should be Dolly. She was fun and very focused. I felt embarrassed for Dave Willets at the beginning..dressed up in that costume, paws up and prancing all over this place. But then he started singing, and I was impressed by how at his age, his voice is actually rather beautiful and was hoping for him to sing some more. Naomi Morris as Alice's daughter is great. Lovely presence, great voice though slightly misdirected after she enters the looking glass. I felt that she channelled Linda Blair too much and was wishing someone who exorcise the demons out of her. I'm not a big fan of adapting American shows for a British audience (a la Wicked and Lion King), but in this case, "Anglo-filing" Wonderland worked quite well, and I didn't find myself annoyed. So yes, much to my embarrassment, Ali enjoyed Wildhorn's Wonderland in Wimbledon. Many people judged me on Facebook after I posted a picture of the curtain, so I hope to get tickets to Who's Afraid of the Virginia Wolf matinee tomorrow to redeem myself. You just properly cheered me up with this review. Even though is mixed, it just made me have a giggle how you described some of the show haha. In a good way. 
Also, sidenote, where are you from if not the UK (I'm not aware if you have ever mentioned it!) and welcome over, holiday I assume?
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1,280 posts
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Post by theatrefan77 on May 2, 2017 22:23:27 GMT
Someone must have had a word. Good! No, they haven't. She was doing it constantly. Drove me mad. She sounded good though. I was mildly entertained at times but overall this is a total mess with a really awful book. |
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Post by ali973 on May 2, 2017 22:31:23 GMT
Also, sidenote, where are you from if not the UK (I'm not aware if you have ever mentioned it!) and welcome over, holiday I assume?
Glad you liked the bits and pieces I posted about it. It was a harmless night at the theatre. I'm sure they meant no offense when they put it together. ALSO, and if I were to be serious, I think it presents the ensemble, who clearly look like they just popped out of art school, a great opportunity to tour with a West End leading lady and work with her. In all fairness, everyone up there looked like the were having a very good time. To answer your question, I live in Bahrain, but I'm here more often than I should for a dose of musicals. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 22:52:45 GMT
A few questions - i'm going Thursday, on a £20 ticket from last minute. Are they decent seats or will it just depend on whats left on the night? Are the songs 'Home' and 'Once More I Can See' still in the show? I'm only going for the score/power ballads  |
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on May 2, 2017 22:57:44 GMT
All I can say is that yes both songs are still there.
Looking at the theatre, it doesn't look like there are bad seats TBH. There don't seem to be any obstructions.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 22:59:34 GMT
A few questions - i'm going Thursday, on a £20 ticket from last minute. Are they decent seats or will it just depend on whats left on the night? Are the songs 'Home' and 'Once More I Can See' still in the show? I'm only going for the score/power ballads I've sat on all three levels over the times I've been there since December, truly none of them have been a bad view so I wouldn't worry. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 23:02:52 GMT
Thank you both! The 2 songs i mentioned are both my 'go to' songs in the shower. Nothing beats a good power ballad in a shower |
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5,140 posts
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Post by Being Alive on May 2, 2017 23:14:14 GMT
I'm really looking forward to Saturday. Saw this twice in Oxford (God love £15 tickets) and have really grown fond of the score. I Will Prevail is just INSANE. Can't wait to see Kerry, and just kept swept up in the nonsense of it all again!
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 23:15:58 GMT
I'm really looking forward to Saturday. Saw this twice in Oxford (God love £15 tickets) and have really grown fond of the score. I Will Prevail is just INSANE. Can't wait to see Kerry, and just kept swept up in the nonsense of it all again! Oooo are you going to the matinee or evening performance? I am going to the evening one! |
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Post by Being Alive on May 3, 2017 8:28:47 GMT
I'm really looking forward to Saturday. Saw this twice in Oxford (God love £15 tickets) and have really grown fond of the score. I Will Prevail is just INSANE. Can't wait to see Kerry, and just kept swept up in the nonsense of it all again! Oooo are you going to the matinee or evening performance? I am going to the evening one! Im at the evening - weshould try say hello in the interval. Would be nice to meet a follow theatreboard-er finally! |
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Post by gra on May 4, 2017 19:43:40 GMT
Thursday matinee.
Kerry was brushing at her hair all the way through. Extremely distracting and totally unprofessional from someone so experienced.
Don't understand why she has not been pulled up on this.
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Post by shady23 on May 4, 2017 19:49:52 GMT
She was on The Wright Stuff on TV the other day too so at least she is consistent!
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2017 21:56:31 GMT
I've seen some crap in my time and this is right up there.... It was terrible. It made absolutely no sense. I love the OBCR and think the score is good, but you wouldn't know it from this production.
Dave Willets was the only half decent thing about it. The girl playing the daughter was the worst thing I have seen on stage in a very long time.
The stalls were not even half full. We got our tickets thus week and were right in the middle of row G.
At least Tweedledee had a good pair of legs to look at.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 4, 2017 22:06:03 GMT
I've seen some crap in my time and this is right up there.... It was terrible. It made absolutely no sense. I love the OBCR and think the score is good, but you wouldn't know it from this production. Dave Willets was the only half decent thing about it. The girl playing the daughter was the worst thing I have seen on stage in a very long time. The stalls were not even half full. We got our tickets thus week and were right in the middle of row G. At least Tweedledee had a good pair of legs to look at. Lol really? I thought he was dreadful! Trite and cliched. |
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2017 22:13:30 GMT
Compared to what else was on that stage he was great. I thought 'I Am My Own Invention' was very delivered really well.
I'll stick to the cast recording.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2017 23:36:19 GMT
Despite confusion when i was seeing the show, I am really intrigued about seeing the show tomorrow night!
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2017 15:12:04 GMT
Anyone else seeing the show tonight??
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Post by duncan on May 5, 2017 15:38:39 GMT
I have to admit that the show made perfect sense to me. Its not the best show in the world and the "go through the looking glass" "no!" scenes do seem to go on for years but in terms of plot and what was happening on stage it was pretty straightforward.
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