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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 17:03:58 GMT
yeah was very good  strong powerful voice and thought the acting was good, to be honest for me i think it is just the actual show i didn't connect with, horses for courses and all that Fair enough! Hopefully you'll enjoy the next one you see! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 17:04:37 GMT
For people who have seen this, how does the Actor-Musician thing work? Is every single song done with the singers playing the instruments or is there a band/orchestra too and some songs done with no actors playing instruments that are seen?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 17:15:21 GMT
For people who have seen this, how does the Actor-Musician thing work? Is every single song done with the singers playing the instruments or is there a band/orchestra too and some songs done with no actors playing instruments that are seen? From AddisonMizner's post above, apparently the characters not in the scene are often the ones playing the instruments, and he or she thought it worked well. There is an orchestra too... Others may have more to add! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 17:32:08 GMT
For people who have seen this, how does the Actor-Musician thing work? Is every single song done with the singers playing the instruments or is there a band/orchestra too and some songs done with no actors playing instruments that are seen? From AddisonMizner's post above, apparently the characters not in the scene are often the ones playing the instruments, and he or she thought it worked well. There is an orchestra too... Others may have more to add! Oh that's good, now I feel relived! I thought some dancing nuns would come in playing trumpets, guitars etc. and it would just look silly but if there offstage that's good. I've always preferred an orchestra pit to the band being on stage, don't know why! |
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Post by AddisonMizner on Aug 3, 2016 17:36:36 GMT
My initial post was not so much a review p, as a rant. I needed a space to get all the things that were swirling around in my head last night, written down. I still love the show dearly. It is just this production that didn't work for me.
As for the Actor-Muso thing, yes I felt this worked well. As said in my initial post, actors not playing a major role in a scene would often play instruments. This was not always the case - the nuns accompanied all of their own songs, singing and playing. Sweaty Eddy accompanied himself at the beginning of his solo song. There was also a small band of unseen musicians at the back of the stage, filling out the parts.
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Post by dan on Aug 3, 2016 18:35:24 GMT
Re Song List; there's also a Megamix at the end!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 3, 2016 18:59:55 GMT
It would be nice to hear a view about how this might go down with audiences who haven't seen previous versions of the show. I know we all compare with what we've seen before, that's very natural but I have 6 people coming with me to see this who don't care who sang it on Broadway, don't have the OCR, don't know what key Alexandra is singing it in and would look at me agog if I started explaining that some of the scenes have been changed.
I mean, really? I know our very presence on this forum is an indication that we're a bit over-keen on the detail but listen to me now... most people seeing the show do not give a toss about this stuff.
So, is it a fun night out?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 19:15:36 GMT
I may go to the matinee next Wednesday to see it and I haven't seen the previous version. Well, live anyway. I have heard the cast recording and watched a couple of clips but that is about it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 19:28:16 GMT
My initial post was not so much a review p, as a rant. I needed a space to get all the things that were swirling around in my head last night, written down. I still love the show dearly. It is just this production that didn't work for me. As for the Actor-Muso thing, yes I felt this worked well. As said in my initial post, actors not playing a major role in a scene would often play instruments. This was not always the case - the nuns accompanied all of their own songs, singing and playing. Sweaty Eddy accompanied himself at the beginning of his solo song. There was also a small band of unseen musicians at the back of the stage, filling out the parts. Nice to see there is an orchestra too |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 22:13:58 GMT
It would be nice to hear a view about how this might go down with audiences who haven't seen previous versions of the show. I know we all compare with what we've seen before, that's very natural but I have 6 people coming with me to see this who don't care who sang it on Broadway, don't have the OCR, don't know what key Alexandra is singing it in and would look at me agog if I started explaining that some of the scenes have been changed. I mean, really? I know our very presence on this forum is an indication that we're a bit over-keen on the detail but listen to me now... most people seeing the show do not give a toss about this stuff.So, is it a fun night out? Not that it's an accurate judge of ANYTHING, but folks on Twitter are overwhelmingly positive. So much so that I wonder if they watched the same show as colleagues here. Hope your group enjoys it! |
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Post by Stasia on Aug 4, 2016 7:34:23 GMT
It would be nice to hear a view about how this might go down with audiences who haven't seen previous versions of the show. I know we all compare with what we've seen before, that's very natural but I have 6 people coming with me to see this who don't care who sang it on Broadway, don't have the OCR, don't know what key Alexandra is singing it in and would look at me agog if I started explaining that some of the scenes have been changed. I mean, really? I know our very presence on this forum is an indication that we're a bit over-keen on the detail but listen to me now... most people seeing the show do not give a toss about this stuff.So, is it a fun night out? This will be me in 3 weeks. I only saw Sister Act once in Paris, in a language I don't know. I was moved and liked it, and even shed a tear during a big solo number at the end (have no idea what it was about but the girl sang beautifully and very moving!), but "I don't remember a lot about it. Also I'm seeing the matinee with Alexandra's alternate so probably won't have at least some of the problems mentioned here |
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 4, 2016 9:22:25 GMT
I was skeptical about Burke to begin with. It just annoys me when they alter keys to fit with a star (fabulous baby needs to be high for that top end belt Patina/Cynthia style). People on here I usually agree with are saying what I feared. Not good.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 9:57:37 GMT
I have to agree with people there - I think Alexandra sounds really good actually. I love her husky voice and I think she's a great singer/actress. I've never seen the show before so when I go later in the year, it'll be with an open mind as I don't know if changes have occurred or not.
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Post by ruggerlad on Aug 4, 2016 23:27:03 GMT
Evening
Just home from seeing this evening performance of Sister Act at Curve.
I had a blast, thoroughly enjoyed the show.
I'm a complete novice to the show, never seen a production of it or heard the score. Or indeed seen the inspiration in the form of the original film.
Was ten minutes late starting which got me a tad concerned. I was worried that there was a tech problem or that a cast member was touch and go with performing.
Anyway we got the slightly cheesy Craig Revel Horwood voice over advising against any naughty recording amidst a number of slightly cringey puns then we were off with the show.
So Alexandra Burke.
I thought she gave 100% percent in the role. Was pleasantly surprised that acting wise, for the most part, she was excellent some nice comedy moments and dramatic moments carried well. Maybe at times having a lower register voice meant on the odd occasion her vocal was swamped but that was a rare occurrence.
Must admit when the show was first announced I was a bit sniffy about it but I was proved completely wrong. Her name on the poster in future would get my money upfront.
I found the cast to be really cohesive, strong vocally too.
Usage of instruments by the cast was appropriate being augmented by band members of stage and also with other cast members on the set balcony. I expected it to be more full on like it was in CRH 'Sunset Boulevard' so was glad that the characters were playing instruments when it seemed they should be. Choregraphy all looked tidy enough, at times a lot of people on stage all in sync to my eyes.
I was on the second row, far right facing the stage and only had one moment when there was any problem with an actor blocking another for any length in a scene.
The 'controversial moments'
The 'incog-negro' moment for me fell completely flat and had me scratching my head at the inclusion. Where as the negro/African comments from the nuns felt appropriate, the time of the piece is repeatedly flagged up, it felt like a comment a woman of that age and time would have made. And made me smile at a character thinking that literally everything about Dolores was fake and being relieved that at least one thing wasn't.
The race comments didn't get belly laughs (are they even jokes or character pointers?), but it's Leicester and we're quite the racially sophisticated city but hey maybe it'll be the same reaction elsewhere what with it being 2016.
The fantasy dance sequence with the spoken intro about it being Studio 54 and gays boys. There's only one excessively 'mincy' dancer really whose really playing it up who got some laughs but they're hardly a troop of flamers. I'm quite territorial about Studio 54 being a huge disco fan, only been once and that was to see The Apple Tree with it back to be used as a theatre, if there are dancers performing with a singer there fantasy or not I'd expect them to be gay boys. There's a huge amount of representation of gay people in all kinds of media now, it's not the 70s/80s were they were so few that any in a piece was deemed to be having impact on peoples perceptions.
Pretty much an entire standing ovation, people on the front two rows bizarrely for the most part remained sitting.
I came out exhilarated and glad that I'd got that last minute ticket and made a rare solo visit to the theatre.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 23:49:29 GMT
Thanks so much for the detailed and thoughtful feedback, Ruggerlad. Glad you enjoyed it! It's really put me at ease about the show.
I've been so excited to see the show but the one or two reviews here had me a little uneasy. I was beginning to wonder if the reviews here were going to be consistently out of kilter with what I was hearing elsewhere.
Glad to hear that Alexandra gives her all, she might not reach the perfect heights of Patina Miller or Cynthia Erivo but it's excellent to hear that she puts in a worthy performance.
Standing ovations are always good!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 6, 2016 7:06:14 GMT
Pretty much an entire standing ovation, people on the front two rows bizarrely for the most part remained sitting. I didn't know someone had organised a Theatreboard coach trip....  Thanks for for the review Ruggerlad, it sounds like it's settling in. When is Press Night? |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2016 16:35:21 GMT
Pretty much an entire standing ovation, people on the front two rows bizarrely for the most part remained sitting. I didn't know someone had organised a Theatreboard coach trip.... Thanks for for the review Ruggerlad, it sounds like it's settling in. When is Press Night? Can't be far away! Along with some production shots... |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Aug 7, 2016 11:02:01 GMT
I saw this last night. To my surprise none other that Craig Revel Horwood came and sat right in front of me a couple of mins before the show started with his associate! Anyway, i've not seen the show before and so can't compare to any other production, this is just based on what i saw last night. I really enjoyed it, it's a very fun show with lots of comedy and it's just a good night out. It doesn't take itself seriously. I mean you have nuns playing a saxophones and trumpets so.
The set i thought was very good. It was basically just the one main set of the convent which they turned into other locations through props, bit's and pieces coming on and the lighting. Though there is then a surprise to the set at the end when suddenly stuff happens with it that you never thought was there before. The music was great, some very catchy songs, which sounded really good and i enjoyed. It was quite a loud show which i do love.
The cast were great. Now i was sceptical about Alex getting this role but i think she is better in this than in The Bodyguard. I think her acting was better, she showed off a bit of decent comedy acting and her voice was great. I'd say there was still something missing in terms of her just not being a top notch natural comedian and master actress and not making Deloris quite as fabulous as she could be, i can only compare her to Whoopie in the movie and so it's of course an unfair comparison but that's all i can go on. The others were great. I especially enjoyed Rosemary Ashe as Mary Lazarus. Absolutely hilarious. Wasn't sure on the girl playing Mary Roberts but then she nailed her solo's. Karen Mann was a very commanding and impressive Mother Superior, not the strongest voice but she didn't need it. I really enjoyed the three sidekicks to Curtis as well who wee all very funny. I saw Jon Robyns in Legally Blonde and really liked him, thought he was less good in this but still fine.
On the nuns and cast playing the instruments...when i first found this out i really didn't know how that would work but it...just did. It just seemed to add to the fun of the show and added to it, it didn't even really seem out of place to me they would play instruments as well. I don't know what else was different about this compared to the other productions, some bits stood out to me as probably being new and different but i can't really be sure. I mean a lot of ridiculous and silly stuff happens in this show, you have to kind of leave your brain at the door and just want a good entertaining night with laughs. I can see that some people might get a surprise when they see this and not get quite what they are expecting, i know i got something a bit different, it was a lot more silly and outrageous than i imagines it would be, but i still really enjoyed it.
Overall i thought it was a great show.
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Post by d'James on Aug 7, 2016 12:17:16 GMT
It is not unfair to compare the actress playing Deloris to Whoopi. Patina (and Landi) even had to act with her and they still pulled it off. This is not the same role that Whoopi played so to say it's unfair to compare the current actress to WG is making unnecessary allowances.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2016 12:45:46 GMT
It is not unfair to compare the actress playing Deloris to Whoopi. Patina (and Landi) even had to act with her and they still pulled it off. This is not the same role that Whoopi played so to say it's unfair to compare the current actress to WG is making unnecessary allowances. Just a bit of perspective on this. Whoopi Goldberg is an Oscar, Grammy and Tony award winning actress; are we expecting all leading ladies in musical theater to be at this level? If we are, then good luck with Sarah Harding in Ghost. It may be splitting hairs but I do think it's a stretch to compare a performance in a movie with a musical theater role, as stage acting for a musical is different and is inevitably 'hammier.' Also, to be fair, he didn't say that Alexandra doesn't 'pull off' the role, and he didn't see either Patina or Cynthia. Even for those who think Patina or Cynthia are better, that doesn't mean that Alexandra is not great in the role also,as outlined by previous posters. It's her first week of her second big musical, so the fact she isn't hitting Whoopi's level of perfection is not all that surprising. Just my own opinion, but the comparisons with previous productions, though inevitable, are somewhat tiresome; good to see that those who have come to it afresh have really enjoyed it. |
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Post by d'James on Aug 7, 2016 13:11:00 GMT
First off Sarah Harding has nothing to do with anything in this thread.
Why are you ignoring the main point of my post? I said it's not the same role. However, making unnecessary allowances for not acting as well just because she's famous is not good enough. They've already lowered the score for her. Everyone made excuses when her first recording of a song from the show came out. How long should we continue doing so?
There are hundreds of amazing Theatre actors who can only get bit parts on Casualty, and we don't make allowances for them on stage just because they don't have Oscars.
Whoopi herself, said there is no way she could play the role of Deloris in the musical. Maybe if we lowered everything to her range she would reconsider.
I haven't seen this production, but I am looking forward to it. I won't be able to 'come to it afresh.' Does that make my opinion less valid? No. Maybe those who are seeing it with fresh eyes just love the score and story and they're the ones truly missing out, not seeing it sung how it should be. Just a thought.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 10, 2016 6:59:12 GMT
This closes in Leicester on Saturday and still no reviews to be found.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2016 10:24:23 GMT
This closes in Leicester on Saturday and still no reviews to be found. Press night is tomorrow night, Thursday. Just on the points above from d'James, there is no doubt an inherent unfairness in stunt casting, but I do think Alexandra is one of the better examples of it. Unfortunately it helps guarantee bums in seats, though there's an argument to be made that a big brand like Sister Act doesn't need it. As for how the score is meant to be sung, I haven't seen the London production or tour but I have the cast recording on repeat at the moment, in anticipation of the show. I adore Patina, and she is incomparable in some ways, but I also really like Alexandra's tone and I think she can be great, even if she's in a different key. Hopefully I won't feel like I'm missing out when I see this, though of course others will disagree. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2016 11:55:35 GMT
This closes in Leicester on Saturday and still no reviews to be found. Just on the points above from d'James, there is no doubt an inherent unfairness in stunt casting, but I do think Alexandra is one of the better examples of it. Unfortunately it helps guarantee bums in seats, though there's an argument to be made that a big brand like Sister Act doesn't need it. I think for certain cities this may be true but for other cities sadly stunt casting is very necessary. Without Alexandra Burke there is no way The Bord Gais in Dublin would have sold this, 2150 is a lot of seats to fill and star names are needed for certain shows. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2016 21:24:27 GMT
I presume we'll be getting full production shots tomorrow as they've released two on their Twitter already
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strong powerful voice and thought the acting was good, to be honest for me i think it is just the actual show i didn't connect with, horses for courses and all that 
