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Post by raiseitup on Mar 22, 2016 12:34:35 GMT
New musical at the St James - 16 July to 27 August www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/theatre/exposure-the-musical/?platform=hootsuiteThe World premiere of a new British MusicalYoung photographer Jimmy Tucker faces the biggest and most exciting challenge of his life when a stranger commissions him to find and shoot the seven deadly sins alive and kicking in modern London. But in a break-neck race through the night, a series of extraordinary encounters involving girlfriends, family history and the intoxicating cult of celebrity begin to reveal that there’s a whole lot more at stake than just money. Weaving a breathtaking, contemporary score around a dazzlingly witty portrait of the price of fame, Exposure is an electrifying and brilliantly original new musical that is simply unmissable. Running Time: Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes including an interval |
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Post by stevej678 on Mar 22, 2016 14:34:52 GMT
This sounds promising and coincides nicely with the date booked to see Groundhog Day. Rows A and B currently seem to be unavailable for every performance (which is different to Miss Atomic Bomb where they simply don't appear on the seat plan to book tickets). Is the extra legroom in G1/G23 worth nabbing?
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Post by Seriously on Mar 22, 2016 16:48:02 GMT
Is the extra legroom in G1/G23 worth nabbing? If you are not a friend of Snow White, YES. I'm a friend of Dorothy's. Does that count? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2016 17:48:20 GMT
Just checking this out and saw that Fred Johanson (Max in the ENO's Sunset) is credited as one if the songwriters... Sounds interesting.
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Post by Seriously on Mar 22, 2016 19:18:10 GMT
The sound clips on their website sound really good. Nice to see a completely new musical, not based on a film or a back catalogue of hits.
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Post by max on Mar 22, 2016 19:47:23 GMT
The sound clips on their website sound really good. Nice to see a completely new musical, not based on a film or a back catalogue of hits. Could you point me in the right direction? I couldn't get the website to connect. Were you looking at the website or their Facebook page? |
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Post by Seriously on Mar 23, 2016 0:18:05 GMT
They seem to have taken down their old website today, now it's just one page. They used to gave about 7 audio clips, so maybe they're redoing their website prior to announcing cast etc. You can still hear bits of it here.....
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 23, 2016 13:34:41 GMT
Great to hear about a new musical - although when book, music and lyrics is all by the same person I feel bit anxious!
It looks like St James is becoming the home of new musicals :-)
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Post by spendleb on Jul 14, 2016 11:45:59 GMT
I am tempted to see this when down in a few weeks
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Post by Stasia on Jul 15, 2016 7:39:04 GMT
I wonder if there will be any discounts for that. Please give a shout if you find some, dear fellow board members!
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Post by Snciole on Jul 21, 2016 12:11:31 GMT
Has anyone seen this yet? I went yesterday and there were some video technical problems, which meant the piece had to be started over. It concerns Jimmy, a young photographer who gets mixed up in the sinful world of celebrity. It goes a bit Doctor Faustus in the second half but it just lacks the sense of fun and camp that I had hoped for. The songs are good but it felt like a very good drama school production at times.
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Post by addictedtotheatre on Jul 23, 2016 10:05:04 GMT
Saw this last night.
The good points: the tunes - catchy and enjoyable, the cast - the very attractive lead in particular, and the choreography which is pretty impressive for a stage this size.
The bad points: the book is just AWFUL staggering from one subject to another. If you want to see a musical which has a song about the moral implications of photographing dying children, to a lame sendup of papparazzi culture, and then to a quite frankly weird section about the seven deadly sins, then book now.
I think the problem might lie here: Mike Dyer who is 'Executive Producer, Concept, Book, Lyrics & Music' - is it normal for a single individual to be responsible for all of this?
Overall, enjoyable but bizarre.
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Post by Seriously on Jul 23, 2016 12:34:07 GMT
I think the trouble here is that you have one man wanting to write a show, and he's farmed out a lot of the work to friends and colleagues. Including himself, there are 9 song writers listed. So yes, you'll get an eclectic style of writing, but no unifying voice, no "picking up of ideas and developing them in later songs" or "bringing in ideas ahead of time".
Having a script consultant AND a dramaturgist also makes me worried.
And Michael Greco? I saw him years ago in Kiss Me Kate, whispering "Brush Up Your Shakespeare". I still have nightmares.
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Post by max on Jul 23, 2016 15:17:06 GMT
Very impressive advertising reach on London Underground sites and elsewhere. Not seen it that full-on for 'Off West End' before.
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Post by stevej678 on Jul 23, 2016 21:35:13 GMT
Saw this last night. The good points: the tunes - catchy and enjoyable, the cast - the very attractive lead in particular, and the choreography which is pretty impressive for a stage this size. The bad points: the book is just AWFUL staggering from one subject to another. If you want to see a musical which has a song about the moral implications of photographing dying children, to a lame sendup of papparazzi culture, and then to a quite frankly weird section about the seven deadly sins, then book now. I think the problem might lie here: Mike Dyer who is 'Executive Producer, Concept, Book, Lyrics & Music' - is it normal for a single individual to be responsible for all of this? Overall, enjoyable but bizarre. Just out from seeing this tonight and agree with every word of your review. Greco aside, it's a strong cast who give the frequently great songs their all. At these points, aided by slick choreography, the show soars. The problem is the loose narrative that initially consists of short sections of dull, disposable dialogue that's gradually pushed more to the fore, and shifts from bland to ridiculous. Natalie Anderson made a decent attempt at portraying something half resembling a relatable character. I thought Lauren Stroud was the pick of the (exceptionally good looking) ensemble. There's some good moments in there, particularly in act one, but I can't help thinking this should have been done as a song cycle with the photos as a backdrop being left to speak for themselves. As noted above, the show is being heavily advertised but it doesn't seem to be translating into bums on seats. A third full at best tonight. |
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Post by Seriously on Jul 23, 2016 22:00:34 GMT
Their twitter feed is a continuous barrage of "This is the best thing you'll ever see", and tweets that sound like press quotes but aren't.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 28, 2016 7:18:10 GMT
A very focused musical, well in the beginning, but as the show goes on, with that book it comes very unfocused.
Several good songs, some strong performers, good choregraphy, but book, book, book.
The set design or lack of it, is downright bizarre and gone the wonderland route, with the entire set projected.
A musical that needs reighning in.
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Post by Seriously on Jul 28, 2016 22:31:16 GMT
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Post by firefingers on Jul 28, 2016 22:37:35 GMT
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Post by Seriously on Jul 28, 2016 23:31:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2016 10:02:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2016 10:44:27 GMT
This was painful to behold. A chap along the row from me last night was desperately trying to stop himself laughing.
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Post by stevej678 on Jul 29, 2016 11:04:20 GMT
Maybe this will become a must-see just so people can witness for themselves how bad it is? I feel sorry for the cast because with the exception of Greco the performances are generally of a high standard; it's the awful material they have to work with that's the problem.
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Post by Seriously on Jul 29, 2016 11:59:12 GMT
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Post by Snciole on Jul 29, 2016 12:14:55 GMT
It is utterly laughable that it is appearing at St James'. It is room above a small pub material at best but I am still singing "I get a stiffy from that name" from M.I.L.E.S.M.A.S.O.N in Michael Greco's horrible singing voice so what do I know. It is a shame because as I said in my review www.londontheatredirect.com/post/840/Review-Exposure-the-Musical.aspx there are some good songs and smashing voices/choreography that gets lost because it is slow and inconsistent. With songs the above and the Dr Faustus' bit you want it to be a big old campy extravaganza but it just limps along until they end up back in Africa... |
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