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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2016 21:57:42 GMT
 Gary Barlow's musical based on the story of the Calendar Girls. Currently playing it's last two weeks at Manchester's Lowry theatre. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 21, 2016 0:36:05 GMT
Saw this, this afternoon.
Overall very disappointing, although it did get better and definitely funnier in the second half. Songs verged on the bland side and the musical being really about the emotive subject of cancer, couldn't find an emotional pull you in.
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Post by dan on Jan 21, 2016 20:19:12 GMT
I really enjoyed The Girls. Second Act was undoubtedly better than the first, but I thought there was a relevance in musical style for the story and setting. Some great performances, the photo shoot scene was handled with great comic timing and I thought there were some great songs too. Lovely idea for the set too and the end result of what happens with that is pretty stunning while simple (in a lovely and symbolic way).
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 21, 2016 20:38:02 GMT
I just thought it was trying a teeny bit too hard to tug on my heartstrings. Which it failed to do, sadly. Did you think the "orchestra" (I use the term loosely) sounded thin and cheap? For such a big cast they could have chucked a few more musicians in the pit. My friends loved it though  |
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Post by dan on Jan 21, 2016 22:42:18 GMT
Thinking back it probably was a thinner sound than ideal for the orchestra, but nothing too jarring considering the style of music. First time at the Lowry and really liked the theatre and the whole area really.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 21, 2016 23:28:29 GMT
I agree the photo shoot was very well done. Some good performance, some I have seen in other shows where they were better.
Must admit I didn't notice how poor the orchestra was, but the music in general seemed very bland, genetic and samey.
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Post by theatremiss on Jan 22, 2016 7:42:42 GMT
Has it closed early? TBH it doesn't appeal to me. Is it going anywhere next?
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Post by westendcub on Jan 22, 2016 11:35:49 GMT
I really hope this does have a life and we see this at some point in London.
I can only go with what's been published on their Youtube account but I like what I've seen and heard so far so hope it's not at the end of it's road so to speak!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2016 17:39:10 GMT
Has it closed early? TBH it doesn't appeal to me. Is it going anywhere next? Finishes next week I believe (as planned). The hope is London but nothing is confirmed yet, I think they are going to use the popularity of the Manchester run as a measure for how well received it might be in London. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 22, 2016 19:57:17 GMT
This will try to have an extended life, judging by how powerful the producers are, including the Shubert Organisation who are the most powerful and influential people in US theatre.
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Post by richey on Jan 24, 2016 10:40:35 GMT
Saw this last night and really enjoyed it. I was expecting a rehash of Tim Firth's play with songs added, but they have rewritten the whole show. I like the way it now centres on the creation of the calender and the stories around it, rather than(as in the film) focussing on some of the negative outcomes. My one complaint would be the relentless references to Yorkshire in the first act. I know it's set there, but all the clichéd Northerner stuff got a bit tiring.
The songs are typically Gary Barlow which, as a fan, I have no complaint about. My favourite was 'Dare', though the staging of this gave me something I'd never thought I'd see (Claire Moore's breasts). I loved the staging of the reprise of this song which included some clever lighting to give the illusion of the journey to London. The other song which stood out for me was the Christmas one which was very funny.
Inevitably there was a standing ovation- which bizarrely was started by Sue Pollard who was sat next to us!
It does deserve a West End transfer and I'd love a cast recording.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 24, 2016 11:17:05 GMT
Did Sue do it for the attention?
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Post by richey on Jan 24, 2016 11:29:33 GMT
Did Sue do it for the attention? No I don't think so. She was genuinely enjoying it. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 24, 2016 12:05:12 GMT
Did Sue do it for the attention? Punting for a part probably. Mother's milk for Su, that kind of show! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 24, 2016 12:07:49 GMT
My one complaint would be the relentless references to Yorkshire in the first act. I know it's set there, but all the clichéd Northerner stuff got a bit tiring. . Didn't it just? And I'm a Yorkshireman! Several of the accents were way off too. So if you're going to bang on and on.... And on! about it being set in Yorkshire then at least try to get the accent right. It's not just generic northern. |
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Post by richey on Jan 24, 2016 12:09:56 GMT
Did Sue do it for the attention? Punting for a part probably. Mother's milk for Su, that kind of show! Well she did tell us she was friends with the director! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 24, 2016 12:20:22 GMT
She'd be terrible in it of course. Sledgehammer cracking nuts.
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Post by horton on Jan 25, 2016 20:52:08 GMT
Sad but true
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Post by rearstallsloiterer on Jan 26, 2016 17:02:18 GMT
hmmmmmmmm
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 18:00:47 GMT
I don't think there is a thread for this already so I thought I'd make one.
There is is a West End transfer happening soon, just waiting on the comformation. Their Twitter keeps posting odd tweets, suggesting something is happening. It's very interesting to watch!
Did anyone see this when it was trying out up North? Was it good? I'd love to see it as I love the film.
Ideas on a theatre? And any more ideas on new casting?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 18:12:06 GMT
West End transfer is defiantly happening! Just a matter of when the theatre will be announced and dates. I'm sure it will be either this week or beginning on May.
I'm totally thinking it will go Phoenix after G&D. Can't see it going anywhere else?
Also, casting will probably be changed to get crowds in. I would love to see Claire Sweeney but she is in Chitty later in the year. Celia Imrie would be great too. I think Joanna will transfer with it.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 24, 2016 18:54:51 GMT
I don't think there is a thread for this already so I thought I'd make one. There is is a West End transfer happening soon, just waiting on the comformation. Their Twitter keeps posting odd tweets, suggesting something is happening. It's very interesting to watch! Did anyone see this when it was trying out up North? Was it good? I'd love to see it as I love the film. Ideas on a theatre? And any more ideas on new casting? Yes I saw it at the Lowry. Hated it. The "Yorkshire" accents were all over the place (if you can't do them, drop them. They're not intrinsic to the story). The set was odd, the songs forgettable although very "Barlow-ish". It was also that weird mix of comedy one minute and trying to get you to cry the next. Manipulation of the emotions is fine if it's done with a bit of finesse but this was like smacking you in the face with a mallet. Clumsy. My my friend loved it and out it up with amongst the best things I've forced him to see. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 19:11:43 GMT
Personally I loved it, and would be very happy to see it transfer.
I would imagine there will be a recording of some description too, going by the cryptic tweets. Hopefully it's not an album full of Barlow singing every number.
I can see this coming over for a limited run in a small ish west end venue, and extending to open ended run (with some luck). It's definitely one of the best shows I've seen - especially considering some of the tripe in the WE beforehand and presently.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 19:18:10 GMT
Personally I loved it, and would be very happy to see it transfer. I would imagine there will be a recording of some description too, going by the cryptic tweets. Hopefully it's not an album full of Barlow singing every number. I can see this coming over for a limited run in a small ish west end venue, and extending to open ended run (with some luck). It's definitely one of the best shows I've seen - especially considering some of the tripe in the WE beforehand and presently. I'd love to see it transfer too! The cryptic tweets are very weird, I would love to see what they actually mean. I think the Phoenix would suit it quite well, small ish venue so could run abit longer there, especially with Gary Barlow's name behind it. Do you think they would recast certain roles to get more audiences in?? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 19:19:27 GMT
I don't think there is a thread for this already so I thought I'd make one. There is is a West End transfer happening soon, just waiting on the comformation. Their Twitter keeps posting odd tweets, suggesting something is happening. It's very interesting to watch! Did anyone see this when it was trying out up North? Was it good? I'd love to see it as I love the film. Ideas on a theatre? And any more ideas on new casting? Yes I saw it at the Lowry. Hated it. The "Yorkshire" accents were all over the place (if you can't do them, drop them. They're not intrinsic to the story). The set was odd, the songs forgettable although very "Barlow-ish". It was also that weird mix of comedy one minute and trying to get you to cry the next. Manipulation of the emotions is fine if it's done with a bit of finesse but this was like smacking you in the face with a mallet. Clumsy. My my friend loved it and out it up with amongst the best things I've forced him to see. The set does look odd actually, does it work? What's the drawers and chests, i dont know what they represent. Hopefully they would work on this if it did transfer |
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