1,481 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Jul 10, 2019 21:48:10 GMT
So... saw the show tonight.
You absolutely must go in knowing what to expect. Luckily I was prepared and therefore wasn’t disappointed. And actually had a blast!
No, it will never replace the original Palladium production in my heart, but it’s great fun in its own right.
I wouldn’t have chosen Sheridan’s style of Narrator, but I can’t pretend I didn’t enjoy it.
Some of the new dance breaks weren’t quite up to the originals, but loved the new tap dance.
If the sets had all been of the standard of Egypt, it would have been brilliant (loved the Phantom hieroglyph).
Can see where the money went though. Back in 1991 they just had a standard model Jason Donovan. This time they’ve upgraded to one with real leather upholstery!
|
|
362 posts
|
Post by JJShaw on Jul 10, 2019 23:12:25 GMT
Saw the matinee, applaud the FOH team for doing their best to get everyone in and seated, and we did start pretty much on time!
I can't speak of the lauded 90's productions, but I think this Joseph is absolutely what people in 2019 think of Joseph; fluffy, fun, charming, harmless. And it was all that!
Yes, there are a few things I didn't like, but it's Joseph it was never going to be my favourite production, but I cannot deny that I didn't smile and enjoy myself and have fun. (It helped that the £10 standing are an absolute steal and I highly recommend them)
Jason Donovan, was there, he was fine. Scraping by by the skin of his teeth.
For me it was clear that the focus was all on Sheridan and they forgot to direct Jac Yarrow. He was perfectly serviceable, but this production really highlighted how little Joseph actually does in the show. Its all tell and no show. Unfortunately I didn't get much of a character from him, why he was the favourite son I have no clue he was rather plain to me (thank goodness he has a winning smile and shows off his abs for 1/3 of the show.) His vocals sounded like every drama school top guy tenor and for me didn't really fit the score. They had an opportunity to Sutton Foster/ Charlie Stemp this new Joseph and I really do applaud the team for going with a brand new actor for this role and I do hope he has a nice career after this, but for me there will be no Olivier nods for him.
I actually loved most (MOST!) of what Sheridan was doing. The doubling up I thought worked really well, in fact I wouldn't have been mad if she was both the butler and the baker too! There was about 10% too much mugging wink wink nudge nudge to the audience (should have given that 10% to Mr. Yarrow...) and no fault to her but I didn't like her shoes (a very bizarre nit pick I know!).
Don't know if they're new but I liked the tap dance and the can can (although the guy telling us the joke was hammier than all of Smith's performance!) Again, couldn't find any pictures of the 90's production but don't know how you could make the set more lavish... its Joseph..! I really liked it and I liked the sun in the back, and the lighting was great, I would be happy with a nom for that come Olivier time as it was something that I actually noticed positively.
The opening of the show was a bit rocky, I wish they'd solidified the framing device of Sheridan NARRATING the story to kids, and that Any Dream Will Do has always felt shoe horned in there. I also would have loved if she had had plain blacks on for the prologue and Then got her little sparkly one once the show has Begun.
Its always a toss up when shows add beat boxing, modern day kid fad dances, and... selfie moments... but they were harmless and were clearly to pander to the more "panto version" that this Joseph is. It's going to please every family thats spent money to come down and see it, and its a very joyful and full production that im sure this will propel its life for another couple decades (because I think we all think the BK tours have been taking the biscuit recently!)
My only huge legitimate gripe was, at the end when they sing "give me my coloured coat" they... didn't give him a coat? What a wasted opportunity to not have Jason come and present the coat to him and pass it down. Guess Jason wasn't attending any rehearsals that weren't his two songs...
A weak 4 stars, but I couldn't give it 3 stars.
|
|
|
|
Post by dontdreamit on Jul 11, 2019 11:27:17 GMT
It appears it’s my turn to win the lottery this week!
|
|
94 posts
|
Post by Kim on Jul 11, 2019 11:59:24 GMT
I've just won it too! Might as well get there before the summer hols
|
|
|
|
Post by sagiirl on Jul 11, 2019 12:14:48 GMT
Is it not really unprofessional for ushers to comment in this way about the production/performers? One of front of house also commented to me on the OTT performance when I went after they asked me if I was enjoying the show |
|
544 posts
|
Post by amp09 on Jul 11, 2019 12:38:17 GMT
Another lottery winner here 🙋🏻♂️!
Anyone won before for Joseph? Be interested to here what seats you’ve been given?
|
|
|
|
Post by scarpia on Jul 11, 2019 14:25:35 GMT
For me it was clear that the focus was all on Sheridan and they forgot to direct Jac Yarrow. I think Laurence Connor pretty much forgets to direct everyone. |
|
|
|
Post by dontdreamit on Jul 11, 2019 14:46:32 GMT
Another lottery winner here 🙋🏻♂️! Anyone won before for Joseph? Be interested to here what seats you’ve been given? My partner won last week and we went on Monday. We got 4 tickets in Row F Of the Royal Circle. Excellent view up there! |
|
43 posts
|
Post by stuartww on Jul 11, 2019 15:15:01 GMT
Anyone else going to Press Night tonight?
|
|
38 posts
|
Post by mjr on Jul 11, 2019 15:23:15 GMT
Saw this last night. It was fine, but I don't think I'll be back. The orchestra were the highlight for me!
|
|
1,563 posts
|
Post by showtoones on Jul 11, 2019 15:27:06 GMT
Have they sorted out the broken set? I really want this to do well.
|
|
|
|
Post by dontdreamit on Jul 11, 2019 16:48:15 GMT
Anyone else going to Press Night tonight? We are in tonight again. Apparently they’ve laid the red carpet already! |
|
|
|
Post by dontdreamit on Jul 11, 2019 19:11:52 GMT
Close Every Door got a standing ovation from the stalls this evening that went on for quite a while. Great atmosphere here as you would expect. And a few changes even from when I was in on Monday- many of the songs seem to be back without the key changes that there had been originally in the previews. And Sheridan seems to be singing more- not that she want dining before but at times it was a kind of talk/ sing at some parts but felt far more sung by her now (how that makes sense, I am not very technical!)
Am hoping she sings the final bit of Phaoroh’s Story as she not done up to now I don’t thnink- the kids have sung the final “to be a star’ and you sit there knowing she could do it!
|
|
|
|
Post by dontdreamit on Jul 11, 2019 19:14:33 GMT
And please excuse the typos- no reading glasses so hoping that I’ve managed to hit the right keys!
|
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Jul 11, 2019 19:17:26 GMT
First rule of press night...Give it 110%...Smith is no mug!
|
|
1,563 posts
|
Post by showtoones on Jul 11, 2019 19:40:47 GMT
First rule of press night...Give it 110%...Smith is no mug! She certainly knows how the game is played! |
|
|
|
Post by dontdreamit on Jul 11, 2019 20:41:05 GMT
Great night! Andrew Lloyd Webber and Time Rice came on briefly at the end. LW said something along the lines of that the Palladium had become the home of Joseph and that he hoped it would be back soon. I’m sure someone will come and correct me if I misheard that!
I assume from that it might be back next year.
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Jul 11, 2019 20:55:44 GMT
I think the coat looks great
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Jul 11, 2019 20:56:43 GMT
|
|
1,999 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Jul 11, 2019 21:19:36 GMT
Bugger, I won in the lottery and didn't check my junk mail in time! Fuming!
|
|
5,832 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 11, 2019 21:58:22 GMT
For me it was clear that the focus was all on Sheridan and they forgot to direct Jac Yarrow. I think Laurence Connor pretty much forgets to direct everyone. That’ll be because he’s a rubbish director.. |
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Jul 11, 2019 22:18:17 GMT
To all you negative noras who have nothing positive at all to say about this show...
This is lovely!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2019 22:46:16 GMT
Not sure what that has to do with the actual show, but well done Ben.
|
|
751 posts
|
Post by horton on Jul 11, 2019 22:56:16 GMT
Thank goodness it couldn't be construed as a cheap marketing gimmick.
|
|
|
|
Post by Seriously on Jul 11, 2019 23:50:02 GMT
|
|
