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Post by shady23 on Oct 18, 2019 22:59:26 GMT
I am confused by some of the criticism on this thread. This production is a concert and has been marketed as such. It's not billing itself as an acting masterclass.
We all know Ball and Boe's style. If you buy tickets to hear them sing, which is essentially what this production is, them singing, then I can't see you have any cause for complaint when they do just that.
If you want to see the production acted incredibly then head to Liverpool to see the touring production or to the theatre over the road when the fully staged version reopens.
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Post by miz on Oct 18, 2019 23:44:57 GMT
Do you really think the rest of the cast members are just standing in front of the mic and simply going over the melody and lyrics?
But if that's the impression you are getting, I will respect your personal view.
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Post by danb on Oct 19, 2019 4:59:49 GMT
Do you really think the rest of the cast members are just standing in front of the mic and simply going over the melody and lyrics? But if that's the impression you are getting, I will respect your personal view. I think it’s somewhere in between. The staging doesn’t give tons of opportunity to do much else. Some performers were just more convincing than others. Some performers were many decibels louder than others. ALL. OF. THE. TIME. 😂 |
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Post by lou105 on Oct 19, 2019 7:00:55 GMT
Second visit yesterday. Having gone with family deliberately to see JOJ, I booked a solo trip on a Boe night, because it's a slight family joke that he was off both times I tried at Queen's. Fully prepared for a Boe No Show, I'd actually begun to secretly hope to repeat the wonders of JOJ. However! Mr Boe was there. I don't have anything to add to what's been said really. There were memorable moments. I feel like Bring Him Home has been done to death (no pun intended) now, but it was good to hear it live and the audience were silent til the end, bar an occasional sniff. Carrie and Bradley were even stronger this time. Michael Ball was very pirate-like at the beginning, much to the amusement of a loud guy behind me who kept repeating "Jean Valjean" in a Ball voice. Yet Stars was much stronger than on my first trip.A lady in front had been on the Stages Floating Festival and said someone had heckled Boe and shouted comments about him turning up this time..so it's probably fair to say that he knows his absences are unpopular! Finally I was on the edge of Row B in the Grand Circle and was very pleased that FOH asked the front row to sit back in their seats. People in front of me complied and it made all the difference.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 19, 2019 13:40:37 GMT
I am confused by some of the criticism on this thread. This production is a concert and has been marketed as such. It's not billing itself as an acting masterclass. We all know Ball and Boe's style. If you buy tickets to hear them sing, which is essentially what this production is, them singing, then I can't see you have any cause for complaint when they do just that. If you want to see the production acted incredibly then head to Liverpool to see the touring production or to the theatre over the road when the fully staged version reopens. I’ll say it again. For me Killian Donnelly and Nic Greenshields were better than Alfie and Michael. |
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Post by shady23 on Oct 19, 2019 18:34:25 GMT
JOJ on Insta "Alfie unable to perform tonight so a last minute phone call means I’m doing Valjean again for Show 36!"
I bet unplanned Saturday night shows for himself and MB's alernate/cover/understudy are a tough crowd!
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Post by shady23 on Oct 19, 2019 18:36:32 GMT
The Internet can be hysterical at times.
I don't think she was joking either...
And I'm sure Alfie is sad enough to let people down, never mind the barrage of abuse he gets online from people who think performers just call out of shows casually on a whim. So rude.
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Post by Dave25 on Oct 19, 2019 18:43:57 GMT
I am confused by some of the criticism. It's not billing itself as an acting masterclass. If you buy tickets to hear them sing, which is essentially what this production is, them singing, then I can't see you have any cause for complaint when they do just that. Singing is storytelling through notes. Which means that little colors and nuances in notes tell stories and convey emotions. This has nothing to do with acting in spite of song, over-acting every word on top of the notes (Hugh Jackman), or singing everything with a standard opera technique on 1 volume (Alfie Boe). This is a very delicate art and all about paining with colors, textures and nuances. For example one long soft note can convey 4 different colors and emotions if done right. People vastly underestimate this artform. There are singers who turn into the beste actors in the world while simply singing a song, without over-acting or exaggerating one word. People mistakenly think that "acting in spite of song" has anything to do with "acting through song". |
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Post by tysilio2 on Oct 19, 2019 18:44:01 GMT
I am confused by some of the criticism on this thread. This production is a concert and has been marketed as such. It's not billing itself as an acting masterclass. We all know Ball and Boe's style. If you buy tickets to hear them sing, which is essentially what this production is, them singing, then I can't see you have any cause for complaint when they do just that. If you want to see the production acted incredibly then head to Liverpool to see the touring production or to the theatre over the road when the fully staged version reopens. I’ll say it again. For me Killian Donnelly and Nic Greenshields were better than Alfie and Michael. Better than most of the pairings in it's lifetime probably. |
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Post by danb on Oct 19, 2019 20:40:15 GMT
Singing is storytelling through notes. Which means that little colors and nuances in notes tell stories and convey emotions There are almost no performers who can really do that - and I mean really do it. Linzi Hateley is one, CHF will get there soon, just as examples I can think of off hand. It is a very rare art indeed, acting through singing. I’d throw Houchen & Karimloo into the mix here. Both excellent vocallists & actors, likewise David Hunter in more light hearted fayre. I’ve said it before but I thought Carrie was a revelation in the Les Mis concert, securing her long term future in MT if she wants it. I’m no fan of IDAD but her take was fresh and she gave it meaning. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2019 23:53:20 GMT
The Internet can be hysterical at times. I don't think she was joking either... And I'm sure Alfie is sad enough to let people down, never mind the barrage of abuse he gets online from people who think performers just call out of shows casually on a whim. So rude. I’m sure he doesn’t take any joy in it, but the fact is earlier this week he was on a 4-day cruise singing, then booked for a show at RAH with Danielle de Niese on Sunday. I imagine that’s why he’s resting his voice Saturday night. He has a tendency to over-commit and it seems to be due to chasing more lucrative work. There’s no excuse for rudeness towards performers, but when people have spent their own hard-earned cash to see a ‘star’, they’re entitled to feel a bit grumpy if they’ve been jettisoned in favour of another paying audience. It’s not quite the same as illness. |
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Post by danb on Oct 20, 2019 5:55:41 GMT
I thought that these were all advertised non-Alfie days?
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Post by shady23 on Oct 20, 2019 8:54:29 GMT
Yesterday wasn't, JOJ got a last minute call to go in the evening. Alfie did the matinee.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 20, 2019 11:49:26 GMT
😄😄😄
we wouldn’t want nan 2 B fumin 2 eh bbs?
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 20, 2019 11:54:31 GMT
we wouldn’t want nan 2 B fumin 2 eh bbs? BoeBall or NUTHIN'! |
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Post by miz on Oct 20, 2019 12:34:16 GMT
I am not an expert on the singing profession, but I guess that singing on a cruise ship as a mega star is easier and a lot more lucrative than singing a lead role in an opera with the ENO, let alone singing a small role with the Royal Opera. I am not against an artist earning a lot of money (with the exception of K Jenkins, but that's another story).
However, if you a freelancer like myself (and I believe concert artists can be considered freelancers too) it's not professional to schedule yourself in a way you can't be sure of delivering, physically and time-wise. So, agreeing to appear in a Sunday concert, if that's the reason for the last minute cancellaion, fully knowing he has two shows to perform on Saturday could possibly come across as an exapmple of unprofessional decision making.
Money is important for everyone, but not at the cost of professional integrity.
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 20, 2019 13:01:24 GMT
Alfie has been "unable to perform" so many times this run (and always conveniently around his other appearances/announcements) it's starting to look a little suspect, and a tad disrespectful to audiences who booked especially to see him. And not a single word on social media acknowledging it or expressing his regret! Always John announcing it. Though I am very happy for John getting to do more shows (not at the expense of his health of course!) as he deserves this.
Has anyone kept a tally of how many shows each has done?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 20, 2019 13:51:59 GMT
AB is probably wise not to get into it all on social media though. Announcing you’re not going to be on when you’re scheduled to perform is inviting a backlash unless refunds are to be offered. And responding to the absence-shaming posts is a hiding to nothing too,
This is one of the things I hate about twitter. The expectation that everyone is answerable to everyone about everything. I totally understand why the few people who aren’t on it choose that.
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Post by peggysue on Oct 20, 2019 14:12:45 GMT
JOJ has done 36 shows. Not sure about AB 🤔
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Post by longinthetooth on Oct 20, 2019 14:52:06 GMT
I have to say it niggles me that JOJ is at pains to mention how many shows he has done. Each time, he announces "show #36" or whatever. Not necessary.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 20, 2019 15:22:54 GMT
I can't see how it is a problem, it would be if every one was a cover show but they aren't. Lots have been his planed shows.
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 20, 2019 15:32:56 GMT
I'm not condoning the absence-shaming on social media at all- there must be valid reasons for Alfie to miss those shows- but I'd be more ready to forgive him IF he wasn't tweeting about his Boe/Ball album every other day! If you can peddle your album surely you can notify the fans you're letting down. No grovelling apology needed or expected.
I quite enjoy JOJ's updates, if he's having a blast and wants to share that excitement with his followers, why shouldn't he? It's social media after all, not the White House Press Office.
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Post by longinthetooth on Oct 20, 2019 15:37:56 GMT
I've no problem with him saying he's on for Alfie, it's quoting the number of shows that gets me. To me it comes across as having a dig.
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Post by miz on Oct 20, 2019 15:49:07 GMT
I've no problem with him saying he's on for Alfie, it's quoting the number of shows that gets me. To me it comes across as having a dig. WHY?  |
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Post by shady23 on Oct 20, 2019 15:52:28 GMT
The album/tour tweets are done by the management team, Michael Ball's are the same.
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