42nd Street at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

[stageyqueen]

Mar 30, 2018 20:18:50 GMT alece10 said:

I really don't know why people keep harping on about Lulu. As I have said before its not the Lulu show and her role is by far the biggset even though she is the "big name".
42nd Street is all about the spectacle, costumes and songs but mainly the fantastic ensemble and the tap.
Her performance was different from Sheena Easton's any maybe her voice is not really suited to the style of music but it certainly wouldn't stop me from going again. My next visit will be my 8th which is the most times I have ever seen a musical.

I agree in part with what you say alece10, the show is about the spectacle, costumes and songs and of course the amazing ensemble and tap all of which are fantastic, the ensemble deserve so much credit and support as they are brilliant and certainly hold the show together. Like it or not though, the producers are however selling the show on the back of Lulu and her name and therefore Lulu is a big part of the show hence why people keep "harping on" about her.

As you rightly say, a big part of the show are the songs and therefore it helps if you have someone who can sing them well! She is a rather big influence in Act 1, I love the show not only for the tap but for the songs and to me it is important that they are sung well and therefore as far as I am concerned the way she sings them spoils my enjoyment and reduces the enjoyment of the other amazing cast members. Thankfully however Act 2 is still amazing. It is great that you have seen the show so many times as this is what it is all about, providing enjoyment to people over and over again.

[stageyqueen]

Mar 30, 2018 20:38:02 GMT shady23 said:

I think people always overestimate the importance of the views of a few superfans! We are a very very small fraction of the overall audience and I'm sure Lulu gets rapturous applause at the end of the show every night.

She is in the second act for a couple of minutes. The show is all about the ensemble and Clare for me.

If casting Lulu brings people in and enables the show to keep running then it's ok with me.

Agreed. Clare is the show and the fantastic ensemble, as long as bums are on seats that is the most important thing to enable as many people as possible to enjoy the spectacle of the show.
Although for me the singing is as important as the spectacle :-)

[singularsensation10]

Thoughts:

Steph was wonderful as Dorothy. A real comedic flare and gelled well with the rest of the cast - with time and practice singing the songs she will be fantastic.

If I were Clare’s agent I would have bartered a double rate for the second contract. Jesus she’s good.

Loved Tom more than the first two times.

I could watch Ashley dance for ever. He has super sharp cheekbones, a smile that could kill and a flair of elegance. He’s definitely a dancer that sings though. He can sing the songs fine but he’s certainly more confident dancing than singing.

The second cast are not yet as polished as the first but give them time and I think they could be even better. They bring a different feel, but one that is welcome.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2018 19:32:27 GMT stageyqueen said:

Mar 30, 2018 15:28:41 GMT danieljohnson14 said:



My hope is none if the superfans are being disrespectful on social media saying how bad Lulu apparently is. Because it will put people of seeing a fabulous show and being therefore unable to make their own minds up, as well as being disrespectful to both her and the cast who are onstage with her.

I do not want to get in to a spat over this but feel the need to offer a reply to your post above.

Having had the opportunity to speak to many people over the past two weeks, one thing is for certain nobody can deny, Sheena Easton had a fantastic singing voice and it is only now that she has gone do you realise how good that voice was and no one at present is able to come anywhere near her.

Lulu and her take on the role as well as her "new" costumes have certainly divided opinion in one way or another. It would appear people who have seen the show as a one off, as well as the Lulu fans all seem to like what they see which is great, whilst other more regular visitors remain somewhat critical of her take on the role and how the show and score have been adapted to suit her range / skill. Although I personally do not like her adaption of the songs, her acting of the role is quite good. What was good to see that despite any negativity re Lulu- the theatre has certainly been near to capacity this week which can only be a good thing for the show can it not?

I am no fan of Lulu or how she plays the role as you may have gathered (as I believe you have made clear on numerous times you are no fan of Chris Howell and how he plays Bert Barry which could also be taken as being disrespectful?)

I doubt a few critical / negative comments about Lulu by fans will not really have that much of an impact in putting anyone off from seeing what is in essence still a fantastic show.  I am sure people are perfectly capable of making their own opinion without being swayed by some negative criticism. It will be interesting how the press receive her next week (4th April).

With regards to people being disrespectful to both her and the cast, expressing a negative opinion is not necessarily being disrespectful is it?
Furthermore, I have yet to read any negative posts that are critical or disrespectful about the rest of the cast.

In fact I have read some excellent feedback regarding the new ensemble and how good they are and again I can only reiterate my own personal views on this - I think the ensemble are excellent and in particular I think the Male ensemble are in fact stronger than last cast. Ashley Day is settling in to his role well and makes a good Billy as does Matt Goodgame make a good Pat.

Steph Parry was an excellent standby and last night I felt despite a few nerves and the odd duff note she was excellent - after all it was only her first performance and as she settles in to the role will soon polish this.

As I have said previously, any individual should be left to see the show and draw their own conclusions from it and not be swayed by other opinions.

To summarise, It is in my opinion still in essence a good show that will still make you feel good and come out on a high. Lulu is only in it for a limited run, so those of us who do not like her take on the role will just have to live with it! The remainder of the cast are fantastic and doing an excellent job and finally, Clare Halse is absolutely amazing as ever and no one but no one would ever be able to take her place and to see her tap is well worth going to see the show alone!

I never intended my inital comment to become the start of a spat, just a comment based on what I have sometimes seen of superfans in the past with different shows. So don't worry, there is no intention here for a spat and this won't become one, however I do want to respond to a couple of your points for clarification on my part.

I agree Sheena was amazing, and I cannot personally comment on Lulu as I have yet to see her. My comment of superfans commenting on Lulu is based on no comments I have seen of this show but I have seen of past shows where there as been critique on a specific performer on twitter or such and superfans have either tagged said performer or performers in the show asif to make them aware of dislike for said performer. That is disrespectful in my opinion, to both the performer and their co-stars. I have not seen it as of yet on my newsfeed, but merely hoping I won't see it.

To refer to your comment on Chris Howell, yes I have said a few times when I've seen the show that I don't like him for the role, but I have also said I want to see an understudy to judge if it is Chris in that role or just the role I don't like. And alot of the stuff regarding that performer has become a running joke on this thread that other posters have made on my part, and I have played along as a joke. I don't hate Chris at all, I have liked him in other shows, I know he is talented. I would never tag him in tweets saying how much I dislike him in the role or tell any of the cast likewise because that is rude and disrespectful.

As an example, my twitter feed has many comments about musicals, especially this show. But no comments are negative toward the performers who I don't like in their roles. I would just choose to not mention them because even if I don't like them in a role, its not fair to potentially upset someone or a cast with a negative tweet. Which is why I would hate to see any pop up if/when they do like I have seen in the past.

Hope that is more clarification, sorry for the long winded response.

[stageyqueen]

Mar 31, 2018 1:47:09 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

Mar 30, 2018 19:32:27 GMT stageyqueen said:

I do not want to get in to a spat over this but feel the need to offer a reply to your post above.

Having had the opportunity to speak to many people over the past two weeks, one thing is for certain nobody can deny, Sheena Easton had a fantastic singing voice and it is only now that she has gone do you realise how good that voice was and no one at present is able to come anywhere near her.

Lulu and her take on the role as well as her "new" costumes have certainly divided opinion in one way or another. It would appear people who have seen the show as a one off, as well as the Lulu fans all seem to like what they see which is great, whilst other more regular visitors remain somewhat critical of her take on the role and how the show and score have been adapted to suit her range / skill. Although I personally do not like her adaption of the songs, her acting of the role is quite good. What was good to see that despite any negativity re Lulu- the theatre has certainly been near to capacity this week which can only be a good thing for the show can it not?

I am no fan of Lulu or how she plays the role as you may have gathered (as I believe you have made clear on numerous times you are no fan of Chris Howell and how he plays Bert Barry which could also be taken as being disrespectful?)

I doubt a few critical / negative comments about Lulu by fans will not really have that much of an impact in putting anyone off from seeing what is in essence still a fantastic show.  I am sure people are perfectly capable of making their own opinion without being swayed by some negative criticism. It will be interesting how the press receive her next week (4th April).

With regards to people being disrespectful to both her and the cast, expressing a negative opinion is not necessarily being disrespectful is it?
Furthermore, I have yet to read any negative posts that are critical or disrespectful about the rest of the cast.

In fact I have read some excellent feedback regarding the new ensemble and how good they are and again I can only reiterate my own personal views on this - I think the ensemble are excellent and in particular I think the Male ensemble are in fact stronger than last cast. Ashley Day is settling in to his role well and makes a good Billy as does Matt Goodgame make a good Pat.

Steph Parry was an excellent standby and last night I felt despite a few nerves and the odd duff note she was excellent - after all it was only her first performance and as she settles in to the role will soon polish this.

As I have said previously, any individual should be left to see the show and draw their own conclusions from it and not be swayed by other opinions.

To summarise, It is in my opinion still in essence a good show that will still make you feel good and come out on a high. Lulu is only in it for a limited run, so those of us who do not like her take on the role will just have to live with it! The remainder of the cast are fantastic and doing an excellent job and finally, Clare Halse is absolutely amazing as ever and no one but no one would ever be able to take her place and to see her tap is well worth going to see the show alone!

I never intended my inital comment to become the start of a spat, just a comment based on what I have sometimes seen of superfans in the past with different shows. So don't worry, there is no intention here for a spat and this won't become one, however I do want to respond to a couple of your points for clarification on my part.

I agree Sheena was amazing, and I cannot personally comment on Lulu as I have yet to see her. My comment of superfans commenting on Lulu is based on no comments I have seen of this show but I have seen of past shows where there as been critique on a specific performer on twitter or such and superfans have either tagged said performer or performers in the show asif to make them aware of dislike for said performer. That is disrespectful in my opinion, to both the performer and their co-stars. I have not seen it as of yet on my newsfeed, but merely hoping I won't see it.

To refer to your comment on Chris Howell, yes I have said a few times when I've seen the show that I don't like him for the role, but I have also said I want to see an understudy to judge if it is Chris in that role or just the role I don't like. And alot of the stuff regarding that performer has become a running joke on this thread that other posters have made on my part, and I have played along as a joke. I don't hate Chris at all, I have liked him in other shows, I know he is talented. I would never tag him in tweets saying how much I dislike him in the role or tell any of the cast likewise because that is rude and disrespectful.

As an example, my twitter feed has many comments about musicals, especially this show. But no comments are negative toward the performers who I don't like in their roles. I would just choose to not mention them because even if I don't like them in a role, its not fair to potentially upset someone or a cast with a negative tweet. Which is why I would hate to see any pop up if/when they do like I have seen in the past.

Hope that is more clarification, sorry for the long winded response.

 (Hug) Hope you get to see Lulu soon so you can make up your own mind on her, but regardless of her, you will still continue to love the amazing Clare and ensemble. End of the matter   another (Hug) x

[Elle]

Just got a rush ticket for the matinee today. 🎉

[mrbarnaby]

Sorry but Lulu is bad enough to unbalance the whole show. And she does. Plus the understudy for Clare is weak and Ashley Day isn’t great either.

If you saw the original cast- these replacements simply don’t cut it and bring the show down.

[dizzieblonde]

Does anyone know if Clare's scheduled time off is published anywhere? I'm fully prepared to accept last minute replacements for various reasons, but I wondered if there's a cast holiday schedule anywhere (or if Lulu's absences are the only ones publicised)?

[wickedprincess]

I was told by a cast member that they are not allow to post their holidays on social media

[wickedprincess]

Mar 31, 2018 22:34:28 GMT mrbarnaby said:

Sorry but Lulu is bad enough to unbalance the whole show. And she does. Plus the understudy for Clare is weak and Ashley Day isn’t great either.

If you saw the original cast- these replacements simply don’t cut it and bring the show down.

I agree with you to an extend Lulu is bad, Ashley Day is ok but not as good as Stuart Neal or Philip Bertioli ,the original cast was much better.
Think that for most of the cast time will help and they will excel  but that is not the case for Lulu. 

[shady23]

Mar 31, 2018 22:51:19 GMT dizzieblonde said:

Does anyone know if Clare's scheduled time off is published anywhere? I'm fully prepared to accept last minute replacements for various reasons, but I wondered if there's a cast holiday schedule anywhere (or if Lulu's absences are the only ones publicised)?

You could try tweeting the understudy and asking if they have any scheduled dates as they seem to respond better to that than asking when someone is not going to be on.

[shady23]

[Dr Tom]

Mar 31, 2018 22:34:28 GMT mrbarnaby said:

Sorry but Lulu is bad enough to unbalance the whole show. And she does. Plus the understudy for Clare is weak and Ashley Day isn’t great either.

If you saw the original cast- these replacements simply don’t cut it and bring the show down.

Was this last night? Who was on as Peggy Sawyer instead of Clare?

[stageyqueen]

Apr 1, 2018 10:53:09 GMT Dr Tom said:

Mar 31, 2018 22:34:28 GMT mrbarnaby said:

Sorry but Lulu is bad enough to unbalance the whole show. And she does. Plus the understudy for Clare is weak and Ashley Day isn’t great either.

If you saw the original cast- these replacements simply don’t cut it and bring the show down.

Was this last night? Who was on as Peggy Sawyer instead of Clare?

I think Mr Barnaby was generalising and not referring to last night in particular. Last night I believe Clare H was on and Lulu's cover Steph Parry was on for Lulu as she was on holiday. The 2nd cover Clare Rickard was on last week when Clare H was off. Not sure why the 1st cover did not stand in? Personally I quite liked Clare R as Peggy, off course not as good as Clare H but she did a good job in my opinion as 2nd cover considering she does not get to do it often.

[dippy]

Apr 1, 2018 11:26:23 GMT stageyqueen said:

Not sure why the 1st cover did not stand in?

Covers do not usually start rehearsing until they are up and running in their normal track. I would imagine that she only started learning the role of Peggy after their first performance so there is no chance she would have been able to go on after just a couple of days in the show.

[Dr Tom]

Apr 1, 2018 11:26:23 GMT stageyqueen said:

Apr 1, 2018 10:53:09 GMT Dr Tom said:

Was this last night? Who was on as Peggy Sawyer instead of Clare?

I think Mr Barnaby was generalising and not referring to last night in particular. Last night I believe Clare H was on and Lulu's cover Steph Parry was on for Lulu as she was on holiday. The 2nd cover Clare Rickard was on last week when Clare H was off. Not sure why the 1st cover did not stand in? Personally I quite liked Clare R as Peggy, off course not as good as Clare H but she did a good job in my opinion as 2nd cover considering she does not get to do it often.

Thanks, yes I saw (and liked) Clare R's different portrayal as well.

Not quite as polished (for obvious reasons), but much more of a sense of innocence and I liked the way she played some scenes very differently to Clare H.

[Deleted]

I wonder if Lulu will stage door? Sheena sometimes did if I recall, so wonder if Lulu will either dodge all the time or decide as andwhen she wants to some out of the stage door. There were alot of people wanting autographs, some who hadn't even seen the show all the few times I went along to stage door.

[theatreian]

Yes we saw Sheena a couple of times . All the cast we met were lovely including Sheena. Sheena was always quick out though and had her head down so the first time we did not recognise her. Not sure if Lulu will be signing too many autographs.

[Deleted]

I know the final performsnce she didn't come out of stage door, or any of the other couple times I went. Jasna always keeps her head down and because she looks nothing like her character or headshot she always gets by haha. Stuart was always out like a flash, within 5 or 10 minutes, and Clare has always been the last to leave in my experience, between 10:30/10:45.

[shady23]

Apr 1, 2018 17:08:32 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

I wonder if Lulu will stage door? Sheena sometimes did if I recall, so wonder if Lulu will either dodge all the time or decide as andwhen she wants to some out of the stage door. There were alot of people wanting autographs, some who hadn't even seen the show all the few times I went along to stage door.

Yes all the usual autograph hunters were there when I went. Sheena came out Stage Door and was absolutely lovely and would only sign "to your name" on things so the horrible few couldn't sell them. She also was happy to have photos done with the real fans of the show. I'm sure they must get sick of people hanging around all the time who haven't even watched it.

[stageyqueen]

Apr 1, 2018 17:08:32 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

I wonder if Lulu will stage door? Sheena sometimes did if I recall, so wonder if Lulu will either dodge all the time or decide as andwhen she wants to some out of the stage door. There were alot of people wanting autographs, some who hadn't even seen the show all the few times I went along to stage door.

Sheena staged door every night, shot off quickly to the right. Sometimes she would stop and talk other nights she would run. The two shows I have seen Lulu, neither show has she exited stage door but by alternative exit. Time will tell.

[mrbarnaby]

I was talking about ClareR. She obviously had a dry mouth as she spent all night pulling strange faces and doing weird things with her mouth and it was incredibly distracting. Also after seeing Clare H who is perfection and dances with effortless grace, anyone else seems lacking.

[mrbarnaby]

Apr 1, 2018 18:00:25 GMT shady23 said:

Apr 1, 2018 17:08:32 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

I wonder if Lulu will stage door? Sheena sometimes did if I recall, so wonder if Lulu will either dodge all the time or decide as andwhen she wants to some out of the stage door. There were alot of people wanting autographs, some who hadn't even seen the show all the few times I went along to stage door.

Yes all the usual autograph hunters were there when I went. Sheena came out Stage Door and was absolutely lovely and would only sign "to your name" on things so the horrible few couldn't sell them. She also was happy to have photos done with the real fans of the show. I'm sure they must get sick of people hanging around all the time who haven't even watched it.

I hope some people are there to let Lulu know how terrible she was.

[anoteintime]

This show is superb. I’ve seen it three time; once with sheena easton, once with her stand in and finally with Lulu.

I thought vocally Sheena was great, she hit the notes, had presence and was better than many people expected. She exceeded many people’s expecations including mine.

I also liked her stand-in who brought a different perspective to the role, put it this way she didn’t distract from the rest of the show and actually had some warmth with Clare that came through in the second act.

Now to Lulu - when you see her name being advertised bigger than the title of the show itself you sort of expect a knock out performance. I personally didn’t see that. I found she lacked acting chops and her vocals I thought were weak. BUT if you hadn’t seen the show before I suspect it would be an adequate performance

[Deleted]

Oooh, I'm here tonight. Lulu is on! When she appears I'll shout "Weeeeeeee-eeeeeee-eeeeeee-llllllllllllll". I don't imagine anyone says that to her so I think she'll like it.