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Post by singularsensation10 on Apr 11, 2018 19:45:20 GMT
I've booked to see this again soon. If Lulu doesn't sing Relight My Fire I will be requesting a refund. I actually don’t think she could anymore. Those vocal chords ain’t what they used to be! |
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 12, 2018 8:21:48 GMT
Overheard two different conversations yesterday with people excited to see Lulu.
The first was at Sunset Boulevard, with a group of gents sat behind me who sounded like they came to London for a few days every so often to check out the latest shows (they had seen practically all the musicals playing but were looking forward to going back to 42nd Street with Lulu in the cast).
The second was on the tube home, after listening to a well-spoken Chelsea resident complaining about all aspects of Sunset Boulevard, he also then said similar things about Lulu.
So whatever you may think, she certainly has people talking about her and interested in seeing her performance.
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 12, 2018 9:52:14 GMT
Overheard two different conversations yesterday with people excited to see Lulu. The first was at Sunset Boulevard, with a group of gents sat behind me who sounded like they came to London for a few days every so often to check out the latest shows (they had seen practically all the musicals playing but were looking forward to going back to 42nd Street with Lulu in the cast). The second was on the tube home, after listening to a well-spoken Chelsea resident complaining about all aspects of Sunset Boulevard, he also then said similar things about Lulu. So whatever you may think, she certainly has people talking about her and interested in seeing her performance. But then folks love a good train wreck. And public executions were the hotest ticket in town! |
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Post by shady23 on Apr 12, 2018 13:53:57 GMT
For any Norman Bowman fans out there, he will perform his first solo concert at London’s Hippodrome Casino Theatre in Leicester Square at 8pm on 17th May 2018.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2018 13:55:53 GMT
For any Norman Bowman fans out there, he will perform his first solo concert at London’s Hippodrome Casino Theatre in Leicester Square at 8pm on 17th May 2018. I saw this, I'm actually rather tempted! He's a great performer and a really lovely guy.  |
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Post by shady23 on Apr 12, 2018 14:02:57 GMT
Isn't he!
I met him after the show once and asked if he wasn't tempted to join in with all the dancing.
He said "you've not seen my dancing have you!" 😊
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2018 14:13:49 GMT
Isn't he! I met him after the show once and asked if he wasn't tempted to join in with all the dancing. He said "you've not seen my dancing have you!" 😊 And he has a real little fan base of middle-aged women. Every time I went to stage door there was a small group outside to chat to him after the show, and he knew them all. It's really cute, and he takes real time to talk to everyone. That said, I prefer Tom to Norman as Julin, and I'll have to go again, but I think I prefer Matthew as Pat. Not to say Norman is bad of course haha. |
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Post by shady23 on Apr 12, 2018 14:31:50 GMT
I'm looking forward to seeing Matthew. This cast is turning into a bit of a Funny Girl reunion.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2018 21:24:20 GMT
Wouldn't Cruella DeVil be a fabulous Dorothy following Lulu's departure tho?!
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Post by theatreian on Apr 17, 2018 16:17:31 GMT
Is this having another press night with the new cast or have I missed the reviews?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2018 16:26:49 GMT
Is this having another press night with the new cast or have I missed the reviews? They've already had their press night/opening night. Ashley face-planted at his curtain call. That said, ive seen no offical reviews. |
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Post by ruby on Apr 17, 2018 18:58:19 GMT
Went on Saturday (4th time, 1st with the new cast). Everyone was great except Lulu. I was hoping she would be good, but thought she was awful.
At least I can save my pennies until July, I will need to visit then as I'm a little bit in love with Ashley Day now!
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Post by buckybear on Apr 17, 2018 23:23:49 GMT
Lulu is awful, the only weak link in an otherwise flawless production. If they’re going to do more ‘stunt casting’ when Lulu leaves, let’s hope it’s someone who can actually sing the role properly§!.
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Post by lonlad on Apr 17, 2018 23:37:56 GMT
Great buzz in the theatre tonight for self-evident reasons, tho' my God Lulu is TERRIBLE. Looks like a cleaning lady, not a fading Broadway diva.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Apr 18, 2018 7:42:05 GMT
I loved this last night! The dancing is incredible!
Lulu’s role isn’t a big one. It doesn’t make all that much difference whether she’s good or not. The true stars of the show still shine brightly.
And I met Ashley Day afterwards. He’s delightful.
My future husband. Ahem.
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Post by bodobear on Apr 18, 2018 9:49:02 GMT
(Apart from Lulu) I really like the new cast. Saw them again on Saturday after attending their very first show and everyone’s settled in nicely. I personally prefer Ashley as Billy Lawler over Stuart.
And I’m very much looking forward to seeing Matthew as Julian!
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 19, 2018 0:35:10 GMT
Saw this tonight for the first time with the new cast after multiple visits with the originals.
A few thoughts....it is still a FABULOUS show with the ensemble being the true stars - the new members seem to have joined seamlessly! The sets are still great and the spectacle of the Dames number when the girls keep appearing from the double doors and of course the STAIRCASE is still INCREDIBLE.
I loved Ashley Day as Billy ( perhaps even more than Stuart) great dancing and singing with a lovely smile and lots of charisma.
Clare Halse is still INCREDIBLE - another seemingly flawless, effortless performance. It is utterly disgraceful she didn't at least get nominated for an Olivier Award for this performance.
Matthew Goodgame is totally wasted in the thankless part of Pat Denning. No doubt he will get his chance to shine as Julian as and when, although Tom Lister is still excellent.
The audience was rather sparse - certainly a lot quieter than my previous visits. Swathes of empty seats in the Stalls and Dress Circle, so if the casting of Lulu was meant to give sales a boost - it does not seem to be working.
SO.... we come to Lulu! What can I say? In all my years of theatre going in the West End have I rarely seen such a risible performance which quite frankly is not up to standard. She cannot act (lets not mention the accent)stumbling over several lines, and her voice, to be kind, is simply not suited to this material. Frankly her voice sounded shot - gravelly and husky - she really, really struggled vocally with it, despite taking huge liberties with the score! I truly have no idea why she was cast. Like Dorothy Brock she clearly refused to "audition"! Her costumes too, for some reason were dreadful and didn't seem to fit and she kept fiddling with them - hugely annoying.
Thankfully the part is not big enough to wreck the show but it IS a part that can make the show, and be a HUGE star turn in the right hands. Patti LuPone, for example, would be sensational!!!
So, thanks to Lulu this was my least favourite visit to my favourite show.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2018 0:52:01 GMT
It doesn't pack them in as much during the week, but it packs alot of people in on the weekend! Whenever I've been on Saturdays or Fridays all four levels open and by the looks of it full. Discount or not, it's still great |
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 19, 2018 7:38:07 GMT
I nipped back in on Tuesday, needed a happy show for a change. Great TodayTix seat as usual.
The current cast are well into their roles now and I think they're as good as they're going to get.
Two covers on, which I'll mention as the dates don't seem to get posted anywhere any more (and they may well be on all week).
Martin McCarthy was on as Andy Lee. I've seen him before and thought he was excellent again.
Jasmine Kerr was on as Phyllis. I got the impression she hadn't been on much in the role as she seemed a little nervous, although that might just be how she was playing the character.
Lulu was on. I always appreciate the way she makes it look as if the standing ovation is only for her.
It wasn't full, but it was a Tuesday night. And it still managed to attract the usual bad behaviour (French tourists deciding to regularly translate the show for their child - and a couple close to me who exchanged lots of barbed comments about Lulu in easy ear shot of the orchestra and whooped and clapped continually during the final number so you couldn't hear the magic moment where the music stops and everyone taps in unison).
Hope the weekend ticket sales are enough to keep this going until the end of the year. I think a lot will depend on if they get a big name to replace Lulu or not.
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 19, 2018 9:18:11 GMT
It would be great if they could get Elaine Paige to do this for a stint. I think she would be great in the part and it would be lovely to see her in a musical again. She'd play the diva very well and of course sing the hell out of it! It isn't too taxing a role in that she is barely in Act 2 but is enough of a "star" role to be attractive.
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 19, 2018 9:19:36 GMT
Lulu was on. I always appreciate the way she makes it look as if the standing ovation is only for her. Oh, yes indeed! She looked very pleased with herself at the curtain call! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2018 14:53:58 GMT
Kinda crazy only a month into the new cast, Alyn Hawke has already ticked off his two understudy roles. He's on today for Pat Denning and did Mac/Doc/Thug a week or so into the run.
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Post by alece10 on Apr 19, 2018 15:44:42 GMT
Lulu was on. I always appreciate the way she makes it look as if the standing ovation is only for her. Oh, yes indeed! She looked very pleased with herself at the curtain call! Bless her. |
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Post by dippy on Apr 19, 2018 22:30:20 GMT
Kinda crazy only a month into the new cast, Alyn Hawke has already ticked off his two understudy roles. He's on today for Pat Denning and did Mac/Doc/Thug a week or so into the run. He wasn't on as Pat tonight, I walked past the theatre and had a peak at the cast board. Today was the dress rehearsal for the covers so he probably played Pat this afternoon. I did only glance at the cast board and more at the left hand side than the right, only Hannah-Faith was on for her first show as Peggy, other than that I think it was full cast on the left side. I think that Alwyn was still on as Mac/Doc/Thug though from what I remember of the right hand side. |
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Post by Jonnyboy on Apr 19, 2018 22:36:36 GMT
They shouldn’t bring the Lulu character out last at the curtain call, even if someone excellent played her.
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