19,662 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 25, 2021 13:28:26 GMT
There's literally a song where Elsa contemplates suicide. There's also an incredibly weird song where the chorus wear fake naked body outfits and dance in line like 'a chorus line' “Hygge” I saw a clip of that, I think it’s the Act 2 opener. It was funny! |
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Mar 25, 2021 14:14:16 GMT
Sadly I think Frozen is more Aladdin than Lion King. Another movie slapped onto the stage without bringing something new or extra to it that convinces people to fork out for it instead of seeing the movie for the 244th time at home, especially when tickets for a whole family cost more than a daytrip to Disneyland including train fare and food.
A spectacular ice castle might have done quite a bit for it, but it wouldn't save it on its own. They lucked out with a slightly mad visionary like Julie Taymor back then and never found someone similar who could have given things a completely different spin.
Well alledgedly the reason that the original director of Frozen, Alex Timbers (of Moulin Rouge and Beetlejuice), was replaced by Michael Grandage was that Timbers did indeed want to do something a bit different with Frozen. I can't remember exactly what his idea was (something pseudo-immersive I think), but I believe Disney weren't fans and so Grandage was brought in to helm a more traditional production. So it seems that it is Disney's (or at least Disney Theatrical's) decision to have these safe shows that don't deviate too much from the movie versions. The whole show in my opinion should be completely redesigned, I’m thinking cherry pickers that come out into the audience with blasts of cold air, a rising ice castle on hydraulics like pride rock, and a much more expensive three dimensional changing set. Remove some of the new songs too and completely change Olaf / the puppetry sadly did nothing for me in the musical either apart from the reindeer. The snowman just didn’t work. |
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2,677 posts
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Post by viserys on Mar 25, 2021 14:28:50 GMT
Alas. Beetlejuice was massive fun and managed to give the movie material a new spin by pulling the focus away from the Maitlands learning to accept that they're dead to Lydia and her father coming to terms with the death of her mother and thus giving the whole thing a deeper layer. Moulin Rouge I haven't seen live, so I can't really comment, but the movie version was already a massive ball of creativity that doesn't really need that much changing to bring it on the stage. I guess Disney "playing it safe" is due to having failed with their weird Mermaid-on-Wheelies experiment and having had reasonable success with the "safe" adaptation of Aladdin afterwards. Oh well, not my problem. I actually look forward to seeing Frozen live, but more to "have seen it" rather than "super excited and busting with curiosity". |
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Post by danb on Mar 25, 2021 14:41:21 GMT
I actually look forward to seeing Frozen live, but more to "have seen it" rather than "super excited and busting with curiosity". You’re fooling no one! I know its top of your list 😬 |
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4,172 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Mar 25, 2021 15:14:24 GMT
viserys, do you want to build a snowman?
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5,799 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 25, 2021 15:18:03 GMT
Disney were massively stung by the critical and commercial failure of The Little Mermaid. That show should have been amazing and they messed it up by going off piste and getting Opera designers and Directors involved.
Like someone said, you need a proper visionary like Julie Taymor to take the reins. Oh and have a basic level of taste, something that Mermaid and Aladdin were entirely missing.
The problem with Frozen was that they had a window to open the show, and they had to scrabble around to get a team together at the last minute after Alex Timbers and Bob Crowley left the show. The result- this mess. Also the new songs are just not good enough, which is one of its biggest problems.
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362 posts
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 25, 2021 15:20:10 GMT
I think its a shame that the Disneyland California 1 hour version (which apparently was done as sort of a 1.0 version of what they could do in a broadway production) is so much better than the Broadway version. Originally it was about 1hr 20, had Frozen Heart and a young Kristoff before getting trimmed and cut, but you can watch it on youtube.
The Broadway version falls victim to Aladdin, an uninspired yet serviceable production which will satisfy children but not adults, let alone theatre people. It's amusing because when Disney first came onto the theatrical scene people really pushed back and didn't like them, but they wowed with BATB and Lion King (although BATB was mixed reviews originally, basically like Wicked haha). Now they have proven there is a market for Disney on Broadway and what they can achieve they just... stop trying? Frozen was fast tracked we all know that and went through directors and casts before arriving but it just doesnt have a unique point of view or a creative visual storytelling.
I wonder if Frozen will be the first Disney musical to get a revival one day, and how different that could be. I guess BATB is getting one over here and there have been rumours for Broadway, but a revival of Frozen might overhaul the things that make this show clunky.
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5,799 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 25, 2021 15:22:43 GMT
Beauty and the Beast is pretty much the same tired old fashioned version they staged years ago. It was fine then- but I don’t think that’s good enough these days. It will probably still do well though.
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2,677 posts
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Post by viserys on Mar 25, 2021 15:29:58 GMT
viserys, do you want to build a snowman? Well, it IS colder by the minute here.. but I think I'll let it go. You’re fooling no one! I know its top of your list 😬 Totally. In the top ten somewhere far below Moulin Rouge, Back to the Future, Anything Goes and Cinderella  |
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4,172 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Mar 25, 2021 15:33:24 GMT
viserys, do you want to build a snowman? Well, it IS colder by the minute here.. but I think I'll let it go. You’re fooling no one! I know its top of your list 😬 Totally. In the top ten somewhere far below Moulin Rouge, Back to the Future, Anything Goes and Cinderella Personally, the cold never bothered me anyway |
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Post by danb on Mar 25, 2021 15:38:49 GMT
Stop it!
Both of you! 😬
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2,677 posts
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Post by viserys on Mar 25, 2021 15:40:28 GMT
Alright, the convo is a bit of a Fixer Upper. But then Reindeer are better than people anyway. *runs |
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Post by danb on Mar 25, 2021 15:42:28 GMT
😒🥶🤦♂️
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4,172 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Mar 25, 2021 15:42:39 GMT
Yeah, yeah, that thing with the reindeer is a little outside of nature's laws!
I bet he also likes to tinkle in the woods?
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on Mar 25, 2021 18:07:48 GMT
Beauty and the Beast is pretty much the same tired old fashioned version they staged years ago. It was fine then- but I don’t think that’s good enough these days. It will probably still do well though. Is that the new UK tour version of BATB you’re talking about? I thought it was a new design? |
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Mar 25, 2021 18:47:45 GMT
Disney were massively stung by the critical and commercial failure of The Little Mermaid. That show should have been amazing and they messed it up by going off piste and getting Opera designers and Directors involved. Like someone said, you need a proper visionary like Julie Taymor to take the reins. Oh and have a basic level of taste, something that Mermaid and Aladdin were entirely missing. The problem with Frozen was that they had a window to open the show, and they had to scrabble around to get a team together at the last minute after Alex Timbers and Bob Crowley left the show. The result- this mess. Also the new songs are just not good enough, which is one of its biggest problems. Gosh.... Bob Crowley!!!!! *sighs! |
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5,799 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 25, 2021 20:05:00 GMT
Beauty and the Beast is pretty much the same tired old fashioned version they staged years ago. It was fine then- but I don’t think that’s good enough these days. It will probably still do well though. Is that the new UK tour version of BATB you’re talking about? I thought it was a new design? From everything I’ve heard about it, it’s basically the old design but just updated a bit. Don’t expect anything fresh. |
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on Mar 25, 2021 20:13:26 GMT
Is that the new UK tour version of BATB you’re talking about? I thought it was a new design? From everything I’ve heard about it, it’s basically the old design but just updated a bit. Don’t expect anything fresh. Hmm... "So we are creating something brand new from this beloved "tale as old as time." I speak for the whole team when I say fortunate we all feel to be given the opportunity to reimagine the show for the 21st century." Those last 7 words remind me of what Cameron Mackintosh says when he’s downgrading one of his shows  |
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5,799 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 25, 2021 22:13:51 GMT
They very well be updating the script to be more ‘21st century’ and expect diverse casting in the leads
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Post by theatrenewbie on Mar 30, 2021 9:08:11 GMT
A new glimpse I reckon of what the west end changes will be like! Featuring steps! Improvement on broadway. Love her growl at the end fb.watch/4yEZL2o6u3/ |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2021 9:20:03 GMT
A new glimpse I reckon of what the west end changes will be like! Featuring steps! Improvement on broadway. Love her growl at the end fb.watch/4yEZL2o6u3/God it's all very X factor generation audience with the whooping and cheering after every line! More pop concert than musical theatre really. If I'd spent 40 quid I wouldn't really care; if I'd spent 100 quid I might! |
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Mar 30, 2021 16:35:45 GMT
It is the most disappointing thing song to stage ever.
Fake screaming ooohs and ahhhhs for a cloak removal and ice lights effect. I actually think the tacky theme park production at the Hyperion looked better than a blank stage and glitter curtains. The small staircase helps 4 per cent more but I still think it’s just dreadful and think of the endless possibilities they could have done. Why not use the monster spikes growing from the floor? I don’t get it!!!
Yes I’m angry
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Post by danb on Mar 30, 2021 17:36:11 GMT
It looks ‘fine’. They’ll just turn the volume up to make it seem more exciting. It essentially turns it into being a film again; using screens to that extent. Illusionists have been working in panto and theatre for years to create magic effects. Hope they do something else as well as whooshing ice and sparkly curtains or it really will be very ordinary.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2021 19:32:54 GMT
Audiences are easily pleased these days aren't they. Principal cant even pitch it right but oo a sparkly projection.
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Post by danb on Mar 30, 2021 20:22:03 GMT
Audiences are easily pleased these days aren't they. Principal cant even pitch it right but oo a sparkly projection. Tell me about it! What an unusual performance. Some odd characterisation, and funny bits that mimic the cartoon character? Not sure we’ll get any such nonsense from Ms. Barks. The dress thing looked excellent though. That IS an impressive stage effect, no denying that. |
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