8,103 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jul 15, 2019 18:08:51 GMT
I really must get my eyes tested.
I read the thread as Gyspy SEX and thought it was some new C4 reality programme.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jul 16, 2019 16:10:29 GMT
Paul26 - if you end up on B row, please lean over to B52 and touch the plaque on the back of the seat - it's in memory of my Ma and Pa. Thanks for all the advice on this. I've booked B56 and promise to touch the plaque on B52. Lovely thought. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Sept 6, 2019 9:45:46 GMT
Musical theatre leading lady Ria Jones will make her Royal Exchange debut as the formidable Momma Rose and is joined on stage by Melissa James as Louise and Melissa Lowe in the role of June.
Building on the success of redefining Broadway musicals for the Exchange’s unique in-the-round theatre GYPSY will be the latest iconic musical production to take centre stage. Director Jo Davies returns to the Exchange following her lavish production of TWELFTH NIGHT to explore the wonderful world of show-business through the tour-de-force that is Momma Rose. Choosing the bright lights of the stage over putting her girls through school, Momma Rose is resolute in her desire to see her daughters realise her dreams of stardom and adoration. But how are these young women shaped by her actions, what is passed down from generation to generation, and what new opportunities are afforded to one but denied to another?
Ria Jones’ career spans over three decades as a leading lady in Musical Theatre, both in the West End and internationally. Roles as diverse as Eva Peron in EVITA, Norma Desmond in SUNSET BOULEVARD, to the iconic Mrs Overall in ACORN ANTIQUES, to name but a few. As well as T.V, Radio, and numerous recordings, Ria performs regularly as a concert soloist, frequently with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and major orchestras worldwide.
Melissa James also makes her Royal Exchange debut. Her theatre credits include: WISE CHILDREN (The Old Vic/UK Tour), EUGENIUS! (West End), THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN (Shakespeare’s Globe), ONE LOVE: THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL (Birmingham Rep), ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Sheffield Crucible), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Theatre Royal Bath), THE BODYGUARD, CATS (UK tour), GUYS AND DOLLS (Chichester Festival Theatre) and WEST SIDE STORY (RSC).
Melissa Lowe trained at ArtsEd. Her theatre credits include THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Bolton Octagon), THE CAT IN THE HAT (Leicester Curve, UK Tour & Rose Theatre, Kingston), ME & MY GIRL (Chichester Festival Theatre) and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Teatru Astra). This is also Melissa’s debut at the Royal Exchange.
An extraordinary musical, GYPSY can be seen in the theatre from 30 November 2019 – 25 January 2020.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2019 10:08:13 GMT
Very excited by Ria Jones in this. And even more exciting is Joel Fram (Company's MD!!) on Musical Supervision!
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227 posts
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Post by paulbrownsey on Sept 6, 2019 10:27:59 GMT
"the majority of audiences are sadly white middle/upper class people - in most cities."
Sadly?
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Post by missthelma on Sept 6, 2019 11:39:26 GMT
Ria Jones is the one who shrieks through most of her performances like an addict who has mislaid their crack pipe isn't she? Did the Sunset tour? Am afraid may have to swerve this.
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Post by xanady on Sept 6, 2019 11:50:09 GMT
^I must have caught Ria on her good days then, as I have never seen her give less than a stellar masterclass in acting/singing....🤔
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19,673 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 6, 2019 11:51:44 GMT
She’s a bit heavy on the vibrato but shriek? I don’t think so.
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 6, 2019 12:16:38 GMT
Her performance on our Jane's Channel 5 show was far from a masterclass. She should have asked for another go!
Though as Imelda Staunton proved, being able to sing well is not a requirement for the role.
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 7, 2019 6:48:09 GMT
Beautifully and accurately said.
I wonder if Ms Jones had to audition for this, I mean have they actually heard her sing?
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313 posts
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Post by macksennett on Sept 7, 2019 7:28:10 GMT
I’ve always found Ria’s singing voice both powerful and tuneful.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 7, 2019 20:42:27 GMT
She’s a cruise ship singer. Too cheesy for me. I can just hear her murdering this score already.
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19,673 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 8, 2019 10:03:25 GMT
Anyway don’t forget, she’s not supposed to be able to sing well.
#thejudifactor
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Post by xanady on Sept 8, 2019 11:59:11 GMT
^I have two ex-pupils who work the cruise ships and love their jobs and travel the world and they are both amazing performers who could easily slot into WE or touring shows so not a job to be sniffed at imo.
Am a big fan of Ria,some are not...fine by me...just different opinions and they all are as valid as each other.
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Post by musicalmarge on Sept 8, 2019 20:47:32 GMT
Ria Jones is the one who shrieks through most of her performances like an addict who has mislaid their crack pipe isn't she? Did the Sunset tour? Am afraid may have to swerve this. I saw Ria in Sunset and her voice is SHOT. I’m sorry but she was just bad. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2019 7:17:56 GMT
Ria Jones is the one who shrieks through most of her performances like an addict who has mislaid their crack pipe isn't she? Did the Sunset tour? Am afraid may have to swerve this. I saw Ria in Sunset and her voice is SHOT. I’m sorry but she was just bad. Could there be an element of Norma characterisation not taken into account? |
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Post by jgblunners on Sept 9, 2019 16:25:44 GMT
Ria does have quite a strenuous vibrato, but her voice is sensational and her performance of Rose's Turn at the 'Nothing Like a Dame' concert at Cadogan Hall brought the house down. I fully believe she'll be sensational as Mama Rose just as she was as Norma. It's prompted me to book for REX for the first time.
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19,673 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 9, 2019 16:40:59 GMT
I think we can be very confident that the REX wouldn’t be hiring someone who wasn’t capable of singing the role.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 10, 2019 5:13:28 GMT
I think we can be very confident that the REX wouldn’t be hiring someone who wasn’t capable of singing the role. Oh she will sing it. She’ll vibrato it to death. |
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19,673 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 10, 2019 6:47:04 GMT
^yeah, 'cos all producers put that top of the list when casting musicals, of course  Yeah but this is the REX Manchester, not known for stunt casting as a rule. And she’s not exactly a ‘name’ is she. You’ve been in London too long monkey! |
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Post by crabtree on Sept 10, 2019 9:42:53 GMT
I for one and thrilled with the casting of Ria Jones and look forward to a powerhouse performance. She always delivers.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2019 11:17:05 GMT
I think we can be very confident that the REX wouldn’t be hiring someone who wasn’t capable of singing the role. Oh she will sing it. She’ll vibrato it to death. Between her and Traci Bennett, no one stands a chance against their vibrato's.. |
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 10, 2019 11:21:39 GMT
You’ve been in London too long monkey! I've been to Manchester twice... Yes, but you've conveniently forgotten that the police didn't let you leave the railway station. 🙂 |
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Post by centaured on Sept 10, 2019 20:34:52 GMT
Oh she will sing it. She’ll vibrato it to death. Between her and Traci Bennett, no one stands a chance against their vibrato's.. Was traci Bennett the one that was in the follies revival at the NT ? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2019 20:38:30 GMT
Between her and Traci Bennett, no one stands a chance against their vibrato's.. Was traci Bennett the one that was in the follies revival at the NT ? Yes she played Carlotta, the one in the red dress who sang I'm Still Here. |
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