College Productions

[max]

Thanks for the tip off re. 'Company' at RADA. I see from their website it's the version with female Bobby.

[Dr Tom]

Performers College are performing Kipps and Made In Dagenham in May, both at the Broadway Theatre in Barking.

I can't work out how to book online, but there's more information here:

performerscollege.co.uk/college-productions/

[Someone in a tree]

Apr 23, 2023 17:28:35 GMT max said:

Thanks for the tip off re. 'Company' at RADA. I see from their website it's the version with female Bobby.

I thought it was the male Bobby as its BobbY and not BobbI

[max]

Apr 24, 2023 6:20:45 GMT Someone in a tree said:

Apr 23, 2023 17:28:35 GMT max said:

Thanks for the tip off re. 'Company' at RADA. I see from their website it's the version with female Bobby.

I thought it was the male Bobby as its BobbY and not BobbI

I hadn't clocked that the spelling was changed for the female version in the West End and on Broadway.

A line on RADA's website says:
"Bobby tries to decide whether marital bliss is in her future."

Perhaps this is yet another innovation.  After all, there is a third way (at the very least number).

[Someone in a tree]

Apr 24, 2023 9:09:56 GMT max said:

Apr 24, 2023 6:20:45 GMT Someone in a tree said:

I thought it was the male Bobby as its BobbY and not BobbI

I hadn't clocked that the spelling was changed for the female version in the West End and on Broadway.

A line on RADA's website says:
"Bobby tries to decide whether marital bliss is in her future."

Perhaps this is yet another innovation.  After all, there is a third way (at the very least number).

Apologies. Jessica Revell
is cast as Bobby and they are using the 'male' script. Sounds interesting. Sold!

[Dr Tom]

ArtsEd have announced their 23/24 shows, which I presume are next academic year. Not on sale yet.

Made in Dagenham
Drowsy Chaperone
Sweet Charity
Rent

[QueerTheatre]

I saw Mountview's The Little Mermaid last night & the cast were universally excellent. My first time in The Mack but it struck me how much it looks like the Arts Ed theatre - do all drama schools have the same architects!?

The show was lovely, despite some questionable directing decisions, like mermaids on office chairs etc but the cast sold it enough and it was a joy to hear the full score live for the first time.

[Dr Tom]

The Little Mermaid - Mountview

I caught the first performance of the Land Cast yesterday, which started about 20 minutes late (very unusual). I think this is meant as rather a send-off of the show, but as I've never seen the film (or the stage version), it's hard to say.

As so often happens at Mountview, the theatre was packed with other students, many of whom were very enthusiastic. Thankfully, no hecklers this time. They're all very supportive of each other. Well done to Josh Butler for recovering from a nasty trip as well.

It's always amusing being around MT students rushing out for the interval to cram in maximum vaping time!

It's a fun show. The star is really the projection artist, as so much of this relies on hand-drawn sketches showing events (rather than having these scenes acted out). Otherwise much of the action takes place with people being wheeled about on chairs and in supermarket trolleys, just like the world "under the sea". All performed with odd costumes and a variety of regional accents. It really isn't a complex plot, so it's easy enough to follow.

The highlight is Peter Lavery as Flounder, the most likeable fish puppet of all time. 

Unusually, the band are on the stage and there's no orchestra pit, so there's leg room in the front row. It does make the stage seem smaller than usual.

Some of the Mountview reimagined shows work better than others. Carousel last year was a highlight. This didn't work quite so well for me, but the music sounds fantastic and the cast look to be having a lot of fun, so what's not to like? 

[Dr Tom]

Amour - Trinity Labon

I attended the Friday matinee and thought this was rather charming. Not a musical I know at all, but performed to a very professional standard with an excellent band. I don't think this gets produced very often. The plot is rather slight, but there's some obvious talent in this cast. I'd put this at the upper side of student shows and I'll definitely try and get along to more Trinity Laban productions.

Oh, What A Lovely War! - Mountview

Strictly speaking, I think this qualifies as a play with music. Mountview seem to dislike their students ever having a traditional production on their CVs, so this was performed in modern clothes and with about half the script thrown away. I am sure this is the first time this has ever been performed with a MC who lists the names of the male actors who "take it up the a***" at the start. It was noted that these were the Acting students, not Musical Theatre students, so the list was relatively short. Even as actors, there's some obvious singing and dancing talent there. Add to this a Chorus Line sequence, references to Arts Ed students and the like, and you'll get an idea.

Friday evening was pretty full, although I've been told that this wasn't all that busy earlier in the week (even Zach, the MC, announced the same thing, along with a call for Agents to make themselves known - but it seemed this show was mostly family and other students). I must say, I did enjoy this more than I expected. I've only ever seen this with a tiny cast before, so a full stage of people, even in their street clothes, made a big difference. Lots of opportunities for portfolio pieces from the cast too, so a good choice of play. The screen was used to good effect with visuals and statistics. I despair for the audience members who can't control themselves enough to not laugh when the Ukraine invasion is mentioned though.

Thanks also to Joey Walden for being a gentleman and holding the door for me. He was already one of my favourites of the year.

Once - Mountview

Funnily enough, when I was there on Friday, they were letting people in to see Once, even though the first listed performance was on Saturday. So I presume that was an invited Dress Rehearsal or the like.

Anyway, this is a really excellent production in the intimate Backstage Theatre, with an audience on three sides. I saw the Saturday matinee. It is performed by the Actor-Musician students, most of whom play several instruments, sit in the audience at various times, and talk to the audience before the show. According to one of the Spotlight profiles, it's also the first student production of Once, although I've not been able to verify that. Very professional and, unusually for Mountview, very traditional.

This was the last but one show I saw before lockdown and I'd forgotten both how gentle but also how poignant this is. One lady was tearful almost the whole show. Apart from suspending disbelief a bit about the ages of some of the cast, this works very well. So much so that I do have more viewings booked in. If you do go, remember to be seated about 15 minutes early. Like other productions of Once, there's a pre-show, although I don't remember being asked to join in with the singing (I had to spare the audience on this occasion).

[Dr Tom]

The Mountview series of shows with their postgraduate students is booking for June and July. The musicals are Mrs Beeton Says (which I've booked for) and Emma: No One But Herself (which I haven't booked for, as I'm away). There are also some plays.

Company - RADA

I saw this recently, the first time I think, I've ever been to a RADA show. This is very good, although the students are primarily acting rather than musical theatre students. Seating is unallocated.

Most the people around me seemed to be RADA graduates with children on stage. Someone was being congratulated for recent awards. Alas, I still couldn't work out who they were. But it seemed a much more stagey crowd than many other theatre school shows (although I did spot someone who had been in the audience at Mountview with me the day before).

I see this as something of a cross between the original and gender swapped books. In this version, Bobbie is a 35 year old woman in New York who is looking for a wife. She has a very diverse set of friends. There are a few small wording changes so everything makes sense, but generally it works very well.

Once - Mountview

Just wanted to add that I did manage to see both casts (main roles double cast) and both were excellent. My favourite student production of the year so far.

Funniest thing was leaving the matinee and passing Callum Moir sat outside, then finding him sat behind me at Newsies a few hours later, but it's a small world!

[jek]

I went to the matinée of the RADA production of Company today. Some strong performances but I suspect the singing would have been better in a Guildhall production of which I've seen quite a few, including a very good version of Merrily We Roll Along. The only person I recognised in the audience was Mark Shenton.

[Dr Tom]

Jane Eyre - Royal Academy of Music

An enjoyable enough evening, complete with air conditioning.

RAM have a lovely theatre. The orchestra and vocals for this one are sublime.

This is very much a chamber musical and not one I know, even though it had a run on Broadway. I must say, I've never been drawn into the Brontë novels and this didn't change my mind, but I enjoyed the evening. This is a rather long show (2 hours 50 minutes) so bear that in mind.

A lot of potential in the cast, but I didn't pay £5 for a programme, and RAM don't seem to want to promote their students on their website, so I can't say who was on, other than the people around me were almost all there supporting one student or another.

The main annoyance was a group of young people in the back half of Stalls, who kept laughing loudly at certain people and inappropriate times. I did see an audience member complain during the interval and was told they were not RAM students (I'm guessing from another similar institution then, but I didn't recognise anyone). They stopped during the second half, so something worked. That's professionalism for you.

Still decent availability for anyone who'd like to see this rarely performed show.

[Dr Tom]

Mrs Beeton Says... A Musical - Mountview

This is a rather quaint little show, performed by the MA Musical Theatre students. On the one hand, it tells the story of Mrs Beeton, but at the same time, it's a modern social commentary on an era where women suffered through repression and tragedy, often portrayed through comedy. As a musical, it's one I didn't previously know, but an excellent choice for a theatre school as there are lots of characters and opportunities for portfolio development. It works very well for MA students too, with them being older than the typical undergraduate.

This is a strong MA year, but it should be, as you look at the Spotlight profiles of the cast, and a lot have worked professionally after their original degree, but are now back for more training. That also says something about the number of opportunities available for actors today. There are some excellent character actors in this cohort.

I did find the details of Mrs Beeton's life fascinating. Lots I didn't know. 

For a Mountview production, this one hasn't sold as well as usual. I suspect that reflects the subject matter, which doesn't sound too appealing on the surface. I won't get chance to see the second cast, but I'd certainly watch another production of Mrs Beeton Says.

[bobbievanhusen]

Jun 16, 2023 13:53:58 GMT Dr Tom said:

Jane Eyre - Royal Academy of Music

I'm gutted I missed this. I think it's only been done in the UK once before and I love the score. The Broadway production at least, was one of the last big sung through musicals of the era, but i believe it has been changed a lot since then. If you like a sung through show, definitely check out the OBCR.

[Dr Tom]

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - International College of Musical Theatre

This nearly slipped my radar, but I was able to get into the Friday matinee (the first of four performances - the run at the Bridewell Theatre concludes today).

All professional level, with a decent orchestra. Being a Friday matinee, there were plenty of performers in the audience, some I recognised but I'm struggling a bit with names. I'm sure I was recognised as well (as a regular audience member, if nothing else). This wasn't as full as it could have been, but I'm sure it will be busier on a Saturday.

The graduating class of ICMT must be rather small this year and there was only one male member in the main cast (a second made a brief cameo, but may well be from another year). They performed admirably. This is one of those musicals I've never quite had chance to see before. It's entertaining, with some catchy tunes. There are also opportunities for audience involvement. Unsurprisingly, one of the audience members I half recognised did rather well in the spotlight.

This is performed with an interval. One hour and fifty minutes. This is my first ICMT production and I was impressed.

[jek]

I went to see the Royal Academy of Music Carousel yesterday afternoon. It was inventively staged with some lovely singing. Some of the acting wasn't so good but they are very young. Also some very good dancing. As a bonus the lad playing Billy Bigelow, Ari Olaffson, (I saw Cast A) is Icelandic and represented Iceland in Eurovision 2018. Notable from a quick google how many of the cast are overseas students - Hungarian, American, German, Dutch.

[thistimetomorrow]

Jul 7, 2023 13:43:22 GMT jek said:

I saw Cast A

If you bought a program please could you grab a picture of the two casts? Thank you!!

[FrontroverPaul]

I didn't realise there are two casts. While the seating pricing is excellent value the programmes are a bit steep @ £5. Bought one the first time I visited but not since.

Mountview give a free information sheet with cast details, which I file and if I'm spared will check in a few years time to see how their careers have developed.

I did think our Billy Bigelow was a fine singer but not a great actor but would never have guessed he's Icelandic.

[jek]

thistimetomorrow I'm afraid that I am defeated by the convoluted way that is required to post a picture on this board (though I understand why that is necessary.) Cast members were as follows (cast A followed by Cast Z):
Billy Bigelow: Ari Olafsson/ Job Greuter
Julie Jordan: Reka Jonas/Joanna Adaran
Carrie: Emily Botnen/ Chloe Saracco
Enoch Snow: Thomas O'Kelly/Edward Conroy
Mrs Mullins: Shamael Guy
Nettie Fowler: Sarah Von Egypt
Starkeeper etc.: Jack Lark
Jigger Craigin: Patrick D'Arcy/ Joe Kelly
Louise Bigelow: Rachel Chan/ Aiofe Dardis
Carnival boy: El Haq Latief/ James Lim
Enoch Snow Jr: Joao Almeida/ Adam Norton
Millworker: Tamara Tare
Fisherman/sailor: Niklas Brunner
MD: Niall Casserly/ Jemma Starling

Hope that helps.

[Steve]

Jul 8, 2023 16:11:53 GMT jek said:

thistimetomorrow Cast members were as follows (cast A followed by Cast Z):
Billy Bigelow: Ari Olafsson/ Job Greuter
Julie Jordan: Reka Jonas/Joanna Adaran
Carrie: Emily Botnen/ Chloe Saracco
Enoch Snow: Thomas O'Kelly/Edward Conroy
Mrs Mullins: Shamael Guy
Nettie Fowler: Sarah Von Egypt
Starkeeper etc.: Jack Lark
Jigger Craigin: Patrick D'Arcy/ Joe Kelly

Hope that helps.

MASSIVE help, thanks Jek!

Yes, this was absolutely great!

No attempt to write out the redemption arc, like the Regent's Park production did, which is in fact the whole point of this show, in my opinion. "We'll never walk alone" and "If I loved you" are akin to religious experiences of redemption, and Julie Jordan is less an advert for domestic violence, more a kind of female Jesus figure, offering unconditional love and forgiveness. That's the deep primal core of the show that gets everyone crying, if it works.

And indeed, Bruce Guthrie hit this one out of the park, with his dazzling propulsive choreography and his simple makeshift moveable sets and props (that rely on evocative projections on 5 independently moving curtains at the back, of stars, and falling blossoms, and whatnot).

My seasoned, caustic and jaded friend, who shed nary a tear at either the London Colliseum or at Regent's Park ended up bawling her eyes out in this one.

Cast A Julie Jordan, Reka Jonas, has the acting chops to suggest the enormous wells of compassion that the role requires (she's almost as saintly as Gemma Sutton's Julie at the Arcola lol).

Unfortunately, I share Paul's view (above) that Ari Olafsson, an immensely powerful singer at both belt and whisper ranges, is not as emotive an actor (yet) as he is a singer, a sort of Alfie Boe redux. This is the only thing that held the show back a little for me.

The strongest performance in Cast A, in my opinion, was the funny, passionate goofball of a Carrie Pipperidge, Emily Botnen, who weaved a spell of spry moment-to-moment dynamism wherever she went, trilling into a rousing powerful belt, when not effortlessly wisecracking. A Sondheim award runner-up, she's a performer to look out for.

Almost as good were Patrick D'Arcy's wolf-in-sheep's clothing Jigger Craigin, less macho violent than your typical Jigger, but heaps more conniving and sly; and Thomas O'Kelly's Mr. Snow, who balanced the character's ambitious buoyancy with his moral stiffness to perfection.

Anyway, it's a shame this show doesn't get a run somewhere. It's not the magnificent dazzling spectacle that the National's production was, and it's not quite as miniature perfect as the Arcola show was, but it wipes away the flaws of the last two London efforts with ease. Weep on.

I'd try to snaffle returns to see the other cast tomorrow (Cast A is on again tonight, with Cast Z finishing things up tomorrow), if I didn't feel that would be unfair to those who haven't seen this production at all.

4 and a half stars of joy and tears from me.

[eoghan31]

Cast A on Friday afternoon were absolutely sublime. Job Greuter’s Billy outstanding. His vocal strength as he performed Soliloguy was astonishing in strength and emotional power in fact one of the most powerful I have heard of this song. Joanna Adaran’s captured the heart and soul of Julie from the second she stepped on stage which was beautifully and essentially believably paired with the Billy of Job Greuter as she was with Joanna Adaran’s mischievous and winning Carrie. A production which thrilled from the spectacular inventiveness of the opening sequence which righty drew applause to the final last note performed by an orchestra of 27 musicians (13 of which on strings) playing one of the most gorgeous scores in musical theatre. Outstanding in every way and humbling to be in the company of the talent of the students from the Royal Academy of Music who gave us a production of Carousel which I will treasure.

[thistimetomorrow]

Jul 8, 2023 16:11:53 GMT jek said:

Hope that helps.

Thank you so much!!

[Dr Tom]

I saw Cast Z twice (I would have preferred to have seen both casts, but it wasn't obvious when I booked, and as it happens, I couldn't make the Cast A performances anyway). Cast Z was Job Greuter as Billy and Joanna Adaran as Julie. I only know that from spending £5 on a programme, which I almost never do, but it's near impossible to find out the casts otherwise. It's as if RAM don't want the students to get work.

I do think that this was a fantastic production, traditional and all the better for it. The only obvious cut was "The Highest Judge of All" (despite this being listed in the programme), so this ran more than 3 hours. The modern touch being the use of projections for the backdrop, but this was done in a way that didn't grate. And, being at RAM, you'll rarely hear a fuller orchestra.

I believe this was an MA class, and it showed with the students being older than usual, drawn from a variety of backgrounds and from around the world. You do have students using this type of programme to transfer from singing to performance. Ensemble signing sounded fantastic and there are many students here who would fit straight into a professional chorus. The main weakness I picked up on was accents, but there are ways to work around that. I know who I think should make it out of this class. There was one standout from the cast I saw, but time will tell.

RAM is slightly off the radar as a musical theatre training ground, but it's fast approaching Mountview and ArtsEd for the quality of student productions. The main difference is musical theatre is only a small part of what RAM offer. I do hope that their students get a lot more of the positioning in the industry that they deserve.

[thistimetomorrow]

Jul 10, 2023 9:22:00 GMT Dr Tom said:

I know who I think should make it out of this class. There was one standout from the cast I saw, but time will tell.

Oooh very curious who you thought. I also saw Cast Z

[max]

Sondheim and Goldman's
'Follies'
at Royal Central School Of Speech & Drama
26 - 28th September
(MA Music Theatre course)