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Post by theoracle on Oct 20, 2019 16:51:41 GMT
Completely sold out now from posts I’ve seen. Going to be in C16 Stalls if anyone wants to come and say hello. Very excited for it all to commence. Will there be enough programmes this time after the Doctor Zhivago shortage?
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 20, 2019 17:30:59 GMT
A small queue for returns. First time I've seen that at any of the Sunday Cadogan concerts. Makes it extra satisfying to have got a discounted ticket but still a great seat. I wonder if there's anyone else who like me saw the original Cinderella musical yesterday at Grays
? That was a reasonable amateur production but expecting greater things tonight!
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 20, 2019 20:39:33 GMT
Club11 and Take Two really have got ‘musicals in concert’ down to a fine art.
A truly stunning evening. Some of the West End’s finest giving it their all, on one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s greatest scores.
Christine Allado was radiant as Ella, with a seriously impressive Jac Yarrow as Topher. Dianne Pilkington has me incredibly emotional, watching her do magic ten years after Glinda. Jodie Jacobs almost stole the show with Stepsisters Lament, and Zoe Rainey is SO sweet. The madness that is Mazz Murray was just hysterical, and Jerome Pardon and Sam Oladeinde were again a delight.
Only weak link was Dean John Wilson who was really shown up by the rest of the cast.
An outstanding turn from the LMTO who beautifully lifted that score to life and made it soar. And a great set of projections which helped to tell the story.
It was my 93rd visit to the theatre this year, and that was undoubtedly in my top ten. A really special evening.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2019 20:52:48 GMT
I'm not sure about "down to a fine art" - the sound balance where I was in the front stalls was absolutely dreadful (I heard others complaining to the sound desk about it during the interval) as half the time the singers couldn't be heard above the orchestra. A huge number of late microphone cues in the second half as well (presumably microphones switched up to try to correct the sound balance but very often the first word or even phrase was missed). I was distinctly unimpressed by that aspect.
The rest though, I agree with - the design was wonderful, the costumes suited the production perfectly and the cast (aside from Dean John Wilson unfortunately) were wonderful. The orchestra sounded luscious when they weren't drowning out the vocals, and I thought the chorus were good.
I was impressed by the amount of work that had clearly gone into the evening - Christine Allado seemed to have learnt pretty much the whole thing off by heart and was able to get really invested in her performance as a result, she was great. Jodie Jacobs is an absolute hoot and stole the show. Mazz Murray and Jerome Predon were a bit over the top for my taste but it was partly the characters I suspect. Jac Yarrow has a lovely voice, as does Sam Oladeinde, and it's always a treat to hear Dianne Pilkington and Zoe Rainey on top form.
A very enjoyable evening overall, despite the sound problems and the entry I am about to put in the Bad Behaviour thread!
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 20, 2019 21:50:43 GMT
One of my favourite shows and scores. I saw this a few times on Broadway and twice on tour.
An excellent show tonight in a sold-out Cadogan Hall. From the front row the sound was clear and you could really hear the orchestra. There was a slight echo with the vocals. There were some microphones turned on late as well.
What you lost with the concert style production was all the costumes and dancing and I think you would find some of the script hard to follow. It was funny seeing the show performed with largely British sounding vocals, in the US production nearly all the accents were American.
Christine Allado was made for the role of Ella, absolutely perfect. Jack Yarrow did a great job as Topher as well, although you could see flickers of nerves. I usually like Dean John Wilson but I didn’t think he was quite right for his part here, partly this was due to his broad northern accent. I wasn’t sold on Jerome Praden either, he just didn’t nail the comedy.
The themes of the show are very timely right now, probably more so than when this played on Broadway.
I was glad to see they use the Broadway version of the book rather than the touring version (which had a few cuts).
I purchased a program, poster and badge, which is very unusual for me. This was an expensive night when you consider the cost of the ticket, but it was worth it. It’s really quite a disgrace that this version of Cinderella has never played a full run in the UK. If it does, I really hope that Christine Allado can be encouraged to play the lead role.
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Post by dippy on Oct 20, 2019 22:09:42 GMT
Glad it wasn't just me that thought the sound during the first half was awful. I didn't know the Broadway version of Cinderella at all but know the original TV version really well so at least in the parts that are the same I knew what they were singing. Second half was much better which was good.
Hmm, maybe it's just me but I didn't love it as much as most people seem to have. I've enjoyed concert versions of musicals before, even ones where I have no idea of the story but this one didn't work as well to me. Maybe it was just the sound issues in the first half that ruined it for me, who knows? It's likely that that was the problem though as it would have been harder to get into it properly and by the time it was better in the second half it was too late.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 21, 2019 6:09:09 GMT
Such a shame all that work went in for just one performance. More please. I couldn't make yesterday and the demand is clearly there.
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 21, 2019 12:37:57 GMT
I usually like Dean John Wilson but I didn’t think he was quite right for his part here, partly this was due to his broad northern accent. And what's wrong with a broad northern accent? ~ 🦄 🙂 |
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Post by alece10 on Oct 21, 2019 14:15:30 GMT
I usually like Dean John Wilson but I didn’t think he was quite right for his part here, partly this was due to his broad northern accent. And what's wrong with a broad northern accent? ~ 🦄 🙂 He's a geordie. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 21, 2019 14:21:49 GMT
And what's wrong with a broad northern accent? ~ 🦄 🙂 Nothing at all. The part was played with a Michael Palin in Monty Python style accent. |
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Post by Oleanna on Oct 21, 2019 15:02:06 GMT
And what's wrong with a broad northern accent? ~ 🦄 🙂 Nothing at all. The part was played with a Michael Palin in Monty Python style accent. It wasn’t “played with an accent”, that’s HIS accent! |
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Post by amuseical on Oct 21, 2019 17:25:14 GMT
The concert format allowed for several humorous staging moments. Diane Pilkington stealing the conductor's baton to use as a magic wand, and Cinderella's line 'I can't wear these rags' while gesturing at a beautiful dress. Also, During 'A Lovely Night' the line 'Gabrielle, play the piano' was changed to 'Gabrielle, conduct the orchestra', with the response 'Okay, but it's not going to be good', as she proceeded to conduct. Spoiler? It wasn't good, it was hilarious.
A smattering of boos were heard when it was announced that Prince Topher was holding elections for Prime Minister in his kingdom.
Mazz Murray was deliciously evil, despite not playing a huge role in the piece.
As others have mentioned, Jodie Jacobs was a huge highlight of the night. After Stepsisters Lament at the top of Act 2, every one of her lines got cheers and applause.
I also quite enjoyed Dean John Wilson's performance, accent or not.
The piece lagged a little, and I felt little chemistry between the Prince and Cinderella, but it was a lovely night, all in all.
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Post by Eartha on Oct 21, 2019 19:03:32 GMT
Nothing at all. The part was played with a Michael Palin in Monty Python style accent. It wasn’t “played with an accent”, that’s HIS accent! Surely unless he’s playing himself then the role is played with an accent? |
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Post by Oleanna on Oct 21, 2019 19:09:03 GMT
It wasn’t “played with an accent”, that’s HIS accent! Surely unless he’s playing himself then the role is played with an accent? Okay, yes, you’re correct technically speaking, but obviously missing the point. “The part was played with a Michael Palin in Monty Python style accent” clearly suggests that the actor chose an accent different to their own, but was incapable of using it effectively. That’s not a comment used to describe somebody speaking in their own accent now, is it? |
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