Chess

[alece10]

Anyway I've booked couple of side stalls for the end of April and looking forward to it especially hearing the score played by a big orchestra.
Looking at the date I booked all the centre stalls gone and just side ones left.

[Michael]

Feb 14, 2018 19:20:11 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I DO like Michael though. I think he’s adorable and seems like a genuinely fun and funny chap.

Awww thanks

[michalnowicki]

I find it surprising that although this is all a gossip, WOS put the cast up here:
www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/shows/chess_149430/cast/
(on a side note, not sure why they are not using HTTPS...)

[ali973]

WOS is really not the benchmark for good content. They probably saw there's a lot of buzz and that the conversation was relevant and so decided to go with it as clickbait.

[distantcousin]

Feb 14, 2018 19:20:11 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I know it’s ridiculous but I can’t help obsessing over what costume they’ll put MB in. I can’t picture him in anything but a a tux with braces and a dickie bow or a grey shiny suit.

I DO like Michael though. I think he’s adorable and seems like a genuinely fun and funny chap. I’ve only seen him once live in Hairspray where he camped it up hugely and owned the entire evening.

But for this part...?

I’m adjusting and kind of looking forward to it but in a different sort of way now. AND that orchestra is going to be AMAZING with that score. You can’t take that away.

He was amazing as Sweeney Todd. A complete transformation. 

[martin1965]

Feb 14, 2018 20:17:03 GMT distantcousin said:

Feb 14, 2018 19:20:11 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I know it’s ridiculous but I can’t help obsessing over what costume they’ll put MB in. I can’t picture him in anything but a a tux with braces and a dickie bow or a grey shiny suit.

I DO like Michael though. I think he’s adorable and seems like a genuinely fun and funny chap. I’ve only seen him once live in Hairspray where he camped it up hugely and owned the entire evening.

But for this part...?

I’m adjusting and kind of looking forward to it but in a different sort of way now. AND that orchestra is going to be AMAZING with that score. You can’t take that away.

He was amazing as Sweeney Todd. A complete transformation. 

Ha! Was just going to say that. He was a revelation in it opposite La Staunton.

[ruthieh]

Michael Ball was great and unrecognisable in Sweeney Todd, and can certainly sing Anthem! Have seen him years back too in Sondheim’s Passion, and he can act. I’m looking forward to it.

[loureviews]

Feb 14, 2018 20:52:53 GMT ruthieh said:

Michael Ball was great and unrecognisable in Sweeney Todd, and can certainly sing Anthem! Have seen him years back too in Sondheim’s Passion, and he can act. I’m looking forward to it.

Too old though.

[sf]

Feb 14, 2018 21:59:29 GMT loureviews said:

Feb 14, 2018 20:52:53 GMT ruthieh said:

Michael Ball was great and unrecognisable in Sweeney Todd, and can certainly sing Anthem! Have seen him years back too in Sondheim’s Passion, and he can act. I’m looking forward to it.

Too old though.

He's only slightly older than Tommy Korberg was when he played the role in Stockholm. His age needn't be an issue.

[musicalmarge]

Dreadful casting. Sorry. It’pretty obvious with the late announcing that they couldn’t get who they wanted.

[stagebyte]

Let’s be grateful with Ball. It could end up as Jason Manford who rolls out his Anthem and other MT songs at his comedy shows I believe.

[ryebee]

It’s quite an unusual cast, if correct.
I saw Michael Ball in Sweeney Todd a few years back and he was excellent, albeit in a very different role than this one. Cassidy Jannson is a stellar performer- I can see her making a great Florence. I have only heard her sing with Leading Ladies but I hear she was terrific in ‘Beautiful.’
Murray Head has played that role historically, right?
Alexandra is the surprise, I suppose. She has a great voice and I’m interested to see what she’ll bring to it. She also has great stage presence. Hopefully she can bring a credible acting performance too. She’s been very successful at shifting tickets previously, which has helped her in landing this no doubt. Also, I can see the duet with Cassidy working very well. As stunt casting goes, it could be much worse.
The idea of Lady Gaga or Nicole Scherzinger performing in this would certainly bring a novelty factor but I’m not sure if it would increase my enjoyment of the performance, though of course that’s just speculative without seeing it. Glenn Close would have been amazing!

But let’s see what this bunch bring- it may not be an A list cast but for me, it’s far from dreadful either. I’ll reserve judgment until I see it!

[sandman]

Feb 14, 2018 23:26:22 GMT sf said:

He's only slightly older than Tommy Korberg was when he played the role in Stockholm. His age needn't be an issue.

This is a good point. I loved the Stockholm version. Although Helen Sjoholm possibly looked a bit more mature than Cassidy. Even so, it could be worse.

I was certain we’d be getting Alfie Boe or Russell Watson in this so I’m half relieved.

Just not sure about Alexandra Burke. Does her name even draw a crowd? I just hope she sings the score as written rather than making it sound like a vocal exercise.

Pity we didn’t get a more stellar cast after all the waiting and it’s a pity it seems a mish mash but hopefully the orchestra will do the score justice.

[shady23]

Alexandra has loads of crazy fans who are going mad on twitter about this casting news.

I don't think she's that great personally or is the kind of name to wow that kind of crowd but we shall see.

[wickedgrin]

Has this casting actually been confirmed/announced?

[9mirrors]

Mark Shenton from The Stage has just entered the debate on Twitter saying this is a PR disaster fro the ENO.

[Someone in a tree]

Is this ENO?

Don’t ENO rent the theatre, orchestra and chorus to the producers for these musicals ?

[shady23]

Feb 15, 2018 8:51:01 GMT wickedgrin said:

Has this casting actually been confirmed/announced?

No but if it was incorrect would they not have said so?

[anita]

I think it must be true about Michael Ball as just had an email from his fanclub about the rumour & giving a link for tickets since they are already on sale.

[Deleted]

It’s not that I don’t think any of them are bad - I’m sure they’ll be fine - but the level of prestige the annual musical gained from the first 2 years is gone. Last year we accepted the leads because I think we all hoped this year it would improve.

IMO they should leave us all wanting more. I’d actually rather Alexandra opted out and was cast as Eliza in a revival of My Fair Lady next year (which is my dream revival).

[theatreian]

Cast confirmed for @e_N_O production of @chessthemusical at London's Coliseum. In alphabetical order: Michael Ball (The Russian), Alexandra Burke (Svetlana), Murray Head (The Arbiter), Tim Howar (The American) and Cassidy Janson (Florence) - To book:

.

eno.org/whats-on/chess/

This was taken from icethesite.com. I think it is true!

[michalnowicki]

Feb 15, 2018 10:49:05 GMT theatreian said:

Cast confirmed for @e_N_O production of @chessthemusical at London's Coliseum. In alphabetical order: Michael Ball (The Russian), Alexandra Burke (Svetlana), Murray Head (The Arbiter), Tim Howar (The American) and Cassidy Janson (Florence) - To book:

.

eno.org/whats-on/chess/

Who tweeted that? ENO page is still showing "Casting of the lead roles is to be announced shortly."

[theatreian]

icethesite.com is an official Benny Andersson and Abba news site.

[richey]

ENO are handling this really badly with still no official announcement even though the news has now leaked

[Tibidabo]

Anyone tried for a refund yet?