Chess

[wickedgrin]

The dancing looks terrific too!

[BurlyBeaR]

Skinny jeans? Brave.

[theatremadness]

Murray Head out, Cedric Neal in:

www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/murray-head-chess-depart-cedric-neal_46215.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=05apr2018

[alece10]

At this rate we will end up with Mel, Sue and Biggins.

[distantcousin]

I'm still waiting for discount ticket offers....

How long are they likely to hang on?

[karloscar]

Kathleen Turner's in town. She'd be great for Molokov if anyone else walks!

[latefortheoverture]

Ngl Cedric neal has the voice of an angel imo- his voice was sublime in Motown!

Unpopular opinion I know but I kinda like La Burke- she's nothing against Glenn Close and I think that's why this cast is getting so much stick!!! I feel like all of this cast is made up of the coliseums *backup* choices- which explains why the casting comes so late! I mean we can't do a lot about it now, let's just hope they manage someone massive for next year!

Also I haven't booked yet because last year for the final few weeks of carousel the TKTS booth had heavily discounted tickets- so I'm gonna try my luck with those instead of buying a seat in the roof!!!

[n1david]

Apr 5, 2018 17:58:22 GMT theatremadness said:

Murray Head out, Cedric Neal in:

www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/murray-head-chess-depart-cedric-neal_46215.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=05apr2018

Sorry to hear this but as I posted earlier, having seen Murray at a cinema Q&A last year, I wasn't convinced he was up to a major role in a West End run these days.

[richey]

Surprised they didn't draft Alfie in as replacement!

[shady23]

The official announcement

[Deleted]

Apr 5, 2018 19:27:42 GMT latefortheoverture said:

Unpopular opinion I know but I kinda like La Burke- she's nothing against Glenn Close and I think that's why this cast is getting so much stick!!! 

They may be poles apart in terms of acting ability, but no doubt Burke can sing better than Glennis. 

[danb]

Lets just wait and see should we.

[Tibidabo]

Apr 5, 2018 18:47:26 GMT alece10 said:

At this rate we will end up with Mel, Sue and Biggins.

I'd actually settle for any of them if Mickey decides to jump.

[theatreian]

Well this chaotic production of Chess produces another surprise. By the time I see it at the end of May I wonder who will be in it?

[richey]

Well as they say, it ain't over til the fat lady sings... but then Mickey isn't dragging up for this one

[sf]

Apr 5, 2018 18:47:26 GMT alece10 said:

At this rate we will end up with Mel, Sue and Biggins.

 With Mary Berry as the Arbiter?

[Oleanna]

Apr 5, 2018 19:37:03 GMT n1david said:

Apr 5, 2018 17:58:22 GMT theatremadness said:

Murray Head out, Cedric Neal in:

www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/murray-head-chess-depart-cedric-neal_46215.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=05apr2018

Sorry to hear this but as I posted earlier, having seen Murray at a cinema Q&A last year, I wasn't convinced he was up to a major role in a West End run these days.

In what way? Genuinely interested.

[n1david]

Apr 5, 2018 22:37:32 GMT Oleanna said:

Apr 5, 2018 19:37:03 GMT n1david said:

Sorry to hear this but as I posted earlier, having seen Murray at a cinema Q&A last year, I wasn't convinced he was up to a major role in a West End run these days.

In what way? Genuinely interested.

I saw him at a BFI Q&A for the film “Sunday Bloody Sunday”. He was hugely entertaining but he didn’t seem to absorb questions very well and sometimes got lost on anecdotes - often taking us to interesting places, but not in a very structured way. This was long before he was cast in Chess but I thought at the time that this was a man whose brain might no longer work the way that it had. Obviously I couldn’t make a full judgement based on a 30 minute discussion, but he seemed to have aged a lot (and he is 72).

[Phantom of London]

Apr 5, 2018 20:06:43 GMT shady23 said:

The official announcement

Is “left the cast for personal reasons” a metaphor for your voice is shot and you are struggling to remember your lines?

[Deleted]

Oh dear...

Well he could have left for all sorts of reasons but it does sound as if this Arbiter didn’t know the score. Or the casting director didn’t...

Let’s hope he left with a whimper, not with a shout.

[BurlyBeaR]

How embarrassing for everyone concerned. Sounds like they were more concerned about casting a “name” than establishing if that person was really suitable.
“Gaga is out but I’m still chasing down Murray Head for the Arbiter!”
“Is Murray still working?”
“Don’t worry I’m sure I can get him to do it”

[lou105]

Ah, thanks for that @theatremonkey . I was beginning to think I would regret splashing out on a £75 seat when the discounts rolled in.. But , as you say, seats around mine have shot up. That's very confident dynamic pricing! I know they might reduce what's left nearer the time, but some of us have to plan ahead. (They have now released the pair on each stalls aisle which were previously off sale for some reason.)

[alece10]

I've just checked my date as well out of curiosity and the same thing. All the stalls are £125. Stalls and dress nearly sold out but plenty higher up. Strange thing is when I hover the mouse over the seats I bought for £75 it is showing them at £125 although not showing as available.

[Snciole]

I thought the Murray Head casting was interesting, given his history with the production, but this wasn't an actor still active in the industry coming back to a play he was associated with.

At least we will always have his TOTP performance from 1984

[richey]

Apr 6, 2018 13:15:02 GMT Snciole said:

I thought the Murray Head casting was interesting, given his history with the production, but this was an actor still active in the industry coming back to a play he was associated with.

At least we will always have his TOTP performance from 1984

Oh dear... 😕