2,041 posts
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Post by 49thand8th on Nov 22, 2019 15:46:34 GMT
I really would prefer a transfer of the Broadway production as it was PERFECTION, but I really am very excited about Imelda as Dolly. I also think Jenna Russell is a good fit for Irene, although no one could touch the perfection of either Eileen Brennan or Kate Baldwin! I wonder if Charlie Stemp might reprise the role of Barnaby or step up to the role of Cornelius? He was wonderful on Broadway too. The logo is, as has already been commented, AWFUL! After two leading roles in the West End Barnaby would be a considerable step back. He could be a brilliant Cornelius but he's half of Jenna Russell's age, so they might be considering an older actor. They could, but it's canon that he's 33. Which I completely believed in Gavin Creel, although he hasn't been 33 in a while. Nic Rouleau was almost 33 when he did the role, which worked for me! |
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8,208 posts
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Post by alece10 on Nov 22, 2019 16:25:57 GMT
I read the official announcement here on my commute to work early this morning and nearly let out a squeal of excitement and then realised that the train was full of burly eastern European builders so I resisted the urge.
Never seen Dolly, love Imelda and Jenna so it was a win, win for me.
So I have gone all out superfan and booked first preview 2 seats in the stalls with the matchmaker package and to be honest for £120 a piece I don't think that's over the top especially with what you get for the money. My friend and I agreed that we usually go for offers, discounts etc so why not splash out just once in a while. She is having the bubbles and I'm having the chocs.
Now just have 10 months left to wait...…………….
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544 posts
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Post by amp09 on Nov 22, 2019 16:50:50 GMT
I read the official announcement here on my commute to work early this morning and nearly let out a squeal of excitement and then realised that the train was full of burly eastern European builders so I resisted the urge. Never seen Dolly, love Imelda and Jenna so it was a win, win for me. So I have gone all out superfan and booked first preview 2 seats in the stalls with the matchmaker package and to be honest for £120 a piece I don't think that's over the top especially with what you get for the money. My friend and I agreed that we usually go for offers, discounts etc so why not splash out just once in a while. She is having the bubbles and I'm having the chocs. Now just have 10 months left to wait...……………. I’m a discount/offers lover too, but Imelda can do no wrong in my eyes! Definitely forking out for this! That’s my Christmas present to myself sorted! |
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1,579 posts
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Post by showtoones on Nov 22, 2019 17:23:21 GMT
A shame that Rob Houchen is busy in City of Angels, he’d be a brilliant Cornelius. Yes! He would have been excellent. What role is Rob playing in City of Angels? I saw it at the Donmar but don't think he was in it then? |
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1,102 posts
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Post by zak97 on Nov 22, 2019 17:30:16 GMT
Yes! He would have been excellent. What role is Rob playing in City of Angels? I saw it at the Donmar but don't think he was in it then? The part Tim Walton played I believe - can’t remember the character name. |
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Post by intoanewlife on Nov 22, 2019 18:39:10 GMT
I’m not excited for this with Imelda either. She is an amazing actress with a terrific career but she’s not an amazing musical theatre actress. She was great in Sweeney but not in Gypsy and Follies was much better with Jo Riding. Still they put her name above the title in the poster because she will sell tickets, because despite a reputable career in stage and screen that expands on years she has now become a ‘popular’ name in musical theatre because everybody says how good she is so she must be very good so we have to go and see her and, of course, we will her and standing ovation whatever she does. I mean, you're certainly not alone on this. I thought she was utterly spectacular in Gypsy though. In my 40 odd years of theatre going, it is still the only time I have ever seen someone get a standing ovation midway through a performance. She was amazing and every time I read otherwise I am stunned. She's been great in everything I've seen her in and how anyone doesn't think she can pull off this crappy role is beyond me. It is pretty much the same role as she played in Harry Potter only with songs and songs that hardly test the vocal range as lord knows Midler doesn't have one. |
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Post by intoanewlife on Nov 22, 2019 18:42:01 GMT
I’m not excited for this with Imelda either. She is an amazing actress with a terrific career but she’s not an amazing musical theatre actress. She was great in Sweeney but not in Gypsy and Follies was much better with Jo Riding. Still they put her name above the title in the poster because she will sell tickets, because despite a reputable career in stage and screen that expands on years she has now become a ‘popular’ name in musical theatre because everybody says how good she is so she must be very good so we have to go and see her and, of course, we will her and standing ovation whatever she does. I concur. For me, I think Staunton is far better on screen than stage. She is a bit of a try hard sometimes and does definitely overact but that is fine for screen! Not really for stage, acting for stage is very, very different than acting for screen. The skills don't transfer. I don't think enough producers know this.  |
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Post by intoanewlife on Nov 22, 2019 18:45:22 GMT
I have no idea who played the role on Broadway when I saw it, but she seemed at least twice the age of Cornelius... The wig Kate Baldwin wore made her look so much older then she actually was. That wig was awful! She also seemed to play it older and the guy played his role too young. It was yet another discomfort to endure along with everything else that was going on in this biazzaro show. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2019 18:56:53 GMT
They made a mistake, and it's very early on in the process. So, accept the move and drink / programme voucher and move on. Had it been nearer the time, it's another matter, but it is literally hours. I had already booked the matchmaker package including drinks and programme. It’s just a bit gutting that I would have loved to go to an opening night of a show. If I have had been in your shoes, I would have fought hard. I don't see why they couldn't accommodate one person. The entire house on opening night won't be completely comp so I am sure they would be delighted to have some paying guests. |
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Post by digipal on Nov 22, 2019 20:10:46 GMT
Just booked a Saturday matinee [love a matinee: you can have a nice lunch, see a show and still be home in time to watch Casualty LOL]. Was lucky enough to see Imelda in Sweeney and Gypsy at Chichester so looking FWD to this and according to Baz, see a future Queen as well
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Nov 23, 2019 2:50:16 GMT
Just booked front row for the first preview. I won't prebook any more shows as I suspect there will be Rush tickets, but the first preview of a show like this is usually harder to get tickets for. Looking forward to this one too. I was away when this went on sale but have just booked the centre front row seat for the first Friday preview. No other front row seats sold. Price £79.50 at the top end of what I'll pay, it's £10 more after opening night. Might be directly behind the conductor, used to that by now and not a problem. |
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319 posts
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Post by MrBraithwaite on Nov 23, 2019 10:19:26 GMT
Quite astounded by all the dislike of Imelda on here, I think she is a fantastic actress and loved here in all the shows she did the last few years. I hope the haters all stay at home and have a great time. ;D
Everything I have seen from the Broadway production looked very old-fashioned to me, like imported directly from 1960s Broadway, so couldn't quite understand what people loved about that. Looking forward to a new (British) take on the show and booked my front row seat this morning. Very happy!  |
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Post by craig on Nov 23, 2019 11:37:40 GMT
The Broadway revival owed a huge debt to the original direction and choreography. It was like stepping back in time and it was wonderful for it.
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Post by apubleed on Nov 23, 2019 11:47:29 GMT
It was perfect. Also, the artwork for this show appears to suggest this production has similar sensibilities.
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96 posts
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Post by tommy on Nov 24, 2019 10:41:05 GMT
Great to see Imelda Staunton taking the lead in another Broadway classic, I'm sure she'll make the part her own in a unique way. However it would also have been great to have seen Betty Buckley represing the part in London too.
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4,819 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 24, 2019 11:45:38 GMT
Great to see Imelda Staunton taking the lead in another Broadway classic, I'm sure she'll make the part her own in a unique way. However it would also have been great to have seen Betty Buckley represing the part in London too. As charming as Buckley was in the role, she just doesn’t have the stamina or vocals to lead a production like this in the West End anymore (or, the ability to sell tickets like Imelda) |
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Nov 24, 2019 13:22:23 GMT
According to Baz, £450K presale tix sold in 48 hours.
I just went on the standard site and booked. No special code. No special link. I wouldn't necessarily call that a pre sale. Good old marketing...
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96 posts
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Post by tommy on Nov 24, 2019 18:08:33 GMT
Great to see Imelda Staunton taking the lead in another Broadway classic, I'm sure she'll make the part her own in a unique way. However it would also have been great to have seen Betty Buckley represing the part in London too. As charming as Buckley was in the role, she just doesn’t have the stamina or vocals to lead a production like this in the West End anymore (or, the ability to sell tickets like Imelda) I didn't see the Broadway version, so can't comment on that, but don't think I would agree on the fact that she wouldn't have the stamina/vocals anymore. I have no idea yet what selling tickets for this one will do, I guess it will do well on a older generation who knows the show quite well. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 24, 2019 21:18:47 GMT
Surprised not to see any adverts for this in the Sunday papers I bought today.
Also the ‘priority booking’ tweets are bizarre when it appears to just be on general sale anyway!
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Nov 25, 2019 8:50:14 GMT
I had already booked the matchmaker package including drinks and programme. It’s just a bit gutting that I would have loved to go to an opening night of a show. If I have had been in your shoes, I would have fought hard. I don't see why they couldn't accommodate one person. The entire house on opening night won't be completely comp so I am sure they would be delighted to have some paying guests. Well luckily they have had a word with the producers and they have agreed to honour my ticket for opening night.. I'm so excited already!!! |
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423 posts
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Post by schuttep on Nov 27, 2019 10:16:44 GMT
Tix on general sale. Top 4 prices are £150, £135, £95 and £82.50 so having seen several Dollies including: Dora Bryan, Danny La Rue (!), and Janie Dee, I'll give this one a miss.
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8,208 posts
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Post by alece10 on Nov 27, 2019 12:19:27 GMT
Tix on general sale. Top 4 prices are £150, £135, £95 and £82.50 so having seen several Dollies including: Dora Bryan, Danny La Rue (!), and Janie Dee, I'll give this one a miss. Plenty of much cheaper seats available including stalls and dress. |
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Post by crabtree on Nov 28, 2019 12:52:00 GMT
so here's a question. Is it mentioned in the text that Dolly has to wear a red dress for Harmonia Gardens. Is this a nod to tradition, or just lazy copycat design, or is the red a strikingly bold colour to announce that Dolly is back in town. I've never seen her wear a different colour on stage (gold on film though). I'd love to see this show thoroughly reconceived.
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Nov 28, 2019 12:56:21 GMT
I got extremely lucky with the tickets as I got the matchmaker package for opening night for £89.50. Thank you theatre gods for system errors!
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Post by apubleed on Nov 28, 2019 19:06:32 GMT
so here's a question. Is it mentioned in the text that Dolly has to wear a red dress for Harmonia Gardens. Is this a nod to tradition, or just lazy copycat design, or is the red a strikingly bold colour to announce that Dolly is back in town. I've never seen her wear a different colour on stage (gold on film though). I'd love to see this show thoroughly reconceived. It is in the libretto. At least, it was in the most recent Broadway revival. |
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