1,380 posts
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Post by BVM on Aug 19, 2023 20:17:43 GMT
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637 posts
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Post by AddisonMizner on Aug 19, 2023 22:08:55 GMT
I am really excited for this too, and can't wait for Tuesday. I agree that it is one of Lloyd Webber's most beautiful scores.
Rehearsal videos have been posted, and I have to say that they have made me even more excited for it!
Celinde's 'Love Never Dies' in particular sounds glorious. I had goosebumps, and this is only a poor quality rehearsal video! The actual song with full orchestra is probably going to be ravishing!
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882 posts
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Post by longinthetooth on Aug 19, 2023 22:38:49 GMT
Wow, beautiful! Really looking forward to this too. Going on Tuesday afternoon.
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Post by originalconceptlive on Aug 19, 2023 22:53:39 GMT
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637 posts
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Post by AddisonMizner on Aug 20, 2023 11:23:16 GMT
Gorgeous clip! Chills again. Thank you for posting.
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Post by interval99 on Aug 21, 2023 18:22:29 GMT
Three fairground horses and some other stage props still covered at present. Orchestra on stepped staging behind. No microphone stands at present. 12 Orchestra people so far on stage. Air conditioning set to damm cold.
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282 posts
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Post by kyvai on Aug 21, 2023 18:27:07 GMT
Just settling in for this :-) bars are busier than they usually seem for Frozen haha. Although I have still seen at least one child dressed up, a dapper little chap looked about 8 years old with a mask and cape on!
Stage is dressed with some tantalising clues, stray merry-go-round horses and things under drapes, so there is some staging it seems.
Huge brass and wind section in the orchestra, two pianists. Excited!
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Post by interval99 on Aug 21, 2023 19:45:19 GMT
Wow! OK ignore the story issues and ignore the in concert tag, this is better staged than some staged musicals I have seen. Fully costumed and acted, no prompt sheets and some great use of lighting.
Programme lists orchestra of 27 and 20 in the choir if they are all in. Sir Andrew is in as well tonight. Sounding superb, norm and celinde on top form but everyone slightly upstaged by Cian Eagle service as young Gustave. But the full cast is giving it all.
See how the second act goes but this has renewed my faith in these limited in concerts shows and is currently raising the bar for them.
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282 posts
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Post by kyvai on Aug 21, 2023 19:50:12 GMT
Interval update - this is definitely Worth It. Full concert orchestra and choral voices on stepped staging behind the performers area, with an aisle through the orchestra for dramatic entrances. Full sparkly costuming, performers are miked in the standard way, everything is acted out (including the carriage ride in a reasonably creative way), multiple numbers fully choreographed for the whole ensemble as well. Decent lighting, a couple of very minor sound hiccups but otherwise it’s very smooth.
Goosebumps at the moments you would expect, the reception from the audience feels very warm in the royal circle at least. Norm Lewis and Celine Schoenmaker are electric from where I am, honourable mention to the young man playing Gustave as well, he’s very good.
I’m more used to the original version (in London before the changes, and the OLC) than the reworked version, so I can’t tell if there’s any re-re-working here in terms of arrangements etc, will have to watch the reworked one again to figure that out.
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282 posts
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Post by kyvai on Aug 21, 2023 19:53:53 GMT
Wow! OK ignore the story issues and ignore the in concert tag, this is better staged than some staged musicals I have seen. Fully costumed and acted, no prompt sheets and some great use of lighting. Programme lists orchestra of 27 and 20 in the choir if they are all in. Sir Andrew is in as well tonight. Sounding superb, norm and celinde on top form but everyone slightly upstaged by Cian Eagle service as young Gustave. But the full cast is giving it all. See how the second act goes but this has renewed my faith in these limited in concerts shows and is currently raising the bar for them. Ooh where’s ALW?? <peers around> I’ve spotted a few “faces” in the audience, by which I meant various West End ensemble members :-)
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Post by interval99 on Aug 21, 2023 19:57:57 GMT
In the front stalls. You would have thought would have used the Royal box
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703 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Aug 21, 2023 21:44:15 GMT
Saw this tonight and so pleased I’m back again tomorrow. One of the best staged concerts I’ve seen. No prompt sheets, great orchestra, lovely costumes (although if I’m being picky Meg looked like she was wearing a nappy) and a glorious Celinde
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Post by stagebyte on Aug 21, 2023 21:58:22 GMT
It was a truly magnificent evening. Andy was in also so no pressure for the cast.
Celinde and Norm just perfection and the LMTO were on fire. Not a weak link to be had,
Some thespy screamy types behind me over enthusing about how they ‘MUST have the umbrellas’ (a prop in the show) and how this was ‘just the warm up’ so I’m guessing either this is playing S****horpe Amateur Operatic Society very soon and they’ve cast an incredible Phantom to rival Norm OR (Holds breath - please let it be true) This might have another life with a fully staged version?
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282 posts
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Post by kyvai on Aug 21, 2023 21:58:38 GMT
In the front stalls. You would have thought would have used the Royal box Ha, yes. After you posted that in the interval, when the spotlights were on Raoul and Phantom in the boxes during Love Never Dies in the second act, I was squinting to see ALW was sat there! On the bus home now. That was something pretty special, very glad I was able to be there. It was clear at least around where I was sitting, that the audience was full of real fans. I saw quite a few people with tears in their eyes at a few points, especially Celinde’s Love Never Dies. Even the men! I walked past the stage door on my way out and it was very crowded there. That’s not for me but I bet it was mayhem, the good kind. I hope ALW got a nice lift from the instant standing ovation and extended applause at the end, he’s had a rough time.
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282 posts
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Post by kyvai on Aug 21, 2023 22:02:41 GMT
Hmm I think the “warm up” comment could just be that there’s two more performances tomorrow? They’ll probably iron out the minor microphone missed timings and that one costume malfunction.
I’d love to see this back in the west end, but if Aspects of Love can’t hack it in the current climate, this never will. My opinion only.
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Post by stagebyte on Aug 21, 2023 22:06:17 GMT
Hmm I think the “warm up” comment could just be that there’s two more performances tomorrow? They’ll probably iron out the minor microphone missed timings and that one costume malfunction. I’d love to see this back in the west end, but if Aspects of Love can’t hack it in the current climate, this never will. My opinion only. Hmmm this score beats Aspects hands down. I think it’s his most glorious score. Tbh listening to this tonight I forgave the story such as it was 😉 Fully immersed in the music storytelling
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Post by SuttonPeron on Aug 21, 2023 22:35:55 GMT
This show has such a stunning, gorgeous score. I couldn´t make it this time, so I genuinely hope this isn´t the last we hear from it in the UK in too long.
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1,380 posts
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Post by BVM on Aug 21, 2023 23:18:36 GMT
I thought this was absolutely sensational tonight. Superbly staged; brilliant sound and light. Orchestra sounded incredible playing what is IMHO one of ALW’s greatest scores.
Cast were perfection. What voices!
Wonder if there could be a future life for this though guess it’s unlikely. Tonight was an absolute treat though. And a perfectly behaved audience to boot. Amazing stuff!
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Post by mattnyc on Aug 21, 2023 23:48:56 GMT
What was the run time tonight?
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Post by 141920grm on Aug 22, 2023 1:21:48 GMT
What was the run time tonight? bows around 21:50, out by 22:00 (sticking around to hear the full playout is worth it!)
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1,929 posts
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Post by LaLuPone on Aug 22, 2023 2:27:24 GMT
I assume it’s a small part but how was Sally Dexter? Love her!
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Post by danb on Aug 22, 2023 4:47:09 GMT
Was it being filmed at all? 🤞 As many have said, musically this is up there with Sunset for me and I’d love to hear it, especially Celinde.
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520 posts
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Post by anthony on Aug 22, 2023 8:19:36 GMT
Looking forward to seeing this twice today!
Can anyone confirm if the only merch is the programme? & which version of Beauty Underneath did they use? Out of everything in the Australian version, the slowed down version of Beauty Underneath is the one thing I really dislike - think the original was significantly better!
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182 posts
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Post by tom on Aug 22, 2023 8:20:32 GMT
Did they use the original Beauty Underneath or the newer version? I prefer the original.
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182 posts
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Post by tom on Aug 22, 2023 8:21:03 GMT
Looking forward to seeing this twice today! Can anyone confirm if the only merch is the programme? & which version of Beauty Underneath did they use? Out of everything in the Australian version, the slowed down version of Beauty Underneath is the one thing I really dislike - think the original was significantly better! Our questions overlapped there - how odd!
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