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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 10, 2023 18:46:19 GMT
Is Alison Hammond going to play Dorothy? Somebody made that joke already. Oh gosh, my sincerest apologies |
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Post by toomasj on Oct 10, 2023 20:00:52 GMT
I wasn’t blown away by the mega musical version with star cast (Crawford, Wads) when it played at the Palladium, so there’s no chance I’m seeing a cheap and nasty version. I came out completely cold seeing the “proper” version, so a bunch of no-marks off the telly and Gary Wilmot aren’t parting me with my time/money I’m afraid.
In fact the only thing I remember liking about the show at the Palladium was Toto. I’m hoping at least there’s a real dog in this version and not something embarrassing like a puppet?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 10, 2023 20:02:07 GMT
The other good thing about the palladium show was the interval.
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374 posts
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Post by theatrenerd on Nov 13, 2023 15:27:54 GMT
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Post by jj9692 on Nov 13, 2023 20:15:23 GMT
Still no Tin Man for the tour after Liverpool
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jan 11, 2024 22:34:29 GMT
Just home from press night in Oxford and it was not as bad as I might have feared from reading this thread.
The sound balance, as always at the New, was woeful. And everything was too loud.
Ensemble work really hard and deliver what is needed.
Central casting is fine though the Dorothy was drowned in the sound mix disaster.
U/s on for Tin man and he did a good job (though I would have cut the rap sections)
The Viv steals the show. Old fashioned bit of camp, yes. But done with relish.
They need to radically rethink the Wizard look. I don't want to be reminded of Rolf Harris every time he appears.
The big problems come with the script and new songs. Other than the Witch song, they are all instantly forgettable.
It is entertaining fluff. And has sold well here. I have seen far worse over the years.
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Post by damaskanddark on Jan 12, 2024 8:26:09 GMT
Just home from press night in Oxford and it was not as bad as I might have feared from reading this thread. The sound balance, as always at the New, was woeful. And everything was too loud. Ensemble work really hard and deliver what is needed. Central casting is fine though the Dorothy was drowned in the sound mix disaster. U/s on for Tin man and he did a good job (though I would have cut the rap sections) The Viv steals the show. Old fashioned bit of camp, yes. But done with relish. They need to radically rethink the Wizard look. I don't want to be reminded of Rolf Harris every time he appears. The big problems come with the script and new songs. Other than the Witch song, they are all instantly forgettable. It is entertaining fluff. And has sold well here. I have seen far worse over the years. I love the design but I would much rather they stuck with the original RSC version which is a beautiful faithful adaptation of the movie. The new songs are terrible. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jan 12, 2024 8:46:00 GMT
Good to see they’re finally advertising Marley Fenton as the Tin Man. I guess he isn’t fully ready yet as his previous show only closed last Saturday.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jan 12, 2024 12:37:02 GMT
Good to see they’re finally advertising Marley Fenton as the Tin Man. I guess he isn’t fully ready yet as his previous show only closed last Saturday. He wasn't on last night. Martin McCarthy was and did a great job |
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Post by evilmat360 on Feb 2, 2024 14:29:48 GMT
Aston Merrygold is back as the Tin Man for a few venues. Those being Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 2, 2024 14:54:08 GMT
Aston Merrygold is back as the Tin Man for a few venues. Those being Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff. Marley is taking on the lead role in Grease (well done, Marley). |
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Post by theatrenerd on Mar 21, 2024 10:25:19 GMT
Just announced to be opening at the Gillian Lynne for 4 weeks from 15 August with Aston Merrygold and the Vivienne.
Presale 27 March 10am
On sale 28 March 10am
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 21, 2024 13:03:03 GMT
File this under 'stuff we don't need'
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 21, 2024 13:52:14 GMT
Starting to think the Gillian Lynne is another front like those American Candy stores, isn't this selling terribly on tour?
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5,139 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 21, 2024 13:53:16 GMT
Starting to think the Gillian Lynne is another front like those American Candy stores, isn't this selling terribly on tour? I think it's actually doing ok in the regions - someone of the telly in it they can stick above the title. Like, Craig RH has done Annie 79998 times and yet that still sells well every time it goes out on tour 😂 |
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 21, 2024 13:56:10 GMT
Starting to think the Gillian Lynne is another front like those American Candy stores, isn't this selling terribly on tour? I think it's actually doing ok in the regions - someone of the telly in it they can stick above the title. Like, Craig RH has done Annie 79998 times and yet that still sells well every time it goes out on tour 😂 Possibly one of those ones that varies a lot by venue! When it was in Wimbledon a week or so ago it had barely sold one level let alone the 3 they have! At least CRH being in this means we get a break from Annie 😂 |
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Post by Jon on Mar 21, 2024 14:24:27 GMT
Wimbledon is a tricky venue to sell for some tours because the audience is only a short train ride away from central London.
Weird to compare the GL to a American Candy store, it's clearly not.
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Post by theatrenerd on Mar 21, 2024 14:41:22 GMT
Starting to think the Gillian Lynne is another front like those American Candy stores, isn't this selling terribly on tour? At least now it will have its lollipops supplied by the Lollipop Guild. |
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 21, 2024 14:53:44 GMT
Wimbledon is a tricky venue to sell for some tours because the audience is only a short train ride away from central London. Weird to compare the GL to a American Candy store, it's clearly not. Which is why another tour stop in London is an interesting choice. It was a reference to the fact show after show that isn’t selling seems to be going in there, I didn’t mean it’s literally a candy store x |
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 15:07:45 GMT
Central London for a family show, during the school holidays, will sell without a problem.
A lot of shows struggle to sell in Wimbledon. People just won't travel to outer London. Central London, where people can easily travel, and there are tourists around, is a completely different proposition.
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 21, 2024 15:21:49 GMT
Central London for a family show, during the school holidays, will sell without a problem. Why was it half empty during the last central London run too then? A lot of people who wanted to see it would've seen it last summer, and it's not really worth a repeat viewing... It's just a shame as the Gillian Lynne is a great theatre, and there's lot of new shows waiting for theatre space, but it keeps getting shows that aren't appealing to audiences for whatever reason |
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Post by theatreliker on Mar 21, 2024 15:36:00 GMT
A shame Sky's Edge is closing. And a shame this is going in instead. Has it got something else planned given this is a short run? Perhaps Band Aid?
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Post by oxfordsimon on Mar 21, 2024 15:41:41 GMT
Makes sense to open a short run of a well known piece as a filler in August. Good for tourist and school holiday trade and the venue is then free again for a new piece in the autumn season.
The production is serviceable and The Vivienne does good work.
There are worse things out there
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Post by Jon on Mar 21, 2024 15:42:59 GMT
A 4 week run for Oz makes me think something is planned for the Autumn at the GL.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 16:00:42 GMT
Why was it half empty during the last central London run too then? A lot of people who wanted to see it would've seen it last summer, and it's not really worth a repeat viewing... The performance I was at was packed. I didn't get the impression it sold that badly. The producers will have done the calculations that a four week run will be profitable. This is an ALW show in an ALW theatre. There are also good reasons to not leave a theatre empty. This isn't a show I rush to see either, but let's not pretend there isn't a market. A lot of London theatres now are filling gaps with limited runs of touring shows. They do give us a bit of variety and keep people employed. I will almost certainly see this while it's at the GL, but it's not a show I'd view repeatedly. |
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