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Post by ali973 on Jan 23, 2016 13:40:10 GMT
Wasn't particularly excited by the further casting, more a feeling of relief that the show will be in safe hands with top quality performers who should do it justice. Actually more excited to hear they will be using the original costumes. "New Ways to Dream" doesn't sound right to me without the clatter of the beaded dress on the steps of the staircase. (There had better be a staircase!) I didn't realize they were using the original costumes, which were absolutely gorgeous. Norma's leopard the script is complete costume, and the return to paramount two piece. And fur cuffs everywhere! |
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Post by chernjam on Jan 23, 2016 16:59:51 GMT
It's going to be fascinating to see how they "Semi-stage" this now that they're using the original costumes.
Steve10086 - do you remember that when Sunsets were sunsetting all over the globe the report that RUG was storing at least one set? I think the NY Times had said that. Don't know how possible it would be to re-use it or anything - but for those of us who saw the original, it's going to be hard to see thisrevival with the costumes, that full orchestra (unlike having the actors playing the instruments) and even the same Norma without Napier's sets
As for a film - I think it was Christopher Hampton who said it in a recent interview that Paramount was interested in a movie version. I also thought I read that Black and Hampton were working on some revisions to the book/script. That has me curious.
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Post by richey on Jan 24, 2016 12:08:18 GMT
Really looking forward to seeing this - never seen the show, unfamiliar with the majority of the music and not going to familiarise myself with it before I go!! Want to hear it for the first time live!! Good plan. I don't think you need to know the Sunset songs in advance to enjoy them, which I find I do need with a lot of shows. I can remember loving the music from the first performance I saw. Enjoy! I'd not heard the songs before I saw it on stage either and I instantly loved them. I'm really looking forward to hearing this production (I don't say see as I've got a cheap seat so don't expect to see much!) |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 24, 2016 12:14:16 GMT
I saw in one of the recent articles that the orchestra will be on stage a la Sweeney so probably puts paid to much in the way of a set.
If that's the case I presume they will extend the stage over the orchestra pit and bring the action forward? Is that what they did for Sweeney?
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 24, 2016 12:51:49 GMT
Using the original costumes - no expense is spared yet again with an Andrew Lloyd Webber revival
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Post by Sue on Jan 24, 2016 21:16:19 GMT
I saw in one of the recent articles that the orchestra will be on stage a la Sweeney so probably puts paid to much in the way of a set. If that's the case I presume they will extend the stage over the orchestra pit and bring the action forward? Is that what they did for Sweeney? Oo that'd be fab if so - I saw WNO's Sweeney a while ago and loved the fact that the orchestra was so involved in the show. For once it gave them the recognition they deserve. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2016 17:22:38 GMT
Michael Xavier and Glenn Close in a turban. What more could anyone want from this show?
I just cannot wait.
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Post by critchyboy on Jan 25, 2016 22:09:27 GMT
Good plan. I don't think you need to know the Sunset songs in advance to enjoy them, which I find I do need with a lot of shows. I can remember loving the music from the first performance I saw. Enjoy! I'd not heard the songs before I saw it on stage either and I instantly loved them. I'm really looking forward to hearing this production (I don't say see as I've got a cheap seat so don't expect to see much!) I think I'll be hearing more of the show than seeing any of it too!!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 12:44:56 GMT
There will indeed be a staircase.
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Post by Sue on Jan 26, 2016 19:29:04 GMT
Hoorah, I didn't think they'd exclude it but you can never say never!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 26, 2016 19:40:00 GMT
There will indeed be a staircase. Insider........?! Come sit by me mrmusicals!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2016 10:50:17 GMT
Oh, BurlyBeaR....people will talk!
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Post by horton on Jan 27, 2016 11:06:58 GMT
Sorry to be churlish but I can't see these concerts doing anything other than REDUCING the likelihood of a full revival any time soon.
Concerts are all very well but they are not the full show.
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 12:40:43 GMT
Using the original costumes - no expense is spared yet again with an Andrew Lloyd Webber revival You could spend whatever you wanted and you wouldn't beat Norma's original costumes (and it's only Norma's that are not new for this production - presumably because the originals have been in Glenn Close's wardrobe the last 20 years). The original costumes is a positive thing, not a negative one. |
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 12:44:10 GMT
Sorry to be churlish but I can't see these concerts doing anything other than REDUCING the likelihood of a full revival any time soon. Concerts are all very well but they are not the full show. What's your point? You think the "concert" (semi staged production) *shouldn't* happen, or you *wish* it wasn't happening? Seeing as it's been 20 years since the last full scale production of Sunset in the West End, I don't see anyone falling them over themselves to produce one. In many ways this semi staged production, with a proper orchestra, and amazing casting for the lead role, is better than a new permanent West End revival for me. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 27, 2016 12:45:21 GMT
Using the original costumes - no expense is spared yet again with an Andrew Lloyd Webber revival You could spend whatever you wanted and you wouldn't beat Norma's original costumes (and it's only Norma's that are not new for this production - presumably because the originals have been in Glenn Close's wardrobe the last 20 years). The original costumes is a positive thing, not a negative one. I agree! I want it to look the same as it did before. Turbans, sunglasses, monocle thingy on a long chain.... Fabulous. Hopefully they'll give everything a good going over with the Febreze though  |
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Post by horton on Jan 27, 2016 16:01:51 GMT
Sorry to be churlish but I can't see these concerts doing anything other than REDUCING the likelihood of a full revival any time soon. Concerts are all very well but they are not the full show. What's your point? You think the "concert" (semi staged production) *shouldn't* happen, or you *wish* it wasn't happening? Seeing as it's been 20 years since the last full scale production of Sunset in the West End, I don't see anyone falling them over themselves to produce one. In many ways this semi staged production, with a proper orchestra, and amazing casting for the lead role, is better than a new permanent West End revival for me. My point is that a fully staged revival would be better- but having mopped up a lot of the potential audience- and media interest in particular- this run of concerts is likely to deter any producers who were toying with a revival. Kenwright has revived most of ALW's other works so he would be a likely candidate, for instance. People are getting very excited about these few concerts but it is a pity we have to settle for such meagre scraps these days. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2016 16:25:16 GMT
To me, the pity is you don't seem to have thought very much of the last West End revival of Sunset (the transfer from the Watermill), as even though it wasn't what you would call a large-scale revival, it was still marvellous. |
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 19:03:16 GMT
To me, the pity is you don't seem to have thought very much of the last West End revival of Sunset (the transfer from the Watermill), as even though it wasn't what you would call a large-scale revival, it was still marvellous. It was marvellous at the Watermill (one of my best theatre experiences, combined with the wonderful location and fabulous restaurant). But in the West End... it looked cheap and basic. A West End show needs an orchestra! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 27, 2016 19:18:44 GMT
What's your point? You think the "concert" (semi staged production) *shouldn't* happen, or you *wish* it wasn't happening? Seeing as it's been 20 years since the last full scale production of Sunset in the West End, I don't see anyone falling them over themselves to produce one. In many ways this semi staged production, with a proper orchestra, and amazing casting for the lead role, is better than a new permanent West End revival for me. My point is that a fully staged revival would be better- but having mopped up a lot of the potential audience- and media interest in particular- this run of concerts is likely to deter any producers who were toying with a revival. Kenwright has revived most of ALW's other works so he would be a likely candidate, for instance. People are getting very excited about these few concerts but it is a pity we have to settle for such meagre scraps these days. That Watermill revival which I thought was glorious in the West End and was a real star turn for an exquisite Katherine Evans, was produced by Bill Kenwright, even though the sets were basic, the strength of the glorious score and acting saw this one through. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 27, 2016 19:26:51 GMT
We'll get the glorious score with the full ENO orchestra, the acting of Glenn, an amazi g supporting cast and the fabulous costumes. Hardly "scraps" surely?
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 20:50:52 GMT
We'll get the glorious score with the full ENO orchestra, the acting of Glenn, an amazi g supporting cast and the fabulous costumes. Hardly "scraps" surely? Exactly! I'd happily live on scraps like that |
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 27, 2016 20:53:11 GMT
Who was toying with a revival? After 20 years and no full scale revival you can keep waiting if you want. I'd rather see this production.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 27, 2016 22:19:39 GMT
Just to clear up speculation, my friend interviewed John Napier a few months ago and he confirmed that unfortunately all the original sets no longer exist.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 27, 2016 22:23:20 GMT
What's your point? You think the "concert" (semi staged production) *shouldn't* happen, or you *wish* it wasn't happening? Seeing as it's been 20 years since the last full scale production of Sunset in the West End, I don't see anyone falling them over themselves to produce one. In many ways this semi staged production, with a proper orchestra, and amazing casting for the lead role, is better than a new permanent West End revival for me. My point is that a fully staged revival would be better- but having mopped up a lot of the potential audience- and media interest in particular- this run of concerts is likely to deter any producers who were toying with a revival. Kenwright has revived most of ALW's other works so he would be a likely candidate, for instance. People are getting very excited about these few concerts but it is a pity we have to settle for such meagre scraps these days. Have to agree with this. I think this special run will just about exhaust all the present interest there is in Sunset Boulevard. It simply does not fit in with the current zeitgeist of the most popular musicals. It was also a hard sell for many of the 15 local societies who were granted to licence to perform it last year. I was in one such production and we had uncharistically poor box office on it (and anecdotally I've heard similar stories elsewhere) |
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