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Post by theatreian on Feb 26, 2022 9:54:57 GMT
In such a big space as this there have to be names the British have heard of in order for it to sell better. Tourism will still not be back to its pre covid levels so reliant on the British audience more so than previously.
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Post by alece10 on Feb 26, 2022 11:42:47 GMT
I know it's way up in the balcony but Today Tix have just released £25 tickets as part of London Theatre Week. So bargains to be had if you are on a budget.
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Post by SuttonPeron on Feb 26, 2022 12:09:41 GMT
I know it's way up in the balcony but Today Tix have just released £25 tickets as part of London Theatre Week. So bargains to be had if you are on a budget. It´s still cheaper on the Coli website... |
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Feb 26, 2022 12:32:49 GMT
All this talk of casting do’s and don’ts - I do hope the producers and director approach the casting of a black woman to play Eliza properly. I think she’s a brilliant choice, but there is an awkward undertone in the idea of middle aged white men teaching a black girl to better herself and fit with their “norms” which isn’t there otherwise. Especially in today’s climate.
I’m not saying it shouldn’t be done. Quite the opposite. In fact, I think it can add an extra depth to her journey if it’s embraced and treated sensitively in rehearsals, and I personally hope it’s a situation where it’s used as a choice and worked into her interpretation rather than simply treated as “colourblind” casting like we see in productions such as Les Mis - e.g. Cast a black man to play Alfred too, and enhance the traditional underlying society unfairness/status that would create in the period. It could be very strong.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 26, 2022 13:04:45 GMT
You would hope that the title is the star. Perhaps Sheridan Smith as the housekeeper to draw the crowds? You jest but she probably would. The Coliseum has definitely gone down the route of using household names for its musicals over the past few years. Kelsey Grammar, Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Kathryn Jenkins, Glenn Close. (Notable exception On Your Feet). I think there is probably an expectation that it would continue. I’m not saying is has to, but we were discussing in another thread how lots of less frequent theatre goers do want to know “who’s in it” before deciding to go. So when your average Joe and Josephine look at the casting for this and see Amara Okereke… erm? Harry Haddon Paton… who? Vanessa Redgrave? Ohhh yes I know HER let’s go! The ticket prices perpetuate the expectation that there’s going to be name recognition too. Moulin Rouge is extortionate and there ain’t no star name there. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 26, 2022 13:07:28 GMT
All this talk of casting do’s and don’ts - I do hope the producers and director approach the casting of a black woman to play Eliza properly. I think she’s a brilliant choice, but there is an awkward undertone in the idea of middle aged white men teaching a black girl to better herself and fit with their “norms” which isn’t there otherwise. Especially in today’s climate. I’m not saying it shouldn’t be done. Quite the opposite. In fact, I think it can add an extra depth to her journey if it’s embraced and treated sensitively in rehearsals, and I personally hope it’s a situation where it’s used as a choice and worked into her interpretation rather than simply treated as “colourblind” casting like we see in productions such as Les Mis - e.g. Cast a black man to play Alfred too, and enhance the traditional underlying society unfairness/status that would create in the period. It could be very strong. There should be a black Alfred, and other black performers in the cast so I think if they continue the diverse casting- they won’t need to do anything special in rehearsals. Just deliver the show as written. If Amara is the only black person in the whole cast- that’s deeply problematic, but that just won’t happen. Plus she’s been cast on merit. She’s a star and I hope this propels her. |
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Post by lou105 on Feb 26, 2022 13:14:20 GMT
They’re going to need some sort of name because the general public won’t know who the other leads are, I would suggest. You would hope that the title is the star. Perhaps Sheridan Smith as the housekeeper to draw the crowds? Maureen Beattie has been cast according to their Facebook page. |
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Post by westended on Feb 26, 2022 14:29:46 GMT
Confirmed to have a 35-piece orchestra!
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Post by inthenose on Feb 26, 2022 14:47:30 GMT
Confirmed to have a 35-piece orchestra! I thought this had already been confirmed - it's the reason I've already booked! Great to see it though - source please? |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Feb 26, 2022 14:54:05 GMT
Confirmed to have a 35-piece orchestra! I thought this had already been confirmed - it's the reason I've already booked! Great to see it though - source please? Alex Parker tweeted about it, I think he's the MD |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2022 17:35:32 GMT
I thought this had already been confirmed - it's the reason I've already booked! Great to see it though - source please? Alex Parker tweeted about it, I think he's the MD Gareth Valentine I believe is the MD - Alex is assisting. |
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Post by Peter on Feb 27, 2022 11:48:31 GMT
Decent sized orchestra and Gareth Valentine as MD makes this unmissable for me! And as a bonus, it will be my first ever trip to the Coliseum (had ticket for Sunset but circumstances meant I missed it)…  |
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Post by inthenose on Feb 27, 2022 12:48:36 GMT
Decent sized orchestra and Gareth Valentine as MD makes this unmissable for me! And as a bonus, it will be my first ever trip to the Coliseum (had ticket for Sunset but circumstances meant I missed it)… 35 is a hell of an orchestra for a musical. Really very excited for this show |
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Post by inthenose on Feb 27, 2022 12:50:02 GMT
I don't have a programme handy, but didn't Jae Alexander conduct the 2001 production?
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Post by SuttonPeron on Feb 27, 2022 12:54:49 GMT
I don't have a programme handy, but didn't Jae Alexander conduct the 2001 production? Apparently, it was Stephen Brooker. Although, the 2001 didn´t use the original orchestrations. |
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Post by Peter on Feb 27, 2022 16:47:40 GMT
The 2001 production had orchestrations by William David Brohn - I quite liked the changes, even the Stomp knock off section in “With a little bit of luck”.
Jae Alexander was MD for the Donmar Guys and Dolls a few years later.
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Post by Jon on Feb 27, 2022 17:27:05 GMT
Not sure he'd want to do a musical but would Lenny Henry work as Alfred?
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Post by Boob on Feb 27, 2022 17:57:28 GMT
Not sure he'd want to do a musical but would Lenny Henry work as Alfred? Brilliant idea! |
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Post by wardrobemistress76 on Feb 27, 2022 21:25:30 GMT
I’m sorry, but this is just nonsense casting.
My husband is black, and he asks a very important question:
‘Would we be happy with a white person playing a black role?’ No. Of course we wouldn’t.
So why this?!
Never mind ‘suspending disbelief’, etc. Yes. I know it’s a musical, and yes I know that people don’t sing their way through life, but when does this stop?!
It’s ridiculous.
There would never be a black Javert. There would never be a black Eliza.
Just. Stop.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2022 21:43:16 GMT
I’m sorry, but this is just nonsense casting. My husband is black, and he asks a very important question: ‘Would we be happy with a white person playing a black role?’ No. Of course we wouldn’t. So why this?! Never mind ‘suspending disbelief’, etc. Yes. I know it’s a musical, and yes I know that people don’t sing their way through life, but when does this stop?! It’s ridiculous. There would never be a black Javert. There would never be a black Eliza. Just. Stop. Go and take a good, long, hard look at yourself in the mirror and think about the drivel you have just written. It's not the same as a white actor playing a black role in the slightest. My Fair Lady is not historical fact. The actors are not playing real people. The ethnicity of the characters don't matter in the slightest. There can and there has been a black Javert (Norm Lewis says hello), there can and there will be a black Eliza and plenty of people will be supporting the fact that her talent has got her the starring role she deserves. Take your narrow-minded views elsewhere please. |
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Post by theatreian on Feb 27, 2022 21:44:17 GMT
here would never be a black Javert There already has been, Norm Lewis, not sure if any others. |
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Post by wardrobemistress76 on Feb 27, 2022 21:52:09 GMT
I know there have been black performers play Javert! But it’s not accurate. A black person would never have been in that position of power.
Can someone just tell me why it’s different to a white person playing a black role?! I am not narrow-minded. It was my husband - who is black - who thinks this casting is ridiculous. He actually finds it deeply embarrassing.
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Post by pomegranate on Feb 27, 2022 21:58:53 GMT
I’m sorry, but this is just nonsense casting. My husband is black, and he asks a very important question: ‘Would we be happy with a white person playing a black role?’ No. Of course we wouldn’t. So why this?! Never mind ‘suspending disbelief’, etc. Yes. I know it’s a musical, and yes I know that people don’t sing their way through life, but when does this stop?! It’s ridiculous. There would never be a black Javert. There would never be a black Eliza. Just. Stop. Elphaba would never be green!! Stop casting Green people!!!!! 😤😤😤😤 |
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Post by fiyerorocher on Feb 27, 2022 22:01:19 GMT
I know there have been black performers play Javert! But it’s not accurate. A black person would never have been in that position of power. Can someone just tell me why it’s different to a white person playing a black role?! I am not narrow-minded. It was my husband - who is black - who thinks this casting is ridiculous. He actually finds it deeply embarrassing. It's a musical, not a documentary. They're not claiming to tell a historically accurate version of the June Rebellion - they'd be doing a terrible job on plot alone if they were. We've had actors of colour play most if not all of the main characters in Les Mis (I'm struggling to think of a Marius?), and at no point did I get taken out of the show and think it was 'ridiculous'. Those I've seen have been excellent. |
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Post by pomegranate on Feb 27, 2022 22:01:38 GMT
I know there have been black performers play Javert! But it’s not accurate. A black person would never have been in that position of power. Can someone just tell me why it’s different to a white person playing a black role?! I am not narrow-minded. It was my husband - who is black - who thinks this casting is ridiculous. He actually finds it deeply embarrassing. Can I ask you what “black” roles there are from the golden age of musicals where a main plot point isn’t their blackness? I completely disagree they we should not include people of all races telling stories (yes, even historic stories) to a modern audience with your antiquated mindset. |
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