214 posts
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Post by justsaying113 on Apr 12, 2021 9:28:37 GMT
One of the most dreary nights I've ever spent in a theatre but, if it provides a vehicle for one of our great (age appropriate) musical theatre ladies, then good luck to all involved.
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290 posts
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Post by southstreet on Apr 12, 2021 9:45:13 GMT
I absolutely love the show, saw it twice on Broadway and am still bitter we haven't had it here yet. Ever since I first saw it (must be 11 or 12 years ago now), my dream London Diana was always Jenna Russell. I just think she would be perfect for it. I feel like if it doesn't happen soon, she definitely would be a bit too old for it, but I think she could still pull it off now. Hannah Waddingham was always my second choice after Jenna, so I would be thrilled with either of them.
That said, as long as she can act it and has the technique to not completely mess up her voice with this show, I welcome anyone for Diana if it means I finally get to see the show on stage again.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Apr 12, 2021 12:30:46 GMT
I absolutely love the show, saw it twice on Broadway and am still bitter we haven't had it here yet. Ever since I first saw it (must be 11 or 12 years ago now), my dream London Diana was always Jenna Russell. I just think she would be perfect for it. I feel like if it doesn't happen soon, she definitely would be a bit too old for it, but I think she could still pull it off now. Hannah Waddingham was always my second choice after Jenna, so I would be thrilled with either of them. That said, as long as she can act it and has the technique to not completely mess up her voice with this show, I welcome anyone for Diana if it means I finally get to see the show on stage again. I get the sense that the casting would be carefully done and for the right reasons, as this is more artistic led in and especially as the rights just haven't been given to the UK since...well forever. Hope that makes sense but from the names that have been discussed on here, anyone of those names would be amazing. I'm going to throw another in...Rachel Tucker? |
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5,248 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 12, 2021 12:48:14 GMT
As much as Rachel is one of my favourite performers of all time, I just don't see her as Diana. Fully on board with Jenna or Hannah though (to me Hannah could be the most obvious fit, as someone that could knock it out of the park AND has a little box office appeal - Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones etc)
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Apr 12, 2021 12:53:37 GMT
As much as Rachel is one of my favourite performers of all time, I just don't see her as Diana. Fully on board with Jenna or Hannah though (to me Hannah could be the most obvious fit, as someone that could knock it out of the park AND has a little box office appeal - Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones etc) Hannah - the fact she has a reach with Sex Education too ^ |
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423 posts
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Post by schuttep on Apr 15, 2021 13:41:06 GMT
I saw this in the Nichols auditorium at the Writers Theatre in Glencoe (just outside Chicago) in May 2019.
I really liked it and am looking forward to a well cast West End version. And to seeing the re-configured Trafalgar space.
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2,863 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on Apr 25, 2021 7:08:25 GMT
There are comments from a director and Jenna Russell herself that don't sound very optimistic
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Post by inthenose on Apr 25, 2021 19:53:39 GMT
There's a 40 date tour of China running selling out houses of over 3,000 heads a night. Crazy - quite literally.
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2,423 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Apr 25, 2021 20:11:12 GMT
It's a shame, but it's a little-known title in very difficult times, it must be a tough job getting things off the ground unless they're proven seat-fillers. Great news on the China tour though!
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Post by inthenose on Apr 25, 2021 20:18:40 GMT
I haven't heard anything new but will update when I do. It's moving forward though.
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58 posts
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Post by carriesparkle on Apr 26, 2021 6:55:35 GMT
Just checked my Twitter account. In 2010, I suggested Josefina Gabrielle for Diana and Niamh Perry as Natalie, and maintain that would have been great casting. A little late now!
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Post by inthenose on Sept 22, 2021 23:41:14 GMT
Workshops on way. Actors, get your agents to make calls.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2021 2:54:48 GMT
If it does happen, i bet it will be a role that everyone will be after. I'd like it to be a West End productiom, but after so long getting here, id be happy to see it anywhere. Fingers Crossed!
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Post by inthenose on Sept 23, 2021 4:50:25 GMT
If it does happen, i bet it will be a role that everyone will be after. I'd like it to be a West End productiom, but after so long getting here, id be happy to see it anywhere. Fingers Crossed! Long way off, start of the process. But something is finally happening it seems. |
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5,996 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 23, 2021 4:53:18 GMT
I suspect this wouldn’t be a west end production. Unless they have a star name, it’s way too risky.
Perhaps the Menier or Southwark.
Ruthie would have been a great Diana, back when she could sing. Not sure Josefina G , as much as I love her, has the voice for this.
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1,830 posts
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Post by stevej678 on Sept 23, 2021 9:50:59 GMT
Next to Normal is the musical episode in season 5 of Riverdale. It's the new episode out in the UK on Thursday 30 September (season 5 episode 18).
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Post by inthenose on Sept 23, 2021 10:25:59 GMT
I suspect this wouldn’t be a west end production. Unless they have a star name, it’s way too risky. Perhaps the Menier or Southwark. Ruthie would have been a great Diana, back when she could sing. Not sure Josefina G , as much as I love her, has the voice for this. I cannot confirm or deny, specifically because I don't know. I imagine anybody attached even at this stage is under NDA's, pathetic as the whole practice is. Ruthie back in the day would've been amazing. Voice is shot now. It actually just autocorrected to a rude word! Would be Jenna Russell for me now, if I had a say. Or Wads. |
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4,819 posts
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Post by Mark on Sept 23, 2021 10:32:39 GMT
Hannah Waddingham is the dream choice of course!
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5,248 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 23, 2021 10:41:55 GMT
It absolutely will be a fight of the West End leading ladies to get it.
But I'm on team Waddingham - I'd love Louise Dearman but she's a tad young right now.
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2,423 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Sept 23, 2021 10:49:52 GMT
Hannah Waddingham would be a shrewd casting move, she's a hot ticket right now thanks to her Emmy win this week.
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4,186 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Sept 23, 2021 13:25:27 GMT
Good luck getting her back over here to star in a musical now. She'll be the hot ticket in the US now probably up for all sorts of shows. I rather doubt we'll see her in a UK Theatre show for a while.
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58 posts
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Post by carriesparkle on Sept 23, 2021 14:37:58 GMT
It absolutely will be a fight of the West End leading ladies to get it. But I'm on team Waddingham - I'd love Louise Dearman but she's a tad young right now. Dearman is 42, just about the right age for Diana. If we go by the text, of course! |
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Sept 23, 2021 15:45:47 GMT
It absolutely will be a fight of the West End leading ladies to get it. But I'm on team Waddingham - I'd love Louise Dearman but she's a tad young right now. Dearman is 42, just about the right age for Diana. If we go by the text, of course! This is something people forget. Diana had Gabe in her early twenties while in college so she's probably not even 42, most likely in her late 30s. Dearman is definitely old enough to play her. |
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Post by singularsensation10 on Sept 23, 2021 22:15:01 GMT
Waddingham is totally dream casting but can’t see it happening. More likely to be someone like Jenna Russell (although would be miscast IMO) or Mazz Murray. Have to say, in today’s world of favouring diverse options, an actress of colour such as Sharon D Clarke or Rachel John’s names will likely be thrown around.
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585 posts
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Post by princeton on Sept 24, 2021 0:04:18 GMT
Jamie Lloyd tried to get the rights for a while for him to direct Jenna Russell - but the US producers were holding onto a transfer of the Michael Greif NYC production - so wouldn't allow an alternative version. Maybe they've finally relented and decided that after 12 years a fresh set of eyes might be just the thing which is needed.
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