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Post by partytentdown on May 17, 2022 21:46:52 GMT
I'm sure I'll get lynched for this, but is this an example of a director's lack of experience or naivety? I get that Moss created and directed Six which is now a worldwide phenomenon, but that show - despite the clever context and witty writing - is a relatively simply-staged one without much more direction than 'stand there and sing that' (someone else choreographed it). Plus, it was essentially staged as a student revue originally before being 'bulked up' by the subsequent commercial producers with flashier costumes, set, lighting etc. With Six she certainly 'tapped in' to a young, fanatical audience but does she really have the chops to reinvent an existing, well-loved Broadway-scale musical?
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Post by sph on May 17, 2022 21:47:50 GMT
I wonder why they didn't cast someone male/non-binary/transgender who has a good falsetto voice? Then they could have the visual they are presumably after without having to compromise on the singing keys. Of course the sound wouldn't be exactly the same as a woman singing but it'd be closer than singing an octave down. I think casting any minority group is harder than it sounds because they're a minority. There are less available actors who fit in that category to cover the jobs they're wanted for. You want a straight white actor? Ok, you have hundreds and thousands of submissions. If you need to cast a minority member your talent pool becomes significantly smaller as not only are there less people, but most are already working. |
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Post by ladidah on May 17, 2022 21:51:30 GMT
Will post more tomorrow but I adored it all, despite dodgy set, a few bum notes and some poor casting
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Post by inthenose on May 17, 2022 21:56:53 GMT
I wonder why they didn't cast someone male/non-binary/transgender who has a good falsetto voice? Then they could have the visual they are presumably after without having to compromise on the singing keys. Of course the sound wouldn't be exactly the same as a woman singing but it'd be closer than singing an octave down. I think casting any minority group is harder than it sounds because they're a minority. There are less available actors who fit in that category to cover the jobs they're wanted for. You want a straight white actor? Ok, you have hundreds and thousands of submissions. If you need to cast a minority member your talent pool becomes significantly smaller as not only are there less people, but most are already working. Which sums up critics opinions nicely. Previously, all comers weren't seen. In this case, they've gone out their way to cast parts a certain way, which is brilliant for inclusiveness. Is it great for the paying audience? I will always be of the opinion that everyone should be cast on appropriateness and ability to perform a role. Quotas are dangerous. Going out looking for a non-binary or any other label is dangerous casting. This happens. |
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Post by Dr Tom on May 17, 2022 22:16:51 GMT
We had the usual Open Air Theatre amusements. A few spots of light rain and people desperately reaching for coats and umbrellas.
This was quite fun. Nowhere near as strong as the reimagined Mountview version earlier this year, but I feared worse.
I think the highlight was Liam McEvoy as Bruiser, who really brought out the depth of his character and his quest to find real love.
Courtney Bowman sang and looked fantastic too.
If you want to go, I wouldn’t book too far in advance. There will be plenty more offers available.
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Post by westendcub on May 17, 2022 22:23:33 GMT
So here is my hot take:
The score remains brilliant, it’s knowing (a little camp) but remains a delight (ok ‘Blood in the Water’) remains as it’s dud song!
Now of course whilst a good score remains a good score, I’m afraid I found this production only OK which feels such a shame as I love this musical but well…
The set is terrible (I cannot work out the concept nor who signed this off), it just feels cheap & damn if you are not going to have a inspiring set I would go for a bare stage & have very creative lighting (also very basic looking props)!
I have to agree what others have said, the costumes are so cheap, I haven’t felt for one moment that Elle worships ‘Vogue’ & fashion!
Now this is no doubt a talented cast but it’s so mis-cast, I don’t feel like I’ve been to Harvard law school, it’s almost trying to be a diverse cast as possible that I ended up having no believe in any of it. I warmed up to ‘Elle’ towards the end of Act 1 & was more connected to her in Act 2 but the portrayal here is odd & it’s odd I felt such a disconnect to her (I just don’t think she was that character who you should love from the get-go in the mall even if she is a little self-involved).
I don’t understand the dogs being played by actors at all (what an odd decision, it adds nothing & seems more mocking of the material!).
I actually am OK with it being set in modern day but don’t think it adds anything & I would have kept set in the 2001 era!
Thankfully it’s best number (which is totally glorious un-PC) ‘Gay or European’ has been kept in tact & it’s the best song (‘Bend & Snap’ & ‘Ireland’ remain a highlight too!).
Stand-out star is ‘Paulette’ but again not a patch on Jill Halfpenny, Denise VanOuten & Jodie Jacobs who I have seen in the role!
The magic of it turning into night in the open air is totally lost here, not the fault of the musical or even production as a whole in earnest but again it’s the lack sure set & lighting (there’s no magic or change from day to night).
Omg Elle’s ‘back in the game’ pink outfit to court (It’s needs to change) I’m sorry but Elle Woods would never have her mid-drift on display in court (it’s against the character & can’t work out what the costume designer is trying to prove?!).
Now my seat was perfect, getting todays £15 front row seat, I could see everything & well it’s a steal at that price!
So didn’t hate it but do feel it’s legacy in London might be somewhat trashed by this! It has a merit but this lacks!
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Post by Being Alive on May 17, 2022 22:48:48 GMT
Agree with virtually everything you say westendcub - I didn't hate it (I had a lot of fun in Act 2!) but I disagreed with virtually every decision. Does anyone know when Press Night is? |
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Post by LaLuPone on May 17, 2022 22:52:13 GMT
I think it’s Friday, Thursday is the last night labelled as a preview performance on the booking page.
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Post by fiyerorocher on May 17, 2022 23:35:58 GMT
Concur with many of the other opinions here. Set and costumes are truly awful. The set threatens to be a problem in the wind because it blows around everywhere. The costume just look tacky - why are so many people walking around in trousers or shorts with two different length legs?  ? Whoever came up with the idea to have the dogs played by people owes the world an apology. I felt mortified for those actors. I know work is work, but sheesh... I thought Courtney did a great job as Elle. It was a shame the sound quality was so poor so it was hard to properly appreciate it. |
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on May 17, 2022 23:53:39 GMT
Agree with virtually everything you say westendcub - I didn't hate it (I had a lot of fun in Act 2!) but I disagreed with virtually every decision. Does anyone know when Press Night is? 24th. |
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Post by ladidah on May 18, 2022 7:01:46 GMT
My thoughts:
. Stage was even worse than it looked online, it looks like party streamers made out of hay. The patterns didn't even match up at the front. The swing have to constantly move round these rickety little benches. It lacked a real feeling. Even some kind of pink vinyl would have been better. Everyone around me was saying how bad it looked.
. Sound isn't right, I was in the front row and had real trouble hearing most people over the music. At times mics weren't on properly or really quiet.
. Costumes look like Primark, most of them don't fit any of the cast and look very homemade. Wigs also look bad - Courtney struggled with pinning hers near the end.
. I have never been to the theatre, will go again for sure, loved it. The staff were great about the rain.
. Courtney was great for me, really likeable from the start. Not as girlboss! as I had feared. Paulette was great casting, Ireland really shone.
. Margot is miscast, the voice doesn't work. Callahan was a bit off to me too.
. The actress playing Brooke was insane, great voice, acting and to skip whilst singing is a skill!
. Dogs were fine, no big deal to me.
I am a huge fan of the original show so I really did love it, will be back before it ends.
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Post by theatrefan77 on May 18, 2022 12:59:39 GMT
I liked the original London production very much and also enjoyed the tour, but this was absolutely awful.
Honestly I can't find any redeeming features. The singing was atrocious and some performers sang off key. It might not be their fault entirely as the sound balance was terrible.
Set and costumes were beyond bad.
It seems that they only aim of this production was to get a diverse all inclusive cast, which is great, but they seem to have forgotten about everything else and the result is a complete and utter mess.
The show is heavily papered, and most people around me seemed to have got complimentary tickets.
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Post by stagebyte on May 18, 2022 14:13:09 GMT
Be interesting to see what the critics say. Whether this will be Lucy Moss’ Emerald ‘Cinderella’ Fennell moment where the hot new thing will be exposed for lack of basic understanding of the way a musical actually works. L. It sounds like the work of an inexperienced director.
Adding in cheap laughs with a dildo is where we’re at. Not necessary. LB has enough of a lovely mix of humour and heart. It doesn’t need ‘updating’ by scraping the barrel for laughs or using dogs for cheap homophobic shots.
A hot mess is a hot mess whether the intention of inclusivity was there or not. No point in trying to break the mould if the replacement doesn’t work? Let’s hope the critics are honest.
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Post by Being Alive on May 18, 2022 14:29:45 GMT
As much as I hated lots of it, I can't lie the dildo did make me laugh a lot...
Not a sentence I ever thought I'd utter!
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Post by Seriously on May 18, 2022 14:44:17 GMT
As much as I hated lots of it, I can't lie the dildo did make me laugh a lot... Not a sentence I ever thought I'd utter! Complimentary dildos? #BendAndSnap |
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Post by ladidah on May 18, 2022 14:45:51 GMT
I laughed too, just a fun joke.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 18, 2022 15:47:31 GMT
Complimentary dildos? #BendAndSnap Alas not, but they did throw condoms out to the audience later on (or, at least I think that's what they said, if these were alternative souvenirs I blame the poor quality of the sound system). |
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Post by fiyerorocher on May 18, 2022 15:49:54 GMT
Complimentary dildos? #BendAndSnap Alas not, but they did throw condoms out to the audience later on (or, at least I think that's what they said, if these were alternative souvenirs I blame the poor quality of the sound system). I think those were business cards |
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Post by southstreet on May 18, 2022 15:53:07 GMT
Complimentary dildos? #BendAndSnap Alas not, but they did throw condoms out to the audience later on (or, at least I think that's what they said, if these were alternative souvenirs I blame the poor quality of the sound system). Hahaha, I didn't see condoms being thrown, just Hair Affair business cards at the end? But I went to the first preview, so maybe additional 'goodies' for the front row were added? The vibrator joke was funny IMO, it literally wasn't anything new put in, just a different thing for Emmet to pick up rather than some kind of actual hairdryer instrument thingie. The dogs I just found cringey. As soon as I saw Bruiser, I was scared of Rufus showing up. LOL And the sound was attrocious first preview, as were the costumes and sets but those I don't expect to change, whereas I would have hoped by now a lot of the sound issues would be fixed? :-( |
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Post by ladidah on May 18, 2022 18:49:46 GMT
No, sound is really bad. Mics need to be turned way up
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Post by terrylondon79 on May 18, 2022 19:12:36 GMT
No, sound is really bad. Mics need to be turned way up It's better with them off. |
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Post by luvvie23 on May 18, 2022 20:44:33 GMT
As much as I hated lots of it, I can't lie the dildo did make me laugh a lot... Not a sentence I ever thought I'd utter! Who doesn’t love a dildo gag? |
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Post by luvvie23 on May 18, 2022 20:52:19 GMT
Why are these comments making me want to see this show REALLY badly?
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Post by Dr Tom on May 18, 2022 20:58:19 GMT
Who doesn’t love a dildo gag? All depends how good their breath control is... |
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Post by WireHangers on May 18, 2022 21:30:50 GMT
As much as I hated lots of it, I can't lie the dildo did make me laugh a lot... Not a sentence I ever thought I'd utter! What’s the context of the show? Where does it appear in the show? |
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