111 posts
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Post by theatregod on May 31, 2022 23:16:16 GMT
They've realised a trailer and...er...it doesn't look great. The vocal sounds a bit dodgy too This sounds like a bootleg recording. Awful |
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520 posts
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Post by anthony on May 31, 2022 23:24:47 GMT
The positives: Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (Emmett), Courtney Bowman (Elle) and Eugene McCoy (Callahan) were all great. Particularly McCoy. As mentioned earlier, Emmett being played by a PoC really adds to the character, especially when hearing about his struggles during Chip. Allie Daniel was brilliant too (ensemble). She really sold the hell out of the part and was probably the stand out in an otherwise very weak ensemble. The negatives: I don't even know where to begin, really. Let's start with lyrical changes: I just didn't get a lot of them. In the programme, they make a big fuss about things that have happened that have caused a seismic shift in attitudes - things like the Me Too movement and George Floyd's murder. Most of the lyrical changes in relation to these are very minor and don't really change much. One that really annoyed me though was Callahan says "and he can get you high and laid". This was changed (I can't remember what to...), but surely the whole point of Callahan's character is that he IS a bit shady? There were a lot of other changes too, but the majority I don't remember. However, despite all of these lyrical changes, they didn't change the references to Elle being thin (there are 3-4 throughout) and of course, it seems out of place given that Bowman isn't skinny (and this isn't a dig!) Direction: I don't understand the need to make everything so modern - and a lot of the time it's done super badly. So, for example, during Whipped Into Shape, the lawyers are watching on Zoom... the problem is, is that it isn't obvious at all. There are loads more things like this - the cast have "phones" out constantly throughout the entire thing. It's jarring and weird. The dogs... I don't get it. Pointless change. In fact, it's somewhat ironic that they've went all out to be "woke", and yet, when changing the species of bruiser, they've chosen the most stereotypical breed for a gay dog. The constant sexual references are weird too - ranging from Emmett finding Elle's vibrator, to the dogs humping on stage, to Margot randomly humping other members of DN... Ensemble: Just not good. Isaac, in particular, was genuinely dreadful and flat throughout. The costumes... do I need to comment? Overall, I just don't get what they were trying to accomplish. I  Legally Blonde but this was just... not good. I really hope that they don't take some of these creative decisions forward to future productions. |
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86 posts
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Post by littlefluffychick on Jun 1, 2022 0:27:08 GMT
Thanks for your detailed review anthony. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
I’m not sure whether I should go and see this version of legally blonde out of curiosity- it would be for all the wrong reasons as most of the changes sound like statement changes rather than for the good of the production as a whole. It’s such a shame as I’ve loved previous versions of this show. “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” springs to mind!
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Post by cezbear on Jun 1, 2022 6:33:58 GMT
Can't believe I forgot to comment on the dogs in my review. Embarrassing.
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5,820 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 1, 2022 6:46:58 GMT
One of the problems with ‘woke’ casting is that it often elevates people who aren’t good enough to roles they quite frankly don’t deserve based on talent. That does a disservice to everyone involved.
I don’t imagine this will become the blueprint for how the show is done. But I guess with just a limited run, they may as well try a new take on it(even if it does look and sound dreadful 😂)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2022 9:26:19 GMT
They've posted another trailer and tbh its no better. The vocal sounds really iffy
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Post by inthenose on Jun 1, 2022 10:37:01 GMT
The fact they had to redo the trailer. They've managed to get practically everything wrong, across the board.
Absolutely dire.
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Post by inthenose on Jun 1, 2022 10:38:48 GMT
Thanks for your detailed review anthony. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. I’m not sure whether I should go and see this version of legally blonde out of curiosity- it would be for all the wrong reasons as most of the changes sound like statement changes rather than for the good of the production as a whole. It’s such a shame as I’ve loved previous versions of this show. “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” springs to mind! It's worth seeing I'd say (for free), just to experience how *not* to do musical theatre. |
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629 posts
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Post by christya on Jun 1, 2022 12:29:41 GMT
That trailer is terrible. Looks and sounds so amateur. I did an experiment and played the Broadway trailer, then this, and frankly there are several people involved in producing this who should be very embarrassed.
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Post by cezbear on Jun 1, 2022 12:35:56 GMT
What are the changes to the trailer? I've only watched the new one quickly without comparing but it seemed very similar to the first?
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Post by sparky5000 on Jun 1, 2022 15:25:27 GMT
Went to see this with a mate and we had a really good time and it was fun (and I thought Courtney was good), but objectively it wasn’t a great production! It all felt a bit high school to me and the costumes weren’t the best - and just so much pink!!
As for the Letts / Isaac drama - Letts was out of order with how he worded his review and people are right to criticise it, but it’s JUST ONE REVIEW …. that hardly anyone read in the first place. Just ignore and move on. I’m so done with the overwrought and over the top outrage you see on social media these days over literally anything.
As for Isaac, what’s worrying for me is that he clearly represents a whole swathe of younger theatre performers who live their lives in twitter world and not the real world - and theatre twitter is toxic af and full of people who truly do believe, like Isaac, that “old cis white people” shouldn’t exist or have a voice … completely oblivious to the fact that it’s these people they are criticising who are buying the majority of tickets (at the higher prices); the vast majority of whom DO believe in inclusivity and are liberal minded! How blumming arrogant to act like you’re only performing for YOUR chosen people! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a teen white cis theater fan tweet something ridiculous like “we need to stop casting these old cis white crusty actors” when referring to a legendary theatre performer like Sutton Foster, lol! It’s embarrassing - and I’m ngl, it’s even more embarrassing coming from Isaac when their singing was so below average! I’m all for inclusive and diverse casting, but please make it good!
Sorry this turned into a bit of a rant!
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19,679 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 1, 2022 15:32:21 GMT
If you’re old, white, cis and fat but LGBT are you “in” or “out”?… asking for a friend 😌
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2022 15:45:48 GMT
Went to see this with a mate and we had a really good time and it was fun (and I thought Courtney was good), but objectively it wasn’t a great production! It all felt a bit high school to me and the costumes weren’t the best - and just so much pink!! As for the Letts / Isaac drama - Letts was out of order with how he worded his review and people are right to criticise it, but it’s JUST ONE REVIEW …. that hardly anyone read in the first place. Just ignore and move on. I’m so done with the overwrought and over the top outrage you see on social media these days over literally anything. As for Isaac, what’s worrying for me is that he clearly represents a whole swathe of younger theatre performers who live their lives in twitter world and not the real world - and theatre twitter is toxic af and full of people who truly do believe, like Isaac, that “old cis white people” shouldn’t exist or have a voice … completely oblivious to the fact that it’s these people they are criticising who are buying the majority of tickets (at the higher prices); the vast majority of whom DO believe in inclusivity and are liberal minded! How blumming arrogant to act like you’re only performing for YOUR chosen people! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a teen white cis theater fan tweet something ridiculous like “we need to stop casting these old cis white crusty actors” when referring to a legendary theatre performer like Sutton Foster, lol! It’s embarrassing - and I’m ngl, it’s even more embarrassing coming from Isaac when their singing was so below average! I’m all for inclusive and diverse casting, but please make it good! Sorry this turned into a bit of a rant! Ironically they are all turning into the people they hate. The left is just as capable as the right of dangerous practices and rhetoric. Also they have given the Letts review far more attention and oxygen where as if they'd ignored him he wouldn't have got the attention he craves |
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7,064 posts
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Post by Jon on Jun 1, 2022 15:46:00 GMT
I do think some of the teen theatre fans are just a bit naive and perhaps they need to broaden their theatre tastes beyond Six and Heathers. I quite like that the theatre blogger Mickey Jo sees more than just musicals because I think you do yourself a huge disservice if you limit yourself to certain shows or types of shows.
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7,064 posts
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Post by Jon on Jun 1, 2022 15:47:03 GMT
If you’re old, white, cis and fat but LGBT are you “in” or “out”?… asking for a friend 😌 You're a Bear so you're out.... |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2022 15:52:41 GMT
I do think some of the teen theatre fans are just a bit naive and perhaps they need to broaden their theatre tastes beyond Six and Heathers. I quite like that the theatre blogger Mickey Jo sees more than just musicals because I think you do yourself a huge disservice if you limit yourself to certain shows or types of shows. Definitely, and that's the same in all walks of life and media. You need to expose yourself to different viewpoints. Social media creates dangerous echo chambers where people are never challenged and just get encouraged by their followers. And when people do challenge them they block them or turn theif followers on them. We are now paying the price for the very individualistic society social media has created |
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19,679 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 1, 2022 16:06:00 GMT
If you’re old, white, cis and fat but LGBT are you “in” or “out”?… asking for a friend 😌 You're a Bear so you're out.... 🧸 |
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254 posts
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Post by lolalou on Jun 1, 2022 16:54:47 GMT
If you’re old, white, cis and fat but LGBT are you “in” or “out”?… asking for a friend 😌 I think you only count if you’re bald too... |
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19,679 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 1, 2022 16:57:03 GMT
If you’re old, white, cis and fat but LGBT are you “in” or “out”?… asking for a friend 😌 I think you only count if you’re bald too... ✅ |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2022 17:11:15 GMT
I don’t think Isaac is right, but I do think they were rightly riled by Quentin’s continued intolerance and cruelty. Doesn’t excuse it, but I’m not going to sit here and say Isaac is the only one in the wrong. On another note, am disappointed by how many members of this board continue to use he/him pronouns to talk about Isaac rather than they/them. Erm... I suggest you look at their/his profile They /he/she instagram.com/isaac.hesketh?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Think you’ll find us old white straight (maybe balding and fat) folks have their pronouns correct thanks 😊 Never said anything about your being white, straight, balding or fat - don't put words in my mouth. And thank you for correcting me. I didn't realize that Isaac also uses he as I didn't follow them on twitter. |
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254 posts
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Post by lolalou on Jun 1, 2022 17:14:04 GMT
I think you only count if you’re bald too... ✅ This sounds promising but I suggest you ask Isaac Hesketh personally if you are ‘in or out’ as I believe he ‘speaks for the whole cast’ 🤔 It depends what you class as ‘old’ I believe it’s now anyone over 30.... Anyone remembers Logan’s Run? ... It’s only a matter of time ... |
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Post by stagebyte on Jun 1, 2022 17:20:45 GMT
Never said anything about your being white, straight, balding or fat - don't put words in my mouth. And thank you for correcting me. I didn't realize that Isaac also uses he as I didn't follow them on twitter. Wasn’t putting any words in your mouth. Merely adding a shot of humour at the end at my expense. I found it amusing that some of us older generation (white old straight fat balding irrelevant - take your pick) who are being accused ELSEWHERE of being out of touch/not worthy of watching a show were using correct pronouns. Try not to be ‘disappointed’ in us. Maybe research the facts yourself next time before trying to shame us. |
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7,064 posts
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Post by Jon on Jun 1, 2022 17:29:05 GMT
I think if Isaac isn't careful, he won't end being cast in other shows by the people who he's criticised who tend to be white, older and middle class.
Don't get me wrong, the Letts review was pretty terrible but surely you'd just ignore it rather than stew on it. Courtney in comparison has been diplomatic and brushed it aside.
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Post by stagebyte on Jun 1, 2022 17:33:51 GMT
I think if Isaac isn't careful, he won't end being cast in other shows by the people who he's criticised who tend to be white, older and middle class. Don't get me wrong, the Letts review was pretty terrible but surely you'd just ignore it rather than stew on it. Courtney in comparison has been diplomatic and brushed it aside. I do feel for Isaac and Courtney. It must be exhausting fighting against this prejudice daily. They have rights to be upset and angry. But yes in comparison Isaac’s response was just as prejudicial. Even though the demographic he was calling out is a privileged group in comparison, you don’t fight prejudice with prejudice. I think it was a very revealing post of his. And while the young are allowed to make their mistakes I do hope a wiser someone has had a quiet word before the ego gets any bigger. Edited to say: *in comparison to Courtney |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2022 17:46:06 GMT
Never said anything about your being white, straight, balding or fat - don't put words in my mouth. And thank you for correcting me. I didn't realize that Isaac also uses he as I didn't follow them on twitter. Wasn’t putting any words in your mouth. Merely adding a shot of humour at the end at my expense. I found it amusing that some of us older generation (white old straight fat balding irrelevant - take your pick) who are being accused ELSEWHERE of being out of touch/not worthy of watching a show were using correct pronouns. Try not to be ‘disappointed’ in us. Maybe research the facts yourself next time before trying to shame us. No, you were absolutely suggesting that I was attacking certain members. And, please. No one was shaming. Nor did I make ANY suggestion that a certain group of posters were the ones doing that. And once again, Isaac is non-binary. So, I don't need to "research the facts" by using they/them. I didn't know that Isaac ALSO uses he pronouns. Have a great day. Loving the block button on this board! |
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Legally Blonde but this was just... not good. I really hope that they don't take some of these creative decisions forward to future productions.
