A Big Night Of Musicals - AO Arena Manchester / BBC1

[oxfordsimon]

I am just disappointed in this being portrayed as being the best of musicals in the UK and it really isn't.

I am not going to censor my opinions to please other people. I will continue to call things as I see them.

I am not being hateful. If you can't see the difference between critique and hate then you really are in the wrong place.

I am delighted that the performances are being made more accessible by the use of signing. The segment about increasing opportinies for disabled performers was very welcome too.

And the current segment is the best I have heard the UK cast of DEH perform.

But my central feeling about it not being a top quality celebration of MT in the UK still stands.

[ruthieh]

Loved that DEH performance. Enjoying it so far. Shame that JOJ is not being featured in the TVP version, so will be interesting to see what else is missed out. But overall beats the usual Saturday night tv hands down.

[vickyg]

Did Keala Settle have a totally British accent? My housemates are shouting across the living room so I can’t really hear a thing but I didn’t think she sounded at all American?

[HereForTheatre]

It's a primetime Musicals concert in a 12,000 seater arena featuring lead performances from many of the top West End and Touring/Regional musicals on at the moment and full orchestra.  I don't know what it could do to improve on that. There's a couple of odd song choices fair enough but some performers may not be available and maybe in some cases they want to give a taster rather than perform the lead song. This will ultimately be about getting people to book tickets to see the full show.

[stuartmcd]

Jan 29, 2022 19:49:23 GMT vickyg said:

Did Keala Settle have a totally British accent? My housemates are shouting across the living room so I can’t really hear a thing but I didn’t think she sounded at all American?

She’s moved to the UK and I believe her Dad is British. So since moving here she’s gone more British. It’s a bit like John Barrowman having an American and a Scottish accent.

[alece10]

Jan 29, 2022 19:49:23 GMT vickyg said:

Did Keala Settle have a totally British accent? My housemates are shouting across the living room so I can’t really hear a thing but I didn’t think she sounded at all American?

I thought she sounded quite British but then I thought she was actually Australian so what do I know.

[og]

Jan 29, 2022 19:24:34 GMT stuartmcd said:

Are the held hand mics to do with it being in an arena?

Yes. Handhelds, in this environment, generally give a much better dynamic response than the DPAs you get taped to peoples foreheads or clipped to the chin; which are often omnidirectional (pick up sound from every direction) and/or require more 'gain' (amplification) to achieve a good level, which makes them more susceptible to feedback (squeal).
In a concert setting where there's higher background noise and all the levels are heavily amplified, handhelds will make the engineers life alot easier and achieve a better result.

[ceebee]

Maybe I'm just sentimental and soppy but many of these shows carry significance for me and my two daughters, so I'm happy just to sit here with a tear in my eye as they lap it up and sing along.

[HereForTheatre]

I liked that by Chelsea Halfpenny, I didn't know what to expect from her.

[alece10]

Jan 29, 2022 20:05:09 GMT ceebee said:

Maybe I'm just sentimental and soppy but many of these shows carry significance for me and my two daughters, so I'm happy just to sit here with a tear in my eye as they lap it up and sing along.

My neighbours are going to be banging on the walls soon as I have the volume up much higher than normal and I'm singing along completely out of tune.

[HereForTheatre]

Wait this makes me want to see Drifters Girl tbh.

[saral]

Jan 29, 2022 19:51:57 GMT HereForTheatre said:

It's a primetime Musicals concert in a 12,000 seater arena featuring lead performances from many of the top West End and Touring/Regional musicals on at the moment and full orchestra.  I don't know what it could do to improve on that. There's a couple of odd song choices fair enough but some performers may not be available and maybe in some cases they want to give a taster rather than perform the lead song. This will ultimately be about getting people to book tickets to see the full show.

Totally agree with this

To me, to get someone to book to see a show they should have performed a song you might be familiar with, if someone isn't fussed on a song they aren't going to book. I've twice now heard songs from Back to the Future and both left me cold and not wanting to see the show at all. I know the Drifters songs are well known but i could see this making ppl want to book after the performance

[ceebee]

Jan 29, 2022 20:12:44 GMT HereForTheatre said:

Wait this makes me want to see Drifters Girl tbh.

Yeah, I thought it was fantastic. I'll be taking a trip to see it.

[steve10086]

In every song there’s that one audience member that has to be “look at me” with all the hand choreography, or dancing in the aisle. Twats 🙄

[alece10]

And the Manchester audience seem to know how to wear face masks. Putting London Theatre audiences to shame.

[Mark]

Really enjoying this tonight!

[BurlyBeaR]

Jan 29, 2022 20:12:44 GMT HereForTheatre said:

Wait this makes me want to see Drifters Girl tbh.

Same. 

It will tour I imagine. 

I’m looking forward to The Osmonds too! 😲

[stagebyte]

Loved that
Made me want to see Bob Marley musicals and The Drifters Girl. A great showcase we need more of this on our TVs

Wonder why Cinders didn’t make it for a live performance just w clip?

And Keala Seattle? Just screaming to me. Don’t remember it like that originally in WE. I like a powerful voice but total turn off for me

[oxfordsimon]

David Bedella was rather delicious

I know it was a concert of who was available but it was too heavy on the jukebox/biographical-back catalogue shows

Yes that makes for a very familiar evening for non specialist audiences but it doesn't really give a proper glimpse of what is great about musical theatre.

[steve10086]

This is just one big advert for the shows currently playing in London, and touring the UK. On BBC1, for 90mins, on primetime Saturday night. How anyone who supports musical theatre could not think this is an astounding achievement is beyond me. I hope this has sold tickets in theatres all around the country!

[saral]

Not a good enough voice for Tina for my liking

[stuartmcd]

Well it’s done it’s job. Going on to book tickets on ATG has put me in a virtual queue.

[stuartmcd]

I thought that was wonderful. To have a show like that on prime time tv is just what musical theatre needs.

And it was great to see such amazing representation. Not just a diverse line up of performers but also not just focusing on London shows and giving a spotlight to touring and regional productions.

It was quite refreshing to not have the usual Les Mis/Wicked/Phantom lineup. It has sold me on The Drifters Girl.

[alece10]

The guy doing the sign language was having a ball.

Now over to BBC2 for a night with EP.

[steve10086]

Jan 29, 2022 20:37:48 GMT stuartmcd said:

I thought that was wonderful. To have a show like that on prime time tv is just what musical theatre needs.

And it was great to see such amazing representation. Not just a diverse line up of performers but also not just focusing on London shows and giving a spotlight to touring and regional productions.

It was quite refreshing to not have the usual Les Mis/Wicked/Phantom lineup. It has sold me on The Drifters Girl.

Yes, how great to have a musical theatre concert and not have someone singing Memory!!!