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Post by alece10 on May 4, 2022 8:45:39 GMT
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Post by fluxcapacitor on May 4, 2022 9:56:20 GMT
All I can do is echo other comments - what a fabulous evening. For a night filled with so many musical numbers, it flowed very quickly and the standard overall was top tier. The only time it dragged for me was during the Sweeney Todd section - Maria Friedman's Worst Pies in London was brilliant, but I felt that should have been it. Personally I felt they could have dropped the rest of the section and reinstated something from Sunday instead. Personal highlights were Bernadette Peters' Losing My Mind, Judi Dench's Send in the Clowns, You Gotta Have a Gimmick, and the fantastic all powerful Broadway Baby. I thought Helena Bonham Carter's cameo was hilarious - kudos to her for taking part, and a testament to the calibre of the evening that a star name could be involved in one number just for a bit of fun. Janie Dee also gave a fantastic rendition of The Boy From...Such a glorious night. I do have to agree that the choices of who sings what seemed odd - Anna Jane Casey who was in the ‘West End All Stars’ supporting cast sang far more numbers than Jenna Russell/Bonnie Langford. I may be wrong, but I wondered if Anna Jane Casey (masterfully!) picked up some of Hannah Waddingham's workload. Not Getting Married, which was staged with what seemed like a "reveal" when her veil was lifted, just felt like it was done so with for a star name and I can imagine Waddingham performing that song very well. Just a guess though. |
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Post by jaggy on May 4, 2022 10:29:18 GMT
That was such an amazing evening. As a very big Sondheim fan I have seen pretty much everything over my many years including several gala concerts and the Sondheim Proms and have to say that this concert wins hands down. Really well staged with an orchestra of 26 and clever use of the stage (including the Les Mis baracades)the programme was so well put together and it flowed so well. The wall of sound when everyone was singing was insane but bear in mind you had the best of the best all on stage at the same time. As others have mentioned there were some stand out performances and mine would be, Judi's Send in the Clowns, Worst pies in London, Ladies Who Lunch, Broadway Baby, You gotta get a gimmick, I'm still here, Everything's coming up Roses and Sunday. Bernadette Peters (as others have mentioned) was in several numbers and also AJ Casey who I feel should have been in the programme under the main cast. I was beyond thrilled to see Julia MacKenzie and to hear her sing. I only expected her to speak or introduce something but to hear her singing was a joy. The "chorus" were sublime when they sang together and there was just a massive wall of sound. To be honest even if the concert only had what they called West End All Stars I would have been happy. I have 4 favourite male performers Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden, Julian Ovenden and Charlie Stemp so you can imagine my joy of seeing them all on the stage at the same time. Minor gripe was that Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell were not used enough but looking at the programme I can see that 2 numbers at the start and 1 at the end were cut (due to time I would guess) and one of those cut would have been Daniel Evans singing Sunday in the Park. I think someone mentioned last night that they would have liked numbers from some of the other Sondheim musicals but as Cameron said in his speech at the beginning that everyone has their favorites and it would have been impossible to put in everything but they had included shows that he had been involved with. This is why we didn't get anything from say Anyone Can Whistle. The programme is lovely an a great idea about giving the set list at the end of the evening so as not to spoil the surprise and so we can remember who did what. Audience was amazing and there were several standing ovations from everyone in the stalls where I was sitting and I am sure it was the same on the other 2 levels. Others have mentioned some famous faces there. I was sitting a few seats away from Anne Reid, Biggins and Patricia Hodge were in the row in front of me and Dawn French behind. Audience where I sat were a perfect example of well behaved audience. I didn't see a single person get up to go to the loo, no phones lighting up the theatre, no talking or scoffing sweets. It was so nice. I'd love to hear the thoughts of anyone who went to the screening and find out how it came across and also if everyone joined in with the applause or just watched as if watching a film. And can I finally just say - Bonnie Langford! high kicks and the splits!!!! What were the three cuts songs? I noticed two being absent but can’t remember what was the third. |
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8,103 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 4, 2022 10:53:42 GMT
That was such an amazing evening. As a very big Sondheim fan I have seen pretty much everything over my many years including several gala concerts and the Sondheim Proms and have to say that this concert wins hands down. Really well staged with an orchestra of 26 and clever use of the stage (including the Les Mis baracades)the programme was so well put together and it flowed so well. The wall of sound when everyone was singing was insane but bear in mind you had the best of the best all on stage at the same time. As others have mentioned there were some stand out performances and mine would be, Judi's Send in the Clowns, Worst pies in London, Ladies Who Lunch, Broadway Baby, You gotta get a gimmick, I'm still here, Everything's coming up Roses and Sunday. Bernadette Peters (as others have mentioned) was in several numbers and also AJ Casey who I feel should have been in the programme under the main cast. I was beyond thrilled to see Julia MacKenzie and to hear her sing. I only expected her to speak or introduce something but to hear her singing was a joy. The "chorus" were sublime when they sang together and there was just a massive wall of sound. To be honest even if the concert only had what they called West End All Stars I would have been happy. I have 4 favourite male performers Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden, Julian Ovenden and Charlie Stemp so you can imagine my joy of seeing them all on the stage at the same time. Minor gripe was that Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell were not used enough but looking at the programme I can see that 2 numbers at the start and 1 at the end were cut (due to time I would guess) and one of those cut would have been Daniel Evans singing Sunday in the Park. I think someone mentioned last night that they would have liked numbers from some of the other Sondheim musicals but as Cameron said in his speech at the beginning that everyone has their favorites and it would have been impossible to put in everything but they had included shows that he had been involved with. This is why we didn't get anything from say Anyone Can Whistle. The programme is lovely an a great idea about giving the set list at the end of the evening so as not to spoil the surprise and so we can remember who did what. Audience was amazing and there were several standing ovations from everyone in the stalls where I was sitting and I am sure it was the same on the other 2 levels. Others have mentioned some famous faces there. I was sitting a few seats away from Anne Reid, Biggins and Patricia Hodge were in the row in front of me and Dawn French behind. Audience where I sat were a perfect example of well behaved audience. I didn't see a single person get up to go to the loo, no phones lighting up the theatre, no talking or scoffing sweets. It was so nice. I'd love to hear the thoughts of anyone who went to the screening and find out how it came across and also if everyone joined in with the applause or just watched as if watching a film. And can I finally just say - Bonnie Langford! high kicks and the splits!!!! What were the three cuts songs? I noticed two being absent but can’t remember what was the third. I believe it was Sunday in the Park (Daniel Evans) which is shown as the opening number and Side by Side. If I remember rightly it went straight from short overture, Camerons speech and then straight into Comedy Tonight. At the end the list shows Old Friends, Side by Side and Our Time and I think they missed out the Side by Side bit. |
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Post by christya on May 4, 2022 10:54:21 GMT
One thing really stood out to me last night, was how beautifully Bernadette uses her voice. Obviously, she's not twentysomething anymore (though she looked sensational) and that means her voice isn't either, but she knew when to go for it and when to pull back, and the overall effect was lovely.
Have to echo the point about the audience. There was a somewhat miserable old sod to my right (didn't even applaud sometimes, and considering that he was in the £1250 seats I have to wonder why he bothered), but if the only issue is someone was maybe TOO quiet you know you've got a good audience!
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8,103 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 4, 2022 10:57:01 GMT
All I can do is echo other comments - what a fabulous evening. For a night filled with so many musical numbers, it flowed very quickly and the standard overall was top tier. The only time it dragged for me was during the Sweeney Todd section - Maria Friedman's Worst Pies in London was brilliant, but I felt that should have been it. Personally I felt they could have dropped the rest of the section and reinstated something from Sunday instead. Personal highlights were Bernadette Peters' Losing My Mind, Judi Dench's Send in the Clowns, You Gotta Have a Gimmick, and the fantastic all powerful Broadway Baby. I thought Helena Bonham Carter's cameo was hilarious - kudos to her for taking part, and a testament to the calibre of the evening that a star name could be involved in one number just for a bit of fun. Janie Dee also gave a fantastic rendition of The Boy From...Such a glorious night. I do have to agree that the choices of who sings what seemed odd - Anna Jane Casey who was in the ‘West End All Stars’ supporting cast sang far more numbers than Jenna Russell/Bonnie Langford. I may be wrong, but I wondered if Anna Jane Casey (masterfully!) picked up some of Hannah Waddingham's workload. Not Getting Married, which was staged with what seemed like a "reveal" when her veil was lifted, just felt like it was done so with for a star name and I can imagine Waddingham performing that song very well. Just a guess though. You could be right about I am not getting married. However apart from a little line fluff she performed it better than almost anyone I've heard sing it before (apart from Jonathan Bailey) and I am sure she sang it quicker than I've ever heard it before. I wonder if she stood in for one of the 3 strippers. In my mind I could see EP doing that one for fun. But AJ was sensational and shows us how great she is. |
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2,850 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 4, 2022 12:03:31 GMT
Lol Michael Ball has been telling Baz that he's the first man who ever sang Could I Leave You. He might as well say that he wrote Follies.
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Post by cheri78 on May 4, 2022 12:16:28 GMT
Obviously he's not done his homework and remembered David Kernan from Side by Side by Sondheim. A bit of self importance their perhaps?
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Post by interval99 on May 4, 2022 13:46:55 GMT
The Broadwayworld.com message board has a post highlighting the positive response on this board.
Also has link to four min video with excerpts from the finale and several shows of the stalls audience if you were sat there you may spot yourself.
Bernadette looked and sounded great. Bit odd having the confetti downpour at the end but looked like everyone was enjoying the night.
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351 posts
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Post by Scswp on May 4, 2022 15:54:20 GMT
Did Elaine Paige not appear in the end? I wonder why? Maybe she was ill.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on May 4, 2022 15:59:34 GMT
Did Elaine Paige not appear in the end? I wonder why? Maybe she was ill. She was subtly removed from the lineup in publicity materials and on the website a few weeks ago so it wasn’t a last minute change, although they never actually announced she was no longer involved. |
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Post by mattnyc on May 4, 2022 16:03:30 GMT
Just still praying the show is released to watch ASAP.
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351 posts
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Post by Scswp on May 4, 2022 16:09:30 GMT
Did Elaine Paige not appear in the end? I wonder why? Maybe she was ill. She was subtly removed from the lineup in publicity materials and on the website a few weeks ago so it wasn’t a last minute change, although they never actually announced she was no longer involved. Do you know why? |
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Post by theatrelover123 on May 4, 2022 16:29:01 GMT
The Broadwayworld.com message board has a post highlighting the positive response on this board. Also has link to four min video with excerpts from the finale and several shows of the stalls audience if you were sat there you may spot yourself. Bernadette looked and sounded great. Bit odd having the confetti downpour at the end but looked like everyone was enjoying the night. Do you have a link to that video please? I looked for it on the BWW messageboard but couldn't see it |
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Post by interval99 on May 4, 2022 16:33:12 GMT
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2,381 posts
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Post by theatreian on May 4, 2022 16:39:05 GMT
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2,381 posts
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Post by theatreian on May 4, 2022 16:50:10 GMT
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8,103 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 4, 2022 17:01:07 GMT
There is also a great 5 star review from The Times but I think you have to be signed up to read it. |
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Post by theatreian on May 4, 2022 17:10:43 GMT
The atmosphere was electric and there are rarely so many standing ovations. It was so well put together and seemed to go without a hitch. Am i wrong or did Judi make a mistake at the start of SITC?
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Post by marob on May 4, 2022 17:10:43 GMT
That’s a nice video, until Cameron puts himself front and centre and makes it all about him. Must have been a great night though, looking forward to seeing the recording.
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2,850 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 4, 2022 17:17:22 GMT
The atmosphere was electric and there are rarely so many standing ovations. It was so well put together and seemed to go without a hitch. Am i wrong or did Judi make a mistake at the start of SITC? Yeah she took some major liberties in the first verse, but it didn't really show and she nailed the rest |
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2,850 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 4, 2022 17:51:43 GMT
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Post by interval99 on May 4, 2022 18:35:06 GMT
That bloke could almost class him self as a toyboy of those distinguished ladies.
Hope they released him unharmed.
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19,670 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 4, 2022 19:51:35 GMT
How was Petula’s performance, given the comments we have seen in the Mary Poppins thread? Did she sing it ok?
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8,103 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 4, 2022 20:12:25 GMT
How was Petula’s performance, given the comments we have seen in the Mary Poppins thread? Did she sing it ok? I thought it was a great performance considering her age. Song was well suited to a legend. |
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