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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 4, 2023 8:53:24 GMT
I feel dirty after watching that vid. What's JB's weird looks at MB ? Fear or lust ?
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2023 9:52:20 GMT
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Post by cezbear on Feb 4, 2023 10:26:51 GMT
I mean it's clear to me JB was cast for the coordinating hair....
In seriousness, I maintain that for the majority of that video it's all just fine. Until the last bit when I regret having ears. I do struggle with JB to find any charisma but as a poster above said, just because he was poor in MR doesn't mean he can't be good in this.
I'll be optimistic it'll get better (I have to be, I have tickets).
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2023 10:35:52 GMT
Something a bit odd about MB’s delivery on certain phrases though. Almost like he’s singing softly at certain times as if to hide something. Probably my imagination. He was in fine voice in Chess at the ENO but staggeringly that’s 5 years ago now.
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Post by wardrobemistress76 on Feb 4, 2023 11:31:11 GMT
To me, Michael Ball feels like the world’s worst cameo. Lovely chap, but I’ve never EVER understood the hype.
He is like the person that turns up without being invited.
His Javert was offensive.
Can someone please explain the appeal? Genuinely, I need to know.
I’m talking purely professionally here, from a casting point of view. I get that he’s now a ‘star’ name and highly regarded and reliable, but even when he was younger, and starting out — how did he do it? His Marius is laughable. Mind you, so is Colm.
He feels like the MT equivalent of an X Factor contestant. Awful, but he pulls people in.
He is the Iceland of the supermarkets.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Feb 4, 2023 12:38:31 GMT
I didn't see Michael Ball when he was young but have seen him in various things like woman in white, sweeney Todd, les mis and Hairspray. Hairspray was the only time I genuinely thought he was excellent in the role. I just can't see him as an aging casonova type character.
He is just his usual cheesiness otherwise, I don't think he is a particularly strong actor. And I cringe whenever he sings les mis as he defaults into this kind of 'come on guys here we go' look.
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Post by zephyrus on Feb 4, 2023 12:54:21 GMT
Having said all of this, just because Bogyo was panned in Moulin Rouge doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be ‘bad’ in Aspects of Love. Well... Bogyo was laughably wooden when he was a drama student at RADA, and he was very weak in Moulin Rouge, so at this point I would say that the odds are stacked against him delivering a nuanced, detailed and appealing performance in Aspects. |
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Post by angie on Feb 4, 2023 13:00:12 GMT
He is the Iceland of the supermarkets. Ouch....😁 MB has a huge fanbase who are devoutly loyal. To them MB is the best Marius, which of course he isn't in my opinion. Just as Colm W fans believe him to be the only JVJ, another myth, again in my opinion . MB is very popular and seems a nice chap, also puts bums on seats. I saw him in the original Aspects of Love as I was also a fan. Looking back his voice was wonderful and I dont remember his slow vibrato and back phrasing being so obvious and irritating. His acting on the otherhand was not particularly memorable. My concern re him singing Love Changes Everything is that unfortunately I do not believe he has the voice now for that song, he will get away with it though due to his legions of fans buying tickets to see him. |
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Post by andypandy on Feb 4, 2023 13:25:11 GMT
Well I'm sorry but this is tragic. Micheal has sadly mostly lost it - physically and vocally. Basic acting through song. Bad placement, reaching and scooping for notes, unsure head voice, flat at times, liaisons galore (badly connecting words), bad breathing, horrible phrasing, coming off notes early and an awful strained screech of a belt for the end note. He sounds like a semi pro who needs a few singing lessons! Like our wonderful Ruthie Henshaw, they have half the vocal ability they used to have in the 90's and that's what happens to older vocal chords and after 50 years of use. I used to be a big fan of both - it's very sad. As for Jamie - he might be a decent guy as a person (I don't know him) but as a talent - I've seen and heard better (and more visually appealing) average chorus boys sing better than this. Not the most satisfying vocal timbre to listen too, odd placement, odd mouth shapes, odd presence, no emotional gear changes, sub textual emotional delivery or any hint of a RADA training. Why on earth would any producer cast this way? I'm truly baffled. Who does he appeal to? Even the orchestra, arrangements and harmonies were FLAT. 3/10 WHAT. A. SHAME. |
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Post by alece10 on Feb 4, 2023 14:02:44 GMT
Well I will probably annoy quite a few people on here but I don't care as I've just come out of hospital, am on such strong painkillers that I don't know whether it's Tuesday or Christmas so that's my excuse 😀
I think there is so much theatre snobbery towards Michael Ball and its not "cool" to say you like him these days but he is a damm fine performer, sells tickets by the truckload and a fantastic ambassador for MT.
I've seen him in a lot of things right back to his days of Marius and always thought he has put in a great performance.
I bet if you ask most people in the street to name a MT person and he would be the first name that comes up.
Anyway looking forward to seeing him in Aspects later this year.
Now I'll take some more medication and head back to bed!
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Post by Jon on Feb 4, 2023 14:09:51 GMT
I would say about Michael Ball is that he's a good all rounder. Not many theatre actors could go into presenting on TV and radio and be successful.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Feb 4, 2023 17:02:33 GMT
Why all the hate for Michael Ball? Yes his concert performances are cheesy, but he's always been great in a role in a show. He's been working consistently for nearly 40 years. Not many West End leading men can say that.
How can his Marius be laughable when he created the role and that is what the director/creatives wanted for the character?
I was actually shocked to see that he is 60 now. That's 8 years older than Kevin Colson was when he first played George all those years ago. George could easily sing Love Changes Everything if he is reminiscing, the same way Alex did in the original, or maybe there will be some tweaks to the lyrics.
He's become an easy target like James Cordon. God forbid people actually be successful in this country.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Feb 4, 2023 19:27:37 GMT
Or, you know, maybe people just don't like his performances. There doesn't have to be an agenda or jumping on a bandwagon.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 4, 2023 19:30:58 GMT
The first spoken like of the show "Alex, it's all in the past!"
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Post by max on Feb 4, 2023 19:36:32 GMT
Disappointing he does that cheesy handover, name checking Jamie mid song! It's not a great way of suggesting the characterisation of the piece is what matters most. Of course 'lifted out of the show' happens a lot before the director's properly got their hands on a show. Ball almost mimes doing the drums leading into 'the big bit' - oh dear. That's all the stuff that needs dismantling in the show, not built up.
Hoping Michael Ball is very aware of the tricks and fake-slick moves that go with his gigs with Alfie Boe, and is keen for Jonathan Kent to be on him cutting them out (including vibrato when it's meaningless). Surely the only satisfaction of going back to Aspects Of Love is for people to be impressed by his acting performance - while aware that lots of fans will be there who'll just accept him doing anything whatsoever.
It really is a piece that needs to be cast for acting, including offbeat and unexpected choices. Otherwise I don't see the point of Jonathan Kent on it.
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Post by steve10086 on Feb 4, 2023 19:40:14 GMT
He's become an easy target like James Cordon. God forbid people actually be successful in this country. You think Corden is a target because he’s successful? OK. |
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 4, 2023 19:52:13 GMT
Isn't LCE performed twice in the show? Surely La Ball could do one of the renditions, and the new chap do the other?
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Post by andypandy on Feb 4, 2023 23:13:57 GMT
He's become an easy target like James Cordon. God forbid people actually be successful in this country. You think Corden is a target because he’s successful? OK. I can name over 200/300 actors and singers who I am very happy and glad they are successful. Perhaps people have standards, expect value for money, don't like same people being cast/miscast/over used (eg Cordon), and in this case it's simply fair to comment when people are not as talented/skilled as they once were. The video is bad. Jamie had terrible reviews in Moulin Rouge and people are worried because of this. The video doesn't help. Truth hurts? I wish the show well. Aspects has a superb score from ALW. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 5, 2023 7:11:30 GMT
Isn't LCE performed twice in the show? Surely La Ball could do one of the renditions, and the new chap do the other? LCE is used at the start of act 1 and then act 1&2 closing scenes. Plus endless underscoring. In this new take who knows how it will be used? |
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Post by sukhavati on Feb 5, 2023 8:14:55 GMT
MB's voice and control aren't what they used to be, but that could be said for anyone after they've had a career for a long time. I still remember the first time I heard him, and having the same reaction to his voice that I had for George Michael's. It just seemed unfair that those two young guys had those beautiful, clear tenors that seemed effortless. I can't imagine MB playing George in this show, but I couldn't imagine him as JVJ or Jarvert either. Maybe it's knowing too much about him. He's just never struck me as the bon vivant seducer of women. He could get away with playing the romantic juvenile lead when he was young, and I know it's acting, but...nope, sorry. Despite the ick factor with Jenny, I do love this score. Jamie wasn't that bad in the video. Seems according to popular opinion here, he was miscast in MR. Maybe he'll surprise everyone in Aspects.
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Post by max on Feb 5, 2023 8:50:52 GMT
Isn't LCE performed twice in the show? Surely La Ball could do one of the renditions, and the new chap do the other? Unfortunately it pops up so often and indiscriminately that the audience laughed at one point during the tour that had David Essex in it. Perhaps it's been revised to be used less since then (I saw it at the Union Theatre since) I quite like it harmonised in that video. Perhaps 'dead George' leads it, and others sing it in their isolated time and space - together. That could work. |
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Post by theatremiss on Feb 5, 2023 11:11:09 GMT
Isn't LCE performed twice in the show? Surely La Ball could do one of the renditions, and the new chap do the other? Unfortunately it pops up so often and indiscriminately that the audience laughed at one point during the tour that had David Essex in it. Perhaps it's been revised to be used less since then (I saw it at the Union Theatre since) I quite like it harmonised in that video. Perhaps 'dead George' leads it, and others sing it in their isolated time and space - together. That could work. That David Essex tour traumatised me it was so bad. I saw the original production with Ball and really enjoyed it. I’m hoping not to be as traumatised by this production |
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Post by karloscar on Feb 5, 2023 13:27:38 GMT
Maybe they could start the show with George showing up at his own funeral after Che Guevara sings a jaunty version of Love Changes Bugger All to get extra use out of the hit choon. Oh wait, that's been done already by someone. Soz
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Post by newyorkcityboy on Feb 5, 2023 17:05:18 GMT
I never liked the placing of the song at the start, out of context, before we’ve met the characters. The lyrics seem even more bland and generic without a sense of who is singing them. In contrast, I can imagine this duet version being used while Alex is in Jenny’s bedrooom, attempting to resist temptation, while George is listening outside. A situation that really does change everything for all the characters in the show.
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Post by christya on Feb 5, 2023 17:47:52 GMT
MB has a huge fanbase who are devoutly loyal. To them MB is the best Marius, which of course he isn't in my opinion. Just as Colm W fans believe him to be the only JVJ, another myth, again in my opinion . MB is very popular and seems a nice chap, also puts bums on seats. Years ago, I did a concert at the Royal Albert Hall where Michael was a soloist. It was the day after Woman in White closed, and he didn’t come to the rehearsal with the choir the day before because he didn’t want to miss a show. When he walked into rehearsal on the day, I realised all over again why I was once a huge fan. The charisma was off the charts. He actually apologised - to the choir of amateurs! - for not being there the day before. And he was fantastic in the concert. He seemed like a good bloke. I’d love to see him in this, if it wasn’t so pricey and if it had a different Alex. |
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