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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2018 12:09:48 GMT
Oh God love her, I do love Ruthie but she looks like she should be leaning on a garden fence in that photo.
"She said what?"
"And what did you say?"
Oh, I know, it's shocking innit?"
"This area has really gone to the dogs lately"
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Post by Seriously on Apr 12, 2018 13:21:37 GMT
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 12, 2018 16:20:50 GMT
Can I ask what the running time is on this?
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Post by greeny11 on Apr 12, 2018 16:25:35 GMT
About 2 hours 20 minutes including interval - we were out by 10.20 on Monday (8.00 start).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2018 6:05:28 GMT
Just to ask, is this the same production which went out on tour a few years ago with Sam Bailey as Mama Morton?
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Post by LaLuPone on Apr 20, 2018 6:38:52 GMT
Just to ask, is this the same production which went out on tour a few years ago with Sam Bailey as Mama Morton? Yep! |
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Post by dontdreamit on Apr 20, 2018 6:59:38 GMT
Jason Donovan was in talks to go into this later this year, but hasn’t been able to make the dates work with other commitments. I do wonder if it might happen later on if the show has a good run.
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 26, 2018 0:09:46 GMT
This seems to have missed the razzledazzle!!
Looking at tickets for next week and it doesn’t seem to have sold that well despite stunt casting and first class musical theatre actresses. So wonder what the box office will be like when these move on? Still want to see this with the main leads - so going to try and catch the midweek matinee.
Incidentally this is a tourist trap in New York, advised friends and colleagues to swerve this on Broadway, as the production is the same as the one as in there local theatre, which some did but 2 colleagues found the title irrestible But regretted not listening to me, one colleague went back to New York and advised him and his wife to see Kinky Boots, which they did, they finally saw a Broadway show.
Never been a fan of this show and cannot see it lasting long. Surprised the last revival lasted as it did and played large theatres.
The Oscar gave this show a massive boost.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2018 1:46:05 GMT
Is Josefina really 54 years old as she looks amazing if she is?
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Post by andromedadench on Apr 26, 2018 21:37:14 GMT
Is Josefina really 54 years old as she looks amazing if she is? Quite possibly. I have a couple of former ballerinas in the family and those ladies are indestructible. |
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Post by BoOverall on Apr 28, 2018 18:13:05 GMT
I have very fond memories of the previous revival with Ruthie and Ute (well, you know someone has made it when they feature in a Fascinating Aida song): loved that production. Well until some of the “celeb” casting became the order of the day
But sadly this production left me quite cold, despite an almost fully strong cast: I am trying to wipe out Cuba Gooding Jr from my mind!
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Post by djp on Apr 29, 2018 17:42:34 GMT
Jason Donovan was in talks to go into this later this year, but hasn’t been able to make the dates work with other commitments. I do wonder if it might happen later on if the show has a good run. Lord no. Roxie is meant to play the wooden dummy, you cant have one playing the role of pulling her strings. |
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Post by dontdreamit on Apr 29, 2018 17:47:10 GMT
Jason Donovan was in talks to go into this later this year, but hasn’t been able to make the dates work with other commitments. I do wonder if it might happen later on if the show has a good run. Lord no. Roxie is meant to play the wooden dummy, you cant have one playing the role of pulling her strings. I suppose this is probably not the moment to mention that I tend to see whatever Jason does...  Anyway, I’m hoping he doesn’t do it, as I saw Chicago many years ago, and it’s not something I’d choose to go back to. |
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Post by Stephen on May 1, 2018 3:52:50 GMT
Saw this tonight.
We sat in the front row which I must say for this production felt extremely close, especially given that Chicago doesn't utilise the pit which would give a little extra distance. I have to say though that ATG were very thorough in warning me about this which was good (even said on the tickets "very close to stage)
The show:
I felt that the ensemble were great. I really appreciate how the show features semi dressed men as well as women. My seat in the front row meant that I was extremely close to Chris Warner Drake as Fred Casely. What a lovely view! The choreography can be appreciated differently this close and it felt very cabaret style (fitting for this show)
It's a pity for Ruthie really as I felt this wasn't really the right part for her. I'm a fan of hers but she felt a bit miscast and I almost would have preferred her still as Velma!
Cuba Gooding Jr did disappoint. I knew that he wouldn't sing the role well but expected him to have the energy and acting chops to really own it. For me, he did not. I felt he ran over many of his funnier moments and missed all of the tender ones. He often came off more as a blubbering clown rather than smooth talking lawyer. John Partridge, he is not. Saying this I don't want to 'bad mouth' him too much as I'm sure there are many roles on film which he would really suit... Just not this. It was also a pity, sitting so close, to see that he really isn't comfortable in this show. During Razzle Dazzle when he is supposed to be the self confessed "Star" he was over in the corner whilst the ensemble sold the number. It just doesn't fit the number let alone the storyline.
On a more positive note the orchestra sound brilliant! I think, correct me if I'm wrong, it's slightly bigger than on tour which made the difference with less doubling. They looked like they were having a ball. Quite right too.
I should also mention, having seen him in the role before, I didn't notice just how good Alan Richardson is as Mary Sunshine. He's very funny. He stole the show for me performance wise as you believe his love for Billy. Incredible falsetto. It must be very taxing keeping it up but he's brilliant.
All in all it's a fun evening out but not worth the West end price tag. It's a nice day seat bargain but not top price. This feels like a great show that has done its time in London. Perhaps time now to let it hang?
Also glad to report the gunshots, as on the previous tour, were all just done on drums. Has this always been the case? Is it the same on Broadway?
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Post by jgblunners on May 1, 2018 5:59:50 GMT
Does anyone know if Cuba Gooding Jr has advertised holiday dates?
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Post by Mark on May 1, 2018 8:18:49 GMT
He doesn't, he's only in the show for a limited time.
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Post by Rory on May 1, 2018 12:48:43 GMT
Does anyone know if Cuba Gooding Jr has advertised holiday dates? Are you trying to see him or avoid him?! |
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Post by jgblunners on May 1, 2018 13:27:31 GMT
Does anyone know if Cuba Gooding Jr has advertised holiday dates? Are you trying to see him or avoid him?! The latter I'm afraid - nothing I've heard about his performance makes me think that he's worth seeing over an understudy who actually has training and experience in musical theatre. |
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Post by showoff on May 1, 2018 14:04:19 GMT
Are you trying to see him or avoid him?! The latter I'm afraid - nothing I've heard about his performance makes me think that he's worth seeing over an understudy who actually has training and experience in musical theatre. Good choice. |
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Post by Deal J on May 2, 2018 11:41:01 GMT
I have a shocking confession to make.
My earworm this morning was "Can't do it alone" from Chicago.
For some 21 years I have been misinterpreting the following line:
I always thought that Velma's joke was simply (and only) that she was answering the geography question with a satirical "state of the nation" response.
Geography was never my strong point...!
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2018 15:49:01 GMT
Even though Hamilton's prices are disgusting, I'm surprised that Chicago hasnt been compared to it much in prices. It's not like this show was in demand to return anyway. I was just looking to go next Wednesday matinee, and their really is rows of empty seats. So clearly no one cares much about it. The prices may of put alot of people off.
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 2, 2018 18:38:49 GMT
Saw the matinee today, I was sitting in the last row of the half-empty dress circle and gave myself a great auto-promotion during the interval. I do love Chicago, it has an incredible score and I'm a big fan of this black box concept, with the (amazing) orchestra on stage and the sexy costumes. Surely this cast is a bisexual's dream, I myself would like to make hot jazz with all the chorus boys. However, we're just a month into the run and it already feels stale and the coreographies are far from being on point. Cuba is a disgrace, it's not that he can't sing, but he sounds like Billie Holiday singing Whitney Houston. And the acting? It's so subpar and basic? Surely we were all expecting something more in that department? But he surely had his fans. Ruthie's voice is not what it used to be but still delivers a great cameo performance as Mama Morton, while Josefina Gabrielle is a very fine Velma. The true star is, for me, the excellent Sarah Soetaert, whose emotional journey in the song "Roxie" as she takes confidence with the stage is truly astonishing. I really loved her, she is truly a fantastic Roxie.
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Post by Phantom of London on May 2, 2018 19:24:28 GMT
I was also there this afternoon and sitting in a half empty stalls, which was a surprise, considering the weather was bad and this generally gets tourists to do stuff indoors and Chicago was a magnet for tourists.
Thought both Roxie (Sarah Soetaert) and Velma (Josefina Gabrielle) were excellent, the Matron Mama Morton (Ruthie Henshall) I also enjoyed and gave good value, which is more than I can say for Cuba Golding Jr, who is starring in a musical, but hasn’t got a melodious voice and was a great example where someone can be a great movie actor, but cannot transfer this skill to the stage and doesn’t understand how to use it.
See Chicago several times and really have never been taken by it, despite great breathtaking choreography, excellent lighting and even brilliant use of minimal staging, the book is what it is, so is the score which I detest apart from 3 songs, obviously I am in the minority on the later. But never got the attraction for Chicago and I know many people who have seen it and left dissapointed both in London and New York and expected something more.
3 Stars
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Post by Phantom of London on May 2, 2018 19:35:57 GMT
2 questions here.
The current revival despite big stars both name and musical, I was sitting in a half filled theatre, which I would consider to be a small house, The Girls and Beckham had a bigger audience. So why do you think this isn’t selling? Also it was raining all morning and this always help to get tourists into tourist shows? I could see this closing soon, if things don’t pick up. Even with its set that comes from the tour.
Conversely the last Tony and Olivier winning revival was the longest running American musical in West End history, but why? It also played reasonably big theatres as in the Adelphi and Cambridge and downsized for the Garrick. But hats off it played years to millions of people, but I am at a loss why? It isn’t exactly Wicked with its eye popping staging.
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Post by theatrelover123 on May 2, 2018 19:38:37 GMT
Shouldn’t this be in the CHICAGO thread?
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