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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 5, 2017 22:15:54 GMT
I’m afraid my first ever experience of Chicago had Gabby Roslin as Mama Morton.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2017 22:25:44 GMT
When Chicago first opened it was a fantastic show but once the celebrity casting came in the quality was distinctly variable, and the London production had a worldwide reputation — not entirely undeserved — for not caring about ability if someone was famous enough.
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311 posts
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Post by showoff on Nov 5, 2017 22:35:57 GMT
Heard a rumour today that this was returning to London next year, possibly with Sheridan Smith. No idea if will turn out to be true or not. Wondered if anyone else had heard rumblings of this? I adore this show when done well, so really hope it's true, but not with Sheridan, I'm just not a fan, her voice is nowhere near as good as people make it out to be/she thinks, I just can't get on with it. |
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Post by Jon on Nov 5, 2017 22:51:29 GMT
When Chicago first opened it was a fantastic show but once the celebrity casting came in the quality was distinctly variable, and the London production had a worldwide reputation — not entirely undeserved — for not caring about ability if someone was famous enough. I think the production in general has a reputation of casting someone who's a name over someone with talent. To the producers, it's a cash cow and comparing to something like say Les Mis or The Lion King which are looked after, it's a show that was tired and showing its age |
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 5, 2017 23:27:48 GMT
Iconic show for tourists.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 6, 2017 6:05:04 GMT
Great actress. Not a good enough singer or dancer. You don't need to be a great singer to play Roxy- even the dancing is not a huge part as long as you can "move". Roxy (the song) is all about style, which can be taught. Me and My Baby has two modified versions for less than capable dancers. Hot Honey Rag has a modified version for those who can't cartwheel. I can't BELIEVE I'm defending a case for Sheridan, but I think considering they need a name to sell it, she could be a good fit. I find her much MUCH suitable for this than the crime that was Funny Girl. |
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Post by viserys on Nov 6, 2017 6:41:38 GMT
Seeing a Chicago thread made me stop and wonder "wait, is this show still around? I thought it mercifully closed a while ago".
That revival was GREAT when it was new and fresh (I was lucky enough to see the first cast including Ruthie Henshall and Ute Lemper) but it way overstayed its welcome in London (and New York). It's far too early for a bigger revival with a star name like Sheridan Smith or anyone really attached. Leave this show alone for at least another 5-10 years. If Sheridan wants to do musical theatre again there'd be plenty other parts she could do.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2017 9:23:58 GMT
Great actress. Not a good enough singer or dancer. Well. I mean, she's no Suzanne Shaw or Jennifer Ellison but . . . |
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1,561 posts
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Post by showtoones on Nov 7, 2017 5:34:59 GMT
Kimberley Walsh or cash me outside girl for Roxie
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19,650 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 7, 2017 7:44:59 GMT
Great actress. Not a good enough singer or dancer. Well. I mean, she's no Suzanne Shaw or Jennifer Ellison but . . . Jennifer Ellison pointed her feet outwards BRILLIANTLY in the Phantom movie  |
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1,995 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 7, 2017 12:29:47 GMT
Also, is it just me who wants to see an actual revival of this show? I get that it has run 20-something years, but can't be have more than just black costumes and the same choreography. I wanna see someone have a proper crack at giving it a new lease of life. I had a friend who saw the Broadway production and he said it was pretty awful, bit that wasn't the shows fault per-se, apparently the cast were basically sleep-walking through their performances and giving zero energy or excitement, and they really needed the director to go back in and show them a thing or two.
The Leicester Curve production a few years ago was sensational and a breath of fresh air.
Directed by Paul Kerryson and choreographed by Drew McConie. It was far more staged than the Walter Bobbie version we've become SO familiar with.
It deserves another life....
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378 posts
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Post by ctas on Nov 7, 2017 14:01:36 GMT
I love Chicago. It's brilliant, the plot is always relevant and it has some of Kander and Ebb's greatest musical cues. Never saw the original production, of course, and am only familiar with the now-iconic revival. I'd welcome any kind of return.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2017 23:19:10 GMT
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2,775 posts
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Post by daniel on Dec 14, 2017 23:21:27 GMT
And the points go to @sharpe12!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 14, 2017 23:21:44 GMT
Oh dear. It is time for a new production of Chicago, it really is. It will inevitably have some stunt casting - which will have many rolling their eyes.
Surely someone has the vision to give us something fresh - it is a great score. But enough already.
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Post by LaLuPone on Dec 14, 2017 23:34:26 GMT
Can't be Sheridan then if it opens on the 26th of March, she'll be getting ready for her tour.
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Post by stuart on Dec 14, 2017 23:36:39 GMT
I bet it’ll be an impressive cast to sell the first 6mths (1 celeb/1 musical theatre star as Roxy/Velma, a Spice Girl as Mama Morton) and will then get another bankable star for the second 6mths. It’ll limp to 2yrs with a few cast changes.
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Post by stevej678 on Dec 14, 2017 23:36:47 GMT
What was it we were saying about a musically strong West End?
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378 posts
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Post by Ade on Dec 14, 2017 23:37:24 GMT
Can't be Sheridan then if it opens on the 26th of March, she'll be getting ready for her tour. Good - more chance of me going to it if it isn’t her. |
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Post by Rory on Dec 15, 2017 0:03:45 GMT
Disappointed by this announcement. Is there nothing new to put in the Phoenix?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 15, 2017 0:08:18 GMT
If ever proof were needed that the British musical was dead it’s the news that this is returning to the West End and clogging up a theatre.
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590 posts
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Post by lou105 on Dec 15, 2017 0:13:15 GMT
Money on Louise Redknapp? Very confident of them to say a year "initially".
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2017 1:36:33 GMT
What a waste of a theatre. The West End has just hit a new low.
Let’s bring back Blood Brothers now that they’re at it, and other long-runners that had to close in the last few years due to low sales.
Praying for Bend It Like Beckham at the Palladium (just for an initial year though).
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1,561 posts
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Post by showtoones on Dec 15, 2017 5:34:26 GMT
Joanna Riding as Velma please...
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253 posts
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Post by No. on Dec 15, 2017 7:24:45 GMT
I do love Chicago, but I would like some more British musical content. Do we know if this based on the last tour or is it a fresh production?
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