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Post by Jan on Feb 11, 2017 17:15:26 GMT
All a bit too modern for me. The other week I went to the White Bear to see two of the "Men From The Ministry" radio scripts read out. I didn't bother opening a thread on it for obvious reasons. However the great Brian Cooke was in the house, worriedly looking for empty seats - probably on a percentage of the gross.
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Post by janedo on Jul 12, 2017 22:22:41 GMT
Clearly there are things that might not work given that it's such a classic, but personally I'm always excited to see new shows that are willing to take a bit of a risk! Could be great  In case you are interested in going, you can sign up for ticket announcements: www.somemothersdoaveem.com/ |
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Post by Marwood on Sept 5, 2017 12:52:11 GMT
Finally, the agonisingly long wait for the tour dates to be announced is over: SMDAI'm thinking a trip to Eastbourne might be in order for next April... |
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Post by anita on Sept 5, 2017 13:27:01 GMT
I'd rather watch Michael Crawford on DVD.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 5, 2017 17:01:29 GMT
Officer and a gentlemen and now this. Some real low rent announcements this week ...
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Post by alicechallice on Sept 5, 2017 17:06:18 GMT
Finally, the agonisingly long wait for the tour dates to be announced is over: SMDAI'm thinking a trip to Eastbourne might be in order for next April... See you there! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2017 17:29:23 GMT
Joe has the ability to elicit sympathy for his character like Frank used to do. Will it be a new write or could they adapt the old scripts I wonder. The original show's dialogue was vey funny but on stage would you see all the little mannerisms which made Michael's portrayal of Frank so hilarious.
Also Joe is 56 now is he too old to play Frank opposite Sarah Earnshaw as betting he is barely mid 30's. The original TV role was apparently offered to Ronnie Barker and Norman Wisdom before Michael was cast, so with Norman in particular there was an idea of an older Frank.
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Post by Jan on Sept 5, 2017 17:34:19 GMT
Finally, the agonisingly long wait for the tour dates to be announced is over: SMDAI'm thinking a trip to Eastbourne might be in order for next April... Yes I would have thought that the theatrical hotspot Eastbourne (four theatres) is the preferred place to see this, though as the TV show only finished 40 years ago it may be a bit cutting edge for the local audience. One tip: every single restaurant in the place is full by 6pm - prior booking is essential. |
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Post by Marwood on Sept 5, 2017 22:49:34 GMT
Cheers for merging, I knew there had been previous posts about this comedy equivalent of Hiddlestons Hamlet but had been in such a rush to pass on the news I knew the public just could not wait...
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Post by Jan on Sept 6, 2017 6:36:59 GMT
Cheers for merging, I knew there had been previous posts about this comedy equivalent of Hiddlestons Hamlet but had been in such a rush to pass on the news I knew the public just could not wait... Prejudging it a bit to classify it as comedy - let's wait and see. A TV series based around elaborate set-piece slapstick and pratfalls will take some staging - who's directing ? van Hove ? |
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Post by theatrenerd on Jul 22, 2022 10:04:20 GMT
Saw this at the Alexandra in Birmingham earlier this week and really enjoyed it! A great script, great fun and great cast all round but Joe Pasquale really did a brilliant job as Frank Spencer. Highly recommend!
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Post by xanady on Jul 23, 2022 18:01:56 GMT
We ran a coach trip to this at the Alex this week.
Really fun show.Big on puns and mis-understandings with some physical comedy and ‘things falling apart’.
Two hours and five minutes including a 15 minute break.
Joe goes for some of the original Michael Crawford mannerisms and there was a couple of corpsed moments which could have been planned?
Good to see Susie Blake on stage giving a comedy masterclass.
One of the people on our trip had directed a lot of farce in am-dram and was adamant that it is just as hard to ‘get right’ on stage as serious Drama.
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Post by mkb on Jul 24, 2022 0:09:58 GMT
I have a fondness for Some Mothers because my nine-year-old self found it hysterically funny. But, as with Carry On films, the years have not been kind. Re-runs reveal the humour to now be dated, predictable and resorting sometimes to cruel and offensive tropes.
It was therefore with some trepidation that I booked for the stage homage. I need not have worried. The best of the humour survives and is improved upon, and modern sensibilities are embraced. There's even some song and dance.
Susie Blake is the standout in an all-round good cast. Joe Pasquale is ok as the hapless Frank Spencer, but too old and bringing too much of his own tv personality to the role for my liking. I would have preferred a regular actor.
The nostalgia is very much part of the appeal of this new show. I can't imagine the younger generation would find it particularly interesting. I warmed to it as it progressed, and was won over by the curtain call.
Four stars.
Act 1: 19:31-20:20
Act 2: 20:41-21:27
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Post by david on Aug 2, 2022 21:39:17 GMT
A really nice night tonight watching this at my local theatre in St Helens. Writer/Director Guy Unsworth has written a really funny script that has been able to capture the comedy of the original creator Raymond Allan's classic tv show and to bring his much-loved TV character to the stage. I'll be honest, when the tour was announced with Joe Pasquale as Frank, I really just couldn't see Joe as Frank (I don't think anyone could outdo Michael Crawford's performance), but by the end of the show, he certainly won me over and I didn't come away disappointed in Joe's performance in capturing some of Frank's mannerisms. Overall, a really good cast has been assembled here for the tour. As both xanady and mkb have posted in their reviews, it's Susie Blake as Betty's mum who is the standout in the show and really does give a masterclass in comedy acting, especially in Act 2 which was the stronger of the two acts in my opinion. A great mix of both verbal and physical comedy along with some hilarious song and dance included, this really is a show that kept tonight's audience thoroughly entertained. I'd certainly recommend getting a ticket for this if you are after a nice lighthearted night out at the theatre. Rating - 4 stars. |
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Post by theatrenerd on May 24, 2024 8:34:52 GMT
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In case you are interested in going, you can sign up for ticket announcements: 
