Which musical/theatre show in London?
Discussion
Eric Mc said:
Justayellowbadge said:
Funny, I saw Chicago a few years ago and it is the only time, ever, I have left a theatre in the interval.
Didn't expect that, usually like Fosse, but it was so bad on the night.
I wonder if you would you have preferred the original 1970s version? The revival (post 1995) has been quite substantially changed in comparison - especially regarding costumes and production.Didn't expect that, usually like Fosse, but it was so bad on the night.
I've seen the show performed on four separate occasions, once by a theatre school - twice by amateur societies - and once by the London production. The best version was the theatre school followed by one of the amateur productions. I ranked the London production 3rd of the bunch.
Whether someone likes a performance is extremely subjective - whether its a film, play, TV show or musical.
Even musical fans like me cannot like ALL musicals. I've even acted in some that I didn't particularly like.
Musicals are odd in that you can like some aspects of a show but not others. An example in my case is "Chess". The music in "Chess" is fantastic but the story is teribly messy and confusing and altogether not great. I actually took part in a production of "Chess" in 2003 and never really got to griops with what the plot actually was. I saw it performed by another local group a few months ago and it was still confusing.
Even musical fans like me cannot like ALL musicals. I've even acted in some that I didn't particularly like.
Musicals are odd in that you can like some aspects of a show but not others. An example in my case is "Chess". The music in "Chess" is fantastic but the story is teribly messy and confusing and altogether not great. I actually took part in a production of "Chess" in 2003 and never really got to griops with what the plot actually was. I saw it performed by another local group a few months ago and it was still confusing.
jimmystratos said:
Really looking forward to Woman in Black in a couple of weeks. Saw it in Edinburgh 25 years ago and have always wanted to see it again.
Cirque du Soleil had some bland reviews - is it worth the humungous price?
Woman in Black is first rate. Really recommend it. Saw it the other week with the current Mrs Mighty.Cirque du Soleil had some bland reviews - is it worth the humungous price?
Can't comment on Cirque du Soleil though. Probably not my thing though...
Cheers
BD
Thanks for all the replies.
Was about to watch Blood Brothers but then someone mentioned the Cirque show at the Royal Albert Hall. As its only playing for another 2 weeks and having never seen a cirque show I decided to go for it.
I still really want to watch Blood Brothers and seeing as its been playing for the last 19 years im pretty sure it will still be on in a month or two.
Was about to watch Blood Brothers but then someone mentioned the Cirque show at the Royal Albert Hall. As its only playing for another 2 weeks and having never seen a cirque show I decided to go for it.
I still really want to watch Blood Brothers and seeing as its been playing for the last 19 years im pretty sure it will still be on in a month or two.
I love musicals. Call me a middle-aged, bland, Daily mail reader if you must.
Mamma Mia is great fun (if you like Abba); much better than the film.
If you want a blockbuster "event" musical, I'd go for Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables.
My favourite musical is Blondel by Stephen Oliver and Tim Rice, but the original 80s run was quite short and a recent revival at the Pleasance was sadly short-lived. I also really enjoyed Miss Saigon.
I was not that fussed about Blood Brothers. It's a shamelessly manipulative tear-jerker, but its greatest sin is that there are not enough good songs.
I would like to have seen Chess in its original West End run, but missed it unfortunately. I love Elaine Paige's performance on the original London cast recording.
Edited to remove aberrant apostrophe. Oh, the shame...
Mamma Mia is great fun (if you like Abba); much better than the film.
If you want a blockbuster "event" musical, I'd go for Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables.
My favourite musical is Blondel by Stephen Oliver and Tim Rice, but the original 80s run was quite short and a recent revival at the Pleasance was sadly short-lived. I also really enjoyed Miss Saigon.
I was not that fussed about Blood Brothers. It's a shamelessly manipulative tear-jerker, but its greatest sin is that there are not enough good songs.
I would like to have seen Chess in its original West End run, but missed it unfortunately. I love Elaine Paige's performance on the original London cast recording.
Edited to remove aberrant apostrophe. Oh, the shame...
Edited by Alex on Tuesday 1st February 15:36
Alex said:
I love musicals. Call me a middle-aged, bland, Daily mail reader if you must.
Mamma Mia is great fun (if you like Abba); much better than the film.
If you want a blockbuster "event" musical, I'd go for Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables.
My favourite musical is Blondel by Stephen Oliver and Tim Rice, but the original 80s run was quite short and a recent revival at the Pleasance was sadly short-lived. I also really enjoyed Miss Saigon.
I was not that fussed about Blood Brothers. It's a shamelessly manipulative tear-jerker, but it's greatest sin is that there are not enough good songs.
I would like to have seen Chess in its original West End run, but missed it unfortunately. I love Elaine Paige's performance on the original London cast recording.
Keep an eye out for amateur or touring professional productions. I saw Chess in Camberley last October. I was in it in 2003.Mamma Mia is great fun (if you like Abba); much better than the film.
If you want a blockbuster "event" musical, I'd go for Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables.
My favourite musical is Blondel by Stephen Oliver and Tim Rice, but the original 80s run was quite short and a recent revival at the Pleasance was sadly short-lived. I also really enjoyed Miss Saigon.
I was not that fussed about Blood Brothers. It's a shamelessly manipulative tear-jerker, but it's greatest sin is that there are not enough good songs.
I would like to have seen Chess in its original West End run, but missed it unfortunately. I love Elaine Paige's performance on the original London cast recording.
Where are you based?
Plenty of good quality amateur theatre in your area - as well as good touring stuff too.
Have a look at The New Victoria Woking for professional musicals, opera and ballet. Look at the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford for straight plays.
On the amateur front, Camberley Theatre, The Farnham Maltings and Aldershot Princes Hall all feature amateur groups, at least twice a year at each venue.
My group (Cody Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society) uses the Princes Hall. CAMUS and the Savoy Singers use Camberley Theatre and sometimes the smaller Rhoda McGaw theatre in Woking (part of the Peacocks Centre). Farnham Amateur Operatic Society uses The Maltings, Farnham.
Another source of good quality theatre is the Guildford School of Acting. They put on straight plays and musicals at a couple of venues in Guildford and are extremely good.
Guildford also has an opera company ang Godalming a light opera company.
Have a look at The New Victoria Woking for professional musicals, opera and ballet. Look at the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford for straight plays.
On the amateur front, Camberley Theatre, The Farnham Maltings and Aldershot Princes Hall all feature amateur groups, at least twice a year at each venue.
My group (Cody Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society) uses the Princes Hall. CAMUS and the Savoy Singers use Camberley Theatre and sometimes the smaller Rhoda McGaw theatre in Woking (part of the Peacocks Centre). Farnham Amateur Operatic Society uses The Maltings, Farnham.
Another source of good quality theatre is the Guildford School of Acting. They put on straight plays and musicals at a couple of venues in Guildford and are extremely good.
Guildford also has an opera company ang Godalming a light opera company.
I have seen We Will Rock You, Chicago, and only last weekend Blood Brothers, by far the best Blood Brothers, in fact so good i could book up again for this weekend. I/we bought the tickets on the day/Saturday from Leicester Square ticket office/booth and paid £31 per ticket, online £45
CraigVmax said:
my son really wants to see Thriller live, anyone seen it?
I went Sunday.Very strange. I had free box tickets and I still didn't leave feeling like I had enjoyed myself. It was ok. Just no format. Not a musical as such. Just 20 of his songs and some backing dancers thrown in with some MJ facts.
Twas ok. But not worth paying for. Listen to an MJ cd.
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