Post by Talissa on Apr 18, 2004 1:46:57 GMT 11
First, I must correct myself. When I saw that picture from The Age today, I had my doubts about the visual aspects of the show, but the moment I saw the set and costumes in person, I knew I had no reason to have such doubts. If anything, I'd say our set and costumes may even be an improvement on the American versions. The care put into each costume, especially the Poor, is very visible, and the set is most effective.
Kane Alexander was outstanding as Bobby Strong, and his was the show-stopper, Run Freedom Run. I certainly pity the poor, raised arms of the cast, frozen in place throughout the applause. He managed to capture every aspect of the character, from rousing revolutionary, to naive dreamer, to lusty lover.
Another standout performer in this cast of stars is Christen O'Leary, who was an adorable Little Sally, delivering each line with perfect comedic timing, and capturing the hearts of the audience.
The narrator of the piece, Officer Lockstock, was played by Shane Bourne, and he is definitely worthy to be among the ranks of greats who have already played the role.
Lisa McCune was a radiant Hope, sparkling with...well, hope. I was right to trust her to play the part well, even there seem to be enough people ready to doubt.
One of the performers in a smaller role who stood out was Mitchell Butel as Mr McQueen, who showed his vast talent as a performer yet again. He was superbly in character at every moment and I urge you, if you have the leisure, to watch him as often as possible during the show. There's an enormous amount to watch, and I must have missed more than I managed to see, yet my eyes kept drifting back to him constantly.
Another who was far from disappointing was Sophie Carter, who played Soupy Sue, probably the smallest female role in the show, yet managed to make a great impression. Not bad work for her first professional show. She has a strong voice and steady acting. Definitely one to watch.
Rhonda Burchmore and Gerry Connolly each did well in their respective roles of Penelope Pennywise and Caldwell B. Cladwell, though perhaps slightly overshadowed by the other vast talent in the show, but in a cast of this brilliance, not everyone can shine equally.
Irene Dios and Garry Ginivan also did well as Little Becky Two-Shoes and Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry, making the roles very much their own, especially in Garry's case. Irene also particularly impressed me, making a vast improvement on her performance in Tick, Tick...BOOM! earlier this year.
Andrew Koblar was a gorgeous Tiny Tom, and let his dancing skills particularly shine, especially at the end. Adam Murphy used what lines he had to remind everyone of his performing skills, capturing Robbie the Stockfish well. Colette Mann also made the most of the role of Josephine Strong, performing very believably and delivering each line with precision.
Gary Down was well-cast as the greedy Senator Fipp, portraying the character very much as I imagine the writers would have imagined. Francis Greenslade did well as the empty-minded Officer Barrel. And Damian Humbley held strong (as opposed to 'held Strong') in the role of Billy Boy Bill.
Whew, I didn't start that intending to comment on everyone, but I found that I'd reached a point where I very nearly had to.
Now, back to the show as a whole. The show was definitely received well by the audience. Run Freedom Run aside, the audience was generous with applause, showering the cast with well-deserved praise, and responding well to the laughter and gladness as well as the meanness and badness of the show. I spoke to a couple of audience members afterwards, and didn't find a disgruntled soul. Now all that's left is to hope that they spread the word. After all, "a bad title can kill a show pretty good", even when the show itself is fantastic.
The other thing I have to mention is the choreography. It was nothing short of brilliant. Usually I don't pay much attention to the dance aspect of shows, but Ross Coleman did his job well, incorporating so many different styles in response to the varying music, including a reenactment of Les Miserables' One Day More in Look To The Sky.
Also, the sound of the show was excellent, all the voices and harmonies perfectly balanced, although perhaps a little soft at times. That may be because people were trying to save their voices for tonight's Opening, though.
Today's show was a preview, and certainly things weren't quite tight, with a couple of slip-ups and forgotten lines, but they recovered well in general. And I think Kane managed to claim two of the most well-timed slip-ups. The first was after Follow Your Heart, when Hope asks him "When can I see you again?" as he walks away, but as the spotlight hadn't followed him, he replied with "In this darkness, I'm afraid you can't see me at all" and a glance towards the lighting crew. The second, my favourite, was during Tell Her I Love Her, when a rather well-timed excess of smoke managed to completely obscure his face so that he had to bat it away wil singing the (scripted) line "I've lost my sense of sight). It rather put me in line about that story about Douglas Sills and "Through the mists, your lover is beckoning" in Scarlet Pimpernel, but I think I've already gone on enough tangents already
Edit: Okay, so I was wrong. It appears that both of those are intentional. All for the better, then. They're good gags
Anyway, I beg you all to go see Urinetown if you have any opportunity at all, and tell everyone else to do the same. It's definitely worth it. Oh yes, and the "turn phones off, etc" message at the start was The Best Ever. It'd spoil it if I told you more, though. You really have to see it for yourself.
Random tips for seeing the show:
- I've said it already, but try to watch everyone in turn. There's always so much to see, and some things simply aren't worth missing.
- On that thread, in scenes with familiar groups of people, keep a close eye on any additions to the group partway through the show.
- If you want to sit near the front, Row D's probably the place to be, but otherwise I'd suggest being a little further back. It's easier to take things in that way.
- Having said that, if you want to be very close to assorted members of the cast at points, aim for the front left.
Kane Alexander was outstanding as Bobby Strong, and his was the show-stopper, Run Freedom Run. I certainly pity the poor, raised arms of the cast, frozen in place throughout the applause. He managed to capture every aspect of the character, from rousing revolutionary, to naive dreamer, to lusty lover.
Another standout performer in this cast of stars is Christen O'Leary, who was an adorable Little Sally, delivering each line with perfect comedic timing, and capturing the hearts of the audience.
The narrator of the piece, Officer Lockstock, was played by Shane Bourne, and he is definitely worthy to be among the ranks of greats who have already played the role.
Lisa McCune was a radiant Hope, sparkling with...well, hope. I was right to trust her to play the part well, even there seem to be enough people ready to doubt.
One of the performers in a smaller role who stood out was Mitchell Butel as Mr McQueen, who showed his vast talent as a performer yet again. He was superbly in character at every moment and I urge you, if you have the leisure, to watch him as often as possible during the show. There's an enormous amount to watch, and I must have missed more than I managed to see, yet my eyes kept drifting back to him constantly.
Another who was far from disappointing was Sophie Carter, who played Soupy Sue, probably the smallest female role in the show, yet managed to make a great impression. Not bad work for her first professional show. She has a strong voice and steady acting. Definitely one to watch.
Rhonda Burchmore and Gerry Connolly each did well in their respective roles of Penelope Pennywise and Caldwell B. Cladwell, though perhaps slightly overshadowed by the other vast talent in the show, but in a cast of this brilliance, not everyone can shine equally.
Irene Dios and Garry Ginivan also did well as Little Becky Two-Shoes and Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry, making the roles very much their own, especially in Garry's case. Irene also particularly impressed me, making a vast improvement on her performance in Tick, Tick...BOOM! earlier this year.
Andrew Koblar was a gorgeous Tiny Tom, and let his dancing skills particularly shine, especially at the end. Adam Murphy used what lines he had to remind everyone of his performing skills, capturing Robbie the Stockfish well. Colette Mann also made the most of the role of Josephine Strong, performing very believably and delivering each line with precision.
Gary Down was well-cast as the greedy Senator Fipp, portraying the character very much as I imagine the writers would have imagined. Francis Greenslade did well as the empty-minded Officer Barrel. And Damian Humbley held strong (as opposed to 'held Strong') in the role of Billy Boy Bill.
Whew, I didn't start that intending to comment on everyone, but I found that I'd reached a point where I very nearly had to.
Now, back to the show as a whole. The show was definitely received well by the audience. Run Freedom Run aside, the audience was generous with applause, showering the cast with well-deserved praise, and responding well to the laughter and gladness as well as the meanness and badness of the show. I spoke to a couple of audience members afterwards, and didn't find a disgruntled soul. Now all that's left is to hope that they spread the word. After all, "a bad title can kill a show pretty good", even when the show itself is fantastic.
The other thing I have to mention is the choreography. It was nothing short of brilliant. Usually I don't pay much attention to the dance aspect of shows, but Ross Coleman did his job well, incorporating so many different styles in response to the varying music, including a reenactment of Les Miserables' One Day More in Look To The Sky.
Also, the sound of the show was excellent, all the voices and harmonies perfectly balanced, although perhaps a little soft at times. That may be because people were trying to save their voices for tonight's Opening, though.
Today's show was a preview, and certainly things weren't quite tight, with a couple of slip-ups and forgotten lines, but they recovered well in general. And I think Kane managed to claim two of the most well-timed slip-ups. The first was after Follow Your Heart, when Hope asks him "When can I see you again?" as he walks away, but as the spotlight hadn't followed him, he replied with "In this darkness, I'm afraid you can't see me at all" and a glance towards the lighting crew. The second, my favourite, was during Tell Her I Love Her, when a rather well-timed excess of smoke managed to completely obscure his face so that he had to bat it away wil singing the (scripted) line "I've lost my sense of sight). It rather put me in line about that story about Douglas Sills and "Through the mists, your lover is beckoning" in Scarlet Pimpernel, but I think I've already gone on enough tangents already
Edit: Okay, so I was wrong. It appears that both of those are intentional. All for the better, then. They're good gags
Anyway, I beg you all to go see Urinetown if you have any opportunity at all, and tell everyone else to do the same. It's definitely worth it. Oh yes, and the "turn phones off, etc" message at the start was The Best Ever. It'd spoil it if I told you more, though. You really have to see it for yourself.
Random tips for seeing the show:
- I've said it already, but try to watch everyone in turn. There's always so much to see, and some things simply aren't worth missing.
- On that thread, in scenes with familiar groups of people, keep a close eye on any additions to the group partway through the show.
- If you want to sit near the front, Row D's probably the place to be, but otherwise I'd suggest being a little further back. It's easier to take things in that way.
- Having said that, if you want to be very close to assorted members of the cast at points, aim for the front left.
It sounds like my kind of show!
), it's hard to find out what people think of the show! I agree with someone elses comment that they are getting a great deal of publicity! And so they should...I really hope Producers is a huge success and runs for as long as it can. But we've had one review in The Australian and I'm not sure the reviewer really got it....but anyhoo!
