Post by Talissa on Apr 28, 2004 1:51:59 GMT 11
Not a full review this time. After all, you’ve already had to sit through one of mine 
Instead, just a few notes on my thoughts and observations during tonight’s show. (Since I’m going directly from my notes, bear with any jumping around) And since the show’s past previews now, I’m letting myself be a little more critical. Not that there’s much to be critical about, of course 
And everything I said in my other review applied for tonight, too. Most of the differences I noticed were improvements on an already brilliant show. In general, every movement and word on stage was tighter, with hardly a mishap that I could spot, and everyone seemed much more comfortable in their roles, really letting themselves go. The poor especially are looking fantastic, their reactions to everything perfect, and each staying completely in his own character for every moment on stage.
I liked the way Sally watched Hope leave the stage after her conversation with Bobby during Too Much Exposition. A nice touch.
Rhonda’s barely changed as Ms Pennywise since I first saw the show. Although her bottom notes are perhaps a little thick at times, and some moments of her performance don’t quite sit properly with me, she plays the one-time strumpet well, and does add her own glow to the stage.
Shane seemed much colder and more abrupt to the poor after Privilege to Pee, which I liked, and his voice was rather fuller, another plus, but I think I also noticed him glossing past some of the jokes that had gone down well last time. However it was a fairly different audience, so I could be mistaken.
Gerry had definitely improved since last time. He had his lines under control, and said them as though they meant something, and he seemed to know his character rather better as well. One thing I particularly liked was that when Hope first arrives at the office, their interaction seems almost rather sweet. Excellent, in view of what’s to come. Oh yes, and Lisa’s facial expressions during Cladwell’s vote/cash dialogue with Fipp were brilliant.
Overall, Lisa seemed much more sincere in the role, making the character more believable, and almost more serious, though still very young, silly and naïve. I noticed that she seemed to have dropped the emphasis on “I hope…” (assuming I didn’t imagine it the first time) in her speech to the UGC staff. A shame, because it worked well when it was there.
Andrew, though in a small role, had another of the most noticeable improvements, which was evident even in his one line in Mr Cladwell, which was almost a complete turnover from what I saw the first time. (And I even gave him a triple tick for it in my notes at the time) Yet that wasn’t the only line I noticed him delivering fairly differently. And I saw more instances when his dancing skills were well-used. Keep up the good work, Andrew!
Mitchell’s certainly making the most of every moment he has on stage, making sure he’s noticed even in scenes in which he wouldn’t even be present, had it been staged like the American productions I won’t go into too many specifics, for the sake of those who are yet to see the show, but his actions towards the start of Act 2, and especially his interaction with Hope (Which I think is new/increased?) were spot on. Overall, I think to the additions to that scene were a very good move, Mitchell aside, adding more depth. Back to Mitchell, though, his McQueen was perhaps a little less camp, but at the same time his interpretation of the character and the delivery of his lines has grown. I don’t remember what exactly warranted it, but I felt the need to give him a double tick for his address about the fee hikes, so it must have been good
I very much liked the scene before Follow Your Heart. Lockstock’s bashfulness when he first sees Hope is beautiful, and the entire conversation amongst the three onstage is well-executed, and followed by a gorgeous dialogue between Hope and Bobby. The vacuum lines were played especially well. And the stars in the background for Follow Your Heart give a gorgeous effect. I was also rather amused by Kane’s “WTF?” look when Hope first tries to listen to Bobby’s heart.
Speaking of Kane, he was in full voice, and very passionate. What more can I say that hasn’t already been said by plenty of reviews? The lead-up to Look at the Sky was excellent and again, the reactions of the poor and their divided loyalties were perfect. I liked the “Really?” after Bobby tells Mrs Strong to keep her money, though I was glancing elsewhere at that point, and am not quite sure who said it.
I had a better look at Act 1 Finale tonight, and the slow motion is perfectly choreographed and performed. And Kane’s reaction to “You’re standing on the brink” was great. It was also very cute when Sally’s doll was peeking out of the amenity at that point. A very nice touch. And later, I liked Kane’s bemused look at seeing Lisa had broken out of the amenity.
Christen delivered Sally’s Act 2 speech about Urinetown so well that I was shivering. Very chilling. Well done, Christen.
There were a few other small, yet noticeable things. One was that Garry’s Hot Blades Harry seemed rather more controlled, which greatly contributed to coherence on that front. Adam Murphy’s vacant gazes were great. Sophie’s sounding and acting just as strongly as ever. I love it when Bobby comes in telling them not to kill Hope, and she speaks to him. Very cute Although Irene, though still very strong in the part (excellent casting here), seemed the tiniest bit bland at times. I know she can do it, though After all, I’ve seen her do it.
Many members of the cast are actors rather than singers, and it shows from time to time, but those who do sing do shine vocally, and overall the balance works.
The sound itself was also much better tonight. I’m not sure whether the microphones have been altered, or if people were giving more, not having an opening night afterwards, but everything could be heard, and between that and improved diction where it was needed, barely a word was missed.
It was an interesting audience. Eager with applause in places (Run Freedom Run and Snuff That Girl spring to mind for mid-song applause), and I heard plenty of people commenting at interval that they liked the Titanic reference in Follow Your Heart, but there were also places with less applause than I was expecting. And there was applause after Tell Her I Love Her, whereas when I first saw it, I think everyone was just too stunned to move.
This was going to be a short review, wasn’t it? Okay, so I thought it would be when I started writing. Truly, I’m hopeless.
Instead, just a few notes on my thoughts and observations during tonight’s show. (Since I’m going directly from my notes, bear with any jumping around) And since the show’s past previews now, I’m letting myself be a little more critical. Not that there’s much to be critical about, of course 
And everything I said in my other review applied for tonight, too. Most of the differences I noticed were improvements on an already brilliant show. In general, every movement and word on stage was tighter, with hardly a mishap that I could spot, and everyone seemed much more comfortable in their roles, really letting themselves go. The poor especially are looking fantastic, their reactions to everything perfect, and each staying completely in his own character for every moment on stage.I liked the way Sally watched Hope leave the stage after her conversation with Bobby during Too Much Exposition. A nice touch.
Rhonda’s barely changed as Ms Pennywise since I first saw the show. Although her bottom notes are perhaps a little thick at times, and some moments of her performance don’t quite sit properly with me, she plays the one-time strumpet well, and does add her own glow to the stage.
Shane seemed much colder and more abrupt to the poor after Privilege to Pee, which I liked, and his voice was rather fuller, another plus, but I think I also noticed him glossing past some of the jokes that had gone down well last time. However it was a fairly different audience, so I could be mistaken.
Gerry had definitely improved since last time. He had his lines under control, and said them as though they meant something, and he seemed to know his character rather better as well. One thing I particularly liked was that when Hope first arrives at the office, their interaction seems almost rather sweet. Excellent, in view of what’s to come. Oh yes, and Lisa’s facial expressions during Cladwell’s vote/cash dialogue with Fipp were brilliant.
Overall, Lisa seemed much more sincere in the role, making the character more believable, and almost more serious, though still very young, silly and naïve. I noticed that she seemed to have dropped the emphasis on “I hope…” (assuming I didn’t imagine it the first time) in her speech to the UGC staff. A shame, because it worked well when it was there.
Andrew, though in a small role, had another of the most noticeable improvements, which was evident even in his one line in Mr Cladwell, which was almost a complete turnover from what I saw the first time. (And I even gave him a triple tick for it in my notes at the time) Yet that wasn’t the only line I noticed him delivering fairly differently. And I saw more instances when his dancing skills were well-used. Keep up the good work, Andrew!
Mitchell’s certainly making the most of every moment he has on stage, making sure he’s noticed even in scenes in which he wouldn’t even be present, had it been staged like the American productions
I won’t go into too many specifics, for the sake of those who are yet to see the show, but his actions towards the start of Act 2, and especially his interaction with Hope (Which I think is new/increased?) were spot on. Overall, I think to the additions to that scene were a very good move, Mitchell aside, adding more depth. Back to Mitchell, though, his McQueen was perhaps a little less camp, but at the same time his interpretation of the character and the delivery of his lines has grown. I don’t remember what exactly warranted it, but I felt the need to give him a double tick for his address about the fee hikes, so it must have been good I very much liked the scene before Follow Your Heart. Lockstock’s bashfulness when he first sees Hope is beautiful, and the entire conversation amongst the three onstage is well-executed, and followed by a gorgeous dialogue between Hope and Bobby. The vacuum lines were played especially well. And the stars in the background for Follow Your Heart give a gorgeous effect. I was also rather amused by Kane’s “WTF?” look when Hope first tries to listen to Bobby’s heart.
Speaking of Kane, he was in full voice, and very passionate. What more can I say that hasn’t already been said by plenty of reviews?
The lead-up to Look at the Sky was excellent and again, the reactions of the poor and their divided loyalties were perfect. I liked the “Really?” after Bobby tells Mrs Strong to keep her money, though I was glancing elsewhere at that point, and am not quite sure who said it.I had a better look at Act 1 Finale tonight, and the slow motion is perfectly choreographed and performed. And Kane’s reaction to “You’re standing on the brink” was great. It was also very cute when Sally’s doll was peeking out of the amenity at that point. A very nice touch. And later, I liked Kane’s bemused look at seeing Lisa had broken out of the amenity.
Christen delivered Sally’s Act 2 speech about Urinetown so well that I was shivering. Very chilling. Well done, Christen.
There were a few other small, yet noticeable things. One was that Garry’s Hot Blades Harry seemed rather more controlled, which greatly contributed to coherence on that front. Adam Murphy’s vacant gazes were great. Sophie’s sounding and acting just as strongly as ever. I love it when Bobby comes in telling them not to kill Hope, and she speaks to him. Very cute
Although Irene, though still very strong in the part (excellent casting here), seemed the tiniest bit bland at times. I know she can do it, though After all, I’ve seen her do it.Many members of the cast are actors rather than singers, and it shows from time to time, but those who do sing do shine vocally, and overall the balance works.
The sound itself was also much better tonight. I’m not sure whether the microphones have been altered, or if people were giving more, not having an opening night afterwards, but everything could be heard, and between that and improved diction where it was needed, barely a word was missed.
It was an interesting audience. Eager with applause in places (Run Freedom Run and Snuff That Girl spring to mind for mid-song applause), and I heard plenty of people commenting at interval that they liked the Titanic reference in Follow Your Heart, but there were also places with less applause than I was expecting. And there was applause after Tell Her I Love Her, whereas when I first saw it, I think everyone was just too stunned to move.
This was going to be a short review, wasn’t it? Okay, so I thought it would be when I started writing. Truly, I’m hopeless.
