I know there's a few folk on here who visit the theatre now and then and I thought if any of us wanted to tell the rest about a good (or bad) play or musical or whatever, we could do it here...

So to start the ball rolling..


Today Vix and I saw Spamalot which was just wonderful. Tim Curry was a great Arthur and Hannah Waddingham (in the Carol Cleveland 'token totty' role as The Lady Of the Lake) has a great voice..not to mention a fabulous figure and fine 'set of lungs'(..if you get my drift? ) The sets were magical with God himself (voiced by John Cleese) making an appearance..(well his feet at least) and Terry Gilliam's animations are used cleverly in both the set design and to move the story along.
The story has been changed quite a bit but certain scenes and classic dialogue have been kept in .. 'bring out your dead'.. 'swallow and cocoanut discussion'.. 'Strange women lying in ponds'..'Knights who say 'Ni'..'the French taunting'..'the Holy Hand Grenade..'stay here and make sure he doesn't leave the room'..all the good stuff. The new songs are funny if not particularly memorably catchy (would need a few hearings I think to really become memorable)..they even crowbar 'Always Look On The Bright Side of Life' in..twice...to huge applause and audience participation.

Certain scenes seemed almost 'Producers' like in it's deliberate attempt to be offensive/controversal (a great song about not being able to succeed in show business without any Jews)..

The costumes and make up match the film precisely and the dismembering of the Black Knight and Sir Bors being decapitated by the Killer Bunny are very well executed (no pun intended)..

I recommend it to anyone who loves the original film. Oh..and if you do get a chance to book to see it do try and get seat D1 in the stalls.




This is the broadway production but you get the idea..

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Too effin cool!
i've heard alot about that production and how good it was going to be and now that i got a "charlie's seal of rather pleased indeed" i'm looking very forward to it coming to michigan.

great idea for the thread, too!!

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Because You choose for Your instrument a boastful, lustful, smutty, infantile boy
and give me for reward only the ability to recognize the incarnation.

Because You are unjust, unfair, unkind,
I will block You, I swear it.

I love going to the theatre.

That play sounds amazing Charlie and with Tim Curry! That really is great.

The problem with my town is the only major plays that get put on are Shakespeare ones, which I go to and enjoy, but sometimes you want something more modern. I'd love to see a Stoppard play done really well, or maybe a big budget Arthur Miller...now that would be something special.

Ok here's a question, has any one seen Angels in America? I can't imagine seeing a play in two seperate parts, but I really love that play and would love to see it.

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"Nothing is Written."

Sounds fabulous. I really hope to see Spamalot one day!

Haven't seen many stage plays in my life, but the few I have.....

Charlotts Webb
The Wizard of Oz
CATS
The Phantom of the Opera
Chicago

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You're not just buying local, you're buying the best.
http://vimeo.com/33917642

well C i have heard angels was very good but haven't seen it myself

and sil when ya saw phantom did ya, by any chance, check it out in toronto where they made a theater specifically for it? my sisters had made a trip out there when they had it and truly loved it

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Because You choose for Your instrument a boastful, lustful, smutty, infantile boy
and give me for reward only the ability to recognize the incarnation.

Because You are unjust, unfair, unkind,
I will block You, I swear it.

Since I told you all about seeing my brother in the Full Monty, I decided to add a picture. Don't worry there's no nakedness in it...




that's my brother on the top left.

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Nope, didn't see it in Toronto, Ed. I saw it at the Masonic Temple downtown.

Cool picture, Lola! Before I saw where you said which was your brother I tried to guess and I was right

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You're not just buying local, you're buying the best.
http://vimeo.com/33917642

Well Spamalot had it's official critics preview last night and it's official 'First Night' tonight..despite me seeing it four days ago!!

Happy to report rave reviews!!

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Have you londoners heard about Frost/Nixon?

http://www.thisistheatre.com/london...frostnixon.html

I want to see this... I Love Michael Sheen and Frank Langella.

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I have heard about it, and I also love Michael Sheen and Frank Langella, and I am also desperate to see it. :P

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