So do I. If he wants to. I'd goa and see Darius but, I'd rather it were when someone else played that part. Brenda's voice was fantastic.

I can't remember - Is Mama Morton's first song before Billy's AICAIL?

I think it is. It's a while since I've seen 'Chivcago' now. Didn't she have the one 'You Take Care of Mama' before he got introduced?

So technically one could stay in the bar until the strains of "We Want Bill...........y!" ?

 

But then they wouldn't let you in until after the song.

I thought I remembered Chicago quite well but there is definitely a gap in my memories of it between Funny Hunny and All I Care About Is Love.

 

I presume Cell Block Tango comes in there.

It's funny how the beginning sticks and Cell Block Tango and then very little but Darius related bits.

I still remember the basic plot and individual songs and feelings. I remember thinking 'Roxie' went on for an eternity but maybe that's because it was in one of the D-less gaps, where I tended to lose my concentration after about the third time I'd seen Chicago.

It was the bits with the two girls together I'd have loved to miss.

I enjoyed all of Victor's scenes nearly as much as D's and I loved Mama Morton's songs but Brenda wasn't much of an actress. I still can't imagine Kelly O singing those songs. Thankfully Mama Morton doesn't have that much dialogue.

I thought that Brenda's acting was improving and thought she'd be OK with experience. She did have stage presence and a fantastic voice. Plus, she fitted the part, visually, perfectly. I could watch her again easily. I loved Amos' part. The understudy, Gavin, did it one night and he was exallent as well. Again, I'd be happy seeing either of theose two in the part again. I did feel a little sorry for Gavin though. You could see him shaking, it must have been nerve wracking - but he did it so well.

From WOS today - did Darius get to do this I cant remember.

 

In the latest Whatsonstage.com Radio podcast, Roger Foss meets Duncan James backstage at the Cambridge Theatre, where he is currently making his West End debut as Billy Flynn in Chicago. The ex-Blue boyband member and recording star talks about overcoming first night jitters, playing in summer rep before he became famous and how he very nearly took over the role of Fiyero in Wicked.

 

 

 

He's have been bete as Fiyero. Did WOS have a radio station when Darius die Chicago?

If they did, they ignored him totally, as did practically the whole of the SE, London and national print and radio media.

Th eaudiences appreciated him though - apart from those who didn't actually see him.

So silly. It didn't make one bit of difference. At the time. I was angry because it was such a nasty campaign which he didn't deserve. He worked as hard to prepare for the role as any performer.

 

Despite their worst efforts, Darius made the right impression on all those who matter, primarily the audiences at the Adelphi and Cambridge. The fact that the producers practically offer him first refusal on BF every time there's an opening speaks for itself, as do the objective reviews he got for Guys and Dolls. I'm praying that now is not the time that Darius relents and does a 3rd run.

I'd be easier to see him in London. Places like Liverpool are so difficult to get to.

I was gobsmacked that there was no direct transport between Glasgow and Liverpool. For some reason the two have always seemed linked in my mind. Obviously not in the minds of those who planned the UK's infrastructure, though.

Liverpool was even difficult from Blackburn - how ridiculous is that?

Yes WoS did have a radio station at the time of Darius in chicago. There is an interesting thread on the pop section re journey south. Says they have left SC and syco of their own accord because BMG/SYCO didnt want to release their new album until 2008 and journey south thought that was far too long to wait. Anyway if you are interested go and have a read.