Chicago is still on broadway and again various american actors/singers have played billy flynn, of course that is easier for them as the accent is their natural one.

Hi Preston

I read one or two comments condemning Darius's American accent in Chicago, whilst others applauded it.

It crossed my mind that with America being such a large country, it is probable that there are many

different localised dialects there just as the U.K. has different ones.

Isn't it possible that an American actor would find the accent for Chicago as different to speak as Darius

must have found it ? :)

It would a New Yorker must struggle just as much with a Chicago accent as a Londoner would a newcastle accent. One of the girls sat next to an American couple from Chicago, when D was in Chicago. They said he'd done a really good middle class Chicago accent - and they should know. I wouldn't know one if it bit me. Which is a problem. I still cringe at Dick van Dyke's cockney.

I remember Rachel from Darius music saying that a friend who was a fan had flown over from the states especially to see him in chicago and said that his accent was spot on for that area.

Usher admitted he had had problems just taking the edge off his Southern accent and IMHO he didn't even attempt an Chicago accent.

 

There's a link to an interview with Usher on here or on .net which features excerpts from Chicago - the only positive thing I can say is .........he's a good dancer.

 

Love the poster for G & D. Shaun and Darius look great together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I remember Rachel from Darius music saying that a friend who was a fan had flown over from the states especially to see him in chicago and said that his accent was spot on for that area.

 

I think most criticism came from unfamiliarity with an accent that doesn't come up often in films or TV since the demise of the "Al Capone" ones. Darius and arguably Amra were the only ones in the cast who had strong American accents, the others using generic non-state specific "American" inflections.

 

Others of course came from those who obviously didn't see the show and just had a go at Darius because he was Darius (from Popstars/PI).

 

Any blogs etc. I found from Americans were very positive about Darius, including one from a guy who disliked everything, partly because he thought a musical should have costumes and a set, which Chicago does not. He slated Bonnie, thought the ensemble were just going through the motions but thankfully there was one bright spot which saved the show - Darius as Billy Flynn.

I on the other hand thought the dancers were superb and Bonnie was a wonderful Roxie.

 

Another American compared Darius favourably to John Raitt, one of Broadway's best loved and long serving performers and incidentally also the father of the singer Bonnie Raitt.

 

They were judging him on his performance that night.

 

Several people from abroad including Americans, Swiss, Malaysians, with whom I personally chatted in the Adelphi and the Cambridge, were amazed that this was Darius's first major role in musical theatre.

Darius was offered Sky before, but was recording in LA? He kept that quiet until now.

 

This dual singer/songwriter // musical theatre performer thing is a bit of a juggling act. Maybe he'd have been back in the West End.

 

 

He was offered 'Chicago' again.

He admitted to turning down two offers to return to Chicago. One for the Adelphi and one at the Cambridge starting last December.

:blink: Ive bought more tickets :blink:

I went to the box office and saved a fortune :D

so I thought I might as well go an extra night with the savings :)

I did that with an extra show with chicago in the westend.

My husband is working both Liverpool weekends, so I have to be home to watch his dad. It's really annoying.

And now I've got jury service the first week Darius is in Edinburgh! I'm just not meant to see him this time.

Isn't thatgrounds for excemption?

You can get excused jury service, I did several years ago, I just wrote a letter and said my daughter was going into hospital in Glasgow and that I would be up there. They were fine about it.

I couldn't tell a lie and I don't think even a Scottish Clerk of the Court would be sympathetic to my plight.

 

I made quite a few off the cuff trips to London for Chicago. I'll just have to grab each chance I get and hope I can get a seat.

I'm counting down now :yahoo:

8 more sleeps :cheer: :cheer:

Are you going on opening night?

I cannot beleive it is that close, I am so nervous for Darius, even more so than I was for Chicago!!!

What are the times of the shows in Liverpool and is there a weekday matinee?

 

Does anyone know yet when the show ends?

 

I'm only nervous for "dancing" Darius. He's such a big guy and I remember the PI choreographer saying it was much more difficult for tall guys.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he will acquit himself well in the Havana scene. I'm sure he'll knock 'em dead with Luck Be A Lady.

I am going to open night, I got cheap very far back and high up tickets just so I could go. :D

The weekday matinee is Wednesday and there is one on Saturday.

I think all the evening ones start at 7.30 and the matinee starts at 2.30.

I am going on the last night as well :o