They should be treated with a very large pinch of salt. Anyone can post on there and change names with every post.

 

Go back to the Cambridge ones when D was in Chicago and look at them - they show the computer IDs and it proves 2 computers ( home and work?) were used for just about all the worst reviews. All those efforts meant nothing. Chicago is still running and Darius is Rhett Butler.

 

 

thats interesting, BT goes to show how determined someone can be in posting to hurt - it does prove these reviews can be totally made up by anyone - I tend to opt for those given in detail by pole around who seem to have been, and their reviews ahve been postive - even if doubts about the actual show.

Perhaps because Margaret Martin started off with the premise that Scarlett was a single mom just trying to do the best she can for her children whereas Margaret's Mitchell's book seemed to me to show that Scarlett feels very little maternal love for Wade or Ella.

- I had the same thought Scarlett really didnt care for her children, and had no empathy - later the fact Bonny had night terrors and Rhett said Scarlett would only slap her - was there to show the complete self centred nature of Scarlett, who wanted comfort for her own recurring bad dream. I can't equate the book with what Martin saw.

 

Here I can annoy people. I'm going to give 'Gone With The Wind' a glowing report. It is also very honest. I don't do lying.

 

Theatre is magic. I'm so glad I've been lucky enough to watch this show develope. I do still prefer the second half but, the first half is now really good. The whole thing carries you through the story so well. Darius shines in his first number, 'I'm Your Man'. It's shorter than before but incredibly well done. Darius actually shines full stop.

 

The whole of 'Gone With The Wind' just flows so well. How little bits have been trimmed and altered to make a smooth flowing whole is great to see. Trevor Nunn and Co. do really know what they're doing ( not that they've been doing this for years or anything). It's magic to see how a tweak can change something so much.

 

This time, there was a buzz in the interval that was missing from the first preview. This time people where leaving the theatre talking enthusiastically about the whole show not just the second half. It finished just after 11pm which meant we had to leave straight away and couldn't talk to people but, we didn't have to run to catch the last train. How come the trains in some directions run an hour longer than those in mine?

 

I think Darius was what surprised people most in the show. I don't think many were expecting him to be just so good. I admit to liking hearing "What about Darius Danesh? Isn't he fantastic". I don't think anyone could deny his great stage presence. Jill must be exhausted. I felt as though I'd been through the wringer at times. She and Darius must find it so emotionally draining. I do worry about the strain to her voice though. 8 shows a week are a lot for the amount of time she's on stage. They combine as a couple really well.

 

It is now a musical within a play and I would recommend it to anyone. The cast is excellant and NaTasha as Mammy stands out. She has a great voice and acts really well. All the cast are good. I end up disliking Ashleywhich is good. Melanie is the only character I'm not sure off - but I think that's the role and definately not the actress

 

Darius is really an actor who happens to have a beautiful singing voice. Last night was an extra. A last minute choice to get the cheapest seats and see it an extra time. We had a great view - even if we did have to look under, over and through the wire safety line by the actors walkway round the side circles. We were in London as I met Pam's train in Euston and it was a good night.

 

The show ends with the ensemble singing 'Wings of a Dove', an up tempo optimistic song which had the audience clapping along and left a feeling of hope. The show ended to the audience standing to show their approval. Some, like us, were making for the exits with eyes still glued to the stage.

 

I'd like it to finish a bit earlier so I could actually talk to people before running but, I wouldn't want to lose any of the show.

 

I think you could say I really enjoyed it. And, I've still got the tickets we did book for the show Pam came down to see.

 

Loved it. Can't wait to see it again.

I woke up with atune running through my head and couldn't place it until I played the STV tape again - it's part of the duet.

thankyou, Megham - that review has really made my day!

It's good to know they've improved "I'm Your Man". Isn't it the only chance Darius gets to sing in the first half.

 

I liked what I heard of the duet on the STV video too.

He gets to sing bits in it. It really was good- good enough to surprise me - and I thought it would be from previous previews.

Thankyou Meg that was an honest review. Wish it could be posted on WOS. I so want to go to the matinee as well as the evening I have booked but darent mention it to my friend even though I have a token which would cover both of us, dont think she would be happy.

Here goes (I've just posted this over on .net).....

 

I enjoyed the show on 7/4 but last night was much, much better. Darius somehow seemed to be more involved in the first half and one of the characters even introduced him onto the stage, which was much better as last time he just blended in with the performers and was insignificant for a while! He sings 'I'm your Man' but it isn't a complete song and then he sings more of it in the second half. If it was elaborated on I feel it could be the 'stand-out' song of the show that people would remember!! :D

They have lightened the mood of the story by adding several comedy lines - a few of which are D's - and the audience responded well. Because there are snippets of humour it seems OK to smile at the actors portraying horses and the scene where Melanie gives birth - pretty 'basic-acting' but really the only way it can be done!! :D

The sound effects are excellent and the burning of Atlanta was much more spectacular The stairway near to us caught fire and had to be extinguished at the end of the scene!! :o

It seemed more of a 'musical' to me this time. D's singing was 'spot-on' - especially the lullaby - that was beautiful!! :wub: :D I don't think I could fault anyone's performance at all. I think Jill was on stage slightly less than last time but I don't think they have cut any of her songs!!

The finale was excellent - they now repeat 2 of the songs, getting the audience to sing and clap along It finished to a standing ovation and everyone feeling good!! :yahoo: I think this show is now looking very good and they may have even more 'bits to tweak' before Press Night on Tuesday! Well done to all the cast :cheer:

 

Julie

 

great to hear that! its sounding good

Thanks for your reports.

 

Buzz at the interval, some of the audience on their feet at the end - sounds like they've got a show.

Edited April 19, 200817 yr by Baytree

The pics were from yesterday. The billboard from today - a huge poster at a local railway station. The first I'ved seen with Darius and Jill on it.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/megham/Gone%20With%20The%20Wind/IMG_3667cropsmalla.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/megham/Gone%20With%20The%20Wind/IMG_3668smalla.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/megham/Gone%20With%20The%20Wind/IMG_3705cropsmall.jpg

 

 

Lovely pics.

 

I see Darius was frilled to see you.

 

 

That is what you call a poster.

Great pics Meg Love the poster too :)

I'm going back to get a daylight shot later in the week.

fantastic pictures, I am loving the billboard

It is huge. Just right. I'll be looking everywhere for another one now.

Its a shame someone on broadwayworld.com has asked to see the posters for the show and someone has posted the original one, what a shame its not the billboard one. There are also a lot of posts new, one saying Darius (bless) is hardly in the first half and another saying he has no stage presence, ha ha.

There are always some who write that Darius has no personality or stage presence. Maybe they're people who like their musical performers to play it large, all teeth and smiles, to make an impact.