Unfortunately, I was unmoved by Melanie. I do find her song keep coming back to me though. I just felt no sympathy for her character. The actress is good but, I think anyone would struggle. Her role does feel better the more you see it but, just lacks the ability to attract sympathy. The birth scene is funny, unfortunately it isn't supposed to be. Later, the fact that she's laying in her death bed and suddenly finds the strength to sing just before she dies, also gets a reaction.

 

The pretend horses jumping gates work well now. The pretend horse for the carriage doesn't but I can't see what else they could do and it is a lot better than 1st preview. I think I'd just have them arrive in Tara after Rhett leaves and sing a song about how they did it rather than having two women pulling a cart around the stage.

 

They are all minor matters though. The strength of the show carries you through them.

I've dived into your fansite here after noticing visitors to my review of GWTW over on <a href="http://rashbre2.blogspot.com/2008/04/gone-with-wind.html">rashbre central</a>. The key messages are (a) the show still needs production work (B) actually, Darius is probably the best cast member.

 

My comments to 'Sir Trevor' are suggestions for ways to take an overlong production with weaknesses and try to improve it. I don't somehow think Trevor Nunn will take notice of a mere money-paying punter attending the show to direct his next creative changes. It does need shortening so that people can get home, more memorable songs, less obvious narrative, reduction of some of the hammier mimes. I suspect those directing really know these things.

 

The professional critics arrive next week and may not be so kind as those of us who would prefer to see these kind of shows be successful.

 

mind you, the two women did pull the cart into tara - Scarlett had whipped the horse and it dropped down dead! I think they could get away without miming some things from what I have read though,

To be fair there's a lot of negativity in several reports about 2 of Melanie's scenes - the birth scene and the fact she sings when she's on her death bed - and the pretend riding, carriage/buggy driving

 

So what do those here who've seen those really think?

 

I was moved by Mellie's death in the film so I don't think for me, it would be a musical moment.

Having only seen it the once so far, all of these points seem relevent to me. People were laughing when Melanie gave birth and it seemed strange to me that she would be singing on her death bed. I have already mentioned about the miming of the horses too. I think the points are valid, but some people carry them to the extreme, and this is when they allow them to overshadow what is still a great show, which will only get better IMO :)

In the book, the horse died after they reached Tara. At least they got rid of the cow after the first preview. rashbre, I'm critising but I do really love this production. I don't mind others being critical - it's my basic nature too. I just can't understand Trevor Nunn not taking more notice of us. You're right, Darius is the best cast member - it surprised me at just how good. The rest are good as well though. I can't get the songas out of my head now.

Oh, see how easily bits in the book are forgotten, I recall the women pulling the cart in the film - after Rhett had left them and after they get the cow from 12 oaks? perhaps after they enter tara? I just recall the horse dying and them pulling the cart.

 

Thankyou Rashbre, your comment is appreciated - I would like to think your opinion of Darius is a fair one, I find being a fan does make me more anxious to know he is doing OK without rose tinted glasses, something I think we do manage - we are a critical lot.

perhaps having just come from the westend whingers one about the very first preview I was feeling defensive!!LOL

 

I havent seen the production as yet, but am looking forward to it once it has been set, as they seem to be continually tweaking it even now.

I do have worries on the miming bits and melanie, she was such a good character who loved and forgave regardless, in the book and film she was like Scarlett's alter ego, so its a shame if she has lost something on stage.

Edited April 21, 200817 yr by prettyinpink

Whatever happens with the show, Darius is better off having done it. He couldn't have got a better opportunity to put his acting lessons into practice and really stretch himself.

 

It's only his 3rd role (if you discount his cameo on Hollyoaks in 2003) and neither Billy Flynn nor Sky Masterson gave him any real test as an actor.

 

this is my attitude, this is a huge learning curve and experience for him an dcan do his credibility in the WE no harm at all, and get him in the eye of casting directors.. - whether the show is a huge success or not I'll warrant!

I'm not sure that Darius would view another WE role as a progression, a big enough challenge.

We were discussing that and felt that, of the current WE shows, only Les Mis and Phantom would really do.

I would love to see him in Les Mis

those were the two I was thinking of

I said this when Victoria newton first linked Drius with Les Mis. I don't see what role Darius could play. I'm pretty certain he wouldn't get Valjean or Javert, not because he couldn't do the roles, but because he's too young. He's too big for marius.

 

Can you really see him settling for a supporting role after playing Rhett? I can't.

He can be aged. They've had other people in their early 30s doing Les Mis. He's 27 now,