Grease? JCS?

small blonde boy in the T birds. About 4th male in status.

 

I can see D in Jesus Christ Super Star. I did like that show. I could also see him as Danny - except he'd never be taken as a teenager. He wasn't when he was.

I am upset to read a rumour on WOS that AW is jumping ship for ITV for his programmes like jesus Christ superstar. The bbc are so much better at producing things like this. but I was expecting something like this after reading that ALW had appeared on american idol with SC. I suppose we can expect SC to get a foot in the door with musical theatre and his artistes appearing on ALW programmes. I feel sorry for the BBC if this happens, it will be much tackier on ITV.

I wont be watching whatever side it's on. It's all about money, so whichever channel gives more opportunity to make it, they'll be there.

I read that the BBC didn't want to make any more similar programmes after IDA. That could be a rumour too.

 

Before Darius got Rhett, yes, other roles could have been seen as building on what he'd done in MT and there are many I'm sure he could have done with aplomb.

 

However, IMHO Darius has reached the top - he's originated a lead role in a new musical with original book, libretto and score and been critically acclaimed for his performance.

 

That was an unmissable opportunity. If something equally amazing comes along, I can't begrudge him it but my belief is he should nail the album and get that out immediately after he finishes in GWTW.

 

 

 

 

I'd like Broadway and then there's the film script. I just have no idea what's next. But, I do really hope for the album.

As we said the publicity after the press night was still much too low key when hey needed something harder hitting. A television ad with some of the songs might have helped, but it's too late now.

 

Darius is probably the luckiest cast member. He'll leave Gone With The Wind with much more credibility as an actor and MT performer than he has ever had. Who can doubt that doing the show was the right thing for him?

 

 

He'll be devastated for all those he's come to know as good friends but I have no worries about future success for Darius himself.

 

It is so depressing. Quality doesn't make a success anymore.

.................and people wonder why so few non-jukebox musicals open in the West End?

 

Lord of the Rings, Gone With The Wind, Marguerite all given frosty receptions from the critics. LOTR had at least the memory of modern blockbuster films and the spectacular to draw crowds in but it cost far more to produce than GWTW.

 

UK audiences seem to prefer Broadway carbon copy musicals and revivals plus a story welded to a back catalogue.

 

The newest one which is supposed to be coming isn't even based on a single back catalogue. It's based loosely on Big Brother meets X factor /PI, starring a host of names including Anthony Costa singing the sort of songs contestants are given to sing. The action will move from the house to the stage supposedly and the audience will get to vote for the winner each night.

 

 

I cannot post my thoughts on the WE, but just to say they arent pleasant!!

I wont be going to any show unless Darius is in it anyway, At least he gained notice from the Rhett role,

Darius gained a lot of very good official "notices" most of which I hope we've managed to gather here.

 

Since most critics were expecting considerably less of him, I'd imagine he's been a conversational topic for all the right reasons this time.

 

More importantly what Darius has learned from working with the best once more will stand him in good stead for the future. And I don't just mean people like Gareth Valentine and Sir Trevor Nunn.

 

It's only been six months but he's watched a musical grow creatively and been an integral part of it. That must have been so thrilling for him.

 

Maybe the media will cut him some slack and stop trying to tell everyone he's disappeared when he restarts work on his album.

 

And when/if Darius is ready to act or do a musical again, I'm confident that doors will open more easily for him and he'll get offers more in line with his actual acting and vocal ability than whatever casting directors previously might have thought he could do with his seemingly limited experience and training.

 

 

I shouldn't think so. People who know about ability may but, the media seem determined to dislike him.

We'll see I suppose. It will be interesting to see what they do and say later.

 

For the moment all the articles about the closure which I've seen have been pretty factual, just mentioning that Darius was starring as Rhett Butler with Jill Paice as Scarlett.

the headings now seem to suggest it'd D's fault. Why aren't I surprised?

Do you mean things like "Darius Danesh's run cut short" and such like. Isn't that just because they have a habit of using the best known member of cast's name rather than the show's?

Ex pop idol contestant - ex popstars?

The Mail On Sunday's picture caption is outrageously misleading in my opinion.

 

Under a picture of Darius and Jill " They didn't like us"

 

They - the audiences? Why did they regularly do what West End audiences rarely do - give the cast standing ovations?

 

The critics? - Nonsense. One or two weren't fully convinced they were Gable and Leigh but Darius in particular got glowing notices, taken as a whole.

 

 

 

That's not the impression that the public are being given. Darius would have a shock if things turned out in his favour.

I get the feeling Darius has my luck where life is concerned, thank god he has guts and has broad shoulders!!

 

 

 

But he's had to put up with this type of thing since his teens. He deserves a break.