December 8, 200816 yr I hope that was true meg because when I read the evening standards review of a little night music by trevor nunn, they are falling over themselves to praise it like the complete opposite to GWTW and it makes you wonder if their reviews past were a sutle way of getting at D through the show knowing their history with him. I do think that they generally are not helping keep shows open. .GWTW was far superior to any of the musicals I have seen this year but it is not a feel good show but a more deep thinking one and musicals like joseph and hairspray which are "go go" shows seem to be the ones favoured at the moment. The story for GWTW for instance is far far superior to Flashdance which I saw recently yet that which also has an american flavour is rumoured to be going to America. We all know that GWTW didnt get much promotion but how much was that to do with the media chosing not to.
December 8, 200816 yr Quote 'It makes you wonder if their reviews were a subtle way of getting at Darius through the show, knowing their history with him.' 'We all know that GWTW didn't get much promotion but how much was that to do with the media choosing not to.' I don't agree because most of the reviews praised Darius's performance, but slated the show. Critics are paid to do a job, and a lot of people rely on their guidance as to the quality of a show. Admittedly the critics may be biased towards certain performers, but they would not allow this to jeopardize their own career prospects, and the bad reviews were pretty well consistent from all sources. I think the problem was that the show was under-rehearsed, and the critics were invited to see an over-long, untightened version. Had they seen the show a couple of weeks later, when Nunn had worked on removing the more obvious faults and had condensed the show to a more acceptable length, I think their reviews may well have been more favourable. As to the media choosing not to promote the show, whyever should they promote what was, according to the critics, a substandard show. Sorry, Preston, but that is my personal view, which doesn't mean it is the right one. A lot of blame has been put on the critics for their bad reviews, but I do wonder what kind of show they saw..........certainly not the show I saw later.
December 8, 200816 yr The show was really good by the time the opening night was rerached - which is also the show to be reviewed. Most negative feelings were about margaret writing it. The cast got mostly very good reviews indeed.
December 9, 200816 yr I feel that the cast was well rehearsed but the show was not. I suspect Nunn was too busy tweaking details to find time to stand back and view it as a wlole. The superfluous narration and the incongruous speeches ( Humpty Dumpty) were removed or modified AFTER the Opening (critics) night. These faults can be directly attributed to Margaret Martin, but should have been identified and rectified by Nunn.
December 9, 200816 yr There was nothing wrong with 'Humpty dumpty' line in a song which showed the childishness of Scarlett. Trevor was supposed to be standing back as Colin was the UK director - and he was there every step of the way.
December 9, 200816 yr Trevor nunn probably didn't know Darius.....many years have passed since then and Darius turned up at the NY audition...didn't he As Meg said he was chosen on talent. But then wasn't it the musical director that told Darius about it? So perhaps TN did know...but then Darius had appeared in Chicago and G&Ds.....and years had passed. Yes TN was probably complaining about the 'free' advertising of Maria etc....but then I think he relied on his name and the fame of GWTW to promote the musical. He certainly didn't push Darius' or Jill's names to prmote.....infact pushed very little.... I do think the people who didn't like it got bored with the first part....telling the story, which to me is vital....and they would have been happier with a whizz version and more Scarlett and Rhett. I could have done without Margaret pushing Prissy to heights. But I loved it thought it was a great story and loved reading the book....which I would never have done if Darius wasn't playing Rhett....so I than them all for the experiences I have had since it was anounced. I just wish I could see it again :(
December 9, 200816 yr Me too. At least the critics were in the minority of those who saw it. Most loved it and laughed and cried with the characters.
December 9, 200816 yr I'd never read the book, but I have now, twice in fact, once before the show and then again after. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have every intention of reading it again when I get the chance. Sue
December 11, 200816 yr Author hubby brought me the new version of gwtw from the library - it is wierd starting to read it with images of stage character scenes in my mind.. I do still think as it was advertised as the greated love story ever told..less politics and more rhett and scarlett would have been better. slaves were slaves, war was war - no need for the PC additions confusing things.
December 11, 200816 yr I think it was really interesting that poor whites were held in as much contempt by every one black or white. There lot was incredibly hard as well.
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