These days the audience doesn't come because of the critics. If having a successful run now depends on a few idiots who are incapable of impartial judgement, then the West End may just as well give up now.

 

I find it really depressing.

Or disappointed audiences?

 

The audiences I saw at GWTW were very very appreciative. The problem was getting them there after the critics' mauling. Discounting wasn't enough because selected critics comments had been plastered all over every paper and reported on in showbiz sections of radio and TV.

 

There had been no positive pre-show publicity in the tabloids or radio/TV apart from a very infrequent ad on Classic FM but by jingo the negative stuff reached every corner of the media world.

Edited August 2, 200816 yr by Baytree

The word l-o-n-g weas over played. Itg was only the first preview which was scarely long and I enjoyed watching that as well. I just didn't enjoy trying to get home. After that one though, every show was shorter and it was Ok going home. People were scared by the length rthat kept appearing in the press. They missed such a good show.

Long was mention a lot and worried people.

 

I feel they took too much out....I'd like them to add some removed bits and remove some other bits.....

 

They really should have consulted us :no:

They did most of the things we suggesteed - they should have listened more carefully. Balance? They have no idea.

Heres another opinion from MSN - After Gone With The Wind the musical, starring Darius Danesh, closed recently, Matt rawle is not worried there are too many musical on offer.

 

He said: "It's supply and demand. I don't think that's got anything to with the fact that it wasn't wanted. I think that's to do with the fact that it wasn't particularly well handled.

 

"No one in this day and age wants to sit in the theatre for three-and-a-half hours and that's where it fell down. Because it's a fantastic story and people always want fantastic stories. If you tell these things in the right way then hopefully people will come."

 

Zorro is playing at the Garrick Theatre

 

I think he is in zorro til september!!!

 

i

They did most of the things we suggesteed - they should have listened more carefully. Balance? They have no idea.

Balance was stupid...they needed more Scarlett and Rhett....that's what everyone went for!

That's what should have been put back....never mind the actors complaining they had lost bits........Prissy is a HUGE example.....

And it wasn't on for 3 and a half hours. They make me want to scream.

This is a snippet from WOS in a thread . about Lee meads next role - quote There's a risk he's got to take here - because it could seriously damage his (so far very good) reputation if he goes straight from Joseph into another starring role in another huge-scale musical, and it isn't successful".

 

I agree with that absolutely, Marius Pontmercy. The likes of "Gone With the Wind" is a case in point. Darius Danesh didn't personally get bad reviews for that, but association with what is perceived as a disaster will still be difficult to get over. And in Lee Mead's case, it wouldn't take anything as dramatically bad to rock the boat a little. It might be wise to play safe. On the other hand, if the inclination is there, that would be read inappropriately too, so I don't think it is an option. I'm not sure about "Billy" as a next role for just the reasons you raised though. He would seem to be very appropriate casting in actual fact, but because it is so heavily dependant on the lead, he would effectively be personally held to account if it isn't successful, whatever he does, when it might be more a case of not being the right time for that show. But it will be a risk whatever, and it isn't one that can be avoided. .

 

I did think about this point myself in connection with D.

I'm not a Lee Mead fan. I wouldn't travel to see a show because he was in it and I'd only go in Glasgow or Edinburgh if the whole show appealed to me.

 

Maybe he will employ Darius's strategy of raising the bar with every role he tackles, in order to learn more about his art and develop more skills to give him greater versatility. Then again he may feel it's easier to go for less demanding feel good shows which seem to do much better in the West End just now.

 

A riskier one with more credibility would be Barnum, if it is revived and John Barrowman doesn't want to do it. I could see Lee Mead doing that. If he can sustain a good American accent, I think I might prefer him to JB.

Im not a lee mead fan either think the same as you but I did think what the poster implied re D could stop him raising the bar as it were especially as he is not in the favourites group of ALW etc who seems to have the successful; shows at the moment although I do think D is better than that.

I'd view most of the current crop of MT male lead roles as cruising within what Darius has already established he can do and I wouldn't want to see Darius do what Lee has - get into a hugely successful show and stay there churning out virtually the same performance for 2 years - I think that would drive him crazy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree BT. I think D will want to progress rather than to repeat.

 

 

 

...never mind Darius....I don't think I could stand it :o

I think the drive to challenge himself more and more is admirable. He must love those adrenaline Rushes.

 

What he must've gone through in nervous energy and sheer hard work to get the part of Rhett is unthinkable. What must he have felt like on that first day at rehearsals with all those illustrious names in the creative team, not to mention stalwarts of the West End? Even Darius must surely have moments when he wondered if he'd bitten off a bit more than he could chew.

I went to see the concert with the local chap glyn kerslake who has been the lead in four musicals in the westend and it was excellent. H was supported the first half by some excellent acts including the girl who brought it together and had played the lead in 42 street in the westend, her tapdance and ballet was amazing. She and two others did all that jazz from chicago and they did a first class job on Mr Bo jangles with her, glyn and a girl cellist from the sadlers wells orchestra. It was in aid of a foundation for the ballet/tap dancers foundation for cancer which both her mum and dad died from. They raised £2000 and it was completely sold out. they also filmed the show throughout for a dvd. However I was a bit disappointed as wanted glyn to sing the songs that show his voice off like bring him home from les mis etc etc. He did take bids for money for songs at the end and did sing bring him home and sunset boulivard which he appeared opposite elaine paige originally. He wasnt terribly happy to sing les mis etc as he said he was all les mis worn out as he was asked to sing it so often and his programme included quite a bit of jazz and stephen sondeim but that is understandable as he is a whizz on the piano also. Hope I havent bored you but would love to see D do something like this.

BT,I think the reference to Jack Daniel's Whiskey (spelled with an extra e for some reason) on the Opening Night said

quite a lot about D's nerves, although he hid them well.

 

Preston, I'm pleased you enjoyed the show, it sounds really good, and they did very well to raise that amount of money.

You'll be able to relive it if you buy the DVD when it becomes available.....and that will raise more money.I suppose any

singer can become sick and tired of the same songs being requested. At least he sang 'Bring me home' at the end.

 

Edited September 4, 200816 yr by Bramley

Souded like a great show Preston :)

Scotch is "whisky" and Irish is "whiskey". I don't know the origins of Jack Daniel's. I always thought JD was a bourbon ( whatever that is) but it seems I'm wrong.

 

Darius could easily do those sort of concerts because he has a versatile voice with a good range, ideally suited to those songs.

 

Right now though, I don't think touring singing well known standards ( jazz or otherwise) and show tunes is anywhere on his horizon.

 

My own opinion is that he will either come back to the UK and launch his 3rd album with all that that entails or make a move into straight acting here or in the US but I wouldn't bet on it. He may astound me by doing something I'd never dreamt of. He's surprised me before so I'm quite prepared for him to do it again.

Edited September 4, 200816 yr by Baytree

Jack Daniel's is 'whiskey' from Tennessee USA....whiskey made as our fathers made it...

 

Yes BT he does keep us on our toes :D