quote - Douglas Hodge (La Cage aux Follies), 23.8%

Ryan Molloy (Jersey Boys) 24.9%

Matt Rawle (Zorro) 17.0%

 

Well I was about to comment on the fact that I saw the first and last of the above two on the royal command and I wasnt impressed. Douglas hodge I have seen in plays etc on tele before but he didnt impress me as a man in drag but his singing voice impressed me even less. I was expecting great things of Matt rawle him being one of those feted on WOS but although his singing voice was adequate his characterisation didnt impress me as I dont know why but felt he was a bit immature perhaps not in age but in his portrayal, I expected someone in command but didnt get that impression at all., there appeared to be alot of what I would call leering. Now to another name feted a lot on WOS kerry ellis, Absolutely hated her voice, shouting was more like it and wouldnt be able to stand listening to her during a whole performance .ryan molloy is also a name feted on WOS from the jersey boys, although I saw this exert dont know if he was one of the group but they surely surely were miming.

quote - Douglas Hodge (La Cage aux Follies), 23.8%

Ryan Molloy (Jersey Boys) 24.9%

Matt Rawle (Zorro) 17.0%

 

Well I was about to comment on the fact that I saw the first and last of the above two on the royal command and I wasnt impressed. Douglas hodge I have seen in plays etc on tele before but he didnt impress me as a man in drag but his singing voice impressed me even less. I was expecting great things of Matt rawle him being one of those feted on WOS but although his singing voice was adequate his characterisation didnt impress me as I dont know why but felt he was a bit immature perhaps not in age but in his portrayal, I expected someone in command but didnt get that impression at all., there appeared to be alot of what I would call leering. Now to another name feted a lot on WOS kerry ellis, Absolutely hated her voice, shouting was more like it and wouldnt be able to stand listening to her during a whole performance .ryan molloy is also a name feted on WOS from the jersey boys, although I saw this exert dont know if he was one of the group but they surely surely were miming.

 

I saw the three performers who are in competition with D on WOS on the RVP last night and I, too, was not impressed! I love the Four Seasons music (and I must admit that I didn't realise that they were miming) but if that was a clip from the show then they were just like a tribute act and the award is for the 'Best Actor in a Musical'!! I cannot stand performers 'in drag' so Douglas Hodge and cast certainly did nothing for me - is it supposed to be a comedy?! And I'm sure that there is a lot of clever choreography in Zorro but the clip they showed last night certainly was not very wonderful and Matt Rawle was nothing like I expected - I did not like his voice at all!! This, of course, is my opinion (it's just as well we all like different things!!) but to me, having seen snippets from those three musicals, it just made me realise even more how Darius and GWTW were pure class in comparison!

 

I agree completely. The excerpt that did impress me was of the Lion King.

Darius's performance certainly outshone those other three, if that was a fair sample of their work. I wonder which snippet

would have been chosen to represent GWTW if that had been on the Royal Command Performance.

For the shiow, I'd have 'Can this be all', 'Wings of a Dove' and 'Alone'.

I think it all made me realise that these theatre sites with their praising of a n umber of these artistes who because of their praising must have gone to theatre school or come up through the ranks so i n their eyes must be good doesnt hold water, in fact it doesnt mean because you did that you are any good. As I have seen their are a n umber of amateurs in my area who would outdo them.

I agree, Preston. Not everyone who has the ability, wants to go on the stage. Whereas many think that stagework is an easy life,

so they enroll in theatre school despite having little ability. They don't realise how very competitive it all is.

Or just how hard it is to raise through the ranks. Watching Louise Dearmen in panto made me see again just how fantastic she is.

The Jersey Boys came to the UK hyped to the heights and has run since about March. It has had guest slots on just about every prime time TV show including SCD, CIN and those 3 Sunday specials - it's one of the most heavily publicised shows out. Zorro did a big UK tour so many more people around the country will have seen it. Douglas Hodge is a very well known actor.

 

IMHO Darius would have had a great chance despite all that, if GWTW had run long enough for a much greater number of people to see him as Rhett.

 

Or critgics hadn't been allowed in. Or if the critism hadn't started before anyone had heard a word or note.

I srtil think there is more to this than meets the eye. Imagine this has had a shorter run at the new london than GWTW, had similar bad press yet they on there are praising it up as they did for marguerite just because one of their favourites was in it ruthie henshall who I wouldnt go down the road to see, jill paice had far more talent and staying power voice wise when you think how long she was on stage but she wasnt a name or one of their favoured ones.

Jill Paice over Ruthie Henshall anyday. I only saw Zorro on the RVS and I too was very disappointed. I agree, that for reasons we can only guess at, GWTW was never ever going to be allowed to succeed no matter how good it was. Sue

Ruthie stood out in the 10th Anniversery of 'Chicago' as being very, very good.

Yes meg but would she or her voice have stood the pace and length of GWTW even in her heyday. much prefer Jill paices voice.

I like both women. I'd go and see either in a play I wanted to see.

The excerpts in the Royal Command Performance appear to have little effect on the voting. I guess most people who watched

are not aware of the awards, which after all are specific to Whats on Stage, so carry no general appeal.

I didn't watch the Royal Variety Show. Mum watched Cliff Richard though.

The Shadows seemed to have aged far more than Cliff............but I think he has had cosmetic surgery, hasn't he ?

I don't think so - although he tried Botox at one time and didn't like it. His neck lets him down - it just looks scrawney.

It's odd to think that one day D will be old, possibly with a scrawny neck.

quote - It's odd to think that one day D will be old, possibly with a scrawny neck. Thats why I wish he would get a move on now with his career.!!!