Kiss Me Kate thoughts?

[jamiekennywicked]

I imagine the set will get nominated along with Hannah.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Bob, I also saw those two shows last season!

[Bob30]

What did you think of She Loves Me?

I went in with no idea of the background/cast/plot etc (my Grandparents choice of show ) and I was amazed by the production and the intimacy of the Minerva really suited it! Diane and Joe where superb as the leads as well

I'm making an effort to visit Chichester at least once a year during their festival season from now on as their work is amazing

[Bob30]

What did you think of She Loves Me?

I went in with no idea of the background/cast/plot etc (my Grandparents choice of show ) and I was amazed by the production and the intimacy of the Minerva really suited it! Diane and Joe where superb as the leads as well

I'm making an effort to visit Chichester at least once a year during their festival season from now on as their work is amazing

[Bob30]

Saw this last night and thought it was fantastic, the entire company shine and there doesnt seem to be a weak link in the cast.

Hannah is a superb Katharine, although a few times she sounded a lot like Miss Gulch! Alex Bourne has a tremendous voice and i thought that Holly Dale-Spencers numbers almost stole the show if it wasn't for Hannahs superb I Hate Men. Gangsters are funny, Choreography is brilliant (very noticeably Stephen Mear) and the songs are perfect.

However i do think it will benefit from being behind a proscenium, although i look forward to seeing it again at chichester in a couple of weeks.

A must see of the summer!

[Princeton Returns]

Bob I saw She Loves Me (together with Sweeney and SITR that year) I thought it was a sweet musical, cute. I wouldn't rave about it, but it was very enjoyable. Like you say it fit the venue perfectly and the set really impressed me. I did find Dianne a bit shrill though at times.

Id say Kiss Me Kate has a shot at best revival this year, I hope they win it after SITR being robbed this year

[Bob30]

I never saw SITR (regrettably as i live 25 minutes away from Chichester much easier to get to and cheaper than london!) but i did see Crazy For You which thoroughly deserved the Olivier, although i cannot compare them.

I'm torn between whether Kiss Me Kate or Sweeney deserve the 2013 Olivier for best revival, at the moment i can see Sweeney getting it, although im sure the Olivier voters will use the Old Vic production when voting (or not?) so its hard to tell at the moment as i'm sure the show will change quite a bit set wise to fit that venue.

[lovepigeon]

They were a cracking cast... the night of their last performance turned into a bit of a messy one!

One of the actresses was very, very honest about what she thought of Chichester audiences and I was inclined to agree with her. As much as people loved it, the audiences never really got going. They livened up a bit after TDH and again at the very end, but CFT audiences have been largely unresponsive this year. They've been howling through Private Lives though.

[ClapYo'Hands]

"One of the actresses was very, very honest about what she thought of Chichester audiences"

Do elaborate! :)

[lovepigeon]

She had a pretty big number and night after night she gave it absolutely everything, and night after night the audience simply applauded obligingly. I told her after the last performance that this surprised me as I thought it deserved a much better reception, especially on the last night. I don't know what I was expecting... maybe a bit of modesty? Maybe she'd thank me for my kindness?

No. She was pissed off too. She was of the opinion that Chichester audiences were only going to see KMK to get them out of the house, rather than to actually appreciate the production. It's an astute observation from a Chi first-timer... a massive portion of CFT audiences are very rich elderly people who go to the theatre because they can and out of habit. I know personally several people who book tickets for the entire season as soon as the brochure comes out, regardless of what's on. KMK was utterly wasted on people like that.

[Princeton Returns]

Im sorry but what did she expect in Chichester, the audience is mainly elderly, how many 60+ year olds do you know that leap up and start cheering etc. They are of a more reserved theatre going generation which, when you see how some audience members behave these days, isnt such a bad thing. Its not like its ROA or Mamma Mia, its Kiss Me Kate! Its also a similar audience to what I have found at the Old Vic (except there the age range is a bit younger)so things may not improve when its transfers.

I saw it in Chichester and to be honest I didnt see anything that merited an over the top reaction. It isnt exceptionally funny (raises a smile but not enough to laugh out loud very much) and none of it made me want to leap to my feet. I enjoyed it, I applauded but nothing out of the ordinary.

Also, many of the audience will be very familiar with the film, so much of it wont be 'new' to them.

[ClapYo'Hands]

I think I'd expect that if I did a show in Chichester!

[Younger Brother]

Does anyone have a cast list for the London production? I believe a few roles (ensemble mainly) were being recast?

[lovepigeon]

As of the final night, only one hadn't signed up for the Old Vic and it's the guy who played the taxi driver and understudied David Burt. Can't remember his name and I don't have a clue who's replacing him. Apart from that one, I believe the entire cast is unchanged.

[jaqs]

Holly James is going in to the Bodyguard.

[lovepigeon]

You're right... the guy I'm thinking of is the only one leaving the company with no other job to go to. The girl who told said she and many other cast members thought he was being an idiot for not going. Even he may have been persuaded by now.