X Factor Musical at the Palladium in 2014

[bob8rich]

When I first read that "X Factor - Let's Face The Musical" was confirmed to open at the Palladium in 2014, I must admit I was cringing at the thought lol

But, on closer scrutiny, I read that it will have an original score by Steve Brown (Spend, Spend, Spend) and it suddenly became interesting!

[ClapYo'Hands]

I'll go and support any new musical normally, but even music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim wouldn't get me to see this.

[Princeton Returns]

Yeah nothing about this interests me really. I do wonder if they may have missed the boat with this, X Factors popularity has been seriously dwindling in recent years and im not sure the public appetite will be enough to fill the palladium. Will be interesting

Hairspray rumoured as a filler with A Chorus Line closing early

[Phantom of London]

I thought the new Spice Girls musical has a similar theme based around a reality show?

Te London Palladium are big shoes to fill for any show, however I have heard generally good things about this show and the workshop was meant to be very funny where they picked up additional backers including Sthe man himself Simon Cowell.

I would also be tentative about seeing this show, but I am hearing good things about it, so will go and see this.

However more excited that Hairspray maybe coming back to London, one of the best musicals to play the West End ever.

[AnythingGoes23]

A Chorus Line is doing alright business, more than a lot thought!

The show will see the summer, its original booking period to September however maybe more likely than it running thru the year, but nothing is in the works to any serious degree,

Hairspray and Starlight are in the wings of the Shaftesbury for a summer run

[songanddanceman2]

God ideas like this make me hate the West End, get out and spend your money on fringe instead.

[Princeton Returns]

i dont see how hairspray can be eyeing a summer run at shaftesbury as its tour doesnt end until october

[turquoisefish]

The tour of Hairspray opened before the show closed in London didn't it? maybe there is a spare set somewhere.

[Phantom of London]

'i dont see how hairspray can be eyeing a summer run at shaftesbury as its tour doesnt end until october.'

I was thinking the same thing, they wouldn't have 2 casts for Hairspray in the UK, I can see Hairspray coming to the West End with Mark Benton, unless there is a magnificent surprise like Michael Ball.

'The tour of Hairspray opened before the show closed in London didn't it? maybe there is a spare set somewhere.'

Not to contradict myself here, so going to be hypothetical, as much as I adore 'Hairspray', I have to say the set is the cheapest and tackiest set imaginable, which adds to the appeal, the most elaborate part of the set is the aerosol can and if they do go for another separate production I am sure there are several aerosol cans kicking around the world.

[Princeton Returns]

Yes there is a set somewhere but the set up costs for a short run (casting,rehearsing etc) compared to just bringing in the tour would make a limited run with new set and cast less cost effective

[greeny11]

Close but not quite turquoisefish, the London production closed on the Sunday and the tour opened on the Tuesday. Was definitely a new set for the tour though.

[Nickhutson]

Anyway - let's get back on track.

The plus for this production is that Steve Brown is involved; it won't be a jukebox musical and with Harry Hill doing it, the satire will be sharp and strong.

[Princeton Returns]

Nothing wrong with jukebox musicals if they are well done

Its a matter of opinion really, personally I dont find Harry Hill funny at all

[Nickhutson]

No - not at all - nothing wrong with jukebox musicals, it's just nice to have new funnier songs - as jukebox musicals never really offer any funny lyrics.

I don't find Harry funny on TV, but I know many do - so it'll be nice to see how he satires it all!

[Phantom of London]

Looks like the great unwashed don't find Jennifer Saunders funny neither.

I do prefer an original written musical, but if a jukebox musical is good I am very happy to give it credit.

[Nickhutson]

Saunders couldn't hack it - so they had to get a committee of writers in.

I've got in trouble for saying this - but the Brits have done more to move musical theatre forward than the Americans - with HUGE shows like We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia and Buddy - where as the Americans are still writing pastiche pieces or trying to be like Sondheim.

[Princeton Returns]

While im not sure I agree with you overall, I do agree too many new writers (British or American) are trying to be the new Sondheim. I stopped buying the new writing CDs from Dress Circle ages ago because so many were just ballad after ballad set to a piano, each song merging into one. I also dont subscribe to the theory if its a new British musical I must go and support it, if it sounds good i will go but I dont care what nationality it is, just as long as its good.

[Phantom of London]

Hear Hear.

The thread title is one of the finest musical ever and it's American.

[songanddanceman2]

'I've got in trouble for saying this - but the Brits have done more to move musical theatre forward than the Americans - with HUGE shows like We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia and Buddy - where as the Americans are still writing pastiche pieces or trying to be like Sondheim.'

Are you f*****g kidding me?

How an earth has putting some some established songs to a terrible storyline moved musical theatre forward? It's dumbed it down to the point it's a cut and paste job that gets funded whilst original musicals are left unproduced.

You have said some silly things before but THIS takes the p**s. The Americans are leaps and bounds ahead of us in terms of musicals and still produce and fund projects that are risky (Hands on a Hardbody etc), we don't and have not done for a long time.

[bob8rich]

Precisely, SADM! Though their commercial success is unparalleled, the kind of British shows mentioned have done more to hold back the development of musical theatre than to "move it forward". And in the period that the UK has churned out Mamma Mia & We Will Rock You, the Americans have created innovative & profound musical theatre masterpieces such as Next To Normal, the Scottsboro Boys, Spring Awakening, The Light In The Piazza, The Last Five Years - and many more shows too numerous to mention that strive to stretch the boundaries of the musical theatre genre. And in very recent times, New York has seen productions of yet more fresh, vibrant shows by writers with their own distinctive voice - such as Kooman and Dimond, Pasek and Paul, Bobby Cronin, etc.

But it's not that the USA has a monopoly on musical theatre writing talent - there are a great many hugely talented British MT writers & composers with their own fresh and unique creative voices. The difference is that in the USA there is a far greater willingness to fund new writing than in the UK. And one of the main reasons for that reluctance in the UK is because producers & investors see the kind of mega-commercial dross mentioned earlier as a safer bet than investing in innovation and talent. So, as I said before, the success of the British mega musical - far from moving musical theatre forward - has actually held it back.

[Nickhutson]

[songanddanceman2]

Good response Nick

[Mister Matt]

I've got in trouble for saying this - but the Brits have done more to move musical theatre forward than the Americans - with HUGE shows like We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia and Buddy - where as the Americans are still writing pastiche pieces or trying to be like Sondheim.

LOL

I don't even know what to make of this. I guess Nick just isn't aware of any musicals that Americans have produced in the past few decades. But I am curious as to how specifically the shows he listed moved musical theatre forward?

[songanddanceman2]

And nick don't you run an online radio blog about musicals? With opinions like that it should not be allowed

[Princeton Returns]

Yes, Musical Talk podcast although i stopped listening a couple years ago

I guess theres an argument that commercially (after all many of the shows bob mentions didnt turn profit, or much of one) the mamma mias and wwrys have brought a new audience to theatres and advance it that way. I personally think mm is everybit as good as your legally blondes, hairprays etc for fluffy fun musical comedies and is quite a genius how its done. Wwry, despite a good story concept, is poorly executed.


In terms of new musical writing id say americans have the edge. But to be jonest as i say, i dont care what country they come from.

[Princeton Returns]

Yes, Musical Talk podcast although i stopped listening a couple years ago

I guess theres an argument that commercially (after all many of the shows bob mentions didnt turn profit, or much of one) the mamma mias and wwrys have brought a new audience to theatres and advance it that way. I personally think mm is everybit as good as your legally blondes, hairprays etc for fluffy fun musical comedies and is quite a genius how its done. Wwry, despite a good story concept, is poorly executed.


In terms of new musical writing id say americans have the edge. But to be jonest as i say, i dont care what country they come from.