1996 "Company" London
1996 "Company" London
Ciaron McCarthy
Broadway Star Joined: 10/15/06
#11996 "Company" London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 2:43pm
Anyone else see this production? Thoughts?
I thought Lester, who won the Olivier for his work, was a terrific Bobby. He wore his heart on his sleeve. It was kind of a nice change.
The late Sheila Gish was a terrific Joanne!! Love her "Ladies Who Lunch". She won an Olivier as well for her work.
Anyway just wanted to know what you guys thought of Sam Mendes production and where you saw it. It played the Donmar first.
#1re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 2:44pmWas this the production in which Bobby sounded like Kermit the Frog?
FranklinShepard-Inc.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/25/04
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Ciaron McCarthy
Broadway Star Joined: 10/15/06
#3re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 2:51pm
Was this the production in which Bobby sounded like Kermit the Frog?
HAHAHAHAHA. That's the one! He was great on stage though.
#4re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 2:58pmI could tell from listening to him that he was a great actor, but I couldn't get through Being Alive: The Muppet Version.
WalkOn
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/06
#5re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 2:59pm
I saw it. It was very aggressive. Bobby was snorting cocaine onstage. Everyone was very angry.
Contrast this production to the Roundabout production I saw about a year earlier... The Roundabout was dull and tame to the point of being boring.
Hopefully the new Doyle production will get the balance right.
#6re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 3:00pmthe sound quality on that recording is also very terrible, in my opinion. I have to turn the volume to the highest level just to comfortably hear it.
gumbo2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/21/05
FoscasBohemianDream
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
#11re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 3:53pm
I for one like Ciaron so he should keep posting just fine.
About this production, I was not able to see it live but the cast recording is a great improvement on the mediocre and pedestrian Roundabout revival. With the exception of Jane Krakowski, Veanne Cox, and Boyd Gaines the Broadway revival was entirely disappointing to watch. The London recording can't top the original Broadway cast recording but it does stand on its own and seems to feature some top-notch performances. I enjoy Gish's "The Ladies Who Lunch" though I still have to hear a rendition of the song that equals Stritch's now legendary portrayal of Joanne.
#12re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 4:16pmI've seen the video and enjoyed it very much. Lester was pretty good. not my favorite. but by far not the worst. The supporting characters were not great overall, but Amy and Joanne were exceptional. Espicially Sheila Gish. She does not have as good of a voice as Stritch, but she lit up a flame that smoked through the screen (sorry).
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#13re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 4:33pm
I saw it. A million times better than the Roundabout production. I liked that the couples were different. There was also a lot of great subtext going on. In the pot smoking couple, I remember a moment where the husband jerked his arm and the wife flinched. It made the characters more complex because I wondered if there was spousal abuse in their marriage.
Wasn't this also the production where Emma Thompson's sister Sophie played Amy?
#15re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 5:26pm
I really want the recording, to complete my Company collection.
But it's out of print, and I don't feel like playing 20+ bucks for it. I know, I'm cheap.
But urggh, I can't wait for the new revival recording! I hope they record it soon.
#16re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 5:42pm
Being that the reasoning behind not having recorded it yet has to do with the fact that the score may continue to change, I don't think they'll record until after opening.
I'm so impatient.
#17re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 5:58pm
Hee, Kermit. Being Alive was a bit Rainbow Connection-esque. But I seem to remember another Bobby reminding you of Kermit as well, Em. 
The "homosexual experiences" discussion in this production is *very* different from the way it was usually played, no? Normally, Bobby's reaction is played for laughs, but in this production, the scene ends very ambiguously.
Wanting life but never knowing how
#15re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 6:02pm
Em, I just really hope they don't make us wait till the end of January. Like they did with the Sweeney recording.
I literally can't wait that long. I'll settle for a nice December release.
The only thing I can really see them changing music wise, are some of the orchestrations.
but ugh, I cannot wait.
#15re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 6:03pm
Yessss, but that's in a different show. 
#16re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 6:18pm
*pokes thread*
How come I can't see the last 2 posts? The last post it shows me on the thread is mine, but when I went to reply, I can see ljay and Em's. It's like what happens when you block someone...but I don't have either of them blocked. *is perplexed*
Um, and now my previous post is still last on the thread, with this one appearing before it and I still can't see Emcee and ljay's posts in between. I'm so confused!
Wanting life but never knowing how
#17re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 6:19pmMy post like, disappeared. I see it when I click to reply. Hm.
#18re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 6:20pm
Yeah same here!
I only see my post when I press reply.
#19re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 6:23pmWhy did my second post appear BEFORE my first post? Good to know it's not just me...but definitely weird.
Wanting life but never knowing how
#20re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 6:24pm
Adrian Lester did totally sound like Kermit the Frog, but I actually loved his take on Bobby (directorial oddness aside). That seems to be the general theme for that production... horrible vocals, but often fairly nice acting. Lester's Bobby was heartbreaking, though, which makes it a pity that his Being Alive is cringeworthy.
Edit: And I agree, Gish's Joanne was fantastic.
Updated On: 11/3/06 at 06:24 PM
#21re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 8:51pm
"Espicially Sheila Gish. She does not have as good of a voice as Stritch..."
Wait, Elaine Stritch has a better voice than someone!?!?!? The gods be praised!
I love the woman to death, but I'd hardly say she's a great singer.
FoscasBohemianDream
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
#22re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 8:54pmNot to open this pandora box, but very few people can deliver a song like Elaine Stritch which makes her a great singer with a voice that is not exactly what you'd call "beautiful." However, no one can sing "The Ladies Who Lunch," "Zip," "Little Things You Do Together" or "Why Do The Wrong People Travel?" like Stritch does.
#23re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 8:57pmHopefully the new cd is quick. When I was in my car yesterday they advertised the show and talked about the CD and its label etc.
To Kill A Mockingbird
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#24re: 1996 'Company' London
Posted: 11/3/06 at 9:01pm
the sound quality on that recording is also very terrible, in my opinion. I have to turn the volume to the highest level just to comfortably hear it.
Not on mine...
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