Bat Boy in London

[edenespinosalover]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 1:50am

Does anybody know about this?!

[Chip1012]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 2:12am

yes has anyone seen this? Updated On: 10/28/04 at 02:12 AM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 2:59am

I just saw "Bat Boy" last night, actually--but at my school (Indiana University). I haven't see the London version, but it got a real critical drubbing. I'm not surprised, really. The show has a lot going for it, but I don't think its humor could be fully appreciated by your average Brit. It's a very American show.

[goldes]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 3:29am

I saw it a little over a month ago. I don't have a comparative point as the London production was my first Bat Boy, but I do know that I laughed throughout the show. It was loads of fun, and not your usual West End or Broadway musical comedy.

The lead performers were great, though the chorus seemed a little weak at times. The new rap song was pretty bad.

Shows like this aren't really made for the critics, and the traditional theatre-goer may not know what to make of it. But I think if you go in knowing it's a spoof and not to take it too seriously, you'll have a great time!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 3:55am

Not sure how it's doing, but I know the critics just didn't get it (part of the problem is that the producers stuck it in an enormous theatre, three times the size of the Union Square where it played when it was in NYC). I hear it's struggling -- it would do much much better in a 300-400 seat space.

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 4:46am

I saw Bat Boy a week or two ago, and loved it. Sadly, it's stuck in the 1,400 seat Shafestbury which has killed much bigger musicals (Rent, Napoleon, Lautrec, Peggy Sue got Married and Thoroughly Modern Mille have all died there recently) and there could only have been around 300 people in. However, it got a cheering standing ovation from the (mostly student) audience.

Another show has been confirmed for the theatre (a musical adaption of the Far Pavillions) in March, but there has been no annoucement as to whether Bat Boy will be closing or moving (the money is on the former, but the producer might suprise us all yet!)

By the way, the London cast recording is now available from Dress Circle!
Dress Circle

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 4:54am

*broadwayguy2 LOVES Deven May*

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 6:21am

I saw it early in the run and quite enjoyed it but it is overwhelmed by the theatre, it should have been in a smaller space. It will probably close quite soon which is a shame but the producers misjudged the material I think. The play "The Far Pavillions" has already announced dates in the theatre even before bat Boy has announced closure which seems a bit rude to me!!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 9:26am

Bat Boy was scheduled for a 6-month run at the Shaftesbury from the start. Far Pavilions booked the Shaftesbury in early 2004. If the show did well, Bat Boy would attempt a transfer, but it probably won't happen.

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 9:33am

Sorry to contradict such a loveable looking pooch but the producers extended the run at the shaftesbury by three and a half months on the 1st october 2004.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 9:41am

Well, that's great news. I don't know if they can extend any further, though, as The Far Pavilions is scheduled to open March 14th, but anything can happen. Did you happen to catch Murderous Instincts or be one of the lucky few to see Wilde?

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 9:43am

"Did you happen to catch Murderous Instincts or be one of the lucky few to see Wilde? "

I didn't see either of those or Money to Burn. I have seriously missed out on the king sized turkeys recently.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 9:50am

The biggest flop I caught in London was Boyband. It was pretty bad. Though it did okay, I really didn't like Closer to Heaven. But I did want the T-shirt with Billie Trix saying, "Watch the eyebrows, darling!", but they sold out of them before I could get one. The best part of the show was meeting Sandra Bernhard and her girlfriend, Sarah, who were also attending the show. I bought programs for them.

One I did like, however, was All You Need is Love. The set was ugly, but the show was delightful. I loved the new orchestrations and vocal arrangements. I think it could do quite well in the US.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 11:04am

Batboy speaking with a British accent which he picked up from watching Masterpiece Theatre was so funny. How does that go over in London?

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 10/28/04 at 11:21am

It wasn't really made an issue of, although he does still say that he's learnt the language from studying BBC language tapes, which got a laugh

[goldes]

Posted: 10/29/04 at 6:14am

On the subject of London flops, I missed Boyband (though I picked up the CD sampler) and was somewhat disappointed with Closer to Heaven (though have since learned to love it on CD).

I ran to catch Murderous Instincts when it posted its closing notice (Nicola McAuliffe was fantastic - some of the songs were quite catchy, some great chorus dancing, but not much of a plot) but Wilde escaped me as it closed without notice.

I guess now that we've got The Producers, The Woman In White, and Mary Poppins on the way we'll probably have fewer traditional flops as producers may be resistant to open against this type of competition.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/29/04 at 6:17am

broadwayguy2 has not seen Closer to Heaven, but he enjoys the cast recording.. and from what he knows, feels that it could be a good show with an overhaul to the book.

[KarenNYC]

Posted: 10/29/04 at 8:53am

Batboy speaking with a British accent which he picked up from watching Masterpiece Theatre was so funny. How does that go over in London?

Edgar doesn't speak with a British accent in the London production. But the "BBC Language tapes" line is still there.

Sorry to contradict such a loveable looking pooch but the producers extended the run at the shaftesbury by three and a half months on the 1st october 2004.

My understanding is that they were definitely aware of Far Pavillions going into the Shaftesbury in March.