Bette Midler in HELLO, DOLLY coming to London in 2019?- Page 3

[scampsweep]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 9:19am

The combination of Bette and Elaine Paige would be a great one in London. I doubt, however, that Elaine would agree to be the alternate, no matter what spin is put on the arrangement.

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 9:51am

scampsweep said: "The combination of Bette and Elaine Paige would be a great one in London. I doubt, however, that Elaine would agree to be the alternate, no matter what spin is put on the arrangement."

Under normal circumstances I think she would laugh at the idea but given how well received Donna's turn as the alternate was do you not think Elaine would reconsider it? 

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 10:49am

I seem to remember Elaine Paige saying she's done playing lead roles. And aside from a panto last year, she hasn't done theatre since Follies. I think Elaine Paige in London means a lot more than Donna Murphy on Broadway, though, so I would sort of question her doing Dolly under Bette's marquee.

(That is, if Bette is even doing it London, and the most recent rumor says otherwise.)

Updated On: 1/12/19 at 10:49 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 11:21am

Who knows yet if theres any truth to this but dont forget that Bette also said she had no interest in leading a musical before she was offered this show. So I take any actor who says theyll never do something, with a grain of salt until the offer actually comes to them.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 12:02pm

Jordan Catalano said: "What do you mean Keep bring Bette out? Shes done one production of the show and it was one of the biggest events broadway had seen in years. "

Yes, one production that she had two runs in. If she does London, it will be her third time playing Dolly Levi. Special things like this start to lose excitement after a while - for example, Sara Bareilles doing her third run in Waitress now.

I’m also just tired of theater in general recycling actors so often when there’s plenty of talent to go around. You can’t tell me that there are no West End actors who could do Dolly justice AND be a hot ticket.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 12:08pm

Oh ok thanks for clarifying. Makes even less sense now.

[Princeton2]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 1:23pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "What do you mean Keep bring Bette out? Shes done one production of the show and it was one of the biggest events broadway had seen in years. "

Yes, one production that she had two runs in. If she does London, it will be her third time playing Dolly Levi.Special things like this start to lose excitement after a while - for example, Sara Bareilles doing her third run in Waitress now.

I’m also just tired of theater in general recycling actors so often when there’s plenty of talent to go around. You can’t tell me that there are no West End actors who could do Dolly justice AND be a hot ticket."

 

There aren't. The West End has no leading ladies (or men really) that can guarantee a sell out. Especially in one of the biggest west end theatres. Even Elaine Paige couldn't sell The Drowsy Chaperone for three months in a much much smaller theatre. She wouldn't draw people to Dolly.  Youd need an a-list name. The closest we have is Michael Ball can sell a show in a medium theatre pretty well. 

Also like all actors and singers, Bette will have an ego. Doing Dolly in the West End will give prestige that she's done Broadway and London and a high chance of more awards. It's not always about money.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 2:55pm

I've heard that Bette just plays Bette, but Elaine plays Dolly.

[scampsweep]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 2:56pm

To be honest, I doubt Elaine wants to do it anymore. I can see it would be a tempting offer for her (2 shows per week in a high-profile lead role like this - when is an offer like that likely to come up again?) but I still doubt she would play second fiddle to Bette. I’d love to see her do it though and Bette and Elaine are quite good friends, I think.

Updated On: 1/12/19 at 02:56 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 2:58pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "If she does London, it will be her third time playing Dolly Levi.Special things like this start to lose excitement after a while"

Well, it's a whole different thing. I mean, I was excited when she did it on Broadway, but I'm not going to fly to London to see it again. Presumably, there were a lot of people in London who also didn't fly to NYC who would be just as thrilled with her coming there. It doesn't have to excite the same people for it to be exciting.

[binau]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 7:03pm

haterobics said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "If she does London, it will be her third time playing Dolly Levi.Special things like this start to lose excitement after a while"

Well, it's a whole different thing. I mean, I was excited when she did it on Broadway, but I'm not going to fly to London to see it again. Presumably, there were a lot of people in London who also didn't fly to NYC who would be just as thrilled with her coming there. It doesn't have to excite the same people for it to be exciting."

It’s true. 

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 7:25pm

Bette in Dolly on Broadway was an event- then she came back to do it again for a few weeks- and to make a big payday as well. I bet the farm she will not pick up and move to London to do 7 performance a week at a pay cut-and London would not be able to charge the outrageous prices BWAY did. Not gonna happen, IMO. 

[DAME]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 8:45pm

BWAY Baby2 said: "Bette in Dolly on Broadway was an event- then she came back to do it again for a few weeks- and to make a big payday as well. I bet the farm she will not pick up and move to London to do 7 performance a week at a pay cut-and London would not be able to charge the outrageous prices BWAY did. Not gonna happen, IMO."

What makes you think there would be a pay cut?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 8:50pm

This is such a weird thread.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 8:54pm

Jordan Catalano said: "This is such a weird thread."

It is.  People are delusional and just pulling things out of their a*s.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 10:02pm

Heres what Ive learned in this thread so far.

-Bette Midler has played Dolly way too many times and its time for someone else to do it.

-Bette would never play London due to her high salary demands and its a known fact that a London transfer will not pay her what she wants.

-The West End doesnt need a star for a show to be a hit.

-Bernadette and Donna arent stars so the show wouldnt be a hit.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 10:11pm

DAME said: "People are delusional and just pulling things out of their a*s."

Maybe they could make a West End show out of that. 

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 1/13/19 at 12:30am

first ill say i love me some elaine.

is elaine really the reason drowsy didnt run long in london? many hits from broadway flop in the uk.

another lady i love more than elaine is ruthie henshall i could see her agreeing to be an alternate west end dolly.

If this uk happens i also wouldnt mind joanna riding, densie van boobies i mean outen (sorry her roxie press pics van boobies became a nickname), linzi hateley as a one day a week dolly.

damn blackish id love me some bette w jenifer lewis doing one a week. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3D_LY2bBMzo

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 1/13/19 at 5:08am

If this uk happens i also wouldnt mind joanna riding, densie van boobies i mean outen (sorry her roxie press pics van boobies became a nickname), linzi hateley as a one day a week dolly.
 

Ruthie would be a decent Dolly. I can't picture Linzi in the role but I love her so much I'd see her do it anyway. Joanna Riding would be great also but Denise Van Outing!? Jesus wept. Why not just set fire to the theatre? 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/13/19 at 11:02am

I dont think the drowsy chaperone comparison is a bit fair. Drowsy is not a known title. I dont think anyone would be able to sell that one, but Dolly is a bit more famous, and if its true that its even bigger in the UK than over here then maybe Elaine Paige COULD sell it. Also, again, if its true King and I sold out without big stars, then why cant Dolly? Bernadette would be an interesting choice. Has she ever played the west end before? Im not sure why Rudin would want to bring over a broadway actress, when using a west end star might be cheaper. How about someone like Imelda Staunton?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/13/19 at 11:22am

Why on earth would anyone want to see Imelda as Dolly? Can you just imagine her Dolly screaming non stop at everyone for 3 hours?

I love her in films but if she never ruins another iconic stage role, Ill be more than happy.

Updated On: 1/13/19 at 11:22 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 1/13/19 at 9:44pm

Jordan, seeing Imelda live is so different from seeing her in a film version. Her Ms Lovett was thrilling on stage , seeing it filmed lost some of that magic 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/13/19 at 10:08pm

....and no one has mentioned ME as Dolly.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 1/13/19 at 10:34pm

Doesn't Bette Midler not like to be away from her family for long periods of time? I thought that was why she hasn't had a major tour since 2015. Doubtful she'd be willing to live in London for an extended period of time to do a show.

[binau]

Posted: 1/14/19 at 3:53am

rosscoe(au) said: "Jordan, seeing Imelda live is so different fromseeing her in a film version. Her Ms Lovett was thrilling on stage , seeing it filmed lost some of that magic"

Are you referring to Gypsy? I don't believe her Mrs Lovett is filmed.