So...
I was at the first public performance last night in Bristol and wow! For a first performance, that was flawless. No show stops, no mess-ups, nothing. There's so much to talk about, so I will put some of it below:
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All of the songs from the film are still in, along with five new songs. Three in Act 1, and two in Act 2. There's no song list in the programme, so that likely means that there will either be additions or cuts/rewrites to the new songs.
- Act 1 Songs
- "Dust and the Dirt" - Barnum's Hype-up/I Want Song. Very pop/musical vibes.
- "Skybound" - Anne's introduction song. Very theatrically jazz-like.
- "The Show Goes On" - Act 1 Finale. Classic musical theatre. Leaves the audience wanting more (but having to wait through the interval).
- Act 2 Songs
- "Unusual" - Act 2 Opener. Takes place when Barnum and the group meet Queen Victoria.
- "Undeniable" - Upbeat pop number.
The book is pretty strong. Lives up to the film plot with some rewrites to make it more convenient for the stage.
Casey Nicolaw's direction/choreography is probably the best I have seen in his work. The acrobatic work was unbelievable.
The cast! SHEER PERFECTION! Most don't know Oliver Tompsett worldwide, but they will after this! I hope he continues wherever this show goes! Samantha Barks is also perfect as Charity. Ben Joyce and Lorna Cortney have beautiful chemistry together! Their "Rewrite the Stars" was unbelievable.
Overall, was it perfect? No, but nothing is at this stage, but it's in really good shape. Hope it moves to London later this year because I would do nothing more than see it again!
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince