Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:01pm
I just found out that Sheridan Smith is out of Funny Girl until 7/11. I have ticket for 7/4 ( heading to London to see Carole King at Hyde Park). Has Natasha Barnes been getting good notices? Will I be able to get a refund? If you've seen it, is the production still worth seeing?
Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:13pm
You most likely will get responses/answers posting this question on the West End Board.
Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:20pm
Don't quote me on this, but I don't believe refunds are an option. I remember reading that the West End doesn't adhere to the same policies that Broadway does for actors receiving above-the-title treatment.
Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:37pm
The actual date for Ms. Smith's return is still unknown. The press release said something to the effect "not later than July 11". You can try for a refund - but that likely will fail. Per the UK message board, Ms. Barnes has been receiving glowing reviews and a few days ago the Savoy Theatre put up her picture and notices leading to speculation that Ms. Smith would not return at all and Ms. Barnes would perform Fanny until the October closing. You can read more over at http://theatreboard.co.uk/thread/2/funny-girl You need not read all 117 pages (well 117 at the time I post this reply)
Updated On: 6/10/16 at 11:37 PM
Posted: 6/11/16 at 9:17am
1) Natasha is better than Sheridan, you can be sure of that
2) No, no refund.
3) It's an average production of an average musical, with or without Smith
Posted: 6/11/16 at 9:21am
Yeah, from what I've heard, Natasha is getting better notices than Sheridan.
Posted: 6/11/16 at 9:22am
wow, she's better? isn't Sheridan supposed to be a huge star over there in England?
Posted: 6/11/16 at 9:24am
Thanks to all for the prompt replies. Glad Ms. Barnes is getting good reviews.
Posted: 6/11/16 at 9:42am
gypsy101 said: "wow, she's better? isn't Sheridan supposed to be a huge star over there in England?
"
Smith is a brilliant comedian and a warm actress, but not the strongest singer, she has never been able to sing the score like it should be sung.
Posted: 6/11/16 at 9:55am
gypsy101 said: "wow, she's better? isn't Sheridan supposed to be a huge star over there in England?
"
I saw her at the Chocolate Factory and was underwhelmed by every aspect of this production. It's dull, unattractive, and cheap looking. Sheridan Smith is not a great singer, doesn't have the right look or any shtick whatsoever to convince us she's a Jewish comedienne from the period. I thought she was reprising her role as Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, which was barely average.
Posted: 6/11/16 at 10:29am
Ms. Barnes seems to be getting positive notices, and she is definitely a more polished vocalist than Sher. Ironically, a similar situation happened during the first London production of FUNNY GIRL with Streisand's understudy Lisa Shane.
From the web...
Lisa had stood-in a few times for Barbra when she was ill and subsequently was asked to carry on in the part of Fanny Brice when Streisand fell pregnant and had to leave the show early in its run. Unfortunately the box office returns slumped and the show folded after only a few months leaving Lisa without the fame that the show had brought to her USA counterparts connected with the musical - Marilyn Michaels, Mimi Hines and Lainie Kazan.
Lisa did get to record her own EP of songs from the show though....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdAbI7JFNis
Posted: 6/11/16 at 12:27pm
I didn't see Sheridan Smith - just a show with Natasha Barnes a few weeks ago. So while I can't compare the two, Smith was absolutely fantastic. I didn't love the show, but her performance was special.
Posted: 6/11/16 at 12:52pm
Posted: 6/11/16 at 1:46pm
I heard earlier today from a friend on Facebook (who is a producer for a cast recording company based in London) that he had heard through the grapevine that the album was not completed and she hadn't finished recording her vocals. so I guess we'll see if this recording comes to fruition after all.
Posted: 6/12/16 at 9:47am
I loved her Elle Woods, personally- I listen to that album more than the original when I am in the pit for Legally Blonde and want to brush up.
Posted: 7/6/16 at 3:54pm
I saw "Funny Girl" on 7/4 and yet new Fanny took to the stage: Clare Rickard. She was thrilling. Loved Michael Mayer's production of the show. He even made those creaky old 'songs within the follies' numbers work. Glad I hadn't demanded a refund. I almost did since she was an understudy to the understudy and I had been looking forward to seeing Ms. Barnes ( scheduled day off).
Posted: 7/6/16 at 7:55pm
I'm fortunate enough to have seen Smith and Barnes in the role. Smith was a revelation, who's talent and stage presence matched that of Patti, Audra and Angela. Barnes was great, but nowhere near as exceptional.
Also, I saw pics on Instagram of Smith recording in a studio when I saw her in April .
Updated On: 7/6/16 at 07:55 PM
Posted: 7/6/16 at 11:43pm
Trying to plan my trip to London in early September, but am I now worrying about seeing the understudy to the understudy? I don't see any reason to wait until "no later than July 11" when this really is a crapshoot as to who will be playing Fanny. Calling Lainie Kazan!
Posted: 7/7/16 at 1:26pm
Get there an hour and a half before the box office opens and buy one of the front row day seats for £25. It's slightly partial view when theyre upstage, but offers a great view for the price and you can wait to see who's on.
Posted: 7/10/16 at 1:26am
From Theatreboard,
From a friend who was there: "They announced tonight the part of Fanny Brice will be played by .....SHERIDAN SMITH ...cue mayhem in the audience".
Read more: http://theatreboard.co.uk/thread/2/funny-girl#ixzz4DyqCyH3M
Posted: 8/27/16 at 5:10am
Saw the show last night and Smith was sensational. Overall, I thought the show looked and sounded great. The most lush orchestra I've heard in a musical for a long time and the ensemble singing was beautiful. The only number that truly feel flat was Temporary Arrangement. The song itself isn't terrible, but it feels unnecessary and the staging was quite awkward and clearly forced around an actor who is visibly uncomfortable with choreography.
Meet Sheridan after the show and she was simply lovely, kind and gracious. Probably the most warm and friendly stage door experience I've had (and we hadn't even planned on doing it).
