How Long till Hairspray in London Flops- Page 2

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 8:29pm

Hairspray will probably do very well. It is, after all, a PANTO, you silly tossers. And yes, I know what a tosser is and anyone who sits around all day fervently hoping for a show to fail is basically doing exactly what a tosser is known for.

The show has some funny numbers, a big black woman, kids behaving in ways that embarrass their parents and a man in drag. All that's missing is Danny Leno.

If the British can endure a century of Peter Pan revivals and endless pantomimes at Christmastime, they can and will embrace this wonderful, silly show with a huge heart and a couple of kick-ass numbers.

And as for the Shaftsbury being a cursed house, I have heard that said about so many London theatres in my lifetime. One good hit kills any bad rep. And most of the shows listed above were rubbish, but remember, they were mostly British rubbish. The British are just as capable of hurling crap onto the stage as we are.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 8:37pm

This is definitely a "feel good" musical that is actually good. This musical is very American and I don't know how well it will go over with British audiences.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 8:39pm

It will probably go over the same way Elvis went over. Huge.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 8:40pm

I agree with allofmylife, about one show changing the "luck" of a theater. The Majestic used to be considered a bad house until a Rogers and Hammerstein show played it. Even more recently, the Martin Beck (now the Al Hirshfield) hadn't had a hit musical there since "Cabin in the Sky" until "Into the Woods" opened there. And since it's housed "Grand Hotel," the "Guys and Dolls" revival, "Wonderful Town", etc. O.k., maybe not all of those returned a profit to investors, but it's become a desirable theater to be in.

And didn't "Follies" play the Shaftsbury for at least two years?

[winston89]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 9:03pm

But, the era that the show takes place in and what it deals with are true american problems. It takes place in a particular time in history which i don't think will translate well over the pond. can easilly see someone asking the person next to them this show doesn't seem to take place that long ago why is it such a big deal that the two different races won't dance together.

And, I never once said I wasn't a fan of the show. I like the show a lot but don't see it doing well at all across the pond. And I don't think that this is the show to end the shatsbury curse.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 9:06pm

How dare you wish actors out of work! Don't you know anything about the rules on this board?

(I give it 6 months to a year)

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 9:44pm

I'm on the fence here. The show, while it is feel good and catchy, is a very American piece, and to say that the racial tensions are an underlying factor, and only touched on is not totally accurate, esp. considering one of the big resolutions is Seaweed and Little Inez getting on "Corny Collins." Admitedly, I know nothing of a similar civil rights issue in England, so this is all conjecture. If there isn't something as concrete, I could see it going the way of "RENT."

However, to go along with the curse, the only two successful runs at the Mark Hellenger were "My Fair Lady" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" and it's now a church. Beyond that, nothing managed more than a few months it seems. So it's quite possible that a curse could do it in.

[nztheatreluva]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 10:27pm

I think it will do well. Frankly, although i ahven't seen it yet, it sounds as though the thing that people enjoy most about Hairspray is the energy and how fun it is, not the fact that it's about the civil rights movement. And believe it or not, british audiences tend to be very aware of historical issues from the States and other places. While the show itself may be very American, I think it will do well just because it's such a fun show

[Weez]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 12:30am

UK cinemas are filled with American movies. UK television schedules are stuffed with American series. We read American authors, we listen to American music, we're on a website devoted to American theatre. I'm not sure you realise how much our entertainment is dominated by American output. What makes you think a piece could possibly be "too American"? "Too Swedish" might be an issue, we don't see much Swedish output as a general rule and I can safely say I know bugger-all about Swedish entertainment. "Too Japanese" would definitely be an issue; even having spent several embarrassing years as a total Japanophile I can *still* get freaked out by some of the things they come up with (google "tarako" for the most recent of many). But "too American"? Honey, trust me, 'Hairspray' is NOT "too American". Feel free to shelve this argument now please, because it's repetitive, condescending, and incorrect. ^_^

[MrBundles]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 5:00am

Weez-I LOVE Bath!

[Trish2]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 9:51am

FAME WAS THE BIGGEST BORE OF A SHOW IVE EVER SEEN IN THE UK. TERRIBLE BOOK, CAST, DIRECTION, & CHOREOGRAPHY. ITS ASTONISHING. HAIRSPRAY WILL BE LIKE THE 2ND COMING OVER THERE.

[kombatkoala]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 11:03am

I think it will be fine. Its a fun show to go see. Since Mama Mia is such a huge hit over here, I think Hairspray has the same fun energy, and people will love it.

[NS]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 11:24am

The question over it being very american doesnt really matter. What will count against it, is yes the theatre isnt known for hits and doesnt get the passing trade others do. But any theatres fortunes can be turned round (Piccadily for example)and its very 'Grease like', its a great show that should do well. But with Grease and Joseph openign this year, plus the other hit shows that opened last year I just wonder if people will take the risk when Grease (which they know and seen the reality tv show) is just near by. I hope so, but its risky, and people will have seen the film so possibly wont bother with the show. But with a good marketing force behind it - it should overcome all these obsticals - fingers crossed. I dont think it will flop, but whether it repeats its broadway success is another matter. I do think the critics will like it more than Wicked.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 11:46am

So, how 'bout I start a thread that says "HOW LONG TILL THE PERSON WHO CALLS HIMSELF WINSTON89 STEPS OFF A CURB AND GETS HIT BY A BUS?"

I mean, it COULD happen, right? And although there might be some wonderful positive possibilities for his future, let's focus on the most negative prospects. Let's see...Illness, financial ruin, disfigurement...golly, this is fun! But hey, let's stick with the bus accident, it's very dramatic! And you know they drive on the wrong side of the road over there, so it's the most likely scenario.

And there is no truth to the rumor that I was seen pushing him.

Marc Shaiman

p.s. Might I suggest next time, "WHAT ARE HAIRSPRAY'S CHANCES FOR A LONG RUN IN LONDON?". It has a nicer ring to it. Anyway, see you Opening Night!

[Sant]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 12:02pm

- double post - Updated On: 3/11/07 at 12:02 PM

[Sant]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 12:02pm

"But, the era that the show takes place in and what it deals with are true american problems. It takes place in a particular time in history which i don't think will translate well over the pond."

"The show, while it is feel good and catchy, is a very American piece,"


WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP!!

The race and civil rights issues are not THAT "American" as you seem to think. You think black people have been embraced immediately in every other parts of the world? Well, think again. Other cultures and countries have had their share of the same problem - there's NOTHING "American" there.

Besides, the way these issues are played in HAIRSPRAY, they will 'transfer' very well. Understanding them does not require an IQ of 190. Nor does it require being an American. Sorry but it's true.

I'm not american nor british and I'm not black either, but I totally "got" these things when I saw HAIRSPRAY.

AVENUE Q was considered "too American" as well, but the British audiences embraced it nevertheless, it got good reviews and it is doing very well in the West End.

Give people some credit, will you?! Updated On: 3/11/07 at 12:02 PM

[Weez]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 12:04pm

MrBundles - I love Bath too. Such a beautiful little city, and I've been very happy for the few short years I've been living here so far. :3

But to be perfectly truthful...

Sometimes I love Marc Shaiman's conclusive debating skills EVEN MORE. ;D

[Parks]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 12:20pm

Ah, I wish I could go over to London to see Hairspray when it opens. Such an amazing, fun show!

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 2:29pm

My god people

believe it or not the UK is not so self absorbed so that is doesn't know about the civil rights movement we actually care about what goes on all over the world.

Plus it hardly deals with the civil rights etc its a secondary story line.

Hairspray will do well in the UK , us from the UK on here know what kind of shows will work over here and this is one of them.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 3:48pm

Winston89, i find your post very rude. Many of us Americans like Hairspray and just because it's going to a theatre with not the greatest luck doesn't mean it's closing in a month! Look what happened to Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

[winston89]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 11:54pm

If you guys wanna bash me be my guest I really don't care. But, at least get the facts striaght. I NEVER said I dind't like the show (seen it 34 times) but I am worried about the choice of theatres. i want this show to do well over there. I know that where a theatre is located can mean a lot for ticket sales. And I know that the shaftsbury is not one that a lot of people pass on a daily basis. There was even talk on the west end board about Drowsy before they even announced that it was going to london. Someone said that it should go into the shaftsbury and then someone else said that there is not a good chance it would do well if its in that theater. I do hope that the curs does get broken but I don't think that hairspray is the show to break the curse.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 12:04am

Im from the UK and there is no curse!!

The shows what have played there have been pretty poor for years(the most recent been Daddy Cool)

Fame the musical goes in to that theatre for a limited run before Hairspray opens but if Fame was an open ended run there it would do very well as the show is a hit here in london and a theatre wont change that.

Out of all the shows to go in there about 3 have been any good

Rent(ran over a year but it just wassnt rents time here in the uk but im sure the new production wil change that)

Tommy
This show has always been a hard sell

Peggy Sue got married
opened around the time of sept 11th(i think) and tourism dropped

All the other shows like Millie and Daddy Cool have just been pretty weak.

The theatres location also does not matter as all the west end theatres are spread out(The Victoria Apollo where Wicked is and where stralight ran for years is very far outside the center and not hurting them shows)
The same with the palladium.

Hairspray will be a hit here as its the kind of show UK audiences love.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 12:58am

Ok, color me confused. In his first post, The Person Who Refers To Himself As Winston89 said "Hairspray being put in this theatre would not bode well for it. I am not that big a fan of this show."

Now he says "But, at least get the facts striaght. I NEVER said I didn't like the show (seen it 34 times)"

Well, all I can say is, I am the luckiest gay in the village! A guy who is not that big a fan of my show has seen it 34 times!!!

Wheee!!!!

Marc Shaiman

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 1:07am

So it seems that every poster with "Winston" in his/her screen name is a total asshole no matter what number follows it. Did you look at the shows that flopped there? Fame? Hello, that show was a flop EVERYWHERE except for perhaps PS 86.
Get a life, winston 666.

And Marc, he didn't say he paid to see it 34 times, and of course it might have just been one of them there hi-falutin' bootlegs!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 2:13am

leave it to Sueleen to ****my balloon

not to mention balloon my prick

ok, that made no sense and will probably get this frickin' site taken down

mwah
M