#1
Posted: 8/10/05 at 5:17am
I had a brief excursion to the UK last week. I managed to take in a few West End shows. Kind of ironic that I was in the UK and seeing three distinctly American works. My thoughts...
GUYS & DOLLS
The good:
Douglas Hodge (Nathan). His Nathan was funny and charming. You wouldn't think it from his credits, but he was perfectly cast.
Jenna Russell (Sarah). Absolutely dynamite. A revelation. Ewan and Jane's names may be above the title, but this woman owned the show. Flawless American accent, gorgeous and natural soprano, brilliant physical comedian. Her talent for physical comedy was on full display during the stunning Cuba scene. What a talent.
Martyn Ellis (Nicely Nicely). Great comic performance. Knocked 'em dead in Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat.
The ensemble. Strong, perfectly balanced voices, athletic and beautiful dancing. Especially in 'Havana' and 'Luck Be a Lady'
The orchestra. Only 17 musicians, but what a full, brassy and swinging sound that band gave! They just roared out of the pit. The score sounded so vital and fresh in the expert hands of this orchestra. A good deal of the audience stayed in their seats during the exit music and applauded enthusiastically for the musicians.
The not so good:
Ewan McGreggor (Sky). Pretty much everything you've heard is true, he's got a sketchy New York accent, his performance is...adequate. But, yikes, that singing was just plain awful. Imagine, oh, I don't know...Kermit the Frog with a ham sandwich stuck in his throat. Not very charming, nor very commanding.
Jane Krakowski (Miss Adelaide). I love Jane Krakowski. I think she's a talented actress, has an appealing voice and looks uncommonly beautiful on stage, but this role just isn't suited to her. Firstly, the woman needs to learn to cheat out. This isn't a film. We need to see more than your profile when you're speaking to another character. Her performance felt awkward and tentative. I felt like I was watching a rehearsal performance. Her Adelaide speaking voice felt very 'put on' and in her portrayal she was veering between sex kitten, kewpie doll, dumb blonde and a tween girl of 2005. The performance was haphazard and it felt like she was performing in a different "style" than that of the other actors. This role is just not for her. That being said, her 'Take Back Your Mink' was...how can I put this tastefully?...breathtaking. What a gorgeous woman. She looks nice on screen, but she looks truly luminous on stage.
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
A transfer of the Broadway revival.
Brian Dennehy (Willy) was a powerhouse. Unfortunately, I think he may have been performing this role too long as at times it felt a bit phoned in. However, when he truly connected with words he was absolutely explosive. It's a pity he couldn't maintain this commitment throughout the evening.
Clare Higgins (Linda). Well, I can see why this actress has won three Olivier Awards. While the ensemble of actors was strong, Ms. Higgins was the clear stand out. She gave a flawless, raw, and gut wrenching performance. I'm not an easy crier, but she had me in tears a couple of times.
Douglas Henshall (Biff). Fantastic performance. He got the 'walking wounded' aspect down perfectly. He was especially moving in the last few scenes of Act II. Unfortunately, his accent was overdone and at times went from Boston to 'New Yawk'.
Mark Bazely (Happy). Iffy on the accent. Quite decent on the overall performance.
Wonderfully fluid production design, evocative lighting and effective, moody music.
THE PRODUCERS. (my first time)
Fred Applegate (Bialystock) 3rd rate Nathan Lane. He sounded so much like Nathan at times, it was quite odd. His performance was stiff and not terribly funny. I could almost see his blocking mapped out on the stage.
John Gordon Sinclair (Leo). A very funny and sometimes touching performance. Would truly soar in the part with a better Bialystock.
Nicolas Colicos (Franz Liebkind), Conleth Hill (Roger), Kenneth Avery-Clark (Carmen - understudy) were all perfectly cast and provided thigh slapping, teary eyed belly laughs from all.
Had a great time, doubt I'd ever go back to see it, though. It really is kind of a one note show, isn't it?
GUYS & DOLLS
The good:
Douglas Hodge (Nathan). His Nathan was funny and charming. You wouldn't think it from his credits, but he was perfectly cast.
Jenna Russell (Sarah). Absolutely dynamite. A revelation. Ewan and Jane's names may be above the title, but this woman owned the show. Flawless American accent, gorgeous and natural soprano, brilliant physical comedian. Her talent for physical comedy was on full display during the stunning Cuba scene. What a talent.
Martyn Ellis (Nicely Nicely). Great comic performance. Knocked 'em dead in Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat.
The ensemble. Strong, perfectly balanced voices, athletic and beautiful dancing. Especially in 'Havana' and 'Luck Be a Lady'
The orchestra. Only 17 musicians, but what a full, brassy and swinging sound that band gave! They just roared out of the pit. The score sounded so vital and fresh in the expert hands of this orchestra. A good deal of the audience stayed in their seats during the exit music and applauded enthusiastically for the musicians.
The not so good:
Ewan McGreggor (Sky). Pretty much everything you've heard is true, he's got a sketchy New York accent, his performance is...adequate. But, yikes, that singing was just plain awful. Imagine, oh, I don't know...Kermit the Frog with a ham sandwich stuck in his throat. Not very charming, nor very commanding.
Jane Krakowski (Miss Adelaide). I love Jane Krakowski. I think she's a talented actress, has an appealing voice and looks uncommonly beautiful on stage, but this role just isn't suited to her. Firstly, the woman needs to learn to cheat out. This isn't a film. We need to see more than your profile when you're speaking to another character. Her performance felt awkward and tentative. I felt like I was watching a rehearsal performance. Her Adelaide speaking voice felt very 'put on' and in her portrayal she was veering between sex kitten, kewpie doll, dumb blonde and a tween girl of 2005. The performance was haphazard and it felt like she was performing in a different "style" than that of the other actors. This role is just not for her. That being said, her 'Take Back Your Mink' was...how can I put this tastefully?...breathtaking. What a gorgeous woman. She looks nice on screen, but she looks truly luminous on stage.
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
A transfer of the Broadway revival.
Brian Dennehy (Willy) was a powerhouse. Unfortunately, I think he may have been performing this role too long as at times it felt a bit phoned in. However, when he truly connected with words he was absolutely explosive. It's a pity he couldn't maintain this commitment throughout the evening.
Clare Higgins (Linda). Well, I can see why this actress has won three Olivier Awards. While the ensemble of actors was strong, Ms. Higgins was the clear stand out. She gave a flawless, raw, and gut wrenching performance. I'm not an easy crier, but she had me in tears a couple of times.
Douglas Henshall (Biff). Fantastic performance. He got the 'walking wounded' aspect down perfectly. He was especially moving in the last few scenes of Act II. Unfortunately, his accent was overdone and at times went from Boston to 'New Yawk'.
Mark Bazely (Happy). Iffy on the accent. Quite decent on the overall performance.
Wonderfully fluid production design, evocative lighting and effective, moody music.
THE PRODUCERS. (my first time)
Fred Applegate (Bialystock) 3rd rate Nathan Lane. He sounded so much like Nathan at times, it was quite odd. His performance was stiff and not terribly funny. I could almost see his blocking mapped out on the stage.
John Gordon Sinclair (Leo). A very funny and sometimes touching performance. Would truly soar in the part with a better Bialystock.
Nicolas Colicos (Franz Liebkind), Conleth Hill (Roger), Kenneth Avery-Clark (Carmen - understudy) were all perfectly cast and provided thigh slapping, teary eyed belly laughs from all.
Had a great time, doubt I'd ever go back to see it, though. It really is kind of a one note show, isn't it?
Updated On: 8/10/05 at 05:17 AM
