ORDER YOUR INTERVAL DRINKS! - ITS FRIDAY! *Week 3*

If I may, allow me to propose this week's discussion topic. I know we won't (nay, CAN'T) stay on-topic for very long, but it's a start anyway.

You've won millions of pounds on the lottery. Millions and millions and MILLIONS. And you've just discovered that Jonathan Kent wants to go on an extended holiday so is willing to rent out the Theatre Royal Haymarket to you for a period of three months, on the proviso that you revive a musical. No original works or Broadway/regional transfers; it has to have run in the West End previously. And plays are verboten; there MUST be singing, and preferably dancing.

- What show do you choose?
- Who do you cast?
- What staging ideas/concepts/gimmicks do you have in mind?
- What methods do you employ to try to make sure your revival is a success where other musicals in the same theatre haven't been?

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Updated On: 9/5/08 at 07:00 AM

Oh Oh Carrie wooh wooh Carrie, Carrie, Carrie

Now i know it didn't run in London but the show did premiere in the UK at stratford at the RSC so its kinda the same

OK Cast

Newcomer - Carrie White
Betty Buckley - Margaret White (Im sorry but i would love to see her play this role again)
Linzi Hatley as - Miss Gardner
Jodie Jacobs as - Chris
Derek Hough - As Tommy Ross
Usher as - Billy (I always thought he would be great in this role)
Reality Show Winner as Sue Snell (Well you cant have a show without a reality show winner)

This time the show would be set against a realistic small town back drop rather than the horrendous Greek tragedy thing they went for last time.
The Book from the Workshop would be brought back (the show was far stronger then, with critics who saw the 84 workshop agreeing it was on the right track)
Out For Blood and Wotta Night would be dropped and replaced and the other teenage songs in the show would be updated.
The special effects in the show would be realistic and add terror to the show rather than laughter, the ending would be slightly changed.

The show would run and be a hit because its Carrie and everyone wants to see it!!!! But as an extra incentive i would give away free tampons to stick with the Carrie Period theme lol

Tag Line
"The biggest period drama of the decade" lol

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'Dreamgirls' would get its long overdue West End home and it would have a 'Dream' cast!

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'The Will Rodgers Follies'
....so very close to playing a six monthseason at the Dominion back in 1994 with Michael Barrymore.
A brilliant show.

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Hmmm...in the Haymarket and it has to be a revival of a West End show so no transfers or original commissions, eh?

- What show do you choose?

Time

- Who do you cast?

Chris - James Blunt
Babs - Susan Lawson-Reynolds
Louise - Someone fresh out of drama school
Carol Ann - Leslie Margherita
Melchisedec - Jeff Shankley (Why not, the character didn't have to dance much already)
Captain Ebony - That guy from Britain's Got Talent
Judge Trigon - The guy from Foyle's War
Judge Morgua - Patricia Quinn
Judge Lagus - Sylvester McCoy
Akash - Tom Baker or Patterson Joseph...or recycle the footage of Lord Olivier

- What staging ideas/concepts/gimmicks do you have in mind?

While the original sets still exist, the Haymarket couldn't hold them. Still, something big, fancy, tech driven and lots and lots of stunt casting.

- What methods do you employ to try to make sure your revival is a success where other musicals in the same theatre haven't been?

Well, besides offering celebs and fancy lights and sets, do a bit of quick doctoring on the book - cut one of the intro songs and the beginning of the second act, update a little of the slang, and let it run. The original turned a profit almost instantly thanks to Sir Cliff Richard's fans buying tickets left and right plus the music still sells.

In other words? Do the unthinkable and fill it with a big populist hit.

James Blunt on the West End stage? Good Lord, words cannot describe the horror.

True story.

Working at Chichester two years ago, okay...

Someone from the cast of NN had a bad bum, and the panicky little queen was convinced he had haemorrhoids but couldn't feel anything protruding. After much persuasion, we make him go to the doctor. When the doctor asks him where he's experiencing the pain, the guy replies, "Just around and inside the entrance."

The doctor didn't even look up, but said, "That may be what you call it in your profession, but in mine we call it an exit."

There's a character in 'Richard III' called James Blunt. Doesn't turn up until act 5, but I still laugh every time.

How many of us here also hang out on WoS? We don't have any of the hardcore 'Marguerite' fan group here, do we? They unsettle me a little, I must admit. o_O

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Afternoon everyone :) hope everyones Friday was as good as mine!
double Performing Arts (i had to make a presentation on how i'd market A Midsummer Nights Dream with a budget of £1000!) then double theatre studies in which we started duologues from Taste of Honey!

Anyway back to the topic (i swear everytime we go off topic it has something to do with me...so i appologise!)

Well we all know about my A Chorus Line obsession atm, and my liking of male dancers...so id use some millions to get the female parts rewritten and have a complete male cast (i have mentioned this before on some post or another). But yeh i havent decided specific cast members but ill hold lots and lots of auditions

The Pirate Queen, revised production.

Don't mind who is in, but a thought anyway.

i was gonna suggest Pecs and Ass, but i love Crotch and Ass so much better!
Personally for me Jodie really wouldnt work for me! And i wouldnt put Francessca as Diana...it needs someone with a bit of latina in them, she needs to be fierce and strong! Id have Fran possibly as Maggie if i were having any women near this production...! But its men only :) my millions my show my men :P

I see what you mean, but would love to hear Francesca singing What I Did For Love is all :) hehe! so your men hey? and they are...? lol!

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