Rent - Heading Back To Broadway (Well Just Short, by 200 metres)

Here Here! London Please!

As far as I can see, Mama, the original production ran from 1998-1999 and then the revival was 2001-2002.

This means it's only been revived once, when was the second time?

Rent Remixed does NOT count!!

Sadly, after three failures in the West End, I don't think Rent will be coming to London again anytime soon - which is a shame as the score is nothing short of awesome. The show has flaws - mainly a book that has never really worked - but the songs are pretty mindblowing. I think it will really suit one of the more intimate spaces at the fantastic New World Stages - and it is definitely on my list of things to see in New York next year.

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No offence Mama, but Rents only 12 years old. If stuff like Phantom and ALNM can be successful, Rent should be. And if youre talking about the setting or music or w.e, its a new production, they can make changes.

Anyways lets be serious, what would you rather see next year, Rent or Spiderman

Seeing 'Spiderman' first wek in Dec- I think????

Ok, fair enough, some themes aren't as relevant nowadays as they were. The aids crisis isn't as huge now, and things like indie films and lady gaga (eurgh) show that bohemianish things work, but the overall message about living every day like your last is still pretty meaningful. As you can see I like Rent... a lot :)

I agree Dev, they just want to discount 'Rent Remixed' cos its so bloody awful BUT it was the same material!

Apparently on the grapevine 'Rent - Remastered' is coming to the West End late 2011

I think the problem with Rent has always been that the libretto is under-developed - it comes across as if it's about two rewrites away from being ready for a production. I don't think it's dated - it's a product of its time, just like most shows. If the plot structure was tighter and the characters less one dimensional, there'd be no problem with the piece being performed anywhere at any time. But even with these Book problems, the Rent score is nothing short of astonishing. Jonathan Larson's tragic early death robbed musical theatre of one of its most genuine songwriting geniuses. Each time I play the album, just about every single song totally blows me away.

I'd love to see what an innovative and inspired director could do with the piece, especially in a small space. But any new production should focus on what needs work - not "remixing" the score but fine-tuning the Book.

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Updated On: 11/6/10 at 07:12 PM

Whats Rent - Remastered? If Rent Remixed was pop, is this RnB. Seriously phantom... Please say you're joking.

Denise van Outen was Maureen, not Mimi (and Jessie Wallace later took over from her). Siobhan Donnaghy was Mimi.

I agree though that some of the casting was uninspired. But also some of the cast were excellent, such as Francesca Jackson as Joanne and Leon Lopez as Collins. And Luke Evans was seriously awesome as Roger.

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