'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009 — Page 2

#26

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/15/09 at 3:47pm

Christina Applegate was fantastic as Charity and while not a singer, she sung the role very well and she danced very well. My nitpicking with the 2005 revival was that it was too clean and bright.

The Menier production has a good team behind it and I'm sure that Tamzin will wow us as Charity just as Douglas Hodge did as Albin/Zaza and Sheridan Smith as Audrey.

#27

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/15/09 at 4:00pm

Personally I think Tamsin shines more on stage than on TV, she will be stunning in this im sure. Not sure if a transfer could happen this time thought because of her TV work.

As for artwork,dont like this Charity design, and the La Cage one on Broadway may be different...check out www.lacage.com, its not a patch on the current London artwork.

#28

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/15/09 at 4:16pm

i can see what they're trying to do, introducing Douglas Hodge into the artwork, because he is their main selling point, the award winning performance...but it looks poorly executed.

#29

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/15/09 at 5:03pm

"im as squeeky clean as they come Scripps"

Blessed Precious: you're not talking to me here and you're not fooling anyone else either.

#30

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/15/09 at 5:52pm

! :P

#31

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/15/09 at 7:17pm

Get me to the Menier now!!

Cant wait for this show and i'm actually intrigued by the casting of Tamsin as well. Not keen on Mr Medford but hey you cant have it all

#32

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 5:35am

Could they not have used one splash of color from the London artwork- i actually think that it looks a little creepy.

#33

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 6:10am

Its seedy, it reminds me of the Studio 24 Cabaret artwork.

#34

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 6:12am

#35

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 6:13am

Thats the one

#36

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 6:16am

LOL
it looks less sinister than the La Cage image LOL

#37

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 12:01pm

Loved the 2005 Sweet Charity revival on Broadway - I thought Chistina Applegate was superb - it was a shame it closed and didn't get much recognition - it should have got best revival - not La Cage in the Tonys that year.

Can't wait for the menier to do this - like with La Cage, the show has such a strong book with a plot that could be really highlighted to be very relevant for todays audiences - it dosen't need to be a huge show so I think this will do very well. I think it will definately follow trend and go straight to the West End - possibly replacing La Cage.

#38

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 12:40pm

Sweet Charity has a strong book? I must disagree.

Although it presents great opportunities for singers and dancers, the book scenes that fill in the gaps are dire. Neil Simon wrote some great jokes, but the basic plot is pretty much an excuse for big production numbers. Songs like Rhythm of Life and Brass Band are literally dropped into the plot with little to no explanation.

Don't take this as me hating the show ... I LOVE the show, just not the book.

#39

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 1:21pm

You can not say this has a strong book, no way!

#40

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 1:57pm

The great thing about Sweet Charity is that inbetween Big Spender, Frug, Rhythmn of Life and Cry at Weddings you can catch up on some sleep.

#41

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 2:02pm

You forgot about Brass Band Scripps ... and I totally agree with you. I played Herman/Ensemble at school, and so was in all the Fandango scenes plus the big chorus numbers, but besides that the entire ensemble totally chilled in the green room.

The worst is that after the Frug there is nothing really interesting at all until after intermission.

#42

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 2:13pm

Oz, I saw 'Sweet Charity' at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney back in 1996ish.
I sat there in a 2000 seat theatre with about 400 people and, as Scripps says, I cought up on a few of my jet lag Z's between numbers!

#43

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 2:21pm

Didn't know it was there back then. The Capitol is my local, my house is literally a 5 minute walk down George Street.

In other news, I saw the Production Company concert last year (or was it the year before last :?) with Sharon Millerchip. She was absolutely FIERCE!! Who was Charity in '96?

Also, besides Tamzin, has specific casting been announced for the Menier production? I assume Josefina Gabrielle will be Nickie? Who do we think will be Oscar, Herman, Helene and Daddy?

#44

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 2:25pm

I really like the book for Sweet Charity - the character of Charity I think is very strong written. I would have loved if the Donmar (maybe the Menier might) do a dark version of the show and really highlight Charitys struggle and dreams

#45

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 2:32pm

Charity is written as a lovesick idiot with a few good gags - and she needs to be played by a great actress to make the audience get over their pity.

AnythingGoes, are you basing your like of the book on a bootleg of the 05 revisal? The original 66 Neil Simon book is very different - there is a big use of illuminated signs and actual scene titles, as well as a craptacular deus ex machina at the end. Thankfully, the revisal cut all the trite kitsch devices of the show, and had many scenes rewritten.

#46

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 3:03pm

I think this production is going to be darker compared to the 2005 revival, I think Mamma mentioned in another thread. The film version of Sweet Charity is a good example of how the show should be especially the Hey Big Spender number.

#47

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 3:12pm

"Charity is a lovesick idiot"

That's the effect I have on Sam.

#48

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 3:16pm

Bonnie as Charity!
Oh dear how one tries to wipe ones memories of bad things but......

#49

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 3:23pm

I didn't see that but I would have expected her to do the role really well, albeit in the traditional vein.

#50

re: 'Sweet Charity' -Menier Chocolate Factory 2009

Posted: 9/16/09 at 3:26pm

She is FABULOUS but was/is way to clean for the role.