The Beautiful Game

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 10:35am

I randomly picked up this album a while ago, since I have an obsession with Ireland and it sounded interesting. I listen to it once in a while and it's very different and an interesting premise. Anyone else enjoy it?

[MariantheLibrarian]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 11:25am

Oh my gosh, I love one song from that. And that's all I've heard. On Renee Fleming and Bryn Terfel's Broadway cd, they song All the Love I Have, and it's so totally gorgeous. Kinda disappointed when I found out it was a musical about soccer, though. Ah, Andy, what'll you be thinking of next?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 11:47am

I saw it in London (as did several at this board). It's not really about soccer so much as it is The Troubles. That gives it a decidedly West Side Story-ish edge. It's an ambitious show, and has Lloyd Webber working (to my mind, successfully) in a blue collar idiom. You hear some "Song and Dance" type motifs, a bit of the "Aspects" recitative, and even a couple of echoes of "Superstar" in the dance/soccer music. Still, it's very fresh and contemporary. I always say: if someone else had written it, there would've likely been more enthusiasm. He really does not repeats himself, or over-employ the Puccini. The women in London were especially strong. I'd recommend the CD, especially for you singers looking for material not sung to death. "Our kind of love" is lovely, as is all the duet material for the leading couple. The story, as befits The Troubles, has tragic consequences. But it has surprises, and wisely avoids a too-obvious Romeo (Catholic) Juliet (Protestant) arc. It's more complicated, and to me, that made it powerful.

Updated On: 2/10/04 at 11:47 AM

[Starlight]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 1:06pm

My parents saw this in London and absolutely loved it. My understanding is that its about the Protestant/Catholic conflict in Ireland, and two friends who have played soccer together as children are on opposite sides of the conflict as adults. (please, someone correct me if I'm wrong.) I've listened to the cast recording they bought and enjoyed the music, thought it did need a bit more of a kick energy-wise.

Posted: 2/10/04 at 1:48pm

I have always loved this score. I enjoy the music to it and absolutely love GODS OWN COUNTRY

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 2:28pm

Yes, Starlight, you're correct. As I wrote. FYI, The Troubles is the name given these ongoing conflicts, not a term of my invention. But the characters aren't so much on opposite sides of the conflict as they are people who grow apart over (differently) evolving POVs. The play is full of death, but The Troubles are fraught with violence, so none of it is exploitive. (Anyone read "The Pilot's Wife?" It handles this intriguely as well.)

Yes, Jon, "God's Own Country" is a lovely song. It probably isn't sung much, because its subtext re dualing religions and their claim on the turf is too much a hot (Irish) potato.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 5:51pm

I saw this in London. I wasn't that thrilled with it. It's much too dark and dreary. The few light moments in the show aren't strong enough to balance out the heavy moments.

[jo]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 7:45pm

I saw the show at the West End and its theme of sectarian violence against a lovely and poignant musical score made it probably the saddest show I have ever seen. I couldn't get it out of my mind for a number of days.

And the song which is very poignant for me is "God's Own Country", although there are a few other songs which are memorable, including the very upbeat title song "A Beautiful Game" (as soccer is known to its worldwide fans!).

It is a pity that the show never made it to Broadway.

Btw, the leading man from the show, David Shannon ( who has appeared in other West End and regional productions) is now based here in Manila, with his Filipino wife whom he met when they were together in a Miss Saigon tour in the UK. But I do hope he comes back to the West End when an opportunity arises for him.

Jo Updated On: 2/10/04 at 07:45 PM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 2/15/04 at 12:57pm

I saw this musical in London and loved it. Great show, maybe we'll see it sometimes in the future.

[bob8rich]

Posted: 2/15/04 at 2:18pm

I adored The Beautiful Game when I saw it in London. I think it is one of ALW's best ever scores (I much prefer it to POTO) - a collection of poignant ballads , powerful anthems, crisp comic songs and some rousing upbeat numbers. I particularly love "Our Kind Of Love", "Let Us Love In Peace", "If This What We're Fighting For" and "All The Love I Have" (which is one of the most touching moments I've seen in any musical).

Ben Elton's Book and Lyrics are also very strong - the perfect blend of humour and raw emotional drama.

Unfortunately not enough people in the UK agreed with me and it closed quite early. It is ironic that ALW's biggest venture into serious musical theater was a flop while some of his bland, mediocre fare are smash hits.

I read that ALW is considering a movie version of TBG. That would be interesting.