The Far Pavillions in London
The Far Pavillions in London
#0The Far Pavillions in London
Posted: 5/3/05 at 10:53am
As a fan of the book, I'm hoping the WE Show has a viable chance of crossing the pond. Has anyone seen it yet? Just read the show's review in VARIETY. It's not a glorious review, but it's not awful either. & if VARIETY says that Chitty improved on Bway, maybe FP can, too.
I'd love to go to a well produced & well cast version of Far Pavillions. Is B'way ready?
Milla
Updated On: 5/3/05 at 10:53 AM
#1re: The Far Pavillions in London
Posted: 5/5/05 at 11:02am
The problem with Far Pavilions is that the whole thing is just so dull. I have nothing against densely plotted shows - I love La Cava and Les Mis - but there are 30-40 'songs' listed in the programme, none of which I can remember a week on. The actors tried very hard, but most of the characters were mere ciphers and it really was impossible to feel much for any of their fates.
The scenic design and the orchestra were superb, but the music is just relentlessly 'beige'.
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#3re: The Far Pavillions in London
Posted: 5/5/05 at 11:47am
No, though not necessarily for the reasons I gave. It's not a truly 'bad' show or production. However, the ad campaign been not so much dreadful as non-existant - there were a few uninspiring posters in London, but no-one outside of the capital would have known it was opening. All the big musicals have articles in the press before opening - FP had zilch. I don't think it'll be activly disliked those that see it, just ignored by those who are chosing shows to see.
I thought that the notices were amazingly generous (though justified in praising the efforts of the cast) and will have helped sales in the short term, but the show has been on tkts since the previews, and can't survive on discounts indefinatly. It also has the misfortune to be stuck in the 'theatre of death' that is the Shaftesbury, which has dispatched many more high profile shows (Lautrec, Napoleon, Peggy Sue got Married, Mille, Bat Boy) due to it's remote position. I can't see it lasting past the end of the year - and while an 8 month run isn't terrible, it'll never make back it's £4 million outlay.
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