The Mystery of Edwin Drood

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:24pm

My production of this opens on Friday and I still don't understand the point of Drood and Datchery being played by a woman. Anyone want to explain that to me?

[RightAmerica]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:28pm

It is part of the agenda. Good Luck with the Show.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:38pm

But why's it in the agenda? And thank you.

[Fiyero2]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:40pm

I'm coming on Monday and Berniegh is gonna be fricken amazing!!!

Cause she rocked at the Assembly preview!!!!!


Break a leg, my dear!!

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:41pm

Aw, thank you! You're so sweet!

[jam_man]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:49pm

It was something that Music Halls did a lot, at least the ones that Rupert Holmes went to when he was young. I don't remember were it was, but when I was in Drood (or maybe shortly after) I found this article about Holmes' entire writting process from his young days visiting British Music Halls to performances of Drood. It has some pretty interesting stuff. If you Goolge his name, you'll likely find it.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:55pm

Ooh, ok. That explains it. Thanks.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 12:49am

This is one of my favorite shows

How did it go?

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 2:06am

Here is the article jam_man mentioned:

http://rupertholmes.com/theatre/essdrood.html

- Charlie Piane
[e-mail]

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 2:21am

In London, there is a great tradition of women playing young male roles: they call them "trouser roles" and you see it a lot in the old music hall and pantomime productions. Peter Pan is probably the best example of a "trouser role."

[latheatrelover]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 2:41am

I saw a production of Drood in Toronto and Edwin Drood was played by Paige O'Hara, who would later go onto success as the voice of Belle in the film, Beauty and the Beast. Sigh, it would be nice to know who is going to be a star later so you can appreciate their performances before then, lol.

[Act4ever]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 3:49am

Doesn't Drood play Datchery only until the audience decides who Dick "really" is....? -- She's like an "understudy" of sorts? That's what I remember...

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 4:43am

Betty Buckley was Drood on Broadway and it was the only role I ever really enjoyed her in.

[Jon]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 8:44am

Yes, the actress who plays Drood also plays Datchery for the first part of Act 2. That way, we don't know who Datchery is until the audience decides.

Plus, with Drood being dead (or so we think), there would be nothing for the actress to do during most of Act 2!

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 8:49am

The "actress" that plays Drood within the show actually storms out of the theatre (on Broadway, Betty did it through the audience with a suitcase and her small doggy with her).

She then went "incognito" as Datchery, until the audience decides who Datchery really is.

Updated On: 8/5/06 at 08:49 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 9:04am

Betty's singing in Edwin Drood was pretty thrilling. That last note of hers in "The Writing on the Wall" gives me chills. She also was something to see in Sunset. John Simon at the time wrote something akin to how Betty elevated that show into art, at least every time she was onstage. I do hope that we get to see her in another Broadway show or two, although it's pretty well known the difficulties involved with working with her. Couldn't imagine someone more chilling for Kander & Ebb's The Visit, if that ever sees the light of day again.

And back to Drood, I saw the show on New Year's Day, with George Rose in particularly warm and gracious mode as the Chairman. As it was the last time I saw him onstage, I can't think of this show without getting a little choked up about his loss.

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 9:05am

I saw Betty in CATS and DROOD.
I remember so little about DROOD (do remember her with doggies, white knickers through the audience, Rosa Bud and Cleo Laine because she came to my section of the theatre before the show) but I don't remember much else. Wonder why I did not take to this show. Never bought the recording.

Updated On: 8/5/06 at 09:05 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 9:14am

I loved it too. I was down in the front/right orchestra in Rosabud's section. Patti Cohenour sang her line in the opening number right next to me, and I completely fell head-over-heels in love with her from that moment to this day.

Buckley's singing WAS amazing in this show, and I remember how good George Rose, Cleo Laine and Howard McGillin all were. And the music was very unique. It managed to sound like a wonderful, "new" combination of pop, traditional Broadway and classic Music Hall, all at the same time.

I did see the show a year later, with Donna Murphy as Drood. Most of the principle cast was gone by then, except for George Rose (who was very tired in the role at that point). It was pretty forgettable.

But when I saw the full original cast in a preview performance, it really was an exciting piece of theatre.

EDIT: According to one original cast member, it was NOT a pleasant experience back stage however. She had a miserable time doing the show. Apparently, as soon as the Tony nominations came out, the atmosphere back stage changed completely... and not in a good way.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 9:18am

Something about it doesn't quite come off. I know what you mean. And the show lost some of its rambunctiousness in the move from Central Park to the Imperial. Still, given how dire things were for musical theatre in the 1980s, it was something of a relief to see a show well produced, designed, performed, with an ingenious structure and some attractive songs, even if the show is not totally top tier.

Updated On: 8/5/06 at 09:18 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 9:32am

I also recall Cleo Laine on the '86 Tonys singing her line in the audience to a rather stunning blonde male, who was grinning ear to ear.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 10:58am

What exactly was bad about the atmosphere backstage?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 9:04am

I loved this show! It's still one of my favorites. I saw the original cast 3 times and then a few more times during the run. Loretta Swit (who replaced Cleo) ruined it for me though- she was just awful. Donna Murphy did not always sing the last note of Writing on the Wall.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 9:15am

Seeing DROOD at the Delacorte is still among the best theatrical experiences I've ever had. I don't think Betty Buckley was ever better than in this particular show.