The Woman in White — Page 2

I saw it three times in London including the final night. I loved the show, probably moreso as it was the first 'new' show I had seen I think and I hadn't listened to it first so got the whole experience.

It was very emotional and the story worked, it wasn't just there to link the songs.

The UK tour was supposed to start last January!

I live in hope.

I found the score largely forgettable, but the show was so atrociously staged, that the score and the story seemed like an afterthought. I felt bad for the cast as I watched it. I haven't listend to the recording, but I can still remember I Believe My Heart from the performance almost two years ago. So at least that melody is catchy. I also remember liking the song when they go London. (I may have made up the plot point that they go to London--but I liked the song that makes me think I remember them going to London.)

It would have been better if the whole thing were narrated by a man in a chair down stage right.

Thesbijean--They also cut one of Marian's songs, If Not For Me For Her, which was one of the my favs from London, and one of Webbers more simple and beautiful songs.

I completely agree with you. I was so upset they cut that song. I saw WIW four times--twice with Michael Crawford and twice when the new cast took over in July in London. Cutting that song was a part of one of the rewrites for the show when the new London cast took over which I felt was unfortunate. Marian tells Walter that she loves him which I felt completely ruined the dynamic. I enjoyed the show. Ruthie Henshall, Maria Friedman, Martin Crews, and Jill Paice were all wonderful and really sweet at the stage door. It was also a lot of fun to see Michael Crawford as Fosco. I thought he did a really good job with the mouse and all. A little creepy at some points, but that's Fosco.

All for Laura was great. Not a flop, the lead was diagnosed with breast cancer.

As Little Sally says in Urinetown, "Nothing can kill a show like too much exposition." That was the problem. There was SO much story to tell, especially in the first act, that every scene was about trying to explain things. The second act worked better for me because by then most of the plot had been dealt with. I also agree that the projections became a distraction but they were necessary because of the sprawling narrative.

That said, it's my second favorite ALW score - some of the songs are absolutely ravishing. I hope it has an afterlife.

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I loved this musical. I saw it four times while it was on Broadway. And I'd have to say my favorite songs are If I Could Only Dream This World Away and The Seduction scene. I loved Michael Ball as Count Fosco..

And Trap, I heard the song If Not For Me, For Her and I agree. It's a beautiful song. And I really wish they kept it.

So in that scene, is she basically backed up against a projection screen for three minutes?

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>>>They also cut one of Marian's songs, If Not For Me For Her, which was one of the my favs from London, and one of Webbers more simple and beautiful songs. <<<

I agree. There was also a short musical passage sung by Walter when she meets the ghostlike figure at the beginning which I couldn't get out of my head for a long time. It was my favourite musical passage from the show.

The story was a period piece. It revolved around a dark Victorian tale. Its characters were very interesting - from the feisty Marion, the love-struck Walter, the charming but plotting Count Fosco, the long-suffering Laura, the ghostly apparition with a weird voice, the evil husband, the weak-charactered uncle, etc.. The music was romantic, haunting, dark, and occasionally merry if melodramatic ! I think the projections helped immensely in setting up the scenes appropriate to the story fast and effectively - for both external and interior scenes. I thought the musical score and the staging were succesful in bringing the story to life!

I enjoyed it at the West End and enjoyed it, too, on Broadway!

Updated On: 11/26/07 at 08:07 PM

There were a couple of scenese where the projections worked- the meadow scenes were well done, and so was the climactic scene in the railyard.

Did everybody duck from the onrushing train

I also liked the sight and the sound of the small waterfall. I also thought the set reversal from overview and frontage of the church to inside and altar-side view neat.

How come nobody mentions Trying Not To Notice... by far my favorite song in the show. The dramatic motif from it recurs again and again in high tension moments.

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I love the music, but I hate the lyrics. Most are dreadful.

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