The Woman in White tonight.................

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 1/10/05 at 6:22pm

Well it was understudy-tastic tonight. Michael Crawford was off of course (he has missed a LOT of shows recently), so was the Percival Glyde and the Anne Caterick, two of the other principal characters. I didn't get a programme tonight so apologies for using character rather than actor names.

I would have been worried about Martin Crewes as Walter or Maria Friedman as Marian being off because they are both extremely good in this rather dull show. This was the first time I have see it since the first preview and my feelings have not changed, still think the first half is boring but the second act perks up slightly. I saw it a friends ticket who couldn't go tonight and had a very close seat, B15 in the stalls. I didn't suffer any motion problems from the projections which other people seemed to have complained about.

The Count Fosco understudy was fine, he is a more beliveable character than Crawford in the role because he does not have a big obviously rubber face for a start ! I enjoyed his performance as did the audience although there were initially lots of swear words around me when people realised Michael would not be in tonight...My only quibble is that his pseudo Italian acent was all over the place but he put his all into the part tonight. The Percival Glyde understudy had a lovely voice and acted very well although the Anne Caterick was over acting her heart out in some scenes !

There was no standing ovation and apart from "You can get away with anything" and occasional line deliveries from Count Fosco there was little audience appreciation during the show. This is my least favorite of the big three by a long long way (Mary Poppins and The Producers being the other two new shows).

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/10/05 at 6:26pm

Never seen the show (Damn me being poor) but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the cast recording.