WOMEN ON THE VERGE coming to the West End...

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 6:55pm

Woohoo! A reworked version. Here's to hoping for another cast recording. Wish I could see this.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Tamsin-Greig-to-Star-in-WOMEN-ON-THE-VERGE-OF-A-NERVOUS-BREAKDOWN-in-the-West-End-This-Winter-Bartlett-Sher-to-Return-in-Directors-Chair-20140619#.U6Np-9whO8M

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 6:57pm

Yee Gawds! What are they thinking?

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 6:59pm

Mwahaha. A great score has always been there, the show needed to be scaled down and tweaked, and it seems they have done that.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 7:06pm

I am sad they are paring down the band. The orchestrations for the show are killer.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 7:08pm

I agree, I am disappointed to read that, but maybe it won't be drastic.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 7:38pm

Tamsin Greig is brilliant on Episodes, she's perfect for the role.

[mikem]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 7:39pm

I'm a little surprised that Bartlett Sher is directing again. I think he's a fantastic director, but I'm not sure he was the best fit for this material.

Updated On: 6/19/14 at 07:39 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 7:40pm

I am not familiar with Tamsin, but it certainly looks like she has an Carmen Maura aura. Something that Sherie (who I enjoyed) lacked.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 7:50pm

How did the recent Dirty Rotten Scoundrels go down in the West End? Is this off the back of that, or totally unrelated?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 8:06pm

I hope I get a chance to see this. Loved the Broadway production and I've been a fan of Tamsin since Black Books.

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 8:11pm

YES YES YES! I loveeee Tamsin! And I missed WOTV here! So excited to finally see it in London.

[theeatah]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 8:41pm

I've never heard Greig sing - has she done so before, professionally? She's a very talented comedienne.

I wonder who'll land the Benanti part... and if they'll keep both solos for the LuPone character.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 8:46pm

I suspect that Lucia's sung introduction between dialogue to "On The Verge" will be cut, as it is on the cast recording.

I also expect them to include "Shoes From Heaven," which was cut during previews, but brought back for the cast recording.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 9:01pm

Can anybody else imagine Sheridan Smith as Candela?

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 9:03pm

Kick a** score.

[Brick]

Posted: 6/19/14 at 9:17pm

An absolutely incredible score that deserves another production, with a revised or new book. But count me in as one who is also surprised Sher is still onboard. It sounds like this team has been developing this version in readings.

After the Broadway production, there were some - LuPone being one, I believe - who said they wished there had been an out-of-town tryout and it was too large a show to open cold on Broadway.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/20/14 at 7:09pm

Here's some more info.
http://www.westendframe.com/2014/06/further-information-announced-about.html

Still kind of in shock that this is happening. This show deserves another chance.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/21/14 at 4:07pm

Can anybody else imagine Sheridan Smith as Candela?

YES! Just the thought of Tamsin and Sheridan in this show together has me wetting myself, though it's probably too much to hope for.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/21/14 at 10:01pm

"The band is now five-strong (it was 16). An irritating taxi driver has been calmed down and will narrate. Some songs have been axed, others re-written and moved around, while the book has been re-structured and simplified. Sets and costumes have been toned down, too."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2663021/BAZ-BAMIGBOYE-New-recipe-Almodovars-spicy-love-soup.html#ixzz35KTYbcRk

Man that's a bummer, 5 pieces??? I'm fine with the rest. If they touch the overture or act 1 finale, I'll be livid.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 6/21/14 at 10:22pm

The Playhouse is a pretty small theatre - comparable to the John Golden in New York. It probably doesn't make economic sense to have more than 5 musicians, and there wouldn't be much space for them either.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 6/21/14 at 10:55pm

I find it kind of disappointing that it's Sher who's tackling this in the West End...I thought his direction was a big problem in New York, at least when I saw the show early in previews. I'm glad the score is being given another opportunity though, even with the reduced orchestrations. It's really wonderful.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/21/14 at 11:02pm

Well with all those changes at least it will seem more likely to be recorded.

And wasn't the taxi driver already the narrator?

I love the original orchestrations but I can see this working with a 5 piece.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/21/14 at 11:07pm

Yup, he was definitely the narrator, but it never felt like a committed decision.
I wonder if MADRID is still the opening number? I wouldn't be surprised if turns into more of an ensemble number now.

Updated On: 6/21/14 at 11:07 PM

[Broadway_Boy]

Posted: 6/21/14 at 11:13pm

I worked for a company that worked with the show at the time and saw it a few times throughout the run. As bad as the show was at it's first preview and even not so great on opening night, by the closing it was once of my favorite shows running on Broadway at the time. I plan on flying to London just to see this!

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 6/21/14 at 11:18pm

What are everyone's (detailed) thoughts on the score? I bought the recording when it was released and listen to it often, especially Laura Benanti's hilarious "Model Behavior", but I have been curious to know what you all think makes this a great score. (I'm not on the negative side, I'm just asking. lol.)