It’s an exciting time for musical theatre right now, but it’s not all good news. Whilst the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s LES MISÉRABLES is celebrating its 25th year on the London stage, (PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, an adaptation of the Gaston Leroux novel, will be doing the same next year) newer musicals and Broadway transfers are not enjoying such longevity.
AVENUE Q, Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez’s Sesame Street-inspired look at modern life in New York City is leaving the West End this October after just over four years here. The entire Broadway company of HAIR’s revival transferred to London in April, only for the show to close this September with no opportunity for a local cast to take over. And who can forget SPRING AWAKENING’s four month run at the Novello last year? I regret not seeing it.
The balance between satisfying the hardcore fans of shows such as Avenue Q, (me, for instance) opening new shows and not going out of business is tricky. Avenue Q alone has had three West End homes during its run, as has Les Mis – but because it expanded, whereas Avenue Q’s been shunted around town.
Last year I set out to make a documentary investigating the effect the global recession on UK theatre. Mostly it has not had a hugely adverse effect – a fact demonstrated in the enormous number of people who flocked to see both David Tennant and Jude Law’s respective HAMLETs. But the draw there, it has to be said, was the celebrity. This is not to detract from the acting abilities of Tennant or Law – (the latter I cannot vouch for, but I think we all saw the RSC/BBC Films HAMLET screened last Boxing Day) in the case of Shakespeare it is a positive thing, introducing David and Jude’s fans to the Bard. But with last week’s announcement that SHREK THE MUSICAL would “star” Amanda Holden when it opens next year, is Theatreland becoming saturated with celebrity?
When her casting was revealed there was much mockery and dissent, from fans, musical theatre students and performers. With her role as a judge on BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT, many people forget she is an actresss – anyone remember CUTTING IT? Still, I don’t know about her talent as a singer or stage actress, and for the many young people graduating from (musical/) theatre courses, it must be depressing seeing not one of their own making it big, but yet another celebrity parachuted in to a show. I’ve got nothing against Amanda, but she is hardly a big name amongst anyone who doesn’t watch BGT. If SHREK THE MUSICAL is a good show, people will come. Word will spread. The revival of OLIVER! is currently playing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where SHREK will premiere next May. That show had the benefit of weeks of prime-time BBC One airtime to publicise and cast it, and it still isn’t very good. A better example is LEGALLY BLONDE. The London production started previewing last December and opened in January. I was at the gala night and enjoyed myself. Although the lead roles of Elle and Warner were played by fairly well-known people, it’s more of an ensemble cast and while Sheridan Smith is a star, she doesn’t dominate. Arguably more famous than both her and Duncan James (who played Warner) is Peter Davison, who plays Professor Callaghan. When I interviewed him, I asked what he thought of shows relying on celebrities to prop up shows or attract audiences. He said that he thought whatever gets people through the doors is fine, as long as the performers are good.
Do you like (musical/) theatre, and do you have a favourite show? Sorry this is a bit rambling – most of what I write is only seen by me (including this, apparently) and is in the form of news articles, not this personal outlet. So I’m still finding my voice 🙂
Update: I hope Neil Patrick Harris’s production of RENT at the Hollywood Bowl goes great this weekend. Lots of people have complained about Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi, seeing as how she is apparently a role model for girls and a lap-dancing drug addict is not conducive to a good image, but I don’t think artistic choices should be influenced by pressures like these. Sure, set a good example, but you shouldn’t not do something for such reasons. Why would kids who like HSM even be interested in RENT? If she turns out to be rubbish that’s another, completely separate, matter.
Even better update: I have now booked my ticket for the LES MIS Concert at the o2 in October! Very happy about this. Rebecca Caine (original Cosette) suggested I save the money and just buy the DVD instead – the first and only mention I’ve seen of there being a DVD, so obviously she knows something we don’t – but I have now asked for a ticket as a graduation present, which is excellent.
