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Topic: Wouldn't it be loverly?  / Positively Dashing II
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Thread Review for Wouldn't it be loverly?  / Positively Dashing II (newest post first)
mmebahorel Posted on 5:48 am on Mar. 26, 2002
'Have you tried the pline cike?'

'Do it again.'

'Have you tried --'

'Not you!'
 
Mandy Posted on 10:49 pm on Mar. 25, 2002
haha~!!I like this part~
The rine in spine sties minely in the pline.
 
nicol Posted on 2:38 pm on Mar. 23, 2002
Mme Bahorel - LOL!
Azile and Josh and Jo C - thanks for your response to the lyrics:-)
 
mmebahorel Posted on 3:09 pm on Mar. 19, 2002
Jumping in here (hopefully not multiple times *g*):

I thought the Ascot Gavotte was amazing.  One of the most brilliant bits of choregraphy I've seen in musical theatre.

Nicholas le Prevost cracks me up, but beware what you read before seeing the show.  I suddenly couldn't look at some of it the same way after doing a bit of research into late 19th century English homosexual culture, and one of the articles brought up Higgins and Pickering:  NOT as a couple, mind you, but as an example of how a pairing of bachelors was not looked upon as "dodgy" if they were the same generation.  Explaining that Wilde's problems arose because he seemed to fit the stereotype of preying on young boys.  Well, after that, it's a little hard to see the "dress discussion" after "The Rain in Spain" in quite the same way again! *g*
 
chrisball Posted on 2:37 pm on Mar. 18, 2002
That's okay - it was obviously worth repeating! ;-)
 
chrisball Posted on 2:36 pm on Mar. 18, 2002
That's okay - it was obviously worth repeating! ;-)
 
Azile Posted on 12:19 pm on Mar. 18, 2002
Whoops... how did I do that?! Sorry.
 
Azile Posted on 3:59 pm on Mar. 17, 2002
With a little bit of luck, The Lessons and whenever Nick Le Prevost is on stage. Ascot is a lot of fun too.
 
Azile Posted on 3:57 pm on Mar. 17, 2002
"With a little bit of luck", "The Lessons" and when ever Nicholas Le Prevost is on stage. Ascot is a lot of fun too.
 
Azile Posted on 3:56 pm on Mar. 17, 2002
"With a little bit of luck", "The Lessons" and when ever Nicholas Le Prevost is on stage. Ascot is a lot of fun too.
 
chrisball Posted on 5:06 am on Mar. 17, 2002
In response to Josh, I think the chances of CML tendering out the rights to "Martin Guerre" (in the UK) as being very slim.  I know that there is a production being mounted in Spain and that CML has plans for the show elsewhere, so as long as CML owns the rights then it is up to them whether or not the show returns to London.

Ideally, I would choose Trevor Nunn as the director.  This is because he is the most experienced director in the field.  I think, realistically, I would aim for a younger director with a good track record who has market appeal.  Sam Mendes for instance?  (Yes, I know he is a Hollywood hero, but I still believe that he excels at theatre direction.  He directed "Oliver!" several years ago at the Palladium.  Alternatively, any one of several directors at the NT/RSC would make a good job of it.

Who would I cast in it?  Hmmm, now there's a question.  I would like to audition a guy called Damian Wilson for the part of Arnaud.  Damian Wilson is a fantastic singer who has won numerous awards for his music, and has played Jean Valjean in the touring version of Les Mis in the UK.  I would also like to see Michael Shaeffer audition for the part of Guillaume.  I think Martin would be a difficult part to cast, and would like to see Stephen Weller (who played MG in the UK tour) try the role again as he was superb.

In truth, there are so many actors out there, i would like to hand it all over to a casting director and then see the names that are put forward.
_______________________________

In response to Azile, I am aware of another version  though I know little about it.  I have to say that I am biased towards the B&S version.  I have seen all of the versions of MG apart from the American version which I have only heard on an extremely ropey recording.

I prefer the UK tour version, though it was the original that hooked me.  The UK tour version was more intimate.

My favourite moment in MFL?   I don't have have a favourite moment.  You?

All the best,
Chris
 
Azile Posted on 10:50 pm on Mar. 16, 2002
Dear Chrisball, did you know that there is another musical version of Martin Guerre written by an American woman before  Boublil and Schoenberg got round to it. There's talk of a platform performance happening in London soon. I am only familiar with the B&S touring version, I saw neither of the  West End ones. Did you see them all and how do you think they compare? Oh, and just so we dont offend any possible MFL forum anoraks... whats your fave moment in this show?
 
Josh Posted on 5:30 pm on Mar. 16, 2002
Chris and Nicol, I too loved the songs!
Chris, I'd like to see Martin Guerre back in London. What do you think are your chances? Do you have a director in mind? Who would you cast in it?
 
chrisball Posted on 7:53 am on Mar. 16, 2002
Thanks for the kind words Azile and Jo C.

Obviously I can't speak for Nicol, but I have never worked on Martin Guerre.  However, if Mr Mackintosh ever saw fit, I would be happy to mount a UK revival of the show.

Martin Guerre is, in my opinion, Boublil and Schoenberg's best work.  Unfortunately it did not attract the big crowds that many would have hoped it would.  The last incarnation of it in America was scaled down in comparison to the original Prince Edward theatre production, but I think the show has got a bigger fan base as a result of the overhaul it received prior to the UK tour in 1999.

Anyway, that's all detail.

I want to bring this show back to the UK.  I firmly believe that the show would fill a mid-size London theatre with ease.  The biggest mistake that the production team made in the Uk tour was not taking the show to London for a couple of weeks.

I would give the show to a fresh director with no attachments to the previous versions.  I would also consider trying to include it as part of a NT season to see if it had the longevity to make a west-end transfer.

After all, Les Mis started off under similar circumstances at the RSC, and I think if the original MG had been less commercial it would have stood a better chance of succeeding.

That said, I think the days of the mega-musical are over.  I doubt if we'll see any of the new shows that are opening run for ten years or more.

All the best,
Chris
 
Azile Posted on 12:11 am on Mar. 16, 2002
Dear Chrisball and Nicol, you are bloody brilliant! More please. By the way, what is this thing you both have about Martin Guerre? And do you both work on the show?
 
Jo C Posted on 4:09 pm on Mar. 13, 2002
I have to say: Fantastic, both of you! I laughed out loud.
More please!
 
nicol Posted on 1:43 pm on Mar. 11, 2002
Hi Peta:-) Consider yourself a joined up member of CAWWW.
Though I too would love to see the return of Martin Guerre...
 
peta Posted on 7:48 pm on Mar. 8, 2002
Oh dear. Now there are two of you at it:-) These are both so funny
<g>.
Chris, I missed Martin Guerre the first time round. So I'd love the chance to see a new production...
Nicol, where do I join your campaign? <g>
 
nicol Posted on 1:50 pm on Mar. 7, 2002
I loved it!:-)

Eliza has just been made �patron of our campaign to keep weeping women off the west end stage. But I believe in equality.
Tell Bertande she's welcome to come and audition along with the rest. Though Joanna Riding will be a hard act to follow...*

Nicol
� � Look at her, a prisoner of the gutter,
� � A sob in every syllable she ever uttered.
� � Let's give Bertande a chance to show some spine
� � A heroine with attitude who doesn't whine
� � � � � �
Bertrande
� � Aaoooww!

Nicol imitating her

� � Aaoooww!
� � Heaven's! What a noise!
� � This is what the B and S school of writer
� � Would do to a witty lady like Eliza
� � � �
Betrande:

Bed! Bed! He couldn't go in bed!
A pillow fight - he covered me in down
Sleep! Sleep! That's what he did all night .
Didn't have the jewels in his crown!
And so I cried �all night!
Until I looked a sight
And then I cried some more
So then I told my dad
He said Martin was bad
And made his back all sore � � �
He never knew
How to get me excited
But when he left
Our crops took blight.
And �all of Artigat
Chose to blame me for that
For seven years I cried all night!

Servant 1
� � � � � �It's 2002 dear
Servant 2
� � � � � � Let's get one thing clear
� � � � � � There's more to life than men � � �

Bertrande:
I �cried for seven years
No one to dry my tears
And then I begged the Lord
To send my Martin home �
I got so bored alone
He answered not one word
I need a man to make my life exciting
But that Guillaume is such a prat
And when I found that he
Wanted his way with me
I nearly fled from Artigat
� � � �
Mrs. Pearce
� � � � � �You've got a chip, dear.
� � � � � �But get a grip, dear.
� � � � � �Women don't have to weep

Bertrande:
I have to cry all night
I have to cry all night
Heroines can't ask for more
I mustn't spread my wings
And do interesting things
That's what the men are for
I'll never know
If life can be exciting.
Unless some bloke pities my plight.
Until that day I'll weep
And cry myself to sleep
I have to cry cry cry
All night!

Pickering:
� � � � � �Oh, Nicol, I think you picked a poor example....

* A pedant e-mails me to point out that Joanna Riding once played Bertande. Well there you go.
 
chrisball Posted on 5:13 am on Mar. 7, 2002
Picture the scene . . . Cameron Doolittle is sitting on an old crate in his meagre abode in Bedford Square, when 'de Lout' and 'touch�' (his trusty merchant bankers) enter the room and rave about how much money "My Fair Lady" has made.  Cameron Doolittle is pensive, when his repose is shattered by the booming voice of his loyal assistant, 'A. Cockney', who sets his mind racing.  Cameron Doolittle, along with 'de Lout' and 'Touch�', the two french merchant bankers, discusses the prospect of regenerating the "My Fair Lady" income by staging another revival, this time of a long-lost classic called "Martin Guerre" . . . .


WOULDN'T IT BE LOVERLY?

(COST ACCOUNTANTS)

It's rather dull in town
I think I'll take me to Drury

The missus wants to see a show
It's called My Fair Lady

The critics recommend
The middle of the stalls - row C

Mmmmmmmm  Mmmmmmm
Wouldn't it be loverly!

(A COCKNEY)

Where're ya bound this spring, Cameron?  Artigat?

(CAMERON DOOLITTLE)

All I want is a place somewhere
A mid-sized theatre for Martin Guerre
For everyone to share
Oh, wouldn't it be loverly?

Somewhere nice where we all can meet
Somewhere close, perhaps Catherine Street?
The Duchess would be neat
Oh, wouldn't it be loverly?

Oh, so loverly sitting at the centre of Row L
I would never budge till Bertrande
Had seen the rest get killed

Arnaud's head restin' on her knee
Bleedin' bleeding for all to see
She's gone and had his baby
Wouldn't it be loverly?
Loverly!  Loverly!
Loverly!  Loverly!

(MAN)

My name is Guerre . . .

(FANS)

All we want is a place somewhere
A mid-sized theatre for Martin Guerre

(CAMERON DOOLITTLE)

Give over!

(FANS)

For everyone to share

(CAMERON DOOLITTLE)

Oh, wouldn't it be loverly?

(ALL)

Somewhere nice where we all can meet
Somewhere close, perhaps Catherine Street?
The Duchess would be neat

(CAMERON DOOLITTLE)

Oh, wouldn't it be loverly?

(ALL)

Oh, so loverly sitting in the seats that form Row L
We would never budge till Bertrande
Had seen the rest get killed

Arnaud's head restin' on her knee
Bleedin' bleeding for all to see
She's gone and had his baby

(CAMERON DOOLITTLE)

Couldn't it be possible?

(A COST ACCOUNTANT)

Feasible . . .

(CAMERON DOOLITTLE)

Possible . . .

(A COST ACCOUNTANT)

Possible!

(ALL)

A place for Martin Guerre
Oh wouldn't it . . .

(CAMERON DOOLITTLE)

Wouldn't it be loverly

_____________________________

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