| Thread Review for Olivier Awards (newest post first) |
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chrisball |
Posted on 3:50 am on Mar. 7, 2002 |
When the announcement of the revival of "My Fair Lady" was made, I think that many people felt that Cameron Mackintosh had pulled off an incredible coup in getting Martine McCutcheon to agree to work at the National. (One can't help wondering what Olivier et al would make of it - diva in rep and all that . . .)
However, I would argue that the biggest player in this show was Jonathan Pryce. By a mile. I'd rather see Mr Pryce ACT, than (eg) Geri Halliwell sing.
Ticket sales will have been enhanced by the addition of Martine McCutcheon - star kudos and all that - but as far as I can tell, she wasn't the only reason for booking.
At least when you book now, if you are booking solely for the name, you have a greater chance of seeing the person you paid for.
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nicol |
Posted on 8:08 am on Mar. 6, 2002 |
That's a very good point. I booked preview tickets despite, rather than because of Martine. If anything the hype around her casting almost put me off booking in advance. But I knew I could expect a
cracking performance from Jonathan Pryce, and I wanted to see a fresh interpretation of one of my favourite shows so I went along
and tried to keep an open mind about Martine.
As it happens I thought she played the part very well. But then so did Alexandra Jay, under very stressful circumstances. Shame they
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mmebahorel |
Posted on 7:31 am on Mar. 6, 2002 |
Does past performance guarantee future results? Are advance sales good for Oklahoma because it won Oliviers and two original leads are continuing their roles? Or is there just something about a large-scale revival of a popular show that drives the market? None of the leads in Oklahoma is a big name in the States, but sales are going extremely well. It's a popular show (though don't ask me why -- it was my first theatre experience and turned me off of musicals for years).
Assuming that strong advance sales for a new production of a favourite classic are due to a single actor undermines the popularity of the work.
I don't doubt that many people came because of Martine McCutcheon. But if they came only because of her, the box office would have anticipated returns when she was forced to leave. They didn't. It's the continual strength of the piece.
I think it also diminishes the draw of Jonathan Pryce and Dennis Waterman to assume that the vast majority of advance sales were for Martine McCutcheon. If that was the case, why was it so necessary to post the vacation dates for these three actors? Because all three were draws, not just Ms McCutcheon.
I'm not saying she was unworthy of attention, just that she was hardly the only name of interest in the cast, and good reviews help sales down the road, while names like Jonathan Pryce get theatregoers into the previews.
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Laurence |
Posted on 5:05 am on Mar. 6, 2002 |
| If Martine had not been given the lead role, for which she got excellent reviews, advance ticket sales would not jhave been so good
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George1953 |
Posted on 9:01 pm on Mar. 5, 2002 |
| I agree. There is a big difference between acting on TV and treading the boards each night. It takes training and an ability to carry your voice without straining your throat. I have nothing against Martene. She has a good voice, but can not carry it off night after night. Now with Joanna. I saw quality and talent, from the moment I first saw and heard her, on that stage. I never saw Martene in the roll. I wanted to. But I can't see anyone playing that roll better, than the performance I saw, with Joanna Riding.
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mike |
Posted on 7:54 pm on Mar. 5, 2002 |
| I have to agree that whilst I am pleased MFL won Olivier Awards, I think that Martine McCutcheon could not cope with the demands of a high profile stage role and that perhaps the award should have gone to a lesser known actress in a lead role that manages to fulfill her contract and actually treads the boards each night!
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chrisball |
Posted on 4:43 pm on Feb. 17, 2002 |
I, for one, am glad to see the back of Miss McCutcheon. Given the fact that there are so many hugely talented actresses out there, I think that her casting was uninspired and rather dubious. Commercially it made sense, but time proved that there really is no substitute for stamina and the ability to work a full week.
Time will probably look unfavourably on Miss McCutcheon's award. Not because she failed to produce the goods, but because of her high-profile failure to deal with the demands of regular theatre performance.
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lesmis80 |
Posted on 7:05 am on Feb. 17, 2002 |
Congratulations to all the My Fair Lady team on three very well deserved wins at the Olivier Awards. I for one thought Martine McCutcheon's acceptance speech was very moving. Just wish the BBC had decided to show a bit more of that wonderful choreography by Matthew Bourne.
Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to Trevor Nunn for having faith in musical theatre and being a wonderful director of the National Theatre.
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