Possibly controversial opinion, but I don’t get why Alfie Bow is so highly regarded as JVJ. For me his style is too operatic and sounds jarring when he’s singing alongside more the musical theatre voices in the rest of the cast. Would always prefer a John Owen-Jones, Killian Donnelly etc JVJ instead. (Colm Wilkinson as the GOAT goes without saying, especially for those of us who grew up listening to the original cast recordings on long car journeys back in the 80s and 90s!)
- Notice
Purple Haze
Chatty Member
We Will Rock You has cool songs and the worst story/script known to man.
Glitterberry
VIP Member
I do not find him funny at all. Must note not to see Oliver in that time
Tangerine Dream
VIP Member
The Musical Theatre Appreciation Society on Facebook can give Thretreboard a run for it's money at times in the pathetic feelings over facts huxbog pillowfort stakes.
Someone posted they were 'hit' while in the standing on stage area at Jesus Christ Superstar. A serious accusation. They apparently posted another post having admitted they did not "like being close to people" that was apparently deleted. The moment people started to question the poster's narrative in the non-deleted because the standing areas are maybe not best suited to someone with this issue, in swooped a nurse maid of an admin to lock the comments.
FFS.
Unless someone is a minor, you post things online at your own risk. You cannot control how people respond, you don't and should not have that right. That's not how the world is supposed to work and the fact that people keep trying to mould the world to be this way explains a bit why things are such a mess.
I am sick of this. While practising kindness is never a bad thing, this sort of behaviour and attitude is something else and it's very unhelpful and toxic to all.
Someone posted they were 'hit' while in the standing on stage area at Jesus Christ Superstar. A serious accusation. They apparently posted another post having admitted they did not "like being close to people" that was apparently deleted. The moment people started to question the poster's narrative in the non-deleted because the standing areas are maybe not best suited to someone with this issue, in swooped a nurse maid of an admin to lock the comments.
FFS.
Unless someone is a minor, you post things online at your own risk. You cannot control how people respond, you don't and should not have that right. That's not how the world is supposed to work and the fact that people keep trying to mould the world to be this way explains a bit why things are such a mess.
I am sick of this. While practising kindness is never a bad thing, this sort of behaviour and attitude is something else and it's very unhelpful and toxic to all.
Tangerine Dream
VIP Member
Carousel gets a hard time because of the dodgy domestic violence messaging but I love it because the story is so very real. Life can get very messy, very dark, people make huge mistakes that sometimes cost their lives, affect their descendants, etc.
The lines about being hit not hurting at all/feeling like a kiss are horrendous but... even in 2026 there will be people who actually think like that because that's what abuse can do.
Where the story goes wrong is not following along with the original it was based on, an Hungarian play called Liliom in which "Billy" goes to Hell in the end because it's actually a morality tale about how you should not live your life. Broadway/Hollywood turning the story into this sweeping romantic epic ruins the message.
In recent decades, stage versions have really tried to "fix" the whole domestic violence angle but it never quite works. Moving it to post-war from Victorian era was a pretty good idea but it's never really delved into how living through a war could lead to people being all sorts of screwed up.
It's one of those musicals where it's an adaptation and things got lost in translation. And also in general as the years pass, original messaging in a lot of older works of fiction can indeed age really poorly. It's unfortunately especially with Carousel because the music is so incredibly beautiful but, yeah.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk
historyobliterates
Chatty Member
For me, not controversial. I don't know why Alfie boe keeps getting brought back.
Realitybites
VIP Member
Those two are really perfect for each other in that sense 
Tangerine Dream
VIP Member
Cynthia is exceptionally talented imho but sadly also arrogant to the core.
It's sad, she really has so much going for her but the ego ruins it.
It's sad, she really has so much going for her but the ego ruins it.
Tangerine Dream
VIP Member
Word to the wise for anyone who doesn't go into the Carrie Hope Fletcher thread, never give her agents money. They have just shown themselves up to be the most pathetic kind of internet clout chaser. Appalling customer service with bonus playground level nonsense.
ShinyEspeon
Chatty Member
Grapevine of theatre crew says she’s been an absolute nightmare for the whole tech period and run of Dracula. I absolutely wouldn’t be surprised if she just decided to not perform yesterday so she was rested ahead of the marathon. She needs knocking down a peg, she’s not that good that she can treat audiences who pay a fortune to see her like shit
Went to see Sweeney Todd in Birmingham last week with Ramin Karimloo, Meow Meow and David Badella. Wow it was incredible from staging to lighting and the cast performances. If anyone gets the chance highly recommended - i do wonder if they are trialling it for a West End run at some point
RedFlagsAhoy
Chatty Member
I watched 7/8 of a Slime Tutorial before it got taken down and it’s not worth £100.Someone tell me it's not worth paying £100+ for paddington tickets
(I’m sorry but that bear costume creeps me the hell out, I think it’s the dead, glassy eyes…) Vix is incredible though
historyobliterates
Chatty Member
So I went to see Paddington yesterday.
Really enjoyed it (me and my mum were in the stalls). Music was good, the staging was excellent and the cast were excellent.
Better than some of the longer lasting musicals/musical revivals (e.g. Miss Saigon) and I have definitely seen worse musicals that have good reviews (looking at you Spring Awakening).
Really enjoyed it (me and my mum were in the stalls). Music was good, the staging was excellent and the cast were excellent.
Better than some of the longer lasting musicals/musical revivals (e.g. Miss Saigon) and I have definitely seen worse musicals that have good reviews (looking at you Spring Awakening).
DrNooo
Chatty Member
Had on-stage standing tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar yesterday having seen it from the audience earlier in the month - would urge anyone to try this if they get the chance (unfortunately tickets currently all sold out but the odd return does occasionally pop up). Being metres away from the cast adds a whole new energy and you really get to appreciate the ensemble and how hard they are working the choreography.