Millie a hit in London.. first preview..

[JakeB]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 5:52am

The word from the first preview in London is it's a big 5 star hit. Amanda Holden, who everyone slagged off and said would be awful in the role, defied them all and was apparently excellent. Previews are pretty much sold out and advance sales are the biggest out of the three new London musicals (TMM, Jerry Springer the Opera and Tonight's the Night). Fingers crossed for a long run.

(only moan was the set which is very scaled down)

[kec]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 6:09am

Good news Jake... I didn't get to see it on my last trip to NYC, so maybe I'll see it on one of my future trips to London. Where is it playing?

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 9:12am

I guess it is fairly typical of London theatregoers to ignore an artistically audacious musical like Jerry Springer to support a moldy old sausage like Millie. Bravo!

[kec]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 10:41am

Sorry, Amy, but I dislike Jerry Springer and his program intensely and have no interest in a opera based on that, no matter how well it's done. BTW, I'm not a Londoner, but an American

What makes you say Millie is a moldy old sausage? The fact that it's set in the 20's? Or that it's based on a 1967 (or thereabouts) film?

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 11:13am

Jerry Springer: The Opera is more a stinging satire of American culture than a paean to the virtues of The Jerry Springer Show.

Millie the movie is no great piece of art, but it had a light, shambling easy charm that the show obliterates. Couple in the listless writing (particularly in Act One where almost nothing happens), the vulgar design, and style-free direction, and you have one of the most dispiriting evenings I've spent in a theatre, although I found the cast mostly faultless.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 11:24am

Well good for Mille. I hope it has a long run in London.

[JakeB]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 11:34am

Shaftesbury Theatre, it's a little off West End, it's at the bottom of Neal Street.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 11:40am

Glad you enjoy it, Amy!

[Hank]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 7:39pm

That's great news!
I just have a question. With an all British cast, have they also changed the locations, as in "The Full Monty"? I somehow picture a working girl from Northern England way seeking the big time in London. Is it so? I can get no info from the Millie web site.

[Hank]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 7:40pm

That's great news!
I just have a question. With an all British cast, have they also changed the locations, as in "The Full Monty"? I somehow picture a working girl from Northern England way seeking the big time in London. Is it so? I can get no info from the Millie web site.
Sorry about the doublepost. I tried to have it cleared, to no avail, and it seems I'm not the only one. Updated On: 10/13/03 at 07:40 PM

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 7:57pm

Why Amy...

Thank you for sharing your opinion. In the future, please be more open minded.

[actorboy]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 8:11pm

Had the misfortune of seeing Jerry Springer at London's National Theatre. There was not a single groundbreaking thing about it. Imagine Jerry Springer done as opera and you have the joke. It felt like an overlong, not very funny Saturday Night Live sketch.

I wasn't offended, just bored.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 8:22pm

It seems there is an audience for both. I thought that Jerry Springer was doing well and had extended and moved to a new location. Is that not true, Amy?

Updated On: 10/12/03 at 08:22 PM

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 10:10pm

Updated On: 10/12/03 at 10:10 PM

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 10:10pm

Updated On: 10/12/03 at 10:10 PM

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 10:10pm

Updated On: 10/12/03 at 10:10 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/12/03 at 10:20pm

The London version of THE FULL MONTY didn't have it's locale changed. It was still Buffalo. The only thing different about the London version was a scene tagged on after "Let It Go" where everyone congratulated each other about making the money and Jerry's ability to retain joint custody of his son. It was not needed because it re-stated the obvious.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 12:00am

Maureen Lipman, who played Aunt Eller in the taped version of Oklahoma is playing Mrs. Meers. I would absolutely love to see her in the role. I imagine she would be hysterical. She was perfect as Aunt Eller.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 12:01am

Maureen Lipman, who played Aunt Eller in the taped version of Oklahoma is playing Mrs. Meers. I would absolutely love to see her in the role. I imagine she would be hysterical. She was perfect as Aunt Eller.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 12:27am

Updated On: 10/13/03 at 12:27 AM

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 12:27am

Why Amy!

That's the most enlightend thing you've ever said!

Please keep it that way.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 12:27am

Why Amy!

That's the most enlightend thing you've ever said!

Please keep it that way.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 12:36am

Mr. Tuttle, regarding TMM, what exactly should Amy Archer keep an open mind for? Banality? Boredom? Pathetic book? Sub-par score? Embarassing racial stereotypes? Dreadful design? A show without a single idea?
You need an open mind for this show like a hole in the head.

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 10:01am

Tuttle...

I had responded to you...but thought better of it. I'll just leave you and the kids to ponder the wonders of Millie.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 10/15/03 at 12:32pm

Hi,
Has anyone REALLY ever seen the preview? I will see the London show soon and hope to get some advice of it. But I think I will prefer Marti Webb as Mrs. Meers than Maureen Lipman (I dunt deny she will be a gd Mrs. Meers).