First Look @ Mame in the UK!

[Joviedamian]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/VIDEO-Get-A-First-Look-At-The-First-UK-Revival-Of-MAME-Starring-Tracie-Bennett-20191011

[Roscoe]

So they've decided to set it in a prison?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Gosh, that stage is tiny.

I don't think Tracie Bennett has ever been better than she was as Judy. She can come across as cold onstage, and here her voice is a little grating (though take with a grain of salt because it's a minute and a half from a preview performance). But maybe I just have Angela embedded in my ear.

[nasty_khakis]

The scenic design and lighting seem to be dark.I in no way think Mame is a musical that has a seedy or dark underbelly you need to underline. Nothing is gained by setting it in a dark nightclub.

[Valentina3]

That promo style is very 'extremely small local production company hiring their neighbor's art school kid to shoot a video for their capstone'. It just made me slightly vomit in my mouth.

[SweetLips22]

That choreography has to be up there with the worst ever-----I think I will just clasp my head here !

Kad---though I like the art deco poster design

[CATSNYrevival]

I try not to judge a whole show based on preview clips, but this is not the production we deserve.

[Joviedamian]

When has a lighting design for a London show not been dark? I always feel that is their signature every since Into The Woods back in the 80s!

[Kad]

Bold of them to set it in an art deco locker room.

[imeldasturn]

Are we all aware that this is a small regional production in a small regional theatre, yes?

[qolbinau]

They have west end aspirations apparently though.

[FANtomFollies]

I always thought Goodspeed Musicals were performed on a slighty-too-small stage. That's just plain awkward looking.

[Highland Guy]

 

[Plannietink08]

qolbinau said: "They have west end aspirations apparently though."

They definitely don’t. Hope Mill’s entire reason for existing is creating theatre up North using Northern actors and keeping it in the North. 

[songanddanceman2]

'They definitely don’t. Hope Mill’s entire reason for existing is creating theatre up North using Northern actors and keeping it in the North.'

Utter rubbish, this is Hope Mill and Aria Entertainment. Their Hope Mill productions of many of their shows have transferred to London, the recent UK tour of Hair came from Hope Mill Theatre. And none of what Hope Mill do with Aria has that northern Moto, most lead actors are from elsewhere. Rags, Jerry Springer, Hair, Name, Parade and many others.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Help me, Baby Jesus! Cannot unsee.

[Dolly80]

imeldasturn said: "Are we all aware that this is a small regional production in a small regional theatre, yes?"


No apparently all these people complaining think it’s aiming to be a Broadway Bound extravaganza. 

[SweetLips22]

Dolly80 said: "imeldasturn said: "Are we all aware that this is a small regional production in a small regional theatre, yes?"


No apparently all these people complaining think it’s aiming to be a Broadway Bound extravaganza."

Doesn't matter where it is aiming for, or just staying put, what is shown in 90seconds is 90seconds too long for public consumption---it looks like ****t.

[qolbinau]

songanddanceman2 said: "
'They definitely don’t. Hope Mill’s entire reason for existing is creating theatre up North using Northern actors and keeping it in the North.'

Utter rubbish, this is Hope Mill and Aria Entertainment. Their Hope Mill productions of many of their shows have transferred to London, the recent UK tour of Hair came from Hope Mill Theatre. And none of what Hope Mill do with Aria has that northern Moto, most lead actors are from elsewhere. Rags, Jerry Springer, Hair, Name, Parade and many others. "

Yes. I’m not making this up I heard from a reliable industry source. 

[AngusN]

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Gosh, that stage is tiny.

I don't think Tracie Bennett has ever been better than she was as Judy. She can come across as cold onstage, and here her voice is a little grating(though take with a grain of salt because it's a minute and a half from a preview performance).But maybe I just have Angela embedded in my ear."

I saw Tracie twice in End of the Rainbow and didn’t think I’d ever witness another performance to top her portrayal of Judy - here she does just that. Her portrayal of Mame is truly sublime, from the moment she enters in the opening number to the close of the show you are enraptured.

The stage is small because it’s a beautifully converted mill. What the owners have created in that space is a little piece of theatre heaven. 

[Plannietink08]

songanddanceman2 said: "
'They definitely don’t. Hope Mill’s entire reason for existing is creating theatre up North using Northern actors and keeping it in the North.'

Utter rubbish, this is Hope Mill and Aria Entertainment. Their Hope Mill productions of many of their shows have transferred to London, the recent UK tour of Hair came from Hope Mill Theatre. And none of what Hope Mill do with Aria has that northern Moto, most lead actors are from elsewhere. Rags, Jerry Springer, Hair, Name, Parade and many others."

Calm down, Craig. I forgot MAME was produced by Aria so I agree however James Baker of JERRY SPRINGER, PARADE, etc, is very vocal about the Northern theme. 

[songanddanceman2]

James Baker uses local actors in ensemble roles, many of the leads are not from Manchester. I am from Manchester, I work in theatre in Manchester.

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Blah, blah, blah.  It's a regional production, not a West End revival.  Calm down kids.

Harriet Thorpe as Vera, however, is inspired.  She's brilliant.

I don't see Bennett as the right choice for the role, but if I were in the area, I'd still see this.