The Musicals/Opera/Live Shows/Whatever Thread

[Frank]

It's hard to really explain. It got such a following because it's such a bizarre concept (a hip-hop musical about the founding of America), and it's so cleverly written, and unlike anything else that's out there. It's one of those shows that you'll either get caught up in from the opening few lines, or just sit there and think "people like this?"



It's such an energetic show, too. There's so little scenery but the choreography is tremendous.

[Chocolate-Milk]

Interesting!

I can tell from this thread that it's highly rated, I don't know much about it.

Can anyone sum up why it is so good?

That's an awfully big question. Suffice it to say that Miranda is a bloody fantastic lyricist, and the soundtrack stands up entirely on its own, constructing a clear narrative without the need for visuals. Basically every track is a belter in its own right, with heavy inspiration from the greats of Hip-hop and Rap, as well as a few direct references peppered throughout.

The choreography and set design- which are frequently the same thing, with dancers moving around and often becoming furniture- is just the icing on the cake.

[Frank]

I'm just under halfway through the Cumberbatch version of Hamlet (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have just turned up), and I'm loving it so far.

I can't quite get over the fact that Polonius is played by Bishop "don't call me Len, you little prick" Brennan from Father Ted, though

"My liege, and madam, to expostulate what majesty should be, what duty is. Why day is day, night night, and time is time, were nothing but to waste night, day, and time; Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, and tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief.

...Your noble son is mad"

[Zilnad]

Hamlet

[Denster]

Gotta love a bit of the Danish Prince.

[Frank]

Just in case anyone's interested, The Wind in the Willows is streaming next week. It's a really good show and I wish more people watched it when it came to London

And this weeks show was the arena show of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds with Liam Neeson. I've been meaning to watch that for a while!



The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million-to-one, they say! But still... they come!

[ITSMILNER]

I keep getting emails about the Back to the Future show that opens in London next year. Might try and go see it if things are back to some normalcy by then

[Frank]

Kinky Boots is free to stream on YouTube for 48 hours! (well, probably more like 30-something, since it went up at 7 last night).

Music by Cyndia Lauper, so it's got a fantastic soundtrack And it's a nice heartwarming tale for christmas.