Distant_Cousin

The problem was a story that was 8 years out of date. Peter Kay had already parodied everything about X Factor type shows years before. There were no new jokes and no new insights to add. It was incredibly preachy in parts... not-so-subtle blasting the audience with what we are supposed to think about fame and fortune. It had no spirit of the Spice Girls... I didn't see any evidence of girl power. No characters were sympathetic - except perhaps Minty (probably my favourite, and even her twitter jokes were a little dated).

Musically, I was cross with the way a lot of the songs weren't performed to their potential. They were cut short, interrupted by dialogue, turned into a joke. If you came to see/hear the Spice Girls, you were disappointed. I'm sorry, but the girls playing Eternity weren't talented enough to carry this show. Not vocally and they didn't command the stage. I don't want to hear poor renditions of Spice Girls songs when I've paid so much for a ticket. They also felt empty, sung as solos, and I don't understand why the ensemble weren't more involved to harmonise or add more impact to songs.

Judy and Jennifer can blame the reviews all they want, but if ordinary people/SG fans loved it, they'd have kept it open - but we hated it too.

So unbelievably disappointed by this!! I was so excited.

While we're at it, could anyone give me next week's lottery numbers?

Actually, the ad campaign for Exit has been the same for the past year (which you can see at the website www.SeekingTheExit.com). These two poster designs were meant as a spoof of hit shows. Americans like to spoof things. I am American. But, thanks for wishing that my show closes! Comments like those from chat board "theatre-lovers" like yourself are exactly what I talk about in the show. Perhaps you should see it. You may just be surprised. : )

You're quite right, popcultureboy - sincere apologies to those concerned.  Didn't mean to be such a snob. The lesson is don't bring a bad mood with you when making comments here.

Yes, agreed! I love me some Sondheim, but so many of his fans think he is the only person who should be listened to and if you don't like him then you aren't clever enough!

^ thats a slightly snobbish attitude. Not liking sondheim does not make you unsophisticated. Its just personal taste.

Is it just me, but I find it really offensive when people call Elaine Paige "piggie Paige" Not funny or clever.

She completely ruined one of my favourite ALW songs, so of course I'm going to be negative - she added in some very strange sounds, her vibrato was terrible and she didn't even sound in-tune half the time.  And her facial expressions were just disturbing...

It's a TV programme made for a TV audience.  Surely it's not so surprising that it's not made up of theatre 'names' who the general TV watching public probably wouldn't know?   Like 'em or not, the likes of Mel C and Nicole Scherzinger CAN sing and are far better known to the general public who might watch this TV programme.

Michael Ball, who is hosting the programme, said in a TV interview this morning that he chatted to Nicole Scherzinger during rehearsals and was very impressed by her attitude, approach and performance.  He also made the interesting point that 'stunt casting' is only stunt casting if the person concerned can't do it.

MrBarnaby, on 26 March 2013 - 09:33 AM, said:

Melanie  C makes sense. She's just won an award for JCS, and she's fine, and a bit different,  in that. She was superb in Blood Brothers (as an refreshingly young and realistic antidote to the dodgy accents, dull portrayals and overly old characters often playing that role) and deserved her  nominations for that  too . Kimberley is inexplicable - unless she has another role coming up - though I suspect she would look better/slicker now after doing SCD.

More inexplicable is the lack of West End talent singing anything else much. You could easily find current performers who could sing most of the songs given to celebrity/US stars  as well or better.  He could even find people from his own TV shows who could sing many better. its just a bit odd  - why you would  fill a show with non West End people if you want to advertise your wares, and one or two big names would do to get the TV audience in?  You would think he would  want to show his achievements off at their  best, rather than jump on the lets use a name bandwagon.

djp, on 18 March 2013 - 07:39 PM, said:

Well I'm nowhere near 65 and I know about I!
The other "good time girl" in the scandal was Mandy Rice -Davis who tried to carve out a career as an actress off the back of her notoriety. I saw her in a (very) regional production of an Agatha Christie back in the 80's. When she first came on stage there was a little rippe of applause from the ageing audience, which can't have been in recognition of her acting achievements. Very British, odd but funny.

Either  way, the ALW will be a great opportunity for some gorge 60's outfits. i'm reminded of the episode of Ab Fab where Patsy gets caught up in an MP sex scandal...

Patsy: In my day, there was a sense of style about the whole thing, you know. Christine Keeler, Mandy Rice-Davies... Gorgeous little women who kept their mouths shut and just looked gorgeous, and gave the whole thing an air of dignity. You know, that's the way I should play it, Eddie. Not like these penny tarts of recent times. Kiss and tell, blurt it all out, for the promise of a quick buck and instant fame. Not me, sweetie. My lips are sealed
Saffie: You'll do "Hello!" magazine, though?
Patsy: Ooh, yeah!

"The plot centred on the infamous affair between a government minister, John Profumo, and a beautiful good-time girl, Christine Keeler, which ultimately resulted in Tory Prime Minister Harold Macmillan’s resignation in 1963.
There was sadly no upside to the end, as most major participants on the scandal either died or ended up with their careers on the compost heap."
Yes indeed.But ALW claims he only mentions Profumo in one line.So obviously quite different...And even the talented Emma Williams couldn't save A Model Girl.

Whatever else you say about him, you surely have to concede that ALW has always been surprising with his choice of subject matters. If he'd listened to every person who told him "That's a terrible name/idea for a musical" over the years he'd probably never have made a penny."

I'm sure ALW has no expectations of this running for 20 years but clearly the subject matter interests him. Perhaps after the roasting he got over Love Never Dies he likes the idea of working on a show for which there is no huge expectation.

Sierra Boggess is appearing on the Sunday.

Prices were outrageously high, no wonder why it wasn't selling. I have to laugh at them saying they were sold out. They were selling off the tickets up to today at a massive discount! Not looking too good for them anyway.