[Clarabelle]

I saw it yesterday.

I quite liked some of it- some of the remixing was quite cool, but there were other bits that I didn't like (and I didn't like some of the editing).

Good people: Maureen (I am in love with DvO, she is ace), Angel (BRILLIANT), Collins (again, brilliant and also fit as!) and Joanne was good- I want her trousers, I have been looking for some like that for ages, hahaha!

Bad people: Mark (just didn't think he was very good), Mimi (sorry to say, I thought everything about her performance was a bit blah and her singing was a bit poor. Her diction is AWFUL too. There are moments where she is a bit too Rosario Dawson- like she has been listening to the DVD too much). Benny was ok but spent the first half looking like he was trying to remember his lines!

I quite liked the staging, too- very different. Some of the orchestration annoyed me a LOT, but I especially thought that it was a bit daft making all the 'gay' songs sound like Frankie goes to Hollywood

I might go and see it after it opens proper, to see what they change!

[wicked_boy]

What's the difference between the staging?

[Jordan]

I'm seeing it on the 18th. I may end up seeing it this week, too depending on whether my mate's boyfriend can make it or not.

[Belle]

(posted by missrenthead2 on broadwayworld)

Apparently there's a lot of digital projections and neon?

[Clarabelle]

There is. And some exceptional cheesy gay bar remixes which I was LOVING.

The more I've thought about it, the more I just love the guy playing Angel.

The theatre is tiny; the staging was well done though, the slanty platform was good.

[wicked_boy]

[Clarabelle]

I think that once you get away from the whole 'if it is different to the original then it is BAD' thing then there are some great updates. Like, the remix of 'today 4 u'- I liked that, I liked Contact. There were some that were not so great and didn't need to be changed; but actually, funnily enough some of the remixing wasn't even more 'up to date' as they would have sounded contemporary in the 80s! On the whole I think there were a lot of things that needed to be sorted out before it opens proper; the HIV aspect was downplayed too much, I HATE some of the characterization and some of the acting- but htere are some very valid points such as making it more generic in its setting, removing some of the massive Americanisms, that people won't understand in the UK, and they DID update the AZT reference to MDT- BUT nobody except those of us who come into contact with HIV positive people will know about monotherapy and ART and HAART etc! SO from that perspective I think more could have been made of it.

There were a couple of the ensemble who would have made better Mimi and Mark, tbh.

I think that a lot of the criticisms elsewhere have stemmed from the production not being 'true to the original'. Well, it would have been lovely to see the production from 11 years ago- but those actors are all 11 years older and you can't recreate something like that. So you have to move forward and if this piece is to stand the test of time then it needs to be understood by its audience. I am not sure it would do so quite as much in its original form, but also I would say it needs some more work before it achieves that in this incarnation.

[musikal_geek]

[pish123c]

[Belle]

I reckon this set would have looked great as a model box... I like the concepts, the two ladders, the walkway right across - I'd like to see it blended with a traditional Rent set - band onstage, NOT whitewashed, a bit more inner-city Boho, less Ikea...

Oh, if anyone's planning on going and hasn't booked, the box office guy recommended NOT getting the balcony seats. I'd guess the proscenium arch cuts off the walkway.

[wicked_boy]

[Clarabelle]

Well, I will definitely be seeing it again soon to see some of the changes they have made... my sources say change is afoot...

[Jordan]

[actor]

I am going to see the matinee (5pm WTF) on Friday, the 2nd of November (Wicked, Sat Nov 3rd Evening).

I can't wait. Although I've heard some pretty bad stuff about it.

I've heard that they gave Angel wings as he ascends to heaven

The audience actually start laughing.

[wicked_boy]

Are there any preview reviews out yet?

[actor]

the new out tonight

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MRLQE8xMs9I

it's a completely different sound.

i suppose you either love it or hate it.

[Jordan]

My mate's bf can't make it because he has parents evening (he's a teacher, not a pupil you smutty-minded people! ) but I've told him to take his dad as I'm seeing it the following day. His dad's had a really tricky time of it lately and he should take his dad.

[Jordan]

[wicked_boy]

[Clarabelle]

I have to say it is probably the epitome of the worst of every bad thing about the show though. Siobhan whatserface is just the least convincing dancer I've ever seen, she is a worse dancer than me and that is really saying something! Her singing and acting leave a lot to be desired as well. And the arrangement is misjudged as well which add up to a crap number.

[pish123c]

[ChrisFitzpatrick]

[pish123c]

What the hell were they thinking?
I'm not really a fan of Rent to begin with, but why f*ck up the songs like that? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Kaaatrina]

[musikal_geek]

[Clarabelle]

Very easy to slag something off when you actually haven't seen it.

[pish123c]

[Clarabelle]

Heard probably the worst performer doing the worst arrangement.

Seen A picture of the set, which doesnt' really show the effects when the show is being performed.

Rumours about the costumes- as I say, rumours. EG Yes, Mimi is in a white evening dress at one point- but in a 'dream' sequence. She is not appearing as Mimi, she's appearing as if in a dream, not as if she has just turned up in an evening dress!

I just think that on this site and a couple of others there are people who have judged it on unfair criteria ('it isn't the SAME as the original') and also made judgements based on hearsay. Yes, some of the casting is a bit off (Mark is not geeky enough, Mimi- I say no more) but I wouldn't have faulted the costumes!

I would advise to give it a few weeks, THEN go and see it without any preconceived ideas that it will be the same as the original 11 years ago. A bit of open-mindedness wouldn't go amiss from some people (not people on here specifically).

[pish123c]

I can't speak for everyone else, but I don't dislike what I've seen of it because "It isn't the same" as the current Broadway show. I dislike it because it looks like utter crap!


All white set...Rearranged songs that don't do anything but take the originals down a notch...Whacky costumes...etc. At this point it isn't even the same show! It isn't Rent anymore, it's Rent ~remixed~. Usually when shows get revived or transferred they are only changed a little. This might as well be a totally different show.

[wicked_boy]

[Belle]

[wicked_boy]

[musikal_geek]

^"Remixed" is definitely not written on any advertisements I've seen.

[wicked_boy]

[SuperKabob]

Was I the only one who sort of enjoyed the Out Tonight "remix"?

[wicked_boy]

I did. I think it's a fresh take on it ^ .

[musikal_geek]

[mastachen]

I think my problem with the orchestrations in Out Tonight and Another Day is that they're just new. I'm sure with the way it's staged, people who aren't familiar with the show won't think it's so bad. After all, the person who played Mimi and Roger both had great vocals, in my opinion.

[me-shellmybelle]

I really liked Out Tonight. Not as much energy but still really neat, very jazzy. I HATED Another Day, turned that one off after about 30 seconds.

[Jordan]

[Faded_Flowers]

[Jordan]

This doesn't bode well. I am an open minded person and I'm open to the idea that the show will be different to the original - that doesn't trouble me one jot. However, if it's bad, it's bad.

I'll let you know Friday after I've seen it the previous night

[theatre4life]

well, i will say this - the top part of the set looks great, but too much white and the lights coming up from the floor are just terrible. do they have tables, too - or just those chairs? that pic makes the set look so tiny - as far as width.

[Jordan]

There was a piece about it on the London news on ITV today. They said NOTHING about the show; didn't review it AT ALL. They couldn't get a cast member to come and be interviewed, Kylie Minogue (who apparently supplies a 'voice') didn't show.

The director was interviewed and came across nervous and unsure of himself/his creation.

The only video shown of the cast was Seasons of Love which seems unchanged.

[wicked_boy]

[Jordan]

[actor]

The reviews:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article2666865.ece
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/show-23374291-details/Rent/showReview.do?reviewId=23416832

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/10/16/btrent116.xml

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/drama/reviews/story/0,,2192137,00.html

http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821192524367&title=Rent





Some of the audience's opinions after the first preview of Rent:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TAgeVHl7vVU

It sounds really good when you watch that but I suppose they only chose the good comments to put in the vid. They may have been the only people in the audience who enjoyed it.



Oh, and some more of the songs are up:

Out Tonight/Another Day: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MRLQE8xMs9I

Without You: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=00Dq2tJofmY

One Song Glory/Light My Candle: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sAXlfBCy86M

Take Me or Leave Me: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VfGN8VJlutU

La Vie Boheme: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DsKh2AHENCI


I am still undecided on Out Tonight although I know that I don't like Siobhan's voice.

I liked Another Day.

I liked Without You.

One Song Glory was amazing. I love Luke's voice and the orchestrations.

I liked the orchestrations for Light My Candle but not the singing. What the hell happened to Siobhan during "dripping" and "im illin"?!?! I've heard they were giggling all the way through. They need to get more professional. And Siobhan sings COMPLETELY off-key and her voice is so shaky! AND she took a breathe in the middle of the word "candle" WTF?!? And her accent is SO annoying when she speaks ... "Wha ... ?"

I don't like the orchestrations or singing for Take Me or Leave Me. Although you can kinda dance in your seat a little bit to it.

I thought La Vie Boheme was ok. I don't like Mark's accent but I like his voice. OMG, that "la viiiIIIIIE BOHEEEEEMEEEE!" = amazing!!! I don't like his acting though.

[Sweeney Hyde]

actor get your butt on aim. =)

EDIT: The reviews don't seem great...but the audience response video seems to show that the public appeared to enjoy it...we'll have to wait and see...I'm not a fan of the show but am interested in any situation where artistic changes have been made.

[Belle]

The video of audience response is from the production company- I'd be surprised if they'd put any negative responses up!

[katethegreat]

I haven't seen it, and I'm not going to pass any judgement, just want to clear something up, just in case its being perceived...This isn't the broadway transfer to the West end - we've already had two. Neither did all that well unfortunately, I saw the first and loved it, but I guess Rent's lack of staying power over here has meant they felt they could change it.
I rarely have the money to go and see a show - I won't be going to this one unless someone pays for me!

[philtj2007]

I have hated everything that I have seen and heard from this show so far. Its just not Rent. I was in New York a few weeks ago and saw Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp in the show. It was amazing. The audience reaction was incredible and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had at a show and I've been to a lot. This rehash is pointless. I read an interview with William Baker the other week where he was trying to promote the show. While pointing out his improvements he ironically made the remix show sound shallow and pointless. All the evidence I've seen so far backs up my first impressions.

[theatre4life]

[The Very Angry Woman]

[Jordan]

[kozafluitmusique]

One of my friends from school is seeing it over break. She heard it was modernized.

[Jordan]

OK, I saw it last night.

I think that in general it's a good show. It is NOT the bastardised love-child of Satan that some seem to claim it is. If you've never seen it before, I think you'd like it. If you have seen it before, to an extent you need to open your mind.

The things that jarred - the fact it's full of English people. Particularly Oliver Thornton's Mark Cohen who (sorry Americans) portrays him with a stupid plummy upper-class English accent of the kind that is frequently used to display to 'Dumb Yanks' that a character is British but NOT cockney.

What You Own in half tempo. What a dreary boring mess.

Mimi and Angel - get people who can sing. At least Angel could act though.

Generally good - 7/10

It'll still close early with those bum reviews.

[JIJane]

Having seen it (although admittedly the first preview), I have to say that 80% of the comments in the reviews were correct. I did enjoy some of the performances though (Angel) and thought the cast worked very hard. I guess it does not help that I am generally not a big fan of the show either...but I don't think the modernisation works and the orchestra (basically one bloke with a bunch of machinery in front of him) was also a let down.

[Clarabelle]

Four piece band for Rent.

FWIW I actually get a bit cross with people saying that it was all done with synth and backing tracks. It wasn't. And there is a place for synth in the west end, wonder why you have 4 keyboard players in Wicked? It's not for its pianistic score! Musicians are just as important as the people on the stage, have often trained for just as long, work terrible hours as well etc. Mind you, as a lot of my friends work in pit bands I am probably biased!

[LittleGavroche]

[JIJane]

[Clarabelle]

Definitely- I just think that there are musicians who make their first pit band work out of synth work, and it's got its place- although not at the expense of people who could be put in live easily (eg synth strings- use real ones, I know it is harder to mic etc but use a synth for effects etc and synth noises!).

Not so sure about the need for miming though... unless the actor has problems with the voice or the dancing is particularly difficult.

[SapphireNight]

I started writing a review when I came back from seeing it. I was one of the first. Booked tickets for Tues opening night. When it got cancelled, I changed it to the Friday evening.
Ironically, I got to the theatre so early (I had 'unrented' unallocated seats) that the matinee was performing. During the intermission, I talked to some people outside, who gave a very negitive impression of the new version. But I had brought the tickets, and it wasnt like I could turn round now, was it?
So I basically cleared my mind of how it used to be performed, got rid of what I thought was 'right'/origional, and kept an open mind to what I had just been told, and to seeing this new reworked piece first hand. And that is really what you need to do- accept that this is different, and enjoy it for what it is.

THIS REVIEW BELOW CONTAINS SPOILERS. I WOULD ADVISE YOU DONT READ IT IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON SEEING RENT REMIXED LIVE, AS I DO NOT WISH TO CLOUD YOUR JUDGEMENT OF THE MUSICAL.

Set: The same idea as the original- there are no moving parts, a balcony and stairs, certain ‘areas’ laid out, however this set is completely white. The stage is raked, and there is a raised platform (which is even more raked- ie, sloped towards the audience) in the centre of the stage, taking up probably 2/3 of the space, which is designed to be a ‘room’ used as the apartment (loft), the Life Support meeting room, and hospital room. In the centre of the back of the platform is a ‘doorframe’- thin florescent light outline which can be turned on and off. The balcony is a bridge spanning the whole stage, with stairs descending from the centre, and stairs from the ceiling meeting slightly to the right (both sloping right to left). The stage itself protrudes into the audience, the front shaped in a triangle which literally ends up in the front row’s lap (a set of seats have actually been removed!). Again, there is no curtain when you enter the auditorium, only a safety curtain which is lowered during the interval.
The conductor can be seen in the lower left box, and I think some of the orchestra might be in the other boxes nearest to the stage (all hooked up with camera feeds).

Character and Costume:

Mark: Less geeky, more intelligent yet still slightly separated from everyone around him, though less so then before. He has more of a character arc during the show, as he struggles to come to terms with his friends leaving him. ‘What You Own’ now is Mark’s song, Roger only coming in for the duet/harmony part near the end. Wardrobe has been modernised- it is casual but cool. Played by Oliver Thornton, good looking and he knows it. Has a very good voice.

Roger: Is pretty much the same Roger, depressed tortured soul who pushes Mimi away. Thankfully they have gotten rid of the checker PJs and dressed him rather casually, with slight rocker hints. Played by Luke Evans, very easy on the eyes, a true Roger in looks and a great voice.

Collins: Again, little has changed with Collins character, though coupled with Angel, he does get very concerned and protective of Angel. Less happy-go-lucky, he’s still pretty lively, but no where near the level of Jesse L Martin in the film. Wardrobe slightly modernised, but pretty much the same idea of using layers (but at least they don’t look quite such an eyesore). There still is the ripped sleeve from his coat, which is a thick big winter looking coat, which Angel replaces with a very nice looking black leather one. Played by Leon Lopez, pretty decent, reasonable voice, but not as powerful as other Collins’.

Angel: Holy shit has Angel changed! No longer the live for the moment, optimistic drag queen street drummer, this is gay camp Angel, a man who flaunts it when among friends, but is incredibly vulnerable. It is obvious from ‘Will I’ (which he starts) that he knows his life is drawing to a close, and I think that he hides/represses this by trying to be outrageous and fun. Wardrobe is completely different, no drag (apart from a leather mini skirt for Happy New Year), no wigs, and a lot of the time, no shirt! His hair is shaven incredibly short, and he wears a lot of eyeliner, but that’s about it. He often wears hugging white jeans (with a pink belt in Rent/YOKH), a sparkly doodled-on denim coat, and sometimes, a red top exposing his midriff (and a vest for Without You/Contact). He enters with this amazing wrap around fur coat for his ‘big entrance’, which he promptly discards to dance around topless (with red braces and his white jeans open- a lot of $notes$ tucked into his pants)- not that anyone is complaining when he flexes and bends like that! Very flaunty, extremely camp, but extremely vulnerable, Angel still tugs on your heartstrings. An amazing performance by Jay Webb, who is also an incredible singer. It’s a shame you don’t hear that in Contact, however, who’s amazing vocals have been removed (bar a couple of almost ordinary ‘take me’s) making it more into a sexual/sensual/torturous dance scene.

Mimi: I think Mimi’s character has been stripped slightly, and this is mostly due to costume/choreography. The opening number she wears a sexy, slightly revealing red mini-dress which barely comes down half way down her thighs. Light My Candle, she wears a silk black negligee barely covering her ass, and for Out Tonight, she is in the full strip club lingerie. For quite a while into the musical, all you’re presented with is this dancer who just seems to flaunt her stuff. Its not until later that you see a more emotional side to her- mainly when she’s covering up a bit more. Her section of Another Day seems to lose its power having never seeing her portray her real emotions before (not to mention this occurs having just finished an incredibly sexy routine for goodness sake!), and trying to have her emoting in a lacy corset and wearing little else just breaks that. Later on, you do feel the emotional side to her- painfully at one point as she injects herself in the foot at the end of Happy New Year, and you see the drug coursing through her as she hauntily sings a reprise of something. Siobhan Donaghy is very sexy, but several of us in the audience felt that her voice was fairly weak, and didn’t really stand up to much compared with the rest of the cast. She might have been having a bad time vocally, I don’t know, so don’t prejudge her, she seems to be a fine actress, but when I saw her, she was the weakest link vocally.

Maureen: Denise Van Outen is absolutely amazing as Maureen. She has that Maureen sensibility and flirtyness (very similar to Idina, the only Maureen I’ve seen), and is amazing when it comes to engaging with the audience. For Over The Moon, she actually walks into and talks to people in the audience as part of the protest (most of us killed ourselves laughing during the song). She is more outrageous then before- she seems to snog Mark a couple of times, and of course, more then talks to several people at the bar. She is hilarious, fun loving, flirty and gorgeous, a perfect Maureen through and through.
You will fast learn that the wardrobe department seemed to have a thing against letting the female leads covering up their lower halves. Striding on at the very end of Act 1, and opening Act 2 wearing what seems to be a striped leotard/lingerie (riding incredibly high up her waist) with fishnets under, you’d be surprised that she doesn’t work in the Cat Scratch Club too.

Joanne: She seems to be an updated Joanne. Same type of character, but she seemed to feel slightly more independent. Interestingly, you feel like she is a strong member of the Bohemian group, the others seem to get on amicably with her, and with little resistance. It is odd as Mimi seems to feel slightly more segregated from the group- she doesn’t seem to mingle with them well or often, which Joanne does. I only mention this here, as in terms of background, it should be Joanne who’s on the outside, however Mimi’s inner demons are too strong. They’ve updated Joanne’s wardrobe with a lot of formal yet fitted/hugging clothes, and most of the time- no bra! My favourite was suit-pants and a tight waistcoat. She was brilliantly portrayed by Francesca Jackson, who has a strong voice and a very nice body. Someone mentioned that she looks too similar to Denise, which is true, but I don’t think this subtracts much, due to the strength of the acting, characterisations and wardrobe.

Benny: I don’t really have a lot to say here. Benny seemed to be pretty much the same old Benny, no real need to alter his character, and he isn’t onstage for nearly as long as the others. Craig Stein does a fine job and has a decent voice, though I don’t feel he has the opportunity to do more with the character, which due to the lack of stage time, still feels flatter then the other rich characters of the Bohemians. As for wardrobe, I think he’s in suits and nicely fitted and very classy looking formal wear (dark blue shirt and tie, dark trousers, very nice).

[wicked_boy]

Where does the cast enter from? I can only see two entracnes on that picture which are on the balcony.

[SapphireNight]

There are 4 entrances on stage- the two either side of the balcony, and two right at the back of the stage, facing inwards (theyre right at the end of the wall, opposite the back wall of the set, which protudes about a metre and a half or so forward, giving probably a little over a metre gap for each door. On the picture, you can make out that protuding back wall, and just about see the the two rear of stage doors- the stage right one is more obvious- a slit of shaddow, the stage left one is highlighted slightly by the wall lights. The furthest right chair is directly in front/line with that door.
There are also steps down from the stage to the auditorium- certainatly on our right side, which is where Maureen descends into the audience at one point during Over the Moon.
That slightly raised platform (with the brownish base you can see at the bottom of the pic) isnt the end of the stage- thats a raised (and quite sevearly raked, I might add) platform in the centre of the stage, with at least a couple metres clearing on the front and both sides, and this masquarades as a room for certain scenes- for Life Support meetings, the Hospital room Angel is in, the appartment (loft) etc. That rectangle at the back of that platform houses neon lights, and is lit when the platform represents a room, to give the impression of it being a doorway. Its pretty cleverly done, I like the reworked set, but I do miss certain elements of the origional, plus the black and darkness of it.

[wicked_boy]

I can see the wings (or whatever you can call them) now.