[opheliarose]

I've been trying to track down a copy of the London cast, I've heard that the scoring is significantly different than the OBC? Is it closer to the actual score (some of the songs are quite a bit different than on the recording.)

[Megziid]

The RSC who mounted the London production practically rewrote the show (with the original composers). Much of the 'long' musical sequences were tightened or cut (for example, there is only one "Storm" instead of Storms I, II and Final) and the dreamers parts were removed, replaced by a servant's chorus.

The structure of the show was changed, particularly the first act. Musically;

ACT ONE
1. Prologue/Journey to India ("The House Upon The Hill is no longer in the show"
2. A Fine White Horse
3.Garden Suite 1 (which is mostly "It's a Maze", but features more ensemble and dancing gardeners!0
4. A Girl in the Valley
5. The Girl I mean to be (this used to be the beginning of act II)
6. Winter's on the Wing
7. A Bit of Earth
8. The Storm (I Heard Someone Crying)
9. Round Shouldered Man

ACT TWO
10. Lily's Eyes
11. Race You to the Top of the Morning
12. Wick
13. Come to my garden
14. Garden Suite 2 (Come Spirit, Come Charm)
15. A Bit of Earth (Reprise)
16. Hold On
17. The Letter Song
18. Where in the World
19. How Could I Ever Know
20. Spring Music
21. Come to my Garden (reprise)

Musically, it's quite different from the OBC. I certainly prefer the OLC as far as listening to the recording is concerned.

[windbelle]

As far as I know the actual show is closer to OBC. They did some small changes to the show after the OBC recording was made. When it came to London it got those significant rearrangements, but in the US the show still follows the broadway version, I believe. Well, I never loved the RSC version, but the London cast recording isn't bad to listen to.

[opheliarose]

WEll, I finally got the RSC version. What a disappointment!

[London_Mungojerrie]

[opheliarose]

Honestly, I'd rather have good singers than perfect accents, and the singers on the London Cast just can't compare to Mandy Patinkin, Rebecca Luker or Daisy Egan. The London cast all seemed to be going for more of a pop sound than really feels appropriate for the music.

I personally found the new orchestrations awkward- the added and changed lyrics threw the rhythms off, the music sounded tinny and synthesized and thin, and I didn't care for the reworking of the songs- alot of the music I really loved, like Quartet, was simply gone.

Honestly, if I didn't know better, I wouldn't have recognized it as the same show.

I'm not sure how I feel about the dreamers all being turned into servants. I realize the idea was to focus more on Lily, but the show feels less magical somehow.

On the other hand, I liked the costumes in the liner note pictures much better than the OBC version.

This is all my opinion of course, so feel free to disagree with me!

[Pannic]

I am instantly turned off by the lack of "House on the Hill."

[Melindaisy]

How could they get rid of "Quartet" and "House on the Hill"?? such great moments in the show.

I think getting rid of the dreamers would totally ruin some of the 'magical' feel of the show. I loved the feeling that htere were these people from Mary's past looking out for her and helping her find her way in her new life.