Chicago
Mon, 26 Mar 2001, 09:36 pmWalter Plinge25 posts in thread
Chicago
Mon, 26 Mar 2001, 09:36 pmFirst of all I would like to congratulate Grant and Julia for getting having ambition to form their own company. Secondly I would like to offer a piece of advice. I don't consider myself to be an expert, but I have been heavily involved with non-professional theatre for the past 10 years. In my expereince being part of the creative team and performing on stage do not mix. I saw Chicago on Sunday night and I felt that the production suffered from lack of direction. It is very difficult for the director/choreographer to be objective when they are on stage themselves. I could definitely see the talent and potential of the cast, but I could not shake the feeling that something was missing.
RE: Critique the Critics
Wed, 28 Mar 2001, 04:39 pmWalter Plinge
Firstly I am sorry if I have offended anyone. I will try and substantiate my remarks.
* I thought the stand-out performance was given by Julia in the role of Velma Kelly. She obviously had a view of the character in her mind and the result was an enganging and 3 dimensional character. I also thought Anthony handled the pathos of Amos extremely well.
* I felt that many of the other characters were stoic and 2 dimensional. I had no feeling of who they were, their inner feelings and their motivation.
* I thought Lara Threw almost made it in her performance, but her character seemed to waver at times.
* Although I thought Alicia Broad as Roxie was effective in that she communicated the change in personality between sweet and innocent and pure bitch, her vocals let her down at times, especailly in "Funny Honey". Her voice was beautiful, but I don't think she made the best use of her chest voice and inner "gutsiness"
* overall I thought the vocals lacked power. At Iwas getting churchiness, not sexiness from particularly the girls in the chorus. While correct vocal technique is important, so is vocal style in a production such as Chicago.
* The staging was too flat for my liking. I know the production is meant to be minimalist, but I felt that the simple lighting plot needed to be compensated with more levels on stage. this could have been achieved with human bodies or more platforms. i have also seen Chicago done very effectivly with construction scaffolding
* I liked the use of the box in the opening of act 2.
* I have read comments about the energy and enthusiasm of the cast, but I am sorry, I didn't feel it. I was sitting in the front row, so I should have had my socks knocked off. The cast may be enthusiastic off stage, if you know them personally, that energy has to be transferred to the stage and projected right to the back of the auditorium and out onto the street.
* I think the broadway choreography should be avoided, for one thing it has been created with professional dancers with years of expereince and it leaves you open for comparison with the professional production. there is clearly an immense pool of talent
in Act One Scene One, so be original and create dances that match the ability of the cast.
* I felt that both the staging and the choreography could have been sharper in places. I liked the use of red lighting in the hanging scene. I also thought the cell block tango was effective.
* the use of the blue feathers was great, and I thought more props in other places could have added interest.
* The costumes were great, but I would have liked to see some more sparkle. I especially liked how the costumes seemed to match the personality of the members of the ensemble.
Lastly I would like to say that I think both Julia and Grant have such talent that they are doing themselves an injustice by perfroming a dual role. I would love to see the next production, (maybe even become involved myself ) where their talent is devoted to one role wether that be as directors or performers.
The concept of Act One Scene One is so exciting, I think Perth really needs a company for young adults. I hope that you get all the support and encouragement that you need. I did not mean to be discouraging only to offer a suggestion that would allow you to make the most of a wonderful comapany and dynamic young talent.
* I thought the stand-out performance was given by Julia in the role of Velma Kelly. She obviously had a view of the character in her mind and the result was an enganging and 3 dimensional character. I also thought Anthony handled the pathos of Amos extremely well.
* I felt that many of the other characters were stoic and 2 dimensional. I had no feeling of who they were, their inner feelings and their motivation.
* I thought Lara Threw almost made it in her performance, but her character seemed to waver at times.
* Although I thought Alicia Broad as Roxie was effective in that she communicated the change in personality between sweet and innocent and pure bitch, her vocals let her down at times, especailly in "Funny Honey". Her voice was beautiful, but I don't think she made the best use of her chest voice and inner "gutsiness"
* overall I thought the vocals lacked power. At Iwas getting churchiness, not sexiness from particularly the girls in the chorus. While correct vocal technique is important, so is vocal style in a production such as Chicago.
* The staging was too flat for my liking. I know the production is meant to be minimalist, but I felt that the simple lighting plot needed to be compensated with more levels on stage. this could have been achieved with human bodies or more platforms. i have also seen Chicago done very effectivly with construction scaffolding
* I liked the use of the box in the opening of act 2.
* I have read comments about the energy and enthusiasm of the cast, but I am sorry, I didn't feel it. I was sitting in the front row, so I should have had my socks knocked off. The cast may be enthusiastic off stage, if you know them personally, that energy has to be transferred to the stage and projected right to the back of the auditorium and out onto the street.
* I think the broadway choreography should be avoided, for one thing it has been created with professional dancers with years of expereince and it leaves you open for comparison with the professional production. there is clearly an immense pool of talent
in Act One Scene One, so be original and create dances that match the ability of the cast.
* I felt that both the staging and the choreography could have been sharper in places. I liked the use of red lighting in the hanging scene. I also thought the cell block tango was effective.
* the use of the blue feathers was great, and I thought more props in other places could have added interest.
* The costumes were great, but I would have liked to see some more sparkle. I especially liked how the costumes seemed to match the personality of the members of the ensemble.
Lastly I would like to say that I think both Julia and Grant have such talent that they are doing themselves an injustice by perfroming a dual role. I would love to see the next production, (maybe even become involved myself ) where their talent is devoted to one role wether that be as directors or performers.
The concept of Act One Scene One is so exciting, I think Perth really needs a company for young adults. I hope that you get all the support and encouragement that you need. I did not mean to be discouraging only to offer a suggestion that would allow you to make the most of a wonderful comapany and dynamic young talent.
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