A few of my favourte things...?

It's a conflit I feel every time I receive an email advertising the upoming Ghost musical - I am just a little bored (and maybe disappointed) at the number of musicals being based on well known films. I can't deny that many of the recent adaptions have been some of my favourite films - I am unashamedly curious to see how Ghost will work (?!?) and I flocked to Flashdance with my girl friends in the first few weeks of opening like the 80s child I am - but something in me still misses original productions that take you on a journey you neither know (word for word) or can predict.

I am no theatre snob - I sshhed the audience along with every other female in the audience as Johnny approached the stage in Dirty Dancing to say 'Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner', yet there is a relentless barrage of Shrek!, Ghost, Legally Blonde, Flashdance, Sister Act... that light up the West End skyline and I can't help but be a little disheartened that producers aren't investing in new stories; instead opting for a quick buck and guaranteed three month audience with familiar, beloved but predictable adaptations that rarely offer anything new.

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Where do you stand? Film adaptations: Too many or bringing a new audience to theatre?

Critical acclaim?

There are many shows that fall foul of critic's scathing comments. Spiderman: Turn off the Dark is the most recent victim of the razor sharp critcism that spreads like wildfire across the internet. (www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2010/nov/30/spiderman-musical-web-critics-broadway) Before coming anywhere near our shores I'm scepital and possibly put off entirely from seeing it - a 2 second judgement based on bad wiring (and a loathing for U2) that productions can't afford in today's economic climate.

I have seen a number of shows come and go from the West End with lightening speed largely because reviews during preview week have been deemed them too long; too boring; lacking in charm; clunky and uninspired.

Yet I can't help but feel that some of the produtions simply weren't given the chance. The Trevor Nunn Directed prodution of Gone with the Wind immediately springs to mind. The film to musial adaption at the New London Theatre (2008) was ambitious (it was always going to be when translating a 1000 page book onto stage.) Yet it had a clasical charm, cantar-like pace and impressive spinning set which told the story beautifully while developing the characters well enough to win over the most seasoned GWTW fan. Unfortunately it had its run unceremoniously cut short largely due to its initial (bum numbing) 4 hour running time - which they eventually got down to 3.5 hours (did i say it's a 1000 page book?)

I guess where i'm going with this is that we need to give theatre a chance - not just fringe theatre or local theatre (although it is exceptionally important to support this) but the big productions that open with big casts and fanfares.

Do the critics go back after the changes are made?
Do people re-read a review and decide to book tickets not on thir first impression but their second?
Do they go and see for themselves?

Sadly too often the critic's review is judge, jury and executioner.

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What shows do you think have had their run cut too short?

The Mousetrap

I've just come across this theatre company for young people - Shakespeare busking at South Kensington of all places! www.mousetrap.org.uk