Just heard this, quite exciting as I know she has an amazing voice (but surprised they went with someone already famous)
Ive not seen the musical before but looking forward to it
Ive not seen the musical before but looking forward to it
Nicole Scherzinger to star in Cats the musical
Can't wait. Booked tickets about 2 months ago as I've been wanting to see this show for ages, glad it's back in London for a stint.
Having Nicole in the role of Grizabella will be amazing! Beautiful song is 'Memory'
Having Nicole in the role of Grizabella will be amazing! Beautiful song is 'Memory'
I love Cats but never seen it live and I wish i had when Elaine paige did it but i won't suddenly book tickets because of her. I much prefer going to the theatre when proper theatre trained actors are in the cast. Not popstars who are used to as a ploy to sell tickets.
Originally Posted by little-monster:
“I love Cats but never seen it live and I wish i had when Elaine paige did it but i won't suddenly book tickets because of her. I much prefer going to the theatre when proper theatre trained actors are in the cast. Not popstars who are used to as a ploy to sell tickets.”
“I love Cats but never seen it live and I wish i had when Elaine paige did it but i won't suddenly book tickets because of her. I much prefer going to the theatre when proper theatre trained actors are in the cast. Not popstars who are used to as a ploy to sell tickets.”
Yeah but Nicole will have had to audition, not to mention she's performed at numerous ALW events on TV, etc so she has a working relationship built up with him. Also, the fact remains that her voice is still classically trained. She may sing pop, but when she sings musical theatre numbers it's like she's a totally different person. I'm actually really excited about this, it'll be great to hear her perform that way (because tbh, I don't particularly enjoy her own music haha) and in such an awesome show!
Originally Posted by little-monster:
“I love Cats but never seen it live and I wish i had when Elaine paige did it but i won't suddenly book tickets because of her. I much prefer going to the theatre when proper theatre trained actors are in the cast. Not popstars who are used to as a ploy to sell tickets.”
“I love Cats but never seen it live and I wish i had when Elaine paige did it but i won't suddenly book tickets because of her. I much prefer going to the theatre when proper theatre trained actors are in the cast. Not popstars who are used to as a ploy to sell tickets.”
I really recommend you watch her Phantom of the Opera performance (and 'dont cry for me argentina') from the TV awarads (I think that was the show), it was AMAZING.
Since then, Nicole & Andrew have sort of built a relationship between them which has ultimately led to this.
Nicole can really sing
There is more to musical theatre than being able to technically sing the songs. For instance, acting! Acting through the singing! Being able to perform to the same high standard night after night!
That's not to say that Nicole won't do a fantastic job and perhaps she has training in musical theatre that I am not aware of. Being able to sing a couple of songs for tv performances is hardly the same however as actually taking part in a full production long term. Not to dismiss her efforts entirely as she did a great job with both performances, but they cannot possibly indicate whether or not she's up to playing Grizabella night after night.
Saying all that. I'd hope Andrew Lloyd Webber would hire someone who is up to the demands of a musical theatre production and not just someone with a pretty voice who'll sell more tickets. Only time will tell!
That's not to say that Nicole won't do a fantastic job and perhaps she has training in musical theatre that I am not aware of. Being able to sing a couple of songs for tv performances is hardly the same however as actually taking part in a full production long term. Not to dismiss her efforts entirely as she did a great job with both performances, but they cannot possibly indicate whether or not she's up to playing Grizabella night after night.
Saying all that. I'd hope Andrew Lloyd Webber would hire someone who is up to the demands of a musical theatre production and not just someone with a pretty voice who'll sell more tickets. Only time will tell!
Originally Posted by little-monster:
“I much prefer going to the theatre when proper theatre trained actors are in the cast. Not popstars who are used to as a ploy to sell tickets.”
“I much prefer going to the theatre when proper theatre trained actors are in the cast. Not popstars who are used to as a ploy to sell tickets.”
Why? A singer is a singer, and Nicole - popstar or not - is an fantastic singer. She'll be incredible in this.
Nicole majored in Acting and Musical Theatre at college and also starred in productions of Chicago and Showboat. I'm sure she'll be great in Cats.
Originally Posted by glyn9799:
“Why? A singer is a singer, and Nicole - popstar or not - is an fantastic singer. She'll be incredible in this.”
“Why? A singer is a singer, and Nicole - popstar or not - is an fantastic singer. She'll be incredible in this.”
Like the post above said, musical theatre is more than just singing
and if there is one thing about british theatre at the moment, they hire anyone they can regardless of whether they can act or sing.
Kerry katona was hired to play Marilyn monroe in a few one off performances
The likes of Amanda Holden and Kimberley Walsh were Fiona in Shrek.
What next? Amy childs as Fantine in Les Miserables. Or Kym Marsh as Eva Peron in Evita.
American theatre is much better because they are realistic in their casting choices. They don't hire has-been soap actors or flavor of the month reality stars. Not like over here.
Nicole is fantastic vocalist, no doubt about it.
Originally Posted by spaceygal:
“Nicole majored in Acting and Musical Theatre at college and also starred in productions of Chicago and Showboat. I'm sure she'll be great in Cats.”
“Nicole majored in Acting and Musical Theatre at college and also starred in productions of Chicago and Showboat. I'm sure she'll be great in Cats.”
Beat me to it. She played Maureen in Rent at The Hollywood Bowl a few years ago too.
Originally Posted by little-monster:
“Like the post above said, musical theatre is more than just singing
and if there is one thing about british theatre at the moment, they hire anyone they can regardless of whether they can act or sing.
Kerry katona was hired to play Marilyn monroe in a few one off performances
The likes of Amanda Holden and Kimberley Walsh were Fiona in Shrek.
What next? Amy childs as Fantine in Les Miserables. Or Kym Marsh as Eva Peron in Evita.
American theatre is much better because they are realistic in their casting choices. They don't hire has-been soap actors or flavor of the month reality stars. Not like over here.
Nicole is fantastic vocalist, no doubt about it.”
“Like the post above said, musical theatre is more than just singing
and if there is one thing about british theatre at the moment, they hire anyone they can regardless of whether they can act or sing.
Kerry katona was hired to play Marilyn monroe in a few one off performances
The likes of Amanda Holden and Kimberley Walsh were Fiona in Shrek.
What next? Amy childs as Fantine in Les Miserables. Or Kym Marsh as Eva Peron in Evita.
American theatre is much better because they are realistic in their casting choices. They don't hire has-been soap actors or flavor of the month reality stars. Not like over here.
Nicole is fantastic vocalist, no doubt about it.”
No offence, but those are some pretty ridiculous comparisons. As some of us have mentioned, Nicole is trained and has performed in other musicals. She's not just a pop singer.
Originally Posted by shelleyj89:
“Beat me to it. She played Maureen in Rent at The Hollywood Bowl a few years ago too.
No offence, but those are some pretty ridiculous comparisons. As some of us have mentioned, Nicole is trained and has performed in other musicals. She's not just a pop singer.”
“Beat me to it. She played Maureen in Rent at The Hollywood Bowl a few years ago too.
No offence, but those are some pretty ridiculous comparisons. As some of us have mentioned, Nicole is trained and has performed in other musicals. She's not just a pop singer.”
There shouldn't be any offense because my comparisons were nothing to do with Nicole. But merely for the choices in casting for british theatre at the moment.
To be fair though, her part is actually quite small. She features twice for four minutes at a time until the end when her character sings 'Memory'. So she only sings one full song once.
Nicole can act, she's been in productions before, there's stuff on YouTube if people really care that much lol
Nicole can act, she's been in productions before, there's stuff on YouTube if people really care that much lol
Originally Posted by little-monster:
“Like the post above said, musical theatre is more than just singing
and if there is one thing about british theatre at the moment, they hire anyone they can regardless of whether they can act or sing.
Kerry katona was hired to play Marilyn monroe in a few one off performances
The likes of Amanda Holden and Kimberley Walsh were Fiona in Shrek.
What next? Amy childs as Fantine in Les Miserables. Or Kym Marsh as Eva Peron in Evita.
American theatre is much better because they are realistic in their casting choices. They don't hire has-been soap actors or flavor of the month reality stars. Not like over here.
Nicole is fantastic vocalist, no doubt about it.”
“Like the post above said, musical theatre is more than just singing
and if there is one thing about british theatre at the moment, they hire anyone they can regardless of whether they can act or sing.
Kerry katona was hired to play Marilyn monroe in a few one off performances
The likes of Amanda Holden and Kimberley Walsh were Fiona in Shrek.
What next? Amy childs as Fantine in Les Miserables. Or Kym Marsh as Eva Peron in Evita.
American theatre is much better because they are realistic in their casting choices. They don't hire has-been soap actors or flavor of the month reality stars. Not like over here.
Nicole is fantastic vocalist, no doubt about it.”
Sorry but I can't think of a single instance where the above is true. Besides, Kimberley Walsh attended theatre school before she was ever in Girls Aloud. She can hardly be compared with Amy Childs, who quite obviously will never be cast in Les Mis so it's just a daft argument. Where is the eye roll smilie when you need it
Originally Posted by little-monster:
“American theatre is much better because they are realistic in their casting choices. They don't hire has-been soap actors or flavor of the month reality stars. Not like over here.”
“American theatre is much better because they are realistic in their casting choices. They don't hire has-been soap actors or flavor of the month reality stars. Not like over here.”
Carly Rae Jepsen was cast as Cinderella on Broadway and people like Jerry Springer and Billy Ray Cyrus have been cast in Chicago on Broadway over the years... It happens everywhere. Stunt casting is always done when the public appetite isn't as strong as the producers would like or expected it to be.
If those adverts she does are any demonstration of her acting talent I will definitely not be going!
I'm a huge huge fan of Cats and my first reaction was WTF 
but I'm still willing to give her a chance. I'm more concerned about the changes ALW intends to make to the show (making the Rum Tum Tugger more 'street', urgh). The UK tour cast was pretty much perfection and I would have been more than happy to see the tour booked into London for 12 weeks (though it does look like a lot of the tour cast will be in the London production).
As long as it's still 'Cats' and not 'Cats Staring Nicole Scherzinger' I'll be happy.
but I'm still willing to give her a chance. I'm more concerned about the changes ALW intends to make to the show (making the Rum Tum Tugger more 'street', urgh). The UK tour cast was pretty much perfection and I would have been more than happy to see the tour booked into London for 12 weeks (though it does look like a lot of the tour cast will be in the London production).As long as it's still 'Cats' and not 'Cats Staring Nicole Scherzinger' I'll be happy.
I saw this today and it was AMAZING!
I've been a big fan of the musical for years, despite actually seeing it in the theatre. I booked the tickets back in September before Nicole was officially announced so the fact she later was announced to be in it was just an added bonus for me as I really like her (I won't say I'm a huge fan but I love her songs and she seems a right laugh!).
Anyway, because "being a fan" I thought I knew the musical inside out, they've made some very minor changes this time around and when she first appears on stage it's quite sudden, it's just like..there she is, which was nice and you see people's heads in the audience edging out to get a better look
She's quite tiny actually, but what a voice on her!
(I am trying to give this a more "nicole" review, rather than a 'cats' review because of the topic
). We were quite near the front and she just basically looked and sounded like Nicole Scherzinger (or is that a really bizarre thing to say? ) I will say though, she sung 'Memory' absolutely beautifully. Nice and slow and it rises up until the big "touuuch meeeeeee" part. Quite spine-tingling!
I feel I'm not biased as I've not read one bad review regarding Nicole's performance yet (which is actually quite surprising considering the "Outrage" by the cats the musical fans when it was first announced Nicole was to be "their" Grizabella).
ANYWAY without rambling on, for me, I am super happy. I got to see a musical I've been dying to see for years and to top it off, having Nicole in my favourite character's role was excellent. A show that HAS to be experienced in the theatre.
One funny moment though: We were all waiting outside the doors for the tickets to be taken and the man comes out and says "hold on a minute, we have an announcement" and an elderly lady of about 80 instantly said "IS NICOLE NOT IN IT!?", he said "she's in it, I just want to tell you all which ticket holders go in which door".
I've been a big fan of the musical for years, despite actually seeing it in the theatre. I booked the tickets back in September before Nicole was officially announced so the fact she later was announced to be in it was just an added bonus for me as I really like her (I won't say I'm a huge fan but I love her songs and she seems a right laugh!).
Anyway, because "being a fan" I thought I knew the musical inside out, they've made some very minor changes this time around and when she first appears on stage it's quite sudden, it's just like..there she is, which was nice and you see people's heads in the audience edging out to get a better look
She's quite tiny actually, but what a voice on her!(I am trying to give this a more "nicole" review, rather than a 'cats' review because of the topic
). We were quite near the front and she just basically looked and sounded like Nicole Scherzinger (or is that a really bizarre thing to say? ) I will say though, she sung 'Memory' absolutely beautifully. Nice and slow and it rises up until the big "touuuch meeeeeee" part. Quite spine-tingling! I feel I'm not biased as I've not read one bad review regarding Nicole's performance yet (which is actually quite surprising considering the "Outrage" by the cats the musical fans when it was first announced Nicole was to be "their" Grizabella
).ANYWAY without rambling on, for me, I am super happy. I got to see a musical I've been dying to see for years and to top it off, having Nicole in my favourite character's role was excellent. A show that HAS to be experienced in the theatre.
One funny moment though: We were all waiting outside the doors for the tickets to be taken and the man comes out and says "hold on a minute, we have an announcement" and an elderly lady of about 80 instantly said "IS NICOLE NOT IN IT!?", he said "she's in it, I just want to tell you all which ticket holders go in which door".
Cats is ok, but I thinks most under 30s will not be impressed by it, & there is of course only one song of note (Memory)
Originally Posted by Makson:
“aww I'm glad she's found her calling in the west end and that she's been very positively received
”
“aww I'm glad she's found her calling in the west end and that she's been very positively received
”
She's excellent! I think her future could well be in West End theatre as London seems to love her and she seems to love it here too.
I was very surprised by her performance, she can certianly act & sing.
Originally Posted by roddydogs:
“Cats is ok, but I thinks most under 30s will not be impressed by it, & there is of course only one song of note (Memory)”
“Cats is ok, but I thinks most under 30s will not be impressed by it, & there is of course only one song of note (Memory)”
Whilst I agree that even being a huge fan of this particular musical, it is a random concept. It just happens to be something that "works" for whatever reason. There are LOTS of people who enjoy and love it. There were kids yesterday during the interval queuing to get on stage and meet Old Deuteronomy, which is a nice touch.
The theatre can be an eye-opening place, there were men in their late 50s/early 60s shedding a tear to 'Memory'! One man was singing along to all the songs behind me which was slightly annoying but anything goes
