Musical Theatre Review have posted a review of Big. Very positive words about Jay's dancing and acting.
I didn't agree with their comment about the piano scene though.

ETA Ahouch has just posted link to it.

Thanks Ahouch. That's a great review for the show and for Jay...

In some cases, ‘stunt casting’ can turn out to be more of a curse than a blessing, with cast members failing to live up to expectations. Fortunately, this is not the case for Big the Musical.

McGuiness leads the show with flair and bundles of energy. His dancing ability is clearly displayed and the role allows for him to showcase his acting skills.

I agree - it was a great ensemble piece but, if anyone owned it, Jay did.

ETA - I agree with the reviewer's comments about Keir Edkins-O’Brien though - I saw him playing Billy on the first night and he was brilliant.

nelliek - I enjoyed your 'bits and pieces'. It's rather like the tour when people from different nights reported back little differences - it adds to the rich tapestry. Jessica nearly missed the toast on the first night too and just made a save at the last minute . I remember thinking, "that's going to be a nightly 'moment' for her"

Do you think Jay has a dresser to help him change? Worth a moment of ponder 🤔😁





Great review of the show in MTR. Thanks for posting ahouch
Seemed pretty accurate and four stars is not to be sniffed at. So glad the staging is getting rave reviews. It really was brilliant. The acknowledgement of Jay's acting ability is really encouraging for the future. She was right about his voice when compared to Diana, who has a really 'big' voice, but his poorly throat was obviously not helping. (I think it's fair to say that none of the other cast members matched Diana's voice either )

My view is that he doesn't need to have the same big voice as Diana. That is not what is appropriate for the character.

On Saturday, I thought his voice was lovely and totally right for the part. Obviously there has been a bit of strain on his voice - not singing for a while, having spent a long time singing as a pop star and to my untrained ear not having been asked to sing a particularly wide range of vocal parts, to now having to sing in a musical theatre production, with presumably different breathing, projection and a different type of music. And to be fair, you could hear that a little bit in his voice from time to time. But he has a lovely, affecting tone to his voice which I prefer to big but less emotionally engaging voices.

Oh, I cheat in order to remember the running order - I use the "best bits" video compilation the BBC put on YT.

Thanks for your comment - was otherwise complete tumbleweed oh well, that can happen sometimes.

Oh, I agree. Especially The BIBs. Just commenting on the reviewer's specific point really .

I agree with all of this. His voice will only get better for musical theatre as he gets more experience under his belt and once the coldy/throaty thing he's had is completely cleared up. His voice was very much right for the part.

Perhaps in future you could put your "extra observations" in a spoiler tag so that those of us who have not seen the play yet are not looking for whether he is wearing black or white socks or whatever. I would actually like to see and experience "those" moments for myself. Thank you.

And with that I will probably get drummed out of the thread

Dear all I tweeted KD to ask if Jay and Aliona were able to dance in Edinburgh as well as doing a QA and they said they were definitely dancing and might even have something new to show us! So that is great, looking forward to the show even more now!

NellieK - Thank you for taking the trouble to give your feelings about the show - it's great to hear about everything, including the hiccups that happen in pretty much every preview while everyone's settling into the production. It doesn't mar my enjoyment at all, and I will be going to see the show.

I'll just take it as it is on the night and enjoy what comes up. There's nothing like live theatre, especially with a new production and being able to see J and hear his great voice.

You don't have to sing full pelt to hold an audience, but you do need to sing with truth, which J certainly does in the very few recordings I've heard of him singing solo. Josh as an adult wouldn't be singing like Alfie Boe anyway, he'd be singing like Josh the child he really is. And it sounds to me like Jay's got that absolutely right.

Critics always nitpick, they're just jobbing hacks and it's their job. For me they carry no more weight than Len looking at the feet and not being able to see them....

As for spoilers, if I'm not interested in something I scroll on by. Like I turn the TV off at any sniff of Trump.

Lucky you!

Picture from Saturday:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CxGTYk2XUAQBvRp.jpg

Jayfan - Although I've not seen Big I agree that J's voice sounds perfect for the part and doesn't need augmenting. It's always expressive as it is, and that's so important.

I bet you are. That's great news - hope somebody manages to capture it. The Q&A should be interesting too.

I've just realised that my post ref Jay's voice hasn't come across quite right. I was trying to say that his voice is great for the part, he sings well and will get even better as time goes on. I think I have spaghetti for brains at the moment

Hello everyone ☺️
So I've been wracking my brains all weekend trying to think of a question for KD (even though I'm not going!) and I've finally came me up with one ☺️ Only problem is I'm not on twitter so if there is anyone on the thread willing to tweet my question I'd be very grateful 😀
My question is: Aliona, out of all the routines you did with Jay last year, which was your favourite to choreograph?
Thank you 😊, it's great to hear that Big has been going so well, and I hope that everyone off to KD this week has a fabulous time!
Over and out xx

I was thinking they might switch in the Rumba, for one of the other dances with lifts. They have danced it so many times and the band could easily produce the song.

Nah!

You make a good point. It is better to put reviews of what happens on the show in spoilers. Then those that are going to the show can have the choice of seeing the information - or not.

Having eventually found it (the link took me to a twitter page) that's a damn fine review, especially for Jay. I love the writer's comment about 'stunt' casting and fan bases - that's a nod to the sniffies who hate the fact that someone with Jay's background can walk onto a stage and set it alight with his dancing, acting and singing.

Quite a lot of space was devoted to the nuts and bolts of the production, but I'm happy to see little Josh got a mention, along with Gary and Diana, although oddly not Jessica. But the general tone was pretty enthusiastic.

What it says to me is that the reviewer thinks this show's going to be a hit. Especially as Jay's 'fan base' has been so extended with Strictly, something the reviewer obviously doesn't have a clue about. So, all good!

I've just tweeted the question on your behalf, Beth.

Thank you! ☺️ Couldn't pass up the opportunity even though I won't be there 😂

Let's hope that we get to know the answers.

Spoilers are a bit like 'wet paint' signs - you just have to touch!

I'm hoping that someone who is going to Edinburgh will report back on the q and a for the non attendees

...or not! 😇

Depends if you're the sort of person who's always saved your Christmas presents for "the day" or ripped off the wrapping paper immediately. 😇

I'm sure many will, Beth. DS folks are lovely like that.