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HAIRSPRAY starring our very own Ben James-Ellis


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Old 14-10-2007, 16:32
lipgloss
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Those will be great seats, its only the first row of the upper circle, and the outer edges that are dodgy.

Enjoy its an ace show.
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Old 14-10-2007, 16:36
tvqueen1905
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i sat in B32 and it was a great view so D would be even better. its best not to be att he front near the bar as that restricts things

you will have a great seat
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Old 14-10-2007, 16:38
tvqueen1905
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I think you look wonderful tvqueen
do you think so?
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Old 14-10-2007, 16:39
mermaid05
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Yep I do
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Old 14-10-2007, 17:52
tvqueen1905
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nobody is jealous of me
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Old 14-10-2007, 18:05
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Great pics TvQueen
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Old 14-10-2007, 19:05
twingle
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nobody is jealous of me
Yes but in a very nice way and also very delighted for you
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Old 14-10-2007, 19:15
tvqueen1905
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ben hugged me as well (he smelt a bit sweaty)
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Old 14-10-2007, 19:50
trixiehobbit
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Wonderful to read the great reviews for Ben in Hairspray. Sounds like its a really fantastic show !

tvqueen, fabulous photos It's lovely of you to share them. Ben looks very happy stood next to you. And rather fit too !!
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Old 14-10-2007, 20:20
tvqueen1905
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Ben was gorgeous
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Old 14-10-2007, 21:18
Lula Mae
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i sat in B32 and it was a great view so D would be even better. its best not to be att he front near the bar as that restricts things

you will have a great seat
I get my circles mixed up! Were you Upper or Royal(also called Dress) Circle?
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Old 14-10-2007, 22:41
tvqueen1905
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i was in the Upper circle but we accidently got confused and nearly ended up in the royal cicle.

where did you sit?
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Old 14-10-2007, 23:14
twingle
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ben hugged me as well (he smelt a bit sweaty)
Shhhhhhhhhh don't tell everyone
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Old 14-10-2007, 23:20
tvqueen1905
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why shouldn't i tell everyone
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Old 15-10-2007, 13:34
shoequeen
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Loving the reviews! It sounds like even in the first couple of shows, you can see improvements as the cast settle into their roles. All bodes well for an awesome official opening night and dazzling press reviews *crosses fingers*

Twingle - I count that as four Hairspray tickets before Christmas!. By the time we see it in December I shall be expecting all the cast to wave at you in recognition!!

*applauds twingle for dedication to the cause*

*wonders if twingle's family are expecting Christmas presents this year*

One question - I hope this isn't considered a spoiler but how do they stage 'It Takes Two' in this version? In the film it's barely used and in the soundtrack is Link's solo but in the youtube clips of the Broadway show it's done as a duet between Link and Tracy.
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Old 15-10-2007, 13:42
Lula Mae
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Hi shoequeen *waves*

From what I've seen on youtube the show is very similar (or exactly even) like the Broadway production, down to each costume too! It takes two is primarily Link, Tracy joins in just at the end.
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Old 15-10-2007, 14:01
shoequeen
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Hi shoequeen *waves*

From what I've seen on youtube the show is very similar (or exactly even) like the Broadway production, down to each costume too! It takes two is primarily Link, Tracy joins in just at the end.
Hi Lula *waves back*

Thanks for this. It being mostly a solo would make more sense...the youtube clip threw me a bit. It made it look like the whole song was a duet and I couldn't see how that would fit in with the plot.

Was out and about in the WE on Saturday night - saw loads of posters for Hairspray. Glad to see Ben has got his name on them!
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Old 15-10-2007, 14:20
lipgloss
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Spoiler it takes 2
Spoiler
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Old 15-10-2007, 14:22
twingle
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Hi Lula *waves back*

Thanks for this. It being mostly a solo would make more sense...the youtube clip threw me a bit. It made it look like the whole song was a duet and I couldn't see how that would fit in with the plot.

Was out and about in the WE on Saturday night - saw loads of posters for Hairspray. Glad to see Ben has got his name on them!
You were lucky to see them. I did see loads on the escalators week before but none on preview night (altho empty poster holders!!) I did see one girl holding one to get the cast to sign - bit cheeky!!
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Old 15-10-2007, 16:07
twingle
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Just wanted to add my congratulations to Ben for what sounds like a fantastic first night. If I had the time and money I would love to see him myself.

He is not in a lead role at 18, but he does have an excellent supporting role and all credit for him in breaking away and getting something entirely his and totally different.

.
Actually Lassie it is not a supporting role. He is what is called in the industry a juvenile lead role.

He has his own poster outside the Shaftesbury as does Tracy, Edna and Wibur. And these four names are featured on all the posters although only Edna and Wiburs on the taxis

I do hope you get the chance to see it . I think you will enjoy it. Like Joseph , you come out with a real good feeling and both shows can only be good for the West End.
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Old 15-10-2007, 16:47
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Does anyone have a link () to the YouTube clip/s?
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Old 15-10-2007, 17:25
shoequeen
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Actually Lassie it is not a supporting role. He is what is called in the industry a juvenile lead role.
Really? How interesting!

*notes down term for future use*

Like Lassie, I think I would have described the role as a 'major supporting' one rather than 'lead' so don't be annoyed if others do the same - it's a question of terminology and absolutely not a put-down!! . At any rate fourth-billed (according to the posters) behind two household names and the star of the show is a huge achievement - own poster outside the theatre, name all over the tube stations (except when people swipe the posters to get them signed ) .....he's pretty much got his name in lights!

Slightly randomly.....you'd have to be pretty determined to steal a poster from the tube given that you'd be on an escalator at the time! You'd either have to be very very quick or have to run the opposite way to the way the escalator was going in order to be in front of it for long enough....I'd always assumed that there just weren't enough posters to go round

On the subject of household names - how did people think Mel Smith did? He's not featured much in the reviews so far. Did he do a good job? It hadn't occurred to me before but can he sing?

Last edited by shoequeen : 15-10-2007 at 17:29. Reason: Was waffling on...
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Old 15-10-2007, 18:33
twingle
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Does anyone have a link () to the YouTube clip/s?
I wish but there isn't any on yet. There are loads from broadway and the movie but only rehearsals for the London show. I am sure one day they will appear
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Old 15-10-2007, 18:37
twingle
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Shoey

I know many preferred Christopher Walken in the role from the movie but I couldn't get past seeing him in the Deer Hunters so Mel had a head start for me. He can sing and dance (well not like the young ones of course) and , as you would expect, his comedy timing was great. The scene with Edna and him is many people's favourite
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Old 15-10-2007, 19:37
Lula Mae
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Slightly randomly.....you'd have to be pretty determined to steal a poster from the tube given that you'd be on an escalator at the time! You'd either have to be very very quick or have to run the opposite way to the way the escalator was going in order to be in front of it for long enough....I'd always assumed that there just weren't enough posters to go round
Sshhhh..Late one night in turnpike lane tube, when it was deserted (with my friend acting as lookout on top) I went down the down and up the up escalator several times (there was one of each side) but all I came away with was very black fingers

I agree what you said about terminology btw. And tbh people can call his part what they like for all I care. For me he's one of the stars for sure (Of course some cast lists split them into Principal parts, ensemble & swing. Link is a Principal part)

Mel/Wilbur for me is one of the weakest 'links'. Thats not necessarily because of Mels talent but also Wilburs part. His part in the show is a little weak I think. Unfortunately he's the one who made the least impression on me. There are just so many big characters, what with the other main 3 & Motormouth, Seaweed, Penny, Amber, Velma, etc it's hard to take them all in really. I would need to see it again to form a fair opnion on Mel!
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