Top Hat (musical): Difference between revisions
transferring is the correct term for a show moving from one theatre to another |
Miniapolis (talk | contribs) m →Background: Ce, rmv overlinking |
||
Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
==Background== |
==Background== |
||
The musical is based on the |
The musical is based on the 1935 film of the same name,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/apr/14/this-weeks-new-theatre-dance | title=This week's new theatre and dance | publisher=[[The Guardian]] | work=theguardian.com | date=14 April 2012 | accessdate=11 September 2013}}</ref> with music by Irving Berlin.<ref name = "Keynes"/> It took the show's producer, Kenny Wax, sixteen months to obtain the rights from Berlin's estate to adapt the film into a stage musical.<ref name="As">{{cite web | url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-and-tv/tom-chambers-takes-classic-astaire-863091 | title=Tom Chambers takes classic Astaire role in Top Hat musical | publisher=Manchester Evening News | work=manchestereveningnews.co.uk | date=15 June 2011 | accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> A first read-through of the adapted script was held at [[Sadler's Wells Theatre|Sadler's Wells]]<ref name="loc">{{cite journal |journal=Top Hat World Premier Production Programme |title=Top Hat |year=2011 |month=November |page=p21}}</ref> in November 2010,<ref name="script">{{cite journal |journal=Top Hat World Premier Production Programme |title=Top Hat |year=2011 |month=November |page=p8}}</ref> and it was performed for the first time 76 years after the original film.<ref name = "golden"/> The show features fourteen songs by Berlin, six more songs than the original production.<ref name="golden">{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/top-hat-return-to-the-golden-age-of-the-musical-6268680.html | title=Top hat! Return to the golden age of the musical | publisher=[[The Independent]] | work=independent.co.uk | date=27 November 2011 | accessdate=11 September 2013}}</ref> Featuring a 31-person cast,<ref name = "Keynes"/> the production was adapted from the original screenplay by Matthew White and Howard Jacques.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/179363-Olivier-Award-Winning-Top-Hat-to-Shutter-at-West-Ends-Aldwych-Theatre-in-October-New-UK-Tour-to-Follow | title=Olivier Award-Winning Top Hat to Shutter at West End's Aldwych Theatre in October; New U.K. Tour to Follow | publisher=Playbill | work=playbill.com | date=21 June 2013 | accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> The show was directed by White with choreography by Bill Deamer,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2011/05/tom-chambers-and-summer-strallen-to-star-in-top-hat/ | title=Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen to star in Top Hat | publisher=The Stage | work=thestage.co.uk | date=6 May 2011 | accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> set designs by Hildegard Bechtler, costume design by Jon Morrell, lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Gareth Owen, new orchestrations by Chris Walker and musical supervision by Richard Balcombe.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tophatonstage.com/news/20130621-last-chance-to-see/ | title=LAST CHANCE TO SEE THREE TIMES OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION TOP HAT | publisher=Top Hat (musical) | work=tophatonstage.com | accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> |
||
The producers for the original tour and the [[West End of London|West End]] production originally approached [[Anton du Beke]] to play [[Jerry Travers]],<ref name="stroppy">{{cite web | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-2139288/A-stroppy-star-night-nerves-terror-stepping-Fred-Astaires-dancing-shoes-Twinkletoes-Tom-Chamber-confides-Petronella-Wyatt.html | title=A stroppy co-star, first-night nerves and the terror of stepping into Fred Astaire's dancing shoes: Twinkletoes Tom Chamber confides in Petronella Wyatt | publisher=Daily Mail | work=dailymail.co.uk | date=4 May 2012 | accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> before casting ''[[Strictly Come Dancing (series 6)|Strictly Come Dancing]]'' winner [[Tom Chambers (actor)|Tom Chambers]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/taking-on-the-role-of-fred-astaire-in-broadway-1087422 | title=Taking on the role of Fred Astaire in Broadway classic Top Hat is 'a dream come true', says Strictly star Tom Chambers | publisher=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] | work=dailyrecord.co.uk | date=20 November 2011 | accessdate=14 September 2013}}</ref> in the role originated by [[Fred Astaire]].<ref name = "stroppy"/> During the competition Chambers was compared to Astaire,<ref name = "As"/> his hero.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/theatre-comedy-dance/chambers-takes-the-long-route-to-finally-walk-in-footsteps-of-his-hero-fred-astaire-1-1971551 | title=Chambers takes the long route to finally walk in footsteps of his hero Fred Astaire | publisher=[[The Scotsman]] | work=scotsman.com | date=17 November 2011 | accessdate=14 September 2013}}</ref> Astaire's daughter was in the audience for the show's opening in [[London]], and described Chambers as "wonderful": "There will always be comparisons, but what this show has done is bring a version to the world to see for the future".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18007668 | title=Top Hat: Fred Astaire's daughter praises Tom Chambers role in musical | publisher=[[BBC News]] | work=bbc.co.uk/news | date=10 May 2012 | accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> Two of Berlin's daughters described the show as "a beautiful production": "It could definitely give new life to these songs and to ''Top Hat'' for a younger generation".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/hats-off-to-tom-and-summer-says-fred-astaires-daughter-7733632.html | title=Hats off to Tom and Summer, says Fred Astaire's daughter | publisher=[[London Evening Standard]] | work=standard.co.uk | date=10 May 2012 | accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> |
|||
==Production history== |
==Production history== |
Revision as of 21:04, 3 November 2013
Top Hat | |
---|---|
Music | Irving Berlin |
Lyrics | Irving Berlin |
Book | Dwight Taylor/Allan Scott (original screenplay) Matthew White/Howard Jacques (adaptation) |
Basis | RKOs film musical Top Hat |
Premiere | 16 August 2011Milton Keynes Theatre : |
Productions | 2011 - UK tour 2012 - West End |
Awards | Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical |
Top Hat, the Musical is a 2011 stage musical based on the 1935 film of the same name, featuring music and lyrics by Irving Berlin with additional orchestration by Chris Walker. The show opened on 16 August 2011 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, touring the United Kingdom before transferring to the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End. Top Hat won multiple 2013 Laurence Olivier Awards after receiving seven nominations. The musical closed in London on 26 October 2013, with plans to tour the UK again in 2014.
Background
The musical is based on the 1935 film of the same name,[1] with music by Irving Berlin.[2] It took the show's producer, Kenny Wax, sixteen months to obtain the rights from Berlin's estate to adapt the film into a stage musical.[3] A first read-through of the adapted script was held at Sadler's Wells[4] in November 2010,[5] and it was performed for the first time 76 years after the original film.[6] The show features fourteen songs by Berlin, six more songs than the original production.[6] Featuring a 31-person cast,[2] the production was adapted from the original screenplay by Matthew White and Howard Jacques.[7] The show was directed by White with choreography by Bill Deamer,[8] set designs by Hildegard Bechtler, costume design by Jon Morrell, lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Gareth Owen, new orchestrations by Chris Walker and musical supervision by Richard Balcombe.[9]
The producers for the original tour and the West End production originally approached Anton du Beke to play Jerry Travers,[10] before casting Strictly Come Dancing winner Tom Chambers[11] in the role originated by Fred Astaire.[10] During the competition Chambers was compared to Astaire,[3] his hero.[12] Astaire's daughter was in the audience for the show's opening in London, and described Chambers as "wonderful": "There will always be comparisons, but what this show has done is bring a version to the world to see for the future".[13] Two of Berlin's daughters described the show as "a beautiful production": "It could definitely give new life to these songs and to Top Hat for a younger generation".[14]
Production history
The show received its world premiere[2] on 16 August 2011,[15][16] at the Milton Keynes Theatre at the start of a 17 week UK tour,[2] stopping in Birmingham, Southampton, Salford, Plymouth, Norwich, Canterbury, Edinburgh and Leeds.[17] The original cast included Summer Strallen as Dale Tremont, Tom Chambers as Jerry Tavers, Martin Ball as Horace, Vivien Parry as Madge Hardwick, Ricardo Alfonso as Alberto Beddini and Stephen Boswell as Bates.[18][19] An additional pre-West End tour took place in the spring of 2012, playing at the New Victoria Theatre Woking, 13–17 March 2012 and the Bristol Hippodrome, 21 – 31 March.[20]
The production then transferred to the West End's Aldwych Theatre on 19 April 2012, with the opening night on 9 May[21] and had an initial booking period until the end of January 2013.[22] Actress Charlotte Gooch took over the role of Dale Tremont in November 2012[23] and on 5 February 2013, Gavin Lee took over the role of Jerry,[24] Broadway star Kristen Beth Williams[25] took over as Dale,[26] Clive Hayward as Horace and Alex Gaumond as Alberto.[27] One final cast change took place following Alex Gaumond leaving to become Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical,[28] Russell-Leighton Dixon previously understudy of the role[19] took over as Alberto.[29] Despite initially extending the show's run until April 2014,[30] the production closed on 26 October 2013,[31] with plans to launch a new UK tour for the 2014-15 theatre season.[32]
Music
Musical numbers
|
|
The performance runs 2hrs 45mins, including one interval.[15]
Cast album
Featuring 18 tracks from the London production of Top Hat,[33] the cast album was released by First Night Records[34] on 27 August 2012.[19]
Untitled | |
---|---|
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Overture" | 2:50 |
2. | "Puttin' On the Ritz" | 2:59 |
3. | "No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)" | 2:53 |
4. | "No Strings (Reprise)" | 1:31 |
5. | "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket" | 2:08 |
6. | "Isn't This a Lovely Day (To Be Caught in the Rain)?" | 3:44 |
7. | "You're Easy to Dance With" | 2:59 |
8. | "What Is Love?" | 2:02 |
9. | "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" | 3:46 |
10. | "The Piccolino" | 2:36 |
11. | "Wild About You" | 2:30 |
12. | "Cheek to Cheek" | 4:26 |
13. | "Better Luck Next Time" | 3:03 |
14. | "Latins Know How" | 2:29 |
15. | "Let's Face the Music and Dance" | 2:57 |
16. | "Outside of That, I Love You" | 3:09 |
17. | "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket (Reprise)" | 1:24 |
18. | "Finale" | 1:46 |
Principal roles and cast members
The show features a cast of thirty one and a fifteen member band.[35]
Main characters | Original West End actor |
---|---|
Jerry Travers | Tom Chambers |
Dale Tremont | Summer Strallen |
Horace Hardwick | Martin Ball |
Madge Hardwick | Vivien Parry |
Alberto Beddini | Ricardo Alfonso |
Bates | Stephen Boswell |
Critical reception
After its World premiere, and several successful plays, the “Top Hat” musical started receiving several reviews coming from different theatre critics and newspapers. The majority of the critics appreciated the spectacle but agreed that the plot was weak “The plot, for want of a better word, doesn't bear too much close inspection” Christopher Hart from the Sunday Times[36]) and received criticism for its length: “The second half could be cut down by a good 15 minutes“ Exeunt magazine said.[37]
Michael Billington from the Guardian said “The evening can be quickly summed up as "great songs, daft book".[38] Paul Taylor, from the Independent, also gave his critical opinion, saying that “The producers of this irresistible show, a freely adapted version of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie, don't subscribe to the precept of deferred gratification”.[39] In the Standard newspaper, their critic, Henry Hitchings, referred to the show as “a bit slow hitting its stride”.[40]
Critics also acknowledged its qualities, with Zoe Craig from the Londonist describing it as “pure, fun, cheery escapist entertainment”[41] whilst Hildegard Bechtler's set design and Bill Deamer’s choreography received praise “This clever collaboration is clearly evident in every scene transition as the cast dance and interact with the set, making the whole changeover seem like a fluid part of the story[42]” by BestOfTheatre.
Awards and nominations
Despite its mixed reception from critics, Top Hat won the Best Night Out award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2012,[43] won the 2013 Olivier Award[44] for Best New Musical, Best Choreographer (Bill Deamer) and Best Costume Design (Jon Morrell).[45] The show was also nominated for five Whatsonstage.com Awards.[46]
Original London production
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Evening Standard Theatre Awards | Best Night Out | Won[43] | |
2013 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best New Musical[47] | Won[48] | |
Best Actor in a Musical | Tom Chambers[47] | Nominated[48] | ||
Best Actress in a Musical | Summer Strallen[47] | Nominated[48] | ||
Best Set Design | Hildegard Bechtler[47] | Nominated[48] | ||
Best Sound Design | Gareth Owen[47] | Nominated[48] | ||
Best Costume Design | Jon Morrell[47] | Won[48] | ||
Best Choreographer | Bill Deamer[47] | Won[48] | ||
Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best New Musical[46] | Nominated[49] | ||
Best Actor in a Musical | Tom Chambers[46] | Nominated[49] | ||
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical | Ricardo Afonso[46] | Nominated[49] | ||
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical | Vivien Parry[46] | Nominated[49] | ||
Best Choreographer | Bill Deamer[46] | Nominated[49] |
References
- ^ "This week's new theatre and dance". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Milton Keynes Theatre to stage Top Hat world premiere". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Tom Chambers takes classic Astaire role in Top Hat musical". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Manchester Evening News. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat". Top Hat World Premier Production Programme: p21. 2011.
{{cite journal}}
:|page=
has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ "Top Hat". Top Hat World Premier Production Programme: p8. 2011.
{{cite journal}}
:|page=
has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ a b "Top hat! Return to the golden age of the musical". independent.co.uk. The Independent. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ^ "Olivier Award-Winning Top Hat to Shutter at West End's Aldwych Theatre in October; New U.K. Tour to Follow". playbill.com. Playbill. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen to star in Top Hat". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "LAST CHANCE TO SEE THREE TIMES OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION TOP HAT". tophatonstage.com. Top Hat (musical). Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ a b "A stroppy co-star, first-night nerves and the terror of stepping into Fred Astaire's dancing shoes: Twinkletoes Tom Chamber confides in Petronella Wyatt". dailymail.co.uk. Daily Mail. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Taking on the role of Fred Astaire in Broadway classic Top Hat is 'a dream come true', says Strictly star Tom Chambers". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Chambers takes the long route to finally walk in footsteps of his hero Fred Astaire". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat: Fred Astaire's daughter praises Tom Chambers role in musical". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Hats off to Tom and Summer, says Fred Astaire's daughter". standard.co.uk. London Evening Standard. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Top Hat". Top Hat World Premier Production Programme: p17. 2011.
{{cite journal}}
:|page=
has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ "Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen Led TOP HAT Opens 8/16". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat". Top Hat World Premier Production Programme: p34. 2011.
{{cite journal}}
:|page=
has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ "Musicals Cast: Full London Tenor, Top Hat Tour". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ a b c "Top Hat". Top Hat World Premier Production Programme: p18. 2011.
{{cite journal}}
:|page=
has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "Cast" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ "Pre-West-End Performances of TOP HAT Begin Tonight". broadwayworld.com/westend. Broadway World. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat to transfer into the West End next April". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat Comes to West End's Aldwych After Tour, 19 Apr". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat cast changes Charlotte Gooch & Gavin Lee". londontheatre.co.uk. London Theatre. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Gavin Lee to Join West End's Top Hat; Charlotte Gooch Also Takes Over". playbill.com. Playbill. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Kristen Beth Williams, Alex Gaumond and Clive Hayward Will Join Gavin Lee in West End's Top Hat". playbill.com. Playbilll. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Nice Work's Kristen Beth Williams to Romance Gavin Lee as New Star of the West End's Top Hat". london.broadway.com. Broadway.Com. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat cast changes at the Aldwych Theatre from 5 Feb". londontheatre.co.uk. London Theatre. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Alex Gaumond and Kay Murphy join Matilda cast from September". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Cast & Creative". tophatonstage.com. Top Hat (musical). Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat extends its booking period to 26 April 2014". londontheatre.co.uk. London Theatre. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Top Hat confirms October closure at Aldwych". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ TOP HAT to Close at Aldwych Theatre on October 26 Retrieved 21 June 2013
- ^ "Sneak Preview West End's TOP HAT Cast Album Streams on Facebook!". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ "London Cast Recordings of Singin' in the Rain and Top Hat to Be Released; Track Listings Announced". playbill.com. Playbill. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ "OVER 180,000 NEW TICKETS RELEASED FOR WEST END'S TOP HAT". tophatonstage.com. Top Hat. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ Top Hat, Aldwych | The Sunday Times
- ^ Review of Top Hat at Aldwych Theatre | Exeunt Magazine
- ^ Top Hat - review | Stage | theguardian.com
- ^ Top Hat, Aldwych Theatre, London WC2 - Reviews - Theatre & Dance - The Independent
- ^ Top Hat, Aldwych - review - Theatre - Going Out - London Evening Standard
- ^ Theatre Review: Top Hat @ The Aldwych Theatre | Londonist
- ^ Top Hat Review - Best of Theatre News
- ^ a b "Top Hat wins Best Night Out title in Evening Standard Theatre Awards". standard.co.uk. London Evening Standard. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ Hats off to Best New Musical – Laurence Olivier Awards
- ^ "Oliviers: Mirren crowned best actress, Curious Incident wins seven". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Whitney Houston musical, The Bodyguard, up for six Whatsonstage.com awards". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Olivier awards 2013 full nomination". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Olivier Awards 2013: The results in full". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Full list: Winners announced of the 2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 17 February 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.