"How do you solve a Problem Like Maria"

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:16 pm

My friend went to see the show with her granchildren a week or so ago---said it was great--very impressed with Lesley Garrett.

All matinee performances completely booked until July. Maybe the other performances too !!

jon · Post by **jon** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:13 am

Did anyone see the programme about Connie Fisher that was on TV on Wednesday 27 December (6:30 BBC1)? I've been seeing press reports this week that Connie has been cheating on her boyfriend by canoodling with a stagehand. Tabloid mischief-making, perhaps. Anyone actually going to see the show? I guess it is difficult to get tickets.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:15 pm

Yes we watched it Jon, nice to see how it all began and progressed for Connie, and to see the reactions from the patrons and the press on the opening night at the Palladium, and to see Andrew Lloyd Webber with tears streaming down his face. Mixed emotions and mainly in relief we would imagine.
The latest is that Connies agent is pushing for more money now.
We haven't booked yet but hope to at some point.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:06 pm

That was so interesting to see a follow up to Connie's Story. All looks to be going really well for her.

But my favourite programme was the one on "Phantom of the Opera"

ALW again, but a great programme -I just love that show and have seen it 3 times.

I already have videos of how they filmed "Les Miserables" and " Miss Saigon" so I am so pleased to have another "Making of" in my collection.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:49 am

I've just come across an old programme from the time when I saw "The Sound of Music" on stage, way back in the early sixties!
It was on at the Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, and starred Jean Bayless as Maria. Can't say I've heard of her since.
Also in the cast were Constance Shacklock, who I remember from Last Night of the Proms, and Rank Starlet Eunice Gayson.
Captain von Trapp was played by Roger Dann.
The programme cost 1 shilling!

Marian.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:32 pm

Is the shilling the same thing as the pound? That sounds pretty expensive for the early 1960s. Are the programmes still a pound? Perhaps they are more now, as I rarely buy them. I wish they were free like in the US.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:42 pm

A shilling is equivalent to 5 pence, so there are 20 old shillings in one pound, so the programme Marian bought wasn't as expensive as you thought Paul

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:36 am

And also you would be lucky to get a programme for a fiver these days---more likely going up to 6/7 pounds, maybe more. Big difference to a shilling----which is equivalent to a 5 pence piece!!!!!

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:30 am

Are programmes really 6 or 7 pounds? I know the souvenir booklets are expensive, but shouldn't programmes still be around 2 or 3 pounds? They only contain a list of songs and the cast bios.

Still, I can find cheaper theatre seats in London than in New York or Washington. So paying extra for a programme is acceptable.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:34 am

I think I meant that the souvenir books are very expensive--the small programmes ,as you say are not so much.

Sorry for mixup

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:34 pm

Quite often all info is in just one programme these days, which I agree is more of a souvenir book. Still, despite being more expensive, they are a lovely reminder to keep of a show.

That's one thing we have that is more impressive than on the other side of the Atlantic, our beautifully presented show brochures.

Friends have sent me programmes from the U.S. of Jack Jones's concerts, and quite often they are all advertisements, with possibly just one photo.

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:14 pm

Marian, and Marian, we have fairly recently been sent programmes from America from concerts, and agree they haven't compared with any that we have here, although the London Palladium programmes around the Fifties era when the big star attractions appeared there the programmes were routinely statuary size, roughly 5x8 with a full length picture of the Queen on the back page, but now we have these beautiful glossy extravagant keepsakes that you can't resist. We have all our programmes plus memorabillia from back in the Fifties

We are sure you have too

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:49 pm

Yes Marian, programmes are a "lovely reminder to keep of a show" - if you enjoyed the show

if you don't enjoy the show, then you have a reminder of the "rubbish" you watched

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:57 pm

I do not think I have ever been to a show or concert , that I did not enjoy, so it is great to have the souvenir brochures to look back on.

It is amazing how they collect, over the years !

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:48 am

I don't ever go to rubbish shows Robert!!!

Marian