Matt Monro Forum

I believe that this show is due to start in the spring sometime-I was really looking forward to it, but now I know who the new judges are to be, I am not so sure.

Denise van Outen has been ruled out because she is pregnant--but as she says--she is not ill-she could do it--and John Barrowman is out-not sure why-they both wanted to be part of the show apparently.

Instead we have an actor that I have never heard of, called--I thinmk--Jogn Partridge. Also, the actress Sheila Hancock---i am not sure what she knows about singing or musicals---and Charlotte Church, who may know about singing, but not much else from my experience of her.

I am really disappointed.

It is a strange one, isn't it Marian?
We cannot understand why the change in personel either.
It is a shame, but let's hope we enjoy it as much as the other shows.

I suppose we should give the judges a chance Marian.
It seems to be the norm these days to choose a panel who know very little about what they are commenting on!!

I do not feel like giving them a chance--I do not like any of them. I want Denise and John.

Maybe I will regret these words, but that is how I feel just now.

Looks as if you've had it Marian.
Anyway Sheila Hancock played Mrs Lovett once in Sweeney Todd. I know that because a friend of ours played The Beagle in that production.

Wow, that's interesting, Lena.
Any more info on this please?

We're also being subjected to a 'search'for a EUROVISION entry with Pete Waterman-

It seems Sheila Hancock has quite a pedigree in musicals, though, like most people, I always think of her as an actress.

Here is a list of her roles:

- Miss Hannigan in "Annie"
- Mrs Lovett in "Sweeny Todd"
- Fraulein Schneider in "Cabaret" (for which she won an Oliivier Award for 'Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical')
- the Mother Superior in "Sister Act The Musical" (this was in 2009 - I saw her feature prominently on the posters for this on the London Underground).

Don't know if these roles involve any singing or musical ability but ALW did have Barry Humphries on the search for Oliver show and I'm not sure he can sing either.

Has anyone seen'PHANTOM 2' ?

Do you meam the latest one, that was premiered last night ??

It's on at The Adelphi, Love Never Dies.
According to a review in the Express, it should be called Paint Never Dries!!

I'd heard it was pretty dreary-I guess ALW can't win'em all!

I must sincerely apologise for my earlier comments on Love Never Dies.
That is what you get for not reading a review properly. It appears the earlier comment was made by people on the internet.
The show itself is described in the Express as "a charming and moving operetta" and is further described as "an elegant and clever sequel to Phantom" and a great night out."

You can't believe all the newspapers reviews having gone on a'freebie',but I really did hear it was'dreary'.

I guess like everything, it is all according to taste--I should think that those who liked the original "Phantom " will also like this.

I saw the original Phantom 3 times--each with a different Phantom and a different Christine--probably a different Raoul too, so yes--I loved it.