32 replies to this topic

[fairycake]

Film v Theatre – The best?

Phantom of the Opera  - deffo theatre

Chicago - theatre but still quite a good film.

Joseph  - deffo theatre with Lee - film was dire

The Sound of Music - Palladium -Connie  - both very good.

Any more views?

[Mark_E]

I don't think there is a single film version that has been as good as seeing a show live on stage.

[Matthew Winn]

Often depends on which came first, doesn't it?!

It depends on how much work is done in adapting it. If the production team go back to the core of the work and rebuild the concept for the different medium then the result can be as good as or better than the original. But if the concept they're working to is "The film, but on stage" or vice versa then the result is almost always dire.

[Steve10086]

Hairspray

The show is OK, but the film is brilliant.

Was really surprised when I first saw the show that the set was so basic - had been expecting a big Broadway spectacle.  The film cuts the worst songs from the show and adds new ones that are actually better.  And there is no embarassing fake corpsing in the movie - that was so dire on stage.

Only example for me where I prefer the film to the show.

[Titan]

Phantom - stage, the film could have been amazing with a better cast and director
Hairspray - stage, find the film quite cold
Producers - stage
Chicago - both have a lot going for them but the stage show just beats the film
Mamma Mia - stage
Sound of Music - film
Mary Poppins - film
Joseph - stage, if they didnt have a 40 year old Joseph in the film it may have worked
Evita - film, yet to see a stage version that beats the movie
Jesus Christ Superstar - not much in it, both the same
Cats - Based on recent tours, the movie version
Wizard of Oz - not a fan of either but DEFINATELY the movie, it does not work on stage
Singin in the Rain - film

[CaityGlinda]

I agree with whoever said Hairspray. I saw the film before I saw the show and loved it. I was expecting something absolutely amazing with the show and was really let down. Although, I did enjoy the show, I felt like the film was a lot more entertaining.

Phantom of the Opera - The show is definately a lot more spectacular than the film. Although, the film was good and I have watched it a few times, I love the show that much that it would be really hard to beat. The film could have done with better casting too.

Oliver! - They're about the same for me. I enjoyed each equally and would happily watch either again.

[mjr]

I prefer the stage version of Oliver to the film. Just something about the music all being live does it for me!

I dislike films when the music and singing has been pre-recorded and synced in and the actor on screen is undersinging what the sound is and it looks rather rubbish!

[Phoebe-again]

Always live theatre for me, though I love the film versions of The Sound of Music, Oliver!, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd and Mary Poppins (along with many other musical movies) - but as mjr said, for me it's about live music and singing and the amazing atmosphere in the audience.

Phoebe