[Jon]

There has been rumours for about two years that the musical Gypsy will be coming back to the West End and it seems that a production is very likely for 2008. The NY City Centre Production starring Patti LuPone based on the production she did at the Ravina Festival is about to start performing and depending on critics and box office performance it will transfer to London with Patti.

I am hoping that the transfer will happen as Gypsy is one of the great shows which I have never seen live and would go do well over here.

[Steve]

Now reality tv casting for a Mamma Rose would be good! The show would get the publicity and tv exposure it would need to last in the West End.

[M George]

Now reality tv casting for a Mamma Rose would be good! The show would get the publicity and tv exposure it would need to last in the West End.

I don't. I think Patti Lupone could potentially make an exceptional Mama Rose and I think Gypsy, with the right marketing, is still a well known and popular enough show in its own right not to have to rely on a TV show in order to last. Sure it would help with that sort of exposure but I think Gypsy could do well without it.

[JIJane]

Lorna Luft for this part all the way!

[Reich]

Hurrah.

IVe read reviews on broadwayworld and it seems to be going down a storm

My ideal Mama Rose would be Debra Monk but I also think Pattie would be excellent

[Red Momma]

After seeing her performance in Chichester, I'm with Jane - Lorna Luft has it all.

[brian]

After seeing her performance in Chichester, I'm with Jane - Lorna Luft has it all.

And after seeing Lorna Luft in 'Songs my mother taught me' at the Savoy, there is no doubt she would make a marvellous Mam Rose - moreso than anyone on the present London scene. However, for me, no-one comes up to Josephine Blake at the Manchester Wythenshawe Forum (a Paul Kerryson production).

[Orchestrator]

Now reality tv casting for a Mamma Rose would be good! The show would get the publicity and tv exposure it would need to last in the West End.

None of the real contenders with the acting or vocal skills necessary for the part would do a reality tv show, I'd imagine. On the other hand, you could probably get a stunning Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee) from a TV show. She doesn't have to sing or act exceptionally well but great legs and a pretty face would be very useful.

Who do we think are the top British contenders for Rose? Friedman, Paige, Louise Gold (she'd be fabulous), Tracie Bennett would all bring something interesting to the part. Unfortunately I think Libby Morris and Pam St Clements are probably a bit too old.

[TBFL]

None of the real contenders with the acting or vocal skills necessary for the part would do a reality tv show, I'd imagine. On the other hand, you could probably get a stunning Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee) from a TV show. She doesn't have to sing or act exceptionally well but great legs and a pretty face would be very useful.

Who do we think are the top British contenders for Rose? Friedman, Paige, Louise Gold (she'd be fabulous), Tracie Bennett would all bring something interesting to the part. Unfortunately I think Libby Morris and Pam St Clements are probably a bit too old.

Please tell me your joking about Louise not needing to be able to sing or act!!
That part requires someone to REALLY act. The show is as much about Louise's journey as it is Mama Rose's.

[Orchestrator]

Please tell me you're joking about Louise not needing to be able to sing or act!
That part requires someone to REALLY act. The show is as much about Louise's journey as it is Mama Rose's.

I chose the phrase "exceptionally well" with care and a certain amount of irony. Are you suggesting that Louise needs a greater actor than Maria in SOM ? I think I disagree about Louise's journey; one could make a case that her journey is underwritten in Gypsy. Certainly her transformation from innocent novice to fully-fledged ecdysiast happens pretty quickly. And I don't think one would win a Tony or Olivier Award for best actress playing Louise.