[InTheKnow]

I was having a big clearout of my attic this week, and came across (literally) a crateload of VHS tapes I thought I'd hurled out years ago. Loads of old Tony Awards, Olivier Awards (remember when they used to be broadcast?) and Royal Variety Perfs.

Most intriguingly (and I'm only halfway through a crate of unmarked tapes) are two documentaries, one on the production of the West End Chicago in 1997, the other on the Creation Of Rent, and setting it up at the Shaftesbury in 1998.

I think these are interesting for two main reasons. Firstly, it highlights how relatively slim the coverage of theatre (even blockbuster musicals) is on network tv. BBC4 show some stuff, and there may be small packages on Newsnight Review or The Culture Show, but the Rent doc is an hour long and was shown on ITV! Why have broadcasters become so negligent?

The second reason is how good and candid the documentaries are. In the Rent one, the Producers admit to their anxieties about if the show will "travel" the original London cast get quite snippy about being compared to their US counterparts. Essentially, it looked a bit grim from the start.

In the Chicago one, you have Ute Lemper being an absolute diva, the US producers shocked at how London theatre works, Ruthie Henshall screwing up the dress rehearsal and then being b*llocked by the director and Ann Reinking. AND (and bear in mind this is just as the show was about to open) Ute Lemper saying she's dreading doing eight shows a week, doesn't want to think about it etc etc!!! Also, MD Gareth Valentine shows the ensemble his c*ck piercing!

It's a great documentary, genuinely revealing, but I simply cannot imagine the like of it being shown today.

[westy]

Wow! Would love to see the Chicago documentary - I'd heard that Ute Lemper was a total diva, but not that Ruthie Henshall ever made mistakes! Plus, I think Gareth Valentine is a genius (although I'm not such a fan that I want to see his todger!).

Is there any way of putting a VHS onto DVD? If there was I would love to see it, and would gladly stump up the cash. Or are you able to post anything on...whisper it....Youtube?

Anyone know if this Chicago documentary is available anywhere?

[mjr]

if you were willing to share, perhaps u tube is a good idea, i know lots of poeple who would like to see many of th videos you mentioned, especially the old tony awards, there are only modern snippets up on u tube

[M George]

I was having a big clearout of my attic this week, and came across (literally) a crateload of VHS tapes I thought I'd hurled out years ago.

Could you possible be any more crass?????????!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I've still got a VHS of the Chicago documentary. It was very informative if I remember correctly although it did show up the American producers to be pair of, admittedly rich and successful, wallys.

[InTheKnow]

[quote name='M George' date='Aug 15 2007, 07:12 PM' post='15240']
Could you possible be any more crass?????????!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd love to know how that was being crass? The use of the word hurled? Or crate?

[Felix]

The Chicago documentary is great. Did Ruthie have like a nervous breakdown before opening night and wanted to quit or sth?? Ute was being abit of a diva but it was kinda understandable ~ I just love the whole documentary!

[garetha]

I remember seeing it when it was screened. I can remember Uta clutching a pack of 20 Superking Black where-ever she went. Fabulous.

[andallthatjazz1984]

The Chicago documentary sounds great! I would love to see this.... hint hint! Lol.
Also, can you tell me if the actress Rachel Stanley appears in this cast? She played June, and she would either have had red hair or dark hair.

[M George]

I'd love to know how that was being crass? The use of the word hurled? Or crate?

Read it.....

I was having a big clearout of my attic this week, and came across (literally) a crateload of VHS tapes

[Felix]

The Chicago documentary sounds great! I would love to see this.... hint hint! Lol.
Also, can you tell me if the actress Rachel Stanley appears in this cast? She played June, and she would either have had red hair or dark hair.

Sadly she doesnt since she wasn't in the original London cast! She joined in the 2nd cast change with Maria Friedman & Anna Montanaro (the first was Nicola Huges, Clare Peters, Joel Grey... GOD I wish I cudve seen that cast!)