[Backdrifter]

For my comments I thought I'd select this from the EIGHT threads that currently exist for this show (come on people, do a search before starting threads, can't you? It only takes a few seconds!)

Anyway, saw the final preview and found it very like the film - i.e. lightweight, fluffy, silly and entertaining. When I first heard about it, I thought the film and the Blondie songs sounded like a bizarre shotgun marriage. I wondered if they first approached Madonna, who said no, and they then thought "Okay - who's another blonde pop icon?"

It makes more sense than I'd have thought, but even then a few of the songs are hammered in with a mallet. The audience started chuckling at the clunky segue into The Tide Is High. And was there a Maria in the film, or did they say well that's a Blondie song so we better put a Maria in?

The songs are generally well performed but the mix wasn't great on some of the louder bits - others have had issues with Emma Williams's voice in previews but while I thought she was fine, she and others were lost in the mix on some of the louder moments. The highlight was Rapture, which they coupled to the Susan/Gary nightclub scene. The song worked really well and the choreography was terrific. I liked Rip Her To Shreds as well, the first Blondie song I remember hearing as a teenager so I have a soft spot for it, and it was used well in the show. The staging is unfussy and effective. All the performers are good apart from the bloke playing Dez, who had zero charisma. Emma Williams is a good swaggering Susan and looks great as well.

It's a big piece of fluff and is enjoyable but I can't see it lasting.

[Boob]

Have they improved the laughably bad lamppost 'incident'?

[Daniel K]

I'm hearing from three separate (reliable) sources that the cast have already been given notice, we'll have to wait and see!

[Roses]

There's no need to be rude. I'm sure Daniel acted in good faith. And I detect a certain note of desperation (pardon the pun) in the assurances above...

[Elle]

I thoroughly enjoyed this show. The songs work very well with the storyline of the movie which they have followed quite faithfully. But even if you haven't seen the movie or heard the songs before I would hope it would still be enjoyable as the songs are so catchy and melodic and extremely well performed. My only gripe is the set which I thought lacked imagination. But otherwise it's a great show and the leading ladies are very watchable (ie great stage presence and charisma and good voices). All the support cast are fantastic and energetic.