Category Archives: TV Casting Shows

Everyone’s a critic: preview reviews are in for Benedict Cumberbatch as Hamlet

Posted on August 10, 2015 by rageoffstage

Two of our favourite topics collided this week in the ‘outrage’ at newspapers publishing early reviews of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hamlet.  Yes, it’s the circular argument about whether it’s OK to review a preview, of which we have already written, and … Continue reading →

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I’ll Sing once More: Connie Fisher heads for the hills

Posted on July 29, 2015 by rageoffstage

The BBC recently broadcast a documentary about Connie Fisher, called I’ll Sing Once More – there is still some time left to watch it on iPlayer.  It is billed as the story of Connie Fisher’s ‘attempt to cure the loss of … Continue reading →

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We un-happy few: Are there really ‘so few leading men?’

Posted on August 9, 2012 by rageoffstage

Andrew Lloyd Webber caused some consternation by declaring that there are ‘so few leading men’ during the semi-final of his casting show ‘Superstar’ a couple of weeks ago.  Are leading men really an endangered species?  And what is a ‘leading … Continue reading →

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Beware the false prophet: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Superstar

Posted on July 22, 2012 by rageoffstage

There is something oddly touching about Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ move to ITV for his latest casting show Superstar.  It’s as though he’s found his spiritual home.  What a relief it must be not to have to pretend that there is … Continue reading →

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Give ’em the old razzle dazzle: Are TV casting shows here to stay?

Posted on February 15, 2012 by rageoffstage

According to Wikipedia, Noel Coward is attributed with the following quotation:  “The moment you have arrived in the profession is when you realise you don’t have to read ‘The Stage’”.  Now there’s an incentive for aspiring actors.  We can’t help … Continue reading →

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Circle of strife: Will Tim Rice veto ‘Superstar’ casting?

Posted on January 28, 2012 by rageoffstage

Tim Rice may not be listed in the recently announced ‘Stage 100’, but he is currently our hero of the week.  According to an article in the Telegraph, he has spoken out against Andrew Lloyd Webber’s plans to cast his … Continue reading →

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So much for the Olympic spirit – Andrew Lloyd Webber throws away the baton for team West End theatre

Posted on January 2, 2012 by rageoffstage

Speculation about how the Olympics will affect West End theatre has been going on for some time, although an article in ‘This is Money’ quoted by Mark Shenton in his Stage blog in November brought matters to a head by suggesting the … Continue reading →

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Re-writing history: more ‘confessions’ from Andrew Lloyd Webber

Posted on July 26, 2011 by rageoffstage

As we have previously noted, Andrew Lloyd Webber is a master at making seemingly self-effacing comments whilst stabbing his colleagues in the back.  It’s no different in his recent interview with Patrick Healy in the New York Times, in which he indulges … Continue reading →

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Wizard of the West End: Andrew Lloyd Webber – reluctant millionaire?

Posted on May 8, 2011 by rageoffstage

So, Andrew Lloyd Webber is the second richest music millionaire in the UK, richer even than Cameron Mackintosh, as reported in the Evening Standard.  In his recent TV documentary with Piers Morgan ‘When Piers meets Andrew Lloyd Webber’ he claims that … Continue reading →

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“Love Never Dies” versus “Love Should Die” – What exactly is Andrew Lloyd Webber complaining about?

Posted on March 12, 2011 by rageoffstage

So, Mark Shenton, in his blog in The Stage, has reignited the discussion around ‘Love Never Dies’, and in particular the ‘Love Should Die’ campaign.  We are very grateful to Mark for making us aware of this campaigning website, which raised … Continue reading →

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Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium: review of the preview 19th February 2011

Posted on February 21, 2011 by rageoffstage

The Gloves are off Some of you will be aware of the debate generated on the Guardian’s Theatre blog about bloggers reviewing previews.  Andrew Lloyd Webber, no doubt bruised after his experience with ‘Love Never Dies’, seems to have found … Continue reading →

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Too many understudies underwhelm! Or do they?

Posted on February 5, 2011 by rageoffstage

We spotted this letter in the Stage (3rd February 2011), complaining about the overuse of understudies, a topic which we are currently very interested in ourselves.  Here is our response: “We sympathise with the writer of your recent letter about … Continue reading →

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Rebecca Caine on the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary concert

Posted on February 3, 2011 by rageoffstage

Thanks to Lucy Thackray at http://www.thepublicreviews.com for her gem of an interview with Rebecca Caine, published last month.  We were intrigued to hear her touch on some of the issues we brought up in our recent post about the 25th Anniversary concert … Continue reading →

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