David Benedict “Will someone kindly tell me what on Earth has happened?” Well, quite. That’s the that line Michael Ball’s George sings when surveying the absurdity before him, including the body of his passed-out partner Rose (Laura Pitt-Pulford) who has just been shot by his jealous nephew Alec (Jamie Bogyo). Judging by the unexpected laughter that greeted it on opening night, others are framing his question more widely while witnessing this revival — that’s not the right term — of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1989 musical “Aspects of Love.” For that scene and the whole queasy, quasi-romantic story to work, you need emotional truth. But despite the cast’s sincere efforts there is scarcely a speck of that for them to work with. In the sung-through score (no bookwriter is credited; the text is the work of lyricists Don Black and Charles Hart) they are left to sing rambling expository dialogue at one another and emote, giving audiences little to connect with. Lloyd Webber can and does lace lines from the show’s two big tunes, “Love Changes Everything” and “Seeing Is Believing,” through his score all night, but it doesn’t compensate for the lack of believable drama. And that’s before you get to the sexual politics.
‘Bad Cinderella’ Closing on Broadway, Ending Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 43-Year Streak
10.05.2023 - 23:45 / variety.com
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Bad Cinderella” is closing on Broadway roughly four months after opening night. The producers announced it will play its final show at the Imperial Theatre on June 4. It’s been a rough go for “Bad Cinderella,” which suffered from bad reviews and lackluster ticket sales. It was also snubbed at the Tonys, failing to receive a single nomination. By the time the curtain comes down for good, “Bad Cinderella” will have played 33 preview performances and 85 regular performances. It’s the latest in a long line of recent Broadway closures, including Webber’s classic “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Beetlejuice,” “KPOP” and “Ain’t No Mo.'” The shuttering of “Bad Cinderella” and “Phantom,” which was the longest-running show in history before ending its storied run in April, breaks Webber’s 43-year streak of shows on Broadway. He’s composed 13 productions over the last four decades, starting with “Evita” in 1979 and continuing with “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Cats” “Starlight Express,” “Sunset Boulevard” and, most recently, “School of Rock.”
A feminist retelling, of sorts, of the classic fairy tale, “Bad Cinderella” opened on London’s West End in the summer of 2021 after several pandemic-related stops and starts. The show, about an outcast who eventually realizes appearances aren’t everything and develops a new take on the concept of “happily ever after,” closed the following June before transferring to Broadway this March. Emerald Fennell, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Promising Young Woman,” wrote the original story and book, which was adapted by Alexis Scheer. Webber wrote the music and David Zippel penned the lyrics. Critics were not kind to “Bad Cinderella,”
King Charles isn’t final say in forcing Prince Andrew out of his home
chancellor of the exchequer can also force the Duke of York, 63, to vacate the premises.This position in the Parliament is the chief finance minister and is responsible for setting volumes of taxation and public spending across the country.The current chancellor is Jeremy Hunt.“The lease is in the duke’s name, so no one can take that away from him,” the friend told the Times recently.“It has never been suggested that it could be taken away from him,” the pal continued. “It’s a long lease with 80 to 90 years left on it.”They continued: “That’s not a matter for the king.
Outnumbered's Tyger Drew Honey enjoys a date night with girlfriend at West End play
Tyger Drew Honey was snapped at the West End premiere of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Aspects of Love on Thursday night, smiling for pictures on the red carpet. The 27-year-old actor, known for playing eldest son Jake Brockman in BBC sitcom Outnumbered, was joined by his girlfriend of five years, Fluke Chotphuang, for the outing. Keeping a casual look, he donned a pair of dark-wash jeans with a printed T-shirt, layering a light grey jacket over the top.
Andrew Lloyd Webber: Barry Humphries convinced me to join Who Do You Think You Are?
Barry Humphries convinced Andrew Lloyd Webber to star on 'Who Do You Think You Are?'. The 75-year-old composer has revealed that the late comedian - who died in April, aged 89 - talked him into accepting the offer to appear on the BBC show. He told The Sun newspaper: "The late, great Barry Humphries encouraged me to do 'Who Do You Think You Are?'.
Demi Moore and Andrew McCarthy reunite nearly 40 years after 'St. Elmo's Fire'
A mini Brat Pack reunion took place over the weekend. Andrew McCarthy shared a present-day photo with Demi Moore on his Instagram, accompanied by a throwback pic to their "St. Elmo’s Fire" days.
Neil Meron Joins Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group As Consultant
EXCLUSIVE: Neil Meron, a force behind bring live events to television including such musicals as Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie and The Sound of Music, has joined Andrew Lloyd Webber’s London-based Really Useful Group as a consultant, Lloyd Webber announced today.
Emotional moment train driver reaches end of the line after over 50 years on the job
This is the emotional moment long-serving train driver Joe Crean was greeted by family and friends as he pulled into Picadilly station for the final time. Joe, 69, has retired after a staggering 52 years on the railway.
Florence Pugh Changes Up Her Look Again, Films 'We Live in Time' With Andrew Garfield While Wearing a Blonde Wig After Shaving Her Head for Met Gala
Florence Pugh covers up her freshly shaved head with a wig while filming We Live in Time with Andrew Garfield on Thursday night (May 18) in Orpington, U.K.
Nicole Scherzinger lands major West End role in Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard. Inspired by the 1950 film of the same name, the musical features songs by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and first opened in the West End 30 years ago. Norma is a silent film star whose career is fading, and she teams up with an eager young screenwriter named Joe Gillis as both seek to reach the heights of Hollywood fame.
'Jeopardy! Masters' player James Holzhauer takes swipe at fellow contestant Andrew He with championship belt
"Jeopardy! Masters" became a contact sport on Monday evening when contestant James Holzhauer lashed out at fellow competitor Andrew He with his 2019 championship belt — all in jest, of course. James playfully heaved the heavy belt in Andrew’s direction after he teased him about having no money on the board. "I’ll bet $2,000 plus all of James’ points," Andrew joked after landing on a Daily Double early in the show.
‘I, Object’: Melanie Lynskey, Karl Urban, Thomasin McKenzie & Jemaine Clement Cast In Andrew Niccol’s New Film
Just recently, it was announced that filmmaker Andrew Niccol is set to revisit his “Lord of War” film with a new sequel, aptly titled “Lords of War.” Well, before he gets going on that film and a reunion with Nicolas Cage, Niccol has another project lined up which could begin filming later this year, “I, Object.” READ MORE: ‘Lords Of War’: Nic Cage & Bill Skarsgård Teaming With Andrew Niccol On A Sequel To 2005’s ‘Lord Of War’ According to THR, Andrew Niccol is begun putting a cast together for his next film, the live-action/animation hybrid film, “I, Object.” And the new members of the cast include Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”), Karl Urban (“The Boys”), Thomasin McKenzie (“Jojo Rabbit”), and Jemaine Clement (“Flight of the Conchords”).
Prince Andrew 'won't leave' his mansion even though plans are for 'William to move in'
Prince Andrew is reportedly refusing to vacate the Royal Lodge, despite plans for Prince William to move into the property. King Charles is said to have embarked on a shake-up of royal households in recent months, with the duke of York set to be moved from Royal Lodge - the 30-room, Grade II listed mansion, in Windsor Great Park, where he has lived with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson since 2003. As part of the shake-up, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were evicted from Frogmore Cottage - the UK home they were gifted by the late Queen following their marriage in 2018.
Princess Catherine Makes Surprise Eurovision Appearance Alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ms Banks, Joss Stone
K.J. Yossman Catherine, the Princess of Wales, made a surprise appearance during the opening of the Eurovision Song Contest’s grand final on Saturday evening alongside Andrew Lloyd-Webber, rapper Ms Banks and last year’s Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra, who hail from Ukraine. The princess, who is married to Britain’s Prince William, appeared in a pre-recorded clip playing an instrumental version of Kalush Orchestra’s winning song “Stefania” on the piano, which she recorded in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle earlier this month. The clip was part of a montage of different artists – including Lloyd-Webber and Ms Banks – who performed a version of the song alongside Kalush Orchestra themselves. Also featuring in the line-up were last year’s runner-up Sam Ryder, Ballet Black, Bolt Strings, and Joss Stone.
‘Bad Cinderella’ producer gives cast bizarre gift as Broadway show sinks
Bad Cinderella” learned their show is set to close on June 4 after just 33 previews and 85 performances.And I don’t mean Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.In a highly unusual move for the Great White Way, producer Christine Schwarzman handed out prayer cards to her company — who first heard the production was kaput after Playbill published the news early and then quickly took their story down — to go out with God.On one side of the card, which The Post has obtained, is the logo of Lloyd Webber’s problem-plagued musical, featuring the rebellious main character spray-painting the letter “A” in “Bad.” On the other is an original prayer.Hold onto your rosaries. It reads: “Lord, you have wired us to create, to innovate, to lead with new ideas, to set the trends and even blaze a new path. May we, through our artistic expressions, creatively communicate Your heart of love, mercy and grace to a world that needs You.“Thank you for the opportunity to participate in Your divine plan.
Popular takeaway launches 'Calum Box' to raise funds for four-year-old battling cancer
A popular Ayrshire takeaway has put on a unique tasty special to raise cash for a four-year-old battling cancer.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Bad Cinderella’ Announces Broadway Closing After Tony Nomination Shut-Out
Bad Cinderella, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s updated musical re-telling of the classic fairy tale, will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, June 4.
Andrew Lloyd Webber responds to rumour he sat with 'Meghan in disguise' at Coronation
Andrew Lloyd-Webber has responded to rumours that he was sat next to "Meghan in disguise" at the King's Coronation.The composer has now broken his silence after he was spotted in viral pictures taken where some people thought Meghan Markle had come to the event in disguise.The Phantom of the Opera creator sat next to a distinctive looking man who soon went viral when spotted by the public. Many thought that his grey hair and moustache were fake, leading them to conclude that it was actually the Duchess of Sussex.
Broadway's 'Bad Cinderella' Sets Closing Date, Ending Andrew Lloyd Webber's Streak After 43 Years
The Broadway musical Bad Cinderella has announced its closing date.
Andrew Lloyd Webber Reacts to Sitting Next to 'Disguised Meghan Markle' at King Charles Coronation Ceremony
Andrew Lloyd Webber has something to say about those silly Meghan Markle-in-disguise rumors!
Andrew Lloyd Webber finds 'antidote' to son's tragic death in Coronation composing
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has said writing the coronation anthem has been “a kind of antidote” for dealing with the death of his son earlier this year.The theatre impresario’s song, Make a Joyful Noise, was publicly for the first time as the King was enthroned on Saturday. Lord Lloyd-Webber, 75, who is known for hit musicals including The Phantom Of The Opera, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, drew on the words of Psalm 98 for his anthem.