The new cast

[dexter]

Saw the 'new' cast on their opening night having recently seen the show with the 'old' cast and quite a change has taken place - not all for the better.

I'd welcome other feedback (and appreciate it's early days for reviews) but equally there's no reduction in ticket prices for new cast bedding down so here goes.....

Donna, Tanya, Rosie all remain the same - and excellent as always.

Sophie - Katie Brayben - seemed very underpowered at first - not sure whether this was a technical issue - but overall gave a very solid performance and is a great Sophie

Ali / Lisa - Jodie and Laura - plenty of energy from them both - lots of spark - good performances

Dads....

Harry Bright - Paul Ryan - very average performance for me, feel Harry needs to be played slightly camp, quirky with a small measure of Charles Hawtrey.

Bill Austin - Andrew Hall - again not as good overall as the previous Bill. The Melbourne accent whether native or not is too strong to the extent that some of the dialogue was hard to fathom.

Sam Carmichael - Richard Laing - by far the best of the trio - plays Sam in a more relaxed style than the previous actor whose singing always looked a little forced for my liking. Relationship with Donna still needs attention though.

Pepper - Giovanni - excellent - Ben was great too but Giovanni is equally as fun to watch and has great on stage energy

Just my thoughts....

[chellie]

I was there monday night too Dexter and having been to last year's cast first night I can say I am filled with hope as they were better than their predecessors at the same point!

However, I cannot agree with you on Sam (Richard Laing) I totally disliked him and as people will know I was no Ian Fletcher fan but I found myself wishing him back! I really didn't warm to him at all either individually or with other cast members.

Paul Hawkyard was always going to be a tough act for any actor I saw after him and I was thoroughly disappointed with Andrew Hall as Bill... He managed to make me totally apethetic in Take A Chance and Name of the Game.

I liked Paul Ryan. He is almost as good as Harry as Peter Challis

Katie Brayben will be a good Sophie I think, but in my opinion Tasha still holds the crown.

Giovanni was very good as Pepper, I warmed to him and was pleased he tried to make it his own, likewise kudos to Matt as Eddie as he is in the Marc Leslie league for me!

Jodie and Laura were excellent - nuff said!

Oliver - harsh as this will sound, I felt he was a weak link and again I wasn't engaged. GD we miss you!

The Dynamos. They were brill as ever

[musicalvix]

I am going on friday - so will let you know what I thought...

Although I can already comment on Katie as Sophie - as I have seen her 5 times already in 3 cities....

Giovanni - It will be interesting to see what he is like in this - as over the last 2 years the only role I have ever seen him in is Willard in Footloose....

[novaz]

dexter said:

Sophie - Katie Brayben - seemed very underpowered at first - not sure whether this was a technical issue - but overall gave a very solid performance and is a great Sophie

Better than Hannah Robertson!?

aint gonna believe you

but guess i need to see her... just dont think that any1 can beat Hannah Robertson in my eyes...

[nazsuncle01]

I'm not back at the show til April 5th so i'll keep my fingers crossed regarding the new guys.
However with the gorgeous Gemma Andrews having joined as a swing and understudy as Lisa
Rather spooky in a way as Gemma is covering Tanya's old role and both young ladies are ex WWRY.

[nazsuncle01]

Third time lucky on Saturday,i finally got to see Oliver as Sky and i was very impressed.Excellent stage presence and superb partnership alongside Katie.
Ialso got to see Melissa for the first time as Donna and another impressive showing.Very able cover for Linzi.