The Raving Queen: Matthew, Honey, You've Got To Be Kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop Already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Matthew, Honey, You've Got To Be Kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop Already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some stage gossip might cheer you up a bit. I have just found out that Matthew Bourne, who staged that brilliant interpretation of "Swan Lake," which I actually saw twice, is now headed for a big mud hole. He has decided to put, on stage, the iconic film , "The Red Shoes."

Back in 1993, the likes of Jule Styne and Marsha Norman--poor Marsha!!!!!!!!--did the same, to the tune of it being one of the flops of all time. And not even a cult flop; this one is better left forgotten.

So, why does Bourne want to do it? Even more why do director-choreographers think they can? What can they bring to it, that the film does not have already? And how about the film's climax; as contrived as it is, viewers go with it, because the story demands it. And, on film, that tragic moment was sweeping, something straight out of "Anna Karenina."

You can't get away with that on stage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a better idea. Leave "The Red Shoes" alone, and leave it on the screen, where it belongs. It cannot survive another transition. But there is something that can.

Matthew, hon, if you want to put something on stage, do "The Turning Point!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Oh, my God, what a hoot that would be! Every middle aged actress would be vying for the roles of Dee Dee and Emma. You could even do alternate gender casting, because I know some men, and I am one, who would like a crack at those roles! "Not my daughter! You keep your goddamn hands off my daughter!" I can hear myself right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would be the hit of the year!

Supposedly this "Red Shoes" is going to use more of the Bernard Herrmann music. Will there be songs? Lyrics? Oh, spare us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!