Prom 57: John Wilson conducts Bernstein's On the Town – 25.08.18

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30
ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

Leonard Bernstein: On the Town

Nathaniel Hackmann Gabey
Louise Dearman Hildy
London Symphony Orchestra orchestra
John Wilson conductor
Martin Duncan Stage Director


Launching a Bernstein bank-holiday weekend on what would have been the composer’s 100th birthday, John Wilson conducts Bernstein’s hit Broadway musical On The Town, which follows the adventures of three sailors on shore leave in 1944.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Is there any semi-staging?

[Simon B]

Is there any semi-staging?

There is a "stage director", so this suggests something beyond stand-and-deliver at least....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

[BBMmk2]

There is a "stage director", so this suggests something beyond stand-and-deliver at least....

Is there a highwayman involved then? Or Adam Ant?

[Serial_Apologist]

Is there a highwayman involved then? Or Adam Ant?

My friend Stan Dan D. Liver won't have got the job then.

[Stunsworth]

I’m not a fan of musicals, but I really enjoyed that on BBC4.

Nice to see that the televised Proms are all in surround sound this year.

[Bert Coules]

Increasingly, I enjoy that sort of semi-staged production rather more than the whole shebang of the "real thing": I don't find the lack of scenery and lighting, or the presence of the highly-visible orchestra and conductor, to be in any way a bar to losing myself in the reality of the action and the situation. That was a fine show.

Now if only someone could persuade Miss Derham not to speak and behave as if she's addressing a bunch of six-year-olds.

[Stanley Stewart]

Another winner in a sensational season!

[Nevilevelis]

Increasingly, I enjoy that sort of semi-staged production rather more than the whole shebang of the "real thing": I don't find the lack of scenery and lighting, or the presence of the highly-visible orchestra and conductor, to be in any way a bar to losing myself in the reality of the action and the situation. That was a fine show.

Now if only someone could persuade Miss Derham not to speak and behave as if she's addressing a bunch of six-year-olds.

Mr Wilson agrres with you on the first point, but you can't have both you know! It was very fine despite the absence of the dance. Nathaniel Hackmann's voice is outstanding!

[edashtav]

I thought the LSO had a ball and its work brought the Show alive; such a contrast to the stiff-jointed ensemble recruited for West Side Story earlier in the Season

[Bryn]

I thought the LSO had a ball and it’s work brought the Show alive; such a contrast to the stiff-jointed ensemble recruited for West Side Story earlier in the Season

Absolutely!

[Stunsworth]

I thought the LSO had a ball and it’s work brought the Show alive; such a contrast to the stiff-jointed ensemble recruited for West Side Story earlier in the Season

The fact that they were laughing at the dialogue made me smile.

[Bert Coules]

There were some lovely reactions from the gentlemen of the chorus to the more abandoned movements of their lady companions.

[LMcD]

Increasingly, I enjoy that sort of semi-staged production rather more than the whole shebang of the "real thing": I don't find the lack of scenery and lighting, or the presence of the highly-visible orchestra and conductor, to be in any way a bar to losing myself in the reality of the action and the situation. That was a fine show.

Now if only someone could persuade Miss Derham not to speak and behave as if she's addressing a bunch of six-year-olds.

I fear that particular boat sailed sometime ago! And let's not forget that she was a finalist on 'Strictly', and show an appropriate degree of respect.