Trend For Turning Films Into Plays

[Ms Thrifty]

This topic combines two of my great loves, cinema and theatre. It has long been normal for film actors (or singers/models etc) to make the occasional foray onto the stage and stage adaptations of films are not new, either. However, there are a lot of them just at present: for instance, Anna Friel is just about to open in the stage version of "Breakfast At Tiffany's", following "The Shawshank Redemption" last week. Apparently this is recession-related because producers reckon that popular films will attract the same audience if adapted for the stage and there is a huge advantage in that the title and content are familiar. This might be unfair to non-London members (though some productions do tour), but what do others think of the results? I don't think I've ever seen a stage version of something I'd previously seen as a film and I'd be wary of doing so. One of my favourite films is "Lantana" which is also just about to open on stage in London (as "Speaking In Tongues") but I think I'd rather just retain my good memory of the film, which would be hard even to match on stage, let alone beat.

[lkpearson1]

not really a play but Billy Elliot The Musical!
i went through a slight obsessive stage with that and saw it once a month for 8 months on the trot. But seriously it is one of the best musical performances i have ever seen. shortly followed by Wicked and We Will Rock You but still a pure peace of musical theater greatness!
And still Stephen Daldry did a great job on the film as well...if not better. must have seen that over 100 times!
After my obsessive stage i had 2 years off and finally went back to see it last month for my birthday. And although the cast have changed and i loved the originals, the new lot were just as amazing and its a definite must see!!!!
My next stop is Broadway. Can't wait to see how americans get on with the nor than accent.

[Ms Thrifty]

Wow, you really were keen, weren't you?! But including musicals is very valid and I'm sure "Dirty Dancing" has enjoyed a recent boost for unfortunate reasons.

[opas]

I love seeing how they adapt famous films on to the stage. I've never liked Mary Poppins as the film but I really enjoyed the musical and I do agree about Billy Elliott - great musical!

It is a bit hit and miss for me though - sometimes the play doesn't live up to my expectations as I have seen the film or vice versa. I saw Breakfast at Tiffany's last week and to tell you the truth I found it a bit boring in the beginning, it took a while to hold my attention. [spoiler]I'm also not sure if it is because it was in one of the 'preview' weeks but Anna Friel didn't sing Moon River! She sang 'In the Pines' which was actually quite lovely but I was expecting Moon River! - maybe they were experimenting with different songs.[/spoiler] I'm not sure I'd say it is a must see but I'm sure it will get a lot of attention due to the popularity of the film, Friel's presence and that fairly recent resurgence of interest in anything linked to Truman Capote.

I thought the adaptation of Rain Man was really good (Josh Hartnett was great!). Saw Dirty Dancing a couple of years ago and I distinctly remember thinking I preferred the film although it was a good evening and I think I would like to see it again at some point.

I really want to see The Shawshank Redemption - it is one of my favourite films. So in some ways I guess it does work on me - my interest in theatre productions does increase if I've seen the film - although curiosity sometimes leads to disappointment.

[Blinks]

I personally can't imagine that the stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption would be particularly good. The film almost seems synonymous with Morgan Freeman and I think the play would feel lacking without him. But I could be wrong :-)

[Beate]

Apparently the play is more true to the book and not to the film so a key scene is missing I hear. But the black actor apparently looks just like Morgan Freeman.

[Ms Thrifty]

I heard this, too, but if people haven't read the play but have seen the film, they might think it is the play which is not the real McCoy.

[AnneJ]

I saw Dirty Dancing on stage, thought it was good, but not as good as the film. Also seen Priscilla Queen of the Dessert, really loved it, but haven't seen the film so don't know how it compares. I'm seeing Sister Act next week, I love the film so I'm hoping it will be just as good, I'll let you know...

[Ms Thrifty]

I haven't seen any of those 3 on stage. I'd like to see Priscilla and Sister Act, but the tickets are so expensive and cheap deals few. I can wait...

[AnneJ]

I've got cheap tickets through a few sites

http://www.lastminute.com
http://www.lovetheatre.com
http://www.theboxoffice.com
http://www.theatremonkey.com