A few photos & videos from Ben Hur Live, uh, live

[DirtyMartini]

Dive sent me a couple of pre-show photos and one set photo from London, and although she didn't give me instruction, I'm going to take the chance here that they were meant for the benefit of all:

http://dirtymartiniii.smugmug.com/Other/Ben-Hur-Live/

Love the group photo.




ETA: More photos and videos start on page 2.

[giovanni]

Greeeat, I look forward to my week-end!

[TheEqualizer]

Dude. This one rocks in particular:

http://dirtymartiniii.smugmug.com/Other ... 2390_zgK3H

They've got to find a way to slip the D in a scene or 2.

[Madgrad]

Yay!

[copeland_girl5]

It looks like everyone is having so much fun already...can just imagine what it was like when that curtain went up. Nice pics. I can't help but giggle when I see the gladiator helmet...makes me think of "Marvin the Martian" from the old Bugs Bunny cartoons. Look forward to the upcoming reports & pics...they're sure to be awesome.

[bella]

Looks like a good time. Thanks for the pics.

[bella]

oh, how was it? That's what I meant to ask. Is there a review thread somewhere that I'm missing? Can't wait to hear all about it.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

THANKS DM!!!

sorry, my iPhone only works here about half the time
(forgets my login, eats my painstakingly keyed
in post - how I hate the iPhone keypad...anyway, hotel Internet $25US/day so gonna have to wait to post
more. SC=ruled. So did nutters. Love to you all, you were
missed. Dive

[smax]

just got back.......... that was incredible!!! and hilarious!!!

stewart was strolling around narrating and at one point was doing it on a horse!

i met conroy (woooooooooohooooooooooooo-ing ike a bastard) and maud, Deieieitmar, Dive, Mr Andy Dive, Mrs Smax, Smudge and Daftart we were all sitting together.......

pictures and video coming tomorrow............

[HalcyonLisa]

I could see all you guys standing up at the end but by the time it was all over you had gone, otherwise I would have said hi.

Wasn't it incredible?

Stewart was perfectly ay home narrating, its like he was born into the role. He obviously read something somewhere about him speed reading because this time the speed of narration was just right, clear and just well stewartly...

The horses were amazing, beautiful, powerful, and graceful. The dancing and acting very good. I managed to follow the story line, watch all the action, marvel at how clever the scenery was and enjoy the whole circus-ness of the show. The music was darn good too. I just wish the female lead had not bothered to sing that one song in the whole show.

The fight scene for me was a little long and my Ben Hur buddy found the orgy tedious, she obviously wasn't watching the same guy that I was

I loved it. The whole production looked justly proud and happy at the end. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone, not just us Stewart fans. It is a *big* show and well worth a look

x

[smudge]

Anyone with spoiler allergies should stop reading now.

That was absolutely bonkers, and hugely entertaining. There were moments of genius set-wise: strange structures on wheels being hauled around, cranked up, rigged with sails, and set fire to by the cast, creating buildings, galleons, random orgy venue (complete with fountains), and a coliseum. For me, the staging was the star of the show.

In addition we had acrobats, fire-eaters, dancers, and horses. Lots of horses. Plus a small squadron of slightly bemused doves. And a couple of cameo appearances by the son of god. The chariot race was by turns impressive, dramatic and Wacky Races funny. The music was glorious. And loud! All fabulous stuff.

The downside? To my ears the music (pre-recorded), narration (a mix of live and pre-recorded I think) and dialogue were all getting on top of each other. I'm not sure what purpose the dialogue served when it couldn't be heard (I love the idea of aramaic and latin coming alive in the O2, but in practice it could have been Swahili, German, or English and the effect would have been the same. Which is a shame.) One point where I could sort of understand what they were trying to achieve, the owner of the horses which Ben Hur will drive was naming them - for four of the brightest stars in the heavens (I think - I only caught a couple of names). The actor was calling out the names, the narrator was sketching the character of each, the horses in question were licketty-splitting around the arena. It very nearly worked as a magnificent visual/aural experience - but it was hard to hear what either actor or narrator were saying.

It was somewhat strange watching a be-suited Mr Copeland striding/riding through the costumed mayhem, elucidating for the audience, but being drowned out at points by his own soundtrack.

The script for the narration is best described as 'to the point', which is as it should be. This is a simple tale - no need to get all verbose about it.

So - as a 'spectacle' it was rather marvelous, but this humble punter hopes that the sound can be tweaked a bit.

Pre and post-match festivities were lovely. So great to share the madness with an enthusiastic bunch of fellow loons, and exceedingly tolerant spouses. I just hope everyone managed to get off at the right tube stop on the way home, and that the DLR was still running when Conroy got to it.....

[Dietmar]

I'm glad that noone got injured, because one wrong hit with a sword or one false step (man or horse) and "Ben Hur Live" could be "Minus Ben Hur Live".

From where I sat everything looked good. Still lots of improvements compared to the first audience show in Oberhausen.

I'm used to the music / narration / talking mix by now.
It's the sheer nonsense that counts with a riding Copeland on top.

back at Luton airport, my usual place to spend a night as it seems...

had a great time as always, too bad I can't see the photos from here

dietmar

[IndyGirl]

Thanks for the reviews & photos. It sounds like it was a fun time.

[samburusunset]

WOW! Sounds like it was a great show! Hope someone got pics of Stewart on the horse!

Thanks for the recap Smudge. You guys all look very happy in the pics and I LOOOOVE Dietmar's helmet!

Can't wait to hear more tales and see more pics.

[DirtyMartini]

[quote="HalcyonLisa"]He obviously read something somewhere about him speed reading because this time the speed of narration was just right, clear and just well stewartly...[/quote]

Haha. Good job.

Sounds like an absolute scream. Very glad to hear opening night went off well. Much luck to the sound team and Congratulations! all around.

Thanks for the reports, everyone! And for the photos, Dive!

Get home safe, Diet, and safe travels when appropriate to Con and Dive, as well.