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From Amazon.co.uk
When Mary Rodgers, daughter of the composer Richard Rodgers, was reported as saying she never wanted to see another Oklahoma!, it was her way of paying the highest tribute to Trevor Nunn's production at the Royal National Theatre which was subsequently taken into the studio and filmed. The camera follows the playgoers into the auditorium of the Olivier where in their company we watch the show and applaud the numbers as the real thing. Nunn treats Rodgers and Hammerstein's first collaboration with the utmost seriousness, restoring the full text so that it comes across as a drama indebted to Eugene O'Neill. Although Oklahoma! unfolds at a leisurely pace, it is extraordinary how one is drawn into the drama under Nunn's direction.
There's seldom a wish for true locations as the pace picks up and we move into the claustrophobic company of Judd Fry in his riveting encounter with the cowboy Curly. The close-up camera work affords an experience the theatre can't bring and also pays handsome dividends in appreciating Susan Stroman's intricate and lively choreography. Her dancers are a fine team, notably Jimmy Johnston who is outstanding as Will Parker leading the Kansas City ensemble. Hugh Jackman (X-Men) as Curly matches him in vocal prowess and looks, and Shuler Hensley sings the tricky role of Judd Fry very well. It's harder to place Peter Polycarpou's Pedlar, a considerably larger role than in the film version, whose accent strays from London's East End to the plains of Europe. Maureen Lipman, rightly deemed the lynchpin of the musical by Nunn, is a joy to watch as Aunt Eller. Laurey (Josefina Gabrielle) and Ado Annie (Vicki Simon) are good but not special. Aside from an abrupt start to Act Two and the occasional voice off microphone, the production sounds good with a larger orchestra present than in the theatre. An Oklahoma! on an epic scale. --Adrian Edwards
Product Description
Specially filmed for video, this award-winning stage version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical features Maureen Lipman, Hugh Jackman and Olivier Award-winner Shuler Hensley. Songs include 'Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', 'The Surrey with the Fringe on Top' and 'People Will Say We're in Love'.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I saw this live. Magnificent. A gem of a musical you owe it to yourself to see
2 Nov 2006
Format:DVD
I had the privilege of seeing this performance live. I was initially dubious about travelling 100 miles to London just to see another revival of 'some old musical'.
How wrong I was. From start to finish it was magnificent. A completely fresh interpretation of a classic. Apparently in the initial rehearsals Trevor Nunn had the cast read the songs rather than sing them. To ensure they understood the relevance of every line to the plot. The result shows in the way each song is truly brought to life.
At the end of the live performance I was so overwhelmed by one of my best ever evenings in the theatre (and I go regularly to all sorts of theatre events) I told my wife I'd love to see it again.
So two weeks later I was back! And the second time was just as good as the first.
If you love musicals you simply must see this. Hugh Jackman has since gone on the bigger and more profitable things. But I doubt he's ever done anything better than this.
As another reviewer observed, I defy you to not be singing these songs at work the next day.
This is one of those DVD's you can reach for when times are tough, or your mood is low. Within minutes of putting it on it truly will be 'a beautiful morning'.
How wrong I was. From start to finish it was magnificent. A completely fresh interpretation of a classic. Apparently in the initial rehearsals Trevor Nunn had the cast read the songs rather than sing them. To ensure they understood the relevance of every line to the plot. The result shows in the way each song is truly brought to life.
At the end of the live performance I was so overwhelmed by one of my best ever evenings in the theatre (and I go regularly to all sorts of theatre events) I told my wife I'd love to see it again.
So two weeks later I was back! And the second time was just as good as the first.
If you love musicals you simply must see this. Hugh Jackman has since gone on the bigger and more profitable things. But I doubt he's ever done anything better than this.
As another reviewer observed, I defy you to not be singing these songs at work the next day.
This is one of those DVD's you can reach for when times are tough, or your mood is low. Within minutes of putting it on it truly will be 'a beautiful morning'.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By K. Chelsen
Format:VHS Tape
As an American, I grew up listening to the music of Rogers and Hammerstein, but my experiences of their work has been limited to the film versions of the great musicals. On a recent trip to London, I found this video, which a British friend had recommended to me. I was completely enthralled! It was an absolutely marvelous production. Although I have seen the film version several times over the years, watching this production, I felt like I was seeing a brand new show. The cast was simply marvelous. I enjoyed Josefina Gabrielle's interpretation of Laurey as a tomboy, something not revealed before; Shuler Hensley, as Jud Fry, brought a new, in-depth menace to the character that was very chilling to see. Jimmy Johnston as Will Parker was funny and charming, and he did a great job with that lariat. But it was Hugh Jackman's performance as Curly that really clicked with me. I'd read a little about this actor, and something I read mentioned he was an accomplished singer. But nothing prepared me for the wonderful quality of his voice as he started singing the first song off stage. I enjoy listening to a good male singing voice, and his is one of the best I've heard in the last couple of years. I hope that despite his growing film career he will someday do more Rogers and Hammerstein musicals... I think he'd be a perfect Billy Bigalow! (Carousel)
This is a production that should NOT be missed. If you love Rogers and Hammerstein's musicals, you will DEFINITELY love this video.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
A fantastic version of the classic Rogers and Hammerstein show. You can't beat Hugh Jackman as Curly and Maureen Lipman as Aunt Ella. Brilliant songs, dances and casting. The ballet is also great with Hugh and Josefina dancing the parts instead of the usual substitute dances. If you love musicals you'll love this. It reatins some of the feel of going to the theatre to see it for real.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing musical
Love musicals anyway and this is one of my favourites. Much prefer this to the older version because Hugh Jackman plays Curly all the way through and now another actor in the... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Jayne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oh What a Beautiful Production!
This is the first production I have seen of Oklahoma and what a performance to start with! Perhaps no other will ever live up to this one! Read more
Published 18 days ago by Laura J Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great dvd
I love this show and I love this version....great....Hugh Jackman is amazing...wish I had seen it live. Great entertainment...great dvd
Published 22 days ago by Glynis Moore
4.0 out of 5 stars
Oklahoma dvd - Hugh Jackman.
I bought this because of seeing Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables, and remembered him being in the NT production of Oklahoma. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Philippa Willets
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Show !!!!
Loved this from the very beginning some wonderful parts played by Hugh Jackman and Maureen Lipman ,especiallyl oved her gun tottin trigger spin!!!!
Published 1 month ago by sue jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
I only wish that I'd gone to see this production on the stage in London. Great acting and singing. Loved it
Published 1 month ago by Helen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow! Definitely NOT the earlier film version.
Wanted a copy of this after seeing '100 Favourite Musicals' & this scored highly. Always disliked the mimsy Shirley Jones film but This National THeatre & Trevor Nunn's production... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maggie Bedford
5.0 out of 5 stars
A nice bit of live theatre in your lounge.
Hugh Jackman at his finest.
Gift for a chum at christmas, she is a big Jackman fan and this present went down a storm!
Gift for a chum at christmas, she is a big Jackman fan and this present went down a storm!
Published 1 month ago by RML
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great show but NOT region free on Blu Ray !!!!
This is a great show and a great recording. No worries here! However, if you are buying the Blu Ray, then beware, it is NOT region free and most likely will not play on your Blu... Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Cockill
5.0 out of 5 stars
saw the show
Saw this show years ago but hadn't realised a dvd had been released. Absolutely wonderful, and I say this as someone who idolised Gordon Macrae, brought back a wonderful memory of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. Salmon
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