News: The Light Princess Platform Tonight

This evening, prior to tonight’s performance of The Light Princess, Paul Gambaccini will sit down with Tori and playwright Samuel Adamson to discuss the musical in a National Theatre platform. The conversation takes place at 6:00 PM and tickets in the circle are still available.

We’re hoping that audio or video of the platform will become available from the National Theatre via their podcasts or Youtube channel in the near future…but if you attend and want to let us know how it went, please let us know.

Update 2: Fan video of the platform has surfaced as well — thank you Stéphane!

Update: We’ve gotten a few summaries of the platform from folks who were in attendance.

Stephen writes:

We had about a half hour of questions from Gambaccini, and then 10 minutes of audience questions.

Some tidbits from last night’s Adamson & Amos platform:

• Adamson: The published script is missing at least one important part that could not be put in before deadline, and also includes parts that were cut in previews;

• Amos: She had to keep being asked, by her own admission, “what’s the throughline?”, i.e. the manner in which this or that song advances the story. I presume we can look forward to more linear narrative in future albums;

• Amos: UK Theatre’s public subsidy, among other factors, made a suitable environment for this development & production, which likely could not have been found in the US;

• Relatedly, Adamson & Amos avoided addressing the idea of a production elsewhere. Whether this was due to a desire to focus on this current production, or skepticism about such a possibility, or wish not to jinx such a development, I cannot say;

• “The Vault” is filled with songs cut from the show. Both authors spoke highly of the value of cutting, bringing hope to those who didn’t enjoy the Scarlet/Beekeeper/ADP “fill the disc” era. It sounded like these songs are in the vault to stay, with the exception of one. However, take heart:

• Amos: A cast album is being considered (imagine a gesture forming a circle here); given the density of music in The Light Princess, it would likely need to be a double.

James writes:

The platform with Tori and Sam was fantastic and I hope everyone is able to at least hear the audio soon! Tori was gracious in sharing all credit with the entire creative team. She spoke about how her working relationship with Sam has influenced her own future work. She did mention that the expansive cast recording was being considered, but it would be an expansive double album as there are 33 songs. Sam mentioned that, due to a “bad edit” there is a scene in the final version of the show that is not in the book. Due to publishing deadlines, it regrettably could not be avoided. Tori mentions at this point that she was able to make the necessary cuts with ease by the end of the experience. Tori touched on Rosie’s long career, getting one of the better of many laughs during the platform. She talks about how Rosie was in the original workshop but it was some time later when they realized she was The Light Princess. Sam describes this as a turning point in the writing. They discussed the way the creative team was brought together, how the show was brought to the NT and the process of the collaboration, which Tori describes as a canoe in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Another hysterical moment was when Tori was asked about the military Les Misérables-style choreography, she mentioned that she had to have a leading man in a uniform. Sam said he also needed a man in a uniform, which receive a roaring laugh and applause from the audience. Tori addressed the negative reviews, saying the criticism was from right-wing publications and their concern was mainly the subject matter or the issues the show addresses. She mentioned the producer Nick Hytner predicted the criticism and she said it was mostly that they did not like the LGBT shout out in the show. She now considers it a badge of honor. It was in that moment, I realized the stage in the background looked like a glittery rainbow! Hope that helps some of your cravings while we wait for the recording! Please excuse any typos as I’m writing this from a bus on my phone! Cheers from London.