Customer Reviews

Metropolis (1989 Original London Cast)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When it comes to buying cast recordings, I'm as bad as any addict. I see something that interests me, I have to get it. That's what happened with Metropolis; I knew nearly nothing about it (I had heard It's Only Love/Bring on the Night) on a compliation CD) and had never seen the movie. I knew the show was a flop. That's about it. So I really did not know what I was getting into when I bought the CD. To put it simply, I was amazed the show did so poorly. The music IS beautiful. Some of the lyrics are a bit difficult to make out (a copy of the libretto in the liner notes would have been nice) and some of the recording sounds somewhat hollow and tinny, but those songs!!! Songs like "You Are the Light," "The Sun," "He's Distant From Me Now," "Hold Back the Night" and of course "It's Only Love/Bring On the Night" are better than songs from some more popular shows. Much better. I suppose the score most reminds me of a combination of Chess, Weird Romance, and the better parts of Starlight Express. Yes, some of it is strange (those who've heard "Futura's Dance" know what I'm talking about!) but it's still well done. The performances are strong, and there is enough dialogue on the CD that it is easy to figure out what is going on (Beware - listen to the second disc at a high volume at your own risk, there's a gun shot on there that startled me big time - not the best while driving....) Anyway, the CD is worth experiencing. Go ahead, treat yourself to something new and exciting!

My business often took me to London and I was very fortunate to have seen all the "big" shows (Cats, Les Miz, Phantom, Chess, Miss Saigon) prior to them coming to Broadway. One Saturday evening I wanted to go to the theatre and was not sure what to see. I settled on Metropolis and loved it. I actually got to see it one more time before it closed. The CD is exceptional and the songs are beautiful. In my opinion, this show could be revived and with a bit re-working, could be successful! If you enjoyed the soundtrack from Les Miz, you'll love Metropolis!

I just received my Metropolis recording today, and absolutely adore this show.

The funny thing is, I tried to cancel it...but it entered the shipping process (THANK GOD) so I couldn't. I ordered it only because of what the four previous reviewers said. The next day I thought "Oh no! There's a reason why this musical wasn't a success. I need to cancel the order."

Today-I am thinking "How was this musical NOT a success?"

It's beautiful...so beautiful in song and story. I love all the parts with "It's Only Love" - that is one of the most beautiful theater songs. This score is packed with great songs though. It's one you can just put in and go.

I wonder how much of an impact the negative reviews had on this show. I dislike critics because of it...they take beautiful things from the world.

It seems if a show is not "brand name" like Jeyll & Hyde, Footloose, or Saturday Night Fever, or if it's not by Andrew Lloyd Webber or Boublil & Schonberg, that critics can destroy the shows future.

Metropolis is amazing, and my heart goes out to EVERYONE involved in this production. You tried to do something so beautiful, that so few could see. Thank you. Hopefully someday this show will re-emerge as the powerhouse it deserves to be.

Just to give you an idea of what shows I like, my favorites are; Whistle Down the Wind, Les Miserables, Ragtime, The Phantom of the Opera, Chess, Aspects of Love, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, and Jekyll & Hyde. I am certain Metropolis will join those ranks, it's epic.

Buy this cd- keep the dream alive!

You will not be sorry. I am a long time fan of musicals and this is one of the best. Why wasn't it successful? I can only guess musicals and science fiction might not by a typical combination. Without a doubt, you will be glad you bought it.

"Metropolis" was another casualty of the London theatre scene in the late 1980's and this is sad. It came at a time when other pop opera's like Les Miserable, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Starlight Express were doing great business. "Metropolis" failed to find an audience however, despite the brilliant performances of Judy Kuhn, Graeme Bickley and Brian Blessed. Sadly, the stage production will be lost to the ages as it was not videotaped. But the CD is a pleasant reminder of a show that had all the qualities of a hit, but not the audience. The melodies glide seamlessly between desperate pulsing rhythms of the workers under to the city to the lighthearted whimsical tunes of the elitists above ground. A soaring duet between Bickley and Kuhn called "If It's Only Love" would stand easily on the pop charts today. Even if you never saw the musical, you will be able to listen to the CD and get the feel of this stage interpretation of Fritz Lang's classic movie of the same name.

Metropolis - a futuristic city in which the society of the privileged few is kept going by the toils of a subservient underclass, with machinery and robots galore. Nothing about this immediately leaps out screaming 'West End musical' does it? Coming at the end of the era of all-conquering mega-musicals, it is easy to see why Metropolis failed to catch on. Trying to mix the science fiction of the concept with the romantic themes musically make for rather a messy score. Add a remarkably silly plot and the original 6-month run isn't a surprise.

Yet despite this, I've given the recording four stars. Although the final execution is flawed, it is by no means a bad recording. As plenty of other reviews have pointed out, there are some stunning songs in the show - 'Hold back the night', 'It's only love/Bring on the night' and 'One of those nights' especially. The vocal performances from Graham Bickley and Judy Kuhn are fantastic and are responsible for making some of the dodgiest lyrics sound passable, while the company by and large offer sterling support. Brian Blessed is . . . well, Brian Blessed, and despite criticism of his overacting, it's difficult to see how else his slightly one-note role could have been played.

Unfortunately, not all the score is solid gold. In trying to sound futuristic, the orchestrations have dated pretty quickly, and far too many of the songs just stop the plot dead, making the narrative rather muddy and dis-jointed. More often than not, I find myself programming in my favourite songs rather than listening to the album as a whole.

However, it's a fascinating curiosity for both collectors of cast albums and fans of wonderfully overblown 80's mega-musicals!

The Pentacle theater in Salem, Oregon is apparently working with the writer, Joseph Brooks and will be dubuting a new version of this production in the Fall 2002. I was thrilled to discover a soundtrack was available from this original production.

Added bonus is the extra dialogue from the show - really helps pull the show events and music together.

If you want to listen to an awsome cd soundtrack, search despretely for Metropolis:London Cast. It is better than RENT, CATS, LES MISERABLE, and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Caution: This cd is repeticious, with the 101.11 number, but still worth it. Judy Kuhn does a wonderfful Maria/Parody (Futura). This recording/play is based on the 1924-1928 novel by Thea von Harbou. It later became a wonderful movie directed by Ms. Von Harbou's husband, Fritz Lang. I loved 101.11, ONE MORE MORNING, CHILDREN OF METROPOLIS, FUTURA'S DANCE, REQUIEM, NO HELP FROM YOU/GIRL DOWN BELOW, AND IT'S ONLY LOVE. This musical cd is almost as rare, in the US, as the novel is. Even if you appaul the cd after buying it, don't sell it just yet. (Some people will pay [big money] for it in the year 2026 (when Metropolis takes place.

Simple put many show go on to greatness even after non-hit status. Chess, Baby, Rags, and now meteropolis. The show has made fritz langs story romantic and understandable. The music is strong and the passion high. Judy Kuhn proves that she is truly one of the broadway (and west end) divas playing the dual role of maria/futura. The Cd are alson wonderful for they have almost the entire show recorded so even if you didn't get to see it , it easy to imagine it. Travel to Metropolis.

I am thrilled to find this on CD. I saw this show in London in 1989 and loved it. I bought the cassette at that time but it's wearing out and I'm so glad to get it on CD. The show was great all around - the music, the sets, the staging, etc. The funny thing is, we ended up at "Metropolis" because it was Wimbledon week and all the "big" shows were sold out. We were not disappointed at all. It's really too bad this wonderful show didn't do better. Can't wait until the CD arrives.