Victor/Victoria (1995 Broadway Production) (1999) (NTSC)

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Great fun, fabulous dances.......2007-06-12

Of course it will not help if you can't stand Julie Andrews. But this stage version by Blake Edwards of his stylish movie with the same title, is a romp.
The gags and one-liners never stop as the play speeds towards the end. Well-known scenes from the movie had to be replaced to make it stage-able, but in the end the stage version is even funnier than the movie. The characterizations are nicely over-the-top, Mancini wrote some more songs before he died, Tony Roberts adds his own charm (though, of course, he will never be a Robert Preston), Rachel York is a scream and Michael Nouri surprises with a charming baritone. Andrews' voice problems start showing, but the lower voice is now more convincing of a man's voice. As a true star she still carries the show.
The sound is not always the best, but the filming does a wonderful job of taking you as TV viewer into the theatre to enjoy it as much as the opening night audience did. Great fun, fabulous choreography, good songs and singing and extremely funny moments.

A mangled shadow of a great movie.......2007-04-29

The story is of circumstances that make it possible for a singer (Julie Andrews) to pretend to be a man pretending to be a woman. " ~ Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive ~ " Sir Walter Scott

Right off I must say I miss Robert Preston. Naturally this is a play and not the movie so there must be some allowances. Unfortunately the play mangles the story more than necessary. Also the actors have no charisma or pizzas. The vocal ranges including Julie's are pitiful. The characters and actors just do not mess. The original story was placed in Berlin (Viktor und Viktoria (1933.)) When Blake Edwards moved it to Paris he added his signature slapstick distraction. They had an opportunity to remove it for the play. Instead they just added more Keystone Cop type slapstick. The few new songs barely replace the classics from the movie.

You can still get a copy of "Viktor und Viktoria"(1933) from Amazon.de

Very Funny..........2006-06-15

I would rate this as much funnier than the 1982 film and such a sweet love story. Reguarding the stage performance and singing by Ms Andrews, the singing and the acting is not as good as the movie but bear in mind she is 13 years older here (60 as opposed to 47). The costumes worn by Ms Andrews were more highly rated here.

Bear in mind that here, you are watching a play so think of it as if you were watching the story in a box. This was Edward's first play, which was directed on a stage in front of a live audience and it was very cleverly done (i.e. the setting for the hotel rooms.) Before anyone thinks of this, the movie was shot on two sound stages back to back, but little was done in terms of props or scenery.

I have to highlight one more thing and that is Rachel York's performance, just the funniest Norma You've Ever Seen.

Good in parts.......2004-05-12

i am totally underwhemled by Julie Andrews in this one. Not impressed by the singing or acting. Given the role (a women trying to succeed as man .. in short) there could have been a lot more energy behind it. Overall as well, the songs are nothing to write home about - although some are performed very well.

Not that I didn't enjoy it! the sets are amazing, the costumes greatand some of the actors are great. But for me, the music/songs is an intergral part of a musical, and to go away from it not remembering a single line of a single song, or any of the tune is a disappointed. BUT ... It was funny, it was sweet, and I will be watching it again.

Delightful gender confusion.......2002-11-27

This is a delightful investigation of gender roles and taboos tha never gets vulgar or heavy. The struggling singer Victoria gets her break as the elegant but camp Victor who wows Parisian audiences. A straight guy falls in love with him/her and while the plot unravels, the viewer is challenged to reassess their own attitudes to the male and female role. The acting is brilliant and the musical numbers are appealing too - my favourite is the song about a Matador (a rat a tat ador). In a way, last year's Moulin Rouge reminded me a bit of Victor/Victoria, with its similar setting and equally delightful feel.

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