bobod
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,759
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Post by bobod on Jun 27, 2016 12:30:19 GMT
The trailer voice is Natalie Britton, who plays Storm Elemental in the piece.
Good morning from Tarrytown, y'all. Happy 50th to Dark Shadows. Enjoy Blood & Fire!
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Post by coldlazarou on Jun 27, 2016 13:23:17 GMT
So i was wrong after all - normality is restored. Decisions - listen to download tonight, or wait for lovely pristine CD to wing its way to me? Quandary. Happy anniversary day to all!
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,759
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Post by bobod on Jun 27, 2016 13:25:04 GMT
Quandary. Happy anniversary day to all! Donna Quandary? Listen to the download... then you've an excuse to relisten when CD arrives.
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Post by Rob Morris on Jun 27, 2016 16:17:58 GMT
The trailer voice is Natalie Britton, who plays Storm Elemental in the piece. Good morning from Tarrytown, y'all. Happy 50th to Dark Shadows. Enjoy Blood & Fire! Gosh, in which case I was wrong. Better note that in my diary. It happens so rarely I like to have a record.
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 27, 2016 17:29:48 GMT
Only listened to the first two parts but loving it so far.
Laura is such a great character. Loving the relationship that is forming between her and Angelique! Start off as friends with opposite goals...where will this lead? Hears the Dark Shadows theme in my head.
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Post by barnabaslives on Jun 27, 2016 18:14:39 GMT
Listen to the download... then you've an excuse to relisten when CD arrives. Absolutely! (At the risk of elevating people's expectations, this occasion must not pass without lavishing of praise). You must hear this post-haste, you are in for such a treat. It is honestly brilliant. Brilliantly, brilliantly brilliant - as is the casting of Joanna Going as Laura. Blood & Fire is so very brilliant and so very Dark Shadows that one couldn't have asked for a more fitting or more amazing anniversary celebration. WOW!!!!!!!
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Post by silverednickle on Jun 28, 2016 3:28:36 GMT
Last night was rather exciting. I had just returned from work, watched the season finale of Game of Thrones, and was about to go to bed when I double-checked the Big Finish site and had to download the new audios. I listened to Blood & Fire doing errands before work and just completed Echos. These were all lovely and a great way to ring in Dark Shadows' big day.
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Post by Trace on Jun 28, 2016 4:00:14 GMT
Last night was rather exciting. I had just returned from work, watched the season finale of Game of Thrones, and was about to go to bed when I double-checked the Big Finish site and had to download the new audios. I listened to Blood & Fire doing errands before work and just completed Echos. These were all lovely and a great way to ring in Dark Shadows' big day. Can't wait!! So much to look forward to for the upcoming long, holiday weekend!
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Post by barnabasbytes on Jun 29, 2016 2:32:41 GMT
I downloaded it in the hotel before leaving the festival and listened to 3/4 of it on the way home. I'm enjoying it very much. The sound design is effective. Loving the application of Cobert's original music.
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Post by lurkerintheshadows on Jun 29, 2016 19:33:16 GMT
It's been a hectic week and I've been holding off on listening till I can do so in a relaxed frame of mind, so I suspect I'll be listening to the CDs when they arrive rather than the download, but I have had a chance to listen to the first 'episode', and it is tremendous! Our favourite witch is in fine form, while it is absolutely inspired to have so many familiar voices in unfamiliar roles - roles they make their own, seemingly effortlessly. Andrew Collins manages to capture the spirit of Louis Edmonds through choice phrasing and intonation, and does so beautifully without it being an impersonation. And Mitch Ryan is so assured as the head of the household that it seems he really hasn't been away from Collinsport for almost 49 years. I've smiled in delight as each new character has come on the scene and the more recent additions to the Dark Shadows family from the Big Finish range are as welcome as the original cast members. I'm so looking forward to meeting the rest of the family. As for Joanna Going, I am finding her performance as Laura just as bewitching as any prospective Collins bride should be expected to be. The script sparkles. It's littered with gems. And the production, sound design, and all the magic that goes into making such a show, are all exemplary. Judging by that one episode, this is a more than worthy celebration of the 50th Anniversary, and I suspect it's just going to get better and better and I'll be back here rhapsodising about the whole story once I've listened to it all.
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Post by Trace on Jun 30, 2016 2:17:36 GMT
I'm DYING to listen to both B&F and EotP....but I'm also holding off until life slows a bit because I want to savor every moment! I have a 3-day weekend coming up, so maybe that will be the time!
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Post by elkawho on Jun 30, 2016 3:18:46 GMT
Wow, this was fabulous. I loved every second of it. It really let the actors shine and was every bit what I expect Dark Shadows to be. Everyone was just wonderful, but for me the standouts were Andrew Collins (who frequently just blows me away with his acting in this and other DS audios) and Joanna Going. I haven't yet entered the time travel phase of the show so I didn't know the characters at all, but the character of Laura seemed like such a difficult part to play and she NAILED it. Up to now I've had no interest in watching the revamped 1991 (I think?) DS, but I may just because she's in it.
I also can't tell you how much I love David Selby. He doesn't have a huge part in this, but he is such a presence in every scene that he's in. Kudos to all involved for a really well done story and wonderful celebration of a classic.
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Post by coldlazarou on Jun 30, 2016 6:16:14 GMT
Wow, this was fabulous. I loved every second of it. It really let the actors shine and was every bit what I expect Dark Shadows to be. Everyone was just wonderful, but for me the standouts were Andrew Collins (who frequently just blows me away with his acting in this and other DS audios) and Joanna Going. I haven't yet entered the time travel phase of the show so I didn't know the characters at all, but the character of Laura seemed like such a difficult part to play and she NAILED it. Up to now I've had no interest in watching the revamped 1991 (I think?) DS, but I may just because she's in it. I've got a certain fondness for the '90s DS - i know that some aren't fans of the re-vamping (ha! A pun!) - but Joanna is one of the best things the show has Going for it (the puns must now stop). As a huge KLS fan, it feels almost wrong to say this, but (conspiratorial whisper) i think i prefer Joanna's version of Josette. I feel like i've blasphemed there, but it's true. I might give the '90s show a rewatch myself, actually. It's not like there are too many episodes (alas), and it's always interesting to see alternate interpretations of our friends in Collinsport.
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Post by barnabaslives on Jun 30, 2016 15:19:32 GMT
As a huge KLS fan, it feels almost wrong to say this, but (conspiratorial whisper) i think i prefer Joanna's version of Josette. I feel like i've blasphemed there... Yes, you have - and now you must watch 10 episodes from the 1795 story arc in pennance Thankfully this doesn't happen to me because I refuse to accept any cinematic Vicki/Josette or Vicki/Maggie mash-ups (even though I think Joanna did a truly superb job with the portrayals in the 1991 revival). I am way too stuck on the OS to want to go along with painting over a well-established favorite character that way - although not so much so that I didn't find the 1991 series worthwhile in spite of a number of its departures. Also, it's a Dan Curtis production so naturally it finds a way to be deliciously larger-than-life and spectacular to the eye.
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 30, 2016 22:50:53 GMT
Really loved this. Always great when you have not one but two central strong female roles to the story. And then you also had a slew of great supporting roles as well. But to me this was really Angelique & Laura's story.
This is a spoiler friendly thread but as a warning these next paragraphs are VERY SPOILERISH
I love how in many ways Angelique going back not only didn't stop the Collins Family from going on she is probably the direct cause of it. If she hadn't interfered and created that storm, Laura would never have become the Phoenix and she probably would have married Joshua. Perhaps something else would have stopped this wedding and caused Laura to become the Phoenix. But for all I know Angelique caused it all the time. Time travel is funny that way. In the end Joshua married Naomi (I think that was her name) and Barnabas was born. But Barnabas would never have been born to Laura & Joshua.
Even though I couldn't agree with what Angelique did. I do understand why she came to that decision. She saw Joshua was just like other men that his love for Laura wasn't real. And she saw the hypocrisy of the Collins family in how they wouldn't let Angela marry her pirate. I guess she saw the negative side of the Collins would continue for generations on. But I guess where I lose sympathy is no one is black & white, no one is perfect. Including Angelique herself. I also don't think anything the Collins did should condemn them to never exist (then again I don't know their whole backstory. I'll say one thing for Angelique she knows them better than I do).
As for Laura I do feel bad for her. She only wanted to help the people she loved and she gained a power she never wanted.
In different circumstances Angelique and Laura probably could have been good friends and that's what makes their relationship complex, fascinating and tragic all at the same time.
But yay Angelique is back and Bloodline is next. I can't wait!
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Post by Rob Morris on Jul 1, 2016 16:04:46 GMT
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Post by chapwithwings on Jul 1, 2016 18:45:00 GMT
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Post by Trace on Jul 5, 2016 1:29:28 GMT
Just finished it, and loved every minute! I was worried that a whole new cast of characters would be hard to grasp in the allotted time, but it was a completely unfounded concern! The way the story is written, and the brilliant characterizations make it very easy to follow! Roy--a wonderful story!! A tribute to the series and a fitting 50th Anniversary release!
I loved how Laura's story is fleshed out, and the origins of the Phoenix finally revealed. Loved Joanna Going, whose reading of Laura (and of course, the way Roy has written her) imbues her with a surprising innocence which works for the character--making her more sympathetic. Joanna's breathy voice and the subtle changes in it once she's undergone the transformation, really pay tribute to Diana Millay while never attempting an imitation, and yet making the character her own. Kudos to the producers, the writer, the actors, the editing, sound design, music, etc....it all comes together in a lush feast for the senses.
And Joe and Davy....can we talk a bit more about recasts now? I think you've found your Laura!
A question for other listeners that I didn't quite follow: Was Anchor House the Old House from the TV series? Until the final few moments, I was under the impression that Anchor House was another house entirely, and that the house being built, Collins House, was actually the Old House. However, in the final Act, I realize that can't be the case! However, if Anchor House is the Old House, and Joshua is going to now start construction on Collinwood, does that mean it took about 30 years to build? Was the Old House ever called "Collinwood" or is that only the "new" house? All this is a bit confusing to me...and that's the only thing I didn't understand.
LOVED IT--HAPPY 50th, DARK SHADOWS!
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,759
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Post by bobod on Jul 5, 2016 4:44:18 GMT
In the TV show when Vicki goes back to 1795 and people are moving from The Old House to the recently built Collinwood, I seem to recall they do say 'a new Collinwood'. So at that point people start calling what was once Collinwood The Old House.
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Post by Rob Morris on Jul 5, 2016 5:35:12 GMT
Anchor House is the original Collins' home and a new home to be called Collins House is being finished in Blood & Fire.
Then the events of Blood & Fire happen and they rebuild the property known as "Collinwood".
Then eventually they build a brand new house (often known as the Great House) which becomes the new Collinwood that we know today and the the previous Collinwood becomes known as the Old House.
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