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Othello
Feb 24, 2007 12:32:04 GMT -5
Post by moskvaprof on Feb 24, 2007 12:32:04 GMT -5
Some of us have been lucky enough to see Mandana perform on stage aswell as on screen, with a bonus of actually meeting her, albeit briefly. Let me say that a Shakespeare play is something I would not normally choose to pay money and travel to see (I didn't have to travel far!) but there are always exceptions. MJ was on stage. The characters of Nikki Wade and Desdemona are poles apart and I was delighted to find that MJ's portrayal of Nikki was not a one-off show of talent. Her presence on stage is as spellbinding as it is on screen, your eyes are drawn to her without you really realising it and she has the rare gift of conveying all emotions through body language and facial expressions both from afar and close up. It seems that acting comes so naturally to her. She can sing too! It was money well spent
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Othello
Feb 24, 2007 16:49:14 GMT -5
Post by coolbyrne on Feb 24, 2007 16:49:14 GMT -5
Yeah, I read that she sang! I think presence is something that an actor is born with; it can't be taught. And for the most part, I think with presence comes talent- you don't see a lot of actors who captivate you who can't act! I'd love to see her on the stage, because I think that's where you see what an actor is really made of. There's no second take, there's no perfect lighting or flattering camera angle. It's the actor, stripped naked- figuratively or literally! I envy all those who got to see her in Othello!! I might have to ban a few of you just out of spite.
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Othello
Feb 25, 2007 3:53:38 GMT -5
Post by topcat on Feb 25, 2007 3:53:38 GMT -5
I was lucky enough to see her in Othello too. Moskvaprof (sorry, gonna have to shorten you to Prof!), I completely agree about her stage presence. From the moment she appeared, stage left (our right), swathed in gold, she held your attention completely. I remember her death scene and how brutal it was. She, then, had to lie motionless for an eternity!
Coolbyrne, she has a beautiful singing voice. She sang completely unaccompanied and it sent shivers down the spine.
Bearing in mind her early career was clearly theatre based (and not just any old theatre - she had a stint at The National) I am amazed that she doesn't do more theatre. It must be choice that she doesn't rather than an inability to get roles.
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Othello
Feb 25, 2007 8:39:29 GMT -5
Post by justafan on Feb 25, 2007 8:39:29 GMT -5
Speaking of her singing voice...have any of you checked out the fragment on the MJnet site? Excuuuse me? All I can hear is about a second and a half of NOISE. As someone who is interested in hearing Mandana sing I was really disappointed. I understand the...whatever it was...was recorded illegally at a performance. What nerve to put it up on their site, especially when you can't even distinguish ANYONE singing. Mini rant over.
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Othello
Feb 26, 2007 2:51:47 GMT -5
Post by romanmachine on Feb 26, 2007 2:51:47 GMT -5
I haven't listened to that clip, justafan, and I doubt I'll be doing so, but I'm not surprised to read what you say about it. It's tough to properly record a live show. I haven't done it. It's well beyond me, but I know people who do 'bootleg' shows and it's all about the right equipment and where you are in the crowd, etc. And those are concerts with insanely large speakers everywhere! I can't imagine trying to record a theatre performance. I'm like you, though. I'd love to hear her sing. Maybe this small stint on Eastenders means Mandana is looking to jump right back into the fray and she'll end up in the theatre again soon. I know that's what I'm certainly hoping for. Topcat, I'm so jealous of all of you who got to see the Othello performance. As moskvaprof mentioned, she has an amazing presence. That stood out to me from my first episode of Bad Girls. Even there, you can't take your eyes off of her, whether she's directly related to the scene or just in the background. I can't imagine how captivating she would be on stage. I would probably have left the theatre, asking everyone 'just who was that Othello guy again?'
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Othello
Feb 26, 2007 4:08:17 GMT -5
Post by gingercat on Feb 26, 2007 4:08:17 GMT -5
I am another fan who has seen Mandana on stage in Othello then met her after..she is so nice to talk to & interested in what you say to her. 4 years has passed so quickly since that special time & yes she has a lovely singing voice.
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Othello
Feb 27, 2007 11:24:05 GMT -5
Post by endangeredspecies on Feb 27, 2007 11:24:05 GMT -5
Topcat, I'm so jealous of all of you who got to see the Othello performance. As moskvaprof mentioned, she has an amazing presence. That stood out to me from my first episode of Bad Girls. Even there, you can't take your eyes off of her, whether she's directly related to the scene or just in the background. I can't imagine how captivating she would be on stage. I would probably have left the theatre, asking everyone 'just who was that Othello guy again?' Okay Romanmachine prepare to be overcome with jealousy yet again 'cos I too have seen Mandana live in Othello. ;D I can only reiterate what the others who were lucky enough to see a performance have said. Mandana has a commanding presence on stage, and it's not just because of her height. The stage just seemed to be a natural habitat for her and when she was on it my eyes did focus on her whether she was in the scene or in the background. Like many others I would love to see her back on stage and would travel almost any distance to see a performance. I do however, have my doubts that it is in her mind at the moment with a young child to look after. My hope is that she will get a nice juicy part in a mainstream tv drama and then, at least, we will all be able to watch.
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Othello
Jul 8, 2007 20:19:21 GMT -5
Post by tingly on Jul 8, 2007 20:19:21 GMT -5
Okay everybody!! I'm so green with envy-you all live in the UK and you got to see her in Othello!!! Wow!! She can sing!!!! I'm more in Heaven now,more then heaven ...if that's even possible???Guess my buns will be heading to The Uk in late spring!!!08.I haven't been back since 99..I'd love to see her on stage!!! Oh my!!!! Thank you for posting this!!!Hugs-Tingly
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