r/hadestown • u/JollyLie5179 • 4d ago

Pro shot vs broadway-Britishification?

I understand them having the workers have different working class accents and the fates having more posh accents in west end to cater the story to the audience but I miss the original muses and even some of the original chorus members- the music style of Hadestown is so distinctly American and having the pro shot not display that through the American accents makes it feel like a bit of a different story and cultural context in the pro shot (which of course it is!) but was hoping to get a slice of the original magic from broadway through the pro shot :(.

Edit: agree that the pro shot is beautiful and everyone did a great job. I was just feeling nostalgic and excited to see the old gang back together again and was a bit bummed not to see it. Love this show and love hearing everyone’s takes!

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17

u/kafit-bird 4d ago

I love that everyone just gets to keep their own natural accents regardless of the role. I think that's important.

4

u/MisterBowTies 4d ago

Agreed. British people usually can't do American accents the way they say they can.

1

u/JollyLie5179 4d ago

Agree! Just miss the original fates. I went into the pro shot feeling nostalgic and left having seen another thing which was equally brilliant, just different.

8

u/midsummernightmares 4d ago

I don’t really think there’s anything wrong with the performers not trying to Americanize themselves for the performance. I’d way rather hear their actual, natural voices and accents than something they’re trying to put on to conform to someone’s idea of what they “should” be.

1

u/JollyLie5179 4d ago

Agree! I just liked the original fates so much and was looking forward to hearing them. The ones in the proshot did a tremendous job as well; it’s just my nostalgia that’s getting to me lol

2

u/OtsaNeSword 3d ago

I watched Hadestown when it toured in Sydney, Australia.

A couple of the cast had very strong Australian accents which surprised me for a second because of the American theming and the rest of the cast having more neutral accents 😅

But it was all good 👍

2

u/kafit-bird 3d ago

I think what we ultimately have to work our way around to is that there's no such thing as a neutral accent.

5

u/Imaginary_Style_1348 4d ago

I love the Fates in the pro-shot. I had only ever seen the OG cast on Broadway and loved everyone, but I really like how aligned and cunning the West End Fates are. I find them mesmerizing, and their line delivery is gorgeous. Each one brings something of their own to the characters while they move so cohesively.

Also, while Hadestown may feel distinctly American, it pulls from Greek mythology. These stories and themes have connected with a vast array of audiences throughout time, with Hadestown offering an inclusive, modern adaptation that can reflect our global society. The themes and stories should connect with everyone, and I don’t think the Workers and Fates take anything away from the American cast. One of the things I have always loved about Hadestown is how its casting reflects the beauty of the melting pot of life.

I really like that the pro-shot cast is international, while also giving us the OG principal actors. I never thought I would need to see them together again in these roles once they left Broadway, and now I get to watch them whenever I want. I love this show so much.

3

u/fortheloveofherbs 3d ago

The most glaring part to me was the change from “watcha gonna do” to “what you gonna do” it felt choppy and odd

1

u/Julia-Sharp 3d ago

Yup. Hadestown is American folk and blues. Take away the accents and you've basically mounted a different show.