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Post by talkstageytome on May 19, 2016 11:13:11 GMT
I was there on the front row but yesterday evening instead and very much agree with lots of what you said. Fantastic cast (Rebecca Trehearn is a treasure, and I much preferred Chris Peluso in this show, compared to his time in Miss Saigon), lovely lighting design, just a great staging overall. To be honest, the story wasn't my cup of tea, and the friend I was with said that she thought both acts could've been from entirely separate musicals. But overall I really enjoyed myself.
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Post by samjane92 on May 19, 2016 12:36:46 GMT
I booked this months ago for yesterdays matinee on Lastminute for £19.50. My usual lastmimnute experience for Memphis and Book of Mormon was that I was upgraded. I was optimistic having taken my grandma for her birthday that as there were a large amount of seats available we would be upgraded. Not so we were tucked at the end of the circle in seats that are now advertised for half the price for wednesday matinees. There was plenty of room in the stalls so we moved down for the second half into an entirely empty row d but I have no idea why the circle was even open. The ushers could have at least suggested moving into the center of the circle before the show started as they know what is available instead after the show started a large group of people took the initiative and moved themselves. Just a shame they didnt wait until the interval.
Having said that we both loved the show. All of the voices were wonderful, not a single charecter I didnt appreciate. It is such a shame it is closing. I wanted to stand at the end but no-one else did, my grandma however couldnt resist so we both stood and gave the cast the appreciation they deserved.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2016 13:01:32 GMT
I booked this months ago for yesterdays matinee on Lastminute for £19.50. My usual lastmimnute experience for Memphis and Book of Mormon was that I was upgraded. I was optimistic having taken my grandma for her birthday that as there were a large amount of seats available we would be upgraded. Not so we were tucked at the end of the circle in seats that are now advertised for half the price for wednesday matinees. There was plenty of room in the stalls so we moved down for the second half into an entirely empty row d but I have no idea why the circle was even open. The ushers could have at least suggested moving into the center of the circle before the show started as they know what is available instead after the show started a large group of people took the initiative and moved themselves. Just a shame they didnt wait until the interval. Having said that we both loved the show. All of the voices were wonderful, not a single charecter I didnt appreciate. It is such a shame it is closing. I wanted to stand at the end but no-one else did, my grandma however couldnt resist so we both stood and gave the cast the appreciation they deserved. The standing thing... to stand or not to stand; that is the question! I too wanted to stand, but felt that- as a "youngster" (I can assure you I am definitely not, but here, funnily enough, I most definitely was) I might have been alone, and in that case looked a Proper Knob! There are a couple of times in the past when I've thought, This deserves a standing ovation, but somehow felt that I'd be alone. So I haven't. And felt bad. At Mrs Henderson Presents a week or two back, my partner and I were the Party Poopers who refused to stand, even though this meant we couldn't see any of the curtain call, as we simply felt it wasn't worth it. We enjoyed it but that enjoyment fell far short of a standing ovation. I'm glad you both had the courage of your convictions (unlike me... ) and stood for them. I agree, they certainly deserved it.
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716 posts
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 19, 2016 14:20:26 GMT
Interestingly nobody stood when I saw show boat or Mrs Henderson
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Show Boat
May 19, 2016 15:14:06 GMT
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Post by firefingers on May 19, 2016 15:14:06 GMT
Anyone know of any decent discounts for this? My mum is interested in going one evening next week.
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on May 19, 2016 15:25:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2016 15:34:22 GMT
Anyone know of any decent discounts for this? My mum is interested in going one evening next week. I don't think you need discounts for this one. There are some great seats for like 20 and 30 squidoolies. I had one for £20 on the side of the stalls towards the back and had a fabulous view. One of the best value seats I think I've sat in for a long time. I think it was row I.
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716 posts
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 19, 2016 16:03:22 GMT
Anyone know of any decent discounts for this? My mum is interested in going one evening next week. It's one of those theatres where every seat in the stalls is great. Even the cheapest ones
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Post by firefingers on May 19, 2016 16:09:31 GMT
Thanks for the advice gang. Will grab a discounted band B or something.
As thanks I shall reveal New London Theatre gossip: Really Useful Group have been out scouting shows this week for the New London, so if School of Rock is planning on going there, it is likely it will be after a limited run of something else.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2016 16:23:22 GMT
Thanks for the advice gang. Will grab a discounted band B or something. As thanks I shall reveal New London Theatre gossip: Really Useful Group have been out scouting shows this week for the New London, so if School of Rock is planning on going there, it is likely it will be after a limited run of something else. How do you know all this gossip about theatres?!
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Post by showtoones on May 19, 2016 17:14:49 GMT
Any ideas of what possible "fillers" would be?
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Show Boat
May 19, 2016 18:17:48 GMT
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Post by firefingers on May 19, 2016 18:17:48 GMT
Thanks for the advice gang. Will grab a discounted band B or something. As thanks I shall reveal New London Theatre gossip: Really Useful Group have been out scouting shows this week for the New London, so if School of Rock is planning on going there, it is likely it will be after a limited run of something else. How do you know all this gossip about theatres?! I work on shows and there is loads of time for chatting where we all talk about what is going on in the industry etc. As far as which shows, I don't want to say in case people get excited or it jeopardises a show's chances.
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2,051 posts
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Show Boat
May 19, 2016 18:25:19 GMT
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Post by infofreako on May 19, 2016 18:25:19 GMT
Well, now we know school of rock opens October 22nd that leaves a fairly short gap
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4,600 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 20, 2016 8:17:52 GMT
I went to see SB again last night. Brilliant. Such a great production of a great show. Such a shame it's closing - although we live in a world of Coast coffe, Nando's and Thriller
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Post by ali973 on May 20, 2016 8:54:49 GMT
^ Honestly though, did you expect this to run too long? There are by far more exciting projects out there-and good theatre to boot. It's a fine production, but I really don't see any reason for it to have a long run. Having said that, I would love it if Jersey Boys, Thriller and Beautiful would follow and clear their theatres for more exciting projects.
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Post by basdfg on May 20, 2016 8:55:30 GMT
You don't think they looking for something temporary to fill the Palladium or Durry lane post Christmas instead.
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Post by firefingers on May 20, 2016 9:39:28 GMT
it is likely it will be after a limited run of something else. A well-placed insider says that's a load of Jackson Pollarks. "School of Rock" gets announced at 10am today, no plans for fillers. Where do people get these stories from? Ok. High up members of RUG including the general manage of the New London WEREN'T at an Off-West End show one evening earlier this week. Must have imagined it. You don't think, given Show Boat's very poor ticket sales, that they wouldn't be scouting for other options to see if something more profitable could be brought in? Things turn very quickly in the West End. In 2 weeks the Wyndams went from Lady Day to a Menier transfer being a good recent example. Just because Show Boat is booking until the end of August doesn't mean it has to be there until then.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 20, 2016 9:43:20 GMT
Saw this again yesterday. Just WONDEFUL! I may have to go again - taking advantage of those cheap midweek matinee prices!
My only slight criticism was that IMHO Chris Peluso was not as strong as Michael Xavier in Sheffield, but the girls Gina Beck and Rebecca Trehearn were just as sublime as ever!
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 10:34:57 GMT
Saw this again yesterday. Just WONDEFUL! I may have to go again - taking advantage of those cheap midweek matinee prices! You know, I might do the same! I can't stop playing that WONDERFUL version of Bill sung by the very lovely Rebecca Trehearn...
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724 posts
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Post by basdfg on May 20, 2016 12:10:50 GMT
My mum's friend tried to book tickets for a Saturday show and apparently they mostly sold out. Is that true. Considering how its been reported to be selling is hard.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 20, 2016 19:43:42 GMT
Today's MusicalTalk podcast is an interview with Gina Beck.
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122 posts
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Show Boat
May 20, 2016 21:41:47 GMT
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Post by kirstylovesmusicals on May 20, 2016 21:41:47 GMT
I've just booked this for June 22nd on the front row. Another new show for me, I'm doing well this year. Can't wait to see Gina and Sandra. Would be happy seeing either Chris Peluso or Dale Evans, saw them both as Chris in Miss Saigon and loved them both!
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4,600 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 21, 2016 9:16:08 GMT
I would love this be recorded
Bring back MX for it purely because his voice is stronger and beef the orchestra up with lots of strings
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Post by ali973 on May 21, 2016 9:49:34 GMT
The more I think of it, the more I realize just how flawed the entire show is simply by story-telling means. Gaylord returns decades later and all is forgotten and forgiven. Girl, please.
Magnolia starts off feeling like a secondary character, but lo and behold by the end of the show you realize that she's the lead. Julie La Vern, by far the most interesting character in the show (with the best songs), is written off at second two, runs off into the wings and we know nothing of what happens to her.
So unsatisfying.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2016 10:16:06 GMT
I so hope this cast is recorded. The score is played beautifully!
Seeing it again this afternoon and cannot wait!
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2016 10:39:00 GMT
I so hope this cast is recorded. The score is played beautifully! Seeing it again this afternoon and cannot wait! I'd like to echo this. how much weight would an online petition have?
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Post by cathyfromlex on May 21, 2016 13:29:19 GMT
The more I think of it, the more I realize just how flawed the entire show is simply by story-telling means. Gaylord returns decades later and all is forgotten and forgiven. Girl, please. Magnolia starts off feeling like a secondary character, but lo and behold by the end of the show you realize that she's the lead. Julie La Vern, by far the most interesting character in the show (with the best songs), is written off at second two, runs off into the wings and we know nothing of what happens to her. So unsatisfying. Spoiler Alert! A lot of people say this and, of course, who wouldn't want to hear more songs from Rebecca Trehearn? But I would argue that we do know what happens to Julie. Deep into alcoholism, she walks away from her "last chance" job. To my mind, she's not long for this world. Others may have a different idea and I think its fine to be left open to other interpretation, but there is certainly enough information there to know there is no happily ever after for Julie. The take-away is that Julie knows this when she makes this sacrifice for someone who loved her unconditionally back at the last happy time in her life. I would also note that Julie disappears in similar, if not identical, fashion from the original novel. I agree that the ending with Gaylord is hard for modern day audiences to accept (me included), but I think this production does the best job I've ever seen with how it is handled. We are shown with a very subtle gesture that Gaylord has conquered his drinking problem when he refuses the beer offered by Captain Andy. He's obviously a broken man. But what I commend this production for is that there is a lot more ambiguity at the end than I have seen anybody mention. I've seen productions where Gay and Magnolia embrace and are arm-in-arm at the end and Magnolia tells her father that "this is a nice surprise." That most decidedly does not happen here. There is 20 years of hurt on Magnolia's face as she sees Gay, and they never get closer than several paces apart. And while everyone signals Kim that it is okay to go to her father, at the end Magnolia is alone on the upper deck of the boat, which reminded me of Parthy looking down on everything at the beginning of the show. The innocent, carefree young girl Magnolia was is long gone. Maybe a little is forgiven, but not at all forgotten.
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Post by cathyfromlex on May 21, 2016 14:16:39 GMT
I so hope this cast is recorded. The score is played beautifully! Seeing it again this afternoon and cannot wait! I'd like to echo this. how much weight would an online petition have? I would love it, because I think this is the most "modern" sounding "Show Boat" there has ever been, but I'd say there is no chance unless R&H Theatricals (the rights holders) want to put the money in to have this orchestration recorded. It is my understanding that the point of this "Goodspeed" version was to allow "Show Boat" to be presented in a manageable fashion, with a reasonable size cast and band, so that it continues to be performed. With few exceptions, cast recordings don't make money. At least on Broadway, usually the only reason even shows that aren't successful or have short runs get a cast recording is to fuel interest in future productions (regional, amateur, etc.). In this case, its not like there aren't a million versions of these songs already out there. But I will keep my fingers crossed just in case!
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2016 14:51:44 GMT
I'd like to echo this. how much weight would an online petition have? I would love it, because I think this is the most "modern" sounding "Show Boat" there has ever been, but I'd say there is no chance unless R&H Theatricals (the rights holders) want to put the money in to have this orchestration recorded. It is my understanding that the point of this "Goodspeed" version was to allow "Show Boat" to be presented in a manageable fashion, with a reasonable size cast and band, so that it continues to be performed. With few exceptions, cast recordings don't make money. At least on Broadway, usually the only reason even shows that aren't successful or have short runs get a cast recording is to fuel interest in future productions (regional, amateur, etc.). In this case, its not like there aren't a million versions of these songs already out there. But I will keep my fingers crossed just in case! Is it up to the right's holders or the producers of the production?
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Post by cathyfromlex on May 21, 2016 15:07:14 GMT
I would love it, because I think this is the most "modern" sounding "Show Boat" there has ever been, but I'd say there is no chance unless R&H Theatricals (the rights holders) want to put the money in to have this orchestration recorded. It is my understanding that the point of this "Goodspeed" version was to allow "Show Boat" to be presented in a manageable fashion, with a reasonable size cast and band, so that it continues to be performed. With few exceptions, cast recordings don't make money. At least on Broadway, usually the only reason even shows that aren't successful or have short runs get a cast recording is to fuel interest in future productions (regional, amateur, etc.). In this case, its not like there aren't a million versions of these songs already out there. But I will keep my fingers crossed just in case! Is it up to the right's holders or the producers of the production? I'm no expert, but I would think that the only people with anything to gain by doing it would be the rights holders, who would have to grant permission in any event. Somebody is going to have to fund it.
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