343 posts
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Post by sophizoey on Apr 5, 2019 19:09:36 GMT
Does anyone have any fairly priced seating advice for this? I've never been before and don't fancy spending nearly £200 on premium seats! All the lowest priced seats are behind pillars(?) which sounds a bit pointless for a theatre... I paid £25 for the front row the balcony, the edges of the centre block. However I would have rather spent my £25 on any other show.
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2,813 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on Apr 5, 2019 19:35:51 GMT
Does anyone have any fairly priced seating advice for this? I've never been before and don't fancy spending nearly £200 on premium seats! All the lowest priced seats are behind pillars(?) which sounds a bit pointless for a theatre... B11-14 of the stalls, it's the front row and they are marked as restricted view because you are behind the conductor, but they are a huge deal. The view is actually great and you literally have the chandelier falling down just above you. At around 60£ they are the cheapest thing you can buy in the front stalls. Or at TKTS at Leicester Square they sell the lateral seats of row H for 45£: you miss something with the dress circle overhang but it's a good deal.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2019 19:56:38 GMT
B11 is my favourite seat in the house. Been there twice. It's perfect for the full POTO experience. Go for it!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2019 21:05:30 GMT
Yes, agree on the seats behind the conductor.You are right in the action.Can see the detail in the costumes especially in the Masquerade scene.One of the officers who is trying to arrest the Phantom comes out of the orchestra pit next to you and the chandelier falling is much more dramatic from below it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2019 10:18:34 GMT
Wait. The chandelier falls? Spoiler tags please! 😆
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18,823 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 6, 2019 11:04:51 GMT
Welcome to the board, sleepflower . The seats behind the conductor are good (limited legroom, though). Personally, I've always loved H23 in the dress circle. I first saw it from here, and for £32.50 it's to the side of the pillar - you just lean a bit. Stalls O4 is similar for the same money - maybe even edges it for view, except if someone tall is in front, in which case the circle has the advantage as that row is on a high plinth. The edges of the upper circle are very cheap, and you get what you pay for. Much more on my site with various other recommendations. Be aware that nobody gets a full view of all the action from even the most expensive seat, due to the staging and just how the theatre is. They do day seats on a Thursday afternoon, and you can get a very good stalls ticket for £25 if you get there early on a quiet day. Don't try during school holidays and peak season, as they tend not to have such good tickets. There are also "book ahead" offers with companies like Encore for £47.50 for best available for Thursday afternoons as well, quite often. theatreboard.entstix.com. You could also wait for London Theatre Sale (formerly GILTS) for January / February (booking opens November) as that always has best seats for £40, with £30 and £20 choices, or if you have children there is Kidsweek in August (booking June) where you get a seat for your child free, so half-price for the pair. Isn’t he marvellous? 🐒 🍌
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2019 11:06:52 GMT
Remember once reading somewhere that the chandelier drop happens at different speeds depending on the different health/safety laws in different countries and I think the height of the theatre may also have some bearing perhaps? Got to say that HM’s is one of my favourite theatres for atmosphere but some of the seat views for POTO are not great throughout the venue partly as theatre monkey says because of the design for this show eg the proscenium
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18,823 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 6, 2019 11:29:13 GMT
There’s a YouTube video showing all of the different countries chandeliers dropping. It’s definitely different. Sadly Australia isn’t included and that was supposed to be frighteningly fast.
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253 posts
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Post by No. on Apr 6, 2019 11:38:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2019 11:41:04 GMT
Hope they have a defibrillator on stand-by in the theatre in Oz.Joking aside,it is possibly the greatest ‘wow’ moment I have ever seen in a theatre along with the on-stage revolve in the original CATS at the New London,the helicopter in MISS SAIGON and of course the barricade in LES MIS.The stair-case in 42nd STREET was spectacular as well.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2019 11:43:23 GMT
Just checked out the videos.Thanks,guys...seriously WOW! The power of live theatre!
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1,010 posts
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Post by David J on Apr 6, 2019 13:50:05 GMT
I could have sworn the west end chandelier was faster before. When I saw it last February it just gradually came down. And Raoul didn’t grab Christina out of the way. Everyone got away before the chandelier even swung towards the stage
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Post by sleepflower on Apr 6, 2019 17:28:46 GMT
Thanks for all the seat advice everyone! Much appreciated. I'll try and forget the spoilers before I see it in a few weeks
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Post by sleepflower on Apr 23, 2019 13:23:37 GMT
Thanks for all the seat advice everyone! Much appreciated. I'll try and forget the spoilers before I see it in a few weeks So I saw the show the other day - sat in stalls O4 as advised, and had a perfect view! I very rarely sit in the stalls but I'm glad I did. Loved the show - the costumes and sets were stunning. The overture and the scene where they go in the boat was incredible, really spine-tingling stuff for someone who hasn't seen it before! One question though; what was with the random robot doll thing of Christine(?) that the Phantom had in his lair at one point? Obviously showing his lust for her, but there was no reference to it that I can recall (may be wrong, not being very familiar with the show) and it just seemed a bit random and made him seem more predatory when I got the impression the story was ultimately trying to elicit sympathy for him.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2019 13:32:18 GMT
Does anyone know if David Thaxton a) does all performances? b) has any holiday coming up?
No massive desire to see Phantom again but would like to just for Thaxton - loved him in Les Mis and JCS!
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18,823 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 23, 2019 13:33:10 GMT
I suppose it’s a bit of a visual shock when the doll gets revealed, and shows the audience that he’s obsessed with her. It is a bit random though I agree. Maybe it was referenced in one of the earlier versions of the book but got written out.
The audience reaction has been a bit funny on occasions that I’ve seen the show, sometimes there’s a bit of laughter at the doll because it’s not very convincing 🙂
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2019 13:36:56 GMT
The audience reaction has been a bit funny on occasions that I’ve seen the show, sometimes there’s a bit of laughter at the doll because it’s not very convincing 🙂 Although its more convincing than the lightning bolt at the start of the Overture - I'm not sure if that is now just left in for 1986 throwback comedy effect as it is TERRIBLE!
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18,823 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 23, 2019 13:39:49 GMT
And what about those fireballs that the Phantom chucks at Raoul in the graveyard fight 😂
Paul Daniels has much to answer for!
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1,875 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 23, 2019 14:00:25 GMT
Thanks for all the seat advice everyone! Much appreciated. I'll try and forget the spoilers before I see it in a few weeks So I saw the show the other day - sat in stalls O4 as advised, and had a perfect view! I very rarely sit in the stalls but I'm glad I did. Loved the show - the costumes and sets were stunning. The overture and the scene where they go in the boat was incredible, really spine-tingling stuff for someone who hasn't seen it before! One question though; what was with the random robot doll thing of Christine(?) that the Phantom had in his lair at one point? Obviously showing his lust for her, but there was no reference to it that I can recall (may be wrong, not being very familiar with the show) and it just seemed a bit random and made him seem more predatory when I got the impression the story was ultimately trying to elicit sympathy for him.
Funnily enough, I went recently with 2 first timers (and only semi-regular theatre-goers) and the doll/automaton confused them too.
Another thought the body that was hung was Carlotta! I must admit when actually having to explain it as Buquet, it comes across as rather lame and inconsequential! (doing away with a barely featured character who's probably not registered with most of the audience)
One friend also speculated about how The Phantom could have posssibly learned all these skills living separated from society with no access to schooling, mentoring etc...
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1,875 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 23, 2019 14:01:41 GMT
And what about those fireballs that the Phantom chucks at Raoul in the graveyard fight 😂 Paul Daniels has much to answer for!
Although the bit with the flames at the end of the Masquerade scene is enough to singe yer eyebrows if you're in the first few rows like we were!!!!!
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1,875 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 23, 2019 14:02:32 GMT
Does anyone know if David Thaxton a) does all performances? b) has any holiday coming up? No massive desire to see Phantom again but would like to just for Thaxton - loved him in Les Mis and JCS! Thaxters was absolutely SUPERB - highly, highly recommended. He has it all!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2019 14:02:34 GMT
I do wonder if eventually Phantom will have a compete overhaul. Given all the recent chit chat re Les Mis original not being iconic enough to keep going according to Cam Mac.
I don't think it would ever change to the touring version as it just simply isn't as good as the Les Mis version so is no contest for the original.
Surely they should do SOMETHING just to update it a bit though. It needs it IMO.
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1,875 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 23, 2019 14:05:28 GMT
I do wonder if eventually Phantom will have a compete overhaul. Given all the recent chit chat re Les Mis original not being iconic enough to keep going according to Cam Mac. I don't think it would ever change to the touring version as it just simply isn't as good as the Les Mis version so is no contest for the original. Surely they should do SOMETHING just to update it a bit though. It needs it IMO. Perhaps they'll only wait until after Hal Prince carks?!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2019 14:38:44 GMT
Thanks for all the seat advice everyone! Much appreciated. I'll try and forget the spoilers before I see it in a few weeks So I saw the show the other day - sat in stalls O4 as advised, and had a perfect view! I very rarely sit in the stalls but I'm glad I did. Loved the show - the costumes and sets were stunning. The overture and the scene where they go in the boat was incredible, really spine-tingling stuff for someone who hasn't seen it before! One question though; what was with the random robot doll thing of Christine(?) that the Phantom had in his lair at one point? Obviously showing his lust for her, but there was no reference to it that I can recall (may be wrong, not being very familiar with the show) and it just seemed a bit random and made him seem more predatory when I got the impression the story was ultimately trying to elicit sympathy for him. 'It' appears twice, technically. Firstly in Music of the Night, where Phantom walks Christine up to the mirror, she thinks she see's her reflection and then the doll crashes forward towards her causing her to faint into the Phantoms arms. Then in the Final Lair when Phantom is a moody pants, throwing his toys around, the doll gets the brunt of it. I say 'it' because in the Music of the Night scene the doll is played by a cast member not a dummy.
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372 posts
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Apr 23, 2019 20:35:09 GMT
David's run ends 11th May from what I know and he doesn't have an alternate. He's well worth seeing, I saw him twice and his Final Lair scene blew me away!
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851 posts
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 23, 2019 21:14:46 GMT
David's run ends 11th May from what I know and he doesn't have an alternate. He's well worth seeing, I saw him twice and his Final Lair scene blew me away! Couldn't agree more. The Final Lair scene reduced me to tears, a feat other Phantom has achieved (and I've seen a few!).
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267 posts
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Post by stageyninja83 on Apr 23, 2019 23:40:08 GMT
Does anyone know if David Thaxton a) does all performances? b) has any holiday coming up? No massive desire to see Phantom again but would like to just for Thaxton - loved him in Les Mis and JCS! He does all shows and although his last date was due to be 11th May he has holiday 10th & 11th May so will be finishing on 9th. I think he may have one further day off (working it out from his music of the night countdown on twitter) but not sure when it is.
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1,875 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 24, 2019 9:37:10 GMT
David's run ends 11th May from what I know and he doesn't have an alternate. He's well worth seeing, I saw him twice and his Final Lair scene blew me away! Couldn't agree more. The Final Lair scene reduced me to tears, a feat other Phantom has achieved (and I've seen a few!).
There were little touches in that final scene that were, for me reminscent of Jack Nicholson as The Joker
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716 posts
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Post by indis on Apr 24, 2019 10:31:41 GMT
anything known about cc of Phantom in september, anything about new Christines
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2019 10:34:41 GMT
Echo above ^^ What are the chances of Thaxton reprising the role once Tim's contract ends?
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