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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Jan 29, 2016 23:01:10 GMT
Saw this last night (Thursday 28th) and absolutely loved it. What a brilliant show! I just wish more people were seeing it, as again it was probably no more than half full.
I'm trying to piece together who was playing who - there were five or six names read out at the beginning as 'will be playing tonight'. From those I can work out, Jocasta Amgill was on as Camilla (as opposed to understudying Vanessa, as I understand she has been doing), Sarah Naudi was on as Vanessa, which meant that Alexzandra Sarmiento was effectively doubling, as far as I could see it, being a key part of all the dance numbers, but also playing Carla. Looking at the photos, I think Antoine Murray-Straughan was on as Sonny, which means someone else must have been Grafitti Pete, possibly Reiss Hinds. And Philippa Stefani was on as Daniela, of course.
I thought the whole cast was excellent, with special mention for Lily Frazer and Philippa Stefani. It genuinely seemed like they were all having a great time playing the roles, and had a very enthusiastic crowd for their troubles too.
The main negative I took away from the show was the venue. I found the seats uncomfortable, but more bothersome than anything, the place was so noisy! Coming from above, I think it's the wind rattling the temporary roofing against the metal girders, and with the beginnings of the storm coming in, it was incredibly distracting. It was worst later one, and really stripped any of the emotion out of the quieter, dramatic scenes in the second half (those who've seen it will know the scenes I mean), which slightly dampened the enjoyment for me, and stripped the show of some of its emotional heft.
Is it always like that? And is this place intended to be a permanent theatre venue? Because if it is going to be, they need to sort those problems out - I wouldn't want to see something quiet and emotional there.
But overall, a great night. Hoping I might get to see it once again before it closes. I assume my odds of ever seeing Jade Ewen are pretty minimal now?
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jan 30, 2016 12:43:25 GMT
I experienced those noises too and again it was on a very windy day.
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Post by jaqs on Jan 31, 2016 13:03:33 GMT
Went last night, not sure who was Vanessa but they were not good. Had understudy for Benny too who was great.
For me it didn't have the energy it did in Southwark, it's still worth seeing for Sam Mackay who is doing an excellent job.
Seats had loads of legroom but are still uncomfortable.
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Post by flyingfree on Jan 31, 2016 13:32:34 GMT
Just booked for the 20th. Booked row K because I couldn't afford much more, there still seems to be a lot of availability, is the theatre quite good in letting people move forward?
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Jan 31, 2016 18:21:09 GMT
There didn't seem to be anything or anybody stopping people moving forward (no ushers up on the sides where the seats are), so you should be fine.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 31, 2016 21:13:30 GMT
Thinking of seeing this in April when I'm down for Sunset Boulevard. Not sure it will be "me" though. I'm not a hip hop type... Thoughts? You sound quite old school, dear. So possibly not!
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 31, 2016 21:14:14 GMT
I wasn't a fan of hip-hop before I saw the show and I haven't really listened to much hip-hop since seeing the show. But LMM is a genius, arguable the biggest thing in MT since Sondheim. or you?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 1, 2016 8:32:22 GMT
Thinking of seeing this in April when I'm down for Sunset Boulevard. Not sure it will be "me" though. I'm not a hip hop type... Thoughts? You sound quite old school, dear. So possibly not! As long as there's room to store my tartan shopping trolley on wheels under the seat I'll see anything, dear
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Post by alece10 on Feb 1, 2016 12:41:29 GMT
You sound quite old school, dear. So possibly not! As long as there's room to store my tartan shopping trolley on wheels under the seat I'll see anything, dear I'm not "hip hop" either but really enjoyed the show when I saw it at Southwark. I would say there is as much Salsa as Hip Hop. Don't think Hamilton will be my thing but this was great
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Post by HereForTheatre on Feb 1, 2016 12:58:40 GMT
I think i sat in row E when i went, maybe F, and the view was great, so sure G will be fine.
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Post by DebbieDoesDouglas(Hodge) on Feb 1, 2016 13:08:03 GMT
When I saw it, in the interval I asked the ushers if I could move BACK from the stage in the hope of noticeing the lack of decent plot a bit less. Didn't work (plot, not my request although THREE ushers had to be contacted to discuss me moving!)
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Post by The Matthew on Feb 1, 2016 14:22:50 GMT
When I saw it, in the interval I asked the ushers if I could move BACK from the stage in the hope of noticeing the lack of decent plot a bit less. "Could I sit somewhere else, please? Like a different theatre?"
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Feb 4, 2016 19:12:09 GMT
The Railway Children has announced an extension at the Kings Cross Theatre until the end of October so I wonder if In The Heights is set to do the same?
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Post by Stasia on Feb 5, 2016 7:17:13 GMT
Fingers crossed! Really want them to extend
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Post by Steffi on Feb 5, 2016 13:20:11 GMT
Great news!
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Feb 5, 2016 14:54:33 GMT
Wow, based on how full it was when I was there (and the offers that seem to be available), I'm quite surprised they can justify it.
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Post by Steffi on Feb 5, 2016 14:59:14 GMT
That's what I thought too. It must be cheap enough to run. I'm happy about the extension. My favourite London show right now. Looking forward to more visits.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Feb 5, 2016 15:14:21 GMT
I wonder who the new Vanessa will be
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Post by Jon on Feb 5, 2016 15:21:15 GMT
I imagine this and The Railway Children will close when Google decides when its going to build its new HQ.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 12, 2016 8:10:10 GMT
Two tickets up for grabs on our competition!
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Post by nats1602 on Feb 12, 2016 11:33:46 GMT
Happy to hear the show is extending as I really want to catch it again!
Echoing everybody else though, how are they able to keep it running? Virtually one side of the platform was completely empty when I went last week which is such a shame as this is definitely one of the best shows on in London at the minute.
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Post by Steffi on Feb 12, 2016 12:08:22 GMT
I went last Sunday and it was more than 3/4 full. I spoke to one of the cast afterwards and he said they are hoping it'll pick up more soon. Weekdays seem to be especially quiet (Tuesday matinees are dead).
It is a shame, the show deserves to sell out all the time in my opinion.
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Feb 12, 2016 14:16:38 GMT
Saw the show last night for the second time, as breath-taking as ever. Victoria and Jade are still off, so I had Philippa as Daniela and Jocasta as Vanessa (and I had 2 very proud friends of hers sitting next to me). First up, I LOVED Jocasta. Her voice has so much power and she plays Vanessa as more fiery and bold compared to Jade's more cute portrayal, and I feel Jocasta's fit the script and character better. I seriously hope they promote her to principle when Jade leaves for Aladdin. Philippa had some big shoes to fill, she was great in her own way but I always imagined Daniela as older than the other girls she worked with. Philippa looks/is around the same age as them so you don't get quite the same "mother hen" feel as with Victoria. She looks fantastic in those red dresses though.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 15, 2016 0:55:55 GMT
This is a show that has really grown on me. First viewing wasn't great, but it's easy to take to the music and the energy once you realise that nothing much of consequence will happen during the show.
I saw both the Friday 12th and Sunday 14th evening shows this week, and the cast was decimated both times. As far as I can tell, this was due to illness (and Jade Ewen's injury).
Friday, the theatre was pretty full with a few empty seats dotted around.
Jocasta Almgill was on as Camila (there was a tweet from Jade Ewan that Jocasta would be covering Vanessa, so this must have been a late change - Jocasta was strong vocally, but young looking for someone meant to have a daughter in college) Courtney Mae Briggs was on as Vanessa Alexzandra Sarmiento was on as Carla - and also in the ensemble
That left the dance ensemble very unbalanced, with four males and two females. A little bit of order confusion and some cut down numbers, but generally worked well.
Sunday was where cast availability really fell apart.
The show had to go on as the theatre was packed (a lot of seats gone from a Today Tix lottery as far as I can tell).
The start was delayed from 20:30 until 20:45 - looked like there were still staging arrangements being sorted.
Jocasta Almgill was on as Camila again This time, Sarah Naudi was on as Vanessa Alexzandra Sarmiento again did the double duty as Carla and the ensemble
As well as all the female ensemble being off or covering other roles, all the male ensemble and swings were off as well (including the three who were fine on Friday)
Poor Cleve September (Sonny) was doubling up in the ensemble, working along with Antoine Murray-Straughan (Graffiti Pete) who usually shares the ensemble as well. For the first half, Cleve had to keep checking his script in the shop and there were various discussions going on (quietly) around the cast. Even Piragua Guy was on stage more than usual.
It went remarkably well considering, although the big numbers lost something with the shortage of people, and the nightclub scene was difficult. There were some logistical issues, like getting the scenery on and off stage and the stairs being moved around looked a bit unsafe (with only one person per set of stairs at one point instead of the usual two people).
So, this was at most an ensemble of two males and two females - and often less than that (compared with four males and four females early in the run before illness/accidents/pregnancies/holidays etc happened).
Must only be one step away from David Badella joining in with the ensemble!
Well done to any of the cast reading this for being able to go ahead and making this look smooth. Most people wouldn't have noticed the difference.
Will be interesting to see what happens over the coming weeks.
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Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 1:04:11 GMT
Out of interest: How did you find out who was on? Just by checking Twitter?
During my two visits, no cast announcements were made or understudy sheets were displayed so I had to guess (or rather compare the cast on stage with the programme) who was actually on.
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Post by TheatreDust on Feb 15, 2016 1:18:41 GMT
When I went in January they had "at this performance the role of x will be played by y" notices on the video screens outside in the 'waiting room'.
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Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 1:27:08 GMT
When I went in January they had "at this performance the role of x will be played by y" notices on the video screens outside in the 'waiting room'. I saw the show in October and December and don't remember seeing any understudy annoucements on the screens - I usually pay attention to such things as I always take a picture of the cast list as a reminder whom I've seen. Maybe they've only changed it recently.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 15, 2016 2:50:20 GMT
Can someone explain how they can get so short staffed? I'd have thought they'd be able to cope using swings and/or parachuting people in to be ensemble members - given the unemployment rate among theatre actors I can't imagine it's hard to find someone capable.
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Post by Stasia on Feb 15, 2016 7:15:36 GMT
Can someone explain how they can get so short staffed? I'd have thought they'd be able to cope using swings and/or parachuting people in to be ensemble members - given the unemployment rate among theatre actors I can't imagine it's hard to find someone capable. they didn't have lots of swings even at the beginning, and now they only have 1 male and 1 female swing. at first they "lost" one person who can cover as they needed a new permanent Daniela, now they also need Vanessa cover, and if something happens to Carla and or Camilla they are getting very "short staffed".
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Post by Steffi on Feb 15, 2016 7:38:42 GMT
When I went in January they had "at this performance the role of x will be played by y" notices on the video screens outside in the 'waiting room'. I saw the show in October and December and don't remember seeing any understudy annoucements on the screens - I usually pay attention to such things as I always take a picture of the cast list as a reminder whom I've seen. Maybe they've only changed it recently. First time I saw the understudy list on screen was in January I think. In December the screen only said Philippa Stefani would be playing Daniella (so just the long term cover on the screen) but they made an announcement in the foyer pre show with all other understudies.
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