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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 24, 2017 21:09:46 GMT
Well there is 5 in the band and a cast of about 15-16. Costumes are not expensive and the set/props fairly minimal - so it is clear that the money has gone on people rather than dressing. But it didn't feel overly cheap.
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1,315 posts
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Post by tmesis on Jun 24, 2017 21:36:09 GMT
Just left this evening's performance and it was still swelteringly hot! What is it with this place, it's really quite cool outside.
I knew nothing at all about this but really enjoyed it. In fact it's the only thing I've really enjoyed since they moved 'over the road.'
I found the script and lyrics very witty and the music was strong and inventive. The cast were uninformedly strong with no real weak links. Vocal projection was generally good (Blondel was a bit weak but not disaterously so) and much better than usual at this venue. The production was cheap (when has the Union ever done sumptuous?) but effective and it was very well directed by Reagan.
Respectable attendance - 3/4 full.
I'd recommended it, if you can stand the heat.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 24, 2017 22:25:36 GMT
Just left this evening's performance and it was still swelteringly hot! What is it with this place, it's really quite cool outside. I knew nothing at all about this but really enjoyed it. In fact it's the only thing I've really enjoyed since they moved 'over the road.' I found the script and lyrics very witty and the music was strong and inventive. The cast were uninformedly strong with no real weak links. Vocal projection was generally good (Blondel was a bit weak but not disaterously so) and much better than usual at this venue. The production was cheap (when has the Union ever done sumptuous?) but effective and it was very well directed by Reagan. Respectable attendance - 3/4 full. I'd recommended it, if you can stand the heat. I am very glad that you enjoyed it. I guess I knew the original version so well (from my twin cassette set - not from ever having seen it) that it coloured my view of the reworking. I do think they missed a trick with giving Blondel a base t-shirt layered with his string vest-thing. Ditch the t-shirt and show some flesh! He looks built enough for it! |
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114 posts
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Post by showbizkid on Jul 10, 2017 22:36:56 GMT
I stopped going to the Union. Same prices as Southwark and the 6 shows I saw I hated all of them. Southwark shows I all adore. I also hate the Union staircase to stage left and thought the previous theatre space was better. I've seen better amateur work. Come on Union get it together! Nothing has been great here yet.
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 10, 2017 22:56:22 GMT
I thought it was just me...but I hate that staircase - it throws everything off centre. I too have seen much better amateur work. Plus of course the heat. God alone knows what it has been like these last few weeks. Cannot face Blondel at all.
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3,469 posts
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Post by showgirl on Jul 11, 2017 3:36:02 GMT
Really wanted to see this (having seen and recalled liking, though no detail of) the Old Vic production years ago. But too many cons: heat, short run, early matinees for a longish show, prices & unreserved seating. It's certainly true that the Union compares unfavourably to nearby Southwark Playhouse on price and their neither-one-thing-nor-another seating system means having to get there even earlier. Maybe this will be revived or tour, though, as it has sold well and they've certainly flogged a few other productions (in which I had no interest from the start) to death, e.g. what they call "AMHMS" to death around the UK.
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1,179 posts
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Post by Steve on Jul 11, 2017 13:03:24 GMT
I saw this last week, but had nothing much to add to Oxford Simon's excellent account, with which I completely agreed. Looking back, here are some things that strike me: (1) Thank goodness the endless tiresome references to other shows have been largely excised. Those were so unfunny that the low strike rate of the humour became overly annoying in the show's original iteration; (2) The 4 monks choir is terrific, and if one of them is the theatreboard member I believe him to be, congratulations! (3) Neil Moors does indeed have such a full deep rousing throaty voice that he's every inch the jaunty King Richard; and (4) James Thackeray as Prince John is EVERYTHING. Oxford Simon saw Alan Cumming in him, and I agree, he has all the charismatic, prancing jollity of Mateo Oxley in "Shock Treatment," or to quote a reference more people will be familiar with, all the snide, camp fun of a young Alan Rickman. I fully enjoyed the show, despite it's low grade humour, but there's not enough King John, not enough at all. If he could have been in every scene, and also lent a bit of his spunk to the Assassin, things would have been more fun. As there is simply not enough King John, 3 and a half stars.  |
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Post by westendwendy on Jul 11, 2017 14:10:23 GMT
I also stopped going to the Union. Temperature issues, bad shows and yes that awful staircase stage left. Makes the whole space sooooo awkward to use. Such a shame...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2017 10:16:33 GMT
Well. I think we can all agree that we'd like to fondle Blondel. Goodness. Connor Arnold is built like a particular kind of brick house. The voice isn't quite as big as his delightful chest but he's a very winning hero.
It's got a great cast, the four monks are a particular highlight as well as Prince John (James Thackeray, slightly overegging the camp evil) and King Richard (Neil Moors, excellent) but I think my favourite was Michael Burgen as The Assassin. His scenes with Blondel were great fun.
The score is a bit hit and miss and some of the more complex lyrics were lost a bit but there's some great pop tunes in amongst them and some fun production numbers.
But oh, those arms.
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