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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 11:18:24 GMT
When does this officially open? I am seeing it on the 18th, so I'm intrigued if I see it in preview mode or the finished product.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 9, 2017 11:24:24 GMT
When does this officially open? I am seeing it on the 18th, so I'm intrigued if I see it in preview mode or the finished product. Go in previews! Will be cheaper
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 11:26:37 GMT
When does this officially open? I am seeing it on the 18th, so I'm intrigued if I see it in preview mode or the finished product. Go in previews! Will be cheaper I only paid a tenner haha. And the promo hasn't really sold it to me as of yet, so I would t of wanted to pay any more.
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Post by TallPaul on Nov 9, 2017 13:47:47 GMT
When does this officially open? I am seeing it on the 18th, so I'm intrigued if I see it in preview mode or the finished product. It officially opens on 22 November, with the usual 7pm performance to make the papers.
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Post by alece10 on Nov 9, 2017 13:50:54 GMT
I thought it was just me [ with my poor hearing ] that couldn't make out the words. Agree about the ending. The songs are stuck in my head. Incidently the writer was up in the upper circle with 2 others making notes. Same. I couldn’t hear a single lyric throughout. Overall I was very disappointed. The score isn’t great and I couldn’t hear the lead when he was singing most of the time, very weak vocally. I thought all of the humour fell completely flat. They have a lot of work to do to turn this around. I hope they are busy rehearsing and cutting every day. I liked the mother and her best friend though. Josie walker singing My Boy was the best thing about it. I’m glad I didn’t give in to my boyfriend who wanted to leave at the interval as I’d have missed that. Not bad, but could have been so much better. I think this will struggle to find an audience. Even though I put on my review this morning that the lead was excellent I have to agree that his voice was weak at times. I was just trying to be nice in fear of being shouted down 😁 Good acting though I thought. I thought the dancing was "interesting" and put it down to my age!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 9, 2017 14:19:23 GMT
Have they kept the hideous “contemporary daaaance” dance routine with the boy and girl leaping about with their toes pointed?
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Post by Dan213 on Nov 9, 2017 14:21:23 GMT
Have they kept the hideous “contemporary daaaance” dance routine with the boy and girl leaping about with their toes pointed? Judging by a post on the previous page they have
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 9, 2017 14:23:52 GMT
Ah yes. Missed that! Totally agree with Mr B. It needs cutting.
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Post by bellboard27 on Nov 9, 2017 17:15:43 GMT
It is sad to hear about the sound issues. From dress circle row B we both thought the sound was good. Very clear from all leads. The only issue was a couple of the supporting cast when they had the odd solo lines.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 9, 2017 20:33:08 GMT
When does this officially open? I am seeing it on the 18th, so I'm intrigued if I see it in preview mode or the finished product. It officially opens on 22 November, with the usual 7pm performance to make the papers. Reviewers don’t go to the first night of musicals these days- they see final previews
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 9, 2017 20:33:52 GMT
Have they kept the hideous “contemporary daaaance” dance routine with the boy and girl leaping about with their toes pointed? I will have nightmares about that dance.
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Post by hulmeman on Nov 9, 2017 22:44:24 GMT
Big "and finally" item on News at Ten tonight.
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Post by TallPaul on Nov 10, 2017 14:07:58 GMT
It officially opens on 22 November, with the usual 7pm performance to make the papers. Reviewers don’t go to the first night of musicals these days- they see final previews I see. So the early start means everyone can start to party that little bit earlier? As I've said before, every day is a school day on TheatreBoard.
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Post by daniel on Nov 10, 2017 16:34:52 GMT
Reviewers don’t go to the first night of musicals these days- they see final previews I see. So the early start means everyone can start to party that little bit earlier? As I've said before, every day is a school day on TheatreBoard. with the huge increase in blogs and vlogs and fun things like that, there's a load more people who review shows now than in previous years. So whilst some do still go to the "traditional" press night, it's not unusual for there to be more of a "press week" in the run up to the official opening, with reviewers in every night. They just can't publish their reviews until the show ha officially opened.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 11, 2017 8:23:00 GMT
Reviewers don’t go to the first night of musicals these days- they see final previews I see. So the early start means everyone can start to party that little bit earlier? As I've said before, every day is a school day on TheatreBoard. Bingo!
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Nov 11, 2017 9:11:24 GMT
Very responsive audience watching this last night with raucous laughter one minute and audible gasps the next. I thought we were in for a mid show standing ovation at one point, such was the fevered reaction to Pritti's rant at the school bully towards the end!
I really wasn't sure what to expect beforehand but I loved so much about this show. Bursting with heart, humour and catchy, memorable songs, it's a show where the cliche that it will make you laugh and make you cry really does ring true. A fabulous evening in every sense, with a message about fitting in, being yourself and being accepted for who you are that I think everyone can relate to in some respect. It certainly struck a chord with me.
The writing is laced with so much rich humour and brilliant one liners. The staging and choreography feels fresh and contemporary, and the three central characters of Jamie, his best friend Pritti and mother Margaret are all exquisitely played. I really enjoyed Lucie Shorthouse as best friend Pritti in particular (gorgeous vocals on It Means Beautiful) while Harriet Payne has the classroom banter to a T as Bex.
I'm so glad that Jamie has received the West End transfer it deserves and with so many of the Sheffield cast on board, 15 of whom are making their West End debuts. The energy and excitement they bring stepping out into the spotlight on the Apollo stage is infectious. I suspect a raft of rave reviews are heading their way later this month and rightly so. I'd go again in a heartbeat (or a fabulous pair of heels).
Word of mouth will ultimately decide whether this can sustain a lengthy run but personally I hope that everybody is talking about Jamie on Shaftesbury Avenue for a long time to come. If you haven't got a ticket yet, you're missing out on a treat (and you don't even know it).
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Post by hulmeman on Nov 11, 2017 9:29:44 GMT
stevejohnson678 said: "..... .If you haven't got a ticket yet, you're missing out on a treat (and you don't even know it)." I see what u did there!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 11, 2017 10:40:16 GMT
So in the Sheffield version a few of the gags used local references. A huge council estate called Parsons Cross was definitely mentioned, I think meadowhall May have been aswell. Presumably they’ve taken these out or changed them? We’re there any jokes where you thought “Eh?”
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Post by terrylondon79 on Nov 11, 2017 11:09:33 GMT
So in the Sheffield version a few of the gags used local references. A huge council estate called Parsons Cross was definitely mentioned, I think meadowhall May have been aswell. Presumably they’ve taken these out or changed them? We’re there any jokes where you thought “Eh?” When it was in the crucible, the line about watching snooker got a large laugh, which it didn't get in the lyric
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Post by stageyninja83 on Nov 11, 2017 12:18:24 GMT
So in the Sheffield version a few of the gags used local references. A huge council estate called Parsons Cross was definitely mentioned, I think meadowhall May have been aswell. Presumably they’ve taken these out or changed them? We’re there any jokes where you thought “Eh?” They definitely still mentioned Meadowhall and there was a joke about the trams that still got a laugh. Don't remember the Parsons Cross one though so maybe they've cut some of the more obscure jokes.
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Post by drowseychap on Nov 11, 2017 23:15:42 GMT
Full house tonight very responsive audience throughout jokes all went down well ... sound from dress circle was fine ....was difficult to desiphere some of the vocals in e b t a j after interval ...... so glad the drag queens do more this time round .... a couple of new songs ... set Same as Sheffield with introduction of great projections really work well ... and the end of first half loved the projection of Jamie walking on stage ...... the ending worked quite well lots of song and dance .... full standing ovation it’s in good shape ... was a real buzz from people leaving ....
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Post by drowseychap on Nov 13, 2017 0:54:49 GMT
Noticed the song @16 no longer in the show love that on the download too .... bought the programme which is pretty good and substantial... the new concept album is £10 too has the new songs in it ... limited edition I wasn’t sure about ugly worked well though .... the last song isn’t on the cd though which is a shame .... inside the cover it does say West End cast album on its way Couldn’t get a programme in Sheffield as had sold out so difficult to tell exactly what’s cut and moved around anyone else know ? Really hope the cast are on children in need this year
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Post by jamb0r on Nov 13, 2017 23:13:30 GMT
Really loved this tonight! Wasn’t expecting it to be so hilarious, the songs were catchy and the cast were great. Seeing pictures of the stage I wasn’t expecting much from the set, but thought it worked really well.
My only criticism would be that it’s far from polished just yet - there were a lot of stumbles with set pieces crashing into each other, flashing lighting that shouldn’t be flashing, desks round the wrong way etc. The ending could also pack more of a punch, I felt it was a bit flat until the curtain call. (Maybe I’m just finding an excuse to go back again later in the run 😀)
Even loved the contemporary dance that everyone else seems to hate!
In the pecking order of drag themed shows I’d put this above Priscilla but below Kinky Boots
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Post by musicalmarge on Nov 15, 2017 0:31:13 GMT
Saw this tonight. What an amazing new show. Josie Walker is just incredible!!
Act one is too long, father mis-cast (just not bad enough) and not sure if the teacher is meant to be good or bad (or played wrong) but I don’t think the balance was there.
That said full standing ovation. It’s contemporary, resonant, current and celebrates diversity and individuality. I loved it.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 15, 2017 0:39:53 GMT
Saw this tonight. What an amazing new show. Josie Walker is just incredible!! Act one is too long, some of the songs are the best, father mis-cast (just not bad enough) and not sure if the teacher is meant to be good or bad (or played wrong) but I don’t think the balance was there. That said full standing ovation. It’s contemporary, resonant, current and celebrates diversity and individuality. I loved it. Oh dear. Honoured Guest won’t be pleased to hear it.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 17, 2017 23:19:08 GMT
Completely original, relevant, edgy and woke.
A fantastic British musical written and produced by a young team who are in touch with the times. Kudos for representation and inclusion. The music was catchy, humorous and the book scenes were witty and full of Easter eggs.
Cast is superb. A star is born and his name is John McCrea. Josie Walker spares no tears or snot. Mina Anwar and Lucie Shorthouse are scene stealers as non conventional side kick and fag hag prototypes.
Directorially, I think it’s really there. A few pacing tweaks could make moments land better: actors can catch a breath and wait a moment before starting a song following a co-actor’s exit; the ending of act one could land better if the music is indicative of the scene’s conclusion. Currently the moment ended abruptly and the audience didn’t know what to do. I started applauding to end the awkwardness. Lighting design isn’t quite as sharp and the stage seems a bit too lit for the majority of the show without much room for lighting to be evocative or give a sense of the drama. Scene changes in the second can be quicker and smoother. The sound during chorus number isn’t crisp, ironically even in the pre-recorded numbers.
This show cannot compete with the spare no expense Sonia Friedman or Cam Mac musical that dominate London- not the finishing or promotional efforts, but my does it deserve the recognition and support. Go see it.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Nov 18, 2017 0:24:30 GMT
Really thought I was going to love this, but unfortunately I didn't. This show is nowhere near ready for a West End run and it will probably flop big time. It would have worked better in a smaller fringe venue, somewhere like the Menier.
I enjoyed some of the songs. The choreography is quite good and the show only comes to life in the big dance numbers with the youngest cast members. The rest is rather dull and boring mainly because the book is just not very good and the pace is extremely slow at times. Part I is very long and ends up in a big anti climax, all that build up to Mimi Me's big performance comes to nothing in the end.
I congratulate the hard working cast for doing their best with the weak material given. Josie Walker has a couple of good moments and a decent song but in general she's wasted here.
Love the real story in which this is based, and I was excited to see another West End show which celebrates individuality -Billy Elliot and Hairspray are two favourites of mine- but I was ultimately disappointed.
There is definitely some potential here, but a lot work is needed to make this a successful show in the West End.
Just my two cents.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 0:28:22 GMT
I don't think the book is weak. I think some of the content is truly fantastic. It does need some doctoring. You can tell the creative team are young and inexperienced. But it was such a gem. I loved it. I do agree with you, much to my dismay, that I think it won't make it. Whoever produced it definitely does not have the cash to roll it out and keep it afloat if it doesn't sell well.
Hate to be a stickler, btw but Hairspray is technically not a West End.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Nov 18, 2017 0:36:27 GMT
Glad you enjoyed it and I wish I could share your enthusiasm. Really thought I was going to love it, but I didn't unfortunately. You know what I mean about Hairspray, even if it started on Broadway
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2017 12:48:19 GMT
Seeing the show today... I think im more intrigued than anything, I hope I enjoy it at least. I mean, I love Kinky Boots, so this should be a winner!
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