4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 4, 2018 23:00:36 GMT
What is the running time?
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2,764 posts
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Post by daniel on Aug 5, 2018 2:02:07 GMT
What is the running time? 2 hours.
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1,204 posts
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Post by theatrefan77 on Aug 5, 2018 10:37:21 GMT
Part I - 1 hour Interval - 15 minutes Part II - 45 minutes
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71 posts
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Post by samjane92 on Aug 6, 2018 13:43:40 GMT
I absolutely loved this overall. One of the first shows I saw as a child and seen the film a million times so was nervous about a younger dentist (compared to Alistair McGowan and Steve Martin) and human plant!
I agree the set probably wasn't ideal, and the ensemble could have done far more without the skyscrapers taking up so much room. The shop worked well but the plant could have been more impressive. Especially given the green setting. The finale was bonkers and good fun but I remember being far more impressed at the menier production ending with Sheridan Smith.
Loved the three 'greek chorus' style girls, particularly Christina Modestou. Cracking voices. Marc Antolin and Jemima Rooper stole the show for me. Lovely voices, great chemistry and really well acted. Matt Willis was far better than his west end live clips, quite a different take but very funny, especially in the meek shall inherit. Mr Mushnik did a good job. Vicky Vox also had a a great voice and was very funny as the plant. I would say this version has a bit more adult humour than others if you were thinking of taking children.
I do think the show stop threw off the performance somewhat in the way it was dealt with. While the actual stop was short it took a while for the show to be stopped in the first place which didn't help the situation. The lady seemed to be OK thankfully but I am sure she would have preferred to have been dealt with in privacy as they usually deal with people fainting in the sun rather than the situation that occurred. I also wish they had re-started from the earlier than it did as everyone around the situation missed more than they re-did.
Will be going back for sure but will invest in a much closer seat, couldn't really comment on the quality of the costumes etc from Row O, had the biggest smile on my face all the way home.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2018 14:20:10 GMT
I've got my speedos in my bag. I shall be seeing this tonight!
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374 posts
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Post by MrBunbury on Aug 6, 2018 19:49:54 GMT
I've got my speedos in my bag. I shall be seeing this tonight! . I have not seen anyone in shorts: just a guy in a dashing black and white short sleeved shirt and black trousers with a white line on the side. It must be someone else then 😉
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2018 19:55:04 GMT
I've got my speedos in my bag. I shall be seeing this tonight! . I have not seen anyone in shorts: just a guy in a dashing black and white short sleeved shirt and black trousers with a white line on the side. It must be someone else then 😉 Oh c'est moi!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2018 9:58:38 GMT
Well. I have to say that I enjoyed it for the most part, it zips by nicely in two hours and doesn't overstay its welcome. The songs are much of a muchness although they are toe tapping, I found Vicky Vox's vocals a bit drowned out by the chorus for the most part and one of the songs in particular is a little bit Kermit the Frog's 'It's Not Easy Being Green' which I don't know if that was the intention or not but was nice to remember a Muppet classic anyway.
On the plus side, there's plenty of shopping trolley action ("is it on the trolley?") for those who like to while away the hours bombing around a Tesco car park of an evening, 'Wicked' fans will love the fact that the second half is pretty much lit in what can only be described as 'Elphaba green' and the lead duo of Marc Antolin and Jemima Rooper are really quite utterly delightful. Jemima in particular, has a lovely voice and is a complete charmer (although there's all sorts of #MeToo issues here methinks), giving an incredibly touching performance ('Somewhere That's Green' is almost Marilyn Monroe-esque in its loveliness as she's sat on top of a building) but Marc is the real star of the show, touching, quirky, funny, sweet, vocally terrific and with a wonderful mop of curly hair. They are quite a smashing duo though.
Oh and whoever told Matt Willis (who I didn't even recognise was him) that he could act needs to stop playing games with him right away in case he starts to think it's true. It's not funny and it's not fair. For anyone.
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267 posts
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Post by stageyninja83 on Aug 7, 2018 21:28:42 GMT
Well what I saw of the show tonight I loverd but sadly canceled at the interval so need to replan to see the full show. I don't seem to have much luck with weather at Regent's Park 😕☔
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2018 21:32:49 GMT
Act 2 cancelled tonight.
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Post by partytentdown on Aug 9, 2018 21:58:26 GMT
Argh! This summer was going so well.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2018 22:29:43 GMT
EDIT: the theatre waited for the rain to pass and Act 2 went ahead. Only finished a few minutes ago.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2018 7:55:06 GMT
5 stars from WhatsOnStage 4 stars from The Stage, LondonTheatre.co.uk and Broadway World
Feel like I should be seeing this now having missed JCS twice.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2018 8:53:23 GMT
It looks like this has extended by another week as well as having a slight price hike for top price tickets (only £1 or £2 but still).
Slightly annoyed by the extension as I have pestered my boyfriend for MONTHS to book for the last performance on the 15th as its my Birthday, but good for the production that its extended though. Clearly the reviews are doing them some good!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2018 11:51:35 GMT
Some Americans use "theater" as the art and "theatre" as the building, so although "drive in theatre" sounds improbable, it's nonetheless possible. You'd think they would go with "theater" so as not to distract audience members who don't know that, though. Sometimes truth is far more off-putting than a polite fiction.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2018 11:52:43 GMT
It looks like this has extended by another week as well as having a slight price hike for top price tickets (only £1 or £2 but still). Slightly annoyed by the extension as I have pestered my boyfriend for MONTHS to book for the last performance on the 15th as its my Birthday, but good for the production that its extended though. Clearly the reviews are doing them some good! You don't want to go to a last performance at this theatre anyway, you need a couple of weeks leeway in case you get rained off and need to reschedule.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2018 13:33:36 GMT
It looks like this has extended by another week as well as having a slight price hike for top price tickets (only £1 or £2 but still). Slightly annoyed by the extension as I have pestered my boyfriend for MONTHS to book for the last performance on the 15th as its my Birthday, but good for the production that its extended though. Clearly the reviews are doing them some good! You don't want to go to a last performance at this theatre anyway, you need a couple of weeks leeway in case you get rained off and need to reschedule. That is true i like you way of thinking!
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Post by waybeyondblue on Aug 12, 2018 7:34:08 GMT
Quite enjoyed this yesterday afternoon. Charges along and most of the lyric humour lands. The chorus were great.
Things I would change -
Audrey II - I like the animatronic plant version. I’d also like a singer who sounded more like Levi Stubbs. Mushnik - get an actor who can sing & act, this one wasn’t even in the ITV class of cod yiddish Orin - really busted. No presence and pretty much everything delivered in the same flat version Set - waste of space around the central shop theme and I’ve still no idea why pushing shopping trollies around filled with rubbish sacks and model skyscrapers is anything but the work of a deranged mind.
i’m still In two minds about Jemima - at times you felt she was holding back and there wasn’t the belting I was excepting. This isn’t helped by Seymour camping it up when a nerd is required. I suspect they’d end up somewhere that’s pink.
It’s worth a watch but I feel indulges the “need to be different” itch without understanding that you still need a cohesive show. It wasn’t broken and it certainly doesn’t need fixing.
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357 posts
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Post by JJShaw on Aug 13, 2018 22:23:01 GMT
thankfully it didn't rain today so we get to see the whole show, yay!
I enjoyed it, for the most part. mainly because its one of my favourite shows, I think its really well written, tight, and a good lesson in how to use your time most effectively for a show.
I liked the new physical design and idea of greyscale and adding colour throughout. Some bits and bobs were eh? but I liked the idea and most of the execution. I didn't mind the skyscrapers in the trolleys and thought it was a good way to keep the stage moving and interesting with the lack of different locations and space limitations. at first I was confused why it was a drive in sign framing the stage but they're very American skyline-ey and also as a small homage that it was a b-movie first?
it was overly choreographed and some of the direction was odd which I thought was a shame, almost as if they didn't trust the material. I liked the cast and only felt that they suffered a little from the direction and not their limitations (minus Audrey and Mushnicks weaker vocals). Vicky Vox was wonderful and i thought it was really good interpretation breaking out of the classic mould.
I thought the addition of Mean Green Mother as an encore was really good and certainly made everyone leave on an energised high!
Overall a good production trying to do lots of new things and break out of the classic traditional way of the show, some worked some didn't. Id give it 3.5*
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357 posts
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Post by JJShaw on Aug 14, 2018 8:31:27 GMT
thankfully it didn't rain today so we get to see the whole show, yay! I enjoyed it, for the most part. mainly because its one of my favourite shows, I think its really well written, tight, and a good lesson in how to use your time most effectively for a show. I liked the new physical design and idea of greyscale and adding colour throughout. Some bits and bobs were eh? but I liked the idea and most of the execution. I didn't mind the skyscrapers in the trolleys and thought it was a good way to keep the stage moving and interesting with the lack of different locations and space limitations. at first I was confused why it was a drive in sign framing the stage but they're very American skyline-ey and also as a small homage that it was a b-movie first? it was overly choreographed and some of the direction was odd which I thought was a shame, almost as if they didn't trust the material. I liked the cast and only felt that they suffered a little from the direction and not their limitations (minus Audrey and Mushnicks weaker vocals). Vicky Vox was wonderful and i thought it was really good interpretation breaking out of the classic mould. I thought the addition of Mean Green Mother as an encore was really good and certainly made everyone leave on an energised high! Overall a good production trying to do lots of new things and break out of the classic traditional way of the show, some worked some didn't. Id give it 3.5* also sorry forgot to add the band sounded incredible!!! and the sound design was so good, very unexpected for an outdoor venue but they really were wonderful!
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117 posts
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Post by bramble on Aug 14, 2018 11:23:34 GMT
What a disappointment. After On The Town was really looking forward to this.Found it overblown and underacted.Poorly directed.Very difficult to hear the lyrics at times.Band overpowering. Energetic cast.Strange set of shopping trolleys with skyscrapers being pushed around endlessly even during Somewhere thats Green.Really couldn't hear Audrey 2.Didnt make sense to have it played in drag and largely inaudible.I thought it was over choreographed. Not for me but I must admit (apart from the couple next to me who didn't come back for act Two)a lot of the audience were enjoying themselves.When it ended in a shower of latex balls the thought did cross my mind that it was just a load of balls.
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1,896 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Aug 14, 2018 16:43:59 GMT
So, to get this clarified. Are they using a puppet in the production for Audrey II or is the actor playing it in human form?
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Post by waybeyondblue on Aug 14, 2018 16:54:57 GMT
So, to get this clarified. Are they using a puppet in the production for Audrey II or is the actor playing it in human form? Yes and yes - at different points. I trust you are now clarified or at least well rendered.
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1,896 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Aug 14, 2018 18:13:10 GMT
So, to get this clarified. Are they using a puppet in the production for Audrey II or is the actor playing it in human form? Yes and yes - at different points. I trust you are now clarified or at least well rendered. What a relief! Thank you! I'll be interested to see how and if that is gonna work... (for me, at least)
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64 posts
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Post by Marcus on Aug 15, 2018 7:56:08 GMT
I saw this last night and loved it. It’s a ridiculous and camp musical - that’s how it should be. I thought the vocals were great, Jemima’s not as strong but worked for the character. Vicky Vox as the plant I adored, it adds such a new dimension to the role and makes it more interesting to watch. The shopping trolley skyscrapers weren’t amazing but I didn’t hate them. Matt Willis was serviceable, his vocals were fine for the role and his Act II roles were funny.
Some of the vocals were slightly drowned out but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment. Thought everyone onstage was giving so much energy and joy to the piece.
Always love the Regents Open Air, creative and imaginative!b
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123 posts
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Post by terrylondon79 on Aug 17, 2018 18:39:17 GMT
I rink it's the first time i seen then sell the grass verges in years! People sat on both sides of the stage tonight...
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267 posts
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Post by stageyninja83 on Aug 17, 2018 18:51:36 GMT
I rink it's the first time i seen then sell the grass verges in years! People sat on both sides of the stage tonight... They definitely sold them for JCS last year as there were 3 nuns sat there the night I went. I remember because I thought it was an odd show for nuns to want to see!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2018 20:03:22 GMT
I haven’t really liked a musical here
Since the days of Hello Dolly And Crazy For You
They were amazing
This is awful Truly truly dreadful
I am talking
Below nursery school level
I don’t like the atmosphere of the Open Air Or the people who attend There are huge queues
And I don’t understand the concept To pay £65 to sit outside On hard garden seating With concrete flooring
I didn’t even make it to the interval
People who attend seem to have Rock bottom standards And treat it like an amazing event of sophistication Just because it’s outside
For me the whole experience stinks of the crappy
I tell you what Glyndebourne
It ain’t
Again £50-£65
Pay £75 and see Tina
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Aug 17, 2018 20:43:36 GMT
Well no, it isn't like Glyndebourne, because this isn't an opera venue...?
Below nursery level? The lack of intelligent thought here is a little bit annoying!
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1,445 posts
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Post by steve10086 on Aug 17, 2018 21:48:49 GMT
I haven’t really liked a musical here Since the days of Hello Dolly And Crazy For You They were amazing This is awful Truly truly dreadful I am talking Below nursery school level I don’t like the atmosphere of the Open Air Or the people who attend There are huge queues And I don’t understand the concept To pay £65 to sit outside On hard garden seating With concrete flooring I didn’t even make it to the interval People who attend seem to have Rock bottom standards And treat it like an amazing event of sophistication Just because it’s outside For me the whole experience stinks of the crappy I tell you what Glyndebourne It ain’t Again £50-£65 Pay £75 and see Tina Woohoo! Parsnip hates it! I’m gonna love it
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