The Producers - Royal Exchange Manchester

The last time I saw this in Manchester was when Peter Kay was in it.

Can someone give me seat advice for the royal exchange planning my first visit for this.

I want to sit either first or second gallery. Can someone tell me where the aisles are for an easy entrance/exit?

 I don’t know if this helps you or not - I’ve attached a seating plan from Google

goo.gl/images/KMYUo6

Stuart Neal from 42nd Street as Leo and Julius D’Silva as Max. 




www.whatsonstage.com/manchester-theatre/news/the-producers-full-casting-royal-exchange_47741.html

You might want to squeeze in a visit to the Ice Village! 

If the stench of Bratwurst, hoards of squawking snot-faced kids and grown adults  wearing hats with ears on them wasn’t enough to put you off Christmas attractions for ever, this will probably do the trick.

metro.co.uk/2018/09/13/ice-village-will-open-in-manchester-this-christmas-7936552/

At the first preview tomorrow. 

Got this booked for a trip between Crimbo and New Year. Looking forward to it, but may venture sooner based on stevejohnson678 comments above.

I'm not a bit surprised.

This is a show that I had no prior experience of, stage or film, and only knew it by its reputation. I saw it last night and was doubled up laughing. Julius D'silva was the only name I knew in the cast, but I couldn't really single him out above any other cast member, as it would't be fair to the rest! Everyone gave it some real wellie, and just let rip with it. And they slipped in a cheeky Les Mis gag near the end.

As I'd been helping out at my University's Winter Graduation ceremonies all day, I wasn't sure if I'd make it to the theatre last night, so I had booked a back up ticket for Thursday 20/12/18. Now I'll get to enjoy all the outrageous fun all over again !

I normally do a tour of the North in the festive period, naturally avoiding anything pantomime, make use of my free rail ticket, however not being a fan of Wicked as I could see it in the West End for cheaper and Doctor Doolittle which I saw in Bromley a couple of weeks ago and found to be mildly enjoyable, but certainly not worth a re-visit and the associated hotel cost. Nothing at the Home theatre (which I haven’t been to still) and Hope Mill.

But as I saw Kiss Me, Kate in Sheffield last night, where I overnighted, I nipped across the Peak District and braved the Manchester United fans and all the people going to the Xmas markets and the driving rain to see the irresistible Producers. This is designed for the theatre in the square, where every seat is bad, not theatre in the round, where every seat is good? However this show fitted the Royal Exchange like one of those bowler hats that a producer would wear, after having their first Broadway show - which was energetic, exhilarating and effervescent and was brought alive by the magic of the RX and has to be one of the finest producing house in the country and certainly is the best one outside London alongside the RST and The Crucible.

When this played Broadway 17 years ago it won everything, that is 12 Tonys, which is still a record haul, as Mel Brooke’s humour is musical comedy at its very best and brings back all the nostalgia of those musical comedy from the golden days, which made Broadway great, this was elevated by some cracking and breathless choreography. The 2 main roles which were originally played by Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick were played by 2 relative unknowns Julius S’Silva and Stuart Neal, these two were both fantastic and completely knocked it out of the park and with Julius you can see his finely honed acting learned from the RSC. Both these actors were supported by a fine featured actors, who made Springtime for Hitler a blast.

Boy they broke a leg and some and is a worthy of a meagre 5 Stars from me, as both the pice and production are equally fantastic.

No issues in terms of view for me.  Though I personally found the space between the 1st and 2nd rows to be really small with not much leg room, particularly if you have a coat and bag with you to be the main issue with the Gallery seating.

I always enjoy the view from there, you often need to lean forward (there’s a bar to lean on ) but you can see the centre of the stage really well even if you sit back, it’s a nicely different view . Understandably not to everyone’s taste though.

I’m glad you managed to spot that particular puppet. It’s such a small detail but well executed. Like you I really did have a good chuckle at it. Whoever came up with that idea has a great sense of humour. 

Comments from this afternoon, mostly just echoes of everyone else.

This is an excellent production, immersive and intimate, staged in the round. The two main leads, Julius D’Silva and Stuart Neal, are perfectly cast and there’s not a weak link there.

Collected my ticket and surprised to find they were still selling Banquette seats (and there were two or three empty). I was just a row behind so excellent view, but if you live more locally than I do and can risk it, it’s an excellent deal.

A few small children there, including a family which looked to have three children between the ages of 5 and 10. Don’t know what they made of the subject matter, but they stayed until the end.

One of the fun things about these productions is working out where you know the ensemble from. Several from recent West End shows including a lady I recognised from 42nd Street, with her boyfriend still in the cast.

Lots of musical theatre references throughout, both spoken and visual, which are fun to watch out.

Would love to go again but I won’t get back to Manchester. The Royal Exchange productions don’t tend to transfer or tour, but there’s always hope.

tell us what the pigeon does!!