248 posts
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Jul 19, 2022 15:41:27 GMT
I noticed on todaytix that they created a section called 'shows with air conditioning' and within about a day it had changed to 'shows with air cooling'. I'm guessing there is a difference between air conditioning systems and air cooling systems An air conditioner circulates the internal air of the room over and over again, whereas an air cooler pulls fresh air from outside and then cools it down. Also, air cooler doesn't make the air overly dry like an air conditioner. Because of the way it operates, an air cooler offers better quality of air for your room. I remember seeing Buddy and the Victoria Palace and at the interval the ceiling dome moved on a track to allow fresh air in. I thought that was amazing.
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6,311 posts
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Post by danb on Jul 19, 2022 15:48:54 GMT
The dome at the top of the Bristol Hippodrome can open too. I remember them doing it one Summer. Maybe it was a common feature of Matcham designed houses?
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Post by aingidh on Jul 19, 2022 16:36:01 GMT
Having been to the Olivia Rodrigo gig at the Apollo a few weeks ago I can confirm that it was absolutely boiling. And that's without a heatwave.
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Post by musicbox on Jul 19, 2022 17:09:41 GMT
The last time I was in the Apollo was in November 2019 when I seen Toni Braxton, and even then it was boiling despite being about 5 degrees outside.
I'd really like to see this show this week as I'm not working, but I might give it a miss if there is no air con!
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Post by marob on Jul 19, 2022 17:17:46 GMT
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Post by musicbox on Jul 19, 2022 17:25:21 GMT
Glad to hear it as in the last 5 minutes I was able to snag a 'restricted view' ticket in the front stalls for just £25 for later this week - can't wait!
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4,550 posts
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Post by Mark on Jul 19, 2022 18:24:42 GMT
Well it’s definitely cooler than outside and I am getting a pleasant breeze. Still fairly warm though (understandable).
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6,311 posts
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Post by danb on Jul 19, 2022 19:14:06 GMT
They saw the ‘furore’ on here and made the exec decision to actually switch the air con on. We keep saying that the powers that be read this….first some Wendy from Bonnie & Clyde quoting me for questioning their MASSIVE SOLD OUT RUN, now policy changes at the top of Eventim (money spent on customer comfort that wasn’t just a jug of tepid water at the end of the bar).
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 19, 2022 20:20:59 GMT
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 19, 2022 21:20:06 GMT
Do they still have rude and aggressive security putting their hands in your pockets to check they’re completely empty, or has that changed from my visit a few weeks ago? I hope he enjoyed his free grope.
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Post by SuttonPeron on Jul 19, 2022 22:06:39 GMT
Beverley sounds wonderful. However, I don´t think the band does. Really missing the strings at the end (you can hear them clearly in the OLCR). How much have they reduced the band from the 18-piece original orchestration?
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 19, 2022 22:11:18 GMT
Thanks for sharing but too many spoilers so had to stop watching! Excited to be seeing this on Sat night. Saw the Craig Revel-Horwood tour with Alexandra Burke and was rather underwhelmed, but with this cast I couldn’t not go. I’m a big Beverley Knight fan so have high hopes for her Deloris!
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Post by Mark on Jul 19, 2022 22:12:07 GMT
Absolutely glorious! A very different book to the original London production, I don't recall all the changes from the original UK Tour which was the last time I saw it. The opening is definitely very different, and Take Me to Heaven is shortened.
Cast were incredible, part. Beverly is wonderful, very much reminded me of Patina Miller, brought a fantastic vocal flair. Jennifer clearly having a lot of fun, she lost pitch on the last little bit going into Spread the Love and she ad-libbed calling Bev pitchy and they almost lost it. Lizzie Bea totally owns Life I Never Lead and is wonderful. Keala and Lesley have some hilarious moments.
A great physical production too and it filled the stage of the Eventim, with no side masking which was nice when compared to other productions at the Dominion/ENO recently.
Still just a great fun show, the reaction at the end was ecstatic.
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Post by bimse on Jul 19, 2022 22:25:15 GMT
Absolutely glorious! A very different book to the original London production, I don't recall all the changes from the original UK Tour which was the last time I saw it. The opening is definitely very different, and Take Me to Heaven is shortened. Cast were incredible, part. Beverly is wonderful, very much reminded me of Patina Miller, brought a fantastic vocal flair. Jennifer clearly having a lot of fun, she lost pitch on the last little bit going into Spread the Love and she ad-libbed calling Bev pitchy and they almost lost it. Lizzie Bea totally owns Life I Never Lead and is wonderful. Keala and Lesley have some hilarious moments. A great physical production too and it filled the stage of the Eventim, with no side masking which was nice when compared to other productions at the Dominion/ENO recently. Still just a great fun show, the reaction at the end was ecstatic. The “pitchy” ad-lib was in in Manchester too, with Sandra Marvin. Great show, full of fun .
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Post by marob on Jul 19, 2022 22:25:17 GMT
That bit with Jennifer must be one of those fake ad-libs then, because she told Sandra Marvin she was pitchy too.
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Post by mattnyc on Jul 19, 2022 22:26:42 GMT
Security was stupidly aggressive. I wasn’t going to cause a scene but I’m going to the theater, not Iraq. Calm down. The show was so great, though. It’s a show that I saw a few times on Broadway and was always left thinking it was decent but not much more. But Saunders and Knight made it joyous. Lizzie is such a star and blew the roof off with her big number. Keala as well was fantastic, I just wish she had more to do. I can’t wait to see it again this weekend.
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Post by FJ on Jul 19, 2022 22:41:19 GMT
Have to say, I enjoyed the show tonight, but didn’t absolutely love it.
Beverley was absolutely fantastic, Jennifer Saunders was hilarious, Lizzie Bea’s voice is amazing, and there are some great fun numbers throughout the first and second acts.
But it was my first time seeing any production of the show and I just felt like it had some real dead songs and scenes in the middle. I think this cast and production were good, but for me I’m just not convinced the show as a piece is that good.
Think I’m in the minority as the audience reaction and discussions I heard on the way out were great.
Had a great evening, glad I saw it, but it was maybe 3.5* for me.
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Post by d'James on Jul 19, 2022 22:49:15 GMT
Do the nuns sing ‘How I Got The Calling’ or ‘It’s Good To Be A Nun?’
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Post by mattnyc on Jul 19, 2022 22:49:18 GMT
Oh there’s definitely songs that never should have made it past the first reading, primarily any song sung by any of the men. They’re all awful.
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Post by LaLuPone on Jul 19, 2022 22:56:57 GMT
I think the security is more “aggressive” there because of the nature of the venue, it’s usually concerts and comedians and lots of big names so they are going to be tighter with it. I’m sure a lot of people try to smuggle booze in at most gigs. Also at full capacity I think the Apollo seats nearly 4,000 so that automatically makes it a higher profile event than most west end shows. Sure they could possibly adjust their methods for this mostly different audience “type” but they’re probably just on auto pilot doing their jobs. I’m sure we all remember that terrible night of the Manchester Arena attack, I personally am happy to comply with strict and thorough security searches at all entertainment venues to lessen the risk of anything like that happening again. But on the other hand yes there is a line when it comes to physical touching etc. and I don’t want to undermine anyone else’s experience if security made you feel uncomfortable.
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Post by fiyero on Jul 20, 2022 8:09:41 GMT
I think the security is more “aggressive” there because of the nature of the venue, it’s usually concerts and comedians and lots of big names so they are going to be tighter with it. I’m sure a lot of people try to smuggle booze in at most gigs. Also at full capacity I think the Apollo seats nearly 4,000 so that automatically makes it a higher profile event than most west end shows. Sure they could possibly adjust their methods for this mostly different audience “type” but they’re probably just on auto pilot doing their jobs. I’m sure we all remember that terrible night of the Manchester Arena attack, I personally am happy to comply with strict and thorough security searches at all entertainment venues to lessen the risk of anything like that happening again. But on the other hand yes there is a line when it comes to physical touching etc. and I don’t want to undermine anyone else’s experience if security made you feel uncomfortable. I remember I had a box office collection for a ticket for Nativity! and they were over the top with their demand for ID (it was a third party booking and never mentioned or I would have been ready). I get that they are used to a different type of patron but still! Actual security was a blur after that as I was so on edge. The show was great and I'll hopefully get to see it again in Birmingham after a long delay! I am so excited to see Sister Act, when full casting came out I booked a second visit too! I hope the logistics don't overshadow the show
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 20, 2022 9:32:16 GMT
Different league from Sandra Marvin. Totally.
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 20, 2022 10:07:29 GMT
Oh I thought that trailer was pants... why is Bev opting out of belting the living daylights out of that last note?! We all know she's got the range - she's got one of the best voices in the country! - so why isn't she giving it full belt?!
Also opting down towards the beginning... come on Bev SING OUT!
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Post by musicbox on Jul 20, 2022 23:16:22 GMT
I went to see this tonight with an amazing aisle seat in row F of the stalls that cost me just £25 (very lucky!), but I have some thoughts...
I'll start off by saying I loved the show! Beverley did amazing, I've seen her a few times in other shows (And was awkwardly sat next to her in the audience at a press night show once, I was too shy to speak to her!), but tonight was the best I'd seen her. Her vocals and acting were brilliant and she totally commanded the stage in my opinion.
Jennifer Saunders was also hilarious and I was pleasantly surprised by her singing as I know that's not her thing. Lizzie Bea also has a phenomenal voice and her performance of 'The Life I Never Led' got possibly the biggest crowd reaction of the night. I've seen her in Heathers a few times so knew she was great, but she really is phenomenal in this role.
Keala was actually off tonight (Anyone know why?), so we had Caroline Beatson as Sister Mary Patrick. She did really well, but I can't help but feel that the role is so small that it's almost a but too small for Keala? I'd be interested to see her in it though.
Now to my thoughts...which are unfortunately 100% related to the venue and not the show.
I got the venue just after 7pm, thinking I was doing well with around half an hour to spare. I had just gotten off the boiling Piccadilly Line, so was feeling dizzy and dehydrated as it was, so when I seen the queue that went around the entire street my heart sank. Believe it or not I stood in this slow moving queue for around 20 minutes before getting to the totally absurd security...where it became quite obvious to me that this was the reason for the delay.
Thankfully I had read here before so purposely didn't bring anything apart from my ticket and an ID just in case, so when I eventually got to them I was only there for about 2 minutes...however pretty much everyone else seemed to be interrogated in such an aggressive way, with people having to empty their entire bags and have their items such as water bottles etc confiscated - I felt that this was ridiculous given the temperatures at the moment. This kind of security may be suitable for a concert, but it's totally uncalled for at a theatre show.
It had just turned 7:30pm when I finally got into the venue, so I sprinted to the toilets and then to the bar. Unfortunately when I got there the bar man told me they had literally just closed as I approached. I explained to him that I had been outside for half an hour waiting to get in so he asked his manger if he could get me a soft drink, to which she really coldy said 'nope' and turned her head. The bar man apologised and said 'I hope you still enjoy the show' to which I said I might not even go in as I'm totally dehydrated (I know this is a bit ratty, but I was so frustrated by this point at how rude all of the entrance staff were to everyone and was literally parched!). To the man's credit he then said sorry I'll get you a tap water, and gave me a cup of tap water with ice in it - I honestly felt like I would pass out if I didn't drink it so it was much appreciated and I plan to email the venue to give him some credit.
When I got to my seat the show didn't actually start for another 15 minutes or so (About 7:50pm), so I feel that them refusing to serve me was totally unnecessary to be honest.
To round it off, I absolutely loved the show, but my night was slightly ruined by horribly aggressive staff members and to be frank some of the worst organisation I've ever seen at a theatre. I've never been the biggest fan of the Apollo in general, but being treated with such contempt by entrance staff really kills the mood for the show and I feel that they seriously need to make some changes to adapt to a theatre audience and not a concert.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 21, 2022 4:45:26 GMT
Dreadful. You'll get no joy from an email, people on Twitter complaining about box office not responding to general enquiries. It sounds like a right outfit.
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Post by helso1 on Jul 21, 2022 8:55:30 GMT
Hi! Does anyone know the running time of the show at all? Many thanks :-)
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 21, 2022 9:42:52 GMT
Thankfully I had read here before so purposely didn't bring anything apart from my ticket and an ID just in case, so when I eventually got to them I was only there for about 2 minutes...however pretty much everyone else seemed to be interrogated in such an aggressive way, with people having to empty their entire bags and have their items such as water bottles etc confiscated - I felt that this was ridiculous given the temperatures at the moment. This kind of security may be suitable for a concert, but it's totally uncalled for at a theatre show. It is a horrible venue. It should really be made illegal for venues to ban you from taking in your own water bottles, for both health and environmental reasons.
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6,311 posts
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Post by danb on Jul 21, 2022 10:26:09 GMT
Maybe it’s a profitability thing? If they’re having to reduce seats to £25 the venue will need to make its cut elsewhere?
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Post by christya on Jul 21, 2022 10:45:39 GMT
Security didn't seem to give a damn about my water bottle, which is a good thing, because given the heat I'd have been prepared to do battle on the subject.
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Post by Mark on Jul 21, 2022 11:01:57 GMT
They had tumblers of water laid out on the bar for us on the way out on Tuesday - was very grateful for it.
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