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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2016 23:18:14 GMT
David Birrelll now taken over from Gabriel Vick in a bit of a coup. Really enjoyed this, but second act still a bit of a mess and too long. As much as lI oved the "beard" song, would it matter if it was cut?
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Post by foxa on Mar 12, 2016 23:23:35 GMT
This didn't quite work for me. It's great fun, but the script quality is wildly uneven across the evening. Poor Simon Lipkin has to wait AGES for his comedy gold moment, but he seizes it when it comes. Some lovely voices (not just in the showy roles) and some great choreography. And kudos to the guy who was on after only 3 days' rehearsal! Saw this tonight and my thoughts were close to jean's above. It's a lively show with a hard-working cast (the ensemble are changing costumes every two seconds) but it couldn't decide if it wanted to be satiric or silly and ended up just being the latter. At the interval I heard a woman in the loo queue saying 'I think I like it - I just don't know what the point of it is.' Lipkin's really talented (I loved him in 'Assassins') but I wonder if having his character being injured didn't limit his movement too much. The staging was a bit odd at times, loads of gyrating ensemble for some numbers and then just plonked down sitting for the duets. (Maybe I minded that because that's when our view was worst. - we were in the £10 first row seats which were generally great, but a couple of the more static bits weren't blocked to our advantage.) It's one for collectors, I think.
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Post by anthony40 on Mar 12, 2016 23:32:28 GMT
As much as lI oved the "beard" song, would it matter if it was cut? Well, yes it would because not only does it reinforce the conversation had between the two characters but from the joyrides you learn that these two will remain together and establishes the ground rules by which they will now live as individuals and as a 'couple'.
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Post by showgirl on Mar 12, 2016 23:40:51 GMT
Catherine Tate, I liked her. She's a character actress and this role suits her. By the way that IS NOT an Australian accent. it was Southern And her voice actually wasn't too bad. anthony40, I do recognise a Southern US accent when I hear one; I just said that at times Miss Tate's pronunciation sounded more Australian. Though weren't those 2 characters supposed to come from Utah anyway?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2016 10:01:21 GMT
I was at yesterday's matinee performance too.
Although it did start late, allowances ought to be made for it being in previews. That is, after all, why tickets are reduced prices for previews, because it's still in it's trial stages. That said, the husband overheard one of the creatives saying to another "That's it. That's the one."
We both thoroughly enjoyed it, and sincerely hope they change their minds about a cast recording. I'd love to have the title song and Sugar Daddy to hear over and over.
The strongest element here is clearly the exceptional cast. Every one of them is perfect in their roles (although I too felt that Myrna did slip into a Kath & Kim like Australian twang on occasion).
Altoghether we were very happy that we'd seen it, and as we saw Cleansed in the evening, it proved to be a nice counter balance in terms of show! I sincerely hope this transfers at some point, with as much of the original cast as possible (as I know that DJW is moving into Aladdin).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2016 9:32:48 GMT
I really liked it. The story is a bit all over the place but the music is catchy (as most people have said, the "Beard" song is fabulous) and the cast is sensational. Catherine Tate is simply glorious - yes, she's Catherine Tate but she has this absolute star quality about her that's really entrancing and there are few actors around today who have the same talent for hinging a laugh or a tear on the phrasing of a single word. Plus she has a fabulous figure! Simon Lipkin is great and his chemistry with Tate is great, Dean John Wilson is a handsome leading man (I can see him taking all of the Ramin Boogaloo parts in years to come) and Daniel Boys was terrific in a small-ish but scenery chewing performance - very funny. The revelation for me though was Florence Andrews - she's gorgeous in a Miranda Raison way (which is a good thing), a great actress and a knockout singer. I have to say, if Sheridan Smith pulled out of 'Funny Girl' she'd be an absolute sensation as Fanny Brice.
Plus there's a tap routine which is always a bonus in a musical I find. Hoorah!
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Post by alece10 on Mar 14, 2016 11:22:51 GMT
I really liked it. The story is a bit all over the place but the music is catchy (as most people have said, the "Beard" song is fabulous) and the cast is sensational. Catherine Tate is simply glorious - yes, she's Catherine Tate but she has this absolute star quality about her that's really entrancing and there are few actors around today who have the same talent for hinging a laugh or a tear on the phrasing of a single word. Plus she has a fabulous figure! Simon Lipkin is great and his chemistry with Tate is great, Dean John Wilson is a handsome leading man (I can see him taking all of the Ramin Boogaloo parts in years to come) and Daniel Boys was terrific in a small-ish but scenery chewing performance - very funny. The revelation for me though was Florence Andrews - she's gorgeous in a Miranda Raison way (which is a good thing), a great actress and a knockout singer. I have to say, if Sheridan Smith pulled out of 'Funny Girl' she'd be an absolute sensation as Fanny Brice. Plus there's a tap routine which is always a bonus in a musical I find. Hoorah! It should be made law that every musical has to have a tap number in it.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 14, 2016 21:53:37 GMT
I thought it was a noble mess.
It won't have a life beyond this production as I'm pretty sure the reviews will kill it.
Some good performers having to polish a turd. Too many songs.. All of them sound the same. The lyrics couldn't be heard due to the crazy loud sound.
Florence Andrews has star quality and a great voice.. Maybe she could do SideShow?
Catherine Tate is.. Catherine Tate. I didn't get Aussie from her accent, but it was all over the place. I'm not sure her costumes were very flattering either.. Unless she's pregnant?
I tip my hat to them for trying to do something new.. But I fear it may have been wasted time.
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Post by showgirl on Mar 15, 2016 4:10:13 GMT
PN last night. The only review I've seen so far is a grudging 3-star one from Libby Purves, who, incidentally, remarks that Catherine Tate plays her part "with an unaccountable semi-Australian accent and a lot of trademark mugging." She also mentions Oppenheimer - well, if that was the serious version, this is the entertaining one and I know which I enjoyed more.
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Post by alece10 on Mar 15, 2016 6:18:09 GMT
Oh dear. I feel its all going to end badly. 2 stars from the Daily Mail and 1 star from The Stage.
Well I had a blast (pun intended)
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 15, 2016 8:06:35 GMT
Sadly I'm not surprised..
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2016 8:19:16 GMT
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Post by freckles on Mar 15, 2016 8:27:08 GMT
Ouch, Shenton really didn't like that, did he?
I'll make my own mind up when I go in a week or so, I can't believe that cast can be ALL bad.
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Post by Steffi on Mar 15, 2016 8:41:44 GMT
I enjoyed this because of the talented cast. Liked the Songs, though the story was quite random and a bit all over the place and some of the jokes seemed forced. But I didn't find it as bad as the reviews make it look. Thought Simon Lipkin, Stephane Anelli and Dean John-Wilson were great and really liked Florence Andrews too. Not too fussed about Catherine Tate I admit. She was good but didn't stand out for me.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2016 9:03:47 GMT
Ouch, Shenton really didn't like that, did he? I'll make my own mind up when I go in a week or so, I can't believe that cast can be ALL bad. Maybe he was too distracted thinking up more ghastly merchandise to slap his and Terri Whatsonit's face on for his website to concentrate properly on the show.
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Post by loopyjohn on Mar 15, 2016 10:33:17 GMT
Maybe he was too distracted thinking up more ghastly merchandise to slap his and Terri Whatsonit's face on for his website to concentrate properly on the show. I thought you were joking until I had a look. mytheatremates.com/merchandise/I can't think of anyone I dislike enough to buy them one of those mugs!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2016 10:56:58 GMT
Gutted about these reviews. I thought it was really enjoyable. But then I guess, I'm not an expert, just a regular audience member and theatre fan.
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Post by alece10 on Mar 15, 2016 11:42:14 GMT
Well I think that if sales are poor and they do an offer then we should have a theatre forum group outing. We can all ask for tap water at the bar, refuse to buy an ice cream and tut at anyone looking at their mobile phones. Its got faults, but its a damm good laugh, some enjoyable songs and they have put together a great cast. Where else could you see Mssrs. Wilson, Lipkin and Boys on the same stage at the same time.
AND ITS GOT TAP!!!!!!
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Post by Seriously on Mar 15, 2016 12:27:32 GMT
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 15, 2016 13:51:19 GMT
Mark Shenton who is known for his generous altruism when it come to reviews mush be on a role with this and Hand of God feeling his wrath.
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Post by Seriously on Mar 15, 2016 13:56:27 GMT
Such a shame there aren't any close personal friends of Shenton's in the cast. Maybe the director forget to sycophantically tweet that the cast were looking forward to his presence, and hope he returns soon xx have a lovely night etc.....?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2016 13:56:44 GMT
Phantom! Your pussy's gonna get sick unless you turn him up the right way! Poor Bubbles!
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Post by westendwendy on Mar 15, 2016 14:24:20 GMT
Was I at a different show last night? I loved it! 4 stars from me. Sure it wasn't perfect and the showgirls came out too many times but I really laughed and was entertained from beginning to end. I'd even see it again. Super show! NUTS!
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Post by max on Mar 15, 2016 14:49:24 GMT
This seems to be selling very well. No cheap seats left, and I'm not sure I'll afford more. Sadly - as I'm on its side, for no particular reason.
What a double edged sword a star name is for a fledgling show. Great sales, but spotlight turned on full when tough reviews come in. BBC website summary and all.
Can't believe 1* from Mark Shenton. A rehearsal clip looked more than fine to me. He must be honest of course, and not just back a Brit musical for the sake of it. But that's savage.
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Post by Stasia on Mar 15, 2016 14:49:41 GMT
I really don't get it how do the reviewers make the decision on stars and everything. This show was not THAT bad, and, for example, BILB was not THAT great the critics said.... But you'll never guess that basing on reviews!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2016 14:51:35 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Mar 15, 2016 15:04:18 GMT
This seems to be selling very well. No cheap seats left, and I'm not sure I'll afford more. Sadly - as I'm on its side, for no particular reason. What a double edged sword a star name is for a fledgling show. Great sales, but spotlight turned on full when tough reviews come in. BBC website summary and all. Can't believe 1* from Mark Shenton. A rehearsal clip looked more than fine to me. He must be honest of course, and not just back a Brit musical for the sake of it. But that's savage. Well I loved it so much I'm taking a group of mates to see it again. Really.. I think new original musicals should be encouraged!!! A one star review is plain wrong. BILB was awful!
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Post by Seriously on Mar 15, 2016 15:41:15 GMT
How bad does something have to be before the "I think new original musicals should be encouraged" argument is negated?
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Post by alece10 on Mar 15, 2016 16:39:28 GMT
Well the Gay Times gave it 4 stars. Just shows the gays love a bit of camp
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Post by Seriously on Mar 15, 2016 19:29:16 GMT
Reviewers write for the people who read their publication. So yes, I should think readers of the Gay Times will like this... it has some cure guys in it.
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