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Post by latefortheoverture on Sept 13, 2019 16:19:17 GMT
I've got two tickets for Monday night but can't make it. Just want the face value of what I paid for them.
Monday 19:30 Row B, central Face Value; £29.50 (will check when home)
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Post by Mark on Sept 13, 2019 17:03:11 GMT
The problem is The Other Palace doesn't market their shows correctly because of lack of funds. It's unfortunaute but an "off West End" production doesn't have the budget to do e-blasts, mailings, posters, etc. And a publicist has to work twice as hard for half the results for a non West End show. A show like that with a house that size should be selling out but people don't know about it. Honestly though, they need to put on shows people WANT to see. When Rent was on, it easily sold out. I’m not saying people don’t wanna see Falsettos, but it’s not the most commercial show in the world. Even looking at the West End, Big is barely selling, DEH is sold out for the first few months before it’s even opened. It’s about what the public want to see.
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Post by alece10 on Sept 13, 2019 17:58:27 GMT
But isnt the purpose of this theatre to showcase new talent, new shows and stuff that's not been done before. It isnt there to produce well known shows and crowd pleasers.
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Sept 13, 2019 18:01:23 GMT
The problem is The Other Palace doesn't market their shows correctly because of lack of funds. It's unfortunaute but an "off West End" production doesn't have the budget to do e-blasts, mailings, posters, etc. And a publicist has to work twice as hard for half the results for a non West End show. A show like that with a house that size should be selling out but people don't know about it. Honestly though, they need to put on shows people WANT to see. When Rent was on, it easily sold out. I’m not saying people don’t wanna see Falsettos, but it’s not the most commercial show in the world. Even looking at the West End, Big is barely selling, DEH is sold out for the first few months before it’s even opened. It’s about what the public want to see. I think with Falsettos they were hoping for another Heathers. Falsettos has a pretty big cult following thanks to the Broadway revival with a similar crowd of fans to Heathers (younger and worryingly obsessive) but to a lesser extent and without the pull of Carrie so it hasn't panned out in this case.
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Post by Jon on Sept 13, 2019 18:07:17 GMT
I don't think Falsettos was ever going to be Heathers 2.0, they're very different. I suspect most of those fans who saw Heathers are either at Six or Les Mis at the Gielgud.
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Sept 13, 2019 22:14:38 GMT
I don't think Falsettos was ever going to be Heathers 2.0, they're very different. I suspect most of those fans who saw Heathers are either at Six or Les Mis at the Gielgud. I don't mean the same people but definitely a similar demographic. There is for sure a cult following for Falsettos, there's loads of YouTube edits of the Broadway Revival cast broadcast for example and the people posting those kinds of videos are obviously younger as with Heathers, it's just not as big a following and I think that they were banking on it being bigger than it is.
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Post by musicalmarge on Sept 13, 2019 23:22:15 GMT
But isnt the purpose of this theatre to showcase new talent, new shows and stuff that's not been done before. It isnt there to produce well known shows and crowd pleasers. That’s why The Other Palace has failed and Paul Taylor Mills fired... The MAIN shows to come from there have been - BIG FISH, FALSETTOS, HEATHERS and EUGENIUS - which 3/4 are from America! Epic fail....
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Post by HereForTheatre on Sept 14, 2019 9:29:45 GMT
But isnt the purpose of this theatre to showcase new talent, new shows and stuff that's not been done before. It isnt there to produce well known shows and crowd pleasers. That’s why The Other Palace has failed and Paul Taylor Mills fired... The MAIN shows to come from there have been - BIG FISH, FALSETTOS, HEATHERS and EUGENIUS - which 3/4 are from America! Epic fail.... Who has said Paul Taylor Mills was fired?
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Post by xanady on Sept 14, 2019 11:25:57 GMT
^Taylor-Mills wasn’t fired was he...or did I miss the news?
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Post by alece10 on Sept 14, 2019 11:51:00 GMT
^Taylor-Mills wasn’t fired was he...or did I miss the news? Fired for bad fashion sense. Trousers always too short and no socks 😁
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Post by theatrelover123 on Sept 14, 2019 12:09:15 GMT
^Taylor-Mills wasn’t fired was he...or did I miss the news? There were ‘artistic differences’ and they wanted to go in a different direction....with somebody else....so.....ermmmmm
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 14, 2019 12:15:43 GMT
This was the statement issued at the time: Of course he's now returned to running a building, of sorts, at Battersea Power Station.
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Post by poster J on Sept 14, 2019 12:28:40 GMT
But isnt the purpose of this theatre to showcase new talent, new shows and stuff that's not been done before. It isnt there to produce well known shows and crowd pleasers. It can't do that if it isn't making money to stay afloat though. There needs to be a balance - some popular, instant sell out shows to bring in the revenue, then put on the new work. Just putting on obscure production after obscure production isn't a viable business model unless you do proper marketing, which at the minute they don't appear to be achieving.
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Post by andrew on Sept 14, 2019 13:45:53 GMT
^Taylor-Mills wasn’t fired was he...or did I miss the news? Fired for bad fashion sense. Trousers always too short and no socks 😁 There's a thing called invisible socks dear.
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Post by alece10 on Sept 14, 2019 15:29:58 GMT
Fired for bad fashion sense. Trousers always too short and no socks 😁 There's a thing called invisible socks dear. Like clingfilm?
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Post by alece10 on Sept 14, 2019 15:30:52 GMT
But isnt the purpose of this theatre to showcase new talent, new shows and stuff that's not been done before. It isnt there to produce well known shows and crowd pleasers. It can't do that if it isn't making money to stay afloat though. There needs to be a balance - some popular, instant sell out shows to bring in the revenue, then put on the new work. Just putting on obscure production after obscure production isn't a viable business model unless you do proper marketing, which at the minute they don't appear to be achieving. Not saying I agree with the policy it's just what the lord said when he bought the place.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2019 17:35:59 GMT
We saw it on first preview and the atmosphere was electric..sorry to hear the buzz on this show has faded a little from what I hear.Especially sad to hear about interval walk-outs.Funny how some new shows take off and fly and some sadly have an initial flurry of interest and then die away somewhat. Thing is for pretty much every show, 1st preview is electric as is a self selected audience of people who already love it. Strange but true - can confirm the buzz at the first preview of Stephen Ward was electric (I really was in the minority of enthusiasm as the run went on though, for all of 4 months). It does seem here that those already big Falsettos fans love it, but it really isn't speaking to a new audience. Of course these shows with their fan base should be mounted though. Think the mistake TOP made was the length of run. Sounds like 4 weeks would have done.
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Sept 14, 2019 17:44:06 GMT
Was disappointed by this and it was down mostly to Daniel Boys and the direction. I didn't think Boys had the character down at all, there were many times when a character would just sing to the audience which felt lazy and made the first 20 minutes or so feel like they lacked energy and drained What Would I do? of any emotion, and some comedic moments didn't land and felt awkward in terms of timing. Laura Pitt-Pulford was good though I think her Breaking Down was a bit all over the place even though it was still often funny. We had the understudy for Mendel I think who was fine but wasn't convincingly awkward and nervous until the marriage proposal so you miss the journey from awkward dork to kind of a cocky but well-meaning jerk in the second act. Both lesbians next door were vocally good and had good comedic timing. Whizzer was fine but nothing special. To be honest I thought our Jason was the highlight (I believe we had Elliot Morris) and I came closest to crying in two moments that he had. I felt nothing at What Would I Do? when you should be balling by that point so while overall I'd say it was a positive experience (I know I've been pretty negative but I still laughed a lot even if there were some misses and the second Act I definitely thought was stronger), it definitely paled in comparison to the Broadway revival and I don't think anyone of the main four here was even on par with that cast which is a shame.
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Post by tmesis on Sept 15, 2019 16:24:12 GMT
I really enjoyed this last night. I thought that William Finn was an unknown quantity to me, not realising he had also written Little Miss Sunshine, which I enjoyed very much at The Arcola recently and also The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which I quite enjoyed at The Donmar many years ago. However, I think this is much superior to both of those. My heart sank a bit when it was apparent it was going to be a through-composed musical but, in this case, I thought this was its strength. The short musical phrases used by Finn really set up the often very funny lyrics in a naturalistic way. The only miscalculation I feel he makes is when he goes into full ballad mode near the end with What Would I Do. Something more understated could have been more moving and for that reason I stayed dry-eyed at the end.
Fantastic sound balance with all the lyrics clear and excellent performances, particularly from the always excellent Pitt-Pulford.
Almost total standing ovation at the end and a pretty full house.
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Post by MoreLife on Sept 16, 2019 11:22:10 GMT
As I've always said on here, and will say again, I think a fair reason the place fails is just comfort. So many on here say the same - won't go for that reason only, don't care what's on there. I am 6ft 3' and I have sat in different sections of the auditorium at the Other Palace, and I don't think I've ever had a comfort issue there... whereas I have found myself awfully squeezed between people on the benches of the Menier Chocolate Factory, I've had my knees in my mouth for two hours in the dress circle at the Adelphi, and I've had to take on some rather contorted posture in the main space at the Trafalgar Studios.
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 16, 2019 15:31:15 GMT
I am 6ft 3' and I have sat in different sections of the auditorium at the Other Palace, and I don't think I've ever had a comfort issue there. Are you young and without any joint issues, though? That makes a difference. Years of swinging taking its toll, TM? 😉
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Post by n1david on Sept 16, 2019 15:37:29 GMT
My particular issue at the Other Palace this time was a person in the next seat who was so large that I could not lower my seat past their bulging thighs without them standing up. I'm not exactly Twiggy and neither is my husband, so I was very seriously squashed for the entire show. It happens at the Menier and Above the Stag too, it's ridiculous to have such narrow seats when people are getting bigger.
I didn't enjoy the show, I did think the first act was just too 'New York'. Based on the comments in the thread, I did stay around for Act Two, which I thought was much better, but sadly Act One and my physical discomfort outweighed any pleasure from the latter part of the show. TOP goes back on to my no-visit list.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 16, 2019 23:45:20 GMT
Finally saw this tonight and really I have nothing nice to say about it. Apart from one scene, I absolutely hated it.
For those who are sticking around for the 2nd act based on the 'it gets better' argument. It doesn't, it REALLY doesn't. In fact for me it got worse, far worse. If I'd have left at interval it would've simply been a show I disliked, instead of a show I absolutely hated.
The banal, trite and cliched lyrics and nursery rhyme music that already make a pretty big mockery of some serious issues in Act 1, makes an even bigger mockery of worse in Act 2 to the point I actually found the handling of things in such a tacky and cliched way somewhat offensive.
It's rare I see something that makes me angry, but this made me angry.
2/5 for the very talented cast who gave their all and I also quite liked the staging, but the show itself is utterly dreadful.
PS
This is the most uncomfortable theatre on earth which is a shame because it has s a really great location and space.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Sept 17, 2019 7:56:36 GMT
A contrasting view. I was also at the Other Palace last night in my favourite front row bargain seat with fears it would be another Preludes for me but I found Falsettos easy to follow and thoroughly entertaining throughout.
I knew Laura Pitt Pulford would be good and she did not disappoint but for me the stand out performance was from the young actor who played Jason, Albert Atack.
I just want to be entertained at the theatre and have minimal interest in the issues a musical may cover so was pleased the overall mood was far more upbeat than I expected. The whole cast performed well, and I could hear and understand every word sung. The seats aren't the most comfortable and the legroom a bit tight but nothing to trouble (6') me.
There were a handful of empty seats after the interval but a 90% standing ovation at the end. 9/10.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 17, 2019 19:01:54 GMT
Ummm is there yet another Palace showing Falsettos that I wasn't at last night?
The entire venue was lucky to be half full, let alone there being a handful of empty seats after interval.
I had tickets in Row N and got moved to row H. Row G was over half empty, the sides of every area were empty and the last 5 rows were empty.
Even with that, there were far more empty seats after interval.
As for 90% standing ovation, it would've lucky to have been less than half the people in the auditorium stood up and clapped and most of those were just rushing out.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Sept 17, 2019 23:47:00 GMT
I'm sorry you disliked Falsettos so intensely. While I did not enjoy, or even fully understand, Preludes I can still see its value as innovative theatre.
My seat on Monday was near the centre of the front row and from that position I noticed 4 or 5 people had apparently not returned after the interval. I did not intend to suggest the auditorium was ever full. I was using my phone as the lights went down for act one and quickly turned it off so did not look behind me.
There were a couple of empty seats at the end of the front row for act one but in the second act a lady wearing a "birthday girl"sash sat there reading a book most of the time, which I thought was a bit disrespectful. I think she was a member of staff.
As for the standing ovation, as I am in the front row for almost every show I never stand up until I can see that people sitting behind me have done so. On Monday evening, as I glanced around, almost everyone in the first three or four rows were on their feet, hence my 90% estimate but I would not have been able to see people further back who may still have been sitting down or leaving.
I was merely presenting my own viewpoint on the show, not intending in any way to criticise you or anyone else.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Sept 18, 2019 14:54:18 GMT
I'm sorry you disliked Falsettos so intensely. While I did not enjoy, or even fully understand, Preludes I can still see its value as innovative theatre. My seat on Monday was near the centre of the front row and from that position I noticed 4 or 5 people had apparently not returned after the interval. I did not intend to suggest the auditorium was ever full. I was using my phone as the lights went down for act one and quickly turned it off so did not look behind me. There were a couple of empty seats at the end of the front row for act one but in the second act a lady wearing a "birthday girl"sash sat there reading a book most of the time, which I thought was a bit disrespectful. I think she was a member of staff. As for the standing ovation, as I am in the front row for almost every show I never stand up until I can see that people sitting behind me have done so. On Monday evening, as I glanced around, almost everyone in the first three or four rows were on their feet, hence my 90% estimate but I would not have been able to see people further back who may still have been sitting down or leaving. I was merely presenting my own viewpoint on the show, not intending in any way to criticise you or anyone else. I was there too on Monday night in the front row and I also noticed the very rude lady who decided to read a book during Act II after eating some sweets very noisily while drinking coffee and fussing around with her bags. It was so disrespectful, you wouldn't think somebody would do that in the front row, all the performers could clearly see her. The show itself was just ok for me. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. The cast did a good job with the material given. I'm glad The Other Palace has given us the chance once more to see a musical that would have never been produced for a full run in a West End house.
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Post by jgblunners on Sept 18, 2019 15:52:26 GMT
I was also part of the Monday brigade. I worship the Broadway Cast Recording with SJB, Borle, et al. and maintain that the material is brilliant. Unfortunately this production didn't quite do it justice and my opinion was that it was 'good' but nothing more.
Firstly, the things I liked: The lighting was fantastic and the concept of the design (the picture frames) is a neat one. All the performers were good, but the kid playing Jason (we had Albert Atack) was by far the stand-out. Daniel Boys was the best of the adults, with all three women (Laura Pitt-Pulford, Gemma Knight Jones, and Natasha J Barnes) coming in joint second behind him. Joel Montague and Oliver Savile had their moments but neither was totally convincing. The band sounded good and, as I said above, the material itself is excellent.
And now, the things I didn't: While I like the concept of the set, the thing itself was horrible - the projections were tacky and unnecessary, those stupid sliding doors were annoying, and the cheap scene-setting stuff (tablecloth, wine glasses, bedspread, etc.) completely ruined the abstract concept that the picture frames and lighting were suggesting. I would've scrapped almost all of the physical props and scenery, kept the picture frames, and trusted the actors and the lighting design to evoke location and setting without (and I say this with the utmost love and respect for amateur productions) amateur-looking scene setting props. To be honest, that was my biggest issue with the show - there were moments where the abstract concept shone through, notably in the second act, and I wish the director had taken the risk and gone all-out with that. Otherwise, my only issues were botched lighting and sound cues (which should be inexcusable for a professional show in the middle of its run) and sound mixing that didn't quite balance the vocals and the band effectively.
As always, my negative opinions seem to overpower my positive ones, but I did enjoy the show and am glad that we've seen it in some form on this side of the pond. I'd love for it to have been done somewhere like the Almeida or the Young Vic, where a director might have taken a bolder stance with it.
3.75 stars because I want to give it 4 but can't quite bring myself to
Edit: I couldn't quite make it out from where I was sat, but I think that woman in the front row may have been following the show along with a script. That's what it looked like to me, anyway.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 18, 2019 19:11:20 GMT
The woman in the front row was the only truly memorable thing about the evening...
My friend and I were actually in stitches watching her in the beginning and because she was directly in our sightline she could not be avoided.
Continuing non stop giggle attacks ensued to the point I almost couldn't breathe and when enmeshed with the horrors going on on that stage well, at least we can't say we didn't laugh.
Thank GOD there was no one sitting that close to us that we'd have been annoying.
There was one point she even looked as though she had fallen asleep on the stage.
I felt sorry for the performers, but I don't think she was intending to be rude, just a little clueless and I think they picked up on that once the initial shock wore off.
She definitely was the only entertainment going on in that place and the performers were already forced to endure what they were doing so I doubt she made it any worse for them.
I can't remember the last time I have laughed that hard!
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Post by bryan99 on Sept 20, 2019 7:18:21 GMT
Rather enjoyed this last night. This musical's history is fascinating enough to make it worth a visit for that alone. Written between the early 80s and the early 90s, the sound and style is something that would have, perhaps, stood alongside Sondhiem and acted as a precursor to JRB and all his imitators. Even last night it felt fresh and original.
The music is complex and interesting but might, perhaps, come over at times as being relentlessly 'rat-a-tat' and lacking the sort of breathing space and 'rise and fall' that the subject matter and the emotional cut-through needs. Much of that might depend on direction and performance and although the show was polished and confident, some of the layers and depth weren't coming through.
But it was great to be there and to discover and enjoy this rarity. Sad to see empty seats. And what is going on with the bar at The Other Palace? Why are they even offering cocktails in the interval?? 300 people went unserved whilst a couple at the front had an elaborate dirty martini prepared for them. Insane.
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