151 posts
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Post by Sean on May 3, 2019 22:59:15 GMT
The tour which played Belfast, Limerick & Dublin in 2017 will be going out again to Belfast, Limerick, Dublin, Cork & London. Starring Jacinta Whyte & Eoin Cannon.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 4, 2019 7:54:28 GMT
Thanks, just booked for Croydon (after a lot of messing around with their booking system, which didn't like my address).
They have £15 front row seats available, slightly off centre. I've not been back to Fairfield Halls since it reopened, so hopefully the stage has been designed without restrictions.
No booking fee either, although I did have to choose an e-ticket (postal delivery was expensive and they didn't offer the option to collect at the venue).
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Post by danb on May 4, 2019 8:05:24 GMT
Closely followed by ‘Sophies Choice - The Musical’ (not opera!) and ‘The Mist - a pop opera’ no doubt! 😂
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jun 14, 2019 0:14:22 GMT
Opening on Tuesday 24 September at Ashcroft Playhouse, Fairfield Halls, Croydon and running until Saturday 5 October.
Toured in Ireland a couple of years ago and performed at Belfast but otherwise UK premiere. Reviews very favourable. I've booked a weekday matinee.
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3,065 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 14, 2019 6:54:12 GMT
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 14, 2019 7:02:45 GMT
Merged
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jun 14, 2019 9:56:15 GMT
Cheers ! Sorry about that. I didn't search far enough before creating new thread. |
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Post by l0islane on Jun 14, 2019 12:34:45 GMT
I'm going to see this in Limerick next month whilst visiting family, I'm interested to see how the book translates to the stage (especially as a musical!).
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151 posts
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Post by Sean on Jun 14, 2019 14:13:16 GMT
I'm going to see this in Limerick next month whilst visiting family, I'm interested to see how the book translates to the stage (especially as a musical!). I saw it in Limerick during its previous run and have tickets to see its return next month. It works very well on stage. A lot funnier than I think people expect. Great atmosphere seeing it in limerick as that is where the story is set. Also the Lime Tree Theatre is very intimate so you really feel part of the action. |
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Post by Gregor on Sept 21, 2019 13:16:09 GMT
Nearly opening week in Croydon now! I first saw Angela's Ashes in 2017 in Belfast, and I have been back to see it another three times since. This 2019 tour is even stronger than 2017, and I do believe it is my favourite new musical of recent years. A superb original score, with excellent performances from all of the cast, especially Jacinta Whyte, Eoin Cannon, Marty Maguire and Brigid Shine. Very exciting that it's finally made its way across the Irish Sea. For most musicals, I can name at least a few minutes where my attention wanders, but it never does with this one. I would genuinely advise not to miss it. Exciting to be there at the beginning. www.fairfield.co.uk/whats-on/angelas-ashes-the-musical/ |
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3,478 posts
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Post by showgirl on Sept 22, 2019 4:10:43 GMT
Thanks, just booked for Croydon (after a lot of messing around with their booking system, which didn't like my address). They have £15 front row seats available, slightly off centre. I've not been back to Fairfield Halls since it reopened, so hopefully the stage has been designed without restrictions. No booking fee either, although I did have to choose an e-ticket (postal delivery was expensive and they didn't offer the option to collect at the venue). Interesting that no fee was applied to your booking, Dr Tom, as I had to go in person in order to avoid the 20% levy (£3 fee on a £15 ticket is crazy and disproportionately affects those booking a single and/or cheaper ticket, but it's such a familiar issue and for me to raise with BH Live when I can summon the mental energy). I've gone for 2nd row stalls, as close to the centre as that price allows. I hope the revamped venue fares well but they may need to review their fees as these could well deter those unable to book in person, especially if cost is an issue. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 22, 2019 7:06:08 GMT
Interesting that no fee was applied to your booking, Dr Tom, as I had to go in person in order to avoid the 20% levy (£3 fee on a £15 ticket is crazy and disproportionately affects those booking a single and/or cheaper ticket, but it's such a familiar issue and for me to raise with BH Live when I can summon the mental energy). I've gone for 2nd row stalls, as close to the centre as that price allows. Yes, they must have introduced that one since I booked in May. I suppose then, the building was still closed, so the choice of buying tickets in person wasn't there. |
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Post by Gregor on Sept 22, 2019 11:59:15 GMT
An exclusive track from Angela's Ashes will be played on Elaine Paige's Radio 2 show this afternoon.
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Post by james1969 on Sept 22, 2019 15:18:39 GMT
Described by Elaine incorrectly today as a U.K. premiere.
Oh dear
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151 posts
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Post by Sean on Sept 26, 2019 15:28:00 GMT
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Post by Gregor on Sept 26, 2019 15:43:37 GMT
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Post by Gregor on Sept 26, 2019 17:09:13 GMT
Video of Eoin and Brigid performing 'My Promise' this afternoon has now also been added to The Theatre Cafe's YouTube account:
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Post by Gregor on Sept 26, 2019 17:48:53 GMT
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Post by Gregor on Sept 27, 2019 21:02:24 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Sept 28, 2019 16:34:52 GMT
Just out of today's matinee, and I really enjoyed it. Lovely to see an original musical, staged well, with a good stript and a strong score. The voices are all great and it is much lighter than I'd feared (although it does still rival Les Mis for 'oops, now that's another one dead'). Musically it has a Come From Away/Once/The Last Ship feel, so if that's your cup of tea, I'd recommend it.
I went for H27 as didn't want to risk full price on an unknown title and venue - I did miss a couple of small moments played from the far left of the stage, but otherwise no issues.
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Post by showgirl on Sept 28, 2019 17:06:35 GMT
Perhaps worth pointing out to others who may be considering seeing this in Croydon that row F of the stalls is the front row for this production - though that's clear from the seating plan.
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Post by paddy72 on Sept 28, 2019 17:37:07 GMT
Loved this too. Very thin audience this afternoon but the unexpectedly big cast still gave it their all and the choral singing was stunning. The lead - Angela - sang with genuine heart and her solo numbers were gorgeous. Sorry I can’t recall her name but she is thrilling. I think she was in Titanic and the show over all reminded me of that production. Really classy. I thought the second half better than the first only because there was more book and less songs. I really hope this production has a life beyond this short tour. After the recent Sheffield musicals, Billionaire Boy (Coventry) and now this show, regional theatres are now creating better original musicals than London and especially the moribund West End. Well worth the short journey out to Croydon. PS good to see this ‘new’ old theatre back in operation.
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Post by Stasia on Sept 28, 2019 20:58:25 GMT
Also saw the matinee. Sadly this left me completely flat. Not the musical numbers nor the character nor the direction - nothing seemed to be of interest. Couldn’t care about the characters or remember any of the tunes.
Meanwhile Brooklyn the musical that I saw in the eve is simply amazing, moving, has killer songs and if you have to choose one show to travel to, Brooklyn has my vote.
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Post by anthem on Sept 28, 2019 22:29:49 GMT
I caught this in Dublin and it far surpassed my expectations. The staging is really great and there are some lovely performances and songs. Quite funny and moving in parts too.
The source material is miserable at times so it was nice that it’s been turned into quite an uplifting stage show.
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3,478 posts
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Post by showgirl on Sept 29, 2019 4:59:32 GMT
Also saw the matinee. Sadly this left me completely flat. Not the musical numbers nor the character nor the direction - nothing seemed to be of interest. Couldn’t care about the characters or remember any of the tunes. Meanwhile Brooklyn the musical that I saw in the eve is simply amazing, moving, has killer songs and if you have to choose one show to travel to, Brooklyn has my vote. |
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Post by showgirl on Sept 29, 2019 5:03:30 GMT
Definitely seems impossible to quote a post on a mobile so apologies to Stasia for the above; what I wanted to say was that I was intrigued by the comparison with Brooklyn so rushed to listen to samples from that. So only an impression but on the basis of those and samples from this musical, my view is the opposite, ie Brooklyn's music left me cold whereas that from Angela's Ashes appealed. Don't know whether this is due to age, taste or both. |
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Post by Stasia on Sept 29, 2019 6:41:21 GMT
Definitely seems impossible to quote a post on a mobile so apologies to Stasia for the above; what I wanted to say was that I was intrigued by the comparison with Brooklyn so rushed to listen to samples from that. So only an impression but on the basis of those and samples from this musical, my view is the opposite, ie Brooklyn's music left me cold whereas that from Angela's Ashes appealed. Don't know whether this is due to age, taste or both. I did see them on the same day and paid same price for the front row seats. And expected to love them both but sadly Agela’s Ashes didn’t work for me. Glad it finds its audience anyway! |
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 3, 2019 12:20:04 GMT
Another vote of confidence in this production, which has a lot of charm to it.
The refurbished theatre looks great. My first time back in the Fairfield Halls in quite a few years.
I booked the front row, which was Row F, but when I arrived there were two extra rows in front. I did end up moving to the real front row, as the theatre unfortunately wasn't too full. There were only two other people on that row, but they didn't return after the interval (they may have moved, although not sure why, the front row view was perfect with a low stage). The rake looks good throughout.
Not sure why the attendance is so low. There's lots of advertising at East Croydon station, including on the ticket barriers and I saw large adverts in the Evening Standard. And the reviews have been excellent.
This is a small cast show. I remember the book well (and the sequel 'Tis). I'd say this is a more off a nod to those books rather than a full retelling, so some of the book incidents I remember most visibly don't make the musical. The child parts are all played by adults, with the lead character going from around age 6 to 20 (then picking up the story in his later years), which looks a little odd, but makes sense. The McCourt family only ever show two children, although others are mentioned - the typical large Irish family.
This is a musical, but it could also be classified as a play with musical interludes. The music is pleasant, not overly memorable, but it works in the moment.
Running time about 2 hours 25 minutes.
As I say, I enjoyed this. Hopefully it can fit in a few more takers before it moves on from Croydon at the weekend.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 3, 2019 13:31:47 GMT
I also saw this yesterday from row F but at the matinee. Very poor attendance, barely 100 people there. Could have moved but as there was nobody in the two rows in front I was concerned they may be left empty for a reason. The £15 seats just left and right of centre are excellent value. Really enjoyed the show, no darker than Blood Brothers in my opinion with some funny moments and a fine ensemble cast. Went on to Tick Tock Boom at Bridge House in Penge, a three hander also well worth seeing and as I type this eagerly waiting for..Juliet to start in Manchester Opera House from a front row seat
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Post by CG on the loose on Oct 6, 2019 17:55:55 GMT
I was there for the final show last night, when I'm glad to say there were rather more in attendance than has been reported at some performances above (though the two front rows - never on sale - remained empty, must be odd for the cast!). I found the staging incredibly reminiscent of Titanic (not surprising, perhaps). I knew the subject matter going in, and while there's no denying the grim themes, they're lightened by a healthy dose of black humour. I liked the score and when the whole cast sang... oh my, that alone was worth the price of the ticket!
I sat initially centre Row F (front row) and despite the high stage the view was great. It did however take an age to get out at the interval, so I moved for the second half to the front of the rear Stalls from where I could make a swifter exit at the end of the show. Not only did I have a 2 hour drive home, but I was on a mission to get back to my car within 4 hours as the parking price doubled thereafter!
As a side issue, I'm scratching my head trying to work out where the reported £41 million price tag for the venue's refurbishment has actually been spent... the seats in the theatre are unchanged and distinctly threadbare and there was no evidence within the auditorium of any upgrade. Hopefully the concert hall has benefited more, but reading up on the project, it seems to have been pretty disastrous.
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