103 posts
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Chess
May 14, 2018 11:40:18 GMT
Post by bren on May 14, 2018 11:40:18 GMT
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1,912 posts
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Post by sf on May 14, 2018 11:46:35 GMT
No need to get crabby. You're right and I was having a brain fog. When you start with "you're wrong" and I'm not, how am I supposed to respond? By massaging your ego?
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617 posts
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Chess
May 14, 2018 13:20:02 GMT
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Post by loureviews on May 14, 2018 13:20:02 GMT
Grow up.
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1,445 posts
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Post by steve10086 on May 14, 2018 13:58:33 GMT
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Post by CG on the loose on May 14, 2018 14:18:41 GMT
Actress/singer Cassidy Janson, who has led in small musicals and covered in larger ones, is Florence Vassy. Would you consider playing the lead in ‘Beautiful’ for the lion’s share of the run at The Aldwych Theatre a small musical ? Also CJ went on as Elphaba in’Wicked’ numerous times during the Mendel/ Ellis period. She’s an incredibly gifted performer who I think is pretty much wasted in this messy production. She was not the regular lead in either. I think she's very talented but my description of her is accurate IMO She took over the lead from Katie Brayben in November 2016 and played it until the West End production closed in August 2017. In what way is that not 'regular'?
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Post by wickedgrin on May 14, 2018 14:48:52 GMT
So... I may be wrong but I think a bit of dynamic pricing has kicked in here - downwards. Just checked the ENO website for this - loads of availability of course - and the prices (in the week) are now Stalls £125/£75 (weren't they £150?) Dress £125/£75/£65 (again weren't they £150?)and Upper Circle £65/£50/£35 (weren't they £80?) Still £150 at the weekend though, but I thought the £150 top price was throughout the run! I think I am going mad!
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2,155 posts
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Chess
May 14, 2018 15:15:45 GMT
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Post by richey on May 14, 2018 15:15:45 GMT
So... I may be wrong but I think a bit of dynamic pricing has kicked in here - downwards. Just checked the ENO website for this - loads of availability of course - and the prices (in the week) are now Stalls £125/£75 (weren't they £150?) Dress £125/£75/£65 (again weren't they £150?)and Upper Circle £65/£50/£35 (weren't they £80?) Still £150 at the weekend though, but I thought the £150 top price was throughout the run! I think I am going mad! The upper circle was £50 when I bought mine a few weeks ago
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7,579 posts
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Chess
May 14, 2018 15:49:43 GMT
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Post by alece10 on May 14, 2018 15:49:43 GMT
So... I may be wrong but I think a bit of dynamic pricing has kicked in here - downwards. Just checked the ENO website for this - loads of availability of course - and the prices (in the week) are now Stalls £125/£75 (weren't they £150?) Dress £125/£75/£65 (again weren't they £150?)and Upper Circle £65/£50/£35 (weren't they £80?) Still £150 at the weekend though, but I thought the £150 top price was throughout the run! I think I am going mad! The upper circle was £50 when I bought mine a few weeks ago Stalls were £75 and £125 when I booked a few months ago for Mon to Thur and £150 Fri and Sat
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2,822 posts
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Chess
May 14, 2018 16:13:53 GMT
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Post by ceebee on May 14, 2018 16:13:53 GMT
Dress Circle £22 Saturday night. I quite enjoyed it - less so the carping and bit**ing from people around me who just LOVED the sound of their own voice and critique. Incredible sound from the orchestra. I thought Michael Ball was really very good - second show I've seen him in. He's more than just schmooze and Alfie Boe's sidekick. Go see it if you can - it's well worth the time.
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776 posts
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Chess
May 14, 2018 17:09:47 GMT
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Post by latefortheoverture on May 14, 2018 17:09:47 GMT
Dress Circle £22 Saturday night. I quite enjoyed it - less so the carping and bit**ing from people around me who just LOVED the sound of their own voice and critique. Incredible sound from the orchestra. I thought Michael Ball was really very good - second show I've seen him in. He's more than just schmooze and Alfie Boe's sidekick. Go see it if you can - it's well worth the time. Were they from todaytix? And if so around what time did you buy them?
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2,822 posts
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Chess
May 14, 2018 17:38:34 GMT
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Post by ceebee on May 14, 2018 17:38:34 GMT
[/quote] Were they from todaytix? And if so around what time did you buy them?[/quote]
Yes, they were TodayTix. I'd concur with an earlier post - 10.00am was offering Upper Circle. Around 11.30am got Dress Circle. There were probably a good 6 or 7 empty seats. Though I think it's just a bit of luck really. I'd go again. Good luck.
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3,080 posts
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Chess
May 16, 2018 7:59:41 GMT
Post by Dr Tom on May 16, 2018 7:59:41 GMT
Finally saw this on Monday evening, having never seen a previous production.
Upper Circle seats, third row, from TodayTix. As others have said, pretty much all the seats in the Upper Circle are restricted view and miss the front of the stage.
On the positive size, the seats are a decent size and comfortable. Although you're a long way back, there are screens showing some of the action as well.
Many people moved forward.
I have been checking the Dress Circle seats being released, but they don't seem to happen every day.
Stalls looked pretty full. Dress Circle and Upper Circle about half full. Balcony slightly less so.
An enjoyable performance, running 2 hours and 50 minutes. A few good songs and Michael Ball's vocals stood out. I don't think I'll try and see it again this run, but it would be interesting to catch another staging in a few years' time.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2018 19:00:09 GMT
If- like me, and I suspect a large number of this afternoon’s audience- you spent the mid 80s listening to the double LP over and over again before seeing Chess live on stage at the Prince Edward, replacing it with a CD once it had become so scratched it was no longer playable, adding endless other cast recordings of new productions and concerts to your collection, then you will love this...
There's something singularly indescribable about sitting in a West End theatre, being presented with a wall of sound that brings both goosebumps and an extra thump to your heart. And this is what it did... not once but again and again and again. I’m so pleased we were allowed to see this huge orchestra not to mention hear what they can produce together with the ENO chorus.
Despite having reservations about the cast we’d waited so long to be announced, they were all pretty good. If I’m honest, Michael Ball is no Tommy Korberg, and Cassidy Janson isn’t Elaine Paige. But they were rather special in their own way. Tim Howar coped well, as did Alexandra Burke although I couldn’t help thinking we’d have been better off with a West End stalwart.
There were some oddities, I’ll admit: I couldn’t see how Svetlana’s new song fitted into the show at all. I didn’t need to see Freddie Trumper put on his trousers under his dressing gown only to turn revealing that he’d accidentally tucked it into his drawers, and I’d have thought that if they were going down the close-up cameras route they should have perfected the art of getting sound and pictures in sync. And that rising platform can’t half wobble...
But it was wonderful to hear this magical score again. As a Chess fan (the show, not the game) who can’t claim to know all the twists and turns in the different versions its had over the years, it was quite simply a treat.
I wasn’t offended by the representation of stereotypical (and presumably intentionally comic) Tyroleans, Russians, Americans or Brits, so I can’t see why I should have been offended by a similar representation of Thais. But I didn’t go to be offended, I went along to be entertained. Which I was.
It wasn’t perfect but it was as good as it gets, and it makes such a change from these jukebox shows and small scale productions we’ve now grown used to.
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1,896 posts
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Chess
May 16, 2018 20:42:03 GMT
Post by distantcousin on May 16, 2018 20:42:03 GMT
True to say that the great majority of the audience were 50+, possibly 60+ even. I think it's mainly selling on 80's nostalgia for the original album, rather than any new interest.
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18,916 posts
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Chess
May 16, 2018 20:46:06 GMT
Post by BurlyBeaR on May 16, 2018 20:46:06 GMT
I think the ENO know exactly who their target audience is with these musicals. That’s where the money is.
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2,155 posts
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Post by richey on May 16, 2018 20:49:57 GMT
True to say that the great majority of the audience were 50+, possibly 60+ even. I think it's mainly selling on 80's nostalgia for the original album, rather than any new interest. They may be 50+ but that doesn't necessarily mean they're there for the nostalgia. There were two ladies sat next to me who admitted in the interval they knew nothing about it and didn't recognise any songs (A lady on the other side of them did say "ooh you'll know one in the next half, it's the one that Elaine Paige did with whatserface..")
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776 posts
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Chess
May 16, 2018 21:00:05 GMT
Post by latefortheoverture on May 16, 2018 21:00:05 GMT
Has anybody else had any luck getting dress circle tickets through TodayTix rush? I've checked loads of times the last few weeks and they seemed to sell them earlier on in the run but it doesn't look they are doing that now.
They also had discounted dress circle at the TKTS booth, but now just the Upper circle.
From taking a look at available tickets it isn't as though it's had a sudden increase in sales...
Does anyone know where I might snag some tix for the dress or have tips on getting them through TodayTix?
I might ring the BO tomorrow and see what they have to say.
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2,818 posts
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Chess
May 16, 2018 22:20:24 GMT
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 16, 2018 22:20:24 GMT
I got Dress Circle row G for a Saturday matinee
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Post by d'James on May 17, 2018 5:39:10 GMT
We missed each other again @caiaphas. I was there this afternoon as well! I'm afraid I haven't laughed so much in a theatre since "Dick Whittington" last Christmas. "Merano" is the funniest choreography ever (and not in a good way) and the Soldier March makes Julian Clary look like Rambo. Will blog a full opinion last week, but OH MY it was, well, it was... erm... Did love the accordion gag, though, and the American tourist in Bangkok storyline (keep your eye on the guy in the baseball cap). BTW, does anyone know why the projections are mirrored at the sides? On one side the writing on the news microphones is correct way / badge is on left lapel as on stage - on the other side, the writing is backwards and the badge is on the other lapel. Deliberate or bad feed? What was the accordion gag?
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7,579 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 6:03:20 GMT
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Post by alece10 on May 17, 2018 6:03:20 GMT
Has anybody else had any luck getting dress circle tickets through TodayTix rush? I've checked loads of times the last few weeks and they seemed to sell them earlier on in the run but it doesn't look they are doing that now. They also had discounted dress circle at the TKTS booth, but now just the Upper circle. From taking a look at available tickets it isn't as though it's had a sudden increase in sales... Does anyone know where I might snag some tix for the dress or have tips on getting them through TodayTix? I might ring the BO tomorrow and see what they have to say. I've had the same experience. Been actively checking daily for the last 2 weeks (apart from Saturday) and only found upper circle seats. I had tried the trick others have mentioned about trying later in the day but still UC only. This week I've noticed that they haven't even been selling out of their first batch as keep getting offered the same 2 seats each day. Looking at the ENO website there seems to be plenty of availability in the upper circle which is why, I guess, they are not being given any dress circle seats. If you have any luck with the box office please let me know.
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Chess
May 17, 2018 6:09:09 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 17, 2018 6:09:09 GMT
I am also getting upper circle and for this production it really ain’t worth it. This show doesn’t appear to be selling
On a slightly different note has anyone seen any posters or advertising for this?
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3,111 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 6:51:15 GMT
Post by david on May 17, 2018 6:51:15 GMT
I am also getting upper circle and for this production it really ain’t worth it. This show doesn’t appear to be selling On a slightly different note has anyone seen any posters or advertising for this? I’ve only seen a few of the posters dotted around the underground when I’ve been to London. I could be wrong, I’m surprised there hasn’t been more media coverage. I would of thought they would have had some of the cast doing some of the songs on TV.
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7,579 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 6:57:54 GMT
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Post by alece10 on May 17, 2018 6:57:54 GMT
Alexandra Burke was on some daytime programme last week talking about the show
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18,916 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 7:00:53 GMT
Post by BurlyBeaR on May 17, 2018 7:00:53 GMT
As an actor appearing in a show are you contracted to do a specified number of appearances to promote it, or is it open ended?
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2,822 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 7:56:37 GMT
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Post by ceebee on May 17, 2018 7:56:37 GMT
Has anybody else had any luck getting dress circle tickets through TodayTix rush? Yes - Row H Dress Circle last Saturday evening, bought around 11.30am via TodayTix app.
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3,080 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 9:09:53 GMT
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Post by Dr Tom on May 17, 2018 9:09:53 GMT
Has anybody else had any luck getting dress circle tickets through TodayTix rush? Yes - Row H Dress Circle last Saturday evening, bought around 11.30am via TodayTix app. I’ve been checking regularly too and that’s the only time I’ve seen Dress Circle appear (I couldn’t go that day). So, they are few and far between. Best chance may be on days when the regular rush tickets sell out early and they put up extra unsold seats (so Saturday evenings, or risk the very end of the run). They haven’t been selling out midweek.
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1,936 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 9:42:30 GMT
Post by wickedgrin on May 17, 2018 9:42:30 GMT
Last night they checked bags but not the tickets. We had ours on our phones ready to show and no-one was interested! We had booked £15 gallery seats before casting was announced. OK you were in the room where this massive show happened and you can't really complain for £15 BUT I could barely see anything due to first the decision to extend the stage over the orchestra pit so anything at the front of the stage was completely obscured as the theatre is perfectly designed to see the front of the stage and not the orchestra pit. Second, we had two of the tallest people sat in front of us who constantly fidgeted and leaned forward.
SO.... for the second half we VERY cheekily upgraded ourselves to an unoccupied Upper Circle BOX!!! This was very obvious and the ushers did notice but did not remove us!
So, my advice is if you can't get a deal on a good seat - just upgrade yourself - but perhaps not to a box. There were quite a few empty seats last night - mostly at the side of the dress and upper circle although it was busy - stalls and gallery full.
It's very easy to go down a level (or two) at half time.
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1,896 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 10:04:16 GMT
Post by distantcousin on May 17, 2018 10:04:16 GMT
True to say that the great majority of the audience were 50+, possibly 60+ even. I think it's mainly selling on 80's nostalgia for the original album, rather than any new interest. They may be 50+ but that doesn't necessarily mean they're there for the nostalgia. There were two ladies sat next to me who admitted in the interval they knew nothing about it and didn't recognise any songs (A lady on the other side of them did say "ooh you'll know one in the next half, it's the one that Elaine Paige did with whatserface..") Yes! Plenty of that crowd too!
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Post by wickedgrin on May 17, 2018 10:06:44 GMT
Art is subjective but I cannot understand the 2* reviews for this. I LOVED it and was quite blown away. It looked and sounded spectacular. It is great (like 42nd St) to see musical productions done on this scale.
The orchestra were fabulous and got the biggest applause of the evening.
Vocally the ensemble were sublime as were most of the soloists. MB knocked it out of the park. His "Anthem" was sublime as was Tim Howar's "Pity the Child".
Any criticisms can be directed at the piece itself which remains a work in progress with each production being "tweaked" - the story is very unfocused at times and even main characters being underwritten which results in imbalances. I thought Alexandra Burke vocally was excellent but struggles with the aforementioned underwriting - her character appearing late out of nowhere.
Again as previously mentioned I thought some of the choreography was a little dated and obvious - perhaps intentionally? But I thought the projections and live close ups worked brilliantly given the sightlines of the venue.
The show has it peaks and troughs - but when it peaks it blows you away.
A very solid 4 stars from me and I will be making a return visit before it closes in 2 weeks!
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1,517 posts
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Chess
May 17, 2018 10:16:01 GMT
Post by anita on May 17, 2018 10:16:01 GMT
Last night they checked bags but not the tickets. We had ours on our phones ready to show and no-one was interested! We had booked £15 gallery seats before casting was announced. OK you were in the room where this massive show happened and you can't really complain for £15 BUT I could barely see anything due to first the decision to extend the stage over the orchestra pit so anything at the front of the stage was completely obscured as the theatre is perfectly designed to see the front of the stage and not the orchestra pit. Second, we had two of the tallest people sat in front of us who constantly fidgeted and leaned forward. SO.... for the second half we VERY cheekily upgraded ourselves to an unoccupied Upper Circle BOX!!! This was very obvious and the ushers did notice but did not remove us! So, my advice is if you can't get a deal on a good seat - just upgrade yourself - but perhaps not to a box. There were quite a few empty seats last night - mostly at the side of the dress and upper circle although it was busy - stalls and gallery full. It's very easy to go down a level (or two) at half time. Sounds like not only will I not hear anything [ due to my deafness as well as the sound problems mentioned here] but I am unlikely to see anything either.
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