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Post by Mr Wallacio on Feb 8, 2016 11:59:27 GMT
Hi All,
When I went to the WMC to see Mack and Mabel back in December I saw a new musical being advertised called Only The Brave, which is at the Donald Gordon Theatre 28th March to 2nd April. I booked tickets for it yesterday as I like experiencing new shows.
I believe this was put on at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008 (with Cassidy Janson and Keith Jack), and there is a cast recording from then available, but was shown as a 70 minute piece, which has now been expanded to a full two act show. I read an article from around the Ed show which rated that version highly and said it was destined for the West End. The fact the WMC show is being described as being created by them I am assuming this never made it to London 8 years ago (I certainly don't recall hearing about it). Maybe now is the time for this show to shine. It's currently only got its few dates at WMC, but maybe it is finally destined for bigger things.
There are a few songs on the production page on the WMC website from the show as a bit of a taster, and I am liking what I hear.
If you like new things and are able to get to see it, I am sure there are worse things to travel to see.
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Post by lou on Feb 8, 2016 12:25:22 GMT
I saw it in Edinburgh and very much enjoyed it. I'd recommend taking tissues!
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Post by Flim Flam on Feb 8, 2016 13:26:37 GMT
Isn't that the thing with Caroline Sheen and David Thaxton? Excellent cast.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Feb 8, 2016 13:43:32 GMT
Yes, yes it is. I should have mentioned that in my post too.
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Post by glossie on Feb 8, 2016 16:37:26 GMT
I saw it in Edinburgh and quite enjoyed it. Decent story, great performances, although I did find some of the music very derivative and was constantly distracted trying to work out which show tune I was reminded of, but it was very 'listenable' to!*
It would be interesting to see how it's been developed and if a few lighter songs have been added - if I recall, it was a bit ballad heavy.
*and I did buy the CD!
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Post by ali973 on Feb 8, 2016 17:01:39 GMT
Isn't the composer of this show on BWW?
I sampled the entire album a while ago, and I agree that it sounds generic and very Les Miz/Saigon wannabe.
I'm also not into WWI/II stories. Or Caroline Sheen.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 8, 2016 17:10:29 GMT
What does "sampled the entire album" mean? Listening to snippets and missing bleeding chunks?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 19:09:18 GMT
I'm excited to see what it's like, seems an interesting show and David Thaxton is always worth watching so I'm optimistic. Tickets are relatively cheap (many decent ones for £9.50 or £13.50) so worth a gamble anyway!
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Feb 9, 2016 19:33:19 GMT
What does "sampled the entire album" mean? Listening to snippets and missing bleeding chunks? Listened to more than 60 seconds of each track on iTunes. What, is that unfair to be able to tell it's generic? If it is unfair, please do let me now. |
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Post by gra on Feb 9, 2016 22:44:21 GMT
Saw the original production in Edinburgh (and bought the CD)
I think that the general opinion at the time was the show was ok as a fringe 'work
in progress' but would need a lot more to make it a success with the wider public.
Good to see it has been revived in its new incarnation. Hope it's successful.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2016 8:00:16 GMT
Saw the first night of this Monday. Felt act 1 was a bit slow-but that might be fixed in part by some general tidying up in previews, though I feel they could have cut a number or two or trimmed at least 10 minutes off (it's a long one, finishing at gone 10.30 on Monday) Overall a good piece though with Thaxon and Caroline Sheen on top form. More detailed review here... thenerdytheatre.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/only-brave-wales-millennium-centre.html |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Mar 30, 2016 8:18:25 GMT
I'm seeing this tonight, so I'll see what I think.
I'm reluctant to read your review through fear of spoiling the show, so I shall do so after. This is coming in over 3 hours? Ouch. It'll have to be good to keep me enthralled for that long, especially if it originally started off as a 70 minute piece a few years ago.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2016 8:54:11 GMT
I'd agree don't read it beforehand if you'd rather go in 'spoiler free' as they say.
It may have shorted by now-I'm not sure how much they were planning on working on it between now and opening night (Thurs I believe) but I think it could do with it (very few things sustain for 3 hours)
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Mar 30, 2016 10:54:51 GMT
It's such a short run, and to my knowledge isn't booked to go elsewhere as yet, so I can't see too much tinkering happening in three days.
I'll post my thoughts later.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Mar 30, 2016 21:48:39 GMT
On the drive home now, and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this tonight.
The curtain came down at 22:15, so assuming that the first preview went up at 19:30 then some tweaking has occurred to put this at the 2 hour 40 mins including interval (5 mins shaved off for the 25 min interval tonight).
Beautiful music, though I agree that some of Act 1 could be shaved down, but considering it's only the third performance that can be worked on after this run.
Some great songs, and some filler, but you get that in a lot of shows.
I had tears at the end and I wasn't even them but it just hit me, things about the war always hit me with emotion.
The theatre was sold out which really shocked me seeing as this is a completely new and unknown piece.
I really hope it finds a life after this week because I'd love to see if it's tweaked and experience that music again.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 7:34:32 GMT
Glad you enjoyed it! That's good that they trimmed a bit-it could have just been a pacing thing as well, it just felt a bit 'slow' all over in act 1 in the first preview, but hey it was the first preview of a brand new piece so I don't really mind.
I agree a few bits of padding here and there but some really excellent numbers too-I forget the title but the 'army training' number and the close of Act 1 were great. As were the big ballads from the principles.
It does really hit you at the end doesn't it? I hadn't read the programme/anything much to know it was defiantly based around real people at that point, so that as well really hits.
Glad that it was sold out-I know they've put a lot of offers out for early in the week (student schemes and partner offers and such) but I'm glad they managed to fill it-for an unknown work it's a tough sell.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Mar 31, 2016 7:47:47 GMT
The army training number, according to the programme is called 'Training'  . I liked the inclusion of the {Spoiler - click to view}
real war veteran
at the beginning and end. I think that was a lovely touch and made the emotion even stronger. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 7:57:11 GMT
The army training number, according to the programme is called 'Training' . I liked the inclusion of the {Spoiler - click to view}
real war veteran
at the beginning and end. I think that was a lovely touch and made the emotion even stronger. haha brilliantly named! (I'm at work so not in reach of programme to check!) and yes re: spoiler indeed. |
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