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Post by stevejohnson678 on Apr 8, 2019 13:54:37 GMT
An actor-musician production of Kiss Me, Kate is the Watermill's summer musical for 2019. Public booking opens on Tuesday 23rd April. Running from Thursday 25th July - Saturday 21st September. www.watermill.org.uk/kiss_me_kateKiss Me, Kate will be followed by a month-long run of Assassins in the Watermill's co-production with Nottingham Playhouse. |
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Apr 8, 2019 14:01:16 GMT
Perfecto choice for this lovely venue.
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4,451 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 4, 2019 10:49:52 GMT
Rebecca Trehearn and David Ricardo-Pearce to lead this.
Perfect choice with Rebecca
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Post by ruthieh on Jun 4, 2019 18:02:29 GMT
Choreography by Oti Mabuse too...
I love the Watermill, and what they do with their musicals in such a small space. Have genuinely had some of the most memorable theatrical experiences here! Can’t wait for this one...
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Post by gaityr on Jun 4, 2019 19:01:23 GMT
I've never been to the Watermill but it sounds like an incredible space!! Quite intrigued by both the space and the production - I love Kiss Me Kate but have never seen it live.
I'll be in London during the run - does anyone know if it would be feasible to watch a 7.30pm show and make it back to London, even if rather late at night? The theatre seems quite out-of-the-way, so I'm just wondering what public transport links will be like after an evening performance.
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Post by ruthieh on Jun 4, 2019 21:19:42 GMT
I've never been to the Watermill but it sounds like an incredible space!! Quite intrigued by both the space and the production - I love Kiss Me Kate but have never seen it live. I'll be in London during the run - does anyone know if it would be feasible to watch a 7.30pm show and make it back to London, even if rather late at night? The theatre seems quite out-of-the-way, so I'm just wondering what public transport links will be like after an evening performance. There are trains to London via Reading from Newbury but I’m not sure what time the last one runs. Newbury is about 10 minute taxi ride from theatre. You might be better off looking at a matinee? It is a beautiful venue though. Lovely restaurant attached, and gardens are stunning. Complete with ducks! |
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Post by NeilVHughes on Jun 4, 2019 21:44:20 GMT
Have considered the logistics of an evening performance, it is possible but will be a very late return to London, in the end chose a matinee, did not realise how far the Theatre is from the station and it was an additional ~£10 taxi fare each way.
An advantage of a matinee is that it gives you more time to appreciate the beautiful surroundings as the location is sublime, especially on a warm summers day.
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Post by learfan on Jun 5, 2019 5:07:55 GMT
Have considered the logistics of an evening performance, it is possible but will be a very late return to London, in the end chose a matinee, did not realise how far the Theatre is from the station and it was an additional ~£10 taxi fare each way. An advantage of a matinee is that it gives you more time to appreciate the beautiful surroundings as the location is sublime, especially on a warm summers day. I went to A Little Night Music and very good it was too. However despite what the website says and at the time other forum members, the theatre is not close to the town centre and i ended up spending over £20 on taxis. Just to be aware. |
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Post by gaityr on Jun 5, 2019 8:40:05 GMT
Thanks so much, everyone!! I would absolutely have chosen a matinee but - unfortunately - the one matinee that falls during my trip has sold out of good seats. Only the balcony slips left, and even then only the ones right above the stage. I think I'd rather have a good seat for the show if possible.
I might actually head to Newbury earlier to enjoy the theatre's environs. Just glad to know I OUGHT to be able to make it back to London... Even if some cab fares will be required!
Hopefully it will be as easy to get a cab at the theatre as I'm sure it will be at the train station.
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1,846 posts
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Post by NeilVHughes on Jun 5, 2019 9:02:28 GMT
gaityr , would advise making sure you pre-book your return taxi as early as possible due to its remote location, use Trainline.com to check the train times and plan your journey.
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Post by TallPaul on Jun 5, 2019 9:03:45 GMT
Just one more word (or three) of caution - the stage version of Kiss Me, Kate often runs for almost three hours, so assume you'll be catching the 23:XX train, and if you're at the station to catch the 22:XX service, that will be a bonus!
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 5, 2019 9:07:40 GMT
Great casting.
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Post by ruby on Jun 6, 2019 12:15:35 GMT
I didn't realise this was only about an hour away from Bristol, so I've booked for the first Saturday and am really looking forward to it.
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Post by learfan on Jun 6, 2019 12:18:13 GMT
Got the last front row stalls seat for the final matinee, very pleased.
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Post by ruby on Jul 27, 2019 22:46:48 GMT
Just back from this.
It was absolutely brilliant. I didn't know much about the show beforehand (which I prefer) but I loved it. Fantastic use of space, the cast were superb and the comedy was done really well. Add in a delicious dinner and a scenic tour of Newbury (we got a little lost!) and a good time was had by all!
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Post by tmesis on Jul 30, 2019 11:00:47 GMT
It's always an absolute pleasure to visit this idyllic theatre - made even better by the lovely friendly staff/volunteers who work there.
I was really looking forward to this, one of the all-time great classic musicals but on quite a few levels it was a disappointment.
The positives are a young, energetic cast (contrast that with the torpid Oklahoma! currently on in Chichester) and a nice production that works brilliantly in the tiny theatre. Rebecca Trehearn was fantastic as Kate. She has the vocal range and presence to bring the part totally to life but she was unfortunately not matched by David Ricardo Pearce as Fred. He was vocally OK but his acting was totally exaggerated and unsubtle and the crucial scenes between himself and Trehearn were lacking in any sexual chemistry. Worst of all was Kimmy Edwards as Lois. She gave a horribly exaggerated performance and she added unnecessary blues/soul mannerisms to her classic songs that were completely inappropriate. She made hard work of Always True to You in My Fashion which is quite an achievement since it's normally pretty performer-proof.
That perfect Act Two opener, Too Darn Hot was quite feeble; not a patch on the sexy routine in the Chichester/Nunn production, and there were also some clunky references to race relations that didn't work. Brush Up Your Shakespeare, another sure fire winner in most productions, was another disappointment.
Actor-musician productions like this sometimes compromise musical precision but generally at The Watermill things have been really good. Other actor-musician offerings like last year's Sweet Charity was musically of a high standard and A Little Night Music was absolutely exceptional - particularly impressive since this is hard enough to bring off with a full pit orchestra. Frankly musical standards were really quite shoddy last night with some particularly painful brass chords, sounding more like Penderecki than Porter.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 30, 2019 11:58:32 GMT
What are the 'clunky race relations' bits? Please and ta
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Post by xanady on Jul 31, 2019 23:06:20 GMT
One of the all-time great musicals imo...would love to see it but everyone I know in the business says the venue is hard to reach by train?
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Post by learfan on Aug 1, 2019 4:20:37 GMT
One of the all-time great musicals imo...would love to see it but everyone I know in the business says the venue is hard to reach by train? Newbury Station itself is well served via Reading. The issue is that the theatre is almost 2 miles from the town centre so you do have to fork out for taxis. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 1, 2019 6:07:19 GMT
Or its quite a pleasent walk
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Post by learfan on Aug 1, 2019 11:32:52 GMT
Or its quite a pleasent walk maybe so but a four mile round trip is too much for me im afraid! |
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1,316 posts
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Post by tmesis on Aug 1, 2019 19:12:03 GMT
It may not be an option for some but I always drive there. It has an excellent, free car park.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Aug 2, 2019 11:29:45 GMT
So little bit obsessed with KMK - saw the show on Broadway this year.
Has anyone sat in the R/V seats before - Circle Slips?
Quite booked out already (no surprises there)
***RANG VENUE - and Circle Slips O6 is best!!!***
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1,316 posts
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Post by tmesis on Aug 2, 2019 12:08:14 GMT
So little bit obsessed with KMK - saw the show on Broadway this year. Has anyone sat in the R/V seats before - Circle Slips? Quite booked out already (no surprises there) ***RANG VENUE - and Circle Slips O6 is best!!!*** It will not be ideal, there's little legroom and you will definitely have to lean forward but, if you're really keen to see it, it will still be worth it. |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Aug 2, 2019 14:18:25 GMT
So little bit obsessed with KMK - saw the show on Broadway this year. Has anyone sat in the R/V seats before - Circle Slips? Quite booked out already (no surprises there) ***RANG VENUE - and Circle Slips O6 is best!!!*** It will not be ideal, there's little legroom and you will definitely have to lean forward but, if you're really keen to see it, it will still be worth it. I bit the bullet and booked, thanks for heads up though, good to know :-) |
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Post by learfan on Sept 21, 2019 12:13:44 GMT
Currently sat in the garden looking at the programme. I had a couple of bags and asked if i could leave them in the cloakroom, cue puzzled looks from the staff who all acted as if they had never had this query before!!! Eventually a locked cupboard was opened. Hopefully the show is better.
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Post by learfan on Sept 21, 2019 15:40:55 GMT
Well this really good, another crackerja k performance from Rebecca Treahern, who, after Showboat and Sweet Charity goes from strength to strength. Finishes tonight and deserves a further life. Will see the Watermill Assassins at Nottingham in November.
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