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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 17, 2019 15:02:25 GMT
 Their Christmas musical 22nd Nov to 29th Dec Previews 22nd to 24th Nov £16 |
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Post by david on Oct 17, 2019 15:56:29 GMT
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 22, 2019 8:22:47 GMT
First preview tonight. Anyone booked for this yet? Seems to be generating little interest on here... including me as I haven’t booked either! 😆
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 22, 2019 9:18:57 GMT
Not booked yet! Am always interested in Hope Mill but waiting to make sure it’s not a total turkey!
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Post by david on Nov 22, 2019 10:09:31 GMT
I'm at next saturday's matinee.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2019 11:46:59 GMT
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Northwestend
⭐️⭐️⭐️ WoS
⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Stage
⭐️⭐️ The Times
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Post by david on Nov 30, 2019 19:03:09 GMT
Having watched today’s matinee performance, overall I thought it was ok but nothing more. Certainly whilst vocally all the cast were strong and the band of 7 were fine I thought as a show it really didn’t do much for me I’m afraid. The book which picks up Timothy Cratchit’s story a few years post Christmas Carol for me wasn’t that good (the characters I felt had little development) and I really couldn’t connect or invest any emotional energy with any of the characters or their respective stories. There was some emotional depths to the story which mainly occurred between Scrooge and Tim, but not enough to tug at the heart strings I’m afraid.
With this story, Tim acts as his own narrator explaining certain plot developments during the 2.5hrs. There certainly is a lot of narration during the course of the show which maybe wasn’t all needed to explain what was going on to the audience.
The musical score by Andre Catrini was fine to listen to with a few nice numbers (In the Garden and My World particular standouts).. Though it wasn’t a score that blew me away or one that I would listen to again. You also get a few actor-musician contributions which don’t feel out of place with this show.
The staging of the show was an interesting one. The stage is filled with 7 large mirrors used to great effect at certain parts of the show. It’s definitely not as grand as MAME. The seating arrangements haven’t changed from MAME with this show. Sadly it wasn’t a sell out this afternoon. I reckon it was about 3\4 full.
Casting wise, Ryan Kopel was fine if a little monotone in his portrayal as Tim C. I would of liked to of seen a wider range of emotional delivery, particularly with his scenes with Scrooge. Paul Greenwood as Scrooge came across well. Having both sides of Scrooge’s character - the mean tough character pre his visits from the Spirits and the more enlightened Scrooge who is redeemed at the end of Christmas Carol. Where this casting wins big time is with Michael Matus as Grimaldi the clown. His performance both in his acting and vocally is the one big positive for me. He steals every scene he is in and is a joy to watch and listen to. He brings so much energy to proceedings that when he is off stage it really is noticeable and I certainly felt a drop in energy in the auditorium in his absence. The other cast were fine and watchable.
For the first time today I actually had to keep my coat on whilst watching the show. The auditorium was freezing, particularly in Act 1. I think words must have been said during the interval and someone must have put 50p in the meter as it was slightly warmer in Act 2, but not by much though.
Would I recommend watching this? Hand on heart, I wouldn’t say rush out and get a ticket. It’s pleasant enough viewing if your at a loose end but nothing that I feel I would want to watch again in a hurry. I would rate this 3⭐️ though mainly down to Matus’ performance.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 21:19:03 GMT
I was there too this afternoon! David, I think I may have seen you but I’m not sure. I was the one waiting afterwards for signatures for my programme!
This doesn’t touch Mame, sadly, but it’s a pleasant enough watch. The set is simple but works well. I loved the use of the mirrors. The music is nowhere near the standard of Little Women, which has creative(s) in common. So many songs fizzle out without a proper end and there’s nothing memorable in there. They’re fine to listen to at the time but they last zero time in the memory. Some of the jokes were as lame as Tim’s leg, possibly because their delivery was not good at all. One character says they used to have a lovely pair of... ankles. But it was delivered hopelessly so nobody laughed. Several characters annoyed the hell out of me.
Most of the acting was good. Michael Matus was great. The lead guy was very good and it helped that he was very cute!
Because it’s Hope Mill, the overall experience is worth it but the piece alone is so slight. What story there is is so flimsy and when there is plot it’s nonsense! BUT I was never bored and it’s a gently entertaining watch. I think 3* is fair.
Michael Matus asked me whether I’d found it cold as the actors had kept bringing up the temperature with the theatre! They usually have blankets but I couldn’t see any this time.
So... worth a watch but it won’t blow you away. The muted applause at the end and throughout said it all. I still can’t wait for the next Hope Mill production as I adore this place.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2019 21:21:35 GMT
Is it aimed at kids do you think?
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 21:29:17 GMT
Is it aimed at kids do you think? Nope, I wouldn’t say so. Not a kid in sight and I’d think kids would be bored tbh. Suitable for all the family but not especially aimed at kids. |
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 21:33:03 GMT
Oh and Ryan Kopel has such a strong look of Timothee Chalamet I think!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 21:35:49 GMT
Is it aimed at kids do you think? Burly, they had the soundtrack to &Juliet playing afterwards in the bar area! |
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Post by david on Nov 30, 2019 23:59:19 GMT
I was there too this afternoon! David, I think I may have seen you but I’m not sure. I was the one waiting afterwards for signatures for my programme! This doesn’t touch Mame, sadly, but it’s a pleasant enough watch. The set is simple but works well. I loved the use of the mirrors. The music is nowhere near the standard of Little Women, which has creative(s) in common. So many songs fizzle out without a proper end and there’s nothing memorable in there. They’re fine to listen to at the time but they last zero time in the memory. Some of the jokes were as lame as Tim’s leg, possibly because their delivery was not good at all. One character says they used to have a lovely pair of... ankles. But it was delivered hopelessly so nobody laughed. Several characters annoyed the hell out of me. Most of the acting was good. Michael Matus was great. The lead guy was very good and it helped that he was very cute! Because it’s Hope Mill, the overall experience is worth it but the piece alone is so slight. What story there is is so flimsy and when there is plot it’s nonsense! BUT I was never bored and it’s a gently entertaining watch. I think 3* is fair. Michael Matus asked me whether I’d found it cold as the actors had kept bringing up the temperature with the theatre! They usually have blankets but I couldn’t see any this time. So... worth a watch but it won’t blow you away. The muted applause at the end and throughout said it all. I still can’t wait for the next Hope Mill production as I adore this place. Oh sorry to have missed you. I was wearing a blue hoodie. I’m glad the cast mentioned the freezing temperatures. I’m just glad I bought a thick coat with me as I certainly needed it. At least it wasn’t as cold in Act 2! I agree with your comment about Little Women. That was a piece of theatre I enjoyed as I could invest some emotion into the characters and had a wonderful score to boot. Here I felt the complete opposite unfortunately. As the show to follow MAME, it was a tough ask and unfortunately didn’t hit the mark with me. As you say, with the announced shows for 2020 which I’ll book next week, I hope this was just a blip in what is normally a great time at HM. |
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 1, 2019 0:04:05 GMT
I was there too this afternoon! David, I think I may have seen you but I’m not sure. I was the one waiting afterwards for signatures for my programme! This doesn’t touch Mame, sadly, but it’s a pleasant enough watch. The set is simple but works well. I loved the use of the mirrors. The music is nowhere near the standard of Little Women, which has creative(s) in common. So many songs fizzle out without a proper end and there’s nothing memorable in there. They’re fine to listen to at the time but they last zero time in the memory. Some of the jokes were as lame as Tim’s leg, possibly because their delivery was not good at all. One character says they used to have a lovely pair of... ankles. But it was delivered hopelessly so nobody laughed. Several characters annoyed the hell out of me. Most of the acting was good. Michael Matus was great. The lead guy was very good and it helped that he was very cute! Because it’s Hope Mill, the overall experience is worth it but the piece alone is so slight. What story there is is so flimsy and when there is plot it’s nonsense! BUT I was never bored and it’s a gently entertaining watch. I think 3* is fair. Michael Matus asked me whether I’d found it cold as the actors had kept bringing up the temperature with the theatre! They usually have blankets but I couldn’t see any this time. So... worth a watch but it won’t blow you away. The muted applause at the end and throughout said it all. I still can’t wait for the next Hope Mill production as I adore this place. Oh sorry to have missed you. I was wearing a blue hoodie. I’m glad the cast mentioned the freezing temperatures. I’m just glad I bought a thick coat with me as I certainly needed it. At least it wasn’t as cold in Act 2! I agree with your comment about Little Women. That was a piece of theatre I enjoyed as I could invest some emotion into the characters and had a wonderful score to boot. Here I felt the complete opposite unfortunately. As the show to follow MAME, it was a tough ask and unfortunately didn’t hit the mark with me. As you say, with the announced shows for 2020 which I’ll book next week, I hope this was just a blip in what is normally a great time at HM. Yep I think I did see you then! Maybe catch you at another performance  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 1, 2019 9:21:25 GMT
Is it aimed at kids do you think? Burly, they had the soundtrack to &Juliet playing afterwards in the bar area! Sounds like that was the best bit! 🙂 I had a feeling that this show wouldn’t be for me and sounds like I was right. Generally I’m booking less stuff in advance for the HM these days. Mame was fantastic but it’s a bit too hit and miss *cough*Springer*cough * these days. Let’s hope they get back on track in 2020, and that the new funding arrangements allow them to show the best of themselves. |
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