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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 11, 2018 20:05:07 GMT
Caught the matinee today, and have some thoughts. Don’t want to sound overly negative but I was almost upset by how different my experience was the second time when compared to the first time I saw this show in the previews.
First of all, our seats- I booked separately for me and my friend, and then my partner wanted to come as well, so I bought a separate seat. Two of us were at the back of the stalls next to the sound desk, and my friend was upstairs row J of the dress. I swapped at the interval, to see how they compared. Ironically the sound by the sound desk was appalling, very very VERY quiet I could barely hear anything other than the girls in front of me singing along. Much prefer the dress seat in terms of sound, but the leg room is such that you can’t call it that, as my knee was in the back of the head of the person in front of me… Sorry if you’re on here!
As for the production, it was my second time, and I can’t say it has improved since the previews. I don’t want to put it down to a case of Thursday matinee blues, because they’re only two months into their run. But the show lacked the refinement, attention to detail, and all around extra grit is carried last time. Lots of that was down to the flat sound, it has been EQ’d to death and as such there is no light and shade, I think in terms of decibels the soft parts were the same as the strong. Such a shame.
It was my first time seeing Jamael (sp?) as Hamilton, I have to be honest I preferred Ash Hunter. I thought Ash has the better voice, although Jamael’s performance and stage presence was slightly more refined. Marsha as Eliza was pitchy in parts and her Swedish accent was almost distracting. I didn’t particularly enjoy Rachelle Ann Go but would have rather seen her today. Marsha is quite clearly a talented singer but needs to find her feet with Eliza. Must be super hard being a standby as everyone else has had 2+ months to get used to their character’s movement, emotions etc.
Overall, the show was still well received by the people around me but wasn’t as impressive the second time as the first, I’m afraid. I shall go again but after the cast change.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 11, 2018 9:28:44 GMT
Any ideas if Marsha will be on again today? I’m going to the matinee and would really like to see someone who isn’t Rachelle...
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 5, 2018 9:07:26 GMT
I think NHS in underfunded. I think the NHS needs more funding. I think the NHS is one of the greatest things that man created. nOT HAVING to be in major debt with a bill . Is what a civilised country provides. Universities should be free But who pays? And if nobody pays why shouldn’t there be a bill? That sort of entitlement is exactly what brought this argument up in the first place - “people who get comps don’t know what their ticket is worth” Personally I think we should all pay - but I don’t think charging more than £80 for a theatre ticket for a show which runs to sold out houses 8 times a week is ok. I think it’s unjustifably greedy. I know it’s supply and demand and when a show is less popular they bring ticket prices down, but premium ALWAYS used to be £65-70. How did they hike that up to £90-200 with no warning? I refuse to pay £60 for a restricted view seat. Ludicrous.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 4, 2018 21:35:10 GMT
When did tickets go on sale for this? Have they released all tickets? Shocked by how popular this is!! Also - £59.50 for restricted view at the back of the Dress?! Edit : just read up. Will keep my eye on it.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 4, 2018 8:38:26 GMT
I've only been twice (sat in the stalls both times), but I don't remember a single person getting up after AIATY. And, if I remember correctly, a few people got up to give an ovation at the end of the shows (less than 20%). Which is a good thing, as standing ovations should be where there's something special. AIATY is such a standard song now (done to death on X Factor, American Idol etc) that it's difficult for anyone performing it to stand out. See it’s funny because I’ve been 3 times (2x Amber and 1x Marisha) and every time there was a standing ovation after AIATY, and at the end of the show. I agree though that they should be saved for the end!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 3, 2018 8:22:31 GMT
Love how we are all so different in what surprised and disspaointed us - I am personally in the camp that was so very underwhelmed by Follies and incredibly overwhelmed by 42nd St and Young Frankenstein.
Follies for me was more about the disappointing score, book and story - I felt like compared with, say, WSS, it certainly isn’t his best work.
Young Frankenstein isnt high art - but it doesn’t claim to be. It’s fun, saucy and really well executed. Loved it because it didn’t proport itself to be anything more than it was and everyone had a lot of fun, audience and cast.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Dec 23, 2017 10:14:08 GMT
"Talks at Google" interview with Sophie, Alice and Bradley here, if anyone's interested. Not sure if there's anything in here we didn't know but fun if you've never seen the three of them as themselves! I can imagine this is the antithesis of something that interests Bradley - having seen him as ‘himself’ in person a few times I understand him to be a very playful, childish guy. A lovely guy, but a large child...so I can’t see him loving this 😂
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Post by singularsensation10 on Dec 20, 2017 23:00:34 GMT
Shenton and many others whinging they didn't get their freebie tickets to review the show tonight. They show is pretty much sold out, reviews won't really make a difference. Plus why does everyone who writes a blog mentioning theatre, however insignificant their reach, think they are entitled to free tickets to everything these days? Delusions of self importance. I love the new culture this show brings, right down to the new ticketing regime and the unconventional attitude to press. So sassy.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Dec 19, 2017 18:46:22 GMT
Saw the show today. Thought it was worth the hype, certainly an incredible piece of theatre - a defining piece of our generation. Highlights were the slick and smooth production, John’s Angelica and Ugoala’s Washington. Didn’t enjoy Rachelle Ann Go - she didn’t feel right for the role IMO. Ash Hunter did a great job - however he lacks presence on the stage. Something I don’t think can come with experience - it’s innate, IMO. He did a great job nonetheless.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Dec 15, 2017 22:37:57 GMT
Saw the show show tonight. What a wonderful show, wonderful production and wonderful cast. Thought it was a perfect representation of what a year 11 classroom is like - loud, diverse, wacky and mostly insecure.
Refreshing to go to a west end show with a decent sound design also!!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Dec 15, 2017 14:08:57 GMT
Is this directed at me for implying that Bette enjoys a grilled tomato and some tinned mushrooms with her Sirloin? Because I have proof! It’s a fax and it includes the sentence “... never setting foot in Bella f@cking Italia again...” 😂 I laughed out loud. Love this. I was lucky enough to see Bette in Hello, Dolly this summer on Broadway and it was one of the most phenomenal things I’ve ever seen - and Bette gave hands down the best performance I’ve ever seen on a stage. But she won’t last another run, nor should she have to, nor does she want to (I imagine!).
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Post by singularsensation10 on Dec 12, 2017 13:46:41 GMT
Read earlier in the thread they were doing £20 student seats, is this still a thing??
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Post by singularsensation10 on Dec 10, 2017 0:01:51 GMT
Just picked up some tickets on the official site for next Tuesday matinee!!! Incredibly lucky!! I guess there are a few seats left here and there so maybe worth a check if you’re in the market for some tickets? And let’s be honest who isn’t....?!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 27, 2017 17:52:11 GMT
Hahahaha wouldn’t you go back and edit the title of yesterday’s video and take out the BEST EVER part 😂
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 27, 2017 15:59:48 GMT
I'm not gonna lie, I'm somewhat surprised, with all the force and riffing she does, apparently every show it seems, that her voice has held out as long as it has. I still think someone needs to remind her she doesn't have to do that in order to get a good performance. It seems the fangirls are only happy if there are riffs otherwise its a sh*t performance to them. At least Alice is catering to that! Not defending the growls as I don’t like them either but if I may get scientific with this, what usually causes the vocal folds to wear out is an excess of breath passing through them (hence babies can wail and wail and wail without losing their voice - they don’t consciously know how breathing works so don’t do it too much). Alice has impeccable breathing technique which is definitely working in her favour, and allowing her to growl safely....
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 23, 2017 10:01:27 GMT
One growl, shout and riff too many for me I think. Do a few riffs well, rather than lots of average riffs.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 21, 2017 12:56:42 GMT
Elphaba is way easier, i sing myself and I've sang all the Elphaba songs and the Effie songs and the Effie songs are much harder, Elphaba is easy especially when sang to the score You’re a guy singing the songs in the written key but dropping down an octave . How can you think this statement has any credibility whatsoever This!! If you’re a guy, try singing Elphaba up four or five semitones and let me know how you get on.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 20, 2017 12:22:58 GMT
I was concerned when i listened to the stuff from the launch. I think Amy is great and i loved her in Kinky Boots but i just don't feel like she has the right voice for this role. Maybe as she settles in and becomes more confident and familiar with everything it will improve but i just feel like everything sounds safe and polite ad placed. She doesn't to me have the grit and power and belt that a great sounding Elphaba should have. Maybe i'll feel differently seeing her live in a few months. Aaron is Aaron. I knew he wouldn't be the best sounding Fireyo ever. i’d encourage you to listen to Rachel Tucker’s first few shows and compare them with the end of her run. This role takes time! To start “placed” is a great way to set up a healthy foundation for this role.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 20, 2017 10:05:07 GMT
Just listened - sounds like a great place for an Elphaha to start from. She sounds like she has great technique, her breath control and vowels are all in a comfortable place for her. Look forward to hearing how she progresses in the next few months and hopefully seeing her at some point on tour.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 17, 2017 12:07:56 GMT
I imagine it's the costs and Equity. It does happen occasionally, Cameron Mackintosh brought the entire cast of Hair over at the Gielgud. How viable it would be for a limited engagement unless you know it's going to sell? He did - I’m sure he did it with the intention of a UK recasting (which happened but fell through and the show closed early). Maybe this was his ‘trial run’ and if it had worked he would’ve done more??
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 16, 2017 12:42:44 GMT
I was told SJB has been due to come over many times but has not able to secure a work visa for long enough.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 15, 2017 19:08:52 GMT
Freakin’ worship SJB but I kinda have to agree with him. West End casting directors are more bothered by which ex-pop star will put bums on seats than who’s got the most talent, much more so than Broadway. And with greatest respect to SJB, her criminal record has prevented her from being able to get a gig over here so I don’t think she really has a credibility to publicly react like that..... Edit: I didn’t mean she doesn’t have credibility because she got done for petty crime years ago, I meant because she hasn’t experienced the west End first hand yet.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 13, 2017 8:19:46 GMT
It’s coming - just not sure when. Last I heard they were securing a theatre.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 10, 2017 14:24:34 GMT
I get real NDJ vibes from Jodie. Her voice juxtaposes delicate with powerful - which is a way of thinking about Elphaba as a character. One thing I didn’t like in that video, though, was her just shuffling about.. the performance was very unanimated and it looked like the broom was just a dead weight...
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 4, 2017 8:33:45 GMT
If I’m not mistaken, the only rights given to amateur productions have been schools only since the 25th anniversary. Don’t personally think it will tour again yet.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 3, 2017 7:54:07 GMT
Jacqueline Hughes is the only Elphaba to have been 2nd u/s, 1st u/s, Standby and Lead (she did this across London and the tour) Sophie Linder-Lee is the only Glinda to do the same - and the only person full stop to achieve that feat within the London production alone. Sorry if I misunderstood, but when was Sophie Linder-Lee the lead??
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 2, 2017 8:37:02 GMT
I do feel it all got a bit personal 🤷🏼♂️
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 1, 2017 21:04:20 GMT
Interval text.. “Weak singing but great acting” - the first show is never the best sing! Bet she’s doing a great job.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 1, 2017 19:54:22 GMT
It’s vacuous and American but I think it’s shiny and hearty enough that average West End theatre audiences will like it. Don’t forget that a good chunk of people that go to the theatre in London aren’t British, so it means very little if british people don’t like it.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Nov 1, 2017 19:51:22 GMT
Ahhhh if I had found out even by 5.30 I would’ve gone to the show tonight! I love an Elphaba debut! My friend (who is just an average theatre goer, not a real ‘fan’ per sé) is there with his parents tonight, I could’ve gone with them. Love the atmosphere when a u/s goes on, the whole cast are rooting for them!
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