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Post by richey on Oct 22, 2023 15:27:25 GMT
Elaine Paige reviewing it on her show now. She's very enthusiastic about it! Called it a tour de force... with a little sly dig at ticket prices. But EP is lovely and enthusiastic about everything she talks about. She’s not going to rubbish any show when she champions all theatre! 😜 I’m hoping to get to see this at some point. It sounds amazing! I seem to recall she wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the OAT Evita.
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Post by richey on Oct 22, 2023 13:27:19 GMT
Elaine Paige reviewing it on her show now. She's very enthusiastic about it! Called it a tour de force... with a little sly dig at ticket prices.
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Post by richey on Oct 22, 2023 12:09:41 GMT
Absolutely loved this from start to finish at today’s matinee viewing and for £10 at the back of the stalls was an absolute steal. Somebody needs to either get this on a full tour and/or find a home in the WE ASAP. For me it ticked all the boxes - a brilliant cast,(not a weak link amongst them) a really funny book with great songs ( I would get a cast recording for this show) and a lovely set design. A show with so much humour and heart. An easy 5⭐️ from me. I'd second this. Saw it last night and loved it. Funny with some great songs. Definitely would fit into the WE
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Post by richey on Oct 22, 2023 11:32:10 GMT
I think if the Hope Mill can’t find an adequate balance between set and costumes (both being sub par isn’t acceptable certainly for the ticket price of around £40) then they have made the right decision to stop staging musicals. I have to agree sadly. The last musical I saw there was Head over Heels and was very underwhelmed, especially as their ticket prices have rocketed in recent years. I'm there to see Woo Fong on Tuesday so will be interested to see what it's like. On a related note, there is another ticket discount offer on this weekend
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Post by richey on Oct 21, 2023 14:59:58 GMT
Saw this on Thursday matinee and really enjoyed it. Great positive message and loved the use of colour throughout the show ( saw Sunset Boulevard in the evening so total contrast!) I thought the big cast songs worked better than some of the solo numbers. All the cast were good. I'd only gone to see Linzi but was impressed with all the performances. Amy Trigg was a standout for me, her timing was brilliant I had my seat upgraded as I'd booked the second balcony, but they closed it so I ended up in row B of the stalls and felt totally immersed in the show as I was so close to the stage with one of the walkways next to me.
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Post by richey on Oct 21, 2023 13:12:58 GMT
There doesn't seem to be much promotion for this. I was in London for two days and didn't see one poster anywhere. I'd forgotten it was on until I walked past the theatre yesterday.
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Post by richey on Oct 21, 2023 11:26:44 GMT
I was in row J of the dress circle and didn't have any issues with legroom or view of the stage. Pretty good value for the £37 (full price) ticket price.
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Post by richey on Oct 20, 2023 13:31:33 GMT
Have to agree re the theatre. My first time there and didn't really like it. All those stairs are so confusing- but it does make the Act 2 opener very impressive. Tom must be so fit to go up and down them all whilst belting out that tune without loslng breath. And the dress circle was so hot last night!
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Post by richey on Oct 19, 2023 22:23:51 GMT
Just back from tonight's show and totally blown away. I hadn't planned on seeing this with Nicole as I wasn't a fan but after seeing all the reviews I had to check her out and boy am I glad I did. It was incredible. The two big numbers and the final scene are out of this world. I've never heard an audience react as loudly as they did tonight. Praise too for David Thaxton, loved how he's put a new portrayal to Max. Orchestra, just perfect, stayed til the end to hear it all it was a shame not many others did.
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Post by richey on Oct 13, 2023 5:41:55 GMT
If you go through the Sunset Insta Story that’s quite a hefty amount of big names! And lovely to see that Elaine Paige attended as an ex-Norma. Will be interesting to see if she comments on it in her show on Sunday and what she'll have to say about it
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Post by richey on Oct 12, 2023 21:31:51 GMT
Just booked a cheap seat for Manchester. Surprised how few seats are on sale- looks like they're only using the lower tier and the stage is about a third of the way down the arena.
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Post by richey on Oct 4, 2023 22:44:10 GMT
Given what's happened at Les Mis tonight, hope they're ensuring tight security for the outdoors part of Act 2 opening.
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Post by richey on Sept 30, 2023 9:22:27 GMT
I've been geting loads of ads for a Priscilla Party opening in Soho next year. Guess they're going down the same route as the Mamma Mia party night www.priscillatheparty.com/
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Post by richey on Sept 19, 2023 22:25:11 GMT
Saw it again tonight. Brilliant performances from all concerned (except Clary who was still dreadful). Last week's niggles were obviously first night nerves. Shem was far more confident from the start and could hear all his lines this time. Ian is really growing into the role, he gave an incredible performance of Gethsemane which was definitely up there with some of the best I've seen. Were all of Clary’s “ad-libs” the same? Yes as far as I can remember. Didn't get many laughs.
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Post by richey on Sept 19, 2023 21:59:11 GMT
Saw it again tonight. Brilliant performances from all concerned (except Clary who was still dreadful). Last week's niggles were obviously first night nerves. Shem was far more confident from the start and could hear all his lines this time. Ian is really growing into the role, he gave an incredible performance of Gethsemane which was definitely up there with some of the best I've seen.
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Post by richey on Sept 19, 2023 8:10:19 GMT
Just had an e-mail from ALW Theatres to sign up for priority booking.
"Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS opens in London next summer in the specially-designed Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.
Audiences will be immersed in a world of speed, song and spectacle as an incredible cast of 40 whizz around and above, performing some of musical theatre’s most beloved hits, including AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel and the iconic Starlight Express."
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Post by richey on Sept 12, 2023 21:31:32 GMT
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Post by richey on Sept 12, 2023 18:12:32 GMT
I was also at the first performance this evening. For context, between Regent’s Park and the Barbican I’ve seen this production 4 times, and I think it is superlative. The work that Tim Sheader, Drew McOnie, Tom Scutt, and Tom Deering have done on this production is phenomenal and I can’t imagine a better version of the show. So perhaps it’s unsurprising that I thought this evening’s performance was fantastic 😂 I agree with other posters that there were a few minor hiccups tonight, which are probably down to it being the first performance and will hopefully be ironed out as the show beds in. Otherwise, I thought that this was an excellent re-working of the production. The design keeps the essence of the Regent’s Park/Barbican set while adapting it for touring venues, the direction and choreography have been recreated faithfully, and mixing issues aside it sounds great. What’s more, the cast is largely excellent. Ian Mcintosh is sensational in the title role - on a par with Declan Bennett and Rob Tripolino before him. His voice suits the score well and he knows how to use it, picking his moments to really let rip with the rock belt for maximum effect. Likewise, Hannah Richardson brings a personal vocal touch to Mary, as has been the case with the previous actresses who have taken on the role in this production. The supporting cast are all strong, although less distinctive than their predecessors. Perhaps that will come with time. Shem Omari James clearly has the voice for Judas, but tonight I felt that his performance was not very assured, and I struggled to get much emotion from him. Perhaps that’s just first night nerves and his performance will deepen once the tour has settled in, but I felt that among the leading cast he was the weakest link. Julian Clary plays Julian Clary, as expected, and while he need only walk on stage to get a laugh from the audience, his droll style doesn’t quite fit here. I can’t help but wonder whether the actor who is playing the role in Mr Clary’s absence will play it along the same lines, or if he’ll revert to the more crazed and flamboyant version of the character as embodied by e.g. Peter Caulfield and Sam Buttery. I think the latter is probably more effective. Anyway, I would thoroughly recommend seeing this tour if it’s coming near you. If I wasn’t so busy over the next two weeks I would return multiple times. Based on his performance as Simon this evening, I think the alternate Judas might be one to watch, so if anyone sees him in the role please do post your thoughts! I'd seen it at The Barbican and then OAT when it returned post-covid. One thing that struck me last night was the final few seconds (sorry not sure how to post spoiler via my mobile) which wasn't how I remembered it at The Barbican. Do you remember if it is the same or has this moment been added?
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Post by richey on Sept 11, 2023 21:47:54 GMT
Clary was shocking.. Ruined it. Sound for Judas' vocals also seemed a bit off all night. Not sure if it was the sound mix or his voice or a bit of both Thought Mary and Jesus were good Hadnt seen the previous London productions but enjoyed this production Band sounded good Yes I think a lot of the first act niggles were down to some bad mixing. I was in the front row and struggled to hear some of them. And not sure what happened at the beginning of the "Christ you know I love you" section but the band were definitely off. I'm putting a lot of it down to being the first night of the tour and as I said above, definitely thought act 2 improved. Will be booking another ticket before it leaves Manchester.
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Post by richey on Sept 11, 2023 20:43:31 GMT
Ok I may have been a little harsh. It's the first night... Act 2 definitely picked up the pace. Other than Julian clary who just spoke his words and added his usual ad libs.
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Post by richey on Sept 11, 2023 19:38:15 GMT
So it's interval at opening night at the Palace and have to say am rather underwhelmed so far. It's lacking the punch of previous incarnations, lots of duff notes and some lacklustre vocals from Jesus and Judas in the opening numbers. Jesus is more boyband member than rock star, will be interesting to see if he can pull off Gethsemane. Also it all looks very cramped on the Palace stage. Am in the front row and loads of glitter everywhere already!
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Post by richey on Sept 7, 2023 22:56:03 GMT
And the MEN will go to the opening of a bag of crisps! along with the vicar bloke off of Corrie. The number of times I've bumped into him in the Palace loos on a press night...
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Post by richey on Sept 7, 2023 18:39:37 GMT
Has nobody from the “real” press been to see it? Another one that’s off Mark Shenton’s radar? 🙂 Not even a Manchester Evening News review!
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Post by richey on Sept 6, 2023 12:19:59 GMT
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Post by richey on Sept 5, 2023 18:07:25 GMT
Has anyone seen this at Hope Mill yet? Have seen a few positive reviews and the photos look really good. Some friends have got me a ticket for Sunday evening and I'm now worried it might be a bit too gory for my tastes (I'm very squeamish when it comes to blood)
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Post by richey on Aug 28, 2023 10:45:17 GMT
I would have expected it at Grease... but not at The Crucible!
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Post by richey on Aug 26, 2023 22:14:37 GMT
Hope Mill were in the Manchester Pride Parade today. They handed out leaflets which included a 25% discount for this and Lizzie if booked by end of August. Will share the code if allowed? Sure, go ahead. Did you get wet? Only slightly moist... The code is MCRPRIDE (lot of thought went into that! Lol) for bookings before 31st August
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Post by richey on Aug 26, 2023 17:32:28 GMT
Hope Mill were in the Manchester Pride Parade today. They handed out leaflets which included a 25% discount for this and Lizzie if booked by end of August. Will share the code if allowed?
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Post by richey on Aug 22, 2023 12:34:29 GMT
New to this board but I think this is allowed. Manchester Theatres has an offer for £30 best available seats for this show at The Palace for Mon 11th, Tues 12th, Weds 13th September. I really fancied watching as I haven't seen it before and hear it's very good (I'm fairly new to the theatre bug!) so have taken advantage and got stalls seats for the Tuesday with some friends. Looking forward to seeing Ian McIntosh as Jesus, my daughter and I saw him in We Will Rock You recently as Galileo and thought he was very good. you won't regret it. I've got a ticket for the first night but fully intend to make several return trips as I adore this production.
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Post by richey on Aug 19, 2023 21:24:16 GMT
Official trailer released. It looks horrendous
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