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Post by anthony on Aug 15, 2023 16:43:04 GMT
Let your brother know while standing in the foyer, take your seat five minutes before the show, and save the person sitting next to you from having to think, based on inductive evidence, "Oh, God, I hope this isn't going to be one of the ones who's on the phone during the show." You seem content that "causing unfound anxiety to strangers is not at all important to me". A considerate person wouldn't think like that. It is not unfounded because, alas, people playing with their phones before the start of the show often do so after, as well--that is a matter of most theatre-goers' experience. The person next to you has no advance info that you are saintly. Or perhaps you could say to them, "Be assured I won't be using this once the show starts." That would be nice. Or I could just ignore what a very strange and judgemental person on an internet forum says and continue to live a happy life? I think I’ll do that instead, Paul. Thanks for the advice though! Just want to say that I completely agree with you. The comment from Paul is utterly ridiculous. Quite frankly, I don't care what people do until the moment the lights go down. I also sit on my phone until the moment it hits 19:30 (or whatever time the show is due to start). I don't see the problem with it. Certainly not inconsiderate to do so. If you're spending your time worrying that someone next to you might use their phone during the performance because they're using it before the performance, then you probably just shouldn't go out. /shrug
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Post by anthony on Aug 15, 2023 12:28:37 GMT
Is anyone else having difficulty getting the day seats email? My link expired, so I tried for a new one, but I'm just not getting the email. Tried a few different email addresses too.
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501 posts
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Post by anthony on Aug 15, 2023 10:54:11 GMT
English version of Jenseits der Nacht has been released! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Some interesting translating choices "abandoned spirits" from Ich sounding particularly odd, but it sounds sooo good overall. omg. I agree about the translation choices, but I enjoyed the performance. Was Lauren Jones the understudy for Bonnie recently? I’m sure I saw her in that and she gave a good performance in that role too. Yes, she was. Really like Richard Carson too. This gives me high hopes! Also revealed how the 18-piece orchestra will fit: www.thestage.co.uk/news/exclusive-charing-cross-theatre-to-rival-west-end-with-19-strong-orchestra-pit < surely this is going to make productions at Charing Cross financially unviable, though? Either way, the Rebecca score is going to sound marvellous.
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Post by anthony on Aug 15, 2023 10:35:14 GMT
English version of Jenseits der Nacht has been released!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Some interesting translating choices "abandoned spirits" from Ich sounding particularly odd, but it sounds sooo good overall. omg.
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 16:07:30 GMT
Hercules has just had a successful run at the Paper Mill Playhouse and will have its international premiere in Hamburg in March next year.
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 12:37:03 GMT
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 12:19:54 GMT
All remaining tickets reduced to £24.50... I am seeing this Tuesday evening and now I'm very tempted to book for the matinee also.
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501 posts
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 10:47:38 GMT
Booking page notes: Monday 9 Oct- Nicole Scherzinger is not scheduled to appear at this performance. An alternate cast member will play the role of Norma Desmond. Their name will be confirmed at a later point. Thursday 12 Oct- Nicole Scherzinger is not scheduled to appear at this performance. Rachel Tucker will be guest starring in the role of Norma Desmond. Surely they won't debut the understudy before Rachel? Understudy Norma now confirmed to be Lara Denning.
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 10:44:57 GMT
Didn't they workshop this a few years ago? Wasn't it rumoured to be reworked to be set in modern London? To be honest, if there is one thing I learned from the Wildhorn concert back in 2022 is that Frank promises everything. During the concert, Dracula was mentioned and he promised a Dracula London run. Count of Monte Cristo was mentioned and he told us to "keep our eyes open". Death Note was mentioned and he promised a London run (although I guess we are getting the concert!). At the stage door (literally the only time in my life I've stage doored anything!), we spoke about Rudolf - The Last Kiss. He told me that he was "trying" for a London run. So whilst I Wildhorn and I Jekyll and Hyde... I'm not too optimistic. Hasn't every single Broadway attempt ended up as a financial flop? It would work somewhere like the Arts or Charing Cross, I think.
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 10:39:41 GMT
last scheduled dave willetts george show today :/ (but nimax have already lowered their prices for the day!) Some really, really nice deals on Tkts. £24 for band B.
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 10:09:25 GMT
This is cast is too young. How old is the actor playing Ceil De Millie?? Jon Tsouras is Cecil. 41 y/o.
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 10:07:07 GMT
It isn’t hate. Its apathy. It’s ‘look at all these people that could have done it a million times better’. For him to have dragged the same wet blanket with him to ‘Aspects’ has me concerned that he will have go-to status when they’re casting some really important stuff in the near future. I don't know... you keep posting negative comments about him randomly here. Whatever it is, it's certainly not apathy.
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Post by anthony on Aug 14, 2023 10:05:28 GMT
That promo video is hilariously glorious. I love it, omg.
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Post by anthony on Aug 13, 2023 19:18:54 GMT
I genuinely do not get the hate towards him, if I'm honest.
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Post by anthony on Aug 13, 2023 18:03:50 GMT
The idea that TodayTix is destroying the theatre industry is hyperbole at best. Shows that aren't appealing or not very good are going to discount even if TodayTix didn't exist. The irony of talking about hyperbole when no one has even suggested such a thing
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Post by anthony on Aug 13, 2023 11:38:48 GMT
I wonder if long term, it will be seen that TodayTix has done more damage than good to the industry. The rise of TodayTix have led to bigger discounts being found elsewhere too - the current TKTS iteration offers far bigger discounts than it ever has in the past. I'll be honest, I very rarely pay full price for tickets nowadays. Other than the concerts currently taking place and Rebecca (but that is because I *NEED* to see Rebecca ASAP!), I think the last time I paid full price for tickets was Cock (which was pretty much sold out). Shows don't really sell out in advance anymore unless it's a big show with a big name attached (although even Sunset seems to be struggling), everyone is just waiting for those discounts and Rush tickets.
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Post by anthony on Aug 12, 2023 12:13:25 GMT
I think it's worth noting (and I'm playing devils advocate a little here) that sometimes star casting is a good thing! Seems to be much better on broadway though where I've seen some wonderful actors in both plays and musicals, all being big names bringing audiences in. Off the top of my head...Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard (not Blvd) Alan Cumming and Emma Stone in Cabaret, Hugh Jackman in the Music Man. All were some of the best performances in musicals I've seen. Jim Parson in Harvey also a standout for me across the pond. We just don't seem to be as good at it over here often casting soap/reality tv stars in the lead roles. Think you've hit the nail on the head. Star casting - great. Stunt casting - bad! BUT sometimes stunt casting is great - and a lot of time, it keeps people in jobs by bringing in punters. I remember years ago people going crazy about Brooke Shields being cast as Morticia Addams in the Broadway production of The Addams Family. Ultimately, her casting kept the show open for longer. Keeping more people in jobs. And her performance wasn't too bad, either. Same with Waitress - the show literally survived on stunt casts. Same with Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset - let's be real: a show like Sunset is never going to be financially viable again without a star attached to it. Sadly, the West End (and Broadway) have moved on.
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Post by anthony on Aug 12, 2023 9:43:27 GMT
Well sadly you may not get your wish. A new production starring Ramin Karimloo is coming..! As a Ramin K and a Jekyll & Hyde fan I need to ask if this is actually true or just a joke Ugh. Adore Jekyll and Hyde but Ramin has to be one of the most overrated actors. Paper thin voice that sounds whiny and like it's going to break at any moment. Literally anyone else as Jekyll/Hyde, please
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Post by anthony on Aug 12, 2023 9:36:30 GMT
Kween Willemijn doing Frozen in Hamburg in fact - much bigger gig in an, ahem, slightly nicer theatre than Charing X. At risk of channeling Sunset thread, poss the oldest ever Elsa? Sure she’ll be sensational though. Adored her in Bat Out of Hell and Rebecca. Well she's the voice of the German and Dutch Elsa, so I guess she's a major selling point. Anyway, so excited for Rebecca. I don't think I've been this excited for something since Love Never Dies! When Rebecca debuted, I was obsessed with other Kunze musical 'Elisabeth'. This has literally been 17 years waiting for me! I just hope it does well enough to get an English cast recording... I have a feeling it won't (I watched an interview with Kunze last night where he is very cut throat about an English language production - if Charing Cross doesn't work, he won't try again... and he isn't even sure about doing an English language version of the show anymore...). I do think they'd have been better, perhaps, getting a name for Danvers. Without glowing reviews, I think this was always going to be a hard sell, sadly. Shows like this just don't do well with English-speaking audiences, sadly. Pictures of the cast here: www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Photos-First-Look-at-the-Stars-of-REBECCA-at-Charing-Cross-Theatre-20230802
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Post by anthony on Aug 11, 2023 15:31:55 GMT
Rachel is an excellent performer but at only 42 is surely far too young for the role. Seeing Nicole in her latest beach bikini selfie also doesn't make me think of a faded ageing star Good point. Equally, seeing Jon Robyns in person didn't strike me as deformed musician who lives under an opera house. Just wait until you find out Alexia Khadime isn't really green.
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Post by anthony on Aug 7, 2023 11:45:11 GMT
Taking my Y11s to see this in September. The reviews focusing on Macbeth's (lack of) clothing makes me nervous...
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Post by anthony on Aug 7, 2023 11:41:17 GMT
Stephen Ward - I don't know why I missed this. I really don't. I was addicted to 'Human Sacrifice' before it even opened. I was addicted to the cast album when it was running. But I just never bought tickets. One of my bigger theatre-related regrets!
Dance of the Vampires - I'd love a proper production of Tanz der Vampire. I don't think it could ever work in an English-speaking country, though. If you watch any of the bootlegs of the Broadway production, you'll notice that the moment the 'Totale Finsternis' starts, the entire audience bursts into laughter - they expect it to be a comedy purely because they recognise Total Eclipse. Maybe it could work somewhere like Charing Cross.
Lestat - Sticking with the vampire theme... Lestat! Just watch: This deserves a second chance somewhere. But Elton John didn't even allow the pre-recorded cast album to be released he was so embarrassed by it, so I don't think that'll ever happen.
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Post by anthony on Aug 6, 2023 15:29:01 GMT
Just saw a video of the end of act 1. Hilarious.
Thing is, it could have worked quite well, but the lighting is off, so it comes across as looking really amateurish? With the right lighting, I can imagine it looking reasonably decent, if you're sitting front and centre of the stalls.
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Post by anthony on Aug 5, 2023 11:36:08 GMT
Doesn't surprise me in the slightest. If your only experience of buying Heathers tickets is TodayTix rush, it looks like it's selling well. In reality, over the past 6 months it's been the most heavily discounted show in London by quite a margin. The deals available on Tkts have been borderline daylight robbery!
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Post by anthony on Aug 4, 2023 17:22:41 GMT
Thanks for pointer to the Fourth Wall Facebook pics anthony40 But....oh great, I guessed but didn't want to post before: Eva sang 'Don't Cry For Me, Argentina' surrounded by the aristocracy, as in the Kenwright version. Only Kenwright had them in gowns and gala finery, the concert seems to have 'smart' and suits/bow ties. It's not what the song's about - certainly not Kenwright's interpretation. It's not 'Disney princess gets to go to the ball', it's 'street fighter creates her own ball with the working class'. Perhaps at the concert the Drury Lane Audience were addressed as 'the people' and the ensemble dressed in finery looked on askance as the horrified Aristocracy?? Begs the question: who hummed the melody, when Eva is overcome by emotion and can't carry on? If it was the Ensemble then they're clearly not in role as the critical Aristocracy and it's again a director who either doesn't understand, or doesn't want, Evita to be the show that it is. That reminds me of an ‘awkward’ end of song number at the Tuesday matinee. In every production I’ve seen of this show right from the original at the PET when Evita puts her hands up in salute at the end of ‘don’t cry for me …’ the whole audience has been caught up in the emotion and unashamedly act as ‘her people’ and applaud the symbolism. This didn’t happen at the Tues matinee - not in the dress circle anyway - leaving the cast to start the next number. Interestingly, on Tuesday evening, they didn't pause at all at the end of the song. It led to some of us starting to clap, as expected, but the cast immediately moving onto the next track.
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Post by anthony on Aug 2, 2023 11:51:23 GMT
Surprised so many people found this SO bad. I thought was such an enjoyable evening, the orchestra and score sounded wonderful. Production values for a concert I thought were very high. The only mistake was casting Auli’i! Agree with the first part - thought it was a wonderful evening. I actually think Auli'i was fine and I'm not fully understanding the criticism she's getting, if I'm honest. Could there have been a more established performer in the role? Sure. However, she had some really standout moments. I'm fairly familiar with Evita and can't say I noticed her flubbing any lines at yesterday's evening performance? I do wonder why she decided to do this, though. Considering what she is currently involved in, the rehearsal time for 3 performances wouldn't have been a huge financial pay off for her. Also find it interesting that people are complaining about the staging. I genuinely thought the staging was decent, especially considering the fact it was advertised as a concert. Let's be real, the staging used genuinely could have passed a UK Tour (sadly!).
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Post by anthony on Aug 1, 2023 21:31:33 GMT
Reading all the reviews I wonder why they didn't choose to hire a strong, capable and suitable Eva. I thought she was wonderful this evening. I’d go as far as saying probably one of the stronger performances. I don’t think she was helped by the outfit direction, as odd as it sounds. Having her dressed like every other female ensemble member during the entire first act made it much more difficult for her to stand out when she wasn’t the focus point.
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Post by anthony on Aug 1, 2023 21:23:19 GMT
I’ll post full feelings later, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I actually didn’t think the staging was too bad for something advertised as a concert. Was more than I was expecting in that regards, to be fair.
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Post by anthony on Jul 31, 2023 22:49:18 GMT
About what time did it finish? Going tomorrow and with the reduced service, I might need to find alternative methods home because the last train leaves at 22:27!
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Post by anthony on Jul 31, 2023 22:48:27 GMT
Saw for what was probably the last time tonight.
You know, I actually quite like Jamie. I don't quite understand the hate it gets - worth noting I never saw him in Moulin Rouge, but the awkwardness sort of adds to the character? I'd never know it wasn't actually acting, for example.
Willetts! You know, his voice reminds me of Michael Crawford a fair bit. Can't say I necessarily prefer him over Ball, but it did make me appreciate that Ball looks way too young to be playing the role.
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