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Post by danb on Jun 25, 2023 18:08:55 GMT
Clears throat…Megabus!…cough.
A fraction of the cost and not always much slower. 2 and a half hours to Victoria vs a 2 hour drive, parking, tube to Victoria.(although I notice that you are NOT permitted to take frozen food on board wtf?).
See also Flixbus, who started off with rubbish old coaches but have a decent fleet now with usb ports AND EVERYTHING!
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Post by danb on Jun 25, 2023 6:31:18 GMT
I don’t understand the need for reinforcement of your views? Some people like stuff, others don’t. Neither one is right or wrong. It is just an opinion. No 'need' for reinforcing my views. Its just sometimes nice when others share your view, espwlecially when you seem to be in minority, that's all. Nothing complex and no agenda. Never said others were wrong either so not sure where you're getting that from. Not sure why you chose to pick on me when I've not stated anything others haven't done before in many other threads when they've been in the minority 🤷♂️ That’s what you’ve taken away from a ‘don’t sweat it, we’re all different’ message of support?
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Post by danb on Jun 24, 2023 21:07:35 GMT
Goad it's not just me who doesn't get the fuss on this. Also if they do plan on touring it I think it will need some stunt casting. I can't see it being a big draw on tour based on name alone. 12 people so far have voted it 3 stars or below so maybe not a completely unpopular view. I don’t understand the need for reinforcement of your views? Some people like stuff, others don’t. Neither one is right or wrong. It is just an opinion.
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Post by danb on Jun 23, 2023 22:20:51 GMT
The Mousetrap isn't exactly the most challenging of shows. 9 shows is nothing, Joseph on tour is 12 shows a week. I can watch Joseph if LH or someone I like is in it, but imagine performing it 9 times a week…for a year, then going back to sub-standard digs. Gah!
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Post by danb on Jun 21, 2023 14:14:10 GMT
I believe it is the norm that both Elphaba and Glinda each get a show off during the week of West End Live! Oh okay! I don’t remember them having done it previously but maybe they’ve just never announced it as holiday before It has definitely happened in previous years.
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Post by danb on Jun 21, 2023 7:04:07 GMT
The Rush ticket comment, there are always tickets at the back that are unsold and end up in the rush pool. But I’ve also seen tickets appear that have not been possible to book online in advance. So I suspect it’s a combination. They sell a lot of tickets through rush. It may well have been part of their strategy from the beginning? They have extended so obvs know what they’re doing one way or the other. We’ll just never know if this could have been a smash in a ‘proper’ theatre.
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Post by danb on Jun 21, 2023 6:13:18 GMT
Does anyone know what the chances are of getting rush tickets to the Saturday matinee? 100%, I would think. They set a lot of tickets aside. Optimistic to think that they’ve been deliberately set aside Dr Tom. I’m pretty sure that this is getting by on repeat business and offers however unfair it may seem.
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Post by danb on Jun 18, 2023 17:49:37 GMT
The West End is full of all sorts of shows, with enough variety of songs to be able to show off their wares to all ages without running into worries. The Barbican isn’t the West End; if the organisers want to invite A Strange Loop to perform, knowing how colourful it is, they can expect a few raised eyebrows and a few extra column inches about outraged parents if they’re lucky. It is win win.
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Post by danb on Jun 18, 2023 15:09:40 GMT
Anyone listening to Kin? I’ve stopped now but for weeks I was obsessed with Anything, Everything in particular. I had a listen when it first came out as a friends daughter is on it. Pleasantly listenable.
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Post by danb on Jun 17, 2023 22:26:15 GMT
Harry Styles on Tuesday.
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Post by danb on Jun 17, 2023 22:24:32 GMT
Watched my boy smash it as The Squip in ‘Be More Chill’ at uni. It was the last thing we saw before proper lockdown kicked in and I absolutely loathed it. It definitely belongs in a smaller setting like 6th form colleges or uni groups. How it sustained any sort of run at the Shaftesbury is a mystery to me…but tonight it was just right. A discreet fabulous band; nothing jarring to take you out of the tiny venue, and really well cast. So proud of his move from ‘quirky comedy one’ who ‘smashes one song’ to a character actor who learnt a main part in 3 weeks, with a work ethic…you did ask! ❤️
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Post by danb on Jun 17, 2023 7:30:34 GMT
Not for me, just the very corner.
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Post by danb on Jun 17, 2023 6:47:52 GMT
Any recommendations for seats for restricted views/cheaper prices? Thanks! Yep, we sat on the hard right of the d/c slips (Y35/6) and the view was fine. I’m 6’4” so that probably helped. They are high stools rather than chairs though. Think they were £25.
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Post by danb on Jun 16, 2023 15:36:23 GMT
My kids (20, 23, 25) are well aware of Starlight Express, and not just from having it rammed down their earholes on car journeys. If kids aren’t aware of it they might want to get on board now as I hear Uncle Andy is planning something ‘massive’, ‘cool’, ‘awesome’ and ‘totally rad, man’ with this latest try. I hear some, modern cool MT names are attached to it like Kerry Ellis, Dave Willets and current flavour of the month Carrie Hope Fletcher. Some of them may even roller skate! Someone from ‘Six’ might even be in it. Imagine how cool that would be 🤦♂️ Having respect for different generations and its art should be taught in school to discourage the ill educated from making massive sweeping ignorant statements…imho. CHF rollerskating 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Seriously though I don't really understand the 'must always make it relevant for new generation'. Plenty of things were from previous generations when I was growing up, I didn't need them remade for me to try it or understand it. If you're interested in movies, theatre whatever you discover things as you go. Or family introduce you to them. Trains have such a universal appeal and fanbase, that alone will likely get must people's interest For example I hold the Adelphi/Elaine era of Sunset as pretty much stage perfection, and don’t get why it needs reinventing. If its for cost reasons just say so. I’m a big boy, I can take it. But trying to make out that a gold curtain and a spiral staircase off of B&Q are like for like, and a reinvention, just winds me up. If you say you are going to ‘re-invent’ it do it totally not just less expensively. Some of the current generation of theatre kids seem to think that they invented the artform, (which they’d rather enjoy from home on a 5” screen than actually visit) and that is fine, just don’t equate your experience to mine.
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Post by danb on Jun 16, 2023 14:51:43 GMT
My kids (20, 23, 25) are well aware of Starlight Express, and not just from having it rammed down their earholes on car journeys.
If kids aren’t aware of it they might want to get on board now as I hear Uncle Andy is planning something ‘massive’, ‘cool’, ‘awesome’ and ‘totally rad, man’ with this latest try. I hear some, modern cool MT names are attached to it like Kerry Ellis, Dave Willets and current flavour of the month Carrie Hope Fletcher. Some of them may even roller skate! Someone from ‘Six’ might even be in it. Imagine how cool that would be 🤦♂️
Having respect for different generations and its art should be taught in school to discourage the ill educated from making massive sweeping ignorant statements…imho.
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Post by danb on Jun 16, 2023 5:12:35 GMT
Cats in New York is coming NEW YORK -- Andrew Lloyd Webber's absence from New York City's stages will be at most 14 months, with “Cats” returning in June 2024 at the World Trade Center's new Perelman Performing Arts Center. “Cats” will appear in June and July 2024 directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, with choreography by Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles. The musical will have reimagined staging set in Harlem’s drag Ballroom Culture. Bill Rauch, PAC's artistic director, said Ballroom Culture will come across in the casting, staging and design. This is exactly what creatives should be doing with ALW’s canon. Reinvention and reinterpretation to keep them alive. He has a prolific body of work which, given a well thought out new angle, can be reinvented ad infinitum (not just working out the cheapest possible thing they can get away with).
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Post by danb on Jun 16, 2023 5:02:15 GMT
Note to all. If you try and travel to Wembley when Harry Styles is in the area, it will be an interesting experience. I’ve already been warned of two hour queues to get tubes to central London afterwards (thankfully, I can walk to a bus). This being another reason why I don’t think Newsies sold well. People go to Wembley for Wembley stadium, Troubadour gets overshadowed and really has no purpose being there, it’s too far. The venue is nice and I see why the producers were attracted by it but I think they misjudged people’s willingness to travel all the way there. I think its probably a bit more chicken & egg than that. Had DT been searching for a London home for Newsies for years or are the Troubadour hosting it for drinks sales and to build their name? It was always going to be a bit of a hard sell outside of MT circles…”dancing paper boys you say…on strike…I think I’m busy that night”…other than the ropey sound design, I think it was a fantastic space for the show. More to the point, it could be a fantastic space for Starlight if the appetite was there for it. But the business model would really need working up, and many layers of support function (transport offers, meal offers at Boxpark) to make it a ‘day out’ are, I think, the only way it could even hope to turn a profit. Like Nic says of Bochum in the Starlight thread, it’s more of a theme park attraction now.
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Post by danb on Jun 14, 2023 21:13:49 GMT
Note to all. If you try and travel to Wembley when Harry Styles is in the area, it will be an interesting experience. I’ve already been warned of two hour queues to get tubes to central London afterwards (thankfully, I can walk to a bus). We stayed at a funny transport cafe with rooms when we went to see him last year (about a half hour walk) rather than brave any public transport. Still got stung by the ulez I knew nothing about. You’d think that the mayor of a town would encourage folks in; not fine them for coming. Quite how someone from 140 miles away is meant to know what it is baffles me…robbing get!
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Post by danb on Jun 14, 2023 21:07:53 GMT
I think, with a week between us, I rated it highly but have no compunction to rush back. This is often the case for me with quality productions. It isn’t an addictive fast food high, more a three course meal with a cauliflower veloute you’ll remember for years.
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Post by danb on Jun 14, 2023 18:07:59 GMT
Technically better perhaps, but can she act it? I seem to remember her Maureen in Rent just being her PCD sass with a layer of lipstick lesbian. Haha, goodness knows. I guess we’ll find out come September. It’s highly unlikely she’ll be as good as multi-Oscar nominee and Tony winner Glenn Close though! I think you’re underestimating ‘Masked Singer USA’ & ‘X Factor’ judge Nicole. If Norma needs to whoop ‘n’ holler with some ‘oh snap’ sass, she’s your gal.
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Post by danb on Jun 14, 2023 14:47:30 GMT
Technically better perhaps, but can she act it? I seem to remember her Maureen in Rent just being her PCD sass with a layer of lipstick lesbian.
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Post by danb on Jun 13, 2023 18:00:09 GMT
I'm a bit confused about all the moaning about the bad location, unless you're a tourist who stays in Central London and might not be keen on venturing out into the suburbs. But if you live anywhere in the greater London area, shouldn't be all the same whether you take a tube to Wembley or to Piccadilly Circus? And would the location not actually be beneficial if you were going to take the family by car? No driving into Central London and parking is presumably cheaper in Wembley as well. And there's so much on offer around there - you could go shopping in the nearby Mall, there's plenty of food places and if you need to lure Dad with sports, they could book a tour of Wembley. I'm genuinely interested, partly because of what this means for the Troubador Theatre's future and partly... well, just because. This is nonsense - unless you already live in or around the north west of London, most of us will need to travel INTO Central London to go back out again. Bit melodramatic, but yes it is a bit of a pain unless you live in Metropolitan or Jubilee served areas. Buses to Brent Cross are a good shout to get you nearer to Wembley.
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Post by danb on Jun 13, 2023 17:55:46 GMT
No new ear worms presented themselves at ‘Groundhog Day’, so I’ve been listening to the new McFly album and Bring Me The Horizon after their blistering set on Friday at Download. They were seriously fantastic. I love being surprised by people you are only half familiar with and this lot put on quite the show.
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Post by danb on Jun 13, 2023 15:03:04 GMT
Count me in! Loved Nashville & went to several live shows. Sam is the full package and will totally fly in this.
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Post by danb on Jun 12, 2023 21:25:36 GMT
As one who hasn't seen the new production, I guess that's why I've never had a problem with the story line was that I always saw it as tragic. They are all selfish, self-centered individuals who, as human beings desire love, but can't see their greatest problem. When its all about a person's wants, needs and pleasures and not about the other, it's not "love." I mean from the very get go it's obvious the kid is infatuated with an actress - who's down on her luck and "might as well enjoy the moment." Perhaps that type of insight doesn't guide the director/direction - but that's how I've always approached this piece The shooting incident is the easiest to deride as ridiculous, along with the rapid segue into 'She'd Be Far Better Off With You', but I've always enjoyed it as part and parcel of these people who not only feel deeply, but role-play madly (and of course early on we see Rose teaching Alex some of the lingo of theatre - 'resting' - and then playing a scene when in George's house alone). It's there in the music when, soon after, Rose throws Alex out. "Goodbye Alex, goodbye forever" (so 'over dramatic' musically and lyrically) - I can't help feeling that though Rose didn't enjoy being shot, she's enjoying wringing every bit of drama out of it now, playing the wounded femme fatale in a way that completely defeats Alex who takes it all too seriously. In fact, straight after he's gone she seems to admit she over-acted it to get rid of him, and be with George. Now, none of that necessarily makes these characters 'relatable' (awful word) to a general audience - but I'm quite surprised/disappointed at how many audience members seem to plant their flag in the ground of 'I'm ordinary me, nothing strange about me, and mustn't be shown any of that weird stuff, thanks'. Um...maybe don't go to the theatre, if you can't notice some hint of your own behaviour in a version that's writ large. I think you’re being a bit reductive and condescending, and more than a little bit judgemental of people that DON’T want to spend an evening in the theatre watching AOL, for whatever reason. The box office will show how popular & accepted this show is, which appears to be the same as most everything else atm. Quiet in the week and busier (but not busy) at weekends. To 75% of the theatregoing public its just that Michael Ball show with LCE in it and they don’t really know what its about…love and stuff. 😬🤦♂️
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Post by danb on Jun 12, 2023 9:18:54 GMT
The food was rather tasty. For £67.50 we got two courses, coffee, programmes and a show - brilliant value. The trio of Evelyn Hoskins, Rebecca Thornhill and Daniel Crowder was inspired casting. D made Herbie an actual character and not just a piece of furniture. E was channelling Carrie, and the brooding elements worked so well. R was vulnerable and energetic. I was expecting a cartwheel during Rose's turn - all thrilling stuff that made me blub!. The production would feel at home in the Menier. So many things to admire such as young Louise having the odd appearance later on and the locations printed onto suitcases and a tablecloth. Although at the end of the day, it's a classic portrayal of this legendary show and this production is very funny and zips along. Geek stuff - The reprise of Some People and the landlord bit is cut. I’m gonna have to go now then!
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Post by danb on Jun 8, 2023 21:28:48 GMT
Yes the only reason to see this is the vocalists. They are stunning (with one exception). The audience members who think they can match the talent of those vocals are possibly the worst part of the show. Evidently theatre etiquette has not improved with the recent news coverage. One group talked at the top of their voices for all of Act 2 and I was so close to throttling them. Personally I wasn't blown away by the set or the choreography. The cast seemed small and were dwarfed by the vast stage. And I know I haven't seen it in maybe 15 years but was the plot always that dire? Surely we can put Freddie Mercury's songs to better use than telling the story of a bland straight, white boy destined to save a group of people he's not even a part of. At least, unlike Bat Out Of Hell, it doesn't take itself too seriously - although at times I wish it would take itself just a little more seriously because it's definitely at risk of veering off into panto in a few scenes. Still, I enjoyed it. Hard not to with those songs being sung by such talented people. Funny isn’t it but it was the exact opposite that sold ‘Bat’ for me. These people are selling this absolute nonsense to me with such earnest conviction, whereas I’ve never been convinced by the tongue in cheek-ness of WWRY. Its cast & the music have been its only redeeming features.
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Post by danb on Jun 7, 2023 19:53:09 GMT
I really liked this today. I thought act one dragged a bit but act 2 was knockout. I just thought that given Minchin is such a fan of JCS he’d realise that sometimes less is more and two hours is fine thanks. Andy Karl ✔️ fab, Tanisha Spring ✔️ace and Andrew Langtrees’ song broke my heart (despite his work on the ‘Ghost’ cast recording being amongst the most cringeworthy American accent ever committed to disc). Highly recommended for fans of grown up musicals where the male lead isn’t a drippy belting tenor. More Baritones please! Clever, ace theatre.
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Post by danb on Jun 5, 2023 19:45:32 GMT
Ooh do report back. I have an old friend in it and I need to know if its worth the schlep.
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Post by danb on Jun 5, 2023 17:45:46 GMT
Yes, hate is a strong word. I think a fair few people think he’s been hoisted by his own petard; they saw the whole Cinderella shambles as him being a petty tyrant who refused to be stopped by a ‘mere pandemic’, and cared more about his investment than the well being of his cast & crew. Hopefully its subsequent failure on Broadway will convince him that it was just a bit sh!t and that ‘humility’ should be his new vibe for a bit.
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