1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2023 10:14:00 GMT
Very expensive, and they seem to have let everyone on all at once. The site can no longer process payments as a result. I did think it odd that I went straight from waiting room to going in, never in an actual queue! Too pricy for me I think.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2023 9:35:38 GMT
Obviously not pouring popcorn out (people are the worst!) but both my local Vue cinemas have a new announcement over the past few months where they ask for all rubbish to be left at the seats to help with recycling. As someone who used to be a cinema usher, this makes me apoplectic. Honestly, if I was working for Vue and they announced that, I would quit on the spot. The working day was hard enough without cleaning up people's crap, making it actual policy to leave the cinema looking like a tip is unfathomable. I don't understand it either anyway, at my local they seem to chuck it all in the same bag anyway. In the lobby are separate bins but nobody reads the signs for what goes in what!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Dec 4, 2023 10:23:51 GMT
Very interesting how you see so many young performers every day posted on that evil West End understudies Twitter account and yet we've never seen Bernadette/Lea/Bonnie Langford out with an understudy on... very interesting... Why is it ‘evil’? I’d like to know too! They celebrate covers going on, not people being off. I have been so excited to see some people getting their debuts!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2023 15:07:06 GMT
I was pleasantly surprised that when an offer came up on TodayTix for Unbelievable I was able to take just one of the pair in the front row (down from £45 to £15). I saw later in the day the other had gone too!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2023 14:55:45 GMT
Anyone seen this yet? We’ve booked to see it in Chichester in February. Heard one of the songs on EP’s Sunday show and liked it so thought we’d take a punt. I love this show, there have been a few versions over the last couple of years and (apart from the fact the real child girl is now an adult playing a child) it gets better and better! I'm seeing it again in Chichester too and can't wait, the new cast looks fab too! Edit: the actresses playing the girl have been fab, but it felt more real with an obvious age difference.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2023 14:53:43 GMT
Finally got through, it said on the holding page £10 seats are sold out but still seem to be a few, though not on dates that work for me. Might go for a pillar seat later in the run!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2023 12:40:24 GMT
I knew I'd forget In the queue now
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 21, 2023 17:51:23 GMT
At seat service includes oxygen tank and mask. After my experience with ATG at seat service at the savoy I’ll remember to bring my own.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 21, 2023 16:18:31 GMT
Not sure if I'm going crazy but the music from this year's John Lewis Christmas Ad really reminds me of Hex - specifically the revised version where the 3 high fairies sing. I know that is awfully niche but is there any link there?
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 20, 2023 23:33:15 GMT
Wow wow wow Incredible staging, never seen anything like it Please kill me next @ Rachel Tucker 5 stars I am on my way home. I was upper circle for Nicole, dead centre front row for Rachel! Omg. Wow. For once a benefit of being a key worker (though not key enough to qualify for blue light card 😂) Rachel can kill me any time. Though I’m not sure the audience would appreciate me taking my top off as much!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 19, 2023 14:48:23 GMT
The moronic young women sipping a half empty water bottle throughout almost the entire second half of Sunset Boulevard. Every time she touched it, it "cracked" like water bottles do. It was starting to become a form of Chinese water torture. Completely oblivious to the quiet and tense sense. In the end the women behind, tapped her on the shoulder in the final scene and that finally stopped her. Ridiculous. Not exactly bad behaviour but we had an Eastern European couple in front of us who were snuggled together and practically heavy petting throughout Act 1 - they didn't return for Act II... On a similar note, why do some people bring sweets into the theatre that are covered in wrappers? Who does this? There is a special place in hell for these people, I'm sure. I like the ones who make the effort to have wrapped sweets in a paper bag inside a thin plastic carrier bag. Got to make sure both bags are done up between taking each sweet too. And wait for the quiet moments.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 17, 2023 22:29:59 GMT
I don’t think they shone (as has been mentioned a lot of talent in the cast) but must have been hard squeezing this in around previews and press night then squeezing in 2 presenters in a show nobody knows. It hasn’t put me off going and luckily doesn’t seem to have put off my mum either!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Nov 7, 2023 16:33:51 GMT
I had over 7,000 people ahead of me when I first looked. Went back a couple of hours later and 'walked' straight in. Saw the prices and walked straight out. Sorry, I'm not that big a fan. I am a big fan but my budget puts me in the back corner of the Troubadour, of which I am not a fan! Hoping some restricted ones near the front get added, or maybe single seat discount!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Oct 31, 2023 12:03:25 GMT
Obviously I had to book a Wednesday, so I can wear pink. Quite expensive tickets, I went for row C in the Grand Circle in the end and hopefully you can see everything from there. My subconcious made me book a Wednesday! Gone for front row of upper circle as there was a lonely seat calling my name!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Oct 29, 2023 15:14:23 GMT
I’ve had a bit of time to compose my thoughts on seeing this last night. Most theatre shouldn’t be museum pieces, it is great to mix it up. I won’t debate whether what Jamie Lloyd has done here is really new or stolen or whatever but it was definitely a new take on the piece and something I have never seen before. Apparently there is no cast board so I have to trust West End Understudies on Twitter to know who I saw. I believe there were 2 covers in, impressive in all the movement pieces!
I hope I won’t stray too far into spoilers but this far into the thread I doubt I am saying anything that hasn’t been said before. I loved the pretty bare stage but great use of technology. The camera mount as a steering wheel could seem a bit odd but it all brought the 2 worlds together - the actual characters and their performance. The comparison between older and younger Norma on screen was especially effective for me. I didn’t get used to max feeling so young. I’d always thought of him as a generation above Norma. All the performances were superb. I’d previously seen Nicole in Cats and wondered if this was too big a step up but last night she was Norma. She really delivered. I am back for Rachel in a few weeks and am glad I have a second Nicole date too. The big numbers were really big and luckily not ruined by the whooping I had feared from a Saturday evening audience.
Of course I loved the act 2 opener and will be looking for little differences on my future visits. I know it’s live but even little things like the strand Christmas lights being on!
Overall I loved it. I can’t quite place my finger on it but I’d say it’s a 4.5 for me. Maybe it’s because ATG couldn’t be bothered to deliver my very expensive pre ordered interval ice creams? I didn’t want to mark it down to 4 so have still voted 5. I’m in the front row keyworker seats next time so that will be a different experience.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Oct 13, 2023 17:54:16 GMT
I am at Saturday's matinee Me too!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Oct 11, 2023 20:22:36 GMT
Saw it in Manchester tonight...I'm guessing the female lead was an understudy...She was terrible...Many audience members could not hide their "amusement" with her poor vocals. I've seen thousands shows and this performance was not good. Spoiled an otherwise good show, nice slick staging, good vocals from the guys. I don’t know what you were watching but I saw her during the matinee today and thought she was amazing. I could sense a few nerves at first but she got better and better as the show went on. Incredible vocals. Great to hear she was more settled in the role. Just nerves last night maybe? Do you know if any other covers were on? Looks like a new one has been added (Daniel Haswell who I saw in Aint Too Proud) Unfortunately it looks the Dartford date is off for now due to RAAC
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Oct 7, 2023 19:02:17 GMT
They had a few items of merchandise which presumably bill kenwright has been storing while it's been off the road. The souvenir brochure at £6 was the 1995 story so far one and is Interesting in its own right and does remind you of some of the stars who did star in it. Still sad to see lost too soon Stephane Lawrence name and picture and didn't know music legend Carol King played mrs johnstone on broadway, it also celebrates how it’s still running in the west end!. Best of all over four pages you have the complete text of the book so you can recreate the show at home. But think it must be a record selling 28 year old brochures as new at a show. Thanks for the heads up on the antique brochure. It is both my newest and oldest one in my collection in one go! Full standing ovation from a virtually sold out Theatre Royal Brighton for the matinee today. I think this is my first time since it closed in London (certainly no more than second) and I loved every moment and still cried at the end. It is a great museum piece and I am not sure a new production would have the same impact. I would be very happy to be proven wrong as long as we can get this show back if a new version flops. I was intrigued that there are no off stage swings so the actress playing Brenda also covered Donna-Marie today. Surely they will be in trouble if 2 females are off?
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Oct 6, 2023 18:08:45 GMT
Are there really only 10 cinemas showing this? I was looking forward to seeing it after not making it to the almeida due to cancellation.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 21, 2023 18:18:33 GMT
How I’m going to not look at this thread for an entire week is anyone’s guess, but until next Thurs evening, over and out! I can’t avoid the thread for 6 weeks! Curse my busy autumn. Got 3 bookings so will make up for it (initial one first then a key worker front row each for Rachel and Nicole)
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 14, 2023 10:22:15 GMT
Last night as the opening dance kicked off outside, I was stage left/audience right and saw him (Gandalf) standing at the top of the stairs leading to the dressing rooms/backstage - it was surreal and ethereal, and actually made me choke up. It was like a cross between character and actor, as overseer of events unfolding below. It was a profound moment - I'm not sure if he does this every night but I desperately wish I could have taken a photo to frame the moment. We had cover Gandalf but spotted him there and thought it was fab. Him watching from afar.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 12, 2023 21:44:52 GMT
I didn’t realise the queue would be so slow! Luckily managed to keep my phone on my desk after lunch and by about 2pm had A1 in the circle. Usually nearly £70 so can be too bad.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 10, 2023 21:16:57 GMT
The outdoor space added so much I would say it shouldn’t transfer unless they can replicate that.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 10, 2023 19:15:59 GMT
Is anyone going for one of the final performances? I can’t make the final afternoon so am going to the final Saturday evening. Sitting in the upper circle this time for a broader view (was front stalls last time).
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 10, 2023 15:12:02 GMT
I am still coming down from the high of last night. I was one of the ones who loved the London production and adored Watermill’s Amelie (never got to see it there but did catch it 9 times over the tour and London runs) so was sure I’d have a good night! I was worried after Friday’s cancellation but saw so many mixed up shows in Amelie to know that where possible the show will go on! And didn’t it just! An announcement at the start that Tricia would be covering Arwen (it was lovely going back and seeing a tweet of hers saying she would love to see the show again, I wonder if this weekend counts!! Seeing and being in the show suddenly!!). Seeing 3 cover announcements including one that is obviously freshly printed rather than from a stock fills me with joy anyway but I knew it would be special. The show starts outside with fun and games and Bilbo’s birthday. We were then ushered inside which worked well except we were end of a row but got there first. The scale is obviously different from Drury Lane but the intimacy added a lot. I’ve had Pirelli did on my shoulder in the pie shop Sweeney Todd and can now add Gollum sitting on my lap momentarily while moving around in the way only he can. I have no idea how they manage all the musical logisitcs but they did! Many more effects and more technology than I expected in the staging too. Finishing and bows outside was magical too. I don’t want to say too much to avoid spoilers. I could individually review the cast but they were all amazing! Some I’ve seen before, some I would be excited to see again in this or something else.
I really hope this gets another life that captures the magic as well.
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 9, 2023 10:22:13 GMT
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 8, 2023 20:18:38 GMT
The £23.80 seats are very good! Some great seats in the dress circle with a central view. Got a ticket for first preview and now halloween. I’ve just booked a second (it says you can have 2, they assume a pair - I’d rather go solo twice!) ETA: rules are fuzzy enough that you could easily justify 2 tickets per performance!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 8, 2023 15:24:16 GMT
Oh no. We’re due to go tomorrow too!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 8, 2023 10:55:11 GMT
The sale this morning seemed too easy. Hope they accept that I am a keyworker and don’t turf me out. Maybe I’ll get there early so can run to the Adelphi if any issues. Already going earlier in the run with a friend and sitting in the gods so good to get 2 viewing points and 2 Normas!
|
|
1,659 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Sept 6, 2023 16:40:05 GMT
I booked a family trip as soon as it went on sale, £20 each right at the front. A lot later a friend said she wanted to go, we're going for £20 each rear circle. A couple of weeks back I checked and £20 tickets were still available too.
|
|