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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 5, 2019 8:29:02 GMT
Fascinating thread.
The things I haven't done are things I have never had/have a desire to do, so I'm not going to do them anytime soon.
I have never smoked. I have never taken drugs. I have never bungee jumped or jumped out of a plane (with or without a parachute!) I have never seen Game of Thrones. I have never been married. I have never broken a bone.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 4, 2019 8:26:21 GMT
I saw Diversity in the Palladium panto and I very much enjoyed their 2 big routines in the show, but I thought at the time I couldn't sit through a whole show.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 3, 2019 23:19:50 GMT
What’s the big ‘effect’ this year normally made by The Twins FX? A flying elephant with Julian riding the trunk!
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 3, 2019 8:26:12 GMT
Diversity were awesome! No dance troupe in the last 10 years has come close. Ashley Banjo is a real talent.
Susan Boyle was dreadful. I felt sorry for her and Michael Ball trying to help her out! She looked terrified. The producers should not have put her through it. So much for ITV's "duty of care" to contestants!!
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 1, 2019 14:58:25 GMT
Yes thanks @theatremonkey for the £35 ticket tip. Booked. Those seats are never that restricted at the Palladium. A big WE show at the Palladium (one of my favourite London theatres) for that price is a bargain really.
I did notice checking random dates early in the run that there is lots of availability at all prices. I had got the impression that it had booked very heavily given a limited 11 week run. Perhaps the prices have put people off?
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 1, 2019 1:33:20 GMT
As I have said before, these TV excerpts for WE shows rarely work for some reason.
Even a giant LED screen and tons of golden ticker tape could not disguise what an all time low this was!
The positives - the ensemble seemed incredible - hard working, enthusiastic and full of energy and I liked the new coat and Jac seemed likeable and personable - all that is required from the role I suppose but I wasn't especially keen on his voice - too much vibrato and I trust he is going to the gym!
As for the rest, well the costumes looked like they had raided Primark! What was Sheridan wearing? The "choreography" was a mess. The vocals from Sheridan and Jason were woeful. She was flat, shouting and out of breath and hadn't done anything - she was noticeably absent for most of the "movement"! She has done some amazing stage work in the past but this looks to be a mistake. I hope she is well.
I know they have 4 more weeks of rehearsal and a lot can happen in that time but they knew they were doing this promotion on BGT and should have rehearsed it to within an inch of its life! There is no excuse! It simply is not good enough at the ticket prices for this. Surely the production values have to be better than this?
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Post by wickedgrin on May 31, 2019 22:26:13 GMT
This was absolutely stunning tonight. Completely riveting. The best production and version of this play I have seen and I’ve seen a few!
A solid 5 stars.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 31, 2019 18:17:35 GMT
I thought Yvie was more of a performance artist rather than a drag superstar.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 31, 2019 17:38:03 GMT
Well David Heneker who wrote the original music and lyrics is bareley credited in the reincarnation.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 31, 2019 7:56:30 GMT
Clearly these parts need to be cast but I wouldn't have thought they needed names (and the high salaries that go with them). The box office will be healthy enough with the names already cast - albeit all male. The girls will get very little stage time.
Perhaps (like Joseph) they will cast a total newcomer from a stage school for Goldilocks?
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Post by wickedgrin on May 28, 2019 9:36:07 GMT
Yes, it wasn't made clear that Gloria is not in the show. I'm afraid (like so many others) the TV excerpt did nothing for me and hasn't tempted me to book for this. No doubt there will be offers though.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 28, 2019 8:50:06 GMT
My vote went to Matilda! Loathed it! The kids were unintelligible when I saw it!
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Post by wickedgrin on May 28, 2019 8:47:07 GMT
Like tmesis mine would be My Fair Lady at Drury Lane with Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison. Being of a certain age though I do consider myself VERY lucky to have seen many of the shows other members have mentioned on this thread. Billy at Drury Lane with Michael Crawford (pre-Phantom) and a very young Elaine Paige (pre Evita). The original casts of Les Mis, Phantom, Cats, Starlight Express, Chess, Evita etc. SO LUCKY!
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Post by wickedgrin on May 25, 2019 9:59:21 GMT
Agree with the above posts although I am pleased the production got great reviews.
Thinking about this production after a few weeks distance I would say overall it was thrilling to listen to - superb orchestra and vocals - especially from the leads - 5 stars but only 3 stars to watch due to the flat lighting, and sightline issues which unfortunately are all to common with "in the round" productions. I am always reminded of the great line from The Producers where Max Bialystock says "it's theatre in the square - nobody gets a good seat!"
I hope the majority of the cast return next year - especially the leads as they were the strongest part of the production for me.
I wonder what The Curve production will be like at Leicester at Christmas. At least it will be a traditional proscenium show so no sightline issues!
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Post by wickedgrin on May 25, 2019 7:48:46 GMT
I am assuming that Jac will be fabulous. Like Charlie Stemp.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 25, 2019 1:32:56 GMT
Actually I hear that the reason the announcement was delayed is because they have secured a big female name for a key role who’s just become available today - she’s already started her choreography training! From running across the fields of wheat to the boards of the London Palladium...! After she’s appeared on Strictly Come Dancing I understand.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 24, 2019 11:46:33 GMT
No issue with WE prices per se, the productions are generally very good, it’s just that the outdoor experience can be so varied from a warm evening and that magical moment when dusk falls and the stage lights come to the fore or being incredibly cold and damp. I find Regents Park almost always drops chilly sitting still even after the hottest day. It’s such a gamble.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 23:49:17 GMT
Poor Matt Baker will be a lamb to the slaughter between Paul and Julian.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 20:52:01 GMT
Oh goodness, another trip to Manchester!!
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 17:47:07 GMT
Hard to explain. More or less, a group of men lift her on to a table centre stage, then start shoving her around between them, and sort of reduce her to a packet of meat being thrown around. Then they start holding her down and pulling at her. It's genuinely horrible in every single way. Sounds similar to what happens to Anita in WSS TM you have described a truly horrible situation and one that happens today in every country in the world. We live in sad times Yes, but the way it was choreographed here somehow glorified and made an entertainment of this event. It’s difficult to explain. I am no prude and wasn’t “shocked “ just deeply uncomfortable watching the staging of this.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 12:33:12 GMT
It was the ensemble passing round Cassidy that was very clunky to me, I was sat at the extreme side and it might have played better in the middle. I can assure you that scene would not have played better from any seat in the house. It was most uncomfortable to watch. I could not believe the creatives thought this was in any way appropriate in 2019.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 12:25:36 GMT
Apparently the UK entry has been deducted 5 points (down to 11 from 16). The contest said an incorrect calculation had been used to create a "substitute" set of points after the Belarusian jury was dismissed.
Seems a bit petty! As if the UK are not humiliated enough!
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 11:44:07 GMT
Think they had to take Kelsey's limited agility into account. He seemed to be limping the night I saw this. It's a big stage to get around at a certain age and all those stairs! Poor Glenn Close had to climb lots of stairs in Sunset too - they must have a thing for stairs at the Coliseum!
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 8:01:17 GMT
The announcement is VERY late isn't it. I thought it was going to be announce around Easter at the latest.
There must be some issue as the producers would surely like the advance in their bank account! Perhaps the choice of panto depends on a big star name they can attract and a deal has fallen through.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 7:57:26 GMT
It’s a shame the show has been the target of so much negativity in the last week- hopefully people will continue to enjoy it into the coming months. There has been some negativity on this board towards the show at times especially towards the producers but we have to remember we are a small community here. I don't think the general public have any negativity towards the show especially. The apparently struggling box office is simply down to the fact that the show and the star name is relatively unknown here and this together with no discounting of prices means the public are not willing to give it a try. The producers hope that casting Ashley will improve this although I have my doubts.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 7:50:35 GMT
I've bought a ticket from someone off Gumtree and I've only just realised it's an Over 60s ticket! Does anyone know if I'll even be allowed to use it (I'm 17) or should I lie and say it was a present from my nan and she accidentally put her age?? Or you could give it to me - I'm over 60!! Seriously though, in your situation, although the ticket price is unlikely to be checked by a theatre usher who concentrate on the date and seat number, I would have to phone the box office to check otherwise my trip would be ruined as I would be so nervous I was about to be found out, humiliated and asked to leave!!
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 7:46:44 GMT
Great view but a little far away from the stage especially at the back. Reflected in the seat prices I suppose.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 23, 2019 0:17:58 GMT
After a promising first episode I was disappointed with the second.
The acting is very strong and naturalistic but so much mumbling. The scene between the brother and sister in the kids bedroom was completely unintelligible.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 22, 2019 21:51:06 GMT
A very interesting article.
So many of the costs I could take issue with but let’s take just one. Theatre hire costs. Well, I say theatre but really it’s just a room above a pub that can accommodate an audience of only 62. Charging £1500 a week PLUS 30% of the box office is extortion! The landlords of these pubs must be laughing all the way to the bank, they after all, get all the profits from the drinks they sell to the audience who wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the play.
There must be a huge shortage of venues and huge demand for theatre companies wanting to put on shows to inflate these hire prices.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 22, 2019 12:36:41 GMT
Mmmmm......
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