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Post by justafan on Jul 26, 2022 19:34:40 GMT
Another excellent show last night, the final show for most of the cast. I did book front row in advance, which was just as well as this sold out (even with late premium seats released on the day). A very engaged audience, lots of clapping and cheering, but otherwise polite and well behaved. Ben got an extra standing ovation after he sang Can't Take My Eyes Off You to someone in the dress circle. Ben was remarkably composed throughout. Matteo, in the background, rather less so. Benjamin Yates spoke some very kind words about everyone leaving at the end. Based on that, I'm expecting to see Ben Irish on GBBO soon and Mark Isherwood to not stay retired for too long. You could really tell what a tight knitted group of people this was. Kudos to Carl Douglas as well by closing the show adding some extra riffs to his saxophone playing. Very glad to have got to see both the first show and final show with this cast and pleased that all the leads were able to perform. The new crew start on Wednesday. I was also there front row last night! Totally agree on the crowd, very well behaved but appreciative in the right moments. The whole cast raised the level last night too. Can’t wait for the new cast tomorrow! If it wasn’t for the rail strike I’d have been there too. Will you be able to share your thoughts after the show?
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Post by justafan on Jul 25, 2022 11:39:15 GMT
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Post by justafan on Jul 5, 2022 13:52:22 GMT
Loving the fact that so many people go to shows solo - as I do the majority of time. Only thing I would add about how long should I be in my seat is - if you have an aisle seat get there as late as possible else you will be up and down … up and down etc etc
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Post by justafan on Jun 3, 2022 14:14:46 GMT
Any rumour of cast change? Sha, Jon, Bradley, Richard, Kathy are all definitely leaving so we'll for sure be getting a new JVJ, Javert and Eponine. No rumours about replacements that I know of though. Do you know a date for cast change?
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Post by justafan on Jun 3, 2022 9:19:37 GMT
Any rumour of cast change?
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Post by justafan on May 10, 2022 16:48:44 GMT
So the ‘spokesman’ is blaming the fact that because they’ve done a lottery and £20 tickets that suddenly they have to ramp up the last weeks of shows to £400 - sounds like a cr*p business model - and I know nothing about theatre business
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Post by justafan on Oct 18, 2021 15:28:07 GMT
Like Craig I thought the sound was awful. I was stalls stage left ironically by the sound desk and couldn’t hear much of the Jason/Ruthie dialogue. Some of the contributers were totally overpowered by the orchestra and I really couldn’t distinguish what the Mountview choir were singing so I’m looking forward to listening again on Sunday to hear the bits I missed!
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Post by justafan on Sept 15, 2021 22:46:22 GMT
I guess you were there tonight BB as was I and it totally lived up to expectations. Sutton is a goddess to my eyes and ears. Only 42nd Street edges this into second place in my all time favourite shows. Same - 42nd Street still tips the balance for me
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Post by justafan on Sept 15, 2021 22:09:52 GMT
Whoahhh - let’s not start speculating how or what the illness is that caused the show to be cancelled eh! It's not speculation, Roger Bart tested positive for Covid on Monday. Yes he did - but doesnt mean that’s why show cancelled tonight - during this horrific year, theatres have usually confirmed that cancellations are covid related if that’s the reason but BTTF have tweeted publicly that’s it’s ‘due to illness …’ which could cover a myriad of things - that’s all I’m saying 😀
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Post by justafan on Sept 15, 2021 21:55:58 GMT
Perhaps a few people got Covid from Roger (or he got it from them) and too many people would be out and there aren't enough covers? Whoahhh - let’s not start speculating how or what the illness is that caused the show to be cancelled eh!
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Post by justafan on Aug 23, 2021 16:33:43 GMT
We were in the centre of the second stalls row this afternoon, the £30 seats released a few weeks ago. I'd previously booked a £15 seat in the second circle because most of the stalls was originally priced at £90, decided not to use that ticket and very glad to get so close to the stage. Son accompanied me. The look up to the stage was less than I expected though I'm 6 foot and my son three inches taller. No children in the front row, a couple in the second. The highlight is always the title number and I delighted in getting absolutely soaked. It seemed Adam Cooper kicked water directly at us, not once but twice. The people in the front row got a bit less water than the second but nobody minded of course. My son hurried to the toilet to use the dryer as he's a bit precious about his hair; it took most of the second act for me to dry out and I got a nice top up at the encore/reprise. First visit to Sadlers Wells, beautiful theatre, very comfortable seats and great legroom, hope they do more musicals and of this standard. Would be an ideal home for Chichester's South Pacific next summer. Unusually no bag checks or ticket scanning, not much mask wearing. There are bus stops outside and opposite with direct services to Waterloo and Victoria, the Angel tube station is 8-10 minutes walk away. I am seeing this bang centre front row, is there much difference with the look up, do you reckon? My mother is average height. Will she be able to see most things? Very excited about the rain. I take it you sat towards stage left because I've seen that's the way Adam likes to do his big kicks. I sat in CC19 and got pretty drenched but as paul26 says that’s part of the fun. Too close to see the tapping feet but they sounded wonderful - enjoy!
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Post by justafan on Aug 23, 2021 9:38:58 GMT
I’ve learnt to use multiple devices and my phone got straight in. I’ve gone for dead centre in the front row of the upper circle for £25. Would have paid a bit more to move downstairs but not £65! Ditto tho I’ve gone for an aisle seat - I’ve sat there before and the view is great for £25
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Post by justafan on Jul 31, 2021 8:15:35 GMT
End of show thoughts. A spectacular production. I did see this back in the 2021 West End production, but I don't remember it all that well. But it has all the big song and dance numbers you'd expect. The guy behind me in the second row was very pleased when I sat down and had some protection from the water. But later on he said he was hot. If only more of the water had gone his way. I think he was a Mountview graduate. I had a family of three at one side. I felt sorry for the young child (who looked to be about 8 or 9) who could barely see a thing with the high stage. The mother had come prepared and covered herself with a plastic sheet. It wasn't really that bad though (and the rain at the end of the show is far less than before intermission, so you don't have to leave, as a I feared at one point, with trousers looking like you hadn't reached the toilet in time). The stage is high as essentially there's a small pool built on top of the normal stage. End time was about 22:35 tonight, but that was with the 10 minute stop. As I mentioned earlier, the highlight was Kevin Clifton. Very funny, excellent dancer and a good singer. Adam Cooper was well in his element, but the relationship age gap does push things a bit. Faye Tozer is hilarious in her role and has a lot more to do here than when I saw her in Jamie. You have Charlotte Gooch, who is a very talented singer and dancer. And there's even Sandra Dickinson, who I didn't realise in advance was in the show, so that was a nice surprise. Thank you to the audience for being respectful too, with the vast majority of people respecting the venue's request and wearing a mask. I would like to see this from further back if any offers come in, but otherwise I'd happily sit at the front again. This is every bit as big a production as Anything Goes. Were you front row or 2nd row?
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Post by justafan on Apr 28, 2021 17:13:49 GMT
So, looking at the latest email this afternoon, it looks like those who booked tickets for POTO prior to 27 July will be invited to a priority booking bunfight on 30 April rather than have their seats reassigned. I may be wrong, but am reading between the lines as there has been no other communication regarding prebooked tickets. Any other first-nighters heard anything, or are you in limbo too? Yep in limbo
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Post by justafan on Apr 14, 2021 14:25:43 GMT
Thought this might interest some of you x Any update on this?
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Post by justafan on Mar 12, 2021 17:07:57 GMT
Also managed to get this easily sorted. Though as a single theatre goer missed out on the first night! In fact for the July onwards dates they seem to have reduced the single seats even further. In the stalls for example there is just one at the end of row F! As a single theatre goer I bought the two cheap seats front row of Grand Circle - a steal at £40 plus I gain additional social distancing
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Post by justafan on Oct 11, 2020 13:09:26 GMT
Can any expert name the leads ? Zizi Strallen as Mary Poppins. Charlie Stemp as Bert Poppins. Was Killian Donnely the Phantom ? Michael Ball as Javert. Carrie Fletcher as Fantine. John Owen Jones as Jon Val Jean. The lovely Rob Houchen was there too. And the equally lovely Bradley Jaden
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Post by justafan on Aug 30, 2020 16:19:04 GMT
My local theatre showed the film for ‘one night only’ last week - not afraid to say that I teared up at the end of the brilliant opening number as the recording included the roar of the audience so it made you feel - for a brief second - as if you were there. It was wonderful to see Clare and that awesome cast again - and of course ‘the staircase moment’.
I wonder if Stephen Mear’s production at the Theatre du Chatelet will go ahead? I’m quite tempted to go though maybe the hassle of ‘travel or not to travel’ will put me off. I do hope it goes ahead for the Production’s sake 🤞
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Post by justafan on Mar 3, 2020 10:27:50 GMT
Tried rush for the whole 20 minutes and finally got stalls L2 about 2 minutes ago, the last ticket probably as they’re now sold out! Ah I was going to ask where the rush seats were - that’s useful to know
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Post by justafan on Feb 11, 2020 17:41:25 GMT
Saw opening night last night with new cast - the show and its significance is in very good hands
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Post by justafan on Jan 31, 2020 19:29:36 GMT
^Guess they used all the extra space for the ladies, then. I wish 🤨
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Post by justafan on Jan 22, 2020 23:52:43 GMT
As someone who went to the Gala performance last week I wonder what made it a Gala ? It didn’t appear any different to any other performance
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Post by justafan on Jan 22, 2020 23:46:09 GMT
Customary mobile went off during 2nd Act of Uncle Vanya at the Pinter this afternoon. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH PEOPLE? 🤬🤬🤬🤬 Interesting as the ushers were very active in telling people to turn off phones before the start. Obviously need to do it again after interval. And it was at most poignant moment of the doctor telling Sonia why he can’t love her ... I was in upper circle / I think guilty party was in stalls - to be honest when house lights went off it was at least a minute before all the glowing screens had disappeared so a reminder at the interval would be a good thing
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Post by justafan on Jan 22, 2020 18:35:55 GMT
Customary mobile went off during 2nd Act of Uncle Vanya at the Pinter this afternoon. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH PEOPLE? 🤬🤬🤬🤬
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Post by justafan on Jan 17, 2020 0:00:43 GMT
Seeing a few curtain call pictures on social media tonight. Just wondering why it’s acceptable to do this on Press Night but not on other nights
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Post by justafan on Jan 16, 2020 10:26:47 GMT
If the loss of the revolve allowed the brilliant restaging of ‘javert’s suicide’ that I saw last night, I’m glad the revolve has gone !! 😍
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Post by justafan on Jan 11, 2020 23:31:06 GMT
I remember my late father taking me to see a production of Godspell in the early 70s at Bristol Hippodrome - I wasn’t yet a teenager but I still remember the silence of the audience as the lights went down (no mobiles 👍😀) and then ‘Pip Miller’ started singing ‘Prepare ye ...’ without music from the back of the auditorium and then walked through the audience to the stage - I’m convinced that’s the moment I fell in love with live theatre 😃
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Post by justafan on Dec 19, 2019 0:09:52 GMT
It was a very good 4 stars from me. Excellent Javert; to my ear, Valjean was ever so slightly flat in "Bring Him Home". Nice projections, though the suicide scene was messy - needs more practice. It's Les Mis - the fresher version (now nearly 10 years old) is different but still good. Shame they've taken the epic church organ out/down in "Stars". Nice set, didn't miss the revolve. The theatre is beautiful; as good a job as the Victoria Palace. And free drinks from Cameron - what's not to like? Ummm, the view from C1 of upper circle. Poor in first half, rescued by upper level barricade action second half. The barricade scene loses the impact of the deaths somewhat, and carting Enjolras and Gavroche off in a wheelbarrow feels a bit odd to me. It's a good show though and will outlive most humans. Vive la resistance, and let random clapping in time be reserved for "Only Fools and Horses". EDIT: fantastic sound design which in my opinion set a new bar for quality. Could see the sound design picking up awards. Not so much the surround sound bullet pings, though they are nice. The orchestra sounded utterly fantastic. Oh and Claude Michel Schonberg was in the house too. I was so disappointed with the Javert suicide scene - but listening to two guys on my way out they thought it was a missed stage management cue ... I loved the fact that enjolras punched the air when he took his bow - I’m sure that summed up how the cast felt - I was other end of row C in upper circle to you and the two people in row B in front of me couldn’t see a thing when the people in row A leaned forward so I think row B must be a row to be avoided - certainly at the extremes due to the rake or lack of it. I was very annoyed by the number of people who put their glasses on the brand new cushioned bit of the upper circle and I must be critical of the ushers not shouting at them a lot - out of interest how did the free drink from Cameron work? I’m guessing that when I ordered two glasses of vino - one for the interval and the bill only came to a tenner - that was my free drink (wish I’d ordered champagne now!!) EDIT - oh and I missed the revolve less than I thought I would!
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Post by justafan on Dec 9, 2019 0:05:23 GMT
This one is selling well with several dates already sold out, so do book if this is a show you enjoy. There are still a few seats left for the first performance on Wednesday, which have to be a bargain at £10 each. I'm booked for the gala performance on Thursday, which comes with interval drinks and a post show Q&A and is also supporting a valuable cause. The organiser contacted me to let me know there are only three tickets left for that date. Thank you for the timely update Dr Tom esp with the recent Encore film sessions - I can only imagine how gorgeous it will be to hear those dancing feet ‘live’ again 😀😀
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Post by justafan on Dec 7, 2019 18:27:18 GMT
I loved the harmonies then 😍 I have zero music knowledge but Claude Schoenberg did - I believe - in his speech say that Bradley sang it as he intended it to be sung - so I incorrectly assumed he sang it in a different key - I’m at an Encore performance tonight so I’ll listen more closely to Claude’s speech 😀😀 They were gorgeous and it just comes to easily to Bradley! He was without a doubt one of my stand-out favourites from the concert. So I’m also very excited to see his Javert at the Sondheim (I didn’t see him when he last did the role!). Same as you, I can’t quite remember CMS’ speech verbatim, but I do remember him making a joking quip asking why “Bradley had all the high notes and Michael didn’t” (or words to that effect), so maybe that was referencing the harmonies! Regardless of what we heard/interpreted I cannot wait for 18th December 😍 - just hope Cameron has the champagne out!! 🤪
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