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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 27, 2019 19:50:12 GMT
Saw this last Saturday from Row T (conventional stalls). I think it proves that WHERE YOU SIT influences your enjoyment of this sort of show.
Look, it’s a wonderful production. Patterson Joseph is superb as Scrooge. The music is sublime.
But from my seat in Row T? Something was missing. I didn’t FEEL it this time.
The reasons?
Too distant from the action. The stage stalls are the seats to choose for this production.
No interaction with the feast.
No snow. I can’t tell you how dismayed I was to see the snow JUST miss our row. Yes, it’s something akin to childlike wonder, but the snow blizzard is a vital part to this show. To watch others experience it but not yourself does not cut it.
It’s a great show, but choose your seats wisely.
Incidentally, I noticed a sign in the downstairs bar displaying the mince pie ingredients. Which is great. But why not around the stalls and foyer? They may contain nuts, and so my instinct to avoid them each year was indeed right.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 27, 2019 19:43:35 GMT
Well, I saw this last Saturday matinee. I went in a tad wary given that a) it wasn’t the star lead, and b) some on here have found Evan’s apparent ‘getting away with it’ problematic.
I was blown away.
Marcus is sensational in the title role. He profoundly moved with me, and I totally bought what happened and why it happened. He is one messed up kid and I don’t think it’s an excuse for how he behaves but it’s at least a valid explanation. Even after all he did, I still felt deeply for him, and I feel this is largely down to Marcus’s superbly moving portrayal. And he hit those high notes and then some!
The whole cast are excellent, the set and lighting simple but right.
Yes, the ending is perhaps a little too neat. Would it be more effective if the community uniformly shuns him? I think so. But never mind, because by the end I felt I’d lived his journey and Evan has been changed by what he’s been through. That matters.
I’d like to see this again very much. And am intrigued to see Sam’s portrayal. But you know what? I’m half inclined to go for Marcus again. This guy is a star.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 19, 2019 22:03:39 GMT
Good topic!
Will have to look back through my cinema tickets but number one is easily Midsommar.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 16, 2019 22:01:41 GMT
Dangerous territory here. I’m reminded of the debate that stipulates only gay actors should play gay roles. Ridiculous suggestion. So no one gay can play a straight role by the same token?
The actor’s own gender and sexuality has NOTHING to do with the role they are playing.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 14, 2019 0:52:15 GMT
I always enjoy Nick Abbott’s A to Z of the year which will be upon us soon!
Enjoying Tom Swarbrick lately.
Steve Allen I find entertaining when I can’t sleep but I reported him recently (to deaf ears) when his bitchiness tipped over into casual homophobia and transphobia. The irony of using ‘camp’ in a negative way when he comes across as not a million miles from camp himself...
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 10, 2019 21:19:40 GMT
It’s on Royal Variety now and what the holy hell is going on. It’s the least funny thing I’ve ever seen.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 5, 2019 22:26:00 GMT
I see Ade Edmondson appears to have thrown some shade & Juliet's way while talking to WhatsOnStage about The Boy Friend. Referring to the show at the Menier, he said: Nastiness. It’s a different *type* of musical, that’s all, silly Ade.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 5, 2019 22:24:30 GMT
The critics’ reviews I’ve seen so far from today are average. Is it not being received as ecstatically this time around or was it more the audience reaction trumping critics’ reviews in previous years?
I’m looking forward to seeing it again this year, introducing my sister to it.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 1, 2019 0:04:05 GMT
I was there too this afternoon! David, I think I may have seen you but I’m not sure. I was the one waiting afterwards for signatures for my programme! This doesn’t touch Mame, sadly, but it’s a pleasant enough watch. The set is simple but works well. I loved the use of the mirrors. The music is nowhere near the standard of Little Women, which has creative(s) in common. So many songs fizzle out without a proper end and there’s nothing memorable in there. They’re fine to listen to at the time but they last zero time in the memory. Some of the jokes were as lame as Tim’s leg, possibly because their delivery was not good at all. One character says they used to have a lovely pair of... ankles. But it was delivered hopelessly so nobody laughed. Several characters annoyed the hell out of me. Most of the acting was good. Michael Matus was great. The lead guy was very good and it helped that he was very cute! Because it’s Hope Mill, the overall experience is worth it but the piece alone is so slight. What story there is is so flimsy and when there is plot it’s nonsense! BUT I was never bored and it’s a gently entertaining watch. I think 3* is fair. Michael Matus asked me whether I’d found it cold as the actors had kept bringing up the temperature with the theatre! They usually have blankets but I couldn’t see any this time. So... worth a watch but it won’t blow you away. The muted applause at the end and throughout said it all. I still can’t wait for the next Hope Mill production as I adore this place. Oh sorry to have missed you. I was wearing a blue hoodie. I’m glad the cast mentioned the freezing temperatures. I’m just glad I bought a thick coat with me as I certainly needed it. At least it wasn’t as cold in Act 2! I agree with your comment about Little Women. That was a piece of theatre I enjoyed as I could invest some emotion into the characters and had a wonderful score to boot. Here I felt the complete opposite unfortunately. As the show to follow MAME, it was a tough ask and unfortunately didn’t hit the mark with me. As you say, with the announced shows for 2020 which I’ll book next week, I hope this was just a blip in what is normally a great time at HM. Yep I think I did see you then! Maybe catch you at another performance
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 23:37:59 GMT
You’ve either got it, or you ain’t. And Ria’s got it. I knew she’d be good in this and she is. She plays it big, big, big and if you don’t like that vibrato/tremor she’s developed in recent years then don’t see it because it’s present throughout. If that doesn’t bother you then she knocks it out of the park, and got extended applause for Rose’s Turn. The whole cast are good. Melissa James confidently handles the evolution of Louise and the transformations in act 2 as she becomes a star are cleverly executed in the round. Dale Rapley as Herbie is great and has more than a touch of the Carl Malden’s about him. Fantastic dancing by Louis Gaunt as Tulsa. Gimmick is hilaire with a fabulous Mazeppa and an Electra with Rupaul's Drag Race UK twist... I’ll say no more 😆 One minor issue was the US accents of a couple of the male ensemble, but it’s first preview FFS given them a break! 😡 It’s four big teddies from me 🧸🧸🧸🧸 Did you see the Staunton Gypsy? How does this compare?
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 21:35:49 GMT
Is it aimed at kids do you think? Burly, they had the soundtrack to &Juliet playing afterwards in the bar area!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 21:33:03 GMT
Oh and Ryan Kopel has such a strong look of Timothee Chalamet I think!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 21:29:17 GMT
Is it aimed at kids do you think? Nope, I wouldn’t say so. Not a kid in sight and I’d think kids would be bored tbh. Suitable for all the family but not especially aimed at kids.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 21:19:03 GMT
I was there too this afternoon! David, I think I may have seen you but I’m not sure. I was the one waiting afterwards for signatures for my programme!
This doesn’t touch Mame, sadly, but it’s a pleasant enough watch. The set is simple but works well. I loved the use of the mirrors. The music is nowhere near the standard of Little Women, which has creative(s) in common. So many songs fizzle out without a proper end and there’s nothing memorable in there. They’re fine to listen to at the time but they last zero time in the memory. Some of the jokes were as lame as Tim’s leg, possibly because their delivery was not good at all. One character says they used to have a lovely pair of... ankles. But it was delivered hopelessly so nobody laughed. Several characters annoyed the hell out of me.
Most of the acting was good. Michael Matus was great. The lead guy was very good and it helped that he was very cute!
Because it’s Hope Mill, the overall experience is worth it but the piece alone is so slight. What story there is is so flimsy and when there is plot it’s nonsense! BUT I was never bored and it’s a gently entertaining watch. I think 3* is fair.
Michael Matus asked me whether I’d found it cold as the actors had kept bringing up the temperature with the theatre! They usually have blankets but I couldn’t see any this time.
So... worth a watch but it won’t blow you away. The muted applause at the end and throughout said it all. I still can’t wait for the next Hope Mill production as I adore this place.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 29, 2019 22:32:18 GMT
Sad to see that two members of the public have died I THINK they've included the "terrorist" in the death toll. Nope, two plus the attacker.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 27, 2019 22:03:42 GMT
I saw it in New York. Same show, different production. I think it's a much bigger hit in London at the Old Vic vs the Old Vic's production on Broadway. Oops. You did say it was NY. Sorry!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 27, 2019 20:54:32 GMT
I just saw this production on Broadway last night and couldn't stop crying 12 minutes in DESPITE the accents! LOL BTW...I got major Ghost vibes. It has similar visual aesthetics and the haunting music arrangements by the same team. I wouldn't mind seeing it again, especially since it doesn't look like it's doing too well. Not doing too well? I had to nearly fight for a ticket in December nearer to Christmas. I guess maybe it’s not the hot ticket for November time.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 24, 2019 22:53:45 GMT
What merchandise is available?
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 24, 2019 22:22:19 GMT
Oh I didn’t realise you liked this one
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 24, 2019 22:21:29 GMT
Just looked at re-booking in December as my daughter adores this show.Bit shocked at the masses and masses of seats available at all prices so early in the run. This is my worry. I love the show but it’s not going to be an easy sell by any stretch.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 24, 2019 19:40:40 GMT
The anxiety discussion bothers me a little, but I’m still looking forward to seeing it in December. I love the Broadway recording. I’m currently off work with severe anxiety and I’m hoping I can recover from this flare-up before seeing the show, as I know a twitchy portrayal of mental illness is not going to make me feel any better!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 24, 2019 19:38:35 GMT
I’ve listened to the soundtrack thrice now! I love the musical versions, even the ones where I disliked the originals. It’s a big thumbs up from me!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 23, 2019 22:34:56 GMT
Just a heads up that there are some reasonably priced seats up now behind row T stalls. I’ve just grabbed a pair (£57.50 and £20). Thank god I didn’t plump for the £150 ones! Is that £20 a pillar seat? If so, bargain. You miss little and get a great view of Marley. I thought it might be but it doesn’t say restricted view or anything. Not too fussed for £20 Remember I sat next to you at this last year?!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 23, 2019 18:40:19 GMT
Just a heads up that there are some reasonably priced seats up now behind row T stalls. I’ve just grabbed a pair (£57.50 and £20). Thank god I didn’t plump for the £150 ones!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 22, 2019 12:15:20 GMT
Two songs into the soundtrack and I’m desperate to see it again!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 22, 2019 9:18:57 GMT
Not booked yet! Am always interested in Hope Mill but waiting to make sure it’s not a total turkey!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 16, 2019 15:00:11 GMT
What’s she doing in that half hour? A sudoku?
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 14, 2019 21:56:11 GMT
If she's late the audience should get together and put on their own entertainment. And then kick her out when she belatedly turns up for not having a ticket to their show. HA! I so want to be in this audience!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 14, 2019 19:22:51 GMT
I agree but she shouldn’t get away with it even with the best music ever. You put on a concert, you turn up at start time. Simple as.
Imagine if one of her children wanted urgent medication at the pharmacy. “Sorry, Madge, the pharmacist is going on duty in two hours, maybe four.”
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Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 9, 2019 10:32:40 GMT
Disgusting. No other word for it.
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