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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 12, 2024 12:01:21 GMT
I really don't understand why people object to a show touring that clearly has a fanbase, is profitable, keeps people employed, and is quite fun.
No one objects to Six (for example) clogging up a theatre, even though its rare that anyone posts in that thread. Nothing against Six.
I've also seen the Heathers' regulars move onto other shows. There were plenty of people I recognised at Jamie. So (putting my honorary teenage girl like status aside), I'd even view this as a theatre gateway.
I, personally, am looking forward to seeing Heathers again.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 11, 2024 16:38:40 GMT
I wonder if they’ll edit the OJ reference tonight?
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2024 22:55:16 GMT
Thanks, already had my eye on this and I know how talented Zheng Xi Yong is from Assassins. Booked for the matinee.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2024 21:33:47 GMT
First half, overpowering. Lots of loud music and bangs. Three totally unnecessary gunshots at the end. The BDSM scene gives a bit of welcome relief.
Second half, far subtler and more measured. Not everyone in the audience came back, but they missed the better performances.
Finished just after 22:15. Fairly full theatre, but some gaps.
I only booked as a spur of the moment decision this afternoon. Lots of decent seat options with dynamic pricing, but then I found they had Day Tickets, so got front row Dress Circle for £30. Perfect view. There are a lot of very dark scenes though, so can be hard to make out details and tell who’s talking. I hate to think what the upper levels are like. Sound mostly good, but diction quality is a bit mixed.
Glad I saw this, but can’t call it a must see.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 6, 2024 21:18:00 GMT
Am I right in thinking this is a concert of songs with 3 female performers (of different ‘generations’)? There is no book to this, is there? I wonder if there will be any ‘names’ in this? I remember seeing this at the Other Palace a few years ago, although the review will be lost to time in a previous forum. My recollection is that there is a book (basically the scripted segments between songs) and the songs are performed by the three members of the cast (in different combinations), so it is more than just singing the songs, but not a fully fledged musical.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 6, 2024 21:00:26 GMT
Into the Woods is the summer production at the Royal Academy of Music. Its in the Suzie Sainsbury theatre. I saw last years Carousel and it was fantastic. RAM are producing both Into The Woods and Spring Awakening. Both should be excellent, but there's already discussion on the previous page. RADA have Urinetown from 30 May to 8 June if anyone hasn't spotted it. That's a long run for a student production.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 29, 2024 18:44:21 GMT
Finally saw this yesterday at the matinee. Loved it. I felt like a special guest at the over 70s performance. It was so nice to be part of an audience who took the No Selfies announcement seriously, and didn’t sing along (even at the end). They were even good enough to throw the beach balls straight back into the orchestra pit so we didn’t have to deal with them, I did think it was a bit mean to have a confetti cannon fired at the people having a relaxing nap.
Arguably a stronger book than Mamma Mia. The songs are all hits. A large cast for a touring show and a full set. This must surely be destined for a West End run.
We had four covers on for lead roles, all announced verbally at the start (and there were posters up by the end). Everything we’d expect. All good in their roles too. My only complaint is Melissa Jacques is very underused.
Go see this!
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 28, 2024 22:13:19 GMT
It’s not hugely offensive, but I can’t imagine that most 12 year olds would connect with the themes (essentially social politics).
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 28, 2024 14:18:36 GMT
I saw this on Tuesday evening (after getting through a massive queue). An excellent value lottery ticket, right at the end of row F Dress Circle (no aisle next to you, but a bit of space). Perfect clear view, even though I do prefer to be further forward.
A well behaved audience too. The only issue I spotted was the usher sprinting through a row and to the front of the Dress, then having a long chat with someone, I couldn’t tell what the reason was.
I’m fairly indifferent to MJ music, but the songs I certainly know. The dancing is spectacular. The book is terrible, although a chap behind me commented “I can’t believe how deep this is”. I don’t feel the need to see this again, but I could be tempted by a keenly priced seat at the front.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 28, 2024 13:51:39 GMT
Excellent play. I saw the matinee yesterday from the second row, which is the perfect place to sit as you’re slightly above the protective railings, but also less likely to have a ball kicked in your face than the front row.
The three leads hold your attention and the 90 minute run time is just right. You do have to suspend disbelief a bit to pretend they are 15/16.
Thursday matinee must be the school performance, so I did get rather trapped in the masses (mostly taking GCSE Drama based on their names hoodies). I did wonder if the performance was edited for content based on the totally polite language throughout, but there is a little swearing at the end. Thankfully the teenagers around me proved they knew enough swear words to add the missing atmosphere (the pupils were all pretty well behaved, just some giggling chatty girls and the odd bit of heckling, but please schools, don’t print the tickets on A4 paper for the pupils to rattle throughout).
I got my ticket through rush. The performance wasn’t too full unfortunately, with the top level closed, and the middle level half full. But this is a play which is designed for an intimate audience. Recommended.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 24, 2024 15:50:50 GMT
This is perfectly watchable.
I saw the film close to 30 years ago, and have never seen this on stage, so I don’t remember the plot very well, but as there isn’t much of a plot, that doesn’t matter too much.
I would say it’s a highlights type show, with a “looking back” feel wrapped around it, adding modern jokes (although consistent with the show, as all are broad and cheesy).
Large floor area so you don’t feel trapped like at Guys and Dolls. Seating feels very different for anyone who paid extra.
The audience is basically some people dressed up, some drunk women, a group standing by the bar and chatting loudly presumably attracted by the cheap drink.. Mostly respectful, apart from the people who don’t look before stepping backwards (often wearing backpacks as it costs too much to check them in).
The breaks are too long (and not needed to sell alcohol, the bar never closes). It’s a short show, 2 hours 10 minutes (despite being advertised as much longer). The ending does just fizzle out before a DJ takes over. There’s a sweet touch where they use an audience member in place of an actor. Reece Kerridge steals the show.
I did enjoy this, but very glad I went for a matinee. Can’t imagine what the evening performances will be like!
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 23, 2024 17:43:57 GMT
They did work out that they knew John from Love Island eventually.
More seriously, some people at the other side did know he was.
I likely heard more than I should have done, but yes, I did get the impression he wouldn’t have liked all the attention Layton was getting.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 23, 2024 15:58:07 GMT
The people around me are starstruck at Layton Williams being in the row behind me at Jamie. I don’t think they’ve recognised John McCrea.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 22, 2024 23:08:40 GMT
Just booked with the £20 offer. I didn’t see the previous version but love Morgan Philips. Max Mulrenan is fantastic too so glad he’s getting this opportunity.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 22:51:11 GMT
Anyone been to see the Rose Bruford shows at the Greenwich Theatre? I'm off to see The Grinning Man tomorrow. Saw the original London run quite a few times so I'm intrigued to see what this production will be like No, because I didn’t spot this on time, but please report back.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 17:39:21 GMT
This forum can get a bit heated. It's also a challenge of the written word. It's so easy to write things thinking they will be interpreted one way, then people read them differently, or consider them as personal slights. Hopefully we're all here because we love theatre and want to support everyone involved.
Personally, I'm always very happy to see covers on. They're getting an opportunity. We're getting a different performance. Yes, there are times I prefer the main performer (and times I prefer the cover), but that's a personal preference, which we all have. It's not intended as a slight against anyone. Yes, I'm lucky in that I can see most shows more than once.
I quite understand the economic reasons for not offering refunds, although there are plenty of times when I wish that an audience member with a terrible cough etc had been offered the opportunity to see the show when they were less under the weather.
The single change I would like would be accurate cast boards/screens shown in parts of the theatre which aren't blocking everyone else.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 16:00:42 GMT
Why was it half empty during the last central London run too then? A lot of people who wanted to see it would've seen it last summer, and it's not really worth a repeat viewing... The performance I was at was packed. I didn't get the impression it sold that badly. The producers will have done the calculations that a four week run will be profitable. This is an ALW show in an ALW theatre. There are also good reasons to not leave a theatre empty. This isn't a show I rush to see either, but let's not pretend there isn't a market. A lot of London theatres now are filling gaps with limited runs of touring shows. They do give us a bit of variety and keep people employed. I will almost certainly see this while it's at the GL, but it's not a show I'd view repeatedly.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 15:07:45 GMT
Central London for a family show, during the school holidays, will sell without a problem.
A lot of shows struggle to sell in Wimbledon. People just won't travel to outer London. Central London, where people can easily travel, and there are tourists around, is a completely different proposition.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 14:04:43 GMT
Seen a few social media posts about Sunday in the Park going on sale at Mountview tomorrow. Thanks, Mountview booking now open for Sunday (and some plays).
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 20, 2024 13:36:07 GMT
Just won the TodayTix lottery for next week, so will get to see this. No seat allocated yet, all this says is Dress Circle.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 19, 2024 14:47:39 GMT
Opened 11 years ago this week (after a month of previews). Can’t believe it’s still running. Surely it’s time for something new at the PoW? I think this has a few years of life left yet. It's still selling well. With that said, it has started to appear on TKTS occasionally.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 19, 2024 14:18:05 GMT
Does anyone know how hard it is to get rush tickets for this? I was hoping to get a single ticket for the Saturday matinee. They have been selling out in seconds, and there is a lot of luck in the process. For the final matinee, I would expect demand to be high.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 19, 2024 11:07:41 GMT
I finally managed to see Sam Glen on as Elder Cunningham last week and I thought he brought freshness to the show. Lots of differences to the norm with his performance and such a sweet voice. This show is in a great place right now, with all the current cast well established in their roles.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 19, 2024 11:03:00 GMT
Having not seen this since previews, I made a return visit last night. An excellent front row view through the Rush tickets. I always enjoy everything more from the front, but this came across as so much tighter than during previews. You are very close to the stage, so much that you can see the performers scanning who is in the audience. Lots of eye contact too.
There was also a helpful lady behind who wanted to make sure that everyone knew the words to the songs, although unfortunately she didn't know as many as I did. She also helped keep us amused during the boring bits (like when they were talking about the famine) by having a chat with her friend. I do know it was her birthday treat.
Without that, this would have been a perfect performance. I'll certainly see this in the inevitable transfer.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 18, 2024 12:46:22 GMT
They used to have an extended pre-show announcement at Frozen, asking people to please refrain from talking or singing during the performance. No idea why they would stop doing this as it's more important than ever! The announcement is still there, but goes over the head of a lot of people, especially the ones who arrive after the announcement.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 18, 2024 12:45:12 GMT
Frozen was something else, sat in a decent rush seat in row G stalls but the constant talking and rustling of food packaging added to the whole theme park vibe. Their pre-show announcement welcoming first time theatregoers was lovely, but again see my comment above. Add to that the box office selling tickets after the show has started for seats that people had to push past others to reach (I know because I got my rush seat just before curtain and this was 15-20 mins in) and it was not a fun theatre going experience, although the renovation of Drury Lane is gorgeous. Were you at the Sunday matinee, as that sounds exactly like my experience (Row F Side Stalls through TodayTix rush), a family had to get through to the end seats on two separate rows? The children were quite well behaved, but the family (grandparents I think) seemed determined to check they were enjoying themselves and would eat the healthy snacks prepared. By contrast, there was a family with two male parents and two young girls at the other side who were perfectly angelic. To be fair, this was very good for a Frozen audience in my section. There was a lot of noise coming from the rear Stalls that I largely managed to filter out, but outdoor voice level of talking.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 17, 2024 14:22:46 GMT
Sooo the most important question is…what are the most coveted stationary items? 😂 That all depends on the complexity of the set and how much movement is required!
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 17, 2024 14:17:35 GMT
Read the previews, look at the track record of the producers, consider the pricing, think about what style of shows I like etc. But it’s way easier (and cheaper) to do this as a single person.
I don’t usually trust theatre trailers as being a good representation of the show. But there again, movie trailers are always carefully put together as well.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 17, 2024 12:07:19 GMT
The theatre school shows often have other students in the audience who are very enthusiastic. Yes, I do find it annoying as well.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 17, 2024 12:05:31 GMT
I me be able to see the final matinee of this (which is the last London date) but want to see the same cast I saw before - not because the covers won't be good, but I don't want to overlay the memory of what I enjoyed. I don't see anything popping up on X/Twitter West End Covers/Understudies site. Does anyone know a way to find out who's on that same day - other than turning up at the theatre? Essentially I'd like to see Ivano again. My experience is that the main leads are usually scheduled for final performances. However, I have no insider knowledge related to holidays/other commitments etc.
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