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Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 13, 2016 12:22:58 GMT
I guess this is technically a play rather than a musical, and I can't find another thread on the Board.
We saw the matinee yesterday. Not seen a show in the round at the Union before but on the whole worked well with this production. Carly Thoms is the star of the show taking on the role of Little Voice. She switches effortlessly from Little Voice to full on diva and does great impersonations of Judy, Shirley etc. Charlotte Gorton as the mother is very in your face. There's no escaping her in this production when you are so close to the stage and she takes no prisoners when it comes to the self pity that she portrays throughout. We had a full house. Definitely worth a visit.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 13, 2016 11:10:21 GMT
Also went straight in and got Row M stalls middle.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 13, 2016 10:05:47 GMT
I will really miss the Landor if it closes. Was responsible for reviving my love of theatre after a 20 year break after seeing A Class Act with Jonny Barr. We've seen some really good shows over the last 3 years, most notably Clockmaker's Daughter.
I've always wondered how they survived financially. I suspect they have lost quite a bit from last few productions, especially the ice show at Christmas where they had to pay going rate for professional skaters in the show.
Hopefully they can moth-ball until finances can be found to put on new production. But if they lose the artistic director may be difficult and pub may have other ideas for the theatre space.
Other smaller theatres seem to do a better job at raising sponsorship to help survive. The new Union Theatre will only have slightly more seats than Landor, but looks set for continued future.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 11, 2016 23:14:55 GMT
Saw the matinee today. Enjoyable couple of hours. Was always a favourite film as a child so was looking forward to seeing staged version. Impressive set for something that has been on tour. Strong cast. Martin Shaw makes a good Hobson. I would say it was about 3/4 full. Clearly one for the older audience - very few people there under the age of 30 and majority 60 plus.
Can't remember the last time I went to the Vaudeville but thought it a lovely smaller theatre.
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Motown
Jun 10, 2016 10:30:44 GMT
Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 10, 2016 10:30:44 GMT
Doesn't surprise me. When I tried to book a wheelchair space for any matinee a few weeks back I eventually gave up as was going to be some way off.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 10, 2016 10:17:55 GMT
Ferne McCann has been having some singing lessons from a well known vocal coach - perhaps she's hoping to step into the role after successful debut at Union Theatre.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 9, 2016 18:20:03 GMT
I can remember seeing Stratford Johns in this at the Theatre Royal in about 1975.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 4, 2016 23:33:27 GMT
Saw the matinee earlier today and really enjoyed it. I've seen several shows at Charing Cross Theatre but this was on a different level.
Never seen or heard Titanic before so was unsure what to expect - apart from ship sinking. For first 10 minutes with lengthy opening number I thought I had walked into a Gilbert & Sullivan revival but things quickly change and although the score bounces around quite a bit, I liked the different styles used for each story line. No idea how big music ensemble was but they sounded great - felt like a full orchestra at times hidden away.
Only criticism was the sound level early on which was way too loud and meant it was very distorted. May have been worse because we were in the balcony and therefore getting effect as sound bounces off ceiling. Fortunately seemed to be fixed after about 15 minutes.
Staging worked well in the space. Couldn't fault any of the singers in the performance I saw. For those thinking of booking and unsure where to sit, I would suggest the balcony towards the front. Cheaper than stalls and as long as you don't mind looking over the side gives a great view - plus avoids having to be looking up all the time at the action on the upper deck.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Jun 2, 2016 23:16:22 GMT
Fascinating interview with Natasha Barnes on BBC Woman's Hour Wednesday giving a bit more insight into taking over the role of Fanny.
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 28, 2016 16:18:46 GMT
Saw the matinee today and thought it was awesome. Totally seamless, funny sad, macabre and a score that really worked for me. Revolving set was great keeping the story line always on the move. Definitely worth catching final show tonight.
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 22, 2016 20:08:26 GMT
Had email confirming booking tomorrow. Expect will be done via your email rather than a code.
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 21, 2016 23:17:58 GMT
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 21, 2016 20:37:56 GMT
Going to see it 2nd time this afternoon. In front row again so taking lens cloth so I can see 2nd half in case I get mauled again by the blind lady! Will also be interested to see how much has changed as originally saw 2nd show. I was there this afternoon too and LOVED it! Did you receive any attention from the blind lady again? No! I think they took pity on me. Got the next target look but then they moved to the end of the row. They didn't spend as much time today on that section. I thought the the show had really tightened up since seeing it at start of previews. At least I now know the vibrator mishap in the preview was not meant to happen. Shame as will remain the stand out moment for me. I wonder if this will ever see the light of day again soon. Fully deserves a short west end run but not sure where as need the close connection with audience for it to really work.
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 21, 2016 12:31:38 GMT
Going to see it 2nd time this afternoon. In front row again so taking lens cloth so I can see 2nd half in case I get mauled again by the blind lady! Will also be interested to see how much has changed as originally saw 2nd show.
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Show Boat
May 14, 2016 20:26:54 GMT
via mobile
Post by liverpool54321 on May 14, 2016 20:26:54 GMT
Caught the matinee today and really enjoyed it. Would say at least 3/4 full including circle.
First time I have seen Showboat so aside from the film did not know what to expect. It's a bit old fashioned and at times more operatic than musical, but I thought they got the balance about right with what felt like a light touch approach to the production. Judging by the audience it clearly appeals to those of an older age. They should perhaps have considered a special deal to attract youngsters.
Cast were great as was the set design. Full use of downstairs made by the cast.
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 11, 2016 10:02:56 GMT
This thread is starting to get a bit viral on the board. I love Sheridan and have been a very long term fan. I hope she gets herself sorted and comes back and shows the knockers just how good she is.
No idea what her management is doing but feel it should be a lot more in terms of protecting here and ensuring she has the right people around her. Noticed reference to Pete Doherty earlier in this thread. Good example there of how his management have ensured he is in a good place for recent Libertines tour and starting today a solo tour. Brought in someone who 'looks after' him 24 hours ensuring nothing or no one gets chance to push back into old habits. Part of this is simply ensuring that the guy knows that he is 'loved' - simple as that.
I've worked with a singer for last 11 years who has been an addict and alcoholic for last 20. Thanks to wife and daughter in recent years he has now been over 2 years clean - knows he is loved and producing some of his best work ever.
When someone is in a bad place the media love it as they know they can go for the kill. I like to think we are better than the media. Yes, we expect performers to rise above the situation, to act professionally and not let the fans down. But none of us are the same. Some are strong and others are much weaker. We're all Beautiful Human Persons though.
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 1, 2016 17:46:40 GMT
No one knows what actually happened (yet). [ That's not true. The theatre staff the cast know what happened, and have told us - technical problems. It's simply that some people are refusing to believe that based on the wild speculation of a couple of audience members, who know considerably less than the people who have offered an explanation. A couple of those people on Twitter found it weird that they heard the cast boo from behind the curtain when the cancellation was announced, which says to me that they were looking to sh*t-stir. Of course the cast want to finish the show, and on having it halted due to a technical difficulty that couldn't be fixed on the night would express their disappointment. What's weird about that?! It doesn't matter what the theatre says now - they could give a full technical explanation of the fault, which most people won't be qualified to understand - some people still won't believe it. I'm not say "no one" knows. Of course someone does. Just the media and those there on the night to watch, and those on this forum, and thousands of others that don't. If I was Sheridan's agent and I was sat watching my star client being hung out to dry by the media because of technical difficulties that the theatre has chosen to keep quiet I would be seriously looking at suing them. I think most people with a relatively low IQ would get it if it was simply explained that part of the set or equipment malfunctioned. That's all they would have to say.
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 1, 2016 13:01:11 GMT
Given the problems the producers faced at Menier when Sheridan had to pull out and the offer to provide transfer tickets, they may have decided it simpler and ultimately less painful to pull the performance than go with an understudy part way through if that was the alternate solution. If there was a casting problem then, whilst unusual, they have opted for what is potential the least damaging outcome. No one knows what actually happened (yet). With around £12-14m in advance bookings you do all you can to avoid losing the main star for more than one night if that was the problem. Hopefully lessons learnt by all and we now see 6 months of happy customers.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 30, 2016 21:37:20 GMT
We saw the matinee today. Very powerful play, as others have alluded, primarily focuses on the lives of the 4 session musicians. Great performances all round. Would also have liked to hear more music but the full on script leaves little room for the odd song. I liked the stage set and the way the basement was spread thinly across the stage. Having been on a tour round the Lyttelton yesterday and discussed at great length the limitations of the stage equipment, I doubt they could have done much more than this.
Possibly because it was a Saturday matinee but by far the noisiest audience I have experienced for an adult play at the National. Lost count of mobile phones going off and constant rustling of sweet and crisp packets. People along our row started having picnic lunch during first half - constantly pulling stuff out of plastic bags. At least the final scene seemed to finally shut them up. Surprised by the number of young children there given the language used throughout.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 29, 2016 21:28:29 GMT
Guess all the producers have to do is put out a statement confirming what the problem was and it shuts everyone up. The worry is that they know this and the fact that the tabloids have been sniffing around all day for a story.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 29, 2016 10:42:37 GMT
I see a Sun journalist offering to buy stories on Twitter from those there last night. Not sure the Sun knows what truth means.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 29, 2016 8:39:21 GMT
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 29, 2016 8:37:29 GMT
Do they use a back line for vocals and sound on stage? If that malfunctioned then half of what you say or sing can sound weird. Just ask Adele and One Direction.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 29, 2016 8:22:55 GMT
Doing trip today ahead of see Ma Rainey's Black Bottom tomorrow. Any tips on things worth seeing/asking? May not be normal route as we've got the mobility scooter with us and it doesn't handle stairs well.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 29, 2016 7:45:54 GMT
Turning into Savoygate with rumours and counter rumours. May never find out what happened if It is buried by the producers. If they don't come out and say what the technical hitch was though then people will be left to make their own minds up.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 28, 2016 8:40:23 GMT
I caught this last night. Only on for two nights with second performance tonight. A one person show with Simon Mason, former drug dealer to the Britpop Stars providing a funny, sad, gritty monologue based around his book on his life in and on drugs and how he finally got clean.
Simon is no product of RADA, rather a life where he has constantly been acting out a set of fantasies whilst high on crack cocaine or heroin. These days his job is to help others who have suffered addiction.
Over 2 hours 10m he takes you through his childhood days and the abuse he suffered at boarding school, to the first meeting with the Man City Frisbee Team (aka Oasis), and finally after 10 years clean to riding in his car with his young daughter past the telephone box where so many deals were done.
A few technical hitches last night with video screen occasionally freezing but didn't stop the enjoyment of seeing it.
Small venue - full house and standing ovation at the end. The show has potential for further outings and chatting to the producer Edinburgh is being discussed. I suggested it could lose 20-25m as a very long show at present. What to snip out would be a challenge though.
If at a loose end tonight well worth the £10 ticket price if not sold out.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 27, 2016 16:33:51 GMT
4 star and odd 5 star across the board from what I have seen so far.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 23, 2016 19:12:35 GMT
The guy we were sat next to at Toxic Avenger this afternoon had flown in from Germany to see Glenn Close tonight and was visibly upset by the fact she would not be appearing. Fortunately he picked the best antidote in being at Southwark Playhouse for matinee. That guy was me! Still disappointed but The Toxic Avenger really might have been the best possible antidote. And it was lovely to meet you and your wife. And lovely to meet and talk to you too. I hope tonight will not be too much of a disappointment.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 23, 2016 19:09:03 GMT
The guy we were sat next to at Toxic Avenger this afternoon had flown in from Germany to see Glenn Close tonight and was visibly upset by the fact she would not be appearing. Fortunately he picked the best antidote in being at Southwark Playhouse for matinee. Was he sat on your left? guess would be on our right, or others' left if facing us.
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 23, 2016 19:07:40 GMT
On the bad behaviour - never understand why people buy a ticket and then behave the way they do. Loved the way theatre referred to the 3 as the naughty boys and got one of their volunteers to sit with them for 2nd half.
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