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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 11:07:52 GMT
Um, in what way could Billie Holiday's tragic and harrowing life story "be more upbeat"? I'm sure she would have wished for that as well instead of dying at age 44. My thoughts exactly... It's kind of like saying that Les Mis could use more jazz hands...Well. Let's be fair. It could do really. And a tap routine. |
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Post by d'James on Jul 5, 2017 11:08:37 GMT
My thoughts exactly... It's kind of like saying that Les Mis could use more jazz hands...Well. Let's be fair. It could do really. And a tap routine. YESSSSS!!!!! A tap routine during I Dreamed A Dream when she sings 'but the tigers come at night,' a group of the ensemble dressed as tigers come and tap for five minutes! Sorry. . . |
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 5, 2017 13:00:52 GMT
Also I have the same surname as Billie Holiday!! That totally blew my mind!!! I was gonna scream So for you, every day is, literally, a fiesta? |
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Post by popcultureboy on Jul 5, 2017 13:52:36 GMT
I'm guessing vabbian's surname is Fagan....
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 16:56:39 GMT
2. Fantastic lead performance and singing, however I thought it could be more upbeat? I wouldn't like to see it again. It didn't reach any finale or climactic finish as one would hope at the end of a show. Sounds as if you rather missed the point of the whole play... |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 17:41:27 GMT
I was going to day seat for this but after seeing the not so positive thoughts on the stage seat she I think I will not. I want 3 tickets for the end of August and don't know wether to get the £19.50 seats in either the grand circle or balcony( which ever you would recommend at better) or wait to see if there are any offers or better cheap seats. Thanks
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Post by theatre-turtle on Jul 5, 2017 18:43:58 GMT
Balcony shut. Grand circle 20% full and Dress circle 60% full.
Will this last?
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 5, 2017 19:54:38 GMT
Balcony shut. Grand circle 20% full and Dress circle 60% full. Will this last? I want to see this but the issue is the prices! £99.50 for front stalls and circle and £62.50 to sit at what basically is the back of the stalls. Plus I really don't think Audra is a "name" over hear - I know this would be heresy to the Mark Shentons of the world who basically worship her but I don't think she is known over here. I may take up the suggestion further up the thread by vabbian and go for row G of the circle for £19.50. |
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Post by Mr Snow on Jul 5, 2017 21:10:00 GMT
2. Fantastic lead performance and singing, however I thought it could be more upbeat? The 'legend' of Billie Holiday owes much to her autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues. Opinions vary as to its verisimilitude and just how miserable her life as a junkie was.She certainly was popular with a lively personality. Some think it was toned down and others think it was specifically cooked up to sell on sympathy. ITs the later version which most often plays today. However listen to the early recordings with Teddy Wilson and its life affirming and amongst my favourite music. Quite the contrast with the later albums like Lady in Satin where her voice is ravaged and too harrowing for my tastes. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 22:30:00 GMT
I was going to day seat for this but after seeing the not so positive thoughts on the stage seat she I think I will not. I want 3 tickets for the end of August and don't know wether to get the £19.50 seats in either the grand circle or balcony( which ever you would recommend at better) or wait to see if there are any offers or better cheap seats. Thanks As someone who day seated and sat onstage I can say truthfully the day seats are fine, loads of space to move and see almost everything - it's the premium ones you want to avoid. Presumably it's easy enough to get a discounted ticket for this from TKTS or elsewhere though if you don't want to sit onstage? |
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 5, 2017 23:15:30 GMT
Full price at TKTS. I have not seen any discounts. Hence the empty seats.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 6, 2017 0:04:09 GMT
I was going to day seat for this but after seeing the not so positive thoughts on the stage seat she I think I will not. I want 3 tickets for the end of August and don't know wether to get the £19.50 seats in either the grand circle or balcony( which ever you would recommend at better) or wait to see if there are any offers or better cheap seats. Thanks I would go to the theatre during the day and enquire if any Day Seats are left (no need to queue in the morning for the bar stool ones). I reckon they will want to fill the empty single seats in the stalls etc and will sell you one for Day Seat rate if you're super nice. |
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Post by vabbian on Jul 6, 2017 21:24:20 GMT
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Post by impossibleprincess73 on Jul 6, 2017 22:05:54 GMT
When I saw this I literally walked up to the box office 15 mins before curtain and got an Upper Circle box seat for £19.50. It was an amazing view and I had the whole box to myself.....and that was a Saturday night.
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 9, 2017 22:42:46 GMT
There are stars
There are superstars
And then there's Audra McDonald.
Bloody hell, this is truly remarkable. What Audra successfully manages to do is completely transform, which I rarely have seen. I was not watching Audra McDonald, I was watching Billie Holliday, in 1959, in a bar, having a complete and utter meltdown. Not knowing where the performance was headed was extraordinary. I let myself be taken in to that life, and feel heartbroken for her.
Well deserved standing ovation (I was third row grand circle for £19.50 - bargain and you only miss her when she goes down into the stalls for no more than 2 minutes).
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Post by sherriebythesea on Jul 21, 2017 21:24:52 GMT
Saw this last night. She was superb. But I had some strange reactions to it. I'm not a music person. More audio books and podcasts on my phone. The music I do have is 42nd Street soundtrack and Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday. I don't listen to it often because I always have a reaction to it, usually crying. I was sure that when I heard her sing it I would have a visceral reaction. But it didn't happen. Not sure why. Maybe I have seen too many family members in that condition or maybe I just didn't believe.
I admired her performance. What an incredible hard job to pull off, basically on your own but there was something missing for me and I'm not sure what
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Post by michalnowicki on Jul 22, 2017 8:06:58 GMT
I saw the play last week on Saturday and I'm to have seen Audra perform as an actress. Although the play has its funny moments, it is utterly depressing and sad to think about what happened to Billie Holiday throughout her life and how sad her last weeks/months were.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 22, 2017 14:13:04 GMT
Wow. audra is amazing. What an incredible performance. She deserves lots of awards for this
'Loved' the piece. Well if love is the repeated kicking in the stomach.
I totally recommend this although not for the faint hearted
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Post by sf on Jul 22, 2017 22:29:25 GMT
Saw it this afternoon.
Brilliant, brilliant performance (all the more so considering what she sounds like when she sings "as herself"). I'm not sure the writing is quite at the same level, but McDonald's performance makes this a must-see.
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Post by kathryn on Jul 24, 2017 19:01:16 GMT
Just booked for the Wednesday matinee - row P of stalls for £19.50. Is there some dynamic pricing down going on there? Almost the entire row is empty so it wouldn't surprise me.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 24, 2017 20:47:47 GMT
Just booked for the Wednesday matinee - row P of stalls for £19.50. Is there some dynamic pricing down going on there? Almost the entire row is empty so it wouldn't surprise me. Yep, the Wyndham's are always dynamic King and Queen of the West End. Like the Old Vic (in Previews). |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Jul 26, 2017 11:59:22 GMT
Just got a 19.50 in circle for matinee. Clearly been reduced at some point. I hope it's not because Audra isn't on. Either way, cheap matinee sorted.
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Post by theatremadness on Jul 26, 2017 12:05:54 GMT
Just got a 19.50 in circle for matinee. Clearly been reduced at some point. I hope it's not because Audra isn't on. Either way, cheap matinee sorted. I might be making this up, but I'm pretty sure on Broadway she had no understudy, so if Audra wasn't on, the show was cancelled. If that is true, the same has probably been adopted for this run too. So enjoy!  |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Jul 26, 2017 12:11:22 GMT
Just got a 19.50 in circle for matinee. Clearly been reduced at some point. I hope it's not because Audra isn't on. Either way, cheap matinee sorted. I might be making this up, but I'm pretty sure on Broadway she had no understudy, so if Audra wasn't on, the show was cancelled. If that is true, the same has probably been adopted for this run too. So enjoy! I scoured the apps and website for indication that Audra only does certain performances and found none. So I'm looking forward to it. |
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Post by sf on Jul 26, 2017 15:12:19 GMT
Just got a 19.50 in circle for matinee. Clearly been reduced at some point. I hope it's not because Audra isn't on. Either way, cheap matinee sorted. I might be making this up, but I'm pretty sure on Broadway she had no understudy, so if Audra wasn't on, the show was cancelled. If that is true, the same has probably been adopted for this run too. So enjoy! The programme does not list an understudy. |
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