80 posts
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Post by theatrekiwi on Dec 31, 2022 13:51:25 GMT
I finally have some time off and went to see this tonight - my only thought coming out of the theatre was...what the hell was that? I knew nothing about the show going in and only wanted to see it because I'm a big fan of VHB, but honestly this is the one of the worst shows I've ever seen in my life. The plot is just nonsensical and so bad it's funny throughout, with music that is so utterly forgettable. I came out of the show just over an hour ago and couldn't tell you a single melody or lyric of one of the songs. I was also genuinely shocked when I realised that the main plot revolved around Queenie eating her grandchildren - who green-lit this? There was also an awkward show stop just before the interval as the table on the stage malfunctioned. The stage manager talked over the cast as they were delivering a line and said they were having to clear the stage, then updating us every minute or so with exactly what they were doing until it restarted. I hate to say this, but it all felt very amateur hour. I have to give kudos to the cast though who are all clearly very talented and did the best they could with what was given to them. VHB was the clear highlight for me, but Lisa Lambe also did brilliantly! She has a wonderful voice and clearly is a great actress, but it's just a shame that her character was really unlikeable and felt like a waste of her talent. Also shoutout to Rosie Graham, it's always great to see Glasgow trained talent and not the usual London stage school alumni. I wouldn't say I'm usually a very harsh critic and I generally like to give everything a chance, but this was just a bit much for me to be honest. There's something very strange going on at the NT if this is brought back next year...unless it's selling really well and I just have no taste. Was there last night too - thanks to the £10 NT Friday Rush thought I would risk seeing it for myself. Very much agree with your comments, a talented cast doing their best with poor material. Don't know why we needed the commentary during the show stop... Lisa Lamb was off last night and Neima Naouri was on as Fairy - thought she was brilliant and is someone I will be watching out for in the future. |
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Post by cezbear on Dec 31, 2022 14:32:09 GMT
Finally gave into my curiousity and saw this also last night. I had hoped to see Lisa Lambe after all the raves I've read about her voice but Neima had a great voice so I didn't feel shortchanged there, and VHB is always good.
Positives: visually it's a joy, and as others have said the cast is great.
Negatives: the rest? I don't know what the creative thought process was really but I'm confused why any of it was thought to be a good idea. And unless I missed it the song I actually knew (from some video clip before the show opened) & liked was cut anyway. I don't often outright dislike much that I see but... this has cemented my resolution to be pickier in 2023 with what I spend my pennies on.
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Hex - NT
Dec 31, 2022 18:51:07 GMT
via mobile
Post by artea on Dec 31, 2022 18:51:07 GMT
11 Jan eve, filmed perf. Looks like all £20 front row stalls just been put on sale.
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Post by musicbox on Dec 31, 2022 19:01:59 GMT
I finally have some time off and went to see this tonight - my only thought coming out of the theatre was...what the hell was that? I knew nothing about the show going in and only wanted to see it because I'm a big fan of VHB, but honestly this is the one of the worst shows I've ever seen in my life. The plot is just nonsensical and so bad it's funny throughout, with music that is so utterly forgettable. I came out of the show just over an hour ago and couldn't tell you a single melody or lyric of one of the songs. I was also genuinely shocked when I realised that the main plot revolved around Queenie eating her grandchildren - who green-lit this? There was also an awkward show stop just before the interval as the table on the stage malfunctioned. The stage manager talked over the cast as they were delivering a line and said they were having to clear the stage, then updating us every minute or so with exactly what they were doing until it restarted. I hate to say this, but it all felt very amateur hour. I have to give kudos to the cast though who are all clearly very talented and did the best they could with what was given to them. VHB was the clear highlight for me, but Lisa Lambe also did brilliantly! She has a wonderful voice and clearly is a great actress, but it's just a shame that her character was really unlikeable and felt like a waste of her talent. Also shoutout to Rosie Graham, it's always great to see Glasgow trained talent and not the usual London stage school alumni. I wouldn't say I'm usually a very harsh critic and I generally like to give everything a chance, but this was just a bit much for me to be honest. There's something very strange going on at the NT if this is brought back next year...unless it's selling really well and I just have no taste. Was there last night too - thanks to the £10 NT Friday Rush thought I would risk seeing it for myself. Very much agree with your comments, a talented cast doing their best with poor material. Don't know why we needed the commentary during the show stop... Lisa Lamb was off last night and Neima Naouri was on as Fairy - thought she was brilliant and is someone I will be watching out for in the future. Oh wow, I didn't realise Lisa was off! I couldn't find a cast board and the fairy character is so made up that I just assumed it was her and not Neima - my bad! I agree though Neima did brilliantly and I'll be looking out for her in the future. Also I agree that the commentary during the show stop was very weird and not something I've seen before. I think it's great to keep your audience informed, but we don't need to know every detail of how the staff are fixing the table - I felt like it was slightly Benny Hill to be honest! One thing I forgot to mention before as well was that my favourite part was not long before the show stop during a scene where VHB had to flee the table, she jumped up and the stool she was sitting on jumped with her so she said 'I'm leaving and taking the stool with me' without breaking character - she's brilliant! Also I paid £20 for my ticket with a restricted view, so you go better value than me at least! |
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Post by fiyerorocher on Dec 31, 2022 21:02:03 GMT
11 Jan eve, filmed perf. Looks like all £20 front row stalls just been put on sale. Good god why? Is this really anything anyone wants to remember? |
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jan 13, 2023 23:53:50 GMT
It feels like the changes made seem to have happened in an attempt to make the show more family friendly? I don't know if I'm mis-remembering, but when I saw Hex last year, I thought the ogress scenes were longer and more intimidating? They definitely didn't have an up beat song in the middle of the baby cooking scenes.
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