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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 10:04:42 GMT
I have to say I don't agree completely about the seat. I've seen shows from the back row of the Upper Circle and loved them and seen shows from some of the best seats in the house and not enjoyed them much. Age is definitely a massive factor though. I think it's not always a factor but it can be, particularly if you have issues with sight/hearing as well (for example forgetting me forgetting my glasses and sitting in the upper circle haha!) but also if you are too hot too cold etc can all make you grumpy about a piece! |
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Post by viserys on Feb 3, 2017 10:05:22 GMT
I have to say I don't agree completely about the seat. I've seen shows from the back row of the Upper Circle and loved them and seen shows from some of the best seats in the house and not enjoyed them much. Age is definitely a massive factor though. I guess it also has to do with the theatre in question and the show? I enjoyed Half a Sixpence greatly from Row R in the stalls since I had a clear view onto the stage and still felt close to it. If there's no or little rake, I can feel much more removed from the action on stage as I have to peer above rows and rows of heads. Same in the upper levels. I had a great time in the famous monkey nest in the balcony of the Wyndham's when seeing No Man's Land (as much as I can call that experience "great time"...) and still felt close despite being high up. But what I remember from Lion King at the Lyceum now was that I felt completely removed from the action on stage far away, that so often seemed to be silly mindless puppetry or performers walking around the stage with a square feet of grass on their heads. From much closer I could see all the details much better and it far more blended into one great image of the savannah and African wildlife. And I most certainly haven't enjoyed ALL the shows I've seen from the top seats  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 10:06:32 GMT
Cats is one of the most tedious shows I have ever sat through and I have absolutely no desire to ever do so again
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 10:17:13 GMT
Cats is one of the most tedious shows I have ever sat through and I have absolutely no desire to ever do so again Amen! I spent the first half thinking 'what am I missing' and the second half 'Can I go yet?' |
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Post by d'James on Feb 3, 2017 10:18:40 GMT
The Lion King is one of the examples where we had the best seats in the Stalls. I just didn't enjoy it.
My eyesight is pretty dreadful but actually being further back can be beneficial as the lights sometimes hurt my eyes (not that often a problem though).
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 10:24:36 GMT
I should add I HATED Lion King as well (admittedly from the cheap seats) I found myself thinking 'Yeah you're a dancing Lion great, how much longer?'
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 10:28:33 GMT
I should add I HATED Lion King as well (admittedly from the cheap seats) I found myself thinking 'Yeah you're a dancing Lion great, how much longer?' Exactly the same! After the first 5 minutes which I was impressed with I was just like "meh", great that it gets kids into the theatre but it isn't for me!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 11:01:49 GMT
I should add I HATED Lion King as well (admittedly from the cheap seats) I found myself thinking 'Yeah you're a dancing Lion great, how much longer?' Exactly the same! After the first 5 minutes which I was impressed with I was just like "meh", great that it gets kids into the theatre but it isn't for me!
YES! I did really enjoy 'Circle of Life' but then I kind of wished my circle of life would end....
I do love that it gets kids into theatre, but I resign myself that it's just not for me!
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Post by Jan on Feb 3, 2017 11:36:18 GMT
Exactly the same! After the first 5 minutes which I was impressed with I was just like "meh", great that it gets kids into the theatre but it isn't for me!
YES! I did really enjoy 'Circle of Life' but then I kind of wished my circle of life would end....
I do love that it gets kids into theatre, but I resign myself that it's just not for me!
I'm not bothered about getting kids into theatre, it is a very recent obsession, theatre survived perfectly well for a couple of centuries without having that goal. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 12:08:12 GMT
All of the above is true Monkey! And likewise for those not of a theatrically minded family Disney (and other name commodities) are a gateway to other things. So as much as I never have a desire to see Peppa Pig on stage for example, if kids go to that then going to the Big Scary Theatre isn't scary later in life or something 'Other people' do, as it was for me, it's something they've already done. So they're more likely to go in the future. It's all well and good if you're the type of family that is already artsy but without things like Lion King some kids wouldn't ever get that gateway drug and that's a shame.
BUT that said, prices are so high on those big shows now I don't even want to think about how much taking an average family costs...
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Post by kathryn on Feb 3, 2017 14:02:29 GMT
I was reminded of this thread by my reaction to an actor friend's new role...in Blood Brothers. I loathe this show with a burning passion....but ever other Brit I know loves it. Is it one you had to see in 6th Form and fall in love with the (over) emotion of it? Do you need to be Northern? Born in the 70s? I wish I knew the answer (these questions are meant in mild jest, I know people love it I just don't get it) Looks like I'm getting another chance to try and find out... I feel better for sharing that unpopular opinion. It's not just me!! By the end I was thinking DIE ALREADY! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 14:05:04 GMT
I was reminded of this thread by my reaction to an actor friend's new role...in Blood Brothers. I loathe this show with a burning passion....but ever other Brit I know loves it. Is it one you had to see in 6th Form and fall in love with the (over) emotion of it? Do you need to be Northern? Born in the 70s? I wish I knew the answer (these questions are meant in mild jest, I know people love it I just don't get it) Looks like I'm getting another chance to try and find out... I feel better for sharing that unpopular opinion. It's not just me!! By the end I was thinking DIE ALREADY! hahaha I've just nearly choked on my lunch! "SHOOT HIM NOBODY CARES ANY MORE!" |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 14:13:54 GMT
I think Pasek and Paul's best work is easily Dogfight.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 3, 2017 14:29:08 GMT
I thought Glenn Close was mediocre in Sunset Boulevard. I actually left before the end of the (5-minute) curtain call - first time I've ever done that.
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Post by lynette on Feb 3, 2017 14:54:57 GMT
Interesting about Lion King. I suppose you could call my family 'artsy' and we did theatre all the time. Same with grandkids. We did the shows for liitlies mostly based on best selling toddler books and one has seen a panto; we are expanding into folk music this Spring at Wilton's. But I was wondering which of the shows would be suitable for a move into the marvellous world of big theatre. I was thinking Lion King but having read all of your comments I'm not sure I could sit through it myself. Should I make the sacrifice? Any other suggestions? I know drifting into another thread so don't feel obliged.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 15:06:38 GMT
Interesting about Lion King. I suppose you could call my family 'artsy' and we did theatre all the time. Same with grandkids. We did the shows for liitlies mostly based on best selling toddler books and one has seen a panto; we are expanding into folk music this Spring at Wilton's. But I was wondering which of the shows would be suitable for a move into the marvellous world of big theatre. I was thinking Lion King but having read all of your comments I'm not sure I could sit through it myself. Should I make the sacrifice? Any other suggestions? I know drifting into another thread so don't feel obliged. I think if you quite enjoy the music it's not a terribly painful experience- just a bit dull? and if the kiddies are enjoying it then it makes it worth it?
How old are they? I guess Matilda or Aladdin would be a logical shiny West End choice, or the next kid friendly RSC or NT show?
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Post by Dan213 on Feb 3, 2017 16:37:01 GMT
Can't stand Jersey Boys. Decent music, but the plot is so bland. Saw it on tour last year and would have left at the interval if it weren't for the fact I would have felt bad for doing so
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Post by Jon on Feb 3, 2017 16:48:29 GMT
Blood Brothers I did like but when I saw it at the Phoenix it felt and looked tired.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 17:06:44 GMT
I was raised on Blood Brothers (sometimes I have to wonder what my parents were thinking), and I do think that Bill Kenwright's insistence on having a Nolan in the lead role at any given time is a real problem.
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Post by Jon on Feb 3, 2017 17:14:22 GMT
I was raised on Blood Brothers (sometimes I have to wonder what my parents were thinking), and I do think that Bill Kenwright's insistence on having a Nolan in the lead role at any given time is a real problem. I assumed it was because they were cheap to hire, |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 17:33:42 GMT
I was raised on Blood Brothers (sometimes I have to wonder what my parents were thinking), and I do think that Bill Kenwright's insistence on having a Nolan in the lead role at any given time is a real problem. I assumed it was because they were cheap to hire, It's certainly not because they're the best choice for the role. |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 3, 2017 17:49:40 GMT
I assumed it was because they were cheap to hire, It's certainly not because they're the best choice for the role. Least it isn't Jenny Seagrove |
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Post by viserys on Feb 3, 2017 18:00:08 GMT
I was lucky enough to see Blood Brothers with Barbara Dickson and Stephanie Lawrence when it was still fairly fresh. I do like it quite a bit, too. I wonder what exactly it is that people dislike about the show? The story? The music? The annoying narrator?
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Post by Jon on Feb 3, 2017 18:06:30 GMT
It's certainly not because they're the best choice for the role. Least it isn't Jenny Seagrove Don't give Kenwright ideas! |
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Post by Jan on Feb 3, 2017 18:17:41 GMT
I saw the original production of Blood Brothers - it remains one of the most mawkish and overrated things I've ever seen. Ugh.
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