296 posts
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Post by kyvai on Jul 27, 2024 7:50:21 GMT
I'm so excited, I've just booked a trip to Madrid for October!
I've renewed my Spanish language learning this year (I did an A-level 25 years ago, and did a lot of travel even volunteering/working in Spanish on and off, but it got verrrry rusty). I've been taking Spanish lessons and doing a lot of independent study this year, so with my love of theatre, a theatre trip to Madrid seems perfect!
I did see La Historia Interminable in Barcelona earlier this year, a bit by chance (walked past the theatre, hadn't realised it was there, and had a free night!) - I thought it was brilliant.
I'll need to choose 3 or 4 shows to see in Madrid - I've got 5 days Wed-Sun but want to do some touristing too.
It looks like my options are Lion King, Phantom, Grease, Mormon, Come From Away, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia, and Les Choristes/Los Chicos del Coro (based on a French film?) . Looks like Aladdin and Avenue Q will have gone by then which is a shame or I would have probably picked them, never had the chance to see Aladdin, and Av Q, well of course.
I think Phantom and Come From Away are musts, as a big fan of both of them and knowing the English scores inside out, I'd love to see them in Spanish. (Do the CFA cast perform with Argentinian accents btw?!?)
Very tempted by Grease, that holds a special place in my heart, same with We Will Rock You (Noone But You is one of my all time favourite songs of any genre), but also intrigued by Los Coros (probably should watch the film though first right?) and also maybe Lion King - which I've never seen in English, as it's never won out over every other option in London, but perhaps the added draw of Spanish language might get me to finally see it.
Mamma Mia doesn't really appeal, seen it once in London, that was enough; and I am agnostic on Mormon. Again never seen it somehow.
If anyone has any thoughts on whittling down to a selection of 3 or 4 (hmmm....maaaybe 5, I could do one two-show day if it's possible to get between theatres, the timings seem quite close) I'm all ears!
Also any recommendations of areas to stay, especially for a solo female getting back to hotel after shows - I'm a confident/experiences solo traveller but still, there are times you feel wary. The theatres seem really spread out over the city. I'm thinking of probably looking at an aparthotel so I can do simple self-catering in the room to make it easier, and maximise my time for theatre and museums.
Squeeee!!! Tan emocionante!
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69 posts
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Post by moorhunhe on Jul 27, 2024 9:25:28 GMT
It looks like my options are Lion King If you choose Lion King, I would absolutely love to see some pictures of their merchandise  haha |
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Post by wefox on Jul 27, 2024 11:30:38 GMT
I'm so excited, I've just booked a trip to Madrid for October! I've renewed my Spanish language learning this year (I did an A-level 25 years ago, and did a lot of travel even volunteering/working in Spanish on and off, but it got verrrry rusty). I've been taking Spanish lessons and doing a lot of independent study this year, so with my love of theatre, a theatre trip to Madrid seems perfect! I did see La Historia Interminable in Barcelona earlier this year, a bit by chance (walked past the theatre, hadn't realised it was there, and had a free night!) - I thought it was brilliant. I'll need to choose 3 or 4 shows to see in Madrid - I've got 5 days Wed-Sun but want to do some touristing too. It looks like my options are Lion King, Phantom, Grease, Mormon, Come From Away, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia, and Les Choristes/Los Chicos del Coro (based on a French film?) . Looks like Aladdin and Avenue Q will have gone by then which is a shame or I would have probably picked them, never had the chance to see Aladdin, and Av Q, well of course. I think Phantom and Come From Away are musts, as a big fan of both of them and knowing the English scores inside out, I'd love to see them in Spanish. (Do the CFA cast perform with Argentinian accents btw?!?) Very tempted by Grease, that holds a special place in my heart, same with We Will Rock You (Noone But You is one of my all time favourite songs of any genre), but also intrigued by Los Coros (probably should watch the film though first right?) and also maybe Lion King - which I've never seen in English, as it's never won out over every other option in London, but perhaps the added draw of Spanish language might get me to finally see it. Mamma Mia doesn't really appeal, seen it once in London, that was enough; and I am agnostic on Mormon. Again never seen it somehow. If anyone has any thoughts on whittling down to a selection of 3 or 4 (hmmm....maaaybe 5, I could do one two-show day if it's possible to get between theatres, the timings seem quite close) I'm all ears! Also any recommendations of areas to stay, especially for a solo female getting back to hotel after shows - I'm a confident/experiences solo traveller but still, there are times you feel wary. The theatres seem really spread out over the city. I'm thinking of probably looking at an aparthotel so I can do simple self-catering in the room to make it easier, and maximise my time for theatre and museums. Squeeee!!! Tan emocionante! You can watch Aladdin, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon and they just released the October tickets for sale. That being said, I saw the London production, the Spanish production and the uk tour production, and sadly the Spanish one is just like the tour. I enjoyed the London production the best, the cave was so magical back then, and so was the carpet. The dance numbers were simplified and I thought there was a lack of energy from the ensemble (but that was back last year and I know they were casting new people this year). Also didn’t enjoy the singing voice of the Spanish actor playing Aladdin, but the Genie and Jasmine were brilliant (the actress playing Jasmine played Anastasia at the same theatre back in 2019/2020). On the positive side, they really invested in the decoration at the foyer, and they seem to offer interesting experiences, if you have the money. The merch, when I went, was pretty similar to the one available in London. Programm wise, they do two, a small really accessible one (if only London could follow that example) and the pictures one, that I think it is still 10€. One of the most “interesting” pieces of merch they do is the cups for drinks and tubs of popcorns. You can buy just the cup or buy it with a drink. Or buy a combo of drink and popcorns. Comparing with London prices, they are quite affordable. I regret not getting the cups both at Aladdin and Anastasia  Don’t know if they are planning/allowed to do a cast album, but for Anastasia they did and it was amazing, a cd and book combo. Shame you didn’t went last year, saw Una Rubia Muy Legal (Legally Blonde) and thought it was amazing, one of the best casts I ever saw, everybody gave 120%! Los Chicos del Coro will be playing at the same theatre, the show is returning after a well sold run, seems a very loved show and I’m rather curious about it. Don’t know if it is based on the film or not, can’t help you there! Didn’t saw phantom, but it’s a non replica production, should be interesting. Never saw Mamma Mia, but feel a strange attraction to the Spanish version. The sets look so empty at the London production pictures/videos, the Spanish set catches my eye, and so do the outfits 👀 But I understand why you wouldn’t want to “repeat” the experience xD I think you will also be able to watch Malinche if you want. It’s a bit outside the center, but easy to reach with the metro. Is it a good show? Not really…? Is it a grand show? Totally! It is quite the experience, and different than anything you have in London right now, I think. They do subltitles and English sessions too, if you want to take a break from Spanish  Most theatres are not that spread out, and you will be fine anywhere in the central area (gran via, sol). I’m also a female solo traveler, last few times stayed really close to plaza mayor. Madrid center is not that big and many restaurants and stores are open until late (or at least later than London). Was there October last year, it was so hot, but it was great fun, and hope to return soon! I think you will have a great time  |
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Post by wefox on Jul 27, 2024 11:38:50 GMT
It looks like my options are Lion King If you choose Lion King, I would absolutely love to see some pictures of their merchandise haha Some of the merch is available here: latiendadelosmusicales.es/ |
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69 posts
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Post by moorhunhe on Jul 27, 2024 11:46:34 GMT
If you choose Lion King, I would absolutely love to see some pictures of their merchandise haha Some of the merch is available here: latiendadelosmusicales.es/ Oooh, thanks! I've put it through Google Translate, it's this a "pick-up at the theater" only thing? I am now invested on trying to find some of the Lion King items |
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Post by wefox on Jul 27, 2024 11:57:55 GMT
Oooh, thanks! I've put it through Google Translate, it's this a "pick-up at the theater" only thing? I am now invested on trying to find some of the Lion King items No, there is a little store next to the theater where Aladdin is that sells merch from both shows Not sure if they have everything available there, but always worth a check  If you are talking about shipping, I think they only ship to Spain :/ |
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69 posts
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Post by moorhunhe on Jul 27, 2024 12:36:17 GMT
Oooh, thanks! I've put it through Google Translate, it's this a "pick-up at the theater" only thing? I am now invested on trying to find some of the Lion King items No, there is a little store next to the theater where Aladdin is that sells merch from both shows Not sure if they have everything available there, but always worth a check If you are talking about shipping, I think they only ship to Spain :/ Yeah, I'd need it shipped to either Belgium or England. I know people in a lot of countries, but Spain isn't one of them, lol. Thanks for the link though! I'm always interested in what merch other countries get. I feel like they get so much nicer things than in London. Japan Lion King musical merchandise is always amazing! |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Jul 28, 2024 10:28:57 GMT
Hello! Fellow Spaniard here. Minus CFA and the only one you´ve left out, a musical adaptation of Ken Follet´s The Pillars of the earth, which haven´t opened yet, I´ve seen every production you mention. Happy to answer any questions regarding where to sit, tickets, discounts...
So here´s what I would do. Keep in mind these are just my thoughts.
100%:
- You should absolutely see The Phantom of the Opera. The cast is brilliant. If you can go on Wednesday, when the alternate Phantom and Christine (a real life couple, btw) perform, even better. Manu Pilas is the best Phantom I´ve ever seen. Killer voice, and gives 300% acting every single time. The ensemble is full of great singers, including many former leading actors.
There´s an offer running until the end of August with front stalls tickets at 40€ on weekdays.
- Aladdin has a very strong cast as well, with a new Aladdin coming in in September, but still the same brilliant Genie and Jasmine, and the tightest and most energetic ensemble we currenly have. Tix start at 27€ (the restricted view Dress Circle seats are a bargain!) but if you go on a weekday, there´s a good chance you might be offered a seat upgrade to the stalls for only 10€ at the venue. It is the touring set, but the two "big" scenes are mostly the same. There´s live strings in the orchestra, unlike the rest of international productions (except obviously Broadway).
- Come From Away- Considering you know the score and want to hear it in Spanish, it´s pretty affordable and it´s been praised in Argentina... it´s a no-brainer.
Perhaps:
- If you love the film and want good ol´ nostalgia, go see Los Chicos del Coro. Not my cup of tea at all, but so many people love it.
- I do think The Lion King is best enjoyed in London, with a much bigger orchestra and the proper original set. But it´s still the Disney x Julie Taymor staging we all know and love.
- Mamma Mia has very interesting choreography and staging, but does take many liberties with the music to the poing where it sometimes doesn´t feel like ABBA.
- Book of Mormon´s not my cup of tea, but everyone loves it, and the leads are really good.
- If you have read the novel, go to The Pillars of the Earth. If you haven´t, there´s a good chance you´ll get lost (given the writer´s record).
DO NOT GO:
- Avenue Q- I was gifted a comp and loved it but it´s been very modified to please Spanish audiences and our humour. And for what they charge, it´s simply not worth it.
- We Will Rock You- It´s an extremely cheap production with a lot of cut songs. Almost no set, only a digital screen. It´s a scam for how much the tickets are.
- Grease is a very particular production. Everyone but Vince Fontaine is between 17 and 23 years old, which makes the show take itself too seriously (and is kinda cringe!). Personally, I loathed it. It didn´t feel nostalgic or similar to the movie at all.
- Malinche- It was recently discovered that the producer and writer Nacho Cano had eight Mexican interns without the proper work permits, paying them a miserable salary, housing them in rooms of eight in a hostel. Please do not support this production.
Like I said, this is what I would do and it´s just my perfonal thoughts. Please feel free to ask me anything, I know those venues like the back of my hand. Happy to answer any questions regarding where to sit, tickets, discounts...
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2,699 posts
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Post by viserys on Jul 28, 2024 17:17:42 GMT
Spain is really making it hard for foreign MT fans! Tried to order the album of Neverending Story online, but the website said nope to being outside Spain and can't find it at Amazon, fnac or corte ingles either.
Any idea if it will come back? Would love to see it, it sounds like a great idea for a stage musical. Pillars of the Earth I'm not THAT convinced by, but still an option too. Presently STARVING for good new musicals.
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Post by SuttonPeron on Jul 28, 2024 20:38:11 GMT
Personally, I found the score for Neverending Story to be the most dull, boring and lifeless score of a musical. At least the over 100 I´ve seen. I do not think it will come back. It didn´t sell well in Madrid.
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2,699 posts
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Post by viserys on Jul 29, 2024 4:59:09 GMT
LOL, aw, sorry to hear that. I wish I could check it out somewhere. I always thought it would be a great basis for a big muscial. Stage Entertainment apparently once had plans to create one, but they prefer to just tour Tanz der Vampire and Mamma mia in all eternity |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Jul 29, 2024 11:40:46 GMT
I can´t blame them, sadly. They´re excellent shows!
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Post by zsazsa on Sept 5, 2024 21:47:29 GMT
Hi, I am going to Madrid at the end of December (28th) for a few day and wondered if there would be any musicals running. Phantom, Lion King and Aladdin appear to only be booking until the start of December. Will they extend or do theatres go dark during this period.
Any help and advice greatly appreciated.
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Post by wefox on Sept 6, 2024 1:50:09 GMT
Hi, I am going to Madrid at the end of December (28th) for a few day and wondered if there would be any musicals running. Phantom, Lion King and Aladdin appear to only be booking until the start of December. Will they extend or do theatres go dark during this period. Any help and advice greatly appreciated. They will most likely extend, and some even do New Year’s Eve shows, so you can start the new year at a theatre |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Sept 6, 2024 11:03:16 GMT
All of them extend, and it´s indeed great to start the New Year at the theatre. Tickets will be pricey though!
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296 posts
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Post by kyvai on Oct 4, 2024 16:49:06 GMT
Spain is really making it hard for foreign MT fans! Tried to order the album of Neverending Story online, but the website said nope to being outside Spain and can't find it at Amazon, fnac or corte ingles either. Any idea if it will come back? Would love to see it, it sounds like a great idea for a stage musical. Pillars of the Earth I'm not THAT convinced by, but still an option too. Presently STARVING for good new musicals. I saw Neverending Story (“La Historia Interminable”….the translated title sounds so dramatic, esp in deep male Spanish voice!) in Barcelona earlier this year. I really enjoyed the production, BUT I couldn’t tell you any of the songs (apart from the title song from the film, which is included, in English, despite the entire rest of the production being in Spanish). However the sets, special effects etc were all great. Especially when he rode/flew on Falkor. |
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Post by kyvai on Oct 28, 2024 23:47:05 GMT
Thought I’d just write a little follow up to my planning Madrid trip post with a review post! I decided on Grease, Come From Away, We Will Rock You and Phantom. However I ended up missing WWRY unfortunately. Grease - 3*- very mid production overall, but I enjoyed it for what it was, Grease is very nostalgic for me personally so it’s still a good night out. I liked the slight attempts to make the storyline more palatable to modern sensibilities - “yes you could change yourself to please the guy, but only if you want to!”, and pretty tight group performance overall. Turning Vince Fontaine into a fourth-wall breaking narrator was an interesting take as well. Come From Away - 5* - every bit as awesome as the original production (I saw multiple times in London), almost the same staging. I liked the translations, somehow Spanish just feels a more emotive language overall so there was just more feels in some parts I didn’t get in English, the poignant parts all hit the same or harder for me. The lighter jokier stuff sometimes was hit or miss for me, timing/emphhasis wise, but senses of humour differ culturally as well, there was a group of native Madrileñas behind me giggling at every single punchline! Phantom - 5* - wowza. Whilst the staging overall isn’t as amazing as London (most noticeable in the title song sequence and rooftop scenes), it’s still pretty damn impressive and as a non-replica I really enjoyed it. All the performances were outstanding - Geronimo Rauch was brilliant (I got my words muddled up and called him “Phenomenon Rauch” at one point - not far off!). Judith Tobella was on as Christine and her vocals were sublime. Guido Balzarerti as Raoul was standout as well. And the bloody chandelier shoots flames!!!! Actual real life fire!!!! Orchestra, very good, but at about 80% of the power I really like from my Phantom sound especially in the big numbers. I want that descending chromatic scale to almost deafen me! More of a sound engineer/mixing thing than anything else. Turn that volume to 11 please. I’d very happily see this Phantom production again if it was on anywhere when I’m next back there and would recommend it to anyone. Is it likely that the Gypsy production currently in Malaga will transfer to Madrid next year? |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Oct 29, 2024 22:21:45 GMT
Thank you for coming to Madrid and supporting our theatre industry. So glad you enjoyed the shows! Agreed about Grease, very mid. CFA is indeed beautifully done, and the intimate venue just makes it even better, if that´s even possible. Re Phantom, you were lucky to see Judith as Christine, as she is sensational. Her scheduled shows are Tuesdays and Wednesdays with her partner, Manu Pilas, playing the Phantom. Manu is by far the best Phantom I´ve seen. Worth coming back for sure, though I also wish the orchestra was louder.
Gypsy will transfer to Madrid, playing at the Nuevo Apolo, early February I am told. Not official yet, but everyone in the industry knows.
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Post by kyvai on Oct 30, 2024 4:30:01 GMT
Gypsy will transfer to Madrid, playing at the Nuevo Apolo, early February I am told. Not official yet, but everyone in the industry knows. Exciting news! I shall keep an eye out for announcements and probably plan a spring weekend then! |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Oct 30, 2024 12:49:12 GMT
I´d advice going no later than end of March. A show like Gypsy won´t last much over here.
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296 posts
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Post by kyvai on Nov 19, 2024 15:42:33 GMT
I’ve just seen that Gypsy is transferring to Madrid 7 Feb - 23 Mar at Teatro Nuevo Apolo
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19,773 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 19, 2024 16:19:37 GMT
Wicked flying into Madrid October 2025 New Alcalá Theater
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153 posts
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Post by Alejo on Nov 19, 2024 16:32:51 GMT
Wicked flying into Madrid October 2025 New Alcalá Theater And it’s a new production produced by SOM Produce ( somproduce.com) and directed by David Serrano. wickedelmusical.com/ |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Nov 19, 2024 16:51:43 GMT
I’ve just seen that Gypsy is transferring to Madrid 7 Feb - 23 Mar at Teatro Nuevo Apolo The only theatre news I care about today. Wicked´s ultra-low ticket prices and terrible venue, production company and director tell me all I need to know. |
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296 posts
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Post by kyvai on Nov 19, 2024 19:54:18 GMT
I’m happy about both of them :-)
Looking at planning a quick trip in March to see Gypsy. But I will definitely want to catch Wicked in the autumn as well!
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haha
