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Post by A.Ham on Nov 17, 2023 21:44:55 GMT
Have people received their £10 brochures yet from Theatre Shop? Yes, mine arrived a couple of weeks ago. It’s gorgeous! Lovely to have all the beautiful promo photos printed in a glossy brochure. |
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Post by ceebee on Nov 17, 2023 23:10:02 GMT
Have people received their £10 brochures yet from Theatre Shop? Yes, I got mine within a couple of days of ordering. Very happy. Prompt on customer service if you message them too. |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Nov 18, 2023 0:01:06 GMT
Yes, and there is a lot of sound engineering going on with some instruments to get that cinematic sound, but nothing that many other shows aren't also doing but not as well (e.g. Back To The Future). Even in a relatively simple show like A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, the sound gets ramped right up for the "See Amidst The Winters Snow" section with a brass/organ backing track. I'd be keen to know with Sunset Boulevard whether the sound is achieved through clever processing and layers of instruments in the pit or whether some of what is achieved is pre-programmed/synthesised. I've seen some shows where there are one or two instruments and two keyboardists and it sounds like there are twenty people in the pit. There´s A LOT of mixing involved to get the most out of the live players, but there´s also lots of synthesized instruments. There are some clever keyboard patches written in the orchestration to add layers and boost the sound. But they´re completely useless without excellent sound mixing. What this production does brilliantly is mixing the synth with the live instruments, to create the lush orchestral sound of the show while highlighting the live players at the same time. I could only tell that some instruments were on the keyboards because I know the score. |
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Post by musicalslive on Nov 18, 2023 8:33:35 GMT
Is Nicole playing the saterday matinees?
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Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 18, 2023 9:14:29 GMT
Is Nicole playing the saterday matinees? Usually yes |
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Post by singularsensation on Nov 18, 2023 11:52:44 GMT
Have tickets for this tonight and when we booked it wasn’t advertised as a non-Nicole show so I’m a bit gutted - I love Rachel and I know she’ll be fantastic but I really wanted to catch Nicole in this so going to have to come back next month.
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Post by iamluisfelipe on Nov 18, 2023 12:17:07 GMT
Have tickets for this tonight and when we booked it wasn’t advertised as a non-Nicole show so I’m a bit gutted - I love Rachel and I know she’ll be fantastic but I really wanted to catch Nicole in this so going to have to come back next month. They only cancelled her appearance last week. She was supposed to perform yesterday and also today, that’s why it wasn’t advertised. If you want to, some people managed to change the day of the ticket. |
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Post by normasturban on Nov 18, 2023 12:21:54 GMT
You’re still getting an absolute blinder of a performance from
Rachel. You won’t be disappointed trust me.
Will definitely be making another trip or two to see both of them again before closing.
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Post by apubleed on Nov 18, 2023 12:34:14 GMT
Would be interested to hear if people have been successful at swapping their dates - I hope and expect the producers don't rip people off like they did when Glenn was out of Sunset. Given they were apparently exchanging for Tom's absence I expect they will be doing the right thing  . |
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Post by billychh1210 on Nov 18, 2023 13:18:36 GMT
Just got tix to see Rachel this afternoon.
I watched Nicole twice and I do love the show and the orchestra.
Can’t wait to see Rachel’s version.
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Post by theatremiss on Nov 18, 2023 22:11:45 GMT
I saw it this afternoon and think I must be the only person that thought this was just OK. Maybe I’m not sophisticated enough for what Lloyd is doing, but I found it rather pretentious. I was lucky to catch Rachel Tucker which means I don’t have to make a return visit to see her, she was fabulous. But I’d have much rather sat there with my eyes closed listening to it as I found the staging rather bland and the use of filming/video irritating.
Also too many hands in pockets when, standing, dancing, walking……I don’t get that. I’m happy I saw it as I think this is one of ALW best scores, but it’s the music that sells it for me, not all the “clever stuff”
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Post by Matt on Nov 18, 2023 22:14:05 GMT
Maybe I’m not sophisticated enough for what Lloyd is doing, but I found it rather pretentious. Can it be pretentious if the director actually has merit? |
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Post by theoracle on Nov 19, 2023 0:18:13 GMT
Nicole was at GQ Men of the Year awards it seems from her Instagram stories. I suppose she has holidays written into her contract and has been consistently on since starting so not too awful
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Post by jm25 on Nov 19, 2023 5:31:57 GMT
I think (could be mistaken) that the GQ MOTY awards were on 15 November so I don't know if that specifically was the reason why she was off.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 19, 2023 9:27:17 GMT
Nicole was at GQ Men of the Year awards it seems from her Instagram stories. I suppose she has holidays written into her contract and has been consistently on since starting so not too awful Unless they didn’t announce it or alert when booking- which apparently they didn’t. |
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Post by danb on Nov 19, 2023 9:44:50 GMT
Yep, no excuse for it. Plan a limited run? Plan & announce your above the title stars’ schedule. Allow ticket swaps if THEY change it, for whatever reason.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Nov 19, 2023 9:51:57 GMT
So if the GQ awards were the reason she suddenly dropped out of this weekend, some people on here owe others an apology. Some of the patronising and dismissive language directed at forum members was rude and completely uncalled for.
Not a funeral, just a celeb event to be photographed at.
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Post by toomasj on Nov 19, 2023 10:07:43 GMT
In my view, the ticket sales for non-Scherzinger shows prove that she is a major part of the draw this show, akin to a Broadway above the credits billing. I think stars taking a night off to do other work, which they’ve known of in advance, and producers not informing the paying audience is very dubious behaviour.
Sickness I agree; no refunds. But double booking is just poor form and I personally think refunds should have been proactively offered.
I’m really down on theatre at the moment, and a big part is the greed and cynicism of producers.
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Post by topaz on Nov 19, 2023 10:36:07 GMT
The GQ awards took place on the 15th, Nicole is just sharing things a few days later.
(source: I googled them.)
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Post by normasturban on Nov 19, 2023 10:38:38 GMT
The GQ awards took place on the 15th, Nicole is just sharing things a few days later. Exactly and she went after her performance that night in Sunset but it took people no time at all to jump at a narrative. |
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Post by theatremiss on Nov 19, 2023 13:00:01 GMT
Maybe I’m not sophisticated enough for what Lloyd is doing, but I found it rather pretentious. Can it be pretentious if the director actually has merit? Yes. I felt it was a forced and affected production. Yes I know I’m not in the majority. On the whole I’ve not been overly impressed with Lloyds work, but what the heck do I know? |
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Post by darreno on Nov 19, 2023 16:01:46 GMT
I caught the matinee on Thursday, having avoided reviews or opinions online. I really enjoyed it. I can understand how people might be rankled by the more experimental aspects of the production if they love the source material but as someone coming into it with only a passing knowledge of it, that wasn't an issue.
David Thaxton was especially good, his voice was absolutely on point for the part.
I wouldn't say that everything worked, but nothing felt wrong. The choreography was the highlight for me, extremely slick, with some moments of perfection. Both leads were believable, charismatic and engaging, their chemistry together was enough to push the story on (although obviously the Norma Desmond character can be played in a lot of ways which would affect how well she 'should' connect with her leading man)
General opinion from around my seat was positive, a few super fans and a few enthusiastic general theatre fans like myself.
I'd recommend this particularly to my non musical theatre friends, great way to win them over. Unfortunately I won't be in London again until after it's finished but I would very happily enjoy this again if I had the chance.
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Post by capybara on Nov 19, 2023 17:28:37 GMT
Have booked again for Rachel Tucker’s final scheduled performance on New Year’s Day.
I had hoped (and would still like to find a way) to see Nicole Scherzinger one more time but the sales seem to have exploded recently.
The way I see it is Rachel probably slightly edges it, though of course they are both great, and I can see her for half of what I’d be paying for Nicole.
Can’t wait!
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Post by TheOneOnTheLeft on Nov 19, 2023 20:35:41 GMT
Just to add my personal WOW! to everything that has already been said here.
I have seen the original production many, many times, as well as various subsequent interpretations. I know the piece and score quite well and would not have believed to be that blown away by this truly remarkable and spectacular reimagining - they have changed so little but to such great effect.
Apart from admiring the mastery of each and everyone involved on and off stage, what struck me as most surprising is how well it works to have a breathtakingly beautiful woman in her prime as Norma who lacks nothing but youth (which makes the piece even more relevant, adding a bitter commentary to today’s absurd fixation on age and looks).
I would not have dreamed to experience a Sunset Blvd. that sexy, brutal and bold.
Easily 5 stars for me. I would love to see this again, but sadly will not be able unless it does transfer or resurrect in some form later.
And yes: we really do need a recording!
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Post by viscountviktor on Nov 20, 2023 0:25:49 GMT
Saw Rachel yesterday (had booked for Nicole but Rachel was incredible).
A mixed review from me. Some bits I loved - the score is gorgeous, those deep brooding strings opening the show, and the amazing belty numbers for Norma.
The cast were all excellent.
The technical gimmicks started to grate as the show went on - loved some of them, like the credits sequences, but every time someone walked on with a handheld camera it just distracted from the actual show for me. I would've used it less.
The main problem for me was the consistently dark portrayal of everything (acting wise).
There wasn't enough light and shade to really engage me with the book and add depth, and as a first time viewer with no prior knowledge, I struggled to understand some of what was happening.
I also think a set would've helped me engage with Norma's back story more.
Not the standout show for me that everyone else has said, but a solid 7/10.
One last thing, the show was LOUD which I loved. Great sound in the Savoy. Loads of shows are too quiet - not this one.
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