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Post by usbuzzer on Dec 14, 2023 10:05:41 GMT
People who give this show 1 or 2 stars probably also overload food with salt before they've taken the first mouthful. ...Same kind of people as the haters who conveniently eavesdrop and “overhear several” other patrons at a show agreeing with their turkey diagnosis. The BS/fantacism is obvious to most a mile away…. There seems to be obsession with some people in trying to prove the greatness of this show that now extends to trying to denigrate or deny that others did not enjoy it or thought it poor. The first of the comments above is just an unpleasant attack, no more. There was a similar thing happening in reverse with Cinderella when some posters could not accept that some of us genuinely loved it. Surely it's not hard to understand that people have different tastes and interests? I haven't seen the show, but my approach to rating is that even if I didn't love something, I could still appreciate the show for what it is, some elements of it. And it would have to be a really disaster of a show to rate it for 1 or 2 stars. I have some in my history, but most of the shows are simply "fine" and worth 2/3 stars. I imagine this production gets so much praise that it's probably much more than "fine" and delivers enough for people to be surprised about 1 star ratings. |
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Post by Sven on Dec 14, 2023 10:13:22 GMT
I saw this back in September when it was still in previews so things may have slightly changed since I saw it but I honestly found this one of the hardest shows to rate ( other than Bat Out Of Hell which was a straight choice between deciding if it was genius or the most appalling thing I’d ever seen) . The cast: easily worth 5 stars, Nicole worth the price of admission on her own! . How it sounded, easily worth 5 stars, how it looked including the video and the showpiece moments , easily worth 5 stars. And yet, for me the elements of the cast, the set and the directorial choices didn’t fully gel, I found myself being taken out of the world of Sunset Boulevard rather than immersed in it. It all felt a bit jarring. So I came out feeling a little bewildered. I knew what I’d seen was brilliant so why didn’t I enjoy it more? Probably if I’m being honest with myself what would have made me happy would have been this cast using something similar to the original staging, although I got past that with the very stripped back Coliseum version. I guess what I’m saying is I can see why the majority of people on here are raving about it and im delighted that it’s become so successful as the cast and team deserve it to be, but for me it didn’t quite hit the mark. I saw the show a month ago, and couldn't really put my finger on it, let alone put into words what I thought about it. Thanks ptwest, this sums it up perfectly. I was actually regretting not raving about it... |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 14, 2023 10:59:59 GMT
Plenty of strings in this!
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2023 13:29:07 GMT
People who give this show 1 or 2 stars probably also overload food with salt before they've taken the first mouthful. ...Same kind of people as the haters who conveniently eavesdrop and “overhear several” other patrons at a show agreeing with their turkey diagnosis. The BS/fantacism is obvious to most a mile away…. There seems to be obsession with some people in trying to prove the greatness of this show that now extends to trying to denigrate or deny that others did not enjoy it or thought it poor. The first of the comments above is just an unpleasant attack, no more. There was a similar thing happening in reverse with Cinderella when some posters could not accept that some of us genuinely loved it. Surely it's not hard to understand that people have different tastes and interests? Unpleasant attack? Do you want vinegar with that? |
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Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 14:06:25 GMT
Very happy and fully understanding of people not liking it - art is subjective.
But the practice (on many threads) of early 1 star ratings from people who’ve seemingly not seen it or the “I overheard 3 other parties who also loathed it” (yeah right) is a nonsense.
Would also add it’s a real shame (and very unlucky) for people who saw it once and had shoddy vocals as I’ve been 8 times and heard vocal perfection from everyone!
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Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 14:09:41 GMT
Plenty of strings in this! Have the CD. Certainly plenty of strings, though I struggle with deviation from the stage show orchestration (for all shows that were in this). Had a ticket to see this in Manchesterford at the Bridgwater Hall. But alas the tour was pulled! |
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Post by toomasj on Dec 14, 2023 14:14:05 GMT
Very happy and fully understanding of people not liking it - art is subjective. But the practice (on many threads) of early 1 star ratings from people who’ve seemingly not seen it or the “I overheard 3 other parties who also loathed it” (yeah right) is a nonsense. Would also add it’s a real shame (and very unlucky) for people who saw it once and had shoddy vocals as I’ve been 8 times and heard vocal perfection from everyone! More likely their perception of what is “vocal perfection” is different. Taste varies. I’ve explained in detail why I gave it two stars and it is a perfectly valid view to hold. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 14, 2023 14:16:55 GMT
Everyone's view is valid, positive or negative. Yes we have some people who “grudge” vote without having seen a show but it’s a minority and that sort of small mindedness is on their conscience. We don’t have to concern ourselves with it.
Let’s move on.
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2023 15:00:18 GMT
If anybody wants an interesting take on how to swell a small band, see "A Christmas Carol" at the Old Vic, where a combination of band, keys and a track turns a small band into something monumental and orchestral complete with cathedral organ during the redemption scene. It just works.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2023 15:12:55 GMT
I had my doubts about the scaled back orchestra since this is the one score I feel entirely benefits from that full, movie soundtrack aesthetic (as opposed to, say, Phantom which still sounds decent IMO).
But, honestly, there in the moment, I could hardly tell. Synths have come a long way from sounding 100% artificial, though that may be the keyboard player in me talking. 🤭
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Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 17:11:29 GMT
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Post by andrew on Dec 14, 2023 17:21:37 GMT
I want to go back for a second watch but it's just too expensive. Got a great deal the first time round and couldn't bear spending £200 on a seat that's worse. I'm just completely jealous of everyone who seems to have been 6-10 times over the run!
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Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 17:26:21 GMT
I want to go back for a second watch but it's just too expensive. Got a great deal the first time round and couldn't bear spending £200 on a seat that's worse. I'm just completely jealous of everyone who seems to have been 6-10 times over the run! Confess I knew was gonna find it special and bought quite a few trips early on. All before the upwards dynamic pricing kicked in. Do feel lucky as it’s bonkers now. |
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2023 17:55:20 GMT
I want to go back for a second watch but it's just too expensive. Got a great deal the first time round and couldn't bear spending £200 on a seat that's worse. I'm just completely jealous of everyone who seems to have been 6-10 times over the run! Like BVM I had a hunch about this one and got in early with three prebookings and bought the rest ad-hoc in the first eight weeks. At current prices, I'm out - it's a lot, even for a great show. |
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Post by chernjam on Dec 14, 2023 18:10:25 GMT
I want to go back for a second watch but it's just too expensive. Got a great deal the first time round and couldn't bear spending £200 on a seat that's worse. I'm just completely jealous of everyone who seems to have been 6-10 times over the run! Like BVM I had a hunch about this one and got in early with three prebookings and bought the rest ad-hoc in the first eight weeks. At current prices, I'm out - it's a lot, even for a great show. The 2017 revival for me (of the ENO production) I saw 4 (or 5) times because I knew that having a symphonic orchestra on stage and Glenn Close reprising her role would never be seen again. Heck, I had no idea when the original closed decades earlier that it would be that long for a revival to make it to NY, and it was more nostalgia and the thrill of the live music and experience that made it so unique and special. Just reading through the 90+ pages on here is reminding me of the excitement that theatre can bring. The debates and critiques and varied opinions, reports of different experiences at various performances. And that it's over a work that I've felt is one of (if not the) finest of ALW (which nothing that he's written since has come close for me) is exciting as we here in the States wait word of a broadway transfer (and for crying out loud, a cast recording). The snippets of video and audio clips have only piqued my interest. If/when it arrives, I'll be there the first week for sure - and no doubt, several more times as the budget can allow  |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Dec 14, 2023 19:09:54 GMT
Show stop today after With One Look due to an audience member taken poorly. Hope they're ok.
What a show. I loved everything about it.
I'm just in sheer awe of that cast - Nicole was absolutely stunning / Tom / Grace and David.
Wowza.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (And more)
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Post by danb on Dec 14, 2023 19:57:29 GMT
I think we need to let go of the concept of the reduced price preview. It ain’t coming back.
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Post by steve10086 on Dec 14, 2023 20:08:31 GMT
I think we need to let go of the concept of the reduced price preview. It ain’t coming back. Fair enough, and therefore producers need to let go of the concept of not reviewing a show before “opening night” 👍 |
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Post by danb on Dec 14, 2023 20:15:42 GMT
I think we need to let go of the concept of the reduced price preview. It ain’t coming back. Fair enough, and therefore producers need to let go of the concept of not reviewing a show before “opening night” 👍 Not necessarily. Previews still exist to bed in a show, they just cost the same. |
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Post by steve10086 on Dec 14, 2023 20:19:58 GMT
Fair enough, and therefore producers need to let go of the concept of not reviewing a show before “opening night” 👍 Not necessarily. Previews still exist to bed in a show, they just cost the same. Nah, give me an unfinished show without giving me a discount and you’ll get my opinion. (And if that opinion ends up in the New York Times… that’s just tough, ALW!) |
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Post by Rory on Dec 14, 2023 20:20:01 GMT
Fair enough, and therefore producers need to let go of the concept of not reviewing a show before “opening night” 👍 Not necessarily. Previews still exist to bed in a show, they just cost the same. They shouldn't charge full whack until it has fully bedded in. |
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Post by danb on Dec 14, 2023 20:22:13 GMT
Did I say they should?
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Post by toomasj on Dec 14, 2023 21:00:47 GMT
I think we need to let go of the concept of the reduced price preview. It ain’t coming back. Yep. I have accepted that (don’t like or agree with it though), we also need to get rid of the idea that previews are sacrosanct and “part of the creative process” if producers expect audiences expect to pay full price (or near as damn it) for an unfinished production. And if I’m paying £10 off a regular full price seat just because it’s a preview then I’m going to review it as if it had been running for 6 months. That’s off-topic though! |
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Post by danb on Dec 14, 2023 21:08:27 GMT
I think we’re meant to be grateful for getting to see something early on, because we’re all screaming fan girls that treat theatre as the new Justin Bieber. But we’re so lucky! 😳
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2023 22:27:28 GMT
The producers got the pricing spot on for this show. The perfect way to upsell a basic format at a premium price with a proper star. No complaints - hope they make a ton of money.
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