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Post by LaLuPone on Jan 3, 2024 0:10:49 GMT
If my luck at the start of 2024 is a sign for the rest of the year then I'm excited, as by an act of god today I managed to get a resale ticket in stalls for face value at around 3pm - literally over the moon! My view was perfect and I'd definitely recommend row M in the Savoy. The show started about 10 minutes later than usual though (About 10 to 8) and when someone in front of me asked FOH what was going on she said there was an issue backstage but they were sorting it (Please don't take this as gospel as I might have picked it up wrong!). The crowd started getting really rowdy and loud as we waited, which I found really disrespectful to the staff and cast to be honest. David Thaxton was missing with an understudy playing Max - I didn't see the cast board so I'm not sure who the actor was, but he was really great and I was particularly impressed with his vocal, but David really owns the part. Nicole had a slight rasp in her voice tonight and cracked slightly in As if we never said goodbye, but honestly I feel that it added to the emotion in her songs, so no complaints from me. The outdoor scene also glitched a little when Tom first went onto the street, but overall they managed to pull it off! With all of that being said, I'm so happy that I got to see the show one last time with such close seats...but some really horrible theatregoers made the overall night genuinely one of the most chaotic and negative experiences I've ever had in a theatre, both for myself and the people sat next to me - I don't want to clog up this thread so will post in the general bad behaviour thread, as I feel that what I witnessed tonight deserves it's own discussion! Sounds like Nicole had a few extra gowns she fancied trying on before the show tonight, icon! |
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Post by andrew on Jan 3, 2024 0:33:33 GMT
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 3, 2024 8:53:17 GMT
I've seen the show for the first time tonight, and all I can say is that I really enjoyed it. Very technical too, which is something you wouldn't expect from a show without a set. The only remark I have is that when you don't show the reporters and tv crew entering the mansion at the end, it's really difficult to see how the camera's make Norma think she's 'ready for her closeup'. This made the ending really confusing for my daughter who never saw the original. I agree. Removing the police and reporters from the final scene is a "choice" and doesn't serve the storytelling. As well as cutting the voiceover "as dawn breaks over the murder house..." I wonder if there is rather too much assumed knowledge of context - stripping back so much of the "scaffold" of the story. |
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 3, 2024 8:57:43 GMT
I've seen the show for the first time tonight, and all I can say is that I really enjoyed it. Very technical too, which is something you wouldn't expect from a show without a set. The only remark I have is that when you don't show the reporters and tv crew entering the mansion at the end, it's really difficult to see how the camera's make Norma think she's 'ready for her closeup'. This made the ending really confusing for my daughter who never saw the original. I agree. Removing the police and reporters from the final scene is a "choice" and doesn't serve the storytelling. As well as cutting the voiceover "as dawn breaks over the murder house..." I wonder if there is rather too much assumed knowledge of context - stripping back so much of the "scaffold" of the story. This is an example of Lloyd’s style over substance approach. |
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Post by dm913 on Jan 3, 2024 9:47:13 GMT
Some questions for those who've been a lot about the title song: 1) Have they ever not gone outside? It occurred to me watching it that they specifically guard and have the option of walking out the stage door, going up the stairs that lead to the Savoy entrance road and doing a much truncated but very safe wander. Has it ever happened. 2) I can't remember ever seeing an answer to the question about what happens on Mondays with him crouching down in front of the Sunset Boulevard A-Board, is there a Rachel Tucker one? 3) During the overture when Tom walks out of his dressing room, the last time I went there was a swing who came out without his top on and then acted all surprised and covered his nipples, is this a different gag every time? I can't remember what happened the first time I went but don't think it was this 4) Has ALW ever posed for real instead of the cutout? 5) Am I right in saying there's more security now than there was at the start? Understandable if so. Bonus unrelated questions now I'm on a roll, I tried and failed to spot the camera they use right at the end to capture the final note of the show, I was assuming it was hung on the edge of the circle, I didn't want to spend more than a second or two looking because I was enjoying the moment obviously, but where on earth is it? Also, I reckoned the only pre-recorded video they use was of Young Norma towards the end when she's in super slomo, do we reckon that's true? I'd wondered if the image of Old Norma during the opening credits sequence was also recorded but it wouldn't have to be. These are super nerdy questions, I'd have loved a behind the scenes video on what they've done technically on this, I doubt it'll come to pass but would've been cool. 1. They’ve gone out every time I’ve been. 2. No Rachel Tucker board. I remember Tom crouching down to a Nicole poster at a Rachel performance which was somewhat awkward, he’s skipped past it ever since 3. I’ve seen that gag, but not recently. 4. Not to my knowledge, and yes the cutout was added during previews. 5. Not necessarily security, but there is more staff lining the route along the Strand. I’ve recognised a couple of FOH in the background. The camera for the ending is mounted at the front of circle. It sticks up and is in your eyeline, which is why the centre seats of rows A and B were discounted (at least until dynamic pricing kicked in). Young Norma slowmo is pre-recorded (likewise for the understudy), Old Norma during the opening credits is not - Norma’s eyes occasionally line up perfectly with Joe’s. Bonus answer, the end of Betty’s script is the ending of the show, from approximately "May I say a few words, Mr. DeMille". |
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Post by dm913 on Jan 3, 2024 10:03:47 GMT
If my luck at the start of 2024 is a sign for the rest of the year then I'm excited, as by an act of god today I managed to get a resale ticket in stalls for face value at around 3pm - literally over the moon! My view was perfect and I'd definitely recommend row M in the Savoy. The show started about 10 minutes later than usual though (About 10 to 8) and when someone in front of me asked FOH what was going on she said there was an issue backstage but they were sorting it (Please don't take this as gospel as I might have picked it up wrong!). The crowd started getting really rowdy and loud as we waited, which I found really disrespectful to the staff and cast to be honest. David Thaxton was missing with an understudy playing Max - I didn't see the cast board so I'm not sure who the actor was, but he was really great and I was particularly impressed with his vocal, but David really owns the part. Nicole had a slight rasp in her voice tonight and cracked slightly in As if we never said goodbye, but honestly I feel that it added to the emotion in her songs, so no complaints from me. The outdoor scene also glitched a little when Tom first went onto the street, but overall they managed to pull it off! With all of that being said, I'm so happy that I got to see the show one last time with such close seats...but some really horrible theatregoers made the overall night genuinely one of the most chaotic and negative experiences I've ever had in a theatre, both for myself and the people sat next to me - I don't want to clog up this thread so will post in the general bad behaviour thread, as I feel that what I witnessed tonight deserves it's own discussion! Jon Tsouras is first cover Max. The Savoy had signs up to advertise covers for Joe, Max and Betty when I went, so if you didn't see anything, a last minute replacement could have been what delayed the start of the show. |
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Post by LaLuPone on Jan 3, 2024 12:38:42 GMT
That moment when the music swells and Joe’s face on the big screen fades to Norma’s with the red Sunset Boulevard lettering is a genuine goosebump moment every time, just so so so good.
I know it’s “just” a screen but I feel like the screen is akin to the chandelier, the barricades, the helicopter etc.
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Post by iamluisfelipe on Jan 3, 2024 13:04:22 GMT
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Post by ladidah on Jan 3, 2024 13:46:56 GMT
I wonder if she was allowed to say that!
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Post by iamluisfelipe on Jan 3, 2024 14:29:33 GMT
I wonder if she was allowed to say that! probably not lol |
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Post by justsaying113 on Jan 3, 2024 15:29:49 GMT
TodayTix has some seats for tomorrow's matinee.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 3, 2024 16:04:56 GMT
Oh Keala… she’ll be getting in trouble for that..
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Post by danb on Jan 3, 2024 16:17:04 GMT
TodayTix has some seats for tomorrow's matinee. One does rather wonder how? You’d have thought that they’d have clawed back any agency allocations in enough time to rinse some more money out of it…not let 9 whole seats (for a matinee!!!) not reach their full potential? |
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Post by danb on Jan 3, 2024 16:21:25 GMT
What are the chances of day seats for this please? Any idea anyone? Thanks Have you seen that there are some seats available for tmrws matinee? |
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Post by LaLuPone on Jan 3, 2024 17:03:22 GMT
Agency allocations are a thing of the past now (with a few exceptions) due to everyone being able to pick up anything on API (apart from the TKTS booth who will often be given “specials” to sell, and things like the rush allocation etc.)
I assume whatever tickets are available on TodayTix currently will just be whatever is available on ATG with fees tacked on.
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Post by CG on the loose on Jan 3, 2024 20:06:42 GMT
Agency allocations are a thing of the past now (with a few exceptions) due to everyone being able to pick up anything on API (apart from the TKTS booth who will often be given “specials” to sell, and things like the rush allocation etc.) I assume whatever tickets are available on TodayTix currently will just be whatever is available on ATG with fees tacked on. Except there's NOTHING available on ATG, and still 5 tickets for tomorrow's matinee on TodayTix... |
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Post by LaLuPone on Jan 3, 2024 20:46:37 GMT
Agency allocations are a thing of the past now (with a few exceptions) due to everyone being able to pick up anything on API (apart from the TKTS booth who will often be given “specials” to sell, and things like the rush allocation etc.) I assume whatever tickets are available on TodayTix currently will just be whatever is available on ATG with fees tacked on. Except there's NOTHING available on ATG, and still 5 tickets for tomorrow's matinee on TodayTix... Just had a look myself and I reckon it’s probably TodayTix’s new ticket protection scheme where the customer can “cancel” their tickets up to 48 hours before the performance and still get a full refund to a credit voucher. TodayTix then attempt to resell these just via their website (as they effectively own the tickets now) and take the hit if they remain unsold. Considering the show is a complete sellout though, I’m surprised ATG haven’t just authorised a full refund so they could get these back to resell themselves. |
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Post by iamluisfelipe on Jan 3, 2024 20:56:44 GMT
Keala's post has now been edited.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 3, 2024 21:04:47 GMT
Keala's post has now been edited. Funny that 🤣 |
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Post by Rory on Jan 3, 2024 22:33:31 GMT
I wonder if she was allowed to say that! What did she say? |
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Post by capybara on Jan 3, 2024 23:16:36 GMT
Caught Rachel’s last performance and it was wonderful. I know it’s not going to happen but I’d pay good money to see it over and over again in London with her as Norma, if there was a way it could have stayed.
I did enjoy the umbrella incident. I did not enjoy the aggro in Row N of the stalls after a woman valiantly told a man to stop rustling his sweet packets during New Ways to Dream.
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Post by BoOverall on Jan 4, 2024 0:05:57 GMT
Finally caught this tonight and loved it after being very sceptical when it was first announced:but Sunset is a show I always seek out whenever it is revived as it remains one of my favourite ALW scores. Despite my initial preconceptions about this, I actually preferred the stripping back of a lot of the arguably unnecessary stuff: I never missed “the set” or even the missing songs - and for the first time in a Sunset production I actually cared for Max, Betty and even Artie: and what a great trio of actors there (David Thaxton - a particular wow!). Both Nicole and Tom were terrific: I was never a fan of Nicole’s before but I blown away by her Norma although I can see how some might not be. And I cannot wait to see Tom Francis in other shows.
There were a few choices that were not really for me and I felt the title number - while very impressively done - meant we were focusing more on the fun of everything going on around Joe and not really listening to the “bite” of the song. But these, for me, were minor missteps (other productions of Sunset had more I felt) and this Sunset will live fondly in my memory for many years to come.
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Post by iamluisfelipe on Jan 4, 2024 1:15:15 GMT
I wonder if she was allowed to say that! What did she say? that if you missed it in London, its going to NYC this year |
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Post by merrilywereadalong on Jan 4, 2024 11:08:09 GMT
Wow. A pair in row J or H £295 each just popped up on atg site for tonight and within I'd say 2 minutes it was gone.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 4, 2024 11:09:14 GMT
I mean, I loved it but I paid £97.50 for row H and that was plenty!
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