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Post by Being Alive on Jan 31, 2024 13:35:03 GMT
Thrilled (and annoyed) to see Trevor Ashley is this as it means I'll have to see it 😂😂
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Post by hannechalk on Jan 31, 2024 18:00:59 GMT
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Post by WireHangers on Feb 2, 2024 1:45:53 GMT
One of the cast members directed me in a show and was terrible at it. He truly was a disaster and has no right to direct actors, completely unsupportive to an almost cruel degree. After the opening night I packed up my things and left and never spoke to him again. So I’ll give this a miss.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2024 13:46:53 GMT
Rehearsal sneak peek from the Theatre Cafe. So chuffed they're using Better the Devil You Know from the Australian revival for Felicia.
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Post by erik24601 on Feb 2, 2024 15:26:50 GMT
So pleased that Reece Kerridge is finally getting a light to shine in this. A truly superb performer who was made for this role. Just hope it doesn’t go out of business within the first 6 months.
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Post by richey on Feb 2, 2024 17:24:47 GMT
Rehearsal sneak peek from the Theatre Cafe. So chuffed they're using Better the Devil You Know from the Australian revival for Felicia. Having said that I didn't fancy going, this has actually made me more interested. Wonder how they will feature the bus?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2024 20:07:10 GMT
I'm similarly intrigued by the bus. Also wondering what's different about this production that warrants the standing area and runway staging since the choreography for the songs shown is virtually how it's always been done.
As in, will there be 'immersive' elements and cast interactability or is it just the show as we've always known but with standing?
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Post by partytentdown on Feb 2, 2024 22:42:32 GMT
I had assumed this would be the 'best/campest bits' with some other party filler (a bit like the Mamma Mia one) but perhaps they are doing the full show. In which case, how will the more serious parts of the show land? The play was performed so broadly on recent tours that audiences just kept on laughing even through the darker scenes featuring nasty homophobic slurs. I wonder if they've considered how a drunk, dancing 'party' audience will respond to that sort of thing?
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Post by chestwig on Feb 11, 2024 11:26:01 GMT
I would like to go to this but it’s very expensive for what it is. I’ve seen it many times in the West end and on tour, loved it except the last tour which wasn’t a patch on the original as they didn’t have the performing rights. It does look interesting thou….
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Post by anita on Feb 12, 2024 10:56:38 GMT
I would like to go to this but it’s very expensive for what it is. I’ve seen it many times in the West end and on tour, loved it except the last tour which wasn’t a patch on the original as they didn’t have the performing rights. It does look interesting thou…. Yes. I too have seen it several times but this is too expensive for me.
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Post by Mark on Feb 23, 2024 20:03:14 GMT
I've booked using the London Theatre Week offer. £35, great value I think. I used a Seatplan voucher too so that covered £20 of the cost as well.
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Mar 3, 2024 22:27:03 GMT
My friend went tonight and was underwhelmed. Said there was no bus and it was all fairly low budget.
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Post by n1david on Mar 3, 2024 22:42:51 GMT
It does not seem to be selling very well judging by the emails that I'm getting.
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Post by meisner on Mar 3, 2024 23:27:30 GMT
My Friend was there tonight and loved it! Very immersive and busy with a good vibe. She said there were some issues towards the beginnng with moving the stage around by the cast. She said alot of the audience weren't warned with enough notice and so got in the way. But all in all she had a really good time.
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Post by samchap8787 on Mar 4, 2024 7:27:17 GMT
Where to start.. Was a bit of a shambles. Started 20 minutes late.
Cast - Some lovely singers. The Divas are all brilliant. Really not sure why all the cast wearing earpieces when they can all hear the music. I mean its not the O2 Arena - im sure these ear pieces are more distracting. Cynthia's ping pongs didnt quite do the trick as nobody really saw them. That Cynthia role usually brings the house down but didnt connect last night as she was on one of the side stages - she needs to be on the main stage all the time. My standout was Steven Serlin who gave a lovely Bonb portrayal and Reece Kerridge who sang Adam / Felicia well. Great energy.
The show - is a cut down version with some newer songs in (Born This Way makes a few appearances). The opening of the show was really weak and there is no act one finale. Also there isnt really much of a walk down at the end.
The intervals - These ruined the show. There are two 10 minute intervals.. Goodness knows what for. The timing of these intervals is also weird. The show suddenly stops. No act one finale, no big finish. The show stops and were told there is an interval. The show comes to a lacklustre stop. The second interval isnt needed and broke up the show, lost the focus of the audience and their engagement.
Props - Its all done on the cheap. Wasnt expecting an actual bus but all the props and costumes have been done on the cheap.
Audience participation - This was done very well and very funny.
Sight lines - The seating area is on the side of both sides so with a side view. Not great seats.
Standing immersive experience - Shambles. Guys and Dolls do it well. Here most of the audience are standing. There arent enough staff and there is way too much unnecessary movement and too much stage movement. The show doesnt need all this moving around where most of the audience is. Act two could be static but the audience are moved even more and coupled with that extra interval it takes the focus away from the show. Ushers werent really stopping people taking photos and videos which was distracting.
I know it was a first preview but it wasn't great.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 4, 2024 9:48:32 GMT
Whole thing sounds horrible.
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Post by Mark on Mar 7, 2024 13:56:02 GMT
I agree with a lot of what samchap8787 has posted. This is a cut down version of the full show. I had fun, the music was great, the cast were great. The "immersive" nature is not quite there yet, especially compared to G&D for which i also attended an early preview. This is the sort of show you want to dance too, it was just way too crowded to do that comfortably. Some of the movements of the stage you were really pushed out the way and hemmed in so tightly. There is some audience participation in the third act which is really very funny and well done. My main issue is how they don't even try and disguise how much of a cash grab it is. £2.50 to check your coat, and another £2.50 to check you bag, oh and do you want to leave a tip?!? That's another £5 down before it even starts. Two intervals, the first act of which ends "oh you all look parched, you need to get some drinks". Stops the show dead, one interval would be more than sufficient. They were at least 15 minutes each. Something about the venue and this show just didn't click right for me. Is this a staged immersive production, or is it a high end drag show. Would I go again? Yes (at a heavy discount), but they have work to do and I don't think word of mouth will be strong enough to sell it at full price.
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Post by ladidah on Mar 7, 2024 14:40:05 GMT
£5 to check in a coat and bag!?
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Post by erik24601 on Mar 7, 2024 14:45:23 GMT
This is so disappointing. This could have been absolutely brilliant. I hope they somehow take on board feedback and make changes before it's too late.
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4,529 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 7, 2024 14:46:06 GMT
In fairness to them, loads of venues charge to use cloakrooms...
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Post by Mark on Mar 7, 2024 15:14:47 GMT
In fairness to them, loads of venues charge to use cloakrooms... This show requires you to check them in though if you are on the dancefloor. I guess you could wear your coat but you'd be pretty warm.
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Post by erik24601 on Mar 7, 2024 15:49:24 GMT
In fairness to them, loads of venues charge to use cloakrooms... This show requires you to check them in though if you are on the dancefloor. I guess you could wear your coat but you'd be pretty warm. And given the price of the tickets...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2024 19:52:17 GMT
Saw it today at 5pm. Unfortunately a lot of weak points, most egregiously the choreography. Felt like I was watching the losing team on Drag Race. Everything was a little sparse so at least it was evocative of the Australian outback albeit unintentionally. However it sorta perked up in the last third - had more energy. And I'm sure drunk people enjoyed it more.
Yet, fear not, it can be saved. I'd recast all the leads. All new choreography. Improve the book. Better wigs and costumes. All that aside, it did really make me appreciate Guys & Dolls, which was nice.
Oh yeah, they didn't care about coats today. No need to use cloakroom. It's quite a nice, new venue. But don't pay to eat or sit unless you need to. Not in good positions. And please for the love of musical theatre, don't buy the flashing hats they have as merchandise.
Go see Frank's Closet instead.
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Post by n1david on Mar 10, 2024 20:49:52 GMT
Yet, fear not, it can be saved. I'd recast all the leads. All new choreography. Improve the book. Better wigs and costumes. So, just a few minor tweaks then?
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Post by thomast on Mar 12, 2024 14:53:53 GMT
I and a friend saw this on Sunday at 1pm after grabbing £10 seat filler tickets (Standing). Whilst we had a good time, it felt a little..... lacklustre and overpriced for the current production value (full price as reference). I just cannot justify the £55 price point (and certainly not the full price of £85 for some days).
The venue was fab, although it felt a little more like a nightclub drag night than immersive theatre. In the standing area, there was a LOT of space, almost too much. The stages kept getting wheeled around the area which I honestly do not think added much, if anything, to the production. It was incredibly off putting for you to be watching the show only for staff in pink shirts to throw their arms in the air and start fanning at you to move back whilst they wheel the stages around the area. The first couple of times it was novel, but after this added precisely nothing to the experience.
It felt we were watching a drag show in a club that didn't have enough atmosphere. We DID enjoy the experience, but we did not think it was what was advertised. It felt more like a night out in Soho than a dedicated West End show.
For £10 - great value. For the full price - nah.
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Post by meisner on Mar 19, 2024 11:09:33 GMT
This thread has gone a bit quiet and need some advice! Have been offered a cheap ticket for this Saturday matinee and i'm in 2 minds. Has anyone seen this recently and has it changed in previews?? I loved the full show but just need some help to push me in the right direction. Shall i wait till previews are over? Have had friends who really enjoyed it and some that didn't What are the highlights? Thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2024 15:08:53 GMT
Worth seeing once even though it wasn't for me if you can get tickets under £30. But if you have high standards because you know so many people that could do a better job you may struggle.
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Post by meisner on Mar 19, 2024 23:25:19 GMT
Worth seeing once even though it wasn't for me if you can get tickets under £30. But if you have high standards because you know so many people that could do a better job you may struggle. Thanks tytyty for the advice. Took the plunge and goin with a friend on Saturday. Will report back!
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Post by showtoones on Mar 20, 2024 16:34:19 GMT
Is there a discount code for this one? Can't find one anywhere
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Post by thomast on Mar 23, 2024 15:11:26 GMT
This thread has gone a bit quiet and need some advice! Have been offered a cheap ticket for this Saturday matinee and i'm in 2 minds. Has anyone seen this recently and has it changed in previews?? I loved the full show but just need some help to push me in the right direction. Shall i wait till previews are over? Have had friends who really enjoyed it and some that didn't What are the highlights? Thanks. I'd say definitely worth a visit, but just don't expect the world!
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