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Post by maggiem on Jun 7, 2024 15:58:13 GMT
I know that we're still early days in yet, but does anyone this we'll get a pro-shoot and DVD/Bu-Ray release, like we did with Anything Goes? I saw Macbeth at the pictures the other week (Fiennes/Varma), which was released through Trafalgar Releasing. On the back of the cast list it has an ad for Kiss Me Kate, so I think it will be going to the cinemas at some point.
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Post by marob on Jun 7, 2024 17:02:42 GMT
Loads ofยฃ30 front row tickets, except the one date I can go to where there arenโt any, just some at the back
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Post by alece10 on Jun 7, 2024 22:23:20 GMT
Whatโs the view like from the front row please ? Is it a high stage with the revolve ? Very high so be warned. Will post my thoughts of the show tomorrow.
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Post by Jon on Jun 7, 2024 23:08:12 GMT
Saw this tonight and enjoyed it. It's dated probably more so than Anything Goes but this is a show that is sold on its songs and the casts and Cole Porter wrote some fabulous songs. The highlight for me was a three way toss up between Too Darn Hot, Always True to You in My Fashion and Brush Your Shakespeare which brought the house down.
Cast wise, you can't get better than Stephanie J Block, she is great as Lilli who can belt a tune and does comedy really well, Adrian Dunbar can act the role of Fred but he's not a musical theatre actor and as a result, he pales in comparison to Block and other cast members. Georgina Onuorah, Charlie Stemp, Nigel Lindsay and Hammed Animashaun all get to shine even though they don't get as much stage time as Block and Dunbar. Peter Davison is fine but seems a pointless addition.
I sat in Row D in what was classified as restricted but it's more side view and could see everything.
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Post by alece10 on Jun 8, 2024 8:42:09 GMT
Saw this last time and it was my first time seeing the musical although I had seen the film as a child and knew all the music. I did enjoy it and loved the songs, its also very funny. Stephanie J Block was great as others have said and I didn't mind Adrian Dunbar at all. He was a good actor and a fine singer. However he is not a MT singer which you could tell. The main reason for me going to see the show was to see Charlie Stemp. He has a minor role which I knew but he was great when on stage. I also really enjoyed the 2 gangsters who were great comics. I know some people have commented on the set being simple but I think it worked really well especially with the revolve. I have a couple of questions for people who know the musical and have seen it already sitting further back or higher up. I got the feeling that Charlie Stemp had been shoehorned into Too Darn Hot alongside Jack Butterworth - as the number felt a little disjointed - is that the case. And is the orchestra pit covered during part of the show? I couldn't see from where I was sitting.
Which leads me to my seat. I was sitting in the front row. The stage is very high (due to the revolve I presume) which meant that I could only see people from about waist up when they were further back the stage and couldn't see feet at all unless they were right at the front of the stage. I have to say it did spoil my enjoyment of the musical to a certain extent. I booked these seats a few months ago and over the phone as I needed advice on best legroom seats and I was told by the box office that the front row had the best legroom (which it does) however there was no mention of the high stage. Now it could be that when I booked they were not aware that the stage would be so high and I did get the legroom which I wanted but I do feel that once they knew this it should have been communicated to people who had booked or marked the seats as restricted view. I believe they are now selling these seats at ยฃ30 but I paid ยฃ79 when I booked. Others in the row were also complaining about the view. When I went to see Anything Goes the stage was not as high as this. My friend said to me that if we enjoyed the musical then we could go again and sit further back or higher up but although I enjoyed the show and have given it 4 stars I don't feel that it was good enough to have a second viewing.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 8, 2024 9:29:23 GMT
Legroomโs pretty generous and the seats nice and wide everywhere in the Barbican isnโt it? I remember after seeing Anything Goes from the extreme edge of the stalls thinking that Iโd happily have sat in the middle of a row (which I would never usually do).
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Post by nash16 on Jun 8, 2024 10:11:13 GMT
Legroomโs pretty generous and the seats nice and wide everywhere in the Barbican isnโt it? I remember after seeing Anything Goes from the extreme edge of the stalls thinking that Iโd happily have sat in the middle of a row (which I would never usually do). The seats are wide, but the legroom in the Barbican isnโt the best. Thereโs no under seat space either for bags/coats. (There is a free cloakroom, and weโll worth using if you want space). The stalls is fine, so long as youโre not in either of the angled seats where it goes from side to centre. You then have to share reduced leg space, even in the premium seats, with someone else. The seat widths are the only real positive. Most of the Circle/Upper Circle/Balcony seats have v limited legroom. Re the height of the stage: the revolve has added at least 3-4ft to the normal height of the stage. And looking ahead at dates itโs still priced at ยฃ65, not ยฃ30. Going to see the show tonight (from Upper Circle slips). Will report back.
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Post by BVM on Jun 8, 2024 10:32:25 GMT
Saw this last time and it was my first time seeing the musical although I had seen the film as a child and knew all the music. I did enjoy it and loved the songs, its also very funny. Stephanie J Block was great as others have said and I didn't mind Adrian Dunbar at all. He was a good actor and a fine singer. However he is not a MT singer which you could tell. The main reason for me going to see the show was to see Charlie Stemp. He has a minor role which I knew but he was great when on stage. I also really enjoyed the 2 gangsters who were great comics. I know some people have commented on the set being simple but I think it worked really well especially with the revolve. I have a couple of questions for people who know the musical and have seen it already sitting further back or higher up. I got the feeling that Charlie Stemp had been shoehorned into Too Darn Hot alongside Jack Butterworth - as the number felt a little disjointed - is that the case. And is the orchestra pit covered during part of the show? I couldn't see from where I was sitting. Which leads me to my seat. I was sitting in the front row. The stage is very high (due to the revolve I presume) which meant that I could only see people from about waist up when they were further back the stage and couldn't see feet at all unless they were right at the front of the stage. I have to say it did spoil my enjoyment of the musical to a certain extent. I booked these seats a few months ago and over the phone as I needed advice on best legroom seats and I was told by the box office that the front row had the best legroom (which it does) however there was no mention of the high stage. Now it could be that when I booked they were not aware that the stage would be so high and I did get the legroom which I wanted but I do feel that once they knew this it should have been communicated to people who had booked or marked the seats as restricted view. I believe they are now selling these seats at ยฃ30 but I paid ยฃ79 when I booked. Others in the row were also complaining about the view. When I went to see Anything Goes the stage was not as high as this. My friend said to me that if we enjoyed the musical then we could go again and sit further back or higher up but although I enjoyed the show and have given it 4 stars I don't feel that it was good enough to have a second viewing. Thanks for your review Alec. I was actually considering getting one of the 30 quid front row seats in the OLT deal but won't do that now so that's very helpful. Would you miss much from the far sides would you say? I always prefer an aisle which at the Barbican always means you are at the extreme ends! Anyway, looking forward to seeing this at some point on one of the many deals about. That said was a mixed experience for me when last saw it (the Marin Mazzie(?sp) version at the Victoria Palace). I love Cole Porter as a composer and thought the music was great. I really didn't engage much with the plot though which meant some of the loooooong spoken sections really dragged. Oh and I'd deffo complain to Barbican re the view given what you paid - they should refund the difference. And their customer service is usually great compared to commercial West End!
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Post by alece10 on Jun 8, 2024 10:43:34 GMT
Saw this last time and it was my first time seeing the musical although I had seen the film as a child and knew all the music. I did enjoy it and loved the songs, its also very funny. Stephanie J Block was great as others have said and I didn't mind Adrian Dunbar at all. He was a good actor and a fine singer. However he is not a MT singer which you could tell. The main reason for me going to see the show was to see Charlie Stemp. He has a minor role which I knew but he was great when on stage. I also really enjoyed the 2 gangsters who were great comics. I know some people have commented on the set being simple but I think it worked really well especially with the revolve. I have a couple of questions for people who know the musical and have seen it already sitting further back or higher up. I got the feeling that Charlie Stemp had been shoehorned into Too Darn Hot alongside Jack Butterworth - as the number felt a little disjointed - is that the case. And is the orchestra pit covered during part of the show? I couldn't see from where I was sitting. Which leads me to my seat. I was sitting in the front row. The stage is very high (due to the revolve I presume) which meant that I could only see people from about waist up when they were further back the stage and couldn't see feet at all unless they were right at the front of the stage. I have to say it did spoil my enjoyment of the musical to a certain extent. I booked these seats a few months ago and over the phone as I needed advice on best legroom seats and I was told by the box office that the front row had the best legroom (which it does) however there was no mention of the high stage. Now it could be that when I booked they were not aware that the stage would be so high and I did get the legroom which I wanted but I do feel that once they knew this it should have been communicated to people who had booked or marked the seats as restricted view. I believe they are now selling these seats at ยฃ30 but I paid ยฃ79 when I booked. Others in the row were also complaining about the view. When I went to see Anything Goes the stage was not as high as this. My friend said to me that if we enjoyed the musical then we could go again and sit further back or higher up but although I enjoyed the show and have given it 4 stars I don't feel that it was good enough to have a second viewing. Thanks for your review Alec. I was actually considering getting one of the 30 quid front row seats in the OLT deal but won't do that now so that's very helpful. Would you miss much from the far sides would you say? I always prefer an aisle which at the Barbican always means you are at the extreme ends! Anyway, looking forward to seeing this at some point on one of the many deals about. That said was a mixed experience for me when last saw it (the Marin Mazzie(?sp) version at the Victoria Palace). I love Cole Porter as a composer and thought the music was great. I really didn't engage much with the plot though which meant some of the loooooong spoken sections really dragged. ย Oh and I'd deffo complain to Barbican re the view given what you paid - they should refund the difference. And their customer service is usually great compared to commercial West End! I don't think you would miss much from far ends as it pretty much plays to the centre and the revolve is right in the middle where all the action takes place.
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Post by theatre22 on Jun 8, 2024 13:39:54 GMT
I got the feeling that Charlie Stemp had been shoehorned into Too Darn Hot alongside Jack Butterworth - as the number felt a little disjointed - is that the case. And is the orchestra pit covered during part of the show? I couldn't see from where I was sitting.
I also thought that about Charlie. He appears about half way through the number, dances and then disappears again whilst it is still going on! I was sat in Row R of the stalls which seems to be where rush tickets have been allocated so far. Does feel a bit far back but was a good clear view to take it all in although you do notice people coming and going at the black curtains right at the back of the stage. I didnโt notice the orchestra pit get covered up.
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Post by raiseitup on Jun 8, 2024 14:39:43 GMT
I saw this last night and found it okay overall, the musical numbers are definitely the show's strength, although a couple in the second act had a reprise or two more than were really earned by the performers. I thought the first scene before Another Openin' was a total mess and pretty much all of the book scenes dragged. There were so few laughs until the pivotal scene in the first act where Lilli reads the note and then I felt much more engaged.
Such a treat to see SJB though, she stole every scene she was in and her voice was just sublime. Adrian was... fine but did seem quite unsure of himself and I enjoyed his accent getting increasingly Irish as the night wore on. Poor Charlie Stemp woefully underused and given one of the worst costume/wig combos I've ever seen on stage to top it off.
Quick question, the line about Croydon not being in London โ was that added for this run? It got one of the biggest laughs but we were talking about it in the interval and realised that most American audiences wouldn't really have a clue about that.
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Post by ladidah on Jun 8, 2024 14:56:32 GMT
At the interval, so disappointed.
Adrian is 100% miscast
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Post by pomegranate on Jun 8, 2024 16:29:02 GMT
Quick question, the line about Croydon not being in London โ was that added for this run? It got one of the biggest laughs but we were talking about it in the interval and realised that most American audiences wouldn't really have a clue about that. She just says โyou never got to Londonโ in the original script, not sure about the 1999 revival!
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Post by ladidah on Jun 8, 2024 16:48:48 GMT
At the interval, so disappointed. Adrian is 100% miscast Charlie Stemp was as perfect as ever, but I really didn't love it like I wanted to. *** maybe
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859 posts
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Post by longinthetooth on Jun 8, 2024 19:46:01 GMT
I was there this afternoon too, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. I was prepared for the worst with Mr Dunbar, having read the comments on here and seen and heard his croonings in his TV series Ridley, but I didn't think his singing was too bad - or, to put it another way, it could have been a lot worse! I thought SJB was brilliant, and my standouts were 'It's Too Darned Hot' and 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'. I did feel, though, that the show didn't quite flow, but hopefully that will be ironed out by press night. 4* from me.
The place was packed. I was sat in the 2nd row, about four or five seats in. The stage was a bit high (I was glad I wasn't in the front row) but the angle from the side was fine. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house (although I still hate the Barbican itself as a venue!).
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Post by archibaldi on Jun 8, 2024 19:47:58 GMT
I was there this afternoon too, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. I was prepared for the worst with Mr Dunbar, having read the comments on here and seen and heard his croonings in his TV series Ridley, but I didn't think his singing was too bad - or, to put it another way, it could have been a lot worse! I thought SJB was brilliant, and my standouts were 'It's Too Darned Hot' and 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'. I did feel, though, that the show didn't quite flow, but hopefully that will be ironed out by press night. 4* from me. The place was packed. I was sat in the 2nd row, about four or five seats in. The stage was a bit high (I was glad I wasn't in the front row) but the angle from the side was fine. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house (although I still hate the Barbican itself as a venue!). Why do you hate the barbican, it's my first time going next week
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 8, 2024 19:56:15 GMT
It's very easy to get lost/not be able to find it ๐
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Jun 8, 2024 20:13:52 GMT
It's very easy to get lost/not be able to find it ๐ Lol. So true
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859 posts
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Post by longinthetooth on Jun 8, 2024 20:18:41 GMT
I was there this afternoon too, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. I was prepared for the worst with Mr Dunbar, having read the comments on here and seen and heard his croonings in his TV series Ridley, but I didn't think his singing was too bad - or, to put it another way, it could have been a lot worse! I thought SJB was brilliant, and my standouts were 'It's Too Darned Hot' and 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'. I did feel, though, that the show didn't quite flow, but hopefully that will be ironed out by press night. 4* from me. The place was packed. I was sat in the 2nd row, about four or five seats in. The stage was a bit high (I was glad I wasn't in the front row) but the angle from the side was fine. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house (although I still hate the Barbican itself as a venue!). Why do you hate the barbican, it's my first time going next week From the moment I step through the doors (assuming I didn't get lost on the way - I didn't this time, but have in the past), the whole complex is a nightmare. I find myself becoming more and more cross, trying to find my way around, or trying to find a seat in a cafe or bar that isn't occupied by people with laptops who have obviously been there all day. When I asked a member of staff the way, she admitted she still got lost, despite working there! That said, once in my seat in the theatre all is well.
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Post by marob on Jun 8, 2024 21:23:16 GMT
Itโs not that difficult to find is it? Tube to Barbican station, go through the underpass and then itโs on the right, isnโt it?
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Post by greatauntedna on Jun 8, 2024 22:18:24 GMT
I saw it this afternoon, I thought it was solid but not spectacular. The revolve is nice but I wasnโt wowed by the set. I was expecting a bit more bite and more back and forth between Adrian and Stephanie.
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Post by osdtdg on Jun 8, 2024 22:19:34 GMT
I saw it this evening and would agree with you edna; SJB is amazing and I loved her I Hate Men. The ending was a bit lackluster though, and was not particularly fond of Adrian in all honesty. The rest of the cast were great especially Charlie Stemp and Georgina O.
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Post by ceebee on Jun 9, 2024 0:38:39 GMT
Why do you hate the barbican, it's my first time going next week From the moment I step through the doors (assuming I didn't get lost on the way - I didn't this time, but have in the past), the whole complex is a nightmare. I find myself becoming more and more cross, trying to find my way around, or trying to find a seat in a cafe or bar that isn't occupied by people with laptops who have obviously been there all day. When I asked a member of staff the way, she admitted she still got lost, despite working there! That said, once in my seat in the theatre all is well. I don't have a problem finding my way around but, yes, what is it with all the folk with laptops hogging the space? I thought it was a weekday phenomenon but they were there this evening too. Feels like a student dosshouse. I give the show 3.5 - it's good, but it's not great.
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Post by jek on Jun 9, 2024 6:00:38 GMT
I was at the Erland Cooper concert in the Barbican Hall last night. It finished just after Kiss Me Kate. As we left I was very surprised to see a big queue at the Barbican stage door, with barriers in place to manage the numbers. Just a heads up for those wishing to get autographs.
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Post by ladidah on Jun 9, 2024 7:27:01 GMT
I also made myself laugh when coming out of the theatre. I had thought Robert Lindsay was playing a mobster, so assumed I was watching the understudy. Then saw the giant poster with Nigel Lindsay...
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