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Post by danb on May 17, 2024 11:56:50 GMT
I’ve found Steve’s enthusiasm for the show really refreshing and enjoyable. We all love different things and being given the space & respect to celebrate our unpopular/controversial opinions is important. ❤️
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Post by fiyero on May 17, 2024 11:58:06 GMT
As I mentioned before really enjoyed the show, especially second time round with a better audience. Was encouraged by the man next to me to watch the film, building up the nerve as it is 2.5 hours!
I did find this part of the Wikipedia interesting:
That doesn't sound like the description of a sure fire hit!
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Post by sph on May 17, 2024 12:29:19 GMT
Yes, I'm sorry Myrtle I know that you're not Ivo etc, this isn't even as bad a show as I think it's made out to be - your name and arrival and post just did play straight into our earlier joke of Steve being Rufus, which again I'm sure he isn't.
I'm glad there are people out there that have enjoyed this. I've seen things I enjoyed far less! This had interesting moments, it just didn't really hang together for me overall.
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Post by blamerobots on May 17, 2024 12:59:57 GMT
Shall be seeing it tonight. Not like tickets were hard to get...
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Post by max on May 17, 2024 13:46:27 GMT
Kudos to Benjamin Walker, who, each time I saw this, found a different way of improvising laughs out of Sheridan Smith. That final scene they do together is all about improvisation, how real moments are superior to parroting a leaden script, and he took that dead script and breathed new life into it every night, crossing his eyes in new and imaginative contortions, messing with his hair in every way possible, ever looking to surprise Smith and get her corpsing in genuine laughter. The above's from Steve's longer post. Only seeing it once I thought this was rehearsal/devising improv that got written down and fixed in that writer-in-the-room way; so really interesting to find from Steve it was different each night. When I saw it a lot of camera-up-Benjamin-Walker's-nose featured, and I think he asked if Sheridan Smith could see his brain. That moment when we finally get to see (but don't) the play they've been rehearsing is the one that's continued to tease. Without knowing it was fresh nightly improv I settled on thinking we were meant to feel as alienated by the play extract as Myrtle had felt rehearsing it - a sort of 'Myrtle through the looking glass' moment where everything's inverted. That doesn't fully work though, because by that point Myrtle's rediscovered her calling to 'make magic' and come to some equilibrium - she's no longer fighting the play (tbf she's got a lot on just sobering up!). Knowing the improv is fresh I can see that interpretation of the celebration of spontaneity, though on my night it didn't feel quality mucking about really; putting them into a different lighting state from Sarah the writer could have given more of a nod to the audience about different planes of reality - for those seeing it only once. Sometimes this board can be great for getting someone else's repeat viewings, finding out what varied, and what potential further meanings emerge from familiarity. Though I was very absorbed by it, a parodoxical epitaph for this version might be: The problem wasn't that too many people saw it and hated it, the problem was that they didn't come back to see it 2, 3, or 4 times. |
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Post by myrtle on May 17, 2024 15:40:20 GMT
I can confirm that I am not Sheridan, and knew that I would get a bit of a response to my user name😂😂
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2024 16:39:40 GMT
I know (hope!) people are kidding and I’m sure myrtle will take it as such but really, countering a differing opinion with the suggestion that the poster is one of the people being criticised is a bit tired and not very welcoming to a new member. We can do better than that can’t we? It does make you wonder if performers or creatives post on here. I'm sure it was all meant in jest and it is always great to have new posters on here. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 17, 2024 16:46:57 GMT
I know (hope!) people are kidding and I’m sure myrtle will take it as such but really, countering a differing opinion with the suggestion that the poster is one of the people being criticised is a bit tired and not very welcoming to a new member. We can do better than that can’t we? . I'm sure it was all meant in jest and it is always great to have new posters on here. Yes they do. |
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Post by TallPaul on May 18, 2024 13:56:12 GMT
A ticket for the closing night of Opening Night is available on the Noticeboard.
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Post by ncbears on May 18, 2024 14:12:13 GMT
I saw this after closing was announced, managing to get a third row Stalls Rush ticket. The technical stuff is all quite impressive and Sheridan gives an excellent performance. I'm not sure this was ever good material for a musical. van Hove already did a non-musical stage adaptation of the film. He must really feel a connection to the source material. And he has enough of a reputation to get people to produce his visions. |
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Post by blamerobots on May 18, 2024 14:43:28 GMT
Just only recovered from last night's migraine... I didn't see it, which I'm kind of sad about, considering I was ready to see it after watching the film and seeing the reviews, but sometimes life is like this..!
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Post by Steve on May 18, 2024 15:51:52 GMT
Kudos to Benjamin Walker, who, each time I saw this, found a different way of improvising laughs out of Sheridan Smith. That final scene they do together is all about improvisation, how real moments are superior to parroting a leaden script, and he took that dead script and breathed new life into it every night, crossing his eyes in new and imaginative contortions, messing with his hair in every way possible, ever looking to surprise Smith and get her corpsing in genuine laughter. The above's from Steve's longer post. Only seeing it once I thought this was rehearsal/devising improv that got written down and fixed in that writer-in-the-room way; so really interesting to find from Steve it was different each night. When I saw it a lot of camera-up-Benjamin-Walker's-nose featured, and I think he asked if Sheridan Smith could see his brain. . . Without knowing it was fresh nightly improv I settled on thinking we were meant to feel as alienated by the play extract as Myrtle had felt rehearsing it - a sort of 'Myrtle through the looking glass' moment where everything's inverted. That doesn't fully work though, because by that point Myrtle's rediscovered her calling to 'make magic' and come to some equilibrium - she's no longer fighting the play (tbf she's got a lot on just sobering up!). Knowing the improv is fresh I can see that interpretation of the celebration of spontaneity, though on my night it didn't feel quality mucking about really; putting them into a different lighting state from Sarah the writer could have given more of a nod to the audience about different planes of reality - for those seeing it only once. The bit about Myrtle seeing his "brain" was just for your audience lol. One of two things is happening in this scene. Either:- (a) Van Hove decided to allow Walker to improv one section each night to bring life to the scene, in which his character is acquiescing to Myrtle's desire to change the play; or (b) Van Hove froze the section, and after he left, Walker decided off his own back that he wanted to bolster Smith's spirits, by surprising her every night with new wild and crazy choices, to keep the scene fresh. Obviously, it is more likely that (a) is true, and that the muck-up-matinee-every-night vibe was Van Hove's choice, but (b) could be true too as this cast must need to amuse each other in light of the show's early closing, and the muck up matinee playfulness fulfils the purpose of the scene anyway, which is that the ex-husband finally reaches out to Myrtle to help her through her "battle," and in so doing they inadvertently create a scene that succeeds. |
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Post by Steve on May 18, 2024 15:55:11 GMT
“Like sands through the hourglass” we enter the dying days of a dying show, and prepare ourselves for the influx of “last minute” visitors reviewing as “Do you know what, I actually really loved it”. What is it about end of runs that inevitably invites these sudden positives? Is it the fact they saw the show just before it ended? I’ve always been intrigued. Attendees of a funeral tend to be the ones who loved the deceased.  |
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Post by colelarson on May 18, 2024 20:12:01 GMT
Saw this today for the Matinee and it is like Marmite as one of the ushers told me!
I liked elements of it and was engaged in the first part and wasn't checking my watch like the guy next to me! There was lots of talent on stage and at times that talent was underused.
The second part went a bit crazy with ghost Nancy and Myrtle strangling herself! That rocky number with the flashing lights felt like it went on forever!
The "Magic" song was the most catchy number out of the songs. Rufus was seated a few rows behind us.
As it was my first visit I am not sure what would have been added for a muck up Matinee apart from Dorothee (Amy Lennox) throwing Manny's script portfolio into the first row of the stalls and Hadley Fraser in character as Manny asking the audience member to hand it back and then saying "how the hell did you get in my apartment!" Lots of laughter from the cast which continued when Amy in character started to sing "You and I and you (pointing at the audience member)".
I think it would have worked better as a play and I am interested to see the film to see how it compares.
Yes I did buy a magnet, can't go wrong for £2 to remember Opening Night....on closing day!
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Post by bigredapple on May 18, 2024 22:57:04 GMT
Loved this show the more I saw it. Twice this week including the final performance tonight. I took some videos of the curtain call and the speech’s tonight There on my Instagram Stories at timberladuk Also clips of the Q&A I attended on Tuesday If anyone is interested Thanks for sharing. Interesting that whoever gave the speech mentioned the show being around in workshops etc for 3-4 years prior to opening. It certainly didn’t give that impression on stage. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 19, 2024 9:00:08 GMT
Good riddance to this absolute dross 🥂
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Post by Steve on May 19, 2024 9:51:15 GMT
Good riddance to this absolute dross 🥂 Are you "Trying To" hurt our feelings, mrbarnaby
"This isn't a Game anymore!"
Well, I'm not "Married" to the show, so "I Forgive You!" 
We had "One Shot to Change the World" and we just couldn't do it.
So, "Meet me at the Start" of "2:22," and we can toast to making tragic out of "Magic."
You'd think life was a "Pantomime."
"Makes one wonder," but I've seen 3 casts already. I fancied "A Change of Life," something an iddy biddy bit more novel.
And Stacey Dooley wouldn't even be "The Second Woman" I've seen star in it. That was Cheryl.
These "Trojan Women," leaping from the Trojan horses of their reality shows to star on West End stages, are pretty cool, I suppose.
And I confess, I am a "Moth to a Flame," and I feel "Ready for Battle," so maybe I'll go.
*Hums 3 times,* a kind of chorus to everyone who has ever resigned in defeat at their favourite unpopular show closing.
No, maybe I won't.
Nicola Hughes was right.
"Life is Thin."
:'-(
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Post by Rory on May 19, 2024 10:05:04 GMT
Good riddance to this absolute dross 🥂 And welcome instead to Stacey and Donna, titans of the stage, in the 7th run of a hoary old thriller which isn't particularly thrilling or well acted. I know which show I'd prefer to sit through again. |
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Post by fiyero on May 19, 2024 10:08:05 GMT
Good riddance to this absolute dross 🥂 I tend to avoid threads of shows I don’t like. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 19, 2024 11:13:47 GMT
Good riddance to this absolute dross 🥂 I tend to avoid threads of shows I don’t like. It’s a car crash I couldn’t look away from! |
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Post by max on May 19, 2024 11:35:09 GMT
A sadness of this (amongst a few) is that if Amy Lennox had been Myrtle (a tad young I know) and it had started off-West End, or in a subsidised house, it might have been a flawed sensation people increasingly wanted a piece of. It would have had the cache of early adopter bragging rights, and that insider crowd that seem an essential component of so many new musicals' hype right now. I can't quite see Steve in the front row (often) giving side-eye to newcomers; but perhaps in an ironic homage to the fan-police at 'Wicked'...? But seriously, it's a shame if Sheridan Smith feels she can't now front an unusual show, as the critics will be there reporting on previews. For all that James Norton was excellent in 'A Little Life' he was reproducing the direction someone else had been in the originating/devising cast for, in an earlier production by Van Hove in another language. Perhaps that's the lesson for Van Hove too, whose had an unfortunate run with musicals. But all credit to Sheridan Smith for being in on the ground floor - I guess it only became clear in retrospect that marketing needed to retune expecations that her involvement brought.
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Post by fiyero on May 19, 2024 17:52:46 GMT
So, anyone who had a future booking for Opening Night that got cancelled what have you filled your slot with?
I was supposed to be going before Mean Girls and have just booked for Phantom instead.
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 19, 2024 19:50:35 GMT
A sadness of this (amongst a few) is that if Amy Lennox had been Myrtle (a tad young I know) and it had started off-West End, or in a subsidised house, it might have been a flawed sensation people increasingly wanted a piece of. It would have had the cache of early adopter bragging rights, and that insider crowd that seem an essential component of so many new musicals' hype right now. I can't quite see Steve in the front row (often) giving side-eye to newcomers; but perhaps in an ironic homage to the fan-police at 'Wicked'...? But seriously, it's a shame if Sheridan Smith feels she can't now front an unusual show, as the critics will be there reporting on previews. For all that James Norton was excellent in 'A Little Life' he was reproducing the direction someone else had been in the originating/devising cast for, in an earlier production by Van Hove in another language. Perhaps that's the lesson for Van Hove too, whose had an unfortunate run with musicals. But all credit to Sheridan Smith for being in on the ground floor - I guess it only became clear in retrospect that marketing needed to retune expecations that her involvement brought. Slight problem- the book and score were absolutely abysmal. |
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Post by Being Alive on May 19, 2024 20:03:10 GMT
Enjoyed being back for the final show last night.
Cast all on top form (nice to see Nicola Hughes back as she was off the last time I was in).
Still think most of the score is great, and even though the book definitely has its issues, it still works largely.
Really sad to see it go to soon, but so glad it was there even for a short time, and the cast were giving it everything for the final show.
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Post by greatauntedna on May 19, 2024 20:06:25 GMT
It was good last night, I was sat a couple of seats along from Rufus Wainwright.
The end of Magic is sad cos afterwards it starts to falter.
This time with the final scene, I got the sense Myrtle was in her own world and she hadn’t really managed to connect with Maurice, it was in her imagination. The lighting made her appear separate from him.
Unfortunate show. When it’s good, it’s great! The Sheridan and Nicola song, wow!
Need to find out the song names, I like not knowing. Still don’t know what Jos Slovick says in his moment during the curtain call. I’d like to wait for the cast recording to find out!
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