Ushers: The Front of House Musical - The Other Palace

I saw this yesrs ago at The Kings Head theatre in Islington. I thought it was great fun.

I saw this at Charing Cross many years ago, then again at the Arts Theatre when they were doing late night performances. Quite a fun show if I remember. Just seen this new version has both Cleve September and Luke Bayer in, so I’m sure I’ll make a visit sometime soon.

I saw it last Sunday. It was probably 2/3rds full. I thought the stuff about theatre was good and funny but I thought the love story plots worked less well.

What is the music like, in this musical? With ‘2 Strangers’ showing how relatively strong a new score can be I think that that these other quirky, smaller shows will need to raise their game. A high concept or existing IP is one thing, but they’re nothing without at least a couple of strong original songs.

At the moment you can get £20 tickets on TOP website using the code STAGEYNINJA. It was supposed to expire at midnight, but I've just used it this morning, so worth a try!

How strange. I've just checked again and it still works for me.

I have already re booked to see it. This show isn't aiming for high drama; it's pure, campy fun! It's delightfully stagey and a comedy. But what surprised me was the sweet romance between the gay couple. It was refreshing to see a gay couple on stage who weren't a punchline. Loved the manager's performance, and his performance had a real panto vibe.

I wonder if this has already sold very well, or if they're holding back Gallery and Standing Seats until the Seated Studio Floor is full. 'Tickets from £29' it says, but then when you click only £35 tickets are available. Makes the studio a more pricey option at The Other Palace than the Main House (which would also be true at that lower £29 level).

I really enjoyed this! Light-hearted and fun, with a ton of up-to-date stagey references. Great cast too.

I really enjoyed Ushers and thought it gave a genuinely witty, satirical insight into the world of front of house theatre staff. There were some really funny moments and references (presumably the book is being continuously updated as there were even nods to the Opening Night and Priscilla The Party closures!). It’s even based on the fictional Love Island The Musical at Another Palace, which is clearly one of ATG’s houses..

The company give a lot in this, with a couple of real standout performances. But the problem is that I’ve seen this exact style of parody done better and sharper by I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical.

The issue here is the book. The stagey references are great and the fact they are crowbarred in actually adds to the campness of it all. But the inclusion of a love story doesn’t really fit the rest of the show tonally. Best off keeping the focus on the upcoming visit of Andrew Lloyd Mackintosser, I’d say!

Bethany Amber-Perrins was hilarious as Rosie, the usher obsessed with leading men (she is admonished for filming Jordan Luke Gage’s pre-show yoga rituals) and she really is the heartbeat of this show. Luke Bayer also stands out as Ben, even if his performance is a little lost in the subplot. I’d like to see him shine elsewhere.

Daniel Page gives a huge comic performance as theatre manager Robin, whose camp villainy could even rival the meat inspector in Betty Blue Eyes. He left Cleve September (Gary) in stitches at one point.

Overall, it’s a nice little show but, for me, this sort of thing works better as a revue rather than attaching story narratives to the piece. Well worth a visit though for anyone stagey enough to get the most deep cut of MT references though.

Three stars.

Is the running time definitely 1hr 50 as it says on the website? Hoping to go on Sunday.