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Post by josephsmit234 on Nov 29, 2024 15:25:48 GMT
Loved seeing this the other night! Excellent production!
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5,117 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 4, 2024 0:54:31 GMT
Thinking of taking a trip up for the Saturday matinee.
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2,276 posts
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Post by richey on Dec 4, 2024 18:39:37 GMT
Tonight's performance cancelled due to cast illness. Literally just got a text as I was on my way to the theatre less than an hour before show
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Post by ChristineH on Dec 4, 2024 19:35:17 GMT
A few thoughts from tonightâs viewing. I really enjoyed this one. Having seen the SSS tour after its WE run, I really couldnât remember much about it so it was a great opportunity to revisit it at the REX. The running time was around the 2hr 45 minute mark with interval (the clock at the ticket office said a 10.15pm finish and I was out around that time). With only a few mic issues, we got through the run without any stops and as a first preview was in pretty good shape and well paced from director Josh Seymour. For casting, Rachel Leskovac as Viv nails it. Great vocals with good comic timing. Her Act 2 duet with Rose Galbraith as Young Vic with âWhoâs Gonna Love Meâwas definitely the highlight for me with some real emotional punch against the comedic moments of the show. As the younger Viv, Rose managed to strike the right balance between the comedy and the more tragic moments in Act 2 as Vivâs life unravels after spending all the money and the abusive relationships she went through. I certainly didnât have any issues with her vocals which I felt were both strong and clear from my seat in the stage level seats. Thankfully, the West Yorkshire accents held throughout the show. As the rest of the cast, all perfectly watchable with no weak links. Surprisingly, Rory Bremner lends his vocal talents to this production. The score by Steve Brown and Justin Greene was really enjoyable to listen to with some witty lyrics. The score was brought to life thanks to 7 piece band (2 x reeds, trumpet, keys, guitars, bass and drums) under the directorship of Livi van Warmelo. This year all the band are housed outside of the auditorium in 2 boxes. As the first run the sound mixing was fine with no lyrics being lost to the band With respect to the set design from Grace Smart there really wasnât any fixed sets with bits and pieces brought in when required (the cars are just neon lighting strips bent into shape to resemble a car frame held up by cast members). Whilst this was helpful in the fact that no audience member is stuck behind any big bits of set, there was a lot of time where the stage did look pretty bare at times with only a few actors on stage. It was only really during the title song and John Collier numbers did I feel the stage was fully utilised. As usual with the Rex, being a in the round stage, meant that I did have a few moments where I saw a lot of peopleâs heads rather than faces. Though from my G53 seat, in all I really didnât miss that much and I donât think being sat anywhere else would have afforded a better view. The one benefit of having a stage level seat was that I was able to pick up some of the paper money that fell from the roof at the end of Act 1 which was a nice souvenir from my visit. The lighting design from Jack Knowles was nice with some lovely purple and pinks on show. The only criticism I did have was with some of the costume designs. For some reason, during the calling out of the pools results, 2 cast members who are meant to represent football teams are dressed in silver outfits rather than sports gear. Ok, I wouldnât expect full football kits, but at least something resembling them. As a story of rags to riches and then back to rags, I certainly thought it was still relevant to todayâs society and even if people hadnât heard of Viv Nicholson prior to tonight, her story about winning big money can be easily compared to those people who have won the lottery and then blown it all. So how does this one compare to previous REX shows? Whilst I wouldnât bracket it in the same league as The Producers or Gypsy (top tier shows), it was certainly a much better watch than Betty! The Musical. Given time to bed in, there was enough with SSS for me to book for it again in the New Year. Tonightâs audience seemed to enjoy it but no SO at the end. Rating - 4âď¸ I saw this yesterday and concur. 4âď¸ from me too. I wasnât familiar with the songs but enjoyed both the music and lyrics that were both witty and poignant. John Collier and Whoâs Gonna Love Me were my standouts and particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Rose Galbraith and Rachel Leskovac as the younger and older Vivs respectively. Incidentally, the programme (ÂŁ4) features an extensive interview with Justin Green and a joint interview with RG and RL. As to your minor gripe, the footballers are now in football kit!
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5,117 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 5, 2024 19:46:06 GMT
Can anyone tell me what the Banquette seats are please?
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Post by SilverFox on Dec 5, 2024 19:56:07 GMT
Can anyone tell me what the Banquette seats are please? Low padded benches without armrests at the front of the stalls level seating. Not uncomfortable, great value, fantastic view, but can be difficult to get as only sold in peson on the day (unless policy has changed post lockdown).
Depending on your health, they can be awkward to get out of! Especially for a SO!
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19,855 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 5, 2024 20:02:55 GMT
Very low. Virtually ground level.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Dec 5, 2024 22:08:30 GMT
Donât they sell them in advance now? I donât think theyâve done them on the day for a while.
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Post by SilverFox on Dec 6, 2024 8:47:28 GMT
Donât they sell them in advance now? I donât think theyâve done them on the day for a while. Very likely - hence my changed policy disclaimer. I no longer live within day trip distance of the RE and not visited for some years.
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Post by xanady on Dec 6, 2024 9:07:35 GMT
The banquettes were always a bargain at the REX. Used to buy them on the dayâŚyou are up close and personal with the performersâŚgreat memories of seeing the likes of Vanessa Redgrave,Tom Courtney etc back in the early 90âs at very close quarters. As for SSS,it is a wonderful realisation of such a tragic tale.I can still visualise the photo of Bruce Forsyth handing over the cheque to a clearly-startled Viv in the media frenzy.She was just not ready to deal with such a momentous change to her life.She was like a rabbit in the headlights!These days the Lotto makes millionaires weekly without much of a fuss,but back then it was a major story. After a painful few months for the beloved REX,this show is a great end to the year for them.
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Post by david on Dec 7, 2024 23:32:29 GMT
With the cancellation of Miracle on 34th Street today at HOME, I was at a bit of a loss on what to see in its place tonight so after logging onto the REX website this evening hoping to secure a banquette seat, none where available, however it seems the gods were being kind and so with a trip to the REX box office with only an hour before the show, I managed to get one of the last two spots available. After seeing it on its first preview a few weeks ago, I thought my trip tonight was even better. Having sat there before, they really are great value to be up close to the cast. The show is still great fun and now being more familiar with the score, I certainly got a greater appreciation for it. âWhoâs Gonna Love Me?â in Act 2 just seemed to have a lot more emotional impact on a second hearing. It really is the standout number with âJohn Collierâ being a close second. What was disappointing was the behaviour of some selfish audience members tonight who it seems caught the eye of the cast texting / recording show clips during Act 1. It must of been bad as we had to have FOH staff come onto the stage prior to the start of Act 2 to reinforce the no phone use policy during the show. Thankfully those offenders seemed to get the message with no further incidents. After the issues facing the REX, recently I totally agree with xanady , it is great for the REX to end the year on a much more positive note with this production.
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Post by lightthelights on Dec 10, 2024 2:59:10 GMT
Do we think this will transfer to London?
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Post by benny20 on Dec 10, 2024 8:57:53 GMT
Do we think this will transfer to London? Wouldn't think so. REX productions don't usually
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Post by richey on Dec 10, 2024 11:45:01 GMT
Do we think this will transfer to London? As I posted in another thread, I overheard an elderly couple on the tram who been to see the show and were discussing it. The one commented "Do you think this will go to the West End? It's very Northern..."
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