Show Boat

The programme says 2h35 and that was about what it ran in Sheffield. The first preview started pretty late & so finished quite a bit later than scheduled but I'm sure that'll be sorted once they get going.

Does anyone think stalls sides would have very restricted views for this?

Judging by a post on the Show's official instrgram I think an album release could be coming.

When the show was in Sheffield, Gina and Michael did a recording of "You Are Love" that was played on Elaine Paige on Sunday.  The IG that said Rebecca was recording "Bill" could be something similar.

It's only had one preview! It was stunning on Saturday. 

This really is one of those rare productions that is hard to over praise. It looks and sounds fresh and wonderful. Performances are superb with special mention for Rebecca Treherne (a stand out in City of Angels too). Expect the reviews will be excellent and this will ensure great ticket sales.

I was also there last night!

There's something very special about watching Show Boat knowing that this show, almost 90 years ago, changed musical theatre forever. You can see why; it's such a well crafted piece of theatre, every scene and song intrinsically linked to the core of the touching story. The themes are also still (sadly) relevant today, but this production is simple, classy, funny, emotional & dignified.

The stalls seemed pretty full but unfortunately in the circle, where I was, was probably more empty than full. An enthusiastic response from the audience with a large standing ovation at the end. I also agree that the sound was truly awful. It sounded so muffled, like they were using cheap mics and a cheap sound system. Nothing sounded clear, words got lost in ensemble numbers and it just sounded tinny and contained. Maybe it'll improve as it was only the 2nd preview (and was in extremely good shape!).

All performances were fantastic, I'd say. Gina Beck and Rebecca Trehearn were a wonderful pair and oh my goodness what glorious voices and ranges they both have. My Bill received a very large ovation. Don't think there's much to the part of Gaylord and Chris Peluso did just fine. There's the drink and gambling problems but they're not explored as much as they probably are in the original novel - but I didn't see Michael Xavier so can't 'compare' as it were. The comedy felt fresh and un-dated and was delivered well and hats off to the MD, the sound that the ensemble make (particularly the male ensemble) is extraordinary. It's so authentically old-school musical theatre, it's like you were there in 1927 listening to them, or listening to the film recording, practically verging on opera/operetta that this kind of show calls for - and not a fake operetta sound that many MT performers implement whilst attempting to sing legit MT scores, these singers were the real deal - perhaps only Chris Peluso stuck out for his singing style sounding far too modern for what the piece requires.

As a show, I actually thought it started quite slow and I was worried I wasn't going to enjoy it, but from Ol' Man River onwards it really hit its stride. I wasn't completely and utterly blown away like many have been, but it's a 4* production without a doubt and a must-see for any lover of the golden age of musical theatre!

Also saw this last night and agree with everything theatre madness said.
Sound all over the place. Started slow and we didn't get into it at first but by half way through Act 1, we were swept away.
Some great singing from all involved but a few dodgy accent moments. Both my friend and myself in tears at the end. We both want to back for another visit.

When it was first uttered last night there were definite gasps around the auditorium. I guess it is a bit of a shock hearing it knowing it's a complete taboo in 2016. I don't think you even become immune to it by the end of the show, it's always said in such an aggressive way.

There was also a very loud shriek from a woman in the circle when Magnolia slaps her mother.

Also, a large group on the 2nd row of the stalls disappeared a short while into the 2nd act. Turns out one of that group was leaving and proceeded to throw up over one side of the stairs out into the foyer. The rest of the group were with her, I presume, so decided to all leave and the usher had to direct them to one side of the stairs as to not step in the sick. As it's also used as an entrance/exit for the actors, the poor usher had to quickly clean it up with some paper towels. Probably not what they signed up for.

I'm so sorry - the way I phrased that was confusing.  It wasn't this past Sunday, but a Sunday in January when SB was still running in Sheffield.

Any day seats for this? I've seen this eons ago when I was but an early teen back in the Price Edward Theatre. Don't remember much of it, I'd be curious to see how I react to it now.

Front row is on sale online, throughout the run as far as I can see (and at £39.50 which seems pretty good value to me if not quite day seat pricing).