4 posts
|
Post by caveman on Aug 23, 2016 13:44:46 GMT
FLOYD COLLINS Wilton's Music Hall 21st September - 15th October 2016 Adam Guettel’s award winning musical based on the true story of a fearless cave explorer who dreams of finding fame and fortune deep underground. When he becomes trapped, it’s a race against time for his family and friends as they fight to set him free. The media circus above ground turns their extraordinary rescue effort into a national sensation. Floyd’s determination will inspire the whole community… Featuring a hauntingly beautiful score, brought to life in the atmospheric surroundings of Wilton’s Music Hall. Directed by Jonathan Butterell. wiltons.org.uk/whatson/202-floyd-collinsthe-musical
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2016 14:01:02 GMT
I love Floyd Collins, but I'm really turned off by the prices here. Can you tell us something about it that's a bit less press release and a bit more "I know it's pricey but it'll be worth it, for these reasons"?
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Aug 23, 2016 14:07:11 GMT
I will never forget the Southwark production with Floyd fading away into the depths of those tunnels - the most perfect marriage of show and venue ever.
|
|
4,596 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 23, 2016 15:34:50 GMT
I will never forget the Southwark production with Floyd fading away into the depths of those tunnels - the most perfect marriage of show and venue ever. Agreed totally stunning I want to see it at Wilton's but I think I'll wait for discounts
|
|
|
Post by crabtree on Aug 23, 2016 18:22:38 GMT
I love this haunting beautiful show...very tragic, but somehow uplifting, and a great score.
|
|
4 posts
|
Post by caveman on Aug 24, 2016 9:23:20 GMT
I love Floyd Collins, but I'm really turned off by the prices here. Can you tell us something about it that's a bit less press release and a bit more "I know it's pricey but it'll be worth it, for these reasons"? Of course I am attached to it, but I genuinely think it's going to be special. We have a fantastic cast, who will present this stunning show in the glorious Wilton's Music Hall. I will set-up a discount for the people of the Theatre Board. I hope it helps some of you to come along and that you enjoy what we put in front of you.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 10:08:15 GMT
Well that was an unexpected and yet wholly welcome and extremely generous response! To show my gratitude, I went and booked a ticket before even beginning to type this reply.
|
|
1,330 posts
|
Post by CG on the loose on Aug 24, 2016 10:38:29 GMT
A generous offer, thank you - I loved this at Southwark, and if I can find a date in a ridiculously busy period, I will definitely be booking (first trip to Wiltons too!)
|
|
1,330 posts
|
Post by CG on the loose on Aug 24, 2016 11:55:43 GMT
A generous offer, thank you - I loved this at Southwark, and if I can find a date in a ridiculously busy period, I will definitely be booking (first trip to Wiltons too!) That's three of us booked in for the final matinee, and another friend (and fellow board member) who wasn't free that day looking for a date earlier in the run
|
|
|
Post by d'James on Aug 24, 2016 12:51:21 GMT
Wilton's is gorgeous. Saw Springtime for Henry and Barbara there earlier in the year. It's top of my list for my wedding venue. (Not that I'm engaged or anything.)
Will definitely be booking for this.
|
|
4 posts
|
Post by caveman on Aug 24, 2016 13:33:10 GMT
A big thank you from the man in the cave with the big wooden club. I don't think you are going to be disappointed.
|
|
7,544 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by alece10 on Aug 25, 2016 10:02:36 GMT
Well another one to add to my list. Not a show I know at all so will be interesting to see something different and I absolutely love Wiltons as a venue. It's an amazing building.
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Aug 26, 2016 0:37:26 GMT
Alec give us a heads up when you are likely to go and I see if I can do it, as we both know someone involved in the show, mums the word though.
Canner get down before October 08th though.
|
|
1,330 posts
|
Post by CG on the loose on Aug 30, 2016 10:09:34 GMT
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Sept 25, 2016 7:06:47 GMT
It was a mad dash across London yesterday with, seemingly, every tube and overground line down with signal failures and then trying to find Wilton's Music Hall somewhere between Tower Hill and Shadwell but - happy ending! Wilton's is a gem of a theatre, worth visiting just on its own, and its current tenant, Jonathan Butterell's new production of Floyd Collins is magnificent.
Of course, the work itself is magnificent with Adam Guettel's achingly beautiful and idiosyncratic score and its powerfully told true story. One just hopes to see a production that does it justice. This one does, and then some. Played on an ingeniously inventive set, two stage levels and an enormous scaffolding which Floyd and those who follow enter from the top, climbing and slithering their way down, it's the best simulation of the cave system I've seen. Floyd himself, once he's stuck, upright, remains in place, shadowed or revealed by the subtle lighting, but always there as the above ground action plays out in front of him. It's completely convincing.
Floyd is a young American actor, Ashley Robinson, and he is fabulous - I don't know what else to say, a strong, intense actor with the perfect voice for the part. He is matched by Rebecca Trehearne as his ethereal sister, Nellie, a role completely unlike anything I have seen her do, and by Samuel Thomas as his brother, Homer - their duet ending the first act is a highlight - and by Daniel Booroff as the wiry reporter, Skeets Miller, the only man able to reach Floyd. But everyone's wonderful including the eight piece band (uncredited in the programme) playing the original charts. If you know the show from the OCR that is exactly the sound you hear.
This was only the 3rd preview so it's going to get even tighter and better but it's already in amazing shape. Don't miss it - it's well worth the journey.
|
|
9 posts
|
Post by daroca on Sept 25, 2016 12:14:03 GMT
I was also in attendance yesterday at the Matinee performance, totally agree with all that Mallardo reports.
Also my first visit Wilton's Music Hall, don't be put off my the location it's about a 10 mins walk from Tower Hill, if you do take some time to have a look around this amazing building, it is nestled between modern building and next to to a school.
Standouts for me are Rebecca Trehearne, her singing alone is worth the ticket price, Sam Thomas he's second professional role after Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse last month, and Ashley Robinson who couldn't have been better cast.
The stage is raised, with a lot of the action on the scaffolding high above the stage, but there is very little floor raking at Wiltons so keep that in mind when booking tickets, but on the whole you wouldn't miss much even it sat near the back of the stalls. I wondered up to the balcony during the interval and you actually get a great view from up there.
The band is sublime headed by MD Tom Brady, who was also MD for showboat.
|
|
1,330 posts
|
Post by CG on the loose on Sept 25, 2016 13:33:23 GMT
Given the scaffolding, I have a feeling our necks may regret our front row seats (booked because of the lack of rake)...
|
|
665 posts
|
Post by westendcub on Sept 25, 2016 13:39:03 GMT
I attended on its first night, was my 2nd time at the venue and must agree it really is worth a visit.
This was my first time experiencing the piece, had not heard the music before or knew too much about the story (the history it's based on).
Overall I enjoyed the show but an unusual comment from me is that Act 1 needs trimming and is at times plodding with too much dialog scenes. The songs tell its story and Act 2 which was mainly song was far stronger than its first, the strength of this musical is it's clever offbeat non linear score.
The performances were terrific, some sound issues but was its first night so was expected and am sure will be tightened up before it officially opens.
It brought tears to my eyes so am glad I have seen the show and it's a moving night at the theatre in a beautiful surrounding.
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Sept 25, 2016 13:45:36 GMT
Given the scaffolding, I have a feeling our necks may regret our front row seats (booked because of the lack of rake)...
You won't have any problem - first row is perfect. The scaffolding is upstage - no craning.
|
|
1,330 posts
|
Post by CG on the loose on Sept 25, 2016 15:56:10 GMT
Excellent news, thanks mallardo
|
|
|
Post by d'James on Sept 25, 2016 18:23:50 GMT
Is there an aisle down the middle of the audience? (I've fallen foul of online seating plans before!)
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Sept 25, 2016 18:48:05 GMT
Is there an aisle down the middle of the audience? (I've fallen foul of online seating plans before!) Yes.
|
|
|
Post by d'James on Sept 25, 2016 18:52:30 GMT
Great thanks.
|
|
|
Post by d'James on Sept 25, 2016 21:08:13 GMT
Has the code stopped working?
|
|
537 posts
|
Post by jek on Sept 25, 2016 21:20:01 GMT
Didn't work for me when I tried it earlier. I booked anyway - based on the things people were saying about it on here.
|
|
|
Post by d'James on Sept 25, 2016 21:26:00 GMT
This one and the Dress Circle one didn't work for me. Guess I missed the boat.
|
|
20 posts
|
Post by juliem on Sept 26, 2016 12:56:13 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed this - Ashley Robinson in full flow is a joy to behold, as is Rebecca, with fab support from Samuel Thomas, Sarah Ingram, Jack Chissick. Another first time Wilton's visitor, loved the place, staff friendly; and for those to whom these things matter, toilets spotless!
|
|
|
Post by d'James on Sept 26, 2016 16:05:25 GMT
Yeah I got £25 tickets from a different website. It says on the website that they're not restricted so hope they're OK.
Another site was selling £23 tickets for £30 - what a great deal(!)
|
|
155 posts
|
Post by synchrony on Sept 26, 2016 16:19:54 GMT
I also went to the Saturday matinee! I didn’t know this musical at all before I went. I hadn’t heard of Floyd either, and deliberately didn’t read up on it because I didn’t want to know the plot in advance. I really liked: - Ashley Robinson - The theatre, which I thought was perfect for this piece and very interesting to see - The staging and scenery - The score - The ending But: - I thought the whole thing was MUCH too long. There’s not a lot to the plot. I did enjoy it, but I’d have enjoyed it more had it been half the length. - Not enough character development for me. {Spoiler - click to view} I spent quite a while trying to work out if Nellie had been in an asylum for real mental health issues or whether it was a euphemism for having a baby. I also found her character rather annoyingly naïve and foolishly optimistic. I was a bit confused about how old she was meant to be. I also didn't feel that sad when I discovered that Floyd died. Nowhere near crying although I liked the way it was staged. - Some clunky bits of exposition. I think the show is flawed, but that this was a good production and I am glad to have seen it - it's completely unlike anything else I've ever seen. I’d recommend that anyone going checks in advance whether there are engineering works on the Circle Line between Kings Cross and Tower Hill (if that’s relevant to you). It makes an otherwise easy tube journey much more difficult.
|
|
|
Post by d'James on Sept 30, 2016 11:43:45 GMT
I agree with synchrony it was very long. It would be a lot better with some chopping. Has Ashley Robinson ever played John Thomson's son in anything? If not he should. The cast were all really good. If some of the accents slipped here and there, it didn't matter because they were acting so well. The seats weren't very comfortable. They need to make sure their seating plan is the same on all websites. The site I booked from didn't say mine was a restricted view, but it clearly was when I sat down. Luckily there were lots of spare seats.
|
|