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Post by David J on Feb 6, 2019 22:56:44 GMT
Okay I have to admit Jeremy’s acting was sub par. When he had to become the man of action he was unconvincing
Kelly Matthiesen was certainly quiet at time during the first act but she was much better in the second act
Quite honestly I can’t judge how good this cast is good to other casts (outside of the phantom) despite having seen this for the fourth time. I I think the musical is grand with beautiful music but never felt emotional investment to the story or characters (he’s s psychopath of course she’s going for Raoul!).
I only went to see David Thaxton and Scott Davies could not lighten what was an underwhelming evening
Can’t help but hear the bangs going on as set pieces were moved about. I noticed Christine and the cast got well clear of the falling chandelier. Does Rhaoul no longer grab her out of the way anymore?
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Post by David J on Feb 6, 2019 23:11:11 GMT
Oh and I had to suppress a laugh as Scott Davies’ “go now...leave...leave...llleeaavve me”
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Post by stanne on Mar 3, 2019 11:47:12 GMT
Is Thaxton back now does anyone know? Was thinking of booking but very keen to see him.
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Post by stageyninja83 on Mar 3, 2019 13:42:02 GMT
Is Thaxton back now does anyone know? Was thinking of booking but very keen to see him. He was back from illness but had Friday/Saturday off this week holiday so you should be OK from next week. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2019 13:32:04 GMT
Saw Scott Davies at the evening show on Saturday, and thoroughly enjoyed his performance. I will agree that he's starting to show his age in regards to his voice as he struggled to hit higher notes and it sounded like he was forcing it a lot, but I thought his acting was excellent and everything I pictured the Phantom to be.
Jeremy Taylor, however, I thought was the weaker of the three. Just really flat and one-note.
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Post by distantcousin on Mar 24, 2019 17:16:22 GMT
At the show tonight. Scott is on as phantom. Seen him a few times and I just think he is now too old to play the role in my opinion. Kelly has improved in the acting department but doesn’t sound loud enough at times. She also appears out of breath and rushing at times. Jeremy is the dullest raoul I’ve ever seen. He’s even worse than last time I saw him. Talk about going through the motions with no personality and a pretty basic voice! Liking the guy playing piangi and Katy hanna is a good Carlotta. Shame some of the cast are letting the material down.
Agreed, Jeremy as Raoul was dull and charmless - annoying he got such a cheer from the audience!
I also agree Kelly was too quiet at times and a little bit "surface" level.
David Thaxton as Phantom was EXTREMELY impressive on all scores - I was bowled over by him.
One of the managers (can't remember which - the one without the beard wasn't great)
Carlotta was fantastic.
Maybe there was some sound mix issues (we were in row G) as both singing and dialogue was too quiet on a number of occasions from various cast members - you'd think they's have got it right after 32 years!  |
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Post by distantcousin on Mar 24, 2019 17:16:49 GMT
Is Thaxton back now does anyone know? Was thinking of booking but very keen to see him.
Yes, and he is SUPERB
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Post by kirstylovesmusicals on Mar 24, 2019 19:25:49 GMT
I’d very much like to see Simon Bailey play Phantom if he ever gives up on playing Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys. Lol
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Post by stageyninja83 on Mar 24, 2019 20:27:37 GMT
I’d very much like to see Simon Bailey play Phantom if he ever gives up on playing Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys. Lol JB tour finishes this month so he won't have much choice but to give it up. I saw him as Raoul a while back and would love to see him as Phantom too. Wonder how many people have played both over the years. |
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Post by sleepflower on Apr 5, 2019 19:06:55 GMT
Does anyone have any fairly priced seating advice for this? I've never been before and don't fancy spending nearly £200 on premium seats! All the lowest priced seats are behind pillars(?) which sounds a bit pointless for a theatre...
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Post by sophizoey on Apr 5, 2019 19:09:36 GMT
Does anyone have any fairly priced seating advice for this? I've never been before and don't fancy spending nearly £200 on premium seats! All the lowest priced seats are behind pillars(?) which sounds a bit pointless for a theatre... I paid £25 for the front row the balcony, the edges of the centre block. However I would have rather spent my £25 on any other show. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Apr 5, 2019 19:35:51 GMT
Does anyone have any fairly priced seating advice for this? I've never been before and don't fancy spending nearly £200 on premium seats! All the lowest priced seats are behind pillars(?) which sounds a bit pointless for a theatre... B11-14 of the stalls, it's the front row and they are marked as restricted view because you are behind the conductor, but they are a huge deal. The view is actually great and you literally have the chandelier falling down just above you. At around 60£ they are the cheapest thing you can buy in the front stalls. Or at TKTS at Leicester Square they sell the lateral seats of row H for 45£: you miss something with the dress circle overhang but it's a good deal. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2019 19:56:38 GMT
B11 is my favourite seat in the house. Been there twice. It's perfect for the full POTO experience. Go for it!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2019 21:05:30 GMT
Yes, agree on the seats behind the conductor.You are right in the action.Can see the detail in the costumes especially in the Masquerade scene.One of the officers who is trying to arrest the Phantom comes out of the orchestra pit next to you and the chandelier falling is much more dramatic from below it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2019 10:18:34 GMT
Wait. The chandelier falls? Spoiler tags please!
😆
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 6, 2019 11:04:51 GMT
Welcome to the board, sleepflower . The seats behind the conductor are good (limited legroom, though). Personally, I've always loved H23 in the dress circle. I first saw it from here, and for £32.50 it's to the side of the pillar - you just lean a bit. Stalls O4 is similar for the same money - maybe even edges it for view, except if someone tall is in front, in which case the circle has the advantage as that row is on a high plinth. The edges of the upper circle are very cheap, and you get what you pay for. Much more on my site with various other recommendations. Be aware that nobody gets a full view of all the action from even the most expensive seat, due to the staging and just how the theatre is. They do day seats on a Thursday afternoon, and you can get a very good stalls ticket for £25 if you get there early on a quiet day. Don't try during school holidays and peak season, as they tend not to have such good tickets. There are also "book ahead" offers with companies like Encore for £47.50 for best available for Thursday afternoons as well, quite often. theatreboard.entstix.com. You could also wait for London Theatre Sale (formerly GILTS) for January / February (booking opens November) as that always has best seats for £40, with £30 and £20 choices, or if you have children there is Kidsweek in August (booking June) where you get a seat for your child free, so half-price for the pair. Isn’t he marvellous? 🐒 🍌 |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2019 11:06:52 GMT
Remember once reading somewhere that the chandelier drop happens at different speeds depending on the different health/safety laws in different countries and I think the height of the theatre may also have some bearing perhaps? Got to say that HM’s is one of my favourite theatres for atmosphere but some of the seat views for POTO are not great throughout the venue partly as theatre monkey says because of the design for this show eg the proscenium
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 6, 2019 11:29:13 GMT
There’s a YouTube video showing all of the different countries chandeliers dropping. It’s definitely different. Sadly Australia isn’t included and that was supposed to be frighteningly fast.
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Post by No. on Apr 6, 2019 11:38:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2019 11:41:04 GMT
Hope they have a defibrillator on stand-by in the theatre in Oz.Joking aside,it is possibly the greatest ‘wow’ moment I have ever seen in a theatre along with the on-stage revolve in the original CATS at the New London,the helicopter in MISS SAIGON and of course the barricade in LES MIS.The stair-case in 42nd STREET was spectacular as well.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2019 11:43:23 GMT
Just checked out the videos.Thanks,guys...seriously WOW! The power of live theatre!
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Post by David J on Apr 6, 2019 13:50:05 GMT
I could have sworn the west end chandelier was faster before. When I saw it last February it just gradually came down. And Raoul didn’t grab Christina out of the way. Everyone got away before the chandelier even swung towards the stage
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Post by sleepflower on Apr 6, 2019 17:28:46 GMT
Thanks for all the seat advice everyone! Much appreciated. I'll try and forget the spoilers before I see it in a few weeks |
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Post by sleepflower on Apr 23, 2019 13:23:37 GMT
Thanks for all the seat advice everyone! Much appreciated. I'll try and forget the spoilers before I see it in a few weeks So I saw the show the other day - sat in stalls O4 as advised, and had a perfect view! I very rarely sit in the stalls but I'm glad I did. Loved the show - the costumes and sets were stunning. The overture and the scene where they go in the boat was incredible, really spine-tingling stuff for someone who hasn't seen it before! One question though; what was with the random robot doll thing of Christine(?) that the Phantom had in his lair at one point? Obviously showing his lust for her, but there was no reference to it that I can recall (may be wrong, not being very familiar with the show) and it just seemed a bit random and made him seem more predatory when I got the impression the story was ultimately trying to elicit sympathy for him. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2019 13:32:18 GMT
Does anyone know if David Thaxton
a) does all performances?
b) has any holiday coming up?
No massive desire to see Phantom again but would like to just for Thaxton - loved him in Les Mis and JCS!
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