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Post by adrianics on Aug 17, 2016 8:28:14 GMT
Happy to see the good reviews. We saw a Saturday Matinee last month and I thought much the same as the consensus; Andy Karl is terrific and a true star, the direction and staging is phenomenal, the ensemble are great but the songs are quite forgettable and sometimes Tim Minchin's dry and meta humour doesn't mesh with the fantastical premise. Some of the stage illusions were nothing short of brilliant, and it's so thrilling to see what live theatre is capable of nowadays.
I'm a huge fan of the film and there were additions that I thought worked very well (making Ned a widower in particular, although that didn't seem to go anywhere), as well as additions that fell flat on their face (Nancy's song in Act 2 makes no sense unless she, as a character, is aware that she's in a musical about the same day repeating over and over again). I also did think that they really struggled to give anyone apart from Phil anything to do, but I guess you could say the same about the film.
All in all I think that it's a fantastic production of a good show, but hardly destined to be a classic or anything like that. Still definitely worth going to see.
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Post by mrsdanvers on Aug 17, 2016 8:33:05 GMT
Surprisingly large number of tickets still seem to be available, guess that may change today.
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Post by jampot on Aug 17, 2016 8:55:46 GMT
Can anyone copy and paste the times review as i think that is pay web site etc. If it doesnt break any rules on here that is...
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Post by stevej678 on Aug 17, 2016 9:17:34 GMT
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Post by harry on Aug 17, 2016 9:26:48 GMT
Nancy's song in Act 2 makes no sense unless she, as a character, is aware that she's in a musical about the same day repeating over and over again. Surely the point is that she (and pretty much all of the characters) feel trapped in repetitious lives without being literally trapped in a timeloop as well as the audience knowing that they are actually trapped in a timeloop but don't know it. Yes there's an added layer of meta-theatricality in that she talks about playing a part, but again that has meaning within the context of the show of her character feeling that to fit in to society she has to put on tight jeans and doll up, as well as the double meaning for the audience of a pretty actress always getting cast in sexy girl roles with little to do except look good. It's certainly an unconventional way to begin Act 2 but I thought it was yet another highlight in a show full of highlights. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 17, 2016 14:55:31 GMT
Try and get a £30 seat now?
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Post by kelly52 on Aug 17, 2016 15:56:09 GMT
Thrilled about these reviews (excepting Quentin Letts who must be the only reviewer who has seen this who cannot appreciate Andy Karl - baffling - not a comedian?!!). I'm still thinking about how great it was weeks later. Hope it gets the transfer it deserves. I haven't heard from one person, except a rather confrontational poster last week on here - sorry forgotten their name (he/she listed Bend it Like Beckham as one of the plays they love! - eh...ok then...don't think I'll be using you as a barometer) who hasn't adored it.
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Post by Steffi on Aug 17, 2016 16:45:57 GMT
Quentin Letts has reminded me once again why I never judge a show based on his opinion. Most of the time he seems to be watching a completely different show than me.
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Post by jampot on Aug 17, 2016 17:37:40 GMT
Quentin Letts has reminded me once again why I never judge a show based on his opinion. Most of the time he seems to watching a completely different show than me. Sounds like a complete numpty. Must feel rather foolish with the glowing reviews all around him. Yes, he is entitled to his opinion. But sounds so detached on all levels with this. A REAL Phil Connors within the arts world... |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2016 17:48:02 GMT
So thrilled with the reviews! A show that truly deserves the raves, so great to see a new musical have this critical success!  |
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Post by westendwendy on Aug 17, 2016 17:56:15 GMT
Great show - NOW transfer it!!!
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Post by theunderstudy on Aug 17, 2016 20:56:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2016 20:57:25 GMT
I am not surprised Brantley didn't really warm to Carlyss Peer unfortunately. Sadly too, when they transfer the show to Broadway, she would be one of the first things they would cut and put a much more well known Broadway face alongside Andy Karl. Someone, like Brantley suggested, like Annaleigh Ashford who can bring more warmth and comedy to the role. Then also being able to label the show as having a Tony Nominated leading man and a Tony Winning leading lady.
Thrilled at the news of a transfer for Broadway is back on. Hopefully they take the time to fix any of the very minor things that have been brought up in reviews in order to make it perfect and it can have a successful run!  |
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Post by jampot on Aug 17, 2016 21:31:52 GMT
Im sure those comments are not new comments since the press night ...more of a rehash of the original agenda of where they are hoping to go with the production... |
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Post by theunderstudy on Aug 17, 2016 21:48:00 GMT
The NYT is a newspaper of record so they tend to check their facts...unlike some others we can think of. The statement is from today.
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Post by jampot on Aug 17, 2016 22:14:51 GMT
The NYT is a newspaper of record so they tend to check their facts...unlike some others we can think of. The statement is from today. So reiterating what they have already said... |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2016 22:16:25 GMT
“The show is being produced on Broadway by Whistle Pig and Columbia Live Stage. Additional information will be announced at a later date.”
It's being produced by a whiskey?...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2016 22:19:54 GMT
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 18, 2016 0:59:40 GMT
So, saw this from a front stalls seat on Wednesday evening for £30 - last minute discount from the Old Vic site. The same seat is £90 this coming Friday! The stalls rake at the Old Vic is shallow so if you have a tall man in front of you (as I did) the view is obscured despite a high stage.
So to the show.....
Despite the show being very very clever and very cleverly ( and at times beautifully ) staged with a hard working ensemble and a great leading man, great lighting and effects, I was left slightly underwhelmed and I couldn't really put my finger on why... perhaps as I see alot of theatre I am incredibly hard to please.
The staging is fabulous, very inventive, slick and clearly technically very demanding for the cast who move sets as well as complete manic costume changes. The ensemble work their socks off. The book and the lyrics are very funny. The lighting and effects are terrific.
But for me the music is disappointing with no memorable songs or melodies. I found the leading the ladies voice nasally and I did not warm to her performance. Despite a hard workig ensemble none of the characters really made any mark - I suppose the nature of the material, but the repetitions ( with deviations) did get tiresome for me.
I cannot remember the film but I found the ending very abrupt - why was the spell broken in the end? This was not clear to me from the show - it needed a clearer reason for the break in the loop. The show needs trimming - running at 2 hours 40 minutes it outstayed its welcome a little.
Overall I did enjoy it for the technical brilliance of the staging, and a great leading performance from Andy Karl but not a 5 star show for me. I am pleased it has got good reviews though and the PACKED audience roared their approval with a full standing ovation - although I do find that standing ovations are becoming more and more the norm now in the WE. If the row in front stand, people behind have to stand to see the curtain call. So it is a ripple effect rather than a spontaneous stand together if that makes any sense at all.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2016 7:33:40 GMT
I would have to agree with everything wickedgrin says. The three people with me thought this was amazing, but for me the 4 and 5 star reviews felt distinctly Emperor's New Clothes.
I'd say it's comfortably a 3 star show, but on the strength of its leading man alone I'd elevate it to 4. He has that Nathan Fillion thing I'd term 'charming dickishness' and great comic timing.
Some of the songs just felt a bit toothless in terms of what they were trying to skewer. It felt weird to have two songs satirising women's roles/expectations in theatre/society when there was no strong character development for any female role in the show. And in some numbers I just couldn't hear the lyrics clearly enough. The tap section with the drumming groundhog felt dreadfully self-indulgent.
I was in the dress circle so I saw a few people mid-stalls rise to their feet at curtain. By the time the cast were back for individual bows, most of the stalls and plenty of the dress (that I could see) were up. As wickedgrin says, more often than not these days I find myself standing up just to try to see curtain call after a lot of overexuberant people in front of me shoot to their feet!
All in all, a perfectly decent night out (and great to see Karl, who seems to have a lovely voice that was really only showcased in the final song. Elsewhere, it got too caught up in trying to deliver Minchin's rapid-fire lyrics). But unlike others on here, I'd feel no need to rush back.
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Post by lolli on Aug 18, 2016 10:52:27 GMT
Do we think this will move to a West End theatre?
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Post by andrew on Aug 18, 2016 11:14:51 GMT
No £30 seats so far today...
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Post by dippy on Aug 18, 2016 11:20:31 GMT
Was thinking of checking out of curiosity, thanks for doing it for me! Glad I did go last night then.
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Post by theatremadness on Aug 18, 2016 11:34:02 GMT
No £30 seats so far today... If they do appear, I think it's more around 3pm/4pm maybe later - so do check back if you were looking to buy! But, as dippy, I'm also very glad I picked up a £30 ticket for my 2nd trip (also last night!) in case they do disappear! |
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Post by harry on Aug 18, 2016 12:14:12 GMT
No £30 seats so far today... and what is more, top price next week seems to have increased to £140. Im sorry but dynamic pricing is just the theatres getting in on the ticket touting/exorbitant prices act. |
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