Groundhog Day the Musical - Old Vic

meaning The Observer!

I think you're wrong, and the West End audience are more likely to enjoy it than the Old Vic regulars and dedicated theatre buffs who saw it during previews.

Non-regular theatregoers on an annual treat of a night out are looking for a good time and tend to be less critical than regular theatregoers. They're less likely to be comparing it to Matilda, and more likely to respond well to the comedy and uplifting romantic ending.

Audiences are likely to be drawn in by the mix of name recognition, the very strong reviews, and the very positive word of mouth. I know it's far from the only film-to-stage adaptation we've had but it's by far the best that I've seen.

As for its American-ness, well, it's not like it put people off Book of Mormon.

Always going to get a diff of opinion about productions.Thats healthy. We can't all be the same. As a newbie here,it amazes me how some people pick out things as bad parts that I loved in a show etc.I suppose its a bit like wine or art. So personal etc. I saw the show 3 times. First time I wasnt familiar with the music and it didnt grab me. To be expected. Loved the show however.. How one time watchers expect each song to fit in and have them toe tapping along on a first visit is beyond me. My second visit musicaly was a revelation and the songs were perfect...No improvement than before but I knew them... Simples...When I buy a cd by a fav artist its rare that I am blown away on a first listen...A few listens later and bang!
This is one of the best productions ive seen in a long time. I admit Im a novice on these boards. Maybe need my wings clipped and be a bit more cyinical. I hope this runs and runs. It was full of snow but melted my heart.
The sex is in the hog....

I was in C20 (right in the centre) and found the leg room to be very limited - and I'm only 5'10. Thanks for the warning that the outer seats have even less.

Unlike with Potter, though, I could see how that trick had to be done. Well, put it this way, I noticed someone was without something and then when something else unexpected happened next, and then the 'gasp moment' happened, I realised. Whether the same thing happened the next time I couldn't say. (A bit like Penn and Teller often find on 'Fool Us' - "I know how you must have done it, I just didn't see it actually happen...") 

Again, without giving spoilers away... admittedly, with Potter I was seated in the dress circle, which definitely seems to help with the magic. A couple of times I saw how things were done there too. But let's be fair, those actors have way more tricks to negotiate than one or two in Groundhog... And that telephone booth thing still has me stumped!  

Can someone put me out of my misery as to what the big illusion everyone is talking about is please? I honestly can't remember and it's driving me nuts.

Oh heck, yes, I didn't mean post it openly on here - either spoiler tags or PM me, I wasn't meaning spoiling anyone else. It's just been frustrating me for several days now, I really can't figure out what it is.

Still better than me @jeanhunt. I don't have a clue how to do them, although I ask people to use them. Haha. I just have to avoid saying anything spoilerish.

I am yet to learn. Is there a tutorial somewhere?

That's the thing about illusions, though - done well, even if you know how they're done (check out Penn and Teller demonstrating the cups and balls trick, or Teller doing the one using a cigarette), they're still hugely impressive.

I wouldn't criticise any stage actor for failing to pull off a trick with the aplomb of a professional magician. Those guys practise for years to make it look seamless! If a stage actor gets halfway close with a month or two prep, they're doing well I reckon!