Groundhog Day the Musical - Old Vic

Aha yes, I think I know the bit you mean. It's very unusual for me to spot Teller doing anything - without watching it back about ten times, anyway! - so it was a shame.

Take your point about an actor actually playing a magician. But hopefully they'd be given more time to prepare for that. I would think for the average actor, concentrating on playing a character and getting a trick right technically would be enough to worry about, though - there's very little chance they'd ever be able to make it a thing of real beauty like a pro could (like, say, Teller with his goldfish or Simon Drake putting eggs in a hat).

Every time? They must know when you're coming.

Illusions - Paul Kieve (GD) and Chris Fisher (HPatCC)

So the act 2 opening number has been the song that's probably most discussed by those who have seen GHD. I was really taken with how unexpected it was and how unusually it sits within the show. With the aid of a friend who's quite familiar with the production, we've pieced together the song as best we can (without any solid source material). He chickened out, so for anyone who's interested, find below a very mediocre performance of 'Playing Nancy'.

This is lovely!

I finally saw this last night. I can't decide whether I like the ending or not but I think the production itself is near perfect. I loved the opening of Act 2 (and I just about think it offsets the ending). I don't even know how to compare it to Matilda (which I also love). It's too different. It's typically Tim Minchin wordy but I didn't find it difficult to hear any of the words at all.

I remember someone saying way back in previews that this is something you will either get or you won't. Based on audience reactions last night I definitely think you can "get" it on different levels. There was quite a lot of laughter in places which I didn't think were meant to be funny. I thought it was much darker than the people sitting around me seemed to. But they also loved it.

For those questioning seating choices (if you can even get seats now) I sat smack bang in the centre of the front row and it's great. The stage is high but I don't think it really matters.

On a different note, how hot must the cast be?! So many of them were wearing winter coats for almost the entire show.

Quite a few of the ensemble actually wear cold packs under all of those layers to make it bearable.

Would love to hear what Georgina could of done with Carlyss songs...

I enjoyed this but I didn't love it and I don't think I would pay to see it again anytime soon.

- Andy Karl was easily the best part of the entire show. Having never seen him in anything before, he was a revelation. Lovely voice and great actor with real charisma and stage presence. I would be scared of seeing this show with a lesser lead. As I mentioned before, if this goes to Broadway this season I think he will have a hard time winning against Ben Platt (who has much more emotional material to deal with) but I'd be shocked if he didn't get a nomination.

- I also thought Carlyss Peer was great. Not quite as faultless a performance as Karl but again very charismatic and engaging to watch. I understand the complaints about her voice but I actually liked it for the character, it's quirky. I don't think I would want her to be recast for Broadway. Her and Karl also had great chemistry.

- I loved the act 2 opener and thought it was very clever but was not such a fan of the insurance guy's song. I get what they were going for but it felt awkward to me.

- I think the show needs a showstopper number. The rock number near the start of act 2 comes close. I actually really liked the score (much more than Matilda) but I found it disconcerting that there was no real big song that the audience went wild for. There was no standing ovation at the end tonight either.

- Some of the jokes (especially in the first quarter) are dire and others are genuinely funny.

Overall, I think the show is leagues ahead of most other musicals to come from London in the past ten years. Far preferred it to Matilda, which I found boring. However, it is still leagues behind a lot of stuff coming from Broadway which I think is making it hard for me to get too excited about. It's an entertaining and sweet night out, but I'm not expecting it to stay with me. I do think it could be a success on Broadway though. It's a much better show than Waitress for example.

3.5*

I may be tempted to book again, the downside is Monday matinee may be a bit crap in sales as its a Monday afternoon.

I think lots of people in the Industry will flock to that performanc on the Monday matinee