Groundhog Day the Musical - Old Vic

It was indeed the South Bank Awards, here's the youtube link

I'm a big Tim Minchin fan in general. His musical comedy shows I've always felt were a cut above anyone else doing that sort of thing, and the Matilda blew me away as a show. I've no doubt that this might be rubbish, but his track record up to now has been stellar, so I have a lot of confidence. This is the only show I've bought expensive tickets for, even with Harry Potter I bought previews tickets.

I keep forgetting this is coming. I should book a ticket soon enough.

I keep forgetting this is coming. I should book a ticket soon enough.

I keep forgetting this is coming. I should book a ticket soon enough.


Huh? What's happening to my posts? It's like grou. . . oh never mind.

There is a reason for this!

I have a theory to explain this phenomenon. The world divides into those people who prefer to see a show when it's ready (after press night) and those who stampede to see it at the earliest possible opportunity when it may be a mess (in early preview). Most peopke are in the former category, with far fewer in the latter, and with most of them posting on this board, apparently.

So, with a month of previews, relatively few naturally plump to book for the later previews. But they should sell, from press night backwards, if the month of shows after press night becomes heavily sold. And if word from the early previews is positive, the later previews should sell, from tonight forwards.

What happened in Stratford with Matilda was that reviews and early word of mouth generated massive local interest which was largely unsatisfied by the short seasonal run of performances. But many of those disappointed locals might have been able to see the show at a preview, had they been willing to risk booking before knowing how the show would turn out.

Isn't that Carolyn Maitland singing backup?

Oh, and it's a lovely song. I think it could make an amazing finale with the right staging. 

I think the reason why we keep on only seeing performances of this song over and over again is probably because it's a song Tim Minchin clearly feels comfortable performing and perhaps most of the other songs are very character driven and would be weird to perform out of context. 

First preview is cancelled and is now 'public dress rehearsal', if you have tickets you can watch and will be refunded.

Presumably not at a standard they can expect people to pay for yet.

Hm, I wonder where that leaves me? Someone re-sold their tickets to me (at face value) and transferred the pick up name to me. I guess they'll refund her, and I have to hope that she pays me back?

Old Vic Twitter has yet to confirm the news, by the way.

If it was done over eBay or similar, there's probably going to be some form of buyer protection layer you can invoke. If it was someone you know done in person, you'll have to hope they pass on the money to you. But yes, I don't think the Old Vic would have any responsibility to get the money back to you rather than the original purchaser.

My slight concern is the Old Vic seem to be persistently unable to email me, I've missed various emails from them (I use bog standard Gmail) over the last year or so. They always tend to make a call to me, so I'll have to wait for them to get around to doing that (presuming this is true).

Strangely - marketing emails get through to me fine, it's the order confirmation and alteration ones which never seem to be able to send.. The problem with me is obviously at their Box Office, in some fashion or another. I'm not sure what's going on with your one.

In any case, if anyone gets official word about tomorrow, let me know on here please

No, the box office advised she could transfer them to my name for pick up and re-sell as long as it was at face value. I have copies of the emails.

I'm aware it could be an elaborate scam, but it seems a lot of bother for all of £20!

Oooooooooo maybe il call them and see if I can get better seats!!