343 posts
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Post by Sam on May 23, 2023 8:09:38 GMT
There was a loud crunch at one point last night followed by a member of crew dashing out on stage, but other than that and one or two prop drops it seemed to run very smoothly.
Our favourite parts were the quick changes/swaps and the van.
Glad I saw it, but won't be rushing back.
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Post by ceebee on May 23, 2023 9:34:09 GMT
Saw it tonight - I adore this show like nothing else. Saw it twice in its first run at the Old Vic and have caught some footage of the Broadway run. Here are my thoughts: Great comments - yes, days 1 2,3 do seem shorter. I like the "old fashioned traditional", plus it means they can dig out their lanterns from "A Christmas Carol" once more! |
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Post by alexander on May 23, 2023 9:42:33 GMT
Also the car chase scene seemed shorter?
Overall I kinda feel that to scrap the revolves the choreo needs to do a little more heavy lifting to make it seem less sparse. I also found the end of “Seeing You” a little random and untidy but am hoping this’ll be polished over the preview period!
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Post by newdawnrisin on May 23, 2023 9:49:47 GMT
I've got this booked in July, very excited as I've heard such good things about it and LOVE Tim Minchin's work! I've never seen the film - should I watch the film before I watch the show?
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Post by londonmzfitz on May 23, 2023 9:58:57 GMT
I've got this booked in July, very excited as I've heard such good things about it and LOVE Tim Minchin's work! I've never seen the film - should I watch the film before I watch the show? I'd suggest not, simply because I will forever have in my head the bloke sat behind me at Mama Mia saying to his partner "This is the bit in the film where such and such happens with so and so" ... over and over again. Not whispering either, I think he presumed he was there as a public announcement system for those around him that might think the thing being played out in person right in front of them bore no resemblance to the cinematic thing. Just enjoy it for itself, would be my thought. |
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Post by axolotypus on May 23, 2023 11:07:18 GMT
Absolutely loved this yesterday and agree that Night Will Come was the only song that truly is worse off for the lack of revolve. One thing I hadn't seen mentioned was how pretty the new lighting in If I Had My Time Again was! Some of the lyric changes do seem somewhat unnecessary though and I would love to watch Rubin and Minchin explain why certain minor things were changed (the fried chicken line is now "one day my heart will stop beating unless I cut down my cheese eating" iirc?) and the musical changes in Seeing You (a new guitar part at the beginning).
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Post by Sam on May 23, 2023 11:27:05 GMT
Absolutely loved this yesterday and agree that Night Will Come was the only song that truly is worse off for the lack of revolve. One thing I hadn't seen mentioned was how pretty the new lighting in If I Had My Time Again was! Some of the lyric changes do seem somewhat unnecessary though and I would love to watch Rubin and Minchin explain why certain minor things were changed (the fried chicken line is now "one day my heart will stop beating unless I cut down my cheese eating" iirc?) and the musical changes in Seeing You (a new guitar part at the beginning). There's a whole stereotype with black people and fried chicken isn't there, so I'd guess that's why it's changed to cheese? Fried Chicken Stereotype |
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Post by Mark on May 23, 2023 11:37:34 GMT
Absolutely loved this yesterday and agree that Night Will Come was the only song that truly is worse off for the lack of revolve. One thing I hadn't seen mentioned was how pretty the new lighting in If I Had My Time Again was! Some of the lyric changes do seem somewhat unnecessary though and I would love to watch Rubin and Minchin explain why certain minor things were changed (the fried chicken line is now "one day my heart will stop beating unless I cut down my cheese eating" iirc?) and the musical changes in Seeing You (a new guitar part at the beginning). There's a whole stereotype with black people and fried chicken isn't there, so I'd guess that's why it's changed to cheese? Fried Chicken StereotypeSounds like political correctness gone crazy. |
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Post by kathryn on May 23, 2023 17:31:55 GMT
Ah, that might in fact be a Tim Minchin running gag reference they’ve added. He has a whole song about how much he loves cheese, called ‘Cheese’, full of terribly cheesy puns.
He calls back to his love of cheese in lots of other songs, too.
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Post by ronnette on May 23, 2023 20:28:54 GMT
Camembert is a huge Easter egg for Minchin fans.
Along with White Wine in the Snow along the ticker tape of the first film clip.
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4,020 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on May 23, 2023 20:53:42 GMT
I understand that the original staging with 5 revolves was terribly complex and troublesome but I think a little is lost by not having at least 1. The nature of the show is so cyclical and it helped so much with transitions. It also means that you get less of the ensemble on stage in the climax of songs like Hope (there’s no longer multiple versions of Phil killing himself which was originally so effective). I'm very sorry to read this. The staging of that number is the thing I remember most vividly from seeing the original run & I thought it was brilliantly done then. I have yet to decide whether or not to see the amended version but that doesn't incline me to do so. |
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Post by partytentdown on May 23, 2023 21:29:35 GMT
I saw this tonight and had an enjoyable time. It's a fun and imaginative show. I remember enjoying it the last time round too, but I have a terrible memory so can't particularly recall the revolves that everyone is discussing, but I can see how at least one would be useful to have. There were a couple of odd moments with presumably automated scenery going a bit wrong and stage managers pushing stuff on. Can someone tell me what's supposed to happen in the last moments? I think something went wrong - someone wheeled on a bench very quickly and then the scene ended fairly abruptly.
There was also a 5 minute show stop when there was a commotion in the Stalls, did anyone see what happened?
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Post by christya on May 24, 2023 10:59:11 GMT
I've literally only just remembered that I have a CD of some kind of concept recording or demo of this that I picked up at Broadway Flea. Literally a home-burned CD with track names written on it.
You'd think I'd have had a listen to this! Might have to put it on in the car.
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Post by jamb0r on May 24, 2023 11:30:43 GMT
I saw this tonight and had an enjoyable time. It's a fun and imaginative show. I remember enjoying it the last time round too, but I have a terrible memory so can't particularly recall the revolves that everyone is discussing, but I can see how at least one would be useful to have. There were a couple of odd moments with presumably automated scenery going a bit wrong and stage managers pushing stuff on. Can someone tell me what's supposed to happen in the last moments? I think something went wrong - someone wheeled on a bench very quickly and then the scene ended fairly abruptly. There was also a 5 minute show stop when there was a commotion in the Stalls, did anyone see what happened? Was also there last night - this is the second time I've seen this new run and I don't think anything really went wrong? {Spoiler - click to view}
The only thing that I noticed wasn't quite right was 'Phil' dropping the blanket from the top of the ladder during Hope, which then looked odd when he 'jumped' and a second blanket was seen falling behind the ladder Most of the scenery isn't automated and is pushed on and off by the cast. I didn't notice anything wrong with the last moments too {Spoiler - click to view}
Phil takes Rita to watch the sunrise on a bench. That's all that is meant to happen Was sat a couple of rows behind the medical emergency - not sure what happened but the affected person was able to walk out after a few minutes so I hope they were OK. |
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Post by joshb on May 24, 2023 12:02:22 GMT
I saw this tonight and had an enjoyable time. It's a fun and imaginative show. I remember enjoying it the last time round too, but I have a terrible memory so can't particularly recall the revolves that everyone is discussing, but I can see how at least one would be useful to have. There were a couple of odd moments with presumably automated scenery going a bit wrong and stage managers pushing stuff on. Can someone tell me what's supposed to happen in the last moments? I think something went wrong - someone wheeled on a bench very quickly and then the scene ended fairly abruptly. There was also a 5 minute show stop when there was a commotion in the Stalls, did anyone see what happened? I was also at this show and half saw what happened from the Upper Circle - it seemed like an audience member fainted and slumped over, so their friend called for the show to be stopped as they tried to help them. I think they regained consciousness pretty quickly but then left the theatre. Other than this, I thought it was an excellent show. It was kind of a dream fulfilled to finally see it, after being unable to see the original run and spending most of 2017 hammering the Broadway cast recording. For an early preview the staging seemed pretty slick to me (though I was of course free from making comparisons to the original revolve). Andy Karl is every bit as good as my brain had built him to be from the OBCR and Tanisha Spring sounds incredible as Rita. Really hope this production will get a life beyond the Old Vic! |
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Post by properjob on May 24, 2023 21:32:29 GMT
I was also at Tuesday evenings show and had my own Ground Hog day moment with the show stop as I am convinced I read about that happening at an earlier performance in this very thread and now can't find it. I love this show but it turns out I don't remember it that well (I only saw the original 1 or 2 times) but listened to the soundtrack a lot. It did mean I took a while to warm to the new Rita as I think her phrasing must be slightly different. Her first few songs felt rushed to me. I don't know if they have actually been sped up. I felt the ghost of the revolve was still there as the the bedroom set is spun round a lot. I've mostly gone to the Old Vic to see A Christmas Carol so I found it spooky that this show also starts with a lot of men in waistcoats and top hats swinging lanterns. There were a couple of preview-ey bits where a couple of props got away from some actors and I felt like Phil was slightly struggling for time when he first got dressed. Also at least one of the FoH tech positions needs better masking of thier working light. However I'm sure that will all be sorted out. {Spoiler - click to view}
I also found it ought that the reserected Phils seemed to slightly overlap with each other. I do love the show though and will be back and I really hope it gets a transfer and a decent run this time. |
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Post by Matt on May 24, 2023 21:59:45 GMT
this show also starts with a lot of men in waistcoats and top hats swinging lanterns.[ What’s the deal with this actually? I thought they would come back to mention it but there was nothing. |
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Post by ceebee on May 24, 2023 22:11:10 GMT
My second show in five days tonight - this time from the back of the stalls. Visually glorious, band sounds fantastic but some vocals were drowned out at times. Very positive reactions again from the audience - this could grow to have life beyond the OV. Could easily tour this production.
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Post by foxa on May 24, 2023 22:30:14 GMT
this show also starts with a lot of men in waistcoats and top hats swinging lanterns.[ What’s the deal with this actually? I thought they would come back to mention it but there was nothing. *********************************************************************8 I know, thought I'd wandered into A Christmas Carol for a moment. There was at least one ensemble member (good dancer!) who wore that get up quite a bit - I think they were meant to be the town officials putting on a 'ye olde' type display. But the lanterns - no idea. Lyric change from 'rhino foreskin' to 'monkey foreskin' (thought rhino was better, but perhaps worried because it's endangered?) A couple of tiny technical things - the most notable a green sheet that I think was meant to drop completely at the end of the first act, but instead sort of hung there. For some reason, I didn't think Stuck worked as well as in its previous iteration, but was blown away by Hope and Seeing You. What a great deal the PWC previews are! |
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Post by westendcub on May 24, 2023 22:39:32 GMT
This was just absolutely terrific this evening!
I saw originally & loved it then, didn’t miss the resolve!
It’s such a gem of a show, we are lucky to have it back (where it belongs!!)
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Post by Mark on May 24, 2023 23:11:45 GMT
Is this the perfect movie to musical adaptation? Quite possibly.
As a musical, it just works so incredibly well, it flows so well. Just great storytelling through and through.
Andy Karl as good as ever and Tanisha Spring was wonderful - she should be getting a lot of work after this!
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Post by mrbarnaby on May 25, 2023 5:16:00 GMT
My second show in five days tonight - this time from the back of the stalls. Visually glorious, band sounds fantastic but some vocals were drowned out at times. Very positive reactions again from the audience - this could grow to have life beyond the OV. Could easily tour this production. That’s one of the reasons they’ve simplified it- so it can tour |
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Post by anthony40 on May 25, 2023 7:55:54 GMT
I am there tonight
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Post by ceebee on May 25, 2023 9:45:36 GMT
Enjoy! It really is so much fun! |
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Post by andrew on May 25, 2023 10:40:45 GMT
this show also starts with a lot of men in waistcoats and top hats swinging lanterns.[ What’s the deal with this actually? I thought they would come back to mention it but there was nothing. They're the Gobblers Knob characters, the ones that do the ceremony with the groundhog. Those costumes are roughly what the actual people wear in Punxsutawney. I think the intention is also to evoke some old-timey vibes about the people of the town being born and raised there, talking about the traditions and sayings of the town, and prophesying about the coming of the sun. But there's nothing to come back to, they don't have any more significance than that.  |
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