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Post by showgirl on Aug 7, 2017 3:41:05 GMT
The singing was indeed great but the score so mediocre (not one memorable or catchy number in the first half); the lyrics frankly feeble and the characters so cliched (anxious new recruit; aggressive drill sergeant; homophobic bully etc) that this was both a huge lot-down and, imo, not worth further investment of time on my part. Still mystified by what others are evidently seeing in it, but glad the majority are enjoying the show and that business seems to be picking up.
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Post by galinda on Aug 7, 2017 14:40:49 GMT
I had high hopes of this, but it was disappointingly tedious, so that & the stifling auditorium made me bail at the interval. I completely agree. Passed me by unfortunately! I did stay until the end however and really rated the singing but found it very average. I agree. I had read rave reviews on here so maybe my expectations had been raised but I also found it very average. It did remind me in parts of From Here To Eternity which I was really fond of (not many agreed with me on that!) so made me want to re-watch the DVD of that. |
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Post by d'James on Aug 7, 2017 22:56:40 GMT
I saw it tonight. Have to say I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the good deal on tickets too team Theatre Board!!
I liked a lot of the music and it must've affected me because at the end I was in a bit of a daze and just walked out of the Theatre without waiting for the band to finish playing which I feel terribly about.
Very good dancing and choreography (even if I found it a bit excessive at times).
I was convinced that at one point a different girl came on as one role but it couldn't have been.
I would give it a solid four stars.
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Post by jamb0r on Aug 8, 2017 12:48:02 GMT
I was convinced that at one point a different girl came on as one role but it couldn't have been. I was there again last night (won their Facebook competition!) and it was definitely the same girl throughout. The theatre was even hotter last night than it was last week - I did spot what looked like shiny white (new?) air conditioning units above the balconies and along the ceiling at the sides of the stalls (I saw someone a few pages back saying they thought aircon was being installed), though if they are new they definitely weren't on yet as the flaps on the front were closed. For those that were disappointed and left at the interval, the second act is significantly better than the first in my opinion - in particular the interrogation followed by the front line scenes were very well done. |
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Post by vabbian on Aug 8, 2017 17:06:31 GMT
Going to see again tonight.
Hopefully no problems with hot theatre as it's f***ing freezing
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Post by Mark on Aug 8, 2017 17:31:48 GMT
I'm there tonight too, managed to get a last minute ticket. Remember reading about this years ago when it was off Broadway so very much looking forward to it
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4,804 posts
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Post by Mark on Aug 8, 2017 21:36:05 GMT
What a GEM!
Absolutely loved this. And the final 20 minutes pack a real emotional punch in particular.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 8, 2017 22:37:02 GMT
Agree. Act 2 is by far superior to Act 1. A total change of mood.
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3,578 posts
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Post by showgirl on Aug 9, 2017 4:15:22 GMT
The thing about second acts being better is that if you've been unimpressed by the first, you'd have no reason to expect an improvement. And even if you stayed and thought there had been one, an indifferent first act would surely diminish your opinion of the work as a whole?
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Post by vabbian on Aug 9, 2017 9:30:06 GMT
If you have Amazon Prime, you can listen to the original recording on Amazon Music for free.
I do love Rememb'ring You
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Post by d'James on Aug 9, 2017 9:36:55 GMT
If you have Amazon Prime, you can listen to the original recording on Amazon Music for free. I do love Rememb'ring You Yes I saw that. I bought the CD though as I love a CD and it should arrive today :-) |
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Post by vabbian on Aug 10, 2017 12:21:05 GMT
2:12 is when i drop dead
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Post by westendcub on Aug 10, 2017 14:22:17 GMT
Went to the matinee yesterday and another fantastic musical for Charing Cross (glad this one got transferred from Manchester).
I found this very emotional & when I shed a tear in the final scene of Act 1, I knew Act 2 was going be like 'Titanic' & many tears would I shed, it was heartbreaking but beautiful.
Loved the songs, fit into the era very well and it's nice simple set which used great lightening & smoke efforts to create the atmosphere of the war.
The cast were impressive (cute too) I mean it's not every show you get hairy boys doing a tap number and a bit of ballet!!
Andy Coxon and Tom Pepper were excellent leads, real chemistry & believable character arcs with depth.
I must say I'm tempted to return next week, also it was well attended matinee (80% full I would predict) so word of mouth along with some good discounts means it getting seen.
Can we have more musicals with gay characters please!?!
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Post by zsazsa on Aug 12, 2017 10:44:48 GMT
Saw this last night and really enjoyed it.
This has the potential to be the greatest gay musical sing 'La Cage Aux Folles'.
The book is well structured and the direction and performances are outstanding. The score, while pleasant enough, is not instantly memorable.
I really think the actor playing Stu could be a potential Evan Hansen if it transfers. I would also like to see the actor playing the Yank photographer as Elder McKinley in Book Of Mormon.
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Post by Mark on Aug 12, 2017 11:02:02 GMT
I really think the actor playing Stu could be a potential Evan Hansen if it transfers. I was thinking the exact same thing! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2017 11:14:39 GMT
The theatre was even hotter last night than it was last week Is there a clothing optional performance? |
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Post by freckles on Aug 12, 2017 12:39:57 GMT
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Post by d'James on Aug 12, 2017 13:48:45 GMT
Is there any chance of them using that bar at the back again? It looks lovely!
(I know this probably isn't the place to ask but I wouldn't know where to put a thread about a Theatre itself.)
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Post by firefingers on Aug 12, 2017 15:53:50 GMT
Is there any chance of them using that bar at the back again? It looks lovely! (I know this probably isn't the place to ask but I wouldn't know where to put a thread about a Theatre itself.) The fridges are all still there etc. But with the sound and lighting positions being just in front, I don't see it happening. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 12, 2017 16:23:22 GMT
It looks very nice on that pic, having never been and only reading comments here I was envisioning some sort of shed.
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Post by d'James on Aug 12, 2017 17:38:03 GMT
Is there any chance of them using that bar at the back again? It looks lovely! (I know this probably isn't the place to ask but I wouldn't know where to put a thread about a Theatre itself.) The fridges are all still there etc. But with the sound and lighting positions being just in front, I don't see it happening. That's a shame. I think I thought as much though. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2017 12:41:56 GMT
Most importantly: the air conditioning is very effective.
Right onto the show...well this is exactly the gem everyone led me to believe. I have a friend who has seen it 6 times now and I understand why. It's a lovely piece of work with an incredibly talented and hardworking cast (with big love to Sarah-Louise Young singlehandedly taking on all those boys!)
It's a wonderfully written piece in both the book and music, on one hand a fairly simple story but one that packs one hell of a punch. And it's delivered with sensativity and a clear love from those invovled. It's been a while since I've had the chance to see a low-key musical in terms of set, cast and bells and whistles and it really is something I love. What they do is basically an act of old-fashioned storytelling which sometimes gets lost in the bells and whistles (and gold taps) of the bigger musicals. Don't get me wrong I love some bells and whistles, but the heart of musical theatre for me always lies in these smaller pieces that use music and storytelling.
Never one to take a "day off" from 'Dr Gay theatre' or whatever hat I'm wearing that day, this is such an important piece in that 'canon' not only telling aspects of stories untold, but also for the combination of honesty about the characters, and for that ending that leaves so much open but also such potential optimism too. One of the best and I'm sad it didn't get the recognition it deserved in New York.
Back later with a 'review' of sorts...
p.s thanks for the video above, I didn't need my heart in one piece this Sunday it's cool...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2017 13:58:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2017 20:30:17 GMT
In a bid to embrace even more new musicals this year, I have booked to see this Wednesday evening as it seems great from the reviews, word of mouth and clips.
However, with a show this gay, if I don't get to see penis, booty or at least a guy or two in their pants (or someone else in their pants for that matter) I may be bitterly dissapointed. 😂😂
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Post by vabbian on Aug 13, 2017 22:19:55 GMT
To those saying the music is not memorable,
after listening to the soundtrack 400,000 times I can say it definitely grows on you!
highlights:
Rememb'ring You
The Saddest Gal What Am
Just True
My Soldier
also You, You (if crying is something you like to do)
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