Company

Yayyy my cd had arrived.Is it OK to set up a speaker system and play it to the neighbours at full blast from the bedroom window or alternatively hire an ice-cream van and a boom-box to spread the word? Lol.

BANGBANGBANG “Turn that music down!..”
Quiet pause
“I’d like to propose a toast”

I can just imagine a quiet street at six in the morning on a Saturday and then suddenly “RISE! RISE! RISE! RIIIISEEEE”

Strange, I wasn’t myself aware of the time but the girl sat next to me was very fidgety from Another Hundred People onwards making me time check the interval, which was almost bang on 4pm.

I’m unashamedly back this evening for the final final visit, so will be interesting to compare.

How did you get on yesterday @elanor?

Has this been filmed?

I got on ok, thanks everyone! In the end I risked the tube, slowly, because the swelling had gone down a lot over night. I was strapped up and full of codeine, and pretty sore by the time I got to the theatre, but it was fine.

I sat in one of the boxes last time (back in January?) and enjoyed it, but found there were quite a few lyrics I couldn't hear properly. I was at the back of the stalls this time, very central, and heard the lyrics much better. I'm so glad I saw it again.

The man next to me was lucky to escape with his life though. He spend most of the first half breathing through his nose while he held his plastic glass in his teeth and drank without his hands. His elbow was constantly in my boob, and he kept swatting his coat over my knee, and leaning over to ask his wife what someone just said that caused an audience laugh. He talked all the way through Not Getting Married.

Yesterday I returned for my 4th and 5th (penultimate and ultimate) visits to this monumental production.

I sat up in the Grand Circle for the Matinee and - knowing I was returning for the evening performance - took great pleasure in really watching and listening to the orchestra, whilst following the stage action as well. For me, it was brilliant being able to spend a performance focusing on Cullen's orchestration and appreciating, live, how the score compliments and works with the vocals, in a way that you can't whilst listening to the CD. The MD conducts with such passion; it's clear testament to how every single person involved loves this production.

For the evening I sat front Stalls and was able to really take the full production in one final time. Not much more can be added to what everyone else has said previously. This really is an event. I genuinely feel lucky to have been able to catch this rendition of Company for many reasons, feeling that in years to come it will be a frame of reference here and across the industry.
For me it is the perfect musical, well almost. I do have a couple of niggles with it (typical for me) but these are vastly outweighed by the positives and sheer love. It has answered some of my hypothetical questions and it has verified my position of being for others.

Agree with Someone in a tree that it has been so refreshing to see the support of a serious, quality musical. Made even more so salient that half of the run was through the notoriously difficult period of January through March. I really hope Company is the trigger for more, not necessarily 'like it' but of its ilk.

With regards to the questions of it being filmed, like lolli 's - they have made a video trailer for the show as seen on WOS Youtube, so cameras have been in there. I presume the whole show has been filmed for prosperity and reference should a Broadway mounting be announced. I guess they have edited some scenes for tests and given the lack of word about a screening I think the results may not have been as desired. I do wonder how well the production would translate on a screen. I think part of the beauty of this production is its visual depth with scenes growing and shrinking in the black 'void' of Bobbie's life. Something I noticed yesterday was how well Bobbie appears to shrink and grow in her solo songs, particularly when she is left isolated in the black box, demonstrating her vulnerability and then seemingly growing as her songs brings resolution, or not as in the case of 'Someone is Waiting'.
Just assumptions here though. Personally, I'd love a screening so I can drag everyone I've raved about the production to the cinema to witness it.

Hello

Would anyone like to join me in a group rendition of this song in the foyer of the Gielgud on Saturday night

If anyone got the Sunday Times this weekend Rosalie Craig is on the front on the Culture section with an interview with her inside!

I too read the article and thought it odd her referencing not being sick. But alas, who knows when the conversation actually took place. It was really interesting to hear her talk about this phenomenal production.

I'll be there on Saturday evening (for the first time in the grand circle). It will be my 4th visit and I will be so sad this production will be leaving. But would rather it remain as this perfect piece than continue for years, replaced with not as notable actors and become stale. It's so vibrant and fresh!

Is anyone (who knows the show) going to the final Saturday Matinee? Would love to know what muck ups they incorporate.
I semi-expect:
1) Mel to go full on overdrive in the JuJitSu scene
2) Something different to happen with the 3 handfuls of confetti in 'Drive a Person Crazy'
3) At least one of the shots in Side-by-Side to be real booze.