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Post by Polly1 on Mar 23, 2017 13:58:23 GMT
Got a return last night at five to 7, I think because of the general traffic chaos in the area. E1, high stool with footrest but surprisingly comfortable (and wouldn't have wanted to be any closer). My first visit to Jermyn Street, Box office guy very friendly and funny, loved the little kiosk and the back-stage toilets.
And the show? Ah yes, the show... it was reasonably enjoyable. I'm not a Sondheim expert/completist, the first half seemed like an undergrad production (I note the first ever performance took place in Yale's swimming pool), the 'contest' between Shaw and Shakespeare was more up my street but generally the 'book' seemed very weak. Michael Matus was very endearing.
A very well - and loudly - spoken gentleman (who said he was a director) left at half time, leaving no-one in any doubt about what he thought of it. Another person bailed during the second half - had to push past Libby Purves who was in her row.
I thought the orchestra was OK, it was the music's fault if they sounded off! Only one 'cello, two listed in programme, I imagine they alternate, plus 1 x keyboard, trumpet and woodwind.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Mar 23, 2017 15:06:40 GMT
Got a return last night at five to 7, I think because of the general traffic chaos in the area. E1, high stool with footrest but surprisingly comfortable (and wouldn't have wanted to be any closer). My first visit to Jermyn Street, Box office guy very friendly and funny, loved the little kiosk and the back-stage toilets. And the show? Ah yes, the show... it was reasonably enjoyable. I'm not a Sondheim expert/completist, the first half seemed like an undergrad production (I note the first ever performance took place in Yale's swimming pool), the 'contest' between Shaw and Shakespeare was more up my street but generally the 'book' seemed very weak. Michael Matus was very endearing. A very well - and loudly - spoken gentleman (who said he was a director) left at half time, leaving no-one in any doubt about what he thought of it. Another person bailed during the second half - had to push past Libby Purves who was in her row. I thought the orchestra was OK, it was the music's fault if they sounded off! Only one 'cello, two listed in programme, I imagine they alternate, plus 1 x keyboard, trumpet and woodwind. I was the handsome man in D1. I had no idea I was sat next to Libby Purves! I thought it was a randomer who hadn't understood the instruction in the first song to not take notes. The already small crowd seemed to thin after the interval. Personally I loved it. Not a classic like Sweeney Todd but full of Sondheim wit and charm. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 23, 2017 16:04:03 GMT
Do stay for the second half - it's so much better.
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Post by anthony40 on Mar 23, 2017 22:48:38 GMT
Anyone got a spare ticket?
Pleeeeeeeese!
I can do pretty much any evening performance, except this coming Saturday.
Fingers crossed.
Thanking you all in advance.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2017 11:49:25 GMT
We are at this tomorrow afternoon, extremely looking forward to it!
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Post by infofreako on Mar 24, 2017 12:04:11 GMT
Tomorrow evening for me.
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 24, 2017 22:13:03 GMT
I'm doing tomorrow afternoon too. Looking forward to it with some trepidation doe to a post on a previous page saying the theatre was very hot. I hate hot theatres & can't decide what to wear tomorrow that'll be cool enough for this but won't then have me freezing travelling home at 11pm.
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 25, 2017 13:15:36 GMT
Layered approach, I guess. Bikini for the theatre, sarong and suntop over it for in between, wellington boots and a parka for the journey home? I don't actually own any of those items of clothing! So went for my thinnest coat & brought a scarf for later. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 25, 2017 23:16:06 GMT
I reasonably enjoyed most of this. I could have done without some of the preachier bits, especially as my views differ from whoever wrote them (Lane? Shevelove? Aristophanes?). Considering a realistic production would be impossible with Jermyn Street's size & (doubtless lack of) budget, highly stylized was probably the best way to go. I thought the cast were good, especially Michael Matus & George Rae was the leads. My opinion of George Bernard Shaw was lowered due to seeing this!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Mar 26, 2017 10:10:09 GMT
I saw the matinee of this yesterday (24th March) and thoroughly enjoyed it. The production seems very timely, with many pertinent themes ringing true with what is happening in the world right now.
I found the production and performances to be very strong. Yes, the production is very simplistic, but I loved this approach.
Another Sondheim crossed off the list.
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Post by infofreako on Mar 26, 2017 10:33:00 GMT
This was very enjoyable yesterday evening. I went in with no knowledge of the score at all but its so true that it has great relevance now.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2017 7:47:22 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed this on the Saturday matt....apart from having to look at Heracles without his top on, it offended my eyes.....honestly....
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 27, 2017 20:28:14 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed this on the Saturday matt....apart from having to look at Heracles without his top on, it offended my eyes.....honestly.... It could have been worse: when Herakles was telling Dionysus to wear his coat I was afraid Michael Matus might strip off to imitate Herakles' bare torso. Don't get me wrong, I love Michael as a performer, but that doesn't mean I want to see him topless! I don't actually own any of those items of clothing! Always suspected that the only thing in your wardrobe was a Duran Duran box set, dawnstar. Actually I don't even have a wardrobe. I decided I'd rather have a second large book case in my room - got to get your priorities right! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 13:24:28 GMT
Hi, sorRy but does anyone know how much the pRogrAmmes are? I'm literally living off beans this month but can't do without one!
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Post by martin1965 on Mar 31, 2017 17:43:40 GMT
I put my opinion on my blog, and a friend reminded me of "Shakes Versus Shav 'A Puppet Play," written by GBS in 1949... and kindly supplied the script, about 2 pages and 10 minutes of playing time... Wonder if they knew about it, bet they did. They must have done, its fairly well known for Shavians. |
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Post by infofreako on Mar 31, 2017 17:50:41 GMT
£4. Was surprised, as that's expensive for a fringe venue. I was surprised too. And its mostly adverts. Not worth the money at all in my opinion |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 6:51:07 GMT
I have given Jermyn Street's new artistic director his instructions for what to do next  |
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 1, 2017 6:53:39 GMT
Given it has had packed houses, is there not the opportunity for this to transfer?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 11:24:54 GMT
Saw this last night. In the interval we were all like 'why isn't this revived more often' and then we watched the second act and realised why!
Great cast, fantastic production. Heard lots of 'Sweeney' in the score which was nice. Got told off by that woman that works there (second time out of two visits she's done this) which I thought about complaining about but then thought maybe that's her 'thing' telling people that pay money off?!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 11:26:14 GMT
Given it has had packed houses, is there not the opportunity for this to transfer? Into the west end?!? I think the reason it's sold out is to tick it off the list rather than it (the musical not the production) is great. Maybe an extension at the most |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 1, 2017 16:52:34 GMT
Saw this last night. In the interval we were all like 'why isn't this revived more often' and then we watched the second act and realised why! Great cast, fantastic production. Heard lots of 'Sweeney' in the score which was nice. Got told off by that woman that works there (second time out of two visits she's done this) which I thought about complaining about but then thought maybe that's her 'thing' telling people that pay money off?! Told off for what? At See what I want to see a mate was told off for sitting in the wrong seat |
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Post by martin1965 on Apr 1, 2017 17:12:24 GMT
On train back after seeing this at matinee. Jolly enough two hours. Cast all very good especially guy channelling Beetlejuice as Charon and sexy scottish girl playing pluto.
All the same can see why this is hardly ever done.
Another one of the master's ticked off. Sunday/George on at The Other Oalace in August. Then its Passion and Saturday Night left. Union Theatre im looking at you!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 17:57:28 GMT
Got told off by that woman that works there (second time out of two visits she's done this) which I thought about complaining about but then thought maybe that's her 'thing' Told off for what? In my experience you don't get told off for anything. You just get told off. It's included in the price of your ticket. One time I nearly cracked my head open on the ceiling and was laughed at. I felt as though I'd arrived. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 7:55:59 GMT
Saw this last night. Given it's sold out (and there was a "House Full" sign outside) I was surprised to see a fair few empty seats - I think around 10 which is a lot in this size of venue. Before the start of the show they asked people on the side seats if they wanted to move to vacant front facing seats.
Don't know if this is common or was due to a party not turning up. Made me wonder, for those still after tickets, if it's worth a try turning up just before 7:30 to see if you there are any vacant seats you can buy. If they can't sell the seats twice, they were asking for donations for the theatre's running costs at the end of the show so you could offer a donation of the ticket price.
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Post by tmesis on Apr 2, 2017 12:03:21 GMT
I was there last night and was also puzzled by the large number of spare seats.
I absolutely loved it but I am a bit of a Sondheim obsessive. OK act two was all over the place but act one absolutely fizzed. Some great performances from a very talented cast. Way better as an entertaining evening than 'Anyone can Whistle.'
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