The Braille Legacy

Depends on who else they cast I suppose.

I suggest Ramin Karimloo or Studley Fraser or someone like that so that I can take the show literally and run my fingers over them during the 11 o'clock number.

Anyone seen this yet? I plan to do the matinee on Saturday. Ticket sales to date seem to be very very poor.

Saw this last night.

Afraid it's probably going to get mauled by the critics.
Definitely a 'work in progress'

Wooden dialogue, terrible rhymes in the lyrics,forgettable music.
Costumes were so similar (black for the sighted, white for the blind) that it was difficult to differentiate between the characters. The lighting was fairly dark throughout (deliberate to underline the theme?),sometimes making it difficult to follow.

Even the production was nothing special.(more chairs and stairs again!)

Maybe unfair to criticise too much as this was only the second preview, but doubt much can be changed to save this.

The cast worked hard and there were some good performances despite the confines of the piece.

So sorry to write this as I had every hope of discovering a new gem of musical theatre.

Will be interested to hear if other forum members have different views.If you can get a deal go and support the cast.It must be miserable playing to a half empty house!

Saw it on Monday - open dress rehearsal instead of 1st preview! It felt like a work in progress as already stated - somehow it didn't get to my emotions and seemed more like telling facts through music rather than a full blown story. The costumes meant that it wasn't always easy to determine who was who and I rather disliked the idea of black and white for the blind and sighted as being too clinical.

Re the set - first time I've come out of a show with motion sickness. I do think that had a bearing on my lack of enjoyment, did it really need to turn so often?

I'm glad I saw it and do try to support new musicals, however, my ultimate feeling is that this could be good but needs far greater development and depth than it currently offers.

Having read the earlier comments I wasn't sure what to expect this afternoon. But we came away having really enjoyed it. In some ways it had helped seeing the comments above as it had allowed me to think through the basis for black and white, and the extremely dark lighting throughout the theatre.

In some ways it's an immersive experience as the auditorium is very dimly lit before, interval and after. For me the contrast of black and white worked. This is a musical with a mission and there is a lot said in it about the way blind people were viewed as "abnormal". Keeping all the blind children all in white, and "normal" people all in black helps to emphasise the contrast between the two. I'm guessing the spinning house which serves as the blind institution, is also deliberately white to relate it to being blind.

Some nice tunes and good singing. In terms of style, it reminded me a bit of Les Miserables, albeit on a much reduced scale. Large part of cast are children and despite the odd cue mistake they do a great job as it's not always easy to find where you're supposed to be when the building you are in is turning. Seventeen year old Jack Wolfe is the real star of the show. Sings well and portrayed the right emotion for the role of Braille.

As for the revolving stage set, we both agreed that at times it felt like half s turn was sufficient, but we weren't too bothered by it. We also liked the lower stage at the front which was the domain of the children. Again emphasising the way they were looked down upon. We were sat in the balcony so looking almost down on the stage. I expect the view and perspective is different from the stalls.

My wife chatted to the guy who runs the theatre and he explained that with this being a new musical they have allowed a long preview time to see what works and what needs to change. I suspect it is already different from the first couple of shows and by the time they get to press night we may find a bit less spinning.

I would say only 1/3 to half full today. Front section was pretty full and a number opted to sit at the front of rear section. They will be hoping for a good press night to sell seats going forward. Some decent videos might help as it's very hard from the current publicity to know what to expect.

Think I stand corrected. Yes, he is has recently completed course at Mountview. I got confused by the age his agent says he can portray! One to keep an eye on in the future.

Great. Thanks. I wondered why that wasn't on sale.

Then it has to be really really bad!

I was only thinking the other day that I have not seen anything less than 4 and 5 stars from Shenton in ages and everything can't be that good - clearly it isn't!

It certainly isn't that bad! I'm still planning on going a second time once it's settled in a bit and I know to sit non centrally re the set.

The cast were amazing, any cast who gets through an open dress with only one stop have to be good, even more so when that includes kids.

My comments when I first went were meant as constructive feedback - hence giving reasoning for things - and I would hope that came across. To be this negative is astounding as the show in no way deserves it

I also saw it early in the run and predicted on this forum the critics would maul it.

But I'm going again tomorrow afternoon to support this. There is much to enjoy in the performances and in my view deserves more than 1 or 2 stars and more balanced reviews.

I know somebody that is involved in this production. It's not in incubation or development stage. It's had A LOT of development and rewrites and changes for several years. It is being sold as a final production in its casting and staging and it is charging full WE prices for the show, rather than a 'work in progress' set of prices. Which is a shame. Some shows are just not great I guess.