71 posts
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Post by universetipping on Nov 25, 2016 15:10:23 GMT
So envious of those who have seen this already!
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Nov 25, 2016 15:39:06 GMT
Burly, based on what are you saying they're recording it? No complaints here, but I was just curious. Considering how badly live recordings from London are done in the last couple of years, I hope this one is a studio recording.
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5,812 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 25, 2016 21:31:47 GMT
It's actually pretty simple technically. 4 sliding towers with lights on them that revolve and a few flown pieces . It's impressive in its simplicity and the lighting is sensational. No lifts. Can't actually wait for this show now!! What is the set like? Is it a heavy technical show with automation, lifts etc?? Also, does anybody know how busy stage door has been? |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 25, 2016 21:32:41 GMT
There's no way they will have recorded it this early.
They need to get a Deena that can sing first too
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4,177 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Nov 25, 2016 21:36:14 GMT
Burly, based on what are you saying they're recording it? No complaints here, but I was just curious. Considering how badly live recordings from London are done in the last couple of years, I hope this one is a studio recording. So to clarify, we're talking a cast recording music CD right? No filming. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2016 22:25:11 GMT
I loved this
Seeing it again on PN so will report back then
But my entire party loved it
Grannies and youngsters alike
Perhaps the best ever 2 power ballads in the same show
The show has credibility is stylish and well staged
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378 posts
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Post by Ade on Nov 25, 2016 22:53:25 GMT
Absolutely loved this. Saw it this evening. Was rather surprised how good Amber Riley was to be honest. I knew she could hold a tune, but she sings the hell out of those songs. As others have said I can't see her being able to keep on at that level but even knocking it back a little will still be phenomenal. Not on board with the Liisi bashing. There were a few points she was off but she redeemed herself in the Listen duet.
Think it's safe to say Sonia has another hit production on her hands. Just a shame it's also going to attract the type of people who were behind me in the grand circle - a group of women who clearly thought they were down the pub and spent the first half talking and on their phones (my first experience this bad in the theatre). Thankfully they were nowhere in sight for the second act and I'm 90% sure it's because they thought it had ended at And I'm Telling You, as I'd heard them part way through act one complaining there wasn't a break. Idiots.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2016 22:56:12 GMT
Absolutely loved this. Saw it this evening. Was rather surprised how good Amber Riley was to be honest. I knew she could hold a tune, but she sings the hell out of those songs. As others have said I can't see her being able to keep on at that level but even knocking it back a little will still be phenomenal. Not on board with the Liisi bashing. There were a few points she was off but she redeemed herself in the Listen duet. Think it's safe to say Sonia has another hit production on her hands. Just a shame it's also going to attract the type of people who were behind me in the grand circle - a group of women who clearly thought they were down the pub and spent the first half talking and on their phones (my first experience this bad in the theatre). Thankfully they were nowhere in sight for the second act and I'm 90% sure it's because they thought it had ended at And I'm Telling You, as I'd heard them part way through act one complaining there wasn't a break. Idiots. I fear being shot down For this But in general the WE doesn't attract the best sort of audience We all know it's true Glad you enjoyed it |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2016 23:05:25 GMT
How long do people think this will be in town for?
Surely with all the amazing reviews it's getting, it'll be around for a good 2 years?!
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378 posts
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Post by Ade on Nov 25, 2016 23:10:01 GMT
Absolutely loved this. Saw it this evening. Was rather surprised how good Amber Riley was to be honest. I knew she could hold a tune, but she sings the hell out of those songs. As others have said I can't see her being able to keep on at that level but even knocking it back a little will still be phenomenal. Not on board with the Liisi bashing. There were a few points she was off but she redeemed herself in the Listen duet. Think it's safe to say Sonia has another hit production on her hands. Just a shame it's also going to attract the type of people who were behind me in the grand circle - a group of women who clearly thought they were down the pub and spent the first half talking and on their phones (my first experience this bad in the theatre). Thankfully they were nowhere in sight for the second act and I'm 90% sure it's because they thought it had ended at And I'm Telling You, as I'd heard them part way through act one complaining there wasn't a break. Idiots. I fear being shot down For this But in general the WE doesn't attract the best sort of audience We all know it's true Glad you enjoyed it Oh I know it's not perfect but the level of talking from this lot was not like anything I've experienced before. There were actually two groups, one in front of the other, and someone confronted the group who did stay for the second half - resulting in a slanging match at the interval. |
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Post by ali973 on Nov 25, 2016 23:51:08 GMT
Barnaby, to say she can't sing is a gross exaggeration. I mean, do you really think so? I saw it twice so far and I think she's just fine.
George, I think it'll be an open run for a while. Isn't it already booking until May 2017?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2016 1:36:25 GMT
How long do people think this will be in town for? Surely with all the amazing reviews it's getting, it'll be around for a good 2 years?! The trouble it may face, similar to The Color Purple on Broadway, is all the reviews will pick out the star. However good the production is, the main draw is Amber if the reviews pick up on her mainly. In any case, they have to find someone equally good or ticket sales could plummet once she leaves like it did with the likes of Shuffle Along. Once Audra was going on a break, ticket sales dangerously plummeted, to a point where they closed as soon as she left. Whist Dreamgirls is still known, and I personally would love it to have a good run, we won't truly know how long it will run, I imagine, until they announce Amber's final performance and see ticket sales from thereafter.  |
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Post by Jon on Nov 26, 2016 2:00:44 GMT
18 months to 2 years is my guess, I don't see it being a long runner but that's okay because not all shows can be.
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31 posts
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Post by cheri78 on Nov 26, 2016 9:10:48 GMT
Saw this on Thurs preview, and although I was bowled over by the slick design and what must be award winning lighting design, the show was marred by the ear bleeding sound design. I get that it probably has to be loud not only to make the audience become part of the concerts seen on stage, but also to mask the fan noise from the 48 intelligent lights on stage plus the myriad of others in the flies and FOH bars. But what it did was lose any light and shade in the superb voices. This was particularly noticed in Listen, where both superb voices were exactly levelled and it just became a screaming match. Let's hope this is being noticed and tweaked during it's previews.
However, I can live with the fact that my age might have played a part and I cannot deny the power of Amber and her two main numbers were more than just stunning, and I think she'll develop her acting in the run as currently she seems a little too perky in Act 2 and it's hard to believe that leaving the Dreams in Act 1 had any effect. Very brave staging to have And I'm Telling You not performed downstage in a followspot, won't spoil it but the direction is superb and puts the song firmly in context of the story. I Am Changing has a jaw dropping effect, again expertly staged and the show has a bead curtain to die for.
This is a big hit already, and good that a show from the 80's is revived as it was meant to be and not updated or radically changed, I think Michael Bennett would have been very pleased indeed.
This was the final show of a three day visit, taking in the sublime Ragtime and Side Show and the exhilarating revival of Half a Sixpence which if you go, don't sit rear stalls as the pre set logo only reads 'Sixpence' due to the balcony overhang...but then you are getting twice the value I guess.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2016 9:18:07 GMT
I really hope they release a trailer in the coming weeks!
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378 posts
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Post by Ade on Nov 26, 2016 10:16:02 GMT
Oh one more thing - what was the point of the set used in Steppin to the Bad Side?! Probably the most complicated and largest piece of set in the whole thing and it was used for about ten minutes. Definitely unnecessary design there.
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4,786 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 26, 2016 12:31:57 GMT
Didn't get my "You have lost" email until 12:30 today..
2 attempts down, wonder how many it will take!
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19,676 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 26, 2016 13:12:14 GMT
Burly, based on what are you saying they're recording it? No complaints here, but I was just curious. Considering how badly live recordings from London are done in the last couple of years, I hope this one is a studio recording. I just had a quick flick throug the Facebook pics from the earlier post and it looked like some of them were taken in a recording studio, but just had another look and its probably a rehearsal. Sorry!  |
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Post by Steffi on Nov 26, 2016 13:38:49 GMT
Going tonight. Looking forward to it!
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840 posts
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Post by Steffi on Nov 27, 2016 9:05:19 GMT
Really enjoyed this yesterday! Those vocals are stunning. Really impressed by Amber. I expected her to sing the hell out of the songs but was wary about the acting. But I really liked her take on Effie.
I mainly went to see Joe Aaron Reid and he didn't disappoint. Great to see him play a "bad guy" for a change. He said he's still trying to get used to getting booed at curtain (which personally I've always found way too "panto").
The audience was insane though - so much mid song applause and a standing ovation after And I''m telling you. Usually not a fan of mid song clapping and such but in this show it really adds to the atmosphere.
Loved the staging and the costumes too.
Will definitely be back in the new year.
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Post by cheri78 on Nov 27, 2016 10:48:26 GMT
Yes, I too wondered what was the point of the huge multilevel set in Steppin to the Bad Side. A few cast entered on it and walked down steps which slid out and then back, but nothing else. Looked good but baffling.
Other than that, the locations were very well done with minimal set and very clever use of rotating towers and banks of lights.
For any other LX folk out there, it was remarkable to see a big musical that didn't use any over the pros arch or side pros rigging. I suppose that would have detracted from the chaser lights around the pros arch. Good too that the beautiful side walls of the Savoy were often lit during concert segments.
And all credit to the followspot operator for having such a steady hand during I Am Changing, utter perfection!! or maybe it was a fixed intelligent but then it would need reprogramming for the alternate Effie's if they are not the same height as Amber.
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Post by Mark on Nov 28, 2016 16:06:36 GMT
3rd try on the lottery and I WON!!! Amazed, an unexpected trip into London.
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4,786 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 28, 2016 16:34:28 GMT
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Post by spendleb on Nov 28, 2016 17:17:06 GMT
I still have a ticket for the front stalls on Saturday evening if anyone is interested |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 28, 2016 23:40:30 GMT
I just saw it from front row for gentle confession of Mark . What can I say? FAB FAB FAB The book is what it is, but it's so well staged - simply and so cleverly - the costumes are a delight and the lights are excellent. Loved the choreography but they should work a little more of it, the dancers weren't very precise (especially in the opening number of the second act. Speaking of that, has Deena borrowed that costume from Lola across the road??). There were some messy notes in the title song, but the boas made me forgive everything. The cast is very very good, there is some of the best singing you can hear in the West End. Lily Frazer was a bit disappointing but they put her in a role where she can do no harm. I liked Joe Aaron Reid, even if he couldn't reach all the notes and tried a bit too much to play Curtis as Mr Burns in the second act. Adam J. Bernard is a star in the role of Jimmy, I'm not saying he stole the show but he surely was glorious. I liked Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell quite a lot and absolutely loved Liisi as Deena... it's a bit of thankless role because the audience will prefer Effie and the writing in the scene when she leaves Curtis is rubbish, but Liisi was absolutely phenomenal and sang the hell out of her numbers... I think "Listen" was my favourite moment of the whole show. Amber is fantastic, not much that I can add, great great great singing and very fine acting, I really loved her. I wonder for how long she will be able to mantain this standard in the singing department - I'm not throwing shades (I LOVED her), but I don't think it's the kind of score you can sing 7 times a weeks for many many months at the same (expectional) level as the current one. I hope to see it again, many many times! |
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