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Post by waybeyondblue on Jun 26, 2016 9:27:20 GMT
Mr Crawford was indisposed last night, as was half the stalls who didn't turn up either. Add that to the bloody stupid butterfly impersonation and 50p set then it may not last the week.
Left at half-time which was an hour later than ideal.
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Post by showgirl on Jun 29, 2016 20:43:46 GMT
I saw the matinee today and really enjoyed this, though I can see that it might be too whimsical for some. I am not a fan of sung-through shows without discrete numbers, as this is, but even so I was thoroughly engaged and though the house wasn't full, there was a lot of cheering at the end, so some people were obviously very impressed.
I turned up about 15 mins before the start and easily got an excellent centre stalls seat for £25, i.e. slightly cheaper than at the TKTS boot, where I noticed they had been £25 until very recently but, as Oleanna says, are now listed at £27.50.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Jul 16, 2016 22:44:00 GMT
Saw this tonight and really enjoyed it. Wasn't entirely sure what to expect, having heard about the 'chamber' style and the fact it's only a piano and not a full orchestra, and I think that works in some ways and not in others. It really grounds it in its time period, and gives it a real feel of its own, but at the same time, it does mean many of the songs are 'all on one level', and the numbers run into each other. I certainly couldn't hum you any of the songs now.
Despite that, I still really enjoyed it, mainly thanks to the fact it's an excellent, engrossing story in the first place, which has been very well adapted for the stage. Added to that the cast are fantastic, particularly Michael Crawford, who captures the eye whenever he's on stage (so basically all the time), and who sings and acts with a real delicateness and realness.
It's a shame this isn't getting the audience it perhaps deserves. It certainly really has its place among the glitzier shows and jukebox musicals, but maybe the West End isn't right for it. I'm definitely glad its in the Apollo and not somewhere bigger, as it did suit the confines of a small theatre, but even then, it was woefully undersold. We went to the box office this afternoon about 1pm and got given three seats in the centre of Row J for £25 (whereas tkts had them for £29.50, and going to the box office meant avoiding the tkts Saturday queue). And other than two people directly behind us, there was literally nobody else further back than we were, and it wasn't fully sold ahead either. Quite sad, but the audience were very appreciative, with the full standing ovation for the cast at the end.
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Post by ncbears on Jul 17, 2016 5:30:19 GMT
SamB - we had the same experience!
There are two youtube clips with photos - one with Gemma Sutton singing and one with Michael Crawford.
Gemma:
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Post by ncbears on Jul 17, 2016 5:32:44 GMT
and Mr. Crawford - while this sort of captures the feel of the show, I'm not certain it sells the show.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Jul 17, 2016 10:16:17 GMT
Yes, I agree - there's been quite a bit of marketing around this show, but most of it is poor. Michael is wonderful, but they could do better than simply selling the show around him.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2016 14:34:29 GMT
Is this really going to hobble through to October?!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 17, 2016 20:39:30 GMT
A bit amazed this is still on. Then again Kenwright is the master of keeping empty shows running
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Post by youngoffender on Jul 21, 2016 10:21:41 GMT
I saw this last weekend at a sparsely attended matinee, and was very moved by it. It's such a potent story of lost innocence and wasted life, beautifully played and imaginatively staged, but perhaps it's rather out of place among flashier West End musicals. It started as a regional show and that seems its natural milieu.
Apart from Crawford's contract, it can't be too expensive a show to run. With only a pianist on stage, and no other big names in the cast, it may just be able to get by on TKTS sales over the summer.
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Post by taboolie on Jul 24, 2016 22:06:46 GMT
I actually really enjoyed this. I was pleasantly surprised by the sung- through Sondheimesque score and thought of this more as a sung 'play' than a full-on musical. I even forgot it was a musical because I was so involved in the story (yes, I did already know it having seen the recent BBC adaptation but I still found it moving). Both boys that I saw were very good and even though much has been made of MC's voice being weaker than it used to be, I think it suited the part he was potraying (elderly gentleman, broken and regretful). Overall, much better than some musicals I have seen in the past and a lot less money for an excellent stalls seat.
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Post by foxa on Aug 2, 2016 22:38:05 GMT
Caught this tonight - a few people left at the interval, presumably in search of a melody.
I'd never read the book or seen any of its adaptations so enjoyed the story, but thought it was a big ask for so much of the plot to be driven by a child actor (who was good, but still) and Michael Crawford doing his remembering stuff. It was pleasant enough and I was interested, though there were some ludicrous things (I laughed every time the hunky farmer dove off-stage) but I can see why this is struggling. Still the small audience gave it a warm ovation at the end.
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 5, 2016 18:07:08 GMT
I thought this was unexpectedly beautiful. Beautiful set, lighting and costumes - I thought it looked quite ravishing.
Michael Crawford who is on stage throughout gives a masterclass in acting. He spends much of the show just observing his younger self, mostly ignored and unseen by the rest of the cast. A difficult role but his total involvement, listening and reacting - always totally in the moment, and his emotional reactions to events from his past were just wonderful to watch. It is why he is a star of course - his performance of the Phantom IMO has never been surpassed - although it might have been "technically" better sung since by actors giving a mere shadow of Crawfords portrayal. He is clearly completely committed to the role. Any student of musical theatre should rush to see this performance - almost at its best when he is utterly still and apparently doing nothing.
The rest of the cast struggle to make their mark against this towering performance.
The issue with the show for me was the reliance of the show being on two young male performers. We switched Young Leo's at the interval for some reason and although both youngsters were good there were still too many rushed lines and incoherent dialogue from them.
I have rarely sat in such an empty theatre in the West End. All the upper levels closed and the stalls maybe a third full if I am being generous. Several people left at the interval. It is a shame such a beautiful chamber musical so beautiful to watch cannot find an audience. Hundreds of people were leaving Thriller next door at the same time as the handful of audience for this. It must be losing a fortune - how it will survive until mid October I will never know.
Surprisingly I enjoyed it - 4 stars!
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Post by junet on Aug 6, 2016 1:40:04 GMT
We went to see this last Saturday night. Although not the best thing I've ever seen we both enjoyed it. We had seats in the lower box so could see all the audience and they were all very absorbed by it, no coughing, no fidgeting (and no, they weren't all asleep). The stalls were about 2/3rds full and the upstairs was open. It was given nearly a full standing ovation at the end which I think it deserved.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 6, 2016 7:56:34 GMT
I caught the matinee last weekend , £25 premium stalls from TKTs about 90 minutes before curtain. I was on my own, so quite happy to risk seeing something which might not have wide appeal. Overall I enjoyed it, though there were some odd moments. The ending was rather moving, and I agree with others that it was a privilege to see Michael Crawford's performance, especially from fairly close. I think the stalls were about three fifths full, but from the chat around me, most were last minute purchases. A very excited Australian couple behind me said it was no wonder that UK TV was no good (they may not have used that phrase) when everyone could see a West End show every night for £25..slightly optimistic world view there.
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Post by synchrony on Aug 6, 2016 21:47:43 GMT
Went tonight. Most unusually for me, I had booked specifically wanting to see a particular performer, so it was a disappointment that Michael Crawford was off. Unfortunately so was Gemma, whom I'd liked in Gypsy.
The understudies did a good job though. But I found the story itself rather dull, unfortunately - not much happens does it? And there are no memorable songs to compensate. I'd rate it as a decent production of a weak piece.
Stalls were 2/3rds full, with a row of people in the dress circle. Upper circle closed. The audience was appreciative though with a fair number ovating.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2016 21:51:17 GMT
Went tonight. Most unusually for me, I had booked specifically wanting to see a particular performer, so it was a disappointment that Michael Crawford was off. Unfortunately so was Gemma, whom I'd liked in Gypsy. The understudies did a good job though. But I found the story itself rather dull, unfortunately - not much happens does it? And there are no memorable songs to compensate. I'd rate it as a decent production of a weak piece. Stalls were 2/3rds full, with a row of people in the dress circle. Upper circle closed. The audience was appreciative though with a fair number ovating. Ah I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it as much as you wanted! I haven't seen it yet so can't judge but if I am completely honest the two that would draw me is also Michael and Gemma. I would be gutted if those two were both off when I see it! |
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Post by lou105 on Aug 7, 2016 7:42:57 GMT
Went tonight. Most unusually for me, I had booked specifically wanting to see a particular performer, so it was a disappointment that Michael Crawford was off. Unfortunately so was Gemma, whom I'd liked in Gypsy. The understudies did a good job though. But I found the story itself rather dull, unfortunately - not much happens does it? And there are no memorable songs to compensate. I'd rate it as a decent production of a weak piece. Stalls were 2/3rds full, with a row of people in the dress circle. Upper circle closed. The audience was appreciative though with a fair number ovating. Oh, what a shame! I would have struggled to feel positive in those circumstances too, despite sharing your general wish to support understudies. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2016 23:00:45 GMT
I just saw it this night and really loved it . All the cats were great but what made me sad was that only about 2/3 of the stalls were full and no one was in the upper circle or grand circle. I know they probably moved everyone down but I just feel sorry for the actors looking out to a barley full audience. This did not fit raft my enjoyment and I think everyone should say this and it is a bit of a hidden Jem
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Post by Hana PlaysAndParasols on Aug 22, 2016 12:37:34 GMT
I wasn't sure if I should go because of the not so great reviews - but I'm so glad I did! I loved the score, if you like something like Sunday in the Park with George musically I definitely recommend seeing this. The cast was great, I especially liked Gemma and young Leo - Johnny Evans-Hutchinson. (His friend was a bit of a pain to listen to I have to say, that's my only real complaint.)
Got an amazing seat right before the show for 25 at Tkts.
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Post by andrew on Sept 6, 2016 22:27:26 GMT
Tonight I counted the audience, there were 78 people there. They'd moved our half price stalls seats even further forward and closed all the circles. It was a very empty feeling, seems a real shame for the actors. It's such a beautiful show, it's a shame that it's just not appealing to anyone.
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Post by wickedgrin on Sept 7, 2016 7:53:42 GMT
I am amazed it is still running.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 8:49:43 GMT
I am amazed it is still running. Kenwright. |
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Post by stanne on Sept 7, 2016 21:27:05 GMT
Tonight I counted the audience, there were 78 people there. They'd moved our half price stalls seats even further forward and closed all the circles. It was a very empty feeling, seems a real shame for the actors. It's such a beautiful show, it's a shame that it's just not appealing to anyone. Oh God - I've got tickets booked for the 24th... I wonder if it will still be running??! |
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Sept 7, 2016 21:29:05 GMT
To be honest, if it were going to close because of low sales, it would have done so by now. I'm sure they'll see out the run.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 21:31:27 GMT
78 people, that is really quite depressing. I haven't seen the show yet, but it seems a beautiful show!
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