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Post by panda on Dec 4, 2016 10:29:48 GMT
OMG where does one begin? Just breathtakingly brilliant! The casting is superb. Sam Lips as Scott is a triple threat and devastatingly handsome. Gemma Sutton shows what a fine actress she is as Fran. Tamsin Carroll is perfection as Shirley. Stephen Matthews breaks your heart as Doug. Julius D'Silva is a comic genius as Barry Fifye and there are wonderful cameos from Richard Grieve as Les,Eve Polcarpou as Abuela, Charlotte Gooch as Tina Sparkle, Richard Dempsey as JJ, Gary Watson as Ken and Lauren Stroud as Liz. The set is beautiful with many Luhrmann-sequel references and Catherine Martin's costumes are glorious. Drew McOnie is a genius....the production has all the camp that you would expect but it has a heart (supplied by Scott's parents) The audience reaction was phenomenal and I can't wait to see it again. I'm sure the reviews will be terrific and can't see why it won't transfer into the West End. It's brilliant...if you are near Leeds this Christmas go...you won't be disappointed. "I've got my Happy Face on today!" Thanks Kenneth, Ive been tempted to book for a while. I love the film, Drew's work and it looks like a great cast. Just booked for the family and I to see it just before Christmas.
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94 posts
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Post by Kim on Dec 4, 2016 11:26:18 GMT
I watched yesterday matinee, absolutely loved it! Sam Lips and Gemma Sutton are just perfect together. Really hope this transfers after Canada I could happily watch over and over again
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2016 8:32:18 GMT
The last two winters I've been sent to Leeds for work in the depths of winter and ended up with nothing to see due to bad theatrical timing... why oh why am I not going this year?!
Anyway SO glad to hear a good report. There was also a clip on Strictly's 'It takes Two' programme on I think Friday this week? and it looked fantastic!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2016 15:05:32 GMT
Mostly 3 star reviews this morning...
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Dec 8, 2016 17:27:44 GMT
I've just done a 1.30pm matinee - really - why 1.30 Producers? And I've laughed and cried and applauded ... glorious glitzy entertainment ... and bravo to a cast with a predominantly empty stage left audience who never gave up the energy ... would adore a West End transfer - but please god no 'stunt casting' 😳
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19,780 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 8, 2016 18:51:27 GMT
I've just done a 1.30pm matinee - really - why 1.30 Producers? And I've laughed and cried and applauded ... glorious glitzy entertainment ... and bravo to a cast with a predominantly empty stage left audience who never gave up the energy ... would adore a West End transfer - but please god no 'stunt casting' 😳 Ola and James Jordan are at a loose end these days I hear...
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Dec 8, 2016 20:28:56 GMT
I've just done a 1.30pm matinee - really - why 1.30 Producers? And I've laughed and cried and applauded ... glorious glitzy entertainment ... and bravo to a cast with a predominantly empty stage left audience who never gave up the energy ... would adore a West End transfer - but please god no 'stunt casting' 😳 Ola and James Jordan are at a loose end these days I hear... please god no
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19,780 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 10, 2016 17:53:24 GMT
Wow. That is one full-on experience. I have never seen so much sparkle on stage, Its almost enough to bring a fit on.
Brash, cheesy, camp, and HUGE HUGE FUN.
Four stars.
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5,898 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 11, 2016 9:55:44 GMT
Even if this was in a position after reviews to transfer in- there seems to be nowhere free for it? Except maybe Picadilly
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40 posts
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Post by kenneth on Dec 11, 2016 18:30:23 GMT
Even if this was in a position after reviews to transfer in- there seems to be nowhere free for it? Except maybe Picadilly It's playing Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto from 26 April until June 25 so it wouldn't be arriving in London until late Summer/early Autumn....loads of time for casualties and theatre availability.
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Dec 11, 2016 18:39:31 GMT
really enjoyed this, to be honest I couldn't remember much about the film so not really sure how closely it sticks to the original plot. Some great performances and choreography though, just a shame a couple of the songs never really go anywhere, the standout moments were Love is a leap of faith and Beautiful Surprise, really worth a listen
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40 posts
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Post by kenneth on Dec 11, 2016 19:07:20 GMT
Maybe by the Summer the Aldwych, Adelphi, Shaftesbury maybe up for grabs?
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19,780 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 11, 2016 19:18:06 GMT
Sam Lips in a tight white vest didn't do it any harm. Woof.
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5,058 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 18, 2016 21:33:38 GMT
What is the running time please? Thinking of seeing the matinee on Wednesday.
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40 posts
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Post by kenneth on Dec 18, 2016 23:52:23 GMT
2hrs 35 mins
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5,058 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 19, 2016 15:34:58 GMT
Thanks Kenneth, much appreciated.
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491 posts
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Post by djdan14 on Dec 21, 2016 14:53:24 GMT
A combination of my impulsive theatre habit, early pay day, Christmas spirit and listening to everyone's opinion on here has lead to me booking an overnight in Leeds in early Jan just to see this on one of my many trips back across the country. Well you lot have never failed me yet!
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30 posts
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Post by bex1210 on Dec 22, 2016 13:00:34 GMT
Got free tickets for this afternoons show through showfilmfirst. Really looking forward to it after seeing everyone's comments
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185 posts
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Post by boybooshka on Dec 22, 2016 13:28:57 GMT
Got free tickets for this afternoons show through showfilmfirst. Really looking forward to it after seeing everyone's comments Jealous. I do wish SFF were open to you listing cities you are willing/able to visit to watch shows and not just offer you things near your postcode.
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4,986 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 22, 2016 21:39:23 GMT
Really loved this. Second half could do with a wee bit of tightening but that aside such a fabulous cast covered in feathers and sequins - go go go
A perfect Christmas treat and such a fabulous way to end my year of theatre going
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5,058 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 22, 2016 23:03:35 GMT
I didn't expect this to be a jukebox musical, even though the pop music scene generally passed me by, only recognised a couple of song.
However I thought this was well acted and well choreographed (you would expect that of a show call Strictly Ballroom), however I thought it was a story that had been done before in different guises, but saying that I enjoyed myself a lot more than I expected.
At The matinee performance this had a few empty seats and just before Christmas, I would be surprised if this had the legs for the West End.
3 stars
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653 posts
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Post by ptwest on Dec 22, 2016 23:25:03 GMT
Just been tonight and really enjoyed it - a fantastic cast and loads of fun. I only booked a couple of weeks ago and the seating plan showed huge amounts unsold, but tonight was virtually full. Glad that booking is picking up as this show really deserves an audience.
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19,780 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 23, 2016 11:11:05 GMT
I didn't expect this to be a jukebox musical, even though the pop music scene generally passed me by, only recognised a couple of song. However I thought this was well acted and well choreographed (you would expect that of a show call Strictly Ballroom), however I thought it was a story that had been done before in different guises, but saying that I enjoyed myself a lot more than I expected. At The matinee performance this had a few empty seats and just before Christmas, I would be surprised if this had the legs for the West End. 3 stars If The Girls can make it to the WE then I don't see why this shouldn't, its waaay better. Did you enjoy the rest of your northern tour PoL?
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5,058 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 23, 2016 12:42:26 GMT
I agree with you on that, it's better than the Girls. I never said the Girls should go to the West End.
The West End isn't a barometer of decency anymore, for heavens sake they've just announced they are going to do a pantomime again, we must be laughing stock of the world now.
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155 posts
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Post by synchrony on Dec 30, 2016 1:17:11 GMT
Saw this tonight. The show was stopped by the stage manager (?) about 2/3rds of the way through Act One, and Sam was replaced by his understudy :-$ I hope he's alright? Anyone know what happened?
Understudy did well and had good crowd support. I loved Gemma's voice, Scott's parents and Barry.
Trouble is, I didn't love the songs (esp some of the lyrics), I really love the film which made making comparisons hard to avoid. So for that reason a 3* from me. But I was glad to have had the chance to see it and had a good night out.
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