146 posts
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Post by impossibleprincess73 on Jul 17, 2019 22:57:24 GMT
Ooooh thank you very much for the heads up <runs off to buy one>
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8,098 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jul 27, 2019 18:24:12 GMT
Saw today's matinee from one of the £13.75 front row seats. Great value for money. Stage slightly high for me but the huge amount of legroom and price made up for it.
Enjoyable show and great cast. The Nativity scene in act 2 is the highlight. Very funny.
I had previously seen this at the Menier and thought it suited the venue more. Much wider stage than here and felt some of the numbers slightly cramped by the stage.
Although I enjoyed the show I think it was one of those shows to see once only. 2nd time around you know exactly what is going to happen and its not really a mega musical to watch over again.
Not really bad enough for the bad behaviour thread but a young "stagey" couple sat next to me who my mother would call "slightly affected" everything was OTT, laughter, applause, clapping in time to the music when you shouldn't really be and dancing in their seats which weren't that securely screwed to the floor so the whole row shook. Bless them as they enjoyed it but would have preferred it if they enjoyed it a few rows behind me.
Also I'm sure ATG have the highest refreshment prices in the trade. £2.70 for water and £4.50 for a small tub of ice cream.
Oh and every time the doors were opened you could smell sewage.
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4,177 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jul 27, 2019 21:10:12 GMT
I've seen each version of the show so far and was pleased to be able to see it on the West End this evening. It was hust as good as I remember. Great cast.
The Nativity scene surely has to be one of the funniest scenes going at the moment and I still find it a cracker even though I've seen it 3 times and know what's going to happen!
Sad to see quite a few empty on a Saturday night but the audience loved it. It's a shame that it wasn't in a theatre a bit more viable and benifit a bit more from walk in trade.
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256 posts
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Post by grannyjx6 on Jul 27, 2019 22:00:21 GMT
I've seen each version of the show so far and was pleased to be able to see it on the West End this evening. It was hust as good as I remember. Great cast. The Nativity scene surely has to be one of the funniest scenes going at the moment and I still find it a cracker even though I've seen it 3 times and know what's going to happen! Sad to see quite a few empty on a Saturday night but the audience loved it. It's a shame that it wasn't in a theatre a bit more viable and benifit a bit more from walk in trade. We're going next month and this (apart from the Les Mis concert version) is the only show I booked in advance, because it's our first day down and I didn't want to waste time day seating, paying full price. I could kick myself as it's discounting every day but hey ho! You can't win them all and maybe they will offer us a free upgrade. ;-) |
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651 posts
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Post by greeny11 on Jul 29, 2019 22:50:13 GMT
Saw this show this evening and had a great time - thought it was very funny in places, while touching in others. Loved all the adult cast, especially Andrew Langtree and John Hopkins (Hopkins gets a lot of laughs throughout) - and the child cast more than held their own. We had Aaron Gelkoff as Adrian, Riya Viyas as Pandora, Albert Green as Nigel and Aaron Shaw as Barry. All were great, especially Gelkoff who carried the show brilliantly - it's a huge role for a child actor. In terms of the score, I really enjoyed it - especially the last 4 songs in act 1. I thought it was musically not as strong in the second act - but I did very much enjoy the Nativity.
Overall, I would say 4/5 would be my rating - I would go and see it again, but sadly won't be able to.
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544 posts
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Post by amp09 on Aug 22, 2019 20:56:25 GMT
Had to see this again before it closes. What a shame it’s not taken off especially over the summer. The audience always lap it up. Anyway, another fab show tonight, nice to see the roles played differently by the rotating young actors.
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19,663 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 22, 2019 21:47:40 GMT
Maybe a tour?
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1,970 posts
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Post by sf on Aug 22, 2019 22:06:19 GMT
Had to see this again before it closes. What a shame it’s not taken off especially over the summer. The audience always lap it up. Anyway, another fab show tonight, nice to see the roles played differently by the rotating young actors.
I saw it last Saturday afternoon. I liked it very much. It sands down the edges of Sue Townsend's satire a bit too much, but that's possibly inevitable in a stage adaptation - if you stuck absolutely rigidly to what's in the novel, a character like Bert might be too grotesque. That quibble aside, I think they've done a very good job of adapting the book. I loved Doreen Slater's song, and the nativity sequence is pricelessly funny. And the young actors are brilliant. I'm surprised it isn't doing better.
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544 posts
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Post by amp09 on Aug 22, 2019 22:14:07 GMT
Had to see this again before it closes. What a shame it’s not taken off especially over the summer. The audience always lap it up. Anyway, another fab show tonight, nice to see the roles played differently by the rotating young actors.
I saw it last Saturday afternoon. I liked it very much. It sands down the edges of Sue Townsend's satire a bit too much, but that's possibly inevitable in a stage adaptation - if you stuck absolutely rigidly to what's in the novel, a character like Bert might be too grotesque. That quibble aside, I think they've done a very good job of adapting the book. I loved Doreen Slater's song, and the nativity sequence is pricelessly funny. And the young actors are brilliant. I'm surprised it isn't doing better.
Do you think it’s the theatre? I’m surprised it’s not getting more interaction on here too. I think it’s truly brilliant. |
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Aug 23, 2019 1:00:20 GMT
Think it’s doing ok isnt it .... but shame its not had any tv exposure even on the one show for 5 mins would work wonders I’m going again in couple of weeks loved it first time round first time ever in that theatre I though it was pretty cute and staff were great
Think it’s the current climate people only spending big money on shows they know
. Boeing just cancelled tour hot flush cancelled so many this year ..... and Amelie struggling and little miss sunshine which I loved also struggling half price tickets in Malvern next week so I’m going again some nights less the quarter full even on your feet in Birmingham next week only £15 instead of £40 +
Theatre is getting ridiculously expensive for many of us
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19,663 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 23, 2019 10:41:12 GMT
The writers were interviewed on Alice Arnold’s podcast recently. A very enthusiastic young pair. They said that although people think this is a new show, the WE run really has to be seen as a culmination of about 7 years work from its conception and then the Leicester/menier runs. It hasn’t done badly at all really.
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Post by dontdreamit on Aug 27, 2019 21:18:21 GMT
I’ve just come out of this tonight- what a gem of a show! Lots of nostalgia for the books from me- I read the first two not long after they were published and remember the TV series from the 80’s. I felt this show really captured the spirit of the books.
Brilliant young cast too, and the theatre seemed pretty full in the stalls where I was tonight.
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Post by xanady on Aug 30, 2019 8:09:05 GMT
Saw the matinee with the fam yesterday and can highly recommend this is as a laugh-out-loud fun show with some genuine emotional moments between the George and Pauline characters.This is a zany,manic two hours of brilliance.Incredibly professional in every sense especially with the quickfire scenery and costume changes,a superb set that screams early 80’s and a razor-sharp script.Great sing-along tunes and a very appreciative audience.John Hopkins as ‘creep’ Lucas and the Headmaster is terrific as are all the cast,adults and kids alike.
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8,098 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 1, 2019 9:12:08 GMT
Just had an e mail from Today Tix. They have a 24 hour sale for Adrian Mole with tickets from £15 which includes stalls.
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Sept 1, 2019 15:52:53 GMT
Highly recommend this musical can’t wait to see it again a couple of weeks and at those prices it’s a steal
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2019 17:34:30 GMT
As much as I hate to admit it amongst the huge numbers on here who loved it... I really disliked this musical when I saw it. Aside from two songs the musical numbers weren’t very good - especially the one in the tonsillitis scene. I’ve not read the books or seen any other adaptations before, so maybe that didn’t help, but it was a massive Miss for me unfortunately.
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 6, 2019 6:46:02 GMT
Made a return visit to check this out again before it closes. It is a decent British musical and there aren't many recent success stories like that about.
Sadly, not selling too well. There was a sign outside that they have day seats (I think for £25), which might be useful for anyone passing and looking for a show to see. I suspect you'd get a seat in a prime position.
The front row (where I sat) was full, but otherwise people were scattered around the Stalls, mostly towards the back (which I presume it where the cheaper seat offers were).
Almost the same cast as I saw last time. The same three child leads, but a different boy on for Barry Kent. The names are displayed as you go in.
Mathew Craig was on as Bert Baxtor, but this wasn't displayed anywhere in the theatre (no idea why, especially as they always have a sign for the child actors). He was decent, but looked far too young for the role. The peril when one person has to cover all three adult male roles.
Michael Hawkins was fine as Adrian. He wasn't as fluid as last time, with a couple of line slips and some problems with the props (dropping a book and having real difficulties at one point getting his clip-on tie to stay on). But it is a tough role and he carries it.
Matilda Hopkins was Pandora. Very good. She got a lot of cheers and noise at different times and I presume her family were in.
Cuba Kamanu was Nigel. Last time he only appeared for the first half and was replaced for the second, so it was good to see him play the role all the way through. He has quite a charm and swagged to the way he plays the role.
Charlie Stripp was Barry. An unusual choice for a bully as he is much shorter than the other chid actors. He wears his hair long and is a former Gavroche. Perfectly fine for the role as it's a much more minor part than the others.
One thing I picked up on is how anachronistic many of the items are dotted around Adrian's bedroom. Things like games based on TV shows that didn't start until a few years after when the book is set, or annuals published after. Just a fun note.
This is on for a few more weeks and worth seeing, especially if you grew up with the books like I did. I think it has a regional life but I doubt there will be another West End production.
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316 posts
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Post by ABr on Sept 9, 2019 9:14:19 GMT
Having lived in Leicester before moving to London, I missed the original production at Curve, and for again at the Menier. So finally managed to get tickets to see it while its at the Ambassadors.
We got tickets from TodayTix at around half 3 on Saturday, and managed to get H8-9 in the Stalls for £24.50 each (saving £35 per ticket). The stalls were well dressed, with only some empty seats towards the back, but it was a Saturday evening, and I had no idea how the Circle looked.
Overall we really enjoyed the show, I thought the set was very clever and looked great. We had Rufus Kampa as Adrian, who I thought looked and sounded the part, I think he just needs to slow down ever so slightly, just to make his diction a bit clearer. Rebecca Nardin was our Pandora, I thought she was very good, embodied the character very well and played well against everyone else. Jeremiah Waysome as Nigel was fab, such a cheeky performance, loved his cameo as the postman And finally we had Jack Gale as Barry (clearly the smaller of the child roles), he doesn't have much to play with, but overall a good performance, hands off to the puppet work as well.
We did have Mathew Craig on as the George, and quite clearly he had a few fans/family in the audience when it came to the curtain call! I thought he brought a nice quality to the role, and I did find his relationship with Amy Richardson very believable, and was actually quite touched by some of their moments together.
I think this is a great indication of a great homegrown British musical, so I am glad that hopefully more people are seeing it. I just think so soon after the production at the Menier, I just don't think there is the desire to go see it, if people wanted to catch it, they would have booked to see it there. I think it was a missed opportunity when it was at Curve, it should have been a Co-Pro with a couple of different regional venues, with sit downs at each of them, with then a limited run in London. As I don't think the show would do well on tour, with cost being too high (though you could easily change Barry to a adult, since all the other adults play children, and hes the smaller role of the 4).
Overall great performances, and the show was in a great shape, we really enjoyed it, and glad to see a great new British musical, I just think the timing/venue might have not helped this time around.
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Sept 21, 2019 19:39:08 GMT
Wow saw the matinee today second time seeing the show and what a performance loved it such a talented cast we had same kids as last time Rufus as Adrian love him in the part as other people have said just needs to slow down a little . Lots of laughs hugs and tears at the end may have been his last show we jumped to our feet as did a full house to give him and the cast a well earned standing ovation atmosphere today really was electric and think the full ovation took him by surprise he carried on the finally number with tears rolling down his cheeks .
I really think this show deserves a longer run and hope it tours in the future 👍👍👍👍
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