571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on May 24, 2016 12:53:01 GMT
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258 posts
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Post by notmymuse on May 25, 2016 16:46:46 GMT
Just finished drying my eyes and recovering from the matinee. Didn't see the ending coming, along with most of the theatre!
I really liked this. For those who won't get to see it (and without spoiling it for those who will) the action in the first act takes place around (literally, because there's a partial revolve) Mrs Harris' kitchen, which she returns to regularly from meeting different characters on the revolve which spins around her kitchen.
She spends the first act spending time with various characters who help her in her quest to go to Paris (for reasons I won't divulge...).
The second act is set in Paris mainly, and again she meets characters there who cleverly echo those she knows in London.
She then returns to London for the finale, which is not at all as I remember from the film years ago.
Lots of things strike me about this production. First off, the cast are amazing, and any production that can afford to cast Rebecca Caine and Laura Pitt-Pulford in supporting roles (not even main supporting roles) is doing well. They all work very effectively and get to play a nice range of characters (nice to see LPP in her London character playing someone a bit different to what I've usually seen her as). My only doubt was Louis Maskell who has such a lovely voice and didn't really get to show it off and I was less convinced by.
Claire Burt is very believable, as is Anna-Jane Casey as her sidekick (who I didn't even recognise for ages). She is very warm and genuine and sweet. Quite an interesting role.
The strong thing for me here is the story. I was thinking about this compared to seeing Mrs Henderson in Bath, and this is in far better shape. The story hangs together very well and really builds to a climax with some lovely moments en route, and without being predictable. One of the moments near the end I didn't see coming and really was quite overwhelming. For me, a really really strong book overall.
The music does have echoes of Sondheim but if I described it as Sondheim mixed with Jason Robert-Brown (perhaps some of his older stuff like Parade or The Last 5 Years) you wouldn't be far off. I loved it, and would love a CD of it but doubt that's likely. I think it would reward repeated listens but, as one Sheffield resident said on the way out, "there's nothing I'd tap my toe to or sing tomorrow."
It could probably do with playing some more of the lines or laughs (the one about there being no tea could have been very funny if done with real shock and disbelief for example) but still some funny bits.
I'm not sure where this will go from here. It's a limited run for such a stellar cast, and after recent British musicals struggling in the West End and as it's not a well-known film really and lacks catchy songs, I don't see it having a home there. I could see this going to one of the larger off West End theatres though (Southwark or the new Union once opened?).
It's also a testament to the strength of theatre in Sheffield that this got to see the light of day at all. Audiences here have really come to trust the Crucible and Daniel Evans and so are more willing to give new work a try and support them than would happen in many places, which enables new musicals and work to happen here. This is My Family was another great musical that I think started here. He will be missed in Sheffield, and let's hope they can continue their reputation without him.
My biggest gripe was 5 mobile phones going off early on in Act 2, so some announcements about that could really help...
But, overall, if you can possibly get to see this you should. It will stay with me for a long time. There is a lot to think about and process from the story, which doesn't go where you think it will. It was beautifully performed and very moving indeed. 4.5/5.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on May 25, 2016 17:07:53 GMT
Just finished drying my eyes and recovering from the matinee. Didn't see the ending coming, along with most of the theatre! I really liked this. For those who won't get to see it (and without spoiling it for those who will) the action in the first act takes place around (literally, because there's a partial revolve) Mrs Harris' kitchen, which she returns to regularly from meeting different characters on the revolve which spins around her kitchen. She spends the first act spending time with various characters who help her in her quest to go to Paris (for reasons I won't divulge...). The second act is set in Paris mainly, and again she meets characters there who cleverly echo those she knows in London. She then returns to London for the finale, which is not at all as I remember from the film years ago. Lots of things strike me about this production. First off, the cast are amazing, and any production that can afford to cast Rebecca Caine and Laura Pitt-Pulford in supporting roles (not even main supporting roles) is doing well. They all work very effectively and get to play a nice range of characters (nice to see LPP in her London character playing someone a bit different to what I've usually seen her as). My only doubt was Louis Maskell who has such a lovely voice and didn't really get to show it off and I was less convinced by. Claire Burt is very believable, as is Anna-Jane Casey as her sidekick (who I didn't even recognise for ages). She is very warm and genuine and sweet. Quite an interesting role. The strong thing for me here is the story. I was thinking about this compared to seeing Mrs Henderson in Bath, and this is in far better shape. The story hangs together very well and really builds to a climax with some lovely moments en route, and without being predictable. One of the moments near the end I didn't see coming and really was quite overwhelming. For me, a really really strong book overall. The music does have echoes of Sondheim but if I described it as Sondheim mixed with Jason Robert-Brown (perhaps some of his older stuff like Parade or The Last 5 Years) you wouldn't be far off. I loved it, and would love a CD of it but doubt that's likely. I think it would reward repeated listens but, as one Sheffield resident said on the way out, "there's nothing I'd tap my toe to or sing tomorrow." It could probably do with playing some more of the lines or laughs (the one about there being no tea could have been very funny if done with real shock and disbelief for example) but still some funny bits. I'm not sure where this will go from here. It's a limited run for such a stellar cast, and after recent British musicals struggling in the West End and as it's not a well-known film really and lacks catchy songs, I don't see it having a home there. I could see this going to one of the larger off West End theatres though (Southwark or the new Union once opened?). It's also a testament to the strength of theatre in Sheffield that this got to see the light of day at all. Audiences here have really come to trust the Crucible and Daniel Evans and so are more willing to give new work a try and support them than would happen in many places, which enables new musicals and work to happen here. This is My Family was another great musical that I think started here. He will be missed in Sheffield, and let's hope they can continue their reputation without him. My biggest gripe was 5 mobile phones going off early on in Act 2, so some announcements about that could really help... But, overall, if you can possibly get to see this you should. It will stay with me for a long time. There is a lot to think about and process from the story, which doesn't go where you think it will. It was beautifully performed and very moving indeed. 4.5/5.
I would LOVE a CD of this... Rain on Me is sublime as are other songs in the show. You are very right comparing this to Parade! Let's hope some theatre producer falls in love with it as we did (and the Guardian) and it has a limited 3 month run on the West End. More deserve to see this!!
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18,837 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 26, 2016 11:54:29 GMT
And if it doesn't get a run elsewhere it's only a 2 hour train ride from London to Sheffield then 5 minutes walk to the theatre. Tickets £23.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on May 26, 2016 13:30:31 GMT
And if it doesn't get a run elsewhere it's only a 2 hour train ride from London to Sheffield then 5 minutes walk to the theatre. Tickets £23. Although sadly the cost of the train will be 4 times the cost of the theatre ticket... What has happened to the UK? ((
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Post by singularsensation on May 26, 2016 15:38:44 GMT
And if it doesn't get a run elsewhere it's only a 2 hour train ride from London to Sheffield then 5 minutes walk to the theatre. Tickets £23. Although sadly the cost of the train will be 4 times the cost of the theatre ticket... What has happened to the UK? (( If you can stomach an extra hour and half sat down, the Megabus to Sheffield from London is usually only £4-£7 quid and a return can usually be bought for £10. Then it's just a 15 minute tram from Meadowhall to Cathedral and a short walk! Hoping to see this on Saturday, if I can get all my stuff moved into the new house in time that is.
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18,837 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 26, 2016 15:48:46 GMT
London to Sheffield can be done for about £25 each way by train on a Saturday. It's about the same for Manchester. You just have to book ahead. And yes that does bump up the ticket price but this is what those of us who live outside the capital do without even thinking about it if we want to see something in London.
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on May 26, 2016 18:18:34 GMT
seeing this on Wednesday matinee, the positive reviews on here aided my decision :-)
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258 posts
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Post by notmymuse on May 27, 2016 9:15:34 GMT
London to Sheffield can be done for about £25 each way by train on a Saturday. It's about the same for Manchester. You just have to book ahead. And yes that does bump up the ticket price but this is what those of us who live outside the capital do without even thinking about it if we want to see something in London. Or if you very a cheap national express bus ticket, the bus stop is pretty much outside the theatre! The brownies in the theatre cafe also deserve special mention...
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647 posts
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Post by ptwest on May 27, 2016 22:27:05 GMT
Just back from this, what a lovely show, beautifully performed. The music is perhaps not the most memorable but the stroytelling is wonderful. Shame the crucible was at best two thirds full as this show deserves a wider audience.
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Jun 1, 2016 17:07:32 GMT
Can only echo what has already been said. This is absolutely beautiful and I'd be surprised if it didn't end up at Chichester. Another long journey to see it but one I'd gladly make.
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1,330 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on Jun 5, 2016 0:27:03 GMT
Absolutely adored this. Exquisite performance from Clare Burt, ably supported by an excellent cast. It both sounded and looked beautiful while the quirkiness of the story belied its emotional depth - tissues were required.
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Jun 5, 2016 9:12:50 GMT
Having just seen and loved another of Richard Taylor's shows, The Go-Between, I can well understand why so many people are so high on the score to Mrs. Harris. Taylor is already, clearly, a major British theatre composer.
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258 posts
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Post by notmymuse on Feb 15, 2018 9:09:16 GMT
Just announced for Chichester, with Clare Burt returning. I was so going Daniel Evans would bring this with him to Chichester from a Sheffield. Such a lovely piece. Hopefully this will result in West End transfer...
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4,596 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 15, 2018 9:54:32 GMT
Looks like I will now get to see this
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638 posts
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Post by Oleanna on Feb 15, 2018 11:28:52 GMT
This is brilliant news. Such a wonderful, wonderful musical.
I had heard that Imelda Staunton was going to lead this production, but glad they’ve stuck with Clare Burt.
Shame that Anna-Jane Casey looks set not to return, but just glad we’re getting the show and wonderful production again. I wonder if Rebecca Caine will be able to do this after the run of Harold and Maude?
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Post by lewis on Feb 15, 2018 12:38:25 GMT
This is brilliant news. Such a wonderful, wonderful musical. I had heard that Imelda Staunton was going to lead this production, but glad they’ve stuck with Clare Burt. Shame that Anna-Jane Casey looks set not to return, but just glad we’re getting the show and wonderful production again. I wonder if Rebecca Caine will be able to do this after the run of Harold and Maude? looks like anna jane casey and jo riding are doing a part swap! She's replacing her in this, and AJC is off on the road in The Girls
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1,102 posts
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Post by zak97 on Feb 15, 2018 12:47:35 GMT
This is brilliant news. Such a wonderful, wonderful musical. I had heard that Imelda Staunton was going to lead this production, but glad they’ve stuck with Clare Burt. Shame that Anna-Jane Casey looks set not to return, but just glad we’re getting the show and wonderful production again. I wonder if Rebecca Caine will be able to do this after the run of Harold and Maude? looks like anna jane casey and jo riding are doing a part swap! She's replacing her in this, and AJC is off on the road in The Girls Is Joanna not playing the part played by Rebecca Caine?
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 15, 2018 12:51:09 GMT
OMG I AM THRILLED!!! I saw it in Sheffield and thought it was one of the most beautiful and gorgeous new musicals I had seen in years. I am so so so glad Chichester is doing the show this September. You must ALL see it. So happy!
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1,330 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on Feb 15, 2018 13:44:24 GMT
LOVED this in Sheffield, delighted to be able to see it again
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638 posts
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Post by Oleanna on Feb 15, 2018 16:58:44 GMT
looks like anna jane casey and jo riding are doing a part swap! She's replacing her in this, and AJC is off on the road in The Girls Is Joanna not playing the part played by Rebecca Caine? It hasn’t been confirmed which part she’s playing, but I’m imagining it will be AJ Casey’s role and not Rebecca Caine’s.
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1,908 posts
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Post by sf on Feb 15, 2018 18:20:47 GMT
Is Joanna not playing the part played by Rebecca Caine? It hasn’t been confirmed which part she’s playing, but I’m imagining it will be AJ Casey’s role and not Rebecca Caine’s. Yes it has. Joanna Riding will be playing Lady Dant and Mme. Colbert, the roles played by Rebecca Caine in Sheffield. Flowers for Mrs. Harris - cast and creatives(I usually like Joanna Riding, but Rebecca Caine was sublime in this.)
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Post by BGLowe on Feb 15, 2018 18:39:24 GMT
I am so thrilled - I absolutely adored this!
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 15, 2018 18:43:27 GMT
I praaaaaaaaay they do a cast recording!!! Even better a transfer into town.
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1,428 posts
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Post by showtoones on Feb 15, 2018 19:07:30 GMT
Is the hope that this will transfer to the West End by Christmas?
For those who have seen it, is it in good enough shape to come into town?
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1,908 posts
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Post by sf on Feb 15, 2018 19:11:56 GMT
Is the hope that this will transfer to the West End by Christmas? For those who have seen it, is it in good enough shape to come into town? It is absolutely wonderful. Whether it has enough commercial potential to sustain a run in the West End is another question, but it's certainly "in good enough shape". Clare Burt's performance is one for the ages, though, and I hope there'll at least be a recording.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2018 19:24:59 GMT
It was a lovely evening but I don’t think it could sustain a WE run.
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638 posts
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Post by Oleanna on Feb 15, 2018 20:05:20 GMT
It hasn’t been confirmed which part she’s playing, but I’m imagining it will be AJ Casey’s role and not Rebecca Caine’s. Yes it has. Joanna Riding will be playing Lady Dant and Mme. Colbert, the roles played by Rebecca Caine in Sheffield. Flowers for Mrs. Harris - cast and creatives(I usually like Joanna Riding, but Rebecca Caine was sublime in this.) Thanks for this, I hadn’t seen that section of the website. I like Joanna Riding but I don’t really find her to be the most suitable replacement in these particular roles.
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Feb 15, 2018 21:42:48 GMT
It was a lovely evening but I don’t think it could sustain a WE run. Why couldn’t it do a nice 6 month limited run? It’s cheap enough to run I’m sure and has a small cast.
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1,908 posts
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Post by sf on Feb 16, 2018 0:01:07 GMT
It was a lovely evening but I don’t think it could sustain a WE run. Why couldn’t it do a nice 6 month limited run? It’s cheap enough to run I’m sure and has a small cast. I saw it in the last few days of the run in Sheffield. Even after very, very strong reviews, the theatre was only maybe two-thirds full. If it didn't sell out at the Crucible, it'll be an even tougher sell at West End prices.
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