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Post by Stephen on Apr 9, 2018 23:20:08 GMT
I have been fascinated with this whole so called 'Major Fraud' scandal for a while but the fact that the prices are so steep has put me off completely, not to mention as I said earlier the stage seats were up until a few days ago half and less than half the price they are now, which still has me absolutely raging. The Play That Goes Wrong has no starry cast but even that is far cheaper (and probably a far better show). Don't get me wrong, Greg Haiste, Sarah Woodward, and that Benidorm chap are good actors, but even they can't draw me in. As mentioned above, the side seats in the dress circle are a great bargain for this production (£15)I sat in B28 and missed almost nothing. This is helped by the fact there are two large screens also in view to see the action from different angles.
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Post by lou105 on Apr 9, 2018 23:27:25 GMT
Even those at the extreme corners are £42.50 once it's open, though it looks as though are reductions as each date approaches.
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Post by Snciole on Apr 10, 2018 8:46:56 GMT
I bought a balcony ticket for May and looking at the remaining seats unless this gets incredible press I am expecting to be upgraded.
I just don't think the idea has resonated with people (I love James Graham and quizzing but that is a niche audience) and the lack of star names isn't going to see audiences flocking there.
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Post by lou105 on Apr 10, 2018 9:43:17 GMT
I think word of mouth will help this show as much as reviews. The audience around me in the Royal Circle were enjoying themselves. There's a lot of laughter from recognition of the references and shared memories. I got the impression lots of people knew about the case but couldn't fully remember how it ended, which added interest especially when perceptions were challenged. More than worth the £15 I paid- I'd have been happy at double that but not much more.
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Post by basi1faw1ty on Apr 10, 2018 9:46:16 GMT
Oh darn it everybody, now you're making me reconsider my options.
Yes I'm aware of the cheaper seats TM mentioned earlier, just I'd love to be on the stage, having just missed out such an opportunity with This House. I'm very picky.
I'll keep coming back and checking the prices however. You never know, Delf Mac might just ammend their prices? They've done it twice already so...
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Post by lou105 on Apr 10, 2018 9:53:48 GMT
I don't know how far ahead you have to plan, basi1faw1ty but there are on stage seats at £27.50 later this week and next week.
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 10, 2018 11:34:26 GMT
I also see that they seem to have released seats in the stage level boxes for the next week or so at £20. I've no idea what the view would be like, but much of the action takes place stage centre and front. However, if I chose a box seat I would sit on the one stage left (or right when facing the stage) as there is some coughing action towards the rear stage right. I hope that all makes sense!!
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Post by noboiscout on Apr 10, 2018 11:58:12 GMT
Went last night. Quite a fun evening, although not a patch on Ink for writing, drama etc. No real surprises. I had £15 Time Out ticket, so was happy. Not worth more than £30.
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 10, 2018 12:20:10 GMT
Those moved to consider their thoughts on that case may like to learn that I am to be interviewed, live, by the host of another quiz programme, Jeremy Vine of BBC TV´s Eggheads, at 12:30 p.m. next Tuesday, April 10th on his BBC Radio show. I listened, quite by accident. JV said he went last night, so perhaps he'll make an appearance in the 'famous people' thread. Just on the those 30 minutes, and nothing else, I've now reached my own verdict, and I am unanimous in that!
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Post by lou105 on Apr 10, 2018 12:50:43 GMT
I saw him outside in the rain afterwards. Must find the interview on iPlayer.
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 10, 2018 12:54:16 GMT
Must find the interview on iPlayer. Yes, do. It's well worth a listen.
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Post by Stephen on Apr 10, 2018 13:01:50 GMT
I also see that they seem to have released seats in the stage level boxes for the next week or so at £20. I've no idea what the view would be like, but much of the action takes place stage centre and front. However, if I chose a box seat I would sit on the one stage left (or right when facing the stage) as there is some coughing action towards the rear stage right. I hope that all makes sense!! It’s a pity that the dress circle level stage left box is out of use for the screen. I like that one. It has its own toilet! I think you would be absolutely fine in a stage level box for Quiz. Lots of action is central on the stage and when it moves elsewhere it’s often only briefly.
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Post by ensembleswings on Apr 10, 2018 15:11:01 GMT
I bought a balcony ticket for May and looking at the remaining seats unless this gets incredible press I am expecting to be upgraded. I just don't think the idea has resonated with people (I love James Graham and quizzing but that is a niche audience) and the lack of star names isn't going to see audiences flocking there. Same here. As it currently stands only 6 tickets have sold in the balcony, around 10 in the grand circle and a small handful in the royal for the performance I've booked
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Post by westendcub on Apr 10, 2018 20:14:08 GMT
I went to this last night, I was on the £15 stage seat & do enjoy the different perspective & experience that comes with being there.
I liked the staging & the interactive nature with Act 1 playing to the conspiracy of the scandal & Act 2 giving you a different perceptive.
Shame they seem to be some crazy high prices out there for this and will be put off (of course I went on the £15 deal!).
3 Stars
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2018 22:12:17 GMT
How important do you think previous knowledge of the events would be? I vaguely remember this happening but I can’t remember the outcome. Should I read up, or go in hazy?
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Post by david on Apr 10, 2018 22:16:53 GMT
How important do you think previous knowledge of the events would be? I vaguely remember this happening but I can’t remember the outcome. Should I read up, or go in hazy? Having seen it, the show goes through the complete case from planning the event to the final court case so you can do a bit of background reading, though the play does explain who the main players are. Personally, I don’t think the play needs any prior reading.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Apr 11, 2018 5:43:38 GMT
Yes, I think the play assumes most of the audience will just have a vague memory of the case but perhaps not remember the outcome (which is the position I was in) - it works well in this context as you don't know where it's going till the verdict is revealed! I found it interesting to read up on the events after the show.
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Post by dontdreamit on Apr 11, 2018 8:18:20 GMT
Today Tix are now doing rush tickets for this for £20.
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Post by profquatermass on Apr 12, 2018 10:34:12 GMT
Out of interest, do they use the same pub quiz questions every night? If so, it seems an obvious opportunity for some unscrupulous person to win themselves a free ice cream!
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Post by westendcub on Apr 12, 2018 11:47:07 GMT
Out of interest, do they use the same pub quiz questions every night? If so, it seems an obvious opportunity for some unscrupulous person to win themselves a free ice cream! Winner gets a signed cast poster!!
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Post by lou105 on Apr 12, 2018 12:45:53 GMT
Out of interest, do they use the same pub quiz questions every night? If so, it seems an obvious opportunity for some unscrupulous person to win themselves a free ice cream! Cheating, at a play about alleged cheating. Ironic!
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Post by sf on Apr 12, 2018 17:41:00 GMT
How important do you think previous knowledge of the events would be? I vaguely remember this happening but I can’t remember the outcome. Should I read up, or go in hazy? Not important at all. I saw it this afternoon; I was living in Canada when the events took place, so I knew very little about the story, and it didn't matter.
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Post by dlevi on Apr 12, 2018 18:37:22 GMT
I went this afternoon ( Thanks Today's Tix!) and I think it's a bit of a mess. Not awful by any means I just think that Mr Graham wants to say tooooo much. So much of the plays construction feels haphazard and pointless. He's usually adept at making the political personal and the personal political but this time I don't think he succeeds. Still flawed James Graham is better than a lot of other stuff around and for 20 quid it was worth it.
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Post by bordeaux on Apr 13, 2018 8:47:27 GMT
I enjoyed this very much yesterday afternoon; well worth being on the stage at only £15.00. Very funny and cleverly constructed though there is often something teacherly about his plays - the cross-examination of some witnesses clearly a device to give us a bit of history and context. It's a fascinating story, though, and I must admit I'm not sure either way of their guilt or innocence; we were the first jury in ten performances to find them still guilty at the end of the show. Keir Charles was brilliant as Tarrant - a pure pleasure to watch. I look forward to seeing what James Graham does next.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2018 11:14:02 GMT
This is a really enjoyable play and a sound choice if you like quiz shows and popular culture. I also have a clear memory of the original case, but it was interesting talking to people around me that others did not.
Quite busy last night. Three levels of the theatre were open and looked busy (just the balcony closed).
I can also recommend the stage seating for the close-up view. You also get to see bits of the performance invisible to the main auditorium unless the cameras are rolling, such as the actors performing while waiting at the back of the stage in Contestant's Row. A joyful set of performances, even if the game show host impersonations are a bit off (and the person who won The Price Is Right pricing game was allowed to bid over the retail price).
The results yesterday evening were 80% guilty as of the first vote (lower than the usual figures shown later on the screen) and 49% guilty at the end.
Someone sitting a row back on the on-stage seating came in on his own, made some jokes to everyone around about how we'd all be participating in the show, said "you don't know who I am, yet, do you?", then took his seat. I was expecting him to be involved in the show, but he wasn't and I never did find out what his involvement with the show was. Anyone else worked this out on a previous visit?
The downside of sitting on stage is the theatre has a list of TheatreBoard members. They then single board members out to take part in the game shows. Thankfully, I'm old enough to remember Take Your Pick, or I wouldn't have had a clue what I was meant to do or what was going on when "Des O'Connor" descended towards me (the woman next to me confessed during the interval she had no idea what was happening and was glad she wasn't selected).
[it may also just be that there's an assigned seat and the person sitting there takes part, which would make sense based on where the host and cameras are positioned]
It's not a typical West End show, but it is well-produced, not stretched out to four hours like so many plays, and it is worth a visit.
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 13, 2018 11:35:13 GMT
Someone sitting a row back on the on-stage seating came in on his own, made some jokes to everyone around about how we'd all be participating in the show, said "you don't know who I am, yet, do you?", then took his seat. I was expecting him to be involved in the show, but he wasn't and I never did find out what his involvement with the show was. Anyone else worked this out on a previous visit? The downside of sitting on stage is the theatre has a list of TheatreBoard members. They then single board members out to take part in the game shows. Thankfully, I'm old enough to remember Take Your Pick, or I wouldn't have had a clue what I was meant to do or what was going on when "Des O'Connor" descended towards me (the woman next to me confessed during the interval she had no idea what was happening and was glad she wasn't selected). [it may also just be that there's an assigned seat and the person sitting there takes part, which would make sense based on where the host and cameras are positioned] It's not a typical West End show, but it is well-produced, not stretched out to four hours like so many plays, and it is worth a visit. On my side of the stage seating there was no one making comments before the show - maybe the other side?
Also, when I went, I was the person taking part in Take Your Pick - I had no prior warning of it. However, your point about where the cameras are suggests that the number of potential victims for this part of the show is limited!
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Post by Polly1 on Apr 13, 2018 11:53:59 GMT
Out of interest, do they use the same pub quiz questions every night? If so, it seems an obvious opportunity for some unscrupulous person to win themselves a free ice cream! Winner gets a signed cast poster!! As some of the answers are mentioned later on in the play (which I thought quite clever) I imagine they do. Given the subject matter of the play, it's ironic that it would indeed be easy to 'cheat' your way to a prize! At Chichester I didn't believe for one moment that they'd sifted through everyone's answer sheet, I thought they just picked someone at random!
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2018 12:57:14 GMT
As some of the answers are mentioned later on in the play (which I thought quite clever) I imagine they do. Given the subject matter of the play, it's ironic that it would indeed be easy to 'cheat' your way to a prize! At Chichester I didn't believe for one moment that they'd sifted through everyone's answer sheet, I thought they just picked someone at random! The answer sheets weren't collected in London last night. They were self-marked and the audience were just asked who got full marks. Someone in the Circle shouted out they had. I presume there was a check of the answer sheet, but who knows? You could just write in the correct answers as they're read out anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2018 13:52:05 GMT
Keir Charles was brilliant as Tarrant - a pure pleasure to watch. I thought he played it like Larry Grayson myself. Not that that's a bad thing of course.
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Post by jasper on Apr 13, 2018 14:28:57 GMT
As some of the answers are mentioned later on in the play (which I thought quite clever) I imagine they do. Given the subject matter of the play, it's ironic that it would indeed be easy to 'cheat' your way to a prize! At Chichester I didn't believe for one moment that they'd sifted through everyone's answer sheet, I thought they just picked someone at random! The answer sheets weren't collected in London last night. They were self-marked and the audience were just asked who got full marks. Someone in the Circle shouted out they had. I presume there was a check of the answer sheet, but who knows? You could just write in the correct answers as they're read out anyway. That was exactly what happened in my History lessons at school. Every lesson was the same. We were asked questions on the reading for homework and in the lesson we were asked to write the answers and mark the person's answers who sat next to us. Needless to say we ended up writing in the answer and getting top marks. Those were the days before the National Curriculum, OFSTED, lesson plans, lesson observations etc etc.
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