Side Show - Southwark Playhouse

Overall, I loved this. The downsides first, I think Southwark spent the set budget on grey gardens as this one is a bit flimsy, and there's still some work to do on getting the cast used to their costumes, and some sound and lighting cues missed, but that's the point of previews I guess!

Apart from that (and bearing in mind they were a cast member down with only a short time to allow for it - and I doubt most people noticed), this is great. A really strong book, some lovely songs, mainly great performances especially from the leads. Really involving and well performed. Laura and Louise didn't seem to put a foot wrong and their performances are already very strong indeed.

I hope this does really well and is as popular as it deserves to be. Thanks all involved for a wonderful afternoon!

David Mascat pays the human pin cushion. Did they just leave that character name out as Sir is introducing the freaks?

How were the costumes? On Friday, one of the girls' costumes were held together by very noticable safety pins and their other costumes were out of place so you could their underwear and where they're sewn together, Jakes jacket was fitted with pins.

Please tell me they have improved the 'third leg'. Not great....  still thats what previews are about.

I was also at the matinee yesterday and wouldn't have had a clue they were a cast member down if I hadn't read it on here.

Didn't know anything about the show beforehand but really enjoyed it. Very polished for a second preview.

Louise and Laura were wonderful as the two leads. The show stopper numbers, their chemistry together and the emotions shown in the story were a joy.

Christopher Howell was great as Sir, his costume very similar to his Guys and Dolls one (with an added moustache).

Supporting cast were great.

It was sung beautifully from start to finish.

Will definately book to see it again.

I did spot a few safety pins and bits of bras but barely noticeable

I have to confess there were visible pins in their costume's "connection" from row B. But as it has been pointed out - this was only the second preview. I thought it curious that the tattooed girl was in a body stocking, yet the bearded lady was clearly covered in tats that had been dulled with makeup. I guess it's because of vocal ranges that they were cast this way round?

Genuinely glad people are enjoying this, but boy I thought this was dull. A so-so pedestrian production of what has to be the most plodding and simplistic script I've ever come across for a musical! And the subject has the potential to be so good.

There was barely any moment where a character was nuanced or singled out in an interesting way. All the characters spoke the most obvious thoughts in the most banal greetings card language. "What do you dream of?" "I dream of being like everybody else." Well, yeah, obviously! But nobody's thoughts are that simple. It felt like that, because there were two women, they could give each an opposing point of view on what they want from life and largely ignore the fact that everybody is more complicated than that.

These were cardboard cut outs. Where were the telling details that got you under the skin of these potentially fascinating characters? How come two conjoined twins who had been beaten and abused were so glossy and wholesome, as if they'd just stepped out of a Frank Capra movie? Where was the spit and the sawdust and the starlight? Even one glance at the titles in the song list told me we were in for a night of cliche - Feelings You've Got To Hide. Who Will Love Me As I Am? You can't tell me that you don't know exactly what those songs are going to say from the titles alone, and you can't tell me that it's not the most obvious thought the writer could have had. I'm amazed that any director or producer would see anything in this worth staging! But obviously people do - and people like it, and that's fair enough.

I just wanted to issue a word of warning - if you don't know the show and are expecting anything even vaguely as exploratory of outsiders as, say, Assassins (or, even, Phantom) then you may be sorely disappointed.

That's totally fair enough. I think the show definitely has an honesty - and a good heart - and for some people the direct emotional line is what gets to them. I know I have a tendency to love anything that approaches its subject obliquely or from an unexpected angle, so a script that is so straight on is never going to do it for me. I think the subject matter somehow led me to expect something more unusual. Hope you enjoy having a  good cry!!

Saw the 2nd preview and was completely blown away. Apart from a few rough edges, the show truly impressive. I loved the story and the performances were universally impressive. The chemistry between LD and LPP is wonderful and their voices sublime! And Jay Marsh deserves special mention.

Have booked for closing night and will be trying to fit in another visit.

Word of warning - is is emotionally draining!! Much sobbing at the interval and after the show.

It's quite bizarre, isn't it? There are a few shows that are so loved by so many yet I just don't get them. And others that really switch on the fanatic in me but which generate real hatred from others.

Horses for courses though.. and long may it be so. The world would be a boring place if we all loved and hated the same things.

I LOVEEE the original Broadway cast recording and I couldn't imagine how on earth a show with a score that good, and performances so vocally sensational as Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner could have flopped. Until I saw the recent Broadway revival. What a stinker this show is (score aside). The book was truly dreadful- and that was supposed to be the improved version.

I'm intrigued to see how it plays in a small theatre- I suspect the intimacy may make you care more about the sisters- I certainly didn't In NYC.

I am assuming Dearman sounds particularly wonderful- her voice is perfect for these songs,

They worked for me, and while I was a huge fan of the original production, I didn't miss the old songs. I saw the Side Show revival twice and only once did I even remember during the show that Tunnel of Love had gotten replaced.

Looking at the photos of the set from audience members on Instagram, the set looks great! And makes the stage look a lot bigger than it usually is.