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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2018 22:19:08 GMT
John must have holiday dates coming up soon, I'd be intrigued to see the understudy and a different take on the role. As nice as it is to see John so dedicated, it is also lovely to see an understudy getting their moment to shine.  |
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Post by Dan213 on Jan 23, 2018 2:24:34 GMT
John must have holiday dates coming up soon, I'd be intrigued to see the understudy and a different take on the role. As nice as it is to see John so dedicated, it is also lovely to see an understudy getting their moment to shine. Just read on Twitter that they are doing a full cover run on Thursday, so I should imagine Luke will have some shows as Jamie fairly soon |
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Post by viserys on Jan 23, 2018 5:48:03 GMT
Probably on Saturday afternoon when I finally get around to see this show  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 25, 2018 7:40:00 GMT
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 27, 2018 0:28:28 GMT
John must have holiday dates coming up soon, I'd be intrigued to see the understudy and a different take on the role. As nice as it is to see John so dedicated, it is also lovely to see an understudy getting their moment to shine. When you are that young and ambitious, you want to enjoy it while it lasts. He has to take leave anyway, as his cover will have a guaranteed minimum number of performances in their contract. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 27, 2018 0:52:18 GMT
This musical cannot be accused of doing anything by half measures, the campness was pretty much full on, bit like Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, which didn’t do it for me, this show equally lays it on thick. But then whooosh in the second half the show became humane when the excellent Josie Walker sang ‘He’s My Boy,’ this was even my poignant because it came after a dreadful song called ‘Beautiful,’ which reminded me of ‘Glorious’ from Bend It Like Beckham, another song that comprised of just repetitive lyric, to make things worse they reprise ‘Beautiful’ straight afterwards, however even though the song was banal, it was sung “beautifully” by Lucie Shorthouse, who was very enjoyable. The end of act 1 - I thought was done excellently with the big projection and the song Over The Top is very enjoyable and sets up the second part. Jamie reminded me all of Billy Elliot, Phantom, Les Mis, Hairspray, and Kinky Boots etc, by which I mean when you examine the heartbeat of the show and peel back the trimmings, it is a simple story with acceptance at the core, which has proven to be a proven successful formula in musical theatre, I found the ending to be unplausible and a bit whimsical. I mentioned Josie Walker and Lucie Shorthouse earlier, I also found Tamsin Carroll and Mina Anwar gave very good support, but in truth this show really belonged to one actor and that was John McCrea who left me cold at the start but I really warmed to him, as he gave an assertive commanding performance, but also displayed real raw vulnerability and tenderness. He will be nominated for an Olivier next year and the musical should also get nominated despite not being the best score and the book being uneven in places, the later can be still doctored. A nice size theatre for this show, that will give it a fighting chance to have a decent run. I am torn as this show is too good for 3 stars, but not good enough for 4 stars, if the score was a tad better it would be worthy of 4 stars. I felt nervous going into the Apollo tonight after winning the lottery, for no other reason in case the excellent John McCrea and Josie Walker were off, I needn’t of worried as both were on. I said in my last paragraph above that, “I am torn as the show I saw too good for 3 Stars, but not good enough for 4 stars”, so with the show tighter, trimmed and settled since I last saw it last, it is a slam dunk 4 Star show all the way, I preferred it second time round, being in the front row, I could connect with the acting better, I still think thscoremxould be a tad better, however the songs Over The Top and He’s My Boy is the best song for a British musical that has been written for many a year. I agree with Elaine Paige’s observation on her show, that Josie Walke uses every ounce her voice to deliver that song and boy she delivers it and some. John McCrea again gives a stellar performance and demands that at your peril you take your eyes off him, Tamsin Carroll was off tonight, but Lucie Shorthouse shone again with her assertive and sure performance. On the negative the score does dive sometimes, the drag shop scene literally does drag and the ending remains unresolved, but I still left the theatre humming ‘He’s My Boy’ that was after humming the 9 o’cloak number ‘Over The Top’ in the interval. Another massive negative is they haven’t done a cast recording yet, but I understand the cast have been to the studio, so watch this space. Best British musical since Matilda. 4 Stars |
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Post by ptwest on Jan 27, 2018 5:26:26 GMT
Getting very tempted to make the trip down to see this again, loved it at the Crucible but it’s sounding like it’s much improved from there. For me, the opening “Dont Even Know It” is one of the best show starters I’ve seen in ages. if the job of an opening number is to hook you into the show, introduce you to the world it inhabits and it’s characters then this does it in spades.
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Post by Dan213 on Jan 27, 2018 13:47:39 GMT
Clip of 1st cover Jamie, Luke Bayer singing Wall in my Head
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Post by viserys on Jan 29, 2018 8:27:39 GMT
I saw the show on Saturday afternoon and have nothing much to add to the praise here really. It's a fantastic little gem of a show, so uplifting and full of heart.
I think they were short one girl though - there was a note in the foyer that Miss Hedge, Vicki and Fatimah were understudies, but I think there was no Fatimah on stage at all. I only counted three supporting girls among the cast, but if there was a gap, the cast covered it up well.
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Post by prapiento on Jan 30, 2018 1:19:19 GMT
I saw the show on Saturday afternoon and have nothing much to add to the praise here really. It's a fantastic little gem of a show, so uplifting and full of heart. I think they were short one girl though - there was a note in the foyer that Miss Hedge, Vicki and Fatimah were understudies, but I think there was no Fatimah on stage at all. I only counted three supporting girls among the cast, but if there was a gap, the cast covered it up well. I don't think they'd be able to take Fatimah out? She plays a somewhat important part during the prom after all, where she goes off to change her hijab after seeing Pritti's. |
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Post by ali973 on Jan 30, 2018 5:05:15 GMT
^ that's right. She's one of my favorite from the kids. The girl who plays her is hilarious she's always either taking selfies or secretly filming the drama LOL
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Post by viserys on Jan 30, 2018 7:20:28 GMT
I saw the show on Saturday afternoon and have nothing much to add to the praise here really. It's a fantastic little gem of a show, so uplifting and full of heart. I think they were short one girl though - there was a note in the foyer that Miss Hedge, Vicki and Fatimah were understudies, but I think there was no Fatimah on stage at all. I only counted three supporting girls among the cast, but if there was a gap, the cast covered it up well. I don't think they'd be able to take Fatimah out? She plays a somewhat important part during the prom after all, where she goes off to change her hijab after seeing Pritti's. That wasnt there - there was only one girl in hijab - Pritti. |
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Post by cherokee on Jan 30, 2018 16:34:59 GMT
, the drag shop scene was just too drawn out and boring I found the whole "Legend of Loco Chanelle" sequence one of my favourites. It set up a lot of the situation to come, too, as did the rest of the scene. Wonder what I saw that others didn't? Would also point out that on Saturday afternoon a cover was playing Hugo, so maybe that helped? Yes I think the problem with that scene is Phil Nichol. He's just completely miscast and the show dips whenever he comes on. It should be this big, fabulous, show-stealing role, and he looks completely uncomfortable in the part. His accent is all over the place - Yorkshire via Liverpool, Ireland and Newcastle; and he doesn't convince as either gay or a drag queen. I don't think there's anything wrong with the scene or the song. It's just the actor. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2018 17:32:07 GMT
I found the whole "Legend of Loco Chanelle" sequence one of my favourites. It set up a lot of the situation to come, too, as did the rest of the scene. Wonder what I saw that others didn't? Would also point out that on Saturday afternoon a cover was playing Hugo, so maybe that helped? Yes I think the problem with that scene is Phil Nichol. He's just completely miscast and the show dips whenever he comes on. It should be this big, fabulous, show-stealing role, and he looks completely uncomfortable in the part. His accent is all over the place - Yorkshire via Liverpool, Ireland and Newcastle; and he doesn't convince as either gay or a drag queen. I don't think there's anything wrong with the scene or the song. It's just the actor. See on the flipside, I think the issue is the three other drag queens. I think they are just really unfunny and I don't really enjoy their style of drag anyway so it was never going to really appeal to me anyway. I like pretty drag hahaha, sorry about it. |
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Post by showtoones on Jan 30, 2018 18:39:00 GMT
I think the drag queens work really well. Its important for them to be there, though the focus shouldn't be on them as this is Jamie's story and it would be bad to pull focus from that.
I still believe that "Wall In My Head" is the best new showtune of the year!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2018 18:44:50 GMT
I think the most underrated song is "It Means Beautful". I love that song, its so (for its namesake) beautiful and shows her voice off wonderfully, but never seems to be mentioned when anyone talks abut their favourite songs from the show.
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Post by ensembleswings on Jan 30, 2018 18:54:03 GMT
My favourites have to be 'If I Met Myself Again' and 'Wall in My Head'.
'It Means Beautiful' is quite frankly a beautiful song though
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Post by Dan213 on Jan 30, 2018 20:09:24 GMT
My favourites are Don’t Even Know It (one of the best openings to a show that I’ve seen), It Means Beautiful and My Man My Boy. Hopefully going to see the matinee tomorrow which will be the first time I’ve seen the show since Sheffield. Will be nice to see what’s changed
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2018 0:07:23 GMT
Cast recording is now available in the theatre. Is the album on Spotify the same as the theatre copy?? The spotify version has Sophie Ellis Bextor amongst others.
I saw this tonight. At the interval i thought it was good, but by then end i thought it was fantastic. But there is 1 problem with the show, and that is Phil Nichol. As the poster above above said, he is totally miscast. He just wasn't funny. He should be a fabulous character that inspires Jamie, but everything he did fell flat. I don't know if he covers the role, but Spencer Stafford should play the role. He is so underused in this show and has a fantastic voice. He has a history of doing drag, having covered the role of Albin in La Cage when there was ALOT of illness in the Menier Production.
Another small issue was the lighting. For the first half it was very grey and dull. I get that that probably shows what his life at school is like, but there should be colour during the big numbers. I get that they were saving the full on colour explosion for the finale, but even then, it didnt seem enough. I wanted it to be much bigger.
John McCrae was fantastic as Jamie. An amazing debut for a leading role in a west end show. Yes it was over the top, but played just right.
The understudy was on for Priti and she was great. It Means Beautiful was one of the best songs in the score.
I cried during He's My Boy. And cried hard.... I could help myself. When i came out, which wasn't a great experience AT ALL.... my mum pulled me aside and told me that I was her son and she would always love me. It brought it all back and it felt very familiar. Loved it.
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Post by Dan213 on Jan 31, 2018 0:15:23 GMT
Cast recording is now available in the theatre. Is the album on Spotify the same as the theatre copy?? The spotify version has Sophie Ellis Bextor amongst others. I saw this tonight. At the interval i thought it was good, but by then end i thought it was fantastic. But there is 1 problem with the show, and that is Phil Nichol. As the poster above above said, he is totally miscast. He just wasn't funny. He should be a fabulous character that inspires Jamie, but everything he did fell flat. I don't know if he covers the role, but Spencer Stafford should play the role. He is so underused in this show and has a fantastic voice. He has a history of doing drag, having covered the role of Albin in La Cage when there was ALOT of illness in the Menier Production. Another small issue was the lighting. For the first half it was very grey and dull. I get that that probably shows what his life at school is like, but there should be colour during the big numbers. I get that they were saving the full on colour explosion for the finale, but even then, it didnt seem enough. I wanted it to be much bigger. John McCrae was fantastic as Jamie. An amazing debut for a leading role in a west end show. Yes it was over the top, but played just right. The understudy was on for Priti and she was great. It Means Beautiful was one of the best songs in the score. I cried during He's My Boy. And cried hard.... I could help myself. When i came out, which wasn't a great experience AT ALL.... my mum pulled me aside and told me that I was her son and she would always love me. It brought it all back and it felt very familiar. Loved it. The one on Spotify is a concept album. Is this the full cast recording now then? will definitely be getting a copy if so |
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Post by showtoones on Jan 31, 2018 3:45:33 GMT
Woo hoo...the cast recording is now available for pre-order on Amazon for 12 pounds and it says the release date is 23 Feb...Can't even wait!!!
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Post by Dan213 on Jan 31, 2018 20:28:12 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon after having seen the show a couple of times in Sheffield last year.
Cast-wise we had Cherelle Jay on as Pritti and Rebecca McKinnis on as Margret. Has anyone seen Josie Walker on recently? Everyone that I know who has seen it recently has only seen Rebecca on as Margret.
Firstly, I’m a really big fan of the projections that they have added in London. I’m never usually a huge fan of projections, but they fit perfectly with the really modern feel of the show. It’s also nice to see how much more slick the set changes are and I especially liked the set for the Drag shop compared to Sheffield.
John McCrea is just fantastic. He was amazing in Sheffield but he has really turned it up a level both vocally and acting wise. He definitely deserves an Olivier nomination.
Rebecca McKinnis was great as Jamie’s mum. I didn’t quite feel the kick of Josie Walker’s performance, but it was still an excellent performance all round
Cherelle Jay was great as Pritti. She doesn’t quite have the vocal power of Lucie Shorthouse, but she has only been on in the role a few times and I’m sure it’s something that will come with time.
I wasn’t a fan of Phil Nicol. I never felt that the drag scene went on too long when I saw the show in Sheffield but it felt a bit long this afternoon. The scene itself has not changed at all and all I can put this down to is who is playing Hugo. In Sheffield, Charles Dale was fantastic as Hugo, he may not have had the best voice in the world, but he was a great actor and had the accent pretty much nailed. Phill Nicol on the other hand had some really weird accents going on, and really didn’t come across in the eccentric way that Charles Dale did.
This was my first chance to hear the new songs too. I was really disappointed a few months back when I first heard that ‘At 16’ has been replaced and today I felt that again. I really didn’t feel that ‘Limited Edition Prom Night Special’ had the same impact that At 16 did which was a shame. On the other hand, I loved the addition of ‘Ugly in this Ugly World’, I felt it fitted the scene perfectly and John McCrea sang it so powerfully. I also really enjoyed the new finale/bows music, which was a far more upbeat and uplifting ending than it was in Sheffield.
All in all, the show is in great shape and it was really nice to see some of the changes from Sheffield. It was a Wednesday matinee so it wasn’t packed but th stalls seemed pretty much full, I’m not sure about the other levels. The audience seemed to love the show however and I spoke to a number of people there that aren’t usually musical theatre-goers who absolutely loved it. It’s really great to see how far this show has gone since I saw the very first preview in Sheffield last year, I really hope it’s success continues!
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Post by manu on Jan 31, 2018 21:45:17 GMT
Josie Walker was on last wednesday 24 january, when i've seen the show.
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Post by Dan213 on Jan 31, 2018 21:58:15 GMT
Josie Walker was on last wednesday 24 january, when i've seen the show. Ah right that’s good. Must have just been off intermittently over the last few weeks then |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2018 22:06:43 GMT
Josie Walker was on last night. She really nailed all of her songs.
I have only seen the London production, so I'm surprised to hear that 'Ugly In An Ugly World' wasn't in it in Sheffield as it seemed to fit perfectly for that moment. What was there previously?
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