26 posts
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Post by julian on Apr 14, 2018 20:17:40 GMT
Its ok for deadlegs Burly
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19,787 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 14, 2018 21:01:33 GMT
Do you mean my legs will be dead julian? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2018 21:04:06 GMT
What’s the legroom like on the front row stalls? Amazing! Sat there twice, at least a metre worth, and stage is low so no restriction at all.  |
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19,787 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 14, 2018 21:06:35 GMT
Bingo. Thank you.
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26 posts
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Post by julian on Apr 14, 2018 22:29:17 GMT
Just joking Burly
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Apr 15, 2018 13:41:44 GMT
Saw this on Friday night, and was very pleasantly surprised, I really quite enjoyed it. I honestly wasn't expecting much from it, but it has great performances, it's genuinely very funny and - most importantly - it has good songs!
It's certainly not flawless - it's unfortunately impossible to do a parody of a horrible screechy stage brat without having some horrible screechy stage brat songs. That's not a criticism against the young actress who was playing Tina, who was excellent (with the exception of one song, it does have to be said), playing the role to an absolute tee, and with great comic timing. But it does mean some of the songs can be quite wearing, and the whole show is very 'full on' in general.
The audience seemed to really enjoy it too, despite for the most part not getting a lot of the references (I laughed very loudly at 'Sing out Louise' before realising I was the only one laughing), so I think it can be enjoyed on different levels. It's a good show for the Friday night party crowd, but there's plenty there for the more discerning musicals fan too.
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Post by buckybear on Apr 16, 2018 9:08:50 GMT
Saw this again on Saturday and enjoyed it even more than I did the first time. The cast really seemed to be on.fire, particularly in the second half - perhaps because the evening house really seemed to ‘get’ and laugh out loud at the references and were having such a good time. A lively, enthusiastic audience makes such a difference to the overall atmosphere - and Sat night it was just fab!.
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494 posts
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Post by ellie1981 on Apr 21, 2018 21:56:43 GMT
Just saw this tonight and I am floored. I loved this so much, particularly the young actress playing Tina, who reminded me of a young Kate Hudson. Kim Maresca however and her facial reactions just stole the show.
I think this is definitely one for repeat visits and I have a few more friends who I know will adore it.
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362 posts
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Post by JJShaw on Apr 24, 2018 10:02:38 GMT
But it does mean some of the songs can be quite wearing, and the whole show is very 'full on' in general. I saw the show last night and this point is something I agreed with. While I enjoyed all the songs it did almost a little same-y in the score and a little difficult to distinguish them, but I did enjoy all the songs! I enjoyed the show but its quite a tightrope walk between being campy, over the top, and trying to not let that schtick be too grating. It didn't quite sit right with me and I think it might have been to do with the length. Before I checked i assumed it would be a one act musical around 90 mins - 1hr 45mins (Which upon research post show they did adapt it to that in 2015) and I think I would have preferred that. As the plot doesn't quite demand the length it is. All the performances were good everyone's vocals were wonderful! I think the Arts is a great venue for the show, a good size for it. The set was good and I enjoyed the lighting particularly the final moments. |
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8,159 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 5, 2018 7:17:33 GMT
Had a second visit last night after seeing the first preview and this time it was even better.
The cast have really settled into their roles and I think I laughed even more.
The girl playing Tina was excellent.
I really am surprised how good Jason Gardiner is, OTT performance and such a strong voice.
Tracie Bennett hilarious in I Hate Musicals and once again a real highlight for me.
Good audience who were very responsive but I think there were only a few of us who got some of the musical jokes. For example when Jason is doing his "Roses Turn" number and singing "for me, for me" I think that only myself as a few gays of a certain age actually knew what it was. But that didn't matter as most people were just enjoying the silliness of it all.
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494 posts
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Post by ellie1981 on May 5, 2018 8:59:06 GMT
I’ve already got two more bookings for this in the next couple of weeks. Having described it to other friends they are all now eager to come.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2018 12:22:10 GMT
Saw this last night and enjoyed it, a very fun and campy show with a great cast. Really liked Kim Maresca as Judy, had a great voice great comic timing and facial expression and would love to see her in other shows in London. Also really liked Harriet Thorpe as Miss Thorne and yet again Tracie Bennett stole the show with her cameo number. Also liked Lara Denning and Jason Gardiner. We had Charlotte Breen as Tina who was great. Nice set and costumes with enjoyable songs. It did take me a while to get into and it won’t be a show I think about in the future but if you want a fun and campy night I’m the theatre see this .
Also was my first time at the Arts theatre and I have to say these are probably the worst men’s toilets I have been to at a theatre. It was all very cramped and like they designed it not knowing people would actually want to use it. As others have mentioned on this board the theatre is also quite dated but I sort of liked the shabbiness and retro feel to be honest.
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716 posts
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 10, 2018 17:55:33 GMT
The young girl in this is incredible. Does she do all the shows?!
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8,159 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 10, 2018 18:42:09 GMT
The young girl in this is incredible. Does she do all the shows?! I believe there are 4 who alternate. I've seen 2 and they were both excellent. |
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1,347 posts
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Post by tmesis on May 14, 2018 9:30:49 GMT
Stalls seats for £15 today on TodayTix!
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2018 12:47:06 GMT
I think three rotate and one of them is a Swing. Because I saw the show not long after opening night for the first time, and the performance I saw was the first performance of one of them. Because there was a week or two of previews you would assume if they fairly alternate, she would of been on at least four times. So I'm assuming she is the Swing of the four girls.
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20 posts
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Post by theatregeek1 on May 14, 2018 15:04:12 GMT
All 4 girls rotate in the role, but the performance schedule doesn’t seem to have any sort of pattern to it.
I still need to go and see it before it closes, it sounds like a good show from what I’ve heard!
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on May 17, 2018 21:25:49 GMT
Saw this tonight. What a great show. We all loved it! Hilarious camp and bloody good fun. Gardener was brilliant!
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1,347 posts
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Post by tmesis on May 20, 2018 6:43:32 GMT
I saw this last night and thought it a terrific show. It's great because it can be enjoyed on two levels; if you're not particularly knowledgeable regarding the classic broadway musical you will enjoy it because it's extremely funny, with a great book, excellent songs and a top notch cast or if you like the classic musical you'll love the references and parodies. The music obviously pastiches Julie Styne but also I thought Kander and Ebb, Jerry Herman and Marvin Hamlish; but really it sounds most like Sondheim when referencing broadway, as in Follies or parts of Company.
It's off the scale on the campometer, the end is almost Shakespearian and the fabulously talented cast play it for all it's worth. Jason Gardiner is a revelation*
Thank you TodayTix. - I got a superb seat in the middle of the stalls for £15!
* He is 'In Conversation' tonight at 9.00 pm with Steve Allen on LBC
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1,133 posts
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Post by Stephen on May 22, 2018 17:02:04 GMT
Seeing this in a couple of hours. Any chance of a warning as to when the gunshots happen?
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on May 22, 2018 18:50:56 GMT
Seeing this in a couple of hours. Any chance of a warning as to when the gunshots happen? I may be a tad late with this (though you may see this in the interval!) {Spoiler - click to view}
Can't remember if there are any in Act 1 or during Act 2, but there are quite a few at the end of Act 2. It'll be clear-ish to see when they're coming and it's a sound effect as opposed to blanks fired live. Hope this helps! |
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1,133 posts
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Post by Stephen on May 22, 2018 21:12:36 GMT
@theatremadness thank you! You saved the day! I managed not to be taken off guard by them! Very loud clap of thunder in the first half though...
Had a fun time. I didn't find it too hilarious but there are some witty references in there and the cast were great. Tracie Bennett lunging for the booze at the end was hilarious.
Pity it isn't selling better. Probably about 100 people in the theatre.
We had Lucy Simmonds on as Tina. Very talented indeed!
Thanks also to the lovely lady at the box office here who offered me a seat upgrade.
3* from me.
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Post by MrsCondomine on Jun 18, 2018 9:20:04 GMT
Caught it on Saturday night, absolutely loved it. Booze-soaked camp. GLORIOUS.
Jason Gardiner can REALLY SING, huh? Kim Maresca might be my new style icon. Tracie Bennett totally wonderful as always. We got accosted by Tina's real grandmother (no idea which girl was on), in the bar, doing an "ISN'T SHE WONDERFUL??" thing, to which my friend acquiesced graciously, and I ignored (do not fish, it is cheap!!).
£19.50 Circle seats on the door, which is not bad at all.
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4,179 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jun 21, 2018 20:12:14 GMT
Enjoyed this today. It got especially entertaining and funny in the second act as things got a bit more off it's head and the fourth wall was broken a bit.
The entire cast was brilliant.
Poor people in the front row though. Glad i wasn't there.
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1,046 posts
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Post by jgblunners on Jun 23, 2018 15:21:25 GMT
I was on the front row this Thursday matinee - thankfully central enough to avoid the majority of the splash zone! Thought the show was absolutely brilliant - cleverly written, great fun, and packed with plenty of musical theatre in-jokes. The women, and particularly the girl playing Tina, were phenomenal and completely embraced the bonkers nature of the show. I wasn’t convinced by Jason Gardiner, but he could sing and dance well so that’s something!
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