543 posts
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Post by freckles on Mar 24, 2019 9:13:40 GMT
I remember 9/11 happening vividly, and it brought back many memories for me. My daughter watched CFA with me, with no memories of it at all, just a little knowledge from what she has heard about it all.
We both got something out of it. My viewing was of course coloured by the memories and knowledge I already had, but I learnt stuff too. But my daughter probably learnt different stuff. For both of us it was a bit like watching a documentary which added a lot more detail to something we know about in varying degrees.
What we both took away pretty equally was the human aspect, the stories of how both the plane people and the islanders coped. The difficulties they faced and the kindness that was shown, and the story of the community of Gander. I don’t believe either of us had a lesser experience than the other.
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Post by lou105 on Mar 24, 2019 9:38:56 GMT
I wasn't impressed by the apparent complete lack of any understudy notices. I was looking out for them, having seen on both here & Twitter that Bob Harms would be on for David Shannon, but couldn't see any, either in the lobby or on my way to the upper circle. I think the rest of the cast were all on but being shortsighted & in the upper circle I wasn't 100% certain. There is a cast list on a screen in the lobby, on the left hand side as you enter. However, the screen also shows adverts, so you have to stand and wait for the appropriate "page" to come round. Also of course a cast list only tells you an understudy is on if you are familiar with the names. |
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Post by singularsensation10 on Mar 24, 2019 10:51:47 GMT
I don’t necessarily think shows need to be ‘the best thing I’ve ever seen’ or ‘life-changing’ to be valid. This show certainly isn’t jaw-dropping in terms of set or visual effects, nor does it feature songs that I (personally) will be humming all week.
But I tend to rate shows (in my head on a personal level) based on whether there is a visceral moment, a moment where I am transported into their world and lost in the wonder of what I’m witnessing - for instance Defying Gravity is my ultimate visceral moment when the music builds until it takes off, and so does Elphaba. Or 42nd St when the stairs came out, Les Mis in One Day More. Conversely for me, a production like the recent Company (although extremely expertly and impeccably executes) lacked a real visceral moment.
For me, CFA had that visceral element many times when the cast were all moving, singing, living and BREATHING together - the audience were too. No flashy sets or costumes, but it had that visceral element.
I just don’t know if that’s enough to get tourists flocking in for the show to stay open a long time.
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Post by danb on Mar 24, 2019 11:04:06 GMT
I wasn't impressed by the apparent complete lack of any understudy notices. I was looking out for them, having seen on both here & Twitter that Bob Harms would be on for David Shannon, but couldn't see any, either in the lobby or on my way to the upper circle. I think the rest of the cast were all on but being shortsighted & in the upper circle I wasn't 100% certain. There is a cast list on a screen in the lobby, on the left hand side as you enter. However, the screen also shows adverts, so you have to stand and wait for the appropriate "page" to come round. Also of course a cast list only tells you an understudy is on if you are familiar with the names. The argument or problem that people state is that they want to know who they’ve seen perform. As long as the cast board tells you they are fulfilling this. You can buy a programme or look on the website if you want to know more about the performers. |
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Post by showgirl on Mar 24, 2019 11:07:05 GMT
It seems to be doing well enough at preesent, though how some people here manage to go more than once I don't know, as when I've looked I've found very few tickets online and none affordable but close enough to see well. Also the first time I've signed up for rush tickets with Todaytix yet only had the alert on some days: am I missing something or is demand such that they don't even have rush tickets most days?
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543 posts
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Post by freckles on Mar 24, 2019 11:17:33 GMT
It seems to be doing well enough at preesent, though how some people here manage to go more than once I don't know, as when I've looked I've found very few tickets online and none affordable but close enough to see well. Also the first time I've signed up for rush tickets with Todaytix yet only had the alert on some days: am I missing something or is demand such that they don't even have rush tickets most days? Don’t wait for the alert - best to check on the app at 10am prompt. Even if it says all tickets “in other users baskets”, keep trying. Good luck! |
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 24, 2019 11:20:16 GMT
Also the first time I've signed up for rush tickets with Todaytix yet only had the alert on some days: am I missing something or is demand such that they don't even have rush tickets most days? I don't think the alerts are reliable. I often get them 10 minutes after the on-sale, by which point everything will be gone. They have them every day, as far as I know. |
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Post by sophie92 on Mar 24, 2019 11:26:41 GMT
I wasn't impressed by the apparent complete lack of any understudy notices. I was looking out for them, having seen on both here & Twitter that Bob Harms would be on for David Shannon, but couldn't see any, either in the lobby or on my way to the upper circle. I think the rest of the cast were all on but being shortsighted & in the upper circle I wasn't 100% certain. There is a cast list on a screen in the lobby, on the left hand side as you enter. However, the screen also shows adverts, so you have to stand and wait for the appropriate "page" to come round. Also of course a cast list only tells you an understudy is on if you are familiar with the names. I was at the show last night, and on the screen, immediately after the general cast list page there was a page detailing the understudy (An 'At this performance the role of ... will be played by ..." type, very similar to what Kinky Boots had). Of course you still have to wait for that page to come round, but they are highlighting understudies |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2019 11:37:28 GMT
For the 'those who do and don't remember 9/11 discussion' I find that element really interesting. When I started teaching we used to use 9/11 as an example of a 'historical event' we all 'remembered' of course then kids weren't old enough to remember and teaching/talking about it became something different.
It's also interesting how even a few years different at the younger end can make a difference-I was a very politically engaged 18 year old, in a very ethnically diverse school, so we talked about it a LOT and it felt like something that directly impacted us, even though it was happening in America. Wheras I know people even a few years younger have far less clear memories of it. In a weird 'you always remember where you were' moment I know my Father was in hospital after an operation, and Mum reported he was 'fine and occupied watching the news all day' which is a weird thing to associate with it, but that's what we as humans do right, and weirdly what CFA does so well- the 'little' stories in the big picture.
But for those who don't remember I actually think something like CFA is a better introduction- it's again the human part of the story, it's how people coped, and yes the 'good news' side of it, but I think that's a helpful 'way in' to all the bigger stories somehow. And even if you have no memory of the day maybe CFA will make younger people read about it etc
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 24, 2019 12:29:47 GMT
I wasn't impressed by the apparent complete lack of any understudy notices. I was looking out for them, having seen on both here & Twitter that Bob Harms would be on for David Shannon, but couldn't see any, either in the lobby or on my way to the upper circle. I think the rest of the cast were all on but being shortsighted & in the upper circle I wasn't 100% certain. There is a cast list on a screen in the lobby, on the left hand side as you enter. However, the screen also shows adverts, so you have to stand and wait for the appropriate "page" to come round. Also of course a cast list only tells you an understudy is on if you are familiar with the names. Ah, I did look at that screen but it wasn't showing cast information at the time. I wasn't able to wait for long as I had to go back out of the lobby to go up to the upper circle, where there weren't any screens that I could see unless there was one in the bar which I didn't go into as I barely had time to get through the very long loo queue beforethe show started. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2019 12:43:21 GMT
It seems to be doing well enough at preesent, though how some people here manage to go more than once I don't know, as when I've looked I've found very few tickets online and none affordable but close enough to see well. Also the first time I've signed up for rush tickets with Todaytix yet only had the alert on some days: am I missing something or is demand such that they don't even have rush tickets most days? Don’t wait for the alert - best to check on the app at 10am prompt. Even if it says all tickets “in other users baskets”, keep trying. Good luck! Yes! It’s one of the things that frustrates me about TodayTix notifications. You have to be in the app before 10am for popular shows! |
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Post by showgirl on Mar 24, 2019 16:34:55 GMT
Thank you all for your advice about the Todaytix alerts and I've noticed that on the days when I do receive them and am able to try for a ticket, the alert arrives a few minutes after 10 am, by which time, all tickets are apparently in users' baskets, but I honestly thought that as the alerts were so intermittent, rush tickets weren't available every day, unlike with other productions. So maybe I'm just not receiving them, though I've had them daily for other plays/shows. I do know that you have to persevere if at first tickets are shown as held by others, but 10 am is usually just when I'm getting on the train to London so getting and staying online can be awkward. Probably worth trying in person at the box office for a single seat.
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Post by Mark on Mar 24, 2019 17:34:54 GMT
I’ve gotten rush three times through today tix and I have my phone ready to click and iPad on a live clock with a second hand so I know exactly when to go through to them.
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Post by David J on Mar 24, 2019 19:18:01 GMT
Another annoying thing about today tix is that as someone who goes on his own, I have to reduce the amount of tickets needed from two to one before I can ask for it when the booking starts. That’s 1 or 2 seconds extra needed whilst who knows how many people are after two each coming in
If only there was a setting to tell the app that I only need one ticket before booking starts. You’re at a real disadvantage when you want to see a popular show
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2019 19:59:01 GMT
I’ve gotten rush three times through today tix and I have my phone ready to click and iPad on a live clock with a second hand so I know exactly when to go through to them. I've been experimenting with methods recently and found that if you click/tap through the 'rush access at 10am' button so your on the page that usually asks you to 'unlock' before 10 it will refresh itself at bang on 10:00*, meaning your one click ahead of the majority. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2019 20:00:06 GMT
Another annoying thing about today tix is that as someone who goes on his own, I have to reduce the amount of tickets needed from two to one before I can ask for it when the booking starts. That’s 1 or 2 seconds extra needed whilst who knows how many people are after two each coming in If only there was a setting to tell the app that I only need one ticket before booking starts. You’re at a real disadvantage when you want to see a popular show I've had this exact same quibble and recently emailed them to winge about it. They told me they release seats in pairs and singles so individuals have just as much chance as people in pairs. (Although Im not sure I believe that) |
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Post by latefortheoverture on Mar 24, 2019 20:21:46 GMT
I’ve gotten rush three times through today tix and I have my phone ready to click and iPad on a live clock with a second hand so I know exactly when to go through to them. I've been experimenting with methods recently and found that if you click/tap through the 'rush access at 10am' button so your on the page that usually asks you to 'unlock' before 10 it will refresh itself at bang on 10:00*, meaning your one click ahead of the majority. This is great to know it unlocks itself at 10, as I always worried it wouldn't, meaning you'd come out of it and back in by the time they'd all gone! |
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Post by liv22 on Mar 24, 2019 23:32:36 GMT
Another thing with Rush is that they often show as being not available soon after 10 and to check back the next day, but will often release more around 11-12 which I find easier to get in the basket. When I did Rush it was a Saturday and both shows were showing as sold out soon after 10am but I managed to grab one at around 11:30am as they obviously then released more. So if you don't manage to get tickets in the 10am rush, I would try again late morning to see if they've released any more.
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Post by showgirl on Mar 25, 2019 5:04:00 GMT
Another annoying thing about today tix is that as someone who goes on his own, I have to reduce the amount of tickets needed from two to one before I can ask for it when the booking starts. That’s 1 or 2 seconds extra needed whilst who knows how many people are after two each coming in If only there was a setting to tell the app that I only need one ticket before booking starts. You’re at a real disadvantage when you want to see a popular show I too have contacted them about this and the fact that normal bookings default to 2 tix. It makes solo theatregoers feel unwelcome; plus, what about those who want more than 2 tix? Todaytix make sympathetic noises but take no action. |
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Post by showgirl on Mar 25, 2019 5:05:39 GMT
Another thing with Rush is that they often show as being not available soon after 10 and to check back the next day, but will often release more around 11-12 which I find easier to get in the basket. When I did Rush it was a Saturday and both shows were showing as sold out soon after 10am but I managed to grab one at around 11:30am as they obviously then released more. So if you don't manage to get tickets in the 10am rush, I would try again late morning to see if they've released any more. Good to know but only works if you can wait that long; I rarely have a matinee or evening slot free anyway and always have a back-up plan if I do, so later in the day I will probably already have booked something else. But great if you can hold on. |
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Post by vabbian on Mar 25, 2019 18:23:35 GMT
I enjoyed this, a nice bit of fun. I felt uplifted at the end. 4 stars. Rachel was a surprise, I am not a superfan so I didn't recognise her face. But as soon as she started singing I was like ayyy that's Elphaba  £10 standing tickets available for the Wed matinees, back of dress circle. |
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Post by danieljohnson14 on Mar 26, 2019 13:21:58 GMT
I've always had great experiences with ATG box offices, and today they were lovely enough to move me from a restricted view seat to a non-restricted view seat this morning as I had concerns about the seat I was booked in.  Can't wait to see the show for a third time tonight, especially with Rachel's understudy! |
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Post by Mark on Mar 26, 2019 13:50:16 GMT
I've always had great experiences with ATG box offices, and today they were lovely enough to move me from a restricted view seat to a non-restricted view seat this morning as I had concerns about the seat I was booked in. Can't wait to see the show for a third time tonight, especially with Rachel's understudy! The Phoenix box office staff are some of the best! Always very helpful. |
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Post by danieljohnson14 on Mar 26, 2019 23:08:05 GMT
Amazing performance this evening, with a full house and incredible response at the end as always! Kirsty Malpass was great covering Rachel. She played it very safe and missed a couple cues, but it was a perfectly respectable performance that, considering it was her second, will only grow and grow. She's no Rachel, but she made it her own. |
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Post by orchidman on Mar 27, 2019 0:09:12 GMT
Didn't do it for me. Thought it was a great premise when I first heard of it, then when I realised they were only there for 5 days, wondered if there would actually be enough material. The first 20 minutes or so are fantastic and very heartwarming but it doesn't really go anywhere, the characters are thin and don't develop.
Lots of them telling the audience how different they feel but we only see a lady drink two beers instead of one and that's about it. It's telling that the big song seems to be about a woman becoming the first female American Airlines pilot 15 years earlier which is...from a different show?
I could imagine a non-musical film version working well where with some dramatic licence some of the people end up there for two or three weeks. People on an enforced holiday in the wake of tragedy re-examining their lives in a remote place. In this it feels like that is going to happen then everyone leaves before it gets started.
Music was serviceable but forgettable. Pleased I saw it for the first 20 minutes and a pleasant reminder of the kindness of the majority of people but the Guardian 3/5 review nailed it for me.
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