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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Oct 15, 2019 20:40:52 GMT
After seeing some of the comments on here I wasn't expecting to enjoy this, but pleased to say that I really did. Genuinely laugh out loud funny, charming performances, good songs.
Nothing earth-shattering, but an enjoyable night out.
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Post by amp09 on Oct 15, 2019 21:24:48 GMT
I rather enjoyed it. A fun night out, but definitely haven’t rushed back to see it again. Completely agree with the comments on the story and sets being bland and boring but I really enjoyed the music. It’s quite nice background noise when I’m lounging around the house.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 15, 2019 21:44:50 GMT
I rather enjoyed it. A fun night out, but definitely haven’t rushed back to see it again. Completely agree with the comments on the story and sets being bland and boring but I really enjoyed the music. It’s quite nice background noise when I’m lounging around the house. Im sure Sara Bareilles will be delighted to hear that 😆 |
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Post by shady23 on Oct 15, 2019 22:00:19 GMT
I thought it was OK when I went. I saw Kat. I am a Lucie fan but in no rush to return.
It seems to get plenty of repeat visits from "theatre stans" though.
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Post by amp09 on Oct 15, 2019 22:46:21 GMT
I rather enjoyed it. A fun night out, but definitely haven’t rushed back to see it again. Completely agree with the comments on the story and sets being bland and boring but I really enjoyed the music. It’s quite nice background noise when I’m lounging around the house. Im sure Sara Bareilles will be delighted to hear that 😆 Arghhh, how do I delete it before she sees my post 😂. |
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Post by andrew on Oct 15, 2019 23:33:19 GMT
I am sorry to say that but you are indeed the tiny minority. It takes a few visits to the theatre (you'd have to stay until the end cause that's when people... applaud) and a quick look online to see that it's praised by at least 90% of the general public. I also love how theatreboard-ers tend to forget the rave reviews that it got. People in here hardly represent an accurate sample of theatre audiences. Let me remind you that the same people who complain here about almost everything hated Hadestown as well and a few months later it won 8 Tonys. So for those of you who set your expectations based on the things you read in here, I would advise you not to.
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 16, 2019 0:17:37 GMT
So. What you're saying is we should base our expectations only on the positive stuff we read elsewhere? You say 90% of what you see online is raves,potentially a lot of that from fans of the show and repeat attendees.
Before I saw it the first time I took on board the positive and the negative points made here and elsewhere. The reality of course lies somewhere between the 2 extremes.
For me it's an ok show, I'm returning today as my daughter wants to see it, without that I wouldn't have returned. It doesn't do enough for me. The extremes will always show on forums like this. Those who love a show will defend it and rave about it and those who hated it are free to state that opinion too.
Strangely before it arrived here I was really excited about it, believed it and Come from Away would both become regular go to shows. I guess that makes my disappointment in it greater I would love to come out of the theatre this afternoon thinking I got it wrong last time.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2019 8:49:14 GMT
I am sorry to say that but you are indeed the tiny minority. It takes a few visits to the theatre (you'd have to stay until the end cause that's when people... applaud) and a quick look online to see that it's praised by at least 90% of the general public. I also love how theatreboard-ers tend to forget the rave reviews that it got. People in here hardly represent an accurate sample of theatre audiences. Let me remind you that the same people who complain here about almost everything hated Hadestown as well and a few months later it won 8 Tonys. So for those of you who set your expectations based on the things you read in here, I would advise you not to. American audiences are very different to a UK audience. Hadestown did indeed win lots of Tony awards, but i dont think it even got a nomination at the Olivier Awards, let alone win anything. So if awards are your benchmark of a hit, then Hadestown bombed spectacularly here. |
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Post by danb on Oct 16, 2019 9:20:19 GMT
I am sorry to say that but you are indeed the tiny minority. It takes a few visits to the theatre (you'd have to stay until the end cause that's when people... applaud) and a quick look online to see that it's praised by at least 90% of the general public. I also love how theatreboard-ers tend to forget the rave reviews that it got. People in here hardly represent an accurate sample of theatre audiences. Let me remind you that the same people who complain here about almost everything hated Hadestown as well and a few months later it won 8 Tonys. So for those of you who set your expectations based on the things you read in here, I would advise you not to. Andrew: nobody is wrong or right here and your tone is a touch Piers Morgan. If you are basing your points on financials then that info is not in the public sphere so a non-starter. If you wanted to back up the published critical reception angle I’m going to need a multi-coloured histogram representing an ‘out of five stars’ score which you may have to recalculate yourself say if they marked it out of ten? A lot of work I think you’ll agree. You could hit the streets of our ‘glittering’ west end with a clip board and do a poll, or indeed start one on here? 🙋♂️ “Who here liked Waitress?” Easier would just be to say ‘I think’ or ‘in my opinion’ at the beginning of your post. This isn’t GMB...”let me remind you”...mutters...😂 |
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Oct 16, 2019 9:57:49 GMT
So for those of you who set your expectations based on the things you read in here, I would advise you not to. I am quite happy to set my expectations based on things I read here, thank you very much.
This is a community of theatre fans whose opinions I respect. Many of them have seen a lot of the same shows I've seen, and I know how to read and interpret their opinions. For example, there are some people here whom I know I often disagree with, so I won't necessarily take their opinions into account when deciding what to see - and that's fine, we just have differing taste. Then on the other side, there are people here whose taste I often align with - usually if they've liked something, I will too.
I also hated Hadestown - I thought it was boring. I'm still surprised it was as well received on Broadway as it was.
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Post by freckles on Oct 16, 2019 10:15:10 GMT
So for those of you who set your expectations based on the things you read in here, I would advise you not to. I am quite happy to set my expectations based on things I read here, thank you very much.
This is a community of theatre fans whose opinions I respect. Many of them have seen a lot of the same shows I've seen, and I know how to read and interpret their opinions. For example, there are some people here whom I know I often disagree with, so I won't necessarily take their opinions into account when deciding what to see - and that's fine, we just have differing taste. Then on the other side, there are people here whose taste I often align with - usually if they've liked something, I will too.
Well said. Everyone has a personal reaction and posts should be read as just that; we don't all have to agree. Any opinion contains information that is interesting and useful when planning theatre visits, and I quiet like discovering if I agree or disagree with those who have seen a show before me.
I do find that, like SamB, I can often predict how I'll react based on the board member! |
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 16, 2019 10:55:04 GMT
One of the reasons I enjoy so much being part of Theatre Board is the way that a comment such as tbfl's and then mine on page 230, less than 24 hours ago, can start off such an interesting and worthwhile debate !
And unlike on some forums it's all kept so respectful and civillised !!
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Post by ABr on Oct 16, 2019 11:08:45 GMT
One of the reasons I enjoy so much being part of Theatre Board is the way that a comment such as tbfl's and then mine on page 230, less than 24 hours ago, can start off such an interesting and worthwhile debate ! And unlike on some forums it's all kept so respectful and civillised !! Thoroughly agree with you! I've just had a great time reading through all of the responses to this conversation, and its great to see that I'm not alone in my thoughts on the show, but I also love reading the opposite side of that in how others see it! As its been said, theatre is so subjective, so we all have to understand were not all going to like everything, if we did nothing would close, and we wouldn't have the ever changing theatre industry we have! |
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Post by xanady on Oct 16, 2019 11:08:55 GMT
Well said,paul26 and ABr😀
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 16, 2019 21:33:34 GMT
Well, second trip to Waitress. Today's matinee. Lots of space in the stalls. About 60 to 70% full No idea about the upper levels. That said it was an audience that on the whole enjoyed the show. It still leaves me cold on the whole. I see it as a fluffy light piece of entertainment.
Olivia was on as Jenna and enjoyed her portrayal more than I had KMPs or whatever we used to refer to her as.
Joe Sugg was a much more enjoyable Ogie too. His acting was nowhere near as bad as I expected and he kept the accent up well throughout.
The rest of the cast seemed to be enjoying themselves up there which has to be a positive.
An enjoyable afternoon and my daughter loved it. Perhaps she is more the target audience. In fact she wants to go back to see Joe again. With a desire to encourage a love of theatre do we know when Joe is staying until
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Post by amp09 on Oct 16, 2019 23:51:03 GMT
Well, second trip to Waitress. Today's matinee. Lots of space in the stalls. About 60 to 70% full No idea about the upper levels. That said it was an audience that on the whole enjoyed the show. It still leaves me cold on the whole. I see it as a fluffy light piece of entertainment. Olivia was on as Jenna and enjoyed her portrayal more than I had KMPs or whatever we used to refer to her as. Joe Sugg was a much more enjoyable Ogie too. His acting was nowhere near as bad as I expected and he kept the accent up well throughout. The rest of the cast seemed to be enjoying themselves up there which has to be a positive. An enjoyable afternoon and my daughter loved it. Perhaps she is more the target audience. In fact she wants to go back to see Joe again. With a desire to encourage a love of theatre do we know when Joe is staying until I think you’ve described it wonderfully in 5 words ‘fluffy light piece of entertainment’ - I’m definitely stealing that to describe the show to people in future. It doesn’t blow you away, but can be rather enjoyable yet forgettable. Glad your daughter loved it. I definitely think that’s their target market right there, and hey, if it’s bringing theatre to the younger generations then I’m all for it. |
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Post by esteveyb on Oct 17, 2019 23:25:37 GMT
It actually is selling far better than is being reported. With the exceptions of the Wednesday matinees, I have it on good authority (from someone who actually even sees the audience from the other side to where we do) that they are usually selling around 1100-1300 seats a night, and, since Jack McBrayer and McPhee left, have only had to close the upper circle on a handful of occassions, in matinee performances. Joe has been a bigger draw than Ashley and Blake, obviously.
David Hunter even posted, earlier this year, that the audiences he's seeing are very similar to his time in Kinky Boots at the same theatre.
All audiences are different, nothing is going to be adored by everyone, but spreading lies and disinformation - fake news - to back up your own personal opinion, is just pathetic. Waitress is not for everyone - it's very American in its sensibilities and it's very 'feminine' in presentation; it's effectively a romcom at the theatre, with a very accessible, adult contemporary pop soundtrack.
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 18, 2019 0:11:57 GMT
It actually is selling far better than is being reported. With the exceptions of the Wednesday matinees, I have it on good authority (from someone who actually even sees the audience from the other side to where we do) that they are usually selling around 1100-1300 seats a night, and, since Jack McBrayer and McPhee left, have only had to close the upper circle on a handful of occassions, in matinee performances. Joe has been a bigger draw than Ashley and Blake, obviously. David Hunter even posted, earlier this year, that the audiences he's seeing are very similar to his time in Kinky Boots at the same theatre. All audiences are different, nothing is going to be adored by everyone, but spreading lies and disinformation - fake news - to back up your own personal opinion, is just pathetic. Waitress is not for everyone - it's very American in its sensibilities and it's very 'feminine' in presentation; it's effectively a romcom at the theatre, with a very accessible, adult contemporary pop soundtrack. I wasnt making my comment about the space in the stalls on wednesday to back up my opinion thank you very much. Merely making an observation. I do apologise if you misinterpreted it as i also said in my post it was an enjoyable afternoon at the theatre |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2019 4:10:22 GMT
To those that asked, Joe is contracted until 30th November.
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 18, 2019 7:53:15 GMT
To those that asked, Joe is contracted until 30th November. Thank you very much. Looks like I will be returning again then |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2019 16:14:18 GMT
It actually is selling far better than is being reported. With the exceptions of the Wednesday matinees, I have it on good authority (from someone who actually even sees the audience from the other side to where we do) that they are usually selling around 1100-1300 seats a night, and, since Jack McBrayer and McPhee left, have only had to close the upper circle on a handful of occassions, in matinee performances. Joe has been a bigger draw than Ashley and Blake, obviously. David Hunter even posted, earlier this year, that the audiences he's seeing are very similar to his time in Kinky Boots at the same theatre. All audiences are different, nothing is going to be adored by everyone, but spreading lies and disinformation - fake news - to back up your own personal opinion, is just pathetic. Waitress is not for everyone - it's very American in its sensibilities and it's very 'feminine' in presentation; it's effectively a romcom at the theatre, with a very accessible, adult contemporary pop soundtrack. When i was there 2 weeks ago, the Upper Circle was closed on a Friday night. It definitely isnt just at a matinee. That isnt a good sign. |
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Post by anthem on Oct 18, 2019 16:26:47 GMT
It actually is selling far better than is being reported. With the exceptions of the Wednesday matinees, I have it on good authority (from someone who actually even sees the audience from the other side to where we do) that they are usually selling around 1100-1300 seats a night, and, since Jack McBrayer and McPhee left, have only had to close the upper circle on a handful of occassions, in matinee performances. Joe has been a bigger draw than Ashley and Blake, obviously. David Hunter even posted, earlier this year, that the audiences he's seeing are very similar to his time in Kinky Boots at the same theatre. All audiences are different, nothing is going to be adored by everyone, but spreading lies and disinformation - fake news - to back up your own personal opinion, is just pathetic. Waitress is not for everyone - it's very American in its sensibilities and it's very 'feminine' in presentation; it's effectively a romcom at the theatre, with a very accessible, adult contemporary pop soundtrack. When i was there 2 weeks ago, the Upper Circle was closed on a Friday night. It definitely isnt just at a matinee. That isnt a good sign. There has been a consistent stream of “Waitress is going to close” posts since it opened. Before summer, someone here promised that it wouldn’t last the summer. It has. We were told it wouldn’t extend. It has. It was then speculated that the show extending was actually a negative thing because they might have a cash flow problem. Can we just give it a rest and let the chips fall as they do? I suspect that many of those posting about the show closing are operating on the basis of wishful thinking. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2019 17:14:09 GMT
All audiences are different, nothing is going to be adored by everyone, but spreading lies and disinformation - fake news - to back up your own personal opinion, is just pathetic. But aren't you doing that exactely that? You're claiming that it's doing so well that the Upper Circle is only closed on Matinees. It's not. Its closed on a Friday night, which should be one of its busiest nights. I'm not hoping the show closes, far from it, but lets be honest about how it's doing. In recent months, if anyone has said something negative/unpopular about a show on this board, people leap to its defence and can't seem to handle someone else having a different opinion. No-one rushes to criticise a positive opinion, so why do it for a negative one?? |
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Post by Sam on Oct 21, 2019 12:50:33 GMT
Something I haven't really seen mentioned, my friend and I went on Tuesday and found parts of the show quite crude/graphic, which we weren't expecting and felt was unnecessary.
Otherwise we found it OK, but wouldn't be rushing back. She Used to be Mine was the only stand out song really.
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Post by anthem on Oct 21, 2019 15:07:39 GMT
All audiences are different, nothing is going to be adored by everyone, but spreading lies and disinformation - fake news - to back up your own personal opinion, is just pathetic. But aren't you doing that exactely that? You're claiming that it's doing so well that the Upper Circle is only closed on Matinees. It's not. Its closed on a Friday night, which should be one of its busiest nights. I'm not hoping the show closes, far from it, but lets be honest about how it's doing. In recent months, if anyone has said something negative/unpopular about a show on this board, people leap to its defence and can't seem to handle someone else having a different opinion. No-one rushes to criticise a positive opinion, so why do it for a negative one?? I am not sure why I've been quoted above when those points were made by another poster. Maybe a technical glitch? I can only speak for myself in terms of 'leap'-ing to defend. This thread has been one of the most unpleasant and frustrating on the forum in my experience. Some people have, in my opinion, looked for literally any reason (however insubstantial, ill founded or irrational) to criticize the show. I can do a chronology from the top of my head if you wish but I suspect you already know what I'm talking about. There is a point where it turns from sharing a negative opinion to actively willing a show to fail. I am not suggesting that you have done this but it has been galling to read posts from some others, particularly when the show opened initially. Again, just my opinion. |
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