1,860 posts
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Post by Dave B on May 28, 2023 16:55:55 GMT
Is there a big difference between row G and row H in the balcony there? G are standard flipdown seats, H are taller, bar type seats. I don't think there would be an issue with the view from H. |
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Post by mattnyc on May 28, 2023 17:52:32 GMT
Thanks!!!
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Post by mkb on May 31, 2023 10:54:29 GMT
This coming Saturday matinée (3 June 14:30) has been cancelled. I am told it was due to a scheduling conflict by someone involved.
We are also due to see How to Succeed the same day, so I've been able to swap them around, albeit with side-view seats now rather than front ones.
Is it my skewed perception or bad luck or, since Covid, are there many more cancellations of shows generally now for non-Covid reasons? It's as if they've lost their fear of pulling the cancellation trigger when there's an issue.
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PJ
Auditioning
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Post by PJ on Jun 1, 2023 21:15:40 GMT
I loved it. I hadn’t seen it in any former incarnation, so completely new to it & I found it incredibly moving. Immense levels of talent from the cast.
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1,236 posts
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Post by nash16 on Jun 2, 2023 17:19:24 GMT
It just drags, doesn’t it? The running length is way too long and we just spend mid first half onwards willing him to de-age a bit quicker.
The actor-musician cast are great, despite some inevitable iffy acting.
But ultimately the songs were either foot stomping or slow ballad, with little decipherable in terms of difference between them.
It won’t be going to the West End any time soon because, ultimately, it lacks a strong enough story (and any hint of drama) to pull an audience through.
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4,028 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Jun 2, 2023 19:41:02 GMT
I'm afraid I feel bigger isn't always better.I loved the original version which I felt was a "jewelled musical box"of a show with fantastic music,a very clever use of a small cast and a what seemed tiny budget.Now it's been blown up to your "run of the mill" actor/musican production a la Come from Away and Once.The director didn't seem to know what to do with the larger cast - and stage - except for a lot of box banging,galloping and stomping around the stage and due to the now many more voices most of the lyrics have become unintelligible.I felt charm had been replaced with bombast.Also I missed the driftwood puppet! That's what puts me off seeing the new version. I thought the original version was excellent & I think maybe I'd rather stick to remembering that than see an enlarged & changed version. |
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Post by mkb on Jun 4, 2023 8:18:37 GMT
I might be a lone voice on here in having greatly enjoyed the Brad Pitt film, so I was apprehensive as to how this musical interpretation set in Cornwall would play out. I need not have worried. It's different but no less enthralling and entertaining, and boy is there some incredible talent on display.
I've long been a fan of Jamie Parker, and, once again, he doesn't disappoint. Fine support too from the other principals.
Staging, sound and lights were excellent. It's difficult to think of anything to criticise, except perhaps the Elephant's seats have little cushioning and are uncomfortable for a near three hours, and there are unnecessarily high metal bars restricting view in front of some seats.
The music score is enjoyable, but is mood setting rather than advancing the narrative, and the folksy style is not my favourite. That's probably the only thing preventing me from rating the experience higher, apart from the fact I was anxious throughout that the show would overrun and I would miss the last train to Heathrow as there were tight margins involved. It did and I did.
Four stars.
Act 1: 19:50-21:05
Act 2: 21:25-22:37
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jun 4, 2023 9:47:15 GMT
I'm afraid I feel bigger isn't always better.I loved the original version which I felt was a "jewelled musical box"of a show with fantastic music,a very clever use of a small cast and a what seemed tiny budget.Now it's been blown up to your "run of the mill" actor/musican production a la Come from Away and Once.The director didn't seem to know what to do with the larger cast - and stage - except for a lot of box banging,galloping and stomping around the stage and due to the now many more voices most of the lyrics have become unintelligible.I felt charm had been replaced with bombast.Also I missed the driftwood puppet! Seeing this soon and I'm sad about the driftwood puppet! If it's broke don't fix it. I think the beauty of the original version was that it blew my mind with the four actor musos playing lots of roles (Ben Button actor remained the same throughout and no instrument) Will let you know what I think. |
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247 posts
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Post by barelyathletic on Jun 5, 2023 10:04:55 GMT
I saw this on Saturday night and went thinking I'd be a bit bored and probably find it all a bit silly. Absolutely loved it. Beautifully performed - such great singers and musicians- and a really engaging and strangely moving story. The whole cast were excellent but particular shout-outs to Jamie Parker (what a talent he is)and Molly Osborne as the star-crossed (time-crossed)lovers and Phillipa Hogg as Mary, with a stunning performance of The Kraken's Lullaby. Darren Clark's catchy foot stomping Cornish influenced music never feels like pastiche and the lyrics are smart and serve the story well. A smashing beautifully staged little triumph that I'd very happily see again.
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1,826 posts
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Post by stevej678 on Jun 5, 2023 14:01:06 GMT
On the whole, I loved this just as much as the first time round in 2019 and thought it scaled up really well. It's a great fit for Southwark Playhouse's new space.
It's a phenomenal cast - with Molly Osborne, Jamie Parker and Philippa Hogg all standouts. I was glad that Philippa still got a solo number of her own, she has such a hauntingly beautiful voice.
It shone through how invested the cast are in the material, while the chemistry and camaraderie between them was also very apparent on stage. Even with the immense individual talents on display, the collective is still somehow even greater than the sum of its parts. I had goosebumps during many of the glorious foot-stomping numbers!
The first quarter of the show seems to whizz through the early (elder) years of Benjamin Button's life. The pace slows after the interval, exacerbated by many of the songs in act two being reprises. Ditching a couple of these reprises for different songs, and a general tightening of the script to shave ten minutes off the running time, and this would be musical perfection.
That said, this is still such a gorgeous, uplifting and moving evening of theatre. Magical storytelling from an actor-musician ensemble of all the talents. I can't wait to visit the Pickled Crab once again for last orders on 1 July.
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247 posts
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Post by barelyathletic on Jun 9, 2023 13:56:38 GMT
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Post by zahidf on Jun 9, 2023 13:57:36 GMT
Standard and Stage gave to 4 stars. Seems like its as good as it was before!
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Post by matty on Jun 9, 2023 22:55:16 GMT
I almost didn't go to this tonight, but I'm glad I did. Very enjoyable evening; however, it is definitely too long. Plus why has the SP given it a 7.45pm start?! Just start it at 7.30.
Length aside, I thought the cast was great and, as a cornish native, I was pleased to hear them doing Cornish accents for the most part and not just generic westcountry accents.
Probably wouldn't see it again but I'm glad I can tick it off the list.
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1,860 posts
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Post by Dave B on Jun 9, 2023 22:59:30 GMT
Plus why has the SP given it a 7.45pm start?! Just start it at 7.30. I'm almost sure it is so that anyone who arrives at the Borough venue can be directed over and make it in time. I think everything has been 19:45 at the new venue so far. |
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Post by showtoones on Jun 9, 2023 23:09:18 GMT
Wonder if this will transfer?!?
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 10, 2023 7:52:59 GMT
Plus why has the SP given it a 7.45pm start?! Just start it at 7.30. I'm almost sure it is so that anyone who arrives at the Borough venue can be directed over and make it in time. I think everything has been 19:45 at the new venue so far. This is exactly why. It's a brisk 10 minute walk from one to the other so this why they have different start times. |
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5,177 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 10, 2023 7:53:20 GMT
Wonder if this will transfer?!? ATG have co produced so the plan is for a transfer at some point next year I believe. |
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3,572 posts
Member is Online
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Post by Rory on Jun 10, 2023 8:39:55 GMT
Wonder if this will transfer?!? ATG have co produced so the plan is for a transfer at some point next year I believe. Would be surprised if it didn't. Think Eilene Davidson is co-producing with ATG. |
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Post by capybara on Jun 10, 2023 18:21:23 GMT
Saw this on Tuesday evening and, after going in pretty much blind on the production and story, I really enjoyed it.
The score was powerful and literally moved the story on. It was heartfelt but funny in places. A wonderful cast.
Delighted to see the positive reviews pouring in and I hope it goes on to have more success and another life elsewhere.
Four stars from me.
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215 posts
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Post by frosty on Jun 12, 2023 9:18:29 GMT
I’ve got 2 tickets for this for tonight (12th June). D10 and D11. Unfortunately I can’t go, so if someone can make use of them, message me, I don’t want paying for them, I’ll just be happy they can be used.
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215 posts
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Post by frosty on Jun 12, 2023 9:46:38 GMT
I’ve got 2 tickets for this for tonight (12th June). D10 and D11. Unfortunately I can’t go, so if someone can make use of them, message me, I don’t want paying for them, I’ll just be happy they can be used. Tickets now gone  |
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Post by tmesis on Jun 12, 2023 18:21:58 GMT
I had high hopes for this but was hugely disappointed and just bored by the whole thing. Once you know the set up of the story there is nowhere for it to go and definitely no surprises. It’s all way too long and musically dull with predictable modal harmonies and melodies. The cast however are excellent and frankly wasted on this show.
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Post by asps2017 on Jun 15, 2023 19:13:16 GMT
Any chance this will transfer? Not going to be able to catch it before it closes.
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Post by nash16 on Jun 16, 2023 1:25:09 GMT
Any chance this will transfer? Not going to be able to catch it before it closes. Reviews have been excellent, but sadly sales have been poor*, so still up in the air. *if you check the seating plans for nearly all dates, the exact same seats in the stalls centre block have been “sold”, with few if any sold at the sides or upstairs. Not a good sign… It has yet to catch fire with a fan base fully, or entice those who wouldn’t normally head to the Southwark Playhouse. They have obviously been aiming at a transfer from the start, and the reviews seemed to ensure that, but not so sure now. Maybe a very limited run at the Ambassadors or the Arts? |
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4,982 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 24, 2023 8:16:07 GMT
With the exception of the puppet, I absolutely loved it the first time round.
Now the cast are still brilliant and Jamie Parker demonstrates that he really is the best but now I only like aspects of it. It seems too big and the plot meanders whereas last time it was heartbreaking.
Has it had major rewrites? (or was I drunk in 2019?). I sound like a luddite, love Jamie though.
All said and done, still a good night out, and I'd like for a cast recording to be made.
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