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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 22, 2017 21:57:25 GMT
The helicopter turned on its side more and was closer to the 'perimeter' fence, in the Prince Edward it seems to be more downstage. But saying that it's all relative to where I was sitting in the theatre.
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5,062 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 23, 2017 0:07:52 GMT
Caught the matinee today and in my rush to catch the train back to London, I forgot to look at the cast board, so assume Joreen Bautista was on as the alternate Kim? Thought she was good, did a earnest job. Also was Red Concepcion (strange name, wouldn't like to introduce him at a dinner party) back as the engineer? If so I enjoyed his performance, he played the role differently than Jon Jon Birones, I thought Jon just edged it though, which is still very high praise. Ashley Gilmour is the best Chris I have seen so far by a matinee mile, also loved Zoe Doana as Ellen. Ryan O'Goram played the role different from the West End, John was played wrong in the West End. If you haven't seen the West End production, you wouldn't know any different, the helicopter was better than the West End. Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy, the director - has put his own mark on this production, some welcome, although I didn't enjoy the extra use of profanity. Don't be put off from seeing this because it is a tour. I must be getting sentimental in my old age, after seeing the original and the revival several times, this still brings a tear to my eye, as there is something very tender and humane to the story. Red Concepcion is a little larger than the alternate engineer so thats one way to tell if it was him. Ashley Gilmour did seem to be drowning in his shirt in the Dreamland scene to me. Anyone else think this? The helicopter scene seemed longer to me, like the helicopter spent more time on stage, but there seemed to be alot of people getting into it, more than I would imagine a helicopter of that size could seat. But technically I thought that scene was the same as West End. How would you say it was different to West End? Thanks for that. The description you give, you cannot tell the difference unless both are standing together!!! The Engineer I saw was very slight and had long hair, nothing on Google images - not sure if this will have a press night? Edit: it was Red I saw, looking at the video Tom89 posted above and the one I saw yesterday is identical to the one in the posted video clip. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2017 8:19:26 GMT
The helicopter turned on its side more and was closer to the 'perimeter' fence, in the Prince Edward it seems to be more downstage. But saying that it's all relative to where I was sitting in the theatre. and the depth of the available stage plays a part too. |
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 23, 2017 9:07:14 GMT
The stage at the Leicester Curve is massive. Do they open the "blinds" at the sides of the stage at the end so you can see into the wings for this production?
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4,180 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jul 23, 2017 10:56:53 GMT
I don't believe so as they only tend to do that with in house productions.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Jul 23, 2017 11:11:04 GMT
The guy playing Thuy is cute  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2017 10:53:06 GMT
Went to see the tour a couple of weeks ago in Leicester and last week in Birmingham. My second favourite show of all time and pleased to report I loved it. Production wise it is basically the recent West End version with a few minor adaptations to the set. To see such wonderful production values on tour is fabulous and I wish there were more producers willing to bring these sort of shows to the regions.
Cast wise I felt they were all very strong. Red Conception I found the most different - I guess as Jon Jon is so definitive in the role. But Red makes the role his own and I really enjoyed his performance.
Thuy has changed over the years. In 1989 Keith Burns was menacing. In the recent West End, the role was much more sympathetic. But now as someone else said, he is almost boy band. In fact Engineer is also much less sinister.
By the way is there anyone here who can remember well the Ramin/Kerry Ellis tour? I saw it twice and I am really struggling to remember how, other than the lack of helicopter, it was different to this tour and the Prince Edward.
This version has been v much marketed as new. But really is just an update of the second tour isn't it (first tour of course being the epic Drury Lane version)??
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Aug 6, 2017 9:26:23 GMT
It was my 4th time ever seeing the show last night. Saw it 3 times in Leicester. For half the week Vinny Coyle has been on as Chris. I was amazing lucky to have booked my ticket months ago only to have the actor I went to go see in it, cover as Chris. I have seen everything he did in Les Mis but he didn't cover a lead so never got to hear him sing. But holy wow this that boy amazing. He has this amazing powerful voice. His Why God Why wow. It was much better than the three times I have heard Ashley. I also got to see the debut of Aynrand Farrer as Kim. She was really good as well. I liked Joreen who is the alternate but prefered Aynrand.
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Post by daniel on Aug 6, 2017 9:41:38 GMT
Really pleased you got to see Vinny Kim_Bahorel - I know you've been crossing fingers for ages! |
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Aug 6, 2017 11:40:04 GMT
Really pleased you got to see Vinny Kim_Bahorel - I know you've been crossing fingers for ages! I am really lucky!! |
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Post by Sue on Aug 6, 2017 20:48:35 GMT
I was at Birmingham last night too. I didn't take to Chris, due to the tone of his voice and I felt his acting let him down but I loved the Kim that was on - Zowie Cavie, now SHE can sing!
Gigi was Marsha Songcome (I believe) and I loved her performance. Movie in my Mind was the standout for me and the entire ensemble was really strong. I was otherwise really disappointed with this show though - it didn't flow well, with chunks that could easily have been omitted.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Aug 6, 2017 20:54:46 GMT
Zowie Cavie? Who on earth is that?! lol
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Aug 7, 2017 6:55:40 GMT
Who is Zowie Cavie?
I think Joreen Bautista was Kim for the evening show. It would have only been her or Aynrand (who did the matinee).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 23:05:23 GMT
Joreen did both shows on Saturday I heard as both the main Kim and the guy who plays Chris were off. Joreen is apparently only 17 and this is her first stage role so is another great find by Cameron Mac and co.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 23:40:21 GMT
Saw this tonight (having never seen Miss Saigon before), thought it was a brilliant production. Didn't realise the Engineer and Kim were both the alternates until I saw the cast list on my way out! Was a bit surprised to see the circle half empty though. Is that because of it being a Monday night or is this show not as popular third time around?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 23:51:52 GMT
Show is running a couple of months in B'ham -tickets aren't cheap, not really a family show, people away on holiday, Hippodrome holds 1,900 so well over double what Leicester Curve held, could all be legit reasons.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 23:58:13 GMT
Show is running a couple of months in B'ham -tickets aren't cheap, not really a family show, people away on holiday, Hippodrome holds 1,900 so well over double what Leicester Curve held, could all be legit reasons. Fair point. I was only there because of the £15 tickets for 16-24 year olds. |
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Post by musicalslive on Aug 8, 2017 9:30:03 GMT
How do you buy these cheap tickets?
Are there any other offers? Student discount, vouchers, codes or something else?
Is it possible to visit an evening show and after that show return with a train to London? Or do I have to run from the theatre to the station and catching a last train? Would love to visit the show, but staying in London.
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Aug 8, 2017 10:20:33 GMT
Joreen did both shows on Saturday I heard as both the main Kim and the guy who plays Chris were off. Joreen is apparently only 17 and this is her first stage role so is another great find by Cameron Mac and co. Aynrand did the matinee on the 5th Aug. It was her debut. |
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Post by daniel on Aug 8, 2017 10:52:46 GMT
How do you buy these cheap tickets? Are there any other offers? Student discount, vouchers, codes or something else? Is it possible to visit an evening show and after that show return with a train to London? Or do I have to run from the theatre to the station and catching a last train? Would love to visit the show, but staying in London. They have an under 25 scheme called "First Night" which used to be £5 tickets on the first night of a show but has adapted and changed and for Miss Saigon is £15 seats in Band D on Monday nights. They also do a student standby scheme subject to availability - available in person or over the phone from 24 hours before the performance, best available seats for the cheapest price, so £30 for Miss Saigon. I do believe there is a train back to London after the show - it's only 5 minutes walk to New Street from the Hippodrome EDIT - last train back to London (all on the New Street-Euston line) Mon-Fri is 11.10pm, Saturday 10.14pm and Sunday 11pm. |
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Post by Sue on Aug 8, 2017 12:11:25 GMT
Who is Zowie Cavie? I think Joreen Bautista was Kim for the evening show. It would have only been her or Aynrand (who did the matinee). If you're being serious... Taffy was a character in the utterly brilliant cartoon Captain Caveman and she would regularly screech "zowie Cavey" having just come up with a plan! I suspect it was Joreen I saw, simply because she did look really young. |
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Aug 8, 2017 13:38:44 GMT
Who is Zowie Cavie? I think Joreen Bautista was Kim for the evening show. It would have only been her or Aynrand (who did the matinee). If you're being serious... Taffy was a character in the utterly brilliant cartoon Captain Caveman and she would regularly screech "zowie Cavey" having just come up with a plan! I suspect it was Joreen I saw, simply because she did look really young. I was serious I have never heard of it or the cartoon in my life. Joreen looks like she is about 12 but she has a really good voice. |
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Post by Sue on Aug 8, 2017 18:30:19 GMT
My thought exactly Monkey!
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Post by musicalslive on Aug 9, 2017 7:16:44 GMT
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Post by musicalslive on Aug 9, 2017 7:18:32 GMT
Thank you so much for your answers! I will try the student discount. Does anyone know how long the show is including the interval? |
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