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Post by nick on Sept 9, 2019 18:40:40 GMT
Turned out balmy. Need a jumper though. Onward.........
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Post by dontdreamit on Sept 9, 2019 18:48:37 GMT
Not too shabby tonight!
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Post by londonpostie on Sept 9, 2019 19:04:09 GMT
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Post by theatrej on Sept 9, 2019 19:14:53 GMT
I'd be curious to hear if any others caught Marsha Songcome beyond those who have already commented - I saw her last Thursday and was impressed, particularly given her pregnancy! I saw her covering for Eliza in Hamilton and hadn't been too keen so it was a very pleasant surprise - her voice was gorgeous, though her final costume seemed a little bit of a struggle given the circumstances. Mireia Mambo was a highlight in the ensemble, I couldn't take my eyes off her in some of the numbers.
I wasn't sure how I felt about the show overall at the time, but I enjoyed myself. There were some parts I couldn't really reconcile - Che's spending the last 15 minutes as he did felt a little much, and there was a point where my eyes began to roll when another confetti cannon was rolled out. Trent Saunders wasn't my favourite Che I've seen, and I found the use of the handheld microphones a bit uneven throughout.
Overall though, I'm considering a trip back to see Samantha Pauly, and sit a bit further back to take it all in a bit more, so an afternoon well spent!
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Post by xanady on Sept 9, 2019 20:17:51 GMT
^theatre monkey and others have given advice on where to sit on the grass banks, a few pages ago,I seem to recall.
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Post by londonpostie on Sept 9, 2019 20:32:30 GMT
My friend and I sat on the grass banks last week, they are letting too many people sit there in my opinion, they kept trying to move people around to fit more in. They are on a slope so you feel propelled forwards, but the view is perfectly fine. Make sure you're near the front of the queue to get in and stake your place and take something padded to sit on if you don't have much natural 'padding'! Aug 23, 2019 11:34:11 GMT 1 theatremonkey.com said: The view is side on through railings if you don't bag a space further back. People are moaning about too many allowed to sit there, too. It's better than nothing, though, just sit further back and on the side near the aisle not the shrubbery. Oh, and take the "high numbers" side if you prefer shade to sun.
Thang yew. Thang YEW.
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Post by londonpostie on Sept 9, 2019 20:54:55 GMT
Well surprisingly Elaine Paige has given the production a very positive review on her show.
Very effusive - her review is at 1 hour 26 minutes:
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Post by dontdreamit on Sept 9, 2019 21:41:26 GMT
That was absolutely superb. I’m trying to work out if I can manage a return visit before it closes.
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Post by andrew on Sept 9, 2019 22:55:09 GMT
As an Evita fan, I really loved it. I understand what would be off-putting for some, but I just thought it was brilliant from end to end. Listening to people on the walk back to Baker Street, it sounded like all the young (or at least fast walking) members of the audience agreed.
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Post by Lemansky on Sept 10, 2019 9:22:51 GMT
I am also seriously contemplating trying to fit in a trip next week. I do have a theatre token to use up, so as long as they take them at Regents Park I might give it a go. Worst case scenario it gets rained off and I can use the ticket for something else next year.
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Post by nick on Sept 10, 2019 12:41:54 GMT
Last night everyone on the banks moved to seats for the second half. |
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Post by nick on Sept 10, 2019 12:59:04 GMT
We’re booked for another visit next Wednesday. I thought it was excellent. And I understand the criticisms upthread except those about the clarity of the story. Maybe I was in tune with the direction but I thought the story was crystal clear: {Spoiler - click to view}Eva climbs the ladder using her sexuality, gets as high as she can and becomes an icon. Underneath the icon there’s a real, ruthless, flawed person. And it inevitably crashes and burns.
We’re watching that real person in the show. So she doesn't have the iconic Eva look but runs around in her undies instead. The mask is highlighted with the white dress being spray painted.
The little girl has only seen the icon hence dressing up in icon's clothes. And when Eva dies all that is left is the icon.
Che reminded me greatly of JCS and gave me a Jesus/Judas vibe with Eva/Che - the voice of dissent whispering in her ear. I saw the original cast many many many years ago and this version blows it away for storytelling in my opinion. Mind you that might just because I'm 30 years wiser!?!? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2019 18:12:10 GMT
Went again on Saturday.
Absolutely LOVE this production. Can't really praise it enough, it just makes perfect sense to me musically, plot wise, visually etc etc .
I do get that as a 1st Evita might be hard to follow as there is not much context in terms of sets, eras and locations and of course Pauly is not made to LOOK like the traditional Evita. So yes, I confess I probably like it more as a result of having seen it so many times before.
That said there are many musicals where I wish I'd read the plot in advance so I could have a clue what was going on - the much loved Hamilton being a prime example!
Too early for predictions as to whether it will return and if it does to Open Air or Barbican?
Much as I love it, I don't think it's had quite the universal love that Jesus Christ Superstar did.....
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Post by northernhomo on Sept 10, 2019 21:38:14 GMT
I’m wanting to see this in London on Saturday but it seems sold out. Are the grass verges like day seats. Just turn up? Or do you have to book in advance
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2019 22:06:23 GMT
I'm seeing this on Monday and praying that the weather is ok. I'm intrigued by the comments on here and cant wait to see it for myself. I didn't think i needed to see Evita again for a very long time, but peoples comments on here have got me to book, pretty much like they did for JCS.
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Post by lonlad on Sept 10, 2019 22:12:29 GMT
Samantha Pauly just been announced as part of the imminent Broadway cast of SIX, so I guess that rules out a transfer for this - at least with her in it.
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Post by chernjam on Sept 11, 2019 1:22:27 GMT
Went again on Saturday. Absolutely LOVE this production. Can't really praise it enough, it just makes perfect sense to me musically, plot wise, visually etc etc . I do get that as a 1st Evita might be hard to follow as there is not much context in terms of sets, eras and locations and of course Pauly is not made to LOOK like the traditional Evita. So yes, I confess I probably like it more as a result of having seen it so many times before. That said there are many musicals where I wish I'd read the plot in advance so I could have a clue what was going on - the much loved Hamilton being a prime example! Too early for predictions as to whether it will return and if it does to Open Air or Barbican? Much as I love it, I don't think it's had quite the universal love that Jesus Christ Superstar did..... Dom - didn't I read that it was the fastest selling show in Open-Air history? If so, I can't imagine them not bringing it back |
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Post by noboiscout on Sept 11, 2019 5:17:17 GMT
I’m wanting to see this in London on Saturday but it seems sold out. Are the grass verges like day seats. Just turn up? Or do you have to book in advance They are bookable online. Not sure if they are likely to have any on the day. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2019 9:53:28 GMT
Not coming back in 2020 (at the Open Air at least).
Sad times :-(
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Post by jgblunners on Sept 11, 2019 10:01:21 GMT
Not coming back in 2020 (at the Open Air at least). Sad times :-( Fingers crossed for 2021! I have to say I think this would be harder than JCS to transfer indoors so I think an OAT revival is our only chance to see it again. Happy to be proven wrong though! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2019 10:06:23 GMT
Not coming back in 2020 (at the Open Air at least). Sad times :-( Fingers crossed for 2021! I have to say I think this would be harder than JCS to transfer indoors so I think an OAT revival is our only chance to see it again. Happy to be proven wrong though! Same. Given the fireworks, streamers, ticker tape etc etc I also think would be hard to transfer. (That said, I felt the same about JCS and then ended up significantly preferring it at The Barbican.) |
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Post by nick on Sept 11, 2019 10:45:56 GMT
It can't be impossible to reimagine those elements some other way? I'm not sure the fireworks etc are key to the production's success.
Anyway, short term the weather forecast looks good for next week for those of us with tickets. It is getting chillier though - I was glad of a good jumper last Thursday.
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Post by Lemansky on Sept 11, 2019 11:11:27 GMT
Got our tickets sorted out for Monday, fingers crossed the weather holds!
P32-33 - has anyone sat there before/know if they're ok? I was further back last time but more central.
We did manage to book with our theatre token, which took a bit of sorting out but the box office staff were incredibly helpful the couple of times I spoke to them so not a problematic experience.
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Post by Lemansky on Sept 11, 2019 13:53:54 GMT
View is fine. Bit far back for the price, but you could do worse now all the seats are way more expensive. Thank you very much! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Sept 11, 2019 16:37:58 GMT
Not coming back in 2020 (at the Open Air at least). Sad times :-( Fingers crossed for 2021! I have to say I think this would be harder than JCS to transfer indoors so I think an OAT revival is our only chance to see it again. Happy to be proven wrong though! You can replicate the streamers, glitter, flames and fireworks indoors
Open Air productions tend to not as work as good inside though. I didn't think JCS worked as good in the Barbican and looked kind of twee with fake trees, the same could be said for Crazy for You. The Open Air Theatre has a one of a kind magic to it.
I mentioned on another thread that Evita is the fastest selling production in their history, so surprised it isn't coming back next year.
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