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Post by theatre2023 on Feb 15, 2024 9:45:47 GMT
The Spectator pretty much summed it up: "The real problem is that the show has no core, no proper theme ...This is a mega-budget muddle posing as a state-of-the-nation musical. Three hours of tripe."
;-)
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2024 9:47:55 GMT
Probably not “London” enough for them 🙂
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Post by mrnutz on Feb 15, 2024 10:23:21 GMT
I was in last night - I loved this show at the NT and saw it twice there.
It's still a five-star triumph, and from the raucous response at the end it seemed most of the audience agreed.
I didn't think some of the new cast were quite as good as the originals (yet?), but actually preferred the new Poppy and Nikki.
Really don't understand the criticism that there are no stories here. Bizarre.
5/5
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Post by shownut on Feb 15, 2024 11:29:41 GMT
The show is a lot of things but pretentious is a new one on me. Well it is certainly one that suits - it aims to be important and highly artistic but instead looks amateurish and frankly ridiculous. Lining up a cast to sing at microphone stands on a housing estate? That is one of many examples where the aim for artistic staging widely misses the mark. They should have reflected more on clarity in their storytelling and less on gimmicks but maybe that is just me.... |
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Post by backstage on Feb 15, 2024 11:47:13 GMT
I get the arguments from people who didn’t like it - I didn’t like it at the crucible. The storylines felt predictable (seen the plot with the steelworker 100s of times before) and I hated the resolution of the modern relationship - if that had been an ex-boyfriend rather than an ex-girlfriend it would have got much more criticism. It also felt a bit ‘Sheffield the musical’, just knew there would be forced references to Henderson’s Relish etc, came across a little smug to me (and both I live in and love Sheffield). It was like the script had been based around those drawings you see of the city in the gift shops on Eccy Road. Music also want my cup of tea.
That said I loved the staging and the performances and was happy for it to get a transfer (I get very proud of stuff that’s come out of the crucible even if I didn’t particularly enjoy it!).
Maybe I should give it a second chance and see it in London (to be fair to it I’d just had some bad health news the day before I saw it so maybe was overly grumpy).
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Post by alison on Feb 15, 2024 13:37:00 GMT
For anyone who has been in the last couple of days, are they still doing the badges or were they just for the first preview?
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 15, 2024 13:54:59 GMT
They should have reflected more on clarity in their storytelling and less on gimmicks but maybe that is just me.... Weren't you in the cast of Starlight Express? |
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Post by shownut on Feb 15, 2024 14:32:33 GMT
They should have reflected more on clarity in their storytelling and less on gimmicks but maybe that is just me.... Weren't you in the cast of Starlight Express? Yes...which was exactly what it said on label...like it or not. I didn't write it, I was in it. BIG difference. Try again? |
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Post by mrnutz on Feb 15, 2024 14:37:23 GMT
For anyone who has been in the last couple of days, are they still doing the badges or were they just for the first preview? They were giving them out at the end last night. I missed them but my friend got one (and gave it to me 😍). |
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Post by FJ on Feb 16, 2024 14:03:39 GMT
Missed this at the National so finally caught this on Monday this week and was a bit underwhelmed.
Stylistically I liked it, and loved the direction, but to me the main things lacking were the songs and story. None of the songs stuck in my head after, and all the way through I just thought there was a disconnect between the musical style and the show - I can't put my finger on what it was but it just didn't click for me.
Glad I saw it and had an enjoyable evening, but I didn't really connect with the piece and probably wouldn't make a return visit. 3 Stars from me.
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Post by andypandy on Feb 17, 2024 0:54:01 GMT
Saw this tonight.
It’s rather self indulgent and the music doesn’t match the story or setting. An American rock folk score in SHEFFIELD?
I agree with posts above about the weak woke storylines. I was dare say it. A little bored. WHY ARE GAY MEN ALWAYS CAMP AND WOMEN ALWAYS DYKES? The representation actually offends me.
There is some nice harmonies and singing (Rachel Wooding is a star) and using the three families in the same flat direction was neat - but generally I was very disappointed.
This will not be a commercial hit.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 17, 2024 6:05:13 GMT
Saw this tonight. It’s rather self indulgent and the music doesn’t match the story or setting. An American rock folk score in SHEFFIELD? I agree with posts above about the weak woke storylines. I was dare say it. A little bored. WHY ARE GAY MEN ALWAYS CAMP AND WOMEN ALWAYS DYKES? The representation actually offends me. There is some nice harmonies and singing (Rachel Wooding is a star) and using the three families in the same flat direction was neat - but generally I was very disappointed. This will not be a commercial hit. The powers you have to tell what happens in the future! |
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Post by andypandy on Feb 17, 2024 7:52:22 GMT
Saw this tonight. It’s rather self indulgent and the music doesn’t match the story or setting. An American rock folk score in SHEFFIELD? I agree with posts above about the weak woke storylines. I was dare say it. A little bored. WHY ARE GAY MEN ALWAYS CAMP AND WOMEN ALWAYS DYKES? The representation actually offends me. There is some nice harmonies and singing (Rachel Wooding is a star) and using the three families in the same flat direction was neat - but generally I was very disappointed. This will not be a commercial hit. The powers you have to tell what happens in the future! Well… I said the same about Viva Forver, Desperately Seeking Susan, The Far Pavilions, Imagine This, I Can’t Sing, Bad Cinderalla, Stephen Ward and the new production of Aspects of Love., It’s a solid (overly long) show with some beautiful moments - sadly not a commercial hit. It will run 6 months. |
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Post by andypandy on Feb 17, 2024 7:55:30 GMT
Missed this at the National so finally caught this on Monday this week and was a bit underwhelmed. Stylistically I liked it, and loved the direction, but to me the main things lacking were the songs and story. None of the songs stuck in my head after, and all the way through I just thought there was a disconnect between the musical style and the show - I can't put my finger on what it was but it just didn't click for me. Glad I saw it and had an enjoyable evening, but I didn't really connect with the piece and probably wouldn't make a return visit. 3 Stars from me. It’s because the music is American cowboy type anthem rock OR wistful sounding French lyrical music beautiful harmonies - SET IN A BRUTALIST BUILDING IN SHEFFIELD! Ha |
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Post by amyja89 on Feb 17, 2024 9:57:00 GMT
I am surprised more isn’t being said about the problematic nature/resolution of the lesbian relationship. Up until the last two minutes I was impressed by the way it was going, only for it to be completely undone for what? I even heard some ‘awwwws’ from folk around me. Baffling.
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Post by mrnutz on Feb 17, 2024 11:02:44 GMT
It’s rather self indulgent and the music doesn’t match the story or setting. An American rock folk score in SHEFFIELD? You know they're all Richard Hawley songs, right? Richard Hawley is one of the most famous musicians to come out of... SHEFFIELD! |
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Post by andypandy on Feb 17, 2024 11:55:00 GMT
It’s rather self indulgent and the music doesn’t match the story or setting. An American rock folk score in SHEFFIELD? You know they're all Richard Hawley songs, right? Richard Hawley is one of the most famous musicians to come out of... SHEFFIELD! Yes I know he’s local to the productions origins. I still don’t think the simple music matches the story and theme of the show. I also like many others here have problems with the thin plot/s, weak stories and LGBT representation. It’s almost like a concept musical with no major story attached to it. The book isn’t there at all. Nice harmonies and singing aside I was a bit bored! It’s also too long. |
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Feb 17, 2024 12:57:03 GMT
I am surprised more isn’t being said about the problematic nature/resolution of the lesbian relationship. Up until the last two minutes I was impressed by the way it was going, only for it to be completely undone for what? I even heard some ‘awwwws’ from folk around me. Baffling. Oh this bugged me massively when I saw it at the National! For transparency, I mostly enjoyed the show even though the music felt a little removed from the action (it isn’t a traditional “musical” so much as a play punctuated with songs, for the most part) but whilst two of the timelines worked I found the present day narrative to be weak, especially the gay relationship at the centre of it. My partner and I genuinely weren’t sure who we were meant to be rooting for - did we want them to get back together? We didn’t think so, because there was such a toxic energy at the centre of it, yet we’re meant to be happy at the way it’s resolved so quickly? Strangely unsatisfactory. |
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Post by corblimey on Feb 17, 2024 13:06:27 GMT
Very surprised how they get over health and safety when a cast member runs through Stalls Row I at speed
An accident waiting to happen!
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Post by parsley1 on Feb 17, 2024 13:08:41 GMT
I loved this at the NT
I do feel the transfer is forced and this is not a commercial WE show
As it is above usual standards of WE rubbish
It’s not really for children and there isn’t a sing a long at the end
As such I think it was an unwise decision
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Feb 17, 2024 16:02:30 GMT
It was the start of Act 2 that made me cringe the most. Musical theatre people trying to be like grunge rockers.... awful.
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Post by shownut on Feb 17, 2024 16:59:27 GMT
It was the start of Act 2 that made me cringe the most. Musical theatre people trying to be like grunge rockers.... awful. Amen. Made zero sense. I find it laughable that anyone thinks this will attract a commercial audience. Much as I hated it, the National should have kept it for another season (ala LONDON ROAD and FOLLIES) rather than watch their investment go down the drain.... |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 17, 2024 19:54:30 GMT
I’m amazed… and depressed by all these negative comments. It wowed me at the NT
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Post by mattnyc on Feb 17, 2024 20:23:29 GMT
I’m amazed… and depressed by all these negative comments. It wowed me at the NT Same. I’m getting really anxious seeing it in a few weeks - I hope it doesn’t change how incredible I thought it was last year. |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Feb 17, 2024 20:26:49 GMT
I am surprised more isn’t being said about the problematic nature/resolution of the lesbian relationship. Up until the last two minutes I was impressed by the way it was going, only for it to be completely undone for what? I even heard some ‘awwwws’ from folk around me. Baffling. This was my biggest disappointment when I saw it last year. Really annoyed me. How empowering would it have been for the woman who relocated to be SINGLE and OK with that? |
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