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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2019 17:33:27 GMT
So I caught this in Manchester on Saturday. Had had a ticket for the evening performance for ages and based on the positive word of mouth (and the increasing discounts with ATG card) got myself a ticket for the matinee as well - I just had a feeling I was going to like it. Both shows were about half full Circle/Stalls when I looked last Thursday then suddenly nearly all the tickets went off sale on Friday. I assume was therefore comped. Upper still closed, but Stalls and Circle full with a great atmosphere. (I'd be really grateful if someone could PM me how tickets are shifted last minute in Manchester as it's a different beast from London)
Anyway, I was expecting complete visual overload with huge sets and dazzling lighting and perhaps a slightly thin story and as that's not quite what it was, I was unsure during the matinee till the end of the first half when suddenly it all clicked into place. I had a much better seat in the evening and I loved it.
So it does have a great set but it's not like an 80s mega musical (I mean, it could tour with minimal if any modification). The lighting was also fantastic and the projections worked much better from my evening seat. But far from being a pointless story, it was absolutely charming. And that was what was so wonderful. This really is a show with heart. Everything comes together so well. A girl power theme but without aggressive sass and also touching on gay love, gender issues, acceptance, independence and the central relationship of Will and Ann. Touching and charming but also gentle without being overly deep.
The music I was also unsure about at the matinee until the end of act 1 (it didn't immediately work for me as a musical as pop songs don't really have the same light and shade, rise and fall). But again this did also click for me, and in the evening I thought it served the show perfectly. I remember all the Backstreet Boys and Britney stuff from my youth though was less familiar with the later stuff. Rearranged with more strings and a more "musical" feel and performed by an insanely talented cast, was all fabulous. And as a jukebox musical it's very well crafted with the songs fitting well with the plot. In that respect really it reminded me of Our House. Nothing shoehorned.
So in summary, the perfect antidote to these troubled Brexit times and a real feel good evening. And a good find for me. The first new musical I have really loved since Bat Out Of Hell.
As for commercial success in London? Well, not based on a a film or the back catalogue of a single performer, no doubt will struggle. They NEED to promote this - I just don't know how - as they have a great product. And it's fab to see a made in Britain show that's so good. I do wonder if it may come and go in the same way Daddy Cool did at the same theatre. Even if it does though, it will be a cult hit with the people that were "there" boring everyone about said fact in 20 years time.
(As an aside re the Manchester Phantom sales - no posters of leaflets in the Opera House - maybe they've not really got going with the advertising yet!)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2019 17:46:17 GMT
I do wonder if it may come and go in the same way Daddy Cool did at the same theatre. OUCH! lol I am looking forward to it. I've got 8 tickets booked for me and friends so i hope it is good. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2019 17:50:44 GMT
I do wonder if it may come and go in the same way Daddy Cool did at the same theatre. OUCH! lol I am looking forward to it. I've got 8 tickets booked for me and friends so i hope it is good. Oh I loved Daddy Cool - and for it's struggles and all that was bonkers it had a GREAT atmosphere. In other news, these two shows are linked by Melanie La Barrie, who literally has not aged since 2006. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2019 18:33:55 GMT
OUCH! lol I am looking forward to it. I've got 8 tickets booked for me and friends so i hope it is good. Oh I loved Daddy Cool - and for it's struggles and all that was bonkers it had a GREAT atmosphere. In other news, these two shows are linked by Melanie La Barrie, who literally has not aged since 2006. And they were both based around Romeo and Juliet! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 2, 2019 19:24:20 GMT
it could tour with minimal if any modification Eh? There’s a double spinning revolve and a lift! Nooooooo! |
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Post by danb on Oct 2, 2019 19:30:40 GMT
Somebody call Uncle Bill and fire up the Transit! 😱
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2019 19:47:20 GMT
it could tour with minimal if any modification Eh? There’s a double spinning revolve and a lift! Nooooooo! Ha - OK, it could tour with modification - I mean, it wouldn't be impossible! |
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Post by theatre241 on Oct 3, 2019 12:18:39 GMT
Do you think it better to sit in the circle for this or row F stalls?
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Post by david on Oct 3, 2019 12:36:31 GMT
Do you think it better to sit in the circle for this or row F stalls? If it’s of any help, when I went to watch it, I was sat in stalls Row F and didn’t miss anything. |
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Post by showtoones on Oct 3, 2019 15:07:25 GMT
Do you think it better to sit in the circle for this or row F stalls? If it’s of any help, when I went to watch it, I was sat in stalls Row F and didn’t miss anything. Ideally, what is the best place to sit to get the best view? Stalls H, J, K? |
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Post by david on Oct 3, 2019 15:21:18 GMT
If it’s of any help, when I went to watch it, I was sat in stalls Row F and didn’t miss anything. Ideally, what is the best place to sit to get the best view? Stalls H, J, K? Stalls H shouldn't be an issue. I was mid stalls row F and felt this was a great seat for the view so Row H should be just as good showtoones. |
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Post by bramble on Oct 3, 2019 15:25:28 GMT
really in two minds about this .Couldn't ask for a better cast or set.But something was missing for me..I never got involved with the characters. But the audience on the first night were certainly having a ball.Considering all the talent on stage I hope this finds an audience
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Post by theatre241 on Oct 3, 2019 16:12:29 GMT
Has anyone sat front row for this?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 3, 2019 16:18:42 GMT
Yes. It’s a bit high and you don’t get the maximum effect from the projections but it’s fine. Acres of legroom too.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2019 18:43:48 GMT
Do you think it better to sit in the circle for this or row F stalls? Don’t think it matters; but I think being central is (relatively) important. There are two pillars (part of set) either side of the stage which have the effect of making the (big) proscenium seem smaller and means that there is quite a lot of view cut off from the side seats. You don’t miss any action. But the lighting, projections and overall feel were much better from a central position. Also Circle is pretty steep so if you decide on that I’d go as far fwd as possible. |
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Post by Daytripper on Oct 3, 2019 19:01:17 GMT
I was at the matinee today, stalls row K and had a great view. Only cost me £12 with the theatre card offer. I loved the show! The vocals were stunning and it was so funny. Most of the stalls seemed to be full and there was a great atmosphere. I only booked to see the show after reading the comments on here and I’m so glad I did. The staging and costumes are fantastic, and the whole cast have so much talent and energy. It really is a must see show in my opinion and I hope it does well in London.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Oct 3, 2019 21:10:53 GMT
Argh so tempted to see this for a third time before it finishes but I really can’t find the time to fit it in.
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Post by notmymuse on Oct 3, 2019 21:55:04 GMT
I saw this at the matinee today - the stalls looked full but the circle was perhaps 1/6th full with the upper circle closed. Hardly surprising for a new show in Manchester on a weekday afternoon, perhaps.
I'd just echo what someone else said, that they have constructed two pretty big pillars on the inside of the proscenium which play havoc with sightlines for anyone sitting not in the centre. It really cuts off huge amounts of stage and I really hope they re-think this for London. I wasn't even sitting at the extreme edges and found the pillars getting in the way repeatedly. They are basically there as scenery to make it seem set in unspecified-old-times, but they could slim them down or just cover the existing pillars of the arch, surely.
In terms of the show, it starts like a runaway train and I thought I was going to love it and would be returning for another visit, but for me it lost pace after the first 15 minutes or so and settled into being a solid 3.5/5. The songs generally sounded amazing and were often very cleverly inserted, but I found the handling of the issues around gender really clunky and a bit toe curling. I respect them for choosing to portray these characters as they were (a few line re-writes later and they could basically remove this element) but for me it wasn't done in an amazingly authentic way and seemed too cartoonish. I'm not saying they all should have sat round staring at their navels for ages, but it just didn't seem truthful and seemed cardboard and inauthentic. It's looking at a different issue, but Everybody's Talking About Jamie manages to someone be real and heartfelt, and this seemed anything but. I also think a fair few people just had no idea what was going on...
I also think it focuses on 1 set of characters too many and would benefit from a bit of cutting and paring it back to try and do a bit less. There are some very funny lines, and the singing was great from every lead. However, I think Oliver Thompsett could be given more to do - he has as lovely voice and it (and he) was a bit wasted.
The choreography reminded me a bit of Bat Out of Hell, with lots of people standing on the spot dancing without a great deal of overall movement.
Worth seeing, and to be fair the audience seemed in the main to love it. It'll be interesting to see what changes they make before London (please, remove the pillars!) and what the critics make of it. I think they'll need to sell it off Max Martin's songs very heavily to last.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 4, 2019 0:09:17 GMT
I’m taking some friends later this week. I usually punt out suggestions for shows on my Facebook and people say either yay or nay to coming along. This one got zero interest from the get-go and it’s only after seeing it the first time did I persuade a pal to come along for my second visit. He LOVED it. Now I’ve actually pushed it a bit with the rest of the crowd and said I think they should see it for the £20 offer. I never usually do this because it I feel (wrongly) that it puts the weight of responsibility onto me for them enjoying it. I’m confident with this one but when I try to explain what it’s about I just get “eh?” looks! 😆 I had no need to worry. They all loved it and are booking again for next week. |
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 4, 2019 0:48:46 GMT
Not long home from my train/coach day trip Kent to Manchester with a £35 central front row seat. Great view with a slight look up; you only miss seeing feet at times.
Worth every minute and mile. Don't think I've been so blown away by a jukebox musical since the first time I saw Jersey Boys back in 2008.
Really hope it does well in London and plan to see again with the family in the New Year (GILT time hopefully!)
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Post by marob on Oct 4, 2019 16:08:57 GMT
Yet another one here who was at the matinee yesterday. It's a little bit clunky in parts maybe, and I didn't know some of the more recent songs, but that doesn't matter because I really enjoyed it. Its such a wonderfully bonkers show. One that's surprisingly funny too.
I was intrigued by the idea of it anyway, despite some of the early negativity towards it on here, but the main reason I wanted to see it was Melanie La Barrie. She was brilliant a couple of years ago in the Everyman rep company in Liverpool (which included playing the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet Julius) and I'm so happy to see her steal the show a couple of times in this too. David Bedella seemed a bit subdued to what I was expecting, but considering the other times I've seen him he was playing Roger de Bris in The Producers tour and Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror gala on TV, thats probably not so surprising. I'd just expected a more outrageous character given the ridiculously large codpiece he wears.
It's the first time I'd seen the rest of the leads despite them having starred in some huge West End shows between them. All the vocals were obviously spot on. Cassidy Janson actually manged to move me, which is rare. Miriam-Teak Lee had great comedic skills too, her finding Francois was a real highlight for me (though a lot of the audience took a while to get the joke.) I wish Jordan Luke Gage was in it a bit more, though it's understandable why he isn't. (I also won't disagree with whoever it was who said he's gorgeous.)
I was quite surprised when they brought the band out at the end, as I hadn't realised there was any live music in it.
I really enjoyed it, and will have to get streaming the album when it hits Spotify.
Hope it finds an audience in the West End.
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Post by xanady on Oct 4, 2019 17:14:13 GMT
Any audience participation?...apart from walk-outs?...only joking!
On my way to see this tomorrow...looking forward to it.
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Post by richey on Oct 5, 2019 16:43:18 GMT
Well that was just as good, if not better,seeing it for the second time this afternoon. Got to notice little things that I'd not seen the first time, like Juliet's superfast costume change before Roar, and the little love locks on the balcony when it rose up.
Stalls were about two thirds full, gallery closed.
Anne and Juliet both hit the jukebox together
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Post by theatre241 on Oct 5, 2019 17:07:10 GMT
I was there as well today for the second time and it’s almost created a new genre of musicals. Some bits were like a concert and then some were very MT and it seems to be pleasing crowds! But if you take away the big sound system and fancy lights and set what have you got but I suppose it’s not to be taken to seriously
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 5, 2019 19:01:58 GMT
I was there as well today for the second time and it’s almost created a new genre of musicals. Some bits were like a concert and then some were very MT and it seems to be pleasing crowds! But if you take away the big sound system and fancy lights and set what have you got but I suppose it’s not to be taken to seriously And other bits were very 90’s MTV music video I thought. It’s very “pop”. If you took the lights and sounds away from 80% of west end musicals what would be left? Most of them are spectacle over substance. |
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