42nd Street at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

August 11th, 2:30.

I am convinced it was a different Julian Marsh that time to when we saw the show again last Saturday. It was definitely Tom last week.

I am so confused.

You're an absolute legend.

Thank you so much.

Indeed.

Legend.

He pushes the big crate that Julian is standing on forwards. I think he's wearing a long coat and hat at that point.

Interesting, dippy and Dr Tom .

That's exactly what 'my' gentleman did, and he was wearing a long coat and a flat cap. (Must be from Yorkshire, as all the best people are )

Oscar was played by Paul Knight at that performance.  In fact, I think Oscar has been played by Paul Knight at every performance I've seen.

I'm so confused!!!

I saw this tonight merely as a box ticking exercise of a show that I knew was iconic from the '80s. I’m not normally a big fan of dance musicals, (dansicals?), but I bought a front row seat for twenty-five pounds two weeks ago, and I made a bet with myself that I’d ask for a seat “upgrade” when I get to the theatre. I charmed my way from a row A to a row K in the second tier of the stalls and gave me a perfect view of the wide stage. Needless to say, even on a Saturday night right around Christmas, the stalls were nearly at say, 50% full, maybe less? The entire left section of the stalls was practically empty.

Part of the reason why I was hesitant to see this production (aside from not being a fan of this specific genre), was knowing that this musical is American to its core. It’s a throwback and to Broadway and Hollywood grand dance-musicals, and I feel that the Yankees have this in their genes and are the only ones who can perform this show authentically. Accents were all over the place, and I felt that the very young dance ensemble members just did not have an understanding or an appreciation of the history of this musicale comedy pastiche or vaudeville, and it showed. The female dancers were by far stronger than the male dancers - technically adequate, but blank faced throughout. For such a large ensemble, this is an utter failure in diversity casting when you only have two ladies of color in the entire dance ensemble, let alone the entire company. The fact that there isn’t one person of color in the male dance ensemble is ridiculous. The talent is definitely out there, especially with the male dancers in this ensemble so unremarkable to begin with.

Jasna Ivir was by far the most interesting person in the entire company, and despite her European accent, I felt that she was the person who “got it” best and really knew how to play a no-nonsense, big, brash Broadway broad.

Nice seeing Bonnie Langford, somewhat of a contemporary vaudevillian in her own way. Ashley Day is just fine as the pushy lead in the play within a play who makes a move on Peggy on her first day of work (played by Clare Halse could have been anyone), but I wanted to see more of Matthew Goodgame (and not Julian Marsh) as the older and powerful director who sexually assaults Peggy throughout rehearsals.

Sorry, kids. Not my kinda show.

Stalls AA6 here!

C6 in the Stalls for closing night!

Someone mentioned a while back about meeting in one of the theatre bars

Was advised by the box pffice this eve that Rush and Day Seats will be VERY few and far between next week, fair warning to those risking it.

I've got my seat for the final show, but may risk final Rush for the matinee. I wanna be there for cheaper than I've paid the final show.

I've paid top price for my seat but as someone said to me, think of all the visits you have made for £25 and the money you have saved. And not to forget those front row stalls we got at the beginning of the run for £15.

I've not been to the last performance of a major west end show before so it's doubly exciting.

Do they sell merch off at a discount on the last night?

And please, please, please get Bonnie to Join Claire for the encore like she did at the beginning of the run.