133 posts
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Post by japhun on Mar 31, 2017 13:15:24 GMT
This is an absolute 5 STAR SPECTACLE.
Just now getting around to writing about the amazingness that is this revival of 42nd Street. I have seen it twice already (22 and 29 March evening performances- once in the middle of Row A in the stalls- absolute steal at £15 and on the aisle of row B in the stalls, which I booked months ago when tickets went on sale at full price- still worth every penny!) and I am booked for two more in April and May. And there will be more.
I am not going to repeat what everyone else has already raved about- but the choreography, sets, costumes and overall production value are among the best I have ever seen. I loved every second! The orchestra drives home some of the most beloved songs in all of musical theatre.
I thought all of the leads were sensational. The ensemble was impeccable...and I am blown away that a show can be this well polished less than 20 performances in!
I saw the 2001 revival on Broadway and loved Christine Ebersole as Dorothy Brock and I do have to say she brings more humour and meat to the role than Sheena does, but Sheena does a great job. (I mean, who can compare to Ebersole?!) Also, I found the addition of Boulevard of Broken Dreams a bit of an unneeded detraction that slowed the pace of the show down, but I didn't hate it.
I have left the theatre twice in the past nine days floating on air and wishing I had an ounce of the talent that this spectacular company has.
With the reviews coming soon, I really hope that this is given universal acclaim, as it deserves every accolade. I saw An American in Paris the night after my first visit to 42nd Street, and although it is absolutely stunning and gorgeous, it doesn't hold a candle to the wonderment of 42nd Street.
This is not to be missed...and I know a lot of us will be back again and again (and again!) Here's hoping a long run is in the making at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane!
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Post by purple12 on Mar 31, 2017 13:59:52 GMT
While not being able to add to what others have said, I went last night and enjoyed it enormously - I was pretty much smiling from beginning to end and all the way home. I wasn't in one of the cheap front row seats (didn't know about them - recently joined the forum!) but in the middle of the dress circle where the view was great but the price was steep - have booked on of the end front row seats for £15 later in the summer. I don't often book a second time for shows I've already seen so that, in itself says quite a lot (for me).
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Post by pg on Mar 31, 2017 18:13:41 GMT
Hey, new member here, been lurking for a long time.
Question on where to sit for members who've seen the show.. Now that those 15£ front row center seats are gone and are 75£, would you STILL sit there instead of somewhere else for that same price? I mean, having the choice of first, third or fifth row dead center, do you still believe first row is the better (of this lot)?
Thank you very much, this is really important for me, I'm a seat freak :-)
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2,850 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 31, 2017 18:33:38 GMT
Frankly yes, the view is excellent, for the same price it's the best place to be. Might be a different story with premium seats, but for 75£ is the perfect place to sit.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 19:23:11 GMT
I think they should do a promotion where if you can produce a ticket from the 1980s production they let you have a seat in the same section for that price. I admit there's no reason why they should because there's absolutely nothing in it for them, but I want my £16.50 stalls seat, dammit.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 19:29:29 GMT
Hey, new member here, been lurking for a long time. Question on where to sit for members who've seen the show.. Now that those 15£ front row center seats are gone and are 75£, would you STILL sit there instead of somewhere else for that same price? I mean, having the choice of first, third or fifth row dead center, do you still believe first row is the better (of this lot)? Thank you very much, this is really important for me, I'm a seat freak :-) If you mean row AA, then probably yes, unless you are tall (there is limited legroom due to the wall of the orchestra pit) If you mean row A, then row 5 might be better as there is no rake between AA and A. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 20:13:14 GMT
Hey, new member here, been lurking for a long time. Question on where to sit for members who've seen the show.. Now that those 15£ front row center seats are gone and are 75£, would you STILL sit there instead of somewhere else for that same price? I mean, having the choice of first, third or fifth row dead center, do you still believe first row is the better (of this lot)? Thank you very much, this is really important for me, I'm a seat freak :-) In row AA, centre block, yes I would - I didn't miss a thing. Next time I go will be in the £15 seats on the end of the front row, unless they do decent day tickets. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 22:51:02 GMT
I don't find the book shallow
Yes the plot is thin
But musicals aren't usually literary works of art
I actually think the book is witty and sharp with lots of humour
This is really quite the perfect show and I can't think of any more impressive choreography in the WE in recent decades
The staging is simply perfect and the whole show is just slick and professional
I liked all the lead roles very much and the actors suit their characters nicely
The costumes are varied and numerous
And the lighting is simply divine
I cannot recommend this highly enough
And have already sent 24 tickets to friends
It exemplifies my byword and nickname
LAVISH
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19,670 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 31, 2017 22:54:18 GMT
I think it was @parsley who was the first to give an indication that this was going to be a biggie. Good work that man!
I'm going in June. Cannot wait!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 23:20:58 GMT
I think it was @parsley who was the first to give an indication that this was going to be a biggie. Good work that man! I'm going in June. Cannot wait! 😘 It needs some damn good reviews next week It's an amazing show and people should see it for historic value if nothing else It's a golden oldie However at the moment Box office is not stellar It's so expensive to run So many seats to fill So it's not a done and dusted long run by any means Once you draw people in There is nothing like it anywhere else It just shames modern musicals with their lame forgettable songs and limp dancing When I was there tonight I looked at the hundreds of faces smiling like moons at the show So satisfying It is perfect for old people Families And tourists in particular I do wonder though If people will take children and if they would like it... In general I mean is it a school outing sort of show? I saw one tonight and she was clapping and dancing in the aisle at the end Lovely |
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4,984 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 31, 2017 23:30:29 GMT
Parsley last time you got so wax lyrical about a show, you were one of the investors, so are you?
It would be hard for the critics to say 'go and see this', - when they have told everyone to see American In Paris instead, which is similar.
Look forward to seeing this tomorrow night.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 23:42:59 GMT
Parsley last time you got so wax lyrical about a show, you were one of the investors, so are you? It would be hard for the critics to say 'go and see this', - when they have told everyone to see American In Paris instead, which is similar. Look forward to seeing this tomorrow night. 💰 I hope you have lovely evening and leave the theatre filled with joy and energy Please tell your thoughts after seeing And it is very very different in tone and nature to An American In Paris It's just because they are opening within weeks of each other This happened when Modern Millie and Anything Goes opened in the WE Comparisons galore Like trying to compare Chanel and Balenciaga Clothing sure But can't be compared like that Anyway Have a LOVELY time |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 23:46:41 GMT
I do feel like creating a new thread
American in Paris
V
42nd street
And seeing which gets most votes
👯👯👯👯
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 23:50:24 GMT
To anyone worried about seat prices
If you are going in a larger group than just 2-3 persons
The £35 seats in the grand circle
Are excellent value and clear view feeling close to the stage
And you can get 3 pairs one behind each other
They really are not restricted at all
Otherwise the front few rows of stalls for wow factor
Or the front of dress to take it all in
What does monkey think of the grand circle pairs at £35?
Particularly as there are £65 seats next to them
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 0:09:22 GMT
Parsley last time you got so wax lyrical about a show, you were one of the investors, so are you? It would be hard for the critics to say 'go and see this', - when they have told everyone to see American In Paris instead, which is similar. Look forward to seeing this tomorrow night. Duchess will be there on opening night Will give good promo for free |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 0:22:14 GMT
In 2001
On Broadway
The Producers won best choreography
Over this show
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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4,176 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 1, 2017 6:30:11 GMT
Welcome to the board junet
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5,811 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 1, 2017 8:03:54 GMT
It's very annoying the Broadway cast recording (revival) isn't available on Spotify or iTunes .. must have been discontinued? I have it on cd and it's fabulous but want to listen to it out and about! Grrrr
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 1, 2017 8:25:15 GMT
Went last night. Thanks Parsley for the early enthusiasm. That made me check for seats and got the central row AA seats which as everyone says are brilliant.
One thing I find with this board is when everyone praises a show it never quite lives up to what has been created in my mind (also in reverse when shows get criticised). In this case every praise is so justified. I was blown away. Just brilliant. When can I go again?
Early in this thread I asked about how this compares to Paris. Well the Paris production was good but this production is off the scale. I preferred Alexander Hanson's voice as Marsh in Paris, but that's about it. I think the Drury Lane production demonstrates the difference between putting on a show and putting on a SHOW!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2017 9:11:59 GMT
Parsley last time you got so wax lyrical about a show, you were one of the investors, so are you? It would be hard for the critics to say 'go and see this', - when they have told everyone to see American In Paris instead, which is similar. Look forward to seeing this tomorrow night. Once you've seen this you'll realise it is nothing like An American in Paris. And even if it were, the critics can say whatever they want! |
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1,046 posts
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Post by jgblunners on Apr 1, 2017 9:16:54 GMT
Well I'm seeing the matinee of 42nd Street and the evening performance of An American in Paris today, so I'll be very interested to see how they compare!
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Apr 1, 2017 11:42:17 GMT
Didnt think anything could beat the marvellous opening night of An American in Paris - until I saw 42nd Street - sublime - even from the gods - hope it gets the recognition it deserves
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21 posts
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Post by elliott on Apr 1, 2017 12:01:19 GMT
42nd Street can't be cheap with 55 in the cast! I hope it does really well, but the running costs including renting the TRDL must be enormous so they will have to do great business to sustain it long term...
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 1, 2017 12:56:45 GMT
The dance chorus will be on 550 equity minimum no? Even 800 a week and twenty more in the cast than normal that's just 16,000 pounds extra a week. Considering these shows have a potential to make over half a million pounds a week or more it's not too much to have a large cast. It's huge sets, hydraulics, automation like Sunset or Lord of the Rings that makes it expensive. I don't see 42nd Street as that expensive to run in comparison. I hope it runs for years. Amazing show.
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1,046 posts
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Post by jgblunners on Apr 1, 2017 14:54:36 GMT
Interval of the matinee and all I can think is WOW. I've never seen anything like this before. Even though we're only half way through, I'd give Sheena Easton and Clare Halse their Olivier nominations right now, and probably put a good bet on Stuart Neal and Jasna Ivir getting nominated too. Full thoughts will follow after act two, but honestly I can't see any way to find a fault with this show.
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