716 posts
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Post by theatre-turtle on Jun 12, 2017 22:50:46 GMT
It was House Full tonight btw.... somehow.... for the worst musical in London
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Jun 13, 2017 6:19:04 GMT
theatre-turtle, you're taking Annie WAY too seriously.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 9:00:58 GMT
Well. It's a jolly old show. I can see the whiff of "touring production" about it but it's got some storming tunes AND (be still my beating heart) A TAP ROUTINE! Danced by a bunch of hot sailors in very tight outfits like they've stepped out of a Versace advert would you believe.
Wasn't sold on the Annie we had, the way she sang the word "tomorrow" in the big number irritated me.
Jonny Fines, Djalenga Scott and Holly Dale Spencer as Rooster, Lily and Grace are great, Fines in particular is the standout but the show is really all about Miranda Hart. I admit to being a fan so I love her shtick but I do think the show sags a bit when she's not on. I'm not sure I agree with the view of some on here that she's so dreadful - the accent isn't great and the singing isn't amazing (although I was pleasantly surprised - she certainly doesn't do the Rex Harrison talk-singing) but she's got a real star quality about her and it all doesn't matter. I thought she was terrific. 'Little Girls' is a great number and she more than holds her own during 'Easy Street'.
Sandy the dog steals the whole thing though.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 10:38:56 GMT
Wow....I never realised Annie was that dark when thought of like that................
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 17:23:39 GMT
Saw it yesterday and thought it was one of the worst productions I have seen in a West End theatre (and as an oldie I have seen some pretty terrible stuff in my time). I didn't expect much from Miranda Hart and she fulfilled my expectations. Just dire. How many decent shows are being kept out of London by this dross doesn't even bear thinking about! Roll on January!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 13, 2017 19:42:59 GMT
YES YES YES!! Saw it yesterday and thought it was one of the worst productions I have seen in a West End theatre (and as an oldie I have seen some pretty terrible stuff in my time). I didn't expect much from Miranda Hart and she fulfilled my expectations. Just dire. How many decent shows are being kept out of London by this dross doesn't even bear thinking about! Roll on January! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 8:56:53 GMT
Saw it yesterday and thought it was one of the worst productions I have seen in a West End theatre (and as an oldie I have seen some pretty terrible stuff in my time). I didn't expect much from Miranda Hart and she fulfilled my expectations. Just dire. How many decent shows are being kept out of London by this dross doesn't even bear thinking about! Roll on January! Out of interest and I've seen similar comments about Miranda Hart in the show ("I can't stand her", "I never found her funny", that kind of thing) so can I ask, if you weren't a fan of Miranda in the first place what was it about the show that made you want to see it? Also, she's probably in less than half of it, was there anything else about it that made it one of the worst productions you've seen? I am genuinely interested so it'll be good to hear your thoughts. |
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Post by TallPaul on Jun 14, 2017 12:56:41 GMT
I've come to the conclusion that those who go to see Annie expecting to hate it, hate it, and those who go expecting to enjoy it, enjoy it. I'll find out if I'm right in September. (For the record, I fall into the later camp, and I'm completely indifferent to Miranda Hart.) If I'm wrong, at least I can tick the Piccadilly off my list of London theatres. (Yes, I know that's sad.)
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Post by infofreako on Jun 14, 2017 13:03:52 GMT
I like Miranda Hart, I hate Annie, not for its lack of deep social commentary or failure to adequately deal with the issues it raises. Its just a show that irritates me (Matilda does too as did Billy Elliot)
I may go to see this but purely because my daughter absolutely loves Miranda. I dont expect to like it at all but maybe i will be surprised
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 13:13:27 GMT
Saw it yesterday and thought it was one of the worst productions I have seen in a West End theatre (and as an oldie I have seen some pretty terrible stuff in my time). I didn't expect much from Miranda Hart and she fulfilled my expectations. Just dire. How many decent shows are being kept out of London by this dross doesn't even bear thinking about! Roll on January! Out of interest and I've seen similar comments about Miranda Hart in the show ("I can't stand her", "I never found her funny", that kind of thing) so can I ask, if you weren't a fan of Miranda in the first place what was it about the show that made you want to see it? Also, she's probably in less than half of it, was there anything else about it that made it one of the worst productions you've seen? I am genuinely interested so it'll be good to hear your thoughts. Wanted to see Annie as I had fond memories of seeing Sheila Hancock and Stratford Johns in the original London production at the VP. You see back then the show was the star, a big thumping successful new blockbuster from Broadway with celebrated actors taking the lead adult roles. This revival has all been built around having tv celeb/comic MH in it. Just look at the exterior of the theatre. And yes, she is in only half of it but unless you are given a taste of the harsh reality of life in the orphanage (albeit in musical theatre style) her 'rescue' at the end doesn't have the impact. It is a flimsy show that hadn't stood the test of time as other shows have from that era, but that's why it's even more important that if you are going to stunt cast, they can do it. Thought the sound was terrible....if you can't hear it because it is overly amplified and becomes distorted you might as well go home and watch the DVD of the film. Orphans were all in competition with each other as to who could be loudest. No charm at all.Could go on and on... Alex Bourne gave the best performance for me. That was it. |
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Post by showbizkid on Jun 15, 2017 15:27:00 GMT
Saw this last night. A sweet cheap show with not enough bodies on stage. Set almost non existent around its stolen Matilda jigsaw like odd design. Worst set for an Annie I've ever seen.
Amanda or Miranda or whatever her name is was dreadful. She can't sing and her acting was surprisingly bad too, no range in her voice, character and she wasn't even funny.
The Annie we had (don't know name) was actually very good as were the rest of the cast including the dog. Felt like a touring show and expected much better. Cute kids of course.
Glad I saw it but won't go again and hope it doesn't extend. A cute 6/10
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2017 15:35:58 GMT
Amanda was dreadful. She can't sing and her acting was surprisingly bad too, no range in her voice, character and she wasn't even funny. *Miranda |
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Post by partytentdown on Jun 15, 2017 19:53:58 GMT
Bloody awful. Cheap set, threadbare ensemble, under-rehearsed understudies (and no, illness is not an excuse, you're a west end show so you should have understudies who can adequately cover illness and not leave gaping gaps in your ensemble). I've never seen the film or the show and to be frank, the whole thing came across as a little creepy. Billionaire sends out his assistant to local orphanages to bring home a little girl (though he would have preferred a boy)? Sad, I know, but in this day and age this all seemed rather dark.
Neither a fan nor a hater of Hart's previous work but her accent was terrible, her singing and dancing mediocre - could have got away with it if she wasn't so heavily hyped (the theatre is covered in her face). I don't blame her for taking what is apparently a dream role but the producers should be ashamed of cashing in on a famous name in a dire show. Punters deserve better than this.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Jun 15, 2017 22:16:01 GMT
Bloody awful. Cheap set, threadbare ensemble, under-rehearsed understudies (and no, illness is not an excuse, you're a west end show so you should have understudies who can adequately cover illness and not leave gaping gaps in your ensemble). I've never seen the film or the show and to be frank, the whole thing came across as a little creepy. Billionaire sends out his assistant to local orphanages to bring home a little girl (though he would have prepared a boy)? Sad, I know, but in this day and age this all seemed rather dark. Neither a fan nor a hater of Hart's previous work but her accent was terrible, her singing and dancing mediocre - could have got away with it if she wasn't so heavily hyped (the theatre is covered in her face). I don't blame her for taking what is apparently a dream role but the producers should be ashamed of cashing in on a famous name in a dire show. Punters deserve better than this. Yes! Someone else who realises how dark this show is. |
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 15, 2017 22:45:34 GMT
Yes! Someone else who realises how dark this show is. Well the show is 40 years old (written in 1977) and we live in a very different time now, and it is problematic judging that time with todays standards. The show after all was based on a comic strip, so perhaps not to be taken too seriously or literally. It's not a "dark" show as written at the time. It's schmaltzy and formulaic - I loathe the show. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2017 11:41:54 GMT
When millionaires decry homelessness, they're challenged by internet crusaders to put their money where their mouth is and home the homeless themselves. When a billionare in a musical actually decides to give one a home, he's muttered about on the internet as though he's doing something unwholesome. They just can't win!  |
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Post by mallardo on Jun 16, 2017 12:04:29 GMT
Yes! Someone else who realises how dark this show is. Well the show is 40 years old (written in 1977) and we live in a very different time now, and it is problematic judging that time with todays standards. The show after all was based on a comic strip, so perhaps not to be taken too seriously or literally. It's not a "dark" show as written at the time. It's schmaltzy and formulaic - I loathe the show.
It should be remembered that the original cartoon concept of Annie was completely changed for the musical in 1977. Harold Gray, the author of the strip Little Orphan Annie, was an ardent right winger who blamed the depression on its victims - they didn't work hard enough - and was so appalled by the election of FDR that he killed off Daddy Warbucks because the two couldn't coexist. Warbucks was resurrected after Roosevelt died. But Gray would have been horrified at FDR's presence in the show and would have seen We'd Like To Thank You Herbert Hoover as heresy.
The point is, yes, times change. Little Orphan Annie, the cartoon, was even more outdated in 1977 than Annie, the musical, is now - according to some here. |
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 17, 2017 22:45:16 GMT
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned in the tread but is there any merchandise for this show? Specially trying to determine the cost of a poster (if they sell them).
Thanking you in advance.
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Post by TallPaul on Jun 19, 2017 13:12:55 GMT
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned in the tread but is there any merchandise for this show? Specially trying to determine the cost of a poster (if they sell them). Thanking you in advance. The 'official' website does state that merchandise is on sale before, after and during the interval, but doesn't go into any detail. Sorry!
www.anniewestend.com/ticket-information (bottom right).
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Post by TallPaul on Jun 20, 2017 12:36:01 GMT
Tonnes of it, stand in the foyer as you go in and leave. Cuddly dogs, posters, you name it. Didn't notice prices, though. People who stand in the foyer of theatres really annoy me. Just shift, will you!!! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jun 29, 2017 18:11:26 GMT
I saw this, this afternoon.
Swear I saw exactly the same production in Southampton and Dartford, the shaky sets were I timely reminder, however the sets weren't the only shaky thing on display, loved particularly Alex Bourne as Mr Starbucks and the little girl who played the title role, who was adorable as well as all the other talented children. However I cannot see Miss Miranda Hart threatening Imedia Staunton and the Olivier committee next year, I found her performance unconvincing and had a lot in common with Richard Hammond
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 29, 2017 18:17:09 GMT
Tonnes of it, stand in the foyer as you go in and leave. Cuddly dogs, posters, you name it. Didn't notice prices, though. Can I get an Annie pedestial mat ? |
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 29, 2017 18:17:19 GMT
Swear I saw exactly the same production in Southampton and Dartford I presume you did, as this is the transfer of that UK Tour  |
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Post by daniel on Jun 29, 2017 21:57:23 GMT
I saw this, this afternoon. Swear I saw exactly the same production in Southampton and Dartford, the shaky sets were I timely reminder, however the sets weren't the only shaky thing on display, loved particularly Alex Bourne as Mr Starbucks and the little girl who played the title role, who was adorable as well as all the other talented children. However I cannot see Miss Miranda Hart threatening Imedia Staunton and the Olivier committee next year, I found her performance unconvincing and had a lot in common with Richard HammondCan you expand on that at all? If you were insinuating something along the lines of "car crash" then I think that's extremely distasteful. Maybe I'm just sensitive, but I think there's other, more appropriate ways of describing someone's performance than comparing to a near-fatal car accident. If not, ignore me, I'll jump right off my high horse. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 3, 2017 14:59:30 GMT
Oh, I thought That Richard Hammond escaped again and thankfully, with only a broken kneecap,which is very light considering it was a 120mph.
If you are so offended I would avoid Mock the Week, so go and jump on your high horse.
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