430 posts
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Post by alison on Jun 28, 2018 19:30:28 GMT
I was there on Monday and loved it - I was already familiar with both the music and the story from the cast recording, but how wonderful to see it all come together on stage. My high side seat (N53) that I was worried about turned out to be fine, particularly for £10. I couldn't see action happening on the front of the stage on my side, and by the end of the show my legs weren't entirely happy, but the view was mostly pretty good.
I've just booked two lucky dip tickets to take the hubby in a couple of weeks (although for his sake I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we don't end up on row N again for legroom's sake).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2018 21:30:04 GMT
Well. I'm sorry to say that this one kind of washed over me a bit and I didn't really find it anywhere near as emotional as some people who were loudly sniffing all over the place. It was very funny in places, very touching in others, the three kiddie's number (Come to the Fun Home) was an absolute showstopper, some of it was genuinely lovely (although I thought there were some saggier bits towards the end) and the cast were generally very good but I can't quite put my finger on what it was. It had all of the ingredients that would normally have me weeping like Jane McDonald on a trip down memory lane but somehow it just missed and I kind of felt it had a whiff of the 'Dawson's Creek' about it. The rest of the audience clearly didn't agree though and couldn't wait to jump to their feet at the end. I guess it's a pretty hard show to really criticise.
{Re-run the Fun!}
The house reveal rightly caused ripples of excitement though. The cast were great though the show was stolen by the boy who played John (I think we might have had Eddie Martin) who was not only the nattiest dresser of the lot but he was a pretty fancy mover too and Eleanor Kane as Middle Alison was the best of the Alison trio although I did think it was nice of Sue Perkins to show up. I missed Mel though to be honest.
And as good as Jenna Russell was (and there's a great moment where she is a gal after my own heart) I don't think she really bothered that much with her Pat Sharp impression. Sadly. It's not really 'Fun House' without a ball pool and a go-kart race. I do have a few shirts where the buttons have come loose that she could take a look at though. She looks fairly nifty with a needle and thread.
Someone needs to speak to the authorities though. Those little kiddies were doing all the heavy lifting with the set (I think La Russell managed a chair). I wouldn't be surprised if they had them clearing glasses in the bar at the end of the night too.
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Jun 28, 2018 23:19:53 GMT
I think it deserves all the rave reviews. Perfect performances and visually stunning. Uplifting and heartbreaking simultaneously.
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904 posts
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Post by lonlad on Jun 28, 2018 23:36:42 GMT
It rivals the NY production and is better in 1 or 2 places. What a season the YV is having -- quite, quite incredible !
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 9:22:33 GMT
I wanted to like this
And I much enjoyed Jenna
And the small girl was excellent at singing and acting
However the two boys I saw
Could not sing at all
And the scene with the children in the funeral parlour was just not up to any sort of standard
It was like watching a nursery show
Audiences are so stupid they clap if children just come and stand on stage and they didn’t seem to notice
I also didn’t think much of Zubin Varlas singing
Overall the show is too slight
And the theme too narrow
For me to be moved
It felt unsatisfying
If it transfers
I will be interested to see the pricing
And how much they then have to discount
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 9:27:57 GMT
I found the scenes in the “revealed house”
Most moving
When the girls come home
And Jenna Russell sings her song of regret
But I felt that lots of the events before
Were glossed over and there wasn’t enough “build up” before the finale
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 9:48:46 GMT
Well. I'm sorry to say that this one kind of washed over me a bit and I didn't really find it anywhere near as emotional as some people who were loudly sniffing all over the place. It was very funny in places, very touching in others, the three kiddie's number (Come to the Fun Home) was an absolute showstopper, some of it was genuinely lovely (although I thought there were some saggier bits towards the end) and the cast were generally very good but I can't quite put my finger on what it was. It had all of the ingredients that would normally have me weeping like Jane McDonald on a trip down memory lane but somehow it just missed and I kind of felt it had a whiff of the 'Dawson's Creek' about it. The rest of the audience clearly didn't agree though and couldn't wait to jump to their feet at the end. I guess it's a pretty hard show to really criticise.
{Re-run the Fun!}
The house reveal rightly caused ripples of excitement though. The cast were great though the show was stolen by the boy who played John (I think we might have had Eddie Martin) who was not only the nattiest dresser of the lot but he was a pretty fancy mover too and Eleanor Kane as Middle Alison was the best of the Alison trio although I did think it was nice of Sue Perkins to show up. I missed Mel though to be honest.
And as good as Jenna Russell was (and there's a great moment where she is a gal after my own heart) I don't think she really bothered that much with her Pat Sharp impression. Sadly. It's not really 'Fun House' without a ball pool and a go-kart race. I do have a few shirts where the buttons have come loose that she could take a look at though. She looks fairly nifty with a needle and thread.
Someone needs to speak to the authorities though. Those little kiddies were doing all the heavy lifting with the set (I think La Russell managed a chair). I wouldn't be surprised if they had them clearing glasses in the bar at the end of the night too.
You have summed up my thoughts It felt like coming away from a meal Feeling still hungry |
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Post by nialld on Jun 29, 2018 9:49:23 GMT
Has anyone who's seen this yet read the graphic novel beforehand? Would be interested to know what you thought - I read the graphic novel a couple of years ago and it was honestly one of the best things I've ever read, I don't think I've ever read anything that felt as raw and personal, you feel like Bechdel is splurging her feelings regarding her father onto the pages but in the most beautiful manner. Whilst I thought this production was brilliant and actually did a good job on maintaining the essence of the graphic novel, I think the fact that I had read the graphic novel and loved it so much did hamper my enjoyment slightly and I think would make me see it as a 4* production rather than a 5* production. I think the comments above about it being too slight are interesting as the graphic novel feels much more epic and substantial, and Bruce definitely feels way more developed in the novel.
Having said that, I think if I hadn't read the novel beforehand I would have been completely bawled over, as it is just such an interesting story and very well done.
Also, Alison Bechdel was sitting next to me when I saw it which was a bit of a unique experience considering you're literally watching her life story on stage!
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4,778 posts
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Post by Mark on Jun 29, 2018 9:55:37 GMT
I read the graphic novel about six months after seeing the show on Broadway and really loved it
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 9:58:17 GMT
Has anyone who's seen this yet read the graphic novel beforehand? Would be interested to know what you thought . . No, I did not. In all honesty I didn't really know very much about it other than it won some Tonys, it was a musical and it had some gayers in it. Usually that's more than enough for me. I didn't know that it was a graphic novel before that. I went into this rather blind really. |
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Post by karloscar on Jun 29, 2018 11:42:27 GMT
Has anyone who's seen this yet read the graphic novel beforehand? Would be interested to know what you thought - I read the graphic novel a couple of years ago and it was honestly one of the best things I've ever read, I don't think I've ever read anything that felt as raw and personal, you feel like Bechdel is splurging her feelings regarding her father onto the pages but in the most beautiful manner. Whilst I thought this production was brilliant and actually did a good job on maintaining the essence of the graphic novel, I think the fact that I had read the graphic novel and loved it so much did hamper my enjoyment slightly and I think would make me see it as a 4* production rather than a 5* production. I think the comments above about it being too slight are interesting as the graphic novel feels much more epic and substantial, and Bruce definitely feels way more developed in the novel. Having said that, I think if I hadn't read the novel beforehand I would have been completely bawled over, as it is just such an interesting story and very well done. Also, Alison Bechdel was sitting next to me when I saw it which was a bit of a unique experience considering you're literally watching her life story on stage! Bear in mind that Ring of Keys is based on one single image in the graphic novel. With a book of so many riches it's a major editing job to know what to leave out or you end up with a big flabby mess. Lisa Kron has done an amazing job transforming Fun Home into a piece of theatre. In her first attempt at a full musical she found the right voice for the story, and the lyrics and book say far more that it first appears, and much more succinctly than most other writers manage to convey in the same amount of time. Maybe it leaves you wanting to know more, but it's no bad thing to have questions at the end of a show. |
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4,778 posts
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Post by Mark on Jun 29, 2018 13:29:27 GMT
Booked a lucky dip for two weeks time. Fingers crossed for a seat!
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155 posts
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Post by synchrony on Jun 29, 2018 15:04:53 GMT
Saw this last night after booking months ago!
I liked it. I didn't LOVE it, because I mostly didn't find the tunes very memorable. But I really liked Jenna (understated, but unlike some, I was really interested in her character's life and found her solo very moving). I also really liked Medium Alison (so awkward! Especially in the scene just before she sings Changing my Major!).
I also found the end car scene very sad.
I thought it was an excellent production of a thought-provoking show. It looked sold out to me.
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 29, 2018 15:24:30 GMT
Some posts removed. Could we discuss the show and not use the thread to criticise fellow members please. If you want to complain about a member please use the report facility - thank you
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2,676 posts
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Post by viserys on Jun 29, 2018 15:33:14 GMT
Has anyone who's seen this yet read the graphic novel beforehand? Would be interested to know what you thought - I read the graphic novel a couple of years ago and it was honestly one of the best things I've ever read
I think that was my main problem with the show when I saw it in New York. I had absolutely loved the graphic novel with its mixture of tenderness, pain and humour and I thought that the show added nothing new to that or expanded on it, just a bunch of pretty forgettable songs. Nothing what I saw on stage convinced me that it had been a good idea to spend +$100 on just seeing a terrific $15 graphic novel acted out in front of me.
Reading all the massively positively reviews here, I now really really regret that I went in New York instead of seeing it here at a fraction of the price in a more intimate venue that probably suits it much better. I can't persuade myself to see it again, but I think I would have enjoyed it more here.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 15:38:24 GMT
I'm seeing the show tomorrow, am very excited about it having heard great things from friends who saw it on Broadway!
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1,217 posts
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Post by nash16 on Jun 29, 2018 21:17:03 GMT
I think this is all but guaranteed to get a WE transfer now The set design was the giveaway of the transfer. In NYC it was in the round/square which they could have replicated here at the YV where the staging options are similarly flexible. As soon as we saw that it was an end-on stage it meant it was designed read to transfer. No idea where it's headed to though. Didn't love the show. It's pleasant, but lacks something to make one truly love it. Also the kids weren't as good as in New York. Most notably in the Come To The Fun Home number. Weirdly pedestrian... Some great performances from the dad and young & medium Alisons though. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 22:13:29 GMT
Has anyone who's seen this yet read the graphic novel beforehand? Would be interested to know what you thought - I read the graphic novel a couple of years ago and it was honestly one of the best things I've ever read
I think that was my main problem with the show when I saw it in New York. I had absolutely loved the graphic novel with its mixture of tenderness, pain and humour and I thought that the show added nothing new to that or expanded on it, just a bunch of pretty forgettable songs. Nothing what I saw on stage convinced me that it had been a good idea to spend +$100 on just seeing a terrific $15 graphic novel acted out in front of me.
Reading all the massively positively reviews here, I now really really regret that I went in New York instead of seeing it here at a fraction of the price in a more intimate venue that probably suits it much better. I can't persuade myself to see it again, but I think I would have enjoyed it more here.
Both NYC venues were intimate, so I am confused by that observation. |
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 29, 2018 23:01:57 GMT
Just re-posting to say that I saw it last night (Thurs) and am firmly in the 5* camp. It's one of the most beautiful yet devastating pieces of theatre I've ever seen and it deserves every inch of praise it gets. Not much to add as everyone who has raved about it has covered exactly what I thought!
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Jun 29, 2018 23:17:23 GMT
Just re-posting to say that I saw it last night (Thurs) and am firmly in the 5* camp. It's one of the most beautiful yet devastating pieces of theatre I've ever seen and it deserves every inch of praise it gets. Not much to add as everyone who has raved about it has covered exactly what I thought! Agree completely. To achieve heartbreaking and uplifting, simultaneously, is a rare and wonderful thing. |
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Post by lonlad on Jun 30, 2018 0:10:59 GMT
The design here is much more varied and interesting and chilling --- in a way that simply wasn't possible at Circle in the Square in NY. The original NY venue at the Public (in the theatre where HAMILTON began) was more or less the same configuration as the YV here.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jun 30, 2018 0:22:30 GMT
Who would have thought this got a knockout 5 Stars from the Reverend Quentin Letts, you cou imagine home driving with his roof down listening to My Night With Joan.
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Post by macksennett on Jun 30, 2018 6:00:28 GMT
Indeed! Anyone know what the view/seats are like in row N?
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Jun 30, 2018 8:19:42 GMT
Yes, this is indeed wonderful and profoundly affecting theatre, in every possible way. It's amazing to think that the composer of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Shrek is also the composer of Caroline, or Change and Fun Home but Jeanine Tesori proves that craftsmanship and professionalism can walk hand in hand with inspiration and, for want of a better word, genius.
I loved Zubin Varla and thought he was thoroughly credible in a hugely complex role - his final epiphany was superb. But the ladies steal this show. Eleanor Kane's I'm Changing My Major To Joan, the song and the whole scene surrounding it, was an absolute highlight while young Harriet Turnbull's passionately rendered Ring of Keys was totally nailed. And Kaisa Hammerlund as host and narrator was exactly what she had to be, pulling the threads of the plot together and coming into her own with the devastating final scene.
But it's Jenna Russell's Helen that continues to haunt me on the morning after. Others have noted how little she has to actually do but in fact she's the heart of the story. She's always there, a strong if recessed presence, until her time arrives with Days and Days, a song that so eloquently captures the desperation of a wasted life that it becomes the defining moment of the show. I thought Russell was simply beyond praise.
Let's hope this show does indeed transfer - it provides a catharsis I'm eager to relive.
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Post by partytentdown on Jun 30, 2018 9:20:28 GMT
Sorry if I loser l missed but are any previous US cast members in this or is it a fresh cast? And has the design or the structure of the show changed a lot?
Interested to know why this wasn't a straight up transfer
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