|
|
Post by theatre241 on Apr 12, 2019 18:54:45 GMT
is this sold out?
|
|
3,320 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 12, 2019 22:04:37 GMT
Just had a look at random dates during the run. Plenty of seats still available both in the stalls and circle. Best availability seems to be middle to end of the run. |
|
|
|
Post by theatre241 on Apr 14, 2019 17:02:42 GMT
Just had a look at random dates during the run. Plenty of seats still available both in the stalls and circle. Best availability seems to be middle to end of the run. Thank you very much! Anymore reports on this not sure whether to trek to Liverpool from Manchester aha |
|
3,320 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 14, 2019 17:05:24 GMT
Just had a look at random dates during the run. Plenty of seats still available both in the stalls and circle. Best availability seems to be middle to end of the run. Thank you very much! Anymore reports on this not sure whether to trek to Liverpool from Manchester aha I'm watching it tomorrow night. I'll post my thoughts on it. |
|
|
|
Post by theatre241 on Apr 14, 2019 17:19:12 GMT
Ok haven't seen weeny in a long time. I saw the WNO production of it because my cousin played Joanna
|
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Apr 15, 2019 7:43:01 GMT
Myself and my daughter off to see this soon so would welcome some reviews,please,to know what to expect
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2019 18:27:30 GMT
Some razor-sharp performances, cut-throat action and ingredients they don't use on Masterchef, basically, I guess. What flavour ice cream is being sold at the interval? Priest or poet? |
|
3,320 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 15, 2019 20:21:19 GMT
Just a few interval thoughts -
A very minimalist set - just a few chairs and props.
Done in modern dress. Less Victorian era and more 1990s style.
An orchestra of 4 that plays just off stage.
Sound mixing an issue. I’m on Row B and it’s difficult to make out some of the lyrics at times as the orchestra overpowers the vocals. I can’t see any mics on the actors.
Not any real gore yet. A distinct lack of blood.
Currently estimating a 3hr run time.
|
|
|
|
Post by theatre241 on Apr 15, 2019 20:55:00 GMT
Very interesting! Wonder how it will work in the round
|
|
3,320 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 15, 2019 22:19:37 GMT
A few post show thoughts -
1. A revolve is used as the main stage, though the gangways are used during the performance so you may occasionally get an actor performing next to you (as I did being on the end of a row). As the actors when not on stage sit on chairs around the revolve, I did get a few instances of being unable to see the on stage stuff. Though I think you would get this whatever side you sit on to be fair.
2. There is the occasional breaking of the 4th wall during the show. Though their is no real audience participation involved. Generally this is kept to rows A and B.
3. As there are no sets in this production, you really do have to do a lot of work in trying to set the locations yourself in your head. I didn’t think putting the cast in modern dress was beneficial here. I appreciate that the production has both financial and physical limitations in what can be achieved, though I think have the period costumes would have helped a little.
4. The sound issues did continue in Act 2. It seems, that a few of the older patrons around me had a similar problem in that the sound level of the orchestra did at times overpower the on stage vocals. I would definitely look at using body mics for the cast if they are not already being used. Though being sat only a few feet away from the orchestra (stalls B72) probably didn’t help the situation. Hopefully the sound issue might improve as previews continue.
5. Acting wise. No real issues for me. Though there wasn’t any particular individual standout performance acting or singing wise.
6. Considering it is quite a dark and murderous plot, the use of fake blood was really sparse over the 3hrs. Though there is some near the end, it really isn’t a lot. There is a lot of red lighting instead.
I’ll post a few more in depth thoughts tomorrow when I have had time to chew over what I’ve seen tonight.
Overall, I thought what I watched tonight was ok (no standing ovations) but I wouldn’t make a return trip to watch it. It’s certainly a different take on the story.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 6:21:03 GMT
You don't seem overly impressed davidIs this a case of a dud or just something that will find its feet over time? When you say 'orchestra', could you describe that further, know its limited to 4 players. |
|
3,320 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 16, 2019 7:07:00 GMT
You don't seem overly impressed david Is this a case of a dud or just something that will find its feet over time? When you say 'orchestra', could you describe that further, know its limited to 4 players. Having had a chance to chew over last nights performance and reread my my post show thoughts, I don’t think they got a good sound balance between the orchestra and the vocals. Whether being sat only a few feet away from the orchestra didn’t help the issue, I’m not too sure. In in terms of the orchestra you get a keyboard, clarinet, violin, double bass and trumpet. Timing wise Act 1 was around 90mins and Act 2 around the 70 min mark. For me Act 2 was definitely the stronger of the 2 Acts. Though overall I didn’t get that WOW feeling of seeing something special either acting or singing wise. Maybe as you say, once the production beds in more it will find it feet. As I haven’t seen any other Todd productions prior to last night, so I can’t really make any comparisons to other productions. I’m going to reread the programme notes tonight after work. Hopefully that may clarify why certain production design decisions were taken. |
|
61 posts
|
Post by dgjbear on Apr 16, 2019 7:41:53 GMT
These days this seems to be revived regularly (the last one I saw was a Welsh National Opera one which was enjoyable). Whilst I always loved Sweeney Todd I have no desire to see yet another take on it and feel that it might benefit from being withdrawn for a while.
|
|
|
|
Post by theatre241 on Apr 16, 2019 8:34:50 GMT
Did the revolve work well David ?
|
|
3,320 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 16, 2019 8:39:43 GMT
Did the revolve work well David ? the revolve was moved manually rather than via any complex engineering system. Basically people with poles and using their feet to get it going and for stopping! Apart from that no issues with it. |
|
|
|
Post by theatre241 on Apr 16, 2019 8:52:03 GMT
That’s very interesting don’t know whether or not to trek to Liverpool from Manchester. Would you think it’s worth it or not? And I’m not a huge fan of really small bands I just don’t think they make a big enough sound like in RAGs at the hope mill except they used actor musicians but the offstage band just sounded like a piano accompaniment.
|
|
4,988 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 16, 2019 9:42:25 GMT
That’s very interesting don’t know whether or not to trek to Liverpool from Manchester. Would you think it’s worth it or not? And I’m not a huge fan of really small bands I just don’t think they make a big enough sound like in RAGs at the hope mill except they used actor musicians but the offstage band just sounded like a piano accompaniment. With the right orchestration a small band can be a truly wonderful thing. Especially with Sondheim as he was trained by a classical composer and so his musicalality is one of detail and nuance |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 9:48:48 GMT
That’s very interesting don’t know whether or not to trek to Liverpool from Manchester. Would you think it’s worth it or not? And I’m not a huge fan of really small bands I just don’t think they make a big enough sound like in RAGs at the hope mill except they used actor musicians but the offstage band just sounded like a piano accompaniment. With the right orchestration a small band can be a truly wonderful thing. Especially with Sondheim as he was trained by a classical composer and so his musicalality is one of detail and nuance Amen. Something I saw last year consisted of Piano, Violin, Cello and was wonderful. |
|
3,320 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 16, 2019 10:02:22 GMT
That’s very interesting don’t know whether or not to trek to Liverpool from Manchester. Would you think it’s worth it or not? And I’m not a huge fan of really small bands I just don’t think they make a big enough sound like in RAGs at the hope mill except they used actor musicians but the offstage band just sounded like a piano accompaniment. Having seen shows, particularly with Sondheim where a small is used can have mixed results in my opinion. Having watched A Little Night Music last year at the Chester Storyhouse, the small band really were great in playing the music and it was really nice to listen to. In ST, I personally didn’t get that same feeling. To answer your question about making the trip over from Manchester, I might wait a while and let it get some more performances under its belt. |
|
|
|
Post by theatre241 on Apr 16, 2019 11:36:44 GMT
Yes I might do the last weekend. I do like going to see things at the end of the run because I think the performances are more developed
|
|
3,320 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 16, 2019 19:04:21 GMT
Having had a chance to reread the programme notes (which are in a proper programme format and cost £3.50, don’t contain a list of the musical numbers 😡 ), the main objective of the production team is to move away from the more traditional Sweeney Todd Victorian setting and move it into a more modern setting (more akin to Boys From the Blackstuff) with a dark combination of social realism and gallows humour with a bare-bones approach to its staging (the dozen chairs and a few token props. Though there are lots of pies used (thankfully not the cast offs from Waitress!)).
Personally, having sat in Row B 72, which although close to the stage, I’d probably have chosen a seat further back and away from the orchestra to try and resolve both sight line issues due to cast members sitting in front of me and blocking the view on the revolve when not performing as well as trying to stay away from the orchestra section who where near me.
With respect to the musical score, the idea was to build up from starting a piano score rather than take the more symphonic score and dismantle it. The plan was to try and reproduce the score on a available musical resources to the theatre. As I posted earlier, I think this was an issue for me. Having watched ALNM in Chester last year, that Sondheim score was beautifully realised with a small orchestra. Here, I didn’t think it did that with the Sweeney Todd score.
Liam Tobin, who was part of the 2018 Everyman Company Rep season played Todd with good effect. He managed to convey the anger and evil of the character that we know. Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo from EastEnders), although not particularly vocally strong in my opinion, did play Mrs Lovett with a nice comedic touch, but was able to bring out the darker side to the character.
Comedic relief came from Dean Nolan as Pirelli during his number (Pirelli’s Magical Elixir).
I think the production does suffer from not having clearly defined locations of the different Acts, though this is the impact of the non-frills approach taken here. Though the lighting, particularly in Act 2 is particularly effective in conveying the darker elements of the plot in the absence of fake blood.
|
|
4,988 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 17, 2019 9:55:54 GMT
|
|
19,788 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 27, 2019 16:35:47 GMT
Just saw the matinee in a very rainswept Liverpool. Hated the first 20 minutes but had completely changed my mind by the interval. This production is reminiscent of the WYP version, we even have Mrs L scuttling round the stage in a similar pair of ASDA trainers. It’s deffo one to see for the acting more than the singing, although nobody embarrassed themselves. Act 2 was suitably dark, could have done with some real blood flying about though.
Very enjoyable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
|
|
146 posts
|
Post by matilda1 on Apr 28, 2019 8:38:42 GMT
I saw this last night, and i have to say that i found it distinctly average.
Mrs Lovett was good, as was Pirelli and at times the Judge. My biggest bug bear, however is the lack of singing ability amongst the cast. This is a musical after all, and the lack of singing ability detracted from the overall performance.
Would anybody agree that Kacey Ainsworth might make a good Mme Thenardier?
|
|
19,788 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 28, 2019 9:50:57 GMT
I saw this last night, and i have to say that i found it distinctly average. Mrs Lovett was good, as was Pirelli and at times the Judge. My biggest bug bear, however is the lack of singing ability amongst the cast. This is a musical after all, and the lack of singing ability detracted from the overall performance. Would anybody agree that Kacey Ainsworth might make a good Mme Thenardier?Yes, she would. Re-use that accent again! Little Mo, Mrs Lovett, Madame T... It’s a no brainer! |
|
