Hairspray - London Coliseum

That's him!

Not everyone

Just got 25 quid todaytix rush tickets for tonight - stalls Row E. What a bargain. So excited to see this :-)

Enjoy Rocky Horror and Southampton - I'm at MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton tomorrow to see Educating Rita.

I saw this yesterday afternoon. It was quite a late booking. I'd been trying for Rush but they only offered double seats. Suddenly they offered singles too and I snapped up a ticket in the Grand Circle.

Four entrances to get in. Three with massive queues. The one in the centre with no queue, which is the one I used (having had it helpfully pointed out by one of the security staff).

TodayTix don't give you a barcode, but I was told I didn't have to pick up a ticket. It did cause a bit of confusion with the person checking my ticket.

Very good mask wearing throughout.

Then the fun started with a rather flustered usher, as it turned out five separate parties were booked for the same seat! Two of us, I think had booked on the day. At least one had booked a month in advance and had had a long journey to the theatre.

I tried to stay out of the way, but then found myself promoted to usher (possibly because I was wearing a shirt). The real usher was busy on his radio trying to make sense of the situation. I did help quite a few people find their way, but not sure when I get paid!

Anyway, about 3:05pm (bearing in mind the show as meant to start at 3pm), we were taken downstairs and I ended up at the centre of the second row of the Royal Circle, in what would often be a £200 seat. Still miles from the stage, but an excellent view. Then a few minutes later, they started the show.

Quite a few empty seats around, but all in the areas costing £100 or more.

The people behind me were very impressed there was a table with their drinks on during the interval (but I'm sure they had paid for this). They were also discussing how well they'd done "turning the film into a show". Apart from that, I assume lots of people got included drinks and snacks as the ice rattling and packet opening got quite annoying.

The show itself? Very enjoyable and a feel good afternoon. Chris Howells was on as the male authority figure, but I didn't see any cast notifications anywhere.

I will go back. Hopefully for a seat on my own and hopefully for one in the Stalls.

He did a turn as Mazeppa from Gypsy in 'Roles we'll never play' - he certainly doesn't take himself too seriously and was good in the other stuff I've seen him in.  However, whenever I see him I immediately think "Wow, I can't believe Charlie Brooker is working in theatre now"!

At the risk of this becoming the Christopher Howell thread, I remember during one matinee of 42nd Street he 'suggested', while still in character, that the early ovators sit back down, as the best was yet to come.

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Further to my post earlier I’m prepared to accept offers for the ticket - or even give it away for a programme and large Sauvignon Blanc

This show’s on fire, the sheer energy of the entire cast just lifts you to that happy place where we all long to be. Miss it at your peril. To use a tired old, but accurate, phrase this should be prescribed on the NHS!. 💋

Nabbed a Rush ticket today in row B dress circle, which saved a hefty £125 over the full price, great view from there and spent a totally joyous two and a half hours. The whole cast are superb but "that song" between Michael Ball and Les Dennis with its numerous false finishes had me laughing almost uncontrollably. They seemed to lose it completely at one point but I guess that's all carefully planned.

There were around 200 seats available in the stalls and dress circle when I looked last night but couldn't see an empty seat this afternoon. The power of a bargain indeed.  I usually only book front row stalls but at the London Coliseum that's still so far from the stage it's not the same as most theatres. I'd choose dress circle again here.

I expected to hear some chatting but audience behaviour around me impeccable. The three children aged 6-12ish in row A with mum and nan were clearly all enjoying every moment but didn't talk over the performances once. Even ate their popcorn quietly !

The increase in Sunday performances suits me well and 4pm is an ideal start time, I think eventually almost every West End show will include a Sunday matinee around that time. The potential audience on Sunday must be greater than on a Monday or Tuesday evening and it should work well for coach parties.

Was Lukie George on as Link Larkin?

Thats good to hear. He was a great ensemble member in 42nd Street.