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Post by craig on Apr 15, 2023 10:47:26 GMT
As much as I want OM to extend, I hope that ATG refurbishes the Fortune as well, it badly needs it. I think it says in the programme that it was refurbished after Woman in Black closed. It certainly didnt look it. I thought it was an absolute dump! Lots of character though. It was like stepping back in time. |
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Post by mkb on Apr 15, 2023 11:53:24 GMT
The Fortune is one of only two West End houses I've never been to -- the Lyric being the other -- so revisiting Mincemeat may be the excuse I need. Will keep an eye out for offers.
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Post by dinah on Apr 15, 2023 14:15:56 GMT
Bought my parents tickets to this for Christmas and took them last weekend. We all really enjoyed the show and I’ve been recommending it all week to anyone who will listen.
We were front of the dress circle and there were a few weird sound issues that we noticed throughout - lots of whispering during quieter moments that actually sounded as if it was coming through the sound system? Not sure what was going on and if it was just an issue for previews but it wasn’t enough to detract from our enjoyment of the show! Looking forward to the cast recording coming out.
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Post by PJ on Apr 15, 2023 18:06:50 GMT
Bought my parents tickets to this for Christmas and took them last weekend. We all really enjoyed the show and I’ve been recommending it all week to anyone who will listen. We were front of the dress circle and there were a few weird sound issues that we noticed throughout - lots of whispering during quieter moments that actually sounded as if it was coming through the sound system? Not sure what was going on and if it was just an issue for previews but it wasn’t enough to detract from our enjoyment of the show! Looking forward to the cast recording coming out. That’s interesting. We were sat at the back of the Dress Circle earlier this week and I also heard whispering in 2 quiet moments. My husband was oblivious to it but I definitely heard it very clearly. |
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Post by fiyerorocher on Apr 15, 2023 18:33:29 GMT
Maybe the woman in black never left
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Post by edelweiss on Apr 15, 2023 20:53:08 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon and I know everyone has said this already, but what a phenomenal show! Fast, funny, great jokes, even better songs and brilliant choreography delivered by a fantastically talented group of 5 performers. There's such a wide range of musical styles in the show, from Hamilton-style numbers to electropop and 40s jazz, but it's weaved together so nicely that the genres never clash. Potentially spoilery comment on one aspect: {Spoiler}{Spoiler - click to view}
I found the gender-swapped casting really interesting! At the beginning, I assumed the only swap would be women playing men, but Hester being played by a man made a really refreshing change as well. Rather than using Jak Malone's Hester as a stereotypical Mrs Brown's Boys-esque comedy character, they really tapped into her backstory and emotions, which was lovely to see. I just thought the genderblindness was done so well and not in a gimmicky way at all. Can anyone confirm if this casting been the case throughout all the iterations of the show? Thrilled to hear the cast recording is coming soon as I need to listen to the songs again! I'm sure I missed so many gems in the theatre. Easy 5 stars. |
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Post by Sam on Apr 16, 2023 12:39:49 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon and I know everyone has said this already, but what a phenomenal show! Fast, funny, great jokes, even better songs and brilliant choreography delivered by a fantastically talented group of 5 performers. There's such a wide range of musical styles in the show, from Hamilton-style numbers to electropop and 40s jazz, but it's weaved together so nicely that the genres never clash. Potentially spoilery comment on one aspect: {Spoiler}{Spoiler - click to view}
I found the gender-swapped casting really interesting! At the beginning, I assumed the only swap would be women playing men, but Hester being played by a man made a really refreshing change as well. Rather than using Jak Malone's Hester as a stereotypical Mrs Brown's Boys-esque comedy character, they really tapped into her backstory and emotions, which was lovely to see. I just thought the genderblindness was done so well and not in a gimmicky way at all. Can anyone confirm if this casting been the case throughout all the iterations of the show? Thrilled to hear the cast recording is coming soon as I need to listen to the songs again! I'm sure I missed so many gems in the theatre. Easy 5 stars. {Spoiler - click to view} It was that way at Riverside last year, and on soundcloud there is a version of Dear Bill from the New Diorama 3 years ago with the same actor singing. Dear Bill Live at the New Diorama |
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Post by edelweiss on Apr 16, 2023 14:14:34 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon and I know everyone has said this already, but what a phenomenal show! Fast, funny, great jokes, even better songs and brilliant choreography delivered by a fantastically talented group of 5 performers. There's such a wide range of musical styles in the show, from Hamilton-style numbers to electropop and 40s jazz, but it's weaved together so nicely that the genres never clash. Potentially spoilery comment on one aspect: {Spoiler}{Spoiler - click to view}
I found the gender-swapped casting really interesting! At the beginning, I assumed the only swap would be women playing men, but Hester being played by a man made a really refreshing change as well. Rather than using Jak Malone's Hester as a stereotypical Mrs Brown's Boys-esque comedy character, they really tapped into her backstory and emotions, which was lovely to see. I just thought the genderblindness was done so well and not in a gimmicky way at all. Can anyone confirm if this casting been the case throughout all the iterations of the show? Thrilled to hear the cast recording is coming soon as I need to listen to the songs again! I'm sure I missed so many gems in the theatre. Easy 5 stars. {Spoiler - click to view} It was that way at Riverside last year, and on soundcloud there is a version of Dear Bill from the New Diorama 3 years ago with the same actor singing. Dear Bill Live at the New DioramaThanks for the reply and link! So looks like it's been part of the show from the beginning then. Also, at the theatre yesterday there were signs saying the performance would be filmed - I'm assuming this is for their own records, as they're in previews and probably still making small changes to the show. Or they could have been gathering material for a trailer for the show, but I'm not sure if trailer clips are usually taken from a live performance or if they're filmed separately. |
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Post by raiseitup on Apr 16, 2023 16:50:15 GMT
I saw a poster in Battersea this afternoon that had a 'extended to August 12' message on it. Can't see any confirmation of that online though. So now I'm doubting that that's what I read...
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Post by sam22 on Apr 16, 2023 22:40:56 GMT
A very rare 5 stars from me. I thought it was fabulous. I didn't really know what to expect and only ended up going necause of the preview prices as wouldn't have bothered if not. It was hilarious! The cast work so hard, amazing what they do with only five of them. I saw a review which said part Mel Brooks, part Hamilton and part Six which I think is pretty accurate. Surely it is going to extend (perhaps subject to reviewing their prices...), I'd happily go back again and have been raving about it to friends.
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Post by missbabs on Apr 17, 2023 16:06:19 GMT
Does anyone know when the Press Night is? Trying to anticipate when to book tickets and hopefully avoid the rush of bookings which will follow on from reviews! I noticed on Twitter they said this is the last week of previews. Thanks in advance.
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 17, 2023 17:09:33 GMT
Does anyone know when the Press Night is worked it out to be 9 May. |
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Post by fiyerorocher on Apr 17, 2023 17:45:11 GMT
I was told by someone else - if it's wrong I take no responsibility...!
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Post by missbabs on Apr 17, 2023 17:50:11 GMT
Does anyone know when the Press Night is worked it out to be 9 May. Many thanks to you both! |
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Post by Matt on Apr 17, 2023 20:12:43 GMT
They said there will be 2 press nights, 9th and 10th. |
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Post by missbabs on Apr 18, 2023 7:58:39 GMT
They said there will be 2 press nights, 9th and 10th. Perfect, thanks. Booking this for June and very excited. |
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Post by craig on Apr 18, 2023 10:05:28 GMT
Just listened to Dear Bill on Soundcloud and had a little cry.
What a quiet and considered tour de force of musical theatre writing and performance.
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Post by Matt on Apr 18, 2023 21:34:20 GMT
Saw this for the 3rd time tonight, the first at the fortune, and MY GOD it’s even more incredible. All the set, prop, lighting, and costume improvements have polished it up so much. The glitzy finale is INCREDIBLE and nothing like I imagined it to be. The critics are just gonna love this (again) aren’t they? I’ve never seen a whole audience get up on their feet so quickly at the end. Jak Malone needs to win all the awards, but will this be eligible for oliviers? I’m not too familiar with the rules.
It’s still the best musical I’ve seen in the west end for a very long time, it’s literally faultless. I just hope they do something about the pricing to make sure they don’t stunt their continuation.
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Post by Mark on Apr 18, 2023 21:48:34 GMT
If you’re gonna transfer a show from a small simple off west end production to the West End then this is how you do it! So tight, and brilliantly done. The score is still top notch, I just loved it. And that finale - I was spellbound glad to see the plane from Drowsy Chaperone getting another outing  This fits the fortune so well, and ATG must be happy with their bar takings compared to the school groups at Woman in Black. I hope this extends to have a decent run. That said, they’re really gonna need to bring in a different pricing structure once the main run gets going. |
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Post by Jon on Apr 18, 2023 23:39:52 GMT
If you’re gonna transfer a show from a small simple off west end production to the West End then this is how you do it! So tight, and brilliantly done. The score is still top notch, I just loved it. And that finale - I was spellbound glad to see the plane from Drowsy Chaperone getting another outing This fits the fortune so well, and ATG must be happy with their bar takings compared to the school groups at Woman in Black. I hope this extends to have a decent run. That said, they’re really gonna need to bring in a different pricing structure once the main run gets going. I thought this when I went to get a programme at the Dress Circle bar before the show and there was a line. |
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Post by bwayboy22 on Apr 19, 2023 9:08:52 GMT
Saw this at Riverside and caught it again last night! Loved it! Seems like there was a missed cue and a phone didn't ring on time. They improvised a couple of lines and the cast was cracking up. I love when stuff like that happens! Thought Dear Bill was so touching. The finale is amazing! I booked again to see it next month before I go back home. Super fabulous!
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Post by jamb0r on Apr 19, 2023 10:14:23 GMT
Another 5 stars from me! Echo everything everyone has already said. Caught this at Southwark and Riverside Studios previously and this has now turned into a truly perfect show. A fantastic night out!
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Post by theatremiss on Apr 19, 2023 16:47:32 GMT
So happy to see such great reviews and comments, not just here but from friends, as I have booked to see it just before it closes
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Post by Rory on Apr 19, 2023 16:51:15 GMT
I will be amazed if this closes in July.
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Post by n1david on Apr 19, 2023 16:58:00 GMT
Gosh there were a lot of us there last night! Can only echo the comments made already - it's the third time I've seen it, twice before at Southwark (once in horribly restricted seats so it's a sign of the show that I went back).
The show is expanded nicely but doesn't lose any of its charm, there's a bit more dancing, a lavish finale but it's fundamentally the same show as it was before. No idea how the cast keep up the energy but I do see that there are understudies listed in the programme now. The show is just so clever, funny and ultimately poignant that I am keen to see it again (and I am not normally a person who returns to shows)
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