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Post by n1david on Dec 6, 2019 12:54:56 GMT
Not only is it in Southwark 4-11 Jan, but following Southwark Playhouse's announcement yesterday, it has another run 14-23 May, this time in the Large.
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Post by danb on Dec 6, 2019 12:59:29 GMT
They’ve just announced a movie of the story too.
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1,351 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on Jan 6, 2020 15:47:03 GMT
Having missed this at the New Diorama last year, I finally caught it at Southwark yesterday and LOVED it. Might just have to go back again during its May run  |
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Post by alece10 on Jan 9, 2020 16:24:26 GMT
Based on the comments and quite a good Times review I have booked to see this when it returns to Southwark in May.
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Post by cherokee on Jan 22, 2020 8:43:05 GMT
I really enjoyed this. It's a little bit too long and could do with cutting a couple of numbers but it's performed with real gusto by an incredibly talented quintet, and the songs are brilliant too.
The standout performance for me was Jak Malone playing the older secretary, Hester. His solo about writing to her lost lover in the last war was absolutely beautiful, and his comic timing is superlative. If he's not playing King George in Hamilton in a couple of years' time, there's no justice in the world. (Which of course there isn't!)
A very strong 4 star show for me. With a couple of trims, it could easily be 5 star.
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Post by robertb213 on Mar 29, 2020 9:30:45 GMT
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1,351 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on Apr 9, 2020 14:50:38 GMT
Email update from Southwark Playhouse:
Operation Mincemeat which was due to run in The Large from 14 - 23 May 2020 will no longer be playing these dates and is currently being rescheduled, with the exact dates to be confirmed. If you have tickets, please hold onto them for now and we will be in touch regarding the dates for the new run as soon as we can. If you have tickets for the original dates you will have priority booking for the new dates, unless you request a refund in which case you will not (but can book as usual for the new dates, if you want to, subject to availability).
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4,982 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 7, 2021 10:57:54 GMT
Hurrah. It's coming back in July & August
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Post by NorthernAlien on Jun 11, 2021 20:19:02 GMT
I have finally managed to book to see this! I got my second jab yesterday, so I've booked a seat for a Saturday at the end of July. And for once, the need to only book a single ticket worked in my favour - I'm on the front row!
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Post by highonahill on Jun 11, 2021 21:45:20 GMT
I have finally managed to book to see this! I got my second jab yesterday, so I've booked a seat for a Saturday at the end of July. And for once, the need to only book a single ticket worked in my favour - I'm on the front row! Think I'm there probably on the same Saturday. Had tickets for the 'cancelled due to Covid' run so very pleased to be finally seeing it! |
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Post by jgblunners on Jul 15, 2021 10:24:30 GMT
The run at Southwark Playhouse has now been extended all the way through to September, with a press night added in August, which suggests to me that after the first two weeks of 'work in progress' performances (which have essentially now become previews) they must think that the show will be in its final version.
(also perhaps the thread title could now be changed to Southwark Playhouse intead of New Diorama?)
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Post by mkb on Jul 25, 2021 1:47:58 GMT
Well, this was a real hoot! Hard to believe this was only the second Work-in-Progress show of this run and it's not even in Previews yet. It already seems perfect.
The only problem is that the witty lyrics are delivered at such breakneck speed, it's impossible to keep up with all of them. It's quite remarkable how this incredibly talented cast of five manage to maintain the momentum for close-on three hours.
Heartily recommended five-star show. And to think I was supposed to be at Cinderella. The Gods of the Arts move in mysterious ways.
Act 1: 19:34-20:51
Act 2: 21:17-22:21
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Post by Theatre Fan on Jul 26, 2021 0:06:44 GMT
I absolutely love this show but I think I preferred version 2.0
They've changed quite a bit of the show for this run and I don't think it adds much. In fact I think they're trying to do a bit too much.
It's by no means bad, I just didn't think it was as good as the previous versions I've seen, which was a bit of shame x
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Post by NorthernAlien on Jul 27, 2021 9:28:16 GMT
I saw this on Saturday. I haven't seen it since it was three songs and a broad plot outline in a Development Evening at The Lowry sometime ago (at least three years, by my reckoning). So to me, almost all of it was 'new', and I have no idea what has been added/gone from previous 'full shows'.
I thought it was great. With my theatre practitioner hat on, I can see why it's still a Work In Progress, as there are a few bits where they need to get the tech/quick changes/scene shifts smoother. Also, and this might be because I was on the front row, the sound mix was a little off at points.
The opening number of Act 2 was an absolute jaw-dropper. It's a good job I was wearing a mask, as I think the cast would probably have seen me mouthing the words 'bl**dy h*ll' otherwise. Having not seen it since that first night at The Lowry, it had a lot less Ian Fleming than I was expecting, but that may well be a good thing. I think the song 'Roses' in Act One had just about the whole audience in tears - superb performance, and a real moment of emotion that was needed at that point to ground the ridiculousness of the Operation they were planning.
Covid protocols - they've sold all the seats, taken out the Perspex screens, and would like you to wear a mask but don't insist on it. I would say about 50% of people were. The ladies toilets are still the same as ever, meaning Social Distancing just isn't possible due to the poor bathroom design they've always suffered from. There's a one-way system to get into the building, and I think they're restricting entry to the bar to ticket holders, but it was still busy in that part of the space.
Show - 4 out of 5.
Venue - 3.5 out of 5 - sell less tickets, run more performances if you have to, and request masks unless exempt - it's too small a space overall for anything else, and the Delta variant is contagious as all heck.
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Aug 2, 2021 16:07:02 GMT
May I second the suggestion a few posts back that New Diorama be changed to Southwark Playhouse. Cheers.
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362 posts
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Post by JJShaw on Aug 2, 2021 23:22:57 GMT
Saw the show tonight, think Six mixed with Hamilton mixed with Mischief comedy, I guess?!
I am liking the trend of exploring the history of known famous people/events but the bits the public dont really know, not quite sure why it's been compared to singin' in the rain a few times, but I digress.
The show was tons of fun and has some fantastic performances, like a few above if it put my dramaturg hat on I think you could get it to be a little slicker, but the show finished a little after 10pm so I think that have been tightening it up. While the staging for the opening of act 2 was super fun I too was a bit aghast, perhaps it was my british prudishness coming out but it seemed a lot!
For a work in progress, it was in fantastic shape, and for anyone thinking of going I would certainly recommend, quite a bit of "rap" singing but it didn't grate on me like it did in Hamilton.
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Post by NorthernAlien on Aug 3, 2021 14:07:56 GMT
I follow SpitLip on Twitter, and they are currently in the midst of 'rewriting' the opening sequence - so it looks like it's still in a slight state of flux, content wise!
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 6, 2021 10:28:05 GMT
Loved this. So bright, witty and above all fun. The evening is packed with a great score, lyrics, cast and clever direction.
Hester's song in act 1 was beautiful and I loved the tirubte to Glndwr Michael at the end, touching and greatly appreciated.
I really hope this does well as it truly deserves it.
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Post by frosty on Aug 6, 2021 12:27:57 GMT
I've not heard of it until this thread, so based on the positive comments here, I've decided to ditch Carousel at Regent's Park tonight (sounds like a grim show and grim weather) and get tickets for this instead. Looking forward to something fun and uplifting and in the dry! This is why I love this board so much - I get to hear about stuff I would never be aware of.
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4,982 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 6, 2021 12:31:42 GMT
I've not heard of it until this thread, so based on the positive comments here, I've decided to ditch Carousel at Regent's Park tonight (sounds like a grim show and grim weather) and get tickets for this instead. Looking forward to something fun and uplifting and in the dry! This is why I love this board so much - I get to hear about stuff I would never be aware of. That's great to hear. I'm still undecided about how I feel about Carousel but this I loved, I'm telling friends and I'm sure I'll go again towards the end of its run. It's great to have a new home grown musical to root for |
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Post by frosty on Aug 6, 2021 12:51:27 GMT
That's great to hear. I'm still undecided about how I feel about Carousel but this I loved, I'm telling friends and I'm sure I'll go again towards the end of its run. It's great to have a new home grown musical to root for Had the weather been better, I would have given Carousel a try, there is something magical about Regent's Park on a warm evening, and if the show isn't really my thing, the venue and atmosphere makes up for it. But to be cold and wet and seeing something I probably don't like isn't a chance I want to take. And it will be nice to see something at Southwark Playhouse again without being pressed against a perspex screen! |
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Post by frosty on Aug 7, 2021 9:20:02 GMT
I LOVED this. Great fun and a really talented cast. Hester’s love letter to a dead man is really moving and the other songs are very clever and funny. It looked pretty much sold out too, and it was a bit of a shock having to actually go to the bar myself to get a drink (table service is not here to stay…shame). I think this has the potential to get bigger and more well known, it definitely has legs.
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Post by barelyathletic on Aug 15, 2021 15:03:38 GMT
Saw this again and it remains one of the best shows around and one of the most original and enjoyable new musicals I've seen in some time. Fabulous cast and songs. Wonderfully witty and super smart. And it delivers an emotional wallop not once but twice. It deserves a bigger producer getting behind it and taking it further. It could and should enjoy a great West End run in the right venue.
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Post by fiyerorocher on Aug 17, 2021 22:02:07 GMT
Absolutely loved this tonight!! Desperately hope it has a life beyond this run. And whoever did the costuming deserves huge amounts of kudos for putting Ewan Montagu in a Westminster School tie - wonderful attention to detail, even if you only notice it if you're, well, me :')
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Post by fiyerorocher on Aug 20, 2021 9:27:22 GMT
I have finally had time to process this show and I have a lot of thoughts that people in real life are very tired of hearing, so here they are to bore online people too!:
This is quite possibly the hardest working cast in London right now. There are five of them, playing dozens of characters between them, and they get very little time off stage over the two and a half hour performance. It's easy to forget that, though, because the energy does not drop for a second and the swaps between characters are so expertly done that it's difficult to believe you're watching the same actor. All of this is achieved with minimal costume changes and no real hair or makeup alternations, because it's all done so fast. Someone puts on a hat and suddenly they're a whole different person. Much like with Come From Away, this is done to wonderful effect. Additionally, some of the cast are playing role of the opposite gender with no attempt to try and hide the fact. The women just put their hair up, and the men are still wearing trousers (for the most part). You never question it - they make it work fantastically. (Also a good way to get more women into a show about a very male-dominated time and space!)
The music of this show is varied and wonderful - some of the catchiest songs I've heard in a new musical for years. Born to Lead and Making a Man are still going round and round in my head. Everything from dubstep to a ballad, with rap and jazz and other kinds of music I can't even name. The sea shanty will stick with you for days. It all fits perfectly to each character or scenario it's written for. If we don't get a cast album of this show, with Natasha Hodgson as Monty, it will be a travesty.
The piece is, admittedly, still not quite perfect. I did see the final preview so there is the potential for things to have changed prior to press night, but I doubt anything was. There are a few instances were lyrics are awkward, and a song or two that could be cut (Let Me Die in Velvet is wonderfully sung, but completely unnecessary), but you only notice things like that because everything else is so sharply honed. The comic timing is impeccable, the cast shine with talent, and the history is crazy enough to seem like fiction.
It's a real shame the first youtube search result for this show is a very critical amateur review - Operation Mincemeat needs more love and another production as soon as this one ends. They could make it bigger, expand the cast and give those five hard-working actors a break, but I think they'd lose something if they did. This works better small, possibly somewhere like the Arts. But just in case there's no where for it to move to, do yourself a favour and go and see it at the Southwark Playhouse before it closes.
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