|
Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2021 8:40:13 GMT
Just rowing back to my earlier question about the view for the grand circle for this. Has anyone had experience watching from up there please? Thanks. Haven't been up there in years, but the information here might help you:
|
|
1,196 posts
|
Post by theatrefan77 on Oct 2, 2021 12:10:21 GMT
The upper side feels very far away from the action and the seats have no armrests. The lower part is better from A to E, but the leg room is almost non existent unless you are on the aisle, but then the view will be restricted. There is no middle aisle, only side.
|
|
292 posts
|
Post by properjob on Oct 3, 2021 20:58:01 GMT
I saw this today and the board's collective wisdom has come through again. It is as already described in this thread. The projection, set and stage effects are amazing but the new songs are instantly forgotten.
The dancing girls that keep appearing are aesthetically lovely but artistically jarring.
I saw it with a rush ticket which are excellent value but I would not have wanted to pay the ordinary prices they are asking.
It reminds me in one aspect of the infamous "Spiderman turn of the dark". In that they needed some background music for a disco scene so used one of U2's existing hits which when I heard made me think this is a great tune, pity there aren't any in the actual show. This is the same whenever there is a whisper of the theme tune or "power of love" it shows how memorable a great tune can be and the new songs just aren't.
|
|
|
Post by mrnutz on Oct 8, 2021 14:17:58 GMT
I went into this last night with very low expectations but actually really enjoyed it! As already said by many the songs are mostly poor and forgettable. But the spectacle of the whole thing blew me away.
Understudy Marty was on and did a decent job but I would have liked to see Olly Dobson.
A perhaps-slightly-overgenerous 4 stars from me (mostly for the tech).
|
|
4,158 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Oct 13, 2021 16:29:31 GMT
I loved it this afternoon. It was fun and nostalgic and the spectacle of it was impressive. I think the did it hugely well. I had the understudy Marty on who was fantastic and I adored Roger Bart. It was a wonderful performance by him and I think he could be in line for the olivier. I mean you could say the (new) songs weren't needed....but some of them did add something or create some good musical theatre moments. I actually liked the moments where they nodded to it being a musical and added the knowing stagey moments. Overall I loved it and had a great time.
4 stars
|
|
|
Post by mattnyc on Oct 15, 2021 22:00:27 GMT
Does anyone know if Olly was back in the show tonight?
|
|
|
Post by partytentdown on Oct 16, 2021 13:02:05 GMT
What would everyone advise as the best seats for around the £50 each mark?
|
|
2,557 posts
|
Post by viserys on Oct 16, 2021 13:16:26 GMT
definitely not front stalls, go for circle
|
|
375 posts
|
Post by Theatre Fan on Oct 16, 2021 16:43:54 GMT
Hugh Coles (George McFly) is off with Covid. Made a very amusing vid to say as much lol
One of the highlights of the show IMO, he's absolutely uncanny x
|
|
6,310 posts
|
Post by danb on Oct 16, 2021 17:56:31 GMT
definitely not front stalls, go for circle What she says x
|
|
642 posts
|
Post by greeny11 on Oct 16, 2021 18:17:26 GMT
Hugh Coles (George McFly) is off with Covid. Made a very amusing vid to say as much lol One of the highlights of the show IMO, he's absolutely uncanny x I think he's back now based on his latest Instagram story. I would agree that he is one of the standouts in this show, very funny and endearing.
|
|
885 posts
|
Post by lonlad on Oct 16, 2021 20:58:19 GMT
He was FAB in the show and I love him even more now !
|
|
4,158 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Oct 17, 2021 12:10:44 GMT
How long has he been out? I saw it on Wednesday and I'm sure it looked like him in the role but then it seems he's been cooped up for several days by that video? Maybe I did have the understudy.
|
|
642 posts
|
Post by greeny11 on Oct 17, 2021 16:38:55 GMT
According to West End Understudies, his cover made his debut September 22nd and was on for all the shows that week, so I suspect that's when he had it. I would imagine the editing will be why he's just posted it now.
|
|
|
Post by thebaker on Oct 17, 2021 19:07:22 GMT
I was fortunate enough to catch this last night! The cast is brilliant and have clearly studied the film and captured the essence of the screen characterisations. I’m not usually a fan of stage adaptations of films but I thought they really expanded on the film and added some nice touches for stage; it was a lot funnier than I expected it to be; and fans of film are going to adore this!
As most have mentioned, the staging is phenomenal; there were numerous times I sat there asking myself how they had managed to pull it off so well! The clock tower scene and final moments are stunning!
I really enjoyed the score, while I wouldn’t say it was memorable enough to walk out humming anything other than the iconic themes from the film I did appreciate the songs and am looking forward to hearing them again when the cast album is released. Overall…I loved it!
|
|
2,734 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 23, 2021 19:55:34 GMT
Watching this show tonight. Hilarious, silly and lots of fun. A great re-interpretation of the film!
|
|
2,734 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 23, 2021 21:33:47 GMT
And that ending - wow. What a technically brilliant show that blurs boundaries between screen and stage like never before. I'd happily go and see it again - some really great performances amidst all the tech wizardry. Yes, it's a flying car, but the way the effects are achieved is truly jaw dropping. A healthy 3.5 stars from me.
|
|
1,247 posts
|
Post by mkb on Nov 2, 2021 1:11:27 GMT
In spite of the best efforts of the weather and Network Rail's inadequate preventative maintenance, my second attempt to see BTTFTM -- the first having fallen victim to the mass illness of the cast following their opening night party -- was finally rewarded tonight.
This was the full cast, with no understudies to my knowledge. Fortuitously, this also meant a seat in Stalls row H rather than the front row I had originally. The very high stage is not the issue -- even row H is too low to see the stage floor; rather the more distant perspective is required to fully appreciate the lighting effects that extend from back wall screen, to front cloth projection, to pixel-taped side walls and ceiling of the auditorium. By any measure, these are the highlight of the show, so a good view is essential.
(I checked out the view from the upper circle at the interval and it was surprisingly good. My advice would be to avoid the front and rear stalls.)
The initial appearance of the DeLorean from nowhere is sensationally realised, and that's just the start of the mechanical ingenuity on display. There is so much fun to be found here.
So why is this merely a four-star experience overall? The main problem is that the Zemeckis film trilogy is so good, the bar is already too high. The second is that the stage show simply apes the first movie plot without any significant deviation. Sure, there is the addition of song and dance, but these are not this production's strengths. (The Act 1 closer and Act 2 opener are particularly weak, the latter crying out for the high camp to be turned up several notches.)
Only Roger Bart, on cracking form as Doc Brown, manages to create a character that goes beyond being imitative. Musical theatre provides a licence to be that little bit more absurd than film, and Bart uses that to full comic advantage. This is not the fault of the cast, amongst whom there is no weak link, but a failure of script and direction.
The two crowd-pleasing finale hits aside, the sound mix lacked bass, sub-bass and punchiness, and was too quiet for my liking. This is a show where I expect to feel the sound, not just hear it.
BTTFTM will bring a broad smile to even the most jaded theatregoer, but it's not the classic the film is.
Four stars.
Act 1: 19:32-20:45 Act 2: 21:07-22:14
|
|
1,903 posts
|
Post by LaLuPone on Nov 2, 2021 1:18:42 GMT
In spite of the best efforts of the weather and Network Rail's inadequate preventative maintenance, my second attempt to see BTTFTM -- the first having fallen victim to the mass illness of the cast following their opening night party -- was finally rewarded tonight. This was the full cast, with no understudies to my knowledge. Fortuitously, this also meant a seat in Stalls row H rather than the front row I had originally. The very high stage is not the issue -- even row H is too low to see the stage floor; rather the more distant perspective is required to fully appreciate the lighting effects that extend from back wall screen, to front cloth projection, to pixel-taped side walls and ceiling of the auditorium. By any measure, these are the highlight of the show, so a good view is essential. (I checked out the view from the upper circle at the interval and it was surprisingly good. My advice would be to avoid the front and rear stalls.) The initial appearance of the DeLorean from nowhere is sensationally realised, and that's just the start of the mechanical ingenuity on display. There is so much fun to be found here. So why is this merely a four-star experience overall? The main problem is that the Zemeckis film trilogy is so good, the bar is already too high. The second is that the stage show simply apes the first movie plot without any significant deviation. Sure, there is the addition of song and dance, but these are not this production's strengths. (The Act 1 closer and Act 2 opener are particularly weak, the latter crying out for the high camp to be turned up several notches.) Only Roger Bart, on cracking form as Doc Brown, manages to create a character that goes beyond being imitative. Musical theatre provides a licence to be that little bit more absurd than film, and Bart uses that to full comic advantage. This is not the fault of the cast, amongst whom there is no weak link, but a failure of script and direction. The two crowd-pleasing finale hits aside, the sound mix lacked bass, sub-bass and punchiness, and was too quiet for my liking. This is a show where I expect to feel the sound, not just hear it. BTTFTM will being a broad smile to even the most jaded theatregoer, but it's not the classic the film is. Four stars. Act 1: 19:32-20:45 Act 2: 21:07-22:14 It was actually Will Haswell (1st cover) as Marty tonight. I was also there and loved it, exactly what I expected to be honest with some amazing effects and spectacle. I got Row C circle in the rush and the perfect view was worth my legs almost falling off from lack of legroom! Honestly the worst legroom I’ve ever had at a theatre, maybe tied with The Other Palace.
|
|
665 posts
|
Post by westendcub on Nov 2, 2021 11:42:35 GMT
This was just fabulous last night, I do agree that it’s score is forgettable for this but it’s a masterful to have the classic movie score played throughout the show (I loved that aspect to this adaptation from screen to stage).
How no idea had cover ‘Marty’ on last night, Will was great!
The lighting, set design and special effects are wonderful, I got such a feel-good buzz from this.
So whilst it’s not a classic score (will of course listen to the cast recording upon release!) this is such a wonderful zany and fun production I’m already stoked for a return visit in January (might do a rush at some point).
Great Scott
|
|
111 posts
|
Post by MusicalTalk on Nov 2, 2021 11:55:46 GMT
The score grows on one. Some of the slant/pop rhyming is disappointing - but I fear that’s how Glenn Ballard works. The clever side is how the motifs from the score are used both harmonically and melodically. Orchestrations are great; and the sound mix, I found, to be very strong.
The final 20 minutes are arguably the most thrilling ever seen in a west end stage when it comes to pure theatricality coming together to present something.
It’s a tonic of a show!
|
|
544 posts
|
Post by amp09 on Nov 4, 2021 1:21:35 GMT
Caught the matinee today and was coasting through it not loving it but also not hating it until the finale. Wow-wee what a spectacle! Without the special effects it would be a 2/3 star show for me. The incestuous storyline creeped me out. Dire, forgettable score but I’ll definitely go again just to see the star of the show again - the DeLorean!
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Nov 4, 2021 20:34:45 GMT
Can anyone who has seen this please give me a rundown/spoiler of any sudden loud noises? I know the show will feature lots of loud sound effects and pyrotechnics but any specific especially loud ones to be ready for?
|
|
111 posts
|
Post by MusicalTalk on Nov 5, 2021 8:14:50 GMT
The ones that come to mind are:
Loud booms before the Delorean appears Co2 emissions once it’s appeared A thunder crack before the final action sequence.
|
|
184 posts
|
Post by argon on Nov 5, 2021 8:59:02 GMT
Right at the beginning end of scene 1 Act 1 ( like the film) when he over loads the speakers by notching up the amplifier
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Nov 5, 2021 22:56:01 GMT
Do West End shows do relaxed performances? That might be worth looking into as well.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2021 16:33:29 GMT
Where would people who have seen it recommended sitting if paying top price (but not premium), stalls or circle?
Usually a stalls person but I wondered if the effects are better from circle
|
|
111 posts
|
Post by MusicalTalk on Nov 6, 2021 18:40:27 GMT
You’re more in line with the action at the front middle of the dress circle.
|
|
1,903 posts
|
Post by LaLuPone on Nov 6, 2021 19:33:05 GMT
Circle for view, stalls for comfort if you’re anything over 5 foot 4!
|
|
6,310 posts
|
Post by danb on Nov 6, 2021 19:41:56 GMT
Yep, view from the front circle but if you can somehow avoid sitting there that might be best.
|
|