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Post by inthenose on Jun 25, 2021 21:47:37 GMT
Lots of comments on Twitter about lots of people taking their masks off during the show...in an ALW theatre... Yes - for some reason the three bleached blondes in row A left side removed their masks when half the males on stage bared their torsos... Oops, have I said too much? That sounds ghastly. Were there lots of attractive ladies wearing minimal clothing too, for the straights to ogle? Or is it "not that type of show", nudge nudge wink wink, right girls? |
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Post by marob on Jun 25, 2021 21:48:42 GMT
Lots of comments on Twitter about lots of people taking their masks off during the show...in an ALW theatre... Yes - for some reason the three bleached blondes in row A left side removed their masks when half the males on stage bared their torsos... Oops, have I said too much? As far as I’m concerned you haven’t said nearly enough 😂 |
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Post by danb on Jun 25, 2021 21:50:26 GMT
C’mon! What was act 2 like?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2021 21:53:53 GMT
3 stars from me. And I'm on the right bus home! Will write more shortly, but i cant be half as generous as ceebee was... |
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Post by musicalmarge on Jun 25, 2021 21:57:29 GMT
TELL US ABOUT ZE REVOLVING CHAAAAAIRS
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Post by boak on Jun 25, 2021 22:00:09 GMT
TELL US ABOUT ZE REVOLVING CHAAAAAIRS The front section of stalls rotates with the stage, forming a 360-like stage. |
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Post by ceebee on Jun 25, 2021 22:01:34 GMT
Second half needs a little polish and the pace needs sorting (it's a first preview though)... Yes, I was moved - the revolve for the audience for the ballroom sequence was majestic with superb lighting and (my pet bugbear) brilliant sound design where there were no flat spots whatsoever.
I've given this first preview four stars - I think it is an excellent show that will only get better as the cast get used to the laughs (and there are plenty of them). This show mixes wit with contemporary themes, great music - I think ALW has done himself proud.
I'll be honest - the storyline feels contrived to fit the show ("Andrew's Cinderella"). That's where it became undone a little for me, as it moved from a sometimes beautiful and often funny variation on a Cinderella theme to being a bit of a generalised/stereotypical narrative shoehorned in clumsily. The pace gets lost at the point Prince Charming arrives, though there was an epic dance routine that blindsided me a bit. I think directorvand choreographer thought: "we've done the big reveal, let's distract them before they realise how contrived the new version of an old story is". It worked, just. However, because of the contemporary pivot in the storyline (which is very obvious and most folk have guessed) the show lost momentum and had to close off the traditional narrative. They pull it off - just - but ina sentence, this is the story of Cinderella momentarily interrupted by a mardis gras Strictlyesque hiatus. It wasn't unpleasant, dar from it, but it needs tightening up and the director needs to transition more seamlessly back to the story as we know it. It's clever in places and a little clumsy in others, but it was the first preview. This stuff will be polished by press night.
Four stars from me, could potentially be five once they tighten the pace in 2nd half. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a hit, though CHF carries a lot. The alternate will need to be REALLY good. My faves were VHB and Mr Turco, who has quite simply the most beautiful voice, matched by some very impressive dance moves.
Enjoy if you're going soon - it's a really great night out!
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Post by ceebee on Jun 25, 2021 22:03:21 GMT
Yes - for some reason the three bleached blondes in row A left side removed their masks when half the males on stage bared their torsos... Oops, have I said too much? That sounds ghastly. Were there lots of attractive ladies wearing minimal clothing too, for the straights to ogle? Or is it "not that type of show", nudge nudge wink wink, right girls? It wasn't gratuitous and its a modern look and feel, though some weird costumes at times - a bit Alice in Wonderland. |
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Post by stagebyte on Jun 25, 2021 22:03:59 GMT
Want the plot!
Chairs are so last week now. Shame ALW didn’t use my idea of the plot device of using the rotating chairs as a clock striking midnight...
I mean come on Andrew it was a free genius idea and you blew it mate 😉
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Post by stuartmcd on Jun 25, 2021 22:06:32 GMT
So my quick random thoughts as I sit waiting for my train. I think the show does still need a bit of work just to tighten things up. Actually when it started and the first song was going I really worried that I was going to hate it. But overall I really quite enjoyed this tonight. I thought the songs that have already been released worked much better in the context of the show.
Carrie was superb particularly in Act 2 with Far Too Late and I Know I Have A Heart. But whilst it’s called Cinderella she really isn’t the sole focus of the show.
Ivano really impressed me so much. Only You Lonley You was absolutely beautiful. And he gets a cheeky dance break to show off his moves.
VHB steals every scene she’s in. There’s a mention in the programme that her character is inspired by Joanna Lumley and it’s really that dialed up to 11. And her long drawn out laugh probably got the biggest laugh of the night from the audience.
The cast across the board were pretty great.
And yes of course as we know the seats at the front move and it was pretty incredible to watch. I thought the ball scene itself however was a bit messy and could do with some work. There was just so much going on and I didn’t really know where to look.
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Post by ceebee on Jun 25, 2021 22:07:36 GMT
3 stars from me. And I'm on the right bus home! Will write more shortly, but i cant be half as generous as ceebee was... See second half review... |
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Post by alison on Jun 25, 2021 22:11:07 GMT
I was in the middle of row M - perfect view, would highly recommend. It meant that when the front half rotated round, I was five rows from the stage and felt like I was at the ball too as the two entrances to the stalls are used as the stage entrance/exit for that section. Aside from a few lines sounding a little quiet in act one, sound was great from there too.
I’m generally inclined to agree with ceebee. I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it yet but I do think that with some tightening up I could. The bare bones of a good show are there - the book needs some work, there are a lot of reprises with pretty much the same lyrics as the first time that could do with being a bit more different, and there are a couple of characters who only appear for 10-15 mins that I think could do with being more integrated somehow. It was very slick for being the first time they’ve run the whole show through, I spotted two very minor mishaps but that was all.
I still clapped and grinned excitedly when the house lights went down though, and teared up at the end. I won’t be paying £100 for another ticket but I’d happily go on a cheaper one later in the run, and will probably try to catch Georgina as Cinderella at some point.
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Post by stuartmcd on Jun 25, 2021 22:11:16 GMT
I’d agree that it really loses pace toward the end. We’ve spent all this time with Cinderella and Sebastian so I really just didn’t care about Prince Charming at all. Frankly they could get rid of that character and the show would probably have a better ending for it.
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Post by inthenose on Jun 25, 2021 22:18:16 GMT
And all the gaudy innuendo? The guy with his "buns"? (fnar fnar) and all that?
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Post by stuartmcd on Jun 25, 2021 22:24:44 GMT
And all the gaudy innuendo? The guy with his "buns"? (fnar fnar) and all that? Yeah there’s a fair amount of that. It’s very much set in a fairytale word. There’s a reference to Rumpelstiltskin at one point. There’s a lot of “look at how hot and sexy and beautiful we all are” really to drive home why Cinderella hates it so much. |
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Post by theatre241 on Jun 25, 2021 22:25:30 GMT
I agree with all the comments, the first act impressed me, I think the second act lost its way and needs editing. The was a medley of reprises of all of Carries main songs which was way too overkill. The set, lighting and costume design were very good, it is very visually pleasing to watch. But it was pretty strong for a first preview and they said that this was the first time running the whole show without stopping.
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Post by ceebee on Jun 25, 2021 22:25:41 GMT
I’d agree that it really loses pace toward the end. We’ve spent all this time with Cinderella and Sebastian so I really just didn’t care about Prince Charming at all. Frankly they could get rid of that character and the show would probably have a better ending for it. This. You've nailed it. Prince Charming (character not actor) irritated me. It's ironic that Andrew's Cinderella storyline is diluted as a result of trying to modernise/make contemporary. I actually found the big reveal quite passé. BTW, for anybody who remembers Martin Guerre, there are two artigatian themes pulled through in this production - the rotating buildings (though not automated - it's a Laurence Connor production, so cost conscious) and a sumptuous wedding scene. My mind did drift at that point and I wished I was listening to "It's your wedding day, the day you - say - I - do" rather than the slightly bombastic wedding chorus on stage. |
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Post by stuartmcd on Jun 25, 2021 22:29:11 GMT
Oh talking of the Wedding - could they walk any slower down the aisle?? The second act was already feeling like it was dragging and then they walk that slowly!
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Post by theatre241 on Jun 25, 2021 22:35:57 GMT
Oh talking of the Wedding - could they walk any slower down the aisle?? The second act was already feeling like it was dragging and then they walk that slowly! They stepped and then stopped, it was very annoying. Andrew just wanted to have a big instrumental. They managed to shoehorn in a tango dance number. I think the show appeals to a wide audience and I think it will do well, its very easy to watch and it is enjoyable. |
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Post by alison on Jun 25, 2021 22:35:59 GMT
I’ve just had a thought - did I zone out and miss it or did we not have the sea witch song that was mentioned in one of the videos a while ago?
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Post by stagebyte on Jun 25, 2021 22:43:07 GMT
I’m loving these reviews but they’re soooo tantalising. From an amalgamation of the mini reviews it does seem like a huge melting pot of every idea brought up at a ‘let’s try a Cinderella musical meeting ’
Was hot buns guy featured ... did he have an oi oi saveloy accent like the awkward clip we saw with Andrew ?
Did Ivano have a man bun?
Burning questions people...
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Post by stuartmcd on Jun 25, 2021 22:49:06 GMT
I’m loving these reviews but they’re soooo tantalising. From an amalgamation of the mini reviews it does seem like a huge melting pot of every idea brought up at a ‘let’s try a Cinderella musical meeting ’ Was hot buns guy featured ... did he have an oi oi saveloy accent like the awkward clip we saw with Andrew ? Did Ivano have a man bun? Burning questions people... The first song is called Buns ‘n’ Roses… There was definitely a “child” (female ensemble) with a proper “oi guvna” kinda line towards to start. I’ll post the full song list when I’m home. |
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Post by theatre241 on Jun 25, 2021 22:55:19 GMT
I’ve just had a thought - did I zone out and miss it or did we not have the sea witch song that was mentioned in one of the videos a while ago? I was thinking that, it wasn’t in the song list so it must have been cut. I wonder where it would’ve fit in the show |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 25, 2021 23:13:14 GMT
I quite enjoyed it. Certainly worth three stars.
It is definitely one for adults. I didn't spot any children in the audience. Lots of innuendo. With that and the torsos on display, it should pull in the hen party crowds.
Nice to see ALW open up the show. Everything was very smooth, apart from a cloth getting caught on a statue early on.
There is one very good song, performed by the eye catching Ivano Turco. That song could do with a proper reprise, but instead we get multiple versions of Bad Cinderella.
I enjoyed the ball and could have watched the dancing for a few minutes longer.
It is a very different plot, but there is a lot of R&H Cinderella in there. Lots of similar music and other references. Even many of the character names are the same (even if the roles are shifted around).
I'm really not sure why this needed to be called Cinderella. The main Cinderella elements are worked in, but generally brief and loosely.
There's quite a clever moment where they manage to get CHF off stage for a few minutes to get changed into her Cinderella dress.
Apart from that, I don't really know what the set was like as my seat angle meant I could only see the front of the stage (where most of the action was). That did mean the ball was really useful to see everything properly. The lighting angle wasn't great though, as sometimes the front row was lit more than the stage. They are also very noisy in the wings.
It is a long show, but I'm sure it will tighten up.
I would definitely see it again, but I think I'd go for a more expensive seat to take everything in.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2021 23:13:23 GMT
There's a terrible lyric that I suspect might come back and haunt them. Cinderella, you're like salmonella.
The opening number is a mix of 'Who Will Buy' and 'Eastwick Knows' but at half the pace and not as fun. That opening needs to be twice the speed. It needs to be more exciting and it's a bit dull. And that was the problem i found at numerous times. It was a bit dull. Yes they will pick up the pace as they work through previews, but not all the material was that good.
I didn't buy into the central relationship between the two leads. {Spoiler - click to view}
Cinderella and Sebastian are childhood friends, and there is nothing romantic about it, so for him to declare his love seemed to come out of nowhere
Cinderella is such a tomboy type character and in Bad Cinderella says how terrible they all are, so why did she suddenly want to be like them?
The Godmother character is odd/pointless and Gloria Onitiri, who looked amazing, deserves more. She gets the big final moment of Act 1, lit in a spotlight, warning Cinders to be home by midnight. But then nothing comes of it. It's not mentioned again. I have no idea if she was home by then or not. So why make such a big deal of it?? I got the impression she was going to be like Ursula the Sea Witch, but again, it went nowhere.
As mentioned, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is really the scene stealer, singing like she's had far too many facelifts and got all the laughs. Seems like it could be stunt cast by a drag queen at some point. Rebecca Trehearn is also wasted as the Queen. She has such a great voice, but nothing to show it off here. And would the Queen really say that her son was well endowed?? But, the duet between the two of them, was one of my favourites, despite it not be a big vocal number.
Ivano Turco got the biggest response in Act 1, but that's 10 songs in, and it felt good to finally see something worthy of the applause. He does have a nice voice, but it's not the strongest and his 'dance break' in Act 2 was shoehorned in.
Speaking of Act 2... Yikes. Ok, I was in the middle of the stalls and looking at the seating thinking, there's nowhere for the seats to move, but when it did, I was really impressed. The lighting was great, the way the auditorium lit up was really magical, but what was on the stage needs work. There's not enough focus at the moment, and yes, that walk down the aisle was SO SLOW. Prince Charming needs work as a character. Act 2 is definitely what will change during previews.
Men, don't audition unless you're ripped, girls, don't bother to audition if you're above a size 6.
I thought Carrie sounded tired, and she probably is after rehearsals etc, but i'm not sure why there is an alternate at certain performances. It's hardly Evita.
I think 3* is generous right now, but it could be a 4 with some generous editing in previews.
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