8,162 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jul 20, 2019 10:31:01 GMT
Thought it might be fun topic (probably been done before in some form of another)
So the idea is to give your 3 (and only 3) greatest theatrical experiences either a play/musical or could even be a concert in order of greatness!
My 3 to kick off
3. Les Mis 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 - mainly for the pure spectacle of it and the scale of the production.
2. Liza's "Putting it together" concert at the RAH - This was when Liza was at her peak both singing and dancing wise. All the shows were sold out but she hired the RAH herself and put on a free concert for anyone working in the industry. The concert was at midnight (after she had already performed earlier that evening) It was rammed with casts from all the west end shows who had come along after their own shows so there was an amazing atmosphere already. I sat in the 3rd row of the arena. She came on at midnight and finished at 3.20am. It was the most amazing experience to see her at her best.
1. And this really is a no brainer. Last night of 42nd Street at Drury Lane. Never experienced anything like it before and doubt I ever will. From the minute the orchestra started up you knew it was going to be special. The showstopping moment of the staircase number and the ovation at the end of that number which went on for about 6 minutes, until the last note from the orchestra. Then everyone just standing there not knowing what to do and not really wanting to go home. I actually get a bit tearful every time I think about it. Don't think that will ever be topped for me as the greatest night out.
Over to you...….
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999 posts
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 10:47:34 GMT
The original NT run of Madness of George III. End of act 1 - "No, sir. You are the patient." King shouting, Zadok the Priest blaring out; curtain. Along with the rest of the audience I was so stunned I just sat there. Almost nobody applauded, there was a pause then some scattered applause. I found myself out by the river ready to head home when I realised it was just the interval.
2008, The Battle of Pots and Pans, St Cuthberts Church, Edinburgh Fringe. I had low expectations of this budget production by the Prestoungrange Society with its cardboard props and lights full on in a church back room. An hour or so later I left, having seen what still remains one of the cleverest and most entrancing pieces of theatre I've had the pleasure of witnessing. In that harshly lit room those performers with their bits of cardboard absolutely transported me to a misty night time Highland Moor.
Plus another one I haven't decided yet, too many contenders.
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Post by danb on Jul 20, 2019 12:04:09 GMT
1. My first ‘Rent’ on Broadway. The air was electric, the show magnificent and I sat there willing myself to take in every last second in case I never saw it again.
2. Elaine Paige in ‘Sunset Blvd’. Glenn was great, really great and had added Siobhan Dillon, but EP was just a force of nature.
3. Too difficult to choose. But probably the time I dragged the kids to day seat at ‘Bat’ on a Wednesday afternoon and we were central row C. The whole cast were on and it was on fire. So that...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 12:05:11 GMT
Alan Rickman dancing a blood soaked tango with Beatie Edney to Pachelbel's Canon with cherry blossom falling everywhere, Tango at the End of Winter, early 90s(?)
Bolshoi Ballet's first UK visit for decades in 85/86? I was 13/14 and remember sitting open mouthed at Irek Mukhamedov leaping about in Spartacus. I'd only ever seen pretty Swan Lake/Les Sylphides ballet before that.
Maria Friedman singing and being threatened by creepy and charming SS officer Alex Jennings in Ghetto at the National about a million years ago.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 12:05:12 GMT
No surprises here but last night of Starlight Express at the Apollo Victoria was a pretty special one for me. As was the one off English performance in Bochum. And the last night of the “old” Bochum version last May.
Last night of original tour in Plymouth and most recent one in Milton Keynes (the glamour) were also great.
Last night of original Les Mis last weekend and last nights of Miss Saigon both at Prince Edward and of the tour in Cologne also fabulous.
Gutted couldn’t get tickets for Cats last night at the New London. Not sure if they were ever on public sale...
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879 posts
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Post by daisy24601 on Jul 20, 2019 12:11:19 GMT
1. First time I saw Les Miserables, 25th anniversary tour. It wasn't the first musical I'd seen but it did start my love for them. I got a cast recording shortly after and 9 years on I still listen to it regularly. Also I'd never heard anyone sing like JOJ before and it was a game changer.
2. Seeing Willemijn Verkaik in Wicked for the first time. Who the hell is she and when do I get to come back and see her again?
3. Easy to choose the first two, harder to narrow down a third. Perhaps Kinky Boots first cast change, it was a great atmosphere and I felt lucky to be there.
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Post by ptwest on Jul 20, 2019 12:31:35 GMT
3) Really hard this, but I will go with Phantom of the Opera in 1988. I can see the flaws in this show now but at the time it absolutely blew me away and ignited my passion for musical theatre. To be fair, this had already happened but this show totally trounced on anything else I had ever seen at the time and came at an age where London was just becoming accessible to me. From this point on, I wanted to see everything (Still do!)
2) 42nd Street final performance. To see that show from the front row was something special anyway, but that night was unforgettable. Never been in a theatre with an atmosphere like it - the ovations, the emotion from the stage, everything. I have no idea how the cast even carried on, but to perform to the standard they did with everything else going on was nothing short of sensational.
1) Frankly, the top two are interchangeable: but No 1 is Mamma Mia, a tie between the 10th and 20th anniversary. Both due to the presence of Benny and Bjorn: 10th had Linzi Hatley and B and B on top form, 20th was front row, B and B noticeably older but we had the past cast members. Both wonderful occasions to be at and very special for a lifelong Abba Fan. :-)
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3,321 posts
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Post by david on Jul 20, 2019 14:22:20 GMT
1. Watching Saturday Night Fever at the London Palladium. 1st time at the Palladium and walking into that beautiful auditorium of this iconic venue just took my breath away and watching such a fantastic show as well from the front row of the stalls.
2. The last day of Angels in America at the NT. I did the double show day on the Saturday and I knew I was in for a treat, but I didn’t realise how much (it was my 1st time seeing the play). Watching that show, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions during the day, but what a day and an absolute honour to be that auditorium that day.
3. Watching Dame Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit. I wouldn’t of believed she was nearly 90 years old at the time. That lady was just a joy to watch.
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Post by Tibidabo on Jul 20, 2019 16:27:35 GMT
Like others, I can do 2 fairly easily but am having a bit of a hard time choosing my third.
1. John Curry. Theatre of Skating II at the Palladium (front row.)
One of my earliest theatre memories and my first time at the Palladium. I actually saw this twice as Mr Curry was indisposed and I got the understudy the first time, who was actually wonderful. But the height of those Curry split jumps was something else - from the front row we got spattered with icelets and it often felt like he was going to jump right into our laps.
Got the programme right here. (Did you know:- By leaving out the coupons, Embassy Number 1 can give you the best in smoking quality and save you money too!)
2. Michael Crawford. Barnum at the Palladium (again front row...I started that habit early it seems!)
I'd already seen Mr Crawford in Billy, but was absolutely mesmerised watching 'a bloke off the telly' doing all those amazing stunts, live. He got across the tightrope on the second attempt and did some pretty awesome stuff with a unicycle if I remember correctly. I've got the programme right here as well and sitting amidst the Company photos is a rather bum-fluffy faced young actor called Daniel John-Jules!
3. Ok, sorry Ultravox (San Sebastian.) But this has to go to an unknown theatre in education group who came to my primary school and put on a production of Hansel and Gretel. The reason I've chosen this is because of my vivid memories of terror as the witch tried to put Hansel in the oven. The difference watching something with live actors, as opposed to the tiny TV screen I was used to had a phenomenal effect on me. To this day I've not got that much interest in film as I know it's all put together in tiny bits. This first ever experience of a live production made it totally real and was the start of my love of live theatre.
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Post by theatremad on Jul 20, 2019 17:17:38 GMT
Very difficult to answer this and put in order so not going to try:
- David Edgar's Pentecost at the RSC in 1995: still talking about this 24 years later
- Tim Supple's Indian Dream at the RSC in 2006: amazing and blew me away
- Scenes from a Marriage at Coventry Belgrade with Imogen Stubbs: just amazing
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1,133 posts
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Post by Stephen on Jul 20, 2019 17:26:24 GMT
Gosh. It’s not easy. As a theatrical whore (not alone here) I’ve seen so much that has been so special and memorable. Here lies a few.
1) Cabaret on Broadway 2014. This one was special as my mum and I share a love for Alan Cumming. She took me to see this as part of my 18th birthday celebrations and she had wanted to this production for a very long time. We sat front and centre in the cabaret style seating and it was amazing. My mum had a Liza Minnelli haircut at the time and looks a bit like her...a young man approached our table at the interval and asked for her autograph. Brilliant.
2) The Lion King. I can’t really remember it as I was very young however it’s a special memory which my family remind me of. When I was a small I used to recreate musicals at home using anything I could (think towels, clothes horse, fans, couches) and my mum remembers a family trip to Lion King where I was engrossed throughout but looked sad at the end. She turned and said “what’s wrong!?”. My response: “I don’t know how I’m going to stage this one...” Drum revolves are tricky business for a six year old.
3) Sunset Boulevard (latest Broadway production) A trip to see my favourite musical in New York with this cast was a real special treat. The buzz in the theatre was unforgettable and several standing ovations throughout.
4) Hamilton West End. Having waited so long to see this the sigh of relief at finally being in the room was lovely. Again, a memorable family experience.
5) Macbeth, NTS Glasgow. The Alan Cumming production. A tour de force performance and a very limited run in Glasgow. I feel very lucky to have seen it!
I really could go on and on but these rare the big ones.
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Post by ftfadia on Jul 20, 2019 19:08:09 GMT
1) The Wizard of Oz at a community theatre when I was 8 or so. There was a scene that they played in the audience where everyone had to turn away from the stage to watch it, meanwhile they did a set change on stage which got a big 'wow' when everyone turned back around. Being the clever kid I was, I kept my eyes on the stage and in that moment figured out the magic of theatre...been hooked ever since! 2) Another one for RENT. I had devoured the soundtrack for months before the tour finally came to my city. I was almost not allowed to go (being a teenager) due to the content, and put a lot of work in to convince my mom to let me. I also had to sleep overnight outside the theatre to get student rush tickets. IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!!! 3) Really tough to choose but in recent years Next To Normal, Alina Cojocaru performing in Onegin at the ROH, and this recent production of Death of a Salesman at the YV have all given me serious, serious feels. Sure others will come to mind the second I post this  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 19:14:27 GMT
Almost impossible, so I’ve imposed the criteria that it should have changed the way I see theatre and my own creative work. In which case, in chronological order -
1) Mnemonic by Complicite, seen first at Riverside Studios for its multi threaded structure, the complexity of its storytelling and its linking together of diverse subject matter.
2) Faust by Punchdrunk, seen at an abandoned warehouse in Wapping for its multi locational staging, its non verbal storytelling and its giving agency to the audience.
3) You Me Bum Bum Train, seen first in an office block in Bethnal Green for its reversal of the actor/audience relationship, its use of improvisation within a controlled environment and its empowerment.
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Post by Dawnstar on Jul 20, 2019 19:24:50 GMT
I have two that stand out above everything else & are linked. My first visit to the Royal Opera House in 2004 to see Der Rosenkavalier. I adored it, beyond anything I have seen before or since. The only piece that has actually changed how I view life. Dame Felicity Lott sang the Marschallin in that performance. Two years later I spoke to her after seeing her in recital & found out she would be singing her final Marschallin in Munich that summer. I'm not much of a traveller but I was determined to be there so persuaded my mother to go with me as a month late 21st birthday present. There was no select your own seat option back then & my German is minimal so I wasn't sure where exactly our tickets were located until we got there & found we were second row stalls (having been in the amphitheatre at the ROH). To be able to see Dame Felicity's final performance in one of her greatest roles so close up was amazing. She was crying on stage, I was crying in the audience (& I'm nearly crying writing this). I've seen over a thousand performances since then but nothing has yet topped it.
I suppose for my third I'd have to pick the first time I saw Wicked, because it was the show that got me into repeat viewing & discussing theatre with other fans on online messageboards, so it too changed my life.
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Post by justafan on Jul 20, 2019 21:36:33 GMT
3 The Inheritance - quite possibly the finest play I’ve seen in 40plus years of theatregoing
2 the final night of 42nd street at drury lane for reasons others have given but also a real yah boo sucks to the critics who said American in Paris would run longer
1 30th anniversary of Les Mis at the Queens - paid stupid money on my credit card but what an evening that was - will live in my memories for ever
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Post by crabtree on Jul 20, 2019 22:20:13 GMT
1 - The RSC's Nicholas Nickleby
2 - War Horse
3 - Birmingham Royal Ballet - Still Life at the Penguin
Cafe
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jul 21, 2019 0:51:07 GMT
I am not sure I can reduce it from 4 to 3
1 - McKellen as Richard III (which I saw on tour in Oxford) - the whole thing blew me away and left me wandering the streets speechless afterwards
2 - The Las Vegas Merchant of Venice (RSC, Stratford) - I had heard the rumours of the setting, the Elvis impersonator and was sharpening my pencil to write a damning review. I was completely won over within 5 minutes of the start. It was an amazing feat of re-engineering a text to tell the same story but from a different perspective - without fundamentally screwing over the original language. Turning the play into the tragedy of Portia was a masterstroke
3 - King John (RSC, Stratford, Aberg) - my first encounter with the play and so wasn't basing my reaction on anything other than what was in front of me. And it was a tour de force of theatrical wit. Cast and director completely in tune with one another. I know this is a marmite production for many - but it is one I will always remember
4 - Showboat (Opera North - on tour in Oxford) - I have always loved the sweep of the narrative with this piece. But to see it writ large in a production packed with proper singers doing full justice to the notes was simply glorious. It was the only time I have paid to see the same show twice in the same week!
I am not sure of my order - but these are productions that have stayed with me - in some cases for more than 20 years.
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Post by tysilio2 on Jul 21, 2019 7:21:49 GMT
3) UK tour of Rent. Most of my theatre viewing had been very mainstream up to seeing this. Was blown away by the production at Theatr Clwyd and the back story.
2) Current UK tour of Les Mis. My go to musical over the last 25 years. The last 20 minutes of the 1st Act left me speechless.
1) Local AmDram production of 9 to 5a couple of years ago. It was my daughter's first performance with them as a trans woman after being a member of the youth section as a 16 year old boy. The sense of pride I had seeing her on stage doing what she loves with no fear surpassed any professional performances i have or ever will see. The society accepted her immediately and has helped her get back into society after a difficult couple of years for which I'm very grateful.
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Post by peggysue on Jul 21, 2019 10:50:32 GMT
1 - Michael Crawford in Billy the Musical in 1974. At the time he was only known for Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and not as a musical performer. One of my favourite shows ever.
2 - Shirley MacLaine in her one woman show at the Palladium 1976.
3 - First ever time I saw Blood Brothers in 2003. Took me a while to go and see it but have been a regular visitor ever since then.
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Post by Steffi on Jul 21, 2019 15:34:22 GMT
In no particular order:
Final performance of Punchdrunk‘s The Drowned Man. You had to be there to understand. It was a special night.
First time I saw The Lord of the Rings at Drury Lane. I remember going in with zero expectations. We had bought tickets at the ticket booth. There was nothing else available on a discount we hadn’t already seen so we figured we‘d just give it a go. I was completely blown away by the sheer spectacle unfolding in front of me.
Watching the original London cast of Once - every single time. I loved the show in general and I still enjoyed watching it after the first cast change. But for me that first cast just had it all.
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Post by theatre241 on Jul 21, 2019 15:39:51 GMT
1. Follies at the National
2. Waitress (Probs cos of the pie smell lol)
3. Final night of The King And I at the palladium
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Post by lynette on Jul 21, 2019 17:01:01 GMT
As one of the ‘whores’ (thank you Steve, for the correct terminology ) far too many to call but what comes to mind immediately
Guys and Dolls at the NT with Ian Charleson
Othello, again NT the Hytner one with Rory Kinnear
Maggie Smith’s A German Life, a more recent addition to the list
The Comedy of Errors RSC 1976 with Judi Dench. Have never stopped talking about it.
I’ll be on this all night now......
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Post by alece10 on Jul 21, 2019 17:54:11 GMT
As one of the ‘whores’ (thank you Steve, for the correct terminology ) far too many to call but what comes to mind immediately Guys and Dolls at the NT with Ian Charleson Othello, again NT the Hytner one with Rory Kinnear Maggie Smith’s A German Life, a more recent addition to the list The Comedy of Errors RSC 1976 with Judi Dench. Have never stopped talking about it. I’ll be on this all night now...... Lynette you are only allowed a final 3 so think carefully 😁 |
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Post by alece10 on Jul 21, 2019 17:55:31 GMT
1 - Michael Crawford in Billy the Musical in 1974. At the time he was only known for Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and not as a musical performer. One of my favourite shows ever. 2 - Shirley MacLaine in her one woman show at the Palladium 1976. 3 - First ever time I saw Blood Brothers in 2003. Took me a while to go and see it but have been a regular visitor ever since then. Your number 2 choice has made me so envious. I would have loved to have seen Shirley MacLaine. |
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Post by Jon on Jul 21, 2019 18:18:57 GMT
Angels in America was something to remember, Ian McKellen's one man show was also up there.
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