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Post by CG on the loose on Sept 28, 2019 14:03:00 GMT
Have been sitting here grumbling at myself for not booking sooner (before the prices went up), then a nagging little thought made me scroll through my diary. Yep, already booked. Of course if I can't even remember booking, then the chances of me remembering to go are slim...
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Post by theatrej on Sept 28, 2019 22:31:34 GMT
Pleased with these casting announcements. It's been much too long since I last saw Tiffany Graves on stage, love her!
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Post by catcat100 on Nov 24, 2019 0:15:42 GMT
So went into this in a stinking bad mood and with a lot of big people in my row it was quite cramped so please accept my apologies for being so gushing about the show.
Really didn't know what to expect but wasn't expecting such an incredibly uplifting show. Bad mood dissolved in minutes of the show starting and a spring in my step on the walk home.
Ok, so it can be a little bit 'allo allo' at times.
But the songs are great, the dancing is great, the costumes are great and the ending's great. Only second preview and there's not really much more to fine tune.
All the main cast are great (as are the supporting cast) and they all have at least one good song in them and its spread quite well across them all. Ade Edmondson is very typically Ade Edmondson.
Pretty much could well be my next musical thing. Will be booking another outing.
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4,590 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 24, 2019 8:50:23 GMT
Snap I was also at the second preview. We must get Badges?
The bad - They have remained the three act structure, so two intervals and you are asked to leave and shuffle around the crowded bar. Acts 1&2 could easily fit together, the lovley set of curvey decrative iron work doesn't change much and so would work. Plus the costumes could easily be adapted.
Top tip - sit centrally. We were on the side. The view was fine but we got a few backs and earholes.
The good - it's fabulous and I want to see it again. Such a hoot and perfect fodder for the grim election season. Jannie Dee is great and can really work a big frock, Ade Edmondson is really funny and I really liked the actor playing Dulcie but Tiffany Graves was the star she is having a blast and is a pleasure to watch.
I loved it.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 24, 2019 14:07:33 GMT
I'm there tomorrow evening. Don't think I've ever attended a musical with two intervals and I never leave my seat at interval time unless required to do so that's a bit of a pain.
With two breaks and an 8pm start I guess this will be a late finish. Running time anyone ?
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2,379 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 24, 2019 14:24:20 GMT
Two intervals is annoying - is there any reason for this? I get bored in intervals as it is, having to kill time on my phone for 20 minutes, let alone two of them!
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Post by theoracle on Nov 24, 2019 15:08:39 GMT
What was the total run time may I ask?
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Post by catcat100 on Nov 24, 2019 15:09:54 GMT
We were out at around 10.30, so 2 1/2 hour running time inc intervals.
Think the intervals are mainly there for set changes. Although they asked you to leave for the interval don't think everyone did. If you stayed off the stage and out the way think you should be ok.
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Post by theoracle on Nov 24, 2019 15:12:10 GMT
We were out at around 10.30, so 2 1/2 hour running time inc intervals. Think the intervals are mainly there for set changes. Although they asked you to leave for the interval don't think everyone did. If you stayed off the stage and out the way think you should be ok. Ahh thanks. Excited for this.
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4,590 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 24, 2019 15:56:07 GMT
Two intervals is annoying - is there any reason for this? I get bored in intervals as it is, having to kill time on my phone for 20 minutes, let alone two of them! To move bits of set. It's written in three acts and so each act has its own design. Although the set doesent change that much. I found the intervals annoying but I loved everything else
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Post by amuseical on Nov 24, 2019 20:46:04 GMT
How bad are the £25 restricted view tickets?
During previews, they're at the far end of some rows, and I may just be tempted.
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 27, 2019 1:03:51 GMT
Two intervals is annoying - is there any reason for this? I get bored in intervals as it is, having to kill time on my phone for 20 minutes, let alone two of them! To move bits of set. It's written in three acts and so each act has its own design. Although the set doesent change that much. I found the intervals annoying but I loved everything else The thing with the Menier they only have 15 minute intervals, by the time you spent 8 minutes filing out and another 7 minutes getting back in, I start to wonder why did I bother.
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4,590 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 27, 2019 7:10:39 GMT
To move bits of set. It's written in three acts and so each act has its own design. Although the set doesent change that much. I found the intervals annoying but I loved everything else The thing with the Menier they only have 15 minute intervals, by the time you spent 8 minutes filing out and another 7 minutes getting back in, I start to wonder why did I bother. A change is as good as a rest!
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Post by nick on Nov 27, 2019 10:44:01 GMT
Top tip - sit centrally. We were on the side. The view was fine but we got a few backs and earholes. The seating is on two sides. So which is the front? Or do you mean towards the join of the two sides?
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4,590 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 27, 2019 12:54:32 GMT
Top tip - sit centrally. We were on the side. The view was fine but we got a few backs and earholes. The seating is on two sides. So which is the front? Or do you mean towards the join of the two sides? Sit as near to to rhe crack as to you can
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 27, 2019 13:13:14 GMT
Two intervals is annoying - is there any reason for this? I get bored in intervals as it is, having to kill time on my phone for 20 minutes, let alone two of them! Each interval is no more than 15 minutes, on Monday about half the audience left the auditorium for the first break but only about a quarter for the second interval. Act two is very short and I also felt that the first two acts could be combined. The scene change between acts 1 and 2 only took a few minutes and could easily be covered by the musicians. Started at 20.02 and finished at 22.25. The show itself is light as a feather, glorious to look at and beautiful to listen to. Nothing much happens but the whole cast are superb and I absolutely loved it ! I had row A seat 36 which gave a perfect view and sound throughout.
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 27, 2019 13:22:28 GMT
All good to know, thank you. I'll be booking soon, I need to plan the next few months and work out what I'm seeing and when 😀
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1,330 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on Nov 27, 2019 15:08:46 GMT
Two intervals is annoying - is there any reason for this? I get bored in intervals as it is, having to kill time on my phone for 20 minutes, let alone two of them! Each interval is no more than 15 minutes, on Monday about half the audience left the auditorium for the first break but only about a quarter for the second interval. Act two is very short and I also felt that the first two acts could be combined. The scene change between acts 1 and 2 only took a few minutes and could easily be covered by the musicians. Started at 20.02 and finished at 22.25. The show itself is light as a feather, glorious to look at and beautiful to listen to. Nothing much happens but the whole cast are superb and I absolutely loved it ! I had row A seat 36 which gave a perfect view and sound throughout. Thanks for all of this... especially the seat review as that is where I shall be sitting in January
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7,500 posts
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Post by alece10 on Nov 27, 2019 16:30:35 GMT
Just saw the production pics. Set and costumes look gorgeous.
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840 posts
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Nov 27, 2019 22:39:20 GMT
The seating is on two sides. So which is the front? Or do you mean towards the join of the two sides? Sit as near to to rhe crack as to you can Would you say the partial restricted view seats are worth it? Do you know what might make them restricted (especially C31)?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2019 23:52:49 GMT
I saw this tonight and enjoyed it. There's very little plot, every character is practically a caricature and there are way too many reprises, but its a lot of fun and the songs are all infectious. I've not seen it since the Open Air Theatre production and don't need to see it again for about as long, but it's definitely worth the visit.
The women fare far better than the men, only the actor playing Bobby and Ade Edmondson making an impact from the male roles, but the actresses playing Polly and Maisie are great, as are Tiffany Graves and Janie Dee. Won't You Charleston With Me was the best number, with fantastic dancing to match.
The show certainly doesn't need both intervals, it could use some cutting and the 8pm start is not great, but definitely recommended.
Now i just need to get 'I Could Be Happy With You' out of my head...
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4,590 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 28, 2019 7:45:16 GMT
Isn't the 8 pm kick off so punters can eat in the restaurant first? And the restaurant funds the theatre.
Although, many other people accross the land dine pre theatre and the start time is generally 7.30
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 28, 2019 8:22:04 GMT
My thoughts from last night are that this is a charming production, although there really isn't much there.
It is very traditional in style, lots of singing and dancing, wafer-thin predictable plot. The cast have largely been chosen for their looks.
There would be an excellent 90 minute one act show in there (maybe 100 minutes). The way it's presented, the stop-start with two intervals is very distracting, with the first act only lasting about 30 minutes. The show finished last night at 10:20pm. Many of the songs have a round of applause, then are reprieved, then have a second round of applause.
The dancing for this one is of a high standard, including a tap routine. Several alumni from 42nd Street are in the cast. Having seen Jack Butterworth multiple times in Hamilton, I was impressed here by how well he can sing and dance in a more traditional production, very fluid. Janie Dee is as excellent as you'd expect. Adrian Edmondson had the crowd laughing loudly even before he did anything. And, I hadn't paid much attention to who was in the show, so it was a treat to see Tom Bales fresh off the Hair 50 tour (and in a pirate costume).
Like many I left in the first interval, but couldn't be doing with the disruption for the second interval, so just stayed in my seat.
For seating, I was in the centre of the front row, low numbers side. Probably the prime place to sit, as the action is played towards the centre of both sides (the aisle in between I imagine would be one of the worst places, as you'd very little action directed towards you). I thought the low numbered side got more of the action that the high numbered side, but I don't have that much to compare it with. There are no divides in the seats being people, so do get there early if you want to avoid someone taking up half your space.
I enjoyed it and liked the music, so I may well look to go back. It is only the two intervals that puts me off.
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Post by dazzerlump on Nov 28, 2019 12:54:51 GMT
I’m quite surprised they are doing the 2 intervals. I’ve played Bobby in a production and we just joined act 1 and 2 together. Looking at the photos so far there doesn’t seem to me much set that couldn’t have just been changed during the hustle and bustle of the start or Sur Le Plage
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2019 12:58:15 GMT
Tom Bales fresh off the Hair 50 tour (and in a pirate costume). He was wearing the unfortunate paisley print tights. he came off worst in the ball costumes!
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Post by nick on Nov 28, 2019 18:35:17 GMT
The seating is on two sides. So which is the front? Or do you mean towards the join of the two sides? Sit as near to to rhe crack as to you can Thank you.
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4,590 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 28, 2019 18:38:21 GMT
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Post by Boob on Nov 29, 2019 23:53:09 GMT
The two intervals are the least of its problems. I actually didn’t mind them, as it gave more breaks from the weak acting and bad singing. This show doesn’t feel as though it’s settled into its skin yet. I yearned for the pure joy of the Regent’s Park production a few years ago. Lovely dancing/choreography here though. Not much else to recommend.
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Post by tmesis on Nov 30, 2019 19:12:48 GMT
I thought this a very classy production of a very slight show. Mainly because the plot is so silly but it does have some top-notch, extremely melodic songs. The lyrics are never quite witty enough and some of the rhymes are quite appropriate (something that would be an anathema to Sondheim.) It is though extremely enjoyable and lovely to look at. The layout of the seating - similar to that used in The Bridges of Madison County is, I think, ideal to maximise the space and gives the illusion of it being a bigger production than usual at this venue.
An absolutely cracking band with exemplary sound balance.
Janie Dee was as fabulous as ever and Adrian Edmonson was pretty good - way better than I anticipated with a pleasant voice.
Definitely recommended - I might go again...
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Post by carriesparkle on Dec 2, 2019 21:33:34 GMT
Enjoyed this on Saturday matinee. The restricted view seats by the pillar in Row B are absolutely fine - right by the band, which is interesting, and you're next to the aisle where some cast make entrances. You miss a tiny bit of a couple of set pieces but nothing else.
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