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Post by karloscar on Aug 25, 2022 13:07:59 GMT
Funny how the WOS review cites "flaws" in the show for the lack of emotion in this production,then says it's likely to be overshadowed by the current starry version in NYC. Are they doing a version without the flaws over the Atlantic?
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594 posts
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Post by og on Aug 25, 2022 13:56:30 GMT
Funny how the WOS review cites "flaws" in the show for the lack of emotion in this production,then says it's likely to be overshadowed by the current starry version in NYC. Are they doing a version without the flaws over the Atlantic? Even more notable is the fact they say the staging is "lacking an emotional core" then in the very next sentence say the show "leaves its audience emotionally shattered." |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Aug 25, 2022 14:04:49 GMT
Funny how the WOS review cites "flaws" in the show for the lack of emotion in this production,then says it's likely to be overshadowed by the current starry version in NYC. Are they doing a version without the flaws over the Atlantic? Even more notable is the fact they say the staging is "lacking an emotional core" then in the very next sentence say the show "leaves its audience emotionally shattered." In the first instance they mean the production tho, in the latter the musical itself |
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594 posts
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Post by og on Aug 25, 2022 15:11:07 GMT
Even more notable is the fact they say the staging is "lacking an emotional core" then in the very next sentence say the show "leaves its audience emotionally shattered." In the first instance they mean the production tho, in the latter the musical itself I thought that too but the "emotionally shattered" statement is wedged between comments about the show visually, it felt like a strange place to house that particular comment, may just be me though haha. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 25, 2022 16:20:34 GMT
I wonder if the reviews will affect its transfer possibility.
These are hardly the unqualified raves they would have been hoping for.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2022 16:33:36 GMT
Funny how the WOS review cites "flaws" in the show for the lack of emotion in this production,then says it's likely to be overshadowed by the current starry version in NYC. Are they doing a version without the flaws over the Atlantic?
I have not seen the Bath production, but the current Broadway revival is one of the most effective I've seen at mining the Intro the Woods book and songs for all the humor and pathos they contain. It is incredibly well-calibrated.
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19,787 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 25, 2022 16:42:59 GMT
I wonder if reviewers have “held back” for fear of a backlash because of the earlier controversy.
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2,859 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on Aug 25, 2022 16:44:26 GMT
The Stage ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Glossy, stylised vision” Telegraph ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Hallucinogenic” Times ⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Sheer spectacle” WoS ⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Spectacle comes at a price” The Guardian ⭐️⭐️⭐️ too |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Aug 25, 2022 16:48:34 GMT
I wonder if reviewers have “held back” for fear of a backlash because of the earlier controversy. I mean the reviews are very similar and they are all pretty much pointing out the same issues, so they are probably there. The reviews are not mindblowing, but I don't think they'll prevent a transfer from happening, especially since the Bath production has probably been conceived as an out-of-town try-out to begin with. They'll have the time to fix some issues and they could very well enjoy a limited season in some West End theatre without any major difficulties. |
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Post by crowblack on Aug 25, 2022 16:58:36 GMT
I wonder if reviewers have “held back” for fear of a backlash because of the earlier controversy. I wouldn't be surprised, given the way some reviewers can't bear to praise anything by J K Rowling at the moment. |
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Post by hadeswasking on Aug 25, 2022 17:02:18 GMT
I wonder if reviewers have “held back” for fear of a backlash because of the earlier controversy. They sure love to mention it! |
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3,578 posts
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Post by Rory on Aug 25, 2022 17:49:09 GMT
I wonder if the reviews will affect its transfer possibility. These are hardly the unqualified raves they would have been hoping for. Is it not already booked into the Phoenix? |
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Post by danb on Aug 25, 2022 19:34:09 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyable so far. Some lovely vocal work going on and some cool lo-fi effects.
edit: Really, really enjoyable. Loved the comedy of it, not one performance jarred and above all, it looked EXACTLY like I thought it would. It needs quite a deep stage, but I’m picturing the CFA stage with that sort of vista in the background, and thinking it went back a fair bit. Very small amount of film on the back wall at times, but by no means a huge part of the design. This will sit great in the Phoenix.
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Post by jacob on Aug 26, 2022 19:59:53 GMT
Merch !! ![]()  |
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Post by jacob on Aug 26, 2022 20:08:25 GMT
Interval now, I’m very impressed! Some quite clever moments:) the props
work as real objects used in the toy theatre at the beginning which I love and makes total sense.. chocolate egg, chocolate coins, Christmas ornament harp ..! Not to mention the set too, it’s gorgeous
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Post by horton on Aug 26, 2022 20:57:39 GMT
The reviews were always going to be begrudging.
Look at the money onstage. There is no way this show won't transfer!
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3,578 posts
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Post by Rory on Aug 26, 2022 21:02:46 GMT
Merch !! ![]() Great but why do a lot of merch stalls not sell posters these days?! |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 26, 2022 21:15:44 GMT
Posters for a short run in Bath wouldn't be great in terms of sales potential.
They could be added for a West End run. But seems unlikely
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Post by og on Aug 26, 2022 21:35:40 GMT
Merch !! ![]() Great but why do a lot of merch stalls not sell posters these days?! My thoughts too. The artwork is a cracking design and would compliment the Company Folio I have on the wall. A nice bit of paper to frame was all I was hoping for at the merch stall, but disappointed it wasn’t to be. Posters for a short run in Bath wouldn't be great in terms of sales potential. They could be added for a West End run. But seems unlikely Even a smaller run of print (generic artwork no dates) could have made some money. Standard Folio size with the usual treatment is around £2.50 each in production. Sell them for £5/piece and profit. Given how much they spent on staging the thing, even 200 ordered and 100 unsold is hardly going to put them out of pocket. I’m sure doing T-shirt’s was a much riskier move for the run. |
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Post by jacob on Aug 26, 2022 22:05:02 GMT
What an incredible production!! An almost immaculate cast, only assuming some vocals will only improve as the run progresses;) the set is simply stunning, some malfunctions but these were minor and didn’t make any difference to the show itself. The set only looked a little cramped in the wings, but was expected due to the size of everything. There is just so, so much! Please come and see this if you can, well worth the wait..
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Post by danb on Aug 27, 2022 14:15:49 GMT
Boy was disappointed that no poster was available. I pointed out that the walls of student bedrooms probably weren’t top of mind when Leah & Terry were pulling this together. He can always get the programme cover blown up if he’s that bothered.
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594 posts
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Post by og on Aug 27, 2022 14:39:38 GMT
So for those who've seen it... During the Witches transformation... {Spoiler}{Spoiler - click to view}
from the way the scene was playing out, who else was expected a defying gravity moment? With the Witch up stage centre, already raised and all the stage around her darkening into some prep for a change around, I was entirely expecting her to be launched up. I liked what they did though, it was unexpected and some nice theatre. |
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Post by jacob on Aug 27, 2022 16:21:00 GMT
So for those who've seen it... During the Witches transformation... {Spoiler}{Spoiler - click to view}
from the way the scene was playing out, who else was expected a defying gravity moment? With the Witch up stage centre, already raised and all the stage around her darkening into some prep for a change around, I was entirely expecting her to be launched up. I liked what they did though, it was unexpected and some nice theatre. oh for sure! The angled lighting from behind as well as her being stage centre .. can we also mention Nicola Hughes.!! Purely mesmerised by her performance last night, channeled Bernadette a few times I thought but made the character her own. Truly engaged |
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Post by jacob on Aug 27, 2022 16:22:03 GMT
Boy was disappointed that no poster was available. I pointed out that the walls of student bedrooms probably weren’t top of mind when Leah & Terry were pulling this together. He can always get the programme cover blown up if he’s that bothered. I’ve seen several promo posters about at bus stops, is it worth asking for one of those when they come around to change them maybe?! Although .. the Bugsy ones are still up near me haha |
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 27, 2022 19:49:43 GMT
A very good production that's not without its problems.
The set up is great, and the size of the Bath stage enables it to feel claustrophobic to start with until we break 'into the woods'. This is very much the production that was designed for the Old Vic that's somehow fit on this stage, and is clearly crying for a bigger theatre. Everyone is talking about the Phoenix but this show needs wing space (could see into the wings and nothing is being flown up, it's all on trucks so we need room). Thought Rapunzels tower particularly inspired, and then the Giant's entrance which I was fully 'jaw on the floor' at.
Performances largely are great. Julian Bleach really works for me - what they've done with Mysterious Man is inspired and makes Act 2 terrific Nicola Hughes is a great Act 2 Witch, but I wasn't really on board in Act 1, but a lot of this is because of her costume. It covers most of her face and stops her really being able to act so I didn't feel the Witch got going until after the reveal (side note, the reveal needs to be better and she needs a better reveal outfit - it's just not wow enough).
Alex Young is spectacular as expected - Moments In The Woods hugely moving after a hilarious Any Moment just before it. She's the emotional heart and awards nominations coming in its London transfer. Baker (sorry not near my programme for his name) good but not a good enough singer for me, and that unbalanced their relationship. Audrey Brisson a great Cinderella if you like her voice (I know it's an acquired taste for some - I loved her). Really liked the Princes, and once they'd warmed up Jack and Little Red are good value.
It's quite an unexpected concept - I won't spoil because not knowing before you go in is terrific, but the childlike eye over everything is very clever. Crucially for me, Act 2 is FINALLY dark enough. Act 2 of into the woods is essentially a slasher flick and productions don't lean into it enough - but finally this one does. Well done Gilliam and Houseman for that. Lots of unexpected choices in achieving certain moments which is always nice in a revival. Not entirely sold on a lot of the inclusion of animals in it all (although I didn't mind the Wolf) - Milky White the exception who is the cutest thing ever and works really well.
Quite lengthy thoughts from me, but it's my favourite Sondheim show and I needed it to be good. Thankfully it is, and will only improve when it's got a touch more room to breathe.
4 stars.
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