|
Post by interval99 on Aug 21, 2023 19:57:57 GMT
In the front stalls. You would have thought would have used the Royal box
|
|
652 posts
|
Post by theatremiss on Aug 21, 2023 21:44:15 GMT
Saw this tonight and so pleased I’m back again tomorrow. One of the best staged concerts I’ve seen. No prompt sheets, great orchestra, lovely costumes (although if I’m being picky Meg looked like she was wearing a nappy) and a glorious Celinde
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Aug 21, 2023 21:58:22 GMT
It was a truly magnificent evening. Andy was in also so no pressure for the cast.
Celinde and Norm just perfection and the LMTO were on fire. Not a weak link to be had,
Some thespy screamy types behind me over enthusing about how they ‘MUST have the umbrellas’ (a prop in the show) and how this was ‘just the warm up’ so I’m guessing either this is playing S****horpe Amateur Operatic Society very soon and they’ve cast an incredible Phantom to rival Norm OR (Holds breath - please let it be true) This might have another life with a fully staged version?
|
|
262 posts
|
Post by kyvai on Aug 21, 2023 21:58:38 GMT
In the front stalls. You would have thought would have used the Royal box Ha, yes. After you posted that in the interval, when the spotlights were on Raoul and Phantom in the boxes during Love Never Dies in the second act, I was squinting to see ALW was sat there! On the bus home now. That was something pretty special, very glad I was able to be there. It was clear at least around where I was sitting, that the audience was full of real fans. I saw quite a few people with tears in their eyes at a few points, especially Celinde’s Love Never Dies. Even the men! I walked past the stage door on my way out and it was very crowded there. That’s not for me but I bet it was mayhem, the good kind. I hope ALW got a nice lift from the instant standing ovation and extended applause at the end, he’s had a rough time.
|
|
262 posts
|
Post by kyvai on Aug 21, 2023 22:02:41 GMT
Hmm I think the “warm up” comment could just be that there’s two more performances tomorrow? They’ll probably iron out the minor microphone missed timings and that one costume malfunction.
I’d love to see this back in the west end, but if Aspects of Love can’t hack it in the current climate, this never will. My opinion only.
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Aug 21, 2023 22:06:17 GMT
Hmm I think the “warm up” comment could just be that there’s two more performances tomorrow? They’ll probably iron out the minor microphone missed timings and that one costume malfunction. I’d love to see this back in the west end, but if Aspects of Love can’t hack it in the current climate, this never will. My opinion only. Hmmm this score beats Aspects hands down. I think it’s his most glorious score. Tbh listening to this tonight I forgave the story such as it was 😉 Fully immersed in the music storytelling
|
|
|
Post by SuttonPeron on Aug 21, 2023 22:35:55 GMT
This show has such a stunning, gorgeous score. I couldn´t make it this time, so I genuinely hope this isn´t the last we hear from it in the UK in too long.
|
|
868 posts
|
Post by BVM on Aug 21, 2023 23:18:36 GMT
I thought this was absolutely sensational tonight. Superbly staged; brilliant sound and light. Orchestra sounded incredible playing what is IMHO one of ALW’s greatest scores.
Cast were perfection. What voices!
Wonder if there could be a future life for this though guess it’s unlikely. Tonight was an absolute treat though. And a perfectly behaved audience to boot. Amazing stuff!
|
|
|
Post by mattnyc on Aug 21, 2023 23:48:56 GMT
What was the run time tonight?
|
|
|
Post by 141920grm on Aug 22, 2023 1:21:48 GMT
What was the run time tonight? bows around 21:50, out by 22:00 (sticking around to hear the full playout is worth it!)
|
|
1,908 posts
|
Post by LaLuPone on Aug 22, 2023 2:27:24 GMT
I assume it’s a small part but how was Sally Dexter? Love her!
|
|
|
Post by danb on Aug 22, 2023 4:47:09 GMT
Was it being filmed at all? 🤞 As many have said, musically this is up there with Sunset for me and I’d love to hear it, especially Celinde.
|
|
500 posts
|
Post by anthony on Aug 22, 2023 8:19:36 GMT
Looking forward to seeing this twice today!
Can anyone confirm if the only merch is the programme? & which version of Beauty Underneath did they use? Out of everything in the Australian version, the slowed down version of Beauty Underneath is the one thing I really dislike - think the original was significantly better!
|
|
176 posts
|
Post by tom on Aug 22, 2023 8:20:32 GMT
Did they use the original Beauty Underneath or the newer version? I prefer the original.
|
|
176 posts
|
Post by tom on Aug 22, 2023 8:21:03 GMT
Looking forward to seeing this twice today! Can anyone confirm if the only merch is the programme? & which version of Beauty Underneath did they use? Out of everything in the Australian version, the slowed down version of Beauty Underneath is the one thing I really dislike - think the original was significantly better! Our questions overlapped there - how odd!
|
|
|
Post by 10642 on Aug 22, 2023 8:27:29 GMT
Did they use the original Beauty Underneath or the newer version? I prefer the original. I think it was the new version they reworked for the US Tour - it wasn’t the version on the Australian DVD anyway
|
|
|
Post by interval99 on Aug 22, 2023 9:12:16 GMT
The programme is the only merchandise sold before and after the show. £15 for one Norm and Celinde have signed in gold pen on the front cover. Not sure on the unsigned version cost. Nice full colour a4 size on quality paper. Cast and production bios , 4 page interview with norm. The logo design is the logo in gold on chocolate brown background. Thanks to modern front screens the signage front of house is pretty much for the show rather than Frozen. If you preordered the signed one you collect from the shop desk far left as you go and they have a long list of names to check so likely queue but fast moving.
|
|
|
Post by theatre2023 on Aug 22, 2023 9:13:26 GMT
Anyone else feel Norm Lewis' voice wasn't quite up to par? Felt like he was struggling at times / didn't have the necessary impact? Celinde was amazing.
|
|
|
Post by 10642 on Aug 22, 2023 9:15:59 GMT
Anyone else feel Norm Lewis' voice wasn't quite up to par? Felt like he was struggling at times / didn't have the necessary impact? Celinde was amazing. Yeah, thought he was mostly very good but the two voice cracks on the last line of Till I hear You Sing kinda showed he was struggling at the top end of his range. Several line flubs throughout the show and Celinde being on absolutely top form didn’t help either…
|
|
|
Post by vickyg on Aug 22, 2023 10:07:01 GMT
SO looking forward to seeing this this evening. My favourite ALW score by far. I have no issues whatsoever suspending disbelief about the story and listening to the beautiful music which sounds like it will be in fine form. Roll on the end of the working day!
|
|
|
Post by sophia on Aug 22, 2023 10:13:19 GMT
Did anyone who was there last night think that The Beauty Underneath sounded pre-recorded with Norm lip-synching? I thought this during the song and then heard two separate groups of people during the interval saying the same thing. They were all sitting in the same area as me, so possibly just a sound issue…
|
|
|
Post by interval99 on Aug 22, 2023 10:25:03 GMT
Hope all going to the shows today enjoy it as much as last nights crowd.
It was joyful see the cast and orchestra genuinely smiling at the rapturous reception they got and well deserved for their work , no idea how long they had to rehearse but its a polished product which was fully planned out. This really is far beyond the in concert tag.
I think time and the knowledge that the storyline they choose for this show does not match where people thought things would go at the end of phantom now let's you enjoy the show for what it is without the bewilderment of the plot overshadowing when seeing it first time.
But this version is the first where you can actually belive the characters fates and motivations more. There are some genuine emotional catch points and a top rate performance from every cast member just makes it work on that level whereas before i have loved the music and vocals but never any real attachment to the storyline of the show and the players fates.
The evening was a very special surprise and a real musical highlight.
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Aug 22, 2023 10:48:07 GMT
Did anyone who was there last night think that The Beauty Underneath sounded pre-recorded with Norm lip-synching? I thought this during the song and then heard two separate groups of people during the interval saying the same thing. They were all sitting in the same area as me, so possibly just a sound issue… I thought the same! Looked over at one point the child’s mouth was moving out of synch to the music. Strange.
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Aug 22, 2023 10:51:54 GMT
Hope all going to the shows today enjoy it as much as last nights crowd. It was joyful see the cast and orchestra genuinely smiling at the rapturous reception they got and well deserved for their work , no idea how long they had to rehearse but its a polished product which was fully planned out. This really is far beyond the in concert tag. I think time and the knowledge that the storyline they choose for this show does not match where people thought things would go at the end of phantom now let's you enjoy the show for what it is without the bewilderment of the plot overshadowing when seeing it first time. But this version is the first where you can actually belive the characters fates and motivations more. There are some genuine emotional catch points and a top rate performance from every cast member just makes it work on that level whereas before i have loved the music and vocals but never any real attachment to the storyline of the show and the players fates. The evening was a very special surprise and a real musical highlight. Think you’ve hit the nail there. If you go in with no pre conceived ideas about what’s ‘supposed’ to happen after Phantom then it’s a very enjoyable piece of high romance melodrama. I believed in the performances and have to admit filled up at a couple of points. So I guess the combo of excellent performances and the soaring score did their trick. I was a little worried at the voice crack at the start but he redeemed himself pretty quickly after.
|
|
|
Post by 141920grm on Aug 22, 2023 11:19:02 GMT
I assume it’s a small part but how was Sally Dexter? Love her! Pretty vicious = good, actually, especially her ‘if that bastard had never been born’ line lol Can’t pinpoint it but felt like there were points every now and then where a pretty high note was written for Giry which Sally perhaps couldn’t quite hit so replaced with speak-singing instead, but it didn’t detract at all, in fact I’d say she was one of the most vocally consistent out of the leads Oh and the only one with a heavy French accent like in the cast recordings
|
|
885 posts
|
Post by lonlad on Aug 22, 2023 11:21:06 GMT
A friend has been offered £2.50 seats for the matinee today. Hmmm .....
|
|
|
Post by sophia on Aug 22, 2023 11:29:17 GMT
Going into this having never seen LND before, I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to and am really glad I picked up a last-minute ticket. I had a much better time than at the recent Evita concert - and the audience around me were much better behaved too!
I thought the cast were all excellent. The opening number with Norm (and the audience response to it) felt pretty magical.
|
|
868 posts
|
Post by BVM on Aug 22, 2023 11:30:09 GMT
Did they use the original Beauty Underneath or the newer version? I prefer the original. New version! In fact entire score/book/lyrics was the Hamburg/US Tour version which I think is pretty much the blueprint now. It's almost the same (that song aside) as the closing Australia/DVD show. Agree with you, I think I preferred the original Beauty Underneath. Though don't dislike the new version.
|
|
868 posts
|
Post by BVM on Aug 22, 2023 11:37:45 GMT
Hope all going to the shows today enjoy it as much as last nights crowd. It was joyful see the cast and orchestra genuinely smiling at the rapturous reception they got and well deserved for their work , no idea how long they had to rehearse but its a polished product which was fully planned out. This really is far beyond the in concert tag. I think time and the knowledge that the storyline they choose for this show does not match where people thought things would go at the end of phantom now let's you enjoy the show for what it is without the bewilderment of the plot overshadowing when seeing it first time. But this version is the first where you can actually belive the characters fates and motivations more. There are some genuine emotional catch points and a top rate performance from every cast member just makes it work on that level whereas before i have loved the music and vocals but never any real attachment to the storyline of the show and the players fates. The evening was a very special surprise and a real musical highlight. Couldn't agree more with this. After the suboptimal Auli'i performance was great to see these concerts fully back on track. I say concert. This was more than "semi" staged. I was also delighted to see it get such a wonderful reception. And ALW must have been pleased after all he's been through of late. Of course it was a crowd of fans so it's gonna be received well, but it makes for a fabulous viewing experience - also bad behaviour non existent where I was sat. Said it before but having these concerts in long running show venues where they can slave off their wonderful sound designs and lighting rigs is a genius idea. Also agree re the LND story - if you're looking at it as a direct sequel to those exact characters than clearly it's a nonsense. If you look at it as a stand alone story, inspired by but not identical to the previous characters then I think you've got a fantastic well written decent plot musical. But the true highlight - that score - performed and sung brilliantly. Loved loved loved it :-) Really got me thinking that it deserves a new fully staged production. Then had to reign myself in and remember that niche interest at a concert presentation doth not demand for an open ended run represent! But it's a brilliant musical. And having seen the original more times than I care to mention, plus two trips to Hamburg to see the second version, was simply wonderful to see it staged again.
|
|
1,244 posts
|
Post by londonmzfitz on Aug 22, 2023 12:04:53 GMT
Anyone else feel Norm Lewis' voice wasn't quite up to par? Felt like he was struggling at times / didn't have the necessary impact? Celinde was amazing. Yeah, thought he was mostly very good but the two voice cracks on the last line of Till I hear You Sing kinda showed he was struggling at the top end of his range. Yup to both.
|
|