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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2021 7:40:34 GMT
Absolutely loved this at Hope Mill. One of my early cancellations when the pandemic hit, then I loved the stream, so finally seeing it live was very special. Remains one of my favourite musicals and this is a fantastic production
The venue itself is charming. The only problem remains the seating. As others have said, it is SO cramped. I am of middling size (34 waist) and was on an aisle so was more or less ok. But anyone larger in the middle of a row would be very uncomfortable. I do get that it's a small venue and has financially struggled so needs to pack people in so can see why they do it. But it's just not comfortable. And certainly, anyone vulnerable and/or with high covid anxiety would not feel comfortable which is a shame.
Much appropriate covid info in the e-mails and dotted around the venue, but no mask enforcement. In fact when I sat down, not a single person around me in any direction was wearing a mask.
But Rent itself was wonderful. And I hope the venue continues to succeed!
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 18, 2021 10:18:43 GMT
From last night, masks I’d say under 50%, which is a shame especially considering how cramped the seating is.
The show is very good. My thoughts are very similar to the recorded version. Talented diverse cast. Quite minimalistic, so you really need to know the show. I like how Luke Bayer plays Mark allowing him to fade into the background as a documentary maker, rather than dominating the stage.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2021 10:34:10 GMT
From last night, masks I’d say under 50%, which is a shame especially considering how cramped the seating is.
The show is very good. My thoughts are very similar to the recorded version. Talented diverse cast. Quite minimalistic, so you really need to know the show. I like how Luke Bayer plays Mark allowing him to fade into the background as a documentary maker, rather than dominating the stage. Yes, it IS a shame. I do think the cramped seating means they should be enforcing it. Or at least highly advising it via an announcement and ushers. Certainly if someone in the middle of the audience had it; it would be highly likely people around them would catch it. Was also very hot in there and wasn't convinced by their air circulation. I would like to reiterate however that most things about this venue are fantastic. But I would like them to look at the mask policy. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 18, 2021 10:46:28 GMT
Absolutely loved this at Hope Mill. One of my early cancellations when the pandemic hit, then I loved the stream, so finally seeing it live was very special. Remains one of my favourite musicals and this is a fantastic production The venue itself is charming. The only problem remains the seating. As others have said, it is SO cramped. I am of middling size (34 waist) and was on an aisle so was more or less ok. But anyone larger in the middle of a row would be very uncomfortable. I do get that it's a small venue and has financially struggled so needs to pack people in so can see why they do it. But it's just not comfortable. And certainly, anyone vulnerable and/or with high covid anxiety would not feel comfortable which is a shame. Much appropriate covid info in the e-mails and dotted around the venue, but no mask enforcement. In fact when I sat down, not a single person around me in any direction was wearing a mask. But Rent itself was wonderful. And I hope the venue continues to succeed! Blimey it’s a long time since I saw a 34 waist trouser so this could be a deal breaker for me and the HM going forward. The old seats were “conference” style. Horribly uncomfortable but free standing so it was possible to move out into the aisle a bit when everyone was seated, as long as you didn’t take the piss obviously. If the new ones are fixed to each other that’s not going to be possible anymore. And the seat config only usually gives one aisle so those seats are going to be scarce too. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 18, 2021 11:22:10 GMT
Yes, there’s only one aisle. I got in about two minutes show start (the cast were already congregating at the entrance so I exchanged a few words with the lovely and talented Jocasta Almgill), but I couldn’t see if the seats were fixed.
I presume they must have been as they were perfectly aligned and there wouldn’t be room to move them into the single aisle. No arm rests either.
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Post by danb on Aug 18, 2021 11:26:56 GMT
There are side ‘steps’ rather than aisles with each set of steps servicing two rows. Still space to one side though.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2021 11:40:54 GMT
Absolutely loved this at Hope Mill. One of my early cancellations when the pandemic hit, then I loved the stream, so finally seeing it live was very special. Remains one of my favourite musicals and this is a fantastic production The venue itself is charming. The only problem remains the seating. As others have said, it is SO cramped. I am of middling size (34 waist) and was on an aisle so was more or less ok. But anyone larger in the middle of a row would be very uncomfortable. I do get that it's a small venue and has financially struggled so needs to pack people in so can see why they do it. But it's just not comfortable. And certainly, anyone vulnerable and/or with high covid anxiety would not feel comfortable which is a shame. Much appropriate covid info in the e-mails and dotted around the venue, but no mask enforcement. In fact when I sat down, not a single person around me in any direction was wearing a mask. But Rent itself was wonderful. And I hope the venue continues to succeed! Blimey it’s a long time since I saw a 34 waist trouser so this could be a deal breaker for me and the HM going forward. The old seats were “conference” style. Horribly uncomfortable but free standing so it was possible to move out into the aisle a bit when everyone was seated, as long as you didn’t take the piss obviously. If the new ones are fixed to each other that’s not going to be possible anymore. And the seat config only usually gives one aisle so those seats are going to be scarce too. Yeah, they are fixed to each other now - I also used to move my aisle seat out a bit. It is wrong really - it probs doesn’t cater to over 50% of the population. Only other place I’ve been that was as cramped was the place in Vauxhall that did the most recent Closer To Heaven (is it called Above The Stag?) |
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Post by aingidh on Aug 18, 2021 17:27:24 GMT
Back on the forum! Took a little break but it’s good to be back.
I was in last night as well. I saw the livestream back in November last year and absolutely adored it, and felt the exact same about seeing it in the flesh. Absolutely outstanding. The standout performers for me were Tom, Millie, Alex and Jocasta but every single member of the company was fantastic.
First time visiting the HM as well and I already want to go back. Such a lovely venue. I didn’t quite anticipate how far it is from the city centre though. Was originally going to walk back (I was staying near Piccadilly station) but I didn’t feel comfortable with the route in the dark so just got the tram.
I was sat near the back and thought it was a great view for the price. Legroom wasn’t great at all for me (6”4 male) so I was glad for the aisle to stretch out my legs a bit. In terms of mask wearing I don’t think all that many were wearing them which is a shame.
Definitely hoping for a tour or transfer! And I’m already planning my trip for The Wiz based on how fantastic this theatre has been:
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 22, 2021 10:05:15 GMT
It may be of little interest to anyone, but I also made the Wednesday evening performance and have to say this is so much more intimate from the front row. Luke Bayer has grown a lot on me as well, as you can pick up on lots of little touches of things he's doing from the front.
It always helps to be surrounded by lovely people as well, including the Rent superfans, even though Rent does somehow have a tendency to pick up some larger ladies which isn't the easiest in the seats. Two young ladies next to me had travelled from Scotland and just got matching candle tattoos that day to celebrate finally seeing Rent live, which I thought was really sweet.
I should also mention just how great Dom Hartley-Harris' vocals are. And Tom Francis is the perfect Roger, I'm sure he could get a recording contract.
As a small note, it's a really easy walk (20 minutes) from Hope Mill to the centre of Manchester. I've never felt unsafe. The only time I've ever not walked has been when it's poured with rain (when it's a few pounds by Uber).
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Post by LaLuPone on Aug 22, 2021 20:51:09 GMT
Was meant to be at the show tonight but it was cancelled at the last minute due to cast illness (not Covid related). I guess it’s that they don’t have understudies with such a small cast and so if someone’s off they have to just cancel? Very disappointing anyway when I came all the way from Cardiff but can’t be helped! Now staying up here an extra night and going to the Wednesday matinee, praying it goes ahead.
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Post by alison on Aug 22, 2021 21:13:24 GMT
Was meant to be at the show tonight but it was cancelled at the last minute due to cast illness (not Covid related). I guess it’s that they don’t have understudies with such a small cast and so if someone’s off they have to just cancel? Very disappointing anyway when I came all the way from Cardiff but can’t be helped! Now staying up here an extra night and going to the Wednesday matinee, praying it goes ahead. Oh no! I was there yesterday afternoon and we had an announcement saying an ensemble member was out and so there would be changes. Everything was well covered by the four remaining ensemble but I guess there's a limit to how much they can manage before they just can't run the show.
Figners crossed for Wednesday for you!
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Post by undeuxtrois on Aug 24, 2021 19:27:28 GMT
Isaac Hesketh making their debut as Roger tonight!
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Post by b23 on Aug 25, 2021 8:20:57 GMT
This afternoons show postponed
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Post by danb on Aug 25, 2021 8:31:56 GMT
Hope they are all ok. It’s a small cast so they only need to lose one of each sex to notice the gaps.
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Post by richey on Aug 25, 2021 10:44:12 GMT
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Post by LaLuPone on Aug 25, 2021 11:31:17 GMT
So gutting! Especially when I could have just gone last night and it would have gone ahead. Stayed in a very dodgy hotel as well just to get another chance to see it. This will probably put me off seeing something at the Hope Mill in future to be honest, I understand that this sort of thing can happen with “small show”/small casts but it’s just too much of a risk when you’re travelling a long way. Thought about going to see The Woman in Black or Groan Ups but there’s no matinee for either today  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 25, 2021 14:01:19 GMT
So gutting! Especially when I could have just gone last night and it would have gone ahead. Stayed in a very dodgy hotel as well just to get another chance to see it. This will probably put me off seeing something at the Hope Mill in future to be honest, I understand that this sort of thing can happen with “small show”/small casts but it’s just too much of a risk when you’re travelling a long way. Thought about going to see The Woman in Black or Groan Ups but there’s no matinee for either today Terrible shame Gagging to know which hotel…. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 25, 2021 17:48:42 GMT
Gagging to know which hotel…. The gagging is what makes it so dodgy! |
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Post by NorthernAlien on Aug 25, 2021 19:59:53 GMT
So gutting! Especially when I could have just gone last night and it would have gone ahead. Stayed in a very dodgy hotel as well just to get another chance to see it. This will probably put me off seeing something at the Hope Mill in future to be honest, I understand that this sort of thing can happen with “small show”/small casts but it’s just too much of a risk when you’re travelling a long way. Thought about going to see The Woman in Black or Groan Ups but there’s no matinee for either today Terrible shame Gagging to know which hotel…. My money's on Sascha's! |
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Post by tysilio2 on Aug 26, 2021 8:14:46 GMT
6 tickets for Saturday 4th September at 7:30 for sale. Details in noticeboard (or DM me).
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Post by benny20 on Aug 26, 2021 12:19:30 GMT
Gabriela Garcia on as Mimi tonight. Glad they can get it back on again but must be very stressful for them all. Fingers crossed
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 26, 2021 12:44:13 GMT
Gabriela Garcia on as Mimi tonight. Some very lucky people will get to see Gabriela tonight. She has been fantastic in everything I've ever seen her in. (but also wishing everyone who is currently unable to perform a fast recovery) |
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Post by benny20 on Aug 26, 2021 13:12:34 GMT
Yep. Saw her in West Side Story. Brilliant
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Post by undeuxtrois on Aug 26, 2021 13:42:22 GMT
Yep. Saw her in West Side Story. Brilliant Jealous of everyone there tonight. She has a gorgeous voice. |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Aug 27, 2021 11:37:09 GMT
Few questions because I want to come see this but I've never been to Manchester and I'm a bit funny about walking in places I don't know on my own at night. So how easy (and safe) is it to get from Hope Mill back to Piccadilly station?
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