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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 14, 2021 20:56:13 GMT
Mr Barnaby me too not been this excited about a show 🤔well maybe first time I saw blood brothers 25 years ago lol ... it really is that good. Hope more people travel up the brum to see it for themselves 👍 The set certainly looks much more impressive than I was expecting. A good sign. Also Bronte Barbe is always fabulous. Hope I’ve spelt her name right!
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Post by drowseychap on Oct 14, 2021 23:52:40 GMT
Mr Barnaby me too not been this excited about a show 🤔well maybe first time I saw blood brothers 25 years ago lol ... it really is that good. Hope more people travel up the brum to see it for themselves 👍 The set certainly looks much more impressive than I was expecting. A good sign. Also Bronte Barbe is always fabulous. Hope I’ve spelt her name right! Bronte is fantastic Dominic Anderson is fabulous too a real heartthrob ❤️pin up and such charisma for the part I who have nothing really is a stand out performance a real wow . Also guy who plays big Mickey stops the show with Delilah The set is very good some really great scene changes the never hold up the show and really great use of projections just to enhance the set.
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Post by happytobehere on Oct 15, 2021 14:58:33 GMT
I wish I could see this but I’m not sure I’ll be able to get up to Birmingham before the 14th do we think there’s any chance the show could continue somewhere else?
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Post by david on Oct 15, 2021 15:13:44 GMT
Train and front row ticket sorted for the 23rd. Had a watch of the clips on YT and looks great fun.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2021 15:38:44 GMT
I wish I could see this but I’m not sure I’ll be able to get up to Birmingham before the 14th do we think there’s any chance the show could continue somewhere else? I’d be surprised if it didn’t, it has been reported that they had ambitions of London and Broadway and it has its own website and socials probably for a future life. Plus the word of mouth in previews has been very positive. 😊
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Post by drowseychap on Oct 16, 2021 1:19:21 GMT
It does have a very strong creative team behind it previous Tony and Olivier winners etc , Arlene came onstage before the first preview said she was very nervous about it as we were the first audience to ever see it but so excited about the show , heard talk in the interval of hopes of a west end transfer Everything was made in house at Birmingham Rep and celebrating 50 yrs at New Rep theatre. They are really hoping it will do well
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Post by properjob on Oct 16, 2021 23:12:04 GMT
Saw this tonight and it is a bright uplifting show, just what we need coming out of lockdown. Much better than your average juke box musical. Although I've never read the book I suspect having a plot and then adding songs makes for a much better show. However I fear it will make a few apperances in the bad behaviour thread with drunken singing along. I think the show makes a mistake in appearing to encourage this for one song. There isn't a weak link in the cast and Arlene makes the ensemble work very hard but too great effect. The production values are sky high so I am assuming they hope for a life for it after this run and I can see it having one.
It looks to be selling well and I overheard a couple of conversations which implied to me it was reaching people who only go the theatre occasionally.
I spotted a couple of the mischief team in the queue for the bar who I assume were up to support Harry who is perfect in this.
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Post by mkb on Oct 17, 2021 1:32:57 GMT
Attending the Birmingham Rep on Thursday evening, little did I know that I had booked for the 50th anniversary - to the day - of the venue's inaugural production at the current site.
We were all handed a celebratory card with a packet of sweets, and Co-Artistic Director Sean Foley began the night with a seven-minute speech extolling the virtues of the city's only professional producing house.
Graham Winteringham, the 98-year old architect of the Rep, is a regular attendee and was here to enjoy the latest show. He was received with warm applause from the near-full audience.
It turns out that the answer to the question What's New Pussycat? is a front door. Despite being part of the original design, the Rep has never had one, being blocked by the local planners. Fifty years later, that omission is being rectified, and most of the front of house is currently hidden behind hoardings while work continues.
But what of Pussycat? A retelling of Henry Fielding's 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, transplanted to 1960s London, and set to the music and lyrics of songs popularised by Welsh baritone and former tax exile Tom Jones, what could go wrong?
Astonishingly, nothing at all. In fact, the whole affair is a work of genius, a jukebox musical like no other.
The kaleidoscopic set and lighting design at once signal that we're here to have fun, and have fun we do. A strong cast are clearly having a ball too, with special mention to Ashley Campbell as Mr Partridge, Rebekah Hinds as The Girl In The Polka Dot Dress, and Harry Kershaw as William Blifil, who all deliver comedy par excellence.
Janet Bird's dazzling Technicolour costumes and Arlene Phillips' energetic choreography are a treat for the eyes; the orchestrations and sound design similarly reward the ears. My feet just wouldn't stay still, tapping along to tunes mainly familiar, some less so, but always having surprisingly apposite lyrics.
This is 100% theatrical tonic to counter the blues of the real world. Go see it! You won't regret it.
Five stars.
Act 1: 19:13-20:16 Act 2: 20:41-21:35
(Scheduled start was 19:00, but is normally 19:30. There is ample time before the last weekday train back to London if anyone fancies a trip up.)
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 17, 2021 8:32:32 GMT
It’s sounding a bit &Juliet-ish. Tell us about the seats in the rep. Anything to be aware of? Legroom? There’s an info note about the front row seats when you click to book but it doesn’t show in full on my iPad “seat is slightly….” something. What’s that?
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Post by mkb on Oct 17, 2021 9:06:36 GMT
I usually sit in the centre of the front row or the one behind (as they are cheaper). Both offer excellent views. The front row has slightly less leg room but I've never felt uncomfortable.
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4,950 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 17, 2021 9:15:35 GMT
The full warning is "Seats slightly below stage level."
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Post by mkb on Oct 17, 2021 9:53:57 GMT
The full warning is "Seats slightly below stage level." I think they always say that in case there is a very high stage, but my eyes have never been lower than stage level, and usually, as with Pussycat, about a foot higher.
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Post by properjob on Oct 17, 2021 9:59:31 GMT
It’s sounding a bit &Juliet-ish. Tell us about the seats in the rep. Anything to be aware of? Legroom? There’s an info note about the front row seats when you click to book but it doesn’t show in full on my iPad “seat is slightly….” something. What’s that? It is very steeply raked (think lecture theatre) and so legroom and view over the row in front is good everywhere. A typical theatre of its time where everyone is in a single seating bank and like all of those the very end of the rows are a bit too far to the side so I would go further back to get more central for the same price. I sat in row E and think I was actually a bit close to take it all in and could see the the edges of the wigs. We went up 5 mins late and I think that will happen a lot as they do bag searches as you enter the auditorium rather than the building which leads to long queues just before the start time so take account of that with train times.
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Post by mkb on Oct 17, 2021 10:12:14 GMT
Yes, they've been stupidly doing the bag searches at that point for several years, ever since the security threat level was raised. So any terrorist planning on planting a bomb can just leave it in the toilets or foyer instead. Crazy, and causes delays as you say.
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Post by TheatreTwittic on Oct 17, 2021 10:56:10 GMT
Interestingly when I went yesterday there didn't seem to be doing bag searches, I had it open ready but they didn't want to know! The crowd were very excited to read on the warning 'partial nudity' and while I won't post spoilers, how you can call that partial I shall never know 🤣 I loved it. In some ways there is a bit of likeness to and juliet including some of the themes and similar to and juliet even if you're not an avid fan of Tom Jones (the artists) it's equally enjoyable. Now it's officially past previews I've written up a review and so you can see my full thoughts, but I short a super slick, really enjoyable night out. The cast were spot on, Delilah brings the house down and the plot is well crafted too. Bridgerton meets Mills and Boon is how I'd describe it. 10 minutes of the first act have some similarties with Never Forget including rain scene. For those who have seen it please tell me I'm not the only one who thought that 🤣 Fullreview: thetheatretwittic.com/2021/10/17/review-whats-new-pussycat-at-the-birmingham-rep/
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 17, 2021 15:22:05 GMT
Booked. Now to find a train that doesn’t take 2 hours to travel 70 miles. 90 minutes each way is the best on offer, astonishing that two of the UK’s major cities are so poorly connected. TallPaul will probably turn up in a minute abd tell me there’s a secret magic train that only takes 45 minutes (but isn’t avaiable in any of the schedules like the mystery late service between manc abd Sheffield! 😐)
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Post by alison on Oct 17, 2021 15:53:38 GMT
Booked. Now to find a train that doesn’t take 2 hours to travel 70 miles. 90 minutes each way is the best on offer, astonishing that two of the UK’s major cities are so poorly connected. TallPaul will probably turn up in a minute abd tell me there’s a secret magic train that only takes 45 minutes (but isn’t avaiable in any of the schedules like the mystery late service between manc abd Sheffield! 😐) I live a couple of stops further down the Birmingham-Euston line. Unfortunately, after about 10pm trains aren't able to run on the fast lines (I think because of works on the line?) so they have to travel on the slow lines instead. If I see a full length evening show in London my train in takes around 55 mins, the train back takes 1h 40. And if, God forbid, I want to see one on a Saturday night I have to find an alternative method because the slow lines are closed too, so the last train out of London is 9:42.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 17, 2021 16:06:52 GMT
I’m doing a matinee so I’ll probably get home just in time for my cocoa and a cuddle with Walter Hottle Bottle
I haven’t been to Brum for work for a couple of years but even at peak commuter time it can’t be done on the train in less than 90 mins. More often more. And the crush at Wolverhampton is always 😖
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 17, 2021 17:26:20 GMT
I wouldn't dream of giving timetable advice to an expert, BurlyBeaR. And because you've left it to the last minute, as usual, I suppose all the cheap advance tickets have now gone? At least you'll be able to use your senior railcard. 😁
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 17, 2021 18:11:45 GMT
Booked. Now to find a train that doesn’t take 2 hours to travel 70 miles. 90 minutes each way is the best on offer, astonishing that two of the UK’s major cities are so poorly connected. I think 90 minutes for 70 miles sounds pretty good compared to my train options when I want to travel to Birmingham. For me it's 2h40 minimum for what Google maps tells me is 97 miles.
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Post by danb on Oct 17, 2021 18:30:37 GMT
I’m afraid I’ve taken to staying over in basic accommodation when there is no train available. I hate motorway night driving so that isn’t an option, but if I want the drama of an evening performance in London, something has to give. Uni halls and the better hostels are ok and often it can add up to the same as your peak time trains.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 17, 2021 18:32:08 GMT
I saw What's New Pussycat yesterday afternoon and it became instantly my favourite new show of 2021. Will 100% be back for a revisit next month and I live in Kent This show should be embarking on a tour or transferring to London immediately, every cast member is perfect. Delilah made me laugh almost uncontrollably. As for the travel for me that's an added bonus and I took the slow train via Northampton
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Post by drowseychap on Oct 18, 2021 1:01:33 GMT
Yay so so pleased some of you are getting to see the show now .... and I’m not just some overexcitable WNPC addict 😂 after seeing it twice already and booked again for Thursday 21st ... booked front row as it’s cheaper and stage is quite low so .it’s fine ... there’s not really a bad seat in the rep. Sat row H and I both centre so far love the slightly curved stadium seating. Lots of leg room and no heads in front !!
Opening night is this Tuesday 19th. I’m sure once the press is out there ticket sales will go up dramatically Every one I know who went on first previews have booked again already Tickets prices vary at the rep front row this week is £20 towards end of the run it’s £34.50 my top price seats last week we’re £32. Again for some performance got up to almost £50 They have a hit on their hands here. Cant wait to hear what you all think of it
If first time seeing it I would recommend row H backwards. So you get to see the full. Effect of the set lighting and projections they really do frame the show so well .....oh and if you want to be closer to Tom Jones just in undies sit left side 😂😂😱🎶❤️ Spoiler alert. He leaves his hat on !
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Post by showgirl on Oct 18, 2021 3:52:46 GMT
drowseychap I booked on the strength of your first rave review though the show had been on my radar for months and I'm really looking forward to it. It was either wait for matinees to start so I could do a day trip from Surrey or add an overnight stay and risk losing the cost of hotel and train tix if the performance was cancelled. As I've had a few experiences of the latter recently I opted for the day trip and am going towards the end of the run so have had to pay quite a lot for my theatre ticket which, with the train, makes it quite a costly day out. However, it sounds worth it and once booking opens I hope to visit some museums first. Besides, even Birmingham makes a change from London!
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Post by happytobehere on Oct 18, 2021 7:03:54 GMT
Praying this transfers to London or at least tours! Really want to see it but I can’t really afford a day trip to Birmingham, sounds amazing from the reviews here.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 18, 2021 9:30:33 GMT
I had seat A12 on Saturday afternoon which is dead centre in the front row. For anyone who likes to be close to the action I would add to my previous post that this is the ultimate front row experience. I could on occasions literally have reached out and touched a performer's foot. Slightly reduced legroom but stage level just right.
At first I feared a repeat of Thriller at the Lyric a few years ago where the Michael Jackson performer was, shall I say, a bit of a sprayer which impacted my enjoyment, but no such issues here. Whatever your taste I can say confidently that the two leads, Bronte Barbe and Dominic Andersen not only act and sing brilliantly, they are equally easy on the eye.
Incidentally travel from London to Birmingham isn't too expensive. I paid just under £15 from Euston to New Street booking a couple of weeks in advance. That's with my senior railcard but full fare still only £22. I think there are off peak returns available on the slower routes for around £30
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Post by david on Oct 18, 2021 9:47:16 GMT
I had seat A12 on Saturday afternoon which is dead centre in the front row. For anyone who likes to be close to the action I would add to my previous post that this is the ultimate front row experience. I could on occasions literally have reached out and touched a performer's foot. Slightly reduced legroom but stage level just right. Thanks for this FrontroverPaul. I’ve booked A9 for this saturdays matinee.
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Post by djdan14 on Oct 18, 2021 9:52:40 GMT
Going tonight! And all this Hype has got me excited. Glad I transferred my something rotten ticket which would have been tonight to this rather than take the refund.
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Post by drowseychap on Oct 18, 2021 12:32:52 GMT
drowseychap I booked on the strength of your first rave review though the show had been on my radar for months and I'm really looking forward to it. It was either wait for matinees to start so I could do a day trip from Surrey or add an overnight stay and risk losing the cost of hotel and train tix if the performance was cancelled. As I've had a few experiences of the latter recently I opted for the day trip and am going towards the end of the run so have had to pay quite a lot for my theatre ticket which, with the train, makes it quite a costly day out. However, it sounds worth it and once booking opens I hope to visit some museums first. Besides, even Birmingham makes a change from London! Really hope you enjoy there’s lots to see around the rep museums are close and are just putting Ferris wheel 🎡 and ice rink outside as I type I was beginning to worry I sounded like a stick record ... I’m always very calm and measured with reviews ... but this show really blew me away on the first preview 20 of my friends have been on separate occasions all loved it and 12. Have re booked already 👍
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Post by drowseychap on Oct 18, 2021 14:51:10 GMT
Going tonight! And all this Hype has got me excited. Glad I transferred my something rotten ticket which would have been tonight to this rather than take the refund. Will be really interested to see what you think ... I’d heard about it and seen the hoardings and Fb ads etc but tbh it really wasn’t something I was eager to see ... I only booked for first preview as my weekend away got cancelled and thought oh well I love theatre but if rubbish it’s only cheap as I bought band D which were then £17.50 Best decision in many a year 👍
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