What’s New Pussycat? - Birmingham Rep

When I said it sounded &Juliet-ish I didn’t realise it was the same director Luke Sheppard. He also directed Spring Awakening at the Hope Mill which i loved. Ok, he directed Rent there too which I didn’t like but I’m still confident 🙂

Was not expecting groundbreaking at all, but I wouldn't describe it as superb either as others had.

In terms of it not looking like the aforementioned shows; I mean...

How big is the Rep both in terms of capacity and stage? Would be interesting to see what theatre in London they're aiming for should it transfer,

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It’s actually quite a big looking stage despite it’s smaller capacity. I’ve not seen What’s New Pussycat? yet, but from my previous REP visits and a few photos I’ve seen of the set it looks like it could easily fit into any big West End theatre. The last thing I can think of that transferred from there was The Exorcist to the Phoenix so perhaps one of that size, or even Nativity! to the Hammersmith Apollo though that’s not the West End.

Capacity is around 850 it’s a huge spacious auditorium so you imagine more. But no circles etc just stadium style seating like cinemas

Yep that will never happen!

Do you have to enter the auditorium at your allocated admission time for this? I've been allocated an entry slot five minutes before the start of the show but am usually in my seat well before then!

I’ve been 3 times so far to this most recently last night I’ve never had problems getting in between 6.45 -7.20 .... if anything I think they would like people in earlier. As there is only one make shift bar at moment in the library theatre which is now part of rep .... as the whole foyer restaurant bars are closed due to extensive building work ... I think you would be fine anytime

This was so worth the trip to Birmingham today to watch this this. Basically, I loved it. 2hrs and 20 minutes of fun and music sung by a fantastic cast. Being sat front row really gives you the full immersive concert experience. A lot of us commented that we hadn’t realised how close we would be (you can touch the stage from your seat you are that close) but what an experience it was and I’d definitely recommend sitting here for this show as there are no obstructions and plenty of leg room even with my coat and bag in front.

Director Luke Shephard really has put together a great cast who look and sound great here. It’s a really slick show and with a book by Joe DiPietro that makes sense and gives you characters that as an audience member you actually you root for. Every cast member gets a chance to shine.

Watching the show, it’s a amazing how many hits Tom Jones has had over his great career and they are well used here and played by a band of 9 they sounded great this afternoon. I was even surprised that they managed to use “Thunderball” in a really clever way. Though it’s Lemuel Knight’s “Delilah” that is the song of the show for me.

A really nice and deep set with some video screen are used well here and a few pyrotechnics alongside a great lighting design make for a winner of a show.

5⭐️

Note to self - always read text prior to posting Now corrected! 

Sorry to hear about this drowseychap . What should of been a great night out for yourself and your party as well as the great FOH staff at the REP turned sour in such a horrible way. I will never understand why people think that it’s ok to basically commit  what was theft and then to go on and verbally abuse people when they get found out. They really are the worst kind of people and hopefully won’t be seen at a theatre again. 

On a positive note, I can see why you’ve gone back to watch the show. It is just so much fun isn’t it?  Having looked at the performance schedule, I’m definitely making a return trip before the end of the run, but maybe a few rows back so I maybe get a better appreciation if the lighting and video stuff. 

I would definitely like to see this tour prior to any WE run. I think people would really enjoy it.