1,046 posts
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Post by jgblunners on Jul 31, 2019 11:34:07 GMT
Had a moment of payday weakness and booked front Stalls for the final performance... can't wait to be back!
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Post by xanady on Jul 31, 2019 11:48:34 GMT
^Thought it was up to mods to rule on such things and not for members to tell people how to behave on here? Or am I wrong?
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4,177 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jul 31, 2019 12:22:47 GMT
^Thought it was up to mods to rule on such things and not for members to tell people how to behave on here? Or am I wrong? In that case, since I am one, i can very much tell you to please refrain from trying to stir the pot  |
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Post by xanady on Jul 31, 2019 12:30:02 GMT
^Excuse me for breathing...
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529 posts
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Post by jampot on Jul 31, 2019 16:41:05 GMT
Had a moment of payday weakness and booked front Stalls for the final performance... can't wait to be back! How is the neck ache on the front row? |
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1,997 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 31, 2019 16:46:25 GMT
Church-going Christian here. I am very familiar with the story being told and I found act one hard to follow. The narrative could be clearer. Given I accept that ALW didn’t set out to explain the gospel, I have to put it down to dramatic choices he made (dropping us into the action, having it sung through.) If someone didn’t know the story (someone from a different faith perhaps, or no faith at all) and who didn’t know the musical beforehand, I think they’d really struggle to explain what’s happening, but I think they’d catch the buzz and still enjoy it (if this is their sort of thing...I think this is a fabulous production and I am going to see it again next week. We were in the upper circle £18 seats far stage right and we missed the tableau and anything that happened on the cross. We’ve picked same level, other side for the return.
I've been saying this since I first saw it in 96. The score assumes a LOT. THere is virtually no exposition. It seems to be assumed that the audience know the full context, and there is very little to help in the text.
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Post by xanady on Jul 31, 2019 16:49:08 GMT
A lot of musicals lack exposition at the start now that I come to think of it...
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1,281 posts
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jul 31, 2019 16:56:16 GMT
Had a moment of payday weakness and booked front Stalls for the final performance... can't wait to be back! How is the neck ache on the front row? No neck ache at all. The stage is low. Enjoy! |
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84 posts
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Post by theatremadhatter on Jul 31, 2019 19:49:28 GMT
They’ve got a trailer which although surprising for a short run makes me want to go and see it again!
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2,245 posts
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Post by richey on Jul 31, 2019 19:49:30 GMT
For anyone who was interested in the Q&A session
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Post by xanady on Jul 31, 2019 19:56:18 GMT
Thanks,richey and theatre madhatter
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2019 20:14:41 GMT
They’ve got a trailer which although surprising for a short run makes me want to go and see it again! Hoo-bloody-ray. A promo video that doesn't finish with generic audience applause/cheering and just lets the music speak for itself. About time. |
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3,428 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jul 31, 2019 20:46:31 GMT
OK ceebee. I think that's enough being rude and patronising to other board members with other equally valid and respected opinions. You're reading way too much into the words "calm down dear" - a well known catchphrase often used to defuse heated situations. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 31, 2019 21:16:00 GMT
OK ceebee. I think that's enough being rude and patronising to other board members with other equally valid and respected opinions. You're reading way too much into the words "calm down dear" - a well known catchphrase often used to defuse heated situations. I read the previous comments too. |
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3,428 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jul 31, 2019 21:28:09 GMT
You're reading way too much into the words "calm down dear" - a well known catchphrase often used to defuse heated situations. I read the previous comments too. Congratulations! |
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Post by songbird on Jul 31, 2019 22:40:46 GMT
Hmm. I think I may have seen a different show from everyone else on the board, or I just caught this on a very off night.
Let me preface by saying I booked this as I LOVED the Open Air production a couple years back, and so was very excited to relive that tonight.
Also to start on a happy note, I was upgraded from my £18 balcony seat to Row J of the stalls (possibly £60 seat) so that was good. The balcony was closed tonight and all moved to stalls yet there were still empty seats. I had such a clear line of sight as there was no one infront of me for 2 rows! Not selling great which is such a shame.
I really love the direction, set, lighting and choreo but the cast was (to put it bluntly) not good on the whole.
The standouts were Ricardo Afonso, Cavin Cornwall and Nathan Amzi (who really surprised me, but he was spectacular).
I did not think Robert Tripolino made a good Jesus. Gethsemane is one of my all time favorite songs, I love it - but I didnt feel anything watching his performance of it which deeply shocked me. The screams didnt hit either. Really a shame.
Mary tonight was.....bad, but I think honestly it must be an off night. It was quite uncomfortable to listen to her singing and I could see multiple audience members either cringing or looking away. I suspect there might be a cast sickness going on right now as there were many voice cracks all night long.
I dislike the changes they made to Herod's Song. In the Open Air there was a big reveal when the gold cloak came off of Herod being topless, and was probably one of the funniest moments of the show. This time the cloak came off to reveal ..... another gold costume underneath. Whats the point?!
Matt Cardle was not here tonight, and I wasnt sold on Pilate but I understand it can be tough to jump into someone elses role.
Maybe I need to catch this again later in the run, but I would rate this 3 stars, whereas Open Air was a solid 5.
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3,428 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 1, 2019 6:09:00 GMT
Hmm. I think I may have seen a different show from everyone else on the board, or I just caught this on a very off night. Let me preface by saying I booked this as I LOVED the Open Air production a couple years back, and so was very excited to relive that tonight. Also to start on a happy note, I was upgraded from my £18 balcony seat to Row J of the stalls (possibly £60 seat) so that was good. The balcony was closed tonight and all moved to stalls yet there were still empty seats. I had such a clear line of sight as there was no one infront of me for 2 rows! Not selling great which is such a shame. I really love the direction, set, lighting and choreo but the cast was (to put it bluntly) not good on the whole. The standouts were Ricardo Afonso, Cavin Cornwall and Nathan Amzi (who really surprised me, but he was spectacular). I did not think Robert Tripolino made a good Jesus. Gethsemane is one of my all time favorite songs, I love it - but I didnt feel anything watching his performance of it which deeply shocked me. The screams didnt hit either. Really a shame. Mary tonight was.....bad, but I think honestly it must be an off night. It was quite uncomfortable to listen to her singing and I could see multiple audience members either cringing or looking away. I suspect there might be a cast sickness going on right now as there were many voice cracks all night long. I dislike the changes they made to Herod's Song. In the Open Air there was a big reveal when the gold cloak came off of Herod being topless, and was probably one of the funniest moments of the show. This time the cloak came off to reveal ..... another gold costume underneath. Whats the point?! Matt Cardle was not here tonight, and I wasnt sold on Pilate but I understand it can be tough to jump into someone elses role. Maybe I need to catch this again later in the run, but I would rate this 3 stars, whereas Open Air was a solid 5. Such a shame, though I've seen it a couple of times where similar things happened. Robert Tripolino's voice on one Gethsemane was pushing too hard resulting in cracks and missed notes. Similarly, the last time I saw the show, the lady playing Mary missed a note. It really isnt the norm - perhaps you hit an 'off night'. We all have them in our own work, however hard we try to avoid them. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2019 7:57:37 GMT
OK ceebee. I think that's enough being rude and patronising to other board members with other equally valid and respected opinions. You're reading way too much into the words "calm down dear" - a well known catchphrase often used to defuse heated situations. No, it's a well-known patronising and condescending put-down. eg David Cameron criticised for 'calm down dear' jibe |
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19,676 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 1, 2019 7:59:39 GMT
Ok, can we move the conversation along now please?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2019 8:41:27 GMT
The actress playing Mary is a funny one. I wasn't sure about her the first time I saw the show but really liked her the second time. She is exposed though as she is neither rocky nor classic MT in voice and is a departure from the 'normal' Mary.
She has a very bluesy/jazzy style of singing and is also not very loud. The issue I had the first time was that she really couldn't be heard over the band.
This was better the second time however and I really quite liked it. No missed notes that night though. But certainly, a very different style.
Robert Tripolino was epic when I went, so deffo may have been having an off night!
Also aware that this although selling well, has been far from a sell out. Which again I think sadly means this will be the last time we will see it in London.
How well has it been advertised though?
And I still don't really know who the 'regular' Barbican audience are?
Do the main West End demographic including tourists make it over to the Barbican for classic musicals? No idea!
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Post by songbird on Aug 1, 2019 8:47:49 GMT
I'm not quite sure why it went to the Barbican in the first place, does anyone know? I don't see the advantage of going there compared to a West End house, or not going anywhere at all.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2019 8:59:28 GMT
I'm not quite sure why it went to the Barbican in the first place, does anyone know? I don't see the advantage of going there compared to a West End house, or not going anywhere at all. So I really like it there. Is spacious and is SO nice leaving in to big empty roads rather than the hell of Shaftesbury Avenue. Also am in Went End all the time so personally makes a nice change. But I agree with you - as a commercial decision I don't get it at all. In the West End with passing trade, all the tourists and all the outlets locally selling tickets on the day, I am sure would have sold much better. Maybe Barbican was cheaper to rent so overall they make more profit being 2/3 full there compared to 100% in West End? Or maybe the Open Air have some kind of relationship/link with Barbican? These are just guesses though. Another positive for me btw - have had no problem at all with bad audience behaviour at the Barbican as yet.... |
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Post by jling on Aug 1, 2019 9:05:39 GMT
Hmm. I think I may have seen a different show from everyone else on the board, or I just caught this on a very off night. Let me preface by saying I booked this as I LOVED the Open Air production a couple years back, and so was very excited to relive that tonight. Also to start on a happy note, I was upgraded from my £18 balcony seat to Row J of the stalls (possibly £60 seat) so that was good. The balcony was closed tonight and all moved to stalls yet there were still empty seats. I had such a clear line of sight as there was no one infront of me for 2 rows! Not selling great which is such a shame. I really love the direction, set, lighting and choreo but the cast was (to put it bluntly) not good on the whole. The standouts were Ricardo Afonso, Cavin Cornwall and Nathan Amzi (who really surprised me, but he was spectacular). I did not think Robert Tripolino made a good Jesus. Gethsemane is one of my all time favorite songs, I love it - but I didnt feel anything watching his performance of it which deeply shocked me. The screams didnt hit either. Really a shame. Mary tonight was.....bad, but I think honestly it must be an off night. It was quite uncomfortable to listen to her singing and I could see multiple audience members either cringing or looking away. I suspect there might be a cast sickness going on right now as there were many voice cracks all night long. I dislike the changes they made to Herod's Song. In the Open Air there was a big reveal when the gold cloak came off of Herod being topless, and was probably one of the funniest moments of the show. This time the cloak came off to reveal ..... another gold costume underneath. Whats the point?! Matt Cardle was not here tonight, and I wasnt sold on Pilate but I understand it can be tough to jump into someone elses role. Maybe I need to catch this again later in the run, but I would rate this 3 stars, whereas Open Air was a solid 5. Completely agree with you. I was there last night too and was convincing myself I might have caught this on a very off night. I have the same thought on Robert Tripolino and Mary, it was uncomfortable to sit through her songs. A shame really. Went in with high hopes. |
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Post by songbird on Aug 1, 2019 9:12:39 GMT
Hmm. I think I may have seen a different show from everyone else on the board, or I just caught this on a very off night. Let me preface by saying I booked this as I LOVED the Open Air production a couple years back, and so was very excited to relive that tonight. Also to start on a happy note, I was upgraded from my £18 balcony seat to Row J of the stalls (possibly £60 seat) so that was good. The balcony was closed tonight and all moved to stalls yet there were still empty seats. I had such a clear line of sight as there was no one infront of me for 2 rows! Not selling great which is such a shame. I really love the direction, set, lighting and choreo but the cast was (to put it bluntly) not good on the whole. The standouts were Ricardo Afonso, Cavin Cornwall and Nathan Amzi (who really surprised me, but he was spectacular). I did not think Robert Tripolino made a good Jesus. Gethsemane is one of my all time favorite songs, I love it - but I didnt feel anything watching his performance of it which deeply shocked me. The screams didnt hit either. Really a shame. Mary tonight was.....bad, but I think honestly it must be an off night. It was quite uncomfortable to listen to her singing and I could see multiple audience members either cringing or looking away. I suspect there might be a cast sickness going on right now as there were many voice cracks all night long. I dislike the changes they made to Herod's Song. In the Open Air there was a big reveal when the gold cloak came off of Herod being topless, and was probably one of the funniest moments of the show. This time the cloak came off to reveal ..... another gold costume underneath. Whats the point?! Matt Cardle was not here tonight, and I wasnt sold on Pilate but I understand it can be tough to jump into someone elses role. Maybe I need to catch this again later in the run, but I would rate this 3 stars, whereas Open Air was a solid 5. Completely agree with you. I was there last night too and was convincing myself I might have caught this on a very off night. I have the same thought on Robert Tripolino and Mary, it was uncomfortable to sit through her songs. A shame really. Went in with high hopes. I'm glad it's not just me then. Will try catch it again in a couple weeks. |
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7,060 posts
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Post by Jon on Aug 1, 2019 11:55:00 GMT
I'm not quite sure why it went to the Barbican in the first place, does anyone know The programme notes that it was indeed building on a relationship begun with "To Kill A Mockingbird" which also went there. Probably the usual Barbican location and the fact the show has been done twice already is impacting tickets a bit, combined with the current general ticket buying malaise. I would say it’s less risky to do a short run at the Barbican than in the West End and I suspect theatre availability is a factor as well. |
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