Songs for a new world

I walked past The Palladium this afternoon and they were setting up the security barriers.

Looked like it was all systems go

Well that was something special!
You kind of knew it would be when they said "ladies and gentlemen welcome to the London Palladium" and there was a huge prolonged round of applause.
Songs for the new world is a strange thing. I can't say its a musical as, from what I can see, there isn't a plot, and if there is, I don't have a clue what it is.
For me it's a series of songs telling stories. But I love it. Some of Jason Robert Browns best music for me.
Cast were superb and impossible to single one out as they each brought their own special talent to the show. Band on stage and more of a concert performance with some great lighting. Plus the cast didn't use scores. Well done.
Now can anyone who went tell me who sang "steam train" as he wasn't one of the 4 cast members. If I had paid out £15 for the programme!!! I guess I would know.
Usually the show is done straight through but they put an interval in which didn't really add to it. But I guess they need to make as much money as they can so it gave them an opportunity of extra drinks revenue so I am not going to complain.
As the last note played the whole audience rose to their feet and gave a huge ovation that went on for several minutes. They had to bring the cast back again as people wouldn't stop clapping and you could see the performers were overjoyed.
I think it was partly due to a great show but also the fact that we are out at the theatre again after such a long time so the applause was also for everyone in the business to show our appreciation.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think this is the biggest theatre event so far since the theatres closed and the Palladium coped really well.
Only thing was the getting in. I arrived in time for my allotted slot of 1415-1430 and joined the queue for the stalls round about the start of Regent Street and past Liberty. By 1430 we hadn't moved very far and I could not see how everyone was going to get in within 30 mins for the 1500 start, but they seemed to do it.
Luckily one of the staff saw me in the queue with my stick after i'd been there for about 30 mins and took me to the front and escorted me in through a side door. So well done Palladium, that was great customer service and I really appreciated it.
Well organised inside with hand sanitisers, special "things" on the door handles and drinks brought to your seats.
They were very hot on you wearing your mask all the time and I saw staff walking up and down and telling people off.
Now for anyone sitting in the stalls and for those who have booked Panto you have a treat in store as they have reduced the number of rows of seats. This means that they can now sell every row but with seats blocked off betweeen party sizes. The result is massive amount of leg room between each row. Enough that people can even walk past you to their seat without you having to get up. So if I go to anything else there in the next months I don't need to get an aisle seat. Don't know what they have done on the other 2 levels though.
Anyway a bit of an emotional wreck at the end, the face masks can fortunately hide a lot! but a wonderful afternoon.
Anyone going tonight is in for a real treat.

I can't see any people with others directly in front of them from where I'm sitting - I'm in the middle section of the Royal Circle and have 2 free seats in front, behind and on each side. Plus a whole row a couple of rows in front is blocked out. So anyone with people directly in front is a significant minority.

There is nothing they can do to space the rows in the circle, but given you have no-one beside you there is more space anyway.

Definitely lots of people directly in front of each other down here in the stalls. It feels relatively spacious. The atmosphere is ELECTRIC.

In one of the emails they sent out they said they have re-spaced the seats in the stalls so people can sit in every row. They couldn’t do that in the circle and upper circle so they have blocked out every other row.

I'm not entirely sure what I thought of this overall - it's not a show I am familiar with and I still don't have a clue really what half of it was about (though the bits I did follow were rather on point for a pandemic).

Individually, Rachel John, Rachel Tucker, Cedric Neal and David Hunter are all brilliant. Together, they struggled to blend. Particularly in the first half there were some seriously out of tune harmonies and timings that weren't together, though much of that was better in the second half. Whether it was a lack of rehearsal, difficulty hearing each other over the band or difficulty seeing the conductor who was tucked away to the side, I don't know, but it was a huge shame as it did detract from the show. Some of them also sounded rather tired by the end, understandably.

But overall it was worth it for two reasons:

(1) their solo parts, which were all fantastic, Rachel John in particular (gosh she can hold an audience in the palm of her hand with the quietest of notes, she is just incredible!)

(2) the atmosphere in the Palladium - the cheers started when the band walked on and just did not stop, and the ovation at the end was more than most opening nights/closing nights/cast changes I've been lucky enough to be at.

Producers need to be brave enough to do more like this, as there is clearly so much demand for it and it shows that the Government's contemptuous attitude to the arts is so badly out of touch with the public it's laughable, or it would be if it wasn't so dangerous and so insulting to the performing arts community and its supporters.

Well this was what I needed.

I booked tickets at the start and returned them last week as I had nobody to go with, a I was a little nervous at the whole situation. I spent all day refreshing Instagram to see what people were saying! I was on the fence, then at 18:03 (according to my email) I book a single seat in the circle, and ran to my car. Somehow I made it to the palladium in under an hour, don’t think I’ve ever done it so quick! And to top things off I got a space right at Liberty’s!!

The theatre get strangely calm entering, I think where I entered after the bulk of people everyone was already in there seats, it was deserted almost.

As soon as the lights dimmed the applause erupted- I had goosebumps and was holding back the tears as best I could. I couldn’t tell you what the announcement said as the cheers were so loud.

Rachel John began to sing, and I was back- all the months of struggle and worries of this year were forgotten about. I was doing great and then when I saw Rachel Tuckers silhouette and everyone clapped I lost it. And I mean lost it. I don’t think I’ve ever sobbed so much. The entirety of the first song. Tears were coming and coming, and I just couldn’t stop sobbing! So embarrassed but at the same time I couldn’t really care. That first song almost was like a dream, it didn’t feel real. I kept looking around, and the tears just flowed.

It was exactly what I needed, a good cry and some theatre. It was the healing I needed

The show itself I couldn’t fault. I have never heard anything from it, so all was new. The cast I though we’re on fire, I actually think last night was the best Ive heard Rachel Tucker, especially in stars and the moon. Cedric Neals voice is just insane, and Rachel Johns songs were also stunning.

I loved this a lot more than Bridges of Madison County- that was like watching paint dry.

Does this normally have an interval? It felt so out of place- it was flowing so lovely then it just stopped! I understand why they would’ve added it, but it did put a stop to the pace of it for me. Also the interval was 30 mins!!!!

I leaped to my feet at the end, and was sad it was all coming to a close. The cheers was like a packed house, not 1/3 full!

The palladium really has done a good job in terms of covid Sercurity. Hand gel everywhere you looked, all staff had masks. Temperature checks etc. The in seat delivery worked smoothly. Staff running everywhere with white bags, was entertaining to watch! I felt extremely safe, much safer than I do in shops and some restaurants in fact.

Worth noting I had two people directly infront, and behind me. The girl sat two seats down from me also had two seats behind occupied, and in front. I couldn’t work out what their system or idea for the allocation is! Do you think a computer glitched? As I thought more had people infront or behind than aside....

I couldn’t stop smiling, I cried driving home thinking of what just happened, even today I’m buzzing. I cannot tell you how this has helped my mental health. I struggled, a lot of crap happened in the last 7 months and I haven’t felt all there. I’m so happy today.

I used to be on theatre board every day, then when the lockdown happened I came on three or four times but my mental health was just diving down and down. I don’t think I’ve been on here in around 5 months, as it just made me feel worse. Reading about the thing I used to love, and having it robbed from us all overnight! Last night showed me that theatre does heal you, and bring you up. I feel euphoric, I keep going on but it’s almost like a light switch changed overnight.

I have six booked for November, and hopefully will book Les Mis for December. I’m looking forward to them so much, even if they are in limbo, I’m just staying hopeful.

Would love to listen to this again, doubtful but they could release the stream concert, or a little recording!

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So glad you enjoyed it. I also had a few sobs, luckily the masks cover a multitude of sins.
In answer to your question, no there is not normally an interval and it was a bit odd with one, but as I mentioned in my post earlier I think they did it to get drink sales which I don't really blame them.

Mark Shenton seems overly stressed over people not being distanced enough AND WANTS PROOF DAMMIT

The stage manager sent him the floor plans, so hes finally satisfied in his part time position as HSE officer