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Post by fiyerorocher on Aug 4, 2021 13:29:26 GMT
I'm tempted to get tickets to this based on the reviews here, but I've also seen it likened to the recent 42nd Street a lot - as someone who though the best part of that production was the fact you would always get upgraded from the cheapest seats to top price stalls, should I give this a miss? How similar is it? So many shows to see and so little money and time, so if it's very similar to 42nd Street in terms of style and tone then I will probably look elsewhere. For me personally I could appreciate the spectacle of 42nd Street and the incredible dancing however I did not like the plot or music at all really. But I’ve always loved Anything Goes and this production and cast is spectacular. I’d say go for it. I fully acknowledge and respect the skill and hard work of the dancers, I just felt like the plot of 42nd Street has aged poorly and certain parts left a rather sour taste. I'll see if I can get cheap day seats for Anything Goes, perhaps. See if the years have been any kinder to it! Thank you to the both of you for weighing in! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 4, 2021 13:50:47 GMT
Now it has been extended, it would be a treat to get Stephanie J Block over to close the show, for the remaining few weeks.
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Post by MusicalTalk on Aug 4, 2021 14:58:13 GMT
I'm tempted to get tickets to this based on the reviews here, but I've also seen it likened to the recent 42nd Street a lot - as someone who though the best part of that production was the fact you would always get upgraded from the cheapest seats to top price stalls, should I give this a miss? How similar is it? So many shows to see and so little money and time, so if it's very similar to 42nd Street in terms of style and tone then I will probably look elsewhere. It is very similar, even down to a lot of the ensemble having been in 42nd Street (or, if not, another big dance based show). There is slightly more plot to Anything Goes, but not much more. Music wise, I prefer 42nd Street, but it is all from a similar era. yes - this is more farcical than 42nd Street and is way less tap heavy (AG really only has one tap number). This doesn't offer the spectacle that 42nd Street had/has - as the set is quite limited (a bar, the deck and a few indoor areas of the ship) To me Sutton Foster seemed a bit dead-behind-the-eyes and her voice wasn't that pleasant to listen to - but she sure can move and the ensemble and orchestra are working so hard to provide a wonderful result. So - yes - it's the same era as 42nd Street - but different in tone, presentation and style. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 4, 2021 16:22:29 GMT
My thoughts:
4 out of 5. Traditional. All very safe. The set/staging you would expect. Well danced in the two big songs but not much else to comment on dance wise. Singing pretty good but inconsistent. Lovely 4 part harmonies. Acting a mix. Costumes lovely. Wilmot, Kendal and Lindsay all did their usual schtick. Lindsay's ad libs clearly scripted. Sutton Foster talented and looked fabulous in her array of costumes but looked slightly dead behind the eyes and going through the motions in lots of places. She was more talented than others on the stage - but I think I preferred Sally Ann Triplett (and most of that NT cast in fact). Foster's singing was up and down and I was never 100% comfortable with how her voice sounded. Maybe her voice is tired. Some of the leads and character actors quite poor. The show is quite imbalanced as it has some fantastic songs in Act 1 and BGB in Act 2 but then has a stretch of quite tedious songs after BGB so it dips a lot. Thank God for Anything Goes and Blow Gabriel Blow. I genuinely don't think that those numbers would have gotten their audience reactions if this wasn't out just after a long period of lockdown. Had a great seat in middle of row F of stalls but wouldn’t want to be much further back or higher as it was quite hard to hear some of the dialogue and diction in places. Lots of lighthearted fun generally but I'm not convinced it's a 5 star raves show.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2021 21:22:03 GMT
You know Sutton has not been on stage for ages
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2021 21:22:28 GMT
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256 posts
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Post by grannyjx6 on Aug 4, 2021 21:27:54 GMT
Oh blimey, I’ve just booked two tickets on the extended run. Oh well, I do like the Barbican.
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Post by inthenose on Aug 4, 2021 21:30:23 GMT
5* rave from the Telegraph I expect it to be like this across the board. So far ahead of everything else right now, as ceebee says. |
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Post by karloscar on Aug 4, 2021 23:07:52 GMT
My thoughts: 4 out of 5. Traditional. All very safe. The set/staging you would expect. Well danced in the two big songs but not much else to comment on dance wise. Singing pretty good but inconsistent. Lovely 4 part harmonies. Acting a mix. Costumes lovely. Wilmot, Kendal and Lindsay all did their usual schtick. Lindsay's ad libs clearly scripted. Sutton Foster talented and looked fabulous in her array of costumes but looked slightly dead behind the eyes and going through the motions in lots of places. She was more talented than others on the stage - but I think I preferred Sally Ann Triplett (and most of that NT cast in fact). Foster's singing was up and down and I was never 100% comfortable with how her voice sounded. Maybe her voice is tired. Some of the leads and character actors quite poor. The show is quite imbalanced as it has some fantastic songs in Act 1 and BGB in Act 2 but then has a stretch of quite tedious songs after BGB so it dips a lot. Thank God for Anything Goes and Blow Gabriel Blow. I genuinely don't think that those numbers would have gotten their audience reactions if this wasn't out just after a long period of lockdown. Had a great seat in middle of row F of stalls but wouldn’t want to be much further back or higher as it was quite hard to hear some of the dialogue and diction in places. Lots of lighthearted fun generally but I'm not convinced it's a 5 star raves show. As much as I admire Sutton Foster as a performer, I've never felt totally engaged with any character she's playing, and as a singer she rarely delivers emotionally. Jonathan Groff pretending to be Sutton Foster is somehow more fun and more endearing than the real thing. Hey, maybe he could play Reno for the last few weeks of the run... |
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Post by ceebee on Aug 4, 2021 23:16:12 GMT
My thoughts: 4 out of 5. Traditional. All very safe. The set/staging you would expect. Well danced in the two big songs but not much else to comment on dance wise. Singing pretty good but inconsistent. Lovely 4 part harmonies. Acting a mix. Costumes lovely. Wilmot, Kendal and Lindsay all did their usual schtick. Lindsay's ad libs clearly scripted. Sutton Foster talented and looked fabulous in her array of costumes but looked slightly dead behind the eyes and going through the motions in lots of places. She was more talented than others on the stage - but I think I preferred Sally Ann Triplett (and most of that NT cast in fact). Foster's singing was up and down and I was never 100% comfortable with how her voice sounded. Maybe her voice is tired. Some of the leads and character actors quite poor. The show is quite imbalanced as it has some fantastic songs in Act 1 and BGB in Act 2 but then has a stretch of quite tedious songs after BGB so it dips a lot. Thank God for Anything Goes and Blow Gabriel Blow. I genuinely don't think that those numbers would have gotten their audience reactions if this wasn't out just after a long period of lockdown. Had a great seat in middle of row F of stalls but wouldn’t want to be much further back or higher as it was quite hard to hear some of the dialogue and diction in places. Lots of lighthearted fun generally but I'm not convinced it's a 5 star raves show. The reviews out in the last few hours say differently... 5 stars across the board so far... |
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Post by sfsusan on Aug 4, 2021 23:28:40 GMT
As much as I admire Sutton Foster as a performer, I've never felt totally engaged with any character she's playing, and as a singer she rarely delivers emotionally. I see what you're saying, and I don't think those are weaknesses in this role. The play isn't designed to engage with the audience on any deep emotional or intellectual level, other than pure enjoyment. |
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Post by danb on Aug 5, 2021 5:35:10 GMT
My thoughts: 4 out of 5. Traditional. All very safe. The set/staging you would expect. Well danced in the two big songs but not much else to comment on dance wise. Singing pretty good but inconsistent. Lovely 4 part harmonies. Acting a mix. Costumes lovely. Wilmot, Kendal and Lindsay all did their usual schtick. Lindsay's ad libs clearly scripted. Sutton Foster talented and looked fabulous in her array of costumes but looked slightly dead behind the eyes and going through the motions in lots of places. She was more talented than others on the stage - but I think I preferred Sally Ann Triplett (and most of that NT cast in fact). Foster's singing was up and down and I was never 100% comfortable with how her voice sounded. Maybe her voice is tired. Some of the leads and character actors quite poor. The show is quite imbalanced as it has some fantastic songs in Act 1 and BGB in Act 2 but then has a stretch of quite tedious songs after BGB so it dips a lot. Thank God for Anything Goes and Blow Gabriel Blow. I genuinely don't think that those numbers would have gotten their audience reactions if this wasn't out just after a long period of lockdown. Had a great seat in middle of row F of stalls but wouldn’t want to be much further back or higher as it was quite hard to hear some of the dialogue and diction in places. Lots of lighthearted fun generally but I'm not convinced it's a 5 star raves show. The reviews out in the last few hours say differently... 5 stars across the board so far... But they are Theatre Lovers thoughts that they are more than entitled to. Let’s not create conflict where there isn’t any eh? ♥️ |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 5, 2021 6:27:32 GMT
The reviews out in the last few hours say differently... 5 stars across the board so far... But they are Theatre Lovers thoughts that they are more than entitled to. Let’s not create conflict where there isn’t any eh? ♥️ Exactly, danb. I’m getting quite bored of ceebee challenging other people’s views when they don’t chime with his. Quite quite bored. And yet it keeps happening. Sigh  |
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Post by danb on Aug 5, 2021 6:35:07 GMT
But they are Theatre Lovers thoughts that they are more than entitled to. Let’s not create conflict where there isn’t any eh? ♥️ Exactly, danb. I’m getting quite bored of ceebee challenging other people’s views when they don’t chime with his. Quite quite bored. And yet it keeps happening. Sigh But let’s not create conflict where there isn’t any. |
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Post by alece10 on Aug 5, 2021 7:22:26 GMT
My thoughts: 4 out of 5. Traditional. All very safe. The set/staging you would expect. Well danced in the two big songs but not much else to comment on dance wise. Singing pretty good but inconsistent. Lovely 4 part harmonies. Acting a mix. Costumes lovely. Wilmot, Kendal and Lindsay all did their usual schtick. Lindsay's ad libs clearly scripted. Sutton Foster talented and looked fabulous in her array of costumes but looked slightly dead behind the eyes and going through the motions in lots of places. She was more talented than others on the stage - but I think I preferred Sally Ann Triplett (and most of that NT cast in fact). Foster's singing was up and down and I was never 100% comfortable with how her voice sounded. Maybe her voice is tired. Some of the leads and character actors quite poor. The show is quite imbalanced as it has some fantastic songs in Act 1 and BGB in Act 2 but then has a stretch of quite tedious songs after BGB so it dips a lot. Thank God for Anything Goes and Blow Gabriel Blow. I genuinely don't think that those numbers would have gotten their audience reactions if this wasn't out just after a long period of lockdown. Had a great seat in middle of row F of stalls but wouldn’t want to be much further back or higher as it was quite hard to hear some of the dialogue and diction in places. Lots of lighthearted fun generally but I'm not convinced it's a 5 star raves show. As much as I admire Sutton Foster as a performer, I've never felt totally engaged with any character she's playing, and as a singer she rarely delivers emotionally. Jonathan Groff pretending to be Sutton Foster is somehow more fun and more endearing than the real thing. Hey, maybe he could play Reno for the last few weeks of the run... The video of Jonathan Groff is one of my all time favourites and whenever I need cheering up I watch it. Utterly brilliant and he so could be Reno. I'd love to see that. My only gripe is the pronunciation of the word "khaki", means something totally different here in the UK. 😀 |
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Post by karloscar on Aug 5, 2021 9:48:55 GMT
As much as I admire Sutton Foster as a performer, I've never felt totally engaged with any character she's playing, and as a singer she rarely delivers emotionally. I see what you're saying, and I don't think those are weaknesses in this role. The play isn't designed to engage with the audience on any deep emotional or intellectual level, other than pure enjoyment. It's the kind of role she's great for no doubt, but even the frothy superficial roles need a bit of heart. Looking ahead, she wouldn't be in my top five actresses to play Marion in The Music Man as Till There Was You and My White Knight need a special touch of vocal magic to work well. |
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Post by inthenose on Aug 5, 2021 10:14:39 GMT
As much as I admire Sutton Foster as a performer, I've never felt totally engaged with any character she's playing, and as a singer she rarely delivers emotionally. Jonathan Groff pretending to be Sutton Foster is somehow more fun and more endearing than the real thing. Hey, maybe he could play Reno for the last few weeks of the run... The video of Jonathan Groff is one of my all time favourites and whenever I need cheering up I watch it. Utterly brilliant and he so could be Reno. I'd love to see that. My only gripe is the pronunciation of the word "khaki", means something totally different here in the UK. 😀 Yes indeed! "I'm wearing khaki pants" is a very, very bad thing in the UK... |
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Post by craig on Aug 5, 2021 10:31:42 GMT
Can definitely appreciate that Sutton isn't for everyone, but warmth is one of the things I think she has in spades. I don't understand the "dead behind the eyes" criticism at all.
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Post by ruggerlad on Aug 5, 2021 10:40:27 GMT
Can definitely appreciate that Sutton isn't for everyone, but warmth is one of the things I think she has in spades. I don't understand the "dead behind the eyes" criticism at all. Me neither. I think there’s loads of moments where warmth just drips off the stage with her |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 5, 2021 11:15:15 GMT
Can definitely appreciate that Sutton isn't for everyone, but warmth is one of the things I think she has in spades. I don't understand the "dead behind the eyes" criticism at all. Me neither. I think there’s loads of moments where warmth just drips off the stage with her Fair point. I think 'dead behind the eyes' was a little too strong. She definitely looked tired and/or zoned out for many numbers the other night which meant she was underpowered in places. In many of her numbers she did seem like she was just going through the motions and not adding much to give it some spark. Not in everything. She was warm and charming and talented for most of it - but it wasn't always an even performance when I saw it. |
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Post by sfsusan on Aug 5, 2021 11:22:40 GMT
She definitely looked tired and/or zoned out for many numbers the other night I also went on Tuesday and thought her performance in the first half was right on, but after the interval she seemed flatter. (I thought she was particularly stiff in 'Blow Gabriel Blow'.) |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2021 11:48:41 GMT
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 5, 2021 14:30:35 GMT
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Post by craig on Aug 5, 2021 14:38:04 GMT
I do think the timing is a big part of it, but isn't that always the way with the arts?
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Aug 5, 2021 15:28:17 GMT
I do think the timing is a big part of it, but isn't that always the way with the arts? It got great reviews on Broadway though, I think it's just a great production. |
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