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Post by danb on Aug 1, 2021 18:00:35 GMT
I would say that £20 is a bargain. It is exquisite.
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Post by inthenose on Aug 1, 2021 19:35:36 GMT
I would say that £20 is a bargain. It is exquisite. Fair do's. I think I'm still in the mindset that viewing a recording of a theatre show is akin to renting a movie on Amazon Prime. I'm going to watch it anyway, just was a bit more than I expected for a "non-live" show. |
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Post by danb on Aug 1, 2021 19:49:23 GMT
…but try and see it onstage.
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Post by inthenose on Aug 1, 2021 23:43:35 GMT
…but try and see it onstage. I would love to but right now I cannot travel as I'm caring for my very poorly elderly mother. It's her favourite show and Julian Ovenden is her favourite singer/crush. I tried to find a way to get her there in person but it wasn't going to happen. I'll buy it regardless, was just commenting on the relative value as someone who hadn't dabbled in all this before. |
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Post by danb on Aug 2, 2021 7:32:49 GMT
I think I might feel the same, but the Hope Mill ‘Rent’ live stream was so very good that it has shown me what ‘can’ be done, and given me the faith that others will try as hard to represent their shows in the best way possible.
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Post by ronsdivas on Aug 5, 2021 2:22:10 GMT
Just watched the August 4th webcast here in NYC!!! Just FABULOUS!! Congrats to CFT and the entire cast for a wonderful show!! Sure hope that they make an audio recording of the show. Julian Ovenden was just superb as Emile deBecque..as was Gina Beck/Joanna Ampil/Rob Houchen. It certainly helped to brighten my day after watching this production. Highly recommended!!
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Post by dippy on Aug 5, 2021 21:15:42 GMT
I watched it last night too, it was so wonderful seeing it again, this is definitely my favourite production I've seen this year and getting to see it again from home was very nice.
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Post by david on Aug 10, 2021 20:46:42 GMT
As your first trip to the CFT TallPaul, did you enjoy the day out to see South Pacific? |
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 11, 2021 7:31:17 GMT
As your first trip to the CFT TallPaul, did you enjoy the day out to see South Pacific? I was worried someone was going to ask me that. Sussex is a very pretty county and Chichester a very handsome city. In retrospect, I should probably have skipoed the show and spent my time exploring. It wouldn't do for us all to like the same things! The last time I saw a professional production of South Pacific, Bertice Reading was indisposed, so I never got to see her Bloody Mary. Joanna Ampil was indisposed yesterday. Who am I going to miss in 35 years' time? On a sidenote, anyone travelling to Chichester by train over the next fortnight needs to be aware that the line beyond Gatwick will be closed from this Saturday until the following Sunday. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 11, 2021 9:43:33 GMT
As your first trip to the CFT TallPaul , did you enjoy the day out to see South Pacific? I was worried someone was going to ask me that. Sussex is a very pretty county and Chichester a very handsome city. In retrospect, I should probably have skipoed the show and spent my time exploring. It wouldn't do for us all to like the same things! The last time I saw a professional production of South Pacific, Bertice Reading was indisposed, so I never got to see her Bloody Mary. Joanna Ampil was indisposed yesterday. Who am I going to miss in 35 years' time? On a sidenote, anyone travelling to Chichester by train over the next fortnight needs to be aware that the line beyond Gatwick will be closed from this Saturday until the following Sunday. That was nigh on 35 years ago…. surprised you’re still able to remember it! 👴🏻 Anyway now you’ve started you may as well tell us why you didn’t like the show… come on, dig deep! |
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Aug 11, 2021 9:53:50 GMT
Saw this last weekend in what I believe was one of Alex Young's first shows. It's beautifully done - lovely new arrangements, wonderful vocals and performances, and I have to give the cast and direction special kudos for how effectively they conveyed the temperature and heat of the setting. I haven't ever "felt" it like that in a theatrical production before!
There are a couple of clunky elements. The portrayal of Bloody Mary jarred rather, as it sways rather drastically depending on whether she's singing or speaking. I get what they're trying to do - she's "putting on an act" for the military when she's delivering the broken text, then being her real self when she sings - but it doesn't quite work, even if it does help get around the problematic stereotyping. The appearance of a large scale aeroplane at the back of the set in Act II is completely pointless - I spent the whole scene wondering where it had come from and whether it was going to do anything (spoiler: it doesn't move). And the use of real fire in lanterns at the end of the first act is questionable given one was dropped upper stage right resulting in a small fire breakout and a distracting few minutes where a panicked stage hand was spraying a handheld extinguisher behind a beautifully stoic, pressing on Julian Ovenden and Alex Young.
On the whole though, I loved it. And Alex Young played the "twist" brilliantly - it made for a very uncomfortable watch, which is exactly what it should do when we've completely fallen in love with that character.
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 11, 2021 10:28:33 GMT
What I particularly remember, BurlyBeaR, is the groan that went around the auditorium when it was announced over the tannoy. We'd made a special journey over the Pennines, and everything. Had you been living in your luxury loft apartment at the time, we could have popped in! I really don't want to bring down such an overwhelmingly positive thread, but as you asked... Unlike everyone else, it didn't feel, from my seat (B50), that it had been either designed or staged for a thrust stage. In real life, there is only five years between Gina Beck and Julian Ovenden. I know it's all pretend, but the age gap between Nellie and Emile is literally in the script. The replacement Bloody Mary and the regular Luther Billis just didn't do it for me, whatever 'it' is. Will that do? I've got places to go, sights to see and cycles to ride. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 11, 2021 10:41:44 GMT
Very helpful TallPaul, now… on yer bike! |
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 11, 2021 11:23:10 GMT
On a sidenote, anyone travelling to Chichester by train over the next fortnight needs to be aware that the line beyond Gatwick will be closed from this Saturday until the following Sunday. Thanks. I am there on Saturday. The rail route from London looks fine on the way, but for the return I have to go via Brighton (which wouldn't be too bad, but Brighton with only 15 minutes to enjoy the Railway Station before the last train isn't quite the same). Still, at least I should have a comfortable walk back to the railway station at the end of the show rather than a mad rush. |
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Post by showgirl on Aug 11, 2021 18:19:20 GMT
Re trains: the Brighton main line and the coastal ("Coastway") route should both be fine though having to change from one to the other adds time and the coastal trains take about an hour between Brighton and Chichester as they stop at every station - and there are a lot of these! The line which is shut for major engineering work is the Arun Valley route which runs south-westwards via Crawley/Horsham/Pulborough etc, down to Bognor Regis and Portsmouth. For those travelling from Victoria this is the normal route and slow but direct. An alternative is SWT to Portsmouth but then you still have to get another train back eastwards to Chichester.
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Aug 11, 2021 20:01:33 GMT
What I particularly remember, BurlyBeaR , is the groan that went around the auditorium when it was announced over the tannoy. We'd made a special journey over the Pennines, and everything. Had you been living in your luxury loft apartment at the time, we could have popped in! I really don't want to bring down such an overwhelmingly positive thread, but as you asked... Unlike everyone else, it didn't feel, from my seat (B50), that it had been either designed or staged for a thrust stage. In real life, there is only five years between Gina Beck and Julian Ovenden. I know it's all pretend, but the age gap between Nellie and Emile is literally in the script. The replacement Bloody Mary and the regular Luther Billis just didn't do it for me, whatever 'it' is. Will that do? I've got places to go, sights to see and cycles to ride. I was in row A yesterday afternoon, not that far from you. Wish I'd known such a Board celebrity was there, would have said a humble hello and offered a jam sarnie. I love South Pacific and could not fault the staging or either of the Chichester leads - I'm going again later this month to see Alex Young as Nellie - but I was also disappointed by the understudy Bloody Mary. Maybe it was her first time on but she failed for me to bring out the humour and larger-than-life character of her role. Happy Talk was particularly lacklustre to my ears. (Very reasonable advance fares are available between London Victoria and Chichester at ideal times for matinees) |
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 11, 2021 21:15:15 GMT
Oh no, FrontrowverPaul! So near...yet so far. We could have bumped elbows, or summat. If you were on the 11:35 from Victoria, there's a 1 in 4 chance we were sitting in the same carriage. I think I'm going to get 'Board celebrity' printed on a business card. Certainly beats some of the other things I've been called! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2021 22:04:06 GMT
What I particularly remember, BurlyBeaR , is the groan that went around the auditorium when it was announced over the tannoy. We'd made a special journey over the Pennines, and everything. Had you been living in your luxury loft apartment at the time, we could have popped in! I really don't want to bring down such an overwhelmingly positive thread, but as you asked... Unlike everyone else, it didn't feel, from my seat (B50), that it had been either designed or staged for a thrust stage. In real life, there is only five years between Gina Beck and Julian Ovenden. I know it's all pretend, but the age gap between Nellie and Emile is literally in the script. The replacement Bloody Mary and the regular Luther Billis just didn't do it for me, whatever 'it' is. Will that do? I've got places to go, sights to see and cycles to ride. I was in row A yesterday afternoon, not that far from you. Wish I'd known such a Board celebrity was there, would have said a humble hello and offered a jam sarnie. I love South Pacific and could not fault the staging or either of the Chichester leads - I'm going again later this month to see Alex Young as Nellie - but I was also disappointed by the understudy Bloody Mary. Maybe it was her first time on but she failed for me to bring out the humour and larger-than-life character of her role. Happy Talk was particularly lacklustre to my ears. (Very reasonable advance fares are available between London Victoria and Chichester at ideal times for matinees) I watched the stream on Monday. Joanna Ampil's HAPPY TALK is dark. It's directed to be much more urgent, serious and desperate. |
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Aug 11, 2021 22:09:02 GMT
I was in row A yesterday afternoon, not that far from you. Wish I'd known such a Board celebrity was there, would have said a humble hello and offered a jam sarnie. I love South Pacific and could not fault the staging or either of the Chichester leads - I'm going again later this month to see Alex Young as Nellie - but I was also disappointed by the understudy Bloody Mary. Maybe it was her first time on but she failed for me to bring out the humour and larger-than-life character of her role. Happy Talk was particularly lacklustre to my ears. (Very reasonable advance fares are available between London Victoria and Chichester at ideal times for matinees) I watched the stream on Monday. Joanna Ampil's HAPPY TALK is dark. It's directed to be much more urgent, serious and desperate. That's interesting. It just came across as a bit flat. The applause was very muted in comparison with the other big numbers, especially Julian Ovenden's showstoppers. Hopefully I'll get to see Joanna Ampil next time. |
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Aug 11, 2021 22:28:20 GMT
Oh no, FrontrowverPaul ! So near...yet so far. We could have bumped elbows, or summat. If you were on the 11:35 from Victoria, there's a 1 in 4 chance we were sitting in the same carriage. I think I'm going to get 'Board celebrity' printed on a business card. Certainly beats some of the other things I've been called! I was with " 'er indoors" yesterday so chauffeured there but will be slumming it on the 12.05 train next time. I always book for a second solo visit to Chichester FT as their summer musicals are (almost) always wonderful and the £10 front row side tickets such a bargain. If I don't like the show enough to go again I only lose a tenner. (Wasn't so keen On Me And My Girl but loved Half A Sixpence, Oklahoma!, Flowers For Mrs.Harris, Fiddler On The Roof and Mack & Mabel) |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2021 14:04:22 GMT
I'll be curious to hear what you think of Ampil and if it reads as flat again. I thought it was really interesting and dark, and I liked the urgency it created, but I'm curious if it was the U/S or the direction.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2021 16:56:15 GMT
Saw this last night and thought it was absolutely wonderful. First time at Chichester.
Loved the staging, and the whole cast were excellent. Hard to single anything out because it was all so good but Julian Ovenden’s This Nearly Was Mine was beautiful and got a tremendous reception.
Gina Beck was fantastic, such energy considering she’s so close to giving birth! Interesting more considered take on Happy Talk. Definitely not a “light relief” song in this production.
The best behaved audience I’ve encountered in years and a large percentage of mask wearers too.
There was a moment during Rob Houchen’s wonderful Younger Than Springtime (or as my phone just changed it to Springsteen) when I felt quite emotional at the fact I was sitting in a theatre for the first time in over 18 months, feeling safe and experiencing live entertainment surrounded by like minded others. A feeling no live stream or recording could replicate.
Having said that we went straight online this morning to book one of the streamed shows so we can watch it all again.
Wonderful.
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Post by inthenose on Aug 14, 2021 20:27:47 GMT
Watched this stream tonight and absolutely loved it.
More thoughts tomorrow, but highly recommended. Well worth the money!
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 14, 2021 20:32:30 GMT
I really enjoyed this today!
Managed to book Houchen's one day off, but his understudy Zack Guest did a good job as Cable.
Gina Beck (whilst visibly pregnant) is a truly wonderful Nellie. Played both the drama and the comedy really well. I could listen to Julian Ovenden sing the phonebook and he is just sublime - This Nearly Was Mine is a proper showstopper. Liked Joanna Ampil as Bloody Mary too - very different to any Bloody Mary I've seen before.
It's a really lovely traditional production, which does still manage to be relevant today. Wasn't super comfortable with the white, upper middle aged, middle class Chich audience laughing when Nellie rejects Emile because of his children at the end of the first half.
Oh, and we had a show stop minutes into act 2! The automation gave up, so the crew had to push the big set pieces round on the revolve into place. Love live theatre for stuff like that!
Would love to see this move into town - it would fit very nicely in the Gillian Lynne with the stage shape, but it's such a wonderful cast that I'd hope we'll see it have a future life.
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Aug 14, 2021 22:21:04 GMT
I enjoyed the livestream today, very well sung and acted. I thought the book was very disjointed though, but that's not really something you can fault the production on (although I suppose stronger direction might have been able to solve some of the issues).
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