Next to Normal - Donmar / Wyndham’s

A cheeky sneak pic from A2 before the start of the show:

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As for the sink it does get in a way for very small chunks of time but I bet it’s the same for almost anyone in The Stalls because of revolve. You don’t feel you're missing out at all. As for upstairs yes it is out of sight but frankly not much is going on in there..

At one point actors almost sit on your lap! Loving it.
Well, maybe my point wasn’t fair on the upstairs life, let the other comment who was sitting more central, but the glimpses I caught was Dan sitting at the top of the stairs dressing up, the slide door behind which the band was placed and basically going in and out of the rooms (kids mostly).

I saw this tonight and it did not disappoint.

I agree the production is not too dissimilar from the original one - they trust the material and mostly update things here and there to make it more current. Dan repeatedly taps his phone to pay for Diana’s treatment, Henry mentions X, the first scene contains an iPad, Natalie reads a contemporary book (“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and Tomorrow”, from what I could see), among others.

However, I got a the impression that the ending was more hopeful and positive than what I remember. When Diana has her final conversation with Natalie, she seems very sure and mature, and the way she talks about her trauma (if I’m not mistaken, they changed some lines slightly there to show that things actually changed a bit this time) gives the audience more hope that she might be ok. To add to that, in the final song, she is seen taking medicine and a pamphlet from the doctor, which I’m almost sure was not present in the original production. I loved that, as it gave me the impression that it’s not that she’s abandoning treatment, she’s just taking more control of it.

I have so many good things to say about this production, but if I had to single out one thing, it would be Jack Wolfe’s portrait of Gabe. It gave me creepy child who will kill you vibes, at the same time as a pretty face who can and will manipulate you in many ways to get what they want. Worked way better for me than the more sexual previous version.

If the producers get an offer for transfer but one of the stars isn't available would the director have any veto about it transfering. I guess they could "withdraw" their services but a lot would depend on contracts as the producers are the money men.

Was there really a need to put this in a public forum?
Given that the show had had 1 preview under it's belt, you make it sound like they're lining up his replacement already, which is not fair on the production company and definitely not for Jamie Parker, should he hear of this rumour and then something actually happen going forward. Some things really should be kept in-house.



IMO He is a great singer, as demonstrated in Guys and Dolls, Assassins, A Little Night Music, numerous concerts and benefits, not to mention he was just playing the lead in Benjamin Button at Southwark and went straight from one job to another. He might be tired. He clearly has experience, skills and knowledge in how to do this.

However, Dan should be on the verge throughout. He is carrying so much. Trying to hold on to the family he has left, keeping it together the best he can. Doing whatever he can. He is also wanting to leave it all behind, but won't. He's at his wits end with Diana, he still hasn't dealt with the emotions issues from their past and it's clearly a battle he loses. Yes it might be sung in a cleaner, more typical MT style, but all the other Dans have all sounded pretty upbeat for what they're having to deal with.

I saw this again last night and thought Jamie was wonderful and sounded great.



Potential spoiler??? -




one of my favorite things in this is how Jamie spends a good 15 mins or so almost curled up in a ball, silent towards the end. His Dan is just…empty. And it’s heartbreaking.

The balloons were still there on Thursday, but they were just silly. They really took my mind off the piece.

Helium filled balloons that were trying to float back into the air, being moved by gusts on wind. One was trying its best to climb the stairs right in front of me (it got up one stair, before giving up and ending up in the audience). I'm sure they were in the way of the actors too.

One of those ideas that sound good but just aren't practical. I'm sure the end of the show will be better without them.

It seems reasonable to assume the creative team were completely comfortable with Mr. Parker's vocal skills and acting capabilities in relation to the role of Dan since they cast him. It's not like he is an unknown performer.

Ohh, I had that answered just now by looking at the program. That’s the name of the doctor!

By improved you mean to something that you want to see, rather than what the director wants the role of Dan to be? I suspect they may be two different things.

Does anybody know if the book from Nick Hern Books promoting this production is available for purchase in the theatre or is it online only?