Next to Normal - Donmar / Wyndham’s

Just left the second preview of N2N emotionally shattered. The sheer wave of energy that pummels you in the final minutes is incredible. The exact same sensation I experienced watching it on Broadway all those years ago … it’s that good.

Went to the first preview of this and found it impeccable really - incredible cast and band, the sound design needs fixing yes - at moments I needed to be hit more by guitar and drums (it is a rock score after all) and at moments I needed to hear more vocals. Having had a couple of days to reflect I think my favourite thing about it is the pace - the director has REALLY nailed it. The songs drastically fluctuate in tempo which really aid the bipolarity of Diana’s brain and the journey of the characters, and the build build build of act 2 to the drop and twist at the end, and then the punch of the final song really meant Light had so much more weight and presence - and I sobbed mostly because of the emotional release that came from the song (Light) after a massively emotional push-pull throughout the show, particularly act 2. Incredible work for a first preview but pace was clearly a priority throughout the rehearsal process.

I was back for the third preview today, and there’s been some changes - 95% of the projections are gone, the staging has changed in small places (no more Dan and Gabe running around the revolve) but the growth already in Caissie’s Diana - she’s somehow even more incredible with so much more depth (when she had so much)

Diana and Natalie’s relationship is even more heartbreaking, I noticed that Eleanor has some mannerisms so similar to Caissie - not sure if an intentional choice or not (as it’s more noticeable to Monday’s show) but it is a fantastic little subtle reminder that she just wants her mother to love her.

I hadn’t noticed entirely on Monday, but something Jack does, which I LOVE, Is that he doesn’t look at the audience until act two in the I’m Alive reprise on the lyrics ‘I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m death defied’ after the reveal in act one, he becomes less teenage boy like and more ethereal, and then he loses his etherealness at the end. It’s a brilliant choice.

Jamie Parker is getting much more confident with the score and singing with the band, there’s still a way to go, but his characterisation is so beautifully crafted, that his vocals not being quite there yet don’t bother me except for during some harmony lines.

Was there tonight and I agree with most of what has been written here already. The show is a bonafide artistic smash with a dynamic tour de force performance from Caissie Levy that is thrilling, raw and worthy of the hosannas about to come her way from critics and audiences alike.

I would not be at all shocked if this show transferred AND made its way back to Broadway to pick up some Best Revival/Performance Tonys.

My only quibble? A member of the creative team who clearly thought nothing about pulling focus from the actors while he chatted at several points to his assistant, often gesticulating to pull the focus even harder. I know there is work to do in previews but it really shouldn't be at the expense of the paying audience. My anger got the best of me and I had a few choice words for him at the interval. Creatives really should either stand at the rear, sit at the lighting or sound desk and carry out their work without causing distraction. It ruined an otherwise amazing theatregoing experience.

Which will pale greatly in comparison to what they will cop next Friday if they even try that sh*t with me x

I saw it over 10 times on Broadway and saw Alice, Jessica and Marin too, I look forward to seeing your take on Caissie. I think she’s my favourite all rounder. I didn’t think anyone could knock Marin off the top spot for me for Dianas but she’s done it.

Most of the script is the same - off the top of my head the only changes are that Henry now says ‘X is a disaster’ referring to the recent change of twitter’s name. Dan says depression forums instead of depression chat rooms. Gabe isn’t in a tux in I dreamed a dance… I can’t think of anything else different off hand.

Yes! Completely! Literally the only difference is that they’ve lowered the key for Jamie for some of Dan’s stuff, but it’s not too noticeable and won’t be once the sound balance gets sorted.

We have several tickets available on the Noticeboard for this.

Interesting comment in here that they lowered the key for Jamie but I felt not enough as he clearly was struggling with higher notes.
I got to agree I’m too rather buffled why he was chosen to play this part as it doesn’t serve nor him nor the show.
Still I glad I saw him, it’s been ages…

I know I may be in the minority here, but I felt his challenges vocally, in a strange way, fit the character. It reflected a fragility/vulnerability that would be true to the character, especially in Act Two.

Sure, I adored Brian D'Arcy James in the role but I didn't think Jamie embarrassed himself or let the show down at all.

I saw this last night. I have been wanting to see it for years and have owned the OBC recording for a long time, but always found it a little hard to get into. I've always liked some moments from it, and some individual numbers, but felt as though I had to see it live to really get it. I think I'm going to be in a minority when I say that seeing it live, however well directed and performed (and it definitely was), I still don't really get it! I feel frustrated because the subject matter really really grabs me and I think it's brilliant that a musical has tackled a situation and theme that is usually the preserve of tv dramas or independent films, but not musicals. I honestly don't know another musical that feels quite like this.

But I think my problem is that it always feels a bit like it's playing it safe to me. It's too much like realism which sits at odds with what I feel musicals are naturally good at. My favourite bits (e.g. the My Favourite Things reference, the doctor-as-rock-star) are the bits that break away from this, but I just wish this line was pushed further. I find the characters remain largely static, or, at least, just go round in circles - the central situation just doesn't really go anywhere. I also find a lot of the songs to be lacking in subtlety or subtext. Most of the time characters are just stating how they feel, which is the complete opposite to, say, The Band's Visit (same director, same venue) which I adored. I prefer songs that work through subtext (an example, I think, would be Ring of Keys from Fun Home - a story set in a similar time and place, about the issues within an American suburban family - but with a very different approach to describing it through song.) But I know this is just me - we can't all love everything. And I really do think it was extremely polished and accomplished. If I hadn't already known the plot through the cast recording then there are a couple of audacious plot points that would have gripped me, which would have helped, but as it was I felt quite unengaged. And I didn't like the way it built up to a final scene where the company all stood and sang straight out to the audience about facing the future, which just feels like a huge musical theatre cliché to me. So 2 stars from me, I'm afraid, but I'm glad so many people love it and are finally getting to see it over here.