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Post by toomasj on Aug 19, 2023 13:04:21 GMT
I’m hearing a theatre is now booked for the transfer. Apparently Caissie is booked for something after this, so they’re waiting for her to become available again. The contact who told me this implied the transfer hinged on her staying, as she is director’s pick and he doesn’t want to proceed without her. I’m sure Mr Barnaby and others will be along in due course to confirm. Producers are said to be absolutely thrilled. Likely next summer. No idea on which theatre and haven’t got time to look through the list and work it out!
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Post by Rory on Aug 19, 2023 14:33:37 GMT
I’m hearing a theatre is now booked for the transfer. Apparently Caissie is booked for something after this, so they’re waiting for her to become available again. The contact who told me this implied the transfer hinged on her staying, as she is director’s pick and he doesn’t want to proceed without her. I’m sure Mr Barnaby and others will be along in due course to confirm. Producers are said to be absolutely thrilled. Likely next summer. No idea on which theatre and haven’t got time to look through the list and work it out! Great news; surely even the Donmar could manage a transfer for this production!
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Post by rumbledoll on Aug 19, 2023 17:03:22 GMT
A cheeky sneak pic from A2 before the start of the show: pasteboard.co/95P9mPyFTPrw.jpgAs 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..
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Post by curiouskc on Aug 19, 2023 17:22:27 GMT
A cheeky sneak pic from A2 before the start of the show: pasteboard.co/95P9mPyFTPrw.jpgAs 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..Interesting. I did wonder because in the bootlegs of the original Broadway show I've seen there's quite a lot that happens on the upstairs floors. I'm pleased to know that most stuff happens down on the stage in this version. And WOAH at that picture, everything is so close in the Donmar. Can't wait to go.
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Post by rumbledoll on Aug 19, 2023 17:33:49 GMT
A cheeky sneak pic from A2 before the start of the show: pasteboard.co/95P9mPyFTPrw.jpgAs 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..Interesting. I did wonder because in the bootlegs of the original Broadway show I've seen there's quite a lot that happens on the upstairs floors. I'm pleased to know that most stuff happens down on the stage in this version. And WOAH at that picture, everything is so close in the Donmar. Can't wait to go. 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).
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Post by david on Aug 19, 2023 23:14:42 GMT
From my viewing of tonight’s show, I came out absolutely loving this. A real emotional rollercoaster of a show of a from director Mike Longhurst and his team. A brilliant cast and band have been assembled that really hits you hard emotionally for the entire show with their performances with plenty of tears shed by a lot of us by the end. Thankfully, we get a some nice bits of dark humour to lighten the mood. An easy 5⭐️ and a standing ovation at the end from for me (and the rest of the audience) tonight. A really special evening at the Donmar (personally, I think the intimacy of this venue is a massive bonus for this show)and for me it’s one of those shows that will stick in the memory for a long time to come. It was worth every penny of my ticket money. It was one of those shows where all the individual theatrical elements of cast, score and technical aspects all blended together perfectly.
I would love recording of this cast. Fantastic vocals from all and definitely worth a second (and more) listen to post show. Some really great lighting and video design from Lee Curran and Tal Rosner backed up the cast’s performances added to the amazing experience.
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Post by tal on Aug 20, 2023 0:27:21 GMT
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.
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Post by tal on Aug 20, 2023 1:09:57 GMT
Also, I read there were balloons in the first previews? There weren’t any tonight. Anybody can shed a light on when and how they were used?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2023 1:55:22 GMT
I’m hearing a theatre is now booked for the transfer. Apparently Caissie is booked for something after this, so they’re waiting for her to become available again. The contact who told me this implied the transfer hinged on her staying, as she is director’s pick and he doesn’t want to proceed without her. I’m sure Mr Barnaby and others will be along in due course to confirm. Producers are said to be absolutely thrilled. Likely next summer. No idea on which theatre and haven’t got time to look through the list and work it out! 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.
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Post by Oobi on Aug 20, 2023 2:58:55 GMT
Also, I read there were balloons in the first previews? There weren’t any tonight. Anybody can shed a light on when and how they were used? I saw the second preview. Balloons were randomly dropped at the end of "Hey #3/Perfect For You (reprise)", presumably to establish that Henry and Natalie did indeed enter their prom. The balloons remained on the stage for the rest of the show. Was kinda weird tonally. Definitely a good change.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Aug 20, 2023 4:36:19 GMT
I am hearing question marks from within the production about the actor playing Dan. I am sure he will improve going forward. 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. I’m hearing he is really struggling vocally in the role, which unfortunately doesn’t surprise me as he has never been the best singer. I am sure his acting though will be excellent. 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.
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Post by toomasj on Aug 20, 2023 11:15:57 GMT
I am hearing question marks from within the production about the actor playing Dan. I am sure he will improve going forward. 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. I’m hearing he is really struggling vocally in the role, which unfortunately doesn’t surprise me as he has never been the best singer. I am sure his acting though will be excellent. Fair enough, point taken. Strong disagree. I thought he was fine vocally in Guys and Dolls, certainly not spectacular, but I enjoyed his performance overall. However, I couldn’t stand him in Assassins. He was affecting a very strange gravelly, scratchy quality to his voice, which muddied some of the lyrics and wasn’t aurally appealing to my tastes. Again, I see what he was doing, a latter day Merle Haggard type sound, but I didn’t like it. In both of these parts, however, his singing was deliberately secondary to his acting. When required to sing a challenging - and vocally exposing - rock score requiring consistent hitting in and around the B4 territory, I wonder how he will cope. It’s telling that accommodations have been made for this. Despite all of this, I have no doubts after several weeks in the role he will have improved and I never doubted his acting, so I’m very much looking forward to seeing him tackle the role.
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Post by mattnyc on Aug 20, 2023 13:23:37 GMT
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.
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Post by rumbledoll on Aug 20, 2023 13:40:34 GMT
This is what people in lower numbers in stalls on the side don’t see unfortunately.. as the kitchen sink table he leans on turns on the revolve for that scene. You are only guessing that he justs sits there throughout with that detached look on his face. A nice touch, thank you for mentioning it.
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 20, 2023 13:50:19 GMT
Also, I read there were balloons in the first previews? There weren’t any tonight. Anybody can shed a light on when and how they were used? I saw the second preview. Balloons were randomly dropped at the end of "Hey #3/Perfect For You (reprise)", presumably to establish that Henry and Natalie did indeed enter their prom. The balloons remained on the stage for the rest of the show. Was kinda weird tonally. Definitely a good change. 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.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2023 14:00:42 GMT
I agree that rumours the production might not be happy with a performer should not be put on here especially when it involves a high profile experienced MT performer. Any personal views on a performer's ability in a role are fine and can lead to a healthy debate especially when constructive for and against points can be traded.
I didn't realize Cassie was 42 when I read about people asking how old Eleanor was it made me wonder as I'd have had Cassie down as yonger.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2023 16:12:57 GMT
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.
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Post by tal on Aug 20, 2023 20:12:57 GMT
By the way, how did people interpret that “fine” sign they had when Diana was seeing the doctor in the first act? I was expecting more signs like that to come so I could derive some meaning, but they never did and I was lost.
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Post by tal on Aug 20, 2023 23:44:09 GMT
By the way, how did people interpret that “fine” sign they had when Diana was seeing the doctor in the first act? I was expecting more signs like that to come so I could derive some meaning, but they never did and I was lost. Ohh, I had that answered just now by looking at the program. That’s the name of the doctor!
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Post by toomasj on Aug 20, 2023 23:57:13 GMT
By the way, how did people interpret that “fine” sign they had when Diana was seeing the doctor in the first act? I was expecting more signs like that to come so I could derive some meaning, but they never did and I was lost. Ohh, I had that answered just now by looking at the program. That’s the name of the doctor! Absolutely, you’ll also notice the second doctor is called Madden, with both names being puns on their respective doctrines and treatment methods.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Aug 21, 2023 5:48:12 GMT
Despite all of this, I have no doubts after several weeks in the role he will have improved and I never doubted his acting, so I’m very much looking forward to seeing him tackle the role. 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.
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Post by Rory on Aug 21, 2023 9:10:42 GMT
Stalls C26 for this Thursday's matinee about to go on the website. Was £60.
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Post by usbuzzer on Aug 21, 2023 10:54:38 GMT
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?
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Post by tal on Aug 21, 2023 11:29:33 GMT
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? I can confirm that the book from NHB (the cover is the current poster with Cassie) was available for purchase at the theatre when I went.
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Post by lolli on Aug 21, 2023 11:54:59 GMT
Some tickets for this Saturday matinee now on the website, I just got one
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