1,570 posts
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Post by showtoones on Jun 20, 2024 15:09:48 GMT
Do you miss anything from the front row?
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Post by Adalea on Jun 20, 2024 15:26:50 GMT
I love that Jack had bought preview tickets to the show before being cast! So amazing to hear how much he cared about the show before even being involved, it certainly shows in his performance.
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48 posts
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Post by pauln on Jun 20, 2024 15:32:01 GMT
Saw the first preview from the front row loved the show and thought the view was fine especially for £35 and I just noticed they have now released the front row for the rest of the run £35 midweek and £45 weekends! Thanks for the heads up! I had already booked £45 seats further back in the stalls, so I hope they'll let me change them to the front row. |
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Post by anywherespace on Jun 20, 2024 15:41:34 GMT
Thanks for sharing this! A great listen. Again, you would’ve thought this would be the kind of thing that marketing was all over but alas… Was not aware that he had bought a ticket for the Donmar run before he was called to audition, that must be quite the feeling especially considering how successful the role has been for him. I am deeply curious to know who else he was up against casting wise, whether they were initially going for an Aaron Tveit type or were always looking for something different. Personally I’m more compelled by Wolfe’s ‘fragile until you try to break him, figment of your imagination’ interpretation than the confident all-American jock character a lot of people associate with Gabe. I would’ve loved to see how Joshua Gannon took it on in the Donmar cover run just for a different portrayal. |
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Post by corblimey on Jun 20, 2024 15:43:32 GMT
Do you miss anything from the front row? Only the blood on the floor I think -which for me was a good thing! |
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Post by curiouskc on Jun 20, 2024 18:45:23 GMT
Dear God, I have been waiting for this and it is finally here (!!!).
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Post by craigbowker on Jun 20, 2024 21:44:22 GMT
Jake Reynolds was on for Henry tonight (can’t blame Jack O as it was his birthday yesterday). Very solid performance, does an American accent so it feels a bit different but his vocals are excellent.
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Post by theatre2023 on Jun 21, 2024 21:27:41 GMT
And Tom Kitt was in the house appearing to be enjoying the show every bit as much as the audience.
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Post by producerfacts on Jun 21, 2024 22:21:56 GMT
Would love to know how this has changed since the Donmar run
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Post by Courfeyrac on Jun 22, 2024 8:37:42 GMT
Was at the first preview, and thought it was incredible once again. I did feel a bit more removed from the action compared to being in the stalls at the Donmar, but what I gained from it was an actual view of the band/the action on the upper level, and a better overview of the staging.
Still an amazing show, and would second that Jamie's depiction of Dan is leaps and bounds more heartwrenching than at the Donmar. Though the Wyndhams has to go down as having the most uncomfortable seat from all the shows I went to this past week.
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Post by craigbowker on Jun 22, 2024 10:49:14 GMT
Would love to know how this has changed since the Donmar run If we ignore the difference of it being on a traditional stage (so you aren't eye-level), then I would say it mostly the same show as the Donmar but somehow, impossibly better. Character/performance changes: - Caissie's Diana is slightly more unstable from the get go. It's subtle but it feels more realistic. - Jamie Parker must have spent the last 9 months with all sorts of coaches, because I loved his performance at the Donmar, but he is truly SIGNIFICANTLY better. His vocals are Tony-award winning at this point. Also, as an American living here, I can say that literally every small moment of mispronunciation from Donmar has been fixed and it is now a perfect American accent. Staging changes: - I Miss the Mountains now begins with Diana watching Natalie in the kitchen, as though seeing her daughter come in after a night with Henry is what is reminding her of her own past. It's really powerful and an amazing change. - Gabe giving Natalie the pills from Diana's bag is now much more obvious. There are a few other small changes, but it mostly just a better version of Donmar, even though I didn't think that would be possible. |
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315 posts
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Post by jm25 on Jun 22, 2024 17:39:46 GMT
Watched this afternoon's matinee and it was wonderful. The Donmar production holds the unfortunate title of being the only show I've ever walked out of during the interval. It was nothing against the show itself, but I could see absolutely nothing of the stage from the Donmar's standing "seats" and so I reluctantly made the decision to leave. I always thought it was such a shame that I never got to see the show in full so was delighted when the transfer was announced.
Stopped by at West End Live before the show, coincidentally, just at the time the Next to Normal cast were on the stage, so I got a little preview of the show during their section. As for the show itself - well, I was blown away. Every single cast member is outstanding and there were a few times where I was almost moved to tears by the power and beauty of their voices. Jack Wolfe in particular is a very special talent, but it almost feels unfair to single him out when the four main actors are all so brilliant. The only other show I can think of with such a universally strong cast in recent memory is Jamie Lloyd's Sunset.
Really moving story, fantastic score, and great value front row seats - even if the stage is a little high. So, so glad I finally got to see this properly and I think I'll be booking a return visit soon!
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Post by flouise on Jun 22, 2024 18:18:31 GMT
Anyone who has seen this post- first preview, how has the sound been? I get the feeling from this board that the sound mix wasn't quite as bad in the rest of the theatre as it was in the grand circle, but it would be good to know if it's been sorted!
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Post by craigbowker on Jun 22, 2024 19:15:32 GMT
Anyone who has seen this post- first preview, how has the sound been? I get the feeling from this board that the sound mix wasn't quite as bad in the rest of the theatre as it was in the grand circle, but it would be good to know if it's been sorted! I saw first preview and again on Thursday. Sound mixing was better on Thursday. Still not perfect, but it's getting better so it's clear they're aware. |
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Post by flouise on Jun 22, 2024 19:18:45 GMT
Anyone who has seen this post- first preview, how has the sound been? I get the feeling from this board that the sound mix wasn't quite as bad in the rest of the theatre as it was in the grand circle, but it would be good to know if it's been sorted! I saw first preview and again on Thursday. Sound mixing was better on Thursday. Still not perfect, but it's getting better so it's clear they're aware. Good to know, thank you! |
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Post by westendwhistledown on Jun 22, 2024 19:56:02 GMT
As a huge fan of the show (saw it 8 times at the Donmar) - I’m not sure about the West End Live performance. Trevor introducing each section (maybe to note they were the Olivier nominees but weird!) and then picking Didn’t I See This Movie for Caissie seemed rogue…I’m sure I Miss The Mountains has been exhausted but Didn’t I See This Movie is just intense for an event like this lol!
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520 posts
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Post by theatreliker on Jun 22, 2024 20:47:08 GMT
Saw it this afternoon and it's really grown on me since I saw it at the Donmar. An all round amazing cast too.
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527 posts
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Post by danielwhit on Jun 22, 2024 21:36:24 GMT
Saw this evening - echoing the thoughts of others that this seems stronger than it was at the Donmar.
Front rows do not feel too uncomfortable a look up (and I'm 5ft6/7).
Agreed with thoughts of others that I Miss The Mountains intro is better - simple change but very effective.
Has the staging to A Light In The Dark changed? I don't remember them being sat down before.
Sound mix was solid too so those issues are presumably getting better.
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639 posts
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Post by ncbears on Jun 22, 2024 22:44:40 GMT
Also at evening performance (22 June). Didn't see Donmar. Saw US First National Tour in Los Angeles mumbledy years ago with Alice Ripley.
This was better than my memory.
About as flawless as a show can be.
I didn't have any issues with the sound mix.
The seats, on the other hand (row G) were narrow and uncomfortable.
I only wish I could see this again, but, alas, we leave London on Monday.
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Post by littledino on Jun 23, 2024 17:32:01 GMT
Saw this evening - echoing the thoughts of others that this seems stronger than it was at the Donmar. Front rows do not feel too uncomfortable a look up (and I'm 5ft6/7). Agreed with thoughts of others that I Miss The Mountains intro is better - simple change but very effective. Has the staging to A Light In The Dark changed? I don't remember them being sat down before. Sound mix was solid too so those issues are presumably getting better. Made an account to discuss any changes people may want to know about! You'd be correct about A Light in the Dark - the staging used to be (at the end) Dan and Diana sitting on the last set of steps in front of the cupboards stage left  |
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Post by pancakehaus on Jun 23, 2024 18:16:37 GMT
One thing I've been curious about in the new run is the staging of Gabe after the Catch Me I'm Falling Reprise. In the Donmar, he'd duck behind the island and sit there until the I Am The One Reprise in a way that kind of parallels Dan. With the Donmar's thrust stage, people could still see Gabe sitting there (though not everyone), but obviously no one would be able to see that at the Wyndham's. So I'm just curious how they staged those two for that sequence.
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Post by Courfeyrac on Jun 23, 2024 19:46:04 GMT
One thing I've been curious about in the new run is the staging of Gabe after the Catch Me I'm Falling Reprise. In the Donmar, he'd duck behind the island and sit there until the I Am The One Reprise in a way that kind of parallels Dan. With the Donmar's thrust stage, people could still see Gabe sitting there (though not everyone), but obviously no one would be able to see that at the Wyndham's. So I'm just curious how they staged those two for that sequence. My seat at the Donmar didn't give me a view of Gabe during that part, I could only see Dan there. But from my seat in the circle this time I was able to see that Gabe was sitting on the other side of the island, so I'd imagine that part of the staging is the same from the Donmar run. {Spoiler}{Spoiler - click to view}Also when Diana is talking to Natalie about Gabe for the first time, he looks up at Natalie - not sure if this is new for West End or not though! |
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527 posts
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Post by danielwhit on Jun 23, 2024 23:55:59 GMT
Saw this evening - echoing the thoughts of others that this seems stronger than it was at the Donmar. Front rows do not feel too uncomfortable a look up (and I'm 5ft6/7). Agreed with thoughts of others that I Miss The Mountains intro is better - simple change but very effective. Has the staging to A Light In The Dark changed? I don't remember them being sat down before. Sound mix was solid too so those issues are presumably getting better. Made an account to discuss any changes people may want to know about! You'd be correct about A Light in the Dark - the staging used to be (at the end) Dan and Diana sitting on the last set of steps in front of the cupboards stage left Welcome aboard! Thanks for that - that sparked a memory. Think this staging works better (and I say that having sat front row stalls on that side in the Donmar). |
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3,486 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jun 24, 2024 9:22:27 GMT
Thanks to all the chat on here I've booked to see this show - I have high hopes!
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3,349 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 24, 2024 12:55:42 GMT
Add me to the list of people who saw this on Saturday evening. I think this is a beautiful show. The sound quality was perfect too. I can't say this is one I could watch on repeat, but I'll definitely be seeing this again during this limited run.
I was in Row B (with a very well priced ticket through the new TodayTix personalised offers). The stage is high, but I could see everything apart from parts of the floor. I wouldn't recommend Row A or B for a first viewing for anyone under about 5'8", but if you know the show, these are perfect seats to pick up on the emotion.
It was also nice to be able to see the top level, which I missed at the previous venue as I was sat at the extreme side. At least this time I largely managed to have too many objects landing on me (but there was a narrow miss with a pen or similar zooming past the side of the head - landing a row or two behind).
This is a really strong cast, all excellent vocally. Recommended.
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