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Post by pomegranate on Mar 25, 2023 20:36:52 GMT
Have to disagree with the above re Andrew Richardson. Thought he was fantastic and loved his voice. My favourite of the 4 leads.
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Post by mattnyc on Mar 25, 2023 21:42:43 GMT
Have to disagree with the above re Andrew Richardson. Thought he was fantastic and loved his voice. My favourite of the 4 leads. Same. I was so impressed with him!! |
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Post by capybara on Mar 26, 2023 1:03:19 GMT
Absolutely loved this when I saw a Thursday matinee performance recently.
I have tickets for May but, after reading the feedback on here and then reviews, I couldn’t wait and bagged myself a rush ticket.
I’m not usually one for immersive experiences but being able to watch those incredible performances up close was a real treat.
I reckon I’ll be back again before my next booked trip. Five stars.
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 26, 2023 10:17:33 GMT
Richardson easily my favourite of the four leads - it's the first time I thought the show belonged to the men rather than the women.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 26, 2023 16:38:48 GMT
Richardson easily my favourite of the four leads - it's the first time I thought the show belonged to the men rather than the women. He is fabulous. We’ll be hearing a lot more from him I’m sure. |
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Post by mattnyc on Mar 26, 2023 17:04:40 GMT
Richardson easily my favourite of the four leads - it's the first time I thought the show belonged to the men rather than the women. That’s so interesting to read because I hadn’t even thought of that but I agree 100% |
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Post by lynette on Mar 26, 2023 18:44:10 GMT
Nah, disagree. Clue in the title Guys AND Dolls
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Post by ceebee on Mar 26, 2023 19:27:03 GMT
Nah, disagree. Clue in the title Guys AND Dolls Agree - the bar scene alone bears this out. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2023 19:33:22 GMT
I'm not understanding how the title referencing both guys AND dolls doesn't allow for someone's observation that in their eyes, this production belongs to the men. I interpret that observation to be about who (and whose stories) stood out more, were more centered, or more memorable.
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Mar 26, 2023 21:00:58 GMT
I'm not understanding how the title referencing both guys AND dolls doesn't allow for someone's observation that in their eyes, this production belongs to the men. I interpret that observation to be about who (and whose stories) stood out more, were more centered, or more memorable. May also be the night in question - sometimes performers have off nights. May be that the “guys” had it this time and the “dolls” have it on others… |
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 26, 2023 21:09:39 GMT
Oh absolutely - every other production I've seen of Guys and Dolls I came away talking about the Dolls much more, but this time I just talked about the Guys (specifically Daniel and Andrew)
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Mar 26, 2023 23:03:11 GMT
Oh absolutely - every other production I've seen of Guys and Dolls I came away talking about the Dolls much more, but this time I just talked about the Guys (specifically Daniel and Andrew) I also think Hytner's choices with the Havana sequence make Sky a more fascinating figure than he's ever been presented as before |
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Post by David J on Mar 27, 2023 0:22:57 GMT
Saw this yesterday afternoon and had a wonderful time.
Standing in the immersive area was a treat though standing away from the centre seemed a better position. I took the opportunity to stand by the main stage for the start of the second act and enjoyed it there but I spent a good portion of Luck be a Lady Tonight looking at the ensemble's legs whilst Andrew Richardson stood on the opposite corner. The staging doesn't lend itself to full on ensemble pieces unless they're sitting down during Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat, by which time I went back to watching it from afar.
As for You're Rocking the Boat, the biggest disappointment for me was slowing down the chorus. The fast tempo I feel is what makes the song brilliant. And I don't think Cedric Neal meets Gavin Spokes' charm as Nicely.
The four leads are overall strong but I too think the show belongs to the guys. Every role I've seen Daniel Mays in he throws himself into and here he sells Nathan Detroit. From the voice to the gestures he's like a born-again New York gambler and genuinely funny. Andrew Richardson may be acting his inner Marlon Brando but he has the charisma and his acting was top notch.
Celinde Shoenmaker sung beautifully as Sarah Brown and was earnest as her walls broke down for Sky. Marisha Wallace is a great singer and I enjoyed her two numbers in the Hotbox nightclub. And the two of them were a great pair in Marry the Man Today.
I just feel Marisha could take more advantage of the comedy in songs like Adelaide's Lament. Not asking for Sophie Thompson levels of dumb blonde. Her and Daniel's rendition of Sue Me is wonderful, with him bringing the acting and her the singing and some acting. Now if she could meet his level of acting it could turn the song up a notch.
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Post by viserys on Mar 27, 2023 6:50:10 GMT
I'll be the contrarian here and say I hated this "immersive" version. Maybe it's better if you stand in the pit and move around, but after a long day I can't be bothered with three hours of standing and moving anymore and I'm sure many elderly patrons wouldn't even entertain the thought, so it feels a bit like excluding them/us straightaway.
From where I sat in the first gallery, I could only see the backs of the performers half the time and everything felt chaotic, messy and restless with the permanent moving around both of the cast (clearly being directed so that they would keep turning to other parts of the audience to be visible to them) and the audience shuffling around, seeing the stage sets start setting up new scenes, while one was still going on - apart from the two crowd scenes in Times Square and Havana, where the audience felt like extras, I never once felt immersed in the action or transported to 50s New York. All the intimacy of the Sky/Sarah and Nathan/Adelaide scenes were lost since the characters were exposed on platforms like animals in a zoo to be gawped at from every side.
I'll give it three stars for the excellent performers, but I don't think I'll ever set foot into an "immersive" production of a classical musical again. Funny enough I absolutely LOVED Here Lies Love, but then I don't know that show in any other version and it was clearly always conceived with the disco-dancing crowd in mind.
Oh and it didn't help that it was freezing cold in the first gallery - everyone in my area kept their coats on.
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Post by ladidah on Mar 27, 2023 9:05:32 GMT
I am wary about the immersive side. I can't stand for that long but I am not a fan of sitting with people moving and milling about as I get distracted so easily. I don't like going to the Globe theatre anymore because I spend half the play getting taken out of the story by school trips yawning and on their phones in the pit.
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Post by mattnyc on Mar 27, 2023 12:18:24 GMT
I am wary about the immersive side. I can't stand for that long but I am not a fan of sitting with people moving and milling about as I get distracted so easily. I don't like going to the Globe theatre anymore because I spend half the play getting taken out of the story by school trips yawning and on their phones in the pit. I’ve seen this a couple times and the last time, sat in Gallery 1 directly across from the orchestra and there was nobody who moved around us, like in the other side seating I did. |
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Post by ladidah on Mar 27, 2023 12:39:10 GMT
That's a great tip, thank you.
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Post by anothertheatrefan on Mar 27, 2023 21:46:20 GMT
Hi all! Does anyone know if Marisha does all shows or if she has any holidays? Searched online but can’t find anything so any info would be much appreciated.
Didn’t have this show on my radar until this board and the reviews, so looking forward to seeing it!
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Post by PJ on Mar 28, 2023 8:00:14 GMT
Show stopped last night about half an hour in for about 20 minutes or so due to technical issues. I wonder how often that happens with all of the rising/falling stages. Absolutely loved the show!
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Post by ceebee on Mar 28, 2023 22:14:18 GMT
Hopefully the Bridge might start putting polite notices up for the standing/immersive tickets regarding people's ability to stand for long periods of time. 2 (possibly 3?) people fainting this evening and the numerous loo breaks for various folk were a distraction. Having sat at Stalls level for the first time tonight, this show is definitely better from above. The mingling fidgety groundlings and corralling crew make this a clunky production so close up. From gallery 1 or 2 it is a show of great beauty.
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Post by beguilingeyes on Mar 29, 2023 14:17:40 GMT
My first Sky was Paul Jones at the National, but my favourite production was Euan McGregor/Jane Krakowski/Douglas Hodge/Jenna Russell. I thought Doug Hodge was a fantastic Nathan in particular but all of the leads were superb. also Martin Ellis as Nicely-Nicely was fantastic.
I enjoyed Daniel Mays as Nathan but the other three leads I wasn't crazy about. I agree Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat was missing something.
My favourite version of Adelaide's Lament though will always by Barbra Streisand on her Broadway album (is that heresy?)
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Post by mcgoo on Mar 30, 2023 6:38:28 GMT
Does anyone have first hand experience of attending the Bridge Theatre Guys & Dolls - which looks fantastic. The standing option appeals although I would love to know whether it's a case of getting close as possible to the stage when standing - or - it doesnt really matter as much wherey you stand?
And as for seating. Looking at the seating plan, some seats 'higher' but restrictive but more 'leg room' North/South/East/West with seemingly less seats North and South. Any thoughts from those that have been there? The front row £150 a bit out of the price range.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2023 9:09:43 GMT
Does anyone have first hand experience of attending the Bridge Theatre Guys & Dolls - which looks fantastic. The standing option appeals although I would love to know whether it's a case of getting close as possible to the stage when standing - or - it doesnt really matter as much wherey you stand? And as for seating. Looking at the seating plan, some seats 'higher' but restrictive but more 'leg room' North/South/East/West with seemingly less seats North and South. Any thoughts from those that have been there? The front row £150 a bit out of the price range.
Have you scanned this thread? Lots of individual posts about seating, both location and what it is like to stand.
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Post by ceebee on Mar 30, 2023 9:55:22 GMT
Does anyone have first hand experience of attending the Bridge Theatre Guys & Dolls - which looks fantastic. The standing option appeals although I would love to know whether it's a case of getting close as possible to the stage when standing - or - it doesnt really matter as much wherey you stand? And as for seating. Looking at the seating plan, some seats 'higher' but restrictive but more 'leg room' North/South/East/West with seemingly less seats North and South. Any thoughts from those that have been there? The front row £150 a bit out of the price range. Aim for gallery 1. Have seen this Gall2, Gall1, Stalls. Standing is fine but you'll move about. Stalls front row get distracted by the audience movement and stage mgmt - overpriced in ny view. 2nd/3rd rows better. Front row Gallery 1 left side of the band is the sweet spot. Leg room and derriere space fine in all seats for a chunky six-footer. Enjoy. |
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Post by mcgoo on Mar 30, 2023 10:00:53 GMT
thanks for the replies. i will scan this thread and look towards the recommended gallery 1. Price being a concern. But partner wants to stand, i want to sit ( and happy enough to be a little further back ) hence just curious to know whether have to 'rush' for the best place to stand for partner - appears some say away from the stage is good, so...bit towards back not really a problem then re standing.
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