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Post by BVM on Dec 2, 2023 11:36:34 GMT
I felt similarly to be honest. I enjoyed this, but I didn't love it and definitely didn't quite get the 5 star plus all out raves. In which respect it reminded me a bit of the Sutton Foster Anything Goes. So many people were RAVING about that and I was just... I don't quite get it. Thought it was so underpowered compared to the late 80's LuPone/EP version and the epic National/Drury Lane one. (I wonder if the euphoria of coming out of Covid and having at least one show that wasn't plagued by hideous drunk audience behaviour played a part in all the love it got. When the filmed version came out, people were like "oh it's a bit flat, it hasn't been captured well" and I was like, no that's EXACTLY what it was like. Anyway, I digress....)
Back to Guys and Dolls. Liked the inventiveness of the staging and the immersive aspect (watching from the seats that is, zero interest in being herded about myself). But then once the novelty wore off did think it just looked slightly cramped, limited and messy at times and felt the big numbers are easier to pull off in proscenium format. Where I sat everytime Adelaide sat all I could see was her back which was also suboptimal.
As for the characters, did they try to hard to update them? Who knows. I get that it's 2023 so the female characters have to serve #strongindependentwoman and give sass. Of course no bad thing. But does it lose some of the comedy that the writers intended? Perhaps.
Best thing was the music, vocals, band and sound design which I thought were fantastic and I love the CD. It's a brilliant score.
Perhaps I am slightly biased anyway as I find the music to be the best aspect with all productions of Guys and Dolls. I just don't find the story THAT good so am a bit bored during the very long spoken sections. (Although what do I know. My father thinks the story is the best thing ever!) Always seems 10 mins dialogue to 3 mins song! I do prefer more singing less dialogue in everything though....
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1,484 posts
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Post by theatrefan62 on Dec 2, 2023 11:48:55 GMT
I've not seen it (one of my least favourite of the classics) but friends have and they were of the same 'don't get the hype' opinion. So I don't think it's necessarily that rare an opinion.
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271 posts
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Dec 2, 2023 12:18:55 GMT
I feel like they all read too young. Daniel and Marisha both look like they're 30. They should look physically like they're both well past 40. They've been engaged for 14 years. I feel like there are no stakes with this Adelaide. You should really feel that she's over the hill. I preferred Sophie Thompson's performance ten years ago. And yes George looks very young to play the experienced Sky. I wanted to love this show, not only was it one of my college musicals, but I was brought back into it with the Broadway revival of 1992. The Bridge production has taken all the charm away and overall I felt like I was trapped in Lifesized Monopoly. The voices were all good but not as good as they should be. As an American, I was triggered by that traffic light that when red, yellow, green, yellow, red. It's the basic understanding that in New York City the traffic lights go from red, yellow, green and back to red. May sound odd to most but, if you don't understand the basic foundation, it gravely affects how the story is told. Am I glad to have seen the Bridge production of Guys and Dolls? I'm alway glad to see live theatre. Would I go back and see it again? It's a long-shot for Broadway, so no. Quick side note: On my trip to Manchester last week for a two show day, we stayed at Hotel Brooklyn. It's a Runyon themed venue, beautifully designed with murals of Runyonland. |
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Post by pomegranate on Dec 2, 2023 21:08:24 GMT
I feel like they all read too young. Daniel and Marisha both look like they're 30. They should look physically like they're both well past 40. They've been engaged for 14 years. I feel like there are no stakes with this Adelaide. You should really feel that she's over the hill. I preferred Sophie Thompson's performance ten years ago. And yes George looks very young to play the experienced Sky. I’m sure he’d love the compliment - but in what universe does Daniel Mays look 30? Daniel is 45 and Marisha is 38. Getting engaged at 24 makes perfect sense to me |
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389 posts
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Post by theatrenerd on Dec 2, 2023 21:46:38 GMT
Daniel's last day is 24 February (confirmed on IG) so I assume other cast members may leave then too as it will be 1 year after the opening. Any idea of replacements?
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3,485 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 2, 2023 22:11:02 GMT
It's always those late to the party who complain about the flat atmosphere and the warm beer.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2023 2:54:13 GMT
A traffic light not operating in city-accurate sequence sure is one of the criticisms of all time.
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Dec 3, 2023 10:10:53 GMT
A traffic light not operating in city-accurate sequence sure is one of the criticisms of all time. I’m dying it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever read |
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Post by damaskanddark on Dec 3, 2023 20:10:07 GMT
I feel like they all read too young. Daniel and Marisha both look like they're 30. They should look physically like they're both well past 40. They've been engaged for 14 years. I feel like there are no stakes with this Adelaide. You should really feel that she's over the hill. I preferred Sophie Thompson's performance ten years ago. And yes George looks very young to play the experienced Sky. I’m sure he’d love the compliment - but in what universe does Daniel Mays look 30? Daniel is 45 and Marisha is 38. Getting engaged at 24 makes perfect sense to me I didn't say what age they were. I said they LOOK 30 to ME. Daniel Mays looks like an utter child on stage, compared to his predecessors. Look up Sam Levene. The casting is so stupid in this production. |
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Post by capybara on Dec 3, 2023 20:19:11 GMT
I’m a huge fan of Daniel Mays but look 30, he most certainly does not…
I just did look up Sam Levene. He was three years older than Mays is now when he was in this show.
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5,896 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 3, 2023 20:31:51 GMT
I feel like they all read too young. Daniel and Marisha both look like they're 30. They should look physically like they're both well past 40. They've been engaged for 14 years. I feel like there are no stakes with this Adelaide. You should really feel that she's over the hill. I preferred Sophie Thompson's performance ten years ago. And yes George looks very young to play the experienced Sky. I wanted to love this show, not only was it one of my college musicals, but I was brought back into it with the Broadway revival of 1992. The Bridge production has taken all the charm away and overall I felt like I was trapped in Lifesized Monopoly. The voices were all good but not as good as they should be. As an American, I was triggered by that traffic light that when red, yellow, green, yellow, red. It's the basic understanding that in New York City the traffic lights go from red, yellow, green and back to red. May sound odd to most but, if you don't understand the basic foundation, it gravely affects how the story is told. Am I glad to have seen the Bridge production of Guys and Dolls? I'm alway glad to see live theatre. Would I go back and see it again? It's a long-shot for Broadway, so no. Quick side note: On my trip to Manchester last week for a two show day, we stayed at Hotel Brooklyn. It's a Runyon themed venue, beautifully designed with murals of Runyonland. I think you should write to the Bridge about these traffic lights actually. They should know |
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Post by damaskanddark on Dec 3, 2023 21:09:55 GMT
I’m a huge fan of Daniel Mays but look 30, he most certainly does not… I just did look up Sam Levene. He was three years older than Mays is now when he was in this show. Mays looks 89. |
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7,183 posts
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Post by Jon on Dec 3, 2023 21:46:03 GMT
I’m a huge fan of Daniel Mays but look 30, he most certainly does not… I just did look up Sam Levene. He was three years older than Mays is now when he was in this show. Daniel Mays to me looks his age but also people in the past looked older compared to today so it's not like for like. |
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Post by damaskanddark on Dec 3, 2023 22:01:05 GMT
I’m a huge fan of Daniel Mays but look 30, he most certainly does not… I just did look up Sam Levene. He was three years older than Mays is now when he was in this show. Daniel Mays to me looks his age but also people in the past looked older compared to today so it's not like for like. It's simply not like for like everyone!! |
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Post by damaskanddark on Dec 3, 2023 22:01:20 GMT
I wanted to love this show, not only was it one of my college musicals, but I was brought back into it with the Broadway revival of 1992. The Bridge production has taken all the charm away and overall I felt like I was trapped in Lifesized Monopoly. The voices were all good but not as good as they should be. As an American, I was triggered by that traffic light that when red, yellow, green, yellow, red. It's the basic understanding that in New York City the traffic lights go from red, yellow, green and back to red. May sound odd to most but, if you don't understand the basic foundation, it gravely affects how the story is told. Am I glad to have seen the Bridge production of Guys and Dolls? I'm alway glad to see live theatre. Would I go back and see it again? It's a long-shot for Broadway, so no. Quick side note: On my trip to Manchester last week for a two show day, we stayed at Hotel Brooklyn. It's a Runyon themed venue, beautifully designed with murals of Runyonland. I think you should write to the Bridge about these traffic lights actually. They should know Email them NOW. |
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3,485 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 4, 2023 10:57:23 GMT
I’m a huge fan of Daniel Mays but look 30, he most certainly does not… I just did look up Sam Levene. He was three years older than Mays is now when he was in this show. Mays looks 89. What an idiotic comment. |
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1,482 posts
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Post by mkb on Dec 4, 2023 11:39:05 GMT
A traffic light not operating in city-accurate sequence sure is one of the criticisms of all time. I see everyone's having a good laugh at the American making that observation, but he has a point. It's lazy set design and would be immediately noticeable to anyone from across the pond. I'm pretty sure many Brits on here would be quick to pour scorn on any US mains sockets in any American production set in a British property. Same difference. |
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1,484 posts
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Post by theatrefan62 on Dec 4, 2023 11:44:50 GMT
A traffic light not operating in city-accurate sequence sure is one of the criticisms of all time. I see everyone's having a good laugh at the American making that observation, but he/she has a point. It's lazy set design and would be immediately noticeable to anyone from across the pond. I'm pretty sure many Brits on here would be quick to pour scorn on any US mains sockets in any American production set in a British property. Same difference. Exactly, the amount of times people complain about Americanisation of British things. Like you say, it's lazy design to not check a basic thing. Classic theatreboard though. There are probably 3 shows at the moment that if you dare criticise people will come for you |
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5,158 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Dec 4, 2023 12:07:50 GMT
Classic theatreboard though. Classic TheatreBoard is robust but respectful debate. If anyone feels they, or another member, is being 'come for', they should use the Report Post button in the right corner. |
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5,896 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 4, 2023 12:13:23 GMT
Who cares how old Daniel Mays looks- he’s a brilliant actor and that’s all I care about.
Agree that Marisha Wallace is too young for the role though.
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547 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Dec 18, 2023 20:51:16 GMT
What do you think of chances of this being in any sort of post-Christmas sale? I want to take elderly relatives but the cheap standing tickets are a no-no (I stood earlier this year and loved it).
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5,183 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 18, 2023 23:03:47 GMT
This pops up in the usual places that we aren't allowed to talk about quite frequently (Mon-Wed this week were available) so I'd say likely...
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Post by mrnutz on Dec 19, 2023 17:54:05 GMT
This pops up in the usual places that we aren't allowed to talk about quite frequently (Mon-Wed this week were available) so I'd say likely... Ooh, DM please? I haven't seen it on my usuals... |
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19,780 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 19, 2023 18:30:24 GMT
This pops up in the usual places that we aren't allowed to talk about quite frequently (Mon-Wed this week were available) so I'd say likely... I responded to a similar comment from you the other day in the My Favourite Things thread. Here’s the post theatreboard.co.uk/post/495722/thread |
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7,183 posts
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Post by Jon on Dec 19, 2023 20:25:09 GMT
This pops up in the usual places that we aren't allowed to talk about quite frequently (Mon-Wed this week were available) so I'd say likely... I'm surprised it extended until the end of August but perhaps I assume that the Bridge will go back to their usual programming after it closes. |
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