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Post by david on Nov 30, 2022 18:10:59 GMT
I’m here tonight. Having watched Tammy Faye this afternoon, fingers crossed this will be another great show to complete my double show day.
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Post by hadeswasking on Nov 30, 2022 18:18:10 GMT
I'm also there tonight! I can't wait. Really looking forward to this one and hopefully they've fixed some of those sound issues from last night.
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8,159 posts
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Post by alece10 on Nov 30, 2022 18:28:40 GMT
I’m here tonight. Having watched Tammy Faye this afternoon, fingers crossed this will be another great show to complete my double show day. Now that's a perfect day Tammy Faye and Newsies. I'm envious |
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Post by musicalfloozie on Nov 30, 2022 18:29:10 GMT
I'm in tonight and cannot wait. Its been on my musical bucket list for ages.
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8,159 posts
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Post by alece10 on Nov 30, 2022 18:30:08 GMT
Well, where to begin with this (another) Disney hit! Firstly, this is a big venue to fill. For those not aware, the Troubabour Theatre the old studios where the X Factor was filmed. The foyer is quite busy and the queue for the merchandise was quite long, but fast moving. Also, despite it being cold outside, I could swear that they were pumping heat through vents as it was quite warm and there were definite 'warm' patches. Last night started late by about 15 minutes. Because it's a bigger venue, the stage is also big but it was filled when those Newsies boys came on stage. This is a big cast with an impressive set. All 'adult' members of the cast were strong, acting and singing. The costumes are perfect, with the occasional flat cap falling off. But it was the Newsies that we all came to see. I challenge any one of them to be day over 25 and (genuinely) their mother's must be beaming with pride. There were Newsies singing, doing backflips, tap-dancing on table tops, swinging from large lights above the stage and (at times) the audience and swinging on ropes . All those young lads earning their graft in the chorus in shows like Anything Goes, 42nd Street Mamma Mia! or Mary Poppins, here was their chance to shine, all in sync, all on their toes and pirouetting . Yes, there was the odd mic problem and the random spotlight issue but nothing was going to calm down this extremely enthusiastic crowd, of quite varying ages. (Trust me- I'm giving nothing away here) half way through the second act about 7 female Newsies emerged and the young girl next to me screamed so loudly- hysterically, I honestly couldn't hear a word they were saying! Michael Ahomka-Lindsay as Jack Kelly is by no means a Jeremy Jordan however quite good, vocally strong and competent when he did have to dance. Similarly Bonte Barbe as Katherine Plumber is very well cast, at many times being the only female on stage and holding her own. For those concerned, although there is no actual audience interaction, the cast do run through the audience regularly. sing at them and maybe handing out a newspaper to two. As stated above, the show started a little late last night- about 7:45 instead of 7:30 and intermission was at 9pm. Show finished at about 10:30. it's no more than a 10 minute walk to the station. If I had to describe this show in a word, I'd say dynamic! As terrific as it was, and it really was, the constant thought that ran through my mind was for how long are these kids gonna keep up that level of stamina? Not just for this performance, but for the run. I'm going out on a limb here but, this could quickly become one of the hottest tickets in town [br Does this count as ‘Disney’ though? It’s not produced by them. The dancing seems to be the stand out of the show. Can’t wait to see it! Well Disney is above the title of the show in the adverts so I would say it is. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 30, 2022 19:34:02 GMT
Woodside tonight. Looking forward to seeing everything I missed happening behind me.
Side view, but it feels so much closer to the main set.
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19,787 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2022 19:36:32 GMT
Grrrr stop praising it you’re making me want to go! 😲
Seating advice please!
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Post by h86 on Nov 30, 2022 20:39:13 GMT
[br Does this count as ‘Disney’ though? It’s not produced by them. The dancing seems to be the stand out of the show. Can’t wait to see it! Well Disney is above the title of the show in the adverts so I would say it is. It’s licensed by them but I’m pretty sure they are not the producers |
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 30, 2022 20:42:14 GMT
Disney Theatrical Productions is a producer
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Post by david on Nov 30, 2022 21:04:58 GMT
Interval thoughts - Absolutely loving this so far. Stunning Act 1. The choreography is sensational.
Don’t delay and seize the day. Get a ticket if you haven’t already,
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641 posts
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Post by christya on Nov 30, 2022 21:05:37 GMT
Interval - a lot of the sound issues seem to have been sorted tonight, much clearer. I’m sure there was a chanting bit in Seize the Day that wasn’t in last night. But maybe I missed it yesterday!
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3,349 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 30, 2022 21:10:51 GMT
Grrrr stop praising it you’re making me want to go! 😲 Seating advice please! Well, I much prefer the side view to the front view. You can see all the action on the stairs. Plus you are much closer to most of the action (a lot of which takes place to the centre and back of the state). The crowd is much more restrained tonight as well (which I prefer). Sound quality slightly better, in that I can make out the words, but it’s still off. Almost like there’s a half second echo with everything. Zack Guest (swing) was on for the first song, then disappeared. Don’t know what happened, or if they’re giving all the swings a few minutes on stage or not. They’re quite optimistic about how well everyone can catch! No pre-show tonight. It started late but they got going very quickly. |
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Post by h86 on Nov 30, 2022 21:11:02 GMT
Disney Theatrical Productions is a producer Oh, they are not listed as Producer in the Newsies website. |
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Post by hadeswasking on Nov 30, 2022 22:36:10 GMT
Adored this production tonight. Still sound issues which seemed to have gotten better in act 2.
Bronte Barbe is incredible! I felt like Michael was good in some moments, others not so much. That ensemble are insanely talented. Im now extending my trip in April to be able to see this again. What a night!
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5,186 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 30, 2022 22:56:27 GMT
Grrrr stop praising it you’re making me want to go! 😲 Seating advice please! You'll be glad to know this is 'for the masses'... |
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Nov 30, 2022 22:58:09 GMT
Disney Theatrical Productions is a producer Oh, they are not listed as Producer in the Newsies website. Is it not a similar relationship to that with Disney and CML on Mary Poppins |
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Post by Stephen on Nov 30, 2022 23:20:00 GMT
Comments here about 'pre-recording' How big is the orchestra/band on this production? Is it the Broadway orchestration?
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Post by ctas on Nov 30, 2022 23:23:14 GMT
Still very much sound issues right at the front corner of the Bronx tonight, very echoey mics. I do wish people wouldn’t start screaming mid song, and there was a weird moment where the woman next to me practically leapt across me to snatch up the paper that had fallen in front of me during Seize the Day. Very odd.
Weird things aside, really enjoyed this. Lots of high energy dancing with considerable skill, very decently sung and acted and thoroughly charmed by the leads. A joy to finally see this after having grown up on the original film!
The music arrangements had a few differences I noticed (bearing in mind I’ve not seen the Broadway version live, just the recorded version) and I’m intrigued to hear them again.
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Post by cezbear on Nov 30, 2022 23:27:23 GMT
Loved this tonight, an absolutely joyous spectacle. I thought there were real sound issues, and the opening nunber sounded a little off to me, possibly vocally but possibly the sound being dodgy. I thought Michael made a great Jack, particularly in showing his vulnerability, and his SF reprise was lovely.
Bronte also really impressed me (though I hate that wig).
A couple of minor niggles, and a question:
The jump into Brooklyn is jarring as the front of the audience has no idea anything's happening at first.
There's just so much going on, which is thrilling, but it seems impossible not to miss something important wherever you are.
Full songs being staged at the top of the scaffolding seems a poor choice given how far away half the audience already are.
Are there extra vocals being piped in (excuse the non technical way I've worded that)? It certainly felt a lot like the big numbers were getting help.
Niggles aside, very slick and impressive for a second preview and I look forward to seeing again as everyone settles in. Assuming the ensemble haven't died of exhaustion by then.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Nov 30, 2022 23:43:55 GMT
Tickets for. Monday night on the Noticeboard
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3,320 posts
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Post by david on Nov 30, 2022 23:44:11 GMT
It may of taken a long time for Newsies to come to the UK, but for me that was worth the wait despite the occasional gremlins with the sound system. The choreography was fantastic to watch and made full use of the stage. Being such a large auditorium, I’m glad the show made full use of it with the swinging on ropes and zip lines as well as the cast coming into the gangways for a bit of singing and dancing to give it that fully immersive show.
The singing was fine and I had no issues hearing the majority of it from my row V seat in the Manhattan area. It was great to see Brontë Barbe back on stage after last seeing her in in the Tom Jones musical at the Birmingham rep. The 13 piece orchestra sounded great.
I’d be happy to book for this again in the new year.
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Post by showtoones on Dec 1, 2022 3:14:09 GMT
I’m seeing the show next week and I’m concerned that once I get out of the underground, I won’t know where to go. Are there signs or is there a map that tells you which direction to go to get to the theater?
Many thanks
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Post by ctas on Dec 1, 2022 7:50:33 GMT
I’m seeing the show next week and I’m concerned that once I get out of the underground, I won’t know where to go. Are there signs or is there a map that tells you which direction to go to get to the theater? Many thanks If you’re going from Wembley Park tube you can see the Wembley Park Theatre sign in big lights as you go down the stairs. It’s on the right as you go out the tube station, past a McDonald’s and a few shops then a bit further down the road. I was worried but found it alright! |
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Post by stepha on Dec 1, 2022 8:46:15 GMT
I was due to be seeing this tonight (flipping Royal Variety Show...grrr), so I now won't be seeing it till mid-Jan and I'm so excited and gutted I have to wait after everything that has been said here from these early performances, it sounds glorious!
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Post by viserys on Dec 1, 2022 10:05:33 GMT
I'll be the dissenting voice then and say I still didn't like it. I had seen it on Broadway and didn't care for it, but thought I'd give it a go in London, since London often does "gritty" better than New York.
This remains twee and bland though. While it doesn't have to be Les Miserables, the story of the desperately poor kids in turn-of-the-century New York and their strike just deserves better and more than this bland approach of cute urchins dancing their little hearts out. The love story is as contrived as the music is mostly forgettable, and they could at least have axed the single wee lad that only seems to exist to tug at middle-aged Mommies heartstrings.
I'll give it two stars for the manic energy of the excellent young dancers and the creative use of the theatre, but I'm really glad I only spent £30 on the preview offer. Can't see this run very long at full price...
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