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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 23, 2023 15:47:52 GMT
No mention or Damian Humbley so far. Does he have a fairly minor role? Have to say he didn’t really have a moment to shine IMO.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 23, 2023 15:48:30 GMT
Productions shots have been posted. There are more photos in the Twitter thread if you click through and scroll down. I hadn't relised this was staged. I thought it was just a concert. Oh dear, that means I won't be going to see it. I can only cope with Sweeney Todd numbers done in concert, not when staged. Your loss then. What a shame to write off the whole thing as a result.
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 23, 2023 15:56:59 GMT
I hadn't relised this was staged. I thought it was just a concert. Oh dear, that means I won't be going to see it. I can only cope with Sweeney Todd numbers done in concert, not when staged. Your loss then. What a shame to write off the whole thing as a result. It would hardly be fair on the rest of the paying audience if I was fleeing the auditorium a minute or two into the Sweeney Todd section though, would it? And yes, that has happened to me before, at a school (non-musical) Sweeney Todd performance.
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Sept 23, 2023 15:58:34 GMT
can see this really starting to take off once the word of mouth makes people realise it's a must-see - I think some have been underestimating its oomph.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Sept 23, 2023 18:20:34 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon and WOW. The level of talent on that stage is unbelievable - both from the bigger stars and the smaller ensemble roles from new debuts.
The show itself is very much a concert, but with varying levels of costume, props and set pieces (the Sweeney Todd section was perhaps the most staged bit, compared to others which range from a bit of set, a staircase, or are just on a bare stage with a chair or two)
Bernadette Peters is probably the weakest in terms of voice (which can be forgiven as she is 75), but her stage presence makes up for it (her Send In The Clowns was brilliant). Lea Salonga did blow her out of the water with her voice. I have to disagree with the negative comments about Bonnie Langford, she wasn’t overly mugging and her I’m Still Here was a standout (also high-kicking and doing the splits!)
Gavin Lee will always be my favourite and he was hilarious in all of his numbers, he’s such a brilliant performer I’ll go and see any show he does here!
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5,912 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 23, 2023 18:56:21 GMT
Your loss then. What a shame to write off the whole thing as a result. It would hardly be fair on the rest of the paying audience if I was fleeing the auditorium a minute or two into the Sweeney Todd section though, would it? And yes, that has happened to me before, at a school (non-musical) Sweeney Todd performance. There is a lot to unpack there.
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5,912 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 23, 2023 18:57:30 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon and WOW. The level of talent on that stage is unbelievable - both from the bigger stars and the smaller ensemble roles from new debuts. The show itself is very much a concert, but with varying levels of costume, props and set pieces (the Sweeney Todd section was perhaps the most staged bit, compared to others which range from a bit of set, a staircase, or are just on a bare stage with a chair or two) Bernadette Peters is probably the weakest in terms of voice (which can be forgiven as she is 75), but her stage presence makes up for it (her Send In The Clowns was brilliant). Lea Salonga did blow her out of the water with her voice. I have to disagree with the negative comments about Bonnie Langford, she wasn’t overly mugging and her I’m Still Here was a standout (also high-kicking and doing the splits!) Gavin Lee will always be my favourite and he was hilarious in all of his numbers, he’s such a brilliant performer I’ll go and see any show he does here! So over her kicking her leg behind her ear. When she is on a stage surrounded by such classy performers like these- she just looks tacky.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Sept 23, 2023 19:40:31 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon and WOW. The level of talent on that stage is unbelievable - both from the bigger stars and the smaller ensemble roles from new debuts. The show itself is very much a concert, but with varying levels of costume, props and set pieces (the Sweeney Todd section was perhaps the most staged bit, compared to others which range from a bit of set, a staircase, or are just on a bare stage with a chair or two) Bernadette Peters is probably the weakest in terms of voice (which can be forgiven as she is 75), but her stage presence makes up for it (her Send In The Clowns was brilliant). Lea Salonga did blow her out of the water with her voice. I have to disagree with the negative comments about Bonnie Langford, she wasn’t overly mugging and her I’m Still Here was a standout (also high-kicking and doing the splits!) Gavin Lee will always be my favourite and he was hilarious in all of his numbers, he’s such a brilliant performer I’ll go and see any show he does here! So over her kicking her leg behind her ear. When she is on a stage surrounded by such classy performers like these- she just looks tacky. Unnecessarily harsh when she has some great moments that are vocally better than Bernadette Peters
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Post by theatrefan62 on Sept 23, 2023 20:09:23 GMT
Everyone I know who has seen it so far has raved about Lea, Bradley, jac and yes Bonnie too.
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 23, 2023 20:35:03 GMT
It would hardly be fair on the rest of the paying audience if I was fleeing the auditorium a minute or two into the Sweeney Todd section though, would it? And yes, that has happened to me before, at a school (non-musical) Sweeney Todd performance. There is a lot to unpack there. It's a show involving murder & cannibalism. I'm extremely squeamish. It's hardly surprising that I can't cope with it. I'd never see Assassins either. Into The Woods is my limit of gruesomeness in terms of Sondheim.
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Post by apubleed on Sept 23, 2023 20:39:17 GMT
So over her kicking her leg behind her ear. When she is on a stage surrounded by such classy performers like these- she just looks tacky. Unnecessarily harsh when she has some great moments that are vocally better than Bernadette Peters Why does Bernadette have to be thrown under the bus? No one on that stage has more business to be there than her, and no one on that stage (or indeed around the world including Judi Dench) could do a better job at Send in the Clowns. At 75, Bernadette has an unusual and unique voice still not generic musical theatre. So regardless of if it sounds a little aged, I don’t think it’s as simple even as saying better or not when the comparison is of a different league.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 23, 2023 20:47:59 GMT
So over her kicking her leg behind her ear. When she is on a stage surrounded by such classy performers like these- she just looks tacky. Unnecessarily harsh when she has some great moments that are vocally better than Bernadette Peters I don’t care honestly if she sings better than Bernadette. It’s about how she carries herself. She gurns her way through every song- interestingly just the ones she is not the lead in. When she has a moment in the spotlight- I’m Still Here.. she drops the mugging and just performs.
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Post by 141920grm on Sept 23, 2023 21:36:26 GMT
No mention or Damian Humbley so far. Does he have a fairly minor role? Wouldn’t say minor, unlike Richard Dempsey, or Harry Apps who might be an offstage swing/cover? didn’t see Harry at all. Damian has at least one duet and a number of group songs and when he does have solo lines he’s really quite good!
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Post by karloscar on Sept 23, 2023 21:59:31 GMT
There is a lot to unpack there. It's a show involving murder & cannibalism. I'm extremely squeamish. It's hardly surprising that I can't cope with it. I'd never see Assassins either. Into The Woods is my limit of gruesomeness in terms of Sondheim. Well you'll never get a less gruesome version of Sweeney than you get here. It'll be the Act One version of Pretty Women where nobody dies, the hymn to his razors,and two comedy numbers which you'd have to be mighty sensitive to find offensive. (Some imaginary flies do usually get squashed with a rolling pin in worst pies, but that's as bloody as it gets!)
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Post by mkb on Sept 23, 2023 22:57:05 GMT
My expectation at Friday night's show was that a compilation of Sondheim's greatest hits performed by the West End and Broadway All-Stars would at best be passably entertaining. And that's how it felt for the first twenty minutes or so. Sung out of context from the original material, songs did not pack their full emotional punch.
But then something changed. I can't explain fully what. Bernadette Peters came on for Send in the Clowns. Sure she may no longer have the vocal power of a younger singer, but she was pitch perfect, and seeing how expressive she was, up close from the front row, was heartbreaking. From that point, I was fully converted; the show became magical.
The overriding impression was of an ensemble who are without exception all absolute masters of their craft. It was such a privilege to be able to witness so many on one bill, all faultless. Their ability to sell those lyrics to the audience --and what lyrics! -- was truly mesmerising. Every little nuance, every look, every expression, the way they moved, the way they gelled together, was sensational.
I do not share the criticism of Bonnie Langford. Her I'm Still Here was as good as the best I've seen, and went down a storm.
Let's not forget the musicians: utterly sublime! And the sound quality (as heard from front stalls) could not have been better, a treat for the ears.
The simple staging, with orchestra raised to the rear, was beautifully lit.
The souvenir programme is expensive at £12 and its song list fails to indicate which musical each song is from and who performs it. You are expected to know and to remember.
Some of the audience clearly wanted to make the show all about them, drawing attention by whooping ridiculously, sometimes mid-song and particularly whenever Bernadette Peters appeared. I managed to not let that irritation detract from a night that is a must for any musical theatre fan.
Five stars.
Act 1: 19:32-20:38 Act 2: 21:00-22:05
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Post by JJShaw on Sept 24, 2023 11:14:34 GMT
This is an absolute must see production. The classiest, slickest, glitziest thing ive seen in quite some time. The attention to detail and staging is just absolutely gorgeous and sublime. It's not a concert thats just been thrown up, every number is directed and staged (to varying degrees yet every one is done perfectly). The subtle lighting designs enhance the overall feel of the show, and how is every number practically a show stopper! Its an embarrassment of riches on stage. And every performer is clearly excited and Proud to be on that stage.
We will of course all have our faves, to see Bernadette Peters live in the flesh is just a treasure, to have grown up listening and watching her and her legacy with Sondheim, theres a sparkle in the air when shes on stage, Lea's voice - wow!!
Bonnie is absolutely up for anything and her as the maid in A Weekend in the Country was so fun, then she smashes I'm Still Here; even the way she just walks to go and sit on the stairs felt so cinematic and pitch perfect.
I cant remember who sand Ladies Who Lunch, if someone could remind me please because THAT is how to sing and act that song, I loved it! Drive a person Crazy was also really fun and their dresses gorgeous. Agony having rapunzels tower appear got a good 'ooooh' out of me.
Gavin Lee was such a delight he is so Broadway, wasn't a fan of his 'Leave You' but that's ok, the Broadway Baby 'sketch' and number were amazing, although I thought Bern was going to do the audition bit in Merriy "who wants to live in new yooooork".
I got a programme and a poster and the feeling that i would love to go again.
If you were persistent with the rush tickets on todaytix you could get tickets, offerings were absolutely all over the theatre and were seemingly topped up throughout the day, but it was harder to get singles, pairs were much easier (dont penalise the solo folk!!)
Go. Go. Go!
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Post by couldileaveyou on Sept 24, 2023 11:17:38 GMT
I cant remember who sand Ladies Who Lunch, if someone could remind me please because THAT is how to sing and act that song, I loved it! Claire Burt
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 24, 2023 11:44:19 GMT
I loved it so much that I’m going to book a 2nd visit. I never do that anymore
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Post by galinda on Sept 24, 2023 13:48:28 GMT
Has there been any announcements about any of the cast having holidays/shows off? I will probably try and see a midweek matinee but worried about missing someone!
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Post by BVM on Sept 25, 2023 11:48:48 GMT
I keep seeing pics for this online with part of the Les Mis set (the two columns at the sides with doorways and balconies).
Are these old pics from when it was at The Sondheim? Or does The Gielgud version also feature Les Mis set-age? (I guess the UK tour has recently finished 🤷🏻♂️)?!
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Post by couldileaveyou on Sept 25, 2023 11:59:44 GMT
I keep seeing pics for this online with part of the Les Mis set (the two columns at the sides with doorways and balconies). Are these old pics from when it was at The Sondheim? Or does The Gielgud version also feature Les Mis set-age? (I guess the UK tour has recently finished 🤷🏻♂️)?! yes, they use the two lateral set pieces from Les Miz even at the Gielgud
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Post by BVM on Sept 25, 2023 12:02:47 GMT
I keep seeing pics for this online with part of the Les Mis set (the two columns at the sides with doorways and balconies). Are these old pics from when it was at The Sondheim? Or does The Gielgud version also feature Les Mis set-age? (I guess the UK tour has recently finished 🤷🏻♂️)?! yes, they use the two lateral set pieces from Les Miz even at the Gielgud Ahhh how funny. Part of the set coincidentally to start with, then clearly decided they liked them!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2023 13:32:15 GMT
I loved it so much that I’m going to book a 2nd visit. I never do that anymore
If sales are sluggish this would be a decent marketing gimmick: "Care for seconds? Show your ticket from a previous performance at the box office and get ____% off an outing to see the show again."
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Post by raiseitup on Sept 25, 2023 13:38:09 GMT
Highly recommend the slip seats in the dress circle for this. We felt so close to the stage, to Bradley's wolf and to these legendary performers. I think there was one moment during one of the group numbers where we couldn't see them for a few seconds.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Sept 25, 2023 22:22:55 GMT
Oh I loved this. We had the wonderful Harry Apps covering for Jac Yarrow and he was superb. Will be booking a return trip to see Jac asap!
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