The Band’s Visit - Donmar

There are physical ones too unless they've run out.

I had a second trip to this yesterday (third including Broadway) and I love it even more each time. But, last night’s audience were terrible. People talking to each other throughout, using their phones, and one guy in front kept taking photos in every scene - even when the person next to him told him to stop, he didn’t. Time to start having phones sealed in those pouches?!?

I don’t think we should punish the whole class when one kid misbehaves. For the 95% of people who respect the rules why should we have our phones confiscated? Deal with the oiks who break the rules firmly so that people get the message. 

I'm not suggesting confiscating phones. I saw 'Take Me Out' on Broadway earlier in the year and when I went into the auditorium, my phone was placed into a case and sealed shut. The phone was with me at all times and during the interval it took less than a second to open the pouch with an usher, and then it was sealed again before going back in.

still a no for me. Placing your property in a locked case is confiscation. What next? Your wallet? Your keys? Theatres need to employ and train effective FOH to handle the miscreants without punishing the rest of the audience. 

The fact that a very naked Jesse Williams was all over twitter a few months back suggests that doesn’t work either.

I hate weak management. Whether it’s in a theatre, at work, or online.

Everyone has a manager they hate and everyone talks about behind their back. Then loads of people leave at once because the manager gets too big for their boots and surrounds themselves with pandering friends.

Then they make a new company doing the same thing, and everyone goes with them.

Then they wonder where their workforce has gone.

I don’t see how FOH would have spotted someone discreetly holding up a phone in the middle of the back row at the Donmar. Or how they would have got their attention to reprimand them mid-scene / mid-song, without causing a lot of disturbance or stopping the show.

On behalf of viserys, I've changed the wording on her Noticeboard post. She has kindly made her ticket for 28 November available to all comers, rather than just those who may benefit from captions. Please have a read and contact directly if interested.

I’ve been to today’s matinee. I had followed the show online when it initially opened in New York, and had listened to the cast recording. I was excited when it was announced for the Donmar and knew that I had to book.

Not much happens in terms of plot - that most certainly is true. However, a lot happens in terms of character development and relationships, and the book does an excellent job of unveiling these to the audience. The use of silence, movement, gesture and the unsaid is also stunning, and rare in a musical.

It is a quietly beautiful and moving show. I had shivers down my spine and tears in my eyes at various points (‘The Beat of Your Heart’, ‘Omar Sharif’, ‘Answer Me’ and some of the book scenes instantly spring to mind). It deals with very similar themes to that of COME FROM AWAY (although that show packs a much bigger emotional punch in my opinion) - ultimately looking at the idea of connection.

What also struck me was how funny the show was, which I was not expecting. I did laugh out loud at times.

The cast did a uniformly excellent job, and the band were stunning. I also enjoyed the direction.

I need to seek out the film now.

4 stars

What a beautiful quiet exquisitely performed musical this is. Pretty much the entire audience were wiping away tears by the end of the show. I fear that the show is too special for a transfer, so if you can get a ticket while its at the Donmar do so!

Hi everyone! Brand new to the site. This show is the only musical I’ve ever truly become a huge fan of, and I saw the original version 82 times between Broadway and the North American Tour. I’m traveling to London (for the first time!) to see this exciting new version as many times as I can during its final week. I have tickets for many of the dates, but there are a few I’m still keeping an eye out for (via cancellations, weekly release, etc.). If anyone has a ticket to any of these dates that they can’t use anymore, please let me know!

11/30
12/1 (both performances)
12/2
12/3 (evening/final performance)

So very excited to see London and a brand new imagining of a show that’s grown so dear to my heart, and I’m looking forward to discussing it with everyone here!