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Post by YemceeA on Jun 21, 2016 14:50:28 GMT
Hi, I will be passing through London for 3 nights July 13-15 and hope to see 2-3 shows during my time there. I definitely want to see Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl, but I am having trouble deciding on the other 1-2 shows. I enjoy plays and musicals equally, and have already seen all of the shows that have been produced in the US (Matilda, Stomp, Lion King, Kinky Boots, Curious Incident, Wicked, Beautiful, Aladdin, etc.) I love the book version of 1984 but haven't heard much about the play, what is the general opinion on the current production/cast? I have also never seen The Mousetrap but have no notion of the shape it is in after 60+ years. Is it still worth seeing? I am also interested in Show Boat, Richard III (Lottery), The Truth, possibly In The Heights (a show I have seen many times in the US), and anything that anyone would consider a MUST-SEE. Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Post by d'James on Jun 21, 2016 14:59:19 GMT
Titanic's getting good reviews, but maybe you've seen that too. (I'll let you know my invaluable opinion next week ;-) )
I would definitely recommend In The Heights purely because of the way it's presented differently to the US shows I've seen on YouTube. (The cast is fantastic too.) However, obviously it's the same songs and story you've seen a lot so maybe not top of the list.
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Post by partytentdown on Jun 21, 2016 15:07:49 GMT
Be aware that Sheridan has been out of Funny Girl for quite a few weeks and although the producers have suggested she should be back by the time you're here, there's no guarantee. Her understudy is apparently very good though.
1984 is a great show, though simply staged and short, so it depends if you're up for a big West End extravaganza or something a bit smaller in scale.
In the Heights is great and as d'James mentioned, it's staged very differently and excitingly.
I've never seen The Mousetrap but it doesn't appeal to me! What about something at the National or the Globe? or Groundhog Day, which is at the Old Vic?
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Post by bellboard27 on Jun 21, 2016 15:43:20 GMT
It is difficult trying to second guess someone else's taste! Just some comments:
Groundhog day first night is 15 July, which is the last day of you trip - so no one will know if it is any good before then. Also I just checked at the 15 and 16th are 'not currently available' for booking.
The Mousetrap (as someone said elsewhere on this board) is a museum piece. If you want a piece of theatre history, fine. Otherwise don't worry. In any case I would get day seats on the day - it's the only discount and there's never a problem getting them
The RIII lottery - fine, but the only problem with the lottery is (in this case) you won't know you've got a ticket or not till 4pm. This might not be great for planning (when you find you are unsuccessful).
I agree about In the Heights, but it depends if you want to see something new. You mentioned Show Boat. If you have not seen it, it is worth catching. After all it is am important part of the history of the development of musicals and is well done. I think you might get a good ticket at a reasonable price.
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Post by YemceeA on Jun 21, 2016 15:45:24 GMT
I would love some recommendations for plays at the National! Nothing jumped up at me when I checked the website but I haven't done any thorough research. The only play available for me at the globe is The Taming of The Shrew which happens to be my absolute least favourite Shakespeare. Groundhog Day seems to be sold out for the days I am there, so I will probably catch it in New York next year.
In The Heights is actually my favorite musical so if this production is unique and different I think I might have to see it.
I definitely want to see a Drama on my trip. Any recommendations above 1984?
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Post by Honoured Guest on Jun 21, 2016 16:11:40 GMT
13 to 15 July at the NT - Nothing on in the Lyttelton, Sunset at the Villa Thalia in the Dorfman which isn't particularly recommended, and the very first two previews of Platonov in the Olivier on 14 and 15 which is the first of three Young Chekhov transfers from Chichester where it was praised by people who like Chekhov.
Not much drama in the West End but I'd second 1984 if you like that sort of thing.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2016 16:11:45 GMT
For your dates, the only things on at the National appear to be Sunset At The Villa Thalia and Platonov. The former has been met with pretty lukewarm responses, but I saw Platonov at Chichester last year (along with Ivanov and The Seagull) and it was actually the best one of the three so absolutely worth a look if you're maybe up for a bit of Chekhov.  |
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Post by foxa on Jun 21, 2016 17:04:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2016 18:11:41 GMT
Be aware that Sheridan has been out of Funny Girl for quite a few weeks and although the producers have suggested she should be back by the time you're here, there's no guarantee. Her understudy is apparently very good though. Well she has been said to be back no later than w/c 11th July, so seeing it on the 13th, you may be lucky and see her as she's just returned. Ideas as for other shows: Guys & Dolls, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, The Bodyguard? I would certainly recommend seeing atleast one musical revival as, in my opinion, the musical revivals in London are amazing! |
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Post by YemceeA on Jun 22, 2016 2:15:44 GMT
Thank you all for your wonderfully helpful advice! I think my final plan is to go ahead and buy tickets for Funny Girl and In The Heights. I am quite intrigued by Unreachable and will wait to hear some word-of-mouth before I choose between that, 1984, and The Spoils. Can't wait!
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Post by mistressjojo on Jun 22, 2016 2:23:12 GMT
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