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Post by capybara on Feb 9, 2024 0:10:09 GMT
Couldn’t see a thread for this but it opened this evening.
I was in attendance and I have to say that the score is pretty much musical theatre heaven. Every single number is wonderful and I could (and will) listen to the OCR over and over.
But it definitely requires the right performers to take them on. In this production, Lizzy Parker is utterly captivating as Woman 1; she makes you believe every single word.
The rest of the company put in very good performances too but it was Lizzy who stole the show for me.
I wasn’t keen on the set design (I know they are limited in space but I didn’t enjoy the aesthetic) or the costumes (very beige). The first act is certainly stronger than the second but it’s just really, really good.
If you’re not familiar with what each song is about in advance though, I’m not sure you’d really ‘get’ every single number.
Four stars.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Feb 10, 2024 13:37:15 GMT
Is it unreserved seating, btw? The ticket purchasing system doesn't give any indication.
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Feb 10, 2024 15:59:15 GMT
Is it unreserved seating, btw? The ticket purchasing system doesn't give any indication. Yes. Always has been at my fairly frequent attendances there. |
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Post by jr on Feb 13, 2024 9:01:36 GMT
I saw this last Saturday evening. I only knew one of the songs (Stars and the moon) and wasn't sure what to expect. I'm not that familar with Jason Robert Brown: I saw a concert at the London Palladium a few years ago and don't remember much.
I did like the show. The songs work well together even if they are only slightly thematically linked. The four performers were fine, though I liked better the women. I thought one of the guys was struggling a bit with some notes and the other one was a better singer but not a great actor. Still, they worked well together.
Direction was fine too, I think it is difficult to stage songs independently without much context and not making it a concert. Mrs Klaus was the highlight for me. My main issue was the "illustrating" of the songs: holding their belly when singing about motherhood, index finger high when saying one, etc. I think you should suggest instead of mimicking the lyrics.
The band was very good and have a small string section, which is always great.
It was more than half empty. I think it deserves a wider audience.
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Post by PineappleForYou on Feb 24, 2024 22:23:30 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon and it was... okay. Don't know if it was because it was listed as a "relaxed performance" but we were an audience of just 18.
I think some lacklustre direction let's this down as a piece. It's vanilla and doesn't assist the songs to tell each story. My partner did lose some of what was happening in certain songs.
Having said that, there were some great voices and the band was fantastic. I think it shows that it's harder material to tackle than it looks on paper.
However, I do think they deserve more audience then they are getting currently.
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Post by capybara on Mar 7, 2024 22:23:36 GMT
I am so glad that I not only made a return visit to see this show but was at the final performance of its run.
It was so lovely to see up close how much these numbers clearly mean to this talented cast (including understudies, who joined on stage for the finale). As it entered its final transition, the tears were starting to stream on stage.
The breaking of character towards the end was very sweet and I’m so excited to see what’s next for some of these talented performers, none more so than Lizzy Parker. Phenomenal.
It still could do with better costume and set design, as well as general overall stage direction but on Sunday, the music spoke for itself. Beautiful.
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