Amour - Charing Cross theatre

Notre Dame de Paris wasn't a big hit and Romeo et Juliette, which was a massive hit both in France and Italy (and other countries) was basically laughed out of town. In both cases, I think, it was partly due to the shonky translations and partly the fact that the French way of storytelling didn't go down well. 

Les Miserables had started as a typical French rock opera in the 70s and was heavily amended to match Anglo-American tastes when Cameron Mackintosh got his hands on it and Miss Saigon was only ever created for the Anglo-American market. 

That said, Legrand's style is vastly different from the big spéctacles, so I don't know, why these shows don't find an audience. 

Shame it's going earlier than expected. Looked lovely and sounded fun, but people weren't buying it.

Don't know what it is with the Charing Cross Theatre but everything seems a little drab lately (?!)

Why don't they revive a well-known show that might have more recognition to the public? It makes sense doesn't it? Whether it be an old big Broadway musical or a forgotten Sondheim score. It's a shame as it's a nice space in central London, but doing a more popular show might bring in fresh punters.

checkout.timeout.com/london/53-off-amour-at-charing-cross-theatre-58038/

£15.00 band A tickets.

The main problem with this theatre - is this theatre! I just do not enjoy going to the actual venue. It’s dark, no sunlight, smelly and was a very odd shaped theatre. Because of that it’s not so much on my radar unless it’s a must see known show.

So.... is it better than the 'sneak peek' thing makes it look? Considering booking, but not thrilled on this evidence.

Oh no! This has "un-sold" me!

I enjoyed this but was not bowled over. Legrand's score is inventive with many varied musical styles but it never achieves any real melodic distinction. However, there was a technical tour de force, about 10 mins before the interval, where he combines four(?) tunes in a delicious counterpoint which only a really classy composer could achieve.

The cast were uniformly excellent and the production was very inventive, with excellent sound balance; I heard virtually every word of the witty lyrics - I hope they use this layout of the auditorium again, it provided a lovely intimate feel and gave this somewhat charmless theatre much more atmosphere.

I think it was the story that in the end that made me less whelmed than I thought I would be. It was all a bit fey and pointless and for me lacked charm - unlike the superior Romantics Anonymous, which was funnier, had a better score and was so touching at the end.

They could promote their location as "Underneath the arches..." - which applies to quite a few London theatres, eg the Union (more obviously so in the old location); Waterloo East Theatre, Above The Stag etc. They could even get together and organise a combined publicity drive.