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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2019 18:10:32 GMT
Thanks to a PSB-fan friend of mine, here's an excerpt from an interview with the Pet Shop Boys (quoted in the reissue booklet for "Nightlife") on why Positive Role Model isn't now part of the musical
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3,349 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 14, 2019 12:30:10 GMT
Last night was my first time seeing this show and first time in the theatre.
The theatre is a rather nice space for a fringe theatre, with a lot more effort put into the set and production than many venues. I had an excellent view, although this was to be expected being in the front row (which is level with the performance area). The space per person is tight with no arm rests or separation from those next to you. I imagine it's designed for largely slim men. I had a normal sized man at one side and a large lady at the other, which is pushing comfort levels.
There are also continual sounds of trains going past, which is something to be aware of. No worse then many central London theatres built on top of tube lines.
The auditorium seemed full and I believe this is pretty much sold out for the rest of the run.
The show itself isn't a classic by any means, but I can see why it would have fans. I liked a lot of the music. The ending goes from sad to happy rather too quickly for my taste, with the idea of getting the audience clapping and dancing (few clapped and I don't think any danced). Personally, I found many of the characters cartoony, but that might relate to how they were being played.
Hadn't immediately put two and two together to realise that I'd seen Adele Andersen in the Doctor Dolittle tour. Very good acting wise, but the same comments as when I saw her in the other tour, she is struggling a bit with the singing. I don't think this matters too much for this production where her character is portrayed as washed up.
Christopher Howell was very good as always. The third role I've seen him in this year and so different to the comedy roles he usually plays.
I thought Maddy Banks was great and got the emotional side of her character over. I didn't feel the same about Blake Patrick Andersen. He was, however, nice to look at, as were many of the cast.
Maybe this had more of an impact when it was first staged? Still, a pleasant enough evening in a part of London I don't normally get to see.
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2,422 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 15, 2019 22:03:08 GMT
Rest of the run now Sold Out
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2,263 posts
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Post by richey on Aug 17, 2019 9:46:51 GMT
So after seeing this last night I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Having never seen the original and only heard a few songs from the Pet Shop Boys 'Nightlife' album, I had no expectations.
Maybe I shouldn't have done this as a third show after the scale of Evita and JCS the day before but it did seem a pretty basic production. The sound wasn't great and struggled to hear some of the words especially with the trains going overheard. Also didn't help we had three girls in front who took great delight in telling everyone they'd only got tickets from one of the girls in the cast and proceeded to whoop every time said girl made a single move.
I quite liked Adele as Billie, but again not having seen the original I had nothing to compare it with.
Plot was a bit predictable and the ending totally ridiculous, jumping 6 months with no explanation other than to shoehorn a happy ending in
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2,022 posts
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Post by distantcousin on Aug 17, 2019 20:41:45 GMT
The bar in ATS isn't bad for drinks beforehand; there's a Nando's and Dirty Burger at the station but I've found the Portuguese place next door (Pico's) reliable and cheap (and often packed)
Big fan of Pico's! A bank holiday tradition for myself and friends!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2019 22:42:09 GMT
Saw this again for the final time tonight and it was the best performance of the 3 i''ve seen. Yes there were some sound issues with mic's, which was a shame, especially during Vampires, but Chris Howell gives it everything at the end to sell it. Adele Anderson seemed to be having more fun than she has previously and landed more of the humour than before. I still think its a great score and really pleased to see it sell out at this venue.
Also, it was a great reminder of Billie Trix before Musik next Thursday.
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Post by ruggerlad on Sept 3, 2019 8:53:21 GMT
I saw this last week on the Wednesday night.
Few thoughts about the venue, lovely place overall with a great bar very nice for pre show and internal drinks.
Theatre itself is a lovely space overall, the seating is crazy. As mentioned before very small seats, no gap as such inbetween, effectively you have to sit forward or lean back so you're not directly adjacent or alternatively pull yourself in.
No sound issues on the night I went as such, couple of minor things but nothing of note.
Thought the cast were excellent overall. Adele was a strange one, I've never seen Fascinating Aida but I was expecting to be blown away by her but found her vocals a tad all over at times, and Friendly Fire was a complete missed opportunity, acting performance as great though.
Christopher Howell as Vic was fantastic, Vampire was possibly the highlight of the show for me.
Maddy Banks as 'Chell great performance, vocal a bit high in the register for me.
Blake Patrick Anderson was a bit shaky at the start, but more than made up for it as it progressed, plus acting wise he was a great Straight Dave you could see why everyone fell for him.
Rest of the performances great to good, apart from a shaky vocal from one of the girl 'Babes'
Having lived with the OCR for so many years nows I'd forgotten the amount of humour in it, and the amount of drug taking, was Out Of My System all so drug fuelled in the original production?
Great audience for it who were very appreciative and the cast looked buzzing to the reaction at the end which is always good to see.
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