3,349 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 20, 2019 22:00:34 GMT
Saw this this afternoon. It’s one of the better productions that’s been in the Union Theatre recently.
A large cast. The show is incredibly slight, but if you go in realising that you won’t be too disappointed. The usual excellent pianist for this one is accompanied by a drummer. Sound is generally fine, but there is no amplification on the vocals, so try and sit away from the corner which has the small band in it.
I got there about five minutes after numbers started being given out and ended up in group 2. I still managed to get a front row seat. The show was sold out this afternoon.
The whole show only runs one hour and 55 minutes, including it an interval. It could easily run straight through without an interval. During the interval everyone is asked to leave the theatre, this is so they can re-start the show with a piano version of Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend in the bar. Without that, the show would be even shorter.
This isn’t perfect. I did feel that they left some plot strands hanging at the end of the show. But maybe I just missed something obvious. Still, if you want a light evening or afternoon out, this show may fit the bill.
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1,347 posts
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Post by tmesis on Oct 26, 2019 21:07:38 GMT
There's a reason why this musical is not often performed - it's not very good. However, this didn't stop me enjoying it. The production was excellent. Maybe that's because it was produced and directed by the theatre's founder Sasha Reagan. I may be wrong but since they moved 'over the road' and things have generally not been as good, there have been far fewer productions directed by her. Many of the best productions in the past have been by her and Michael Strassen.
It started badly with some appalling approximate ensemble harmony, unintentionally adding a bit of Stravinsky-like polytonality to Jule Styne! Then things picked up and musically and choreographically standards were high.
The principals were generally good. The stand out was Elinor Larkin as Dorothy; Abigayle Honeywill as Lorelie was just too 'Marilynish' for me.
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2,422 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Oct 26, 2019 21:21:40 GMT
We do need to give a shoutout to the wardrobe department though - they put the fellas in vests and shorts in Act 1, and then the tightest black trousers in Act 2 👍
I thought it was good, I wasn't blown away but it had its moments and worth the £15 I paid.
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2,422 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Oct 27, 2019 9:48:14 GMT
Also, for anyone interested, the Encores production (starring the fabulous Megan Hilty) can be found on YouTube, and the soundtrack is on Spotify as well 😀
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