|
Post by PineappleForYou on Apr 24, 2024 20:16:03 GMT
What merch have they got? I'm going on Saturday and am psyched having seen the Vaudeville concert in 2022!
|
|
|
Post by mrmarmelstein on Apr 24, 2024 20:27:52 GMT
I think thereâs some valid comments there about his motivation, and I also definitely found it more relatable through Carolâs eyes. I didnât see the concert so canât say how it compares.
Interesting comment on the âLin-Manuel styleâ song - I keep vacillating between thinking itâs a little bit *too* similar to Hamilton vs accepting that it is a just a musical style thatâs very identifiable with Hamilton but doesnât need to be restricted to just that show. I had similar feelings about the rap number in Cable Street (which had more In The Heights vibes).
I didnât see Sylvia, but with 42 Balloons, Cable Street, Operation Mincemeat and Benjamin Button, to name just a few, I think new British musical theatre is in really good shape at the moment. It also shows the value of nurturing new talent and developing works in progress, which historically has been done so much better on the other side of the pond.
|
|
|
Post by mrmarmelstein on Apr 24, 2024 20:29:59 GMT
What merch have they got? I'm going on Saturday and am psyched having seen the Vaudeville concert in 2022! Canât remember exactly, but there was certainly a mug, hoodies, t-shirts and lapel pins. Sadly no balloons for sale (although probably a good thing for the sake of the Bad Behaviour thread đ€Ł) but there is an excellent reproduction lawn chair for photo opportunities in the lobby.
|
|
2,149 posts
|
Post by richey on Apr 26, 2024 16:24:47 GMT
|
|
|
Post by PineappleForYou on Apr 27, 2024 23:41:38 GMT
Saw the matinee of this today. Loved it as much as the concert version in 2022 and act two has definitely been fixed a lot. It's ready for bigger things but it felt like a little trim and tighten might be in order. This isn't a criticism; it's like a delicious cheesecake that it very tasty but leaves you a little stuffed!
I truly believe this one is another Mincemeat and will have the same tragedy and fans. Could be a harder sell though. It's also got one of the best soundtracks of any new musical in recent years. Release the full album!
Unfortunately, we had a 30 minute show stop after the opening number because the actor playing "The Kid" had a offstage injury. Luckily, the show ran with a un-rehearsed swing in the role with book in hand - she did fantastic!
Conclusion: This will be back in London.
|
|
3,084 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 28, 2024 15:04:03 GMT
Interval thoughts - Get a ticket for this one. Iâm absolutely loving this so far. Itâs so much fun.
|
|
18,820 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 28, 2024 16:56:34 GMT
I was there this afternoon too (looked for you but didnât spot you david). Wasnât going to book for this until I saw the feedback here. What a great show! I loved it! Performances all fantastic but Evelyn Hoskins as Carole stole it for me. She struck just the right note in every way. Loved the 80s pop/rock score (I think Cyndi Lauper might raise an eyebrow when she hears Give It Up). Act 1 is stronger for sure, itâs very hard to bring act 2 to a conclusion thatâs more dramatic than the âflightâ itself but Iâm still giving it đđđđđ because it would be churlish not to after such an enjoyable afternoon. Audience loved it, stalls full but tiers were sparse. Iâve recommended it to friends already and I hope it goes further after this run. It deserves it.
|
|
3,084 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 28, 2024 17:17:31 GMT
Sorry to have missed you BurlyBeaR. I was in the front row of the stalls (A5). Iâll post a full review later when I get home but that was a 5âïž afternoon at the Lowry.
|
|
18,820 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 28, 2024 17:38:08 GMT
Found this video of the real events. {Spoiler - click to view}
|
|
3,084 posts
|
Post by david on Apr 28, 2024 20:12:52 GMT
I hadn't planned on seeing this but with an discounted ticket email from Manchestertheatres.com and seeing that the show was doing Sunday performances, I took a punt on this one and the gamble certainly paid off big time with today's viewing at the Lowry's Quays theatre. From start to finish I absolutely loved this one and ticked all the boxes for me. I thought the entire cast were a great watch and I'd agree with BurlyBeaR that Everlyn Hoskins as Carole was the standout this afternoon. With a fantastic 80's vibe score from Jack Godfrey, I didn't think there were any weak songs in there that I would skip if a full OCR was available (hopefully the full score might be released later on rather than just the limited studio recording that is currently available). I certainly thought the sound mixing was well done at this show so you could hear both the cast and the band. There was some really good use of the projections / video, though I thought that the designers would of included some of the real footage of the balloon flight during those scenes. I bit of missed opportunity there I think. Tonally, I thought the show was spot on with a nice balance of comedy, drama and angst that was well paced for the entire show. Using the Quays theatre for me was masterstroke. The design and staging worked well on this smaller stage that would of been lost on the larger Lyric stage. The show certainly got a positive reception at cast bows and I was on my feet applauding this cast at the end which was thoroughly deserved. If you can make it up to Salford for its run here I would strongly recommend doing so. You won't regret it. Rating - 5 stars / balloons
|
|
|
Post by capybara on Apr 29, 2024 9:26:36 GMT
The first time I saw 42 Balloons in concert at Londonâs Vaudeville Theatre, I had booked another ticket before Iâd even got home. Itâs felt like a bit of a wait to hear Jack Godfreyâs fantastic 80s power-pop inspired score but surely it stood to reason that Iâd be making the long trip up north to see this showâs first full production.
In Salfordâs Lowry theatre, this musical is just as wonderful as before. No, actually itâs even better as now we have Milla Clarkeâs innovative set design, essentially set inside a giant weather balloon, to inject further life into the piece. The Lowryâs Quays space proved an inspired choice for this show.
Evelyn Hoskins is once again the star as Carol and âHeliumâ provides the show-stopping moment that I feel West End audiences will truly appreciate. She is so endearing as Larryâs partner, ultimately you end up viewing his story almost entirely through her eyes. Hoskins really is an incredible watch.
But Charlie McCullagh makes for a very strong lead resuming the role of âLawn Chairâ Larry. Acts one and two vary a lot in tone and McCullagh navigates that range of emotions with relative ease. Special mention for the castâs new additions of Gillian Hardie (Carolâs mum) and Lejaun Sheppard (Ron), who stepped into their roles wonderfully.
The 80s vibe allows for the showâs ensemble to really feel part of it and, in many ways, they are part of the set. Ellie Cooteâs direction keeps the energy high-octane but you do wonder if there are perhaps moments where less would be more, particularly during moments between Larry and Carol, and the wider ensemble would benefit from taking a slight step back.
I also think, prior to the showâs inevitable West End transfer, it needs to explore the possibility of giving Larry his Defying Gravity moment of flight at the end of act one. Both in terms of a slightly more triumphant number and for the audience to actually witness him taking flight.
However, Godfrey has used this full production tryout in Salford to solidify 42 Balloonsâ status as Britainâs most exciting new musical. I canât wait to see it again.
Five stars.
|
|
1,721 posts
|
Post by stevejohnson678 on Apr 29, 2024 9:34:33 GMT
I saw this on Thursday and have booked to see it again this coming weekend. It felt like there was almost too much to take in and fully appreciate in one viewing. I agree wholeheartedly with the rave reviews for the show and Evelyn Hoskins in particular. Kudos to The Lowry for supporting the development of this. There's no doubt their investment is going to be rewarded with a West End transfer.
|
|
197 posts
|
Post by benny20 on Apr 29, 2024 12:12:36 GMT
Does it have a press night? We go Saturday afternoon
|
|
1,721 posts
|
Post by stevejohnson678 on Apr 29, 2024 12:22:23 GMT
Does it have a press night? We go Saturday afternoon Thursday 2 May.
|
|
344 posts
|
Post by Jonnyboy on May 1, 2024 22:19:09 GMT
Saw tonight. Just brilliant!
The second act goes to places I did not expect but the show is all the stronger for it.
Iâll be seeing again!
|
|