|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 20, 2016 7:47:45 GMT
How nice to be asked. (PS Mrs Snow would no doubt echo Liza Tarbucks line. “Darling you’re simply gorgeous…..in the dark”.) We’re always rushing and a heavy meal with wine before theatre is not a sensible option for me. Zzzzzzz However, 1 When we went to Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse we wandered into the ‘food market’ opposite. There was lots of choice and the standard was better than OK, but it was a really fun thing to find. 2 I mentioned On the Bab above. Been twice, cheap, fast and tasty. onthebab.co.uk/coventgarden/3 As others have said Five Guys is a really good quick burger. 4 Surprise no one has mentioned Joe Allens. It would age me terribly to admit how long ago I first went but have been back several times and its always been really good. They don’t pretend to offer ‘fine dining’ and their menu which has hardly changed looks like the fayre you get offered in most ‘restaurant’s’ these days. But sometime the original is still the best and they execute things very well. www.joeallen.co.uk/PS I think it’s an in joke but the Burger is never actually written on the menu. So if you go with friends who are struggling to choose, tell them the Burger is legendary but it’s to special order only. They will have to ask the Waiter if it’s being served tonight? It works every time. Great place to meet friends the staff ensure you’re welcome. 4 There’s an excellent Tapas place on the street outside of Borough Market which is lovely after a matinee at the Chocolate Factory. Name escapes me? To impress or when time allows. 5 Have been to The Ivy Market Grill a few times. On the main Square in Covent Garden its very convenient and not much more expensive than any of the chain restaurants in London. However, the service has been excellent and the food very tasty. No idea if it has links to a more famous restaurant of a similar name. theivymarketgrill.com/ The same friends who recommended this are also saying we must meet next time at www.thedelaunay.com/6 For the first time last week we ate at The Royal Opera House. Two courses before and cheese in the interval. It was surprisingly good food and service but you do pay for it. For the right occasion we will repeat. www.roh.org.uk/visit/restaurants-and-bars/menu-options-and-prices7 The Savoy has an excellent lunch set price menu in a beautiful room. Bottled water, Wine, supplementary options and service can make a ‘bargain’ surprisingly expensive but everyone should do this once. Since the 2008 crash there are lots of these lunch offers to be had in famous hotels, as apparently bankers now have to work a full day. So you’ll be able to enjoy lunch without prats braying next to you! restaurants.lastminute.com/the-savoy-grill/80221 Does anyone know of a Piano Bar in London? Where people actually sing along?
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 19, 2016 14:19:49 GMT
I think they had one in the 70's in the Kings Road and a couple of others? Ate at Panton St many times. (Lets not go overboard, the food was OK but the price was right. Bring back Chicken Kiev!) Yes I fondly remember the Kings Road one too. Stockpots always served fresh cabbage and carrots whatever you were eating. Well the cabbage was fresh when they started cooking it! The present and so far only Mrs Snow, must be very tolerant as I believe it was one of the first places I took her for a slap up meal in London's Glamorous West End!
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 19, 2016 8:48:08 GMT
I think they had one in the 70's in the Kings Road and a couple of others? Ate at Panton St many times. (Lets not go overboard, the food was OK but the price was right. Bring back Chicken Kiev!)
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 19, 2016 7:58:04 GMT
3 sets, six months and 34 takes is all it took
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 18, 2016 7:50:16 GMT
OOOPS have just noticed what she APPEARS to have in her hand as you look at the second trailer!! Why is she looking so glum?
Surely this is entirely the wrong internet forum for that kind of video!!
(PS do people get banned from here for inappropriate posts on a Sunday morning???)
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 18, 2016 7:26:18 GMT
Not sure if this is allowed or we have to wait until they turn it from a film into a stage musical, but the distributors of this new film are doing a great job getting me excited.
Somehow though the relaesed still pictures are more dynamic than these deliberately low key trailers. Not sure I’ll LOVE the music but they seem to have tried for the right feeling. Also I loved Whiplash the Directors previous film. It was a kind of musical without words! It had a great musical payoff sequence and was anything but a soft and gooey Hollywood story.
At the LIFF next month. Can’t wait.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 16, 2016 15:11:24 GMT
Benito's hat does good and cheap burrito's, sushi take-aways/subways and chill in the park (When the weather is good), and sometimes I enjoy a steak at Chiquito. Awful atmosphere but the food is pretty good and it's cheap Is he still looking, after over forty six hours, for that perfect place to grab a quick and cheap bite? Just in case he is, he should seek out On the Bab Covent Garden Address: 36 Wellington St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7BD Phone:020 7240 5568 Just down the hill from the ROH - across the road. Cheep and tasty Korean food. With prompt service its ideal for a theater night but not a long lunch.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 16, 2016 12:24:17 GMT
Grease is an odd one. Did OK on Broadway, badly in London originally. Got a revised score for the movie, then the new "Grease Is The Word" which mixed both stage and screen went on to be a stage smash hit. I saw whichever version of Grease about 15 years ago during its last week. It was in the top 5 all time bad nights I've had in the West End. You got the feeling the cast had had their only rehearsal that PM. At least half the cast were watching and copying the handjive movements from the person standing next to them. The leads were...errr...oh thats right, I forgot them the moment the closed their mouths. We took some friends who had never been to the West End. They thought it was fantastic. And that is how producers get away with it. (PS highly debatable if Grease is "great". Fun yes but....)
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 15, 2016 7:44:48 GMT
OOOPS apologies I rushed my visit. Will check it out properly. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention.
Now back to Showboat....
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 15, 2016 6:28:02 GMT
Thanks for the review
Can I ask re Wilton's? They were raising money for a refurb and yet it was perfect in a shambolic, falling apart, anti new material way.
What does it look like now (hoping you saw it before to compare).
Was one of the most magical places in London where being allowed to age was a thing of beauty .
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 15, 2016 6:18:55 GMT
Theatremonkey.com is your friend, Mr Snow. (He is also one of the moderators on here.) I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Showboat... Thanks I'll explore more later but Quick look shows nothing about The New London which at least should be acknowledged as having a/c - a major benefit at times. There's also nothing about The Regent's Park Theatre. A wonderful venue but I would warn to avoid seats facing the left hand side of the stage, unless you enjoy falling asleep in the heat of a full sun. There must be countless other examples of insider knowledge? (PS I'm new here so apologies if this kind of Threadjack is not the ettiquette (strange word to choose when talking about the internet! I'll happily start a new thread if people want to discuss this.)
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 15, 2016 5:35:35 GMT
I take it not many of you will be coming to Der Rosenkavalier with Rennee Fleming at the ROH then? I'm dithering over that one because I swore never again to see Alice Coote in a trouser role after being disappointed by her Octavian, Ruggiero & Xerxes all within a few months in 2014. On the other hand I found Rachel Willis-Sorensen a very bland Countess at the ROH in 2012 so the B cast doesn't appeal much either. If only I could have the A cast Marschallin with the B cast Octavian. A premium friend! I will be trying for a package this morning. Fingers crossed.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 15, 2016 5:29:59 GMT
Love Showboat one of the very best musicals withone golden moment after another. However when we saw this production in June we were disappointed.
Firstly whoever sang Old Man River was not up to the standard of a school production and secondly
We had seats in the back row of the Stalls and there were definitely sound problems, a sort of echo. This really marred our enjoyment. We should have complained and afterwards my wife and I thought we'd experienced exactly the same at another production some years ago.
I wonder if there is room on here for a separate forum on here where each thread is just to talk about a different Theater? I know for example not to book an Amphitheater ticket at the ROH beyond the first 5 rows as the sound is dead. While the Upper Slips offer great sound but limited visibility at a great price. At the Coliseum I think the best sound is in the Dress Circle. It would be great if this kind of information was easy to access. Many WE theaters suffer form lack of legroom (among many other problems). I can't recall off hand the worst offenders so to share this would be invaluable. ( instantly the pain of watching Wolf Hall from the gods comes back to me). We could also add positive news like best local bars and eateries. Just a thought.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 14, 2016 13:39:24 GMT
Just wondering would anyone know what a 'Hollywoood' name would add to the weekly bill if someone was putting on a big show in the west end.
Glen Close? (not for this part, I know she's brilliant actress but...) Rebel Wilson (I know, I know..)
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 14, 2016 11:10:21 GMT
at Norma Monday Night. NO time to say anything but .. WONDERFUL. Go see for yourself.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 14, 2016 10:03:49 GMT
With my basic understanding of economics I would expect tickets to a small venue with a good well rehearsed cast etc to be MORE expensive than for a larger venue? As I age I prefer intimate venues for all forms of entertainment. You are 'closer' to the action than top price ina the stalls can ever get you.
Loved it at the Savoy where Ruthie Henshall (if memory serves) was amazing and love Scarlett so much I saw Candide twice.
Time to stop posting and get buying!
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 9, 2016 10:00:30 GMT
...there's just something amazing about seeing THAT scene on stage with actual rain. To be fair, it wasn't "actual" rain! I've seen a number of screen to stage musicals: Singing' in the Rain, Wizard of Oz, Top Hat, High Society, 42nd Street, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dr Doolittle etc. I've enjoyed them all; I think it's because it's interesting to see how they tackle the challenge of reproducing cinematic effects within the limitations of a stage show. And the stories and songs are usually wonderful, which is why I assume they make the effort to transfer them in the first place. I knew I'd be hoisted on my own something or other 42nd Street on stage - Loved it. Pretty sure we saw the first change of cast with someone called Catherine Zeta Jones. Wonder whatever..... Spoiler alert. the curtain rising just enough to see the tapping feet and the BANG with the I'm in the money props. Fantastic Theater. Didn't feel like it was trying to recreate Busby Berkeley at all.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 9, 2016 7:35:44 GMT
She's at the Union Chapel next April, One of my favorite venue's and will suit her down to the ground. Though I do wonder if they've told her not to bring any 'Altar' wine. www.seetickets.com/event/camille-o-sullivan/union-chapel/996052Have seen her many times and she doesn't disappoint. Taps into an older vibne where a singer could take anyone's material and make it their own. (PS Don't you just love giving people your money upto a year ahead before you can see the act! To get my wife and daughter Christmas Present ofHappy Potter tickets with both shows on on one day,I had to pay out November 2015 for tickets May 2017!!!)
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 9, 2016 7:24:40 GMT
I'm highly resistant to the whole affair.
Top Hat without Fred and Ginger? Singing in The Rain without Gene? I just haven't been able to bring myself to go.
Loved Groundhog Day, but they were making a musical of a story. Something new and fresh out of old material.
Next years An American in Paris? Non Merci.
Another thing, I've been to a few Musicals where they 'impersonate' famous singers. EG Billie Holiday or Cash/Presley/Perkins/Orbison and I hated them. HATED!!!! No interest in seeing that type either.
Has anyone here gone to one of these shows with the same reservation that perfection can't be bettered, and been converted?
Better to stick with my originals?
(Funny but I have no problems watching a film that was based on a Musical. There's no explaining that.)
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 7, 2016 12:46:19 GMT
IF I were to say anything to them it would be.
I enjoyed the hell out of this ….but…
You need more than one quieter moment where a big song can win us over. I loved the pace it’s all set at, but would like to care a little more for the protagonist. Would it be so awful to let him have a moments reflection? Perhaps he could compose a song?
And… We saw this the week before we saw Allegro and that was as sexist as hell and the women were just stereotypes…but was Groundhog Day that different? It’s a while since I’ve seen it but in the film Andie McDowell didn’t seem to be so …weak? She was more attractive because of it. In the play the music where we meet her character and the thoughts she ran through were so predictable I found myself wanting her to sing something strong like “I’ll Know” from Guys and Dolls. She was going through the exact same feelings but with no conviction. If you can strengthen her role you will create more interest.
I also wonder what the set will look like if you have more budget. The small town locale meant a low key bedroom set worked well, but with a big budget some dazzling changes could be possible.
So good luck on improving a really good night out into an unforgettable one.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 7, 2016 10:18:57 GMT
I love the idea of this.
Pretty sure someone did a show at the Edinburgh Festival in recent years but we couldn't fit it in.
When you get o know his songs you can hear how important he was to modern songs, including for the great Broadway writers who grew up hearing them
In recent years the McGarrigle sisters helped keep the flame alive.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 1, 2016 11:35:44 GMT
First Post. So pleased to have found this forum
Delighted that the chance to see this came up but almost lost the will to live by the time he got to college. Thankfully second act much better.
Can’t help but think Sondheim learnt the most from this and as for an earlier poster, Merrily came to mind.
Finally did no one else wonder who R&H thought their audience would be? It’s not the stay at home on the farm types it’s the badass city dwellers who want fun and not a lecture!
Pleased to have the opportunity to be there and great Kudos to everyone involved with this production, but it’s a rarity for a reason. The plot stinks and time has not been kind.
Ps Is it to much to point out it was Hammerstein who loved life back on the farm and Rogers who kept a flat in the city for his philandering? Was the former trying to get a message over to the latter?
|
|