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Post by dazzlair on Nov 7, 2023 10:30:32 GMT
How are the temperatures at the theater these days? I have experienced both atlantic colds and scorching heats in the West End. Got a seat in the dress circle for tomorrow. It was fine 3 weeks ago - I was perfectly comfortable with just a cotton shirt without jacket on.
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 27, 2023 9:08:09 GMT
Am I alone in thinking this production is overwrought, over-indulgent and frequently incomprehensible to anyone unfamiliar to the original narrative. And as for that tour round the Strand at beginning of Act 2 - all very clever but WHY?? The two ladies I spoke with during the interval didn't know the plot going in. When I asked them what they thought, they said they had no clue what was happening but they were enjoying it lol.
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 26, 2023 14:04:08 GMT
She was doing stage door early on (not that I do it myself - I don't agree with it) but I think the sheer number of people clutching merchandise with black sharpies at the ready is possibly part of it. Some of the cast tend to come out - I usually see them whilst having a pint at the pub. Each to their own but I find stage dooring a bit of an odd activity. We came out after having a night cap in the lounge and as we were exiting, Tom came out and we had a quick chat. Super friendly and accommodating with selfies and signatures.
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 26, 2023 14:00:12 GMT
Well, that was interesting! It will take time to process and I'm glad I have another chance to watch it in December.
Saw it last night and as a "reimagined" multi-media extravaganza, it was without doubt a blockbuster. Bold, sexy, sultry, innovative and super stylised - everything everyone has mentioned. Nicole S is sensational and I loved every "yaaaas" and pout, every twerk and roly poly, every snap of her fingers in a "z" formation. Her singing really is phenomenal and her acting a revelation. I totally bought Norma's unravelling and descent into madness.
Tom Francis was also in fine form. The opening to Act 2 is every bit as bonkers and meta as mentioned and how he doesn't run out of breath is a miracle. Big love to the chimp and the ALW cutout lol.
I have no experience of Jamie Lloyd so wasn't familiar with his style. While my eyes, ears and brain loved it, my heart was not as moved as it has been in other productions. In fact I would probably rank this my third favourite production after the original and the Coliseum stagings. I think it's because the atmosphere is so fervid, the tech so overwhelming, the staging so lacking in physical anchors (unless you're listening to the lyrics intently, there is no indication if this is set in LA or space, the 50s or today) that I felt rather removed emotionally.
I did not buy Artie and Betty's relationship, I did not buy that Joe was touched by Norma's folly, I did not buy Artie's friendship with Joe, I missed Betty being less street smart and sassy and I wished there were fewer close-ups of Max so that his torment and longing was not so writ large and more contained and as a consequence, more impactful. Apart from Norma and Joe, everyone felt like ciphers to me (yes, even Max and Betty).
So to use that old X-Factor (how appropriate!) cliche, I loved it but I did not fall in love with it. Having said that, however, this is a truly sensational production and I feel very lucky to be able to see it twice.
PS. If your budget stretches, the bundled package is great value. The Ambassador Lounge is so beautiful and the service is first class.
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64 posts
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 17, 2023 14:52:15 GMT
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64 posts
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 12, 2023 23:19:38 GMT
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 11, 2023 16:57:45 GMT
Just spoke to ATG, it's either a full refund or seats offered at the same price (not equivalent location). I think I'm going to just ask for a refund, I live in London so am fortunate enough to buy tickets for shows spontaneously so can get cheaper tickets on the day. I just hope tickets don't completely disappear after opening night! Thanks for the update. I'm happy with my decision now lol.
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 11, 2023 16:46:49 GMT
Gutted about tonight Does anyone know how ATG approach cancelled performances? Is it it a refund, or like for like priced seats or equivalent seats? It's particularly unfortunate because the prices go up after Press Night. The tickets I have for tonight are more than double the price going forward. Also, I wonder if it's cast illness or actually more technical difficulties... Either way - hope all involved are ok! I believe they normally just do a straight refund of the price you paid - which seems particularly unfair in cases like these, when it's the last performance at preview prices that has been cancelled. And such a shame for those who had the prime £20 seats tonight! But maybe they'll do things differently this time? I've just bitten the bullet and decided to get a refund and have booked new tickets for December, paying an extra £40 each. I can't see any comparable seats for what I paid for tonight. I can just imagine the mad scramble with people trying to get decent seats for the same price. Hope I've done the right thing lol. In all my 30 years of theatre going, this is the first cancellation I've experienced!
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 11, 2023 15:56:36 GMT
*Sigh* Was so looking forward to tonight too.
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Post by dazzlair on Aug 15, 2023 11:23:09 GMT
Hi All,
Can anyone confirm if Charlie is doing the entire run? Thinking about booking the last performance but only if he's in it. Thanks!
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Post by dazzlair on Jun 30, 2023 14:04:30 GMT
Saw this last night and had a ball. Sure, it's not as grand as the Drury Lane version and it suffers a little from not having that breathtakingly large cast but it's still a joyous and joyful show.
The only bits I missed were the Busby-Berkeleyness of Keep Young and Beautiful and the stupefying encore from the Drury Lane production. Other than that, I thought it was beautifully sung and danced. Nicole-Lilly was cute as a button and I'm so happy she's thrown off the shackles of drip Hope Harcourt (surely one of the most thankless roles around). Strong of voice, her energy never flagged. Star.
Big shout outs to Sam Lips as Billy (boundless energy and what a great singing voice) and Ruthie Henshall who chewed up all the scenery and spat it out. Nothing wrong with her vocals and if up to it, I think she would be the most phenomenal Norma Desmond. Or failing that, the Dowager Countess of Grantham if Downton! The Musical is ever written.
Two weak links for me: Michael Praed and Les Denis. The former seemed ill at ease and fumbled with a few lines. Hard to believe this was the Alex I saw in Aspects of Love all those years ago. In the scene where Peggy bursts into the dressing room to warn Pat about the goons, something seemed to have gone wrong. Maybe a line was forgotten but there was this awkward air between Peggy, Dorothy and Pat before Ruthie rescued the situation. Les Dennis seemed to have wandered in from another show and was just lacking in any sort of charisma or personality.
Other than that I truly enjoyed all the hard work everyone visibly put in.
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Post by dazzlair on Jun 9, 2023 14:28:26 GMT
Grease at the dominion was my first west end show too. And it was brilliant, agree the best its every been. The subsequent tours just got more and more watered down. I missed out on seeing sunset by being a bit too young and without funds. The 90s had some great productions that likely won't be seen again. For sure, the best show the Dominion ever staged. Debbie Gibson's Hopelessly Devoted to You was spectacular!
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Post by dazzlair on Jun 7, 2023 0:06:45 GMT
What an interesting evening for me. It seems like a thousandty years ago that I skipped uni at least 4 times to see Michael Ball wander stage left in his white boxers. AOL remains my favourite ALW score - sumptuous, stirring and psychologically astute. It is also my least favourite ALW book - full of WTF moments that nobody could suspend their disbelief for.
The original for me, will always be definitive. I've seen the Menier version so I can understand why many would think AOL works better as a more intimate chamber piece. However I think the stunning, breathtaking sets (especially the wall that cracked open to transform into the Pyrenees mountains and the fluid moving shutters were needed to match the melodramatic tone of the whole show. It kind of swept me up into a cinematic dreamscape.
This was a solid "reimagining" though not really much has been reimagined apart from what others have already observed. Michael Ball was fabulous and was sorely needed to anchor this version. His worldly, avuncular manner was believable and I thought Love Changes Everything really worked. A man who has seen and done much really deserves to declare that one can live or perish in love's flame.
Laura Pitt-Pulford was good - a fiery, contrary Rose. I just thought Ann Crumb's interpretation was just that bit more rounded. Her Anything But Lonely was really something to behold.
I really enjoyed Anna Unwin as older Jenny. Great acting and I thought she brought depth to quite a cipher of a character. Soophia Foroughi was on as Giuletta and she was every shade of fabulous - rich in tone and utterly believable as the bohemian.
Jamie Bogyo - eeeks! I enjoyed him in Moulin Rouge but whereas young Michael Ball brought a certain charm and likeability, I thought Mr Bogyo was awkward and stiff.
I appreciated the quartet version of "She'd Be Far Better Off With You" with the criminally underused Rosemary Ashe. There was no inappropriate laughter, perhaps because Alex's "It's all my fault" line has been removed. So George's death scene is quick and over with quickly (though I do miss that travellator lol). Loved, loved, loved the sets. The painted backdrops (is that the right word?) were gorgeous and I didn't mind the moving screen as I thought of it as a mechanism to effect the quick cinematic transitions that I think the score demands.
For me, a sold 4 out for 5.
PS. For what it's worth, I sat in Stalls Row C next to an American lady who had bought her ticket that morning for £25.
PPS. Oliver Tompsett was on my train and I just had to tell him how frickin' funny he was in & Juliet lol
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Post by dazzlair on Mar 31, 2023 13:15:32 GMT
This, apart from School of Rock, was ALW’s only contemporary work; all his other shows are period or fantasy pieces. Maybe his next show should be hyper-modern. Love Island, The Musical? Or The Ballad of Harry & Meghan?! Does School of Rock count?
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Post by dazzlair on Mar 28, 2023 11:36:31 GMT
I'm 22000th in the queue lol. Can I ask what the ballpark prices are for premium seating? A friend of mine just got in as she had a much lower number and she reports £100 for top price, then £85, then £55 (which still gets you decent stalls seats), at least during previews. I feared it would be much worse! Cool. Thanks - I was dreading Moulin Rogue prices. That seems ok.
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Post by dazzlair on Mar 28, 2023 11:17:56 GMT
The presale is on now, I have just bought a restricted view ticket in the stalls row C, we will see. Prices are high but not stupidly so, I think! I'm 22000th in the queue lol. Can I ask what the ballpark prices are for premium seating?
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Post by dazzlair on Sept 2, 2022 12:40:09 GMT
I hope this is allowed. I've just listed for resale on Ticketmaster 2 tickets for the concert at Her Majesty's. Row C in the stalls. I'm selling at face value with Ticketmaster adding on their charge. You can find it on their app/website.
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Post by dazzlair on Aug 4, 2022 12:10:15 GMT
I liked her too, but she was just a touch too shouty when I saw her. She really did go full Elaine Paige at times. Daniel Fox (?) who played Freddie gave a really turgid, lethargic performance until he suddenly smashed “Pity the Child” out of the park with a phenomenal energy. Then reverted immediately back to looking bored and uncomfortable. Clearly, sometimes, just auditioning the main solo isn’t enough… It was Fame Academy’s James Fox and Daniel Koek was Anatoly. I thought Daniel Koek's Anthem was phenomenal. He repeated "my heart" at the end with a soaring note (sorry, not musically trained so I don't know to describe it properly - but there are recordings on that video sharing site)
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Post by dazzlair on Aug 4, 2022 12:01:52 GMT
I do wonder if Chess could be really stripped back, take out some of the more bombastic endings and be presented in a smaller chamber style show. I'd love to see someone try it. Yes, there was a great performance at the Union Theatre in 2013 with a cast of 16 and a band of 6. Spare, dark, gritty and thrilling. The leads were uniformly excellent: Florence: Sarah Galbraith Freddie: Tim Oxbrow Anatoly: Nadim Naaman Svetlana: Natasha J. Barnes Alexandra Molokova: Gillian Kirkpatrick Walter: Neil Stewart The Arbiter: Craig Rhys Barlow Embassy Officials: Katie Bradley and Wayne Rodgers Angela St Angelo (Reporter) Natalie McQueen
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Post by dazzlair on Aug 3, 2022 9:14:55 GMT
Interesting to see the comments about Samantha Barks, I’ve always said she has a lovely voice but zero charisma. I kind of concur. Great singer but rather bland. Shona White, Cassidy Janson, Sarah Galbraith and Rebecca Storm were far superior (alas I wasn't around for the original production) - injecting that fire and fury with powerhouse vocals.
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Post by dazzlair on Aug 2, 2022 11:51:15 GMT
Oh dear. Seeing this tonight and not looking forward to it now. I did wonder last night about the running time- I was walking down the Strand about 10pm and passed several people carrying programmes from the show so guessed it had finished fairly early. I've heard they've not included Merano or the Merchandiser song? Neither song is in it which is a shame.
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Post by dazzlair on Aug 2, 2022 11:18:29 GMT
It was a bit of a hot mess. It may be a minority opinion, but I much preferred the Coliseum and Craig Revel-Horwood versions, and definitely the Union Theatre production. It was so rushed that if you weren't familiar with the material, the whole thing would have made no sense.
Hadley Fraser was great - I think if he had done it instead of Michael Ball (who got his timings for Anthem wrong when I watched it), the Coliseum production would have been a whole lot better. Strong of voice and for me, the only one who attempted to act. Sam Barks sings well but stirred no emotion in me. Nobody's Side should be searing, her version was...fine. Joel seemed to be chewing his words at times, Ako was horribly muffled (maybe vocal issues?) and Frances made no impact whatsoever as Svetlena.
I didn't mind the choreography. Kudos to the choir though - they brought the gravitas and power when required.
I was so looking forward to it as it's possibly my favourite score of all time, even while acknowledging the problems with the book. I hope those who are going get more pleasure out of it than I did.
PS. I hope this is allowed but if not let know and I'll remove: I've posted a short video on that famous video sharing website - just shots of the theatre, stage and curtain call.
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Post by dazzlair on Jul 12, 2022 12:34:38 GMT
Saw it at the Saturday matinee and thoroughly enjoyed it though not as much as I did last year.
Dennis Lawson really is woeful and the decision to do away with the top hat made an ordinary performance even worse. I didn't mind Bonnie being Bonnie; in fact I think I would've been disappointed if she hadn't! The role of Evangeline is so small I welcome any attempt to wring every bit of scenery chewing out of it.
Kerry sings and dances wonderfully. It's only because I've seen Sutton that the current show paled slightly to last year's. Sutton really is a star and when I watched it last year I could not take my eyes off her - she simply glows. Whereas with Kerry, I found myself enjoying the cast as a whole rather than just being fixated with the leading lady.
Finally, I heart Haydn Oakley. He made me laugh this year and he made me laugh even louder on Saturday. His The Gypsy In Me is just genius.
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Post by dazzlair on Mar 30, 2022 23:25:09 GMT
The very essence of Chicago - all publicity is good and the only sin is to be forgotten. Genius.
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 23, 2021 22:08:05 GMT
Hi all, seating advice please. The very first row in the Stalls is going for £35 which seems a bargain when the row behind is £75. Is there something wrong with it when the first row on the Theatre Monkey seating plan is highlighted green?
Thank you in advance.
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 15, 2021 23:19:20 GMT
I'm guessing not telling him what you really think lol I like Ramins voice, but for me it was his acting that got me. He is the only phantom I've seen where I've been moved and felt sympathy for the character. He wasn't just a 2d villain I second that. A believable multi-dimensional villain instead of a pantomime one. Dave Willets was great too.
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Post by dazzlair on Oct 13, 2021 10:05:04 GMT
Been to Phantom since 1989 and the cast that made the biggest and deepest impression on me was the Ramin Karimloo/Gina Beck/Simon Bailey trio. Real hold-your-breath moments during The Final Lair, real tears from Gina, believable emotions - everything lacking in the current cast, alas.
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Post by dazzlair on Jul 29, 2021 23:11:06 GMT
OK. Saw it tonight. I'm about a bottle and a half of wine in so this review is what it is.
I'm not a purist but having said that, this was the first show I saw when I landed in the UK in 1989. I've seen several casts in London as well as the ludicrously spectacular but shallow Vegas production.
Tonight, I appreciated the very obvious hard work the cast, crew and FOH staff had put in. I loved the lighting, the clarity of sound and the sparkle of the visuals. I think if you had never seen it before, or if you were a casual theatre goer, you would think this was a blockbuster spectacular. My eyes and ears loved it, my heart did not.
Everything everyone has said is true. The proscenium is reduced. The bad is that the subtle underlying erotic quality is gone. The good is that the sheets flew off quietly and efficiently. The chandelier is intact and does what it promises, though I don't think it's any more thrilling in speed or size. The Angel is gone but I actually quite liked the horse sweeping to the front, revealing the Phantom. Yes, maybe the sound is not as full as before but nothing to alarm my untrained ears.
The one thing I lamented and very much regretted was not the physical aspects. It was the cast. The cast that moved me most, the cast that slapped me in the face and strangled my heart was the Gina Beck-Ramin Karimloo-Simon Bailey trinity. There was passion, authenticity and I really did feel for all three characters. Tonight, I felt nothing for any of them. Maybe it's early days but I came away feeling I had watched an expensive but ultimately hollow show. I don't know what was missing. Everyone was pitch perfect but to me, there was just zero chemistry between the leads. And that, ultimately was what let me down the most.
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Post by dazzlair on Jun 30, 2021 22:35:05 GMT
Room 317 from Miss Saigon when Kim sings, "I feel walls in my heart, closing in. I can't breathe, I can't win." Tingles!
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Post by dazzlair on Apr 29, 2021 14:43:27 GMT
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