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Post by fiyero on Feb 6, 2024 8:46:51 GMT
I sat behind a parent who, for the entire show, persisted in stroking her child's hair as if she was a pet dog. I don't know how the little girl put up with it! Flower, gleam and glow Let your power shine Make the clock reverse Bring back what once was mine
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Post by fiyero on Feb 4, 2024 15:05:00 GMT
We were in this afternoon and I had a great time. It’s a fun show that doesn't take itself too seriously. I went to the evening performance and had a great time. You need to go in knowing this isn’t high art but will be fun. The cast were all great, the song choices fitted well and the story was overall good but I’d say there was too much of it. It was like every named character needed a full story. There wasn’t time for all that. The gambling story line especially seemed pointless (it set up going on a boat trip which I guess needed to happen but could have been set up more easily like ‘I’ve never been in a yacht’ ‘come on ours’ without needing the set up and then gambling discovery later. The audience was as bad as I expected. A group sitting as it started yelling at each other about who was sitting where or something and didn’t get much quieter. Pre-drinks involved in sure! I expected the singing along on a Saturday night especially but the talking is just not needed! I’m going to see the show again in Woking. At a mid-week matinee. I’d imagine my life experience will differ!
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Post by fiyero on Feb 2, 2024 12:34:01 GMT
I saw this yesterday evening. In the largest screen at my cinema were a total of 7 other people!
I didn't hate it but didn't love it either. The aspect ratio changing when Regina had her songs (to be more pop video like) was weird as it just meant a smaller image on the screen so it looked a bit lost (with masking on all 4 sides!). I've not seen the stage show (yet) but know the cast recording so the changes caught me out. But it is good that it isn't a carbon copy.
I just am not sure if it knew what it wanted to be. It hasn't been promoted as a musical but definitely is one. A few callbacks to the original film but was it a remake of that with songs or a film of the musical? Why doesn't Cady have a dad anymore? So many questions.
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Post by fiyero on Feb 2, 2024 12:27:28 GMT
Use the Disney Magic Mondays offer. £29.50 tickets on sale every Monday at 12 for the week ahead. Behaviour is mixed. Depends on the quality of the parent. I think you find the link initially on Disney tickets but it takes you through to lw theatres for the booking. This. So much this. It is understandable to have excited and excitable little princesses (and princes) in the audience but continual talking is an issue the parent should deal with. I have been a few times and one first act was ruined by "is it time to go home now?" .... "can I have sweets" .... etc... from a princess too small to be there but right in the middle of a row so FoH couldn't do much. I believe she was executed during the interval though so all was well. But overall, if you can excuse excitability, my visits have been fine.
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Post by fiyero on Feb 1, 2024 14:32:26 GMT
Was it only 15 years ago? It feels like it was much longer than ago than that. It can't be that long ago, I'm still young aren't I?
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Post by fiyero on Feb 1, 2024 12:47:13 GMT
Booked!!! So excited for this one…my wallet is glad I didn’t book ‘Nothing But Thieves’ tickets this morning. 😥 I've booked. This and Fiddler on sale today so had to not go too crazy! I was at the closing night at the Novello, it was such an electric atmosphere!
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Post by fiyero on Jan 30, 2024 15:14:27 GMT
Unfortunately this response is exactly why so many of us opt to not say anything to the slobs. At a show recently the lady in front got her phone out to start texting as soon as it started. I waved over her screen to put it away. She did for a second, then just turned the brightness down a bit and carried on. I firmly told her to put it away. Her and her friend then had a go 'none of your business' etc... Made me on edge for the whole show! Lucky I wasn't punched by the sound of it (hopefully they aren't saving that for when I go to the ballet next week)
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Post by fiyero on Jan 29, 2024 14:18:55 GMT
Apologies if I've missed it but do we know when London press night is? 27 November 2024, 28 November 2024, 29 November 2024, 30 November 2024, 1 December 2024, 4 December 2024 and 5 December 2024
*Under Embargo until 00:00 on 5 December 2024
I assume that this is meant to mean 00:00 on 6 December if press are still invited on 05 December - midnight can cause confusion sometimes....
Thanks. Would that make 5/12 Gala night or similar? Also any idea when cast would be announced?
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Post by fiyero on Jan 29, 2024 12:42:44 GMT
Apologies if I've missed it but do we know when London press night is?
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Post by fiyero on Jan 29, 2024 12:42:14 GMT
Would it be that hard to restage for a smaller theatre? I know some of the set pieces were big but I don't think any of them were essential if they can't take them. It needs a fair size cast due to all the witches and children but, as much as I loved the staging, I feel that could be shrunk.
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Post by fiyero on Jan 26, 2024 11:58:12 GMT
Taite-Elliot Drew as Clifford Bradshaw between 29 January and 9 March, Michael Ahomka-Lindsay from 11 March. Tate-Elliot was brilliant when I saw him a few months back so I’m thrilled he gets a bigger chance to perform. I’m going early feb so excited to see him again
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Post by fiyero on Jan 23, 2024 22:40:09 GMT
If the cast could extend surely it would be easier to move the panto from the Palladium to Drury Lane this year. But I doubt Imelda will be able to extend. Elf is touring this winter again as no long run. Is there a second set already built? There was an arena tour of the musical alongside the Dominion prod this christmas just gone so there's already two sets in existence The arena tour is not the same beast as the theatre show if what I saw a few years back is anything to go by!
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Post by fiyero on Jan 16, 2024 15:23:57 GMT
When did no late admissions at all go out of fashion?
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Post by fiyero on Jan 7, 2024 8:08:37 GMT
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Post by fiyero on Jan 5, 2024 9:54:56 GMT
Out of interest, what is the Spamalot number people have mentioned please? Rob does a version of Divas Lament I think Mixed up to be "whatever happened to the plot?" which is a common theme at Palladium Panto!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 31, 2023 23:12:13 GMT
Can’t quite believe anyone is enjoying this. It’s so dreadful. I loved it but can see why many wouldn’t. I do think Paul Zerdin needs to go or mix it up next year. In many provincial pantos he could be the main star! The same routines plopped in every year, whatever the show. No hate on him as a performer but not sure this panto needs that anymore. Of course all the regulars have become repetitive too! The scale of the Palladium panto forgives a lot for me! Flying, pyrotechnics, lighting, size of cast etc. I also saw Richmond and Southampton pantos and the scale was tiny comparatively. Richmond is a much smaller theatre but I still expected flying or something exciting to end act 1. Next year I hope they have a singer as the extra celebrity. I loved the ones with Elaine, Bev, Donny etc. You can stick in some random songs and it makes sense why (rather than Captain Hook pretending to be a sitcom character!)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 31, 2023 19:24:08 GMT
After seeing all the comments on restricted side seats and being a bit worried I took to my long booked seat D37. Booked as soon as they went on sale at £40 as our normal front row upper circle ones cost too much now the bar is gone. I’ve sat side stalls before and thought I knew what to expect. i.ibb.co/F3hy5LM/IMG-8022.jpgIt was worse than I expected and I don’t have much time to play with. FoH said to speak to a supervisor who said to speak to Box Office who said “more money please”. With 7 minutes until curtain I gave them another £35 to move to the middle of row J. I never spend £75 on a single ticket! The view was glorious, normally £195 I’m lead to believe. I adored the show too but still can’t get over them thinking my original seat is a £40 seat. Box Office said they don’t set the prices so is it the producer I need to complain too?
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Post by fiyero on Dec 30, 2023 23:44:29 GMT
just back on the District Line after the matinee which was missing Paul! I love seeing covers but it is unusual to see a cover who I genuinely don't think knew he was in this show this morning. I didn't get a programme but I don't think his name is in it, a true emergency cover. Not sure if it is fair to name him but he was script in hand for 90% of the show and obviously didn't know the show but gave a great performance. I wish I had the chance to see him after a rehearsal. As has been mentioned Suki is a great improvisor and covered at least 2 parts [of Paul's track] too. It was a bit of a shame to see this show that I know from the palladium shrunk down so much. I did expect flying at the end of act 1. The cast were all great though and it was a great example of 'the show must go on' Boxing Day in Richmond all sounded very dramatic. According to Twitter, the matinee started with Merton off ill, and his understudy - a lad from the chorus - came on, got stage fright and refused to come on again. So the show stopped for 25 minutes, and then when it restarted, a very ill - and apparently grumpy - Merton came on and did perform, although he then had to stop for 5 seconds when he felt faint. They then cancelled the evening show, and presumably drafted in the script-in-hand replacement for the 27th! Eeek. I did see from twitter there was a show stop, poorly Paul then evening cancellation. Didn’t realise about the cover. I didn’t get a programme but didn’t think any of the ensemble looked like obvious covers! Do you know if he was a listed cover or emergency? I don’t blame him not going on when he is covering the only star, who a lot of the audience will be there specifically to see and who the script is written around.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 27, 2023 15:32:58 GMT
Dick Whittington at Richmond is wonderful. Paul Merton is hilarious as expected, but what really makes the panto is his wife Suki Webster. Because they are both seasoned improvisers, they had a funny line for every little thing that went wrong, as well as trying to make each other laugh. just back on the District Line after the matinee which was missing Paul! I love seeing covers but it is unusual to see a cover who I genuinely don't think knew he was in this show this morning. I didn't get a programme but I don't think his name is in it, a true emergency cover. Not sure if it is fair to name him but he was script in hand for 90% of the show and obviously didn't know the show but gave a great performance. I wish I had the chance to see him after a rehearsal. As has been mentioned Suki is a great improvisor and covered at least 2 parts [of Paul's track] too. It was a bit of a shame to see this show that I know from the palladium shrunk down so much. I did expect flying at the end of act 1. The cast were all great though and it was a great example of 'the show must go on'
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Post by fiyero on Dec 27, 2023 9:48:17 GMT
I'm glad to see this sold out knowing I've got tickets to see it next week! there's no better feeling than waltzing into a decent seat in a house you know is full, ideally walking past a returns line on your way in I am looking forward to that feeling with my front row keyworker seat tonight!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 22, 2023 11:12:04 GMT
Has anyone noticed what time this has been finishing for an evening performance recently? I'm going again next Wednesday and just found out my nice comfy 23:05 train has been cancelled! (I know its live theatre and could differ anyway but trying to get an idea of being ready to dash for the 22:30 or saunter to the 23:30!) In my experience it's been finishing around 22:07-17 if you stay for the playout, second act is just shy of an hour if you slip out during bows Thank you! I think I'm going to stick it out and go for the late train. I'd hate to leave early and end up maybe missing the train anyway or standing on a packed train! I have warned my boss I may not be too awake on Thursday morning.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 21, 2023 15:22:22 GMT
The remaining ticket prices are EYE-WATERING, aren't they? I'm gutted that I wasn't more forward thinking/understanding of dynamic prices and booked a 3rd or 4th trip.
They should have extended (had the theatre been available) - even if it was La Tucker doing another month. Could they have an encore run next year somewhere?! I am so glad that having booked one trip already I jumped on the key-worker tickets so am back next Wednesday for one more visit (with a Rachel one thrown in too!)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 20, 2023 12:43:29 GMT
Has anyone noticed what time this has been finishing for an evening performance recently? I'm going again next Wednesday and just found out my nice comfy 23:05 train has been cancelled! (I know it’s live theatre and could differ anyway but trying to get an idea of being ready to dash for the 22:30 or saunter to the 23:30!) Finished last night at 22:07 and I had to dash to get the 22:30 from Waterloo - so missed the curtain calls! Fortunately I was on the end of a row. PS.What’s the young Norma standing on stage for 10 minutes before it starts all about? eeek. I am front row and near the door but hate leaving before the final note usually!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 20, 2023 12:14:21 GMT
Has anyone noticed what time this has been finishing for an evening performance recently? I'm going again next Wednesday and just found out my nice comfy 23:05 train has been cancelled! (I know its live theatre and could differ anyway but trying to get an idea of being ready to dash for the 22:30 or saunter to the 23:30!)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 16, 2023 9:41:17 GMT
I don't care how well someone knows the show, how many times they have seen it the rest of the acudience haven't paid to hear them sing. Pity the cast leads didn't say something to them directly as first act ended. I know every word. That’s not the point! Unfortunately the cast interaction throughout the show probably spurred her on.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 15, 2023 13:55:23 GMT
I was at the Cabaret matinee with my friend. Now we have been planning for a long time as he is disabled so we needed certain seats. We were stalls slips so right by the stage, under the band. Amazing for me! I've been 4 times but never so close. Was thrilled to be seeing Nic go on for Sally (planned around this too) and a wealth of other covers including at least one track debut! I thought a midweek matinee would be a calm audience. I was wrong. The group in the box behind / to our side were rather rowdy, especially one who just before it started made sure lots of people knew she had been before and loved the show. She was drunk and getting drunker, plenty of glasses around! She sang! I tried my best glares but they were fruitless and I was so close to the stage I felt I couldn't go for help. My friend was closer and heard it even more! But what did it for me. The emotional Act 1 closer of tomorrow belongs to me. She sang. She sang so badly! She got to the last two lines before the cast did!
During the interval I spoke to one of front of house, I was so upset. She said she would speak to them. Later on a manager came over (While the main woman was away) and the friends basically said 'she's like that, she knows the show!'. The manager even said the cast had commented on it! The manager did come back and spoke to them all again before act 2 and no more signing but lots of talking and clinking of glasses!
I know there have been worse ones in the thread but this really shocked me at a midweek matinee!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 11, 2023 12:56:04 GMT
I'm always dubious as to whether these avenues of extra revenue ever actually generate extra revenue? Is there going to be a significant enough amount spent on these services to justify them? Wouldn't those people have just gone to the bar themselves anyway had it not been available? I used to work for an ATG venue and to be honest the whole operation is a shambles staff underpaid every opportunity is to make more money. the order from your seats thing was a killer when i worked for them never enough team on it and half the time it wouldn't be used but we had to have team on it meaning the regular bar was understaffed. if i could avoid ATG venues i would it still shocks me to this day that a drink at Bristol Hippodrome (which was until recent my local) cost me more money than a drink in a London venue its ridiculous. Rant over im home for christmas next week and have lots of shows booked in praying for good behaviour because the older im getting the less tolerant i am haha. I still haven't forgiven them for not bringing my very expensive ice creams during the interval of Sunset Boulevard. They could have surely just turned ordering off if not enough staff?
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Post by fiyero on Dec 11, 2023 12:34:33 GMT
I’m not commenting on what people can afford- but the choice of seats. I’d personally rather sit in the back row of the upper circle than at the front and see a 1/3 of the show. Just my opinion though.
I’m frankly horrified at the price of the tickets. For a family show too. How can families afford £800 + to see this?! For the Panto, for similar cost, I'd rather go side stalls restricted view than rear upper circle - but everyone's view on that would be different. I am a little worried about my 'slightly' restricted seats high number end of row D seeing a picture from row B though
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Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2023 23:37:31 GMT
Restricted view front extreme sides of stalls have just been put up for sale - £20 each. Have grabbed one as sat in them for Jack and the Beanstalk last year and was very good value. Yes you're extremely close and do miss the rear of the stage, but compared to the prices elsewhere I recommend them. Thanks for this, I had a spare space in my diary with hopes of a second visit to this (hope I enjoy the first visit!!)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2023 13:00:21 GMT
I booked Blue Man Group instead after seeing what my approx. £40 would get me for each.
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