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Post by grannyjx6 on May 3, 2019 14:50:05 GMT
Thanks for all your comments. I've just looked on the website and much as I adore Michael Ball, for two of us non-Southerners £150 each for a ticket plus all the other costs is way outside our budget as we like to stay a few days and cram as many shows in as we can. Will have a look at the £89 seats now (are these stalls?) with a bit more confidence. I've seen MB twice as Edna and two others (won't say who) and was really disappointed. Not taking anything away from the rest of the cast of course, but he is absolutely the cherry on top of the cake. Yes, the side stalls (other than the two seats nearest the aisle) are £87.50 midweek, also centre block from row K backwards. These are absolutely fine, the stage is very wide so the side stalls give a good view. You could also look at the dress circle where most of the seats are £87.50 or £55. As noted above book via londoncoliseum.org/whats-on/hairspray/?action=book not ticketmaster to avoid high booking fees. Thank you xanderl
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Post by grannyjx6 on May 3, 2019 13:52:50 GMT
Michael Ball saw Hairspray on Broadway, he knew then that Edna was a role he was destined to play. Before Hairspray opened at the Shaftesbury there was a lot of talk on BroadwayWorld that Michael Ball was going to be a car crash in this, Michael Ball was in fact Ferrari cruising in the 3rd lane at 90mph, I have never seen someone who had so much fun on stage, it was rumoured that Michael was getting a princely sum to play Edna, that was not the only reason he played Edna. He was literally having a ‘Ball’ 8 Times a week. I saw him late in the run, so therefore sadly missed the late Mel Smith, but I did go on to see Michael 5 times in that role, including his final performance, where I have great memories of after the show, where a crowd built up outside the Shaftesbury to see Michael and the man serenading the crowd from his changing room window, smiling like a Cheshire Cat - he was loving every minute of it. All 5 times I saw Michael it was an absolute pleasure. If your experiences have only been seeing the last 2 inferior tours, book for this now, as you will have a delirious time, you just can’t stop the beat. The £89 side tickets are alright seats in the Colesium. Thanks for all your comments. I've just looked on the website and much as I adore Michael Ball, for two of us non-Southerners £150 each for a ticket plus all the other costs is way outside our budget as we like to stay a few days and cram as many shows in as we can. Will have a look at the £89 seats now (are these stalls?) with a bit more confidence. I've seen MB twice as Edna and two others (won't say who) and was really disappointed. Not taking anything away from the rest of the cast of course, but he is absolutely the cherry on top of the cake.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 15, 2019 21:56:22 GMT
I remember seeing it on TV a few years ago and really enjoying it. Helena Bonham Carter was brilliant as Nigel's sexy step mum.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 15, 2019 21:49:32 GMT
Behaviour of audiences seems to be getting worse and worse in general. I think you are right. I was telling some of my (non theatre) friends about the phone going off and they asked if maybe the lady didn't realise she should have turned it off (or on to silent) and had they actually announced that phones should be turned off.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 14, 2019 21:22:14 GMT
I would love to see John McCrea again (especially in Sheffield), but maybe he wanted a change? After all, he played the part for nearly two years.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 14, 2019 19:07:32 GMT
Very much looking forward to this. Guys and Dolls is one of my favourites. From tomorrow, Sheffield Theatres is launching a season ticket when three or more shows are booked at the same time, so, for example, Life of Pi, Guys and Dolls and Everybody's Talking About Jamie. Do you know if there is a charge for the season ticket? I've had lots of emails about it, but it always says to ring or contact the box office for details. Probably no use to me now though as I've already booked Guys and Dolls and Jamie (and two out of three ain't enough ;-) )
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 14, 2019 18:55:01 GMT
I was at the matinee of Calendar Girls on Thursday. A full house as it has been for the two week run with my husband being one of about 50 men in total, compared to over 1000 ladies all of mostly a certain (my) age. I think many were not usual theatre goers as I have never seen so many phones checked either for time, a quick look at Facebook, an important text etc and of course the obligatory sweet wrapping, crisps crunched and so on. Then plenty of ladies thinking it's ok to carry on a conversation whilst the actors are also chatting. I really despair. The lady next to me's phone went off and was ringing for ages before she realised it was actually hers and then started fumbling in her bag to turn it off. I had the audacity to 'tut' and got a mouthful of abuse saying it was an accident and she'd just forgotten to switch it off. And they say it's the younger generation that have no manners.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 8, 2019 21:54:56 GMT
Something a bit different for me this week. I'm going to an evening of contemporary dance at Cast in Doncaster. I may, or may not, enjoy it, but rather than performing to a half-empty theatre, I was offered a ticket for just £1, so even with train fares I'm having a risk-free evening out for only £5. 🙂 I see a few things advertised at Cast but as I usually go on my own and they're in the evening I'm not too confident about how to get back home. Is Cast near the train station?
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 8, 2019 21:52:33 GMT
I'm seeing Remembering The Movies on Wednesday, Calendar Girls Thursday and Take That on Saturday. I know two out of three aren't actually musicals, but they are music so halfway there and I know I will love them all.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 7, 2019 21:05:16 GMT
Without wanting to go too far off-thread, I've just spent a few days in Scarborough. I was making small talk at dinner one evening (get me!) with the man on the adjacent table. Despite only living in West Yorkshire, he genuinely had no idea that the Crucible is a working theatre for 49 weeks of the year. He seemed to think the entire building is mothballed at the end of the World Snooker Championship every year! Yes, a lot of folks only know it for the snooker (in fact lots of people only know Sheffield because of snooker), which is such a shame as the Christmas shows and Sheffield Theatre productions are always amazing there.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 7, 2019 21:02:15 GMT
I went with my son to see it last week. All our family love Richard Hawley's music and we were definitely not disappointed with all the songs, some from his back catalogue and others written for the show. Like most others, I bawled my eyes out at a couple of points (you will know what I mean). Lots of laughs too and the most amazing singing. We booked very last minute and managed two side, back row seats for £50 (!!) each. Never paid that much for a show in Sheffield before, but it was definitely worth it. I really hope it travels as it's just wonderful. I too haven't been this excited about a Sheffield show since Jamie. How did you find the view from there? I was struck by the design of the set and the way it was staged meant that even though I was sat a bit to one side it felt like i was viewing it head-on. They certainly seemed to be playing to the entire house and wow didn’t they fill that huge stage, and even beyond it when those couples appeared slow-dancing in the darkness behind the audience. That was a bit of a 😢 moment for me. I love the Crucible. Well we couldn't see everything, but there was so much going on I think even if we were front row centre it would have been difficult. I asked my son last year if he would like to go, he said yes but didn't finalise dates until a few days beforehand which is why we had so little choice. I would have loved to see it again as you can't always catch everything can you? Have you been in The Crucible Studio Burley? I was there last Monday for Anna Jane Casey and it was brilliant, such a fab, intimate venue.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Apr 4, 2019 20:13:41 GMT
I went with my son to see it last week. All our family love Richard Hawley's music and we were definitely not disappointed with all the songs, some from his back catalogue and others written for the show. Like most others, I bawled my eyes out at a couple of points (you will know what I mean). Lots of laughs too and the most amazing singing. We booked very last minute and managed two side, back row seats for £50 (!!) each. Never paid that much for a show in Sheffield before, but it was definitely worth it. I really hope it travels as it's just wonderful. I too haven't been this excited about a Sheffield show since Jamie.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Mar 24, 2019 23:25:58 GMT
I sat next to a lady at Victoria ballet the other day, she had her coat originally on my seat (end of row so I can spread one leg into the isle) and always wait until the last minute to sit down purely so I don't have to keep getting up and down for people to pass. She picked the coat up and put it on her knee, on which she already had a cardigan, shopping bag, handbag etc. They then announced phones to be switched off, and same lady waded through all her belongings, finally managing to switch the phone off 2 minutes after the performance started. The coat/bags/cardi kept catching my legs as she wriggled around getting comfy and then getting the bag of sweets out, plus taking up all the shared arm rest. There was a fair bit of room under the seat (I had my coat, cardi and bag under mine) but she didn't put anything there. I would have moved myself but the circle was completely full.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Feb 28, 2019 19:58:14 GMT
I saw it this afternoon and pretty much agree with all the reviews. It did get a bit boring in the first half and I said to my husband if I hadn't watched Richard Winsor (avidly) in Casualty every week when he played Cal, I would have said he couldn't act. It did improve later, although the story was hard to follow volume wise, maybe because I was sitting in the gods and to be honest don't actually remember it from way back. After a dodgy first 20-30 minutes I ended up really enjoying it, especially the finale.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Feb 27, 2019 14:43:08 GMT
I sometimes have a sleep on the coach; managed almost an hour on my way to Nottingham last Saturday, which helps. Getting older (I'm 63) I find I need less sleep actually. In late May I'm seeing Hamilton(again!) on a Wednesday evening, following a "friendship matinee" of Abbaphonic at the Albert Hall I shouldn't really be going to. I already had an amateur 42nd Street booked in Blackpool the following afternoon. By the time I got home from London I would be going back there from Kent in under 6 hours and still be a bit tight for time to reach Blackpool. I've therefore booked an overnight National Express coach. Not done that before so will be a real test of my stamina not to drop off during that show. We had a 9 hour delay on our return flight from the Dominican Republic some years ago and I had booked that evening's showing of Chicago, so we arrived home about 90 minutes before the show started and actually went (I'm too tight to lose the money) but regretfully both fell asleep during the performance. Not all the way through, thankfully.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Feb 18, 2019 23:48:33 GMT
I was going to book for this, but after seeing the prices I am not bothering. I have seen LES MIS numerous times over the years, and have seen it both with John Owen-Jones and Alfie Boe. I would have liked to have seen Michael Ball as Javert, as a big fan of his, but I cannot justify the prices just for him. I may wait for the remount of LES MIS back at the Queen’s as I have never seen the touring production. I'm sure there will be a cinema sceening, if not live then recorded live, plus a DVD and maybe even a TV showing eventually.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Dec 4, 2018 23:12:48 GMT
There were plenty of free seats in the upper circle when we went second preview and a few minutes before it started, the usher said we could all move down. We went on the front row and the leg room was rubbish, fortunately we could stretch our legs sideways so that helped a bit. It is really tight leg room (and widthways), both me and my husband are average size and weight so anyone bigger would have found it excruciating.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Nov 30, 2018 23:35:07 GMT
We were in London for three days last week and managed 5 shows which I had either previously bought on special offer, or got day seats for. The most expensive one was £23.00 and the cheapest £10 (Caroline or Change preview). I went to my local theatre to book a show yesterday and it was nearly £50 for top price seats, going down to about £25. I have learned loads from reading the posts on this forum on how to get the best value for money tickets. Unfortunately my local theatre NEVER discount, so it's take it or leave it. (I usually take it, but ask for theatre vouchers for birthday and Christmas to help offset the cost).
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Post by grannyjx6 on Nov 25, 2018 23:29:52 GMT
We saw it for the third (and last) time on Thursday and it was better than ever with Bonnie in the lead. She is absolutely amazing, as they all are. The only person I think lets it down is Bruce Montague as Abner Dillon. He seems so amateurish compared to the rest of the cast and hasn't improved at all.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Nov 25, 2018 23:19:58 GMT
We saw it Thursday and really enjoyed it, although I did have to give my husband a dig in the ribs on a couple of the quieter numbers. He not quite as avid a musical theatre fan as me. ;-)
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Post by grannyjx6 on Nov 5, 2018 20:15:42 GMT
Well I loved it, even though it didn't tell the whole story. It's about the only film I've seen where the whole audience stayed in their seats at the end as they played two more Queen tracks.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Oct 31, 2018 23:04:41 GMT
I've booked for November 21st.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Oct 31, 2018 18:30:47 GMT
I used TodayTix for the first time on Monday and got 2 tickets for Bat Out Of Hell for £12 each plus £3 booking fee! I had a problem with the booking procedure (my fault) and had prompt and courteous replies from their customer service department. Very impressed.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Oct 29, 2018 20:15:26 GMT
Dayseating for this on Wednesday for the matinee performance. So, you guys told me a while ago it's not too busy. I think if I get there at 9:30 should be okay? Also, cash only? Or do they accept card payment? Why don't you buy them from TodayTix? I've got two stalls seats row W for £15 each including booking fee. Has to be bought today though. It will save you having to go twice on Wednesday.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Sept 7, 2018 21:54:20 GMT
I have three side stalls tickets for this next Wednesday evening show and can’t go. Anyone want them for free? I saw in Sheffield and ADORED IT.
Oh what a shame. I hope someone can take advantage of your generous offer. Would the theatre not let you exchange them for another date though?
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Post by grannyjx6 on Sept 6, 2018 21:50:06 GMT
My daughter in law went to see her in Glasgow with a couple of her friends. The tickets, accommodation, travel, meals etc cost a small fortune and she was really disappointed that Britney was very obviously miming. I don't think she will be going again any time soon either.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Sept 6, 2018 21:46:06 GMT
I've said this on a previous thread, but I offer it again if you're interested. I always book the County Hotel on Upper Woburn Place. It's about a 5 min walk from Euston Station, and one of the cheapest but safest places I know. I have managed to get 3 nights B&B for £113.50 booking it through Superbreak for a November weekend theatre break. I always try Superbreak first, but if their allocation of rooms has gone, I book direct through Imperial London Hotels, although the same no. of nights will cost about £156. The rooms are basic, but clean, and you won't get one in the basement! Bathrooms are shared (4 to each floor) and well maintained. English breakfast is self-serve in the basement dining room, and your booking will enable you to a visit to one of the posher hotels in the group for fancier meals if you wish. All the group hotels are along that road, running past Tavistock Square up to Russell Square. www.imperialhotels.co.uk/en/
Thank you for your recommendation. I've just booked this for November also, but a mid week break for us. I looked at the trip advisor reviews which varied from people complaining that it wasn't (surprisingly) the Ritz to others raving about it and all things in between. Three nights for me and my husband for £207 which is incredible. The lack of an en suite was a bit of a problem but it would have been at least another £50/£60 for something of similar standard and not in as good a location, so we decided to risk it. I just need to get some bargain tickets for a few shows now.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Aug 26, 2018 13:58:55 GMT
I've been going to The Light cinema, which only opened in the city centre about a year ago and is wonderful with huge comfy reclining seats and even reasonably priced drinks. (My friend and I take a bottle of wine in with us and it's under a tenner). It is pricy though. £13 each for live theatre and about £7 for standard films (and that's with a senior discount of about £2).
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Post by grannyjx6 on Aug 6, 2018 18:48:22 GMT
I know it gets slagged off on here, and for that reason I've never seen it in London, but I chanced the tour and really enjoyed it. Rory Taylor's interpretation of She Out Of My Life was exquisite, the best I've ever heard to be honest. No plot of course, but I knew that before we went but a very enjoyable, feel good evening for us. All the cast worked their socks off.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Jul 26, 2018 22:12:34 GMT
What is the part of Lois? Is it a big role?
Is she the girlfriend? If so it's quite a big role.
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