186 posts
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Post by argon on Jan 30, 2018 7:21:41 GMT
Each actors self narration of their own character was a distraction, possibly the actor that played Elegba would have been better to be the narrator since he featured least in the play.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jan 29, 2018 19:51:35 GMT
The only thing that stopped this production from tanking for me was the performance of Manville & Keenan. Irons depiction of James Sr. just didn't work for me & Beard was the weakest link.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jan 29, 2018 19:45:14 GMT
There is a small army of stewards ready to pounce if they so much as think someone is bending their knees😀😀 I know they are volunteers but they can be overzealous at times.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jan 23, 2018 18:10:01 GMT
Less enthused by Sophie Evans (I just think she's too young) but open to being pleasantly surprised! I got it completely wrong, I thought see was much older on my viewing a few weeks ago but later found out she was younger.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Dec 24, 2017 14:59:08 GMT
Does anybody know why the puppets didn't have articulating mouths ( high artistic skill required?).
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Dec 24, 2017 10:40:06 GMT
I think this had a strong case for Pinocchio to be actually played by a boy/teen. I just couldn't warm up to the fact that an adult was pretending to be a boy. The ensemble playing children seemed relatively fine but Joe Idris-Roberts depiction of a boy just appeared odd.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Dec 8, 2017 20:55:18 GMT
Parsley said the singing was bad? I thought it was just superb! Utter nonsense.... [/quote]
It wasn't bad it just wasn't good. All 3 female leads struggled with the score @ times. Occasionally shouting which is not ainging
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Dec 7, 2017 10:35:16 GMT
And with regards to the seat map issue on the Ticketmaster website it looks like it shows up when using Internet Explorer on a PC, or Safari or Firefox on a Mac, but not Chrome on either. Works fine with my chrome Browser V62.03202.94 but it is 64 bit is that the reason
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Dec 4, 2017 16:09:06 GMT
Many of the reviews compared this to the film ( unjust IMO ). I found the music engaging and the production values high. The use of a countertenor was slightly strange, I would have preferred a Tenor to add more malevolence to the voice. But I came away feeling this was harshly reviewed by most of the critics. I would happily see this again if revived.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Nov 11, 2017 22:22:52 GMT
Lora Lora Laughs & the music was decent and bubbled along nicely, cracking performance by Kara Lily Hayworth. The production seemed more polished for a touring one (spending a little bit more can make all the difference). After seeing Flashdance last month at the NWT watching Cilla felt like I was watching this in a West End Theatre. Kudos to the production team.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Nov 3, 2017 0:29:46 GMT
Slater & Townsend impressives performance the rest just didn't manage to reach their level.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Oct 16, 2017 22:59:37 GMT
Probably the person in the prompt box was on a tea break thus delaying her entrance.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Oct 14, 2017 6:57:22 GMT
I liked it. Very Chekhov: A was thinking along the same lines but had in my head Turgenev's - A month in the country. I thought the son's girlfriend story line was stretching it considering the time they had been together. However, Victoria Hamilton was excellent and provided much amusement. Probably, some of the peripheral characters were over developed making it seemed less focused at times.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Sept 24, 2017 16:49:22 GMT
Simone Mihai was affecting as Mimi, and she really looked the part, but the voice was too vibrato-heavy. Common problem with singers today never ending vibrato. Can it be put down to a change in style or ill-advised teaching. Tonyloc seeing Jussi Björling & just before his untimely death- such admiration, why can't we have singers like that now. Jussi Björling & Robert Merrill singing "Solenne in quest' ora" should be savoured.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Sept 13, 2017 12:59:12 GMT
They need to rein back the profanity a bit otherwise enjoyable
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Sept 12, 2017 6:58:12 GMT
The season kicked off with a new production of La Boheme, I heard no booing at the end so I guess it was well received. Act 2 Quartier Latin/The Momus cafe scenes I particularly liked ( like walking down Burlington Arcade).
Mariusz Kwiecień impressed, Nicole Car sounds less Italianate for an ideal Mimi but generally the singing was fine.
Some strange directorial decisions however, Colline's coat aria being sung behind a roof rafter, his face was completely obscured from my position in the Amphi
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Sept 10, 2017 12:10:25 GMT
Favourite recordings: Tosca (di Stefano/Gobbi/deSabata) The gold standard for Tosca
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Sept 5, 2017 23:47:41 GMT
A drawn-out version of occupational hazards that played at the Hampstead theatre, same theme I.e negotiating to resolve a very difficult situation. However, this one had more levity which partially helped but still dragged along. For those needing trains afterwards this 1st preview finished at 10.43
Just a so-so play I felt
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186 posts
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Bregenz
Aug 30, 2017 12:47:00 GMT
via mobile
Post by argon on Aug 30, 2017 12:47:00 GMT
I have been and actually saw The Magic Flute @ Bregenz. It proved to be better than I anticipated. The singers were strong across the board, probably helped by using mics to even out those that may be under powered. The acoustics were high quality ( why can't musical theatre productions in London invest in high fidelity ?)
This production attracted a fair number of well behaved children with their parents. One thing a do distinctly remember, despite the day time temperature being in the high 20's, once the sun goes down, Lake Constance picks up a bitterly cold breeze. Which explained why so many of the audience were in position of bags containing blankets, fleeces and wind breaker coats.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Aug 20, 2017 21:57:53 GMT
Likewise I also was in the circle. I thought she may have fainted, but whatever it was she needed an Ambulance.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Aug 20, 2017 20:48:31 GMT
Baroque operas seem to rule the roost where it comes to concert staging, the majority of Handel operas I've seen have been in this format.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Aug 20, 2017 20:18:28 GMT
I found this quite dreary. The forced intermission gave some of the audience the opportunity to depart. However, I persevered & by the end regretted it. Its a shame i haven't been disappointed at the Donmar for a while.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jul 23, 2017 8:33:53 GMT
Some truly outstanding vocal performances but the book just didn't come close in fact it felt like you were watching two productions a tribute concert to Bob Dylan and a play by Conor McPherson, I preferred the former.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jul 23, 2017 8:26:08 GMT
Yes great for the bells & whistles in this production but SRB performance although extremely good was slightly Learish.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jul 15, 2017 20:06:13 GMT
Robert Fairchild is playing Will Parker in this Great a balletic okey
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jul 3, 2017 16:55:14 GMT
The alternate Ben Purkiss is meant to do Mon nights and Sat matinees. The understudy Ruben Van Keer has done the last few few Thurs matinees, although apparently not this week. Thanks danb
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jul 3, 2017 16:19:50 GMT
I noticed yesterday Agresta"s nightgown was full length this time thus circumventing any unfortunate exposures. Kaufman in PJs they should have gone for the Paddington bear type.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jul 3, 2017 16:12:41 GMT
When is the strat understudy on ie matinees only or some evenings
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jun 23, 2017 18:46:59 GMT
Agresta just didn't do it in the Willow Song. Weak link of the 3 .Pappano and the orchestra were simply sublime.
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186 posts
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Post by argon on Jun 15, 2017 15:44:02 GMT
The constant scene changes to reflect progression of time started to rankle me (like watching a good film being constantly interrupted by adverts) larger time jumps & more development around the time in question maybe would have helped. I liked the concept.
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