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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 14, 2024 22:00:30 GMT
I had a near miss with Julian Lloyd Webber on the stairs at the NHS Concert earlier in the week. There again, it’s not the first time I’ve had a near miss with Julian (catch me at the right time and I’ll tell you about the Tesco wine incident) and it probably won’t be the last.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 14, 2024 18:18:01 GMT
A tricky one really. I like the idea behind the play (couples have a smart speaker which listens to everything going on, reads their vocal tones, replays their discussions for them to analyse, predicts the future for them and provides relationship advice etc), but the implementation is very disjointed. Sometimes the speaker interjects to stop arguments. Sometimes it pretends it's not there and allows the debate to continue (the conflict is needed for theatrical reasons, but makes no logical sense).
It feels like this should be a play about two young couples, but a third one was added but only loosely connected to extend the running time and provide some star power. As such, this currently runs one hour 45 minutes without an interval, but would be much more comfortable at 85 to 90 minutes.
There is social commentary here on the rapid adoption of AI, but you have to suspend disbelief a lot. The problem is, the product listed just couldn't be sold. There are a lot of safeguards in place within the UK surrounding AI. It's also not scientifically possible that it could work as listed, even with all the technological advances we're seeing. I do talk about this subject regularly as part of my main job and AI is not a form of magic.
A few people in the audience clearly found this very funny, although some of them were associated with the show. I did find this interesting and watchable, but I wouldn't consider it a comedy. The cast is good, and I think the way they scripted Jake Mavis to keep having to take his shirt off will be appreciated by many.
Hats off to Aaron Thakar for a promising debut play, and also for playing the most believable character (an out-of-work actor). There are plenty of ticket deals about for this and there's enough to appreciate to make this worth the trip to Hammersmith, but if you do want to see this, see it now. I wouldn't anticipate a transfer without some rework.
Seating is unallocated, so do get in the queue early if you have a preferred place to sit (tiered seating in Studio 3).
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 14, 2024 0:21:49 GMT
I’m easily amused tonight. The Melancholy Chocolate Bar suno.com/song/5da8ab8b-fc84-4602-8bfe-3655eea90fd8“Write a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical theatre style song about an upset chocolate bar” Lyrics [Verse] Once upon a candy shelf In a chocolate land so sweet There lived a chocolate bar that no one could ever beat But deep inside this bar of joy A bitter taste did reside For it longed to be chosen But the shelves It had to bide (oh-yeah) [Verse] The other treats would come and go Whisked away on a ride But the chocolate bar stayed behind Feeling lost and left aside Its caramel dreams were melting away As it cried out in despair "Pick me Pick me!" it pleaded But no one seemed to care (oh-no-no) [Chorus] Oh Upset chocolate bar Don't you lose hope (no-no) Your day to shine will come Just wait and see In this theatre of sweets You'll be the star Turn that frown upside down Little chocolate bar (woo!) The challenge is to craft everything into a coherent musical with a plot, progression, harmonies, real actors and musicians etc. A lot of it is possible, but not with a single tool, and you need human refinement and ingenuity. We will see a few novelty musicals like that produced, but funding and support will soon dry up. AI generated plays are easier and there have been a few already, but they’re more there as a talking point than as any serious illustration of quality. Everyone still wants to put their own stamp on things.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 23:54:58 GMT
I saw this at Charing Cross many years ago, then again at the Arts Theatre when they were doing late night performances. Quite a fun show if I remember. Just seen this new version has both Cleve September and Luke Bayer in, so I’m sure I’ll make a visit sometime soon.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 22:33:50 GMT
Thanks, found a front row seat going spare for £20, so have booked that. There are a lot of decent single seats about. It just takes a bit of clicking through dates.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 22:21:55 GMT
17:00 and 20:30 shows on a Friday. That's a very tight schedule. Sensible though, as I'm sure fans will stay for both performances. Then two shows on a Saturday. Surprised they aren't running on a Sunday though.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 21:50:46 GMT
I saw this in Dartford recently with Sarah Jane Buckley as Mrs Johnstone. She was excellent. I was in the front row and the lovely lady next to me was clearly very happy she was getting a SJB show.
I hadn't realised, but the Orchard Theatre in Dartford is still closed and they have a temporary theatre a few minutes walk down the road. It may well be the old Troubadour White City theatre. If not, it is very similar in layout. A long flat floor of seats, then a tiered section at the back. I'm very glad I was sat at the front as this isn't a theatre designed for sight lines.
Not too much else to say about the show as this hasn't changed all that much in recent years. I hadn't realised that Danny Knott had joined, so spotting him was a bonus. There has to be some suspension of disbelief with the ages of some of the cast, but no one looked bored. I hadn't expected so many guns to be fired at the end (I'm sure there was only one policeman last time I saw this).
Still, this is doing good business. I'm in Leicester for work in a couple of weeks and I looked to see what shows I could see. Blood Brothers is on at the Curve, but already sold out. It's a pity that it can't play in central London as it would do far better as a filler show than many of the other options.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 21:41:34 GMT
Has anyone seen the new cast yet? I'm booked for Bromley on Monday.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 21:39:14 GMT
Late to the party with this one, I did go to the matinee on Thursday, using one of my PAYG tickets. They're no longer valid on the top ticket price, but I managed to get a second row ticket in a side block. There's a railing where it looks like there should be an aisle on the seating plan, but I was able to move across one seat for a clear view.
First time in the Elephant and it's a nice venue. Excellent sound quality, although some of the lyrics are impossible to make out over the band.
I believe we had four of the main leads, plus one cover, but that's only from looking at photos as there were no announcements.
It did take me a while to warm to this, but it came with several recommendations (outside TheatreBoard) and I can see why people like this. Very glad I wasn't sitting in the interaction seat. From what I can see, one guy had very much set up his partner, made even more amusing afterwards when I heard that the (non-participant) was a choreographer. I'm sure I've seen both men at shows before.
There are lots of parts of the show that look improvised, but I'd have to see this again to see how many of them happen at every performance. The microphones did always happen to be switched on at the right times.
This likely appeals to the same type of people who find Operation Mincemeat hilarious. There were several of those sat around me. It is all done very well. I don't feel the need to rush back before this closes, but I'd see it again in a future incarnation.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 21:28:17 GMT
I missed the previous runs of this, but saw Albert Magashi listed in the new cast, so that was reason alone to book. It's very good that this has picked up an audience as I remember deals being regularly available before it found a West End home. I saw this Thursday evening. It was so nice to see a full audience, the most diverse audience I've seen in the West End for a while, and I must say the politest as I've never known so many people say thank you as they took their seat.
I got an excellent rush ticket on Thursday evening, a few rows back in the Stalls. The show started about 15 minutes late. One woman did leave before the show started and then there was a bit of a challenge to retrieve belongings from her seat. Frankly. the pre-show music volume was overpowering, but I have no idea if the leaving was related to this.
This is a very good play, with the cast playing a range of different characters almost documentary style with a minimal set, with some interaction between the actors. There are some funny moments, but ultimately there's a very serious message. There were people staying for quiet reflection afterwards. I wasn't as moved as many, which surprised me as so many of the themes resonate. A black friend of mine lost his battle with mental health during the pandemic at the age of just 31, so I have some experience of the struggles that people go through. This is an important play, very much of its time, and it deserves all of the attention.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 21:12:32 GMT
For anyone curious, the OJ line got almost as much cheering and applause as the Nigel Farage line. A full and instant standing ovation at the end as well, which I haven't seen at BoM for a while.
I also saw Sam Tutty afterwards walking a little dog, along with a female friend. Impossible to say which of them was the cutest!
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 21:09:17 GMT
The ArtsEd version of this was one of the last things I saw before the theatrical pause of 2020. The performances were good and a lot of the cast have gone on to greater things, but the show itself did nothing for me. Still, I can tell there's a fanbase and perhaps there was a hidden depth I missed.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 12, 2024 15:12:20 GMT
Did start about 15:10 (perfect sound). The show is having a religious effect on people near me. The woman behind keeps saying “Oh God”. The woman to the side is now doing the same, but with the odd “On Jesus” thrown in for good measure.
Super cast with most of the swings on, and an equally enthusiastic audience.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 12, 2024 14:01:26 GMT
30 minutes in and the Associate Director has been on the stage to say there are sound issues, but they are working on it. His microphone worked. Mass exodus to the bar now. Still, more information than last time I was here with a show stop, which is appreciated.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 12, 2024 13:45:19 GMT
Start of the matinee today delayed by a technical issue.
And there I was looking at the cast board and the unthinkable has happened. After 20 or so times in a row seeing Richard Lloyd-King as Mafala Hatimbi, Kirk Patterson is advertised as being on.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 12, 2024 12:01:21 GMT
I really don't understand why people object to a show touring that clearly has a fanbase, is profitable, keeps people employed, and is quite fun.
No one objects to Six (for example) clogging up a theatre, even though its rare that anyone posts in that thread. Nothing against Six.
I've also seen the Heathers' regulars move onto other shows. There were plenty of people I recognised at Jamie. So (putting my honorary teenage girl like status aside), I'd even view this as a theatre gateway.
I, personally, am looking forward to seeing Heathers again.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 11, 2024 16:38:40 GMT
I wonder if they’ll edit the OJ reference tonight?
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2024 22:55:16 GMT
Thanks, already had my eye on this and I know how talented Zheng Xi Yong is from Assassins. Booked for the matinee.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2024 21:33:47 GMT
First half, overpowering. Lots of loud music and bangs. Three totally unnecessary gunshots at the end. The BDSM scene gives a bit of welcome relief.
Second half, far subtler and more measured. Not everyone in the audience came back, but they missed the better performances.
Finished just after 22:15. Fairly full theatre, but some gaps.
I only booked as a spur of the moment decision this afternoon. Lots of decent seat options with dynamic pricing, but then I found they had Day Tickets, so got front row Dress Circle for £30. Perfect view. There are a lot of very dark scenes though, so can be hard to make out details and tell who’s talking. I hate to think what the upper levels are like. Sound mostly good, but diction quality is a bit mixed.
Glad I saw this, but can’t call it a must see.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 6, 2024 21:18:00 GMT
Am I right in thinking this is a concert of songs with 3 female performers (of different ‘generations’)? There is no book to this, is there? I wonder if there will be any ‘names’ in this? I remember seeing this at the Other Palace a few years ago, although the review will be lost to time in a previous forum. My recollection is that there is a book (basically the scripted segments between songs) and the songs are performed by the three members of the cast (in different combinations), so it is more than just singing the songs, but not a fully fledged musical.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 6, 2024 21:00:26 GMT
Into the Woods is the summer production at the Royal Academy of Music. Its in the Suzie Sainsbury theatre. I saw last years Carousel and it was fantastic. RAM are producing both Into The Woods and Spring Awakening. Both should be excellent, but there's already discussion on the previous page. RADA have Urinetown from 30 May to 8 June if anyone hasn't spotted it. That's a long run for a student production.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 29, 2024 18:44:21 GMT
Finally saw this yesterday at the matinee. Loved it. I felt like a special guest at the over 70s performance. It was so nice to be part of an audience who took the No Selfies announcement seriously, and didn’t sing along (even at the end). They were even good enough to throw the beach balls straight back into the orchestra pit so we didn’t have to deal with them, I did think it was a bit mean to have a confetti cannon fired at the people having a relaxing nap.
Arguably a stronger book than Mamma Mia. The songs are all hits. A large cast for a touring show and a full set. This must surely be destined for a West End run.
We had four covers on for lead roles, all announced verbally at the start (and there were posters up by the end). Everything we’d expect. All good in their roles too. My only complaint is Melissa Jacques is very underused.
Go see this!
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 28, 2024 22:13:19 GMT
It’s not hugely offensive, but I can’t imagine that most 12 year olds would connect with the themes (essentially social politics).
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 28, 2024 14:18:36 GMT
I saw this on Tuesday evening (after getting through a massive queue). An excellent value lottery ticket, right at the end of row F Dress Circle (no aisle next to you, but a bit of space). Perfect clear view, even though I do prefer to be further forward.
A well behaved audience too. The only issue I spotted was the usher sprinting through a row and to the front of the Dress, then having a long chat with someone, I couldn’t tell what the reason was.
I’m fairly indifferent to MJ music, but the songs I certainly know. The dancing is spectacular. The book is terrible, although a chap behind me commented “I can’t believe how deep this is”. I don’t feel the need to see this again, but I could be tempted by a keenly priced seat at the front.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 28, 2024 13:51:39 GMT
Excellent play. I saw the matinee yesterday from the second row, which is the perfect place to sit as you’re slightly above the protective railings, but also less likely to have a ball kicked in your face than the front row.
The three leads hold your attention and the 90 minute run time is just right. You do have to suspend disbelief a bit to pretend they are 15/16.
Thursday matinee must be the school performance, so I did get rather trapped in the masses (mostly taking GCSE Drama based on their names hoodies). I did wonder if the performance was edited for content based on the totally polite language throughout, but there is a little swearing at the end. Thankfully the teenagers around me proved they knew enough swear words to add the missing atmosphere (the pupils were all pretty well behaved, just some giggling chatty girls and the odd bit of heckling, but please schools, don’t print the tickets on A4 paper for the pupils to rattle throughout).
I got my ticket through rush. The performance wasn’t too full unfortunately, with the top level closed, and the middle level half full. But this is a play which is designed for an intimate audience. Recommended.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 24, 2024 15:50:50 GMT
This is perfectly watchable.
I saw the film close to 30 years ago, and have never seen this on stage, so I don’t remember the plot very well, but as there isn’t much of a plot, that doesn’t matter too much.
I would say it’s a highlights type show, with a “looking back” feel wrapped around it, adding modern jokes (although consistent with the show, as all are broad and cheesy).
Large floor area so you don’t feel trapped like at Guys and Dolls. Seating feels very different for anyone who paid extra.
The audience is basically some people dressed up, some drunk women, a group standing by the bar and chatting loudly presumably attracted by the cheap drink.. Mostly respectful, apart from the people who don’t look before stepping backwards (often wearing backpacks as it costs too much to check them in).
The breaks are too long (and not needed to sell alcohol, the bar never closes). It’s a short show, 2 hours 10 minutes (despite being advertised as much longer). The ending does just fizzle out before a DJ takes over. There’s a sweet touch where they use an audience member in place of an actor. Reece Kerridge steals the show.
I did enjoy this, but very glad I went for a matinee. Can’t imagine what the evening performances will be like!
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 23, 2024 17:43:57 GMT
They did work out that they knew John from Love Island eventually.
More seriously, some people at the other side did know he was.
I likely heard more than I should have done, but yes, I did get the impression he wouldn’t have liked all the attention Layton was getting.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 23, 2024 15:58:07 GMT
The people around me are starstruck at Layton Williams being in the row behind me at Jamie. I don’t think they’ve recognised John McCrea.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 22, 2024 23:08:40 GMT
Just booked with the £20 offer. I didn’t see the previous version but love Morgan Philips. Max Mulrenan is fantastic too so glad he’s getting this opportunity.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 22:51:11 GMT
Anyone been to see the Rose Bruford shows at the Greenwich Theatre? I'm off to see The Grinning Man tomorrow. Saw the original London run quite a few times so I'm intrigued to see what this production will be like No, because I didn’t spot this on time, but please report back.
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