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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 25, 2022 20:20:28 GMT
Who did Isaac play in Rent? Can't seem to find it. They were mostly ensemble and Gordon for most of the run. Took over as Angel towards the end (and was very good in that role too).
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 25, 2022 20:17:20 GMT
Excellent muck-up matinee today with everyone of form and having a lot of fun (the show didn't finish until 17:50).
They've added a new preshow element where a cute male usher reads erotic cowboy fiction to the audience (ok, to be fair, that was mainly just for the Lucky Dippers - we did all get found excellent seats too).
Arthur Darvill was on top form. Lots of vocal riffs and jamming with the band for extended versions of songs.
The cast got the normally perfectly composed Patrick Vaill to burst into laughter multiple times.
There were small changes throughout, but most of the joking around took place during The Farmer and the Cowman. Arthur soaking the crowd with "beer" (just missed me). Liza Sadovy (Aunt Eller) getting carried away and kissing many of the male cast, the cast having cooked corn to eat and chew on, there was a lot more.
A really enthusiastic crowd too, with extended clapping and even adding applause to songs that don't normally receive it.
Disappointed I couldn't make the closing show tonight, but I'm sure it will be excellent. Thankfully, I was given a very strong hint that this is due to transfer (fingers crossed).
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 25, 2022 20:06:37 GMT
Anyone know if Simon Gordon has left the show early, or if he he still scheduled to be on tomorrow for his original final date?
Every time I've been recently, (the excellent) Ben has been on as JD.
As an aside, just seen that Tom Scanlon has made his return as an emergency cover for Ram tonight.
Tomorrow will be an interesting test. Heathers at West End Live at 12 noon, then performing at The Other Palace at 1pm.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 24, 2022 22:43:34 GMT
Why would a show that has been constantly on seatfilling, from pretty much the first show, through till the set end of it's run... then extend for another few weeks? Assume solid reviews (3 or 4 stars) and not a full house even with seatfilling. I would agree with what you said. It costs money for a theatre to be empty and there are still bills to pay, so it can actually be more profitable to run a show at a loss than close. Plus, there will be some tickets sold (even if seat filling services are used) and there are merchandise and bar sales. There is also the perception of what an empty theatre means. There are also subsidies for theatres, which can be lost if the theatre is closed.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 24, 2022 15:30:39 GMT
It's a vast oversimplification. Yes, there are theatres which are pushing up the prices for prime seats because they can and because the type of person who will pay £120 without thinking for a ticket is probably also willing to pay £150.
And they can always reduce tickets that don't sell.
But I'm fairly sure I'm paying less for tickets than I was before the pandemic. There are lot of good seats available than aren't at premium prices, there are offers, many shows have excellent rush availability and you don't even have to queue up at theatres for day seats. I will be interested to see what the summer brings and if international tourists start flocking back to the shows that are struggling (not even Hamilton sells out any more and, although they don't discount in the traditional way, dynamic pricing there can sometimes throw up some excellent deals).
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 23, 2022 20:27:01 GMT
Luke Bayer, yay!
And just think, if Heathers is short of people again, I'm sure they can find a way for Hannah Lowther to run upstairs and save the day.
It's a brilliant cast all round. They are all popular and talented. Many of my favourite stars from different previous productions.
I'm not that sold on it being a song cycle, rather than a proper musical though. £32 a ticket for a 75 minute show, with most of this sold as unallocated standing spots, is going to be a hard sell. But maybe this is the cool cast who can make it work.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 23, 2022 10:57:50 GMT
I was there about a fortnight ago, it was 15 degrees and there were locals in shorts and T-Shirts complaining about the heat wave!
I didn't sleep much either with hotels having terrible curtains for somewhere with 24 hour daylight.
Otherwise, it seemed a really nice city, although I couldn't afford to visit for any length of time (this trip was work related).
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 21, 2022 19:49:37 GMT
Is anything performed live or is it all pre-recorded?
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 16, 2022 6:11:14 GMT
In case anyone missed the news, Ben is becoming full time JD from 28 June. That explains the cast change mystery.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 15, 2022 8:29:33 GMT
So, then the highlight from last night. Ram and Kurt had new underwear!
More seriously though, a great show and so good to see a (nearly) full stage. A few minor slips with things, but only people who know the show would notice and everyone did well with the odd mix of people involved.
I'm sure that Jordan Cunningham is contractually obliged to return for every cast change! Or he just needs a break from his day job. Great to finally see his Kurt and he hasn't missed a beat.
Daisy Twells was absolutely charming as Heather McNamara.
Otherwise, this was a three person female ensemble and three person male ensemble. Many of you will be pleased to know that Ben was still there, although I wouldn't be surprised if Joe Boyle takes over soon. Not sure what the reason is behind the staggered starts, apart from perhaps they want to make sure that there are enough experienced cast members on stage.
Jacob Young and Lewis Asquith fit right in too. Lewis is rather tall compared to everyone else.
I wonder which night will be the first one with the full new cast?
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 14, 2022 18:29:30 GMT
Yes, my visit to see the class of summer 2022 is going to be different! Still, I never did to see Jordan as Kurt, so glad to finally do so!
Lewis and Jacob are joining the ensemble according to the entrance poster. Will have to see who appears on stage!
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 14, 2022 13:36:26 GMT
I like Joe Boyle, but does that mean Ben Karran has quietly left too. Looks like it won't be a full cast night tonight. Daisy Twells is on as Heather McNamara.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 14, 2022 12:11:39 GMT
Still no cast…. I just think it’s unfair to the cast getting announced the day they debut I'd hazard a guess that the people who filled in at short notice last week might already have been in rehearsals. But yes, I do wonder why cast change is kept so secret (and why Liam leaving wasn't announced in advance - or, if it was, I completely missed it).
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 12, 2022 21:45:47 GMT
Not trying to be a killjoy but I often wonder what general punters who’ve just gone to see the show for the first time make of all the messing around? I’m sure the cast are having a whale of a time but folks have parted with hard earned cash for this I do agree, but most of the muck-ups are subtle enough they don't change anything (and some you'd only notice if sat at the front). Plus, I'm not that convinced there are many first time attendees left. Although I did accidentally open the door into the gents onto a boy of about five who was stood inside (nothing I had any way of knowing when I opened the door, although thankfully he wasn't hurt). I can't imagine he or his father were repeat attendees. One thing I forgot to mention in my review is they must have been short staffed in the sound department again. Lots of microphones turned on a second or two late, some of them turned off half way through a line, plus music so loud at points that none of the vocals could be made out. I know it wasn't my choice of seat, as I've sat there before. That's more of a problem to people who don't know the show than the traditional cast change afternoon japes.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 12, 2022 20:27:57 GMT
Smile - Mountview
Enjoyed this yesterday. It wasn't a musical about Charlie Chaplin, but rather a critique about the ethics of beauty pageants.
Not a show I know much about, but as is custom at Mountview it was staged wonderfully and sounded perfect with some great harmonies. The songs were decent too. And there's a hidden punch to the plot in the current time we live in.
A good choice for an MA level cast as well, with only two male identifying cast members. This did mean that a lot of the minor male characters were played by the rest of the cast. Interesting to look at the student CVs, as well. A very different set of profiles to a typical undergraduate cast.
Little Women is on in about a fortnight, which I believe is the other half of the MA Musical Theatre year group.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 12, 2022 20:12:08 GMT
Fantastic matinee today. It was really the Hannah Lowther show. Really going for it with the costume changes, she got some lines that don't normally come to her, a drawn on moustache as a police officer, plus even did a distraction cartwheel in front of the dress change scene. She got to dance upstairs during the finale and then pulled to the front for the bows.
They were ribbing Teleri a bit, leaving her chanting "Martha" alone during the house party and dancing alone as a cheerleader.
Steve didn't show up in the audience, but luckily Phil was there and took the audience involvement with good grace. I presume he was connected with the show in some way, but couldn't immediately place him.
Lots of giggles all around during the act one finale and the funeral. Liam took a long time to die, managing to crawl across the stage to end up on top of Rory in a rather compromising position. Although, I'm not sure they were all that dead, with all the giggling.
I finally got to see May Tether on as Veronica. She was very good, sang beautifully, acted more in the tour style to Ailsa but it worked well. Coped well with the occasional mayhem around her. They only had three people in the female ensemble, plus Benjamin Karran as the token person in the male ensemble.
So, it's goodbye to Hannah and Teleri, both of whom got great applause. I hadn't realised, but looks like it was also the final show for Andy Brady and Liam Doyle. Liam departing is a surprise. Of course, this is Heathers, so it is never goodbye! Sad to see them all go, some real talent there.
Any guesses as to who will be on next week?
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 10, 2022 0:40:36 GMT
Love the music. Immersive sounds terrifying. Are we mingling with the band?
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 5, 2022 21:08:56 GMT
It is a widely known part of the show. If I had a problem with audience interaction I wouldn’t book a seat in the first three rows or wear noticeable clothing, especially if it was really a problem for me. I’d balance the probability of it happening to me vs how much I wanted to see the show. I’d choose resilience over fear. But that’s just me. About 10 rows back in this case. I'd say you have no chance of being chosen if you're sat in the first three rows (you're close enough to touch the actors). But no, I really don't think that people in their late 70s spend a lot of time looking through social media and forums to see if there might be audience interaction. If we're talking on this forum, we know more than most people attending the show.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 5, 2022 15:59:54 GMT
I'm also unlikely to ever be chosen as Steve (especially as I'm nearly always sat on the front row), but yes I would take this in the spirit in which it's meant.
Now, my opinion here is that singling out someone clearly in their late 70s, sat much further back than usual, about the only person in the building wearing a mask, then making fun of them for being bald, without any attempt to be friendly and good natured as Vicki Lee Taylor does, goes beyond the boundaries. Now, I do appreciate that Georgina Hagen may not have personally picked the victim.
While I'm getting things off my chest, the other part of the show that always makes me uncomfortable is people bursting into laughter when one of the characters has to use a mobility scooter (bearing in mind there are often wheelchair users in the theatre). Thankfully the current cast have reigned that in a bit.
Anyway, glad to see they've managed to get Christopher Parkinson in this evening, so the show is going ahead. Benjamin Karran is on as JD as well, so I feel quite envious of anyone who is there!
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 5, 2022 12:52:48 GMT
The Sunday 1pm matinee has been rather cursed recently.
I did see the Wednesday matinee this week, with a fairly random cast (and a particularly mean spirited cover for Ms Fleming - I felt rather sorry for the elderly masked gentleman who forced to his feet, visibly shaking, then verbally bullied - and hope the venue refunded his ticket and issued an apology at the least).
Funnily enough, they had a sign up with most of the covers, even announcing that Jordan Cunningham had returned to the ensemble, but neglected to mention that Hannah Lowther was on as Heather Chandler. Bayley made an excellent Martha.
It's rather funny that they still haven't updated the cast on the website. It's a wonder anyone who doesn't know the show well can work out who they're seeing.
A shame Teleri is leaving. She's an excellent Heather McNamara. Are we down to just Ailsa and Vicki who have been with this run of the show since the start?
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 5, 2022 7:07:19 GMT
Saw this yesterday. It's 100 minutes without an interval, which I think is sensible as I suspect the theatre would just not have been all that full if there was a second half.
To me, this was rather dry and difficult, not helped by a minimalistic approach to staging and a largely modern set and costumes. The acting alone is not enough to draw you in. The show does have its moments, but it takes a long time to get there.
This is always a top quality theatre and very welcoming. A nice bar area with a roof terrace, which people in the know come in just to use (and to avoid the much busier bars and cafes of Hammersmith). I was also able to get an empty seat either side of me in the theatre, which is always pleasant. But one to watch when you're in the mood for a (relatively short) tragedy.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 4, 2022 7:34:28 GMT
I did lucky dip as well as couple of weeks ago. First in the queue and got given a printed ticket at about 7:25pm, which was the second (back) row at the band side, but not restricted. An excellent view. First time as well where I've ever received a ticket rather than having to wait until just before the show started. Presumably not sold out that night, or a house seat they'd held back.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 3, 2022 18:06:42 GMT
Well, no, I can't imagine there were many people from his Sedgefield constituency in the audience. Do I want to see a musical about UK politics? Probably not though inevitable there will be one about Boris at some point. I certainly don't want to see any about the pandemic either. Haha, I knew as soon as I’d posted that someone would comment about that. The original line was about voting Labour (or New Labour). Politics is perfect material for comedy (or a mega hit musical which is almost exclusively about politics, war and the founding fathers). This is very Spitting Image in style, with zany Harry Hill. But yes, there’s no shortage of funny material available for Boris and I’m sure we’ll be mining that for years to come!
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 3, 2022 6:59:44 GMT
Just keep telling yourself that... I'm not giving my personal view here, just the impression you get from the portrayal. It was interesting that no one in the audience would admit to having voted for Tony Blair when asked. I'm curious. Is this an actual 'rock opera' - i.e. through sung? It is just a traditional musical. Acted scenes and songs. I wouldn't even say the songs were particularly operatic. A two piece band on an upper level. The cast don't have microphones, so most project well, but I don't know how clear the sound will be on the upper level (which I wouldn't recommend having sat there in the past, as the viewing angle is difficult).
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 2, 2022 18:29:39 GMT
Second half was good too, much more focused on international matters. Thought they did a great job with the characterisations of Tony, Gordon and Cherie. Not all the jokes hit, but plenty of people taking notes. I had Harry Hill sat neatly behind me and could hear him commenting on parts that worked and didn’t work. The strength is in the book rather than the songs, but some are good, especially the closing number.
This was fairly full and seems to be selling well. Avoid the extreme side seats though as they stage to the front. I might go back after previews.
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