571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 11, 2017 9:03:24 GMT
Note to all - always just book concession seats. No one ever has time to check! I've done that for years now. People are too busy!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 7, 2017 23:01:27 GMT
Can't wait ..... seems Drew is the man of the moment. I can see why. Everything he touches turns to gold!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 7, 2017 21:34:23 GMT
I've seen the show wifh an interval and without. It's better with.
Plus knowing the majority of people who go the theatre - they need a toilet break! Not to mention a drink mid way so they can enjoy the evening.
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 7, 2017 16:46:15 GMT
Saw this last week and stand with those who left slightly underwhelmed. Yes, I felt the greatness of the show itself, I awed Imelda and adored both Janie Dee and her younger Strallen version, I even shed a couple of tears listening to Josephine Barstow's One Last Kiss... But still I was not emotionally involved with Sallie's story, and I blame Alex young for that. I am really sorry to say that and I know that a lot of people like her but for me she was miscast. She walked so ungracefully with no stature, seemed very heavy and couldn't take a decent pose and she looked so unlike Follies girl for me that I couldn't even imagine her being a dancer or being attractive in Ben's eyes. Especially as there was young gracious Phyllis around, and she was just as perfect as I thought the character should be. Oh, and I haven't noticed any exceptional magic and momentum that couldn't have been broken by inserting the interval. There is almost no pace for the first half of the show so why not add it? To sum it up, I appreciate the greatness of the show and I am happy I had a chance to see it but this is not something I would recommend to to others or will talk much about (except for "omg I had an evening with Imelda on stage and she made me loose my mind about her - again). Nastia. I completely agree with you. Alex is an amazing performer and I agree she is miscast in this. I realised actually that for a while I didn't think she was even young Sally! You're right! This is one example of many reasons why the show doesn't gel for me.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 7, 2017 8:07:05 GMT
Beetlejuice
Death Becomes Her
Pretty Woman
Devil Wears Pravda
Beaches
Luckily the last three are happening in some form or other.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 7, 2017 8:01:58 GMT
Much as I wholly disagree with these reviews, what does it matter? The show is sold out and will not transfer. Quentin Letts really is a poor reviewer though - to call the faded opera singer a "hoofer" is rather pathetic and Billington's day is clearly over. I had to snigger at his comment about Imelda's voice dissolving at the end of Losing My Mind - it's because she can't sing it!!!! I have been rather pleased to see some posters here agreeing with my previous comments though which I had thought would be very unpopular. We agree with you!! I know many who do!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 6, 2017 18:47:49 GMT
Well I don't know about you but I thought the timing was everywhere!!! GRRRRR..... plonk plonk plink.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 6, 2017 6:19:35 GMT
I've said it before and I'll say it again the prices are a disgrace..... sure they do sweet show but it's ultimately a downstairs grubby fringe theatre still. Works out cheaper to see a transfer!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 5, 2017 23:28:52 GMT
I am sure Belle will go into the UK Tour and German cast next year. I heard flickers of this from one of the producers last year. Exciting news!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 5, 2017 22:53:12 GMT
What's happened to the rumours of dates at Wimbledon Theatre in 2018? Just rumours? I've booked for April 11 next year!
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571 posts
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Follies
Sept 5, 2017 22:40:51 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 5, 2017 22:40:51 GMT
I have to admit I thought some were miming too. I'm so glad some one else mentioned it! I didn't think the voice was coming from the source. Maybe that's a sound issue. Odd though!
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 5, 2017 22:14:58 GMT
Saw this tonight at the Mernier. First of I'll start with the positives. The child playing Adrian Mole is excellent and never off the stage in over 2 hours. The girl playing Pandora too - super talented so hats off to those talented young people. Barry James is worth the ticket alone. What fun. He is simply superb as the old man. The show also had some super one liners, witty lyrics and yes, I also loved the set with Mr Pop, Orvil the duck and many other games, posters and magazines that are full of 80's nostalgia. It's a sweet show and has a nice book/story and I enjoyed parts of it.
Now to the bad. The music is generally terrible. With a different composer (not lyrics) this show might have been a hit. I also never really understood who this show was aimed at - children or adults because it doesn't really fit with either. Some dodgy Leicester accents on stage, some bad casting (understudies were on I think), some of the book/songs need cutting (the nativity and other parts) and too many actors playing multiple roles (hire more). Ultimately as a show it's a real three star of a musical. It didn't set me alight like so many others do. The boy playing Nigel tonight was also the most OTT gurning performer I have ever seen grace the London stage.
Even in the serious parts regarding relationships, it was a mixture of cringing and laughing - are you laughing at them, with them or for them? Over all I give it 6/10. I think there is a good show in there somewhere but they haven't found it yet and I doubt it will transfer.
The Mernier also need to lower their prices. It's now too expensive for a fringe theatre. It shouldn't be about selling tickets to only a middle class audience of 30-60 year olds.
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571 posts
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Follies
Sept 5, 2017 11:39:36 GMT
via mobile
Post by westendwendy on Sept 5, 2017 11:39:36 GMT
Actually with the constant annoyingly clockwise revolving set the audience far stage right (house left) do miss some of the action. I also thought this and yes, the set does get in the way.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 4, 2017 14:48:43 GMT
The thug with Cynthia is she has a mega foghorn for a voice but she isn't the best actor. She has a formula, same arrow pointing, not but subtext and although she is a great vocal talent - she lacks in acting. She is best at belting... interesting to see what her next steps are. Horrible to hear if she is a diva
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 4, 2017 14:45:21 GMT
CANCELLED!!!!!
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 4, 2017 14:43:04 GMT
The reports I've had are that the cheapest seats are some of the best. The cheapest section at the back is raked, whereas the ringside ones are not - so the second row has trouble looking past the first. The cheapest side seats have a decent view - the pillars are mostly thin, so you don't miss a lot. Should be OK, I'm hearing. This isn't true I'm afraid. I had two poles blocking my view (I was also in side seats) I seriously missed 80 percent. Other cheap seats if lucky will have no poles in view of course.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 3, 2017 10:17:07 GMT
Went the other night. Show was sweet with great performances. The main issue we had was the pros design with so many poles in the way I missed 80 percent of the show. The ring layout was used but then most of the show is played to the inside crowd - most of the audience is sat at the sides and the back. I really think those speigletents really only work with the action played in the middle on a raised podium. The seating plan didn't work well and it was directed badly without that in mind which is a shame.
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571 posts
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Follies
Sept 3, 2017 9:07:27 GMT
via mobile
Post by westendwendy on Sept 3, 2017 9:07:27 GMT
Saw this last night and came away so very disappointed and have spent the day trying to formulate an appropriate reaction. Overall it is undercast, poorly sung, badly directed, staged and lit. There is little cohesion between scene and song - it desperately needs a show doctor. Oddly for this show, the men emerge and register much more strongly than the women - both are more than fine. Imelda has no soprano range and "fakes" the rest; Janie cracked on every top note and Tracie needs to stop channeling Garland. The latter is never believable as a movie star and can never lose her innate low class personality. Was Dawn Hope really miming during "Who's That Woman?" and did Sally and Phyllis really bring their tap shoes to the party? Why were we allowed to see them change into these before the number? Why was young Phyllis so much part of "Lucy & Jessie"? Thank God for the Strallen though as she saved the number but it is wrong. Why did the "Beautiful Girls" come down a fire escape? What happened to the party guests? They disappear after their respective "turns". I could never once believe Ben's feelings for Sally both then and now. No interval is good but portions of the show feel rushed (Ben's breakdown for example). I think Imelda faces over exposure now; she has been found out at last. She is a Very Good Actress but starting to repeat herself and vocally lacking in tone. As ever here I will be in the minority but have had to put my honest thoughts out there. I agree with ALL OF THIS!!! So so true....
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571 posts
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Follies
Sept 1, 2017 17:59:30 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 1, 2017 17:59:30 GMT
Saw this last night. I was very dissapointed - the singing was generally not the best some parts miscast, too long, needs an interval and I admit I was bored in many parts. 7/10 from me. I soooo wanted to love it! (( the Albert Hall production was much better! I'd really hate to see a 2 on your scale! Or did you mean 7/100? 2/10 Viva Forever 10/10 Carrie or Dogfight 9/10 Dreamgirls or Carrie. In relation to fo singing comment. Janie Dee's voice sounded very weak last night (as someone else pointed out) the chap who sings Beautiful Girls I was worried he wasn't going to reach the notes, Tracey Bennett who is super sounded far too raspy, Zizzi Strallen tinny and others too weren't top notch. Sorry it's what I thought. Imelda was good I'll give her that, great control.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 1, 2017 11:46:44 GMT
We don't need to do one - Sunset then Starlight will win!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 1, 2017 10:47:20 GMT
Saw this last night. I was very dissapointed - the singing was generally not the best (many struggled), some parts miscast, too long, needs an interval and I admit I was bored in many parts. 7/10 from me. I soooo wanted to love it! (( the Albert Hall production was much better!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Aug 22, 2017 9:59:22 GMT
Pardon?
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Post by westendwendy on Aug 22, 2017 9:35:34 GMT
I meant the theme park Hyperion Frozen in California is superb.
The bootleg Denver pre Broadway try out is pants with an old fashioned show cloth!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Aug 22, 2017 7:22:04 GMT
I'm booking as well!!! Will someone please add link for everyone on here?
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Aug 22, 2017 7:21:10 GMT
Still, it is a pointless show about everyone having affairs.
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