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Post by theatrefan62 on Jan 25, 2024 15:06:06 GMT
I must admit, I still like Theatremonkey for seat reviews / guidance. No pics, I know, but still enough to work from (and it has the two Old Vic seating plans)! Yes I do too, but I do like Seat Plan and View From My Seat too for visuals
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1,720 posts
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Jan 25, 2024 16:24:31 GMT
I’m just terrified that people are playing the Live Aid artists in some way so that we get ‘tribute acts’, rather than an original tale told with Live Aid as its backdrop. Saw or read an interview with one of the creatives who was adamant it wasn't going to be that (or & Juliet style intros to the songs).
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 25, 2024 16:51:50 GMT
I’m just terrified that people are playing the Live Aid artists in some way so that we get ‘tribute acts’, rather than an original tale told with Live Aid as its backdrop. Saw or read an interview with one of the creatives who was adamant it wasn't going to be that (or & Juliet style intros to the songs). I see it as being more like a Come From Away style "individual narrative" to each character - so an authentic down the lens view at individuals, rather than tribute performances. It'll either be a smash or a damp squib, but comments on here and from others close to it suggest the former rather than the latter.
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Post by A.Ham on Jan 25, 2024 17:48:31 GMT
Really intrigued about this now! I’d been on the fence but took the plunge and booked yesterday when they emailed about the front row seats so looking forward to seeing what it’s like.
Personally I rather like the Old Vic but other than on one occasion I’ve sat up close so haven’t had the pillars to contend with. I do recall there’s very little rake in the stalls though as I found to my cost when booking very late in the day for All My Sons.
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851 posts
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Post by longinthetooth on Jan 25, 2024 18:45:48 GMT
I was intrigued too and, being older, am qualified for their senior rate at certain midweek matinees, so am happy to have snagged a front row seat for £33.00.
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 25, 2024 22:43:43 GMT
Just noticed on Today Tix that there are rush seats for this production for anybody who likes buying tickets this way.
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Post by A.Ham on Jan 26, 2024 10:35:27 GMT
Quick OV question for those in the know… I ordered a programme along with my ticket, and although it’s showing in in my order confirmation email, I’ve not been sent a QR code or ‘ticket’ to show when I collect it, like ATG do - do I just show the FOH team my order email? Thanks in advance.
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 26, 2024 16:55:30 GMT
Quick OV question for those in the know… I ordered a programme along with my ticket, and although it’s showing in in my order confirmation email, I’ve not been sent a QR code or ‘ticket’ to show when I collect it, like ATG do - do I just show the FOH team my order email? Thanks in advance. Check your QR code / ticket. Should be on there. Otherwise just go to Box Office desk (on the left through main doors past main staircase up three steps to the auditorium).
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Post by A.Ham on Jan 26, 2024 19:43:34 GMT
Quick OV question for those in the know… I ordered a programme along with my ticket, and although it’s showing in in my order confirmation email, I’ve not been sent a QR code or ‘ticket’ to show when I collect it, like ATG do - do I just show the FOH team my order email? Thanks in advance. Check your QR code / ticket. Should be on there. Otherwise just go to Box Office desk (on the left through main doors past main staircase up three steps to the auditorium). Thank you, I’ve found it! Looking forward to seeing the posts from those there tonight…
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 26, 2024 20:49:23 GMT
Interval... after a nervous opening this found its groove. A superb first half. This show feels like a hit already.
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Post by benj on Jan 26, 2024 21:32:41 GMT
Great to hear! Do let us know how the second half goes!
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 26, 2024 22:59:33 GMT
Excellent second half. This show is prettty long. Two and a half hours. Some bits will tighten up, perhaps some song sections might get cut as they gauge audience reactions.
What do I think? Well, this is similar in storytelling style to Come From Away. It gets the full rock treatment - a superb band, literally hundreds of lights, it's VERY loud. If you don't like loud stadium gigs, you won't like this. If you do, you'll love it!
I think it needs to find it's audience - tonight there were a mix of people of all generations, and I sensed some of the younger end of the scale were bemused and found it disjointed. The older end enjoyed the nostalgia (though to me nostalgia is the smog that stifles the kind of proactive response that this show seeks to provoke in its audience).
The best bit for me was the end where the focus swivelled to today's generation - a handing over of the baton as it were.
Personally, I loved it. I thought it was really good. The songs are in no way "tributes" or mimics. There are distinct characters in this, some of whom are excellent. For me, the younger performers really own their songs with modern takes of some absolute classics. Thirty-eight songs are credited in the programme - not all sung through, several abridged. The best for me was one called Mrs T/Mr G, which is a Hamiltonesque track featuring... well, you work it out...
For a first preview this was stunning. It will undoubtedly be a hit and will definitely see life beyond the Old Vic.
To some, it'll be the ultimate jukebox show, but to others it'll be so much more.
Standouts for me were Craige Els as Bob, Julie Atherton as Margaret, Jack Shalloo as Midge, Olly Dobson as John and Joel Montague as Harvey.
Would I recommend it? 100%. Absolutely. It needs fine tuning and that's exactly what the preview process will do.
I don't think it's for everyone and must reiterate that it is LOUD. If you don't like 2.5 hours of thumping drums and guitars, this isn't the show for you. If you do, you will be in heaven!
A definite 'must see'.
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4,453 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 26, 2024 23:14:45 GMT
I think this is a great night out.
I don't think this is a good musical because the book is just...very bad and surface level and honestly at times kinda embarrassing.
Vocals are insane though, and it's one of the best sounding shows I've seen in a long time.
It'll be a hit with audiences - I suspect it'll receive a more lukewarm reception from the critics.
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Post by luvvie23 on Jan 26, 2024 23:20:22 GMT
I think this is a great night out. I don't think this is a good musical because the book is just...very bad and surface level and honestly at times kinda embarrassing. Vocals are insane though, and it's one of the best sounding shows I've seen in a long time. It'll be a hit with audiences - I suspect it'll receive a more lukewarm reception from the critics. Are the cast good?
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4,453 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 26, 2024 23:21:42 GMT
I think this is a great night out. I don't think this is a good musical because the book is just...very bad and surface level and honestly at times kinda embarrassing. Vocals are insane though, and it's one of the best sounding shows I've seen in a long time. It'll be a hit with audiences - I suspect it'll receive a more lukewarm reception from the critics. Are the cast good? Largely yes - I really enjoyed Craige Els as Bob, and Julie Atherton is always superb in whatever she does and that's not different here. Jackie Clune is lovely and warm, and the vocals from the younger members of the cast were great, even if they're not the best actors.
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Post by luvvie23 on Jan 26, 2024 23:26:13 GMT
Largely yes - I really enjoyed Craige Els as Bob, and Julie Atherton is always superb in whatever she does and that's not different here. Jackie Clune is lovely and warm, and the vocals from the younger members of the cast were great, even if they're not the best actors. Seeing it tomorrow. As I’m a massive Danielle Steers fan ❤️
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Post by greatauntedna on Jan 26, 2024 23:29:58 GMT
I enjoyed it more when it wasn’t tribute acts or going through events like a Wikipedia article. The cast were great!
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4,453 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 27, 2024 0:20:30 GMT
I enjoyed it more when it wasn’t tribute acts or going through events like a Wikipedia article. The cast were great! This is a BRILLIANT comparison - the book is LITERALLY like a Wikipedia entry.
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 27, 2024 0:47:41 GMT
Largely yes - I really enjoyed Craige Els as Bob, and Julie Atherton is always superb in whatever she does and that's not different here. Jackie Clune is lovely and warm, and the vocals from the younger members of the cast were great, even if they're not the best actors. Seeing it tomorrow. As I’m a massive Danielle Steers fan ❤️ You won't be disappointed.
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Post by luvvie23 on Jan 27, 2024 0:51:27 GMT
Seeing it tomorrow. As I’m a massive Danielle Steers fan ❤️ You won't be disappointed. That’s good to hear! Can’t believe she’s just had a baby! And back on stage. She’s incredible Thank you x
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 27, 2024 8:52:17 GMT
I enjoyed it more when it wasn’t tribute acts or going through events like a Wikipedia article. The cast were great! A similar comment could be made about "Come From Away" which uses a similar approach to marking the passage of time. Not a single song was performed like a tribute act.
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 27, 2024 9:59:56 GMT
Having slept on this, I think where this show could be improved is to shorten the character introductions at the beginning. They take too long and actually there are only perhaps six key characters and two peripheral. The rest have names but are largely superfluous.
This show has a Bat Out Of Hell style dilemma - people go for the music not the story. However it is at least bedded against the truth of how Live Aid happened. It could easily be evolved into a Geldof biopic.
I'd definitely go back (and will)!
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Post by greatauntedna on Jan 27, 2024 10:07:16 GMT
I enjoyed it more when it wasn’t tribute acts or going through events like a Wikipedia article. The cast were great! A similar comment could be made about "Come From Away" which uses a similar approach to marking the passage of time. Not a single song was performed like a tribute act. No but there’s lots of parts where you’re watching the actual Freddie Mercury or David Bowie and that doesn’t do much for me. Come From Away is far more inventive.
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6,341 posts
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Post by danb on Jan 27, 2024 10:50:17 GMT
So theres no original music?
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Post by luvvie23 on Jan 27, 2024 10:57:46 GMT
So theres no original music? I think it’s all of the music from the concert
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307 posts
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Post by stuart on Jan 27, 2024 11:01:04 GMT
The stage looks quite low - which is a good thing as I’ve got a front row seat.
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 27, 2024 11:07:59 GMT
A similar comment could be made about "Come From Away" which uses a similar approach to marking the passage of time. Not a single song was performed like a tribute act. No but there’s lots of parts where you’re watching the actual Freddie Mercury or David Bowie and that doesn’t do much for me. Come From Away is far more inventive. Ah yes, I see what you mean.
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 27, 2024 11:08:36 GMT
The stage looks quite low - which is a good thing as I’ve got a front row seat. You'll be fine - it plays out front centre with video box at the back with the band. Great view.
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2,763 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 27, 2024 11:09:33 GMT
So theres no original music? There's one original new track "Mrs T/Mr G" - a Hamilton style skit.
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Post by raiseitup on Jan 27, 2024 13:15:25 GMT
I have a spare £10 ticket for tonight's performance, it's in row E of the stalls, if anyone fancies it? Pay what you can/happy for someone to just take it, rather than it go to waste!
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