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Post by ceebee on May 16, 2022 11:57:04 GMT
Well as a superfan I've put my money where my mouth is and bought a few tickets for me and the kids to enjoy next year. I hope it does sell, but acknowledge the Dominion sold miserably at the end and Wimbledon was also lightly attended. Peacock being centralish and smaller plus a hopefully thriving tourist scene might see it shift more.
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Post by ceebee on May 28, 2022 19:55:26 GMT
Saw this in Eastbourne this afternoon. A 1670 seat theatre 75% full for a touring show. Not bad at all. The average age of the audience was somewhat higher than usual for this show and they only woke up in terms of applause at the very end. Interestingly, given recent discussion about audience behaviour, it was pensioners creating the distractions this time - one guy struggling to follow the plot (understandable) kept talking loudly to his companion... "oh, strat's dead... oh no, he isn't dead... I thought he was dead..." and then some old dear at the pregnant pause ending for "I won't do that" broke the atmosphere by doing an Ethel Skinner style: "ooh, hesitation"... Admittedly,it was kind of funny but I do wish the audience could stfu and let the actors do the performing.
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Post by dontdreamit on Jun 18, 2022 17:38:23 GMT
On our way back from the matinee this afternoon in Milton Keynes. This cast really do gel well together and the show is in great shape. The new Sloane was on today and was really good.
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Post by ceebee on Jun 19, 2022 17:19:52 GMT
On our way back from the matinee this afternoon in Milton Keynes. This cast really do gel well together and the show is in great shape. The new Sloane was on today and was really good. Saw new Sloane in Eastbourne and thought she was excellent. Does the set fit well into MK theatre? Am off next Saturday and interested to know about acoustics, stage size etc.
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Post by dontdreamit on Jun 19, 2022 17:45:24 GMT
On our way back from the matinee this afternoon in Milton Keynes. This cast really do gel well together and the show is in great shape. The new Sloane was on today and was really good. Saw new Sloane in Eastbourne and thought she was excellent. Does the set fit well into MK theatre? Am off next Saturday and interested to know about acoustics, stage size etc. It was all really good actually in terms of fit etc. If you’re there next Saturday you’ll get Jamie Jukes as Falco- I’ve not managed to catch him yet so I’ll be interested to hear what he’s like!
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Post by l0islane on Jun 19, 2022 23:07:45 GMT
On our way back from the matinee this afternoon in Milton Keynes. This cast really do gel well together and the show is in great shape. The new Sloane was on today and was really good. Saw new Sloane in Eastbourne and thought she was excellent. Does the set fit well into MK theatre? Am off next Saturday and interested to know about acoustics, stage size etc. I believe the new Sloane in Eastbourne and the new Sloane in MK were different people. Laura Johnson who covers Sloane was on in Eastbourne and Franziska Schuster, who is the taking over from Sharon Sexton for the duration of her maternity leave, was on in MK.
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Post by l0islane on Jun 19, 2022 23:09:48 GMT
Saw new Sloane in Eastbourne and thought she was excellent. Does the set fit well into MK theatre? Am off next Saturday and interested to know about acoustics, stage size etc. It was all really good actually in terms of fit etc. If you’re there next Saturday you’ll get Jamie Jukes as Falco- I’ve not managed to catch him yet so I’ll be interested to hear what he’s like! I saw him in Eastbourne, I thought he was very good but a little young for the role.
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Post by viserys on Jun 20, 2022 5:09:40 GMT
It was all really good actually in terms of fit etc. If you’re there next Saturday you’ll get Jamie Jukes as Falco- I’ve not managed to catch him yet so I’ll be interested to hear what he’s like! I saw him in Eastbourne, I thought he was very good but a little young for the role. Me, too! That said, I haven't seen any other show as Bat so often in the last years and Rob Fowler had a perfect track record so far, so I was simply glad to see another Falco for a change. And Laura J. was a great Sloane. Do we know how long Franziska will be staying/when Sharon plans to be back? I'll be seeing the UK Tour one more time in Liverpool in October (and I'm mad enough to have booked for Australia!)
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Post by ceebee on Jun 20, 2022 7:55:21 GMT
I saw him in Eastbourne, I thought he was very good but a little young for the role. Me, too! That said, I haven't seen any other show as Bat so often in the last years and Rob Fowler had a perfect track record so far, so I was simply glad to see another Falco for a change. And Laura J. was a great Sloane. Do we know how long Franziska will be staying/when Sharon plans to be back? I'll be seeing the UK Tour one more time in Liverpool in October (and I'm mad enough to have booked for Australia!) And I thought I was mad block booking London next year!
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Post by dontdreamit on Jun 20, 2022 9:13:55 GMT
Me, too! That said, I haven't seen any other show as Bat so often in the last years and Rob Fowler had a perfect track record so far, so I was simply glad to see another Falco for a change. And Laura J. was a great Sloane. Do we know how long Franziska will be staying/when Sharon plans to be back? I'll be seeing the UK Tour one more time in Liverpool in October (and I'm mad enough to have booked for Australia!) And I thought I was mad block booking London next year! You may not been the only one that did that! I have a few Woking booked too as that was originally the end of the UK tour
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Post by viserys on Jun 20, 2022 10:01:42 GMT
LOL, well, I had meant to visit Australia (again) for a long time, so when Corona killed all my travel plans for so long, I decided, I'd reward myself with a holiday in Oz built around seeing Bat in Sydney and Brisbane. Really curious to see how this "arena staging" is going to work... and if Andrew is really returning to play Strat once more.
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Post by l0islane on Jun 20, 2022 15:48:15 GMT
I saw him in Eastbourne, I thought he was very good but a little young for the role. Me, too! That said, I haven't seen any other show as Bat so often in the last years and Rob Fowler had a perfect track record so far, so I was simply glad to see another Falco for a change. And Laura J. was a great Sloane. Do we know how long Franziska will be staying/when Sharon plans to be back? I'll be seeing the UK Tour one more time in Liverpool in October (and I'm mad enough to have booked for Australia!) Sorry no idea re. when Sharon is back. I've booked Vegas so between us we should have all the productions covered!
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Post by newda on Jun 25, 2022 11:00:50 GMT
Saw this last night in Milton Keynes. I did enjoy it, but like others have said, I didn't have a bleedin clue what was going on apart from a vague plot about teenage girl leaving her controlling parents to join the cool kids.
Music was good and, putting them in the same sort of musical bracket, the set puts the WWRY tour to shame with their pathetic scaffolding and staircase. This set actually had something to it, even though it was fairly static.
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Post by ceebee on Jun 26, 2022 23:49:33 GMT
Saw both the matinee and evening performances in MK yesterday - Rob Fowler was on as Falco, which was welcome as I had been advised his understudy was on earlier in the thread. Saw alternate Strat at matinee- very good, slightly gentler less manic Strat, but I think I prefer Glenn Adamson's interpretation more.
What is it with bloody older women shouting out in the "I would do anything for love" pause? Some old dear did it in Eastbourne ("oooh,hesitation") then in the matinee somebody shouted "he's looking for a way out" and in the evening somebody suspiciously similar in voice to the Eastbourne woman said "he's hesitating".
I wish these people would STFU. People pay good money to see these shows - why are there these odd f***wit attention seekers who have to pull focus? Do they know something the writers don't?
I implore you, if you're reading this, please just shut up and stop trying to be funny. The gag is in Strat's reaction to the audience on the line "sooner or later you'll be screwing around..." before singing "but I won't do that, no I won't do that". The audience member puncturing that moment spoils it for everybody else.
Sadly, the behaviour of some of the 50 and 60 something aged audience members at Bat is starting to become an unwelcome feature of the show. Some bloke in front of me in the matinee was sitting singing along and air-drumming, before telling me he's seen it at least 70 times.
FFS - get a life!
In more positive reflections, has anybody else noticed the orchestration changes to some of the songs? "What part of my body hurts the most?" Is clearly the band's favourite, as it just elevates above the rest of the songs, with some stunning piano that builds from almost cocktail bar-esque twinkly sections in the verse working against the melody, building to an epic finish using the full range of the keys and some brilliant thumping out the octaves in the final chorus. Such a powerful song and the band nails it each time.
I've also noticed new costumes, similar to the earlier London costumes, particularly in Dead Ringer.
The graphics have been refreshed, with some trees appearing at the point where Raven leaves Strat in BOOH (song). Also, the overhead graphics blend better into the motion/speed graphics in the same song, and there is a tyre/gear graphic that spans both screens, which (in MK at least) were closer together. The set seemed perfect for the MK stage though there wasn't a huge amount of space for the dancers.
I'm hoping when this returns to London they might re-introduce the car going in to the pit, plus the pool that Falco jumps in to. Reintroducing these elements would be fun.
Has anybody else who sees this show regularly noticed any changes?
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Post by leanne23 on Jun 28, 2022 13:44:08 GMT
Saw both the matinee and evening performances in MK yesterday - Rob Fowler was on as Falco, which was welcome as I had been advised his understudy was on earlier in the thread. Saw alternate Strat at matinee- very good, slightly gentler less manic Strat, but I think I prefer Glenn Adamson's interpretation more. What is it with bloody older women shouting out in the "I would do anything for love" pause? Some old dear did it in Eastbourne ("oooh,hesitation") then in the matinee somebody shouted "he's looking for a way out" and in the evening somebody suspiciously similar in voice to the Eastbourne woman said "he's hesitating". I wish these people would STFU. People pay good money to see these shows - why are there these odd f***wit attention seekers who have to pull focus? Do they know something the writers don't? I implore you, if you're reading this, please just shut up and stop trying to be funny. The gag is in Strat's reaction to the audience on the line "sooner or later you'll be screwing around..." before singing "but I won't do that, no I won't do that". The audience member puncturing that moment spoils it for everybody else. Sadly, the behaviour of some of the 50 and 60 something aged audience members at Bat is starting to become an unwelcome feature of the show. Some bloke in front of me in the matinee was sitting singing along and air-drumming, before telling me he's seen it at least 70 times. FFS - get a life! In more positive reflections, has anybody else noticed the orchestration changes to some of the songs? "What part of my body hurts the most?" Is clearly the band's favourite, as it just elevates above the rest of the songs, with some stunning piano that builds from almost cocktail bar-esque twinkly sections in the verse working against the melody, building to an epic finish using the full range of the keys and some brilliant thumping out the octaves in the final chorus. Such a powerful song and the band nails it each time. I've also noticed new costumes, similar to the earlier London costumes, particularly in Dead Ringer. The graphics have been refreshed, with some trees appearing at the point where Raven leaves Strat in BOOH (song). Also, the overhead graphics blend better into the motion/speed graphics in the same song, and there is a tyre/gear graphic that spans both screens, which (in MK at least) were closer together. The set seemed perfect for the MK stage though there wasn't a huge amount of space for the dancers. I'm hoping when this returns to London they might re-introduce the car going in to the pit, plus the pool that Falco jumps in to. Reintroducing these elements would be fun. Has anybody else who sees this show regularly noticed any changes? Interesting you should ask, but I saw it in MK on Friday and noticed some changes too. I didn't notice any major orchestral changes, but I did in terms of staging, choreo and line delivery. I'm not sure if there has been an in-house directorial overhaul but it seemed really fresh. I must also add that Franziska Schuster was absolutely outstanding as Sloane. I adore Sharon but Franziska was sheer perfection in the role and she has wonderful, easy chemistry with Rob. I'm wondering whether they've worked together previously given Rob's career in Germany! This show really is in good shape. I hope that it transfers to to West End again after it's run at the Peacock next spring.
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Post by fiyerorocher on Jun 28, 2022 14:01:16 GMT
I hope that it transfers to to West End again Considering it closed due to dire ticket sales, I'd be shocked if it did. The theatre industry isn't exactly at its strongest at the moment so it only stands to do worse than previously, which would make it a guaranteed sinkhole for investors' money.
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Post by leanne23 on Jun 28, 2022 15:05:18 GMT
I hope that it transfers to to West End again Considering it closed due to dire ticket sales, I'd be shocked if it did. The theatre industry isn't exactly at its strongest at the moment so it only stands to do worse than previously, which would make it a guaranteed sinkhole for investors' money. The Dominion is an absolute barn to fill each night, and it’s been selling well consistently across the tour. I know it’s callous, but ever since Meat Loaf’s death there has been a real appetite for this show and it’s done wonders for ticket sales. Wasn’t Thriller close to closing down before MJ died? It then plagued the West End for a decade after…
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Post by fiyerorocher on Jun 28, 2022 15:50:56 GMT
Considering it closed due to dire ticket sales, I'd be shocked if it did. The theatre industry isn't exactly at its strongest at the moment so it only stands to do worse than previously, which would make it a guaranteed sinkhole for investors' money. The Dominion is an absolute barn to fill each night, and it’s been selling well consistently across the tour. I know it’s callous, but ever since Meat Loaf’s death there has been a real appetite for this show and it’s done wonders for ticket sales. Wasn’t Thriller close to closing down before MJ died? It then plagued the West End for a decade after… Bat didn't even sell out the night Meat Loaf's death was announced. It won't be able to fill a West End theatre on a nightly basis. I really don't think there's a place for this show in the West End. Personally I don't think there ever was, on a quality level, but now on a financial level it would just be a huge mistake. It's an expensive show and when they try to make it less expensive and take out effects and reduce set pieces, it just makes it even more obvious how awful the plot and dialogue are, because the big, shiny distractions are gone.
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Post by ceebee on Jun 28, 2022 21:16:36 GMT
The Dominion is an absolute barn to fill each night, and it’s been selling well consistently across the tour. I know it’s callous, but ever since Meat Loaf’s death there has been a real appetite for this show and it’s done wonders for ticket sales. Wasn’t Thriller close to closing down before MJ died? It then plagued the West End for a decade after… Bat didn't even sell out the night Meat Loaf's death was announced. It won't be able to fill a West End theatre on a nightly basis. I really don't think there's a place for this show in the West End. Personally I don't think there ever was, on a quality level, but now on a financial level it would just be a huge mistake. It's an expensive show and when they try to make it less expensive and take out effects and reduce set pieces, it just makes it even more obvious how awful the plot and dialogue are, because the big, shiny distractions are gone. It must be doing something right because it has recouped its initial investment and is profitable.
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Post by margoc on Jun 30, 2022 18:34:53 GMT
Very late to the party on this one but im gutted they decided to cut 'good girls go to heaven' from the tour show. Absolutely love that song
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Post by dontdreamit on Jun 30, 2022 20:10:38 GMT
Very late to the party on this one but im gutted they decided to cut 'good girls go to heaven' from the tour show. Absolutely love that song It’s sometimes used an an encore, but it seems quite random as to when it’s sung. I miss Land Of The Pig as it showed the darker side of Falco, but I do understand why they cut it.
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Post by danb on Jun 30, 2022 20:16:22 GMT
Bat didn't even sell out the night Meat Loaf's death was announced. It won't be able to fill a West End theatre on a nightly basis. I really don't think there's a place for this show in the West End. Personally I don't think there ever was, on a quality level, but now on a financial level it would just be a huge mistake. It's an expensive show and when they try to make it less expensive and take out effects and reduce set pieces, it just makes it even more obvious how awful the plot and dialogue are, because the big, shiny distractions are gone. It must be doing something right because it has recouped its initial investment and is profitable. Don’t be silly Ceebee! That’s not a measure of success. The producers keep going because they like throwing good money after bad for the fun of it. 🙄
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 8, 2022 21:14:44 GMT
😐
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 8, 2022 21:14:59 GMT
Those curtains though. Gays everywhere shield your eyes.
The doggy was good.
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Post by ceebee on Jul 9, 2022 8:44:32 GMT
Very late to the party on this one but im gutted they decided to cut 'good girls go to heaven' from the tour show. Absolutely love that song It’s sometimes used an an encore, but it seems quite random as to when it’s sung. I miss Land Of The Pig as it showed the darker side of Falco, but I do understand why they cut it. Land of the Pig... Rob Fowler's vocal on the recording of that is just incredible. Love the line "... so I can tell you all to bugger off..." It's so Falco! Love the rock scream at the end too.
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Post by mammabat on Jul 10, 2022 23:01:30 GMT
Considering it closed due to dire ticket sales, I'd be shocked if it did. The theatre industry isn't exactly at its strongest at the moment so it only stands to do worse than previously, which would make it a guaranteed sinkhole for investors' money. The Dominion is an absolute barn to fill each night, and it’s been selling well consistently across the tour. I know it’s callous, but ever since Meat Loaf’s death there has been a real appetite for this show and it’s done wonders for ticket sales. Wasn’t Thriller close to closing down before MJ died? It then plagued the West End for a decade after…
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Post by mammabat on Jul 10, 2022 23:05:14 GMT
Not quite WE but it’s playing the Peacock theatre in London in February 23
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Post by dontdreamit on Jul 26, 2022 13:58:53 GMT
Looks like tickets are going on sale for December for Swansea, I wonder if they are going to plug the gaps between the Woking, Aus and Peacock dates?
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Post by ceebee on Jul 26, 2022 20:47:37 GMT
Looks like tickets are going on sale for December for Swansea, I wonder if they are going to plug the gaps between the Woking, Aus and Peacock dates? I'm really hoping they reinstate Falco's pool and the exploding bike / heart for the London stint.
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Post by dontdreamit on Aug 19, 2022 11:39:17 GMT
I’ve got 2 front row stalls tickets for sale on the Noticeboard for the Saturday matinee tomorrow. We’d hoped the strike would be called off 🙄
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