|
Post by westendboy on Mar 4, 2023 13:21:41 GMT
I doubt this will transfer as it sounds it's going to be an immersive, site specfic production that uses the theatre and surrounding gardens of the Watermill. Regent's Park summer 2024 option perhaps... That's what I was thinking as well!
|
|
|
Post by westendboy on Mar 4, 2023 13:26:00 GMT
I wonder if they'll make any edits to the script? Like make some cuts to shorten the runtime a little bit, so that it doesn't go over 3 hours? Personally, I'd prefer them to keep it as it is, but I wouldn't be surprised if the team is considering it.
|
|
2,792 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Mar 4, 2023 18:47:41 GMT
I wonder if they'll make any edits to the script? Like make some cuts to shorten the runtime a little bit, so that it doesn't go over 3 hours? Personally, I'd prefer them to keep it as it is, but I wouldn't be surprised if the team is considering it. I think with a cast of 20 this will be an abridged version - probably more folksy, storytelling, rather than all played out.
|
|
|
Post by westendboy on Mar 4, 2023 21:51:11 GMT
I wonder if they'll make any edits to the script? Like make some cuts to shorten the runtime a little bit, so that it doesn't go over 3 hours? Personally, I'd prefer them to keep it as it is, but I wouldn't be surprised if the team is considering it. I think with a cast of 20 this will be an abridged version - probably more folksy, storytelling, rather than all played out. That makes sense. Considering the large amount of characters in the story, I imagine some will either be cut, or at least reduced to bit parts. I just hope they keep the best songs, like 'Lothlórien', 'Now And For Always' and 'Wonder'.
|
|
196 posts
|
Post by Peter on Mar 6, 2023 22:58:35 GMT
At Drury Lane it was already pretty much a ‘greatest hits’ of the books/films and was consequently a bit rushed and muddled story-wise (though amazing to watch - I saw it three times and loved it!) - it will be interesting to see what changes are made…
|
|
262 posts
|
Post by kyvai on Mar 9, 2023 23:53:10 GMT
I saw the Drury Lane production, but it was so long ago I can’t remember much of it, apart from the main impressive aspect was the staging itself - was there concentric turntables, raising sections of platforms as they turned with actors leaping around them in motion, and some kind of absolutely giant Balrog? How does that all translate to a small space?
Sounds interesting, at this point I need a bit more convincing to trek out to Newbury though.
|
|
|
Post by raiseitup on Mar 21, 2023 12:21:22 GMT
Did anyone who signed up to their mailing list get an email today about subscribers onsale? Tickets were meant to go on sale at 12pm but I can't see anything in my inbox
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by sam22 on Mar 21, 2023 22:14:27 GMT
Did anyone who signed up to their mailing list get an email today about subscribers onsale? Tickets were meant to go on sale at 12pm but I can't see anything in my inbox Hello, only just saw your post. I did get an email but effectively told you that you need to sign in. So if you go to website and sign into your account using email you subscribed with, it then allows you to book. I have just done it and worked
|
|
|
Post by FrontroverPaul on Mar 21, 2023 23:46:42 GMT
Did anyone who signed up to their mailing list get an email today about subscribers onsale? Tickets were meant to go on sale at 12pm but I can't see anything in my inbox Hello, only just saw your post. I did get an email but effectively told you that you need to sign in. So if you go to website and sign into your account using email you subscribed with, it then allows you to book. I have just done it and worked By 5pm, when I tried to book two seats for a matinee, most of the front row of the stalls had been sold for the first few weeks - apart from several groups of three seats together. The Watermill booking system wouldn't let me book two out of three because that left a single seat. That's not uncommon and usually there's an easy way round it, but, because bookings could only be made via an account log-in, reserving one out of three "inconito" first didn't work. Neither did a different browser so settled for a weekday matinee in August. Good availability for evening performances and matinees from mid August onwards.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by sam22 on Mar 22, 2023 8:34:22 GMT
Hello, only just saw your post. I did get an email but effectively told you that you need to sign in. So if you go to website and sign into your account using email you subscribed with, it then allows you to book. I have just done it and worked By 5pm, when I tried to book two seats for a matinee, most of the front row of the stalls had been sold for the first few weeks - apart from several groups of three seats together. The Watermill booking system wouldn't let me book two out of three because that left a single seat. That's not uncommon and usually there's an easy way round it, but, because bookings could only be made via an account log-in, reserving one out of three "inconito" first didn't work. Neither did a different browser so settled for a weekday matinee in August. Good availability for evening performances and matinees from mid August onwards. Oh that's a pain! I've gone for Sept so was quite good availability then, glad you sorted something. I went for stalls £57.50. Just realised when looked back same seats last year for Whistle were £35! Big increase but I think it is Watermill that lost their funding, and £35 did seem so cheap. Interesting to see what production values are!
|
|
|
Post by raiseitup on Mar 22, 2023 10:01:51 GMT
Did anyone who signed up to their mailing list get an email today about subscribers onsale? Tickets were meant to go on sale at 12pm but I can't see anything in my inbox Hello, only just saw your post. I did get an email but effectively told you that you need to sign in. So if you go to website and sign into your account using email you subscribed with, it then allows you to book. I have just done it and worked Amazing, thank you!
|
|
2,792 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Mar 22, 2023 17:12:35 GMT
By 5pm, when I tried to book two seats for a matinee, most of the front row of the stalls had been sold for the first few weeks - apart from several groups of three seats together. The Watermill booking system wouldn't let me book two out of three because that left a single seat. That's not uncommon and usually there's an easy way round it, but, because bookings could only be made via an account log-in, reserving one out of three "inconito" first didn't work. Neither did a different browser so settled for a weekday matinee in August. Good availability for evening performances and matinees from mid August onwards. Oh that's a pain! I've gone for Sept so was quite good availability then, glad you sorted something. I went for stalls £57.50. Just realised when looked back same seats last year for Whistle were £35! Big increase but I think it is Watermill that lost their funding, and £35 did seem so cheap. Interesting to see what production values are! Funding plus a larger cast and puppetry justify the increase in price.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by sam22 on Mar 22, 2023 19:33:38 GMT
Oh that's a pain! I've gone for Sept so was quite good availability then, glad you sorted something. I went for stalls £57.50. Just realised when looked back same seats last year for Whistle were £35! Big increase but I think it is Watermill that lost their funding, and £35 did seem so cheap. Interesting to see what production values are! Funding plus a larger cast and puppetry justify the increase in price. And still pretty reasonable compared to most other theatres. Looking forward to seeing how they do it!
|
|
2,792 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Mar 22, 2023 19:56:54 GMT
Funding plus a larger cast and puppetry justify the increase in price. And still pretty reasonable compared to most other theatres. Looking forward to seeing how they do it! Me too - very excited about this production. I like the Watermill as a venue and know they always wring every bit of value out of the work they stage!
|
|
|
Post by westendboy on Jun 9, 2023 15:04:12 GMT
|
|
1,647 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Jun 11, 2023 13:06:57 GMT
I’d assumed I wouldn’t be able to make it to this but mentioned it to a friend who is up for it too! How are the slips seats? They are the only ones in our budget really. Never been to the venue.
|
|
1,010 posts
|
Post by David J on Jun 11, 2023 13:16:57 GMT
If you’re tall your knees will be up against the railing. You’ll also miss any action below you but the intimacy of the theatre makes up for it
I’d say the further you are to the front end of the slips, rather than above the stage, the better the view
|
|
1,647 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Jun 11, 2023 15:09:43 GMT
If you’re tall your knees will be up against the railing. You’ll also miss any action below you but the intimacy of the theatre makes up for it I’d say the further you are to the front end of the slips, rather than above the stage, the better the view Thanks, booked!
|
|
2,792 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jul 17, 2023 9:53:16 GMT
Not long to go now before this production starts! I've enjoyed the teaser videos and social media updates - is anybody else stupidly excited about this show? It seems to be selling very well. Will be interesting to see if it has life beyond the Watermill. Really hope the cast, creatives and crew make this something special - it's a show that deserves a new life and a new audience.
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Jul 17, 2023 12:49:46 GMT
Not long to go now before this production starts! I've enjoyed the teaser videos and social media updates - is anybody else stupidly excited about this show? It seems to be selling very well. Will be interesting to see if it has life beyond the Watermill. Really hope the cast, creatives and crew make this something special - it's a show that deserves a new life and a new audience. I too am very hopeful and optimistic for a wonderful theatrical experience, and likewise have been following the theatre’s social media, interviews and pressers with great interest. I will be attending a couple of weeks into the run and will report fully on the long journey home! Please feel free to ignore the below predictions, which I have spoiler tagged because they make reference to stage effects used in the original production. The below is predictions of how I see it staged, which could be a million miles wrong but is from piecing together clues, nothing more! I am intrigued how the outside portion will be staged. If I were to guess, I predict that on arrival guests will be housed on the lawn with an outdoor bar, and encouraged to gather around a small staging area by a mixture of in-character hobbits and the volunteer ushers. I think that the pre-show from the original production will be adapted and reworked to take place as Bilbo’s birthday party, with hobbits mingling with the audience and doing their dances/firefly chasing etc from the original production for world building. I imagine this will lead straight into Bilbo’s birthday party scene, performed on a small stage.
For his disappearance, sight lines will be crucial assuming they reuse the classic 2 way mirror effect, which relies on careful control of lighting conditions (matinees might be tricky?), so like in London hobbits will probably be sat directly in front to mask reflections from the audience/lights/sun. Or they might do it completely differently, but it’s fun to speculate!
After this scene, I think the doors will be opened and the audience ushered to their seats inside the theatre for the remainder of the performance.
I read they are looking for sponsors to donate flower seeds, so each audience can be given a packet upon arrival to, as the press release states, “create a new corner of Middle Earth at home”. Maybe paper hats for Bilbo’s party? All pure speculation!
My guesses are based on the fact that audiences won’t be seated and led outside, so the only time the outdoor portion could take place is before the audience have been sat. It would be a logical nightmare any other way.
|
|
261 posts
|
Post by theatrenerd on Jul 21, 2023 13:28:22 GMT
|
|
2,792 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jul 21, 2023 13:44:14 GMT
That is beautiful - everything I hope it would be and more. I can't wait for this production!
|
|
|
Post by Boob on Jul 21, 2023 15:26:40 GMT
So gorgeous! What a beautiful arrangement, beautifully delivered.
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Jul 21, 2023 17:32:47 GMT
This is going to be brilliant just as I hoped all these years. Already booked twice including the “special” Bilbo show. Can’t wait!!
|
|
|
Post by ruthieh on Jul 21, 2023 22:03:04 GMT
Beautiful sound from a a beautiful setting…can’t wait!
|
|
258 posts
|
Post by notmymuse on Jul 22, 2023 18:19:09 GMT
Well, that was rather nice. I loved this at Drury Lane and have listened to the soundtrack to death. I predict critics will either say that the stripped back production either shows how lacking the book/music was originally now all the effects are gone, or they'll say stripping it back allows the book/music to shine. Hopefully the latter. Am considering making the journey but it's quite a trip...
|
|
|
Post by ntherooh on Jul 23, 2023 18:04:14 GMT
Anyone going to see this show this week? I absolutely love the score and I’ve got one day in london this summer. Contemplating making the trip, but don’t quite know what to expect. Never been a big risk taker in theater 😅.
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Jul 23, 2023 18:21:42 GMT
If anyone does go this week, a detailed report would be very welcome, even though I only have to wait a few weeks to see it myself! No detail will be too small, I am obsessed with this show and don’t mind spoilers if tagged!!
|
|
|
Post by ruthieh on Jul 23, 2023 19:53:38 GMT
I’m going on 1st to press night…
|
|
2,792 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jul 23, 2023 21:02:13 GMT
I am going next Saturday - happy to report back.
|
|