1,184 posts
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Post by Steve on Jan 11, 2022 11:31:56 GMT
The cancellation of this show is really sad. It's such an exuberant show, with bags of energy and an utterly winning triple threat performance from Amber Davies. It was my first show of 2022 last week and I absolutely loved it. I'll admit that the Southwark Playhouse version offered up more convincing teenagers (that was its charm)), but this show gains so much from the trained grace and athleticism of its more experienced choreography and dancing. It is an utterly dazzling and joyous watch, that uplifted me immensely, particularly during Lin Manuel Miranda's full cast rap and chorus numbers. The book is probably a bit by the numbers, as this doesn't have the edgy satire of something like Heathers or Dear Evan Hansen, or even Legally Blonde, but it's Teen Movie/Rocky mashup of clichés actually work, and both Amber Davies and Vanessa Fisher succeed in bringing real conviction to it, and in a small role, Marvin Charles, as Twig, is an absolute hoot! Shows like this make our troubled times infinitely more bearable, so to see our troubled times get the better of it is upsetting. Definitely see this before it closes in 11 days. 4 and a half stars from me.
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Post by fiyerorocher on Jan 11, 2022 22:58:04 GMT
I would probably have liked this show more if the row behind me didn't talk the entire way through. There was absolutely no change between their volume pre-show and during, despite multiple people turning to glare and telling them to be quiet. A bunch of tweens, too young to be there alone, with no sign of a supervising adult. Really ruined it.
I was pleasantly surprised by Amber. Her acting isn't great but her singing is surprisingly good, considering I've always known of her as Jade Davies' little sister who was mad enough to go on Love Island :') I think where this show lets itself down is the shoehorned in romance for Campbell and the guy whose part is so lacklustre I cannot remember his name. Talk of prom comes out of nowhere, that hiking trip has no build up. Campbell has significantly more chemistry with Danielle. I think in general the pacing is off, but the cast has a lot of energy and you really can't fault them on their enthusiasm. Probably a three star show. Nothing special, but a fun night out. As long as you're sat in front of more considerable people than I was.
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