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Post by sprampster on Oct 8, 2022 16:37:16 GMT
Looking forward to seeing the first preview tonight !! Know absolutely nothing about the show or plot or film just going to sit back and let it happen !!
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 8, 2022 19:50:10 GMT
Not a lot happens so expect that 😂
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Post by ceebee on Oct 8, 2022 23:48:56 GMT
Excellent first preview with a strong cast, great band and a very cool set. Metallic shimmering panels with a curved 'wave-like' backdrop and some slick projections give way to the Ferness beach, the hotel bar, and of course the phone box. I'm not going to give away the treats of the set - go and see it to find out! Some really good performances for a first preview and some welcome changes to some of the music and lyrics since Edinburgh. The story flies much better now and I'd say it is part play / part musical now. A couple of songs have gone, several have been rewritten, and the focus is much more on Mac and the ending much truer to the film. I missed the final ensemble piece from Edinburgh that has been dropped as it is a fine song, but I get why they've done it. In Edinburgh the plot kept pivoting between Mac and Stella, whereas in this version, the second half locks on to Mac's personal journey and Gordon and Stella's open relationship, which makes the return to normality at the end much more believable. The rewrites and additional music are very welcome and the newly elongated "Welcome to Glasgow" section is a revelation (go and see it to find out why). I'm back again later in the week so will do a more detailed write-up when the show has had a few more run-throughs. Mark Knopfler and Guy Fletcher were both in tonight, which was a geeky bonus if you're a fan of MK's solo work or Dire Straits.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 9, 2022 0:43:44 GMT
I’m seeing Tuesday so excited now! No spoilers from me (you'll need to wait and see), but I guarantee you'll love it. All the charm of the film, the music, and (in my view) even better than the original Edinburgh Lyceum production. You might want to book another ticket.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 9, 2022 0:47:42 GMT
I’m seeing Tuesday so excited now! P.S. Do not rush to leave after the cast take their bow at the end as you'll get a full rendition of "Going Home" at full blast through one of the finest sound set ups I've ever heard in a theatre.
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211 posts
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Post by sprampster on Oct 9, 2022 7:55:49 GMT
Each to their own . We left at the interval just couldn’t connect with the show at all. For me thought the design was clunky and restrictive. Plus a musical where at least two of the male leads actually can’t sing I was surprised at just how much I wanted to enjoy it walking in and how that feeling rapidly changed. But that’s theatre !
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Post by ceebee on Oct 9, 2022 9:03:16 GMT
Each to their own . We left at the interval just couldn’t connect with the show at all. For me thought the design was clunky and restrictive. Plus a musical where at least two of the male leads actually can’t sing I was surprised at just how much I wanted to enjoy it walking in and how that feeling rapidly changed. But that’s theatre ! It was pretty obvious that (Tony award winning) Gabriel Ebert had a sore throat - I was actually very impressed by his vocal technique used to overcome this issue. This production is not a full-blown musical - they've brought more dialogue in, and these are strong characters from an iconic film. The casting clearly favoured strong actors over strong singers, though there are some very strong female performers who can act and sing to a high standard in this show. Plus, it was the first preview in front of an audience. It's a shame you couldn't stick it out as you missed out on an excellent second half. Not sure if you're familiar with the film, but if you were expecting jazz hands and dancing girls then you were always going to be disappointed.
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 9, 2022 10:43:31 GMT
Your committment to this musical is nothing short of inspiring ceebee
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Post by ceebee on Oct 9, 2022 11:46:54 GMT
Your committment to this musical is nothing short of inspiring ceebeeThank you. I'm horribly biased. :-)
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Post by mkb on Oct 9, 2022 11:47:08 GMT
As someone who had tickets for this at the Old Vic and who can't squeeze in a trip to Chichester, I do hope a transfer or tour is on the cards. I never understood why the OV cancelled rather than postponed, but they've form for dangling carrots only to snatch them away (Into the Woods).
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Post by ceebee on Oct 9, 2022 13:17:36 GMT
As someone who had tickets for this at the Old Vic and who can't squeeze in a trip to Chichester, I do hope a transfer or tour is on the cards. I never understood why the OV cancelled rather than postponed, but they've form for dangling carrots only to snatch them away (Into the Woods). It'll be interesting to see the reviews - although I'm a fan of the film and show, so am openly biased - this version is better than the Edinburgh Lyceum version (which received very good reviews). The writers seem to have taken an honest look at some of the clunkier bits and either edited them or taken them out. What makes this show though is the way the music, scenes, lighting all blend - the direction from Daniel Evans has been really sympathetic to the feel of the original film, where time passed effortlessly. There were one or two loose ends last night, but it was a preview so I chose not to point them out. I hope that it transfers and that you get to see it. Due to the set, this production would really suit the Pit at the Barbican (but I don't imagine it ever going in there as I doubt it would be a success so far out of town). It would also suit the Wyndhams, and possibly could work in the Other Palace. This production needs an intimate theatre.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 9, 2022 14:03:32 GMT
Longer thoughts on first preview - please bear in mind that it was the first time this show had been performed to an audience, so my views are subjective and I will avoid spoilers as I don't think it is fair on future audience or cast, suffice to say the way some effects are achieved and the set transforms is really very good indeed.
Song list: A Barrel of Oil (Mac and Company) Houston, We Have A Problem (Mac) Welcome to Ferness (The Band) - used to be called "Welcome to Glasgow" We're Going To Make A Killing (Company) What A Life (Ben) Filthy Dirty Rich (Gordon and Company) Rocks and Water (Stella) That'd Do Me (Company) Big Mac and Gordon (Company) - used to be called "Big Mac" Unlisted in programme: Ceilidh scene playing ceilidh music from the film soundtrack I Wonder if I Can Go Home Again (Mistress Fraser and Company) Unlisted in programme: Northern Lights scene played out to Mist Covered Mountains refrain switching to Whistle Theme (Local Hero)
INTERVAL
Never Felt Better (Company) Cheerio Away Ye Go (Ben and Stella) Filthy Dirty Rich - reprise (Company) Numbers (Stella and Mac) In An Ideal World (mac and Gordon) Rocks and Water - reprise (Stella) I Wonder If I can Go Home Again - reprise (Mac) Houston We Have A Problem - reprise (Mac) Going Home (theme) (Band)
I would describe this production as part play/part musical - there are some great tunes, but also some great scenes where the acting is doing the business. Gabriel Ebert cuts a tall, suave, lanky alpha male as Mac who flies into Scotland from Houston to buy a village called Ferness so it can be developed into an oil refinery. Turning up with an injured rabbit and electric briefcase, he stays at the hotel run by hotelier, accountant, lawyer, and general fixer called Gordon, played by Paul Higgins, and his partner Stella, who works with him in the hotel and is a "blow-in" from Glasgow. Mac's boss Happer (played by Jay Villiers) tells him to do the deal and to keep watching the sky. He has everything but craves immortality and wants to buy a comet. He's heard the skies are good in Scotland so sends Mac on a double mission. The villagers of Ferness all smell money and start dreaming of the highlife, corralled by Gordon and Reverend Murdo (Rodney Earl Clarke) and urged on and advised by Viktor, a Russian trawlerman who comes bearing gifts, Wodka, and caviar. Viktor Vladimirovich Popov is played superbly by Joshua Manning. He made a relatively small role really stand out. Mac falls for Stella, mistaking her for a mermaid (in the film Stella and Marina are two separate characters - in this they are the same person). Mac gets distracted by the scenery and landscape; Stella and Gordon are not happy but they're not unhappy. Stella is wistful and attuned to nature (played beautifully by Lillie Flynn who has the most gorgeous voice), and she takes a dislike to Mac's determination to trash the landscape for oil. Meanwhile, the big hurdle to securing the deal is a beachcomber called Ben, who lives in a shack on the beach and has charted the skies along with his family for over two hundred years. Hilton McRae as Ben is simply superb. He has absolutely captured the nuance and beauty of this character, and he cuts a simple but wise figure as things happen around him. He doesn't seek material goods and is happy with a pair of fresh socks and some sandwiches (oh and his whisky which fell off a rich man's yacht). The plot moves forward with lots of wheeling and dealing, before it stalls at securing a deal for Ben's beach. Happer flies in on a helicopter, meets Ben and then decides it would be better to build an observatory (Miss Saigon in Sheffield might want to take notes on how to stage a helicopter without a prop). After telling Mac to return to Houston (and get a shave), he sits with Ben and they chart the night skies. The villagers meanwhile are down the pub drinking on the house, following a twist that is unique to this show and not a part of the film. But it works. Mac returns to Houston (plane effects for take off and landing are really well executed, particularly in the first half through some fantastic use of projections and lights), Stella and Gordon return to their normal life, and then the phone rings...
Standouts for me were Hilton McRae and Joshua Manning - really refined characterisations for a first preview. The rest of the cast is very strong, with some stunningly beautiful voices (Lillie Flynn, Jackie Morrison). The direction is absolutely spot on, bringing to life a sleepy Scots'village from the hectic hubub of Houston with seamless style, wit and perfect pace. The lighting, sound and projections are absolutely top drawer - on a par with Life of Pi and Back To The Future - and the set is simple yet versatile. This is a busy show so be prepared not to re-snter the auditorium if you leave mid-show and if you're late, you might have to wait until the interval, so arrive on time!
The band is absolutely superb - I can't imagine the nerves they must have had with both Mark Knopfler and Guy Fletcher in the audience. I know both have been hands-on with the show, but it is still a daunting task to play such iconic music back to the writers.
On this first performance, it was clear (to me anyway) that Gabriel Ebert seemed to have a cold or a sore throat. He was having to work hard on technique to perform the role, so I'm not going to judge the singing - I'm sure he will sound superb once it passes. His characterisation of Mac is excellent - going from being the sleek alpha male to a slightly awkward and gangly smitten regular guy, and his portrayal is charming and honest. The ending when he is back in Houston was particularly powerful and he made my daughter on the left cry and my daughter on the right laugh with the same piece of acting involving his coat pockets. That kind of sums this show up for me - it makes you laugh and cry at the same time. I had a permagrin on my face most of the way through, yet many times my eyes were full at the sheer beauty of the music and acting in front of me. That, if for no other reason, is why this show will hopefully be a big success for Chichester Festival Theatre. Daniel Evans has captured the paradoxical elements of the film on stage, so as an audience your emotions swing from happiness and elation, to being sucked in by the aurora borealis and musical themes that run throughout, wringing your heart and soul as it goes, like the waves that lap the shoreline and the ever-predictable yet ever-volatile tidal swells that punctuate these tiny, beautiful villages in the highlands and islands of Scotland.
I'm biased, I spend a lot of my time on Skye, and whilst these characters are quirky and a little odd, they are also very reflective of many small communities. This could be Dunvegan, Portree, Arisaig, Pennan. THAT is why this version has nailed it so perfectly. The characters are relatable.
Please do go and get a ticket if you can - I'm confident you will enjoy this show. It doesn't need to be theatrical perfection or super-slick, because as we find with our relationships with fellow humans (and rabbits perhaps), it is often the slightly odd idiosyncracies and unconventional things that attract people to each other.
Thanks for reading and apologies for the length.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2022 7:03:27 GMT
Well this was phenomenal! I loved it, I wasn’t expecting that tonight but what a beautiful and heartwarming story. I can’t understand how you could walk out half way through but I can see that this is not the musical for those who like the big jazz hands musicals. It’s gentle and mellifluous but also rocks out. Seems like Ebert is back to full voice and can confirm he can sing, I thought he played the role of a Mac really well giving me a Tom Hanks romantic comedy feeling. I was surprised at how funny the show is, I haven’t seen the film so didn’t have a reference point to the comedy. The set is beautiful and the lighting and projected screens were some of the best I’ve seen, lots of surprises in a small space. Music wise so many catchy tunes, I still have filthy dirty rich in my head. I love how it does not sound or feel too stereotypically Scottish without taking you out of the story or where it is based. I was sat near someone taking notes so clearly things will change and maybe there cut be a few cuts but I will be highly recommending this, and I’m sure it will go on but to see it such an intimate is a treat. 5 stars from me but my only issue is that the starting time is so late! 7:45 is too late to start a show like this, I only had 15 minutes to make it to my train (the last of the night) luckily a friend I was seeing it with had a car but if you are walking to the train station she didn’t think you would make it. Glad you liked it catw! I can confirm they've already cut chunks of it. Saturday first preview ran very long and Monday's second preview saw cuts to some of the dialogue plus a much zippier pace both in spoken scenes, some songs, and the Local Hero theme tune was used for the bows as well as playout. They made the same change in Edinburgh. I must admit, I miss a couple of the songs from the original, but this version flows much better, and I quite like the mix of songs and dialogue. They've honed the storyline in this version so it is clearer - Edinburgh version got distracted by the Minch View old people's home angle which compromised the impact of Happer's decision on the future use of the beach. Interestingly, this version leaves you guessing as to who the Local Hero is... Is it Ben, Mac or Stella? I like this aspect, as in the film it could be either Ben, Danny or even Marina (but Danny and Marina don't exist in the stage version). If you loved the music, then watch the film. Many of the themes you heard last night derive from the film soundtrack, and many consider the film to be a classic. It's Nark Kermode's all time favourite film (and he has seen a few!). So glad you enjoyed it!
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2022 7:28:12 GMT
AUDIENCE NOTE TO PRODUCTION TEAM:
If anybody from the show is reading this, you really need Gordon to sing the line "We'll get rid of the f**king hotel, and be filthy rich as well." Saying the first part and singing the second part diminishes the impact of the line. Similarly, "Cheerio away ye go" works much better sung through - alternating between spoken and sung devalues the rich lyrical narrative of what was originally a beautiful folk song. I've seen two of the three previews so far and this directorial decision is resulting in a lag between the tune and the spoken lines, plus you've sacrificed one of the most beautiful but funny moments in the show. Ben already has a lot of dialogue, so you can afford him to sing one complete song. Finally, end of first half with Mac in the phone box - some of the critical lines of his revelation at the aurora borealis are being lost switching between inside and outside the phone box. This could be fixed by having him deliver the lines with the door half open throughout, and dropping the handset for the "red all over" section. The phone pips could then cut in and he could exit the phone box with the handset hanging (instead of trying to replace the handset - after all, he has just had five or six double whiskys, so I doubt he's going to be too bothered about hanging the handset back on the hook).
I hope somebody from the production is reading and considers these suggestions.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Oct 15, 2022 22:04:27 GMT
Most excellent.
The piece hangs together much better than what I remember from Edinburgh, really catches the essence of the film, the Stella/Marina mash up and the absence of Danny was jarring at first but by the end it almost made the denouement even better.
As a film I watch regularly at first I was initially discombobulated as the characters and the actors who played them in the film are indistinguishable but by the end this was dispelled, Mac was Mac, Gordon was Gordon, Stella was Stella……. high praise.
Not sure if there are any classic musical tunes that will stand the test of time but as a whole stands together well, do hope it gets a transfer to London as definitely want to see it again, have already looked at some matinees later in the run just in case.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 15, 2022 23:02:24 GMT
Most excellent. The piece hangs together much better than what I remember from Edinburgh, really catches the essence of the film, the Stella/Marina mash up and the absence of Danny was jarring at first but by the end it almost made the denouement even better. As a film I watch regularly at first I was initially discombobulated as the characters and the actors who played them in the film are indistinguishable but by the end this was dispelled, Mac was Mac, Gordon was Gordon, Stella was Stella……. high praise. Not sure if there are any classic musical tunes that will stand the test of time but as a whole stands together well, do hope it gets a transfer to London as definitely want to see it again, have already looked at some matinees later in the run just in case. Glad you enjoyed it Neil. This production would work very well in Soho Place.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 18, 2022 7:20:33 GMT
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Post by n1david on Oct 18, 2022 7:24:57 GMT
Mark Shenton not impressed:
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Post by n1david on Oct 18, 2022 10:12:08 GMT
Mark Shenton not impressed: Didn’t realise he was still about does anyone listen to his rambling these days anyway? Terrible taste I loved it but like I said some people won’t get it I suppose. Probably has a bigger following than the Sussex Express...
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Post by ceebee on Oct 18, 2022 11:08:39 GMT
Mark Shenton not impressed: I stopped placing value on Shenton's reviews quite a while ago now. The old boy seems to be gritty and gloomy about so many productions - it's as if he has lost his constructive voice and can't cope with the modern way of reviewing. It's like hearing a dinosaur roar from a bygone age.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 18, 2022 11:11:18 GMT
Oh, and technically the real Ferness is in the NE of Scotland, and the film was shot on both East and West coasts of Scotland, so Shenton's knowledge is pretty vague.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 18, 2022 11:59:25 GMT
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Post by n1david on Oct 18, 2022 12:08:54 GMT
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Post by ceebee on Oct 19, 2022 13:33:21 GMT
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Post by ceebee on Nov 6, 2022 22:08:28 GMT
This production is being filmed for "archive purposes" - cameras in situ on Saturday afternoon. Seems to be attracting quite a bit of interest following the predicted "sell out", despite the mixed reviews. The show deserves a run in London - Soho Place or the Pit will be fine. Perhaps Daniel Evans will revive it in the Pit as part of a future RSC season where they run productions simultaneously at the Barbican and the Pit, just like the good old days...
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Post by stevemar on Nov 8, 2022 17:54:29 GMT
I found this pleasant but underwhelming. I am not familiar with the film and whilst some atmosphere was built, I felt that so much more could be done with the characters of the village and the central character of Mac. A rather bland performance from the leading man for me; I would not have known by any means he was a Tony award winning actor. I thought the part of Stella and the actress was very good. The music was fine but didn’t really build to anything. I would be surprised to see this transfer to a larger theatre, but wish them well. Anyhow, 6/10 from me.
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Post by talkingheads on Nov 13, 2022 8:15:12 GMT
I saw the Chichester production yesterday. I saw the original production in Edinburgh and my compliments still go mainly to Mark Knopfler's music, I really hope we get a cast recording.
Otherwise? The script has some laughs and captures some of the magic of the film. The main issue, for me, is changing the character of Stella to an activist. She comes across as unpleasant and it doesn't work. Likewise, Mac feels like a secondary character in his own story. Paul Higgins as Gordon was the best part of it, full of energy and pitch perfect comic timing.
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Post by dlevi on Nov 13, 2022 8:15:34 GMT
I wish this were a better show. The elements and the talent of the creative team are all there for a character-driven musical driven by charm and humanity in the manner of "Once" or "The Band's Visit" but I don't believe they've succeeded. Mark Knopflier's score is largely to blame due to its blandness ( and the genuine lack of singing talent among the cast.) David Greig's book gets the job done, but the needed laughs aren't there. However, the sense of Scottish whimsy which was so integral to the success of the film is lacking here. I thought Gabriel Ebert was fine int he leading role but that the others in the cast simply weren't that interesting. Daniel Evans direction simply lacks the confidence needed to pull off this sort of "smaller" show. I can't imagine it will go forward from Chichester without some serious revision. But hey we live in a world where "Hex" has returned so who knows?
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Post by ceebee on Nov 13, 2022 16:15:39 GMT
I wish this were a better show. The elements and the talent of the creative team are all there for a character-driven musical driven by charm and humanity in the manner of "Once" or "The Band's Visit" but I don't believe they've succeeded. Mark Knopflier's score is largely to blame due to its blandness ( and the genuine lack of singing talent among the cast.) David Greig's book gets the job done, but the needed laughs aren't there. However, the sense of Scottish whimsy which was so integral to the success of the film is lacking here. I thought Gabriel Ebert was fine int he leading role but that the others in the cast simply weren't that interesting. Daniel Evans direction simply lacks the confidence needed to pull off this sort of "smaller" show. I can't imagine it will go forward from Chichester without some serious revision. But hey we live in a world where "Hex" has returned so who knows? "Genuine lack of singing talent among the cast..." Do me a favour. Lillie Flynn, Liz Ewing, Jackie Morrison and Gabriel Ebert are worth the entrance money alone for their singing chops. This show is transportable and I wouldn't be surprised to see it live on in the UK or even in the US. Interesting how you said others in the cast weren't that interesting, as I felt the same after a Q&A session on Thursday evening, where Gabriel Ebert seemed to be the only actor who wanted to be there and was chirpy and charming - the rest looked fed up and like the Q&A session was a chore. Perhaps not helped by the facilitator - no idea who the person is but she facilitated the Q&A session with Daniel Evans for the same show, and LOVES the sound of her own voice. Consequently, the audience participation element for both was somewhat limited whilst she hogged the airtime with a fairly banal conversational style. Perhaps that's why the cast looked peed off on Thursday.
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Post by showgirl on Nov 18, 2022 5:45:24 GMT
I finally saw this at a matinee performance yesterday and was relieved that my booking wasn't affected by train strikes as it would have been too late in the run to re-book - though that said, the trains were abysmal: all delayed or cancelled, meaning it took me almost 3 hours to get home when as the crow flies, the distance is only about 45 miles. So, the show itself: having followed the thread avidly and re-read recent comments, sadly I find myself agreeing most with stevemar and dlevi. It was OK, but could have been so much better. It took me most of the (long) first half to feel at all engaged and it generally felt a little lacklustre and routine. The greatest disappointment for me, as a fan originally of Dire Straits and then of Mark Knopfler's solo work, was the music: not one memorable song - how is that possible? Yes, I could occasionally hear one of his trademark guitar chords and the first number initially sounded reminiscent of Skateaway but the rest? Based on what I saw - and I see others have made similar comments above - I'm really not sure how well this would transfer in its present form; I was also surprised to see that though the performance had sold out and the auditorium had been full, after the interval there were at least 10 empty seats - and those were obvious gaps I could see from my side seat; I didn't check all round. Not the best note on which to end my series of visits to CFT this year but at least my curiosity was satisfied.
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