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Post by david on Sept 22, 2019 17:58:09 GMT
As my London theatre binge week continues, I attended today’s matinee (thank you Mischief theatre and your Sunday shows!). A really enjoyable afternoon spent at the Vauderville theatre. It’s certainly different to their traditional “Goes wrong” productions, but the fact that MT have gone in a different direction in this production is welcomed by me and on the whole does work. Certainly, like others who have already seen it, I’d agree that of the two Acts, the second is a much stronger act both in terms of writing and performance by the Mischief gang and has a much more emotional depth to proceedings that their other work previously hasn’t shown.
In relation to Act 1, I thought the first scene was actually the better of the two scenes in this Act, and maybe the second scene didn’t work quite as well for me ( though there are still some great gags here) and could possibly be tweaked whilst still in previews.
As with their other work, the gags (physical and verbal) are never ending and in the audience I was sat in with today, they all seemed to land well enough. The on going hamster joke really was well done and to be able to sustain it for 2hrs 45minutes is to be congratulated.
I was sat in stalls C7 today I felt that I got an excellent view of the on stage proceedings.
Definitely recommended!
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Post by stageyninja83 on Sept 23, 2019 9:27:39 GMT
Anyone know if there are day seats available for this?
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 23, 2019 17:37:11 GMT
I asked on Friday & was also told no. However Stasia spotted that on Sunday some tickets were re-priced downwards on Nimax's website a few hours before the performances so it looks like there's some dynamic pricing happening at least, if no official day seats.
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 27, 2019 23:24:36 GMT
My second viewing tonight. There have been some changes since last week but apparently more are still to come. I again enjoyed Act 3 the most, both for humour and emotion. Watching Acts 1 & 2 again having already seen Act 3 once enabled me to pick up on more things that are referenced later. I'd therefore recommend repeat-viewing....but then I would, wouldn't I?!
Last week I immediately recognised Henry L's "flopping" as something I'd seen him do previously in an MMN show. He confirmed that it has indeed been recycled from that. I wonder if they're now cursing that one person who was bound to recognise it happen to see that particular MMN?!
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Post by Steve on Sept 28, 2019 10:52:56 GMT
For me, Mischief does it again, as this is a very funny show, a kind of comedy version of Michael Apted's legendary "7 Up" series of documentaries, in which Apted tested Aristotle's motto: "Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man." There are ladles of farce, but also sentiment, as characters are better defined than in previous shows. And by defining characters better, Mischief set up deeper and more meaningful laughs down the line, which play alongside the purely farcical elements, laughs based on an audience's recognition of real human foibles and the expression of character through action. A 4 star comedy, for me, even now, in previews! Some spoilers follow. . . There are three acts, two before the interval ("Mischief as little kids" and "Mischief as teenagers"), and one after ("Mischief as the titular "Groan Ups.") As in the Apted documentary, groan-inducing childhood traits make for groan-inducing adult traits. The first act is the least funny, ironically because it is the least sentimental. This is because only once believable character traits are established for each character, can comic and dramatic threads be strung along and played by the plotting. And in the first act, the characters are too broad and cliched to be believable, so what you get is a lot of loud and sometimes successful comic bits and much farce. Still, the players themselves cover a multitude of sins, even in that first third of the show, as they bring with them their own indelible comic traits: Henry Lewis still booms and roars, Jonathan Sayers still pips and squeaks, Henry Shields still ducks and dives, Charlie Russell still acts and reacts to every plot point with more varied comic facial expressiveness than some of the best comedians in the business, and Dave Hearn still effortlessly conjures his inherent likeability, even if this time it is to utterly subvert it, twice, in two clever ways. And Nancy Zamit, well, she is the secret weapon of this piece, as every time other characters get sentimental, she subverts them by remaining relentlessly sociopathically narcissistic, thus undercutting any lulls in the comic energy on stage. For me, Henry Lewis is the most naturally funny comedian, an irrepressible ball of comic action, and Charlie Russell, the second most naturally funny comedian, an irrepressible ball of comic reaction. But God, do Jonathan Sayers, as Mr Squeak, and Nancy Zamit as Ms Shriek, give them a run for their money in this one. And Shields, having shown himself the most excellent actor, in Bank Robbery, by being genuinely frightening, here reaches furthest into subtle and poignant sentiment. Overall, despite the first act not quite being up to speed yet, the second and third are both beautifully constructed and equally loaded with laughs, and this piece is far funnier than I expected, given that it contains the offputting word "Groan" in the title, and doesn't include the enticing words "Goes Wrong." This lot remain a comic joy, and are the heart of new British Comedy (the kind that makes you laugh)! 4 stars.
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 28, 2019 12:29:45 GMT
Steve I'm glad I'm not the only person to find the first act the least amusing. It can't only be due to my dislike of small children then!
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Post by freckles on Oct 2, 2019 9:33:51 GMT
I saw this on Tuesday evening and, although a huge Mischief fan, had mixed feelings. I agree that the first couple of scenes seemed like improv. Although there were a few funny moments, I was willing them to grow up and move on. But they did, and once the piece developed into a proper narrative I felt it got progressively better. It improved greatly as the characters got older, but I suppose we needed to know a bit about their backgrounds etc, hence seeing them as young children. The story doesn't really start until they are in their teens though. Farce is what Mischief does best and it all took a bit of setting up, but by Act Two I was enjoying things much more.
The cast, mostly the original Mischief gang, is excellent as usual, each bringing what has become their trademark characteristics to their characters. Nancy was unfortunately indisposed, so we had Holly Sumpton as Moon; Jonathan announced at the end that she'd gone on with very little rehearsal, but she was fabulous.
It's an unusual piece, and may yet develop and tighten up during previews, but entertaining enough, although not as constantly laugh out loud funny as the Goes Wrong stuff. There is a lot of really well-observed detail though.
The music in the auditorium is brilliant and gets you in the mood, and there is one fantastic scene change to music in Act One that I thought a particular highlight! No spoilers, but post-bows is fun too.
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 2, 2019 18:20:25 GMT
Interesting that Holly Sumpton was the one to go on when according to the programme Krystal Dockery is first cover for Moon, with Holly first cover for the other two roles. Glad to see that they seem to have sorted out the first half's scene change.
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Post by freckles on Oct 3, 2019 7:49:24 GMT
Interesting that Holly Sumpton was the one to go on when according to the programme Krystal Dockery is first cover for Moon, with Holly first cover for the other two roles. Glad to see that they seem to have sorted out the first half's scene change. They said that the main cast barely knew their lines, never mind the covers, so I guess maybe she felt the most prepared. She was very good. The scene change seems to involve the entire floor of the stage being overlaid, (needed for one gag later), so I suppose that’s what was taking the time - they must have got quicker at doing it.
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 3, 2019 18:16:28 GMT
They said that the main cast barely knew their lines, never mind the covers, so I guess maybe she felt the most prepared. She was very good. The scene change seems to involve the entire floor of the stage being overlaid, (needed for one gag later), so I suppose that’s what was taking the time - they must have got quicker at doing it. Hardly surprising given they are doing re-writes. Holly's extensive TCAABR experience probably helped as well. I spoke to George Haynes after last Friday's show & asked if the covers had started rehearsing & was told they'd done a bit in the sutdio but hadn't had any stage rehearsals & I doubt they would have done much if any rehearsing between Friday & Tuesday. I find it so impressive that covers can manage to go on with little rehearsal.
Ah, we may not be talking about the same scene change then. When I saw it the floor laying was being done in the interval between Acts 2 & 3 whereas it's the scene change between Acts 1 & 2 that I was told wasn't up to speed as of last week.
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Post by lynette on Oct 5, 2019 18:17:47 GMT
There tonight. Bag check that rivals Heathrow. They really must invest in the wand if they wanna do this and the preshow music is so loud I’ve had to retreat to foyer until it starts. I’ve complained. It is only mixed pop stuff so why so insanely loud. Never heard the like before. Manager says I’m not the only one and they have already turned it down. But he has another one of those faceless conversations.
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Post by lynette on Oct 5, 2019 19:43:49 GMT
Half time. Hmmmmm Good job this wasn’t their first eh?
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Post by lynette on Oct 5, 2019 21:54:44 GMT
Some seriously good comic writing and touches. But structure all over the place. I’m told they have cut 20 mins already but they need to cut at least 10 from the first section which had a few dips anyway, at least 10 from teen section and yes, also cut from the last section which was the best. The scene change between 1&2 was dire. Invest in more people or some quick flick over boards and wheels for furniture. The set didn’t look right for 13/14 year olds to me. Too junior. Was it sentimental at the end? Would someone have understood so readily twenty years ago? In some ways this had a serious message: nurture/ education don’t do much. I’m looking forward to the Magic Show. These guys are super talented and it is really good that they decided to go for live theatre and not tv stuff. Good on ‘em
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Post by lou105 on Oct 6, 2019 11:01:33 GMT
The set didn’t look right for 13/14 year olds to me. Too junior. That was my interval comment too. In fact with the way they entered, I thought they were breaking into their old primary school. However! I enjoyed this and very happy to be close up and able to observe it all. For my personal tastes, the serious aspects to balance the farce were good. Down at 10.10
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Post by Stephen on Oct 6, 2019 11:40:16 GMT
Loud noises?
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 6, 2019 12:24:08 GMT
There tonight. Bag check that rivals Heathrow. They really must invest in the wand if they wanna do this and the preshow music is so loud I’ve had to retreat to foyer until it starts. I’ve complained. It is only mixed pop stuff so why so insanely loud. Never heard the like before. Manager says I’m not the only one and they have already turned it down. But he has another one of those faceless conversations. The security's been like that at all the Nimax theatres I've been to recently. The last time I went to the Duchess a couple of months ago the queue was right round the corner of the block & halfway down that street because the bag checks were taking so long. To be honest, if a terrorist wanted to blow up a theatre I'd've thought they'd go for a higher-profile one rather than the Nimax ones which are some of the smaller West End ones. I can't say I'm enamoured to the pre-show pop music either (I much prefer the 50s ongs at TCAABR!) but I assumed that was just because I dislike loud pop music in gerneral so didn't think of complaining. The scene change between 1&2 was dire. Invest in more people or some quick flick over boards and wheels for furniture. The set didn’t look right for 13/14 year olds to me. Too junior. Ah, so they are now trying to do that scene change visibly. I haven't seen it yet because they couldn't get it to work to start with. Does that mean that there's now only one scene the two teachers, at the start?
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Post by lynette on Oct 6, 2019 13:45:14 GMT
Two teachers at a podium in front of curtain. Then small kids scene and then a scene change in full view with them dancing about madly to the teen scene. Really amateur.
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Post by lynette on Oct 6, 2019 13:46:22 GMT
Not in the play. V loud pop ish stuff before the show.
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Post by danielwhit on Oct 6, 2019 15:19:49 GMT
To continue the Moonness, Krystal is on this afternoon.
The set change between 6 and 13 works well, personally. It looks a bit silly but not out of place with everything that has gone before it. Text feels smoother now in Act 1.
And yes, it is never stated the 13 year olds are in their classroom, so I've always taken it to mean they've broken into their old Year 2 one (the Mrs Murray-White on the door kind of gives this one away). It is never, unless I'm mistaken, stated though. Adding a line in would probably be a good idea.
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 6, 2019 19:01:31 GMT
Two teachers at a podium in front of curtain. Then small kids scene and then a scene change in full view with them dancing about madly to the teen scene. Really amateur. To continue the Moonness, Krystal is on this afternoon. The set change between 6 and 13 works well, personally. It looks a bit silly but not out of place with everything that has gone before it. Text feels smoother now in Act 1. And yes, it is never stated the 13 year olds are in their classroom, so I've always taken it to mean they've broken into their old Year 2 one (the Mrs Murray-White on the door kind of gives this one away). It is never, unless I'm mistaken, stated though. Adding a line in would probably be a good idea. Thanks. I'll be interested to see the set change when I next go in 2 weekends time. I too assumed that in Act 2 they were illicitly occupying a classroom that happened to be one of their former ones rather than their current classroom.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Oct 6, 2019 20:15:42 GMT
If that was Krystal's first performance as Moon this afternoon then wow! She was so assured and natural in the role, it's hard to imagine anyone else playing the character.
I was enjoying the show at the interval but what followed only got better. The first two thirds of act three was Mischief Theatre at their anarchic best. The final 20 minutes was something very different but equally effective. Loved the encore too!
Highlights for me were Dave Hearn gatecrashing the reunion, everything hamster related, and Bryony Corrigan arguably stealing the show as the hilarious Chemise. I thought Groan Ups also highlighted what a fantastic actress Charlie Russell is.
There's just something about the original Mischief Theatre team and the chemistry between them that makes seeing them on stage together so enjoyable.
Groan Ups still feels like a work in progress at times in the first two acts but all the elements of another hit are there. It's great to see Mischief going for a character-driven comedy, with moments of classic laugh-out-loud farce woven into it, with so much payback from the first two acts in what follows.
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Post by Stephen on Oct 6, 2019 22:15:48 GMT
Also there tonight and enjoyed it. I worked with Krystal last year and had no idea that she was in this. It was a lovely surprise when I saw the understudy sheets (very clearly placed FOH - good) and she was excellent.
Fun seeing the original Mishief lot doing their thing and as pointed out this gets better as it goes on until the final act delivers great laughs and emotional punch. All of the business with hamsters is comedy gold.
The pop music before and during the interval has clearly been turned down a bit as, although it felt a bit loud to me, wasn't uncomfortable.
Highly recommend this and it's a great show for a Sunday evening!
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 7, 2019 18:21:04 GMT
If that was Krystal's first performance as Moon this afternoon then wow! She was so assured and natural in the role, it's hard to imagine anyone else playing the character. I thnk her first performance was on Thursday, per Dave's Twitter.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Oct 8, 2019 8:37:30 GMT
TodayTix 24hr £15 Offer.
Picked up a row P central for £15 for next Friday, first Mischief production, fits in well with the recording of BBC Radio 4 News Quiz earlier in the day.
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Post by showgirl on Oct 8, 2019 16:35:38 GMT
Yet another rubbish Todaytix offer imo: all it offered me for £15 was the grand circle, regardless of which of many dates I tried. Once again I shouldn't even have bothered looking and don't understand how others managed to book much better seats - but good luck to those who did. If I'm that bothered I will wait for other offers or day tickets idc.
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Post by edi on Oct 8, 2019 17:22:49 GMT
Yet another rubbish Todaytix offer imo: all it offered me for £15 was the grand circle, regardless of which of many dates I tried. Once again I shouldn't even have bothered looking and don't understand how others managed to book much better seats - but good luck to those who did. If I'm that bothered I will wait for other offers or day tickets idc. there were some tickets in the last 3 rows of stalls, but this is a play that I want to see closer up. Besides I didn't like the reviews on seat.plan.
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 8, 2019 18:02:21 GMT
Yet another rubbish Todaytix offer imo: all it offered me for £15 was the grand circle, regardless of which of many dates I tried. Once again I shouldn't even have bothered looking and don't understand how others managed to book much better seats - but good luck to those who did. If I'm that bothered I will wait for other offers or day tickets idc. I had a look & the only date I would potentially be interested in was one of the ones that had to £15 tickets avaialble. I find this almost always happens when I look at ticket offers. Oh well, I probably have enough tickets booked for the rest of the run anyway.
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Post by lynette on Oct 9, 2019 11:39:16 GMT
Yet another rubbish Todaytix offer imo: all it offered me for £15 was the grand circle, regardless of which of many dates I tried. Once again I shouldn't even have bothered looking and don't understand how others managed to book much better seats - but good luck to those who did. If I'm that bothered I will wait for other offers or day tickets idc. there were some tickets in the last 3 rows of stalls, but this is a play that I want to see closer up. Besides I didn't like the reviews on seat.plan. It isn’t a huge theatre and the ‘acting’ means you can pick up it all up from the back.
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Post by edi on Oct 10, 2019 17:29:56 GMT
I can quite understand why they had to take out rows AX & AY. The stage is above eye level in row A. Taking out the other rows does mean there's at least 6 feet of legroom for all but the outermost seats. I am regretting A1 (booked only as the rest of the row was already gone) as I'm outside the pros arch & will probably miss stuff stage right. How was front row? I'm considering booking it. I don't mind looking up a bit but not if the stage is so high that it obscures my view. But I prefer looking up vs looking around people's head. Thanks
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Post by lynette on Oct 10, 2019 18:02:52 GMT
I was near the front and it was ok. I think best place for this a bit further back frankly.
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