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Post by stevejohnson678 on Jul 2, 2017 8:36:13 GMT
While this does drag in places and the minor characters generally get the better songs, I found much more to like in this than Annie, Aladdin and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.
I feel suitably chastened and ashamed of myself now that the definitive verdict is in from Mr B. 😃 It would be boring if we all liked the same things!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 2, 2017 8:52:30 GMT
I think you may be in the minority there. Not to say being in a minority isn't a marvellous place to be. Quite possibly!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 3, 2017 5:45:07 GMT
Well obviously you are wrong. But I'll let it go just this once. While this does drag in places and the minor characters generally get the better songs, I found much more to like in this than Annie, Aladdin and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. I feel suitably chastened and ashamed of myself now that the definitive verdict is in from Mr B. 😃 It would be boring if we all liked the same things!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2017 10:30:45 GMT
Surprised the reviews were this brutal. I thought it was a solid 3 star show.
Rather sad that this was so terribly slated while that abomination at the Coliseum got 5 star raves.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 3, 2017 10:45:40 GMT
Surprised the reviews were this brutal. I thought it was a solid 3 star show. Rather sad that this was so terribly slated while that abomination at the Coliseum got 5 star raves. Unfortunately, We live in a world where a Starbucks coffee comes with a high regard
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 3, 2017 11:58:11 GMT
I haven't seen willows yet, but once being tentative about seeing this, now since the bad reviews I want to see this, to see what the fuss is about.But do agree about Starbucks, why go there when you can have lovely hand crafted coffee from Caffe Nero.
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Post by d'James on Jul 3, 2017 12:29:40 GMT
I haven't seen willows yet, but once being tentative about seeing this, now since the bad reviews I want to see this, to see what the fuss is about.But do agree about Starbucks, why go there when you can have lovely hand crafted coffee from Caffe Nero. You're brave to go to any of them after last week's Watchdog report.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 3, 2017 14:54:51 GMT
I stay away from the iced drinks anyway, Costas came out worst of the 3.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 3, 2017 15:53:51 GMT
Blended with faecal matter yummy. Reminds me of the very pricey and ethically dodgy coffee that Harrods sell ...
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 3, 2017 18:29:53 GMT
Blended with faecal matter yummy. Reminds me of the very pricey and ethically dodgy coffee that Harrods sell ... Crappuciono!!!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 3, 2017 20:26:30 GMT
Warning- this show comes with traces of faecal matter
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Post by SageStageMgr on Jul 3, 2017 20:44:53 GMT
Warning- this show comes with traces of faecal matter Bowely and Scat go on a great adventure to help their friend Turd!
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Post by Seriously on Jul 3, 2017 21:22:09 GMT
Poop-poop!
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Post by adrianics on Jul 3, 2017 22:16:54 GMT
Saw this tonight. Kind of hard to put my finger on it... It was definitely missing a spark. Nothing wrong or bad about it, per se, but it's not going to set the world alight or become a classic. It's aimed at children and is pretty good at providing for them, with some fun songs and memorable performances.
I liked Rufus Hound as Toad just fine, he's clearly giving it everything he has and has put the work in, he's improved immeasurably since I saw him in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He hit his notes, gave it some good energy and got a lot of laughs. I think the issue is that he'll only ever be better than you expect a non-singer, non-actor to be... He's not really West End standard and often gets drowned in the Palladium and upstaged by his fellow cast, no matter how much effort he gives it. Gary Wilmot and Simon Lipkin are good value like they always are. Neil McDermott is a fabulous villain and ran away with every scene he was in.
There's some clunkers in the script (who was that woman who helped Toad escape prison, why did she care so much, where did she go afterwards and why didn't they attempt to make her look like an animal??) but also some really good running jokes; the hedgehog family were very funny, the courtroom scene made me bellow with laughter and Lipkin's ad-libs were a treat. I'll also never not laugh at a dummy being thrown to simulate a person falling.
The songs are... Fine, I guess. I'd struggle to name any of them now but I enjoyed them at the time. I liked 'I'm Mr Toad' especially, although Hound struggled to choke the rapping out.
Overall... Yeah, it's okay. Plenty to like, but not love, about it and it's a fun night out. It's hardly the disaster some people in this thread are making it out to be and it's nowhere near as bad as, say, Aladdin. I'd say it's good for families, the youngsters around us were loving it and impeccably behaved!
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Post by showbizkid on Jul 4, 2017 8:59:49 GMT
The woman who helps toad escape is Jenna Boyd who is fabulous in everything she does. Problem is the part is disjointed (come from nowwhere) as she also plays the hedgehog and was meant to play barge woman until they gave it to Denice. Different actors playing different roles not uniformed throughout the show can be a tricky one.
The problem with this show is that A) how are you meant to care about toad if he is so bad B) it is just not funny enough C) the book is bad D) the music is just ok....
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Post by Baemax on Jul 4, 2017 9:10:58 GMT
(who was that woman who helped Toad escape prison, why did she care so much, where did she go afterwards and why didn't they attempt to make her look like an animal??) I've not seen the show, but in the book, she was the gaoler's daughter, she felt sorry for Toad, she stayed behind because presumably she didn't want to run away herself, she just wanted to help Toad escape, and she was human.
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Post by SageStageMgr on Jul 4, 2017 9:16:41 GMT
^^^ This is absolutely not established - I thought she was the washer woman and she had a crush on him. Genuinely.
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Post by Baemax on Jul 4, 2017 9:18:46 GMT
Who knows, maybe that's what they've decided to go for in the show! Although it strikes me as more likely that they simply didn't consider some people just don't know the book and will need a little more clarity in the story-telling than they've apparently achieved.
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Post by adrianics on Jul 4, 2017 10:06:40 GMT
Thanks Baemax. Yeah in the show absolutely none of that is made clear (even though there's some truly painful exposition in other scenes, so they're clearly not above that) and it was pretty confusing to me. My conclusion was much the same as asmdsmandm's!
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Post by SageStageMgr on Jul 4, 2017 10:08:17 GMT
Thanks Baemax. Yeah in the show absolutely none of that is made clear (even though there's some truly painful exposition in other scenes, so they're clearly not above that) and it was pretty confusing to me. My conclusion was much the same as asmdsmandm's! See my earlier review for my bit on exposition!
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Post by Boob on Jul 4, 2017 19:21:05 GMT
The problem is, Toad is such a toad, it's hard to see why she'd take a shine to him in the first place, or offer to help. And then he just exploits her kindness anyway!
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 4, 2017 21:53:50 GMT
Thinking of seeing this Friday.
Anyone knows the running time and any offers about please?
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Post by Anniek on Jul 5, 2017 7:06:56 GMT
I really don't get all the negativity. Yeah the story isn't very strong, but the music was rather catchy, some performances we're really good and enjoyable (the Wild Wooders, the horse, the hedgehog (well me and my friend thought it was funny) there was lots of references to other shows (toad4601 when Toad is in custody) I thought the set was nice, as well as costumes and singing-wise I thought there was no weak performances. It might not be the most 'serious' product, but what they have done in my opinion is a serious attempt for a fun (kids) show. p.s anthony40 too bad I couldnt find you anymore after the show. Hope you enjoyed it!
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Post by Boob on Jul 5, 2017 15:36:36 GMT
TodayTix has big discounts too...
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 6, 2017 19:17:02 GMT
Just had a look at TodayTix App for this show and the night I wanted had 5 different price ranges for the stalls, so thought I investigate via here.
So the most expensive one first.
£98 - Will get you Row I - Seat 24 (Pretty Dead Centre)- (Theatrempnkey advises that these are "premium seats". marked light green) £45 - Will get you Row E - Seat 7 (Right Hand Side)-(Theatremonkey advises that seat is "generally unremarkable", marked white) £33 - Will get you Row X - Seat 14 (Pretty Dead Centre, but back row next to sounddesk)- (Theatremonkey advises that "better seats can be had, at the same price" seat marked red) £24.50 - Will get you Row V - Seat 1 (Very Right Hand Side, Second to last row)- (Theatremonkey advises that "better seats can be had, at the same price" seat marked red) £20 - - Will get you Row S - Seat 27 (Pretty Dead Centre) - (Theatremonkey advises that seat is "generally unremarkable", marked white, row behind (row T) offers noticeable value)
I posted this as it points out, if you are willing to sit 10 rows back, you can save yourself a eye watering £78, in a seat that is quite decent, would normally be a £67.50 seat.
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1,188 posts
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jul 6, 2017 20:23:40 GMT
Saw this last night from the Dress Circle row D. I've never seen the Palladium so empty. Upper Circle was shut and the Dress was only around 30% full. Stalls looked a bit busier but still no more than 50%. Really felt sorry for the cast.
The show seemed heavily papered. In the area where I was seating everybody got comps. If things don't improve soon I don't see this lasting much longer.
The show itself is just passable imho, at times a bit dull and boring. The performances are good in general and the design is decent enough, but it's not a very exciting production. It never reaches a climax, there's no big number, no wow factor. There are a couple of catchy songs but that's about it.
Overall, a disappointing night at theatre. Glad I saw it though, mainly because of the performances.
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Post by ellegarret on Jul 7, 2017 19:06:08 GMT
Well...., I saw this on the official opening night in Plymouth last October (I think it was) with my Theatre School. Very disappointing. I seriously hoped for a darker twist or at least more angst in the storyline. I'm so glad I managed to get discounted tickets because the maximum I would want to pay would be £10.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 7, 2017 22:18:34 GMT
Okay saw this earlier on.
This show proves 2 things, 1 - never walk out at the interval. 2 - the critics are only one persons opinion.
This got a slew of 2 star reviews and at the interval I thought the critics were more than generous and frankly I hated it, but as my golden rule never walk out on a show and really thought this dramatically improved for the second part and ended up enjoying it.
However I do agree that the score is a bit clunky and insipid but saying that there were several numbers that were enjoyable, I think Stiles and Drewe are generally top of the class composers and hit the post on this one.
The acting I hated in the first half and did give Rufus Hound room, but he improved in the second half. I also thought Gary Wilmot gave a good performance. The others were okay.
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Post by CG on the loose on Jul 8, 2017 17:47:58 GMT
A few good songs (loved Spring and the second act opener was strong too) but book? What book? And I'm afraid I also found the performances below par from most of the cast (compared to other things I've seen them in). Strongest for me was Mr Lipkin. Liked the costumes.
Seen it. Won't be seeing it again.
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Post by anita on Jul 9, 2017 10:05:22 GMT
Well I enjoyed it!
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