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Post by stevejohnson678 on May 28, 2019 12:33:14 GMT
So glad I returned tickets for Sweet Charity to see this at its second preview though equally disappointed I won't get to see it for a second time on 22nd June.
The occasional hit like Titanic aside, all too often it feels like whatever is being staged at the Charing Cross Theatre proves a very hard sell with the public, yet stage a professional production of a musical at somewhere like Southwark Playhouse and the demand seems to be there.
It's a real shame for a venue that's come a long way since WAG and Dusty. The likes of Death Takes a Holiday, The Woman in White and now Amour all deserved greater success than they seemed to enjoy. Evidently even the great reviews for Amour haven't made much difference. I hope the creative team keep the faith!
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 28, 2019 12:37:11 GMT
If they reduced top price tickets it may help.
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Post by ensembleswings on May 28, 2019 12:39:28 GMT
Sad to see this closing early, wish I could see it but I won’t have a chance before it closes now.
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Post by jamb0r on May 28, 2019 12:43:29 GMT
Does anyone know of any good offers for this?
It always surprises me at how shows at this theatre sell so few tickets and manage to plod along. The last few shows there were papered for their entire runs, but haven't seen the same being done for this show.
I am sure there must be a valid reason why they don't just chuck these shows on TodayTix with £20 rush tickets?
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Post by stevejohnson678 on May 28, 2019 12:48:13 GMT
Does anyone know of any good offers for this? It always surprises me at how shows at this theatre sell so few tickets and manage to plod along. The last few shows there were papered for their entire runs, but haven't seen the same being done for this show. Most seats are available for either £23 or £25 (reduced from £40) across the majority of performances (excluding Saturdays and the final Friday) with Theatre Tickets Direct.
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Post by xanady on May 28, 2019 12:56:40 GMT
Ironic that the board is discussing long runners that we feel could make way on the same day that such a beautiful show as this closes early.
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3,940 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on May 28, 2019 12:56:49 GMT
I'd suggest just going to the box office on the day & asking about day seats. I got 2nd row less than an hour before the start both this past Sat mat & 2 weeks earlier for £20.50 each time.
I'm sorry to hear this is closing early but not particularly surprised, after being at 2 half-full Saturday performances. I'm glad I decided to see it a 2nd time last week, as I don't have any other free slots before it closes.
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Post by xanady on May 28, 2019 13:03:49 GMT
Ironic that on the day that we are voting on long runners that we feel could make way, this beautiful show closes early.
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Post by Rukaya on May 28, 2019 13:18:23 GMT
Such a shame this is closing early, the Charing Cross Theatre seems to have a bit of a curse at the moment doesn't it.
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Post by andrew on May 28, 2019 13:31:30 GMT
Does anyone know of any good offers for this? It always surprises me at how shows at this theatre sell so few tickets and manage to plod along. The last few shows there were papered for their entire runs, but haven't seen the same being done for this show. I am sure there must be a valid reason why they don't just chuck these shows on TodayTix with £20 rush tickets? Rush tickets have a point when the average ticket is £80, not £30. Also I assume that they have to pay lots of money to be featured in TodayTix (and especially close to the top of the front page) so maybe some smaller productions just can't afford it.
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438 posts
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Post by Rukaya on May 28, 2019 13:37:08 GMT
Does anyone know of any good offers for this? It always surprises me at how shows at this theatre sell so few tickets and manage to plod along. The last few shows there were papered for their entire runs, but haven't seen the same being done for this show. I am sure there must be a valid reason why they don't just chuck these shows on TodayTix with £20 rush tickets? Rush tickets have a point when the average ticket is £80, not £30. Also I assume that they have to pay lots of money to be featured in TodayTix (and especially close to the top of the front page) so maybe some smaller productions just can't afford it. Yeah, it's an agreement between the producers and TodayTix, not as simple as "Let's do rush tickets!" especially for smaller shows like this.
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Post by winonaforever on May 28, 2019 14:04:53 GMT
That's such a shame. I enjoyed it so much...
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Post by kzf on May 28, 2019 15:08:41 GMT
Utterly depressing to hear, and personally gutted that I won't be able to see this production again. I can't imagine price was the issue here, just lack of awareness despite all the great reviews. Shows at Charing Cross seem to fly under the radar somewhat, such a shame...
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3,940 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on May 28, 2019 17:26:47 GMT
Oh this is a shame. Not sure I can fit in another visit. Given that Umbrellas of Cherbourg flopped in the West End too, is there something about Legrand's music that doesn't appeal to a London audience? Marguerite also closed early back in 2008. Mind you, apart than Les Mis & Miss Saigon, I'm not sure I can think off hand of any musicals by French composers that have been big hits in the WE. Anyone? Oh, Dawnstar is worth meeting, nice person . That's kind of you to say so, though I'm not sure it's true!
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Post by dippy on May 28, 2019 18:23:33 GMT
Add me to the list of people that finds it sad this is closing early. I really enjoyed it and thought it was one of the better productions I've seen there. Feel like since The Woman in White there's not been anything that good (not that I've seen everything so I can't really judge).
I know passing trade there must be rare but the box office only being open for a couple of hours can't help. I've walked past it before and heard what look like passersby being frustrated that the box office is closed.
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Post by Dawnstar on May 28, 2019 19:21:57 GMT
Add me to the list of people that finds it sad this is closing early. I really enjoyed it and thought it was one of the better productions I've seen there. Feel like since The Woman in White there's not been anything that good (not that I've seen everything so I can't really judge). I haven't seen anything there between The Woman In White & Amour so nice to know I probably haven't missed much!
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Post by viserys on May 28, 2019 19:33:58 GMT
Marguerite also closed early back in 2008. Mind you, apart than Les Mis & Miss Saigon, I'm not sure I can think off hand of any musicals by French composers that have been big hits in the WE. Anyone? Notre Dame de Paris wasn't a big hit and Romeo et Juliette, which was a massive hit both in France and Italy (and other countries) was basically laughed out of town. In both cases, I think, it was partly due to the shonky translations and partly the fact that the French way of storytelling didn't go down well. Les Miserables had started as a typical French rock opera in the 70s and was heavily amended to match Anglo-American tastes when Cameron Mackintosh got his hands on it and Miss Saigon was only ever created for the Anglo-American market. That said, Legrand's style is vastly different from the big spéctacles, so I don't know, why these shows don't find an audience.
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Post by dippy on May 28, 2019 20:00:35 GMT
I haven't seen anything there between The Woman In White & Amour so nice to know I probably haven't missed much! Didn't see everything but out of what I saw Amour was definitely the best since The Woman in White. I didn't see Mythic, that one might been alrightish going by what I read on here but I wasn't able to see that. Amour however was just lovely, much better than I was expecting.
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Post by latefortheoverture on May 29, 2019 0:22:37 GMT
Shame it's going earlier than expected. Looked lovely and sounded fun, but people weren't buying it.
Don't know what it is with the Charing Cross Theatre but everything seems a little drab lately (?!)
Why don't they revive a well-known show that might have more recognition to the public? It makes sense doesn't it? Whether it be an old big Broadway musical or a forgotten Sondheim score. It's a shame as it's a nice space in central London, but doing a more popular show might bring in fresh punters.
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Post by tmesis on May 29, 2019 19:56:24 GMT
I was hoping they'd try the Union Theatre's version of "The Beautiful Game," as it works beautifully in traverse (transverse, whatever). Yes that would be a great choice. I loved it at The Union and I'm generally antipathetic to most ALW. That said The Union itself seems to be going through similar problems. "The Beautiful Game" dates from when it wa 'across the road' and was doing some absolutely cracking productions - now it's moved it's done little of comparable merit.
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Post by andrew on May 29, 2019 20:00:59 GMT
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Post by CG on the loose on May 29, 2019 21:35:13 GMT
Thank you - perfect timing, unexpectedly summoned to London tomorrow. Evening free!
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Post by musicalmarge on May 30, 2019 3:48:32 GMT
The main problem with this theatre - is this theatre! I just do not enjoy going to the actual venue. It’s dark, no sunlight, smelly and was a very odd shaped theatre. Because of that it’s not so much on my radar unless it’s a must see known show.
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Post by Snciole on May 30, 2019 13:42:15 GMT
The producer who runs it is lovely but it just doesn't have that kind of relationship with an audience to see people flock whatever the show. It needs a hit and it needs people to trust it as a producer again.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on May 30, 2019 21:30:45 GMT
So.... is it better than the 'sneak peek' thing makes it look? Considering booking, but not thrilled on this evidence.
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Post by Seriously on May 30, 2019 22:23:31 GMT
So.... is it better than the 'sneak peek' thing makes it look? Considering booking, but not thrilled on this evidence. Gotta love that girl at 1min 28 smacking down her chair on the beat... but missing the stage. And why the cockney accents?
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Post by horton on May 31, 2019 13:26:03 GMT
Oh no! This has "un-sold" me!
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Post by horton on May 31, 2019 21:43:34 GMT
I adore Amour and wonder if it lives best in my own mind's eye.
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Post by tmesis on Jun 2, 2019 18:55:38 GMT
I enjoyed this but was not bowled over. Legrand's score is inventive with many varied musical styles but it never achieves any real melodic distinction. However, there was a technical tour de force, about 10 mins before the interval, where he combines four(?) tunes in a delicious counterpoint which only a really classy composer could achieve.
The cast were uniformly excellent and the production was very inventive, with excellent sound balance; I heard virtually every word of the witty lyrics - I hope they use this layout of the auditorium again, it provided a lovely intimate feel and gave this somewhat charmless theatre much more atmosphere.
I think it was the story that in the end that made me less whelmed than I thought I would be. It was all a bit fey and pointless and for me lacked charm - unlike the superior Romantics Anonymous, which was funnier, had a better score and was so touching at the end.
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Post by xanady on Jun 2, 2019 19:26:31 GMT
Trouble with the CCT is,unfortunately,a lack of visible advertising.The masses probably don’t even know it exists.Such a shame when quality theatre slips under the radar.
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