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Post by singularsensation10 on Jul 14, 2019 14:13:12 GMT
Were the vocals good enough? I was a little worried about Russell's less sopranic voice in comparison to O'Hara but Shoshana Bean performed Always Better recently and still sounded great despite her more pop-style voice which has made me a little less worried so I'd love to hear something positive to put my concerns completely to rest. It definitely wasn’t cast on vocals. It got better as it went on, probably due to the fact they finished teching act 2 the same day and probably hadn’t touched act 1 for a few days (only assuming this knowing how tech schedules work). Wasn’t overly thrilled by last nights show but hoping it will improve before my next visit. Lots and lots of line flubs and only Shanay stood out for me. Jenna is a wonderful actress but with a score like this I would argue vocals need more weight in the casting process - knowing how Trevor Nunn casts his shows (usually just come in and have a chat then maybe read a scene), the casting process wasn’t the same for this production as with other productions. I am sure as was said above the chemistry will improve over time as the actors become more comfortable and I forgave them a lot considering it was ultimately a dress run.
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Post by theatre241 on Jul 15, 2019 7:04:34 GMT
Does anyone know what those restricted view seats are like? What is the set like?
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jul 15, 2019 7:31:59 GMT
Does anyone know what those restricted view seats are like? What is the set like? The space is so small I can’t see the restricted view seats being an issue. The set is complicated but not massive - there are two revolves on which different parts of set roll in and out (I assume for Trevor Nunn this signifies the continuation of life and/or Francesca’s leading a double life), and the porch flies in (just once I believe..). Looks beautiful when executed properly but its quite complicated so has a lot of possibilities to go wrong.
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Post by frosty on Jul 15, 2019 7:48:02 GMT
I was there Saturday too, I've not read the book or seen the film, so only knew the sketchiest of details, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, beautiful story. There were a few glitches, but nothing show stopping. I thought Jenna was wonderful and has a lovely voice. The set is basically wooden slats which have various projections on them, and 2 small revolves for the furniture etc. I can't imagine any of the views are restricted, seating is L shaped across 2 sides and the set is across the other two sides, it was all totally open. The biggest issue for me was the sardine bench seating and the heat. Lordy it was hot, and you certainly get to know your neighbour very well. I was almost looking forward to the end just to get out and get some air! It really would make me think twice about going back there. Perhaps I was unlucky and there were just some larger than average people in my row.
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Post by theatre241 on Jul 15, 2019 7:48:42 GMT
Does anyone know what those restricted view seats are like? What is the set like? The space is so small I can’t see the restricted view seats being an issue. The set is complicated but not massive - there are two revolves on which different parts of set roll in and out (I assume for Trevor Nunn this signifies the continuation of life and/or Francesca’s leading a double life), and the porch flies in (just once I believe..). Looks beautiful when executed properly but its quite complicated so has a lot of possibilities to go wrong. Thank you! How big is the band do you know?
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Post by andrew on Jul 15, 2019 8:15:14 GMT
I was there Saturday too, I've not read the book or seen the film, so only knew the sketchiest of details, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, beautiful story. There were a few glitches, but nothing show stopping. I thought Jenna was wonderful and has a lovely voice. The set is basically wooden slats which have various projections on them, and 2 small revolves for the furniture etc. I can't imagine any of the views are restricted, seating is L shaped across 2 sides and the set is across the other two sides, it was all totally open. The biggest issue for me was the sardine bench seating and the heat. Lordy it was hot, and you certainly get to know your neighbour very well. I was almost looking forward to the end just to get out and get some air! It really would make me think twice about going back there. Perhaps I was unlucky and there were just some larger than average people in my row. Thanks for the info, as a big JR fan I'm glad you liked her in this. Re: the Menier rows, over the length of the row people tend to try and sit as far away as they can get away with from other people. I've come in and found my seat literally non-existant because from both sides people have edged slightly over where they should be and it just cascades. You've then got to shout at people to shuffle up until they are literally bang in front of their seat number. You do get big people sometimes but more often I think people further up the row are just taking liberties with their personal space in a theatre where there is absolutely 0 personal space.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jul 15, 2019 9:12:28 GMT
What was the run time last night? Hoping to catch it on Wednesday but got a train to catch at 10.30. It was (according to a friend) 3 hours last night. Starts at 8pm. So down by 11am or hopefully 10.45 on Wednesday. I understand why Menier starts their shows at 8pm but to have a show not ending till almost 11pm is bound to cause some travel-home issues. I'm there tonight and really hope nobody will have to leave before the end.
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Post by frosty on Jul 15, 2019 9:28:46 GMT
<abbr>....</abbr> really hope nobody will have to leave before the end. Annoyingly, the late finish on Saturday, and the slow slow shuffle as everyone leaves the theatre, meant that we missed our fast train home by 2 minutes, so it was another 30 min wait and the slow train for us. Hopefully they will shave some time off the running. I was thinking it would be really difficult to leave early if you had to, you would basically have to walk along the stage. Just out of interest, why do the shows there start at 8?
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Post by lynette on Jul 15, 2019 10:43:36 GMT
I think they like you eat at the restaurant and when i have the slow service would account for an 8 start 😂
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Post by alece10 on Jul 15, 2019 10:46:39 GMT
<abbr>....</abbr> really hope nobody will have to leave before the end. Annoyingly, the late finish on Saturday, and the slow slow shuffle as everyone leaves the theatre, meant that we missed our fast train home by 2 minutes, so it was another 30 min wait and the slow train for us. Hopefully they will shave some time off the running. I was thinking it would be really difficult to leave early if you had to, you would basically have to walk along the stage. Just out of interest, why do the shows there start at 8? Its mainly due to the fact the theatre has a restaurant and does the meal deal package with dinner and show. It generates quite a bit of money for a non subsidized theater so they have always started the shows at 8pm. Very annoying with the longer shows. Also surprised about the heat as the theatre has air con and people usually complain it's cold. Maybe if they had been teching the show all day then the spotlights would have been on all day which generates a lot of heat.
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Post by sophie92 on Jul 15, 2019 10:51:46 GMT
Another who was there on Saturday with my mum, and on our walk home we discussed the 8pm start time. I also put it down to being because they want people to eat at the restaurant.
And yes, if anyone does have to leave early, it’s going to be awkward because you do have to walk along the edge of the stage area.
With regards to restricted views, the post is at the far end of row A on the block of seats as you come in. I was sat in the seat next to the post on Saturday but for another visit I have C31 (I think) booked, which is behind the post. However, I think for the most part anyone sat there will be looking past the post into the open space of the stage area so I don’t believe it will cause a massive restriction.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jul 15, 2019 12:26:11 GMT
The space is so small I can’t see the restricted view seats being an issue. The set is complicated but not massive - there are two revolves on which different parts of set roll in and out (I assume for Trevor Nunn this signifies the continuation of life and/or Francesca’s leading a double life), and the porch flies in (just once I believe..). Looks beautiful when executed properly but its quite complicated so has a lot of possibilities to go wrong. Thank you! How big is the band do you know? Not sure but they sounded exquisite.
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Post by alece10 on Jul 15, 2019 16:26:17 GMT
Maybe if they had been teching the show all day then the spotlights would have been on all day which generates a lot of heat. Don't they use LED which is a lot cooler? Maybe. I'm not up on modern day electrickery. It was just a thought behind the heat issue.
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Post by frankubelik on Jul 15, 2019 17:47:47 GMT
Gosh I am dreading this. Booked prior to the casting announcement and now can't shift the tickets. I have taken to booking an EXTRA seat so as not to have to be so terribly cramped which is of course wasteful but a choice. So many productions have been ruined for me because of the seating and heat - last year's SPAMILTON a case in point. Roll on Saturday...........................
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Post by alece10 on Jul 15, 2019 18:14:33 GMT
You should have gone there in the days before reserved seating. It was a free for all and at the end there were people with no seats and everyone had to shift up to squeeze everyone in. And the number of times I've sat at the end of the row with only one buttock on the seat and the other floating in mid air!!!!
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Post by showgirl on Jul 15, 2019 18:41:11 GMT
The 8 pm start is a real pain as what with the risk of rail engineering work on Sundays, that only leaves the Saturday matinee for me. However, at least that starts helpfully late at 3.30 pm, so plenty of time to fit in even a long film first.
Whilst I realise that they want people to eat in the restaurant first, surely that has far too few tables to accommodate more than a small percentage of the audience, even if they all wished to dine there, so why not bring forward the evening performance to a more sensible and usual 7.30 pm?
Most people who want to eat before a play or show expect to fit in with the performance time, not the reverse and there are now plenty of alternative dining options in the area.
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Post by missthelma on Jul 15, 2019 19:00:08 GMT
Gosh I am dreading this. Booked prior to the casting announcement and now can't shift the tickets. I have taken to booking an EXTRA seat so as not to have to be so terribly cramped which is of course wasteful but a choice. So many productions have been ruined for me because of the seating and heat - last year's SPAMILTON a case in point. Roll on Saturday........................... Have to confess when I had the funds I would do the same at the Chocolate Starfish, even doing that I was still uncomfortably close to the person next door. Now having no spare money for such indulgence and frippery for the most part I avoid this theatre.
And indeed as alece10 says the aisle seat tends to leave one buttock almost entirely unsupported!
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Post by shady23 on Jul 15, 2019 19:22:35 GMT
For the first time in my life I have double booked myself and find myself having booked this and Joseph on the same night. I guess a refund is out of the question but anyone know how accommodating they are to swapping tickets?
I really don't want to be stung with a load of silly charges either. I'd rather the seat goes empty if that is the case.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jul 15, 2019 21:00:33 GMT
Gosh I HATED this tonight and left in the interval (again) why don’t they cast actors that can sing in the UK? The lead guy Edward Baker-Duly was TERRIBLE and cracked many times (and not good looking either or any sex appeal) why on earth wasn’t Michael Xavier cast in this role? It needs excitement and chemistry and tension as the score is so tedious...
Sadly I didn’t think much of Jenna Russell either - her voice doesn’t match the score and is nowhere near the sheer soprano 10/10 magnificence of O’Hara. She was remotely average and low rent in her singing unlike everything else she has been in before. In this she is dreamy, pitchy and toothy. A real disappointment and both miscast I'm sorry.
A dull dull DULL boring show with great staging the only good thing going for it - sadly not even Trevor Nunn could save this stinker. The entire audience were sooo bored and terrible feedback at the interval. The Broadway soundtrack this is NOT. 3/10
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 21:19:47 GMT
it's an over exaggeration to say that Jenna Russell can't sing.
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Post by apubleed on Jul 15, 2019 21:21:46 GMT
I'm a little nervous now....I saw the OBC on Broadway so very interested in comparing. But yes O'Hara is a vocal powerhouse,as was Pasquale (well captured on the OBC recording). The sexual tension between them was oozing from that stage. If they can't sing the part, and there is no sex appeal, it would make for a much more boring evening. But I'm still going to keep an open mind.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jul 15, 2019 21:29:10 GMT
it's an over exaggeration to say that Jenna Russell can't sing. Please read what I said Jenna can sing. She’s been great in many roles. Just not this one. My main issue was with the male performers with lack of vocal range, timbre or stage presence.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jul 16, 2019 0:55:15 GMT
Finished at 22.48 tonight. Theatre was pleasantly cool. My seat A32 by the post had a perfect view, just had to move my feet quickly a few times as the table moved out. Didn't feel cramped at all.
I was hooked from the opening number. Loved the score, felt both the leads performed well. I haven't seen the film and didn't guess where the storyline was heading. The opening of the second act really surprised me so I won't elaborate. I wasn't aware of any lines being fluffed or unexpected noises and would never have guessed it was only the second preview.
Hoping it will follow Fiddler into the Playhouse
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Post by latefortheoverture on Jul 16, 2019 1:07:44 GMT
Anxiously looking forward to this on Thursday!
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Post by squidward on Jul 16, 2019 1:36:58 GMT
Gosh I HATED this tonight and left in the interval (again) why don’t they cast actors that can sing in the UK? The lead guy Edward Baker-Duly was TERRIBLE and cracked many times (and not good looking either or any sex appeal) why on earth wasn’t Michael Xavier cast in this role? It needs excitement and chemistry and tension as the score is so tedious... Sadly I didn’t think much of Jenna Russell either - her voice doesn’t match the score and is nowhere near the sheer soprano 10/10 magnificence of O’Hara. She was remotely average and low rent in her singing unlike everything else she has been in before. In this she is dreamy, pitchy and toothy. A real disappointment and both miscast I'm sorry. A dull dull DULL boring show with great staging the only good thing going for it - sadly not even Trevor Nunn could save this stinker. The entire audience were sooo bored and terrible feedback at the interval. The Broadway soundtrack this is NOT. 3/10 I’m 100pc I’m agreement with Musical Marge on this one. I’ve never really understood the fuss about Jenna Russell and I’ve yet to see her do anything that was more than serviceable. She and Edward Baker-Duly didn’t chime in a romantic way for me at all and given that relationship is st the centre of this story, it was game over for me very early on in the proceedings. In my humble opinion, Jason Robert Brown’s best work by a mile was ‘Parade’ and the rest of his output has been on diminishing returns ever since. I was taken to see the show by a friend, so couldn’t escape at the interval, but I definitely would have made a bolt for the exit at that point if I could have done. Believe me Musical Marge, you didn’t miss anything in the second half that would have changed your thoughts about the production. Presumably the MCF have got their eye on a transfer for the show but even with more dynamic leads, I can’t imagine this would last very long if it did make it into the west end.
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Post by Fleance on Jul 16, 2019 2:04:32 GMT
Not a great show, but a good, lush score. Looking forward to seeing it next month. Also looking forward to Once on this Island at the Southwark Playhouse.
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Post by justafan on Jul 16, 2019 8:07:00 GMT
A quick domestic question - does the Menier have a cloakroom for leaving overnight bags? Thank you 😄
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Post by lou105 on Jul 16, 2019 11:16:39 GMT
And this is off topic but don't make the mistake I once made of putting a bag in a (hideously expensive) railway station Left Luggage office which closed at 11. Just made it on time but this looks like a late finish.
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Post by alece10 on Jul 16, 2019 11:31:10 GMT
A quick domestic question - does the Menier have a cloakroom for leaving overnight bags? Thank you 😄 Yes it does have a cloakroom. You can leave coats bags etc with the box office and there is no cloakroom charge. Just a jar on the counter if you wish to tip. But you can leave an overnight bag no problem. Its preferable as not a lot of space in the theatre itself.
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Post by justafan on Jul 16, 2019 12:37:00 GMT
Thanks all 🙏
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