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Post by apubleed on Jan 1, 2024 11:11:59 GMT
Clare chose not to sing "rise" much in 'Ladies Who Lunch' yesterday, she usually does though so I think her voice must be a bit challenged atm? Entire cast sang "Auld Lang Syne" at Certain last night. What a way to end the year!
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Post by bigredapple on Jan 1, 2024 17:45:20 GMT
Would love to catch this again and was considering trying rush tix for closing night as it would be a special vibe What are my chances, would I be better to just rush a regular show?
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 1, 2024 17:49:32 GMT
Would love to catch this again and was considering trying rush tix for closing night as it would be a special vibe What are my chances, would I be better to just rush a regular show? Oof. Maybe just rush for a regular show. Or atleast for the matinee and evening show on Saturday
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Post by anthony40 on Jan 1, 2024 19:16:19 GMT
So, as mentioned, I caught this yesterday.
Wow! What a show. I was so happy, tapping my foot and grinning from ear-to-ear.
I saw the original one-off concert at the Sondheim theatre honoring the great man himself at the news of his passing.
(As far as I’m aware) the full cast was on. The orchestra felt full and rich.
It took a couple of songs, possibly from I’m Not Getting Married to Into The Woods for the audience to really get into it. I Know Things Now and Hello, Little Girl were well received, however Agony didn’t get the laughs that it normally does.
As the show progressed the audience rapture became even more enthusiastic till at the end there were standing ovations.
I overheard both Janie Dee and Claire Burt at the stage door comment on how great the audience were.
Bernadette Peters- I (finally) have seen her in something!
I did see her about 25 years ago perform a concert at the Sydney Opera House- which she still claims to be a career highlight for her- and have since seen her perform a concert at the Royal Festival Hall.
For someone her age, she has an amazing body! Under her dress you could see her right knee was strapped, but she was out there doing her thing.
Loosing My Mind and Send In The Clowns- such poignancy and heartfelt- wiping tears away from her eyes.
Lea Salonga- I have never seen her in anything. Of course, I am aware of her and (yes, I know she was in Miss Saigon) however, when I first came to London in the early 90’s she had already left the show.
What a voice! Loving You, the whole Sweeney Todd sequence and Roses’ Turn- bloody hell! She made it look effortless!
I must admit I don’t know Claire Burt but The Ladies Who Lunch was well delivered. As was The Little Things You Do Together. Bonnie Langford- I do know her and she’s so dynamic!
Let’s not forget Joanna Riding- Sensational in Not Getting Married and You’ve Gotta Get A Gimmick!
By nature, I’m not a crier however the whole Sunday sequence, got to me a little. It’s my favourite musical.
Although I was in the stalls, I was dead centre in Row R so the overhang of the balcony blocked both the projection of the painting and each of the characters within it.
As she was in the original Broadway production and created the role of Dot, I couldn’t help but wonder what Bernadette Peters must have been thinking.
Similarly, when each actor came on stage at the end and looked up at the projections of Sondheim. Given that she knew him personally and professionally, it must have been difficult!
As correctly stated by apubleed, the whole cast crossed arms and sang Auld Lang Syne" at the curtain call.
At a certain point they projected the names of all of Sondheim’s show, including shows that weren’t touched upon on the show, bringing to the forefront the gravitas of Sondheim’s body of work.
I actually (genuinely) felt so fortunate to be sitting in a theatre, on the other side of the world from where I come from, seeing both Ms Peters and Ms Salonga and the cream of the UK’s musical theatre world celebrating the works of a man who has given the world so much, and for me personally so much insight into musical theatre – it was an emotional rollercoaster and a ‘pinch me’ moment in my life that I will not forget in a long time!
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Post by bgarde on Jan 2, 2024 18:19:51 GMT
Felt so privileged to have seen this today. I was incredibly moved and felt quite overwhelmed by the end. Left on an absolute high with spirits raised on a wet and windy London day. Bernadette performing Losing My Mind and Send in the Clowns will stay with me for a while
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Post by Courfeyrac on Jan 2, 2024 18:42:24 GMT
Also caught this afternoon's performance, and was well worth the admission to see Bernadette live. What an amazing performer. The rest of the cast were great as well. The Sweeney Todd section as a highlight - even with a slightly familiar looking section of 1830s Paris stepping in as London!
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Post by greeny11 on Jan 2, 2024 19:27:16 GMT
Also caught this afternoon's performance, and was well worth the admission to see Bernadette live. What an amazing performer. The rest of the cast were great as well. The Sweeney Todd section as a highlight - even with a slightly familiar looking section of 1830s Paris stepping in as London! Thought it looked familiar! I too was at this afternoon’s performance, though I was there more out of curiosity as I am not on a Sondheim fan particularly (loved Company but fell asleep during Follies). I really enjoyed it, Lea and Bernadette were both superb. Janie’s solo number made me laugh (what show is it from?), and also enjoyed Bonnie’s solo. Loved the orchestra as well. Joanna Riding was terrific as well.
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Post by appoul on Jan 3, 2024 0:17:48 GMT
At the show tonight. Bernadette was in EXCELLENT voice. Only unusual thing is she didn’t do the final dance and ending of Broadway Baby. They made it seem like her character had enough and walked off the stage. Young ensemble member was in her place. This happened at both performances I saw (28 and 30 December). I wonder whether Bernadette will be doing the final dance again this week.
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Post by Fleance on Jan 3, 2024 0:49:57 GMT
Also caught this afternoon's performance, and was well worth the admission to see Bernadette live. What an amazing performer. The rest of the cast were great as well. The Sweeney Todd section as a highlight - even with a slightly familiar looking section of 1830s Paris stepping in as London! Thought it looked familiar! I too was at this afternoon’s performance, though I was there more out of curiosity as I am not on a Sondheim fan particularly (loved Company but fell asleep during Follies). I really enjoyed it, Lea and Bernadette were both superb. Janie’s solo number made me laugh (what show is it from?), and also enjoyed Bonnie’s solo. Loved the orchestra as well. Joanna Riding was terrific as well. If you are referring to "The Boy From...," it's from a 1966 off-Broadway show called The Mad Show. Lyrics (for that song) are by Sondheim, music by Mary Rodgers. (Other lyricists were involved in the show as well.) Peter Harvey, whom I know, was set and costume designer. I believe Linda Lavin introduced the song, which was later used in Side by Side by Sondheim.
As you may know, it's a parody of "The Girl from Ipanema," which was hugely popular at the time. (And I loved Janie's performance as well!)
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Post by ladidah on Jan 3, 2024 7:45:37 GMT
I'm going to have to go for the 3rd time soon. Every time I go a new song grabs me.
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Post by apubleed on Jan 3, 2024 8:43:32 GMT
At the show tonight. Bernadette was in EXCELLENT voice. Only unusual thing is she didn’t do the final dance and ending of Broadway Baby. They made it seem like her character had enough and walked off the stage. Young ensemble member was in her place. This happened at both performances I saw (28 and 30 December). I wonder whether Bernadette will be doing the final dance again this week. Also still injured on 31st December and you could see something over her knee at the moment.
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 3, 2024 11:53:47 GMT
Yes and I noticed the last time I went that when she joined Lea for children will listen she came on through the wings as opposed to the steps. Probably to put less pressure on her knee
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 3, 2024 18:35:13 GMT
Glad people are running to see it before it closes the first time I’m seeing standing tickets being sold for this show!!
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Post by jaybird89 on Jan 3, 2024 20:51:01 GMT
Oh how I wish I could see this one more time I think the memory of this show will stay with me for a very very long time.
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Post by Rory on Jan 3, 2024 22:17:03 GMT
Sweet Jesus, that was fantastic! Just out. Full house and electric atmosphere. As far as I could tell, only Clare Burt was out. Jo Riding did Ladies Who Lunch superbly.
Pure unadulterated joy! If they could only bottle it!
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Post by vdcni on Jan 3, 2024 22:47:46 GMT
Almost certainly my last trip tonight and what a show.
Burt was out and Ridings LWL was extraordinary. Dee and Young were also more than capable replacements.
It felt like there was a bit more comedy business in some numbers particularly Peters in Hello, Little Girl.
And front row to the right of the actors is definitely the best place to experience Bradley Jaden in all his wolf glory.
Everyone knocked it out of the park, I've been lukewarm on Gavin Lee's Would I Leave You but it had some added venom tonight and was the best I've seen from him.
Pretty much everything was better than ever particularly Gimmick, Roses, I'm Still Here, Losing My Mind and Clowns.
It felt like a lot of the audience had seen this before and the response was rapturous.
And yes Peters is clearly having to protect her knee and didn't get involved in the dancing.
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 4, 2024 0:47:42 GMT
Clare out again?? She was off 2 weeks ago no? She also missed a couple earlier in the run! I guess the weather is very cold now (assuming that’s what it is). I’d think everyone would try to pull through for the last week.
Though I’d pay to watch Jo’s LWL one more time.
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Post by ladidah on Jan 4, 2024 8:05:42 GMT
I'm not surprised, everyone is ill at the moment.
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 4, 2024 11:15:34 GMT
Illness has been doing the rounds at the Gielgud for the past fortnight - they're properly clinging on to the end n
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Post by damaskanddark on Jan 4, 2024 11:38:52 GMT
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Post by Rory on Jan 4, 2024 12:22:20 GMT
It was all so good but I think the highlight for me was Bonnie's 'I'm Still Here'. It was just superb.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 4, 2024 12:42:47 GMT
Trying to get a reduced price ticket for tonight or tomorrow - all the offers seem to have dried up!
Plenty at full price though!!!!!!
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 4, 2024 13:41:34 GMT
Trying to get a reduced price ticket for tonight or tomorrow - all the offers seem to have dried up! Plenty at full price though!!!!!! Your best bet is trying to get a rush ticket tomorrow as I don’t think there will be anymore offers for the rest of the week. Or get a £30 in the Grand circle and upgrade for £20/30 once you’re there (if there are better seats available).
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 4, 2024 14:16:24 GMT
Trying to get a reduced price ticket for tonight or tomorrow - all the offers seem to have dried up! Plenty at full price though!!!!!! Your best bet is trying to get a rush ticket tomorrow as I don’t think there will be anymore offers for the rest of the week. Or get a £30 in the Grand circle and upgrade for £20/30 once you’re there (if there are better seats available). thanks! Last ditch attempt - I should have been more organised last week! He who hesitates....
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 4, 2024 14:17:01 GMT
Trying to get a reduced price ticket for tonight or tomorrow - all the offers seem to have dried up! Plenty at full price though!!!!!! Your best bet is trying to get a rush ticket tomorrow as I don’t think there will be anymore offers for the rest of the week. Or get a £30 in the Grand circle and upgrade for £20/30 once you’re there (if there are better seats available). Today Tix is the only place to get Rush, right? (I missed out the past two days)
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Post by appoul on Jan 4, 2024 21:10:20 GMT
Glynis Johns who first sang "Send in the clowns" died today at the age of 100. I wonder whether there will be any reference to her at tonight's performance.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 5, 2024 11:20:18 GMT
Trying to get a reduced price ticket for tonight or tomorrow - all the offers seem to have dried up! Plenty at full price though!!!!!! Your best bet is trying to get a rush ticket tomorrow as I don’t think there will be anymore offers for the rest of the week. Or get a £30 in the Grand circle and upgrade for £20/30 once you’re there (if there are better seats available). Thank you. Got a rush ticket - took 10 minutes though - glad I didn't give up!
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Post by Rory on Jan 5, 2024 11:26:12 GMT
Glynis Johns who first sang "Send in the clowns" died today at the age of 100. I wonder whether there will be any reference to her at tonight's performance. I wonder if they did pay tribute to her.
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 5, 2024 11:30:11 GMT
Friend was watching and hasn't mentioned it.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 5, 2024 11:43:02 GMT
The deaths of david kernan and Glynis has made it quite a week
"And a person shall celebrate everything passing by"
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