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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 18, 2024 9:25:30 GMT
I'd signed up with work email, which came through about 20 minutes past the 10am pre-sale promise. I'd signed up with my personal email which still hasn't arrived ....
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 17, 2024 9:28:35 GMT
I hate Gigantic and I don't think I'm signed up on any of their email stuff but got presale link from them in the last couple of minutes (same prices as the LW)
(edited as link doesn't work on here)
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 17, 2024 9:20:59 GMT
Holy cow the prices.
Says my email came in at 9.59 but it's only just arrived in my office email inbox. Still hasn't arrived in my personal email inbox.
Booked for Monday and am on beans on toast for a month.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 17, 2024 8:50:04 GMT
Nope, and I keep checking.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 8, 2024 12:32:34 GMT
Christmas 2023, settled into Hallmark "Christmas In Notting Hill" film and Killian Donnelly popped up as "Uncle Howard".
Also had a colleague stay for a weekend, she wanted to (re)watch a favourite series of hers, Magpie Murders. Killian Donnelly appears for about 10 seconds as non speaking German Passport Control in the first episode. "Ooo", I said "He's an Irish actor in loads of musicals". Colleague was confused, surely not, he was German ...
(She was thrilled to go and see Guys and Dolls at the Bridge recently with Daniel Mays, who also stars in Magpie Murders... )
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 3, 2024 17:46:55 GMT
I've really enjoyed some of the recent concerts. Get a good starry performer, giving it their all for one/two nights rather than a run .. Monday night in London hotels are very much cheaper .. occasionally a show I don't know, or a show I love that isn't currently running. A theatre that'd normally be dark that night. I'm in favour.
Phil Dunster did a bit of a number on the Christmas Hannah Waddingham show - and I *freaking love* him in Ted Lasso. I've seen Zizi in several shows. Well staged it'll be a treat, I think.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 27, 2024 10:01:18 GMT
And yes to the staging, that blooming table and chairs! And lots of "floor" action, with the kid picking up the letters - lost if you were front stalls.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 27, 2024 9:57:34 GMT
I didn't think this was very good but I think it was saved by the cast, particularly Rachel Tucker, Jamie Muscato and Oliver Tompsett. They were the main reasons I booked anyway, and it's always a pleasure to hear people of their calibre sing. A couple of the songs were good, but many were bland and forgettable. This, without a cast this professional and talented would have been unbearable. Absolutely as above, although I'd rate it Jamie Muscato, Oliver Tompsett and Rachel Tucker in that order; Rachel was a bit shouty in the first song for me and I then hit the same vibe throughout afterwards. Without these three, making up half the cast, the show would have been properly grim. Overall, it was just so *GLUM*! There are musical shows that have death and heartbreak at their centre that will (usually) have a little lightness, a little charm, to them. Love Story. Blood Brothers. Love Never Dies. But this was just unending gloom without a super song to hang its hat on.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 17, 2024 12:52:09 GMT
I think it's a bit of fun - my Ma and Pa were Irish and I have my Irish passport. Made me smile. It's so frigging grim out there in the real world, flag waving aggressors, 'tis a bit of whimsy and I'm good with it.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 14, 2024 13:56:09 GMT
I had a couple of wakes during the night thinking - Connie Francis (raped in her hotel room). My bag on the table which could have been taken in a matter of seconds with my car keys, my credit cards and work credit cards. I could have been in the bath. When I've stayed before there have been students staying - in checking out yesterday there was a coach load of primary school children leaving. What if!!
After I'd spoken to reception I went up in the lift with a youngish guy who could see I was in a fury - I said "I've just had a man walk in my room" - he said "the same thing happened to me yesterday, twice in fact, while I was in just a towel". Now, I've no idea if what he said is correct, maybe he thought it'd calm me down or something. I'd booked through Hotels.com as I get a discount with 10 bookings (makes sense when I book for colleagues and myself), and I've told them. I'm thinking I'll tell my brother-in-law - he is Met Police based within Wembley Park. I needed a day to cool off - I don't take pleasure in giving a bad review but Jesus, how much more vulnerable could I be with my pants around my ankles? I needed a bit more of a reaction from Reception than the "sorry sorry have a full english".
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 14, 2024 11:37:03 GMT
Two things I expect from a Hotel no matter what the budget. Clean. Safe.
I moved out of London 2 years ago but travel into my London Bridge office twice a week. Occasionally, once a month at least, I stay at a hotel, "do" a show and have two days back to back. Stayed at a Wembley hotel on Tuesday night that I'd stayed at 5 times previously (October 2022 - March 2023) - I stopped staying there as last room I got was a bit ropey and the exterior fabric of the building was, well, awful (they'd removed the cladding on the outside of the building and I kept thinking, they'll sort it out and 18 months on it's exactly the same). Maybe it was time for a revisit, I thought, it's only for a couple of hours sleep, I thought. Didn't go to a show after all, being really tired after a 6am start. Booked in at 7pm with the firm intention if the room was rubbish I'd ask for another. No, room was OK but hot - took my shirt off, went for a wee in bra and jeans. And heard the room door open, mens voices, and the door shut again.
Oh boy did I let rip at reception (face to face) who'd put the next arriving guests into my room. I got a "sorry" and a "very sorry" in the face to face, and a call to my room later offering me free breakfast. Free breakfast offered again next morning when I saw another "manager". But I doubt I'll ever walk into a hotel room again and not put a shed load of furniture in front of the door the minute I get in.
*No I didn't have the free b*st*rd breakfast! Probably lifelong trauma being mid-wee and strange men walking in...
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 5, 2024 16:21:32 GMT
Cyber wave to the young guy on my (late running) train this morning who tapped me on the shoulder and said I was in his reserved seat. I showed him my ticket, Seat H49. Showed me his ticket, Seat H49. I said - the 07.19? He said - No, the 07.28. I said - you are on the wrong train, that's the one behind this. He said - I was told I could get on this one.
I looked at him. He looked at me. He sighed, said "it's alright" and sloped off to find another seat.
I wonder when (if) it'll dawn on him that not every seat H49 is reserved for him today.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 4, 2024 16:01:52 GMT
The person sitting in front of me at Phantom last week was very sneakily videoing the entire show. The ushers wouldn't have really been able to see him as he had the phone pressed against his chest (probably didn't get a very good shot of the stage but hey), but every few minutes he would move the phone away from him to check that it was still recording. Extremely distracting to say the least. I very politely asked him in an applause break to put the bloody thing away, but he either didn't understand or pretended not to hear, and carried on. I had a chat with a super-helpful FoH supervisor in the interval who told him off, made him delete all his videos, and then delete the deleted videos too. She gave me a beautiful smile and a thumbs up when she'd done, and got the ushers to keep a close eye on him in act 2. If anyone knows the email address for His Majesty's, I'd love to be able to write and thank her - or if you're reading this Katie, you were bloody marvellous, and thank you again! I had the same thing at Phantom years ago (12, 15 years ago?), not even sneakily recording. I was about 5 rows back, she was front row so probably in the eyeline of lots of people including the Circle, Upper. I told FoH at the interval who did the same thing, made her delete and kept an eye on her.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 27, 2024 12:52:14 GMT
The second clip seems to suggest the West End is still going to get Groundhog Day ... sometime ...
Thanks Anthony.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 26, 2024 12:11:57 GMT
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 21, 2024 10:00:54 GMT
I buy a programme every visit to the theatre and still have most of them, really gutted during a move a few years back a box went missing with all my programmes from my first programme (Summer Holiday, signed by Clare Buckfield, Darren Day and Ross King) to around 2015 had some real great memories in there from lesser revived shows like From a Jack to a King and Doctor Dolittle signed by Phillip Schofield (don't think that one would be worth much these days though). I was thinking about From A Jack To A King only yesterday - that was a lot of fun. 20 years ago I knew someone who knew Jack Carlton and said he'd get my programme signed for me. Dunno where that is now ... I do still have the Rolf Harris panto at Wimbledon programme though, goddammit.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 20, 2024 12:07:58 GMT
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Cash
Feb 20, 2024 12:01:15 GMT
Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 20, 2024 12:01:15 GMT
Every couple of months I get £20 of .50p coins from the bank. I like to tip my regular morning coffee haunt (and I'll always look for one of the picture / commemorative .50p's which I keep (not collect, just like to have them) although I've only ever had 1 or 2 out of 40 coins).
I'll tip cash to my hairdresser, that's about it. I've made a first appointment with a local chiropodist next week and was told over the phone she prefers cash payment but will take cards if she has to. Immediately my head went to money laundering / tax avoidance.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 14, 2024 15:50:14 GMT
Darren Criss did a bit of Starkid at his recent London Palladium shows (full shows available on YouTube, matinee and evening)
- (matinee with Carrie Hope Fletcher) - A Very Potter Musical.
Youthful audience around me were absolutely raving for it.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 14, 2024 13:56:15 GMT
BBC Concert Orchestra with West End Stars Louise Dearman and Graham Bickley www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/bbcco-great-outdoors-13march24# (link to apply for free tickets) Showstoppers, Oscar winners and West End hits – as the BBC Concert Orchestra and an all-star line-up salutes the wonders of nature in the stunning surroundings of Alexandra Palace. Live from Alexandra Palace – the spectacular venue on the roof of London, where dreams have been made for over a century – the BBC Concert Orchestra joins two sensational West End singers for a night of melodies that were born to soar free. From The Big Country to Jurassic Park, whether we’re flying you to the moon or whirling you Over the Rainbow, tonight it’s all about boundless horizons and impossible wishes: the wonders of nature, the power of the imagination and – above all – about great, great tunes. Expect classic film scores, light music classics and some of the best-loved songs of all time. And expect them sung with style and delivered with a swing by Louise Dearman (Wicked, Evita, Guys and Dolls), Graham Bickley (Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Bread) and the full BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Richard Balcombe.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 13, 2024 17:14:21 GMT
Front and centre last night (and no, I do not wear a wig, Uncle Fester). Ramin has a fabulous voice and great comic timing. He corpsed on the funny line, much amusement from audience. One female audience member seemed struck with Tourettes at the moment Ramin gets prepared for the Tango. Honestly, his voice is terrific and it's such a loss to the West End he's not around. Michelle did a lot of looking. Meaningful looks. Seemed terribly nervous of the tango (counting the "one two three four"). Pugsley was fab. Wednesday has a powerful voice but I couldn't make out half of what she was singing. Thought Uncle Fester was going to pass out during first song (gasping for air), but he* improved greatly through the show. I don't want to colour the opinion of anyone else seeing this, just to say, for me, it was OK. The staging was terrific for a "Concert". The show itself, not for me. *apologies, "they".
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 13, 2024 13:21:21 GMT
Front and centre last night (and no, I do not wear a wig, Uncle Fester).
Ramin has a fabulous voice and great comic timing. He corpsed on the funny line, much amusement from audience. One female audience member seemed struck with Tourettes at the moment Ramin gets prepared for the Tango. Honestly, his voice is terrific and it's such a loss to the West End he's not around.
Michelle did a lot of looking. Meaningful looks. Seemed terribly nervous of the tango (counting the "one two three four"). Pugsley was fab. Wednesday has a powerful voice but I couldn't make out half of what she was singing. Thought Uncle Fester was going to pass out during first song (gasping for air), but he improved greatly through the show.
I don't want to colour the opinion of anyone else seeing this, just to say, for me, it was OK. The staging was terrific for a "Concert". The show itself, not for me.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Dec 18, 2023 11:50:30 GMT
Oh wow, I wonder what had happened! When I went, someone tried to kick off about someone being in their seats until it was politely pointed out to them it was row c, seat 13 in the circle. Awkward. Donny Osmond again, on Thursday - man and woman wandering around the front stalls trying to find their seats. Staff member came over, took a look, pointed to the Circle seats ... the woman looked crushed. "you're front row, love".... Yes, front row 'up there' ....
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Post by londonmzfitz on Dec 18, 2023 10:28:04 GMT
Did they genuinely both have the right tickets? I'm not sure - there were a family (Mum, Dad, 2 little ones) in the four seats, 2nd row centre. Two young Japanese women came in about 10 mins before lights down, Dad started to argue with the Barbican staff - they asked him/his family to come out into the lobby with the two young women to sort it out and he refused, saying loudly "I told the Barbican this would happen". He refused to move - Barbican staff took the two young women away. Never fully understood - 4 seats = 4 people in them v 2 women -?- I went to see Harry Connick Jr at the Royal Albert Hall once, 5th row centre - the entire 4th row centre had been sold twice. First bums on seats stayed, the second comers were found alternative seats around the auditorium. I went to see Donny Osmond at Hammersmith Apollo on Thursday - Couple front row centre had made themselves comfy for about 30 mins when two women arrived with tickets for the same seats literally a minute before lights down. Woman stayed in her seat while man went with the two recently arrived women to the box office to sort (he'd made a big show of searching their bags and coats and pockets for tickets). Took almost 15 mins to sort before the woman was ushered out of her seat with all their bags and coats, and the two latecomers finally took their seats. Is why I'm always early!
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Post by londonmzfitz on Dec 15, 2023 11:53:48 GMT
Matinee yesterday, many many children. Just after 2pm start (little late as seat error 2nd row, two lots of people with same tickets). First 5 minutes I was all - wtf - and then got swept up in the charm, little Mei is superb, the puppetry, the sweet story ... I went in knowing just a teeny tiny bit of what to expect and was absolutely charmed by it. Children were quiet for the most part, little lad singing To-To-Roooo on leaving filled my heart.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Dec 7, 2023 10:19:17 GMT
Glad it wasn't just me struggling with the site, not loading the seats, date (month) selection sticking, timed out twice. Thought it was my browser and was kicking myself for not running a check yesterday. I've got more expensive seats than I'd wanted but first night / last night. So am "happy". Calming cuppa called for. Only got around to checking my credit card an hour ago and there are 3 payments made - when I though it had crashed mid-payment it had actually processed before the confirmation came up on screen. What a faff!! I'll be giving a call tomorrow to sort the second ticket for the last night. Antonio has sorted me, love him. Said there were many, many problems with the booking process yesterday. I wonder what the general sale will be like, although I have had numerous "sign up for the presale" email and notifications over several platforms.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Dec 6, 2023 18:17:30 GMT
Glad it wasn't just me struggling with the site, not loading the seats, date (month) selection sticking, timed out twice. Thought it was my browser and was kicking myself for not running a check yesterday. I've got more expensive seats than I'd wanted but first night / last night. So am "happy". Calming cuppa called for. Only got around to checking my credit card an hour ago and there are 3 payments made - when I though it had crashed mid-payment it had actually processed before the confirmation came up on screen. What a faff!! I'll be giving a call tomorrow to sort the second ticket for the last night.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Dec 6, 2023 10:42:48 GMT
Glad it wasn't just me struggling with the site, not loading the seats, date (month) selection sticking, timed out twice. Thought it was my browser and was kicking myself for not running a check yesterday. I've got more expensive seats than I'd wanted but first night / last night. So am "happy". Calming cuppa called for.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Dec 1, 2023 13:31:40 GMT
Boxes under beds? "Clutter"? Mine are on a bookshelf in my living room, with absolute favourites in frames on my living room wall (behind my sofa because otherwise my eye is drawn to them and I get distracted) - the artwork on some programmes are just to good to be shoved under a box.
And these represent some of the happiest times for me, shows I've seen and loved, shows my best friend and I saw together (she died in 2021). I have some posters too - my Guys & Dolls from The National in 1996. A Les Mis signed by Killian Donnelly and John Owen Jones. The Love Never Dies death mask signed by Ramin on the last matinee performance. The Lend Me A Tenor CD Cover signed by the cast. I've got The Play That Goes Wrong poster signed by the cast. My Sunset Boulevard signed by Glenn Close! And my most recent acquisition - Groundhog Day programmes (both 2016 and 2023) signed by Andy Karl - and unsigned ones that I will arrange next to each other, eventually, for the whimsy of it.
My Pirates of Penzance at Wimbledon in 2002 which shows "Policeman" as Ramin Karimloo. My Pirates of Penzance at Drury Lane in 1982 with Tim Curry. My Spamalot playbill signed by Hank Azaria and David Hyde Pierce in New York on my birthday in 2005.
These bring me such joy. I don't buy many now, only if the show really rocks my world, but - objects of joy.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Nov 28, 2023 11:03:50 GMT
Some hideous costumes this week. Annabelle, that yellow polka dot thing, dreadful. Ellie, the skirt part of that red dress looked so cheaply made. Layton… just vile. All three distracted me from the dancing which is presumably the last thing they’re supposed to do. Re the viewer voting share, proof yet again that people don’t like Layton for whatever reason. So given that he’s likely to be in the bottom two again who needs to be there with him to have him sent home? Agree re costumes - no comparison to the US Dancing With The Stars where the costumes are usually fabulous. I had a friend visiting whose daughter in LA is big in the professional ballroom dance world, she'd been involved in some of the choreography of their tribute to Len Goodman (it's on YouTube, worth a look, take tissues). I wish they still showed Dancing With The Stars in the UK ... I was in the local takeaway last weekend (Blackpool) and two randoms in the queue started a chat about Strictly - one said Leyton shouldn't be in Strictly because he's a trained dancer, and the other said she's been saying the same thing. I've seen similar remarks from Facebook "friends". Whereas I really want an hour or whatever of being entertained - *shudders at the memory of Anne Widdicombe being dragged around the floor by Anton ...
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