213 posts
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Post by frosty on Aug 14, 2017 11:34:05 GMT
The Stepmother at the Minvera (Chichester) tonight, Yank! at Charing Cross tomorrow and finally getting to Angels in America on Saturday for the final day.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Aug 12, 2017 8:15:22 GMT
Finally saw this last night. Sat at the on stage seating, it was astonishing, never seen a performance like it. Audra deserves every award possible! We didn't want to leave, we had a linger and discussed the show with other people, who, to be honest, looked a bit shell shocked, it's like we had all shared something a bit special and didn't want it to end. I know that sounds a bit over the top, but that's really what it felt like. That's the magic of theatre I guess, sometimes you are so moved you can't get it out of your head. I have the broadway screening that was broadcast on Sky Arts (or was it BBC 4?) somewhere, definitely going to pour myself a large gin later and watch it again.
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Post by frosty on Aug 10, 2017 13:58:15 GMT
Saw it last night too, but did not stay for the Q&A as was too worried about not getting a train home, what with the chaos at Waterloo. Turns out it was fine anyway. As for the play...well it was interesting, but it didn't really make me care about the characters or feel a lot of sympathy for any of them. I didn't have any issues hearing the dialogue in row F though, so maybe they are speaking up a bit. I thought Laura Carmichael was very good, Stockard's acting is fantastic, but it's so difficult to not want to stare at that face, and for the wrong reasons. Perhaps we're not used to seeing people with that much work done to them in this country, if we lived in LA, maybe it would be the norm! Loved the kitchen, loved Freema's hideous 2k dress. Hated the incredibly uncomfortable and narrow seats in the theatre, you certainly get very well acquainted with your neighbour, let's hope they don't consider a 'clothing optional' show there.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Aug 8, 2017 12:09:04 GMT
For me it's Apologia on Weds, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill on Friday and Jesus Christ Superstar on Saturday (pray for dry weather!)
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Aug 5, 2017 8:01:56 GMT
Well that was amazing, such powerful performances, I agree with all the praise heaped on the play and actors above, I was riveted, and so was the rest of the audience, I didn't spot one person asleep! (Unusual for Chichester!). It really was fascinating, I had no idea where it was going or what the outcome of things would be, and when it finished I was wondering what the characters were doing now and how things turned out for them. We had a drink in the Minerva bar afterwards (great for star spotting!) to mull things over...and we got to have a chat with Sam Spiro, she is a classy lady, took time to talk to us and discuss the play and was genuinely interested in our take on the characters. Also having a post show drink was Tracy-Anne Oberman, along with some others from Fiddler, so we had to take the opportunity to tell her how much we loved Fiddler too! Another lovely lady.
Another surprising thing that happened was that we had tickets for seats A1 and A2, front row at the end of the U shaped seating. I normally try for seats in the front row at the Minerva because I love being so close to the action and feeling immersed in the production (and they tend to be cheap!). However, because of the cluttered set, it meant the sight lines weren't great for us, but a member of staff came to talk to us, apologised for the restricted view, asked if we wanted to move to some seats a couple of rows back, and also offered us free ice cream for the interval. We opted to stay where we were, and it was absolutely fine, but I thought it was a nice touch for them to offer a move, especially when we had bought cheap seats in the corner anyway. Well done Chi, great customer service.
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Post by frosty on Aug 1, 2017 8:39:39 GMT
Sounds good, the reviews I've seen have all been positive too. I've got tickets to see it on Friday, I've never seen Samantha Spiro live before, but I've admired her TV work for years. I love the intimacy of the Minerva, really looking forward to it now.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Jul 17, 2017 21:44:01 GMT
Gareth Snook is listed in the programme I bought today. Wow, they must have reprinted a whole new batch of programmes, mine has an insert with Gareth Snook's bio on it, but Chris Jarman in the main cast details bit.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Jul 17, 2017 10:27:41 GMT
I blame 'Points of View'. Barry Took and Anne Robinson have got a lot to answer for. Why oh why oh why . . . Showing your age there!
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Jul 14, 2017 16:15:57 GMT
At the start, Daniel Evans came out to say that the actor who was playing Lazar had been taken seriously ill and a stand had had less than 24 hours rehearsal (Gareth Snook), I see that Gareth Snook is officially on the cast list. Am I right in thinking Chris Jarman was due to be in this role? Yes, Chris Jarman is listed in the programme as Lazar.
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Post by frosty on Jul 11, 2017 14:57:24 GMT
I had tickets for the 1st preview last Friday that was cancelled (found out just after I had packed my picnic and about to set off for the train!)...reading these comments, looks like it was a blessing in disguise - just phoned and got me a refund, I won't be rebooking. Shame cos 'On the Town' was great, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing Jesus Christ Superstar again.
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Post by frosty on Jul 11, 2017 11:19:45 GMT
They're doing a 'Spice Girls experience' at the Kings in Portsmouth - no, really! To be fair, if it pulls in the punters and funds and allows them to take a chance on stuff that isn't quite so broad, then I don't have a problem with it. And I'm not averse to a bit of singalonga Abba or a Motown show...A lot of regional theatres have to rely on this stuff and their Panto to keep afloat and can't afford to stage a high brow 'miss'.
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Post by frosty on Jul 11, 2017 8:49:11 GMT
I got some last minute tickets to the first preview of this last night and enjoyed it immensely. Omid Djalili is perfect as Tevye. At the start, Daniel Evans came out to say that the actor who was playing Lazar had been taken seriously ill and a stand had had less than 24 hours rehearsal (Gareth Snook), but it all went well, no fluffed lines or technical issues that I could see. I saw the touring version 4 years ago, and this one is far superior IMHO. A young and energetic cast kept things lively, it got a well deserved standing ovation. After the 'meh' Sweet Bird of Youth, it was great to see something more appropriate on the big stage.
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Post by frosty on Jun 16, 2017 14:25:41 GMT
Loved it, it was a complete delight, all 3 Judys were amazing, but Lucy Penrose as young Judy was a revelation, the resemblance was uncanny and she completely captured the awkwardness of being a teenager, then gradually finding her confidence...but when she sang - wow! They do put on some real gems at The Arts Theatre, it's a shame it is so manky. The teeniest toilet ever, I've been in bigger in caravans!
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Jun 6, 2017 11:07:34 GMT
I saw this last night and agree with Wickedgrin's comments - it was OK, but it did not move me. Brian J Smith seemed to be playing it a bit too camp to be the brooding gigolo he was supposed to be. This would have worked much better in the smaller Minerva (and there were huge swathes of empty seats last night). It's a shame they didn't swap the spaces with the excellent Caroline, or Change which seemed too big for the small Minerva stage. However, I did spot Kevin from Eggheads sat a couple of rows behind us, so I did have to try not to get too giggly and starstruck!
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Post by frosty on Apr 30, 2017 11:13:20 GMT
I saw this yesterday and was blown away. Absolutely loved it, such an astonishing piece to theatre in such an intimate space. We were in the front row, so definitely in the 'splash zone'. The best £25 I think I have ever spent in a theatre. I didn't know anything about the show or songs, or what to expect, but I thought the contrast of the gritty subject matter with some of the more 'showtuney' songs really worked. It helped that it was in the Southwark Playhouse, which I know everyone says is an amazing creative space, but to me looks like it needs a bloody good scrub with a bucket of soapy water... (those toilets..shudder!), but it all added to the flavour of the show, along with the torn tights and cheap, nasty sets. Sharon D Clarke is wonderful, you can't take your eyes off her, but then the whole cast is. It's long...but it flew by, if it wasn't closing, I would definitely go see it again. 5 * from me!
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Post by frosty on Apr 24, 2017 10:58:21 GMT
I wonder why no one has done Dolly? There's so much material to use there, in both the look and the one-liners and 'Dollyisms'...I suspect Dolly has some sort of copyright on her image and no one is allowed to impersonate her - is something like that even possible?
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Mar 30, 2017 9:55:53 GMT
I'm surprised Sky Arts haven't taken it on, or perhaps BBC4. Given it's a set of awards for London theatre, it's just too niche for the mainstream ITV1 audience. I guess that's why Gary Barlow is performing, everyone will have heard of him, but I doubt many people outside of the theatre set will have heard of Audra.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Mar 28, 2017 12:48:05 GMT
Just had an email from Mastercard....:
Olivier Awards Packages:
VIP BOX Packages for 2 or 4 (£912 or £1,824) – Quote “VIP BOX“ when booking
• Exclusive red carpet access • 2nd Tier Box seats at the Royal Albert Hall • Half a bottle Champagne per person • Half a bottle of Berry Brother’s Chardonnay and Berry Brother’s Merlot each • 4 pre-show canapés • 1 cold bowl dish served pre-show • 2 hot bowl dishes served during the interval • 3 dessert canapés served during the interval • A private box waiter • Olivier Awards goody-bag
£250 Prime Ticket and Post Award Celebration Package – Quote “PRIME250” when booking
• Premium Stall seat at the Royal Albert Hall • Ticket to the Post-Awards Celebration • Exclusive red carpet access • Souvenir Brochure • Olivier Awards goody-bag
£100 Prime Ticket Only Package – Quote “PRIME100” when booking
• Premium Tier 2 box seat at the Royal Albert Hall • Exclusive red carpet access • Olivier Awards goody-bag
There are a limited number of packages available, so hurry – get yours before it’s too late!
I paid £70 for a seat in the circle...v annoyed to know now that for 30 quid more I could have got the real deal. I suspect they are struggling to fill the venue, so now need to sell of some better seats.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Mar 27, 2017 13:44:49 GMT
Wednesday is An American in Paris, then Thurs it's The Woman in Black, touring at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Mar 27, 2017 12:15:17 GMT
The reviews have done the trick for me, just got tickets to see it on Wednesday night.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Mar 21, 2017 19:35:04 GMT
It will be interesting to see how Miranda does in Annie. There's bound to be legions of fans waiting for her to fall over or gallop around. The worst celeb casting I saw was Phil Jupitius, Jason Manford and Michelle Collins in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang....it was incredibly panto (which is fine if it is actually a panto!). Phil Jupitius even managed to slip in a visual BJ joke....there's a time and place....
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Post by frosty on Mar 21, 2017 14:00:31 GMT
I was in C3 on Saturday night...excellent view...you could sharpen a pencil with that thing. Oops, I was sitting next to you then, sorry for not recognising you.
Ditto! I should have worn my badge...Shame about the bloke behind who sounded like he had TB...!
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Post by frosty on Mar 21, 2017 13:42:40 GMT
Well. That's a bit of an emotional ringer isn't it? There's a touch of the ACTING DARLINGS from the leads but heavens, they certainly give you your money's worth. Dame Imelda (it's going to happen soon) is just marvellous but the show belongs to Conleth Hill. Well, him and blond bombshell Luke Treadaway's tush. Which I can say with delight from seat C2 fits very snugly into his trousers. I was in C3 on Saturday night...excellent view...you could sharpen a pencil with that thing.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Mar 19, 2017 12:04:13 GMT
Wow, I didn't spot that...she sure does.
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Post by frosty on Mar 19, 2017 11:36:50 GMT
Saw it last night...Amazing. I thought Conleth Hill stole it for me. Anyone who can hold their own in scenes with the force of nature that is Imelda is doing pretty well in my book. I don't know if was the fear factor, or the repeated warnings but I have never known such a well behaved audience. I didn't even hear ice rattling in plastic. Although there was one mobile vibrating at a quiet moment...it's true, it's not enough just to put it on silent - turn it off!
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Post by frosty on Mar 16, 2017 14:30:47 GMT
Disappointing that the move seems to mean losing the side stuff at Covent Garden as well. Oh really? No stage in the Covent Garden Piazza? What a shame, I was going to go to that instead, it always looked like good fun.
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Post by frosty on Mar 16, 2017 13:49:43 GMT
I must admit, I am seriously thinking of wasting my ticket and not going this year. After seeing Jason Manford in Chitty, I can't see how he is going to bring any prestige to the awards...Plus no red carpet walk for us 'normals' and we'll be in the worst seats in the RAH, it's not exciting me this year at all.
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Post by frosty on Mar 15, 2017 12:32:11 GMT
Count me in...can I get an Amen in here?
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Mar 14, 2017 19:08:11 GMT
I was approached by a BGT producer last year to audition, but it didn't go very far. Certainly not to the TV stage anyhow! I did once support a friend at The X Factor quite a few years ago. Got to stand in the 'wings' at the O2 with Dermot O'Leary though. Really does define the term 'cattle call'. Any X Factor goss? What's Dermo like in real life? Lovely, I bet 😊
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Post by frosty on Mar 14, 2017 16:31:13 GMT
It's fantastic fun, I'm loving every minute of it. The most memorable line from ep 1 has to be 'They should feel privileged to prune Miss Crawford's bush!'. How Jackie Hoffman kept a straight face delivering that...
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