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Post by Ade on Aug 21, 2016 20:07:56 GMT
Unkindly I'd say he was like a kid wearing his Dad's suit and trousers. Wish I hadn't bothered. I actually didn't mind him too much but this is too true.
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Post by Ade on Aug 21, 2016 17:10:58 GMT
Saw this for the first (and obviously last) time today. Have to say I wasn't impressed at all. It was all just a bit flat, but I think that might be me not liking the source material rather than the production or cast - this was also my first Guys and Dolls...
As for Rebel, I actually love her in a lot of what I've seen her in and she was the main reason for me finally getting a ticket. But she failed to impress me. I probably understood 50% of what she said because so much was mumbled, and the acting was ok but it was hardly the belly laugh inducing performance I had been expecting.
All in all an adequate afternoon but I don't think I'd have been making a return visit anyway.
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Post by Ade on Aug 20, 2016 20:43:26 GMT
Sorry about the above. Meant to quote andy614 just the once, but got in a pickle. Sorry. Anyway, I digress (and have lost my original post). I was at the matinee today too and thought Bev was sensational. However, there is something wrong about the show in my opinion. The story just seems to be filling in time between Bev's big numbers. I didn't see the tour, so can't comment on that, but saw the original at the Adelphi, although that was without Heather Headley or Bev, as neither did matinees at that time. The theatre (stalls at any rate) was pretty well packed, with full SO before they get you up dancing! Completely agree! In fact I've just finally got around to doing my write up on my blog and my main thing was that the story is literally there to fill the gaps between the songs. It's a shame because if that had been fleshed out more it would have worked so much better in my eyes. If anyone's interested my blog post is here: westendwanderer.com/2016/07/15/review-the-bodyguard-dominion-theatre-london/
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Post by Ade on Aug 20, 2016 10:35:40 GMT
Surely it's a dead cert it's going to transfer? They only just set up a YouTube channel and added a trailer. Would they really have bothered if it was just two weeks left with no plans after?
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Post by Ade on Aug 17, 2016 22:06:18 GMT
Hi all...... I heard through a friend that rumour has it Tom Hiddleston is returning to the West end for something? I assume a play, but I would love to see him as one of the princes from Into the Woods! But I have seen no proof of such a thing occurring....... My friend says it would be after he finishes filming Thor Ragnarok! Does any one have any facts or even speculations or hopes....please tell me! Thanks a billion . Sam......... My immediate thought on the Hedwig thread was that I would love to see Tom Hiddleston in the role and he would work well in it. Not sure if he can even remotely hold a tune though...
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Post by Ade on Aug 17, 2016 19:53:40 GMT
straight men like women gay sex, straight women like man gay sex Gay men don't spend their time think about straight sex, too busy perfecting the 'mince' It's like a gay haiku. Nice work.
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Post by Ade on Aug 13, 2016 9:48:34 GMT
Looking at the number of seats left on the dominion website this seems to be massively struggling. There are tons of seats available for both the matinee and evening performances today, so mid week can't be very healthy. I hope they see sense and get some deals out there for it.
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Post by Ade on Aug 13, 2016 9:21:35 GMT
This did very little for me, it's a bit of a throwback to the Godber/Cartwright tradition of a bunch of outrageous people on a night out. The songs don't add much and I found it really long and predictable. There are a few points you think it's going to end but it just keeps going! And for me it takes more than shouting ''let's go mental' and jumping about to suggest genuine anarchic youth spirit. The girls are very talented and there is a really nice if morally dubious monologue where Orla describes essentially raping a dying man. Maybe if you grew up in the period you could get on with this for a nostalgic night and there was a standing O but it was too much Our Day Out with Bouncers and not enough vintage Lee Hall for me. Saw this last night and have to say I agree that it was predictable. I did enjoy it but it was by no means the emotional roller coaster that I've heard people make out. The cast are brilliant and that's a big selling point of it, but I definitely wasn't bowled over by the material. All in all a decidedly average evening.
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Post by Ade on Aug 11, 2016 18:45:59 GMT
Not sure if it means anything but just noticed that they have pulled the US cast recording from Apple Music. Seems an odd thing to do unless they are planning a re-release or something.
Edit: and removed from iTunes as well.
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Post by Ade on Aug 4, 2016 21:23:46 GMT
Interestingly I'm not sure it's actually removing people from the queue if they do shut down the browser. I nipped on a few times this evening after giving up and it had retained my position (albeit a little bit lower to account for people buying tickets) but when I went on fresh on my phone the position I went in at was much higher. If that's the case it'd probably explain why Nimax is trickling down so slowly because the system is counting all those people who have given up as still active.
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Post by Ade on Aug 4, 2016 17:02:02 GMT
I was in B14 last week and it was a great view. You have to sit upright to see the floor but for the most part I couldn't fault it. Thank you! I'm 5'11, so what you think about the legroom? Sorry just saw this. I'm 6'0 and even though it's hardly spacious I didn't feel cramped.
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Post by Ade on Aug 4, 2016 12:07:41 GMT
Got Stall B10 from ATG. Does anyone know if I can see most of the stage from this seat? I'm thinking if not I can get another seat. I was in B14 last week and it was a great view. You have to sit upright to see the floor but for the most part I couldn't fault it.
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Post by Ade on Aug 1, 2016 19:11:47 GMT
It's a shame really because given the luke warm to icy cold reviews for the script I can't help but feel it'll put people off going to see it that would enjoy it in the flesh.
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Post by Ade on Jul 31, 2016 10:39:11 GMT
Anyone who's seen it recently (I haven't been since the first preview) have they made Delphi any better? She lacked menace and she was really my only criticism. Afraid she was my only criticism too and I went this week. It was just a bit panto. I felt like they'd written/cast the role too young. If she had been a few years older I think it would have felt far more fitting. Annoyingly I really liked Delphie's character before she was revealed as the big bad.
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Post by Ade on Jul 29, 2016 22:25:18 GMT
Does anyone know how the 'shimmering' was done? I think a mixture of screens and lighting, the BF just thinks lightning From what I could tell a projection that perfectly matched the stage that rippled. So essentially a photo of the stage projected over the actual set - was in row BB tonight and that's what it looked like to me.
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Post by Ade on Jul 28, 2016 23:14:41 GMT
Couldn't agree more! There tonight too and I'm beyond excited for part two. Safe to say this won't be my only trip to see it. Refreshing to see a UK production that's had everything thrown at it. Also can't find it but there was a question on how the dementors are done a while back and they are definitely people. I could see the face of the one flying around the auditorium as they flew back down from the balcony towards the stage. The dementors on stage use the same wires as the swimming. The dementor in the audience is done exactly the same way Mary Poppins and the Witches of Eastwick women flew. It's basically a wire set up which you can see in the auditorium at the beginning. You just aren't expecting it. What a show. Woooow. Annoyingly I have to wait till September 3rd for the second part! Oh no! I'm not sure I'd be able to wait that long.
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Post by Ade on Jul 28, 2016 22:38:15 GMT
Oh my god..... That was one of the best theatrical experiences of my life. Jesus. I'm a little shocked and walked out of the theatre with my mouth open!! I've never seen magic like that on a stage ever. It's going to run for 50 years! Fire, water, flames, flying and it's scary, funny, witty and heartfelt. The story and book are perfection with twists, turns, time travel, character reveals, sensational performances and magic beyond comprehension...... Wow. 10/10 #keepthesecrets Couldn't agree more! There tonight too and I'm beyond excited for part two. Safe to say this won't be my only trip to see it. Refreshing to see a UK production that's had everything thrown at it. Also can't find it but there was a question on how the dementors are done a while back and they are definitely people. I could see the face of the one flying around the auditorium as they flew back down from the balcony towards the stage.
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Post by Ade on Jul 28, 2016 15:20:14 GMT
Am finally seeing both parts of Harry Potter tonight and tomorrow. Can't wait Anyone else going to be there? Harry Potter for me tonigh and tomorrow too. Seems to have come around fast since buying the tickets! Very excited for this one.
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Post by Ade on Jul 22, 2016 16:31:14 GMT
I have such a stagey crush on Andy Karl!! Right there with you...
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Post by Ade on Jul 19, 2016 19:13:40 GMT
Bet she doesn't do the full run though... Admittedly that was the first thing I said to my OH after watching.
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Post by Ade on Jul 19, 2016 19:12:58 GMT
I'm in the 'It was OK' camp and yes she can obviously sing. There's just no variation to it, like she was only focusing on hitting the big notes. I'm sure it'll sound better in person and with an orchestra/experience, but that video just doesn't have the oomph that I was hoping for.
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Post by Ade on Jul 15, 2016 22:20:27 GMT
Is this amazing theatre? No. In fact the narrative is pretty pants. Is it enjoyable? Absolutely. First time seeing it and it really does hang together on Bev's ridiculous vocals. I want to go and sit through two hours again just to see and hear her sing 'I will always love you' another time. Great first preview from my POV. How was the audience response? All 6 times I saw the show, the audience went mental. Standing ovation or mid-song applause during I Will Always Love You. There was mid song applause during IWALY and a standing ovation as she was finishing it.
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Post by Ade on Jul 15, 2016 21:35:16 GMT
Is this amazing theatre? No. In fact the narrative is pretty pants. Is it enjoyable? Absolutely. First time seeing it and it really does hang together on Bev's ridiculous vocals. I want to go and sit through two hours again just to see and hear her sing 'I will always love you' another time. Great first preview from my POV.
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Post by Ade on Jul 14, 2016 23:00:39 GMT
That proposed date would certainly imply they are going to shut when Rebel leaves.
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Post by Ade on Jul 14, 2016 16:02:51 GMT
On another topic, do we think there is a small slide behind the fireplace, so that everyone using flue powder comes on at the same angle? Definitely a slide. Not seen the plays yet but you could see a fireplace with a slide behind it in the rehearsal video they released.
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Post by Ade on Jul 3, 2016 9:25:45 GMT
I had no problem with the twinkling but the above nails it for me. It just felt far too rushed through. That and the fact that the carpet just goes back to its original position like it was resetting back ready for its next performance (I get that this was related to the position of the balcony) just made it feel like an anti-climax.
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Post by Ade on Jul 2, 2016 13:56:32 GMT
Looking forward to this one. My first time seeing it as didn't bother going to the run at the Adelphi and will be at the first preview.
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Post by Ade on Jun 22, 2016 21:17:42 GMT
I've read both the first and the second (Climbing the Curtain) but didn't know there was a third one out by now. Yes, pretty enjoyable reads, though I kept wondering on who she based her characters... or if they were just a mix of archetypes. I was wondering the same thing as I was reading them.
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Post by Ade on Jun 22, 2016 19:27:21 GMT
Not sure if any of you will have already heard of this but I've just finished reading it and thought I would post. Chewing the Scenery by Davina Elliott is a great little read that charts a group of actors putting on a production of Blithe Spirit at TR Haymarket. All very farcical but it's supposed to be and had me gripped. It also acted as a bit of a reminder to appreciate productions at a point where going to the theatre has become an extra line on a list rather than a thing to savour.
Anyway definitely worth a read if you get chance and there are two more stories that I'm yet to start on.
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Post by Ade on Jun 11, 2016 10:14:49 GMT
Definitely wasn't mad about this. It was enjoyable enough but definitely preferred the first half to the second. Post-interval it just seemed clumsy and chaotic. For me, it suffered from the exact same problems that all Rufus Norris productions I've seen have. He seems to focus on a handle of moments and create nice visuals and staging and then not really bother about the rest of the play as long as the actors are on stage delivering their lines.
I actually also really disliked the use of the revolve (which for me is a rarity). Until that point the whole production had been in typical Brecht fashion doing everything to remind us this was a simple handcrafted experience, and the sudden appearance of a very technological way of bringing on the scene change felt very jarring. Essentially there was absolutely no need to use the lift other than the fact it was there and available.
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