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Post by Ade on Dec 11, 2016 10:34:25 GMT
So what do people think next year's panto will be? I was originally thinking that it could be Aladdin but since the musical of that is playing over the road then I don't think they'll put the panto version of it at the Palladium. I hope and think it will be Snow White & the 7 dwarfs - that's a very popular panto too. I really hope it isn't Peter Pan as that's my least favourite panto Dick Whittington with John Barrowman wouldnt surprise me as one of them I love panto but 3 hours seem a bit long for a panto Honestly it really did fly by. I was pretty surprised at the time as we left.
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Post by Ade on Dec 11, 2016 0:10:18 GMT
With Qdos pantos they tend to be a bit of both with pop songs also. I imagine it's the same for this. Love Changes Everything, Any Dream Will Do, a snippet of Rose'sTurn! Not to mention Fabulous Baby from Sister Act. Although I've tried to forget that one with Amanda'a performance...
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Post by Ade on Dec 10, 2016 23:44:25 GMT
Well that was long! The three and a bit hours absolutely flew by but I really wasn't expecting the running time to be that long. Overall a hilarious evening and I really didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Cracking casting overall. Although I'm left feeling very thankful I didn't catch Amanda Holden in Shrek. Its three hours long?! Yeh which I wasn't expecting as the twitter account had tweeted saying about two and a half hours. It started pretty much on time tonight and I was walking out at 10:33
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Post by Ade on Dec 10, 2016 23:17:29 GMT
Well that was long! The three and a bit hours absolutely flew by but I really wasn't expecting the running time to be that long. Overall a hilarious evening and I really didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Cracking casting overall. Although I'm left feeling very thankful I didn't catch Amanda Holden in Shrek.
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Post by Ade on Dec 3, 2016 14:06:20 GMT
I'm there next Saturday evening. My first panto since I was about 8 i reckon!
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Post by Ade on Nov 26, 2016 10:16:02 GMT
Oh one more thing - what was the point of the set used in Steppin to the Bad Side?! Probably the most complicated and largest piece of set in the whole thing and it was used for about ten minutes. Definitely unnecessary design there.
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Post by Ade on Nov 25, 2016 23:10:01 GMT
Absolutely loved this. Saw it this evening. Was rather surprised how good Amber Riley was to be honest. I knew she could hold a tune, but she sings the hell out of those songs. As others have said I can't see her being able to keep on at that level but even knocking it back a little will still be phenomenal. Not on board with the Liisi bashing. There were a few points she was off but she redeemed herself in the Listen duet. Think it's safe to say Sonia has another hit production on her hands. Just a shame it's also going to attract the type of people who were behind me in the grand circle - a group of women who clearly thought they were down the pub and spent the first half talking and on their phones (my first experience this bad in the theatre). Thankfully they were nowhere in sight for the second act and I'm 90% sure it's because they thought it had ended at And I'm Telling You, as I'd heard them part way through act one complaining there wasn't a break. Idiots. I fear being shot down For this But in general the WE doesn't attract the best sort of audience We all know it's true Glad you enjoyed it Oh I know it's not perfect but the level of talking from this lot was not like anything I've experienced before. There were actually two groups, one in front of the other, and someone confronted the group who did stay for the second half - resulting in a slanging match at the interval.
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Post by Ade on Nov 25, 2016 22:53:25 GMT
Absolutely loved this. Saw it this evening. Was rather surprised how good Amber Riley was to be honest. I knew she could hold a tune, but she sings the hell out of those songs. As others have said I can't see her being able to keep on at that level but even knocking it back a little will still be phenomenal. Not on board with the Liisi bashing. There were a few points she was off but she redeemed herself in the Listen duet.
Think it's safe to say Sonia has another hit production on her hands. Just a shame it's also going to attract the type of people who were behind me in the grand circle - a group of women who clearly thought they were down the pub and spent the first half talking and on their phones (my first experience this bad in the theatre). Thankfully they were nowhere in sight for the second act and I'm 90% sure it's because they thought it had ended at And I'm Telling You, as I'd heard them part way through act one complaining there wasn't a break. Idiots.
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Post by Ade on Nov 20, 2016 7:51:48 GMT
The Children in Need performance is now on YouTube. Now, I haven't seen the show live yet, but do Dean and Jade sound better in the theatre than on TV, because neither of them sound that great at all in this performance...? No not really
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Post by Ade on Nov 11, 2016 22:36:43 GMT
Saw this this evening. An enjoyable evening even if the book isn't the greatest in the world. It really was made by the two leads despite the whole cast putting their all into it. Laura Pitt-Pulford was the stand-out for me - she just seemed to embody Violet throughout. Was impressed with the design - always intriguing when you walk into SP to see what they've done with the space.
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Post by Ade on Nov 10, 2016 19:25:10 GMT
Perhaps my 5% was the rear stalls...hehe I am kidding with with that, I had the whole view of the auditorium and it was pretty full in my eyes (including my section of the stalls)...unlikely for an upgrade anywhere is what I am saying as front stalls packed and 2nd level (not sure if it's called a circle at New London) also pretty packed out (at the front in my eye line at least) so the back rows as you say might not be full. Anyways wasn't it fun and took my mind off anything political, although I'm with her joke was spot-on!! Yes and the atmosphere was fantastic. I am picking at empty seats clearly. I have seen far worse in other theatres but during its previews I was expecting it to be "ram-packed" as Corbyn might say! I do think the New London is quite an unforgiving theatre when it comes to empty seats too. If there are any without occupants it's very obvious because everything feels so open. In others you can get away with it a bit more because of balconies etc.
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Post by Ade on Nov 8, 2016 9:26:45 GMT
Previews from June 17th. Opening June 29th, currently booking through September 9th. Tickets currently on sale. Ticket Prices: Stalls - £30/£40/£50/£70 Royal Circle - £30/£40/£50/£70 Upper Circle - £15/£20/£25 Those do go up outside of previews by a bit, but even then it looks like a much fairer pricing structure than we've seen recently!
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Post by Ade on Oct 29, 2016 21:49:47 GMT
Just out of the evening performance. Didn't love this I'm afraid to say, though the majority of the audience lapped it up. Liked the design and the music was sung well but that's as far as it goes for me really. I couldn't get on board with the narrative (or lack of) and I'm normally a fan of anything remotely like this. As others have said if you're in the back third expect to listen not see for the most part. I'm normally pretty easy going when it comes to seats and head-dodging but the rake just isn't sufficient in here and so I missed large chunks of what was happening - I was in row ZD and am 6 feet if that helps put it in context. Also, with the trains sounding their horns, helicopters above and sirens outside, I can't help thinking that building theatres in glorified marquees isn't the way forward...
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Post by Ade on Oct 25, 2016 17:46:59 GMT
Watching it now and really enjoying the way it's filmed. Feels very cinematic compared to other stage recordings. Definitely a very successful stage to recording conversion.
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Post by Ade on Oct 24, 2016 7:22:22 GMT
Never Again The Long, Long Day
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Post by Ade on Oct 24, 2016 5:28:17 GMT
Agree about Strickland. Very strong voice but dear lord his face just wouldn't stay still.
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Post by Ade on Oct 24, 2016 5:01:54 GMT
Anyone else see this last night? Have to say that while it was oh-so Disney, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Aladdin performances all seemed much better in isolation than they did when I saw it on stage too. The main cast were all very good too and sang the s**t out of the songs. Ashley Brown got the majority of the well known numbers, and have to say I was surprised how good she was.
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Post by Ade on Oct 11, 2016 10:40:47 GMT
Bladder issues aside, has anyone seen this yet?
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Post by Ade on Oct 10, 2016 23:03:19 GMT
I was there tonight and have to say I absolutely loved it. It was the first time I've seen Phantom in London and not been massively underwhelmed by it. Ben I was pleasently surprised by as the Phantom, he wasn't perfect by any means but was a heck of a lot better than I was expecting him to be. Celinde I thought was okay...vocally very strong, but overall I didn't love her portrayal in the same way that I did Harriet Jones/Olivia Brereton on previous performances. Nadim as Raoul I really liked - had Liam Tamne last time and it was possibly the most phoned in performance I've ever seen in a theatre, so the bar wasn't exactly set high for Nadim, but I thought he was really really good. The other characters were fine, no one else really has a big enough part to make a really big impression. Messieurs Firman and André handled the comedic side of their roles very well and got a great response from the audience, Madame Giry was no way fierce/feisty enough in my mind. The finale was wonderful. Perhaps it didn't come across great online but the atmosphere in the theatre was electric. I do think that Cameron and Andrew chatted a bit longer than they needed to but the performances were brilliant, and it was lovely to have the French segment too. Definite highlight had to be the entire Upper Circle and Balcony getting in for a big photo! (Can be seen on Twitter #phantom30th) Just found this pic and spotted myself. Well done that man for doing it!
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Post by Ade on Oct 10, 2016 22:31:04 GMT
Was there tonight. Cast wasn't the best I've seen but I enjoyed it none the less. More annoyingly I had to leave part way through the finale to catch the last train home. Sierra was hands down the best of the evening (that I saw).
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Post by Ade on Oct 6, 2016 22:19:22 GMT
For anyone interested, about 10 or so £30 tickets are up on Really Useful for Monday's show right now.
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Post by Ade on Sept 28, 2016 18:41:01 GMT
Seems Disney needs to find some original ideas again. Don't mind them dabbling in some remakes but feels a bit like it's at the expense of anything new at the minute.
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Post by Ade on Sept 28, 2016 11:31:47 GMT
Managed to grab a couple. I've been keeping an eye out the last couple of days and seats keeping popping up on there so worth popping back on the site every now and then for anyone interested.
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Post by Ade on Sept 24, 2016 20:48:04 GMT
Saw the new cast today. Agree with Theatremonkey for the most part. Elena as Lauren is 90% of the way there. She's almost got the role nailed - just not quite quirky enough in places. Actually preferred David Hunter to Killian - something a bit more boyish about him - although oddly the clash with Lola near the end felt more out of place than it has on earlier trips.
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Post by Ade on Sept 21, 2016 20:03:00 GMT
I see Amber Riley is a judge on Let It Shine. Wonder how that's going to interact with Dreamgirls schedule. I'm guessing there won't be a live Saturday show for the TV programme then.
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Post by Ade on Sept 17, 2016 22:52:37 GMT
I was there tonight as well. Tim Minchin and his guest, Ralf Fiennes were in the audience, which draw some ooo's and ahhh's. Really enjoyed it again for the second time and was satisfied how they worked out some of the illusions in act 2. Ah nice one. I was up in the LB circle so had no idea they were in!
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Post by Ade on Sept 17, 2016 21:29:48 GMT
Saw this for the first time tonight. Have to say that I loved it. There is as a moment near the start where I worried that the repetition would grow tiresome but it most definitely didn't. Loved the staging, loved the cast and loved the humour. Really like the music but my only gripe was that stylistically a lot of the songs just didn't feel like they followed on from one another. Very glad I caught it before it finished.
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Post by Ade on Sept 11, 2016 11:18:01 GMT
There is now recordings of Rachel on YouTube. Audience is very quiet compared to the two times I have seen it at the Dominion, both times I went there was cheering from the moment the video montage began haha! I wonder if that is the Beverley effect or just a quiet day? Cause even the audience at the end seem quiet. Jeez she really has some lungs on her. Wishing I'd had the chance to see her in it now.
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Post by Ade on Sept 9, 2016 12:34:58 GMT
Well. I have to say I loved it! Oliver Lidert was on as the genie and he was great I thought. Don't know what the main actor is like but I can't imagine he's much better than Oliver. 'Friend Like Me' is sen. sa. tion. al. with a capital SEN. SA. TION. AL! I was almost on my feet after it finished. Also loved 'A Whole New World' - and I didn't work out how it was done and don't want to know. Again, I practically gave the carpet a standing ovation. Lots of other great numbers and a terrific cast - some of the costume changes are brilliant. Loved Jade Ewen as Jasmine, loved Jafar and Iago and LOVED Rachid Sabitri, Nathan Amzi and Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Omar, Babkak and Kassim. They should all get a joint Best Supporting Actor Olivier! Yes, it might all be a bit panto but it's no worse a show for it. But most of all, I loved Dean John Wilson's pecs performance. Great at the comedy moments, nice voice (not necessarily the strongest but sounds lovely), lovely looking, genuine and great chemistry with the genie and especially Omar, Babkak and Kassim. The pecs are lovely too. I was mildly distracted by them at various points during the show but quite rightly so. All in all the show was s-pec-tactular! Whereas I was distracted by the pecs because the rest of the performance left me cold.
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Post by Ade on Aug 26, 2016 21:50:23 GMT
Saw this for the first time tonight. Just wow! Gutted I didn't see it earlier in the run so I could have seen it more than once now.
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