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Post by showoff on Feb 17, 2018 10:20:24 GMT
So I booked in the new year and here we are. I have to say, I booked an accessible ticket due to disabilities I have, and I have to really praise the treatment I received there. It was on another level in customer care. I have invisible disabilities, a heart condition that makes me pass out if I stand for too long among one of them, I am used to being looked up and down when asking for help or to use an accessible line. Not so here. I asked a steward and he told me to go to the other VIP door, I didn't have to queue (what a queue, it was so long!) and was escorted by such a nice man who couldn't do enough for me, walked me through the building, got me my programme, showed me directly to my seat and the accessible toilets. I saw him throughout my time there, in the interval and afterwards, he always was asking if I needed anything or how I was enjoying it and saw me off too. It made a huge difference, and to not be asked what's wrong with me (which happens all the time as I look healthy and fine). So I was so pleased with the service and I will email the team and mention the great care I had. Really pleased to hear you had this positive experience. Invisible disabilities are so much more common than those without them would often think - so it's great to hear you had such a welcoming team looking after you. Thank you, that's very kind. I had to mention it because it stood out to me. I can't tell you what awful experiences I've had from big places, I've been quite insulted, always objectified, people looking me up and down or telling me just how lucky I am that I look completely 'normal', so there's that going for me! It's not something really think about, when they hear disabled, people automatically think of wheelchair, so anything that doesn't fit in with that is seen as not counting. As I have told many a person, if I was in a wheelchair, I would have a lot less trouble, but as long as I can be without one, I will. As you said, it's more common than people know. I've emailed to managers to praise the care I received. People can be quick to complain, but take good service for granted, but it really made a difference for me.
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Post by showoff on Feb 16, 2018 21:42:45 GMT
I also had read an article about the choreography of the bullet throughout the show and how she is always gunning for Hamilton from thestart, and I kept an eye on that and it added another level to the show. Oh wow, need to see it again just to watch for that! Yeah, it's pretty interesting actually. She's easily noticeable, she's always very close or next to him and the eye contact she has with him is intense, she's always got her eyes on him. If you want to know who it is, she's the one standing by the stairs on Aaron Burr Sir, watching the three guys, and then she's sitting on the table behind afterwards. After that, you know who she is and it's easy to spot her or look out for her.
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Chess
Feb 16, 2018 15:53:05 GMT
Post by showoff on Feb 16, 2018 15:53:05 GMT
Well, I will still be going,it's a present for my Mother's birthday and she still wants to go.
I can't help but be a little disappointed, I was so excited to see this for the first time, but the cast just feels wrong. However, there is something to be said for low expectations, it's possible we could lower our expectations and come away thinking it was quite good or at least better than we feared.
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Post by showoff on Feb 16, 2018 14:51:40 GMT
Ok, so finally saw this yesterday in the matinee. Well, not finally, I haven't been waiting too long, I was a late arrival to the whole thing, I avoided it as I'm never a fan of something that has a big crazy following, I held off from the Potter books until the Half Blood Prince book and caved and adored them. So last year when I was sick I fell into the soundtrack and took some time with it and really loved it.
So I booked in the new year and here we are. I have to say, I booked an accessible ticket due to disabilities I have, and I have to really praise the treatment I received there. It was on another level in customer care. I have invisible disabilities, a heart condition that makes me pass out if I stand for too long among one of them, I am used to being looked up and down when asking for help or to use an accessible line. Not so here. I asked a steward and he told me to go to the other VIP door, I didn't have to queue (what a queue, it was so long!) and was escorted by such a nice man who couldn't do enough for me, walked me through the building, got me my programme, showed me directly to my seat and the accessible toilets. I saw him throughout my time there, in the interval and afterwards, he always was asking if I needed anything or how I was enjoying it and saw me off too. It made a huge difference, and to not be asked what's wrong with me (which happens all the time as I look healthy and fine). So I was so pleased with the service and I will email the team and mention the great care I had.
I had the full cast bar Eliza, Marsha took her place and did a very good job with it too. I enjoyed it overall and the writing and score is really something else, there's great synergy in it which is obvious at times, but there's little subtle bits that are stunning.
I wouldn't say it's perfect and I wouldn't say it's as good as the hype, and for me a big reason was the casting.
I was worried about Gilles as Burr, I heard the early recordings, and like it or not, I didn't gel with his lisp. I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised, sound have done something there I feel, and it sounds quite different to those recordings. I still feel he was a little late with some phrasing though, but he gave a good performance.
Hamilton was Jamael and I'm sorry to say, I wasn't a fan. He was so stiff and flat, especially in the first half. There was no passion, no energy and bravado. Nothing of a young revolutionary. My shot felt like he was just reciting the words, no feeling and no movement of his body, and when he had to dance, it was quite awkward. It seemed he was better in the role in the second half though.
Another role I think was butchered was King George, I was really disappointed here because to me it sounded like Michael Jibson was tone deaf, he couldn't seem to find the pitch and I was a little shocked knowing he had such good reviews, I was looking around to see if anyone else was hearing the same thing.
I feel a bit half and half about Jason Pennycooke, I think he did well in places, in others I wasn't too fussed. One thing, he doesn't have any charm like Daveed did, which I think can turn his roles into more caricature.
One thing, I really think the actors could go for more in the rap battles and feed off of each other a little more, they didn't engage each other at all, so it didn't feel like they were going after each other. And in places it feels like it needs an injection of energy, but that may be Jamael.
I thought Washington was a stand out performance, really commanding in both his stage presence and his voice, I felt he absolutely nailed his part and sung it wonderfully and was my favourite. And Mulligan/Madison was also played spot on by Tarinn. The women were really amazing and the talk in the interval was mostly about them, so well done sisters! I also had read an article about the choreography of the bullet throughout the show and how she is always gunning for Hamilton from thestart, and I kept an eye on that and it added another level to the show.
I really enjoyed it, but I'm not crazy about it, and want to go back, but will most likely wait for the cast change.
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Post by showoff on Feb 14, 2018 15:01:13 GMT
I'm not sure if there's anything I can do now, but I was just getting everything sorted for going tomorrow and I was emailed too with my seat details. I had called and used the accessible booking, I had asked for an isle seat, but now I see that it's mid row. I'm quite tall and one of my issue is bad knees, I just don't think I'll be able to sit in the seat blocked in. I had requested the isle so I could lean my legs out to the side a bit. Is there anything I can do now? I'm a little bit annoyed as I did say the isle seats to the man. Where are you sitting? I’m 6 foot 5 and was in row R in the stalls middle of the row and had no issues. Row S, seat 37. That's good to hear. There are a few other reasons why I would need an isle seat though.
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Post by showoff on Feb 14, 2018 14:25:01 GMT
I'm not sure if there's anything I can do now, but I was just getting everything sorted for going tomorrow and I was emailed too with my seat details.
I had called and used the accessible booking, I had asked for an isle seat, but now I see that it's mid row. I'm quite tall and one of my issue is bad knees, I just don't think I'll be able to sit in the seat blocked in. I had requested the isle so I could lean my legs out to the side a bit.
Is there anything I can do now? I'm a little bit annoyed as I did say the isle seats to the man.
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Post by showoff on Feb 13, 2018 15:08:21 GMT
OK, well, I was really looking forwards to this, but I really hope this cast isn't the actual cast.
I just cannot see that Alexandra Burke and Michael Ball would gel together on a stage at all. I just can't see it.
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Post by showoff on Feb 1, 2018 15:26:29 GMT
Yes, I have no idea (because its not something I ever do) how the price of an evening at something like Hamilton compares with a high-profile gig, premier league football, going clubbing etc, when you factor in everything like drinks and so on. I asked my uncle how much he pays for football matches (Premier League club) and he said about £60 for a single high-profile match. Given Hamilton is twice as long as a football match, even my original £80 ticket doesn't seem so bad, and my £37.50 tickets seem like a steal! But I have paid £70 to watch tennis matches, Roger Federer, and it was over two hours.
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Post by showoff on Jan 31, 2018 17:51:19 GMT
Letting everyone know instead of just PMing a mod isn't nice either. I didn't know you could PM mods. In fact I didn't know there WERE mods. But you've quite effectively proven my point, thanks. I don't understand what's here to block? Nobody has been nasty at all. Are you wishing to block anyone who doesn't have a positive review of the show?
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Post by showoff on Jan 31, 2018 17:45:55 GMT
People are throwing shade at a 200 and 250 pound ticket and of course those prices are insane, but if you went for a nice dinner with drinks, dessert and perhaps went to a bar with friends after, you could easily drop 200 quid in a night...it's all about priorities. The issues I see with the prices is that this markets itself as a piece of musical theatre that appeals and attracts a different audience, a younger one and one which hasn't had a voice in theatre before. The prices do not reflect that audience. It's not easy for a younger audience to be able to afford tickets like this, or the parents of them to be able to. I just think it would be nice for a musical that is deliberately inclusive to be as inclusive as to who will be able to see it, and let's be honest, the poorer audience will not be able to see it, if it prices itself so highly, only the elite will be seeing it, which isn't inclusive. And yes, a lot of us might drop that much for a night out, but many other people won't be able to afford that easily.
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Chess
Jan 25, 2018 17:20:36 GMT
Post by showoff on Jan 25, 2018 17:20:36 GMT
Don’t worry, it isn’t. Two or three dates are heavily booked otherwise there seems to be lots of choice. Thanks Dan. I'm going to get my dates ready tonight and then book tomorrow. Good to hear there's still a lot of choice.
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Chess
Jan 25, 2018 16:39:30 GMT
Post by showoff on Jan 25, 2018 16:39:30 GMT
Sarcasm does not translate well does it! LOL I think we need to add "Assume post is sarcastic until told otherwise" to the FAQs around here.... (See also, 'Assume post is slightly lecherous until told otherwise particularly if it involves Studley Fraser' I think we do, I didn't read it there, and I'm usually good with noticing it, even online, where it can be difficult at times. I'm also quite sarcastic in real life. But I didn't read it that way and started to worry last night, because I really want to go to this, but haven't got around to booking yet. I'm not waiting for cast announcement, i just haven't sorted when I want to go yet. I was out from early this morning, but planned to book as soon as I got home if demand was that high.
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Post by showoff on Jan 11, 2018 19:09:53 GMT
I saw this today and I enjoyed it as a film.The songs are really catchy and you feel like you know them instantly and leave humming them.
Sadly I didn't enjoy the whole experience, there was a family that arrived five minutes into the film and then proceeded to absolutely ruin it for everyone, I've never seen anything like it, constant eating and scrunching of bags. Talking and shouting, everyone else in the screening was shushing them over and over.It was constant, and then in a moment of quiet, you're just waiting for them to make even more noise. Honestly it really ruined the film and instead of leaving dancing down the street, I was just annoyed and a little upset.
Because of this I don't know if I enjoyed it enough to go back and watch it again or not.
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Post by showoff on Jan 5, 2018 11:29:37 GMT
It's really good to hear, especially as I would feel it appeals to a younger audience, as did Dreamgirls, and it was one of the worst audiences I ever witnessed, most of them didn't stay in their seats for most of it, leaving for the bar during the songs, even And I am Telling You. It ruined the show for me. Each time I have seen Hamilton The audience has not been particularly diverse Which surprises me Dreamgirls had a very mixed demographic But you are right It was like a sh*tty karaoke Over amplified like a concert And the singers are effectively screaming for most of it I have heard many reports that the audience is not diverse in New York either, probably due to the prices too, with the Broadway prices, it's hardly appealing to those who it's targeted at. I kind of agree with Larry David's opinion of it. I was really happy to see such a diverse audience at Dreamgirls though.
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Post by showoff on Jan 5, 2018 10:27:18 GMT
Interesting to read people's comments about how well behaved the audience are. I went to an early preview and commented on this as well. The only other place I know of well behaved audiences is the NT. Utter silence during the show but pop concert like ovation at the end of each song. The silence was wonderful but quite spooky. Guess I am do used to coughing, talking, ice clinking in glasses and sweet eating that this came as a pleasant shock. It's really good to hear, especially as I would feel it appeals to a younger audience, as did Dreamgirls, and it was one of the worst audiences I ever witnessed, most of them didn't stay in their seats for most of it, leaving for the bar during the songs, even And I am Telling You. It ruined the show for me.
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Post by showoff on Jan 1, 2018 15:43:11 GMT
Official confirmation, alternate Alexandre Hamilton (Ash Hunter) will have mondays as weekly scheduled performance! Nothing to do with the schedule, but I love he has the same initials as his character.
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Post by showoff on Dec 29, 2017 19:00:51 GMT
No problem with the Prince comparisons either as I’m a huge huge fan of him too. Me too, huge fan, and I always saw an element of Prince thrown into it, the flamboyance etc. But if Jason embodies Prince, then I really cannot wait to see him. I'm also happy to read the reports on row T of the stalls here, I have a row T from the accessible team too and was worried it was a little way back, but glad to hear you feel close and it's a good view too.
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Post by showoff on Dec 29, 2017 17:33:00 GMT
Add me in to the crushing on Daveed, I adore him, even his speaking voice just has something.
But even Daveeds outfit was based on Prince, but maybe because Jason is petite he really looks like him.
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Post by showoff on Dec 26, 2017 12:58:53 GMT
Are there ‘Hamilton’ leaflets in town yet? I need one to put in my sons birthday card as there are no tickets to put in there. Would anybody be able to help me out? Pleeeeeeeeease? You could always print your own one off from online pictures.
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Post by showoff on Dec 23, 2017 8:41:58 GMT
I would hope the box office would be reasonable about it. After all, the purpose of all this is to prevent unscrupulous people buying up tickets in bulk to create a shortage and selling them at a huge profit, not to make honest customers jump through hoops for the amusement of the staff. I don't think so, because how will the box office really know the difference between someone who has broken up with an ex, or a tout who will use similar stories in an attempt to change the name on the ticket? It's hard for them to tell the genuine, honest customers, and those trying to get away with it and sell them on for a profit. sadface I think you'll just have to get your ex to get a refund and you look for tickets, they keep coming up all the time, so it won't be impossible, just maybe not for the very day you was planning.
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Post by showoff on Dec 23, 2017 8:16:50 GMT
Thank you so much for your replies. I think the issue is that the tickets were bought using her card, not mine. I am pretty sure that you can only change the credit card if it's the same name right? But I would need it to be changed to my own? ** Forgot to add that Ticketmaster refuse to talk to anyone about the order apart from the 'ticketholder' i.e. not me. I read a post on here from someone in a similar scenario. When their friend rang up to try to explain and change, they received a cancellation out of the blue... That was me. And if I knew the outcome of my friend’s trying to solve te question for me ( “sorry my relative got cancer so please swap tix to Stasia as she is my intendended plus one? — we don’t care, here are your cancelled tix”), I would try your second option. Isn't their second option forging an email? I wouldn't go for that option, it could end up worse then just being refused entry
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Post by showoff on Dec 22, 2017 8:03:12 GMT
Thoughts on yesterday's matinee: It really is a fantastic show. I had seen it previously in New York, but I enjoyed it more this time because I was a lot more awake. Seeing a show after waiting on a cold sidewalk for 9 hours is not the way. Giles Terera: What a performance! And the standout for me. Wait For It in particular was goosebump worthy. I definitely think he will be the front runner for all the major awards. Lisp? I think a lot of people are over-reacting here. Leslies was much more pronounced.Ash Hunter was on as Hamilton. He still has a bit of a way to go, and he seemed a bit unsure of himself at times. I'm sure he will grow into the role. Rachel John - Sublime. Satisfied was one of my standout moments Rachelle Ann Go - I really liked her Eliza, particularly Burn which I thought she did great justice to. Obioma Ugoala - He was great! Really liked his Washington Jason Pennycooke - he really can do no wrong. He was funny, charming and had a lot of stage presence Michael Jibson - Perfect, his deadpan really worked. Audience loved him. Another highlight: the sound and diction - VERY crisp. I could follow everything My seat in row T, seat 11 was a great view, considering it is £32 cheaper than both the row in front and the box behind, and just five rows ahead you're looking at £200 a ticket. I missed a few short moments on the far stage left balcony. But I was chuffed with it for £47. I must be filtering it or something, because I listened to LOJ on the live recordings and I cannot hear a lisp at all, even when I'm trying to. Whereas Giles I can hear right away and it has that thickness of sound to it.
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Post by showoff on Dec 22, 2017 7:34:05 GMT
Won surprise that the ultra royalist Andy ultra patriotic Mail didn’t overly wa m to it - considering that the story is about the birth of America as a self governing nation, in other words how King George lost the right to rule in 1776. I did say a few months ago that in this post Brexit country I could see some people not enjoying the subject matter of the US wanting to break away from our rule and our monarchy being the laughing stock. There are some who wish us back to our empire days, so this is a kick in the teeth for them. However, I don't believe that the audience will be heavily populated with this type of person, a typical daily mail reader wouldn't pay to see a stage full of people of different races rap.
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Post by showoff on Dec 21, 2017 17:49:39 GMT
I had tickets booked in advance for the opening for a gift for a family member whose a big fan. It's supposed to be a Christmas present, but I'll have to change the date and sort something out.
I do wish that they would have explained what the problem is and why it's being cancelled so soon after tickets have gone on sale. At least with Hamilton the theatre wouldn't have been ready, but what's the reason for this?
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Post by showoff on Dec 21, 2017 14:00:33 GMT
I had a look, and even though it's the same email address connected to the site, it's not on my online account either. Mine vanished from my online account the day after the original (cancelled) date. That's why I emailed them. Personally, I like to have a bit of paper in my hand as proof. I'm the same, I like to have something,because then I feel more secure they can't turn me away, I like to have something to show them. I've sent off an email with my details, hopefully they'll send me some kind of confirmation that way.
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Post by showoff on Dec 21, 2017 13:14:31 GMT
But do you have an existing Ticketmaster account? I know when I've booked things via non-online methods they've still matched up with my existing account and I've been able to log in and see the booking. If you've ever used Ticketmaster online before, is it not worth having a quick log on to see if they've connected your phone booking with you anyway? Even if the only result is that you just get to come back here and tell us it wasn't worth the thirty seconds of your life it took to check? Thanks for this, I had a look, and even though it's the same email address connected to the site, it's not on my online account either. The lady on the phone said to contact them on the website if I wanted to, but that it wasn't really needed.
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Post by showoff on Dec 21, 2017 12:46:25 GMT
They haven't even sent me my order confirmation over a week after I booked (by phone). I called up a few days afterwards and everything's fine with my order, but they're not able to send out another confirmation. They did say you don't need it if you have your ID and payment card, but I think I'll contact them online to see if I can get a confirmation sent to me. Isn’t there a printable confirmation in your ticketmaster account? No, I booked with them over the phone.
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Post by showoff on Dec 21, 2017 12:26:06 GMT
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but you lot are so helpful ... do they send a 'reminder' email confirmation nearer to the date of the tickets or will I have to dig out the one sent when I originally booked? Thanks. They haven't even sent me my order confirmation over a week after I booked (by phone). I called up a few days afterwards and everything's fine with my order, but they're not able to send out another confirmation. They did say you don't need it if you have your ID and payment card, but I think I'll contact them online to see if I can get a confirmation sent to me.
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Post by showoff on Dec 20, 2017 17:36:12 GMT
They accepted my Validate UK proof of age, photo ID card at yesterdays matinee. I don't have a driving licence or an up to date passport, although I took my old one with me just in case. Oh I might need to get one of those. My passport is near expiry and I don’t want to miss out on any last minute Hamilton deals while it’s off being renewed. It might however be strange getting an ID card purely to prove I’m over 18 when I’m twice that age. Wishful thinking - it’s been a good few years since I was last carded. An expired passport will count as ID, I use my expired provisional all the time as it's still proof, you're not using it for the passport to travel, so they won't check the date, only your photo. ETA, Oh I see, you're saying you won't have it while it's sent away for renewal. Sorry I misread this.
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Post by showoff on Dec 20, 2017 10:43:58 GMT
Saw this last night. Gosh it’s still 100 percent and on top form. CJ was on for Dorothy and Graeme for Marsh, everyone else was on. My friends who I took for Xmas (was my 4th time) adored it and cried and tapped out of the theatre at the end. It’s still on fire! Two things I noticed, yes they do have microphones down the legs so the tap is definately not click tracked and also since the Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal it really did make me see the show in a different light when it comes to Marsh and Sawyer’s working relationship! I said similar up the thread, before HW though. It made me feel uncomfortable in places, especially in the lullaby of Broadway, where he seems overbearing towards her, and stands over her while she's sitting holding down her shoulders.
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