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Post by dan on Feb 22, 2024 6:20:22 GMT
I went to see Rufus Wainwright at the weekend and hearing him talk about the show (among the incredible array of things he’s written / is writing!) was exciting. I’m curious what it’ll be like hearing somebody else sing songs he’s written. I adore his songwriting but also paired with his voice. He was talking about the fact he was sent a video of Sheridan in Funny Girl ahead of casting and his reaction was “meh, it’s ok”… but how he’s gone on to find her a revelation to work with and that maybe his reaction was more about the show than her. Anyway I’m super excited for the show.
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Post by dan on Feb 20, 2024 10:42:41 GMT
So… oof. I struggle with the amount of criticism or more so what can feel unwarranted negativity around shows on here sometimes… and I’m fully framing this as it being an early preview and has only been performed three times so far… The positives… it’s a one act 90 minute show. Which I love. I do wish there was more of this structure across the board! I love to be home and to bed for a reasonable time (yeah, I’m getting old!). Some of the tech ideas are good here, projections etc. The story is interesting. It’s a nice difference from the movie. Oof… there’s a lot of potential and neat ideas. But this didn’t feel like it should be in front of paying audiences yet. It did feel like a workshop of a first draft and first trial of their projections and tech. Things weren’t syncing up or working properly. But for the story, it needed some wow moments if you’re going to try with tech. If you don’t have the budget for that, maybe do something more creative which I’d be here for. But a futuristic car that wobbles slightly side to side, projections supposed to evoke speed and travel but actually just feels slow and clunky. Clunky would be a word I’d use for the production as a whole. Transitions were awkwardly quiet because you stayed with characters who just weren’t doing anything. There were some cool sets, coming up and down etc, but they felt wasted. Sometimes a huge ceiling piece would shift out the way and it felt like something was going to happen… and nothing. There were interesting acting choices, but I think it was more the material and direction that didn’t serve the cast, who then could only really ham some of it up. For a future sci fi story, it felt stuck in the past. I feel quite sad saying all of this, but I want it to be great, I want it to succeed. It needs so much work to develop it further. I remember seeing Ghost the musical (& others) that evoked travel / speed / movement, and it could take lessons from those. I wish it well and hope it has some time to breathe, settle, develop, but it’s the first time in a long long time I’ve been disappointed with something like this. I had a decent 90 minutes but felt very nonplussed by it. Such great ideas and potential. It just doesn’t feel ready.
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Post by dan on Jan 30, 2024 7:32:22 GMT
Unhelpful not displaying the Valjean's names.. we had Alfie, Killian... but who were the other two? When Jason said the names it wasnt very clear thanks Milan van Waardenburg… as soon as he started singing I was googling away because I loved his voice so much. Velvet smooth. Beautiful voice.
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Post by dan on Jan 18, 2024 10:27:28 GMT
I am SO excited for this.
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Post by dan on Jan 17, 2024 19:33:00 GMT
😂 it’s definitely not
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Post by dan on Jan 11, 2024 18:52:53 GMT
He was incredible in Parade. Caught it on my 40th birthday last year in NYC! I’d be thrilled if we got it over here. My number one musical (well, alongside 2 or 3 others).
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Post by dan on Jan 3, 2024 12:20:00 GMT
I’ve just seen from her Instagram that Tiffany Graves went on as the Grand High Witch on 29th and 30th December and from the picture it looks like Sally Ann Triplett was off for at least one show during that time too. Did anyone get to see these shows? My friend saw the cover for Sally Ann Triplett on New Year's Day (eve) and said they were brilliant! Not sure who the cover is :-) She was terrific. You’d never know she was a cover / understudy, as always really… but she was fantastic.
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Post by dan on Jan 2, 2024 20:58:44 GMT
I am so thrilled to have seen this yesterday. I was very close to not going just based on much of the narrative in this thread, but I’m so glad I did because I thought it was incredibly well done. The two lead boys were outstanding, the songs were a delight, the staging and theatrics were wonderful. It felt so magical while not having or needing much actual magic (illusions etc), because imagination is what is needed and what the story and staging decisions evoke. The creativity here is just beautiful, and I really hope this has a future life. It’s definitely taught me to go and see shows and not be deterred by whatever narrative might be forming here… I love coming here and reading different experiences and opinions and views, I just need to remember that’s what they are, and that I can still be blown away and fall in love with something that might not be others’ taste. It was such a long drive there and back yesterday, but 100% worth it and a joyful way to start 2024
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Post by dan on Dec 21, 2023 22:05:14 GMT
Went for a second time today as I love it a ludicrous amount. The joy this film brings me is beautiful. I can’t stop listening to the soundtrack either. Love 🥰
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Post by dan on Dec 18, 2023 20:05:41 GMT
Hercules wasn't very muscular. This comment is mind blowing. 🤯 Wow this Hercules performance has me pumped for any potential production over here. Always loved the songs and score to Hercules
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Post by dan on Dec 14, 2023 17:27:55 GMT
This thing about memorable songs always makes me think… I really doubt if anybody heard Pure Imagination once that they’d be able to sing it. Personally I am actually singing at least three of the new songs on a loop! Each to their own but I absolutely love the new songs and how beautifully they fit this world and characters. I rewatched the original chocolate factory movie this morning… and I almost wish I’d kept it as a magical memory rather than rewatching it. I can’t wait to watch Wonka again though. It’s created a new warm spot in my heart and mind
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Post by dan on Dec 11, 2023 15:37:20 GMT
I was absolutely enraptured by this. I think it’s absolutely got Paddington 2 vibes and they clearly know their formula! I was expecting to like the songs anyway because I love the DC, so I can’t be massively objective, but I LOVED them and thought the whimsy was an incredible fit. I just adored this. I wasn’t feeling great, having a difficult morning, and then Wonka brightened up my day so much. It looks beautiful, I think the songs are beautiful and whimsical, the cast are engaging and fantastical, and I thought Wonka himself was a delight. I can’t wait to see it again.
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Post by dan on Dec 5, 2023 21:34:49 GMT
I really want to see this, hoping for a good deal as it's very expensive. I have a ticket for sale on the noticeboard open to offers
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Post by dan on Nov 29, 2023 15:57:37 GMT
Has anyone received a presale link for this morning? Yep yep yep Booked for first and last performances… gulp! Can not wait to experience this again.
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Post by dan on Nov 17, 2023 19:49:49 GMT
Exactly the same! Snap! Outer seats for £9.50 for first performance I love those seats at the Playhouse. Are they ok? I was just being a cheapskate. For £9.50 they’re incredible! I was in them at the weekend and they’re very close, not too wide either, so just miss a snippet of that side of the stage. Such great value.
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Post by dan on Nov 17, 2023 19:46:37 GMT
Two outer stalls seats booked for the first preview for £9.50 each; my son will still be there next year so I’ll have a place to stay or just give them to him if I change my mind. Exactly the same! Snap! Outer seats for £9.50 for first performance I love those seats at the Playhouse.
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Post by dan on Nov 15, 2023 7:53:24 GMT
As a huge Divine Comedy fan, I can not wait to hear the songs for this! And as a huge Paddington fan… this has the makings of a hugely warm and delightful movie… fingers crossed!
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Post by dan on Nov 15, 2023 7:50:18 GMT
Ticket on notice board for 31 December… open to offers for this.
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Post by dan on Nov 15, 2023 7:48:17 GMT
Still selling a £20 ticket (or decent offer) for this for 30 December (see notice board).
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Post by dan on Nov 10, 2023 14:21:43 GMT
It absolutely blows my mind that somebody wouldn’t like Rufus’ voice, but completely get how subjective this is. It’s just he’s pretty much my favourite voice on the planet, and I adore his songwriting so much, and how lush and orchestral his music can be. So I’m thrilled to be seeing this, and can’t wait even if just to hear the music… I think he’s extraordinary. And whenever I’ve seen Sheridan in anything I’ve been super impressed, especially her acting through song. Super pumped for this.
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Post by dan on Nov 3, 2023 21:47:54 GMT
Just had an email that the first performance has been cancelled, so I've had £20 credited to my account. They do say they've made more seats available at preview prices, but my chance of finding a decent £20 seat on the dates I can make doesn't look good... I’ve got a ticket on the notice board but might not be a date you can make
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Post by dan on Oct 11, 2023 20:51:32 GMT
Ticket on notice board, face value
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Post by dan on Oct 11, 2023 20:48:42 GMT
£20 ticket available on notice board
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Post by dan on Aug 28, 2023 21:53:13 GMT
They managed the first aid incident so well, and getting everybody back in promptly. Amazing work from the staff and the cast. Hope everybody is safe and well.
I’m so grateful to have got a ticket to see this again tonight. The show has been under my skin, in my brain, in my soul, since seeing it two weeks ago. The impact was not lessened a second time tonight. I think I was even more pieces and tears tonight. Both on behalf of the story and characters, but also personally too and how some of these songs speak so directly to me and my experience, I’m just blown away. Picked up a poster too for my library of posters in my office! I hope to see it and experience it again before it’s through. Gabe as a character, and that performance… just wow.
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Post by dan on Aug 17, 2023 20:01:38 GMT
From seeing this on Tuesday, it’s gotten under my skin in a way no musical ever has. I found it so incredibly powerful. I’ve listened to the Broadway cast recording for years and never really paid attention to what’s happening, just loving the songs as songs. I’ve never seen elements of therapy depicted so powerfully and meaningfully on stage, and the specific themes played so well. I Dreamed a Dance / There’s a World has cemented itself in my brain and I can’t shake it. The intimate venue felt perfect for this. I feel like I MUST see this again though it looks incredibly difficult to find a ticket now. I was front and centre of the circle and it felt perfect. Cast impeccable. Direction, lighting, projections just beautiful. I’ve never had an experience like this in such an impactful way in a theatre and am so grateful for that. There’s an otherworldly nature to the portrayal of Gabe that is wondrous and almost feels like he is floating above the action that made it even more meaningful for me. I sincerely hope I get to see this again. I’m going to sit at my piano tomorrow and play this from start to finish!
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Post by dan on Jul 6, 2021 15:21:37 GMT
Our late August date has been pushed back to March 2022 😢
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Post by dan on May 23, 2021 14:26:16 GMT
That’s quite the opinion! I strongly disagree about it being a bad show though. I understand you might not like it, and it’s obviously fine for everything not being for everyone... I had a terrific time and much preferred the first iteration of it, with the second act being far less beholden to the lore.... Sorry you didn’t enjoy it!
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Post by dan on May 23, 2021 14:23:49 GMT
I booked two dates of this version when it originally toured and got refunds for both based on the production and how terrible it was. Wow that's extraordinary, how did that work dan? Did you literally say 'this was terrible, I want my money back' - and they agreed?! Largely yes I complained to the production company to say how poor the production had been, band having to bash out the melody lines for the lead to know what to sing, and a number of other things. It’s the first and only time(s) I’ve done that though. An incredible fall from Grace!
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Post by dan on May 22, 2021 7:52:10 GMT
I booked two dates of this version when it originally toured and got refunds for both based on the production and how terrible it was. The ORIGINAL tour was really good (not this production), and the WEST END and BROADWAY productions were right up in my top shows/experiences in a theatre. I fell in love with this show and it quickly plummeted to the bottom ranks of shows just based on this production which is so sad. And maybe says a lot about things being production dependent for some shows (& as much as I love it, maybe says something about the quality of the material if a lesser production can ruin it?). There are some shows that I’ve seen spectacular big money versions of, and amateur versions, and loved both. There were so many poor choices and decisions for this production and the first time I’ve seen a professional tour / show where the band / keyboard had to start playing the melody for the lead to be able to know what they should be singing. Really painful experience!
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Post by dan on May 21, 2021 10:05:55 GMT
So I saw the first iteration during the very lengthy previews, and the changed version once it was set (a very different second act, in fact completely different!). I’ve also read this book and loved it! I do think there’s quite a lot of snobbery about the show (alongside legitimate criticism and it can’t be for everyone!) but I absolutely loved it. It was such a huge theatrical experience and spectacle and I love seeing that, the stunts and scenery and staging etc. Really amazing. The songs suited the show well, and I really like the story (the first iteration I liked a lot more but understand why they thought that wouldn’t sell perhaps, as it was quite abstract!). I was thrilled by it, not necessarily moved by it.
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