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Post by dan on Feb 28, 2018 19:49:36 GMT
Saw this show on Broadway at the weekend and it blew me away. It’s the second show recently that’s quickly become a firm favourite of mine. The spirit, message, and joy of the show is so uplifting and infectious. I’d love a production to come to the UK.
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Post by dan on Feb 25, 2018 21:22:58 GMT
For me, aside from Mary Poppins, this was the best stage adaptation Disney has done from its own movies.
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Post by dan on Feb 24, 2018 2:20:39 GMT
Act one just finished. Nobody has anything to worry about with Let It Go. The projections are amazing, there are several curtains she magically manipulated as well as an ice curtain that frames some of the castle she’s created (through projection). There are a ton of effects and the projections throughout work incredibly well and are very precise. What a vocal as well!
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Post by dan on Feb 19, 2018 17:15:36 GMT
I’m seeing this Friday evening... looking forward to it!
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Post by dan on Feb 8, 2018 23:37:27 GMT
I went in not knowing what to expect this week... and I left having completely fell in love with a new musical. I know it hasn’t been for everybody, but this got so intensely under my skin in an incredible way. It’s not often a new show shoots straight to my top favourites list, but this certainly has. A few things I loved; the story, the premise, the staging, the cast, the songs, the puppetry... I’ve been enjoying figuring some of these songs out at my piano today. I can’t wait to go back.
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Post by dan on Jan 15, 2018 13:40:22 GMT
On reflection, I think I’m quite happy my expectations were dragged down considerably based on views expressed here... because when I did see the show I really loved it. It soared about the expectations I went in with and it completely charmed me (& completely creeped me out). I’m not sure how receptive kids are or would be as it has some very dark themes and moments, but kids are much more open and engaged with darker material than a lot of adults and end up less disturbed by them too. I thought the puppets were a fantastic concept and the imagery worked well. I do wish there was more music and a few more songs. All worked really well for me. I hope anybody still to see it enjoys their experience too.
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Post by dan on Sept 16, 2017 20:17:47 GMT
It's hard to objectively review because it's my favourite show/score etc anyway... but it's a stunning and immersive experience at this venue and with this cast. It brought me to tears a number of times, some of that being the story, but some of it being the sheer scale and creativity on show here. Being surround by cast who are interacting with you and hearing different harmonies depending who is next to you was fascinating. Right now, my favourite theatrical experience I've had. The venue added so much, going to the "basement" and seeing the lifeless body was quite something, and then using Mary as a device to follow the rest of the show very much kept her in the story throughout. The lynching and final death were stark, walking through it afterwards. Wow. Technically brilliant. No idea where the band were or how that all worked in terms of music and vamping in between moving the whole audience, but incredible. All on 2 weeks' rehearsal!
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Post by dan on Aug 23, 2017 20:09:17 GMT
Fell in love with this show a little bit yesterday. That may well be because my sister and I took my niece to her first west end show at the age of 5, so seeing it through her eyes was magical. She hasn't stopped singing the songs and dancing today! She adored it! As did we. I thought the songs were excellent and have been singing along today too. Some gorgeous and sweet harmonies and melodies. The cast was incredible and Rufus' energy was perfect for Toad! It was also being filmed for a cinema release during the show.
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Post by dan on Aug 23, 2017 8:16:29 GMT
My first time last night... it's hard to tell how much I liked the show as the guy next to me made the experience excruciating. He was clearly immersed in his own experience, but his hands waved furiously throughout as if he was the MD, clicking his fingers, playing air guitar and drums throughout, singing along etc. This was immensely distracting and I can't imagine how that was for the people directly behind him. I've had a few experiences of jukebox shows whereby people believe singing along is acceptable. This was on another level though. I didn't feel comfortable to say anything either as I was on my own and he was drinking heavily throughout. So I find it quite difficult to then objectively think about the actual show. Great songs. Great cast. I couldn't really recall a story or plot other than a main concept. The set was pretty spectacular. I did feel a little bored at points but more frustrated by my neighbour!
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Post by dan on Apr 15, 2017 20:03:23 GMT
Didn't get round to saying anything about this last night so slightly belatedly: I enjoyed this more than I expected to. I don't think I'm exactly the target audience & when the show opened with loud music & flashing lights it didn't look promising, however fortunately there were only 3 songs that I found uncomfortably loud. This was quite possibly the campest show I have ever seen onstage - and I'm not just talking about Samuel Holmes! (This is the 5th show I've seen him in & he's played camp period characters in all of them!) The costumes were quite something at times, though Jon Robyns & Cassandra Compton managed to get through it without having to wear anything too awful, unlike most of the ensemble. I'm glad I was able to swap m ticket to a performance when Jon Robyns was on as I thought he was very good. Likewise Cassandra Compton, who I don't think I've seen in anything before. I was also impressed by Roxanne Pallett: I tend to have low expectations of anyone who's an ex-soap star but she had a good voice. I knew Ray Quinn could sing, having randomly seen him in Grease years ago when I needed a show to see at the last minute, and he did a good line in slimeball. I found Ruth Madoc was okay at first but outstayed her welcome in Act 2. The small ensemble did well in a myriad of parts & costume changes. Having never seen either the show or the film before, I was surprised that a song in Act 2 "If I Told You" sounded familiar. However when I read the programme today I discovered that the film was released in 1997 and not, as I had assumed, in 1985, so I would have been old enough to have presumably heard it on a trailer or suchlike. I think the only original songs that were in the movie were "Somebody kill me" and "Grow old with you" which were also then in the musical. The rest of the songs (and "If I told you") were written for the Broadway show (I believe).
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Post by dan on Mar 19, 2017 18:43:59 GMT
Does anybody know if Lucie Jones will still be performing in the show before/after Eurovision week? I think there is only one stop left on the tour after Eurovision.
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Post by dan on Mar 6, 2017 23:02:20 GMT
Thank you for this as I didn't know it was going to be on. I watched it as I absolutely loved the stage production at NT. The movie either did things quite differently or my memory of the "plot" has distorted over time. Nonetheless I thought it was great, though I think I'd have preferred a filmed stage version. I think some of the songs are beautiful and so poignant. The notion of taking the reality of speech patterns and words and then applying something quite abstract to that gritty reality in terms of melody and music is so interesting and brings it to life, for me, in such an engaging way. I'm not quite sure why Tom Hardy was really there. I liked him in it, but it seemed very fleeting. I really hope there's another staged production soon.
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Post by dan on Jan 31, 2017 19:38:49 GMT
I have two tickets for Wimbledon, Saturday matinee if anyone is interested to buy?
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Post by dan on Jan 3, 2017 1:38:30 GMT
I really hope, for this production's sake (& the audience), that Sarah & Andy are done now. On a related note, I got a full refund from the performance I saw in December after complaining. Only ever complained about one production (officially!)... and it's this one.
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Post by dan on Dec 20, 2016 18:34:50 GMT
RENT is my favourite musical of all time. I find the lyrics are really meaningful and there are several lines that have really stuck with me from when I worked on an amateur production of the show a couple of years ago. Particularly, "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss". It's terrible tragedy that Jonathan Larson didn't live to write many more musicals, but RENT truly is the perfect obituary to celebrate his life and work. I cannot wait to see this production when it tours next year! The lyrics mean a lot to me too which is why I was so disappointed seeing this on Saturday as I could barely understand a word they were singing. Luckily I know the lyrics but the person I was with didn't and then didn't have a clue what was happening. It was really frustrating as the tuning and energy were great. I might try it at another venue.
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Post by dan on Dec 18, 2016 2:00:35 GMT
I was so looking forward to Rent this evening... this is far from my favourite production of Rent. From my experience tonight that's largely down to the sound. If I hadn't have know the songs and lyrics, I'd have really struggled to follow anything that was happening, which was the unfortunate position the person I went with was in! We were front row, and had cast stood in front of us on lots of occasions too (down to my choice of seat really!). Still love this show so much, but only a couple of songs could I actually hear the words that were being sung. Which is so unfortunate. The director came on at the beginning and explained there had been "massive technical problems" in the afternoon resulting in the show being cancelled. I know there was an injury so some different cast were on. Some great vocals in terms of tuning etc and some great acting performances. We had alternate Mimi, Collins, and Angel (I think!). Hope the cast are ok!
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Post by dan on Dec 14, 2016 0:05:52 GMT
Favourite ever illusion is Sam appearing / disappearing from thin air in the middle of the stage in Ghost. I'm aware of some of the trickery but it's still incredible and even required the "emergency exit" lights be turned off during that illusion as any light would have ruined it. Amazing.
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Post by dan on Dec 12, 2016 23:36:53 GMT
I'd like to be able to see this as I loved After the Turn and got the EP Cast recording back when it was originally on. It had some plot points that made no sense, so I'm hopeful they were resolved for Muted. I was just listening to After the Turn today and love some of the songs.
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Post by dan on Dec 10, 2016 1:07:26 GMT
I loved this tonight. I haven't heard some of these songs for so long and I love some from the stage show that aren't in the movie. I can see how they'd have done it without the teacher (Lynch?) earlier in the week as she doesn't have much to do, and her song felt pretty irrelevant and a dip in proceedings just as you're approaching the climax of the show. Great cast with some incredible singing and dancing. Loved the staging and that stage really is big! Great show, and very different to the Grease of recent years on stage, in a refreshingly good way.
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Post by dan on Dec 2, 2016 22:50:49 GMT
Oh, it's a shame you didn't enjoy it and that it hasn't improved much since the tour started. Is this due a cast change soon? I though Sarah at least was leaving around Xmas time. Tempted to see this in Dartford in Jan, as I never saw the show in London or caught the first tour, but I quite like the cast album. As far as I know their contracts finish tomorrow, but I don't know if they'll be extended or not. There are clearly people who enjoy this production, but it is hard for me not to compare to the LONDON, Broadway, and first tour productions. Which were all fantastic! I do think this *could be* entertaining with different leads, though still not a patch on previous productions. If you do go, I hope you enjoy it!
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Post by dan on Dec 2, 2016 22:29:03 GMT
Well... I attended this evening after only having seen it during its first week in Wimbledon. Tonight was Nottingham and I booked the ticket when they went on sale, before I'd seen it Inn Wimbledon. I don't want to slate it for the sake of slating it, but I walked out after act one. I was so so hopeful that it will have improved (or at least that Sarah and Andy will have improved) but I was bitterly disappointed. This was the 52nd show I've seen this year, and the only one I've ever walked out of before the end. My thoughts remain from the first experience of this production. Acting and singing of the leads (two leads, Carl was fine) made me feel on edge and embarrassed. It actually felt like they've changed the ending of songs / transitions from songs so there's no room for applause and started dialogue immediately after songs, aside from full cast songs. My experience with this show is it going from my favourite ever theatrical experience to my worst. That's a pretty remarkable thing to happen. I'm pleased other people enjoy this production as I wouldn't wish my experience on others, and there were clearly people enjoying the show tonight too. Hope some others had a good time with it.
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Post by dan on Nov 20, 2016 17:23:32 GMT
What scares me is people referring to what was said as political views. To want to be safe and tolerated in your own country is apparently a political view? 😔
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Post by dan on Nov 20, 2016 12:23:24 GMT
Diverse cast of different cultures, ethnicities, orientations, ask for tolerance and safety from Vice President. President demands apology from people asking for tolerance and safety.
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Post by dan on Nov 18, 2016 23:39:09 GMT
It's fascinating how differently people experience the same actor or acting choices. I think Samantha was phenomenal in this role and demonstrated true devastation to pure joy amazingly. As for chemistry, I'm not quite sure how they get the opportunity to demonstrate this?! They get about one minute being together in the same moment. Their relationship is not on view, just their individual experiences as crucial points of their relationship. Really interesting to read different takes and experiences on the show. I adored it and, along with Parade in Manchester this year, was one of my standout theatrical experiences this year.
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Post by dan on Nov 17, 2016 0:14:28 GMT
For me, this was an acting and singing masterclass in action. Both leads are superb. Samantha's acting takes my breath away, and I didn't know she had such an incredible belt in her voice! Jonathan has comic timing to die for, and has an amazing presence. Again, amazing acting choices, even making a mistake work whilst in character! I've seen a number of versions of this but this was sublime. The staging and direction were terrific, and the band were phenomenal. Lovely to see a grand piano on stage. I so wish I'd booked to see this again as it had my laughing and crying. Joy and devastation done to perfection. Two of my absolute favourites from seeing fifty shows so far this year are JRB shows. Incredible.
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Post by dan on Oct 30, 2016 21:58:05 GMT
Wow I must have got it on a good night? Or else I'm hopelessly easily pleased I do note though that the bad reports of this ALWAYS refer back to the original and how this doesn't match up. I guess that means Ghost can never be revived again, unless the revival is going to surpass that original staging. Which is doubtful. While I did love the original staging / effects etc... I've seen some fantastic amateur productions of Ghost that I loved, so I don't think it's about being like the original. This "professional" production was well below amateur versions I've seen, particularly casting! But... like I said before, I may revisit in Nottingham and HOPE it has improved in some small way.
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Post by dan on Oct 27, 2016 22:45:34 GMT
I truly wish I'd had that experience. I went in wanting to love it, which may have been my error, as I adored the original production. I do have a ticket for Nottingham in December that I wasn't going to attend after seeing the abysmal production in Wimbledon, but I'm considering revisiting it based on what you've said there. It's not necessarily that the songs need a belt, but to rewrite melodies that don't quite provide the same build or impact didn't work for me. I really hope that if I do revisit, it can redeem itself from the shambles I saw a couple of months ago. And that wasn't just Sarah. I'm quite jealous of your experience of the show! Well, I've no idea about rewriting melodies. I have zero investment into the original because despite being impressed with the stagecraft of it I found it totally forgettable. If you want a repeat of that show then it's not going to happen, no matter whether it's SH or anyone else. It would be interesting to hear your views after seeing the opening at Wimbledon and whether SH and the show generally has improved by the time it gets to Nottingham. But don't go on my account, you may still hate it To be fair, my expectations couldn't be any lower at this point, so it either maintains that or improves for me! Maybe I'll go for research so I can compare/contrast!
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Post by dan on Oct 27, 2016 21:57:46 GMT
I truly wish I'd had that experience. I went in wanting to love it, which may have been my error, as I adored the original production. I do have a ticket for Nottingham in December that I wasn't going to attend after seeing the abysmal production in Wimbledon, but I'm considering revisiting it based on what you've said there. It's not necessarily that the songs need a belt, but to rewrite melodies that don't quite provide the same build or impact didn't work for me. I really hope that if I do revisit, it can redeem itself from the shambles I saw a couple of months ago. And that wasn't just Sarah. I'm quite jealous of your experience of the show!
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Post by dan on Oct 11, 2016 20:20:50 GMT
If anybody, for some bizarre reason, wants a ticket to see this in Nottingham in december, do let me know as I'm willing to let go of it for a drastically reduced price! I can't imagine sitting through it again. (I bought it before I'd seen this production for what it's worth!)
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Post by dan on Sept 19, 2016 9:39:32 GMT
Given what comes after...
All The Wasted Time - Parade.
This devastates me every time. Completely.
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