1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Nov 7, 2023 11:53:13 GMT
I went for 2 ‘first class carriage’ seats, CC18/19. Intrigued by the note on the tickets: ‘please note, seats surround main performance area and move during the show’ Interesting!! Snap! Hopefully for a different performance, otherwise I’m sitting on your lap 😳
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Nov 7, 2023 8:10:56 GMT
I've seen the screenshots that were shared... surely it can't be true that there won't be Saturday matinees? I’ve not seen these screenshots, but when I click on the pre-sale link, the performance schedule for June flashes up briefly - and there are Saturday matinees shown each week, except for 8 June (which is the day it opens). I would post a screenshot here, but I can’t work out how!
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Nov 6, 2023 18:58:42 GMT
Just to point out that although the prices have dropped, (this morning they dropped and appear they've dropped agai) its not quite as good deal as it first appears. They've changed the colour of some seats, so it looks like more premium seats have been reduced than actually have. For example mid morning row f and g seats were blue £87.50, now they are green (premium price band colour) 87.50. Same price but makes it appear like a better offer as now 'premium' colour Isn’t there one colour for each possible price? And they aren’t necessarily consistent from performance to performance, it’s just a “key” to show how much each seat costs. I don’t get the issue.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 31, 2023 23:43:48 GMT
Can only echo the previous comments - sound was awful, lots of the wit and charm lost, missed “Children, Children”, and missed the flash cards section in “Show You A Thing Or Two”.
Also a lot of the original humour was in the casting and which actors played which roles, with plenty of doubling up to comic effect.
Too big a theatre for a lovely little show. Still enjoyed this evening, but not the right setting at all.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 29, 2023 11:31:11 GMT
Have to say in the post Tim Rice era (aka most of ALW’s career) where the lyrics are endlessly criticised, I think Sunset in general and the title number in particular have excellent lyrics. Clever, funny, cynical - they really match the restlessness and mood of the song’s melody. One of the best Act 2 openers in the ALW canon IMHO! I don’t have a problem with the title number lyrics, but do actually prefer some of the originals. Good to see them sticking to the legal deal and thanking Amy Powers still in this production.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 18, 2023 18:40:58 GMT
But this art is “theatre”, and though I agree that should be accessible for anyone who wants to see it (like the cheap tickets they made available), that doesn’t mean it should necessarily be filmed. That’s a different art form entirely. I love watching and re-watching professionally filmed theatrical productions (be it a musical or a play), I see absolutely nothing wrong with preserving them for those who (like me) don't mind watching them this way. For me not filming any theatrical production and not making it available for anyone interested is always a missed opportunity, whereas filming one is always a blessing. I agree with all of that, I personally love it when stage shows are filmed, but I was responding to your point that “art should always be made available for those who need it”, which is not the same thing.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 18, 2023 18:12:54 GMT
There's something so magical and thrilling about witnessing this production live, that, for once, I think it's best for it to stay without a recording. For all its cinematic elements, it's a deeply theatrical experience that would lose so much if it were to be filmed. I have to disagree with you on this. If there is a recording, you'll always have the option of simply not watching it, but if there isn't a recording, those who'd like to watch it won't have this choice. My position here is simple: art should always be made available for those who need it. If I had the power, I would definitely see to it myself, but unfortunately it's not in my hands. But this art is “theatre”, and though I agree that should be accessible for anyone who wants to see it (like the cheap tickets they made available), that doesn’t mean it should necessarily be filmed. That’s a different art form entirely.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 14, 2023 20:40:01 GMT
I just thought she had such a unpleasant voice when belting. Maybe not nasal per se but my god it grated on me and genuinely almost made me cover my ears. Seconded! It was “singing by numbers” with no emotion.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 14, 2023 12:18:21 GMT
Nicole and Tom transferring with Sunset. Betty and Max unsure but unlikely. Shame about David Thaxton, his gorgeous voice soaring is a big highlight in the show for me. I feel bad saying it, because I loved Daniel Benzali and Michael Bauer, but Thaxton is possibly the best Max I’ve ever seen.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 11, 2023 7:45:02 GMT
The camera feeds broke up a few times last night - once during the Act 2 opener and a few times later in Act 2 (including a few complete blackouts). Hoping the critics don’t try and say it’s too ambitious because I think it’s a technical masterpiece. Probably the ghost of Patti LuPone! 👻
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 10, 2023 16:55:10 GMT
Row C all good for me - perfect seat for this as far as I was concerned! Row B good for me too, but wiser men tell me I’m wrong about that 🤷♂️
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 10, 2023 16:51:19 GMT
Saw this last night, sadly Nicole didn’t stage door. Has she done it before for the show? Would love to see it again, but ticket prices. Anyone had any luck winning the lottery, what kind of seats were there? Feels like a show where you’d want to be up close No, apparently if you sit too close you won’t be able to appreciate all that’s happening. Either that or you’ll be able to see Nicole’s acting is ropey when you’re not a good distance away from it.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 7, 2023 20:20:01 GMT
Have I said I had a bad view? Does Nicole get better the further away you are from her? Having seen it 5 times in various seats, she excels wherever you choose to sit. You have a different definition of “excels” to me.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 7, 2023 15:50:11 GMT
Second row of the stalls not a good seat these days?! Clearly not for you. Try E or G - it's fantastic from those rows. Have I said I had a bad view? Does Nicole get better the further away you are from her?
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 7, 2023 14:11:50 GMT
Second row of the stalls not a good seat these days?! It never was. Far too close to appreciate everything that's going on. What exactly do you miss?
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 7, 2023 13:39:19 GMT
Yeah, I heard all the finger snapping, cheering mid song etc… that’s great if you like X-Factor I guess. Go see it in a better seat with better behaved seat neighbours 😂 Second row of the stalls not a good seat these days?!
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 7, 2023 12:59:35 GMT
Really don’t get Nicole’s star power. Not for one second during the show could I believe she’d ever been “The Greatest Star Of All”. “The Biggest Slut Of All”… that I could easily believe. But not a star. Dying to know how Rachel Tucker does this. If all the ridiculous Norma crap is stripped away then this production would be amazing. This production is amazing to very many people. Yeah, I heard all the finger snapping, cheering mid song etc… that’s great if you like X-Factor I guess.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 7, 2023 12:19:07 GMT
Really don’t get Nicole’s star power. Not for one second during the show could I believe she’d ever been “The Greatest Star Of All”. “The Biggest Slut Of All”… that I could easily believe. But not a star.
Dying to know how Rachel Tucker does this. If all the ridiculous Norma crap is stripped away then this production would be amazing.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Oct 6, 2023 22:26:27 GMT
Scherzinger is by far the weakest link in this production. She sings like someone who has been “trained” how to hold a note, but has no idea how to put emotion into it. The long note is AIWNSG was soooooooooooo bland! Her mouth keeps contorting into the shapes I can only assume her singing instructor showed her to make. It doesn’t seem natural at all.
And the ridiculousness of Salome! Totally cheapened the character.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 24, 2023 9:53:44 GMT
You’re… you’re joking, right? Serious I expect. I had the same thought. The vocals, orchestration, sound design and score are so thrilling. It would be hard even for people who don’t enjoy Jamie Lloyd visuals to at least not get something from the sound. God I hope we get a cast recording! Not planning to sit there with my eyes shut the whole time, but I do actually close my eyes sometimes for a minute in shows. I want to capture the feeling of that moment so I can recall it in the future. Can still close my eyes and imagine myself at the Palladium hearing the Joseph megamix! And I know I’m weird 🤷♂️
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 24, 2023 7:54:24 GMT
The original book of Whistle was set in the South; it was the film that transposed it to England. It was always in England, just moved from south to north.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 22, 2023 16:59:11 GMT
If I was ALW there's NO WAY I'd have let them cut 'The Lady's Paying'..... to avoid Patti Lupone having an 'I told you so' moment. Haha. Honestly one of the reasons I love the song so much is because of how much Patti hated it, the bit in her book where she talks about it is so funny! I like the way he reused the music he wrote for his wedding! Wonder what Mads thought of that
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 21, 2023 18:18:32 GMT
It's a pity they don't have posters. I don’t understand why posters aren’t standard merch anymore. Surely they were money for old rope for the producers!
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 21, 2023 17:41:45 GMT
Is this all being set in Norma’s prison/asylum cell as flashbacks?
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 21, 2023 7:21:08 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role? Or it could just be a retro piece set in the 80s still… Except that ALW has already said “it’s not about dirty old coal powered steam engines, our steam engine is an engine of the future”.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 20, 2023 19:01:36 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role? He gets an overhaul and emerges for the final race as Sunny, the solar-powered train. But apparently he’s still “steam” powered?! And I guess Electra is no longer “the engine of the future”. It’s the world turned upside down!!!
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 20, 2023 18:54:55 GMT
So what do we think the new plot will be if the “steam is old and old of date” narrative is gone? Presumably Rusty can’t be “rusty” anymore? What is Poppa/Momma/Themma’s role?
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 20, 2023 11:40:44 GMT
Also, this is being co produced by Michael Harrison - I can't imagine this will be particularly lavish. Don't expect the AV set - it ain't gonna be that I do certainly wonder about this. I don't think I've ever seen a lavish MH production! His Joseph was SUCH a let down compared to the 1991 RUG one. So yes, despite ALW's promises on immersiveness, I can't see an extensive AV/Bochum style set with three huge tracks on multi-levels. (Though hope I am wrong!). I image massive use of projections, video, lasers, LED screens etc etc.... That’s my concern. The original Palladium Joseph was my first show, and one of my all time favourites, and it was just as good when it came to the Adelphi years later. But the MH version of Joseph at the Palladium was awful. Hope he doesn’t repeat this with Starlight.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 9, 2023 12:45:13 GMT
But I went in thinking, this is Charing Cross, the absolute bottom of the theatre pecking order. This is where you find the hungry and the desperate. I don’t think that is fair at all. Have seen some wonderful productions there - Ragtime and Titanic immediately spring to mind.
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Sept 8, 2023 10:37:44 GMT
“the set as Jamie Lloyd would say is in your mind” Gonna use that on my landlord on the first. The rent, as you say, is in your mind. Or use this response if they do ask for ID with the cheap ticket scheme! “The proof is in your mind”
|
|