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Post by lou105 on Oct 24, 2016 9:01:18 GMT
I haven't seen any mention yet of this one-off performance in Manchester on 22 November. (EDIT: it is mentioned in the Wonderland thread, I notice, but probably still worth a separate thread?) "The multi Grammy, Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, creator of shows including Jekyll & Hyde, Dracula, Wonderland, Bonnie & Clyde and The Scarlet Pimpernel, makes his UK concert debut in an exclusive Manchester engagement...With Frank at the piano and the 28-piece Manchester Camerata orchestra conducted by Jason Howland.. this is a once-in-a-lifetime event in Manchester’s concert calendar." The guests have been announced as Laura Osnes (UK debut), Jackie Burns, Thomas Borchert and Cassidy Janson plus some of the cast of the Wonderland tour. It's not cheap, but there are some discounts there for ATG card holders. musicaltheatrereview.com/frank-wildhorn-to-make-uk-concert-debut-in-manchester/
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Post by lou105 on Oct 16, 2016 10:53:12 GMT
Naga or Anastacia in the dance off? (I read that Brendan spent the afternoon yesterday in hospital with chest problems, so all credit to him for turning up, keeping up and shutting up! That's the Strictly Spirit!) I thought Brendan looked like he was suppressing a cough during the judges comments. He wouldn't have dared mention anything after the issues with Anastacia, I guess, even if he wanted to.
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Post by lou105 on Oct 11, 2016 18:11:58 GMT
I just got a cheeky email telling me that fees are going up but if I go on to direct debit I can pay the same as last year. I got that as well, but I've just renewed so have a while to decide! ATG is also cheaper on Direct Debit.
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Post by lou105 on Oct 10, 2016 19:40:27 GMT
I haven't watched this series yet I found myself dreaming about it last night. Goodness only knows why. Though I think my subconscious mind was getting it mixed up with Doctor Who as in my dream Matt Smith was playing Prince Albert! Well, he is about to appear as Prince Phillip..
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Post by lou105 on Oct 6, 2016 11:53:48 GMT
For a Christmas Special this year, I'd like to see Paul and Mary struggle to get some of these "challenges" finished in the time given to the contestants... Yes! I assume someone has tested the timings, but it frustrates me so much when they have to put icing on a hot cake or something, whereas at home you'd just wait a bit longer.
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Post by lou105 on Sept 27, 2016 17:42:59 GMT
I've just noticed that Sky Arts are screening an HBO filmed version of this. It's at 11pm on Sunday 2nd October, though I would expect it to be repeated. There is a positive review on IMDb from someone who had also seen it live, so it sounds promising for those of us who missed out in the UK.
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Post by lou105 on Sept 24, 2016 18:27:25 GMT
I've seen tweets on the lines of "If I didn't know he was from Hollyoaks, I'd have thought he was a trained dancer". Obviously people are naive about career paths but I fear a backlash when people realise how much he's done.
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Post by lou105 on Sept 23, 2016 21:49:55 GMT
... £12.50 though? In 2D? That's cheaper than Vue or PictureHouse..
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Post by lou105 on Sept 20, 2016 22:41:34 GMT
Another vote here for "Monsieur don't mock me.." as favourite section. That melody is tragically beautiful, to borrow a phrase from Wicked
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Post by lou105 on Sept 19, 2016 17:01:39 GMT
When I Grow Up - Matilda - no idea how Minchin did that, but this song just presses the CRY button in me Agreed! There's an interview with Matthew Warchus where he says they weren't sure Tim M could bring the full range of emotions to Matilda, until they saw him sing White Wine in the Sun as an encore and the whole audience snivelled. Wistful Minchin is clever stuff. And of course we've all been discussing Playing Nancy, which is similarly off piste. I would add Someone Else's Story from Chess and Thank Goodness from Wicked to the lists: the former regardless of context and the latter when done well within the show.
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Post by lou105 on Sept 14, 2016 7:35:49 GMT
Yes I must admit that I've seen bad behaviour from young people and older people and it shocks me. Surely people realise how creepy they're being when they start asking actors personal questions and getting all pally with them. And I'll never forget sitting next to a couple of ladies in a day seat queue and overhearing the language they were using to describe some of their favourite male performers. Quite uncomfortable to listen to, so god knows how the actors would feel if they heard it. Happened to me at a stage door a couple of years ago. I still thank all the gods I know that even if the understand it quite well, english is not my daughters first language. Can't this people just try to control themselves when there are children around? And what if a friend or a family member of the actor is around? Having two girls means that me and my husband stage door quite often because the kids want to meet the actors they like and get a photo and well, it's normally not harmful and they love it so we won't say no after a mattinee. But every time it's a long hoping that nothing too bad would happens. One time is the guy who push them away at wicked, the other time is the ladies commenting actors' butts, the other time again is the rude girl gang (ahah) screaming out loud that make my younger cry. Thank goodness we also had many very nice experiences too with kind people (most of the time when we are with the girls, to be fair). But sometimes I just wonder if some people were raise into a barn (cit.) I also had some experience of taking young relatives to Wicked stage door and usually people were good about letting little ones stand forward and so on. The scariest time by far was when an established performer was playing Fiyero, and some of his older fans had a real sense of entitlement which came up against with the established Wicked fans' sense of ownership of the show..Not the performers' faults at all but there was almost a battle to breathe the same air as the cast.
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Post by lou105 on Sept 13, 2016 16:16:46 GMT
There was a funny play on TV a couple of years ago about a group of people who waited at stage doors. One of then used to give notes to the actors on their performances and one was a stalker. I forget what it was called but it was very funny and slightly alarming. I remember that. I think it was on Sky Arts.
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Post by lou105 on Sept 1, 2016 10:08:53 GMT
It wasn't much fun, particularly when I couldn't buy the pair I wanted because it would leave a single seat. All very well, but at two tickets per person, they're going to have to be sold as a 2 and a 1 anyway..They were also different price levels and it really bugs me when the system still insists on treating different priced seats as a block.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 30, 2016 11:12:41 GMT
Space is so limited in Trafalgar 2, it won't be elaborate.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 25, 2016 7:19:36 GMT
.. not sure about this play. Political? Ranty? Anyone seen it in NY? Anyone?
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Post by lou105 on Aug 19, 2016 12:20:35 GMT
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Post by lou105 on Aug 16, 2016 13:01:53 GMT
She's not doing all venues, though, there'a a list on the show site.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 15, 2016 13:38:59 GMT
The National has a pretty generous returns policy, though, and effectively bears the risk itself of not reselling seats. I realise that policies are bound to vary between venues, but I suppose the basic problem is that it's impossible for the average person to know how many tickets the theatre actually has left for a "sold out" show..
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Post by lou105 on Aug 15, 2016 12:45:34 GMT
I recently had to return a ticket for a performance of a sold out show and was rather surprised to be told the next day that it didn't sell. I understand, of course, that any returns facility is a privilege not a right, but I thought it would be sold easily, otherwise I might have considered other options (including offering it here!). I'd be interested to hear of others' experiences. One thing that puzzled me was that the theatre didn't put it back on the website, even with over 24 hours notice, so only a personal caller could buy it. I don't think this venue has many tickets out with third party agents. Are there always house seats kept for the very last minute which they would want to shift first? Or was I just unlucky?
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Post by lou105 on Aug 9, 2016 11:11:20 GMT
Just had a look and a few tickets have gone on for this week, if you can take the £45 price tag.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 8, 2016 16:20:23 GMT
I tried watching the Strictly prom but found it very dull. Higher hopes for the John Wilson Gershwin one; do we know any vocalists performing? No vocalists announced - it may well be instrumental only. The information has now been updated with vocalists listed as Louise Dearman, Matthew Ford and Julian Ovenden.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 7, 2016 7:42:57 GMT
Went tonight. Most unusually for me, I had booked specifically wanting to see a particular performer, so it was a disappointment that Michael Crawford was off. Unfortunately so was Gemma, whom I'd liked in Gypsy. The understudies did a good job though. But I found the story itself rather dull, unfortunately - not much happens does it? And there are no memorable songs to compensate. I'd rate it as a decent production of a weak piece. Stalls were 2/3rds full, with a row of people in the dress circle. Upper circle closed. The audience was appreciative though with a fair number ovating. Oh, what a shame! I would have struggled to feel positive in those circumstances too, despite sharing your general wish to support understudies.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 6, 2016 19:24:18 GMT
I guess it might tighten up, but it does puzzle me that Southwark stick to their late start times regardless of the length of the show.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 6, 2016 12:42:12 GMT
Anyone going today? Interested to hear opinions.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 6, 2016 7:56:34 GMT
I caught the matinee last weekend , £25 premium stalls from TKTs about 90 minutes before curtain. I was on my own, so quite happy to risk seeing something which might not have wide appeal. Overall I enjoyed it, though there were some odd moments. The ending was rather moving, and I agree with others that it was a privilege to see Michael Crawford's performance, especially from fairly close. I think the stalls were about three fifths full, but from the chat around me, most were last minute purchases. A very excited Australian couple behind me said it was no wonder that UK TV was no good (they may not have used that phrase) when everyone could see a West End show every night for £25..slightly optimistic world view there.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 6, 2016 7:50:41 GMT
They're sometimes odds and ends that groups don't need as well. Friend of mine got two at opposite ends of a row for a sold out show, returned by a group, because she and her partner were the only ones willing not to sit together. Definitely worth agreeing ahead with your companion that you don't have to sit next to each other in those circumstances.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 4, 2016 7:22:39 GMT
If I remember correctly , I was only asked for date and price bracket last time. There wasn't even the option to choose, say, Dress Circle or Stalls. I had the Monkey's seat plan open in case I was offered something really rubbish, but otherwise didn't feel brave enough to reject the seats I was offered in case the site collapsed..(Fortunately they were in the "white" coded areas just off the edges of the stalls and I am assured they were fine) Yes, date and price bracket was my only choice last time. I booked via Nimax but I hear ATG are the same for this? Yes, I was on ATG.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 3, 2016 21:35:43 GMT
If I remember correctly , I was only asked for date and price bracket last time. There wasn't even the option to choose, say, Dress Circle or Stalls. I had the Monkey's seat plan open in case I was offered something really rubbish, but otherwise didn't feel brave enough to reject the seats I was offered in case the site collapsed..(Fortunately they were in the "white" coded areas just off the edges of the stalls and I am assured they were fine)
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Post by lou105 on Jul 30, 2016 11:15:21 GMT
Going to try for the next booking period this week. QUESTION: which of the two booking agencies are my most likely to have a good booking experience (ie can easily select seats, can cope with huge demand on their servers)? I've had awful times with ATG in the past. Assistance appreciated. I used ATG last time. Maybe someone can confirm if the other site was the same. Im not sure there would be any difference because everything was on the Harry potter themed pages, not normal ATG branding. You joined a pre queue and then went forward with a randomly generated queue number. I had three devices open and the numbers were very different. You were asked which dates you wanted and which price bracket, and then offered seats. There was no choice of section of the theatre, let alone seats. I was fortunate that I was happy to accept the seats offered and payment went through fairly smoothly. I didn't dare put them in a basket and try to see what else was offered. I considered myself very lucky.
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Post by lou105 on Jul 28, 2016 17:33:18 GMT
They've announced on their Twitter that they've got some exciting news to share tomorrow! What could it be? Baz usually covers them so maybe he'll break it Well, either the tour of they did film the West End run? Or could be the motion picture is finally got green lit? The cinema screening of the West End run is already on sale for 16 October.
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