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Post by fiyero on Mar 20, 2024 18:47:52 GMT
Woking again for I Should Be So Lucky matinee. I'd seen on Twitter that covers were on so asked if there was a cast board, then specifically if any covers on. Was told they didn't think any were as there would be a sign by the door. A supervisor said 2 were on when pushed and found the signs on a clipboard. They obviously hadn't bothered to put them up. There was an announcement though so people would at least have had some notification if they cared!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 20, 2024 18:29:38 GMT
I got a cheap circle pillar seat, sat there for groundhog Day so know what I'm getting E34? if so, I sat there last night. Nothing restricted about that view is there? Pillar intrudes on about 5% of the action. C26 but I'll remember your recommendation.
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Post by fiyero on Mar 20, 2024 10:05:14 GMT
good the cheap stalls ticket with the pillar so happy with that I got a cheap circle pillar seat, sat there for groundhog Day so know what I'm getting
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Post by fiyero on Mar 20, 2024 8:33:50 GMT
Not sure what I've booked but I've booked. Love Anna and don't hate James.
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Post by fiyero on Mar 18, 2024 12:39:43 GMT
This is slightly off topic but show that signs and announcements wouldn't have a big impact on behavior! I was at Marwell zoo yesterday. They have a lovely big tropical house that you walk through in a zig-zag. It is one-way. This was strictly enforced during covid but yesterday I noticed so many going the 'wrong' way inside. It irked me, I wondered if it had changed. It hadn't. By the exit door was a massive no entry sign on a fence you had to awkwardly walk around to get in that way and on the way to that a massive EXIT sign and smaller writing directing you to the entrance. So many people were ignoring it!! One family even commented on the people coming out going the wrong way when they were the ones going the wrong way!
Whatever you do people will think it doesn't apply to them!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 15, 2024 20:57:23 GMT
I really don't get running out of programmes. Surely the markup is big enough to risk over-ordering?
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Post by fiyero on Mar 15, 2024 9:42:59 GMT
This post: We had some very upset performers in another thread recently due to them being misidentified on stage. Can discussion about who is/isn’t on include your source of information please. If theatres are not displaying correct information that’s down to them. If you guess and get it wrong that’s down to you so please don’t. Thank you. Reminded me of a big bug bear of mine, not knowing who is on. This was in the MJ thread where what you think is the cast-board is really just the normal cast list like you'd see in the programme. It is is right by an entrance door and you feel in the way waiting for it to rotate. I only noticed it wasn't a cast board when I studied my photo of it. Same at Moulin Rouge (unless its changed recently) where there is the normal cast list then a rotation to covers on today. Not defending it but you can see why a performer would be misidentified when management (at some level) seem to be keeping it a secret that they are on! I am someone who sees shows multiple times and am always keen to see covers and alternates. I have seen a few smashing their cover debuts too, just by chance. But I hate how hard it is to find out. I saw School of Rock at Woking, no cast board and I asked if there were any covers, nobody knew. Alternate Dewey was on. I saw Jersey Boys in Eastbourne (quite a trek!) Went specifically to see the alternate Frankie and saw a sign saying the 1st cover was on. Oh well, always a gamble. The alternate I wanted to see was actually on, just an old sign hadn't been taken down. Les Miserables (before the original run closed), I asked if any covers were on - was told none were. Heard an announcement but the audience were so LOUD I couldn't hear who for so spent act 1 guessing until Gavroche came on and was clearly an adult female rather than a child boy (She was brilliant too!) So what rights do we have? In the good old days there would have been a slip in the programme. Now it seems some shows have no slip, no sign and no announcement! It isn't always easy to identify who you are seeing visually!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 13, 2024 14:07:44 GMT
...I was told that the Company Manager doesn't listen, doesn't wait for clearance and starts the show regardless. ... What an awful person he/she sounds if true. As you can see from my post above, Saturday's show started just 1 minute after the advertised time, not even the usual 3 or 4 minutes to allow for the majority of latecomers. It's really not fair on women stuck in the queue -- it's hardly their fault if facilities are inadequate -- and people already seated who have to stand up to let people in when they're trying to watch the show. Even the men's are inadequate. The one I usually use is tiny with no cubicles, my friend needed a cubicle and gave up before the show! I also noticed the 5 minute call went at 10 minutes to curtain so they were obviously trying to get everyone to sit down!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 13, 2024 9:27:29 GMT
I booked when it went on sale for June. I almost can't wait to see it now if it's still on! I did the same! I have to say, I'm watching eagerly to see if my date actually goes forward. Judging by reviews, though, I won't be too disappointed if it doesn't (though I recognise it will hurt for the cast and crew!) as I can see a different show in that time. I'm also wondering if I need a plan B. This followed by Mean Girls in the evening was going to be a weird enough day already!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 12, 2024 12:36:30 GMT
Is there a pause in between the 2nd/3rd act? Yes. You can’t do much more than stand up in it though. I think it came with about 1hr to go. I didn't notice a pause on Saturday, not like ones I have seen in the opera anyway. Was it so short it passed me by or had I nodded off in the nice warm theatre by then?
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Post by fiyero on Mar 10, 2024 18:09:51 GMT
I’m helping my friend book. How is AA for legroom and sight lines? Legroom is more important for him. Legroom is fantastic in AA - I'm 6'0 and could stretch my legs out in front of me with room to spare. Sightlines are good - depending how tall they are they might need to do a bum clench and lift themself a couple of inches to see MJ's shoes (particularly for the first moonwalk). Having sat there, I don't think I would sit anywhere else. A warning though, it is VERY loud in those seats. In built speakers flank the edge of the stage at head height and hidden subwoofers sit beneath these. The seats shake with the force of it. The scene and set changes are seamless and this is particularly wonderful to witness in the second half. Thank you so much! He has booked. I’m hoping he loves it and we’ll both go later in the year!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 10, 2024 10:26:03 GMT
Saw MJ Saturday night. Absolutely sensational. A fantastic show. Really slick and the sound was out of this world. Possibly the easiest five stars I've ever given. I'm not a huge MJ fan but came away feeling like I had learnt a little more about his influences and creative process. I was sat in row AA so whilst it was a lively audience, I was so immersed in the show that I didn't really notice the odd shout out. The subwoofers actually shake the floor - Thriller was off-the-scale brilliant. So many highlights. I’m helping my friend book. How is AA for legroom and sight lines? Legroom is more important for him.
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Post by fiyero on Mar 9, 2024 8:41:05 GMT
How are the £20 side stalls tickets? Is the view really restricted? If you have time to spare on a Friday, you can buy a £10 ticket on the National Theatre website, under their Friday Rush process. The link goes up between 12.30pm and 1pm, so it's worth getting online at 12.30pm and joining the queue as soon as you see the link to click. Then from 1pm you'll be let in when it's your turn and you may get a better seat than the side seats. Friday Rush is for the upcoming Monday to Saturday. However it's good to hear reports that the side seats are decent at the ordinary price of £20 - I've just looked at the 'seat view' on the LWTheatres sound and it looks more than fine. I got row H in the central block through this. Queue took quite a while and a warning popped up saying all the seats at the main NT shows were sold out so I guess more go for those or more are offered for this? I only looked at the performance I wanted but a few seats to pick from too.
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Post by fiyero on Mar 8, 2024 12:40:49 GMT
I hate that I am in Paris in September and January and this is on in the middle!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 8, 2024 12:13:34 GMT
More tickets released across all (or lots at least) performances including £29.50 at the sides. I've gone for one in the front of the rear block, near £77 seats so hopefully not too bad (I didn't want to sit right at the back when this went on sale!)
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Post by fiyero on Mar 8, 2024 9:51:28 GMT
I always take my multi-pack of pickled onion monster munch and open one at each sad moment. I ran out in Falsettos.
Seriously though, I also have a long train ride home and will often try and plan to have something in my bag ready for it in case of short connections. I always have water or a soft drink, though for shows where I know they might be hot on sneaking alcohol I make sure it is a sealed plastic bottle to avoid potential drama.
As mentioned the main issue is inconsistency. I have had a chicken wrap put in the cloakroom of the Adelphi but seen others with take-aways. It goes for sports grounds too - the rule is often no bottles, not even water bottles, then I've seen families with metal thermoses!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 7, 2024 12:25:44 GMT
This line from Mean Girls springs to mind:
Different people will like different things! I only saw the earliest iteration of Thriller Live and hated it but really thought it did deserve its place in the West End! There was a market for it. This show isn't just about the music, but the music was where it shone. The 'plot' never really resolved for me.
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Post by fiyero on Mar 6, 2024 22:46:46 GMT
Photos, texting, children probably too young to be in theatre, people walking in and out, singing. It’s too much!!! All true, but apart from the 3 year old all less than I expected still! (I suppose technically a 3 year old is less than I expected as I didn’t expect any kids on a Wednesday school night). I expect longer reviews to follow but this was one of the most incredible things I have seen in a theatre on a spectacular scale. Other shows have touched me more, much more, but enabling us to imagine the process and what was seen in performances I am (just about) too young to remember was something to behold. I dread to think what Saturday audiences might be like but I think this show will run!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 6, 2024 21:00:57 GMT
Omg the audience are awful tonight. These people are not theatre people. Apart from more photos being taken than normal the ones around me (rear stalls) are better than I expected! First public performance of a jukebox musical is always going to bring an interesting audience!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 5, 2024 23:45:21 GMT
I’m glad I bumped this thread! It’s made me feel more excited for tomorrow.
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Post by fiyero on Mar 4, 2024 20:20:03 GMT
Really not much buzz about this is there? Is it really starting performances in 48 hours? Anyone else going?
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Post by fiyero on Mar 3, 2024 21:14:01 GMT
At Till The Stars Come Down last night, two people were talking throughout and rustling packets, particularly in Act 2. After their fourth or fifth mini-conversation, the person in front of them rightly turned round to asked them to stop - to which one replied in quite a loud voice, "I can't stop, I'm a human not a robot". At the end, several people approached them as they'd been really distracting - I was several seats away and I could hear them quite clearly throughout. It started getting quite heated - I thought it might descend into what we'd just seen onstage! The two talkers weren't having any of it: "Can't believe you're complaining about talking in the theatre. There's a war on! What a first world problem!" I don’t mimd the people at war having a chat. It is crazy how people just don’t care about the others around them any more. And excusing it because others have it worse! Yes, going to the theatre is a first world activity. Bags of sweets are a first world treat. I don’t want to hear yours!
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Post by fiyero on Mar 3, 2024 14:11:50 GMT
When did merch excitement move to badges and tote bags may I ask!? Badges fair enough are nice as a freebie, esp if limited edition (but wouldn't spend money on!) Tote bags I think are awful things lol! Well, maybe not awful. But totally non moving.... Very much still about programmes and souvenir brochures for me (though beyond that I do like a mug!) Am I a dinosaur? Guess must be as every producer is doing these totes nowadays; and hardly anyone does brochures! No Totes, Pin sets or Scripts last night. Like it or hate it a lot of people like the merch at shows. And it is a good revenue source, which is why I’m surprised when shows run out!
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Post by fiyero on Feb 29, 2024 11:35:47 GMT
I’ve been thinking about this and there is no easy answer. Even myself I kind of want it both ways. I watched a tv show a while back that had a trigger warning for suicide flash up on screen. There was only one character at risk of that so quite the spoiler and meant I was waiting for it. I’ve lost a young and an old relative in the last year and need to prepare myself for that being a topic. A trailer came on before the last film I watched where a little boy fell to his death. Shook me. Even if I’d have researched the film I wouldn’t have known that was coming!
My preference would be easy to access trigger warnings. Click here to load in a new page on a website for example, not forced on people who don’t want to know. But as I said, no easy answers or catch alls
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Post by fiyero on Feb 28, 2024 20:46:59 GMT
The talk of uncomfortable seating worried me so I checked the seating plan to see if I am near the aisle (booked in June so memory foggy) and found my row doesn’t even exist any more. Checked and not had an email. Finally got in to the site and looks like my booking was changed in October. Phoned and eventually got through and they sent me a ticket! How kind! Starting to dread my visit on saturday
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Post by fiyero on Feb 25, 2024 22:21:08 GMT
The two mothers who were sitting in the row behind them (?) told us very loudly not to tell their children to be quiet. Apparently they were simply having fun and I was an idiot and they then told their children to make even more noise if they wanted to. All this obviously causing even more disruption to everyone sitting around them. At least they have seen Matilda now so they won’t be there when we go! It really backs up that the issue isn’t the kids but the parents. Whether bringing ones who are too little or not controlling ones who should know better. They’ve paid their money so forget everyone else! Not too different from the person near me at Black is the Colour of my Voice last night who had to keep checking the football score. Including accidentally turning the commentary on at a particularly emotional moment! He’d paid his money so screw everyone else
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Post by fiyero on Feb 25, 2024 21:22:18 GMT
I saw this in Chichester yesterday and had a great time. It did feel a bit like it had been set up to be an extended reboot episode or tv-film but did make good use of the single set. It was great seeing the characters again but some of the plots didn’t seem too joined up. The audience didn’t care though! They all had a great time too!
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Post by fiyero on Feb 24, 2024 19:07:24 GMT
There was no attempt to maintain the minimum age rule when I saw it. There were what I would call actual babies. I wonder if it will get worse now closing is posted. Not like they can wait until the darling is actually 4 now!
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Post by fiyero on Feb 24, 2024 19:06:33 GMT
Then the ones who are too small for school (but are definitely 4, wink, will be there). I’ve booked for the pride performance. Starts later which will hopefully put off parents and I’m sure the queens will be easier to deal with than little princesses. I'm also going to the Pride performance too but I bet the queens will be worse behaved than small children. As long as they aren’t as high pitched!
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Post by fiyero on Feb 24, 2024 17:25:27 GMT
When is the best time to visit to avoid screaming crying kids? Was considering a midweek matinee since they’d all be at school? Then the ones who are too small for school (but are definitely 4, wink, will be there). I’ve booked for the pride performance. Starts later which will hopefully put off parents and I’m sure the queens will be easier to deal with than little princesses.
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