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Post by fiyero on Dec 22, 2020 11:11:20 GMT
The Mayflower panto has been cancelled after its first weekend. Tragic for all involved and I know a decision they wouldn’t have taken lightly.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 20, 2020 20:42:57 GMT
I was lucky enough to see Sleeping Beauty at The Mayflower, Southampton this afternoon. A really well managed entry to the theatre with a cast list available in lieu of a full programme and lots of clocked off seats.
I think it worked really well as a one act show. I’m more used to Palladium pantos recently so it was unusual for me to have to follow a plot! The cast were all great and worked hard. The show’s final number was Finding Pantoland which a week earlier had made me emotional when sung by Beverley Knight at the Palladium. Here all the singing members of the cast joined in making it even more powerful I think.
After the news of new tiers came in yesterday, while I wasn’t directly affected, I decided to head to Winchester for Four Dames in Search of a Panto. This was a different show to usual and I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was great fun and a very hard working cast of 4. A bit of a mix of the history of panto and mimi panto and an amazing 12 days of Christmas and song sheet with no audience singing! Great safe setup with every other row removed in the stalls so amazing legroom too!!
As I mentioned I was one of the lucky ones to see the palladium panto. Tier 2 rules meant I lost my booking for 19/12 but was able to buy a ticket for 13/12. I think someone must have been looking down on me to align the stars! No pretence of plot this year but a very emotional show.
I was hoping to end panto season with Dick Whittington at the national but that is looking shakier and shakier.
Thank you to all the actors, musicians and front & back of house staff that make it all happen.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 18, 2020 10:21:44 GMT
Back on sale from 15th May, just had my priority email after my cancellations. I’m hopefully at back to the future and Cinderella that day so gone for the 4th of July! The bargain centre aisle seats in the upper circle have gone up in price but upper circle slips are still £20 (as it will be my 9th time I have to cut my cloth accordingly)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 17, 2020 11:47:07 GMT
The staged show (rather than concert) due to reopen 31/05. Ive booked the matinee on the 5th before Phantom reopening night (just had an email as I cad my January show cancelled and turned into a voucher)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 15, 2020 14:09:41 GMT
Just got an email that Alfie Boe rather than John Owen-Jones is performing tonight, can’t be giving the alternate the (potential) final show can we! I think it's absolutely shameful they've done this, what is the production/producers/Cameron going to gain from switching in the principal last-minute? Show is already sold out, some people bought this date especially for JOJ, it feels to me that the higher-ups are trying to prove a point (I don't know what that is) by treating their non-household names like absolute garbage- I'm actually furious for John I agree. I have booked before specially for the alternate. Why not bring Boe on for an encore if they want to do something special?
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Post by fiyero on Dec 14, 2020 13:55:59 GMT
When are they contacting the audience members? I’m due to go Dec 22 and haven’t heard anything. What a disgrace! Is there a post missing? As of now nothing has changed. Things may change but they can’t pre-emptively cancel!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 13, 2020 16:28:44 GMT
That was awesome!!! Amish-geddon - a Wild West Murder mystery set on an Amish commune.
It was a riot. I have no idea how they do it. I hope to get at least another date of the run in (replacing magic goes wrong in January is the most likely). I wish they had a deal for the 5pm and 8pm on the Friday as it will add up buying 2 tickets!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 13, 2020 11:15:42 GMT
No, it's inspired and progressive, which is what makes this show relevant. They can hide their heads in the sand and pretend it doesn't exist (like you would like to), but theatre is an agent of change and create great apathy and stay current. Well done. I agree. I’m excited to see this version in January. After this is over it will go back to normal. The same as we will go back to full theatres in time. We will have special memories of these times. Unlike rent remixed this doesn’t seem to be change for change sake!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 11, 2020 8:35:10 GMT
I’d imagine there is a link here?
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Post by fiyero on Dec 10, 2020 17:17:38 GMT
If they aren’t reopening they are being odd with their hints
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Post by fiyero on Dec 8, 2020 17:51:11 GMT
I was really worried about James corden. Really worried. But he won me over. I’m straight so can’t be personally offended by a straight man playing gay but ignoring any politics like that I loved his performance.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2020 20:10:08 GMT
I went to south bank yesterday for London eye and other county hall attractions. They all felt really safe, as did dinner. The only busy bits outdoor bars. Does that get around the substantial meal requirement? It needs to stop being a battle of pubs v football v theatre v shopping.
From the Twitter post the Oxford street one looks exaggerated by use of a long lens and as has been mentioned those aren’t Harrods shoppers outside harrods!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 5, 2020 13:59:54 GMT
I know there are regulars here. Can I ask you for spoilers, please? This is the only show out of hundreds I've seen in my life that I've ever left from during the interval. Original cast too. I enjoyed Mischief Film Night. The Goes Wrong Show is hit and miss, but that's TV. I think I was having a bad day, but I'd also seen a gunshot warning. That's a bit of a trigger for me. How many gunshots are there and are they well telegraphed? Are they live gunshots or prerecorded? I know people will read this and think me mad, but I'm just at edge around guns. It's irrational. I know they're not real. I'm fine if I know exactly when to expect a loud noise and there aren't too many of them. But otherwise I just can't enjoy the show. Feel free to use spoiler tags. Paging Dawnstar I’ve seen the show twice but don’t remember it well enough. Seeing the tour in February if nobody’s answered by then!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 4, 2020 22:02:54 GMT
That looks further back than I remember from the Gielgud. Though I’ve only ever seen it from a distance! I’m just about over not seeing it in 2 weeks time, February will be epic. Thanks BurlyBear for steering the conversation back too.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 4, 2020 14:24:49 GMT
RV behind a pillar but I have my reopening night ticket! (There were better ones available and it looks like they have renumbered but from comparing on seatplan.com I’m taking the risk as I think royal circle is the only level I haven’t sat in before!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 4, 2020 11:56:14 GMT
I think it is great they can still (hopefully) go to Bristol and Woking get a surprise! Have pantos ever toured like this before?
I am due to see Pantoland at The Palladium (rescheduled), Sleeping Beauty at The Mayflower and Dick Whittington at The National. My first season seeing 3 different pantos I think and still tempted to add Dick Whittington at Kings Southsea!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 2, 2020 16:37:35 GMT
Ball and Boe have dropped out of the Thursday December 17th evening performance... Carpenter and Owen-Jones on instead... might see some returns come up! I hope so. No-Ball, No-Boe is missing from my set (if I count cinema stream as my Ball & Boe). Not sure I can justify it but still
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Post by fiyero on Dec 2, 2020 11:05:08 GMT
If it’s the thing you do to ‘escape’ and you can’t do it, the impact on your psyche can’t be underestimated. Exactly! I've highlighted that last sentence as it describes my situation to a tee. I have been deprived of so much that lets me de-stress this year (cinema and theatre), that I'm taking what I can get for just one day. On all of the other days I'll be sticking to the rules. It really hurt that I couldn’t do them during lockdown. I was lucky enough to get 4 musicals and a play in post lockdown but fear of and the second lockdown has caused me to lose or postpone 6 socially distanced performances so far. Les Mis was going to be so important to me because of that. I really felt I needed it. I am still lucky as both I and London are tier 2 but I have family members unhappy with me travelling there even still. There is no sign of my local cinema reopening which isn’t too surprising as on many of my post lockdown visits i could count on one hand the number of audience members. So I (almost certainly) won’t be seeing Les Mis until February. Let’s hope by then we have more to look forward to! Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 1, 2020 21:43:13 GMT
Apparently they cancelled tickets across all price points according to their customer support. Maybe they cancelled a couple of top price just so they could say that.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 1, 2020 14:05:09 GMT
I’ve booked myself a new (more expensive) ticket for a less convenient date but I am going!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 1, 2020 14:03:55 GMT
After a rotten day I want to be a bit positive. I have rebooked and as I was quick got technically better seats for my 2 visits, and the excitement of a different cast for the second (with the chance of Ball and Boe for my first still). Now I believe I paid booking fees, which in addition to losing my speedily booked tickets mean the DMT+ I bought specially for this has proven pointless. Would it be worth me asking for a refund on it? I once had a problem with their website where it also took booking fees although I was logged into my DMT+ account, and they refunded me the fee without problem when I contacted them via the DMT+ email. Thanks. I may let the dust settle a little first. I also seem to have money left on two vouchers (I thought they would work like gift cards so I could use the rest later but it seems not)
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 22:21:39 GMT
As it happens I was asking for a refund anyway. But the elitism is shocking. They could at least have done some kind of raffle system. I bet a lot of people who are losing out are the ones who booked swiftly and snapped up the cheaper seats. I’ve already rebooked les mis and made my peace there but this one still hurts.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 20:36:36 GMT
After a rotten day I want to be a bit positive. I have rebooked and as I was quick got technically better seats for my 2 visits, and the excitement of a different cast for the second (with the chance of Ball and Boe for my first still). Now I believe I paid booking fees, which in addition to losing my speedily booked tickets mean the DMT+ I bought specially for this has proven pointless. Would it be worth me asking for a refund on it?
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 15:20:07 GMT
Just got my vouchers for both dates (even though I never got a cancellation email for the first) and rebooked. If I’ve done it right once with tall star cast and once with the regular superstars of the west end. A slight positive on this day. Do you mind if I as if you requested the vouchers or they just sent them? I was tagged into a convo on twitter and DMT had replied to say they were working manually through the list They arrived out of the blue about half an hour ago. I pounced as not many cheap seats in the new configuration.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 15:11:33 GMT
Just got my vouchers for both dates (even though I never got a cancellation email for the first) and rebooked. If I’ve done it right once with tall star cast and once with the regular superstars of the west end. A slight positive on this day.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 12:52:04 GMT
Has he truly just cancelled all the cheaper tickets in the upper circle? What a dick move. I'm assuming it is the whole of the UC cancelled, otherwise that wouldn't get rid of enough seats Which shows how silly the rules are. Looks like that is what they have done at the palladium too which does have a separate entrance for the upper circle.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 12:34:07 GMT
From a business point of view cancelling the cheap seats makes most sense. I just hope they decide soon so I can book something else. If I lose panto too for the same reason I’ll be destroyed though. Panto has fallen. I haven’t had an email about my les mis booking for the matinee - 19/12 though (only 23/01)
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 12:32:19 GMT
Just had my cancellation email.
A message from Qdos Entertainment, the producers of Pantoland at The Palladium Dear Michael,
As I am sure you are aware, the Government’s new Covid-19 Winter Plan has placed a maximum capacity of 1,000 guests on indoor entertainment venues. This update to the previous guidance around social distancing within theatres will, unfortunately, impact performances of Pantoland at The Palladium, starting Saturday 12 December.
To meet the new Government requirements, we are left with no choice but to reduce the size of the audience for each performance. I am very sorry to say that this means your seats will no longer be available and, unfortunately, we have had to cancel and refund your booking. We understand how disappointing this will be and are very sorry for all the inconvenience it may cause. Please allow 7-10 days for your refund to be processed.
The wider impact of the new restrictions mean we anticipate that some extra tickets for Pantoland at The Palladium may become available, if other customers can no longer attend. As soon as any returns are processed, we will ensure they are available through the LW Theatres website so please check back regularly for any return tickets.
Once again, we are extremely sorry that you will not, at this point, be able to join us for Pantoland at The Palladium. We very much hope to welcome you back to pantomime at The London Palladium another time and wish you and your families a safe and happy Christmas.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 11:58:31 GMT
I’ve had an email for my January visit but not my December one (both cheap seats in the upper circle). The release of house seats for £165 isn’t an option for me!
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 10:33:30 GMT
Parliament doesn't vote on the new measures until tomorrow, so perhaps CamMack is hoping there will be some last minute concessions or amendments. Or maybe he's working with Westminster City Council on a 'creative' solution. I read yesterday that the Council has advised its licensed premises that a catering kitchen is not a requirement to serve substantial meals. If we have a substantial meal can we watch a show at the same time? Dinner theatre in the West End!
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