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Post by fiyero on Dec 31, 2023 23:12:13 GMT
Can’t quite believe anyone is enjoying this. It’s so dreadful. I loved it but can see why many wouldn’t. I do think Paul Zerdin needs to go or mix it up next year. In many provincial pantos he could be the main star! The same routines plopped in every year, whatever the show. No hate on him as a performer but not sure this panto needs that anymore. Of course all the regulars have become repetitive too! The scale of the Palladium panto forgives a lot for me! Flying, pyrotechnics, lighting, size of cast etc. I also saw Richmond and Southampton pantos and the scale was tiny comparatively. Richmond is a much smaller theatre but I still expected flying or something exciting to end act 1. Next year I hope they have a singer as the extra celebrity. I loved the ones with Elaine, Bev, Donny etc. You can stick in some random songs and it makes sense why (rather than Captain Hook pretending to be a sitcom character!)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 31, 2023 19:24:08 GMT
After seeing all the comments on restricted side seats and being a bit worried I took to my long booked seat D37. Booked as soon as they went on sale at £40 as our normal front row upper circle ones cost too much now the bar is gone. I’ve sat side stalls before and thought I knew what to expect. i.ibb.co/F3hy5LM/IMG-8022.jpgIt was worse than I expected and I don’t have much time to play with. FoH said to speak to a supervisor who said to speak to Box Office who said “more money please”. With 7 minutes until curtain I gave them another £35 to move to the middle of row J. I never spend £75 on a single ticket! The view was glorious, normally £195 I’m lead to believe. I adored the show too but still can’t get over them thinking my original seat is a £40 seat. Box Office said they don’t set the prices so is it the producer I need to complain too?
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Post by fiyero on Dec 30, 2023 23:44:29 GMT
just back on the District Line after the matinee which was missing Paul! I love seeing covers but it is unusual to see a cover who I genuinely don't think knew he was in this show this morning. I didn't get a programme but I don't think his name is in it, a true emergency cover. Not sure if it is fair to name him but he was script in hand for 90% of the show and obviously didn't know the show but gave a great performance. I wish I had the chance to see him after a rehearsal. As has been mentioned Suki is a great improvisor and covered at least 2 parts [of Paul's track] too. It was a bit of a shame to see this show that I know from the palladium shrunk down so much. I did expect flying at the end of act 1. The cast were all great though and it was a great example of 'the show must go on' Boxing Day in Richmond all sounded very dramatic. According to Twitter, the matinee started with Merton off ill, and his understudy - a lad from the chorus - came on, got stage fright and refused to come on again. So the show stopped for 25 minutes, and then when it restarted, a very ill - and apparently grumpy - Merton came on and did perform, although he then had to stop for 5 seconds when he felt faint. They then cancelled the evening show, and presumably drafted in the script-in-hand replacement for the 27th! Eeek. I did see from twitter there was a show stop, poorly Paul then evening cancellation. Didn’t realise about the cover. I didn’t get a programme but didn’t think any of the ensemble looked like obvious covers! Do you know if he was a listed cover or emergency? I don’t blame him not going on when he is covering the only star, who a lot of the audience will be there specifically to see and who the script is written around.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 27, 2023 15:32:58 GMT
Dick Whittington at Richmond is wonderful. Paul Merton is hilarious as expected, but what really makes the panto is his wife Suki Webster. Because they are both seasoned improvisers, they had a funny line for every little thing that went wrong, as well as trying to make each other laugh. just back on the District Line after the matinee which was missing Paul! I love seeing covers but it is unusual to see a cover who I genuinely don't think knew he was in this show this morning. I didn't get a programme but I don't think his name is in it, a true emergency cover. Not sure if it is fair to name him but he was script in hand for 90% of the show and obviously didn't know the show but gave a great performance. I wish I had the chance to see him after a rehearsal. As has been mentioned Suki is a great improvisor and covered at least 2 parts [of Paul's track] too. It was a bit of a shame to see this show that I know from the palladium shrunk down so much. I did expect flying at the end of act 1. The cast were all great though and it was a great example of 'the show must go on'
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Post by fiyero on Dec 27, 2023 9:48:17 GMT
I'm glad to see this sold out knowing I've got tickets to see it next week! there's no better feeling than waltzing into a decent seat in a house you know is full, ideally walking past a returns line on your way in I am looking forward to that feeling with my front row keyworker seat tonight!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 22, 2023 11:12:04 GMT
Has anyone noticed what time this has been finishing for an evening performance recently? I'm going again next Wednesday and just found out my nice comfy 23:05 train has been cancelled! (I know its live theatre and could differ anyway but trying to get an idea of being ready to dash for the 22:30 or saunter to the 23:30!) In my experience it's been finishing around 22:07-17 if you stay for the playout, second act is just shy of an hour if you slip out during bows Thank you! I think I'm going to stick it out and go for the late train. I'd hate to leave early and end up maybe missing the train anyway or standing on a packed train! I have warned my boss I may not be too awake on Thursday morning.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 21, 2023 15:22:22 GMT
The remaining ticket prices are EYE-WATERING, aren't they? I'm gutted that I wasn't more forward thinking/understanding of dynamic prices and booked a 3rd or 4th trip.
They should have extended (had the theatre been available) - even if it was La Tucker doing another month. Could they have an encore run next year somewhere?! I am so glad that having booked one trip already I jumped on the key-worker tickets so am back next Wednesday for one more visit (with a Rachel one thrown in too!)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 20, 2023 12:43:29 GMT
Has anyone noticed what time this has been finishing for an evening performance recently? I'm going again next Wednesday and just found out my nice comfy 23:05 train has been cancelled! (I know it’s live theatre and could differ anyway but trying to get an idea of being ready to dash for the 22:30 or saunter to the 23:30!) Finished last night at 22:07 and I had to dash to get the 22:30 from Waterloo - so missed the curtain calls! Fortunately I was on the end of a row. PS.What’s the young Norma standing on stage for 10 minutes before it starts all about? eeek. I am front row and near the door but hate leaving before the final note usually!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 20, 2023 12:14:21 GMT
Has anyone noticed what time this has been finishing for an evening performance recently? I'm going again next Wednesday and just found out my nice comfy 23:05 train has been cancelled! (I know its live theatre and could differ anyway but trying to get an idea of being ready to dash for the 22:30 or saunter to the 23:30!)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 16, 2023 9:41:17 GMT
I don't care how well someone knows the show, how many times they have seen it the rest of the acudience haven't paid to hear them sing. Pity the cast leads didn't say something to them directly as first act ended. I know every word. That’s not the point! Unfortunately the cast interaction throughout the show probably spurred her on.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 15, 2023 13:55:23 GMT
I was at the Cabaret matinee with my friend. Now we have been planning for a long time as he is disabled so we needed certain seats. We were stalls slips so right by the stage, under the band. Amazing for me! I've been 4 times but never so close. Was thrilled to be seeing Nic go on for Sally (planned around this too) and a wealth of other covers including at least one track debut! I thought a midweek matinee would be a calm audience. I was wrong. The group in the box behind / to our side were rather rowdy, especially one who just before it started made sure lots of people knew she had been before and loved the show. She was drunk and getting drunker, plenty of glasses around! She sang! I tried my best glares but they were fruitless and I was so close to the stage I felt I couldn't go for help. My friend was closer and heard it even more! But what did it for me. The emotional Act 1 closer of tomorrow belongs to me. She sang. She sang so badly! She got to the last two lines before the cast did!
During the interval I spoke to one of front of house, I was so upset. She said she would speak to them. Later on a manager came over (While the main woman was away) and the friends basically said 'she's like that, she knows the show!'. The manager even said the cast had commented on it! The manager did come back and spoke to them all again before act 2 and no more signing but lots of talking and clinking of glasses!
I know there have been worse ones in the thread but this really shocked me at a midweek matinee!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 11, 2023 12:56:04 GMT
I'm always dubious as to whether these avenues of extra revenue ever actually generate extra revenue? Is there going to be a significant enough amount spent on these services to justify them? Wouldn't those people have just gone to the bar themselves anyway had it not been available? I used to work for an ATG venue and to be honest the whole operation is a shambles staff underpaid every opportunity is to make more money. the order from your seats thing was a killer when i worked for them never enough team on it and half the time it wouldn't be used but we had to have team on it meaning the regular bar was understaffed. if i could avoid ATG venues i would it still shocks me to this day that a drink at Bristol Hippodrome (which was until recent my local) cost me more money than a drink in a London venue its ridiculous. Rant over im home for christmas next week and have lots of shows booked in praying for good behaviour because the older im getting the less tolerant i am haha. I still haven't forgiven them for not bringing my very expensive ice creams during the interval of Sunset Boulevard. They could have surely just turned ordering off if not enough staff?
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Post by fiyero on Dec 11, 2023 12:34:33 GMT
I’m not commenting on what people can afford- but the choice of seats. I’d personally rather sit in the back row of the upper circle than at the front and see a 1/3 of the show. Just my opinion though.
I’m frankly horrified at the price of the tickets. For a family show too. How can families afford £800 + to see this?! For the Panto, for similar cost, I'd rather go side stalls restricted view than rear upper circle - but everyone's view on that would be different. I am a little worried about my 'slightly' restricted seats high number end of row D seeing a picture from row B though
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Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2023 23:37:31 GMT
Restricted view front extreme sides of stalls have just been put up for sale - £20 each. Have grabbed one as sat in them for Jack and the Beanstalk last year and was very good value. Yes you're extremely close and do miss the rear of the stage, but compared to the prices elsewhere I recommend them. Thanks for this, I had a spare space in my diary with hopes of a second visit to this (hope I enjoy the first visit!!)
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Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2023 13:00:21 GMT
I booked Blue Man Group instead after seeing what my approx. £40 would get me for each.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2023 10:14:00 GMT
Very expensive, and they seem to have let everyone on all at once. The site can no longer process payments as a result. I did think it odd that I went straight from waiting room to going in, never in an actual queue! Too pricy for me I think.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 6, 2023 9:35:38 GMT
Obviously not pouring popcorn out (people are the worst!) but both my local Vue cinemas have a new announcement over the past few months where they ask for all rubbish to be left at the seats to help with recycling. As someone who used to be a cinema usher, this makes me apoplectic. Honestly, if I was working for Vue and they announced that, I would quit on the spot. The working day was hard enough without cleaning up people's crap, making it actual policy to leave the cinema looking like a tip is unfathomable. I don't understand it either anyway, at my local they seem to chuck it all in the same bag anyway. In the lobby are separate bins but nobody reads the signs for what goes in what!
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Post by fiyero on Dec 4, 2023 10:23:51 GMT
Very interesting how you see so many young performers every day posted on that evil West End understudies Twitter account and yet we've never seen Bernadette/Lea/Bonnie Langford out with an understudy on... very interesting... Why is it ‘evil’? I’d like to know too! They celebrate covers going on, not people being off. I have been so excited to see some people getting their debuts!
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2023 15:07:06 GMT
I was pleasantly surprised that when an offer came up on TodayTix for Unbelievable I was able to take just one of the pair in the front row (down from £45 to £15). I saw later in the day the other had gone too!
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2023 14:55:45 GMT
Anyone seen this yet? We’ve booked to see it in Chichester in February. Heard one of the songs on EP’s Sunday show and liked it so thought we’d take a punt. I love this show, there have been a few versions over the last couple of years and (apart from the fact the real child girl is now an adult playing a child) it gets better and better! I'm seeing it again in Chichester too and can't wait, the new cast looks fab too! Edit: the actresses playing the girl have been fab, but it felt more real with an obvious age difference.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2023 14:53:43 GMT
Finally got through, it said on the holding page £10 seats are sold out but still seem to be a few, though not on dates that work for me. Might go for a pillar seat later in the run!
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2023 12:40:24 GMT
I knew I'd forget In the queue now
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Post by fiyero on Nov 21, 2023 17:51:23 GMT
At seat service includes oxygen tank and mask. After my experience with ATG at seat service at the savoy I’ll remember to bring my own.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 21, 2023 16:18:31 GMT
Not sure if I'm going crazy but the music from this year's John Lewis Christmas Ad really reminds me of Hex - specifically the revised version where the 3 high fairies sing. I know that is awfully niche but is there any link there?
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Post by fiyero on Nov 20, 2023 23:33:15 GMT
Wow wow wow Incredible staging, never seen anything like it Please kill me next @ Rachel Tucker 5 stars I am on my way home. I was upper circle for Nicole, dead centre front row for Rachel! Omg. Wow. For once a benefit of being a key worker (though not key enough to qualify for blue light card 😂) Rachel can kill me any time. Though I’m not sure the audience would appreciate me taking my top off as much!
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Post by fiyero on Nov 19, 2023 14:48:23 GMT
The moronic young women sipping a half empty water bottle throughout almost the entire second half of Sunset Boulevard. Every time she touched it, it "cracked" like water bottles do. It was starting to become a form of Chinese water torture. Completely oblivious to the quiet and tense sense. In the end the women behind, tapped her on the shoulder in the final scene and that finally stopped her. Ridiculous. Not exactly bad behaviour but we had an Eastern European couple in front of us who were snuggled together and practically heavy petting throughout Act 1 - they didn't return for Act II... On a similar note, why do some people bring sweets into the theatre that are covered in wrappers? Who does this? There is a special place in hell for these people, I'm sure. I like the ones who make the effort to have wrapped sweets in a paper bag inside a thin plastic carrier bag. Got to make sure both bags are done up between taking each sweet too. And wait for the quiet moments.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 17, 2023 22:29:59 GMT
I don’t think they shone (as has been mentioned a lot of talent in the cast) but must have been hard squeezing this in around previews and press night then squeezing in 2 presenters in a show nobody knows. It hasn’t put me off going and luckily doesn’t seem to have put off my mum either!
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Post by fiyero on Nov 7, 2023 16:33:51 GMT
I had over 7,000 people ahead of me when I first looked. Went back a couple of hours later and 'walked' straight in. Saw the prices and walked straight out. Sorry, I'm not that big a fan. I am a big fan but my budget puts me in the back corner of the Troubadour, of which I am not a fan! Hoping some restricted ones near the front get added, or maybe single seat discount!
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Post by fiyero on Oct 31, 2023 12:03:25 GMT
Obviously I had to book a Wednesday, so I can wear pink. Quite expensive tickets, I went for row C in the Grand Circle in the end and hopefully you can see everything from there. My subconcious made me book a Wednesday! Gone for front row of upper circle as there was a lonely seat calling my name!
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Post by fiyero on Oct 29, 2023 15:14:23 GMT
I’ve had a bit of time to compose my thoughts on seeing this last night. Most theatre shouldn’t be museum pieces, it is great to mix it up. I won’t debate whether what Jamie Lloyd has done here is really new or stolen or whatever but it was definitely a new take on the piece and something I have never seen before. Apparently there is no cast board so I have to trust West End Understudies on Twitter to know who I saw. I believe there were 2 covers in, impressive in all the movement pieces!
I hope I won’t stray too far into spoilers but this far into the thread I doubt I am saying anything that hasn’t been said before. I loved the pretty bare stage but great use of technology. The camera mount as a steering wheel could seem a bit odd but it all brought the 2 worlds together - the actual characters and their performance. The comparison between older and younger Norma on screen was especially effective for me. I didn’t get used to max feeling so young. I’d always thought of him as a generation above Norma. All the performances were superb. I’d previously seen Nicole in Cats and wondered if this was too big a step up but last night she was Norma. She really delivered. I am back for Rachel in a few weeks and am glad I have a second Nicole date too. The big numbers were really big and luckily not ruined by the whooping I had feared from a Saturday evening audience.
Of course I loved the act 2 opener and will be looking for little differences on my future visits. I know it’s live but even little things like the strand Christmas lights being on!
Overall I loved it. I can’t quite place my finger on it but I’d say it’s a 4.5 for me. Maybe it’s because ATG couldn’t be bothered to deliver my very expensive pre ordered interval ice creams? I didn’t want to mark it down to 4 so have still voted 5. I’m in the front row keyworker seats next time so that will be a different experience.
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