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Post by JJShaw on Oct 12, 2017 16:05:33 GMT
What a shame that such a tight and witty show at SP has been redirected to being so broad and crude that, for me, it really did tarnish my enjoyment. I also didn't think the new cast were quite as good (but that might also be down to the new direction). Did we need that many crotch grabbings or butt-gyrating? It just made the jokes that were sexual that were good loose their impact.
I did like the newly expended set, and the pipe doors were far more slick than the rotating silo drums at SP that were so rickety. The merchandise they had on offer looked pretty cool as well.
Despite the poor new direction, it was a real shame to see the theatre so empty, fortunately everyones reactions didn't make it feel empty at all (and clearly they didn't mind incessant butt gyrating!) but why are they keeping the circle open?
I would love to recommend the show to people as I do think its a great one but really would hesitate because of the new direction.
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Post by JJShaw on Oct 12, 2017 15:58:39 GMT
Saw the show on Wednesday afternoon and the audience ate it up! It seemed like there were very few empty seats which is always nice.
A great show with a really fun enjoyable score, I thought Joseph and Strallen were wonderful. I have always enjoyed Hadley Fraser's performances but felt confused with his character; he walked the line of being the straight man to send up most of the jokes or trying to be the funny one too (fortunately I still enjoyed him!)
I think I might be alone but I found Ross Noble's performance a little too wink wink nudge nudge if you know what I mean. He had great moments and then some moments that made me cringe.
I agree that pricing for this theatre is criminal and I hope that they can alter that because based on the reaction in the theatre and how full it was this could have a nice respectable run. It feels fresh and new and in the west end a musical like that is always greatly appreciated!
Also nice to see they had an array of merchandise which is always fun to look at.
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Post by JJShaw on Sept 6, 2017 22:39:09 GMT
Saw the show tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it! Yes the plot string thing the show together is rather thin but the wonderful cast charm you so much that you don't really mind.
The physical production is really good and I love how it's staged; there is a revolve which seems to be becoming standard in any production now, but its thrilling and there was a little lighting moment that made me ooh out loud!
The band were on fire and sounded great, I'd love a recording of this production as everything sounded so great.
A shout out to all the front of house and security who were perhaps the friendliest group I have seen in a while (and there was a rather handsome usher there too)
I sat in C75, front row close to the side and at £15 it was a steal. you're going to get a slightly obstructed view wherever you sit due to it being in the round and pillars or performing behind you if you're in the inner circle but I would highly recommend this seat/area.
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Post by JJShaw on Aug 29, 2017 17:16:53 GMT
I went last Friday and I enjoyed it. Its very much Last 5 Years esque and the music is quintessentially Bacharach. Unfortunately lots of the songs blended together for me and were so similar that as soon as id enjoyed one tune I couldn't pick it out from the next one.
It felt very off-broadway and was nice to see a fully staged new musical, something I feel we don't get much of but I think we're seeing more of now. If you can catch it and enjoy Bacharach's style of music go see it.
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Post by JJShaw on Aug 15, 2017 18:57:54 GMT
Knew I recognised his face. Think I matched with Callum Train on tinder once. oh do tell, lol! He is rather lovely in my opinion. I'm looking forward to seeing it again just before it closes, I think its had a rather respectable run and it is ripe for a good UK tour.
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Post by JJShaw on Jun 8, 2017 15:05:12 GMT
Having read the mixed reviews here I went with trepidation yesterday but thoroughly enjoyed it! The comparisons to The History Boys are easy and obvious but it felt fresh and new and incredibly well acted and put together. I do agree that they could have dropped slightly less swear words but thats probably just my inner prude talking, and I suppose it is capturing naturalistic dialogue of that age and location category? The thing about the swearing is that it is consistent with Scottish culture. It's not done to shock but represent a culture.
Swearing in Scotland has a completely different connotation than south of the border and is very widespread across the generations and classes.
i agree and thats kind of why i could give it a pass because it wasn't overused 'just for shock' or to be all 'look how cool and edgy we are and down with young people' it served a purpose
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Post by JJShaw on Jun 8, 2017 11:56:55 GMT
Having read the mixed reviews here I went with trepidation yesterday but thoroughly enjoyed it! The comparisons to The History Boys are easy and obvious but it felt fresh and new and incredibly well acted and put together.
I do agree that they could have dropped slightly less swear words but thats probably just my inner prude talking, and I suppose it is capturing naturalistic dialogue of that age and location category?
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Post by JJShaw on Jun 5, 2017 21:28:14 GMT
Very enjoyable evening, something different and refreshing (although I suppose it sort of follows the likes of Company and Cats as a plot-less show) directed and choreographed with style and slickness. I loved the set and costumes too.
This is the revised version so there are lots of differences between the 1978 CD and the version presented. The cast was great, although I did prefer the females to the males solo (but that is probably just my opinion, also the LMM Delivery song was delivered (pardon the pun!) with such quintessential LMM cockiness that it didn't set that actor on the best start for me..!)
There was a small but poignant speech at the end about recent events and they are doing bucket collections; halfway through the show I did think that in light of tragically losing people that performing and watching this show that tells the stories of the everyman/everywoman, it brought an extra sense of poignancy to it all (sorry if that doesn't quite make sense!)
If you have tickets you're in for a great show (and a nice short one too! Clocking out at about 9:10pm)
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Post by JJShaw on May 20, 2017 9:22:02 GMT
I've got a question regarding a lyric and as I doubt I'll get to see this tour, I thought I'd appeal to anyone who may have already seen this particular production and has a penchant for remembering lyrics!! It's the punchline to a series of lyrics & I don't want to upset anyone who may not want to see, so I'll put it in a spoiler tag: {Spoiler - click to view}In 'One Normal Night', Fester has the lyrics 'Was ballet right for Balanchine, was Polio right for the Salk vaccine' and then followed by a punchline, originally on Broadway it was: 'Were you folks right for the mezzanine?', but for places where that would make no sense (i.e the West End where the word 'mezzanine' doesn't really exist) there was an alternative written: 'Was rehab right for Charlie Sheen?".
This seems like quite an out-dated reference now, so I was wondering if anyone who has seen it can remember what line Les Dennis used? For no reason other than my personal wondering. Thanks! ill put it under a spoiler just in case {Spoiler - click to view} I can't remember it word for word but it was "were you folks okay for the cheapest seats?" and he's looking up at the back of the house. I can't remember it word for word but it was "were you folks okay for the cheapest seats?" and he's looking up at the back of the house.
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Post by JJShaw on May 17, 2017 23:14:13 GMT
I sw this today (and was sat in between Mark Shenton and another reviewer!) and agree with most of the previous comments. It seems like this show is still stuck in its out-of-town tryout feel (even though it had its Chicago, Broadway and revised US tour version so its had 3 attempts!)
The show has some good musical moments, but the pacing of the show is all over the place and some characters and relationships are woefully underdeveloped (mainly Pugsley and Wednesday when his actions are a big plot point!) so it's hard to relate or care and get invested. There were moments that were good but then they got lost.
Fester narrating is absolutely pointless. Gomez addresses the audience first thing in the show and then later on its Fester as our narrator?! Also the reason the ancestors are there is so stupid and doesn't even need to be mentioned. Its The Addams Family we can believe that their house is inhabited with ghosts without the corny reason of "they can't return to the grave until love prevails". Really?! Just cut that one line and we're good!
Having said that, the ensemble sticks out like a sore thumb it just doesn't know what it wants to be; one minute they're slinky in the background and the next its full on over the top choreography. I was also a little disappointed with the principals; I don't think it was their fault as they al had moments of quality, but it seemed like the direction restricted them (Mainly Cameron, Samantha and Carrie)
The boy playing Lucas, while attractive, had an awfully shrill and twangy american accent and nasal singing. The guy playing Pugsley also didn't come across very well either. Grandma Addams and Lurch were wonderful as were Alice and Mal.
Had the book been tightened more and the songs properly organised it has potential to be a much slicker show, but the shoehorning of the ensemble and the slow and boring pacing and lack of development on family relationships (don't they say Family First and Family Last?! it was all very one note and borderline panto plot) prevent it from being a 4 star show. So i would give it 3. Perhaps 3 1/2 because the set and lighting was really good and the sound design (especially for Wimbledon!) was excellent.
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Post by JJShaw on May 11, 2017 13:59:34 GMT
So I just brought one of the stage seats from Time Out for Wednesday 17th May 7:30pm but unfortunately I cannot make it so I was wondering if anyone here would like it for £15? The tickets RRP is £30 and the voucher was sold for £20 but I'd like it to go to good use, so thats a nice 50% off!
I can forward you the email, you just present it at the box office, there are no names or addresses on it.
Let me know!
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Post by JJShaw on May 11, 2017 12:37:29 GMT
Oooo this is a real misstep for Liisi. Oh damn, she sounded so great live, what happened?
I agree! loved her live but she doesn't sound her best for the majority of this song, I hope to be proved wrong for the rest of the recording. Interestingly WOS promotion giving away a free copy of this with any ticket priced £40+, not a bad promotion if you hadn't already preordered tickets or the CD
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Post by JJShaw on Apr 20, 2017 12:31:44 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed this so I'm very happy to have it back! I think the Arts is th perfect sized venue for a transfer, just a shame that it still seems to be in a success slump.
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Post by JJShaw on Apr 17, 2017 14:57:54 GMT
Anyone know what seats are good at the New Wimbledon Wimbledon is a huge barn, the upper circle is crazy far away (or it feels it!) so i would avoid that if you're looking for a budget ticket. The back couple of rows i the stalls are normally the same price and, because its so big, you can normally move forward a couple rows forward. the front of the dress is good, theres no overhang at the back of the dress which is good but again you do feel quote far away from it. in the stalls row J? i think it is has the isle split in front of it so unlimited legroom and no row of seats in front of you so thats nice!
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 6, 2017 22:01:06 GMT
I'm curious to see what happens with supporting actress in a musical. Victoria H-B likely won't get it because no-one liked the show much. Possibly the same with Haydn. Rebecca would be my favourite to win, but Emma has now been nominated 4 times I think and is generally well-liked - but her character gave her so little to get her teeth into... I adored Rebecca's performance but theres not too much meat in her role if i remember; gone after about 40 minutes into act 1 and back for that killer song in act 2, almost pulling a Grizabella there! Surely the amount of group awards this year (Our Ladies, Girls, the school of rock kids as the musicians? Which I do thin they deserve recognition for) warrant them thinking of creating an ensemble award? However I would also agree that Mischief would sweep it up they are so connected with each other!
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 6, 2017 21:55:03 GMT
I completely understand the need for a standby, and have no issues with that. And one alternate for a matinee? Sure, its not the worst thing in the world. But 2 for Effie??
My opinion is that A) having two alternates is odd and B) I do think performers should have the ability to do at least 7 of the shows if it is an incredibly demanding role (Killian Donnelly has had alternates for roles that are not necessarily that taxing). If you can't do it, its not the job for you. The job is to do 8 shows a week. (I apologise this is coming of harsher than intended and I do not mean to disregard anyone else views on the matter)
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 6, 2017 18:05:00 GMT
Jennifer Holiday didn't have 2 alternates or a standby, and was scheduled to do all performances. THANK YOU While I appreciate that different roles might require a standby (alternates... hmm never really seen one apart from Evita used for a good reason. Many Christine's say that it's a really nice role because of only doing 6 shows and the high notes are pre recorded!) If the original didn't have one, why do you? And I completely agree that the green-ness of some new performers is sometimes grating. Mr. Ball is right some new actors these days, while its harder to get into the big drama schools, are just not cut out for the gruelling 8 shows. Thankfully we do have some like Charlie Stemp who prove that the 21st Century actors can still cut it with the likes of Imelda Staunton! (Work wise, I'm not quite elevating him to her just yet!!)
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 24, 2017 7:32:04 GMT
I agree that perhaps we shouldn't judge too much, after all you're all right you can't judge tone via words on a screen (thats why we need to be careful how we word things as we've learnt from other celebrities!!)
All I will say is, to quote Pushing Daisies, the facts are these: Sister Act closed Broadway 2012 and West End 2010 The Colour Purple closed Broadway 2008 with their revival of the London production in 2015. (Their third National tour opened 2012 not sure when it closed)
TCP had been off Broadway for 7 years. If SA came in this year it will have also been off West End for 7 years. While some of her fans may have tweeted her if she would be involved in it, I have seen no news outlets attaching her to the project, and she shouldn't say we need something new when she's just made her name in something that has been out of the big public eye for just as long!
And Parsley, no need to insult her on trivial things.
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 23, 2017 20:27:12 GMT
that comment comes across, for lack of a better word, snobby. I'm assuming she means we need more new work to come in but didn't she just make her name in a revival of a new show thats only 10ish years old? You're classier than this, Cynthia!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 20, 2017 13:01:23 GMT
the Broadway Backstory podcast is really good, as well as the Theater People podcast that the gentleman who runs them does. Both incredibly informative and enjoyable listens I recommend anyone to go and have a browse at them. (Be warned he is rather, how shall iI put it, prone to using phrases such as 'gay squeal' and 'gay gasp' and 'all the gays' quite often but the answers from his interviewees are really good!)
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 19, 2017 19:59:40 GMT
I'm holding out some hope for a DVD release. I do hope that due to previous shows being successfully filmed and screened to cinemas (Phantom, Miss Saigon etc) that it means Disney won't hesitate to release this. Unfortunately, it seems that the trend for that hasn't hit the US; She Loves Me and Holiday Inn were live streamed and filmed professional and not released A shame and I hope Newsies breaks that trend!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 19, 2017 19:57:20 GMT
saw this today, its very hard to not enjoy this show!
clearly the director has seen the recent broadway revival, lots of similarities. i must also commend them on the revolving set, and how beautiful it looked! some very cinematic moments it was lovely. As were the new orchestrations, it was like listening to it for the first time!
I enjoyed Scarlett Strallens performance, and the ensemble, particularly the female shop customers, did some lovely dancing and framed the show wonderfully. Katherine Kingsley, who I have been a fan of for a while, I had to warm too. I understand why the cockney accent was chosen but I'm not quite sure if the artistic intention outweighed the jarringness of it. She was a much more brash Ilona, but by her Trip To The Library she'd won me over once again! Similarly with the gentleman who plays Arpad and his Welsh accent. I didn't find an issue with the british accents but these two accents stuck out. Mark Umbers as George gave a rather odd performance for me, his complete change in character at the end of act one all of a sudden being incredibly hostile to Ms. Amalia was not in keeping with his almost cringe bumbling nature for the first act (even when he didn't like Amalia he still wasn't being incredibly rude to her) his Tonight at Eight lacked but his version of the title song was very nice. (Also you can't have a character wear glasses for just two scenes the continuity doesn't make sense ! As a fellow glasses wearer haha!)
Very enjoyable, I would love for it to transfer. I also found Amalia's 'Dear Friend' letter from Vanilla Ice Cream land around my feet, a lovely little souvenir!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 17, 2017 13:39:11 GMT
Maybe even a Reprise of Belive in Yourself solo toward theend of the show? Once her family situation has gone to sh*t, so she has to go out and make it on her own? ooh that would be perfect! who isn't a sucker for a sad reprise?!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 14, 2017 23:40:49 GMT
It's in very fine shape for a second preview. I really liked the score and thought it deserved a better book. Good direction and very good, if not a bit repetitive, coreographies. Very nice set and costumes too. Frances Ruffelle is doing the same thing she has been doing for the past 30 years, but luckily this time fits the role. I was very surprised by JOJ, I had no idea he could act... great singing, as always. Donna McKechnie is a class act, she might not be as sexy as Eartha Kitt but, let's be honest, no one has ever been as sexy as Eartha Kitt. Great comic times, great legs, her "When it ends" is one of the highlights of the whole show. Victoria Hamilton-Barrit is great but under-used, she has a great stage presence, a glorious voice and steals the show every time she's on stage. Ako Mitchell is still flat on the high notes, but a pleasure on the lower ones and he has never looked sexier. Dex Lee is stunning, great presence, great dancing, and when he takes off his clothes he makes you believe in God. The two D'Armano Bros are very very good and will be excellent when they tighten up their synchrony. The rest of the cast is equally fantastic, especially Tiffany Graves, Steven Serlin, Sebastien Torka and Melanie Bright. The orchestra is very good, but unfortunately it tends to cover the singers, especially in the most intimate moments... it totally "ruined" (I mean, it's not their fault!) a beautiful duet between Frances and Simon Thomas... who, btw, looks stunning in white. It's a very peculiar musical, it's like a vicious Follies, it might not be for everybody. Some people didn't come back after the interval. And the 5£ and 15£ tickets for the first two rows have a perfect view, they're the best bergain you can get in London! i was also there tonight! sat in my £5 seat i thought id robbed them it was an absolute steal! especially on the high numbers i think you get a slightly better view (the bed doesn't block any feet and you get less lights blinding you i think) unfortunately completely agree the band was way way too loud, a shame that they really did drown most of them out (and that duet was beautiful ,shame we couldn't hear it!) i went knowing nothing and left thoroughly enjoying it, have the cast recording on now and this production is much darker than the OBCR. The cast was great and for a second preview it looked, well like it wasn't a preview at all!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 12, 2017 23:31:46 GMT
We were there this afternoon, a fine production of an average show. At least with the traditional seating you can hear the cast over the band. If they do traverse again (see Soho Cinders) they really do need to think about investing in some mics. Glad I got to tick it off my Sondheim list. i think fine production of average show is a good summary of it i didn't catch Soho Cinders, but i was glad that for 90% of the time you could hear the cast and the lyrics over the small band, i wish there was some brass for this show!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 12, 2017 21:10:58 GMT
Today's matinee was sold out! I turned up at 2.15pm and they put me on a returns queue.. I was fifth in the returns queue... oh wow i didn't know they did returns! did you get to see the show? i knew it was low a few weeks ago they were only taking phone reservations, then sold out, then checked yesterday and it said low i must say i called to reserve one, then just emailed to confirm it, they replied on the email saying they had got my call but wanted to make sure it was one ticket, not two, then when i got there they had misheard my name on the phone and had a 'Jake' down. So Jake if I accidentally brought your ticket I'm very sorry! But I wish the Union didn't go to phone call reservations only because just leaving a message to reserve a ticket worried me, and sometimes things get misheard!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 12, 2017 19:53:47 GMT
I hugely enjoyed this production, only knowing a handful of songs before going in my main reason was, I think like most, to tick this rarely done show off the Sondheim list.
However I left with so much more than just a tick in a box, what a wonderful show! The direction and choreography were great, and the lighting had some gorgeous Moments. The performances were good but I almost feel the ensemble outshined the principals at times (ill put it down to perhaps it being a Sunday?)
I also have to commend the Union, last time I was at their new space for Children of Eden the atmosphere was rather lacking but today it was much warmer and friendlier, and the stage area didn't look as squished as it did for CoE. I also thought the set for this was great and inventive. I do agree that the Cookies could have toned the crazy down as it did veer onto offensive, and also after a little further reading, doesn't really "fit" what the original intention of them is to be (which was to replicate that we are all a little crazy)
Another thing to note, for those who might know the show more, Im pretty sure that this show plays very loose with the structure of it, unlike the programme, the interval comes after Parade in Town, and act 2 starts with Play Wiz Me and so on. Further research post show I found out that Phil Wilmott has completely juggled round those middle songs but I felt it worked very well.
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 10, 2017 13:07:02 GMT
Here's a great piece of bad behaviour and how to deal with it. At today's matinee show of Buried Child a mobile phone went off in the audience with a rather loud ring tone. It was so loud that the cast just all stopped what they were doing. Amy Madigan just stared into the audience until the phone was turned off, then carried on with the play. The woman who sat next to me said at the first interval how stupid that person was, then during the second act her phone starting bleeping alerts. Unbelievable. It was a great tactic by the cast and one that they must have discussed beforehand in how to deal with nuisance mobiles. i was at that performance too, and agree the cast looked understandably annoyed but handled it very well. It went on for a uncomfortably long time, clearly the sinner was hoping the person would hang up rather than manually stopping it and being caught out!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 7, 2017 23:07:23 GMT
Shame you cant do midweek. Anyone wanting a bargain for tonight they have the front row reduced to £14.75! blimey! those are the dayseats! i guess they didn't sell them all today then! hope that isn't a sign of things to come
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 7, 2017 9:42:17 GMT
I agree I am fine with live recordings as long as they are done well, Sixpence has a pretty decent live recording and I don't think the Funny Girl one is half bad so lets just hope this one is good too.
I really enjoyed the show last night, although the visuals are very reminiscent of Beautiful I thought, but great performances from Liisi and Ibinabo , Karen as Effie I felt was lacking in act one but shone way more in act two. Having now seen the show Im not quite sure why Effie demands so many actresses to rotate her.
To anyone who is thinking of dayseating, I got G13 in the stalls (which i believe is a premium seat?) and at 9am there were two people there, at 10am there was a grand total of 5 of us there! So get down there now before the news spreads that they're doing dayseats! Of course theres no official number of seats they'd give out as its box office discretion.
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