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Post by JJShaw on Apr 13, 2018 10:11:49 GMT
This is gonna be sold out by the end of today isn't it, those fangirls will be booking multiple trips. oh no, i though you might be right! perhaps i need to find £75, or £25 and some binoculars..!
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Post by JJShaw on Apr 13, 2018 10:09:11 GMT
would have booked today (despite the casting) if the prices weren't so high. £5 in previews for third row on the end for The Wild Party, and nothing below £25 for the back row for this?! A little disappointed since the St. James Theatre was one of my favorites, while I'm super glad that TOP is making a name for producing lesser-known musicals (akin to Southwark Playhouse) it's a shame to see them pricing themselves so highly.
Despite clearly a large demand, lots of seats still left, I think I will wait for a discount code/todaytix, unless it begins to sell out!
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Post by JJShaw on Apr 13, 2018 10:05:08 GMT
This has been on my list to things to see for a while and Im so glad I managed to get to see this, what a wonderfully unique and bizarre new show. For all the critics banging on about needing to support new BRITISH musicals and then not recognizing this one in the major awards its so silly because this is the quality of new musicals that we should be expecting from ourselves if we want to compete with America.
Its so cohesive as a piece, knows exactly what it is and doesn't shy away from it but uses it as a strength. The cast (bar one for me) was amazing, the set and visuals for the show were great, I loved how it all extended into the audience.
I saw Caroline or Change the day before, and I would have appreciated a break in the music in that show because lots of it was repeated motifs that went on for just a little too long, making it sometimes seem repetitive, the sung though piece here never bored me and flowed effortlessly.
Hugely impressed, might try and catch it before it goes because I cant see it transferring again or coming back anytime soon, tragically.
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Post by JJShaw on Apr 13, 2018 9:37:46 GMT
I enjoyed the show and thought it was really well put together and thought the whole cast was really good! The show certainly benefits from an intimate venue, cant imagine what it was like in the Olivier. I hope it does well in its transfer but its quite an odd show to market and sell, even if I was asked to give a word of mouth review Im not quite sure how id describe it myself.
The only thing that bugged me a little was they changed calling her Caroline and Carolin just to fit the rhymes. The first time I thought it was funny, the rest I just wasnt sure if I missed something? The kids really were great, the staging of the piece was really good.
I too was struck a little confused at the ending it just... ended? But from reading previous comments maybe I didn't miss anything there, or maybe I did...
I was in N5 which I thought was an absolute steal for £10, probably one of my favorite seats ive ever had in a theatre!
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Post by JJShaw on Apr 9, 2018 22:24:43 GMT
Overall I think it was a successful year for the Oliviers, a shame that Romantics Annonymous and Grinning Man got shut out (its always nice to see as many new eligible shows get nominations if they are worthy and I think the consensus is that they are)
While Hamilton picked up the most awards it doesnt feel like it did a complete sweep like Matilda and Curious Incident (and Potter) did in their years. Surprising to hear their performance isnt wowing people like it did on the Tonys? Im surprised they've won olivier and tony for choreography when i just remember a lot of knee sliding when i saw it?
I was really hoping that John would pick up best actor for Jamie, I really think he deserved it (im actually surprised the Oliviers didnt show, Jamie, any love since they're always banging on about NEW BRITISH MUSICALS and yet one comes along that isn't a flop (Mrs Hendersons Presents, Made in Dagenham, Bend It)) I also thought Andrew Garfield really had it in the bag for Angels (I hadn't seen the other performances so cant compare but I thought he was transformative)
I expected Young Frankenstein to sadly walk away empty-handed, perhaps if Ross Noble was still in the show I thought he could have snagged his award if Hamiltons 3(!!!!!) nominations split the vote. Whyyyyyyy was five guys named moe no in the musical revival category? did we debunk that?!
I like that we have dance and opera awards, im not hugely clued in into their worlds but i like that we recognize them!
No doubt Bat out of Hell will do very well next year.
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 21, 2018 23:51:36 GMT
I really enjoyed this show, felt like something unique and different with the staging in the beautiful empire cinema! it really is gorgeous!
I loved all the performances and really liked how t piece was put together, not 100% sure with them sometimes sitting in the audience before joining the action, didn't quite get the link or framing device behind that but it didn't detract (in fact I was sat right behind the two seats the actors use for that!)
speaking of seats I did the todatix rush (which wasn't a rush at all you could get tickets for the evening show at 6pm) and they are all in row B I think and if you get the centre block then its a fine view. Close but not too close.
TheatreMonkey, if there's an award for the worst ushering job this year it has to be for the poor girl who basically has to reseat the first three rows because "during the refurbishment, they put the seats back in the wrong place and haven't sorted it out so the numbers aren't in the right order" bless her!!
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 20, 2018 14:06:28 GMT
i just booked a lucky dip seat, decided to chance my luck rather than getting a high seat chair row N side view. I'm looking forward to the show i think its the prefect venue for this type of show!
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 17, 2018 23:50:26 GMT
Hope this hasn't been asked already, at the end of most performances I've seen at the Royal Court the actors typically raise their right arms, possibly towards the balcony, as if in thanks to something/someone. I'm pretty certain I've seen it in performances at other theatres as well. Any ideas ? usually to gesture to a technical box at the back that is a symbol for all the crew that work on the show too. Since they cant come down and take a bow as they are all operating things but are just as important to the show.
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 7, 2018 23:59:50 GMT
Well I saw the matinee and thoroughly enjoyed it! All the positive word of mouth lives up to it, its great to see a new musical, especially one with its original cast! Interesting that there weren't many songs (or it didnt feel like it) and the book scenes were longer, but i liked that. the show flowed well and the performances from everyone were wonderful! If it wasnt up this year I think this would have swept up the awards ala Matilda. Original British Musical thats well rounded? Catnip for Oliviers! I hope it manages to grab a few, I do think John deserves leading actor for sure. Must make an effort to go back to this one. Saw it in December and bar one total bore of a scene and one that made me really uncomfortable, I really enjoyed it! It is probably the best New Musical I saw last year. Which scene if you dont mind me asking? Just curious.
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 4, 2018 12:06:02 GMT
Bradley Judge is always shirtless. Boom. Booked! its worth it!
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Post by JJShaw on Mar 2, 2018 12:14:31 GMT
Are there any discount codes floating around for New Wimbledon next week? no discounts right now but i checked the matinees and 8 seats have been sold in the upper so if you grab one now no doubt youd get a cheeky upgrade
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 28, 2018 15:30:24 GMT
Granny/Step-Mom was handicapped with playing roles far above her age and also poor direction, which is what I think made this show suffer the most. Coupled with some very stiff and stilted choreography (the Glory and Right Track "dance breaks" were very underwhelming), it made for a very disjointed show that wasn't consistent in its good moments. I agree with this assessment, especially around direction issues. The girl playing granny/step-mum was clearly talented but has been allowed to develop characterisations that have no grounding in any truth whatsoever. Instead she relies on the ‘funny voice/facial contortion’ school of coarse acting. It of course doesn’t help that she is playing significantly older characters. She is clearly capable but, like most of the cast, a newby who might need a bit more of a firm hand from a director to help her move towards a more rounded / nuanced performance. I’ll bet you they were all rolling around in the rehearsal room when watching their mate perform, just a shame the director didn’t seem disciplined (or maybe experienced) enough to spot that this does not necessarily mean it works for a paying audience. Big credit to the actress though, as she committed to her choice fully and is clearly destined to be an interesting talent if given the opportunity to learn and develop. Ah this is a far more eloquent and expansive way of putting my thoughts into words! absolutely no discredit to the actress!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 28, 2018 11:47:26 GMT
Saw this yesterday and I, unfortunately, have to agree with the few people who said that it felt a little drama school-y and amateurish at times. A shame because I knew some of the songs and had never seen the show before so I really wanted to love it and ended up leaving just a little... disappointed.
For me, only Lewis, the King, and Catherine gave solid performances. Granny/Step-Mom was handicapped with playing roles far above her age and also poor direction, which is what I think made this show suffer the most. Coupled with some very stiff and stilted choreography (the Glory and Right Track "dance breaks" were very underwhelming), it made for a very disjointed show that wasn't consistent in its good moments.
Not quite sure why people couldn't follow the plot, the whole show is narrated..! I wish they'd broken the fourth wall a little more in act one because when it began again in act two it was jarring.
Sadly the biggest flaw was the lack of charisma from Pippin and the Leading Player. No doubt talented and both had great vocals, but Pippin was straight out of drama school with some of his acting (and not in a good way). Also why was Pippin's costume from Topman but everyone else's wasn't??
I enjoyed the vaudeville theme for the show and thought the lighting and set design worked very well (I know the Bway revival did circus and Menier did video game, not sure if Original was vaudeville or not). Considering it was a transfer from Manchester I would have assumed it to be in better shape than it was but sadly it didn't quite do it for me.
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 25, 2018 11:00:57 GMT
Surely the easiest option is to make people drink up before taking their seats then you don't have any glass or plastic cups in the auditorium. I think most audience members can cope without added liquids for 90 mins at a time. No breakages or spills to worry about then. Let's make the auditorium the place to enjoy the show. And let's make front of house the place to enjoy drinks and snacks... I personally agree that no one needs anything other than a bottle of water should you be that fussy for 60 minutes at a time (considering most acts are roughly 60 mins for act one) Unfortunately, the vast majority of the public looooove asking "can we take drinks inside?" and the answer in I think every single theatre is "yes but only in plastic! (fake plastic smile here haha)" Firstly this is always a foolish question because if you couldn't take a drink in then people might be put off buying one and theatres do not want to loose getting any money behind the bar, so I plead with the public to stop asking ushers such an obvious question? Environmentally I also wish that so many plastic cups weren't used, some theatres have gone down the route of fancy reusable poly-carb wine glasses akin to picnic ones but much fancier. So much fancier that several audience members treat it as a souvenir and try and take them home...! It's not a theme park! You're not paying extra for the glass!!! People already complain about prices for theatre drinks if you charged for how many poly-carbs theatres lose because people either bin them (despite most people actually leaving the rubbish youre meant to bin!) or taking them home then people would complain even more!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 24, 2018 10:07:19 GMT
I'm afraid I really didn't see the point of updating the setting to the 1930s. It is the Victorian Gothic element that I particularly love about Sweeney.
Also did nothing for me Honestly, I didn't really notice the updating of it. It didn't offend me or contribute something new!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 20, 2018 14:33:17 GMT
Yes, yes, and yes again! Ian Marshall Fisher had a genius for brilliant casting and many of his Lost Musicals, despite the cast sitting in a row wearing evening clothes and reading from scripts in their hand (with just a piano to accompany them) brought vividly to life some fantastic shows, particularly the Cole Porter and Kurt Weill musicals that they did. They were the highlight of my theatre-going year! If only we could have a National Musical Theatre Company that could rediscover these shows. That would be some ACE funding I could get behind! I believe thats a similar akin to the Encores! they do in NYC and I would also be up for more productions like this to give lesser known knows a god needed airing out!
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 19, 2018 20:57:30 GMT
I did think that you could have a Mr Lovett, even more reason for Sweeney to not love him (if you kept Sweeney male and straight). It could be a bit tilt to show the crazy lengths Lovett would go for the love fo Sweeney; murdering and cooking people, deceiving his one true friend in the show because he loves Sweeney (Ok I know not much tops murdering and cooking people, but in the interest of LGBT couple you could also have Johanna and Anthony as a same sex couple? Change Anthony to a female?)
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 14, 2018 0:16:24 GMT
Incredibly fun score! A really enjoyable evening and, as many have said, by the end you cant help but be smiling!
It felt very Off-Broadway, but in the best way possible (obvious comparisons to toxic avenger and such), i feel that we rarely see new musicals like this the way they do more frequently in the States.
My only issue was that I thought they should have moved the Hollywood number to open act two rather than close act one, and while there were some minor plot issues i had toward the end of act two the show is so fun and silly that you dont really hold it against the show. I would have said 3.5 stars but its so infectiously fun that the small negatives are wiped away and I'd give it 4*.
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 14, 2018 0:12:43 GMT
I agree that some work could have been done on the puppets to really make then engaging, i thought it was a nice concept, felt very NT.
I enjoyed the show and I think so did the many, many MANY children there at tuesdays matinee (forgot it was half term! won't make that mistake again!) I really liked the music, particularly the Fancy Free song sung by the kids on their way to the island. I certainly wouldn't mind a little cast recording of the show. It certainly feels like a refreshing production and it's nice that, while a Disney property, that Disney has had no say in the show at all. I thought it struck the balance of family and serious rather well too.
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 9, 2018 13:23:16 GMT
I agree they spent some coins on that new trailer its amazing!
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Post by JJShaw on Jan 22, 2018 23:02:32 GMT
For anyone looking for a really good deal, TodayTix are doing tickets for Tomorrow night for £20, 60% off as they are meant to be standard £47. I was on the fence to see it but a fantastic deal plus a todaytix code I'm looking forward to seeing it! (you could use my code PKETY )
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Post by JJShaw on Jan 16, 2018 12:15:38 GMT
I saw it last night, the 10pm show (so late!! although this show could pull it off)
It really is as good as everyone is saying so. Some incredibly clever lyrics and songs that really was singing this morning without the aid of a cast recording to jog my memory (that hasn't happened in a while!) This show would certainly benefit from a CR it really was rather brilliant to watch!
I believe there are some tickets for next mondays 10pm show left and if you are free (and can stay awake!) go and see it. Incredibly fun, a modern twist that doesn't feel cheap.
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Post by JJShaw on Jan 14, 2018 9:43:55 GMT
I'll be in London in ten days, from italy, and i've already seen every single musical except Barnum, Motown, Five guys named Moe, the Girl from the North Country, and Eugenius. I have to choose only one, which do you recommend? thank you I would recommend Five Guys Named Moe as I thought it was a uniquely staged musical that isn't often done. Joyous and uplifting! If you want to see new work go for Eugenius, I've heard some of the music and its very pop-rock upbeat and fun. Haven't seen Girl... NC but I've heard positive things from it.
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Post by JJShaw on Jan 10, 2018 19:26:10 GMT
I haven't yet seen this (but plan too in the near future), but this show has kinda seemed to go off the radar as of late. Is it just me? The reivews came out and everyone was dying over this amazing show, but I havem't seen much about it since? I'd think thats its unique location outside theatre land might have influenced that? Probably doesn't pick up much foot traffic in a non-theatre area. I would definitely make sure that you can see it it really is a great show!
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Post by JJShaw on Dec 19, 2017 20:25:40 GMT
I'm really excited to see this, intrigued by the premise of the show, sort of Hamilton mixed with Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour vibes.
Very pleased so see that its already pretty much sold out its run, and not many tickets left for its extra date, always a good sign to see that new musicals can do well (even if it is a short run!)
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Post by JJShaw on Nov 18, 2017 21:48:29 GMT
Kudos to Nica Burns for bringing in something fresh and new. Just because you don’t like it, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have merit. I actually really like that Nimax often transfer shows in that wouldn't get looked at by other theatre owning companies. Dead Funny, Urinetown, Hand to God, just to name a few off the top of my head were all in Nimax theatres and I like that they are given the opportunity to refresh the West End with different and unique shows, despite them not always being huge commercial runaway hits. I'd much rather constant variety than the same stagnant 'hit' shows that just make the West End look stale. Bringing it back, Im very much looking forward to seeing a original new musical and I hope its still around in January when I'm back!
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Post by JJShaw on Nov 7, 2017 9:46:58 GMT
From their website:
Standby Tickets £30 tickets available for concession groups at the box office for Wednesday matinees (may be offered to non-concession groups at the box office discretion)
I got two for me and my mom one day and we were in the premium seats so you can hopefully get a bargain. I thought if you wanted a really good view at a good price it was more preferable to pay this than the £5 dayseats.
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Post by JJShaw on Oct 12, 2017 19:01:09 GMT
Finally saw this and can understand the positive enthusiasm for the show!
Can't say anything that hasn't already been said, although I will say that i was sat in the grand circle J12 and thought it was a perfect seat for the show. Didn't feel too far back at all, could get the whole scope of the show and didn't have the front of the stage obstructed or miss anything with the slight overhang. and at £15 dynamic pricing i thought it a steal!
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Post by JJShaw on Oct 12, 2017 18:59:42 GMT
Just to boost this if anyone has hesitations going to see this i would highly recommend.
Really enjoyable score and a talented cast. The woman playing Rita (who i think is nominated for an Offie award) was a huge standout and played it perfectly. I thought it was staged cleverly considering the confines of the Union theatre.
I wish it was presented as a one act rather than a two act. Would be a much stronger 90 minutes show that a sliiiightly drawn out 1hr 50 mins.
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Post by JJShaw on Oct 12, 2017 18:22:09 GMT
Why do they need to change the 'criminal' prices if the theatre was full and the reaction was fantastic? Surely a full theatre means that most of the almost 800 people there weren't put off by price (if they all paid), and their reaction shows that they felt it was good value for money? ah! you make a good point! I guess was thinking that if it wanted to run for a while surely after initial buzz those prices wouldn't hold up? (thinking fro half A Sixpence where their prices went down)
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