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Post by Dr Tom on May 14, 2024 10:12:16 GMT
Such a poor choice. Dr Ranj is a much more obvious Romeo!
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Post by Dr Tom on May 13, 2024 9:16:21 GMT
The four leads were all on. Listed covers for Harry the Horse, Big Jule, Lt Branningan, and Rusty Charlie.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 12, 2024 18:16:45 GMT
I've seen this several times since cast change, as there are plenty of ticket deals about, but I was surprised how quiet the theatre was on Friday night. I was in Gallery 1 for the first time, which I'd say has a better viewing angle than the Stalls (although I do still prefer to be slightly closer, you're still really only at "premium seat" distance in many theatres). The Stalls had lots of gaps.
The show itself remains in great shape and the new cast have settled in well. There were lots of people missing last night, so it was odd having a show with only one interval singer (instead of three), and girls dancing in the gay nightclub scene. But it all held together.
Will have to venture back into the standing area again at some point.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 12, 2024 18:08:47 GMT
I saw this after closing was announced, managing to get a third row Stalls Rush ticket. The technical stuff is all quite impressive and Sheridan gives an excellent performance. I'm not sure this was ever good material for a musical.
The audience largely expected something else. I heard people sat near talking as they left. One asked "who was the little girl who kept coming on dancing?" Unfortunately, the part introducing this in the first half had been met by a lot of audience laughter, so I'm not surprised people didn't follow what was going on.
Glad I got the opportunity to see it.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 12, 2024 18:05:21 GMT
There is an interval. About 2 hours.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 9, 2024 10:42:55 GMT
Could you send that link please? I’m not seeing that! Email from Fourth Row Live
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Post by Dr Tom on May 9, 2024 9:46:55 GMT
I've now had a further pre-sale link which is through a different company and has a different set of rows on sale. Similar pricing, but the first link only had the second row, the new link has the front row (£147.45 including booking fee). I wouldn't consider paying that, but mentioning it as I know we have members here who prefer the front row and might think it's not available.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 9, 2024 9:43:33 GMT
Very much enjoyed this last night and my front row £20 ticket was a bargain. The stage height is reasonable and there's plenty of leg room. The set is static, open hotel reception and dining area below, one bedroom and the Fawlty Towers sign upstairs (with tweaked spelling during interval). The upstairs is not really visible from anywhere at the front, but nothing of note happens upstairs. The main restriction is with anyone sat on the rear tables, which are blocked by the front tables, but again everything is carefully staged for minimal disruption.
The plot is highlights from several episodes weaved in and out from each other. Most of the dialogue and action comes straight from the original shows, but there are some small changes to improve the narrative, and characters appear in sections from episodes that I don't think they were in originally. Some of this is dated, the Germans are saved until the end but the show ending is not the one from that episode, and it's a few years since I've watched the TV programme so others will have a better memory. Most of the audience looked like they had watched the TV programmes during their original broadcast, and there's all the clapping, cheering, mumbling (and occasionally shouting from the back) during the appearance of the key characters, famous scenes, and on the most memorable lines.
This is a nostalgia play. It will sell well. I heard accents from all around the world in the audience (and in the very long queue to get in) and Fawlty Towers has a wide appeal. The cast are excellent and true to the originals. If you like the source material, you'll enjoy the chance to relive the TV show on the stage, but don't expect any major changes or wild plot twists. It isn't that type of show.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 9, 2024 9:24:26 GMT
Those prices and three performances. Looks like they've only put selected rows on sale so far. I saw this twice in NYC and enjoyed it, but it's not a natural fit for a concert performance (even if semi-staged). I'll hold out buying for now until nearer the time.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 8, 2024 14:01:31 GMT
Layton is very likeable and very popular. Although his style isn't completely to my taste, I'm sure he'll bring a lot of his fans to the theatre, and I intend to catch his Emcee.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 7, 2024 23:16:24 GMT
Booked to see this in August. I'm in London on a Sunday and needed something to see in the afternoon. I picked this despite knowing little about it. Does anyone who has read the manga, knows the story or has seen the concert recommend I familiarise myself with the story of this first? It’s very easy to follow. I suspect it’s shortened/simplified from the source material. No need to prepare.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 7, 2024 12:31:07 GMT
Lots of names I recognise and like there, with a good mix of newcomers and people who know the show inside out. Perfect Kurt and Ram too. You've got Iván Fernández González, who covered those roles before, and Jason Battersby, who really commands the stage even in the background. Looking forward to this even more now!
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Post by Dr Tom on May 6, 2024 15:00:13 GMT
I was front row centre for the Cruel Intentions matinee, then at the interval realised I was stood in a pool of liquid and my jacket was soaked. The Other Palace seating is tiered. Some liquid either side, but not as much.
The people behind managed to avoid looking towards the front and were ignoring this. I found an usher and they did manage to dry the area off (my jacket smelt slightly so has gone in the wash). No real harm done, but can’t understand how people responsible just ignore this.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 4, 2024 11:56:33 GMT
Beyond excited for this. Huge fan of all their work (and every time I've seen them in various shows, both together and separately, the result has been very good). This might not be the right place to ask, but I am considering signing up for DMT+ in order to get priority booking. Can anyone confirm that I'll be able to by at least 2 tickets with 1 membership? I cannot seem to find a definitive answer anywhere. 2 definitely. I’m not sure what the upper limit is. You can book for multiple dates if you want too. Personally, much as I think will be excellent, I don’t think it’s a show you need to rush to the presale for. With that said, it’s a good value membership, and if you book through DMT often, you save a lot in fees.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 3, 2024 12:05:10 GMT
Starmites - Goldsmiths
Let me start by saying, this is the best production of Starmites I've ever seen! It is also, unsurprisingly, the only production of Starmites I've ever seen.
I actually spotted this as it was advertised on a site that we cannot mention, although being asked to pay an admin fee for tickets that are free when booked directly is rather odd. As others have mentioned, very few dates were open for wider booking. For people wanting to attend on other dates, I suspect there's a very good chance of spaces being available on the day (after all, the problem with free tickets is people book them, but then don't feel they've lost anything if they don't turn up).
For anyone who is going, the (nice small) theatre is on the closed Goldsmiths campus, so your first challenge is to find your way through a locked gate. The entrance is right next to Trinity Laban, which I'm sure causes some confusion. Once you get inside, you're looked after by a very pleasant and friendly group of people. Excellent free programme too.
As for the show itself, it is performed with enthusiasm. I think it's a sensible choice to put on a little known show, as it's impossible to compare it with other productions. It works well with a young cast too. The plot isn't complex, but I think I missed something in the first half involving lookalikes (played the same actors), so it didn't make complete sense. I'd need a second viewing.
There's always going to be a difference in performance experience with students in a university setting compared to that in a selective theatre school, as well as the challenge of casting roles that would traditionally be played by a male actor. It was nice to spot some people in the cast who I recognised from being in the audience at other shows I've attended. The lead roles were cast as sensibly as possible, and there are some students who the right agent could do a lot for.
Ultimately, I feel there are reasons why this is a rarely performed show. The source material is a bit limited for a 2024 audience and for a wider revival today, I feel this would really need to be performed as a send-up of the genre, but well done to everyone involved for bringing everything together for the London premiere.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 2, 2024 11:10:34 GMT
I thought this was absolutely delightful. Pippin is an excellent musical anyway, but almost exclusively now performed in small-scale and stripped back productions, with little in the way of a set, so this concert version fits right in. Even better, it didn't suffer from the cuts that so many productions have. The concert vibe also suits much of the abstraction and ambiguity in the show. Sound on Tuesday was fantastic. Yes there was the odd missed sound cue, yes there were some annoying screamers in the audience, yes not every song was perfect for every performer, but as an overall package for a show only performed for two nights, this was as good as you're likely to get. Those of you raving about being Amonik Melaco should have been a Heathers' fan! We got him first. This is the type of concert production that I wish could have a future life, but I know the demand isn't there. Well done to everyone involved.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 2, 2024 11:02:18 GMT
Almost every seat in the building is £25 for the preview performances, so if you're an ATG+ member, go now. If you're not, don't worry, as the general sale is at 13:00! I've booked for the first preview.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 2, 2024 8:48:18 GMT
It was an excellent concert. I knew nothing about the source material.
I think it will find an audience. The important thing (to me) is to target it at the general theatre audience, rather than to make it look as if it's just for someone who follows the manga.
I didn't get to see Death Note, but with Your Lie In April being a show about music, it is perfectly suited to be a musical.
Looking forward to seeing the fully staged version.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 30, 2024 23:38:26 GMT
Stopping audio recording is a lost battle. It’s rare I’m at a show and I don’t spot someone pushing start/stop on their phone at the appropriate times. No value judgement here, but if someone is messing around with Bluetooth microphones, they should expect to get caught.
Video recording is a different matter. I’ve no idea how people have the concentration to do this, but there are sometimes subtle people I have suspicions about but nothing more, but there have been blatant filmers as well.
If anything, I’m surprised no one has moved onto live streaming yet!
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 30, 2024 19:54:24 GMT
Mason is definitely here tonight (Tuesday). I saw them on the way in.
Someone else spotted superstar Bonnie Langford, but I couldn’t see her.
I’m at the back of the Dress though, so not in prime star spotting territory. There are a few vaguely familiar looking people on this level, but I can’t immediately give names.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 30, 2024 18:30:18 GMT
Just caused a lot of confusion at Theatre Royal Drury Lane by saying I was in the Dress Circle, when actually I was in the Royal Circle!
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 20, 2024 16:10:41 GMT
Sunday - Mountview
Beautiful
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 19, 2024 13:48:35 GMT
No such luck for today tho. Maybe later in the afternoon... I think table deals on a Friday or Saturday are unlikely. The Stalls look practically sold out already on the main site. The odds are much better earlier in the week, especially the Wednesday matinee. One thing I have noticed is they move tickets between the main group (i.e. available from the theatre) and the TKTs allocation, so this can change during the day.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 18, 2024 14:40:27 GMT
In central third row Stalls through Rush this afternoon, despite the TodayTix app being exceptionally slow to confirm tickets. First attempt stalled for about two minutes then offered a horrible seat, thankfully the second attempt was much better. The little girl in front of me has spent most of the first half asleep, so I’ve had a clear view.
Of more interest, there’s a little boy in the row behind called Sven. I’m not quite brave enough to ask the parents…
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 18, 2024 10:43:07 GMT
Does anyone have any ideas on a cast for this? Would they use the same cast for the West End run as the tour cast? It would make sense to surely because then they wouldn’t have to rehearse a new cast in.. but then again, they ran tour and The Other Palace runs respectively at the same time last year so nothing seems to be logical in the way that they’re doing things, therefore anything is possible. I have no insider information, but I'd think of this as a tour stop. Earlier in the thread, people were suggesting that previous cast members were returning, which makes sense as it reduces rehearsal time/cost (obviously, it would be those people who aren't currently working elsewhere).
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 18, 2024 10:40:00 GMT
I'm thinking about seeing this on Sat eve - can anyone share experience on how easy is it to get the immersive rush tickets currently? (it's for 3 people, so would need 2 separate orders which might complicate things) I could bite the bullet and pay for the standing tickets now if we're likely to be left without tickets... I'd suggest trying another day to see (you don't have to proceed with payment), but your odds will be close to 100% if you try at 10am. Failing that, you can usually get discounted standing tickets on TKTS, and if not, you can get them full priced ones on the website. This isn't a show you need to plan to book for well in advance any more.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 17, 2024 12:05:01 GMT
2. I know this show has some dynamic pricing, but how heavily does it discount shortly prior to showtime? Don't think so. At least for the table seats, I've never seen them going for <£120 even as the show is about to start. They have second row table seats down to £73 on TKTS for the matinee today, which is as low as I’ve seen them go. In off work, so would be tempted, but they won’t sell a single and there’s no obvious workaround.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 17, 2024 10:57:55 GMT
I saw the transfer from the front row yesterday. It took me a few tries with Rush to get front row as it kept offering me second row. Glad I held out.
This has transferred very well and is selling very well. I enjoyed this even more than at the Kiln. I thought they'd tightened this up a bit, and there seemed to be a bit more subtlety regarding the reasons why Robin is so submissive to her sister. That may also just be me misremembering.
The front row is a very good choice for many. The action is much more to audience right (which is where I was sat). I did feel the cast looking at me on multiple occasions, but this was most likely them really trying to avoid falling off the edge of the stage.
There isn't unlimited legroom as others have hinted. There's possibly less than in other rows as you're close to stage and you can't put your feet under the seat in front. The stage is also rather high as there's a revolve that raises everything. The real sweet spot for view and legroom is going to be the centre of Row B, which is also a front row (in that there are no seats in front - Row A is two blocks of 4 with a gap in between), but I don't think that's available as a Rush ticket. I'd certainly sit in Row A again, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone below about 5'6".
Otherwise, the music has grown on me. I do prefer the style of the first half, but it's good that there's such variety, and all of this shows just how versatile Dujonna and Sam are. As a Heathers fan, I would like to see Ellis Kirk as Dougal, but I'd also be disappointed to not see Sam Tutty. Such problems!
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 15, 2024 21:20:11 GMT
Everyone on fine form tonight (apart from the singing of the woman behind - but thankfully her children largely refused the requests from her to join in).
Odd seeing this on such a small stage. A few weird changes with lines cut and changed etc, and with Those Magic Changes, but all holds together well. A very strong cast, especially Marley Fenton, who really rocked his slicked hair. Perfect sound quality too, far better than in London.
Hope to see the tour again before too long.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 15, 2024 19:51:07 GMT
There’s already advertising out on the sides of buses with the Olivier results. Considering how well this is selling, I’m surprised that’s needed, but maybe it’s the end of the cheap ticket prices.
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