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Post by callum on Jan 30, 2024 23:27:09 GMT
Asking for a friend 😹
Does Laura Donnelly play the mum and Joan? Yup… unless Mum went home before the curtain call! Would potentially also spoiler tag this
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Post by callum on Jan 30, 2024 23:22:19 GMT
No question she is a star - this role (or rather these roles) fits her like a glove in the same way Hello Dolly fits Carol Channing or Bette Midler. The audience lap it up.
You wouldn’t have seen Carol giving us her Mary Tyrone or her Gertrude and nor would she have done!
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Post by callum on Jan 30, 2024 23:17:02 GMT
A monumental play to stand alongside the great works of the last 15 years. A bit like Gypsy crossed with Hangmen!
An elegy to our mothers and how we can’t escape what they gave to us whether good or bad - they’re always… ‘upstairs’.
Laura Donnelly in a completely bravura turn, and another standout from Leanne Best. Exquisite stage design, lighting and music.
I grabbed one of two seats in Dress Circle Box C, with the other unsold giving me a private box for £39! Oddly there were three chairs in the box but strongly recommended with only a minor restriction.
Don’t want to reveal anything else as I benefitted from going in 99% blind, but this feels like another massive hit.
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Post by callum on Jan 22, 2024 20:04:38 GMT
Apparently last night SJP stopped the show and told someone (politely) to stop taking photographs/filming She broke character just long enough to say “Please put your camera down…thank you” and then went straight on with the show like it never happened. I have to say - I was there yesterday and didn't even notice!
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Post by callum on Jan 21, 2024 21:03:30 GMT
Saw this at the 5pm Sunday performance (I think the first time I've ever seen a show at that time) and had a terrific time. I was sceptical going in but SJP and Broderick have such magnetic chemistry, and both have brilliant comedic moments. Loved a lot of the jokes, and didn't feel particularly dated as the stories are explicitly framed as taking place in 1968/69. I think I enjoyed Act 2 the most, but Act 3 was pitch perfect farce alongside some unexpected melancholy in Act 1. Noticed shades of Pinter coming through in the writing.
I was in F28 in the Upper Circle, sold at £25 for restricted view due to a safety bar. The restriction however was negligible, and would strongly recommend if this seat is available and you fancy saving yourself up to £275! And if anyone cares, I'd also say the majority of the action in Act 1 and 2 takes place on the left side of the stage (from the audience point of view), and on the right side for Act 3.
My seat also meant I was straight out onto street level right next to the stage door and got a barrier spot. I can't remember the last time I did a stage door, but thought why not for these two. I have never seen so many people at a stage door before - there must have been well over a hundred people there and the queue was 6 to 7 people deep. I left to give other people a chance once I got my signatures so didn't see how long they stayed, but the rules were no selfies and only Plaza Suite merch to be signed. Both absolute pros and only took around 10-15 minutes to appear! Programmes £8.
Summary of the show is yes it's eyewateringly expensive, however if you can find a bargain then you'll have a very charming and entertaining evening, which will be enhanced if you're a fan of Broderick or - in particular - SJP.
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Post by callum on Jan 3, 2024 23:53:45 GMT
SJP in London from her Insta today.
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Post by callum on Dec 16, 2023 23:40:35 GMT
So Monique did YCDAPC in place of Janie, Gimmick in place of Clare, and in the ensemble parts she did Clare’s part whilst Bella did hers. The little things you do together…- usually one of my favourite numbers, it doesn’t have a massive vocal demand but even then Janie did not sound very strong nor was the acting as good as Clare. Which is completely fair enough ego en the circumstances. I’ve also been wondering - how has Janie had such a musical career with such a limited vocal range? She is a PHENOMENAL actress but vocally… she has established herself now but I wonder how she made it in the beginning of her career with a somewhat ‘average’ voice? She also almost forgot the words in that song AND a Weekend In the Country which is her regular song. You wouldn’t have noticed though unless you’ve been a million times like me hahaha. Jo’s LWL. Wow. I think hers was as strong as Clare at her best to be honest, but different takes. Clare’s is more drunk with a hint of bitterness, Jo’s was way more ANGRY and bitter. Moments that made me laugh: when she sang ‘does anybody still wear a hat?!?’ She was pretending to scan the audience to see who was wearing one, ‘spots’ someone, points at them then sings ‘I’ll drink to that’. Also on the ‘a little jest’ line she interpreted it as cocaine and itched her nose. I DIED. 10/10 no notes. I also love the gravitas and weightyness of Clare’s vocal here too though. To think that this song was initially given to Janie to cover is just… dumb? Can’t imagine how stressful that would’ve been for her last time. Monique is also a star. She was vocally on point and in YCDAPC her dancing, characterisation and energy was brill. I’m glad she has gotten to do more than be in the back. She’s just as good as the older ones. I hadn’t see the show since Bernie was sick, so I’m relieved her voice has returned to normal. The fact that she was cracking so much last time meant that she was very ill. I have even more admiration for her. Gosh I’ll be sad when this show closes. My last remark would be, I’ve never been to the show with so many empty seats as there were today which made me sad . People should be flocking to see it before it’s done Thank you for your report! Sad to hear about the number of empty seats. I went on Thursday evening and the grand circle was open unlike my first visit on a Tuesday early last month. I would have thought the final big weekend in London before people start leaving for Christmas would have pulled in more people. I must agree that Bernadette’s voice was back up to scratch on Thursday as well. Her LMM was incredible. Obviously she is acting but the amount of emotion she brings - along with some tears - means you can’t help but think of her own personal loss at the same time. She is pure star!
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Post by callum on Dec 14, 2023 16:02:42 GMT
Apparently Saunders is actually fun in this - can anyone confirm?! She is fun and will 100% will get better. A lot better at being 'bad' than Dawn French in Snow White, and would probably have been helped by having fewer solo scenes and interacting with the cast more. Or even a bigger musical number like Julian has for his entrance (oo-er). She seemed a lot more comfortable {Spoiler - click to view} as Edina than as Hook
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Post by callum on Dec 14, 2023 13:18:55 GMT
Sat in A24/25 and swapped with my friend at the interval. A24 is bearable but A25 really should not be on sale. It was a case of looking through a gap in the stage decoration to see the bulk of the action.
Having said that, I can't image A23 is significantly better, despite being priced significantly higher than £20!
Fun show as usual with plenty of smut, although Zerdin is particularly extraneous this year!
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Post by callum on Dec 10, 2023 13:47:46 GMT
definitely sounds worse than last year {Spoiler - click to view} Can you see the big effects - crocodile, end of act 1 and the flight to Neverland?
And can you see… {Spoiler - click to view} Jennifer as Edina?
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Post by callum on Dec 10, 2023 10:30:36 GMT
Thanks for the pic corblimey.
How much action is performed front stage (as in previous years)? And was *that* even viewable from your seat?
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Post by callum on Dec 9, 2023 23:25:34 GMT
Whoops - I’m getting concerned about sitting in A24/25 next week. I did buy knowing they were ‘severely restricted view’, but was perfectly happy with A1/2 last year. Are they really that bad?
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Post by callum on Nov 8, 2023 0:04:55 GMT
Can’t write a review any more eloquent than AdddisonMizner so a few observations from this evening’s performance… (main takeaway is I LOVED IT)
- I had an under 30 ticket on the very end of Dress Circle Row A. Felt a better deal than Row N-Q of stalls and very much pleased with my decision. No checks on door. Grand Circle closed this evening, and Dress Circle and boxes seemed pretty full from my view (couldn’t see rear stalls).
- Slightly surreal seeing Mandy Patinkin in concert further down Shaftesbury Avenue when he feels such a part of the show, including a visual cameo in the concluding montage and his connection with Bernadette. Surely something can be done while he’s ’still here’?!
- I was in the audience for the original concert and this is a different beast but no less enjoyable! Bernadette was far better here and her Losing My Mind was sensational tonight. Stage presence, vocals and acting all utterly unbelievable. And flawless at 75!
- While obviously the show is looking back at SS career, I can’t help but think we’ve seen the future with Lea Salonga. Although obviously a legend already, if she ever decides to bring her Mrs Lovett or Mama Rose to a full scale production we are in for a treat!
- A group of guys in the front row tonight were absolutely lapping it up and the whole cast were feeding off the energy making it a pleasure to see. Janie gave them a few extra winks in her impeccably performed ‘The Boy From’ and Bernie & Lea both acknowledged them during the bows. Fabulous touch!
- Bonnie really showed off her vocals in I’m Still Here - loved it!
- And Claire Burt really did nail TLWL. Haydn was the surprise MVP of the original gala, so thrilled to see Claire do the number justice once again.
- Any critiques would come in structure of Act 2. I think the principal problem is that Lea is off-stage for too long. She gets a very pleasant ‘Somewhere’ from WSS, then does her part of Broadway Baby, and isn’t seen again for well over 30 mins til Everything’s Coming Up Roses if I’m correct?!
- Consequently would have loved a Together Wherever We Go (one of the few group numbers in Gypsy), or Rose’s Turn (the ultimate 11 o’clock number) if that wouldn’t have killed Lea off doing both of those numbers eight times a week haha!
- Follies is in my top 3 Sondheim but felt its section too long. Agree with other comments that Buddy’s Blues should be dropped, and was not a lover of Gavin Lee’s HCILY. He’d already hammed it up very effectively in Everybody Ought to Have a Maid, and his Follies number felt repetitive.
- I also think that although ‘he only did the lyrics’ we could have had a longer WSS. ‘Tonight’ was fun from the younger cast, but felt very similar to ‘Waiting for the girls upstairs’. I would have cut either of those. I love his lyric ‘I have a love and it’s all that I have’ - that could have been a great number with minimal staging. Or for something more elaborate imagine how showstopping would Lea doing ‘America’ have been?!
- Ultimately this is all minor stuff. Finales of both acts left me in tears and can’t wait to return before the end of the run!
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Post by callum on Nov 7, 2023 21:01:08 GMT
Emilia Clarke?
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Post by callum on Oct 30, 2023 10:26:55 GMT
Had a ticket for this tomorrow night but fortunately managed to re-sell it. Mainly spurred on by the criticisms of unnecessary humour - seen so many plays recently where any dramatic momentum has been blunted by tired and egregious 'jokes'.
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Post by callum on Sept 4, 2023 20:45:54 GMT
I have had my tickets for this for a while. A friend wanted to join us but we've been caught by the "you cannot leave an empty seat" outrage. So if anyone is having difficulties in getting a single please pm me. It's the evening performance on Saturday 2nd December. To avoid any confusion - I haven't bought the two tickets and won't do so unless I know someone is interested in the spare. You can place the single seat you don’t want in your basket on a separate browser, then go in before the single seat expires and buy only the seats you want.
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Post by callum on Aug 12, 2023 10:46:08 GMT
Saw this last month - low-key and understated but anchored by two superb performances. One particular moment where the emotion on Mike Faist’s face was truly shattering.
Underwhelming ticket sales are a bit of a puzzle as it feels like the kind of thing that would have had done gangbusters at St Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn. Perhaps a shorter run in somewhere like the Young Vic or Almeida would have helped
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Post by callum on Aug 12, 2023 10:18:42 GMT
Also there last night but unfortunately left at the interval. Half shallow characters and half obnoxious audience triggered me to leave.
I know it’s supposed to be accessible storytelling, but found the whole thing unbearably broad, and not helped by the women behind me guffawing at every line… who knew ‘I brought muffins’ could be so side-splitting. And a weird Frank Spencer-esque voice from Fiennes.
Perhaps it picked up but don’t think my toes could face the curling that would have been prompted by a BJ cameo and a Sweet Caroline sing-a-long.
Appreciate it’s doing its job in getting non-traditional audiences into the theatre, but I know in future ‘crowd pleaser’ is a red flag for snobs like me!
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Post by callum on May 23, 2023 20:12:58 GMT
Not convinced Stiller would still be attached - he writes/produces/directs Severance which seems to take up a lot of his time as a successful show, with the time he dedicates required even more so now with the writers strike.
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Post by callum on Apr 23, 2023 17:21:41 GMT
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Post by callum on Feb 13, 2023 21:13:33 GMT
Any idea when the alternating casts will be announced? I don't want to book and find I'm lumped with Alfie Boe, Biggins and Boris That would be quite a rendition of You Gotta Get a Gimmick.
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Post by callum on Jan 30, 2023 10:56:03 GMT
How have crowds been recently? Had a great time in May with a young/diverse audience who were completely up for it - but a bit cautious about reports of subdued audiences.
Must admit that every time I go past Pudding Mill Lane on DLR around showtime it looks like huge groups out for Sandra/Tracey's 60th with bottles of Kylie Prosecco in tow...
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Post by callum on Jan 23, 2023 23:01:01 GMT
Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson & Liza Sadovy were all at Streetcar last Monday night.
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Post by callum on Dec 14, 2022 17:49:54 GMT
You mean the audience's left? Not being picky, but 'stage left' sets off my actor's mind Audience right I think they are referring to? low numbers side Yes - to the left for those on the stage, to the right for those in the audience.
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Post by callum on Dec 14, 2022 14:09:33 GMT
Had a great time in the 'very restricted view' £22.50 Row A seats last night.
For the price they are great, however they do deserve the 'very restricted' description. From A1, there are a few moments - Julian's entrance and a whole song to Achy Breaky Heart - that are completely invisible. Basically anything that happens towards the back of the stage. I'd still say they're a bargain, and proximity to the stage makes up for it but please be aware before booking!
Sitting in A1, this also follows the usual panto rule that as the villain, Alexandra always enters from this side of the stage, and Julian always enters from the other side. Without spoiling anything, I would also not recommend stage left to anyone afraid of loud noises!
As for the show itself, no big surprises (plenty of mileage is taken from the size of Julian's stalk as he spreads his seed over the front row) except for how eye-popping the special effects are!
Dawn works a lot better as Jack's mother than she did as the villain, though some of her jokes about her 'sons' would make Julian blush!
Alexandra pure C.A.M.P and Paul/Nigel/Gary play their usual parts with lots of energy and humour.
If you've seen a Palladium Panto before I wouldn't say splash out mega money, but it's always a great festive night out for the right price
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Post by callum on Sept 17, 2022 19:55:29 GMT
Saw this last night… booked a Row B (as another poster mentioned, actually front row for this production) seat, only for Box Office to email me the next day about being in the splash zone and giving me Row J aisle stalls seat as a free upgrade - result! Think they must have been house seats as Samira Ahmed was sat a few seats along.
Enjoyed the play a lot and a solid four star production. Did not perhaps feel as moved as I should have done, but enjoyed all of the performances and Miller’s superb writing shone through.
I do however have to mention the audience… firstly lots of inappropriate laughter at mentions of Satan, Lucifer, witchcraft etc and secondly lots of popping of cans and rattling of ice cubes. If Imelda was there her head would have exploded! Wish NT bar would stop selling cans (or pour them out for customers) as they were going off right throughout the show and at pivotal moments! I am strongly considering getting a hard of hearing headset next time to try and block all of this out!
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Post by callum on Jul 3, 2022 12:58:32 GMT
Day-seated this yesterday (fifth in the queue about 7:50, and I think everyone in line by the time BO opened got tickets) and nothing more to add than this is completely outstanding theatre and the most exhilarating performance you will ever see on stage.
From the front row I can also say that the stage floor is definitely real grass with actual insects crawling through it! And that Davey actually does record the Morris dancing on his iPhone, with a picture of a topless woman as his background!
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Post by callum on Jun 18, 2022 22:45:50 GMT
She should have done Streetcar.
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Post by callum on May 26, 2022 22:51:38 GMT
Does anyone know roughly the time it takes to get from the Elizabeth line platform to the Jubilee platform at Canary Wharf? Can't seem to find out online. Going to the O2 next week and my initial excitement about cutting out a bunch of faff getting there from Paddington has died down now I realise it probably isn't going to make much difference what with changing. You have to leave the station, turn right and walk straight through Jubilee Place shopping centre. I’d say maybe 6 minutes or so platform to platform.
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Post by callum on May 26, 2022 9:08:50 GMT
Also - intrigued to see whether the no phone rule will continue. It's a cliche to say but enjoyed it so much more than other concerts I've been to where everyone has phones.
A lot of photos/videos wouldn't properly be able to capture the illusion - the marketing for this has been tip-top and very controlled so I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to limit as much as they could.
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