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Post by solangelafitte on Jun 7, 2023 12:54:44 GMT
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Post by A.Ham on Jun 7, 2023 13:00:56 GMT
If anyone's doing stage door, please could they ask Danny if he's doing Sunset in September?
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Post by jr on Jun 7, 2023 15:35:20 GMT
It does look good! Going on Friday.
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 7, 2023 15:48:32 GMT
If anyone's doing stage door, please could they ask Danny if he's doing Sunset in September? I was about to say 'but he's the same age as Nicole!' but apparently he's 35! I mean, I don't see it, but someone can ask
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jun 7, 2023 15:59:47 GMT
He wouldn't say even if he was until its not embargoed.
I'd be surprised if they go for him though
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Post by A.Ham on Jun 7, 2023 16:13:34 GMT
He wouldn't say even if he was until its not embargoed. I'd be surprised if they go for him though Yes. I know he’d be unlikely to let anything slip but you can gauge a lot by the reaction to the question!
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Post by Jay on Jun 7, 2023 16:17:10 GMT
Seeing this tomorrow and couldn’t be more excited. It’s always been my favourite Sondheim show.
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 7, 2023 19:06:27 GMT
(Sorry if I've missed this) has the running time been announced? I am seeing it Saturday week and need to book a train there and back- assuming of course that there's no friggin' train strikes!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 7, 2023 19:43:16 GMT
If anyone's doing stage door, please could they ask Danny if he's doing Sunset in September? Dream on
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Post by solangelafitte on Jun 7, 2023 20:08:08 GMT
(Sorry if I've missed this) has the running time been announced? I am seeing it Saturday week and need to book a train there and back- assuming of course that there's no friggin' train strikes! sophie92 said first show FOH said it would be 1hr 50 and it was pretty much bang on that. Website is back to listing 1hr 45 but I'd go with the 1hr 50 just be be safe.
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 7, 2023 20:31:56 GMT
Does anyone know if they're selling any merchandise? And if so, what?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 7, 2023 20:32:53 GMT
Does anyone know if they're selling any merchandise? And if so, what? Hot dogs and burgers!
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 7, 2023 20:40:23 GMT
Does anyone know if they're selling any merchandise? And if so, what? Hot dogs and burgers! Is that it? No posters, magnets, keyrings- that kind of stuff?
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jun 7, 2023 20:46:34 GMT
Chichester rarely does merch so I'd be surprised, especially for such a short run.
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Post by stevemar on Jun 8, 2023 6:12:56 GMT
(Sorry if I've missed this) has the running time been announced? I am seeing it Saturday week and need to book a train there and back- assuming of course that there's no friggin' train strikes! On Tuesday, it started after 730pm, and ended 925pm. It might tighten up slightly.
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Post by garethg on Jun 8, 2023 9:20:37 GMT
Saw it last night. 1hr 50. I've only seen this show in studio theatres before, and wondered if it would work in a large venue like this but it does. Large and talented cast and brilliant design which actually make this large theatre seem more intimate. A couple of duff performances but many really good ones. I nearly always leave Sondheim musicals feeling that the book doesn't quite work and felt this again last night. It's takes a great director to really make these shows fly. Audience reaction was great. A hit for Chichester I think.
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Post by theatremiss on Jun 8, 2023 15:12:30 GMT
Just about to make the 1hr 50min drive to Chichester to see it tonight. Not going to lie I’m knackered before even getting there
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Post by highonahill on Jun 8, 2023 21:40:15 GMT
Just about to make the 1hr 50min drive to Chichester to see it tonight. Not going to lie I’m knackered before even getting there Lol, that's how I feel every time I come up to London from Chichester! Luckily I'm only a 10 min drive from CFT. Hope you had a good visit.
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Post by theatremiss on Jun 8, 2023 22:16:08 GMT
Just about to make the 1hr 50min drive to Chichester to see it tonight. Not going to lie I’m knackered before even getting there Lol, that's how I feel every time I come up to London from Chichester! Luckily I'm only a 10 min drive from CFT. Hope you had a good visit. Really enjoyed this. I’d love it to transfer but not sure there would be a theatre to take it. My husband really liked it too - and he’s not a Sondheim fan - I don’t know how we can be married lol. The set made it easy to follow as I was worried he’d get a bit lost with what’s going on, but he didn’t.
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Post by bram on Jun 9, 2023 7:22:17 GMT
Excellent production. Beautifully sung and acted. Would have preferred one balladeer. Loved the set.
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Post by theatremiss on Jun 9, 2023 15:31:37 GMT
Excellent production. Beautifully sung and acted. Would have preferred one balladeer. Loved the set. I thought the set and staging was very good. They were whipping up the audience before the start which gave it a certain feel
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Post by alece10 on Jun 9, 2023 16:27:03 GMT
Excellent production. Beautifully sung and acted. Would have preferred one balladeer. Loved the set. I thought the set and staging was very good. They were whipping up the audience before the start which gave it a certain feel How do you whip up the average Chichester audience? Or do you mean "wake up"? 😀
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Post by highonahill on Jun 9, 2023 18:21:10 GMT
I thought the set and staging was very good. They were whipping up the audience before the start which gave it a certain feel How do you whip up the average Chichester audience? Or do you mean "wake up"? 😀 Oof 🤣
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Post by jr on Jun 9, 2023 21:07:47 GMT
On the train back to London and thinking about the show I've just seen. I think the update is a good idea: a live feed of a presidential debate/rally with three commentators, Fox News style. Two screens on each side and the Oval office in the background.
Unfortunately, I don't think the execution works. I found it really slow and plain. The musical numbers are generally fine but the spoken parts are very dull, lacking tension. Where the Jamie Lloyd was sharp amd scary, this plays more like a comedy and I don't think it is the right tone. A lot of times feels like a concert version, with the actors spread over the stage and static. The acting is very uneven, I found one actor particularly bad and he has a lot of lines and a long monologue. The ending was quite abrupt.
The band sounds really good and it's not a bad production; if you like Sondheim and haven't seen it before I think it is worthy. But I am disappointed, I was expecting more.
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Post by emsworthian on Jun 10, 2023 9:11:21 GMT
An absolutely scathing review from the local paper has just gone online. From the sound of it the critic was not familiar with the musical and found the whole concept offensive.
I'm going this afternoon. Looking forward to it.
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Post by karloscar on Jun 10, 2023 12:51:11 GMT
Either the critic from the Sussex Express is incredibly dim and completely failed to understand what Sondheim and Weidman were trying to do, or this production is less clear than any poor student production of Assassins ever staged in the last 30 years.
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Post by jr on Jun 10, 2023 12:56:01 GMT
Either the critic from the Sussex Express is incredibly dim and completely failed to understand what Sondheim and Weidman were trying to do, or this production is less clear than any poor student production of Assassins ever staged in the last 30 years. I have just read the review. I think the critic is 50/50 right/wrong. I like the show and my biggest criticism of this production is of the tone they have chosen. If I wasn't familiar with Assassins, I might think along the same lines. www.sussexexpress.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/review-assassins-in-chichester-a-ghastly-misjudgement-4177612
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Post by nottobe on Jun 10, 2023 17:36:12 GMT
Just headed home after seeing this sitting in the train delays I'm sure lots of the other matinee attendees are in. I have never see Assassins before but have always liked the cast recording and was excited to finally see it.
I have to say I found this to be a very exciting production. As soon as you are at the theatre you feel like you are at a presidential rally and I really liked the pre show atmosphere and the world they wanted to create throughout.
If I am honest, I think this is a top notch production of a patchy musical. Sondheim's music and lyrics are the best thing and staged very well here. Every number is directed very cleverly and packed a real punch. I especially loved when the whole ensemble were used. For me the weakest thing is the book, it loses momentum and often goes on for a bit too long. But this show still packs a punch, especially when JFK is shot.
All liked a lot of the performances but if I am honest the singing of some of the women was a bit screechy and hard to make out the lyrics. For me Danny Mac and Peter Forbes were particular stand outs.
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Post by capybara on Jun 10, 2023 18:29:31 GMT
As a Sondheim fan, I have to say I had really been looking forward to Assassins this afternoon. However, I didn’t really connect with this piece.
There were some good moments, namely the score which showcased Sondheim’s genius in places. But, overall, this show drags at one hour 45m with no interval for me.
Some of the dialogue was pretty inane (I expect to be attacked for being too stupid to understand “challenging” theatre, of course!) and it just wasn’t really for me. I didn’t really like to set up/premise of how this piece was staged.
On the plus side, I thought the opening was strong and the use of the video screens was relatively effective. I wanted to love it but just couldn’t help but come away frustrated and disappointed.
However, it did receive a standing ovation and I’m sure it will appeal to many on here and beyond. A low three stars for me, due to the score - but more frustrating and irritating than genuinely interesting.
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 10, 2023 21:54:00 GMT
As a Sondheim fanatic I went in expecting to adore this and came away thinking it was...fine? It's definitely one of my least favourite shows of his which might be why.
The concept as it was does work I think, but I think there were some pacing issues that really didn't help the long run time - 1 hr 45 is a long time with no interval if it's not pacy - I was certainly willing it to hurry up in places.
This was the first time I discovered Danny Mac could act actually, which I rather enjoyed - his leading man capabilities really have increased in my opinion with this. Lots of people to highlight in a fabulously strong cast (Carly Mercedes Dyer and Amy Booth Steel were hilarious - particularly Amy) but I found Nick Holder as Samuel Buck actually to be the most commanding performance of the whole thing.
It's a strong 3 stars for me, but something was just off that I can't quite put my finger on.
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