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Post by BVM on Sept 6, 2023 8:53:12 GMT
I think it's a bit early to call it Marmite - classically a 50/50 love/hate split with very few in the middle.
So far:
12 4/5 star votes - 63% of voters 2 1/2 star votes - 11% And 5 in the middle on 3 stars - 26%
Guess it is a pattern seen on this board over and over. First couple of previews get raves. Then those that didn't like it come in. So it'll be interesting to see where this one "settles."
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Post by anthony40 on Sept 6, 2023 8:56:17 GMT
(Anthony were you wearing a green shirt? I was going to say hello but was on the opposite side) Yes, jam0r, that was me in the green shirt.
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Post by alece10 on Sept 6, 2023 19:21:25 GMT
Someone posted on Twitter saying there needs to be a cast recording and the show replied "watch this space".
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Sept 6, 2023 21:17:18 GMT
Someone posted on Twitter saying there needs to be a cast recording and the show replied "watch this space". three numbers are already on spotify.
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Post by Steve on Sept 6, 2023 23:13:38 GMT
I saw the first preview of this, sitting one row behind Henry Fraser's family, with Henry Fraser on the right, his wheelchair occupying the space of my original seat. The family and Fraser himself evidently enjoyed all the irreverent humour of the production, laughing alot. As to the rest, I could never be sure, but they clearly loved it overall. I voted 4 stars myself as I feel this is a rousing, entertaining, thoughtful and meaningful show, with my reservation being that it short-changes us on how inspirational Henry, his family and friends actually are. Some spoilers follow. . . Reading the book on which the show is based, it struck me that the "Little Big Things" of the title are threefold: (1) A little thing like diving into the sea can result in a big thing such as your whole life changing. I was not familiar with "undulating" undersea surfaces, and, like Henry, would not have expected the deepness gradient as you run into the sea to suddenly become shallow. This could easily have happened to me, and this show captures this random sense of human fragility as well as how different Henry must become after his accident from who he was before. Jonny Amies is marvellous as Henry before the accident, the shy, sporty innocent, and as his more knowing compassionate future, Ed Larkin is almost as good. For me, this dialogue of two Henrys (similar to Sondheim's Follies, in which young and old interact) is the heart of the show, it works brilliantly, and it echoes the transformation described in the original book; (2) To surmount seemingly insurmountable obstacles, doing one little thing after another can lead to achieving apparently impossible big things. As in Laozi's philosophy, "a journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step." I felt that the show dilutes Fraser's herculean achievements, in this aspect. One of the songs in the show is "Miles and Miles," and is one of the best, but in no way does this show reflect all the single steps that Fraser took to achieve the metaphorical miles he travels. For instance, on stage, the paraplegic Ed Larkin, playing post-accident Henry, bombs around the stage in a wheelchair using his hands. But one of the great focuses of the book is how, as a tetraplegic, without use of his hands, absolutely nobody ever thought the real Henry would get in a wheelchair without a head brace, but how, using his shoulder muscles, a special chair, and his rugby-related exercise discipline, he achieved what nobody with his level of injuries at Stoke-Mandeville Hospital had ever achieved before. Further, in the show, a heroic doctor called Dr Graham and a physiotherapist called Agnes inspire a doubting Henry back to life, but in Henry Fraser's book, the hospital and physios are so focused on expectation management, believing Fraser will be 18 months in hospital and unable ever to lift his own head, believing Henry's ambitious goals will damage him psychologically, that Henry and his family must seek outside help to achieve what the medical establishment thought was impossible. So, when Fraser says in his book that it felt like travelling "miles and miles" to get from that hospital bed to the outside, the real journey of Henry is more awe-inspiring than the show suggests. (3) To feel motivation in unexpected and dire circumstances, the little acts of love of family and friends and teachers and acquaintances amount to one great big inspiration to motivation. This aspect of the love of family and friends, written about by Fraser in his book, is badly diluted by the show, which sexes up the drama of the plot by conjuring up internecine family battles that are an anathema to anything in Fraser's book. In the show, Linzi Hately's mother frequently comes off badly, tossing out bitter accusations and doubts and whatnot, but in the book, her (less dramatic but more inspirational) stiff upper lipped restraint over her own emotions is paramount to her directing a million hospital visitors her son's way, while friends insure she never needs to cook a meal, by cooking for the family, so that the family members can instead give all their time to Henry. And all these countless visitors must travel 50 miles to Stoke Mandeville just to visit Henry, which they did, day in and day out. The way these community members come together in Fraser's book is much more "Come From Away" inspirational than the dramatised doubts of the family members depicted in the show, whereby they turn on each other. That said, the anthemic and rousing style of the songs in this musical, whereby one voice builds to multiple choral voices, does quite wonderfully reflect the way Fraser's whole community of people come together. Anyway, Malinda Parris sings with glorious positivity and belt as Dr Graham, Amy Trigg is hilarious as the dominatrix physio, and while these characters are obviously embellished composites, I have to admit they are great fun to watch. In the end, any telling of Henry Fraser's story, even one with a dramatically sexed up dossier (the character of potential love interest, Katie, seems to be conjured wholecloth out of nowhere), is an important and meaningful story, and this telling is entertaining, in both it's truths and it's made up dramatic bits, and the anthemic music (I could hear echoes of U2 in some numbers lol) makes it all that bit more emotional and fun. But, having read the book, Henry Fraser and his family and friends remain more of an inspiration to me than this benign,fun, rousing musical gets to grips with. 4 stars from me.
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Post by alece10 on Sept 7, 2023 5:16:25 GMT
Great review Steve. Looks like I was sitting directly opposite you on the night. I have not read the book so it was interesting to hear your comparisons. I agree with your point about actor Henry using the wheelchair on stage. Guess there was some artistic licence there and I can kind of see why they went that way.
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Post by BVM on Sept 7, 2023 10:15:49 GMT
Well it was nice to finally see the inside of Soho Place... My friend and I merely hated the show, while my other half hated it with a passion. Act 1 was watchable enough to make us stick around, but Act 2 was like Chinese water torture. The cast ranged from fantastic to average and some of the directorial decisions were frankly mind-blowing. The staging and lighting were ok, but none of the music stood out for me. It is clearly a 'for the masses' show and I have very little doubt it'll probably find a large doting audience, but it really should not be mentioned in the same breath as the rather good DEH or absolutely phenomenal CFA as it is not even a close to either of them on any level. 1/5 LOL, so, errr, a bit like Come From Away then?! (FWIW I found the staging as good as Come From Away, the lighting better and the music much better! But then melody is of course subjective!)
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Post by BVM on Sept 7, 2023 10:42:43 GMT
So I saw this on Monday night, thanks entirely to the 15 quid offer posted on here. Was a show that was vaguely on my radar as I am such a fan of Linzi Hately and also was keen to see how Soho Place got on with a musical (having only seen Brokeback Mountain there which I loved). The two songs that had been released I did find slightly generic though and I confess I didn't actually have a clue what the show was about until the day I went. Anyway, sometimes in musical theatre everything aligns and you have a wonderful evening. This was one of those occasions. I loved the story - I've read quite a bit about Henry since Monday and it seems, within the confines of a musical, to be pretty realistic. Though I very much acknowledge Steve points above that there may have been some inconsistencies. It really pulled on my heartstrings and I found myself tearing up several times. Which is actually not that common for me! But this guy's story, his determination and what he achieved was phenomenal. I think it helps sometimes when the characters are so relatable. I very much went to school with people like him and my mates had Mums like Linzi. This can be very powerful (and I am in the dry eyed camp at Evan Hansen and Come From Away - I just mention these as this show seems to have been compared to them). I am totally driven by music usually so it's very unusual for me to come out raving about a story! The music was great though and served the piece well. On the downside there was nothing I could hum the next day! But I absolutely have the urge to dive into the CD when released which I guess is what you want from hearing a musical for the first time. (My only reservation on the music was that I'd like to have had a few more bangers - but then I find myself saying this all the time!). Sound was stunning and band sounded amazing. No mean feat in the round in a second preview. Cast were awesome, not a weak link. Linzi was glorious (though I confess I do fanboy here and when she stood literally next to my seat on first circle in last song I nearly died). Staging was fantastic - I am not a massive fan of in the round usually but for once it really worked. Also helped having the space for the wheelchair users to move around and come in and out on ramps from all 4 corners. Set was simple but effective. Lighting was stunning I thought. Very warm. Very colourful. Totally in keeping with the feel of the piece. And I loved the floor which I assume was made up of LEDs and the colours shapes and patterns that kept moving and evolving over it. Gorgeous. I was sat in the first circle and think the view is probs best from here for this reason. I do wonder what the audience will end up becoming for this. It is a very simple and easy emotional heartstrings show (the opposite of Next To Normal which I saw the next day which is complex and emotional) and I do wonder if due to that there will be a fangirl invasion before long. I sat to two (very nice) girls who had seen Waitress 5 times! We had a really nice chat (and I didn't tell them about my dislike of Waitress lol). They loved it and am sure will be telling their friends. A perfect audience. No phones, no singing, no talking, no drunks. There was a bit of oooing and ahhhing from my neighbours in the second half at more emotional points but it didn't bother me. One other slight criticism - I did wonder if should have had a few moments where could have been more depressing. These people must have gone through hell and despite all the positivity they must have had some very dark times. It was emotional in an uplifting and heartwarming way but I would also happily have teared up at some gut wrenching moments. It was perhaps slightly sugar coated. But it was developed with Henry himself so I assume that's what all the team and the family wanted to portray! Anyway - new British musicals are so rare - so happy this one hit the spot. 4.5 stars (Minus one for lack of (to my taste) bangers. Interestingly I came out humming Living For The Normal from Styles and Drew Soho Cinders and Somewhere Someplace Sometime from DVO Tell Me On A Sunday. Make of this what you will).
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Post by Jon on Sept 7, 2023 12:14:55 GMT
I'm not sure if this will be the next Heathers or Six mostly because it's not that type of show, it's more akin to Come From Away
I assume that it'd be quite difficult for even an actor in a wheelchair to portray a tetraplegic hence why they decided to forgo that element.
It's interesting about the comments about Fran Fraser not coming across well in the musical compared to the book but actually I thought it was fairly realistic about how she blames herself and her family for Henry's accident.
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Post by partytentdown on Sept 7, 2023 12:28:04 GMT
Presumably the real people had sign-off of the script at the writing stage so they are happy with how they are portrayed?
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Post by BVM on Sept 7, 2023 12:37:00 GMT
Presumably the real people had sign-off of the script at the writing stage so they are happy with how they are portrayed? I’m certainly assuming this. The programme notes certainly make out it was very collaborative.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 7, 2023 13:13:58 GMT
Well it was nice to finally see the inside of Soho Place... My friend and I merely hated the show, while my other half hated it with a passion. Act 1 was watchable enough to make us stick around, but Act 2 was like Chinese water torture. The cast ranged from fantastic to average and some of the directorial decisions were frankly mind-blowing. The staging and lighting were ok, but none of the music stood out for me. It is clearly a 'for the masses' show and I have very little doubt it'll probably find a large doting audience, but it really should not be mentioned in the same breath as the rather good DEH or absolutely phenomenal CFA as it is not even a close to either of them on any level. 1/5 LOL, so, errr, a bit like Come From Away then?! (FWIW I found the staging as good as Come From Away, the lighting better and the music much better! But then melody is of course subjective!) Both those shows are indeed 'for the masses', but they are also very good which separates them in a major way from this one. I didn't like CFA the first time I saw it, but I did think it was brilliantly directed and performed and I learned to appreciate it for what it is on subsequent visits. While it had one excruciatingly toe curling moment (the pilots song) considering the subject matter it pulled it off without being cheesy or embarrassing and handled some sensitive issues with class and dignity in ways that this certainly does not. With this I spent the whole night veering between bursting into what would've been totally inappropriate laughter or trying to hide under my seat from embarrassment. I don't want to be too down on it as it's a new show, it's British and the cast all work their buns off. Maybe if they cut a good hour of absolute crap out it, made it one act straight through and turned it into something even remotely resembling reality I'd give it another look. It's a great story and a valiant effort, but for me nothing in it rings true in favour of manipulating the audience with cliches, embarrassingly bad 'fantasy' and generic music/musical theatre troupes.
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Post by anthony40 on Sept 7, 2023 13:31:32 GMT
Wow!
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 8, 2023 11:15:36 GMT
i really liked this and i was misty eyed in the final 20 minutes or so. As others have said, i think it could of got darker at points to make the emotional journey stronger but it was still a rewarding night out.
Great to see physical disabilities up front and centre.
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Post by doornumberthree on Sept 8, 2023 11:29:41 GMT
I think there is a great show in here, but there’s definitely a lot that can (and should be) changed or scrapped.
Admittedly, I didn’t realise how true to Henry’s life this was, I think it could do with 80% of the brothers songs gone/some of the acting - especially from Cleve September was incredibly amateur and took me out of it so much. The youngest brother was the strongest of the three, and I thought there was some lovely moments with him and Henry that made me cry.
It took me a good while to get into it, I feel there’s so much from act one that could be cut. It was during the doctors song that I started to enjoy it. Malinda Paris was a huge standout for me.
I feel like the lyrics need a lot of work - Linzi’s song at the beginning especially could be brilliant if it had some more work done on it.
I hated the choreography but at the same time, think the songs that incorporated BSL are so beautifully done.
I liked how they handled different aspects of disability in general, as a disabled person myself, it really felt well handled. I actually really loved Linzi’s portrayal of the mother - it all felt very real, my own mother has dealt with me being in hospital/in a wheelchair and I thought they did a great job of showing the very real emotions that come up. I just think her song needs work.
I feel like there’s some scenes needed to resolve the parents issues - just having Henry say something along the lines of “you will stay together in the future” didn’t give me enough - there was a moment at the end before they take the sheet off the painting where even a few lines of dialogue could have been added.
I think overall, it was a wonderful watch for me. I laughed, I cried (a lot)
Is it perfect? No. But did I have a great time at the theatre? Yes, and I would like to see it again. I enjoyed it far more than awful Dear Evan Hansen, which has been brought up for comparison in this thread a lot. It was much better to me than another show I loathed which was Newsies, which was one of the worst things I’ve seen all year.
I think the fact that we have such an inclusive cast and we are having disabled peoples stories told by disabled actors, in an accessible theatre (for the actors) and where disabilities aren’t being used for inspiration p0rn is a huge triumph for theatre in general. I think it’s a very special little show and I was incredibly glad to have seen it.
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Post by ShoreditchTom on Sept 8, 2023 13:01:21 GMT
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 9, 2023 10:05:33 GMT
Unfortunately this does have a lot of faults in it, some of which cannot be changed because it's a true story.
I would merge all the brothers into one, possibly two but I understand they're real people so it's not so straight forward. It's also fairly 'on the surface' with some moments of depth, particularly in Act 2, which I think needs some real looking at.
Saying that though, I cried at this in a way I don't often cry at shows - like, I tear up at things, but I don't outright sob all that often, and I SOBBED multiple times tonight.
Linzi Hateley is absolutely fantastic in this - her act 1 number a highlight and she's just such a warming presence on the stage, and I wouldn't be surprised if a supporting actress nom was announced when we come round to it next year.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not, and it's not really going to improve without a substantial overhaul of act 2 to add some depth, but I can't give it any less than 4 stars because of how it made me feel.
I hope it has a successful run, and I'll be going again.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 9, 2023 13:09:41 GMT
Well this was wonderful last night. Deeply moving and fabulously performed.
First my negatives- the music isn’t as good as I was hoping. Only one song stuck in my head and the rest were all forgettable. Linzis big song was a snooze but I guess they can’t cut it as it’s her only musical moment in the show? Didn’t like the 3 brothers at all.
I also struggled to hear what people were singing a lot of the time.
Now the positives- everything else. A fantastic lead performance from Ed Larkin- funny, powerful and very moving.
Other standouts were Gracie McGonical , Malinda Parris and Amy Trigg who landed some huge laughs.
Unlike others- this didn’t remotely remind me of Come From Away, but there are definite shades of Dear Evan Hansen in the score and the feel at times.
Amazing audience reaction, I really hope this gets the rave reviews it deserves. It’s something very special.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Sept 9, 2023 13:29:41 GMT
I feel like it’s a 3 star show. I hope it gets 3 star reviews. But who knows?
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Post by kz on Sept 9, 2023 16:20:49 GMT
Have just seen the matinee and I'm definitely in the love it camp. It packs a huge emotional punch. Well, it felt like a run of big emotional moments and I was a weepy mess by the end, as were most of the people around me. It would have been good to have more exploration of the characters of the family members and I'm not sure there were any songs that will stay with me but, in the moment, they really captured the energy and emotion they were going for. Amy Trigg was excellent and got lots of big laughs. Linzi Hateley was a bit underused but great to see her on stage on any capacity. Finally, it was wonderful to see such a diverse audience.
I'm off to see Next to Normal this evening. Could possibly be one of the most emotional days of theatre I've ever had!
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Post by westendfan1 on Sept 10, 2023 10:39:14 GMT
Rather random question for anyone who's seen the show - what was the third item on a plinth before the show started, other than the boat and the rugby ball? I didn't notice at the time, and I can't make it out from the photo I took.
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Post by Mark on Sept 10, 2023 10:42:58 GMT
Rather random question for anyone who's seen the show - what was the third item on a plinth before the show started, other than the boat and the rugby ball? I didn't notice at the time, and I can't make it out from the photo I took. Passport
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Post by ShoreditchTom on Sept 10, 2023 11:14:31 GMT
Andy likes it
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 10, 2023 11:15:24 GMT
He was sat just across from me on Friday - one of the first to stand at the end.
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Post by Mark on Sept 10, 2023 11:18:33 GMT
He's always been a big supporter of new musicals, glad to see that he enjoyed it.
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Post by anthony40 on Sept 10, 2023 11:26:12 GMT
You know, despite the fact that I was at Next To Normal last night, to get to Tottenham Court Road I have to walk right past The Little Big Things. The show had ended and there were audience members waiting at the stage door. I saw Linzi Hatelely talking to a small group of people.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 10, 2023 11:42:58 GMT
Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, the defense rests...
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Post by westendfan1 on Sept 10, 2023 11:45:26 GMT
Rather random question for anyone who's seen the show - what was the third item on a plinth before the show started, other than the boat and the rugby ball? I didn't notice at the time, and I can't make it out from the photo I took. Passport Thank you! That makes sense.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 10, 2023 12:07:24 GMT
but there are definite shades of Dear Evan Hansen in the score and the feel at times. It actually felt more like Jamie to me than DEH. With the physio and doctor filling in for the 'always 'avin a larf' Mothers friend and the drag queen. I didn't get any DEH from it at all.
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Post by robertb213 on Sept 10, 2023 12:34:54 GMT
Musically it sounds similar to DEH but not in any other sense.
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