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Post by max on Apr 14, 2024 11:53:41 GMT
I saw it a third time this evening in the second row of the stalls. I saw the first preview in the Grand Circle (2.5 stars) and the first show after press night in the Dress Circle (3 stars). I really loved it this time! ... 4.5 stars! Is this the theatrical equivalent of Stockholm syndrome? If you watch it enough, you come to empathise with it. We need a name for it! Given that 'Mamma Mia' is one of the biggest hits of all time, I think it's fine to stick with 'Stockholm syndrome' as the name for this condition.
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Post by fiyero on Apr 15, 2024 11:27:28 GMT
There were offers around e.g at theatremonkey.com prior to the closing announcement. I imagine they have pulled them so that bookers for late in the run aren't tempted to take the refund and book at a cheaper rate. I'm sure they will be back before the end of the run. 24 Hour offer on Today tix. Just got rear circle for £25 instead of £55 for a Saturday night
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Post by bigredapple on Apr 15, 2024 18:51:59 GMT
Most of the auditorium is under £55 on TodayTix for the remainder of the run.
It’s a limited time offer, but still pretty telling of how bad this is selling
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Post by fiyero on Apr 15, 2024 20:22:20 GMT
There were offers around e.g at theatremonkey.com prior to the closing announcement. I imagine they have pulled them so that bookers for late in the run aren't tempted to take the refund and book at a cheaper rate. I'm sure they will be back before the end of the run. 24 Hour offer on Today tix. Just got rear circle for £25 instead of £55 for a Saturday night I really should have checked trains were running before booking. I hope this is worth the rail replacement bus!!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 15, 2024 20:41:34 GMT
24 Hour offer on Today tix. Just got rear circle for £25 instead of £55 for a Saturday night I really should have checked trains were running before booking. I hope this is worth the rail replacement bus!! Awkward….
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Post by Rory on Apr 16, 2024 9:30:37 GMT
Any word on what the replacement show is going to be?
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Post by musicbox on Apr 16, 2024 23:04:21 GMT
I decided I wanted to check out what the fuss was about with this show and got a day seat on TodayTix in the front stalls at around 2pm today, I was quite shocked that they were so readily available...
...But as others have stated continuously at this point, I can see why now, as it's one of the worst shows I've ever seen. I'm quite an open minded person, not easily swayed by other reviews or opinions and I've really liked loads of productions that are otherwise universally panned, so I really wanted to like this, but it was just bad on so many levels.
I won't repeat what has been said by so many others, but my main thinking when I was leaving the theatre was "What was that?". After 140 minutes of watching I'm still not 100% sure what the show is actually about and I can't remember a single song.
I just found it be very boring, joyless and dull - who felt it was a good idea to base an entire show around an actress not liking her character? I really like Sheridan, but I started to really dislike her victim playing character in the second act, constantly moaning about the same thing over and over, instead of just getting on with it. I think we all know it's pretty common for an actor to not love their character, but are doing it because it's a great career opportunity - that's why it's called acting.
I also felt that the filmed aspect fell really flat - In Sunset it was innovative and added to the story, in this show it felt tacked on and a poor attempt to replicate another really successful show. The parts where the film suddenly faded into a still image for a few minutes also felt really clunky and at one point in the first act I had to hold in a laugh because Sheridan was making a really bizarre face in it - but it was probably a show highlight for me.
Overall I'm really not surprised this is closing early - the theatre was half full tonight and only a handful of people stood during the bows. Maybe I'm looking into it too much, but I sensed an expression of sadness from Sheridan at the total lack of enthusiasm, despite the cast's best efforts. I seriously doubt this will dent her career in any way though - she's brilliant and will probably have another big success within the year, either on stage or TV.
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Post by greatauntedna on Apr 17, 2024 0:05:18 GMT
I think we all know it's pretty common for an actor to not love their character, but are doing it because it's a great career opportunity - that's why it's called acting. Well she’s having a mental breakdown, she doesn’t just not love her character.
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Post by musicbox on Apr 17, 2024 8:38:39 GMT
I think we all know it's pretty common for an actor to not love their character, but are doing it because it's a great career opportunity - that's why it's called acting. Well she’s having a mental breakdown, she doesn’t just not love her character. I didn’t feel that this was effectively communicated in the writing though - her despair came as across as shallow and the reasoning being that she didn’t want to look old to the audience is so deeply misogynistic.
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Post by Oleanna on Apr 17, 2024 11:58:36 GMT
Well she’s having a mental breakdown, she doesn’t just not love her character. I didn’t feel that this was effectively communicated in the writing though - her despair came as across as shallow and the reasoning being that she didn’t want to look old to the audience is so deeply misogynistic. I was there last night, and it was clear that the character is having a breakdown, through a combination of midlife crises, alcoholism, and trauma related to the death of Nancy.
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Post by mattnyc on Apr 17, 2024 12:38:52 GMT
The one thing I just could not wrap my head around and what I kept wanting to shout out was “Why did you take the role, then?!” if she hated it so much.
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Post by greatauntedna on Apr 17, 2024 12:53:48 GMT
The one thing I just could not wrap my head around and what I kept wanting to shout out was “Why did you take the role, then?!” if she hated it so much. Well one example, how did Catherine Tate end up in The Enfield Haunting?
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 17, 2024 12:54:23 GMT
The one thing I just could not wrap my head around and what I kept wanting to shout out was “Why did you take the role, then?!” if she hated it so much. Well one example, how did Catherine Tate end up in The Enfield Haunting? The answer to that (and probably the answer to this question too) was £££
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Post by Oleanna on Apr 17, 2024 13:33:24 GMT
The one thing I just could not wrap my head around and what I kept wanting to shout out was “Why did you take the role, then?!” if she hated it so much. To try and save her dwindling career, and because the issues she has with the role unfold concurrently with her own personal issues. I would argue that Myrtle doesn’t start seriously reflecting on her age until she has to grapple with Virginia’s.
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Post by Oleanna on Apr 17, 2024 13:41:23 GMT
Finally saw this last night and loved it. Yes it’s messy, yes it’s chaotic, but it’s vibrant, full of energy, and a welcome addition to the commercial West End.
The adjustments required to make this show fire on all cylinders are, I think, not huge, and probably another workshop away.
But how refreshing to see a musical for adults, a musical for people who think, outwith of the current fashion of shows about teenagers with superficial problems.
How refreshing, too, to hear a sound world quite different from anything else on at the moment. No generic pop/rock here. The music keeps you guessing, keeps your ear and brain challenged, and is orchestrated in a wacky and wonderful way.
I think the idea that from the start that “The Second Woman” is thought of as a “bad play” muddies the waters. It’s not a bad play, it’s just proving difficult and impenetrable for some of the people involved.
Similarly, the slight re-setting to New York changed the stakes slightly, but I can see why they did it.
Production-wise it was exactly what I expected from Van Hove. Certainly one of his more engaging productions. I didn’t think the documentary crew addition was really necessary, but it didn’t bother me either.
I found the sound design problematic. The balance between the band and the cast was a frequent issue, with lyrics getting buried.
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Post by musicbox on Apr 17, 2024 16:42:48 GMT
I didn’t feel that this was effectively communicated in the writing though - her despair came as across as shallow and the reasoning being that she didn’t want to look old to the audience is so deeply misogynistic. I was there last night, and it was clear that the character is having a breakdown, through a combination of midlife crises, alcoholism, and trauma related to the death of Nancy. Sorry, but I disagree. In fact I found the staging and writing so unclear that I wasn't even sure which parts were supposed to be a rehearsal and the actual show. I'm still unsure if the final scene was supposed to be a successful show performance or a final rehearsal to be honest.
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Post by Oleanna on Apr 17, 2024 18:09:43 GMT
I was there last night, and it was clear that the character is having a breakdown, through a combination of midlife crises, alcoholism, and trauma related to the death of Nancy. Sorry, but I disagree. In fact I found the staging and writing so unclear that I wasn't even sure which parts were supposed to be a rehearsal and the actual show. I'm still unsure if the final scene was supposed to be a successful show performance or a final rehearsal to be honest. That’s completely fair! A friend who saw it raised similar points.
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Post by Steve on Apr 17, 2024 19:43:14 GMT
Well she’s having a mental breakdown, she doesn’t just not love her character. I didn’t feel that this was effectively communicated in the writing though - her despair came as across as shallow and the reasoning being that she didn’t want to look old to the audience is so deeply misogynistic. Vis-a-vis her breakdown, I'd say that it goes like this:- Spoilers follow. . . The dead girl's name appears across Myrtle's dressing room mirror. We can infer she wrote it. She hasn't yet broken down but we can infer that that's a bit weird, and it could be heading that way. Later, the dead girl herself appears to Myrtle as she's looking in the mirror. She sings "I Forgive You" to Myrtle, nose to nose, hugging and cuddling and stroking Myrtle. Now we know it's a nervous breakdown. Noone else sees the dead girl, ever, in the course of the play. To hammer the point home, in the next scene, Myrtle starts SINGING to her Ex-husband to "Meet me at the Start" of our relationship, and start again. Nicola Hughes's writer says "WHY'S SHE SINGING?" The Director and Stage Hand discuss calling a Doctor. Now they all know she's lost it. Now the furious and despairing Nicola Hughes's writer sings about how "Life is Thin," and how you can totally lose it in one moment. It's one of the most powerful songs in the show, really unbelievably, incredibly powerful, like Shirley Bassey at her best.
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Post by Rory on Apr 17, 2024 21:56:40 GMT
Saw it tonight and absolutely loved it. So glad I caught it before it closes next month. It is a travesty that this is closing early, especially as the filler which is replacing it is so uninspiring.
The audience tonight was very full and it got a very good reception. I thought the music was great and not a weak link in the talented cast. Sheridan was terrific. Yes, it's bonkers in places but I was thoroughly entertained throughout.
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Post by bonnotonno on Apr 17, 2024 23:25:25 GMT
I also saw it tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the use of cameras and the music. I will try to return before it closes.
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Post by unseaworthy on Apr 17, 2024 23:32:26 GMT
I spoke to Sheridan at stage door tonight - she said Rufus was recording the music himself as a solo album
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Post by mkb on Apr 17, 2024 23:43:06 GMT
I didn’t feel that this was effectively communicated in the writing though - her despair came as across as shallow and the reasoning being that she didn’t want to look old to the audience is so deeply misogynistic. Vis-a-vis her breakdown, I'd say that it goes like this:- Spoilers follow. . . The dead girl's name appears across Myrtle's dressing room mirror. We can infer she wrote it. She hasn't yet broken down but we can infer that that's a bit weird, and it could be heading that way. Later, the dead girl herself appears to Myrtle as she's looking in the mirror. She sings "I Forgive You" to Myrtle, nose to nose, hugging and cuddling and stroking Myrtle. Now we know it's a nervous breakdown. Noone else sees the dead girl, ever, in the course of the play. To hammer the point home, in the next scene, Myrtle starts SINGING to her Ex-husband to "Meet me at the Start" of our relationship, and start again. Nicola Hughes's writer says "WHY'S SHE SINGING?" The Director and Stage Hand discuss calling a Doctor. Now they all know she's lost it. Now the furious and despairing Nicola Hughes's writer sings about how "Life is Thin," and how you can totally lose it in one moment. It's one of the most powerful songs in the show, really unbelievably, incredibly powerful, like Shirley Bassey at her best. I think most of that points to the audience being allowed access to Myrtle's thoughts -- her insecurities and anxieties -- rather than being evidence of an actual mental breakdown, which would typically involve panic attacks, inability to function or other dysfunctional behaviour, rather than singing to a dead person.
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Post by peopleplaces on Apr 18, 2024 4:08:03 GMT
involve panic attacks, inability to function or other dysfunctional behaviour, rather than singing to a dead person. Didn’t she do all of the above in Act 1? She walks of stage unable to do the scene, has a panic attack when she is hit, stops rehearsals, goes on stage drunk, completely gives up on her character mid performance. Your critique seems to be exactly what happened in the show?!
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Apr 18, 2024 5:37:17 GMT
Saw it tonight and absolutely loved it. So glad I caught it before it closes next month. It is a travesty that this is closing early, especially as the filler which is replacing it is so uninspiring.Have I missed something, what's the filler?
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Post by Rory on Apr 18, 2024 6:37:16 GMT
Saw it tonight and absolutely loved it. So glad I caught it before it closes next month. It is a travesty that this is closing early, especially as the filler which is replacing it is so uninspiring.Have I missed something, what's the filler? To be announced next week apparently but don't get your hopes up!
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 18, 2024 6:55:31 GMT
Have I missed something, what's the filler? To be announced next week apparently but don't get your hopes up! But nothing to do with this mornings state of the nation address from Cam Mack?
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Post by luvvie23 on Apr 18, 2024 8:13:34 GMT
Saw this on Monday! I thought the filming was incredible. Very cinematic. After reading the reviews and seeing the posts on here I have to say I was dreading it. But there were interesting moments. Sheridan is a fantastic actress. But it just didn’t land at all. It was like 5 different genres of music. Also the last scene dragged. But I didn’t hate it. I just left feeling disappointed. So many fab shows waiting in the wings. What’s new pussycat being one. But the producers saying this show was a risk is a bit of a cheek. How? Mainstream leading lady, Prolific director, genius song writer, dynamite cast….. The risk was not doing an out of town tryout.
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Post by Steve on Apr 18, 2024 12:17:45 GMT
I think most of that points to the audience being allowed access to Myrtle's thoughts -- her insecurities and anxieties -- rather than being evidence of an actual mental breakdown, which would typically involve panic attacks, inability to function or other dysfunctional behaviour, rather than singing to a dead person. Oh, I think its pretty clear. I do agree that Myrtle has so many things wrong with her, its sometimes hard to tell them apart. So, to clarify, when the show opens, Myrtle seems perfectly functional despite a midlife crisis that causes her to whinge about her character stereotyping her as old. But then. . . Spoilers follow. . . The 19 year old fan dies and her anxiety spirals, such that:- (1) She falls on the floor in a glazed semi-comatose state, her eyes riddled with tears; (2) She writes a dead girl's name, "Nancy" across her mirror; (3) When asked to speak, she sings; (4) She starts seeing a dead girl that noone else can see; (5) She's a no-show to rehearsals because she thinks the dead girl is subbing for her; (6) She starts drinking to excess, leaving her stumbling about the streets instead of working. Now, since a "nervous breakdown" is just a non-clinical colloquial term referring to someone with extreme anxiety that causes them to be dysfunctional, I think Myrtle definitely qualifies. But Myrtle also enters diagnostic psychiatric territory as soon as the dead girl shows up, since hallucinating and talking to a dead person, and assuring everyone else that that is what you are doing, is accurately referred to as a "psychotic break." Consequently, we have a character, Myrtle, who is in a mid-life crisis, has a nervous breakdown, drinks to excess and has a psychotic break. That the show never really separates out all her problems is an inheritance from the source material, whereby none of the other characters reaches out to help her with any of her problems. Poor Myrtle.
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Post by simon on Apr 18, 2024 16:19:30 GMT
I think most of that points to the audience being allowed access to Myrtle's thoughts -- her insecurities and anxieties -- rather than being evidence of an actual mental breakdown, which would typically involve panic attacks, inability to function or other dysfunctional behaviour, rather than singing to a dead person. Oh, I think its pretty clear. I do agree that Myrtle has so many things wrong with her, its sometimes hard to tell them apart. So, to clarify, when the show opens, Myrtle seems perfectly functional despite a midlife crisis that causes her to whinge about her character stereotyping her as old. But then. . . Spoilers follow. . . The 19 year old fan dies and her anxiety spirals, such that:- (1) She falls on the floor in a glazed semi-comatose state, her eyes riddled with tears; (2) She writes a dead girl's name, "Nancy" across her mirror; (3) When asked to speak, she sings; (4) She starts seeing a dead girl that noone else can see; (5) She's a no-show to rehearsals because she thinks the dead girl is subbing for her; (6) She starts drinking to excess, leaving her stumbling about the streets instead of working. Now, since a "nervous breakdown" is just a non-clinical colloquial term referring to someone with extreme anxiety that causes them to be dysfunctional, I think Myrtle definitely qualifies. But Myrtle also enters diagnostic psychiatric territory as soon as the dead girl shows up, since hallucinating and talking to a dead person, and assuring everyone else that that is what you are doing, is accurately referred to as a "psychotic break." Consequently, we have a character, Myrtle, who is in a mid-life crisis, has a nervous breakdown, drinks to excess and has a psychotic break. That the show never really separates out all her problems is an inheritance from the source material, whereby none of the other characters reaches out to help her with any of her problems. Poor Myrtle.
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 18, 2024 21:43:02 GMT
I like the curtain call - fun that it's something a bit different 🤷🏻♂️ I found it absolutely cringe and just too out of place/tone to the rest of the show
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