455 posts
|
Post by pianowithsam on Nov 5, 2018 22:42:19 GMT
At the interval tonight my companion said “well, I can’t see this one winning any awards” 😆 I have to say though, if I hadn’t known its pedigree I’d have been surprised too. It was ok but god those kids were screechy. And really there’s only one memorable (and admittedly brilliant) song in it. Everyone worked massively hard but it didn’t really work for me. The audience was a bit lukewarm too. ⭐️⭐️.5 Is this a reflection of the show in general or this production? Seen Matilda twice in the West End and catching the tour next June. Just wondering.
|
|
18,857 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 5, 2018 22:59:30 GMT
Never saw it in the West End but apparently it’s not been downsized for the tour so you’re not going to be disappointed there although I wasn’t hugely impressed by the set or design. And there’s a lot of design going on with that set, sadly most of it does nothing. I’ve only seen the film before, haven’t read the book. I was expecting more magic and special effects. I guess the show may be more truthful to the novel and maybe the film ramped up the telekinesis stuff? The adult cast are fine, the parents in particular playing it up hugely, almost to the point of panto. Trunchbull was ok, but so much a man in a dress that it kind of distracted a bit. Is that how it’s always played? I guess my main problem was the children, evil old goat that I am 🙂. The words really were barely audible a great deal of the time. I think I actually winced in a couple of occasions. Matilda spoke the dialogue as though reading from a book.. again is this how the role is usually played? Obviously she’s supposed to be a very serious little girl and a bookworm but is that demonstrated by her speaking like she’s telling a story?
It’s probably just me. Roald Dahl isn’t my generation and I have no connection with him whatsoever. I’d left school by the time Matilda came out. Maybe I’m just not the audience for it.
|
|
806 posts
|
Post by duncan on Nov 6, 2018 8:09:31 GMT
I saw it in 2012 and the sound mix was awful then with a lot of the lyrics being drowned out by a bombastic orchestration.
As for the show itself, well I'd never read the book or seen the film and found the show to be an enjoyable if forgettable night out. It is a show that has one legendary song that carries the rest of the production to a greater height than the material deserves although it does sound like you got a dud Matilda - just listen to the original soundtrack and you should hear a marked difference in how its performed by Matilda.
|
|
4,369 posts
|
Post by Michael on Nov 6, 2018 9:22:20 GMT
And really there’s only one memorable (and admittedly brilliant) song in it. It is a show that has one legendary song Just wondering if it's the same song you two are talking about. Personally, I think there are three great (School Song, When I Grow Up and Revolting Children) and two good (Quiet, My House) songs in it.
|
|
1,910 posts
|
Post by LaLuPone on Nov 6, 2018 9:24:03 GMT
Surely Naughty is also a standout song?
|
|
4,369 posts
|
Post by Michael on Nov 6, 2018 9:30:53 GMT
Surely Naughty is also a standout song? One I can't stand - that's why I started my list with "personally"
|
|
18,857 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 6, 2018 9:45:01 GMT
And really there’s only one memorable (and admittedly brilliant) song in it. It is a show that has one legendary song Just wondering if it's the same song you two are talking about. Personally, I think there are three great (School Song, When I Grow Up and Revolting Children) and two good (Quiet, My House) songs in it. I was talking about When I Grow Up. I could actually hear the lyrics because they were singing it and not shout/screeching it. The Revolting one, the only words I could make out were Revolting and Children. The rest was lost sadly. We were in the front stalls too so could see the little angels faces clearly. I did love the bit with the chocolate cake, that was very well done. The gymnasium scene looked a bit sparse on kids, have they reduced the cast? It really needed a procession of kids jumping across the equipment but there were only three or four.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 13:17:16 GMT
Never saw it in the West End but apparently it’s not been downsized for the tour so you’re not going to be disappointed there although I wasn’t hugely impressed by the set or design. And there’s a lot of design going on with that set, sadly most of it does nothing. I’ve only seen the film before, haven’t read the book. I was expecting more magic and special effects. I guess the show may be more truthful to the novel and maybe the film ramped up the telekinesis stuff? The adult cast are fine, the parents in particular playing it up hugely, almost to the point of panto. Trunchbull was ok, but so much a man in a dress that it kind of distracted a bit. Is that how it’s always played? I guess my main problem was the children, evil old goat that I am 🙂. The words really were barely audible a great deal of the time. I think I actually winced in a couple of occasions. Matilda spoke the dialogue as though reading from a book.. again is this how the role is usually played? Obviously she’s supposed to be a very serious little girl and a bookworm but is that demonstrated by her speaking like she’s telling a story? It’s probably just me. Roald Dahl isn’t my generation and I have no connection with him whatsoever. I’d left school by the time Matilda came out. Maybe I’m just not the audience for it. Just like with Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, this is another instance here of people seeing a movie adaption of a book and expecting the movie on stage. Like CACF, Matilda the musical is an adaption of the book and I don't think its fair to compare and expect the movie on stage. Does sounds like you got the b-cast on tour. Monday night too so normally audiences are depleted in atmosphere which doesn't help. Trunchball should not be distractedly drag. Previous Trunchball's I've seen have been fierce and menacing, not to mention almost androgynous. It's a fine line but played wrong I can see how it would end up looking like a a man in drag. I've always found Matilda's to be well spoken and possibly a little 'drama school'-ed, coaching obvious etc. I think that's always the risk with kids in principal roles, Matilda is a book worm though, obsessed with stories (as they're her escape from her dull and awful home life) so for her to speak "like she's telling a story" would make sense. Sound does seem to be an ongoing issue with this show. Waiting until I see this tour until I pass full judgement, but the times I've seen it in London there has been points the kids overly enforced diction has been lost during songs, through no fault of the kids. I don't think Tim Minchin's writing helps the situation. The songs are very clever lyrically and musically, but the complexity can be incredibly difficult to understand when sang by kids with forced enunciation. Songs like The School Song is genius lyrically but unless you know the source material it gets completely lost in translation on stage.
|
|
1,011 posts
|
Post by David J on Nov 6, 2018 14:45:24 GMT
It’s not just the songs that are inaudible at times. I gave up trying to listen to the circus bits during the escapologist story
As much as I love the musical the audibility puts me off seeing this again
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 14:51:16 GMT
It’s not just the songs that are inaudible at times. I gave up trying to listen to the circus bits during the escapologist story As much as I love the musical the audibility puts me off seeing this again And then there's the first half of Miracle that sounds almost acapella the band are that quiet. There's instrumentalists credited that you never even hear during the show.
|
|
18,857 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 6, 2018 16:28:05 GMT
I think £77 for a top price seat is a bit much for a show that appears to have well documented sound issues.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Nov 6, 2018 18:13:15 GMT
I've seen this show once in London and LOATHED it! I suppose this view should be put in the unpopular opinion thread!
I too, could not hear a single word those stage school kids were saying or singing. All that screaming and stomping around! I know why I am not a fan of kids on stage!
The prices for the tour for this are outrageously high too.
|
|
455 posts
|
Post by pianowithsam on Nov 6, 2018 19:46:21 GMT
Never saw it in the West End but apparently it’s not been downsized for the tour so you’re not going to be disappointed there although I wasn’t hugely impressed by the set or design. And there’s a lot of design going on with that set, sadly most of it does nothing. I’ve only seen the film before, haven’t read the book. I was expecting more magic and special effects. I guess the show may be more truthful to the novel and maybe the film ramped up the telekinesis stuff? The adult cast are fine, the parents in particular playing it up hugely, almost to the point of panto. Trunchbull was ok, but so much a man in a dress that it kind of distracted a bit. Is that how it’s always played? I guess my main problem was the children, evil old goat that I am 🙂. The words really were barely audible a great deal of the time. I think I actually winced in a couple of occasions. Matilda spoke the dialogue as though reading from a book.. again is this how the role is usually played? Obviously she’s supposed to be a very serious little girl and a bookworm but is that demonstrated by her speaking like she’s telling a story? It’s probably just me. Roald Dahl isn’t my generation and I have no connection with him whatsoever. I’d left school by the time Matilda came out. Maybe I’m just not the audience for it. Yeah, a lot of the set doesn't do anything. Same as West End. Isn't the worst I've seen though, trust me. The movie DOES exaggerate the whole magic powers, in my opinion anyway. I personally thought the show did highlight it to their best ability but compared to the movie, it's not to the same level. Yeah, always played by a man. One of the times that I went to the West End production, Craig Els was playing trunchbull (same guy as on the tour). I liked him and thought he was excellent. The one that I saw previously was slightly better though. Wouldn't fault nevertheless. I'm a massive fan of Roald Dahl, which probably makes a difference. Loved Charlie in the West End, which contrasted with many peoples' opinions.
|
|
455 posts
|
Post by pianowithsam on Nov 6, 2018 19:47:46 GMT
Never saw it in the West End but apparently it’s not been downsized for the tour so you’re not going to be disappointed there although I wasn’t hugely impressed by the set or design. And there’s a lot of design going on with that set, sadly most of it does nothing. I’ve only seen the film before, haven’t read the book. I was expecting more magic and special effects. I guess the show may be more truthful to the novel and maybe the film ramped up the telekinesis stuff? The adult cast are fine, the parents in particular playing it up hugely, almost to the point of panto. Trunchbull was ok, but so much a man in a dress that it kind of distracted a bit. Is that how it’s always played? I guess my main problem was the children, evil old goat that I am 🙂. The words really were barely audible a great deal of the time. I think I actually winced in a couple of occasions. Matilda spoke the dialogue as though reading from a book.. again is this how the role is usually played? Obviously she’s supposed to be a very serious little girl and a bookworm but is that demonstrated by her speaking like she’s telling a story? It’s probably just me. Roald Dahl isn’t my generation and I have no connection with him whatsoever. I’d left school by the time Matilda came out. Maybe I’m just not the audience for it. Just like with Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, this is another instance here of people seeing a movie adaption of a book and expecting the movie on stage. Like CACF, Matilda the musical is an adaption of the book and I don't think its fair to compare and expect the movie on stage. Does sounds like you got the b-cast on tour. Monday night too so normally audiences are depleted in atmosphere which doesn't help. Trunchball should not be distractedly drag. Previous Trunchball's I've seen have been fierce and menacing, not to mention almost androgynous. It's a fine line but played wrong I can see how it would end up looking like a a man in drag. I've always found Matilda's to be well spoken and possibly a little 'drama school'-ed, coaching obvious etc. I think that's always the risk with kids in principal roles, Matilda is a book worm though, obsessed with stories (as they're her escape from her dull and awful home life) so for her to speak "like she's telling a story" would make sense. Sound does seem to be an ongoing issue with this show. Waiting until I see this tour until I pass full judgement, but the times I've seen it in London there has been points the kids overly enforced diction has been lost during songs, through no fault of the kids. I don't think Tim Minchin's writing helps the situation. The songs are very clever lyrically and musically, but the complexity can be incredibly difficult to understand when sang by kids with forced enunciation. Songs like The School Song is genius lyrically but unless you know the source material it gets completely lost in translation on stage. When are you seeing it?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 19:48:55 GMT
At some point yet to be determined whilst it's still in MCR - so before Nov 24th
|
|
455 posts
|
Post by pianowithsam on Nov 6, 2018 19:53:48 GMT
At some point yet to be determined whilst it's still in MCR - so before Nov 24th Oh, cool. Wanted to hear your opinion before I see it. Going in June, lol, so can expect to hear your opinion by then
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 20:02:59 GMT
At some point yet to be determined whilst it's still in MCR - so before Nov 24th Oh, cool. Wanted to hear your opinion before I see it. Going in June, lol, so can expect to hear your opinion by then Aha cool. You should just about have some feedback by then. Although alot can happen in 6 months!
|
|
455 posts
|
Post by pianowithsam on Nov 6, 2018 22:49:06 GMT
Oh, cool. Wanted to hear your opinion before I see it. Going in June, lol, so can expect to hear your opinion by then Aha cool. You should just about have some feedback by then. Although alot can happen in 6 months! Indeed, lol. Seen it West End twice and loved it so doubt I'll hate it.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2018 9:40:36 GMT
Anyone seen this from the Stalls and done a head count on how many muso's in the pit? Or Anyone got a programme for the UK run able to confirm how many musicians credited in the orchestra?
|
|
109 posts
|
Post by theatregod on Nov 20, 2018 13:42:59 GMT
...same as London.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2018 11:35:36 GMT
Was hoping for more of a number, but thanks. So, how do you solve a problem like Matilda? Caught this earlier this week and for the most part it's the London production on the road with no corners cut. With the exception of the sub-stage automation, the most notable difference is the complete redesign in the Sound department. It is a vast improvement on the WE production, crucially for Miracle which now has a bit of impact to it and it gives a new light to the orchestration. There is generally a much better speech intelligibility to the new design but it does suffer as a result of the sibilant children; 4.5-6kHz needs hacking right out or maybe some more rigorous de-essing processing per channel. Interestingly, the one song that sounded good down in London, Revolting Children, was all over the shop on this rolling edition of the show. Drums seemed to consist of pre-fade hi-hat reverb buss only and boat loads of organ but no guitar etc. Still, it's a vast improvement. Mr Wormwood drove the whole show, scenes with him onstage flew by whilst scenes without him did seem to drag a bit. I suspect we had the new Trunchball on in preparation for Craig Els' departure, who was ok but not a patch on the president set by Els. Matilda was ok, but I see what BurlyBeaR means about the delivery. It seemed to me like she was possibly over-rehearsed, she followed everything to the button but it felt un-natural. Little bits like the actions during Naughty lost to routine; e.g. the rolling up of the sleeves being a hand moving up arm, etc. Whilst I wasn't particularly blown away, this show was worth seeing sheerly for the reaction of the ~1000 children as the show ends. Cheers and screams of joy and appreciation echoed around the Palace as the stage faded to blackout. Whats encouraging is knowing that, whilst most kids will probably go home and back to their tablets and tvs a few will have been bitten by the theatre bug for the first time and this will spurr on a new generation of theatre fans and participants.
|
|
109 posts
|
Post by theatregod on Nov 21, 2018 12:56:03 GMT
11 musicians.
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Dec 7, 2018 16:32:35 GMT
Cardiff Offer
SINGLE SEAT OFFER FOR MATILDA THE MUSICAL We have a limited number of isolated single seats available at a reduced rate of £30. Tickets are available throughout the run and can only be purchased in person at our Ticket Office or by calling us on 029 2063 6464.
|
|
1,910 posts
|
Post by LaLuPone on Dec 7, 2018 16:53:05 GMT
Also if you’re between 16-25 you can call up and get a £5 ticket!
|
|
|
Post by lunaemily94 on Dec 13, 2018 21:44:22 GMT
Saw the show this afternoon in Cardiff and it was just as good as I remember it being when I saw it in London 5+ years ago !
I’m a bit confused though as from what I remember ‘telly’ opens the 2nd half but there was no sign of the song at all... has it been cut for the tour ?
The second act opened with lavender doing her solo bit and then went straight into ‘when I grow up’
Has anyone else who has seen the tour noticed this? I can’t find a mention of it anywhere.
|
|
301 posts
|
Post by properjob on Dec 13, 2018 21:51:55 GMT
I saw it in Leicester and it didn't have “telly" but I saw it again in Birmingham and it did. I had begun to doubt my memory of Leicester so am pleased to find out the disappearing “telly" is a thing. Does anyone know why?
|
|
1,910 posts
|
Post by LaLuPone on Dec 14, 2018 0:34:41 GMT
I saw the tour in Cardiff last week,are you sure you guys didn't just miss Telly?! It's done as an informal number while some of the house lights are still on and the audience are shuffling back in. Obviously correct me if you stayed in the auditorium for the whole interval.
|
|
253 posts
|
Post by No. on Dec 14, 2018 7:19:56 GMT
Mr Wormwood comes out about halfway into the interval I’d say, maybe it was cut for certain shows??
|
|
|
Post by lunaemily94 on Dec 14, 2018 7:30:08 GMT
I saw the tour in Cardiff last week,are you sure you guys didn't just miss Telly?! It's done as an informal number while some of the house lights are still on and the audience are shuffling back in. Obviously correct me if you stayed in the auditorium for the whole interval. I left very briefly at the beginning but when I returned the curtain/ screen was still down from end of act 1 and then after about 10 minutes it rose and you could just see the microphone on stage with the small swings. I was on a school trip and no one said we’d missed anything.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 10:20:58 GMT
Mr Wormwood comes out about halfway into the interval I’d say, maybe it was cut for certain shows?? Usualy just after they call 5mins across the house. 'Telly' definitely happened in Manchester.
|
|