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Post by welsh_tenor on Dec 14, 2018 13:18:50 GMT
My other half volunteers as an usher in the WMC and it definitely happens on nights he’s ushered... its in their Pre-show brief too that it happens 5 minutes before the 2nd half starts.
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Post by lunaemily94 on Dec 14, 2018 16:55:02 GMT
My other half volunteers as an usher in the WMC and it definitely happens on nights he’s ushered... its in their Pre-show brief too that it happens 5 minutes before the 2nd half starts. Yea it’s weird because I was only gone 5 minutes at the very beginning of the interval and was in my seat for the rest of the interval and start of the show, 100% didn’t miss anything. Maybe Because it was a matinee? Or something else ...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 17:04:46 GMT
My other half volunteers as an usher in the WMC and it definitely happens on nights he’s ushered... its in their Pre-show brief too that it happens 5 minutes before the 2nd half starts. Yea it’s weird because I was only gone 5 minutes at the very beginning of the interval and was in my seat for the rest of the interval and start of the show, 100% didn’t miss anything. Maybe Because it was a matinee? Or something else ... Maybe. Did the show go up late?
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Post by lunaemily94 on Dec 14, 2018 17:09:07 GMT
Yea it’s weird because I was only gone 5 minutes at the very beginning of the interval and was in my seat for the rest of the interval and start of the show, 100% didn’t miss anything. Maybe Because it was a matinee? Or something else ... Maybe. Did the show go up late? Think it started at about 2:35 so was running a bit late
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 17:10:25 GMT
Maybe they cut it to get the time back with it being a matinee and as you say schools in, coaches booked etc.
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Post by lunaemily94 on Dec 14, 2018 17:19:23 GMT
Maybe they cut it to get the time back with it being a matinee and as you say schools in, coaches booked etc. That would make sense, there was a few schools and coaches etc there.
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Post by katykate on Dec 29, 2018 18:15:55 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon in Cardiff and I have to say after seeing the London production 2 years ago it left me feeling a little cold. The sound felt very off in the first act, and the cast seemed to lack the energy I remember seeing last time. The ensemble numbers with the kids seemed a little thin on volume. Unfortunately our Matilda made a few mistakes which made it quite stressful to watch at times. The second act was much improved and it ended on a high, but had this been my first time seeing it, I wouldn’t feel compelled to see it again. My kids (4 and 7) enjoyed it A nice family day out but slightly disappointing.
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Post by macksennett on Dec 29, 2018 19:26:37 GMT
Was Craige Els on as Miss Trunchball - every time I’ve been past, the cast board has Steffan Lloyd Evans listed...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 20:07:40 GMT
Was Craige Els on as Miss Trunchball - every time I’ve been past, the cast board has Steffan Lloyd Evans listed... Craige Els left the run in Manchester, according to press info.
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Post by LaLuPone on Dec 29, 2018 21:19:37 GMT
According to my cast board, I saw Craige. (6th of December, one of the first Cardiff performances).
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Post by macksennett on Dec 29, 2018 21:20:34 GMT
Ah, that explains it! The Matilda website and the Cardiff theatre programme still list Craige though...
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Post by welsh_tenor on Dec 29, 2018 23:04:06 GMT
How does this (and London of course!) work with the Matilda’s?! If there are 5/6 children playing the lead do they each have a show each week or is there a ‘lead’ Matilda and her understudies/Standbys?!
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Post by princeton on Dec 29, 2018 23:26:32 GMT
Craige Els leaves at the end of the Cardiff run with Elliot Harper taking over the role when the show moves to Plymouth
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Post by Rukaya on Dec 29, 2018 23:59:52 GMT
How does this (and London of course!) work with the Matilda’s?! If there are 5/6 children playing the lead do they each have a show each week or is there a ‘lead’ Matilda and her understudies/Standbys?! Yep, they have a schedule of sorts but it's not publicised. Fans have worked it out previously but they usually change it up and I'd presume they get an equal amount of shows?
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Post by cheesy116 on Dec 30, 2018 1:10:48 GMT
They share the shows equally between them all
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Post by katykate on Dec 30, 2018 9:48:09 GMT
Pretty sure it was Craig we saw yesterday as am sure it was the same trunchbull we saw in London.
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Post by sophizoey on Dec 30, 2018 10:44:23 GMT
How does this (and London of course!) work with the Matilda’s?! If there are 5/6 children playing the lead do they each have a show each week or is there a ‘lead’ Matilda and her understudies/Standbys?! 4 children for Matilda, and they all get 2 shows a week. It's not published for child protection purposes and must change from week to week, or atleast monthly because I went two consecutive Thursday in Sunderland and it was two different Matildas. I believe the other children have 2 or 3 actor each depending on the size of the part.
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Post by cheesy116 on Dec 30, 2018 13:10:45 GMT
In London there's 4 Matilda's (with 5 occasionally when the cast changes overlap), 4 Bruce's and there's 3 groups of the other kids.
The tour is similar apart from some of the children can play more than one role such as Amanda/Lavender, Eric/Nigel etc, I think this is to help cover any illnesses as they can't just call in another child on the day if someone phones in sick. Although there is a female adult swing who can cover all the child roles other than Matilda.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2019 1:06:36 GMT
Today marked Craige Els' final performances as Miss Trunchbull. Elliot Harper takes over from the next venue onward.
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Post by macksennett on Jan 13, 2019 8:50:59 GMT
Today marked Craige Els' final performances as Miss Trunchbull. Elliot Harper takes over from the next venue onward. I was there at Craige’s last performance - he had a big hug from Rebecca Thornhill at the end and various cast members were applauding him too. He gave the audience a thumbs up as he left the stage, having apparently done 1262 shows in the role!
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Post by pianowithsam on Jan 13, 2019 10:35:40 GMT
Today marked Craige Els' final performances as Miss Trunchbull. Elliot Harper takes over from the next venue onward. I was there at Craige’s last performance - he had a big hug from Rebecca Thornhill at the end and various cast members were applauding him too. He gave the audience a thumbs up as he left the stage, having apparently done 1262 shows in the role! Crikey. That's a fair few.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2019 11:04:15 GMT
I was there last night too. I assume also at least one of the kids (if not several) were leaving, because one of them promptly burst into tears at the end of the curtain call! He was a most excellent Trunchbull and my favourite performer in it (closely followed by the guy playing Mr Wormwood)
So I'd never seen Matilda. And overall my review would be 'it was fine' there was nothing I actively disliked about it, but there was nothing I LOVED either. I did very much appreciate Minchin's lyrics/music as ever, and I'm glad I saw it post- Groundhog as that really tuned me into his style (having not followed his solo career) and I loved the music.
There are some lovely moments- the alphabet song, and 'When I Grow Up' charmed even my cynical old heart.
But honestly it dragged a bit? the book I don't think holds up to Minchin's songs. And I think it lacks the darkness of the book-book. That said I might just have grown up to have a general problem with Dahl (you know anti semitism aside and just focusing on his writing) because for some reason on revisiting, I felt for Matilda's parents, in that the whole story around them seemed geared to making fun of 'stupid people' rather than the fact they were unkind to her. Also is it me or does the musical take far longer to get to Matilda's 'powers' than the book? or did I just miss something...?
Anyway it was enjoyable enough. Child performers usually set my teeth on edge and this didn't so that's a win as well. I'm glad I ticked it off my list, but I probably won't ever need to re-visit.
Also the pianist has a newt sat on his piano, as a view from Balcony B allows you to watch the pit quite close up!
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Post by macksennett on Jan 13, 2019 14:22:36 GMT
Ha, I didn’t see any of the kids’ tears but was probably watching Craige at the time! I know what you mean...I enjoyed it but have no great desire to see it again. The swing scene was done fabulously.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2019 18:43:06 GMT
And overall my review would be 'it was fine' there was nothing I actively disliked about it, but there was nothing I LOVED either. Have you got the CD @emicardiff ? Oddly, I enjoyed that far more than the actual show. From your opinion here, I think it may be because the CD doesn't drag like the show tends to. Weirdly, every time I heard songs prior to seeing it it was like fingernails on a blackboard to me (I've skipped ahead EP on Sunday a number of times) BUT that said, having now heard the songs in context I will give the recording a listen. (glad I'm not alone- your good self and a few others have said the show does drag a bit). Something I mentioned to friends in discussing this is of course the curse of seeing a show years later having heard just HOW GOOD it is for so long that even if you go in with mediocre expectations like I did (well reservations) you'll still be left going 'oh was that it?' say 80% of the time.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2019 20:30:54 GMT
And overall my review would be 'it was fine' there was nothing I actively disliked about it, but there was nothing I LOVED either. Have you got the CD @emicardiff ? Oddly, I enjoyed that far more than the actual show. From your opinion here, I think it may be because the CD doesn't drag like the show tends to. +1 on this. Quite enjoy the soundtrack, as you don't have to sit through Matilda barking her way through the book at you. Plus it sounds alot better.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2019 20:34:44 GMT
Have you got the CD @emicardiff ? Oddly, I enjoyed that far more than the actual show. From your opinion here, I think it may be because the CD doesn't drag like the show tends to. +1 on this. Quite enjoy the soundtrack, as you don't have to sit through Matilda barking her way through the book at you. Plus it sounds alot better. hahaha that did make me laugh...and yes, the sound quality wasn't there live- I found it difficult to understand lyrics at times. And did she really have to spend SO long telling that story to the librarian?!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2019 23:40:15 GMT
I'm hoping that the sound issues will be ironed out for Edinburgh. It is a huge theatre, and anyone that is in the Balcony will not hear a word due to both the height and the size of the building. Keep in mind people are paying up to £50 for the balcony, more than any other show that has toured to the Playhouse (well, except maybe Shen Yun). Heck, even Wicked was cheaper!
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Post by cheesy116 on Jan 14, 2019 23:44:37 GMT
I'm hoping that the sound issues will be ironed out for Edinburgh. It is a huge theatre, and anyone that is in the Balcony will not hear a word due to both the height and the size of the building. Keep in mind people are paying up to £50 for the balcony, more than any other show that has toured to the Playhouse (well, except maybe Shen Yun). Heck, even Wicked was cheaper! I agree with you about how the sound may be an issue in the barn that is the Playhouse. I've yet to see the tour, I've only ever seen it in London and I can't imagine the show being an enjoyable experience from somewhere like the back row of the balcony in the Playhouse! There's intimate parts like 'Quiet' and the scene in Miss Honey's shed, a lot of this will be lost by being so far away.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2019 23:49:21 GMT
I generally don't go any higher than the back row of the front section of the Circle. Beyond that, you miss facial expressions and details on costumes and sets, and you end up feeling a bit disconnected from the show.
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Post by cheesy116 on Jan 14, 2019 23:57:40 GMT
I generally don't go any higher than the back row of the front section of the Circle. Beyond that, you miss facial expressions and details on costumes and sets, and you end up feeling a bit disconnected from the show. I sat the front row of the balcony for Billy Elliot a couple of years ago and even that felt like I was a long long way from the stage.
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