486 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Nov 22, 2018 9:15:59 GMT
Went to second preview last night having missed it previously - did enjoy it a fair bit though agree with others that I was craving for it to ramp up a bit and when it finally does for Lot's Wife I wasn't disappointed. Did have a nagging feeling that I should have seen it at the Hampstead as the theatre did feel a bit too big for some of the vocals but then they are still settling in.
Sat in the stalls there were a few walkouts during act 1, rudely, several at the interval and another in act 2 (about 10 mins from the end, surely just stay?).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2018 0:05:43 GMT
So I'm sat in the front row of the Upper for next week, but I didn't realise how far out this specific stage would be laid out, so I imagine the front of the stage will be completely out of view. Praying for an upgrade now.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Nov 24, 2018 18:17:04 GMT
Not many seen this run so far? I know it's only been a few performances.
I'm seeing it tonight on a TodayTix front row Rush.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2018 18:52:11 GMT
Not many seen this run so far? I know it's only been a few performances. I'm seeing it tonight on a TodayTix front row Rush. I’m here tonight and was at Heathers earlier too! Slim odds!
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Nov 24, 2018 18:54:24 GMT
Not many seen this run so far? I know it's only been a few performances. I'm seeing it tonight on a TodayTix front row Rush. I’m here tonight and was at Heathers earlier too! Slim odds! Do you want a scrunchie? I've got 5 😂
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368 posts
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Post by Ade on Nov 24, 2018 21:24:34 GMT
Not many seen this run so far? I know it's only been a few performances. I'm seeing it tonight on a TodayTix front row Rush. I saw it last night and am not sure what the fuss is about it. I struggled to connect with it at all, and can’t quite decide if that’s the production itself or a poor fit in that theatre. From my seat in the dress circle I felt very removed from the action and it didn’t absorb me in the way I was expecting it too.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Nov 24, 2018 22:17:22 GMT
Not many seen this run so far? I know it's only been a few performances. I'm seeing it tonight on a TodayTix front row Rush. I saw it last night and am not sure what the fuss is about it. I struggled to connect with it at all, and can’t quite decide if that’s the production itself or a poor fit in that theatre. From my seat in the dress circle I felt very removed from the action and it didn’t absorb me in the way I was expecting it too. From the front I also didn't get it. I've seen many shows about slaves or maids and they made me feel whilst this didn't. Sharon and the supporting cast are great but the show id a bit 'meh'
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2018 22:49:40 GMT
I’m here tonight and was at Heathers earlier too! Slim odds! Do you want a scrunchie? I've got 5 😂 Ha! Thank you, I’m ok though . From row D of the stalls Sharon’s performance of Lot’s Wife was one of the most moving moments I’ve witnessed. Aside from that, I do agree that a lot of the show was lost on me, and is sure to keep me thinking over the next few days.
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578 posts
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Post by michalnowicki on Nov 25, 2018 12:43:50 GMT
I saw the second preview on Wednesday evening. This was the first time I saw this piece and I really liked it. I sat in circle, row G and had a really good view of the stage – had to lean only couple of times, but that’s because the kid in front of me wouldn’t sit still. What felt weird was that the audience didn’t applaud until the end of Act 1. Maybe it’s just the way the show is written or maybe the audience didn’t like it? Sharon D Clarke gives a great performance throughout and gets a well-deserved applause at the end of Lot’s Wife. I wish that people would stop bringing food/snack into the theatre and that theatres would stop selling them. There was a lot of rustling throughout the show and I just don’t understand why it’s necessary for people to stuff their gobs with M&Ms. The aforementioned “kid” in front of me was a part of a larger group – two grown women with 4 kids. They had BAGS of food: crisps, M&Ms, Maltesers, etc. and thankfully they limited majority of their little picnic to pre-show and interval.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Nov 25, 2018 15:54:03 GMT
I saw the second preview on Wednesday evening. This was the first time I saw this piece and I really liked it. I sat in circle, row G and had a really good view of the stage – had to lean only couple of times, but that’s because the kid in front of me wouldn’t sit still. What felt weird was that the audience didn’t applaud until the end of Act 1. Maybe it’s just the way the show is written or maybe the audience didn’t like it? Sharon D Clarke gives a great performance throughout and gets a well-deserved applause at the end of Lot’s Wife. I wish that people would stop bringing food/snack into the theatre and that theatres would stop selling them. There was a lot of rustling throughout the show and I just don’t understand why it’s necessary for people to stuff their gobs with M&Ms. The aforementioned “kid” in front of me was a part of a larger group – two grown women with 4 kids. They had BAGS of food: crisps, M&Ms, Maltesers, etc. and thankfully they limited majority of their little picnic to pre-show and interval. I think there was one clap in the middle of act 1 when I went yesterday and really it felt a bit forced as tradition to wanting to clap at the end of every song in a show. This show basically doesn't stop the music or have any obvious song end points to allow for applause imo.
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Post by anthem on Nov 28, 2018 23:05:41 GMT
I saw the show this evening and it was incredible- definitely one of the most emotionally satisfying evenings I’ve had in the theatre in a very long time. The story is multi layered and the performances are uniformly wonderful; Sharon is the standout but the supporting cast do a great job too.
The score is strong, though the song structure is unusual at times. It’s very funny in parts and moving in others. The staging is clever and engaging. The crowd was up on its feet within seconds of the bows commencing. I can see why it might not be everyone’s cup of tea but for me it was a privilege to see it. Go see and enjoy!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2018 13:56:52 GMT
Just having a read of the programme, didn't realise Sue Kelvin and Lauren Ward were in this. Now I'm more ezcited! Am in the Upper Circle, which is open so they have sold enough for a full theatre opening despite the seating plan seemingly saying different. I can't say I'm a massive fan of the tiny bar area or the fact there is no men's cubicle in the toilet. That's odd.
Quote of the Day goes to the lady who just walked into the bar and *in a joking manner* said: "my god, we deserve a free drink just for surviving the stairs!" 😂
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2018 17:30:02 GMT
I thought it was good. Sharon is obviously fantastic, her big number near the end is nothing short of stunning and the audience went wild at the end. I thought the cast as a whole were great. Set and costume were fine, as was the lighting. I didn't really enjoy the plot that much, found it rather thin, but the score was great, with a few standouts. I was in the Upper which was half full, and you could see down to the Stalls and it was pretty full, but there was a couple walkouts at the interval it seemed. But those who enjoyed it really did. The end of Act 1, Sharon's solo and the Finale all got applause and cheers before they even ended, and Sharon deservedly got a standing ovation on her solo bow from most. Go see it for Sharon if nothing else, she is magical to watch!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2018 22:21:40 GMT
Thinking about it now, the plot issues or me are simply because it's just so paper thin and there is no hope at all at the end. You leave thinking what was the point almost because Caroline doesn't really go on a journey in my eye. Am I missing soemething?
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Nov 29, 2018 22:27:12 GMT
I agree with Daniel. Sharon D Clarke excellent as you would expect. Standout spirited performance from Abiona Omonau too as Emmie.
The plot is very thin but the message is strong.
Not a fan of this type of sung through musical and would have been interesting to see this written as a straight play by Kushner. At times it was a little too silly for me.
First time at the Playhouse theatre and it felt lovely and intimate from the rear stalls. I was in row M and probably wouldn't sit much closer!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2018 22:29:30 GMT
I agree with Daniel. Sharon D Clarke excellent as you would expect. Standout spirited performance from Abiona Omonau too as Emmie. The plot is very thin but the message is strong. Not a fan of this type of sung through musical and would have been interesting to see this written as a straight play by Kushner. At times it was a little too silly for me. First time at the Playhouse theatre and it felt lovely and intimate from the rear stalls. I was in row M and probably wouldn't sit much closer! Oooo damn, I tell you what, as a dramatic piece, a one act play straight through, this would be fabulous! Because the other issue I had with it was that alot of the music was filler rather than substance! But keep her big number at the end. That can stay!
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Nov 29, 2018 23:29:47 GMT
I agree with Daniel. Sharon D Clarke excellent as you would expect. Standout spirited performance from Abiona Omonau too as Emmie. The plot is very thin but the message is strong. Not a fan of this type of sung through musical and would have been interesting to see this written as a straight play by Kushner. At times it was a little too silly for me. First time at the Playhouse theatre and it felt lovely and intimate from the rear stalls. I was in row M and probably wouldn't sit much closer! Oooo damn, I tell you what, as a dramatic piece, a one act play straight through, this would be fabulous! Because the other issue I had with it was that alot of the music was filler rather than substance! But keep her big number at the end. That can stay! Yes. I enjoy a form being broken at one point in a production as it usually adds something wonderful. In this, towards the end, I think that song really does. Music wise at times I was reminded of Ruthless and at time Parade! Crazy but not all in a bad way.
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Post by anthem on Nov 30, 2018 0:12:41 GMT
I don’t think it’s fair or accurate to say that the plot is paper thin- for me, the plot is simple but it still raises a lot of themes. -poverty/ wealth/ privilege -racism & the civil rights struggle -bereavement -domestic violence -religious belief -the sometimes duplicitous nature of human beings- i.e. Mrs Gellman’s (arguable subconscious) motivations for allowing Caroline to keep the change. -the clash between generosity and self interest -the impact of education -jealousy
Caroline’s journey is subtle because her circumstances are not easily changed and her options are extremely limited. I felt hers is a journey of acceptance, with the hope that things will be better for her children. Her constant toil in the basement is ultimately for them.
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Nov 30, 2018 0:31:36 GMT
ATG took £5 from me for the programme tonight. Ouch.
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Post by anthem on Nov 30, 2018 0:55:31 GMT
ATG took £5 from me for the programme tonight. Ouch. Is that not standard pricing? It was nice to see the book on sale also.
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Nov 30, 2018 2:29:09 GMT
ATG took £5 from me for the programme tonight. Ouch. Is that not standard pricing? It was nice to see the book on sale also. Come to think of it you could be right as it's a while since i've been to an ATG theatre in London besides the £1 programmes at Pinter. I just think it's a lot. Delfont are £4 and for the same price at the Royal Court you can get a full playtext with the cast list. I understand why this isn't the case with commercial West End theatres but still...I hope the prices stop creeping up.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2018 7:24:51 GMT
I don’t think it’s fair or accurate to say that the plot is paper thin- for me, the plot is simple but it still raises a lot of themes. -poverty/ wealth/ privilege -racism & the civil rights struggle -bereavement -domestic violence -religious belief -the sometimes duplicitous nature of human beings- i.e. Mrs Gellman’s (arguable subconscious) motivations for allowing Caroline to keep the change. -the clash between generosity and self interest -the impact of education -jealousy Caroline’s journey is subtle because her circumstances are not easily changed and her options are extremely limited. I felt hers is a journey of acceptance, with the hope that things will be better for her children. Her constant toil in the basement is ultimately for them. I appreciate that completely, thats why i made a point of saying the plot was paper thin, which I stand by. Themes are different.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2018 13:51:23 GMT
Saw this on Friday and I am in the four star camp for performances, score and songs. I did think the moon was a bit off at times.
I am in the one star camp for the upper circle seats in the Playhouse though. I am quite short and quite fat and it was excruciating. Luckily the end of our row was free so I moved from the middle of row G and got an aisle seat. Sitting in my assigned seat, I was unable to put my feet on the ground and the back of the seat in front was pinned into my shins. I basically had a panic attack because I knew there was no way I would be able to sit for an entire performance and I was worried that there would be no spare seats to move into. The most uncomfortable I have ever been in a theatre :-(
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2018 16:18:39 GMT
I mean if you look at it with a stone cold eye, even 7 hours of Angels in America doesn't have a GREAT deal of plot. That's not Kushner's style...it's observing slices of life, over smaller or longer periods/events and unravelling those themes. That's just what he does, densely and at length (Nobody is right or wrong above, just me adding my Kushner 2 cents because clearly i should be writing about him elsewhere...)
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255 posts
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Post by grannyjx6 on Dec 4, 2018 23:12:48 GMT
There were plenty of free seats in the upper circle when we went second preview and a few minutes before it started, the usher said we could all move down. We went on the front row and the leg room was rubbish, fortunately we could stretch our legs sideways so that helped a bit. It is really tight leg room (and widthways), both me and my husband are average size and weight so anyone bigger would have found it excruciating.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Dec 11, 2018 23:06:06 GMT
FABULOUS. One of the best things I've seen all year.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2018 23:11:48 GMT
This show really divide's opinion doesn't it!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2018 16:25:36 GMT
FABULOUS. One of the best things I've seen all year. You do realise that we're still in 2018 and haven't crept into 2019 yet don't you?
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Post by priorwalter on Dec 15, 2018 10:41:27 GMT
I loved this. The cast is superb and the show is fantastic. I loved the score and loved Sharon. Really a beautifully told story. I can see how people could be divided on it but I think it’s similar to The Band’s Visit, people expect some grand story but it really is a simple one about real people. It’s a fantastic show.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Dec 15, 2018 13:45:45 GMT
24 hour offer on TodayTix of £15 or £25 stalls seats for shows up to 5th Jan
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