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Post by theatre241 on Apr 8, 2019 15:07:01 GMT
The set looks very interesting don't think they're using a revolve!
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Post by musicallady on Apr 8, 2019 18:11:30 GMT
posted in wrong section
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2019 18:29:08 GMT
The floor (stage) area looks huge! At least double the usual area.
Not circular and definitely no resolve. The pre-show set is bare bones. I’m anticipating some big dance numbers. Really excited to see the fresh choreography.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 8, 2019 18:57:37 GMT
I suppose if you take out the ‘bonkettes’ and the legroom that serves them you’re going to be adding a fair bit of area to the stage.
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Post by theatre241 on Apr 8, 2019 19:05:06 GMT
The row after the Banquettes has been removed as well! Has anyone queued for day seats yet ?
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Post by danb on Apr 8, 2019 19:40:23 GMT
Is the first circle high stools aswell?
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2019 20:07:50 GMT
Is the first circle high stools aswell? They look like chairs from where I’m sitting (Stalls). 2nd level, which is I think where the day seats are at the back, must be horrible. I can see everyone desperately leaning forward. Please don’t do that to yourself, particularly if, as another poster reported, you need to be in the queue by 8:30am and even then you’re not guaranteed day seats. This is minimalistic and beautiful. More later.
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Post by david on Apr 8, 2019 20:24:59 GMT
Is the first circle high stools aswell? They look like chairs from where I’m sitting (Stalls). 2nd level, which is I think where the day seats are at the back, must be horrible. I can see everyone desperately leaning forward. Please don’t do that to yourself, particularly if, as another poster reported, you need to be in the queue by 8:30am and even then you’re not guaranteed day seats. This is minimalistic and beautiful. More later. I can confirm that the back row seats of the top tier (Gallery 2) aren’t an issue view wise, but lack any sort of comfort in my opinion. I sat up there last year for one show, but asked the FOH if I could move to the stalls as it was very uncomfortable up there. I’d only go up there again if there where no other seats available.
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Post by danb on Apr 8, 2019 20:27:54 GMT
My son has just booked 2 tix for Weds night (£21.50!!!!!) for him & my Mum. Sounds like a right bargain. I’m very jealous indeed; I love WSS and to see it done in any way differently would be a real thrill.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2019 21:45:24 GMT
Whenever I've seen one of my favourites musicals, In The Heights, I always thought it reminded me of West Side Story.
Now, I've seen a production of West Side Story that reminds me of In The Heights. This is, in part, due to the staging, and also because several of the cast were in In The Heights in London.
A full house in previews tonight, with a handful of empty seats right on the end of rows, for some strange reason. A big performance area, little to the set. Two metal structures that are moved about and form balconies, as well as a third metal area that is lowered from the ceiling. The structures did not look easy to climb, Andy Coxon certainly found climbing a metal ladder and singing at the same time difficult, as at all other times he was flawless.
This is staged in the round with new choreography. It's a very modern staging, deliberately positioned as timeless. It would be hard to tell what era the costumes are from and they could very easily be from the streets of New York today.
It is also modern casting. Both the Jets and Sharks contain a variety of ethnicities, which removes all the racial tensions from the piece. The Jets have matching tattoos, the Sharks dress a bit more flamboyantly, but otherwise you have to pay attention to tell them apart.
Other than the two leads, I hadn't seen a cast list, so was pleasantly surprised to see quite a few people I recognised. The standout has to be Jocasta Almgill as Anita, but I fell in love with both the two leads, Gabriela Garcia and Andy Coxon, who both sung beautifully and left me tearful on more than one occasion.
There were a few nods to the original choreography, but otherwise this is modern styled and simpler. The main nod was in the ballet, Somewhere, which now shows no matter what your gender, race or sexuality, you deserve love. Very fitting for Manchester.
There is one person in the audience who should be banned from the theatre forever for laughing when Anita shared news with Maria early in the second half, but otherwise it was a well-behaved audience.
I loved it, but I'm honestly not sure what the audience made of it. I only really caught too audience comments, one finding it funny the tattoos were falling off (which I didn't pick up on at all), the other that it was too expensive for what it was (bear in mind this was a half price preview). I did find myself making up half of the standing ovation, which to me was completely deserved, but maybe Manchester just doesn't do such things.
Quite amusing as well that the musical where Andy Coxon played an excellent Berger in London is touring just down the road in Manchester at the Palace Theatre.
I'd like to think the reviews will be positive. It's both familiar, but different, which will take a bit of getting used to if you're used to the original choreography. It sounds excellent, both the singing and the orchestra. I can't see how you couldn't like it. To me, even based on this preview it's fully deserving of transferring to London, if they can find the right theatre to stage it in. I know not all the audience felt the same way. But please give it a chance. The run is pretty much sold out regardless.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 8, 2019 21:53:39 GMT
Thanks for the early review!
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 8, 2019 22:01:45 GMT
What is the running time? Is there still a gunshot?
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Post by alforshort on Apr 8, 2019 22:02:09 GMT
There is one person in the audience who should be banned from the theatre forever for laughing when Anita shared news with Maria early in the second half, but otherwise it was a well-behaved audience. I think the laughs were probably because of the lady who said "No he didn't!" indignantly in response to said news.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2019 22:11:38 GMT
I think the laughs were probably because of the lady who said "No he didn't!" indignantly in response to said news. I missed that if so. What is the running time? Is there still a gunshot? 2 hours 30 minutes officially. Started about 7:33, finished about 9:58, didn't time the interval length but the first half is much longer than the second half. Yes, usual place. It's a real gunshot, not recorded. Over quickly, obvious when it's coming if you know the show and not too loud. Another thought as I know it's a trigger for people. Very little smoking in this version, which I guess reflects the current time.
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Post by bimse on Apr 9, 2019 3:58:49 GMT
I suppose if you take out the ‘bonkettes’ and the legroom that serves them you’re going to be adding a fair bit of area to the stage. Not to mention the shopping that matinee audiences in particular seem to spread around those bonkettes 😆
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Post by theatre241 on Apr 9, 2019 8:41:18 GMT
2 tickets in the 1st tier have popped up row B! This is for a few dates in the run. Has anyone seen the west side Wednesday thing that releases more tickets for the upcoming week?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2019 13:46:40 GMT
Thanks for the early reviews.Myself and my daughter are going later in the run.Interesting comment from Dr Tom that the two gangs are mixed ethnicity and this removes all racial tensions.Not sure how this will read in terms of some of the language in the script and lyrics.Will the dispute between the two gangs now boil down to divisions over territory and family if race is removed from the equation?Can’t wait to see it.I know the Curve have the show scheduled for s Christmas run as well.
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Post by theatre241 on Apr 9, 2019 17:25:47 GMT
Has anyone else seen it or day seated for it?
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 10, 2019 11:26:35 GMT
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Post by mrbluesky on Apr 10, 2019 16:29:26 GMT
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Post by HereForTheatre on Apr 10, 2019 17:33:48 GMT
It will be interesting to have two different versions of WSS this year with also the Curve production at the end of the year, and they will be different given that Curve uses a (very large) traditional proscenium stage and of course has it's own new choreography too. Though they have said they will "use the stage in new ways" whatever that means.
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Post by theatre241 on Apr 10, 2019 18:02:47 GMT
Just panic bought row D stalls its nearly sold out on every day! Any other reports on viewing?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2019 20:04:02 GMT
Cup. Coasters. Tote bags. No fridge magnets though.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Apr 10, 2019 21:17:55 GMT
When did the Royal Exchange start charging nearly £50 a seat?!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2019 22:02:15 GMT
Any chance this will transfer or tour?
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Post by theatre241 on Apr 10, 2019 22:03:15 GMT
Gosh I know! Also I've heard that you will miss a few things from the bottom level when they climb on the set. They should of told us that!
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Post by theatre241 on Apr 10, 2019 22:04:07 GMT
Any chance this will transfer or tour? There isn't a theatre like the exchange but they might bring it back to the exchange because of demand
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2019 22:24:13 GMT
I liked this, alot. Still some teething issues as previews continue but once this finds it's footing it's got the making of something fantastic. Second act feels more refined than the first which starts quite cold and doesn't really get going until Mambo at the minute. The choreography works really well, although I felt it could have been a bit more aggressive at points. Maria and Tony are phenomenal. Unlike Dr Tom I found it quite easy to differentiate between the Jets and Sharks, the former being dressed in neutral colours and the latter in darker costume. The show is lit in White, Red and Blue, which, to me, felt a bit uninteresting at points. Biggest issue with this is the staging which isolates huge chunks of the audience for some parts. When you book into the Royal Exchange you're generally aware that in some way the view may be restricted, but here some action is played high up, level with the first tier, and when this happens some stalls seats have a completely obstructed view due to the overhang. There are points your left looking at an empty stage and having to imagine what's going on. I'd like to see this again later in the run once it's refined itself. One thought that kept coming back to me throughout is the lack of new dance-driven musicals. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last that I can recall is Cats. I'd really like to see something new and original where dance plays a huge part in the delivery.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2019 22:25:15 GMT
Gosh I know! Also I've heard that you will miss a few things from the bottom level when they climb on the set. They should of told us that! Yeah. Theres no mention of restricted view when you book which is a bit naughty. I'll update this shortly with seats that end up with an obstructed view. Edit: See Below I sat in row G so E&F are a guestimate but probably about right given facial reactions. E 1-9, 24-59 (31-52 worst affected) 74-82 F 1-12, 25-62, 75-86 All row G at some point
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Post by theatre241 on Apr 10, 2019 22:27:10 GMT
I was thinking the set looks very obstructive! Im sitting in the stalls second to front row so I dont think theres an overhang
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