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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Apr 4, 2023 21:28:40 GMT
I can't see Operation Mincemeat leaving the Fortune any time soon. With ATG involved surely it’ll be the ambassadors or Duke of York I got two dates booked. So excited to see the again. I’d like to see this transfer to Ambassadors for an open ended run. Is that not why Jamie Parker was cast? I see many school group in the future. Maybe 2 weekday matinees?
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Post by Jon on Apr 4, 2023 21:36:47 GMT
Surely with a cast of 12, they'd need somewhere a bit bigger than the Ambassadors?
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Post by Dave B on May 22, 2023 18:25:14 GMT
A very buzzing Southwark Elephant this evening!
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Post by jamb0r on May 22, 2023 21:59:24 GMT
I feel like I am being well and truly spoiled with exceptional theatre at the moment, with Groundhog Day on Saturday followed by seeing this tonight.
I absolutely adored the original run a few years ago and couldn’t wait to see how the show had evolved since that time, and I could not have been happier. This show is just magic and the increased cast numbers and budget have added so much. The score is gorgeous - I am DESPERATE for a cast recording! The entire cast are phenomenal and infuriatingly talented with each playing a number of different instruments throughout.
It’s a long one, I think we were out at almost 3 hours, but the time flew by and I really wouldn’t want them to cut anything.
Really slick for a first preview with just a couple of very minor stumbled lines and a stubborn trapdoor.
Can’t wait to come back again soon!
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Post by Dave B on May 23, 2023 12:11:55 GMT
We saw this last night and to be honest, the £7.50 ticket was a big factor. We generally like Southwark and the warm reactions to the previous run in this thread made it worth taking a chance with both of us not really huge musical fans (tho we seem to end up seeing more of them these days),
So this was a lot of fun, a buzz in the new Elephant immediately on arrival and the evening totally sold out. We were up in the side balcony (top tip there is space behind the chairs for bags/coats, it's just not immediately obvious that there is!) and the view was excellent. A lot of work from most of the ensemble to take in the balcony - all the way around, a lot of looks and and making sure that they included us all, very obvious and very welcome though Jamie Parker perhaps didn't get the memo as barely a glance from him upwards.
Shortly into the first half there was a noticeable relaxation of the cast, it was going well and the audience were responding well and it felt like first night nerves were melting away. This was even more obvious in the second half where aside from minor flubs and that funny trapdoor, it felt like they had been doing this forever and in sync with each other. I know they are all actors but all appeared genuinely happy and to be enjoying themselves.
Ridiculously talented cast, the main drum kit was raised and so we had Matthew Burns sat almost next to us, but then a moment later he's over the other side of the stage playing guitar.. and singing... and acting oh and he plays piano too. And they are ALL like this - infuriatingly talented indeed
I liked the original story a little, I didn’t get on with the Brad Pitt movie at all, I thought this did a better job and translated it to stage pretty well, the time period changes etc work nicely. Enjoyed all of the songs and again, good voices from all the cast. Some slight sound issues with a couple of the cast being very quiet and a minor time issue with the speakers (I would have thought unnecessary in such a space but oh well). Both improved as the show went on and never totally awful.
A fantastic programme, 20 pages oversize and just £3! It does list the costs of the show as per the previous run, this time a total of £373,078 meaning that they would need a full sell out at £32.18 per seat to break even. A top price ticket is £28, this ain't gonna make a penny.
In a week or two, or probably in just a couple of nights given the strong start, this is going to be really slick and I reckon even that top price ticket is an absolute bargain.
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on May 23, 2023 14:57:41 GMT
We saw this last night and to be honest, the £7.50 ticket was a big factor. We generally like Southwark and the warm reactions to the previous run in this thread made it worth taking a chance with both of us not really huge musical fans (tho we seem to end up seeing more of them these days), So this was a lot of fun, a buzz in the new Elephant immediately on arrival and the evening totally sold out. We were up in the side balcony (top tip there is space behind the chairs for bags/coats, it's just not immediately obvious that there is!) and the view was excellent. A lot of work from most of the ensemble to take in the balcony - all the way around, a lot of looks and and making sure that they included us all, very obvious and very welcome though Jamie Parker perhaps didn't get the memo as barely a glance from him upwards. Shortly into the first half there was a noticeable relaxation of the cast, it was going well and the audience were responding well and it felt like first night nerves were melting away. This was even more obvious in the second half where aside from minor flubs and that funny trapdoor, it felt like they had been doing this forever and in sync with each other. I know they are all actors but all appeared genuinely happy and to be enjoying themselves. Ridiculously talented cast, the main drum kit was raised and so we had Matthew Burns sat almost next to us, but then a moment later he's over the other side of the stage playing guitar.. and singing... and acting oh and he plays piano too. And they are ALL like this - infuriatingly talented indeed I liked the original story a little, I didn’t get on with the Brad Pitt movie at all, I thought this did a better job and translated it to stage pretty well, the time period changes etc work nicely. Enjoyed all of the songs and again, good voices from all the cast. Some slight sound issues with a couple of the cast being very quiet and a minor time issue with the speakers (I would have thought unnecessary in such a space but oh well). Both improved as the show went on and never totally awful. A fantastic programme, 20 pages oversize and just £3! It does list the costs of the show as per the previous run, this time a total of £373,078 meaning that they would need a full sell out at £32.18 per seat to break even. A top price ticket is £28, this ain't gonna make a penny. In a week or two, or probably in just a couple of nights given the strong start, this is going to be really slick and I reckon even that top price ticket is an absolute bargain. I don’t expect there was any intention for this first run to make money - but it’s excellent to see it land with aplomb!
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Post by FJ on May 23, 2023 14:58:50 GMT
My biggest takeaway from this last night was that I loved the new Elephant venue. I can't wait to go back and see more productions here. Walking in and seeing the large set, it all looked amazing, and felt very immersive with the seaside sounds playing.
It's a funny one, because although I could appreciate how well staged it was, and how incredible the cast were, the show just wasn't really for me. I don't remember any of the songs 24 hours later, and it all dragged a bit I think, especially the first half for me.
But I still really appreciated the simple choreography, the staging, and how amazing every single member of the cast were. It was so slick for a first preview, and compared to several shows I've seen at Southwark recently, this one just looked and felt so professional and ready for a west end transfer.
It's not one I'll revisit, but I'm glad I saw it and I just imagine it'll get very good reviews which it probably deserves, but maybe not the show for me, and that's fine, not everything can be, but it doesn't make it a bad show.
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Post by ockey01 on May 28, 2023 11:29:14 GMT
I hope someone will be able to help me, looking to book tickets to see this and was thinking of booking tickets for the balcony, row G. Does the safety rail in front ruin the view at all? Thank you!
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Post by Dave B on May 28, 2023 16:29:00 GMT
I hope someone will be able to help me, looking to book tickets to see this and was thinking of booking tickets for the balcony, row G. Does the safety rail in front ruin the view at all? Thank you! We were in row G, no issues at all. If anything it's slightly on the low side and you may want to stand up a little slower then usual
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Post by mattnyc on May 28, 2023 16:37:14 GMT
Is there a big difference between row G and row H in the balcony there?
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Post by Dave B on May 28, 2023 16:55:55 GMT
Is there a big difference between row G and row H in the balcony there? G are standard flipdown seats, H are taller, bar type seats. I don't think there would be an issue with the view from H.
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Post by mattnyc on May 28, 2023 17:52:32 GMT
Thanks!!!
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Post by mkb on May 31, 2023 10:54:29 GMT
This coming Saturday matinée (3 June 14:30) has been cancelled. I am told it was due to a scheduling conflict by someone involved.
We are also due to see How to Succeed the same day, so I've been able to swap them around, albeit with side-view seats now rather than front ones.
Is it my skewed perception or bad luck or, since Covid, are there many more cancellations of shows generally now for non-Covid reasons? It's as if they've lost their fear of pulling the cancellation trigger when there's an issue.
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Post by kit66 on Jun 1, 2023 16:44:06 GMT
I'm afraid I feel bigger isn't always better.I loved the original version which I felt was a "jewelled musical box"of a show with fantastic music,a very clever use of a small cast and a what seemed tiny budget.Now it's been blown up to your "run of the mill" actor/musican production a la Come from Away and Once.The director didn't seem to know what to do with the larger cast - and stage - except for a lot of box banging,galloping and stomping around the stage and due to the now many more voices most of the lyrics have become unintelligible.I felt charm had been replaced with bombast.Also I missed the driftwood puppet!
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PJ
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Post by PJ on Jun 1, 2023 21:15:40 GMT
I loved it. I hadn’t seen it in any former incarnation, so completely new to it & I found it incredibly moving. Immense levels of talent from the cast.
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Post by nash16 on Jun 2, 2023 17:19:24 GMT
It just drags, doesn’t it? The running length is way too long and we just spend mid first half onwards willing him to de-age a bit quicker.
The actor-musician cast are great, despite some inevitable iffy acting.
But ultimately the songs were either foot stomping or slow ballad, with little decipherable in terms of difference between them.
It won’t be going to the West End any time soon because, ultimately, it lacks a strong enough story (and any hint of drama) to pull an audience through.
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Post by Dawnstar on Jun 2, 2023 19:41:02 GMT
I'm afraid I feel bigger isn't always better.I loved the original version which I felt was a "jewelled musical box"of a show with fantastic music,a very clever use of a small cast and a what seemed tiny budget.Now it's been blown up to your "run of the mill" actor/musican production a la Come from Away and Once.The director didn't seem to know what to do with the larger cast - and stage - except for a lot of box banging,galloping and stomping around the stage and due to the now many more voices most of the lyrics have become unintelligible.I felt charm had been replaced with bombast.Also I missed the driftwood puppet! That's what puts me off seeing the new version. I thought the original version was excellent & I think maybe I'd rather stick to remembering that than see an enlarged & changed version.
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Post by mkb on Jun 4, 2023 8:18:37 GMT
I might be a lone voice on here in having greatly enjoyed the Brad Pitt film, so I was apprehensive as to how this musical interpretation set in Cornwall would play out. I need not have worried. It's different but no less enthralling and entertaining, and boy is there some incredible talent on display.
I've long been a fan of Jamie Parker, and, once again, he doesn't disappoint. Fine support too from the other principals.
Staging, sound and lights were excellent. It's difficult to think of anything to criticise, except perhaps the Elephant's seats have little cushioning and are uncomfortable for a near three hours, and there are unnecessarily high metal bars restricting view in front of some seats.
The music score is enjoyable, but is mood setting rather than advancing the narrative, and the folksy style is not my favourite. That's probably the only thing preventing me from rating the experience higher, apart from the fact I was anxious throughout that the show would overrun and I would miss the last train to Heathrow as there were tight margins involved. It did and I did.
Four stars.
Act 1: 19:50-21:05 Act 2: 21:25-22:37
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jun 4, 2023 9:47:15 GMT
I'm afraid I feel bigger isn't always better.I loved the original version which I felt was a "jewelled musical box"of a show with fantastic music,a very clever use of a small cast and a what seemed tiny budget.Now it's been blown up to your "run of the mill" actor/musican production a la Come from Away and Once.The director didn't seem to know what to do with the larger cast - and stage - except for a lot of box banging,galloping and stomping around the stage and due to the now many more voices most of the lyrics have become unintelligible.I felt charm had been replaced with bombast.Also I missed the driftwood puppet! Seeing this soon and I'm sad about the driftwood puppet! If it's broke don't fix it. I think the beauty of the original version was that it blew my mind with the four actor musos playing lots of roles (Ben Button actor remained the same throughout and no instrument) Will let you know what I think.
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Post by barelyathletic on Jun 5, 2023 10:04:55 GMT
I saw this on Saturday night and went thinking I'd be a bit bored and probably find it all a bit silly. Absolutely loved it. Beautifully performed - such great singers and musicians- and a really engaging and strangely moving story. The whole cast were excellent but particular shout-outs to Jamie Parker (what a talent he is)and Molly Osborne as the star-crossed (time-crossed)lovers and Phillipa Hogg as Mary, with a stunning performance of The Kraken's Lullaby. Darren Clark's catchy foot stomping Cornish influenced music never feels like pastiche and the lyrics are smart and serve the story well. A smashing beautifully staged little triumph that I'd very happily see again.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Jun 5, 2023 14:01:06 GMT
On the whole, I loved this just as much as the first time round in 2019 and thought it scaled up really well. It's a great fit for Southwark Playhouse's new space.
It's a phenomenal cast - with Molly Osborne, Jamie Parker and Philippa Hogg all standouts. I was glad that Philippa still got a solo number of her own, she has such a hauntingly beautiful voice.
It shone through how invested the cast are in the material, while the chemistry and camaraderie between them was also very apparent on stage. Even with the immense individual talents on display, the collective is still somehow even greater than the sum of its parts. I had goosebumps during many of the glorious foot-stomping numbers!
The first quarter of the show seems to whizz through the early (elder) years of Benjamin Button's life. The pace slows after the interval, exacerbated by many of the songs in act two being reprises. Ditching a couple of these reprises for different songs, and a general tightening of the script to shave ten minutes off the running time, and this would be musical perfection.
That said, this is still such a gorgeous, uplifting and moving evening of theatre. Magical storytelling from an actor-musician ensemble of all the talents. I can't wait to visit the Pickled Crab once again for last orders on 1 July.
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Post by barelyathletic on Jun 9, 2023 13:56:38 GMT
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Post by zahidf on Jun 9, 2023 13:57:36 GMT
Standard and Stage gave to 4 stars. Seems like its as good as it was before!
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Post by matty on Jun 9, 2023 22:55:16 GMT
I almost didn't go to this tonight, but I'm glad I did. Very enjoyable evening; however, it is definitely too long. Plus why has the SP given it a 7.45pm start?! Just start it at 7.30.
Length aside, I thought the cast was great and, as a cornish native, I was pleased to hear them doing Cornish accents for the most part and not just generic westcountry accents.
Probably wouldn't see it again but I'm glad I can tick it off the list.
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Post by Dave B on Jun 9, 2023 22:59:30 GMT
Plus why has the SP given it a 7.45pm start?! Just start it at 7.30. I'm almost sure it is so that anyone who arrives at the Borough venue can be directed over and make it in time. I think everything has been 19:45 at the new venue so far.
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Post by showtoones on Jun 9, 2023 23:09:18 GMT
Wonder if this will transfer?!?
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 10, 2023 7:52:59 GMT
Plus why has the SP given it a 7.45pm start?! Just start it at 7.30. I'm almost sure it is so that anyone who arrives at the Borough venue can be directed over and make it in time. I think everything has been 19:45 at the new venue so far. This is exactly why. It's a brisk 10 minute walk from one to the other so this why they have different start times.
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 10, 2023 7:53:20 GMT
Wonder if this will transfer?!? ATG have co produced so the plan is for a transfer at some point next year I believe.
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Post by Rory on Jun 10, 2023 8:39:55 GMT
Wonder if this will transfer?!? ATG have co produced so the plan is for a transfer at some point next year I believe. Would be surprised if it didn't. Think Eilene Davidson is co-producing with ATG.
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Post by capybara on Jun 10, 2023 18:21:23 GMT
Saw this on Tuesday evening and, after going in pretty much blind on the production and story, I really enjoyed it.
The score was powerful and literally moved the story on. It was heartfelt but funny in places. A wonderful cast.
Delighted to see the positive reviews pouring in and I hope it goes on to have more success and another life elsewhere.
Four stars from me.
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