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Post by Montmartre on Jan 9, 2020 17:30:27 GMT
Saw this yesterday afternoon - quite a good turnout I thought.. I wish it had been announced that there was a pre-show, as I only saw about 10 minutes of it. What fabulous musicians. I felt for that girl carrying the cello.
Having seen the show in London a while ago and not having been that taken by it, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it yesterday. The girl had a beautiful effortless, crystal clear voice. I didn't realise there was so much comedy in it,
Row G is the first raised row - a perfect view.
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Post by justfran on Jan 9, 2020 19:18:31 GMT
Are the audience still able to go to the on-stage bar pre-show?
Can anyone who has seen the show so far also advise any merchandise they have for sale?
Thanks in advance 😊
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Post by Dr Tom on Jan 9, 2020 19:31:27 GMT
Are the audience still able to go to the on-stage bar pre-show? Can anyone who has seen the show so far also advise any merchandise they have for sale? Thanks in advance 😊 No, this is a different production without a bar.
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541 posts
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Post by andrew on Jan 9, 2020 19:54:08 GMT
Are the audience still able to go to the on-stage bar pre-show? Can anyone who has seen the show so far also advise any merchandise they have for sale? Thanks in advance 😊 I didn't see any merch apart from the programme but that might depend on the venue.
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Post by justfran on Jan 9, 2020 21:56:45 GMT
Thanks for the answers both.
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Post by jamb0r on Jan 10, 2020 9:28:06 GMT
This show means a lot to me. First time I saw it in the West End I had decided a couple of days before that I was going to get out of a terrible long term relationship, but my partner insisted on taking me on a trip to London to try and make things better. Ended up getting day seats to see Once and we were in the middle of the front row. Cut to act 2 with the cast practically screaming the lyrics ‘When your mind’s made up, there’s no point trying to change it’ at me it was the message I needed to turn my life around and get out of that situation, and leaving was the best thing I’ve ever done (been in a MUCH better relationship now for the last 6 years and couldn’t be happier)
Caught this on Wednesday and thought it was WONDERFUL (and I only sobbed (silently!) for about 90% of it). I’ve been pretty desperate for a tour since it closed in the West End, and this production was everything I could have hoped for. The cast are all absolutely perfect and unbelievably talented. The £15 seats at the front were a steal (thanks for the advice!) and it was busier than I was expecting - looks like it’s selling better towards the end of this run. Was hoping to get a return visit in before it moves on from Croydon but most of those cheap seats have gone now. Will probably try and catch it in Woking next month.
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Post by Dave B on Jan 12, 2020 0:14:58 GMT
We caught the last night in Croydon tonight. Really good, a lot of fun. The cast are pretty great. As mentioned above, the bar isn't on the stage at the start however most of the cast are on the stage from at least 20 minutes earlier doing a version of a pub trad session while people take their seats.
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Post by justfran on Jan 13, 2020 9:03:56 GMT
There’s a glowing 5 star review on WOS.
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Post by gazzaw13 on Jan 15, 2020 23:41:51 GMT
Saw this today in Southend. It's stripped back from the original WE production but the music and emotion shine through. I've seen 4 actors play Girl and fallen in love with each of them. It's such a great part and Emma Lucia is excellent - the best vocal performance of the 4. I was pleased they have cut the Billy/Bank Manager relationship which always jarred for me. I hope the tour extends to include London as I want to see it for a 5th time. 5*
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Post by andrew on Jan 16, 2020 2:17:37 GMT
Can anyone who has seen both productions (and has time) elaborate on the differences between the West End (or Broadway) version and the UK tour?
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Post by Stasia on Jan 16, 2020 9:05:53 GMT
Can anyone who has seen both productions (and has time) elaborate on the differences between the West End (or Broadway) version and the UK tour? I have seen West End production 25 times (+5 times in Dublin where it was technically the same production and even the same set travelled from London) and touring production 6 times (in Hornchurch and Croydon). And I always have time to talk about Once! The differences are: Set - the current one looks much more like a pub, the "pre-Sleeping" moment has a huge moon painted ove the characters heads. Costumes - different but same style Onstage swings added - they are actively participating in preshow and in some of the numbers. This makes the sound richer as there are more strings playing. Preshow songs: only 3 or 4 now instead of 6, Irish only (no Czech ones) Texts are the same, except for Billy is not a "big" but a "tall" man. Musically they added a few bars of "North Strand" at the end of it to make the scene change to the Da's shop, they slightly lengthened the start of Sleeping. Also first Falling slowly now does not intercept with the dialogue. Choreo is different but has lots of things that look as they were in WE, probably due to remarks on how to stage the If You Want me or Pada Pada dance. Flamenko scene is slightly longer. Staging is quite different. At some moments it works better, but I still miss the people moving while Say It To Me Now and Sleeping. The Bank Manager and Billy relationship does not differ - as I've seen loads of actors playing the parts, I can say they were allowed to tone the friendship down or make it look as bromance even depending on who is playing with who. I might come up smth else later!
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Jan 16, 2020 9:11:12 GMT
Saw this today in Southend. It's stripped back from the original WE production but the music and emotion shine through. I've seen 4 actors play Girl and fallen in love with each of them. It's such a great part and Emma Lucia is excellent - the best vocal performance of the 4. I was pleased they have cut the Billy/Bank Manager relationship which always jarred for me. I hope the tour extends to include London as I want to see it for a 5th time. 5* I am interested in what you feel as "striped back". For me they are pretty much the same scale as WE was quite intimate (and not very epensive-looking as well)
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614 posts
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Post by jamb0r on Jan 16, 2020 10:10:16 GMT
Stasia I have a question I am sure you can answer Was the 'Ronan Keeting' line always in the show? Was it also in the show when Ronan was in the cast in the West End?
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Jan 16, 2020 10:24:26 GMT
Stasia I have a question I am sure you can answer Was the 'Ronan Keeting' line always in the show? Was it also in the show when Ronan was in the cast in the West End? Nope, West End had Michael Bouble there even in pre_Keating times
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Post by jamb0r on Jan 16, 2020 10:27:32 GMT
Stasia I have a question I am sure you can answer Was the 'Ronan Keeting' line always in the show? Was it also in the show when Ronan was in the cast in the West End? Nope, West End had Michael Bouble there even in pre_Keating times Ahhh thank you! I was sure I hadn't heard Ronan's name mentioned in the show before, but it's been a long time since seeing it in the West End - thank you for confirming I was remembering correctly.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 16, 2020 21:37:52 GMT
The band is on stage for this then, right?
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Post by Stasia on Jan 17, 2020 8:11:13 GMT
The band is on stage for this then, right? There is no band. Actors are playing the instruments, just as it was in WE version
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Post by hels on Jan 21, 2020 0:06:18 GMT
Ooooo Liverpool tomorrow night!!! Can’t wait 😁
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Post by david on Jan 21, 2020 0:24:09 GMT
I wasn’t too sure whether I’d be able to attend tonight’s opening night at the Liverpool Empire having been off work and stuck sat on my sofa over the last few days with flu and only returning today so it was see how the day went and how the body coped. Having had a tough first day back and needing cheating up I decided to take the plunge and use my ticket. This show is definitely what I needed as a pick me up. A fantastic book that through the on stage performances made me care and invest some emotion into the characters and their journeys. I’ll happily admit, I shed a tear by the end.
Having never watched the original WE run after rave reviews on here, I used my ATG card to get a £20 central row F stalls seat. An absolute bargain for a really great night out. The preshow was top class and really got the audience in the mood for the rest of the evening. The show itself I thought was just a beautifully crafted piece of theatre. Daniel Healy and Emma Lucia were perfectly cast as the leads with great on stage chemistry. Vocally, both were stunning in their individual numbers (Emma’s solo in Act 2 was just sheer joy to listen to), but combined, their voices just raised the show to another level entirely.
The brilliant ensemble actor-musicians just added even more depth to an already fantastic show. I really can’t fault the casting with this show. The producers really have struck gold with this cast.
Great pub set that I didn’t feel got swallowed up by the massive Empire stage.
Coming straight after watching the Old Vic’s fantastic Christmas Carol, tonight’s viewing is another 5⭐️ production. A production with a lot of heart and warmth with some great Irish humour thrown in.
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Post by andrew on Jan 21, 2020 0:33:02 GMT
Can anyone who has seen both productions (and has time) elaborate on the differences between the West End (or Broadway) version and the UK tour? I have seen West End production 25 times (+5 times in Dublin where it was technically the same production and even the same set travelled from London) and touring production 6 times (in Hornchurch and Croydon). And I always have time to talk about Once! The differences are: Set - the current one looks much more like a pub, the "pre-Sleeping" moment has a huge moon painted ove the characters heads. Costumes - different but same style Onstage swings added - they are actively participating in preshow and in some of the numbers. This makes the sound richer as there are more strings playing. Preshow songs: only 3 or 4 now instead of 6, Irish only (no Czech ones) Texts are the same, except for Billy is not a "big" but a "tall" man. Musically they added a few bars of "North Strand" at the end of it to make the scene change to the Da's shop, they slightly lengthened the start of Sleeping. Also first Falling slowly now does not intercept with the dialogue. Choreo is different but has lots of things that look as they were in WE, probably due to remarks on how to stage the If You Want me or Pada Pada dance. Flamenko scene is slightly longer. Staging is quite different. At some moments it works better, but I still miss the people moving while Say It To Me Now and Sleeping. The Bank Manager and Billy relationship does not differ - as I've seen loads of actors playing the parts, I can say they were allowed to tone the friendship down or make it look as bromance even depending on who is playing with who. I might come up smth else later! Thanks so much for that!
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Post by xanady on Feb 3, 2020 21:22:52 GMT
Just booked 2FOR1 in June at the Brum Alex for this show with ATG...front row works out at £19 per ticket.Got an e-mail from the Alex and the code is LOVE as it’s a Valentine’s deal.Shame they can’t offer the same for singles. Buddy -The Buddy Holly Musical also in the deal and some tribute nights etc.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 3, 2020 23:46:41 GMT
Just booked 2FOR1 in June at the Brum Alex for this show with ATG...front row works out at £19 per ticket.Got an e-mail from the Alex and the code is LOVE as it’s a Valentine’s deal.Shame they can’t offer the same for singles. Buddy -The Buddy Holly Musical also in the deal and some tribute nights etc. Just tried and, as you said, alas no good for us singles. I have, however, already booked for Coventry, where the prices are cheaper than Birmingham without needing a discount code.
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Post by xanady on Feb 4, 2020 16:11:59 GMT
Yes,we couldn’t make the Coventry dates,Sir,but you are absolutely right about the prices at the Belgrade.Always good value at that theatre. Really looking forward to this show after some really positive comments on the thread.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 11, 2020 8:04:21 GMT
Nipped over to Woking last night to see this. For once, my front row seat remained in the front row, so had an excellent view with lots of legroom (the downside being a continual stream of people using the front row to get across to their seats during the pre-show).
The pre-show didn't start until 7:24pm.
This is in fine form, probably more polished since I saw it in Croydon. All of the leads were on. A good appreciative audience too, pretty full.
One hint for travelling to Woking. You can save money by using Oyster to Clapham Junction, then getting a paid ticket from there.
Anyway, I shall see this again in a few weeks. I definitely like this production much more than I ever did the version that played in the West End.
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Post by hels on Mar 3, 2020 17:55:35 GMT
So, since I last posted in January, I have seen the show in Liverpool and York, and tomorrow night I see it in Bath. I still love it, so am also seeing it in Oxford, Cardiff and Newcastle! My husband and I love the show and are making the most of the tour dates and visiting cities that we haven’t been to before. If you haven’t seen it, ready all the reviews online and you’ll be straight on the phone to book tickets!
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Post by amp09 on Mar 3, 2020 22:43:01 GMT
So, since I last posted in January, I have seen the show in Liverpool and York, and tomorrow night I see it in Bath. I still love it, so am also seeing it in Oxford, Cardiff and Newcastle! My husband and I love the show and are making the most of the tour dates and visiting cities that we haven’t been to before. If you haven’t seen it, ready all the reviews online and you’ll be straight on the phone to book tickets! Hope you enjoy Bath, such a beautiful city. I’m seeing it here tomorrow night also 😆
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 15, 2020 15:37:10 GMT
Saw this again on Friday in Coventry, from the very end of the front row. As good as ever. All the leads were on.
Overheard the people next to me saying they were trying to get seats to come again on Saturday, but it was sold out. Also sold out on Friday, so the Coventry leg did well.
My train was late and the pre-show started on time, with a long queue to pick up tickets, so I arrived during Athen Rye. Not sure how much I missed, but it was a really long pre-show, running at least 20 minutes (that I saw), with the show starting about 20:10. It also ended up late and meant I missed my train and subsequent connection, which was a bit of a pain, but I did get back.
Also a lot of commotion during the pre-show as a group arrived to find their tickets in the row behind me were taken. The people in the seats took a lot of convincing before they would agree their tickets were actually for the Dress Circle. They got replaced by a frequent cougher, obviously not taking the PM's requirement of self-isolation too seriously.
Anyway, great audience, great show. I can see this doing very well with a continued tour hitting second tier venues like the Belgrade Theatre.
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Post by Deal J on Mar 15, 2020 16:33:16 GMT
Yes I was at the Belgrade on Wednesday evening and it was pretty much sold out, very impressive and hopefully means we’ll get more of this sort of thing going forward rather than the seemingly endless tribute act concerts. Looking forward to seeing SIX there on 06/06!
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Post by stagebyte on Mar 15, 2020 22:22:43 GMT
Yes I was at the Belgrade on Wednesday evening and it was pretty much sold out, very impressive and hopefully means we’ll get more of this sort of thing going forward rather than the seemingly endless tribute act concerts. Looking forward to seeing SIX there on 06/06! Saw this last night. Sold out. Standing ovation. Terrific show. Have been pleasantly surprised at this season at the Belgrade - is there someone new in charge of programming? I haven’t been for years due to the stale productions they book but such a good programme this year! If they’re reading here. We need more shows like Once, Six, A monster calls etc - sold out runs speak for themselves.
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Post by stagebyte on Mar 15, 2020 22:23:37 GMT
Yes I was at the Belgrade on Wednesday evening and it was pretty much sold out, very impressive and hopefully means we’ll get more of this sort of thing going forward rather than the seemingly endless tribute act concerts. Looking forward to seeing SIX there on 06/06! Saw this last night. Sold out. Standing ovation. Terrific show. Have been pleasantly surprised at this season at the Belgrade - is there someone new in charge of programming? I haven’t been for years due to the stale productions they book and travel to the Curve or the Alex instead but such a good programme this year! If they’re reading here. We need more shows like Once, Six, A monster calls etc - sold out runs speak for themselves.
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