2,816 posts
|
Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 23, 2023 4:50:33 GMT
Full cast announcement and they confirmed it's the version of the show with the 2017 revisions
|
|
|
Post by nottobe on Nov 19, 2023 17:37:36 GMT
This has it's first preview on Saturday and the first week seems to be sold out. December seems to be selling well but then there seems to be lots of availability for the rest of the run. I am wanting to see this however price wise it does not work out for me. Do we think there may be offers for this and if so where would they be, TodayTix maybe ?
|
|
2,816 posts
|
Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 19, 2023 17:40:26 GMT
This has it's first preview on Saturday and the first week seems to be sold out. December seems to be selling well but then there seems to be lots of availability for the rest of the run. I am wanting to see this however price wise it does not work out for me. Do we think there may be offers for this and if so where would they be, TodayTix maybe ? Menier is not usually great with offers unless something is selling abysmally, which is rarely the case of their musical revivals. If sales are dire after December they might pop up on TodayTix
|
|
452 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by apubleed on Nov 25, 2023 16:50:42 GMT
First preview tonight!
|
|
7,553 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Nov 25, 2023 18:05:51 GMT
Had an e mail from the Menier yesterday regarding my forthcoming visit but apart from the Pacific Overtures artwork there was nothing in the e mail so no idea what they were trying to tell me. Anyone else had one?
|
|
452 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by apubleed on Nov 25, 2023 18:13:22 GMT
Same issue lol.
|
|
|
Post by punxsutawney on Nov 25, 2023 19:12:38 GMT
Had an e mail from the Menier yesterday regarding my forthcoming visit but apart from the Pacific Overtures artwork there was nothing in the e mail so no idea what they were trying to tell me. Anyone else had one? Same here. I'm not booked until the start of Feb, so was quite confused. Must have gone out to a good chunk of people if not everybody!
|
|
196 posts
|
Post by Peter on Nov 25, 2023 19:54:48 GMT
Had an e mail from the Menier yesterday regarding my forthcoming visit but apart from the Pacific Overtures artwork there was nothing in the e mail so no idea what they were trying to tell me. Anyone else had one? Same here - going Wednesday so assumed it was related to that, but it was blank. Very much hoping they will be selling posters with that artwork though….
|
|
7,553 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Nov 25, 2023 19:54:54 GMT
I'm going next week so hopefully it's just a reminder and not about changes, cancellation of performance.
|
|
3,809 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Nov 25, 2023 20:33:25 GMT
Had an e mail from the Menier yesterday regarding my forthcoming visit but apart from the Pacific Overtures artwork there was nothing in the e mail so no idea what they were trying to tell me. Anyone else had one? Same here - going Wednesday so assumed it was related to that, but it was blank. Very much hoping they will be selling posters with that artwork though…. Same here. I got the same email. I have made enquiries and have been assured that that they are selling posters at the venue.
|
|
|
Post by greenandbrownandblue on Nov 26, 2023 9:46:13 GMT
Anyone there last night? Really want to see it but it's not cheap!
|
|
252 posts
|
Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Nov 26, 2023 13:03:16 GMT
Anyone there last night? Really want to see it but it's not cheap! I was there last night. Flying back to NYC this afternoon. First impression is that it needs more and has room to get it I’ve never seen another production. People around me have said the same. It’s clear that the minimal setting is under utilized. Some cast members will sit in the audience so please do not put you wine glass on the floor if your in the aisle. The audience on the other side will have a good laugh. The cast is good. No stand-out performances The show is 1 hour 45 minutes.
|
|
452 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by apubleed on Nov 26, 2023 18:12:24 GMT
I think this is a pretty incredible, unusual artistic achievement that is a must-see for anyone that is curious about odd, intellectual shows. And I love the visuals. Feel like the cast might need a little bit more time in some of the roles. Not the best performed Sondheim I've seen recently, but it was a first preview.
|
|
233 posts
|
Post by singingbird on Nov 28, 2023 11:46:33 GMT
I saw this last night. Certainly enjoyed it but it was a bit of a mixed bag.
Pros - the design and staging. The finale. At least half of the musical numbers. Some great directorial choices.
Cons - Very slow to get going. Lacking in energy. Very poor diction meaning Sondheim's intricate lyrics were often lost, even though I was in the front row and actors were often only a few feet from me.
It's a strange little show, isn't it? It's by far the Sondheim show I know least well - I have three recordings but never feel like playing them. I have seen it once before, at the Donmar twenty years ago, and I remember almost nothing of that production. Even for Sondheim, it feels like an intellectual experiment and I think my biggest problem with it is that its dramatic integrity (even more so now in this edited version without Chrysanthemum Tea) also means that, for half of the show, it just isn't very engaging or dramatic. It's so intent on not letting the Broadway musical/western influences in until the point in the story that Japan starts to open up, that it ends up lacking drive or energy also until that point. I wouldn't mind this if I felt the first half was really beautiful and magical, but (even with some exquisite moments, like the Poems song) it just feels like we're waiting for Sondheim and Weidman to stop pretending to be Japanese and to get to what they do best. I just don't find this portion of the show convincing or engaging. Maybe that's just me - I don't know. But it all felt very very flat until we got to Someone in a Tree and Please Hello. I'd be interested to read comments from people who know the show better than I do, to get a sense of whether this is endemic to the sript, or it's a fault with this production.
|
|
7,553 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Dec 1, 2023 10:45:37 GMT
Went to see this last night. I have only seen one production of this musical before which was at the Donmar Warehouse about 20 years ago but know the music very well. I really liked the staging which was performed with a traverse staging and audience either side. I had a seat in the front row. Set was simple but very effective with great lighting and video images on the floor. I was surprised by the amount of dialogue especially at the beginning as I usually associate Sondheim with more songs than dialogue so thought the first 20 minutes or so dragged a bit. I was upset that Chrysanthemum tea was missing as its one of the better songs in this musical and, I think I am right in saying, Pretty Ladies has moved and is now towards the end of the show. For a moment I thought they had cut it as well. The cast were very good but as someone mentioned earlier there was a bit of a diction issue for me with some of the cast and hard to understand what they were singing. Lyrics are as important as the music with Sondheim so you really need to be able to hear every word sung. I thought the band sounded really good considering there were only 9 of them. Audience seemed to enjoy it but there was no standing ovation at the end. I've gone for 4 stars but its probably more of a 3.5 for me.
Lots of film lorries in the street near the theatre and when I got to the theatre the side road was closed off and they were filming the back door/stage door of the Menier. Looks like it had been turned into some sort of backstreet nightclub with neon signs. Very 70s Soho feel. No idea what it was for.
|
|
3,809 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Dec 1, 2023 12:01:30 GMT
I am there tonight.
|
|
|
Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Dec 1, 2023 14:47:35 GMT
Went to see this last night. I have only seen one production of this musical before which was at the Donmar Warehouse about 20 years ago but know the music very well. I really liked the staging which was performed with a traverse staging and audience either side. I had a seat in the front row. Set was simple but very effective with great lighting and video images on the floor. I was surprised by the amount of dialogue especially at the beginning as I usually associate Sondheim with more songs than dialogue so thought the first 20 minutes or so dragged a bit. I was upset that Chrysanthemum tea was missing as its one of the better songs in this musical and, I think I am right in saying, Pretty Ladies has moved and is now towards the end of the show. For a moment I thought they had cut it as well. The cast were very good but as someone mentioned earlier there was a bit of a diction issue for me with some of the cast and hard to understand what they were singing. Lyrics are as important as the music with Sondheim so you really need to be able to hear every word sung. I thought the band sounded really good considering there were only 9 of them. Audience seemed to enjoy it but there was no standing ovation at the end. I've gone for 4 stars but its probably more of a 3.5 for me. Lots of film lorries in the street near the theatre and when I got to the theatre the side road was closed off and they were filming the back door/stage door of the Menier. Looks like it had been turned into some sort of backstreet nightclub with neon signs. Very 70s Soho feel. No idea what it was for. Pretty Lady is always near the end of the show. It's the penultimate song and happens just before the climactic battle scene.
|
|
|
Post by shownut on Dec 1, 2023 15:50:56 GMT
I caught it last night as well.
I can only say that it is a decent production of a not very good show.
Works as a history lesson but otherwise has no emotional weight of for that matter, heart.
Liked the design, the direction and performances but the score proves that even the theatre "Gods" are fallible.
*** from me.
|
|
7,553 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Dec 1, 2023 23:00:14 GMT
Went to see this last night. I have only seen one production of this musical before which was at the Donmar Warehouse about 20 years ago but know the music very well. I really liked the staging which was performed with a traverse staging and audience either side. I had a seat in the front row. Set was simple but very effective with great lighting and video images on the floor. I was surprised by the amount of dialogue especially at the beginning as I usually associate Sondheim with more songs than dialogue so thought the first 20 minutes or so dragged a bit. I was upset that Chrysanthemum tea was missing as its one of the better songs in this musical and, I think I am right in saying, Pretty Ladies has moved and is now towards the end of the show. For a moment I thought they had cut it as well. The cast were very good but as someone mentioned earlier there was a bit of a diction issue for me with some of the cast and hard to understand what they were singing. Lyrics are as important as the music with Sondheim so you really need to be able to hear every word sung. I thought the band sounded really good considering there were only 9 of them. Audience seemed to enjoy it but there was no standing ovation at the end. I've gone for 4 stars but its probably more of a 3.5 for me. Lots of film lorries in the street near the theatre and when I got to the theatre the side road was closed off and they were filming the back door/stage door of the Menier. Looks like it had been turned into some sort of backstreet nightclub with neon signs. Very 70s Soho feel. No idea what it was for. Pretty Lady is always near the end of the show. It's the penultimate song and happens just before the climactic battle scene. Thanks for that info. As I mentioned in the post it was 20 years ago I last saw it so my memory is not so good these days.
|
|
3,809 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Dec 2, 2023 18:06:48 GMT
Saw this last night.
I thought it was very good. It was a full house. We were very tightly packed in.
I have only ever seen an amateur production of this show many years ago so knew the basic storyline outline. I also knew the songs as I have a cast recording an on occasion, a song may come up on a random playlist, but it was good to see it all in context.
Personally, I missed Chrysanthemum Tea. I guess there's a reason why they chose to cut it.
There is much to like about this production.
Firstly, the intimacy of the space. I have been to the Menier so many times that I've lost count but you're so close to the performers.
I loved the costumes and wigs.
Each one of those cast members is working really hard.
As minimal as it was, the set worked.
I loved the ships (Four Black Dragons), the way a battle ship was made out of a bedsheet and when the foreign ambassadors arrived (Don't Touch The Coat!).
Another Sondheim ticked off my list!
When it finished and started walking back to the station I realised how little I know about Japan.
|
|
|
Post by coco on Dec 3, 2023 8:56:43 GMT
I saw this yesterday night. This is my first time seeing this musical, as I normally would avoid Western musicals with Asian themes, especially if the playwright is not Asian. So I have no other productions to compare with this one. But I like the production, especially regarding staging, such as numbers like Four Black Dragons and A Bowler Hat.
However, I don't like the attitude near the end of the musical, which seemed a bit glorifying or justifying the Japanese invasion of neighbouring countries. But maybe it's because I'm from those countries, and this is a co-production with Umeda Theatre from Japan. My friend who has seen the video recording of 1976 Hal Prince's production told me that the original version is way more ironic, so I think I will definitely check it out.
|
|
1,316 posts
|
Post by tmesis on Dec 3, 2023 23:46:43 GMT
Really enjoyed this yesterday. It’s a classy production and one of the best uses of traverse at MCF. The sound balance between vocals and instrumentals was exceptional (it’s so rare to have it this good.)
Also it was so well sung.
Like so much Sondheim the vocal lines are not easy. There’s not much lyrical music in the score, the exception being Pretty Lady. Most of the songs are relatively rapid motivic phrases of 4 or 5 notes. Because of that performances resort to a kind of sprechgesang - and that includes the original, and excellent, Broadway recording - but yesterday it was refreshing to hear most of the notes actually sung.
|
|
|
Post by Fleance on Dec 4, 2023 0:02:06 GMT
I did not know that Chrysanthemum Tea had been cut, until reading this thread. Now I don't mind missing this production.
|
|
4,159 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Dec 4, 2023 11:20:05 GMT
Is there quite a small pool of Asian musical theatre performers in the UK? I note that the same few performers seem to pop up in every Asian based/focused show as if the talent pool must be pretty small. Do we not see many Asian performers come over to drama school here? Is there just a lack of interest in performing/the arts within our Asian communities?
|
|
7,553 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Dec 4, 2023 12:32:07 GMT
Is there quite a small pool of Asian musical theatre performers in the UK? I note that the same few performers seem to pop up in every Asian based/focused show as if the talent pool must be pretty small. Do we not see many Asian performers come over to drama school here? Is there just a lack of interest in performing/the arts within our Asian communities? When I was reading the programme over half the cast had been in The King and I, Miss Siagon and George Tskei's Allegiance.
|
|
4,971 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by TallPaul on Dec 4, 2023 12:39:06 GMT
Is there just a lack of interest in performing/the arts within our Asian communities? I'm sure there is an interest, but imagine telling your first generation parents, who have made huge sacrifices to give you a better life, that you want to be an actor, rather than the doctor/lawyer/accountant they had been hoping for.
|
|
|
Post by coco on Dec 4, 2023 15:42:00 GMT
Is there just a lack of interest in performing/the arts within our Asian communities? I'm sure there is an interest, but imagine telling your first generation parents, who have made huge sacrifices to give you a better life, that you want to be an actor, rather than the doctor/lawyer/accountant they had been hoping for. LOL. Exactly. I'm not sure about the situation here in UK, but at least to first generation Asian parents in the US, they think doctors and lawyers get paid way more than in the entertainment industry, generally speaking. And the most important thing actually is about the stability and high social status (at least in Asia) of these professions. For accountant, I would not say so. But it's still a better job than being an actor.
|
|
7,553 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Dec 6, 2023 15:41:40 GMT
The critics seem to like it. Lots of 4 stars.
|
|
544 posts
|
Post by amp09 on Dec 6, 2023 17:40:07 GMT
I’m unable to attend tonight if someone would like a free ticket (E31 - paid £52.50). Drop me a message with your email and I’ll forward onto you.
Posted on noticeboard but not sure how quick it gets approved.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Dec 7, 2023 8:10:40 GMT
A mixed experience as others have said above,but worth the effort.
Just a note 're comfort. We were really packed in and sitting at the end of the row meant 1.45 with your head at 45 degrees and no ability to swivel at all. Also the a\c u it above was blasting down on us when it was 3degrees outside. Much shuffling to put coats back on. I
There's an explanation in the programme by John Weidman why he and Sondheim have decided to cut Chrysanthemum Tea. Although a"tour De force" it destroys the tone the authors want. I think you'll wait a long time to see a production with it included.
|
|