213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Apr 3, 2024 3:22:33 GMT
Menier Chocolate Factory - May/June. Just popped up on the website.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 29, 2024 6:21:32 GMT
The Divine Ms Stirling. Hugely enjoyable, very Theatrical, slightly too long but it's great fun and RS superb. A middle-aged actress facing career decisions, a difficult playwright and trauma following family death........Hmmm and not a camera in sight!
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 27, 2024 3:14:10 GMT
The Guardian review simply highlights the ineptitude of the reviewer; likening SS to Elizabeth Taylor and the early music to A Chorus Line? Please.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 20, 2024 17:41:33 GMT
And closes? ?
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 20, 2024 17:25:20 GMT
When does this open?
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 20, 2024 7:07:21 GMT
Really very impressive performance from Billy Crudup but.......I was rather bemused with the audience laughter from the top of the monologue finding humour in many of the lines (which I didn't!) I did find the British accent rather poor (and the cockney could give Dick Van Dyke a run for his money) but there could be an argument in that it was a choice since the character is American (Hmmmmm). Great energy though and a story very well told.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 8, 2024 9:17:07 GMT
Absolutely dreadful. There is so much wrong with this that it's almost impossible to critique. I have to commend the leading lady for literally throwing herself into this though, but I never once believed she was a (Broadway???) star struggling with age and despite her ability to carry a tune, we all know the voice is poor. Mind you there is little for anyone to sing since the score ranges from that Kander & Ebb-ish solo through interminable dirges (one performed particularly badly by Benjamin Walker - whose credits I was amazed to read - replace him please) to a baffling all-out showbizzy final number!!!!! A duet opening Act 2 is performed behind the voile curtain which I thought was an error. Amy Lennox comes out of this best finding warmth and surprising depth in character (and she can sing). The videos and projections are simply distracting and add nothing. Really amazed this has found it's way on to a stage. General interval comments all agreed.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 1, 2024 17:51:40 GMT
Is there a code for the 50% discount? It would be hard to eradicate memories of Fiona Shaw and that set at the NT years ago......
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 24, 2024 9:34:57 GMT
Managed to get through the to Box Office. Usual benign response. Acknowledgement that the site crashed and fielding "many calls" from CFT friends. Advice is to "try later". I suggest anyone with similar problems complains most strongly.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 24, 2024 9:25:50 GMT
Usual nonsense. Happens EVERY year. I am logged in as a member but telling me I cannot book as I am not a member!!!!
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 21, 2024 18:05:53 GMT
Largely hugely enjoyable. As ever, an unpopular opinion but the Americans were really "en point" with the Brits paling into comparison. Audra, Patrick & Aaron outstanding with Marisha playing around with notes which was annoying. I did not like the "juve lead" as she seemed apprehensive (maybe understandable) and whilst LsL sings well, her vocal tics are distracting. Not sure the entire concert was staged so well with misuse of the ensemble. AJC needs to watch her voice now too. Would have preferred a "guest vocalist" for some numbers and cut Mr Ball entirely. Julian tries too hard in a vocal entirely unsuited for his range. The sound in the cinema was appalling. No idea why Freidman was there.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 17, 2024 7:28:04 GMT
Enjoyed this more than expected; Act 1 is rather slow as is MB's performance but both are warm and rather engaging throughout. It was nice to have a curtain and the set is reassuringly old-fashioned. Yes, unusual entrance applause for both and the odd audience reactions to "Carrie's" line readings very off-putting at times. SJP handled the show-stop very well and seemed genuine at the curtain call. Both performers are rather good. A side note; the Savoy must be one of the worst run West End Theatres. Patrons are not shown (or even indicated) to seats resulting in several issues and the bars are a disaster. The tiny corridor at the rear stalls bar develops into an unbearably claustrophobic crush which surely breaches some H&S rules and the aggressive door staff provide a very poor impression (it was just the same when I saw SB and ALL).
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 15, 2024 7:58:09 GMT
Season announced on their website.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 15, 2024 7:56:49 GMT
Oliver! confirmed on their website.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 11, 2024 8:58:10 GMT
Loved this. Well cast, acted and directed. Old fashioned? Yes. Perfect for me! Great to see the cast mostly acting "in period" - it can be done! Harriet Walter in attendance too.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 6, 2024 9:44:07 GMT
Slightly disappointed in this. I think we've seen the family dynamics and characters before but the overall quality of performances was excellent. I also felt Act 3 lacked pace and I questioned the behaviour of one sister which seemed inconsistent with previous acts. Partisan audience who seemed to find laughter in many of the lines.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jan 1, 2024 0:45:10 GMT
Pretty amazing on second visit. I remain unimpressed by Mr Pennycooke but despite a few variants to numbers (Clare not hitting the top notes - a choice I feel) and B milking some business it remains the best thing of 2023. An embarrassment of riches.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Dec 29, 2023 7:10:43 GMT
Must be credited for the original SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM; original London cast of ALNM, founder of SHOW PEOPLE which brought several revue-style entertainments to the (old) Donmar Warehouse and elsewhere. A real gentleman.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Dec 16, 2023 17:27:36 GMT
He wrote a play BARNABY AND THE OLD BOYS which played at the Vaudeville Theatre in 1989 in which he starred with Jill Gascoine.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Dec 11, 2023 10:01:04 GMT
Soliloquy......Anyone think there might be last minute offers for this? Thought I would treat myself but am surprised to see how well it has sold - even the matinee! Who knew?
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Dec 6, 2023 10:32:19 GMT
Yes, similar issues with selected seats unable to load. Eventually managed to add to basket. A long wait with the site simply whirring. Have been charged. Impossible to call LW Theatres. Do I have the seats? Very poor and frustrating.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Dec 5, 2023 8:02:11 GMT
I would advise taking your seat no more than five minutes prior to curtain as the previously mentioned jazz has a particularly jarring effect and it sets an unsettling tone the rest of the production fails to deliver. Yes, it is a strange play but I felt none of the underlying menace and tension present in previous productions and much of the casting is underwhelming. An odd variety of strangulated vowels throughout and much of the dialogue is lost (from the second row); Mr Cole curiously unexpressive throughout (aside from the curtain call) and the "boxer" unconvincing. Nicholas Tennant was the only actor who resonated with the correct "style".
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Nov 22, 2023 5:57:02 GMT
From the middle of the stalls, I had a hard time hearing much of the dialogue and have to wonder if less experienced stage actors simply cannot enunciate efficiently. I thought the set did not serve the piece at all well and had none of the claustrophobic atmosphere which should drive the piece. Overall bland performances - nobody stood out for me and sadly Ms Walter was very disappointing with little of the martinet on display. A rather muted response from the audience too.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Nov 2, 2023 7:11:14 GMT
I found this hugely enjoyable. Old fashioned, fun, super set, two terrific performances from the leads and corgis! I'm not sure they know quite how to end the piece though. How nice to see a curtain too........
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Oct 24, 2023 6:10:34 GMT
Oh dear, really couldn't see the point of this at all. I wonder whether the two excellent leading ladies read the play before accepting.......very disappointing.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 30, 2023 5:24:35 GMT
Agreed.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 29, 2023 7:14:48 GMT
As I feared, this was not for me. The truncated title speaks volumes for we are not seeing Sunset Boulevard as written and as such it makes no sense. It's really a concert version. Joe and Betty very good. Unsure why everyone played "to the front". From the reaction last night "it's a hit". I could not wait to leave.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 27, 2023 6:56:55 GMT
Terrific. I loved the simplicity of the staging, letting the content do the work and mostly the performers served this extremely well. In fact I found the wonderful barrage of quality somewhat overwhelming. Bernadette remains such a generous and warm performer and Lea sounded great. A very special evening.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 23, 2023 16:35:34 GMT
I'm there on Thursday and am increasingly anxious. "Attention must be paid" to the source material. Comments about the re-invention of Norma as an ex-reality star surely doesn't work with the references to the silent movie era. Write a new show about those individuals and don't mess with the source material. I am worried; it feels gimmicky and might attract a new audience who will be forever ruined.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 15, 2023 17:54:39 GMT
What do we seasoned theatregoers do? Many of us have seen everything over the years as part of our cultural DNA but now at 60 years I either have to stump up ridiculous amounts of money (£200) for a decent-ish seat for what might be an average production of a dated play (despite the NY reviews - Simon has never travelled well here) as I can't do dress or upper circle or forego the entire experience which I am more and more inclined to do. Sad reflection of our times I think. It's down to producers' greed I fear and the gullible public buying into it.
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