213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 15, 2023 17:46:32 GMT
Why doesn't this thrill me? I am getting very scared.......
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 14, 2023 10:22:32 GMT
That's so annoying. Tried on another device - didn't work for me! Well done though.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 14, 2023 9:14:01 GMT
Agreed. This ridiculous system is so annoying; was waiting for a pop-up link after the countdown but nothing. 8000 ahead of me apparently. Who knew this or they were so popular?
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Aug 31, 2023 17:42:25 GMT
Well, here I am in the minority yet again. The musical is inherently interesting and the production is fine with the three young performers really excellent but......I found Ms Levy one note. Yes, she can sing extremely well, but without an ounce of emotion (in my opinion). I also thought she never displayed any of the manic tendencies associated with this disease and hence always found her to be in control which is at odds with the piece. Jamie Parker was better than expected but could not really deliver his big act 2 song. I was drawn back to Alice Ripley from the OBC and maintain her interpretation cannot be bettered - so much emotion in a single line. Please don't shoot me down fellow theatre-lovers. This is my opinion which I feel entitled to share! And by the way, about five single empty stalls seats on Tuesday night.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jul 1, 2023 7:05:51 GMT
It's the ticket prices which are becoming prohibitive. As an ex-Theatre worker, I was fortunate enough not to pay for tickets in over twenty years, so the fact that I now do feels as if I'm at least giving something "back". I try and see most things and book way in advance for previews when prices can be a little cheaper but I'm old now and need to be close to the action and that comes at a cost! When you add travel, food and drink (for two) an "evening out" does become very expensive indeed. I would have booked for Aspects but found the prices prohibitive. Even now with the closing notice posted, Monday evening's Stalls A6 is still £55 (and that's without Ball!) for a seat which offers a restricted view due to the high stage. As for the "premium seats" which is a very modern phenomenon - pure rip-off! I feel producers have become greedy and honestly only have themselves to blame if shows "fail". So many incentives could be brought in to ensure full houses (loyalty schemes for those who like repeated viewings, I wonder if they still "paper" to nurses and cabbies, reaching out to other venues - most of whom now send a follow up survey after seeing a show - to access databases for email offers etc....) I wonder how CfY will fare in this market? I saw it at Chichester so won't have to bother in London. It is a sad state of affairs.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jun 30, 2023 7:11:40 GMT
I kind of enjoyed this but felt so terribly frustrated that Alice was never given the opportunity to "let go" - either in performance or vocally. I don't think she's been very well directed. Had no trouble following the non-linear narrative but felt the various cameos verged on the caricature. Band sounded great though.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jun 22, 2023 16:39:56 GMT
I note that has now been revised. Still incredibly poor and shines a light on the reviewer.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jun 22, 2023 14:20:25 GMT
How sad that the WOS reviewer hasn't bothered to check his facts citing Grace Kelly (instead of Audrey Hepburn) as the original star of the film. Mind you Michael X tweeted that he'd be stepping into Cary Grant's shoes (instead of Gregory Peck's). Sigh........................
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jun 22, 2023 14:07:04 GMT
This is not for everyone and the Tyler Perry references might get lost in translation but despite my misgivings going in, I rather enjoyed it! I don't think it's perfect and could still do with some trimming in my opinion but it's certainly like nothing we've ever seen before. I thought the ensemble were pretty terrific and although the leading man was good in a pretty mammoth role, I wonder if it would benefit from someone with that little something "extra". Don't go if you're easily offended though.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jun 21, 2023 6:45:03 GMT
Totally agree with the above. Very enjoyable nonetheless.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jun 10, 2023 6:14:21 GMT
Performance cancelled last night at the Theatre Royal Windsor due to "technical difficulties". Since it's a two hander, perhaps the set is giving trouble! Windsor very accommodating in exchanging tickets.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on May 30, 2023 15:40:28 GMT
I've been flirting with seeing this but cannot justify the absurdly high prices (I'm too old to sit in the "gods"). Today I saw seats become available (official website) in the third row for £39:50 and almost booked but as I need an aisle seat, could not face the thought of being "trapped" in the middle of a row. I wonder if anyone knows what these are? I can't imagine they would be restricted in any way and would imagine if they were house seats or keeps, they would be on sale for a higher price. Curious........
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on May 20, 2023 13:51:59 GMT
Kimberley Akimbo. Donnybrook has the superb Susan Johnson and the duet "I Wouldn't Bet One Penny" is a favourite.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on May 20, 2023 13:50:02 GMT
Ouch, sorry for you! Saw last night and enjoyed it very very much. No obvious signs of anyone struggling. Had read the book too so knew what to expect (with a few changes and a major character plotline alteration); perhaps cutting the interval and a couple of "samey" songs would tighten, but overall good!
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on May 19, 2023 12:13:42 GMT
Had a few bad experiences there, now prefer The Coal Shed. Much better.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on May 16, 2023 9:06:59 GMT
Back to the production! A favourite "Musical Comedy" from the Golden Age which I found to be well sung (but quite why they are miked in this venue is baffling), played by the band and was overall enjoyable. The gender switching is unnecessary, does not work and with some strange directorial choices some performers are battling with the style. Not a fan of Ms Bennett who resorts to her standard gurning, is spectacularly unfunny and I wonder why she would accept such a role. Also the leading performer simply lacks the charm, charisma (and previously mentioned) style for this in my opinion. There was a terrific production at Chichester in 2005 (with Joe McFadden) which was pitch perfect and even the Jonathan Groff concert at RFH got much of it right. Maybe some issues will be ironed out during the previews.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on May 2, 2023 8:52:44 GMT
Hugely enjoyable and very "Theatrical"; the two leading men do a superb job but I found the interpretation of Miss Taylor rather jarring. Very warmly received by a largely partisan audience. Nice to see the National back to top-quality productions.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Apr 22, 2023 14:35:28 GMT
Is anyone else having issues logging into the "new" site? Been seeing productions there for over ten years but my email address is "not recognised"........ Also, does anyone know if the bench seating has been replaced with proper seats?
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Apr 11, 2023 6:52:07 GMT
It's a very different and dark interpretation but very enjoyable nonetheless with Rachael Stirling incandescent as Amanda. Solid support from the others with Stephen Mangan playing it in a very modern style. The ridiculous interval interlude added nothing and I question why Longhurst decided to allow such dreary music (only one piece of which was recognisably Coward) throughout.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Apr 9, 2023 4:56:27 GMT
TMHF is such an "undiscovered" gem; don't think it's been done here since the original at the Coliseum in 1960. I've been lobbying Chichester to do it for years but it's probably still too avant garde for them! There was a splendid Encores production with Laura Benanti & Shuler Hensley about ten years ago. We can only wish......
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 24, 2023 7:21:16 GMT
Enjoyable. Liked the use of moving platforms but not the "immersive" aspect as I could not see what value it brought and inevitably one misses parts of the action due to the staging. Solid leads; good vocals from the female leads but not from the leading man; great band; poor female ensemble. Quite why the audience went crazy for the inevitable riffs on "Sit Down...." remains beyond me but I am assuming the younger demographic knows no better.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Mar 22, 2023 3:51:48 GMT
Whilst not a fan of re-interpretation (or Ms Bennett's) I wonder how this production will deal with Biggley's relationship with Hedy La Rue...........I booked when announced but am somewhat regretful now.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 12, 2023 15:05:57 GMT
Sorry to all the above but whilst I liked the staging, this left me cold with no engagement with any of the characters. Songs felt like an addition and did not help what was there in the story. Too long and indulgent IMO. Not sure why the posting found the direction exciting when it was a unit set where nothing happened!
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Nov 28, 2022 3:51:15 GMT
This started so well but completely lost me by the middle of Act 1 and I'm still trying to understand why. Perhaps I could not engage with any of the characters.....No doubt of KB's barnstorming performance but not quite the revelation others refer to here. Enjoyable but forgettable songs and overall disappointing. Not sure if the fans were in on Saturday afternoon but lots of screaming and whooping after every single number.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Nov 11, 2022 18:16:49 GMT
Slightly off-topic but fans of Ms Clark might like to know that Maury Yeston's DECEMBER SONGS is released today in which she sounds sublime.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Oct 4, 2022 3:57:27 GMT
MARILYN! Stephanie Lawrence was stunning in a poor show. John Christie played "camera" flying around on a boom but despite some interesting staging, it never really took off. You wanted it to be better than it was for the sublime leading lady.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Oct 2, 2022 15:34:36 GMT
I think there is no strict definition of a failed musical. We're all so used to shows running for years (and you all know how spurious the subsequent cast/productions can be....) which is not how it used to be. A "bad" musical is simply that. One cannot say MACK & MABEL, 70 GIRLS, PASSION, CHAPERONE, BETTY are "bad" musicals. They simply did not receive the relevant hype to ensure a profitable return. Would you rather listen to TESS over MACK? Some of these listed above received appalling productions (London's PASSION was a travesty of the original NY production in every respect) and some were simply ill-conceived. It's rare to find a redeeming feature in those less successful though but Judy Kuhn, Philp Quast, David Burt and Sally Ann Triplett haven't seemed to suffer from their "flops". Bring back the Lost Musicals seasons - well curated and CAST.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 27, 2022 6:50:25 GMT
Given the last time I saw this play was in 1996 with Paul Schofield (his last stage appearance I believe), Vanessa Redgrave and Eileen Atkins, the memories remain of Schofield's voice, Atkins superlative performance and that final scene, this production had a lot to live up to. The three leads do not disappoint with Clare Higgins taking the acting honours here. I was less impressed with the modern dress and one monumentally poor piece of casting but overall the leads are excellent. Lia Williams was wearing what looked like a hearing device or perhaps a head mike (to help with projection?) which the other two definitely weren't. Good to see some classy classic theatre at the Bridge.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 16, 2022 7:02:44 GMT
The design is the only good thing about this but even that feels misplaced. Much of the text was inaudible (from the fifth row stalls) and most actors lacking the necessary gravitas for this piece. Largely miscast and a complete misfire for me. The National has really lost its way.
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213 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Aug 31, 2022 6:18:36 GMT
It is a shame despite my love/hate relationship with the venue and productions offered but with the apparent demise we really don't have a comparable venue to present forgotten or overlooked shows too expensive to mount in the West End. Same thing happened with the Bridewell (even though I think they still present amateur productions).
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