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Post by bimse on Apr 21, 2024 21:34:11 GMT
Massive shame that Gary Wilmot isn’t in it this year! I am quite gutted that he isn’t in it but at least we still have Julian!! Maybe Gary might be back next year. I’ve read in an earlier post and elsewhere that Gary is retiring from panto , whether that’s just this year or permanently isn’t clear . The Dame role in Robin Hood (or Babes in the Wood as it used to be called) is usually the nurse to the Babes, maybe they’re going for a different Robin Hood story that doesn’t involve the Babes , so no need for a Dame at all.
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Post by bimse on Apr 15, 2024 7:58:52 GMT
I do find the world confusing. Most people on Twitter saying Waddingham best thing since sliced bread. Loads of people on here dragging her. Anyway. She’s clearly popular with TV producers! People here are miserable and hate everything tbh Immature comment. No one is ever going to like “everything” , yourself included .
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Post by bimse on Apr 14, 2024 21:29:42 GMT
Hannah Waddingham, annoying as hell, what a massive show off. Her opening speech was toe curling, fell flat a few times there.
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Post by bimse on Mar 20, 2024 12:00:18 GMT
Maybe the creatives should have done a week in Richmond to knock out any kinks. ...........or Bradford! Not sure quite how to read your comment, but it’s a great theatre, the Bradford Alhambra, very popular, with an excellent audience base, who are invariably attentive and appreciative. I’ve always loved going .
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Post by bimse on Mar 10, 2024 18:16:07 GMT
Seeing has there’s a strand on theatres needing an overhaul, I thought it might be interesting to have one on good theatres. I went to the Theatre Royal, Dury Lane last week with a cheap ticket on the second circle. I wasn’t expecting much but it turned out to be a great seat. And the FOH felt very plush. I got lost going to the toilet but they seemed more than adequate. And I’ve always had a soft spot for the Royal Exchange, Manchester. Although it’s a few years since I went. I hope it’s not gone downhill. Finally Greenwich Theatre has a decent auditorium and I can’t fault the FOH staff. The bar gets busy and feels a little cheap. Toilets cheap and cheerful. I’ve always enjoyed the Manchester Royal Exchange too, the programming of late hasn’t been very interesting, but back in the day I saw many very imaginative productions there, in a unique and beautiful setting. My first being Patricia Routledge as Mrs Malaprop in the Rivals. My favourite theatre for facilities and design has to be the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff . A stunning design, inside and out.
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Post by bimse on Jan 29, 2024 23:02:51 GMT
I remember seeing that ‘Pirates’ in Manchester when it toured. Seem to remember Paul Nicholas being involved. Michael Ball as Frederick ?
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Post by bimse on Jan 28, 2024 13:52:35 GMT
You've missed out Pirates of Penzance, between Whorehouse & 42nd St! The website I used obviously not totally correct, apologies. Pirates:Opening May 26, 1982 Closing: October 29, 1983 Cast: Pirate King Tim Curry ... Samuel Sylvester McCoy ... Frederic Michael Praed ... Ruth Annie Ross ... Major-General Stanley's Daughters Carolyn Allen Jackie Downey Carol Duffy Gaynor Miles ... Edith Janet Shaw ... Kate Bonnie Langford ... Isabel Louise Gold ... Mabel Pamela Stephenson ... Major-General Stanley George Cole Barry Humphries did two short seasons at Drury Lane, An Evenings Intercourse (4th February -10th April 1982) and Back With A Vengeance, The Second Coming (9th March - 29th April 1989)
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Post by bimse on Jan 28, 2024 12:11:23 GMT
First time seeing a performance from Mrs Doubtfire. Christ that was dreadful Incredibly fussy and confusing excerpt, very difficult to follow what was going on at times. Didn’t make me want to see it, yet it’s having a good run. I wonder how many theatre goers or tv viewers outside the states would appreciate the reference to and representation of Julia Childs ? I know many more will now, given Sarah Lancashire’s brilliant performance , but I would think Julia Childs is still unknown to many .
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Post by bimse on Jan 28, 2024 12:00:12 GMT
Very underwhelmed by Ivano’s Jamie. Where is the heart and the strength? Looked like some weak pop performance. Looked the part, but his diction was poor , certainly on this showing, I’ve not seen him on stage , but then I found Layton to have poor diction in performance.
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Post by bimse on Dec 30, 2023 18:53:10 GMT
Also unless some newer stars start doing panto or come to the fore during panto we'll see less stars as a lot of the current panto stars are ageing and will gradually retire or want lesser roles. At one time a large number of TV stars and TV comedians would dominate panto. The traditional dame could become a bit of a lost art eventually although with the mainstream popularity of shows like Drag Race there will be ample high profile performers to filter into the more glamorous panto drag roles. I noticed a fair few are already doing panto and getting good billing. Also with Gladiators coming back we'll probably have them all in panto next year too! You’re probably right @original9. The last time Gladiators was on tv, many of them turned up in pantomime. I’ve read that many of the experienced panto performers were less than impressed with having to carry them through the shows.
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Post by bimse on Dec 30, 2023 18:42:55 GMT
Yes. I did the pre-show tour. Nothing majorly new to see, a few areas reserved for special guests usually (with some costumes from previous pantos). A nice experience though. I went on a Palladium tour, a few years ago when Oliver! had recently opened, we got to stand on the stage, and walk across it, which was a good experience, I couldn’t believe how small the stage is, in terms of depth and wing space, and I loved all the old posters throughout the theatre, I hope they’re all still there .
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Post by bimse on Dec 23, 2023 16:55:39 GMT
We've booked to see this between Christmas and New Year based on reviews here. Really looking forward to it, but could anyone share (in spoilers or by DM) if there are any sudden loud noises/bangs in this production please? Thanks in advance! Edit: thanks wanderingranger. I appreciate the message. I’m going to assume damaskanddark hasn’t a clue what they’re talking about. Our view was great, even what little action there was on London Bridge was perfectly visible! wanderingranger I messaged above, but probably was too late to allay your fears , I couldn’t imagine the view would be bad , I could see your seats from where I sat, and I’m glad you enjoyed .
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Post by bimse on Dec 23, 2023 10:35:54 GMT
Not an easy time for everyone, so again as usual, log in here if you want to chat/ have a moan/ reflect. I agree, I'm on another face book group where I live and several have commented how they dread Christmas and just want it to be over. I would urge anyone to chat to someone whether online or in person. It's only a day and chatting can make all the difference. Agreed, it can be an incredibly difficult time for many people who can’t, or don’t want to, meet the expectations and excesses of a “Christmas card Christmas”. I’ve been there a few times, and even though I’m not alone I still often find it difficult , remembering Christmases and people past. At the end of the day though, spiritual aspect aside, Christmas as the concept it’s become is a collection of parts , external to ourselves , brought together in the expectation they will make us happy. It can do, which is great, but only temporarily, and we should enjoy it with that understanding, managing our expectations (and budget). True and permanent peace and happiness can only be found within ourselves , not externally , and that’s what I’m aiming for , and depending on, peace of mind . I wish the same for all of you , peace and happiness, not just at Christmas, but always .
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Post by bimse on Dec 22, 2023 17:11:27 GMT
How so? I expected a good view since these seats aren’t marked restricted view and they are almost top price. I sat in row D 37 and 38, there’s a bridge which is permanently across the centre of the stage and it’s quite high , I could see the underneath of the bridge but also people on the bridge , but not too much happens up there, so I don’t feel I missed anything. From where you’re sitting I’d say you won’t miss anything at all, the whole performance is in the round , I’d say you’ll see everything , everything I saw anyway , and I loved it . Your tickets are a good price too. I hope you enjoy !
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Post by bimse on Dec 15, 2023 13:43:07 GMT
The Memorial Service for Barry Humphries, held on the 15th December at the Sydney Opera House, is available to view in full on YouTube. Very moving, some fine tributes, and of course some laughs as well. You are missed Barry !
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Post by bimse on Dec 10, 2023 11:40:52 GMT
This is a spectacular and atmospheric production, and although I initially had reservations , it really suits the “in the round” production, which I doubt could be replicated elsewhere. Superb and engaging performances all round, but Chris Bennett and Jenny Fitzpatrick are easily the finest Bill Sykes and Nancy I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a few. I might have to return just to see them again.
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Post by bimse on Dec 10, 2023 9:05:57 GMT
Would never want to put anyone off but not only the £20 seats have a bad view,many around me paying 5 times as much weren’t happy either. I’ve put a temporary photo of the view from my seat B32 on Instagram! Timberladuk I checked out your photo, thanks for posting. Looks like more of a listening seat than severely restricted view.
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Post by bimse on Dec 6, 2023 11:15:56 GMT
Very expensive, and they seem to have let everyone on all at once. The site can no longer process payments as a result. I did think it odd that I went straight from waiting room to going in, never in an actual queue! Too pricy for me I think. I got through straight away, no queue, although it said I was in a queue , the prices are too high for decent seats, for me anyway. Then there’s the train fare to add in , if the trains are running. I’ll give it a miss for now, and see if there are any offers nearer the time (unlikely I know ).
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Post by bimse on Dec 5, 2023 19:34:37 GMT
It's Dolly day tomorrow. My link has just arrived. Mine came too! So the sign up worked. I’ll check out what’s on offer, and see if I’m tempted, but must admit I’m a bit reluctant to commit to too much if there’s still likely to be hassle with trains.
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Post by bimse on Nov 30, 2023 7:34:08 GMT
Seen at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford. I thought this was superb, from singers to movement and production values, I can’t fault it . Standing ovation at a very full matinee .
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Post by bimse on Nov 4, 2023 17:28:23 GMT
Does anyone else still expect the QM to sound like Beryl Reid from the original Spitting Image series? It was heard far more often than her actual voice by the general public. There was a rumour she sounded more like Les Dawson in real life but that might have been something started on maybe Have I Got News For You. This is a rare clip of her talking in a fairly informal setting for her 90th birthday if people want to know what she sounded like. :- I apologise if this takes this thread off course. Thinking about how the Queen Mother sounded made me recall that Barry Humphries, as Dame Edna did an advert for Advocaat in the Netherlands, because Edna apparently sounded just like either Queen Juliana or Wilhelmina , I can’t remember which . Mind you Beryl Reid speaking Dutch might have done just as well .
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Post by bimse on Nov 2, 2023 19:47:56 GMT
Ah! We're we meant to get a confirmation e mail that we had signed up? I didn't get anything either, just presumed that you filled in your details, sent it off and that was that. I'm a bit worried now. It could well be that we’re meant to just wait for further information… it does say to watch your in box , so maybe if we’ve got that far , we’re on the radar . That’s what I’m hoping anyway .
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Post by bimse on Nov 2, 2023 19:00:40 GMT
Worked for me but my e mail said as someone who had previously booked for Dolly I could get presale. I was also offered the presale as a previous ticket holder , but the link doesn’t seem to work , I’ve not had a confirmation email despite several tries, I’ll try again though . Thanks alece10
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Post by bimse on Nov 2, 2023 18:58:56 GMT
Did you get any indication of your registration going through, other than a page saying “sign up here…” and underneath “get out your Sunday clothes and watch your in box ….” ? That’s all I got . bimse - I signed up earlier and got no confirmation email (checked junk/bin folders and nothing there either) as well. Tried twice and same response. I am just hoping it went through ok. Thank you for your reply, I got the same result, a lack of confirmation , so I’m hoping for the same as yourself. I got an email link as a previous ticket purchaser but it doesn’t seem to have worked somehow .
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Post by bimse on Nov 2, 2023 14:04:41 GMT
Anyone else having issues signing up for the pre-sale? The sign-up link in the email doesn't work, so you go directly to the website and follow the sign-up link from within there. After entering your details and hitting the button, the browser gives no clue that anything is happening, then after about 30 seconds, the screen changes to "Sign up here for Hello, Dolly! pre-sale access at The London Palladium" but there's little else on that screen. I presume that was message was meant to tell me I had successfully registered, but it's been miscoded. So, I've no idea whether I have successfully registered or not. Repeating the process gives the same result, not even a "You are already registered" error. It never ceases to amaze me how many businesses put web changes into the public domain without doing full testing. It worked OK for me 🤷♂️ Maybe it's just volume of traffic or something Did you get any indication of your registration going through, other than a page saying “sign up here…” and underneath “get out your Sunday clothes and watch your in box ….” ? That’s all I got .
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Post by bimse on Oct 23, 2023 12:55:25 GMT
Interesting programme about Mike Yarwood, but I was surprised and disappointed that there was no mention of his many stage appearances, including many lengthy and successful summer and Christmas seasons. He wasn’t one for pantomime, although he did at least a couple, and he did a tour of a farce, One for the Pot, with Barry Howard after his tv shows ended. I saw him a couple of times in summer season, and his was a very funny and accomplished act . The tv programme concentrated entirely on his tv shows .
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Post by bimse on Oct 17, 2023 6:31:23 GMT
Have to admit, Michael Ball doing a show with norovirus is both admirably but also reckless. I get his annoyance at cast members pulling out because they've partied too hard but if you're genuinely not well, it's best to rest. Agreed, if Mr B had norovirus and worked with it, it could easily have infected the whole cast and crew. Not a responsible or admirable move. I worked for the NHS and if norivirus was evident you’d definitely not be allowed to work, in fact they used to shut whole wards down for what they called deep cleaning.
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Post by bimse on Oct 10, 2023 17:48:54 GMT
Seen at the Grand Theatre, Leeds. An incredibly engaging and witty production, the delightful singers were definitely enjoying themselves which transferred to their audience. I had a smile on my face the whole time. The orchestra is just sensational .
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Post by bimse on Oct 3, 2023 13:17:34 GMT
The original London publicity/logo design is my favourite.
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Post by bimse on Sept 19, 2023 17:15:37 GMT
This is great news, there was talk of this building being re-developed as offices and hotel. I hope this proposal comes off. from what I remember the Cirque du Soleil was looking for a permanent London base many years ago. The Battersea Power Station was considered at one point.
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