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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 22, 2017 16:12:58 GMT
All those sound like hell to me. Granted from those I’ve onlu seen Madonna in concert (twice), but she was utterly terrible. She was so bad the first time that you went back a second? Masochist. ellie1981 meet @parsley, @parsley meet ellie1981. Kindred spirits I fear . . . Haha, no. I was such a big fan throughout my childhood, but the first time seeing her live I was only 19 and broke, so only got nosebleed seats. Then for the next tour I was more prepared with more disposable income so got seats right up front. She was better the first time from a distance.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 22, 2017 14:46:19 GMT
It’s hardly Game of Thrones Or a Madonna world tour Or a Chanel show Which are all also forms of visual entertainment Pseudo All those sound like hell to me. Granted from those I’ve onlu seen Madonna in concert (twice), but she was utterly terrible.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 22, 2017 11:44:14 GMT
Did anyone else book via LoveTheatre? My friend booked our tickets and he hasn’t been contacted yet.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 22, 2017 11:32:03 GMT
I’ve seen lots of negative comments on various Daily Mail articles even before Letts’ review. Some of them are from British people who claimed to have seen the Broadway production while on holiday last year with one word reviews like “it was cr*p”.
I’m skeptical because the comments seemingly weren’t coming from regular theatre goers and their history of remarks were predictably typical xenophobic DM fodder, making me think they were just flat out lying. Who would go above and beyond to see Hamilton in New York and spend ridiculous money, booking way in advance when they hold those sort of views?o
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 22, 2017 6:48:26 GMT
I’ve watched that Ham4Ham video at least 10 times since last night. Absolutely brilliant.
I just booked a new pair of seats for July. My previous bookings have all been for the stalls so I got a Royal Circle Row A. My question is that I would like to take my Mum to this particular one as I’m very curious to what she would think (she doesn’t like Hip Hop and is more of a 42nd Street kind of lady, but ultimately is up for any theatre experience). She always has issues with leg room as she had a knee replacement and experiences agonising pain if constrained for too long. Is Row A any different to the rest of the Circle?
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 20, 2017 17:23:58 GMT
They accepted my Validate UK proof of age, photo ID card at yesterdays matinee. I don't have a driving licence or an up to date passport, although I took my old one with me just in case. Oh I might need to get one of those. My passport is near expiry and I don’t want to miss out on any last minute Hamilton deals while it’s off being renewed. It might however be strange getting an ID card purely to prove I’m over 18 when I’m twice that age. Wishful thinking - it’s been a good few years since I was last carded.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 16, 2017 13:01:57 GMT
The FAQs definitely say six tickets per person per booking period! I think it's per card, because I have so far purchased 8 tickets across 3 cards and all on one Ticketmaster account. However when I got a pair in the secondary sale it would not let me use the same card twice when there was still an open booking on it, despite the fact that I had only one existing booking for 3 tickets at the time, hence why I luckily had another card. It may mean I can't use my primary credit card for any booking until February when the original show booked has passed.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 15, 2017 17:31:39 GMT
I’m getting flashbacks of when they had Kelly Osbourne as Mama Morton.
When I saw it the “celeb” was Maxwell Caulfield as Billy.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 15, 2017 16:48:20 GMT
I definitely feel you’re at an advantage knowing either the story or having heard the OCR going in. However that makes me a huge hypocrite as I always argue with some of my friends when they talk about reading the book before going to see a film adaptation, and how I feel this should not be necessary if the film is any good as a stand-alone product.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 15, 2017 14:34:31 GMT
Oh gosh, I really didn’t ‘get’ this! Admittedly I booked purely based on the hype and I knew very little about the storyline or the songs, but my predominant feeling was boredom! Why was I supposed to care about this selfish, arrogant man, his friends and his financial plan?! It wasn’t just me, my friend who I went with felt the same way. During the interval a man next to me asked the woman he was with if she was enjoying it and she said ‘OMG I’ve cried six times already!’ and my friend and I just looked at each other incredulous! What had happened to cry about?! What had even happened to care about?! The performers obviously have amazing voices (although like the previous poster I couldn’t understand a single word Lafayette said!) and it’s certainly innovative, but to me it was not entertaining. I can’t remember a single song, I didn’t care about any of the characters, I certainly didn’t care about (or really even understand!) the financial plan! The only character I enjoyed was King George – he should have his own British spin-off musical! It’s funny because I fee the same way about Les Mis.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 15, 2017 13:24:41 GMT
I know it doesn’t really need much press right now to sell tickets, but I’m still surrounded by people in my life that have never even heard of it. I hope after the opening there might be some kind of TV performance in the UK before the Oliviers next year.
I went last night as managed to get some back stalls seats for £47.50. There were two empty seats in front of us!
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 15, 2017 11:23:37 GMT
I saw this on Broadway in 2016 and thought it was wonderful, so I’m not quite sure if I understand the “tired” accusations. Mind you the only other time I’d seen it was rather late into the West End run which really was going through the motions then.
Still not jazzed about another WE run though as I agree, some new blood would be preferred. The Phoenix has been struggling to find a potential long running show, so maybe ATG are desperate to go with a tried and tested production that doesn’t involve too much promo.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 14, 2017 11:08:53 GMT
Seats up for tonight on TM for back stalls.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 13, 2017 20:32:46 GMT
I don't mean to sound dumb, but why do people care so much about the merch for this show as opposed to others? You never see lines as dramatic at the likes of Les Mis and Wicked, and even when I went to Harry Potter it wasn't that bad. Why Hamilton?? I guess wearing Hamilton stuff is still a badge of honour. I bought a T-shirt when I saw it in New York (hardly any queuing at the merch stand there) and wore it in London last year. Within three hours I had been approached twice about the show, so that made me feel like I was one of the cool trendy people for once in my life. Think it's different for Harry Potter as tons and tons of merchandise have been around for ages. I'm glad that tickets seem to be available fairly easily - should put a further damper on touts' hopes to cash in. Still waiting to hear if people were actually turned back at the door after buying tickets on the secondary market. Oh to be in your world. Still as I’m raving about the show and the cast recording, none of my non theatre friends have a clue. They’re all excited about a new Star Wars film which I couldn’t give a toss about. I wish I did - it’s far easier on the wallet.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 13, 2017 19:04:11 GMT
I was very impressed by Sheena Easton’s comedic chops in 42nd Street.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 13, 2017 17:45:20 GMT
Oh my GOD.
This has to happen. But I thought Chenoweth was going to be connected to Soapdish The Musical too, which is equally amazing.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 13, 2017 15:42:04 GMT
I can’t even think and wish I’d kept a proper list. There are lots of non musical plays I’ve seen multiple times, and as far as music artists Prince 17 times (was hoping to get to 20 one day) and Kylie 8 times, but musicals only:
Wicked - 12 times (5 with Idina Menzel incl her last show) 42nd Street - 3 Little Shop Of Horrors - 2 Sunny Afternoon - 2 The Bodyguard - 2 Kinky Boots - 2 Chicago - 2
Rocky Horror Show - 2
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 13, 2017 15:24:11 GMT
I’d say the first few rows of stalls might have difficulties seeing what is going on upstage. I’ll be sitting there next year. So far have not been offered any ticket in a circle which would be preferable.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 13, 2017 12:30:47 GMT
Quick question about the heat inside theatre. Hot or cold? Thanks Neither. Heard that it was very warm from reports but last night was just right. Cosy but not stuffing.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 13, 2017 6:37:43 GMT
“a few people in the row in front took some photos, but ushers made them delete the images before letting them leave which held up the queue to get out a bit” Don’t most phones have a deleted images folder now? Not than I’m condoning the taking of photos Yes, they even made them delete those too! That’s what took the time because the guys didn’t even know how to find it on their phones but the ushers did.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 12, 2017 23:46:01 GMT
Well that was just incredible. It absolutely lived up to my expectations and I don’t think I’ve seen a musical with this much substance while also being so very very entertaining. I will say it’s definitely an advantage to have listened to the album a lot first however. There’s just so much story, I think I may have been overwhelmed by the full narrative if I walked in knowing nothing.
I only work about 20 minutes from the theatre and had nothing to do between, so I pretty much joined the queue at 17:30, third in line to wait for the doors to open at 18:00. Had heard all the merchandise queue reports so as soon as my ticket was confirmed I strolled right up and I was dead first there, no trouble. I hate keeping other people waiting so quickly just went “errr, fridge magnet, shot glass and a programme please” - card in, out and done. Phew, now what to do by myself for the next 90 minutes...
The £4 West End programmes were not available by the way, only the Broadway brochures. Luckily they somehow became available by the time of the interval.
Had a glass of wine, read my brochure and just sat there admiring the refurbished theatre. Very impressive multiple stalls for the Ladies by the way - far better than the lousy 3 stalls at the Prince Edward Theatre I experienced last week where it took the full 20 minute interval to get to the front.
Got to my seat in Stalls Row H. An almost perfect view - I couldn’t see the rotating floor but could see everything else. I was also very lucky as I was surrounded by petite women, so no massive tall-man-heads blocking any view thank God. Also close enough to the stage to smell the burning paper during Burn. Anyway, the show:
Jamael Westman is an effing superstar. How can someone so young feel so wise beyond his years? This sounds silly but I initially had reservations purely because of his height. I thought he might tower over the rest of the company and aesthetically it wouldn’t look quite right. It was indeed very silly and wasn’t an issue at all, especially because Obioma Ugoala is about the same height so Washington still had gravitas. Talking of whom, I had seen him as Smokey Robinson in Motown The Musical which I found cheesy and overall was not too impressed. He’s barely recognisable as the same performer here and is a clear standout. Absolutely wonderful - and another I feared would not live up to the OCR since Chris Jackson’s voice is like velvet to me.
Rachelle Ann Go to me seemed to be maybe getting over a cold. She was a wonderful Eliza, but when I saw her in Miss Saigon she was a lot clearer and more powerful. Rachel John (I clocked her beautiful voice the moment I saw her in The Bodyguard and was so psyched when she got this role) was perfection and Jason Pennycooke was so ridiculously expressive and funny as Jefferson. I’d never heard him rap before so didn’t know what to expect.
Now I appear just to be listing cast members... they were *all* fantastic. The choreography absolutely on point with such a talented Swing ensemble. If anything the only probable letdown for me was Giles Terera. I was looking forward to seeing him as some of his YouTube videos showcased such a beautiful voice. I thought he sang in a slightly higher key than necessary and I can’t deny it, the lisp bothered me especially in Act One. I used to have a lisp myself but it pretty much got trained out of me by my rather strict parents, so I’m generally not a fan when professional communicators like singers and actors have such speech impediments (stand up Sam Smith, Christian Bale and Will Young). He did however bring it home for The Room Where It Happens, that I can’t deny.
During the overwhelming standing ovation, a few people in the row in front took some photos, but ushers made them delete the images before letting them leave which held up the queue to get out a bit. They weren’t bothered at all by photos taken before the start of the show though.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 12, 2017 18:22:06 GMT
Hamilton tonight - in the theatre by myself right now (first time ever going alone).
Oslo later in the week.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 12, 2017 18:19:20 GMT
Ah, that would explain it. I’m always trying to get my non theatre friends to come along to something one day - one of them saw a Panto when he was a child and that’s the extent of his experience in a theatre. Maybe it’s best they stay away.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 12, 2017 16:38:32 GMT
I saw this a few weeks ago with possibly the strangest audience ever.
There were a lot of men there alone which was unusual to say the least. One on the other end of the aisle was asleep for most of the time and kept jumping up whenever there was a loud sound - which was quite often. I was sat behind one man there alone who spent the entire interval FaceTiming with his family as they were in a bathroom getting ready for bed (the sound of their electric toothbrushes were very prominent), and continued to speak to them for the first minute of the second act.
During the play when there’s a joke about sodomy, for the next minute I could hear various audience members around me mumbling, trying to explain the meaning of the word to others.
Behind me was a young couple and as soon as the interval started, the woman spent about 5 minutes loudly complaining about how awful she thought the play was just because of the differences to the film. She was seriously expecting an actual 12 year old actress to be playing Regan and for there to be a large, steep staircase! My friend went out for a cigarette and she followed - apparently she still wouldn’t shut up about how much she despised the play, but still came back for the second act.
Overall though, *I* enjoyed it!!
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 12, 2017 16:18:00 GMT
I’ve now seen this three times. Twice with CJ Johnson as Dorothy Brock who I thought was just brilliant (although Sheena Easton was just slightly better vocally). I’ll definitely be buying this cast album.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 12, 2017 14:34:34 GMT
Back in 2006 at Wicked (before smart phones) you’d have your cameras confiscated until the end of the show if they even caught you with one. I had mine confiscated when all I wanted was photos of the cast after their speeches at the end during a cast change. I also remember Groundhog Day being very hush hush, but I attended the final dress rehearsal for that and they even asked you not to post reviews on social media.
For Hamilton I’ve seen their official Twitter feed re-tweeting fan photos and videos inside the theatre. I think they are now more reasonable with patrons who are clearly not trying to record the show itself.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 12, 2017 13:42:15 GMT
Yes, that sounds amazing for that price. Kind of jealous I had to pay premium now, but that’s just my compulsive nature.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 12, 2017 13:29:55 GMT
Has anyone won the lottery yet? I’ve entered everyday so far and no luck yet! Is it the front row for this show? I saw someone on Twitter talk about winning the lottery and said they were centre stalls, which is rather different from other shows. Just a thought - maybe some of these premium seats that keep appearing back on Ticketmaster are cancelled seats that were advertised on the secondary market.
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Post by ellie1981 on Dec 11, 2017 22:44:42 GMT
First post on this board - massive theatre fan and very regular audience member so I can’t believe I’ve never seen this place before reading the new book by West End Producer.
Anyway, like tens of thousands of other people I’ve been semi obsessed with the Hamilton OCR for the best part of a year. Got tickets for February and another pair in the secondary ticket release for June, however I just couldn’t wait. All the friends I’m taking for those dates are fellow theatre fans but haven’t yet indulged in the OCR, so I was a bit silly this weekend and forked out for a single premium seat for tomorrow evening (Stalls Row H). Which by the way, makes these reports of touts advertising seats for thousands of pounds even more ridiculous. I’m wondering where all these additional seats on Ticketmaster have been coming from, particularly after hearing about a few ticket holders from the original batch of cancelled previews not being able to be accommodated with replacements.
Also, have the programmes been properly printed yet? I read that for the first previews the Broadway book was still being used. Only asking because as I’m going back in Feb, just wondering if it’s worth joining any long queues tomorrow.
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