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Post by nash16 on Oct 17, 2023 18:37:08 GMT
Obviously aiming for the Tony Awards window, but I think it will backfire with low sales meaning they’ll have to close early.
A couple of nights at a 54Below would have been more sensible.
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Post by nash16 on Oct 15, 2023 20:03:09 GMT
3 stars. “More hologram than heart.” Nails it.
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Post by nash16 on Oct 11, 2023 16:46:48 GMT
It’s probably more technical difficulties, after last night. But the only way to confirm this is if the show DOES go on tomorrow night, and they Press as planned, because that will prove it wasn’t “cast illness”, which one would imagine would take longer to recover from than just a default 24 hours. If they lose the technical side on opening night, the whole “emperors new clothes” of it all will fall apart pretty quickly, and they won’t won’t to risk that happening. Gutted about tonight Does anyone know how ATG approach cancelled performances? Is it it a refund, or like for like priced seats or equivalent seats? It's particularly unfortunate because the prices go up after Press Night. The tickets I have for tonight are more than double the price going forward. Also, I wonder if it's cast illness or actually more technical difficulties... Either way - hope all involved are ok!
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Post by nash16 on Oct 6, 2023 13:21:23 GMT
Atypical of our current, disgusting government. Just wanting to check you’re not equating what I wrote with them? Before I involve Admins… If you're quoting BTTF, I think "...you're children are gonna love it..." would be more appropriate. JSO is a childish attempt at disruptive anarchy by people with no purpose in life - they're either silly little student kids or retired old has-beens, all of whom think soft protests will make a difference. They look decidly amateur compared to more organised groups. This is while the oil companies tolerate them, because they pose little or no threat other than to sway public opinion against their cause. JSO are the biggest threat to green goals and ambitions - rich-backer funded anarchy. It's Brexit all over again. "I think people get enraged by them because they know, deep down, that JSO are absolutely right." That reminds me of a Home Office psychiatrist many years ago who said that the more gay people insist they're gay, that shows they're really heterosexual deep down.
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Post by nash16 on Oct 5, 2023 13:42:18 GMT
Because (and hold another front page for this, and maybe sit down before you read on) people can be theatre lovers and not want themselves or future generations to die because of how we are treating the planet in the way we are. This might take a while to process though. Steady yourself. Well, your utopia is on fire, babes. I think people get enraged by them because they know, deep down, that JSO are absolutely right. “But my night out! My night OUT!!” JSO defenders live in a peculiar no-man's land where almost any amount of petty, untargeted cruelty can be excused, but actually mounting direct resistance against the forces driving climate change is somehow infeasible. If JSO are "right", then what are you even doing on this forum? Why are you treating yourself to "nights out" while simultaneously decrying "nights out" as selfish, privileged diversions that nobody is entitled to enjoy?
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Post by nash16 on Oct 5, 2023 11:02:04 GMT
Thank you for making me laugh. 😂 It is beyond doubt that, with this stunt, JSO have achieved a great deal. The oil industry will be absolutely delighted. People who care about the environment will now be thinking twice about wanting to be associated with this movement, and the climate-change deniers will feel emboldened. You are absolutely spot on with your evaluation. JSO and their ilk have a permanent presence outside several oil co headquarters - nobody gives a sh*t because they are flaccid little Tarquin and Jemima sorts, or retired pensioners from the home counties. JSO isn't organised in any way or form, it relies on hi-vis tactics (literally) and anybody with an ounce of brain should question the underlying tactics behind JSO - I would argue that their tactics alone have emboldened the current government with the confidence to backtrack on several "progress" initiatives, as it tries to claw back populist votes from frustrated motorists and working class voters who are being hit financially left, right and centre. JSO is funded disruption by people who either choose not to work or don't need to work, and their modus operandi is nothing to do with their core intentions and everything to do with maximising disruption and frustration for the masses. It is a perverse attempt at posturing and power play, and one day it will get seriously out of hand when they misjudge their next big hit and somebody ends up getting hurt. (But of course, that's what they want - it's sociopolitical gladiatorial behaviour, which won't end until there is bloodshed. Rightly or wrongly.)
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Post by nash16 on Oct 5, 2023 9:49:00 GMT
Erm, if you think they’ve achieved nothing in terms of highlighting the major problem hurtling towards our near futures, you might want to check newsfeeds here in the U.K./around the world. They front paged it. Those audience reactions. It’s brilliant. And depressing. You couldn’t write it. Do they know what they’re watching? The themes and content? Made me roar. Good on JSO. It may affect one evening or one drive, but for the price we’re all going to pay in the future, a little deviation from what was planned, and a moment to confront what the bigger importance is; just vital. And they’re number one on BBC News so they’re still getting publicity in the right ways. I’m sure if they could have infiltrated the Tories (as they have done many times before) at their rally, they would have. Do we know if there’s footage of Cameron reacting to the news? He’d be PURPLE! But this has achieved nothing! Publicity and attention for a few brief moments will not change anything. If you think that it’s justified at the expense of ruining theatre for all these people, then I really think you’re on the wrong forum.
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Post by nash16 on Oct 5, 2023 9:46:52 GMT
Yes, was thinking of exactly that moment. And Cam M’s horror captured on film for all time. He deeserves nothing less. People’s attitudes of “how DARE you ruin my evening out” are… Reading a lot of the reactions on here is actually quite scary. What did he sing in BTTF? “My myopia is my utopia.” Well, your utopia is on fire, babes. I think people get enraged by them because they know, deep down, that JSO are absolutely right. “But my night out! My night OUT!!” We’re screwed. Those audience reactions. It’s brilliant. And depressing. You couldn’t write it. Do they know what they’re watching? The themes and content? Made me roar. Good on JSO. It may affect one evening or one drive, but for the price we’re all going to pay in the future, a little deviation from what was planned, and a moment to confront what the bigger importance is; just vital. And they’re number one on BBC News so they’re still getting publicity in the right ways. I’m sure if they could have infiltrated the Tories (as they have done many times before) at their rally, they would have. Do we know if there’s footage of Cameron reacting to the news? He’d be PURPLE! To be fair, this was nothing compared to his own protest at the rehearsals of 'Barnum', as filmed for that C4 documentary. CM joining in last night could have gone something like this: 'Listen, you may want an end to new oil licences and a future for the planet you and your children will inherit, but I want 'Colours of My Life', and I'm supergluing myself to the barricades until I get it!'
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Post by nash16 on Oct 5, 2023 0:33:46 GMT
Looks like they’re, cleverly, keeping them away. I think National reviews would severely scupper the London run. I don’t have any interest in what in the local papers say , they’d like any old rubbish. Any national newspapers reviewing this?
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Post by nash16 on Oct 5, 2023 0:27:48 GMT
Those audience reactions. It’s brilliant. And depressing. You couldn’t write it. Do they know what they’re watching? The themes and content? Made me roar.
Good on JSO. It may affect one evening or one drive, but for the price we’re all going to pay in the future, a little deviation from what was planned, and a moment to confront what the bigger importance is; just vital.
And they’re number one on BBC News so they’re still getting publicity in the right ways. I’m sure if they could have infiltrated the Tories (as they have done many times before) at their rally, they would have.
Do we know if there’s footage of Cameron reacting to the news? He’d be PURPLE!
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Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2023 15:05:31 GMT
Sorry, I meant from the National papers. The only reviews I’ve seen have been local/blogger ones. They could be keeping the papers away though in case it jeopardises a London run based on the posters above?
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Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2023 14:29:14 GMT
Thanks for these. Yes, it will be interesting with the camera work, because it is already quite a n old fashioned device in plays, that sort of peaked and has faded from productions now, so will be interesting for the musical goers only world to get to experience it. It’s not new though, and I’m fearful the excitement on here regarding eg the title number, will not be regarded in such high esteem by reviewers who will have seen it used a million times before. Goodness, why would they ask a cast not to smile at bows? Is that a thing? Do other shows do this? We thought they’d done such a great job to get through the show, but they looked like someone close to them had passed away. We were worried for them. Also there last night and what an oddity this is. So many elements of storytelling have been removed, to the point where, without prior knowledge of the show, I fear many will be lost. People seemed wowed by the camera work, reactions to which were lovely to see, but do they know this type of hybrid work has been around for years? Having read abojt the start of Act 2, but not what specifically happened, I was disappointed to see it was avery distracting walk around the theatre (didn’t Ivo do that with Network years ago? And many productions before and after?). Nicole seemed to act with her whole body, but I’m not sure how much of it was truly connected. Tom looked and sounded great. No chemistry between them, but did it matter? Grace the standout: what a voice and great acting. David seemed miscast…and very much “acting”. Biggest laugh came with him looking at the Pussycat Dolls photo on his dressing room mirror (what was that all about?). Found it so hard to connect with a production that seemed to be doing everything in its power to not let you connect with it. And the poor ensemble: this stripped back a production renders them more unnecessary that usual. They added so little. Yet we’re working so hard. (All that dimly lit choreo…). One thing to ask: they looked so unhappy last night at the curtain call. Not one happy face. It sort of summed it up for us. I fear the newspapers (not the bloggers; the bloggers will be rhapsodic, and may not have seen the much lauded camera work in a show before) may call Emperor’s New Clothes on it all. Do we know when it’s off to Broadway yet? They’d have to have a Feb/March/April opening to guarantee Tony Noms. Just wanted to comment on a couple of points. Not sure that the story bring lost on "newbies". I went to the first preview with a friend who had never heard of the musical, story or music. I was worried that she wouldn't understand it with no scenery to put it into context but at the interval she assured me that she followed it with no problems. The point about the camera work having been around for years, I'm sure you are right but I had never seen it used like this before so was totally new and exciting to me. I really don't go to plays, only musicals and I've never seen it in a musical before. I believe something similar was used in Oklahoma recently but I didn't see that as they had murdered the music and knew I would hate it. Cast looking unhappy at the end. I think that's the direction as they were the same for the first preview. Shame as I'm sure they were smiling away inside by the audience reaction.
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Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2023 12:53:32 GMT
Any idea when the reviews embargo is for this? Realise they had their Press Night the same evening as Old Friends.
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Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2023 12:51:30 GMT
😂 I’d love to do that, but, let’s be honest, something tells me us Theatreboard members slip into the whatsonstage category, than the more objective newspaper reviewers. I’m trying to look outside our echo chamber. . Another 3*, this time from Time Out. I do like their lack of kowtowing to the expected 5*, “it’s Bernadette, it’s Lea, it’s Sondheim” enthralment that the likes of whatsonstage have, naturally, gone for with this. Not having as much of an investment in “the industry”, I tend to believe their views more. Hoping this will be the case with Sunset Boulevard too, as the newspaper critics will have seen live camera work onstage many, many times before, and will see that it’s actually a lot of recent, if old, ideas rehashed, unfortunately at the loss of the story and any sense of being moved. It’s always interesting the difference between reviewers for the industry website reviewers versus the newspaper ones. But can be a cold wake up call for those caught up in the event, rather than the originality of the content. Maybe best to go by theatre board star ratings rather than newspaper critics (who seldom like musicals). 18 5* scores and only 2 3* from board members. We are far better critics:)
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Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2023 11:15:17 GMT
Also there last night and what an oddity this is. So many elements of storytelling have been removed, to the point where, without prior knowledge of the show, I fear many will be lost.
People seemed wowed by the camera work, reactions to which were lovely to see, but do they know this type of hybrid work has been around for years? Having read abojt the start of Act 2, but not what specifically happened, I was disappointed to see it was avery distracting walk around the theatre (didn’t Ivo do that with Network years ago? And many productions before and after?).
Nicole seemed to act with her whole body, but I’m not sure how much of it was truly connected. Tom looked and sounded great. No chemistry between them, but did it matter? Grace the standout: what a voice and great acting. David seemed miscast…and very much “acting”. Biggest laugh came with him looking at the Pussycat Dolls photo on his dressing room mirror (what was that all about?).
Found it so hard to connect with a production that seemed to be doing everything in its power to not let you connect with it.
And the poor ensemble: this stripped back a production renders them more unnecessary that usual. They added so little. Yet we’re working so hard. (All that dimly lit choreo…).
One thing to ask: they looked so unhappy last night at the curtain call. Not one happy face. It sort of summed it up for us.
I fear the newspapers (not the bloggers; the bloggers will be rhapsodic, and may not have seen the much lauded camera work in a show before) may call Emperor’s New Clothes on it all.
Do we know when it’s off to Broadway yet? They’d have to have a Feb/March/April opening to guarantee Tony Noms.
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Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2023 11:04:01 GMT
Another 3*, this time from Time Out.
I do like their lack of kowtowing to the expected 5*, “it’s Bernadette, it’s Lea, it’s Sondheim” enthralment that the likes of whatsonstage have, naturally, gone for with this. Not having as much of an investment in “the industry”, I tend to believe their views more.
Hoping this will be the case with Sunset Boulevard too, as the newspaper critics will have seen live camera work onstage many, many times before, and will see that it’s actually a lot of recent, if old, ideas rehashed, unfortunately at the loss of the story and any sense of being moved.
It’s always interesting the difference between reviewers for the industry website reviewers versus the newspaper ones. But can be a cold wake up call for those caught up in the event, rather than the originality of the content.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 23, 2023 15:35:34 GMT
I hope there’s something decent going into it for the 6 months before MJ. Tbh this show hasn’t been selling well and it was OK but nothing great so not something I’d make a return visit to Same. They’ve normally got something lined up when they close a show. Can’t think of what show could go in though. Any recent touring shows that were looking for a home maybe?
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Post by nash16 on Jul 23, 2023 13:38:14 GMT
Sad that this is closing early. I’ve been twice with family. Definitely need to make a third trip.
What will replace it?
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Post by nash16 on Jul 22, 2023 0:38:38 GMT
Just to assure you my comment was not “conjecture based on site gossip”. What an odd thing to say. Okay, well you simply stated what has been stated further up the thread already and there are many people on this thread who would love proper confirmation of a run at the Savoy in 2024 followed by a tour. As Mr Barnaby originally mentioned it, I'm happy as their info is usually spot on. If you have proper inside info that can take things beyond conjecture, please spill (and if so, please can you also confirm what the plans are for a new production of Martin Guerre which has been workshopped at the OV for a while)... I’m in love with “proper inside info” now. 😂
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Post by nash16 on Jul 21, 2023 8:10:44 GMT
Their aim with this run is for it to lead to a U.K. tour, rather than a West End transfer, thus the removal of the revolves this time round. This run is also being used to try and attract investors to make a film version of the musical. No idea if either are going to work out yet though. Worth pointing out that this is conjecture based on site gossip - none of this has been confirmed by the OV. Ticket sales have not been as strong as hoped, though admittedly in a market where other shows are also struggling to put bums on seats. Just to assure you my comment was not “conjecture based on site gossip”. What an odd thing to say.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 20, 2023 23:30:17 GMT
Is this transferring next year or was that just a rumbling? Their aim with this run is for it to lead to a U.K. tour, rather than a West End transfer, thus the removal of the revolves this time round. This run is also being used to try and attract investors to make a film version of the musical. No idea if either are going to work out yet though.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 20, 2023 23:25:33 GMT
Loved this tonight in Manchester! What a performance with astonishing bursts of energy throughout! As for the audience, I’m not sure if some thought they were watching the telly. Drifting in and out of the auditorium. Such disrespect. One or two people desperate for the toilet… okay… but there was a constant stream of people in and out. Why?! Were they Cruising?
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Post by nash16 on Jul 13, 2023 11:17:05 GMT
Is it the only job she can get now? And flip, what a job…
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Post by nash16 on Jul 12, 2023 10:02:22 GMT
I've now seen four shows in a row in the last two weeks and have not experienced one single instance of bad behaviour. What the hell is going on?! You must give it time. Allow time.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 12, 2023 9:49:05 GMT
There last night and what a waste of the Royal Court downstairs. What is going on at this venue recently? We left imagining that what had been promised in the commissioning of it did not turn out in the end product, because as others have said, it’s a lot of talking and mobile phones with very little substance.
The acting is great, from everyone. But what could have been elevated from a regular Liverpool set sitcom has been let down by the writer and director. You’ve got 4 great women onstage; give them something better.
Watching it we thought it was going build to be a subversive take on climate change, and the effect on the young whilst the older generation carry on with their lives. But...
By the interval there was nothing dramatic to make us bother waiting for the second half, which I always find criminal. We did stay and in the final scenes it became clear this wasn’t actually going anywhere. Anywhere it had gone was tied up within a couple of lines. And at the end it looked like it was trying to start the whole process again.
As I say, the actors are great, but the material is weak, despite the laugh lines.
With the play upstairs not faring much better either, it’s definitely an uninspired time at this venue.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 12, 2023 9:41:26 GMT
Funny thing is I tried for Rush (as a rehearsal, to find out exactly the same) yesterday and it never appeared for this production in particular. I mean the red button it the App never turned to ‘Get Rush’ while for other productions it did at the same time. I even checked if I indeed unlocked them (which I did). Waited for 5 mins and gave up. I believe it was Press Night yesterday! 5* from Domestos (I could have predicted that one)
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Post by nash16 on Jul 9, 2023 20:16:23 GMT
I was there for the matinee. I did feel a bit meh not to see Fiennes, but blooming heck Will blew me away with his performance. Does anyone know if this was his first time on? If so he appeared quite at ease with the role. I did manage to snag a single back of stalls seat in a few weeks so I can see the play again, and possibly see Fiennes, but I won’t mind if I see Will too. does anyone think this might get a transfer? They’d be foolish not to transfer it… especially as the 2024 men’s euros approach Back to the Olivier next summer (May to August) for the Euros, as predicted by many on here, then to the Gillian Lynne almost straight after for a limited run.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 7, 2023 23:37:42 GMT
I think we just watched a play about bleach.
Bleach.
We need to veer Mark away from being anything but a tremendous actor in things. When he gets involved in creation or writing, things like this happen.
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Post by nash16 on Jun 23, 2023 0:29:04 GMT
Also saw it up in the Circle, last week, and agree with Matty that it was uncomfortably hot.
That may have affected my enjoyment, but I really felt this was poor. Unfortunately as soon as the Romeo started talking I feared the worst. There was no connection to what he was saying, or most of them early on, it was just being spoken very very fast. I knew the running time was finally the “two hours traffic” but I think that was a mistake with the cuts and the lack of time to let any relationships truly build or fall.
What were those dance/movement sequences? Deary me.
Paul Higgins and the experienced actors nearly saved it.
But even the youngsters around us, whom this is presumably aimed at, were restless and not, for the most part, engaged with it.
It felt very high school standard.
A misfire for Frecknall.
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Post by nash16 on Jun 21, 2023 22:08:06 GMT
We saw the show on Saturday. Really enjoyed it. Second half was slightly baggy, which was a shame, especially as the more important issues seemed to be a bit shoe-horned into that half (including racism in football; here just given a couple of almost monologue moments, when actually it’s begging for more time especially if the play is attracting football fans as it obviously seems to be. A real opportunity, but sort of rushed.) I could also do without laughing at the prime ministers. It irks when people find them funny and nudge nudge, when actually we should be feeling white hot rage that they’re still not locked up. But that could be just me.
Those second half hurried issues aside, it’s a great night out. Something for everyone. And made me care in those penalty shoot outs. Someone shouted out at one point.
Re the revolve and potential West End transfer: they’re not actually using the (infamous) drum revolve for this. Instead it seems to be a revolve placed atop the normal Olivier Stage (we were Row B and were wondering why we were craning our necks so much until my partner pointed it out).
So this should make a transfer pretty easy. I remember seeing Death of a Salesman at the Lyric theatre with a similar revolve set up, so it’s definitely possible. But obviously even this added revolve can be temperamental as the poor people on Monday night found out. A limited run if transferred should make economic sense.
Really recommend it though.
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