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Post by bellboard27 on May 22, 2018 16:10:32 GMT
My newly 17 year old daughter and her friend went to see this last night - the student performance. When I picked them up off the Central Line late last night they were predictably giddy and daughter's friend who has been doing ballet since toddlerdom was exclaiming over the technique. For them, of course, it is all very exciting and new - they haven't had time to become jaded by seeing lots of productions. They were - it seems - particularly taken by the character Benno - I have no idea why. Have to salute the Royal Opera House for having these student evenings - it makes seeing a production affordable and I bet the atmosphere in the House was something special, although daughter being a seasoned theatre goer and reader of the Bad Behaviour thread on this board was appalled by the number of people checking phones. She said that there were quite a few 'old' people there - but, of course, for her that can mean anyone over 20! I agree the student performances are a great thing. However, they clearly need to get the right performance. I can't remember what ballet I was at recently, but I was talking to FOH who said the previous performance was the student one and it went brilliantly - "you could hear a pin drop". In contrast, FOH said the student performance of Die Zauberflöte was less successful - three hours of German didn't quite click! I asked if they were doing a student performance(s) of the Ring this year. "Thank God, no", was the reply.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 22, 2018 16:04:19 GMT
I attended a dreaded "unreserved" seating event at the Brighton Fringe the other evening. The event was full and the steward asked me to go along the row and "not leave any seat unoccupied". They do that at the Hope Mill when it’s busy. I understand why but it’s v annnoying when you’ve rolled up early to get a “first in” token, purchased drinks at the bar, and then get instructed about where you can sit in their unreserved seating auditorium. I just ignore and plonk myself on the aisle. Then if asked I just say “no no I HAVE to be in the aisle...” vaguely implying some possible medical reason that prevents any further enquiry. I've had this at the Young Vic Maria - you queue up and head in first to get a nice central seat and then get asked to move along to the end of the row - if I wanted one of the worst seats, I would have come in last, not first! I tend to ignore such instructions.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 22, 2018 16:00:17 GMT
I went last night. Stalls about half full (I got a heavy discount towards rear stalls, but we were all moved up by FOH).
I'm afraid this did not click with me. I do like Anthony Horowitz's writing - for TV and novels, so I was hoping for something more. To discuss it would be one huge spoiler, so I won't. I thought the concept was interesting - just something not quite there with the delivery!
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Post by bellboard27 on May 15, 2018 8:26:01 GMT
Here’s a total pr*ck promoting incessant use of phones in theatre. And those who don’t like it are rude and arrogant!
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Chess
May 10, 2018 18:36:58 GMT
via mobile
Post by bellboard27 on May 10, 2018 18:36:58 GMT
I liked this musician/chess fun fact
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Post by bellboard27 on May 10, 2018 14:38:57 GMT
So long as it’s still a short walk from a Nando’s then I’m happy. These days most things seem to be a short walk from Nando's.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 10, 2018 14:26:14 GMT
On a visit to Malmo we once went to the museum as it had a special exhibition on The Bridge (we had already seen several locations from the show). It was called “A Non-Existent Malmo" as it was pointing out that Malmo is not like The Bridge in real life. The exhibition consisted of Saga's costume and Saga's car. However, the car had been taken away for filming the next series. So we were left with one exhibit. We felt it would have been better titled “A Non-Existent Exhibition"!
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Post by bellboard27 on May 10, 2018 14:21:07 GMT
Oh yes, well spotted. I wonder what the explanation is. The count of 20 is wrong anyway as they could (and have) included some of his radio and TV plays subsequently adapted for the stage. Of the one-act plays written for the stage “Silence” is missing, others too I think. From a quick glance. Silence, Basement and Tea Party would seem the missing ones. Yes. The website says that these will be rehearsed readings and complete the season. The show schedule does not yet include them. So I suppose we need to keep our eyes peeled!
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Post by bellboard27 on May 9, 2018 10:20:27 GMT
Sound was fine in the front stalls, I must say. Strong enough in row A to vibrate the entire row of seats... I bet that brought back sensations you had long forgotten.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 8, 2018 20:41:31 GMT
Last week I paid a return visit. This time I was in the rear stalls. I was hoping that the sound would be better than when I visited for the second preview in the front stalls. It was not. Some individual solo voices were fine, but others not and once there was more than once voice, the words were indistinct. I'm sure the circle overhang is a challenge for the sound and I suspect things in the front stalls have improved. Anyway, if you go, I would recommend a front stalls area seat. You might also get the chance to make a collage like @theatremonkey.com
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Post by bellboard27 on May 8, 2018 20:31:27 GMT
Interesting seeing how many of you avoid (or largely avoid) alcohol. I must say that avoidance of alcohol has not been the first thought that has come into my head on reading many of the posts on this board over the years.
I suppose all this avoidance might just about balance out the alternative strategy taken by @ryan But maybe not.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 6, 2018 19:33:57 GMT
I once cooked a barbecue as part of a show on the stage of the London Palladium. Theatre and barbecues can be combined! Sounds like Dame Edna's show. It was indeed, well the segment with Sir Les Patterson! He spat over most of the front row and when we were about the only ones who didn't move seats, he must have concluded we were game and he got us on stage.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 6, 2018 16:20:08 GMT
I once cooked a barbecue as part of a show on the stage of the London Palladium. Theatre and barbecues can be combined!
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Post by bellboard27 on May 6, 2018 10:49:47 GMT
I don’t like barbecues. I think they’re naff. 🙂 Fun fact* I've never had a Barbecue in my life. My Dad hated them so we never had them. I always felt left out and weird growing up because of that. (well and y'know being me). But also I'm with you, I have a perfectly functional kitchen, I do not need to cook outdoors. * might not be fun If you want to miss out on Salmonella from chicken burnt on the outside and raw in the middle, that’s your choice. More for the rest of us.
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Chess
May 6, 2018 6:34:27 GMT
via mobile
Post by bellboard27 on May 6, 2018 6:34:27 GMT
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Post by bellboard27 on May 5, 2018 11:32:38 GMT
An aside not about the production.
On entering I was told I couldn’t bring in a bottle of cola. I could only bring in water. I replied that this was not the case for 8 previous shows in the ENO’s 17/18 season I had been to. The reply was that it is a musicals only policy!
I said I would drink it as I wandered in and was told this was OK. Of course I kept it till later. I noticed quite a few others had got drinks through.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 4, 2018 18:35:53 GMT
I am going tonight. I do hope the theatre has the appropriate smells for a farm. I want a true sensory experience. If you see someone with a greenish shirt on, quite tall and a black rucksack and will be drinking coffee out of my own plastic tartan cap, that would be me. Say hi. I’ve failed in my tracking skills. Want to suggest an interval meeting point?
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Post by bellboard27 on May 4, 2018 17:55:05 GMT
Bank Hol - what y'll doin? Probably looking for a divorce lawyer - fell asleep and now it's too late to get into London to see Chess, which was my Christmas present from Mr Tibs who is on his way there right now from his office.....ooopsie. 🎲🎟 I’m sure he can pick someone up to go with him.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 4, 2018 17:23:54 GMT
I am going tonight. I do hope the theatre has the appropriate smells for a farm. I want a true sensory experience.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 3, 2018 19:50:55 GMT
I found the New Victoria is Woking to be very comfortable. Also I seem to remember the Lyric stalls as more comfortable that I was expecting (but my memory might be playing tricks). Of course, there is also the odd pub theatre that includes an arm chair in its eclectic mix of seating! I sat in the front row at Woking once and it wasn’t very comfortable due to the angle of the rows meaning two sets of legs had to share one space (hard to explain). Depending who’s involved that could be an added bonus
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Post by bellboard27 on May 3, 2018 17:39:10 GMT
Does "positive attitide" mean giving 5 stars to everything that involves the use of glitter? I would need to give this more thought before rejecting this as a premise.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 3, 2018 16:07:32 GMT
I found the New Victoria is Woking to be very comfortable. Also I seem to remember the Lyric stalls as more comfortable that I was expecting (but my memory might be playing tricks).
Of course, there is also the odd pub theatre that includes an arm chair in its eclectic mix of seating!
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Post by bellboard27 on May 3, 2018 15:43:48 GMT
There was a lot more "writhing" in Miss Saigon especially where I was sat in the first row but I don't remember the press mentioning that. From Variety: I don't see it myself until next week, but in 2018 that's a fair point. Full review at this link: Variety - ENO Chess review"One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister And if you're lucky then the god's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me"
Of course, they could replace One Night in Bangkok with a new song "One Afternoon in Bangkok" about buying flowers on the floating market and provide a different, sanitised view of the city.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 3, 2018 15:12:21 GMT
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Chess
May 1, 2018 22:48:02 GMT
via mobile
Brian likes this
Post by bellboard27 on May 1, 2018 22:48:02 GMT
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Post by bellboard27 on May 1, 2018 20:10:53 GMT
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Post by bellboard27 on May 1, 2018 20:05:13 GMT
^ You’re 100% sure it was an ear...? My ability to distinguish body parts, even at a distance, is unrivalled. Any time you want to put me to a test....,,
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Post by bellboard27 on May 1, 2018 16:53:34 GMT
Just went by a guy FaceTiming someone on his iPad. The picture displayed was of a huge, close up ear. I’m not sure the person on the other end has got the concept quite right.
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Chess
May 1, 2018 15:05:45 GMT
Post by bellboard27 on May 1, 2018 15:05:45 GMT
I was there also last night. Must say that I enjoyed it. The singing was excellent and the sound was good. And the design works really well. I am not very familiar with this musical, so can someone enlighten me? At one point Freddie Trumper sings a rap, or more precisely one that seemed to be in the style that Wham! did in 1982. I assume that this was in the original and was meant to be taken at face value at the time. However, as soon as he started singing in that style last night, I dissolved into laughter. I'm not sure this was the intended reaction! Do you mean 'One night in Bangkok'? Yes, you are right. Just checked it out on the old youtube. I had disassociated the rap part from the rest of it. It just went straight at me as a George Michael p*ss take last night! But I enjoyed that!!
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Post by bellboard27 on May 1, 2018 14:59:09 GMT
I'm not sure there are going to be many on this Board who can get their heads round the desire to go to a musical AND keep up with a sports score!
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