4,590 posts
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Post by Mark on Dec 27, 2023 9:16:54 GMT
I rated 3 stars but going back again to see it today. It’s the case of it being a fun show rather than a good musical. That and my sister wanted to go.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jan 1, 2024 17:55:45 GMT
The Witches is about to be broadcast on BBC 1 (2020 with Anne Hathaway)
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Post by danb on Jan 1, 2024 20:24:55 GMT
The Witches is about to be broadcast on BBC 1 (2020 with Anne Hathaway) And very enjoyable it was too!
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jan 1, 2024 21:02:55 GMT
Never seen The Witches before nor read the book ... and I'm booked for the NT. I actually felt quite scared of Anne Hathaway in that.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Jan 2, 2024 10:15:43 GMT
Never seen The Witches before nor read the book ... and I'm booked for the NT. I actually felt quite scared of Anne Hathaway in that. Treat yourself and watch the first movie adaptation with Anjelica Huston. She (and, in fact, the tone of the whole movie) makes Anne Hathaway look like Mary Poppins!
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161 posts
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Post by dan on Jan 2, 2024 20:58:44 GMT
I am so thrilled to have seen this yesterday. I was very close to not going just based on much of the narrative in this thread, but I’m so glad I did because I thought it was incredibly well done. The two lead boys were outstanding, the songs were a delight, the staging and theatrics were wonderful. It felt so magical while not having or needing much actual magic (illusions etc), because imagination is what is needed and what the story and staging decisions evoke. The creativity here is just beautiful, and I really hope this has a future life. It’s definitely taught me to go and see shows and not be deterred by whatever narrative might be forming here… I love coming here and reading different experiences and opinions and views, I just need to remember that’s what they are, and that I can still be blown away and fall in love with something that might not be others’ taste. It was such a long drive there and back yesterday, but 100% worth it and a joyful way to start 2024
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Post by vickyg on Jan 2, 2024 22:56:53 GMT
I’ve just seen from her Instagram that Tiffany Graves went on as the Grand High Witch on 29th and 30th December and from the picture it looks like Sally Ann Triplett was off for at least one show during that time too. Did anyone get to see these shows?
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177 posts
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Post by tal on Jan 2, 2024 23:09:16 GMT
I saw it on the 30th. Tiffany Graves was playing Grand High Witch and Danielle Coombe was playing Gran. Both were great!
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Post by parsley1 on Jan 2, 2024 23:39:31 GMT
I am so thrilled to have seen this yesterday. I was very close to not going just based on much of the narrative in this thread, but I’m so glad I did because I thought it was incredibly well done. The two lead boys were outstanding, the songs were a delight, the staging and theatrics were wonderful. It felt so magical while not having or needing much actual magic (illusions etc), because imagination is what is needed and what the story and staging decisions evoke. The creativity here is just beautiful, and I really hope this has a future life. It’s definitely taught me to go and see shows and not be deterred by whatever narrative might be forming here… I love coming here and reading different experiences and opinions and views, I just need to remember that’s what they are, and that I can still be blown away and fall in love with something that might not be others’ taste. It was such a long drive there and back yesterday, but 100% worth it and a joyful way to start 2024 Your point is very valid And I agree with you and glad you enjoyed The fact remains this show was critically adored Probably more so than Sunset Boulevard The forum tends to fawn and obsesses over certain shows and genres and categories and many people see certain shows repeated times Always take with a pinch of salt Usually it’s a good platform along with wider critics but more often I use to see shows I might otherwise be on the fence about Rather than not see shows due to a narrow and specific selection of opinions
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jan 3, 2024 10:40:06 GMT
I’ve just seen from her Instagram that Tiffany Graves went on as the Grand High Witch on 29th and 30th December and from the picture it looks like Sally Ann Triplett was off for at least one show during that time too. Did anyone get to see these shows? My friend saw the cover for Sally Ann Triplett on New Year's Day (eve) and said they were brilliant! Not sure who the cover is :-)
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161 posts
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Post by dan on Jan 3, 2024 12:20:00 GMT
I’ve just seen from her Instagram that Tiffany Graves went on as the Grand High Witch on 29th and 30th December and from the picture it looks like Sally Ann Triplett was off for at least one show during that time too. Did anyone get to see these shows? My friend saw the cover for Sally Ann Triplett on New Year's Day (eve) and said they were brilliant! Not sure who the cover is :-) She was terrific. You’d never know she was a cover / understudy, as always really… but she was fantastic.
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Post by francistheatreboard on Jan 3, 2024 23:24:43 GMT
My friend saw the cover for Sally Ann Triplett on New Year's Day (eve) and said they were brilliant! Not sure who the cover is :-) She was terrific. You’d never know she was a cover / understudy, as always really… but she was fantastic. I will say there were a few lines flubs but it made it all the more entertaining :-)
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2,353 posts
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Post by zahidf on Jan 4, 2024 22:13:27 GMT
This was great I thought. Good performances, very funny. Really enjoyed Daniel Rigby in this, similar to his anarchist performance
Looked very sold out. I reckon if they want to rework some of it, it may be back at the NT end of this year
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749 posts
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Post by horton on Jan 5, 2024 9:25:15 GMT
My friend saw the cover for Sally Ann Triplett on New Year's Day (eve) and said they were brilliant! Not sure who the cover is :-) She was terrific. You’d never know she was a cover / understudy, as always really… but she was fantastic. Daniele Coombe- with a totally different characterisation. West End credits going back to Sunset Boulevard, Oliver! and Acorn Antiques.
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Post by greatauntedna on Jan 5, 2024 13:24:29 GMT
Is there any rhyme or reason to which kids are on when?
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Post by toomasj on Jan 5, 2024 22:41:41 GMT
Is there any rhyme or reason to which kids are on when? In every professional show featuring young people I’ve done with cast doubling (kids not doing every show, like they generally do in panto for example) there is a set timetable obviously. There are allowances for sickness/absence. There are variations - Miss Saigon I remember had three sets of Tam’s available at each performance due to their age and unreliability. (Tantrums, nerves, sickness on site). These are young kids after all As for knowing which will be on - there is no way without knowing the families or working on the show. This is because of the safeguarding of children.
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749 posts
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Post by horton on Jan 6, 2024 13:15:01 GMT
There are always 2 children present for each main role. Last week a Bruno had to be switched mid-show due to illness. Where an adult might choose to struggle through, there is no way a child will be shoved onstage if they are unwell!
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10 posts
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Post by dave on Jan 6, 2024 17:19:21 GMT
I've not seen it so I don't know, but have they installed a different revolve? Because classically they still used the drum revolve without the lifting function for their normal revolutionary needs on the Olivier stage. Fairly sure they must be using the drum revolve as you can hear it grinding around every so often during 'Infinite Life' in the Dorfman!
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5,302 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 6, 2024 20:47:41 GMT
I've not seen it so I don't know, but have they installed a different revolve? Because classically they still used the drum revolve without the lifting function for their normal revolutionary needs on the Olivier stage. Fairly sure they must be using the drum revolve as you can hear it grinding around every so often during 'Infinite Life' in the Dorfman! They aren’t. The Witches used a doughnut revolve and was built for the show
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Post by elfie1984 on Jan 7, 2024 10:27:58 GMT
I saw this last night and absolutely loved it. I went with high expectations and they were exceeded. I thought each song was so well chosen and advanced the story, the set was excellent (the branch fingers framing the stage was genius) and the performances so strong. I know it is being compared to Matilda and whilst I do think it’s rougher round the edges, I think the Witches holds its’ own strongly.
I laughed, I felt genuinely scared at some points, smiled all the way through. Felt elated coming out the theatre.
Having seen Stranger Things the week previously where I felt impressed by the visuals but felt no emotion whatsoever, the Witches was very different - I felt all the emotions and my musical theatre fan went wild. Absolute triumph in my view. I’d see it again today straight away.
Surely this deserves a further life. It could be brought back to the NT next Christmas but could this have a transfer? I really hope so. It’s deserved.
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357 posts
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Post by lichtie on Jan 7, 2024 13:43:46 GMT
Enjoyed this a lot. Probably helped by no technical glitches. Some obvious drops in intensity, and the costume for the non-mouse children are poor. The rest is in keeping with the spirit of the show. The little mice even managed their little dance at the front of the stage. Daniel Rigby was the standout for me. And yes the songs aren't particularly memorable but I don't think that matters ina show like this....
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3,802 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Jan 7, 2024 15:47:02 GMT
I saw on Twitter (X) that Rishi Sunak was in the audience the other night.
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2,353 posts
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Post by zahidf on Jan 8, 2024 9:00:39 GMT
I saw on Twitter (X) that Rishi Sunak was in the audience the other night. Was he the small child picked on in the audience?
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1,909 posts
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Post by sf on Jan 8, 2024 15:13:43 GMT
I saw on Twitter (X) that Rishi Sunak was in the audience the other night. And nobody offered him any chocolate?
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jan 8, 2024 18:53:12 GMT
I saw on Twitter (X) that Rishi Sunak was in the audience the other night. Political beliefs aside. Found it creepy that a photo was taken of him considering he was with his children. Weird...
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Post by capybara on Jan 10, 2024 18:28:06 GMT
I thought this was pretty damn good. Sally Ann Triplett was wonderful, Katherine Kingsley fantastic and Daniel Rigby essentially reprised his role as the Maniac and I loved every second of his performance!
The kids were great, especially William Skinner on as Bruno. He had the Olivier theatre in the palm of his hand for long spells.
But it is missing genuinely rousing or inspiring numbers. If they can dig something out and add in a few big show tunes, this could be even more of a hit than it has been so far.
Excellent merchandise and programme available also.
Four stars.
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Post by greatauntedna on Jan 10, 2024 22:56:20 GMT
William Skinner is excellent! I saw it tonight for the third time and he wasn’t on and I missed him! But he played the phone boy!
It really clicked for me tonight though, I had thought the songs were a bit clunky and maybe a couple are but they’re great really.
I would combine the Grand High Witch’s ranty song with Gran’s one about her childhood. And get better costumes made for the kids in the boxes and the objects at the hotel.
I love Get Up, the staging is awkward with the costumes but I really like them getting on their tiptoes, I think it works being that simple, it just could do with some more exciting lighting, or maybe… well there’s not a lot they can do cos they’re all inanimate, but maybe Luke could be preparing for his next move throughout it, like with schematics of the kitchen!
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264 posts
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Post by theatrenerd on Jan 11, 2024 15:40:34 GMT
This little clip of Daniel Rigby just made me laugh.
After reading these posts and other word of mouth I’m starting to regret not booking now! Hope it does have a future life.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jan 11, 2024 17:02:51 GMT
I saw this recently - Daniel Rigby was brilliant. The two young leads - really great. Bertie Caplin (Luke) - what a stage name and George Menezes Cutts (Bruno) I think the latter is a star and reminds me so much of Rupert Everett.
Irvine Iqbal playing the chef was hilarious - actually I loved all the ensemble - especially Zoe Birkett!
I thought Act 2 weaker than Act 1. The weird immersive element with the phone going off - bit much. Katherine Kingsley is a riot. And stunningly beautiful. I'm unsure if she used contact lenses for her eyes but so blue. Her costuming in particular, so gorgeous.
Leading on, I really liked the costuming too for everyone - just not the 'Human Again' Beauty and the Beast inspired for the child ensemble. Maybe it's because they have to save money which makes sense but looked a bit cheap.
Would I see it again? No. Am I glad I did? Yes, I am! Much preferred this than HEX.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jan 11, 2024 17:03:49 GMT
This little clip of Daniel Rigby just made me laugh After reading these posts and other word of mouth starting to regret not booking now! Hope it does have a future life OH, brilliant! Loved his performance. (As just reviewed) 😅
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