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Post by bengal73 on Oct 21, 2019 16:33:05 GMT
But aren't you doing that exactely that? You're claiming that it's doing so well that the Upper Circle is only closed on Matinees. It's not. Its closed on a Friday night, which should be one of its busiest nights. I'm not hoping the show closes, far from it, but lets be honest about how it's doing. In recent months, if anyone has said something negative/unpopular about a show on this board, people leap to its defence and can't seem to handle someone else having a different opinion. No-one rushes to criticise a positive opinion, so why do it for a negative one?? I am not sure why I've been quoted above when those points were made by another poster. Maybe a technical glitch? I can only speak for myself in terms of 'leap'-ing to defend. This thread has been one of the most unpleasant and frustrating on the forum in my experience. Some people have, in my opinion, looked for literally any reason (however insubstantial, ill founded or irrational) to criticize the show. I can do a chronology from the top of my head if you wish but I suspect you already know what I'm talking about. There is a point where it turns from sharing a negative opinion to actively willing a show to fail. I am not suggesting that you have done this but it has been galling to read posts from some others, particularly when the show opened initially. Again, just my opinion. And then some, like myself have been attacked by other posters (not yourself I hasten to add) for voicing a negative opinion which has actually just been an observation. This thread has truly been poisonous at times and for some reason this seems to be a show that attracts a certain type of fan that reacts negatively to any criticism however valid that may be |
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Post by hannechalk on Oct 22, 2019 21:26:20 GMT
Something I haven't really seen mentioned, my friend and I went on Tuesday and found parts of the show quite crude/graphic, which we weren't expecting and felt was unnecessary. Otherwise we found it OK, but wouldn't be rushing back. She Used to be Mine was the only stand out song really. It's about sex, deceit, cheating, passion domestic abuse, and survival. And baking pies. What did you expect? |
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Post by esteveyb on Oct 22, 2019 21:34:07 GMT
It actually is selling far better than is being reported. With the exceptions of the Wednesday matinees, I have it on good authority (from someone who actually even sees the audience from the other side to where we do) that they are usually selling around 1100-1300 seats a night, and, since Jack McBrayer and McPhee left, have only had to close the upper circle on a handful of occassions, in matinee performances. Joe has been a bigger draw than Ashley and Blake, obviously. David Hunter even posted, earlier this year, that the audiences he's seeing are very similar to his time in Kinky Boots at the same theatre. All audiences are different, nothing is going to be adored by everyone, but spreading lies and disinformation - fake news - to back up your own personal opinion, is just pathetic. Waitress is not for everyone - it's very American in its sensibilities and it's very 'feminine' in presentation; it's effectively a romcom at the theatre, with a very accessible, adult contemporary pop soundtrack. When i was there 2 weeks ago, the Upper Circle was closed on a Friday night. It definitely isnt just at a matinee. That isnt a good sign. I've been there on a Friday night for the past 4-5 weeks and not once has the Upper Circle been closed. It's all I can usually afford! |
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 22, 2019 23:49:08 GMT
So genuine question. Sad that I feel the need to state that for fear of getting attacked again for wanting the show to close or whatever. Is it repeat visits and casting choices driving this.
It still seems to lack decent offers to bring people back again and again and throughout this thread its seemed to be the same people defending the show against criticism in a very aggressive manner.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 23, 2019 0:19:11 GMT
Joe seems to be bringing people in who might not normally go and book a theatre show, but Lucie has lots of fans too.
Plus there are a core of very enthusiastic, perhaps over enthusiastic if some stage door tales are to be believed, young fans who return again and again.
The last minute performance at the Tkts booth got a good, young crowd along to support it, for instance. The show has found its audience.
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 23, 2019 1:45:59 GMT
Joe seems to be bringing people in who might not normally go and book a theatre show, but Lucie has lots of fans too. Plus there are a core of very enthusiastic, perhaps over enthusiastic if some stage door tales are to be believed, young fans who return again and again. The last minute performance at the Tkts booth got a good, young crowd along to support it, for instance. The show has found its audience. Exactly what I was hoping for response wise I stage doored briefly or attempted to after I went with my daughter last week. Joe was the selling point for her but she enjoyed the show itself too. She very much fits the target audience and lapped it up. I really wanted to see Lucie but typically she was off so I dont mind returning. The bunch at stage door though were clearly regulars |
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Post by Paul on Oct 23, 2019 2:38:45 GMT
Seen this on Broadway tonight and it was a very nice surprise. Not a weak link in the cast. I might have to visit it again next time I'm in London.
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 23, 2019 9:24:11 GMT
It still seems to lack decent offers Currently third price for £35 (as it is school holiday season), and earlier in the month there were seats down to £19.50. Both prices are some of the biggest discounts available for any musical at the moment. Plus they dynamic price like anything. One of the easiest musicals in London to get a decent priced seat for, I'd say - and even at full price there are some good restricted view seats. There does seem a certain section of theatregoers who do expect premium stalls for a fiver just because they are fans of a show. To me, that is unreasonable; to a producer, it's actually impractical. Just didn't see them then. I certainly dont expect top price seats for next to nothing. |
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Post by Sam on Oct 23, 2019 9:31:16 GMT
Something I haven't really seen mentioned, my friend and I went on Tuesday and found parts of the show quite crude/graphic, which we weren't expecting and felt was unnecessary. Otherwise we found it OK, but wouldn't be rushing back. She Used to be Mine was the only stand out song really. It's about sex, deceit, cheating, passion domestic abuse, and survival. And baking pies. What did you expect? I might expect suggestive scenes, but I wouldn't expect {Spoiler - click to view}someone simulating sex by bouncing on another person's lap and shouting "The British Are Cumming", or eating a pie from someone's groin. It just surprised me is all, particularly as people have been speaking about taking their children. It was an element of the show we didn't like, and would have preferred it had been excluded and other parts potentially expanded upon. |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Oct 23, 2019 9:43:18 GMT
Hannah Tointon is joining as Dawn from December.....
Lucie Jones extends as Jenna until the end of January...
I'm suss as to why they would make that announcement about Lucie given nobody knew or expected she was due to leave anyway? And then it only be until January anyway. I smell a star casting when she leaves....
As for Hannah.....if she has won the role on merit then fine but if she has got the role because she is known then once again the producers don't have a clue on who is actually known and popular in this country....
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Post by amp09 on Oct 23, 2019 9:48:46 GMT
Hannah Tointon is joining as Dawn from December..... Lucie Jones extends as Jenna until the end of January... I'm suss as to why they would make that announcement given nobody knew or expected she was due to leave anyway? And then it only be until January anyway. I smell a star casting when she leaves.... Isn’t it strange that Lucie hasn’t extended to end of booking period? Perhaps they’ve got someone lined up to replace her. Glad to see Joe’s stint coming to an end. Hopefully we get a trained actor into the role. |
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 23, 2019 10:12:09 GMT
It's about sex, deceit, cheating, passion domestic abuse, and survival. And baking pies. What did you expect? I might expect suggestive scenes, but I wouldn't expect {Spoiler - click to view}someone simulating sex by bouncing on another person's lap and shouting "The British Are Cumming", or eating a pie from someone's groin. It just surprised me is all, particularly as people have been speaking about taking their children. It was an element of the show we didn't like, and would have preferred it had been excluded and other parts potentially expanded upon. I agree. It surprised me the level of crudity at times |
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Post by sparky5000 on Oct 23, 2019 10:34:38 GMT
^ My US friend who saw the show in NYC and loved it, thought it was way ruder and more naughty in the UK than in the US! I didn’t notice much difference although I think the London OGs def went for it more than when I’ve seen it on Broadway, but I think that works for a British audience idk. lol
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Post by sparky5000 on Oct 23, 2019 10:43:12 GMT
Hannah Tointon is joining as Dawn from December..... Lucie Jones extends as Jenna until the end of January... I'm suss as to why they would make that announcement about Lucie given nobody knew or expected she was due to leave anyway? And then it only be until January anyway. I smell a star casting when she leaves.... As for Hannah.....if she has won the role on merit then fine but if she has got the role because she is known then once again the producers don't have a clue on who is actually known and popular in this country.... Haha, I think the Lucie announcement was def purposefully made to try and distract from fans maybe annoyed about Laura leaving! After the debacle with Ashley replacing Laura for a couple of months, I sure as heck hope that Laura wanted to leave rather than her effectively being replaced by another star casting 😩 - if Hannah is a star casting, as I’m not v familiar with her?! Laura will end up having done 8 months which is short of the usual 12, although David might be the only OG that ends up doing a fully year on the show. Guess that Waitress London OG cast recording is well and truly dead now ☹️ |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 15:06:47 GMT
I think at this point, Laura will have chosen not to renew her contract, as it has been a good 8 months since the show opened. I wouldn't really class Hannah as "stunt casting" seeing as she is a trained actress, and Ashley on the other hand was not.
Lots of the fangirls on Twitter have been speculating Lucie's departure for a while - she would have been due to leave on the same day as Joe and Laura (30th Nov) if she hadn't extended which is what the fangirls expected.
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Post by d'James on Oct 23, 2019 21:34:35 GMT
It's about sex, deceit, cheating, passion domestic abuse, and survival. And baking pies. What did you expect? I might expect suggestive scenes, but I wouldn't expect {Spoiler - click to view}someone simulating sex by bouncing on another person's lap and shouting "The British Are Cumming", or eating a pie from someone's groin. It just surprised me is all, particularly as people have been speaking about taking their children. It was an element of the show we didn't like, and would have preferred it had been excluded and other parts potentially expanded upon. Yeah. That bit did surprise me as to not fitting with the rest of the show. |
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Post by Paul on Oct 23, 2019 22:09:51 GMT
I've noticed since Shoshana Bean's stint in Waitress, all subsequent Jennas on Broadway and even Lucie Jones, end 'she used to be mine' with a big belly "mine" at the end and I really don't think it works for the song. Jordin Sparks did it on Broadway last night and I think the last few words being sung softly has a bigger impact.
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Post by andrew on Oct 23, 2019 22:31:09 GMT
I've noticed since Shoshana Bean's stint in Waitress, all subsequent Jennas on Broadway and even Lucie Jones, end 'she used to be mine' with a big belly "mine" at the end and I really don't think it works for the song. Jordin Sparks did it on Broadway last night and I think the last few words being sung softly has a bigger impact. I've heard Lucie doing it both ways actually. I prefer the softer ending as well. How was Jordin's Jenna? |
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Post by Paul on Oct 23, 2019 22:41:55 GMT
Jordin was fantastic as Jenna, her voice really filled the whole theatre. Acting wise she was very good, there were a few moments where I felt like she didn't need to try as hard, 'she used to be mine' being one of them, I thought she seemed a bit too emotional during that song.
Glad to hear Lucie sometimes sings the softer ending of the song - I will be living in hope that I hear the soft ending next time I see it in London 😂.
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Post by sparky5000 on Oct 23, 2019 23:19:44 GMT
I've noticed since Shoshana Bean's stint in Waitress, all subsequent Jennas on Broadway and even Lucie Jones, end 'she used to be mine' with a big belly "mine" at the end and I really don't think it works for the song. Jordin Sparks did it on Broadway last night and I think the last few words being sung softly has a bigger impact. I think Jennas def evolve and take their cue from other Jennas - like Kat is the first Jenna I saw that dipped low in the first big “miiinnnnee” and then went high at the end of the second big miiiinnnneee” but then lucie does that now also. But then this was something kat definitely changed up for the London production because she sang it differently in NYC. I guess the Jennas are always experimenting with the song. |
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Post by sparky5000 on Oct 23, 2019 23:23:16 GMT
Also on the lucie leaving date thing - and I’m basing this speculation on absolutely nothing but the fact that the timing works 😆 but does anyone think that maybe she’s gonna play Vivian in Pretty Woman? - Previews for show start I think on Valentine’s Day 2020, so that would give a few weeks of rehearsal?!
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Post by beth on Oct 27, 2019 0:00:17 GMT
Does anyone know why Lucie seems to be off for so many shows recently? Olivia & Sarah seem to have been getting a lot of opportunities to go on for Jenna, which I don’t remember happening during Katharine’s run. Not complaining, I was very happy to get to see Olivia’s Jenna recently. She was phenomenal. I also thought she had better chemistry with David than Lucie did when I saw her closer to the start of her run.
I have seen the show several times in London now (thanks TodayTix Rush Tickets!) and I also caught it in Toronto when I was there over the summer. The London production felt much stronger, fresher, more energetic and yes, more crude, than the North American tour I saw. Just as an example, in the Bad Idea Reprise when Jenna brings the “pineapple upside down pie” and spreads her legs on the doctors bench, Dr Pomatter simply held the pie in his hands and ate it rather than placing it on her belly. Everything was just toned down. I certainly prefer the bawdier west end version. Maybe I’m just a little low brow.
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Post by danb on Oct 27, 2019 6:24:26 GMT
Maybe the cast are just a bit more comfortable with each other so are happy to try things for the evolution of the show? It doesn’t have the same revolving door of celebrities that Broadway has so they have a chance to be closer.
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Post by sparky5000 on Oct 27, 2019 22:26:57 GMT
Does anyone know why Lucie seems to be off for so many shows recently? Olivia & Sarah seem to have been getting a lot of opportunities to go on for Jenna, which I don’t remember happening during Katharine’s run. Not complaining, I was very happy to get to see Olivia’s Jenna recently. She was phenomenal. I also thought she had better chemistry with David than Lucie did when I saw her closer to the start of her run. I have seen the show several times in London now (thanks TodayTix Rush Tickets!) and I also caught it in Toronto when I was there over the summer. The London production felt much stronger, fresher, more energetic and yes, more crude, than the North American tour I saw. Just as an example, in the Bad Idea Reprise when Jenna brings the “pineapple upside down pie” and spreads her legs on the doctors bench, Dr Pomatter simply held the pie in his hands and ate it rather than placing it on her belly. Everything was just toned down. I certainly prefer the bawdier west end version. Maybe I’m just a little low brow. I’ve been wondering that too, because Lucie does seem to have had a lot of absences since she started. Dr Dr P ‘pineapple upside down’ scene is the same in nyc when I’ve seen it there, but I def think the cast just go for the naughty scenes with more gusto in the UK, lol! |
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Post by musical19 on Oct 29, 2019 10:02:37 GMT
Anyone know what this is about?
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