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Post by westended on Aug 28, 2021 11:31:37 GMT
Is the staircase in Let it Go the same as the staircase seen in the bows?
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Post by Steve on Aug 28, 2021 11:39:05 GMT
I was there last night and LOVED it, for the acting, the effects and the sheer Disney magic! Some spoilers follow. . . Some people (not me) have seen this on Broadway, some people have seen the film (me) and some people have done neither (Alece10), and I imagine all three groups will have different experiences. The first group will want to know if it's bigger or better than Broadway, the second will want to know if it lives up to the film, and the third are an open book. Although I imagine Category 2 people (those who have seen the ubiquitous film, whether by choice or by force, but not seen it on Broadway) will be the vast majority of visitors to this, I think Category 3 people are best positioned to comment on whether the story is well-told (as the rest of us know the story already) so for that reason, I'm delighted to hear that Alec10 found the story easy to follow and rated this five stars. That bodes especially well for all the unwitting parents who have plonked their kids in front of the film, but never bothered watching it, and now find themselves dragged along to this at the point of a tantrum lol! For me, having seen the film, I felt this was a marvellous realisation of that film, with theatrical sorcery and terrific lighting effects conjuring up a dazzling spectacle, while the actors brought immense warmth and humour and even, in the case of Sam Barks, an aching wounded humanity to their characters. From the uproarious cheers that erupted every time they appeared last night, I think that youngsters (and the young at heart) were most excited by Craig Gallivan as Olaf and Obioma Ugoala as Kristoff! And I can confirm that they were indeed delightful! For me, when I see an actor with a puppet, I always shed a tear or two if the puppeteer isn't Simon Lipkin, as the way that actor becomes emotionally one with puppets has always been one of the joys of living. So it is to Craig Gallivan's credit that he goes full Lipkin: when Olaf sighs, Gallivan sighs; when Olaf blinks, Gallivan blinks; but more than anything, Gallivan takes that wired energy that he honed in performing Dewey Finn in "School of Rock" and he makes Olaf relentlessly nervy and gormless and blundering and blustering and generally hilarious, and whether you watch the puppet or Gallivan's face, the two are totally synced. The standing ovation he got at the end was well-deserved. Ugoala, I felt, had less to work with. For such a beloved character, for one so pivotal to the plot, for one with so much stage time, I felt he deserved more written scenes and more emotional moments, but the actor triumphantly sails right through this dearth of material by being irrepressibly agreeable, the sort of frazzled and good-natured force of nature that Boris Johnson is always trying and failing to be when he messes with his hair and makes startled faces. Ugoala puts aside the commanding thrust of his Washington character in Hamilton for an air of quizzical carefree affability, but somehow retains Washington's charisma, his eyes and expressions ever alert and reacting to the wonderous events happening around him, magnifying them and making them seem more magical by his reactions. Ugoala's Kristoff is the epitomy of easygoing loveable charm, and for me, he too deserved his ovation. If youngsters, in the room where it happened, were most in love with Obiama and Gallivan, then I'd estimate that adults were most taken with the two leading ladies, Stephanie McKeon and Samantha Barks, for that is where the emotional heart of the story is. Grandage knows that this human heart has to carry right to the back of the balcony of this enormous Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and he has clearly and concisely mapped out the characters and acting styles of his leading ladies in both micro and macrocosmic aspects, so that everyone can feel some feels no matter where they are sitting, and McKeon and Barks realise his vision precisely. If you were at the back of the balcony, you still could easily perceive Anna's innocence and joyous childish nature from McKeon's movements and utterances, which could be compared, since this is Disney, to those of a fast-talking excitable chipmunk, complete with flapping arms and alternately shotgun outbursts of fluster and joy. And if you were at the back of the balcony, you could still easily perceive Elsa's prideful majesty and deep wells of love from Barks's considered and stately movements and soulful slow-build to sincerely-fulsome belting singing, which could be compared, since this is Disney, to a wounded lioness, stalked by and stalking it's hunters, until all you hear is her roar! Barks's performance was especially wonderful for me, as I come to "Frozen the Musical," from the film, firmly Team Anna (what a lovely animated - in more ways than one - person she is) lol, and ill-disposed to sympathise with Elsa's capricious and careless displays of power. Lucky enough to snag a front stalls seat in the O2 Priority sale, for less than £60, several decades ago (or is that the pandemic warping my sense of time again?), I could feel, and see in Barks's tear-filled eyes, how much pain lies behind Elsa's pride and majesty, and how much she fights her internal urges, so slow are they to build to their blow-off-top, which building emotion expresses itself in expertly modulated singing. The effects in this show are excellent, with Elsa's magic being conjured by a light show and quick change that are extraordinary in their precision and spectacle, and enchating in their effect. I'll leave further comments about the size of bridges, and comparing effects to Broadway, to those who know the first thing about it lol. For me, this show is a lovely entertainment, that does justice to it's equally entertaining source material. Some new songs are very funny ("Hygge" could only be funnier if Lucy Punch's Amanda, from "Motherland," jumped out and claimed they stole the idea from her failing fictional shop, "Hygge Tygge"), some serve a worthwhile dramatic purpose ("I Can't Lose You" spells out clearly the dramatic stakes at a critical point), some struggle to achieve their full potency ("Monster" just doesn't have a good enough melody to justify it's climactic position) and some are just as good as anything in the movie ("Dangerous to Dream" was even more impactful and rousing in dramatically reaching into Elsa's soul as "Let it go," for me, and Sam Barks turned this song into a total showstopper). This show doesn't pretend to reinvent the meaning of life, but it entertainingly affirms the value of human connections, and it's a dazzling watch. 4 and a half stars from me.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 28, 2021 12:10:57 GMT
Is the staircase in Let it Go the same as the staircase seen in the bows? Yep
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Aug 28, 2021 12:50:56 GMT
Could someone post the song list? Thank you
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Post by ronnette on Aug 28, 2021 14:05:08 GMT
Other than seeing the film, I’ve not followed this much at all so am interested to see how it’s been staged. Ive just watched this, the effects are incredible, is this what the WE version is like? Because if so, I’m booking it!
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Post by ghw894 on Aug 28, 2021 14:39:54 GMT
Other than seeing the film, I’ve not followed this much at all so am interested to see how it’s been staged. Ive just watched this, the effects are incredible, is this what the WE version is like? Because if so, I’m booking it! Dare I say, the westend version is better! It's much more a spectacle now!
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Post by alece10 on Aug 28, 2021 14:41:35 GMT
Other than seeing the film, I’ve not followed this much at all so am interested to see how it’s been staged. Ive just watched this, the effects are incredible, is this what the WE version is like? Because if so, I’m booking it! [1br]https://youtu.be/Qofj8MKO6mk I would say similar but London is vastly superior. For this number the staircase is a hundred times better. The effects in the flesh are beyond belief.
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Post by forevercolours on Aug 28, 2021 14:49:20 GMT
I was not thinking this was going to be one of the shows that I rushed to see as admittedly, Disney shows aren’t some of my favourite on stage (even when I love the movies) but this honestly looks fantastic. I won’t be able to afford to splash out on tickets though so can anyone tell me if the cheaper seats are worth it? (Mid/Back of grand circle or the Balcony) Will I feel really far away as it’s such a massive theatre?
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Post by alece10 on Aug 28, 2021 14:49:36 GMT
Could someone post the song list? Thank you Here you go: Act 1 Opening/Yuelie Let the Sun shine on A little bit of you/Northern Lights Do you want to build a snowman For the first time in forever Hans of the southern isles Dangerous to dream Love is an open door Reindeer(s) are better than people What do you know about love In summer Hans of the summer isles (reprise) Let it to Act 2 Hygge Let it go (reprise) I can't lose you Fixer upper Kristoff lullaby Monster Colder by the minute Finale
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Post by alece10 on Aug 28, 2021 14:52:31 GMT
I was not thinking this was going to be one of the shows that I rushed to see as admittedly, Disney shows aren’t some of my favourite on stage (even when I love the movies) but this honestly looks fantastic. I won’t be able to afford to splash out on tickets though so can anyone tell me if the cheaper seats are worth it? (Mid/Back of grand circle or the Balcony) Will I feel really far away as it’s such a massive theatre? Can't say from experience as I was in the stalls but the man sat next to me had family in the balcony and he met up with them in the interval and they said the view was great up there. Plus the show is HUGE so I don't think you are going to miss any of the spectacle.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 28, 2021 15:08:43 GMT
I was not thinking this was going to be one of the shows that I rushed to see as admittedly, Disney shows aren’t some of my favourite on stage (even when I love the movies) but this honestly looks fantastic. I won’t be able to afford to splash out on tickets though so can anyone tell me if the cheaper seats are worth it? (Mid/Back of grand circle or the Balcony) Will I feel really far away as it’s such a massive theatre? We sat in the penultimate row of the grand circle. My heart dropped as years ago Saigon from those seats was terrible but for Frozen it was great. OK we missed the top of the false proscenium arch but we could see everything else very clearly. The sets are massively scaled up so the cheap seats work well for this.
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Post by wicked on Aug 28, 2021 16:00:34 GMT
Please could someone advise on theatre entry shenanigans - how long should I allow before the show starts? I'm in the royal circle and just want a programme. Has there been lines checking covid passes etc? Thanks very much.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 28, 2021 16:10:55 GMT
Please could someone advise on theatre entry shenanigans - how long should I allow before the show starts? I'm in the royal circle and just want a programme. Has there been lines checking covid passes etc? Thanks very much. No one checked anything with me. Bag check and scanned tickets just as you enter your level. Lots of different entrances so goes smoothly. Programme sellers walking around inside with card readers so you don't even have to queue at the merch shop for one. But you may want to allow a little time to look around the theatre if that interests you.
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Post by Jon on Aug 28, 2021 16:41:20 GMT
I've already seen the show on Broadway but the positive reviews here have tempted me to potentially book to see the London production.
How is Drury Lane in its refurbished glory? The pics I've seen online look stunning.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 28, 2021 17:21:58 GMT
I've already seen the show on Broadway but the positive reviews here have tempted me to potentially book to see the London production. How is Drury Lane in its refurbished glory? The pics I've seen online look stunning. It's beautiful and so much better. I've put a bit about the referb on my previous review post. Wider, comfortable seats and lots more legroom. I took some pics but don't know how to post them on here.
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Post by ronnette on Aug 28, 2021 18:14:09 GMT
Right well this is me convinced. I’m going to book for over the Xmas hols I think. Half term is looking booked up already. It’s pricey at £150 or so in the stalls though. Sounds like the view is great from all angles!
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Post by wicked on Aug 28, 2021 21:44:14 GMT
Went tonight and don't have many coherent words that haven't already been said, but WOW.
The Drury Lane is beautiful - it feels like entering a palace.
My main question I've come away with, is how do they fit that ice bridge behind the stage!!!!!!!!!!
I sat in the Royal Circle, last couple of rows off to the side and the view was great, for £45 odd I thought it was a bargain.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 29, 2021 5:36:36 GMT
Went tonight and don't have many coherent words that haven't already been said, but WOW. The Drury Lane is beautiful - it feels like entering a palace. My main question I've come away with, is how do they fit that ice bridge behind the stage!!!!!!!!!! I sat in the Royal Circle, last couple of rows off to the side and the view was great, for £45 odd I thought it was a bargain. The ice bridge is like a train I believe, it’s in sections and there’s a track doing a loop of the entire stage.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 29, 2021 8:30:14 GMT
Went tonight and don't have many coherent words that haven't already been said, but WOW. The Drury Lane is beautiful - it feels like entering a palace. My main question I've come away with, is how do they fit that ice bridge behind the stage!!!!!!!!!! I sat in the Royal Circle, last couple of rows off to the side and the view was great, for £45 odd I thought it was a bargain. I think the Bridge will go down in theatre history along with Miss Saigon helicopter, Phantom chandelier, Les Mis revolve and 42nd Street staircase. It's an absolute genius of engineering.
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Post by fiyero on Aug 29, 2021 9:06:19 GMT
Went tonight and don't have many coherent words that haven't already been said, but WOW. The Drury Lane is beautiful - it feels like entering a palace. My main question I've come away with, is how do they fit that ice bridge behind the stage!!!!!!!!!! I sat in the Royal Circle, last couple of rows off to the side and the view was great, for £45 odd I thought it was a bargain. I think the Bridge will go down in theatre history along with Miss Saigon helicopter, Phantom chandelier, Les Mis revolve and 42nd Street staircase. It's an absolute genius of engineering. I recall disappointment from Shrek at Drury Lane that was rather cut down from Broadway and had a small bridge. Did they see the feedback from that, only really see the bit about a bridge, and say “hold my beer”? It was epic wasn’t it?
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Aug 29, 2021 9:41:40 GMT
its shocking how much you can turn a show around. With insight and improvements. I have not seen it. But I might try to hit uk next year
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Post by stuartmcd on Aug 29, 2021 13:38:52 GMT
Just booked a last minute ticket to go this evening. Really looking forward to it!
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Post by Figaro on Aug 29, 2021 13:56:46 GMT
Anyone know what grand circle A1 is like? It looks like a slip seat.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 29, 2021 14:47:51 GMT
Anyone know what grand circle A1 is like? It looks like a slip seat. Could be as the upper levels now curve around much more. The dress circle slips looked like they had a good view.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 29, 2021 14:56:48 GMT
In case anyone planning to go is wondering.
Running time 2 hours 10 mins (although the programme says 2 hours 30 mins)
Programme £6. Couple of interesting articles and the usual bios. Not many pics but I guess once it opens properly there will be a glossy version with pics.
No dogs - but there is a snowman.
Don't know if it's just me but the stage seems lower than it used to be.
Nudity - yes with strategically placed tree branches.
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 29, 2021 15:34:53 GMT
Nudity - yes with strategically placed tree branches. Enough about you having a drink in The Garden beforehand, what about in the actual show? 🤣
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Post by shady23 on Aug 29, 2021 18:06:27 GMT
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Post by stuartmcd on Aug 29, 2021 20:13:54 GMT
I had a great time seeing this today! I’ve always loved this theatre but it really is even more beautiful now.
The audience was generally well behaved though I wouldn’t say there was ever a point where the audience was totally quiet. There were a lot of kids in as expected and with that comes a bit of noise. But never enough to fully distract from the show and it was great to see all the kids enjoying themselves.
I thought the show itself was fantastic. Incredible vocals. Some really beautiful staging and choreography. Really great use of projections. The cast as a whole was great but of course Stephanie McKeon and Samantha Barks were just brilliant!
And Hygge was…..something. Was not quite expecting that!!!
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Post by sophie92 on Aug 29, 2021 21:59:00 GMT
Saw the show this evening.
Well, this is just stunning, isn’t it? I cried throughout multiple times, just in awe at the spectacle of it all. The set, the projections, the lighting, the staging - totally gorgeous.
Stephanie and Samantha are both so strong in their performances already, and Craig as Olaf was just brilliant! Our Young Anna and Elsa were also wonderful.
We had one quite noisy child sat behind us but it wasn’t constant (it’s possible she knew/was related to Young Anna, as she seemed particularly animated whenever she was on-stage), and I agree with the above that it was never absolutely quiet at any point but just lovely to see their enjoyment.
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Aug 30, 2021 3:16:28 GMT
Will the show get nominated for any Olivier do you think?
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