4,158 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Sept 2, 2021 19:52:39 GMT
Seems to be getting a much better reception here than it did in America. Have there been a lot of changes?
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367 posts
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Post by Ade on Sept 2, 2021 21:55:44 GMT
Saw this this evening and thoughts below - some for the positive and some for the negative. I feel like overall it was a 3 star show and that’s the same view I had back on Broadway too.
- Samantha Barks absolutely smashed it vocally. I often find her voice a bit thin and was worried she had been cast for name recognition but she belted the [insert expletive of choice] out of those songs and absolutely did not disappoint. - Stephanie McKeon gave a spot on performance of Anna. There were times the vocals didn’t quite hit the mark but she is easily the most comfortable in her character. - Overall, as well as the above two it really is a strong cast. It genuinely looks like everyone up there is having an amazing time and while it’s very early days they all give a performance that screams Disney musical in the best senses of the words. - I don’t know if it’s just because I had a rubbish view on Broadway but the projections seemed far more impressive here. It’s definitely the only show I’ve seen where the projections have had their own round of applause. - The new staging of Let it Go far surpasses the original. The extra set pieces really do add a lot to it and just stop it feeling too bare up there. Definitely a change for the good. - I didn’t have too much of an issue with the pacing on Broadway but agree with others that this feels like it whips along. I actually hit the end of act one surprised how quickly it had passed. - Musically it feels like act two is the weaker half. They used a lot of the good material from the movie in act one and while Monster is a great addition and there are some lovely reprises in the second half, it feels a bit like the music is put to the side to allow them to push the story along - though you could argue the movie suffers from the same thing. - The bridge everyone has been talking about…meh. The way they interact with it as they go along is all very cool and yes it’s quite long but I didn’t come away bowled over with it and felt like actually most of the audience in there wouldn’t have noticed if it was the shorter original. - While the projections are as mentioned very cool, I’d forgotten just how heavily it relies on them. Aside from the two scenes mentioned above there’s a really really heavy reliance on projected walls, the big screen at the rear and the ensemble filling the space. It made me realise how sparse the Broadway staging actually was without the additions they have made here. Overall you come away feeling like you have seen your money on stage but I’m not sure you’d have that same feeling if it wasn’t for such a strong lighting and projection design. - About Hygge - so there were very evidently some parents around a bit uncomfortable during it and I audibly heard one kid say the words ‘I don’t like it’ and it’s absolutely harmless fun for the first 80% of it but the dancing line at the end definitely feels so unnecessarily…nude. I feel like the problem with it is that they just look too convincingly naked. From my front stalls seat in New York I already had to look twice, and from the grand circle today I genuinely wouldn’t have known they weren’t in their birthday suits if I hadn’t spotted the Action Man style smoothing over of down below. I mean you can literally see some impressive side cheek on the male cast and while I’m sure there are plenty in there who don’t mind the view, i can imagine plenty more come away questioning if there had actually been some stripping. - As for the audience, wow I’ve not been to one with so much noise as that in a while. I genuinely don’t mind kids making a bit of noise in the theatre and, you know what, they are there to enjoy it and experience theatre as much as I am. But it’s when parents just sit there and let them cry and moan about being bored etc. You all can sing along to your hearts content if you’re 5 and want to grow up to be Elsa, because frankly in my head I’m right there with you, but if the kid doesn’t want to be there please don’t let them ruin it for everyone else. - One last thing on the staging - I will never fail to be confused by the lift and revolve in the closing song. While on Broadway the revolve was used very effectively earlier in the production, it’s only use here is at the end and so it sort of feels a bit redundant. And I found the lift baffling before and just as much here, raising up for literally a matter of seconds before lowering again. It’s one of those cases where you wonder why, when they could have used the money to add an extra couple of icicles or bought the hygge clan a few pairs of paper pants to cover their modesty, they chose to install something which feels so pointless.
All in all, very pleased I saw it again with a good view of proceedings but I can’t imagine I’ll have cravings to return to it.
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355 posts
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Sept 3, 2021 14:38:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2021 19:20:09 GMT
Has anybody received their tickets in the post? My email says that my tickets will be dispatched via the method chosen on the original booking (we were originally going last year before the dates moved) which was in the mail. I’m hoping so, because the paper tickets I’ve seen on social media look beautiful.
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821 posts
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Post by ensembleswings on Sept 3, 2021 21:10:45 GMT
Has anybody received their tickets in the post? My email says that my tickets will be dispatched via the method chosen on the original booking (we were originally going last year before the dates moved) which was in the mail. I’m hoping so, because the paper tickets I’ve seen on social media look beautiful. Mine arrived by post. Thought they would just email them over but no, they still sent them out thankfully (they are indeed a beautiful design)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2021 21:49:33 GMT
Has anybody received their tickets in the post? My email says that my tickets will be dispatched via the method chosen on the original booking (we were originally going last year before the dates moved) which was in the mail. I’m hoping so, because the paper tickets I’ve seen on social media look beautiful. Mine arrived by post. Thought they would just email them over but no, they still sent them out thankfully (they are indeed a beautiful design) Ahh thank you!
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4,395 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 3, 2021 22:59:05 GMT
Well, going in in Tuesday I was there to see a dress change at the end of Act 1, and a woman belt a song called Monster in Act 2 - otherwise I wasn't expecting much... I HAD A GREAT TIME!
It's actually a really good show! I really enjoyed how pacy it was (I audibly said 'are we at Let It Go ALREADY' when it started - was convinced there was another scene to go!) 2 hours and 15 minutes including an interval is okay with me!
Overall really liked the cast: Sam Barks sings her face off, and Let It Go really IS a showstopper. I did wish in Monster that they'd turn the volume up a bit because she was belting, but the song never felt like it climaxed properly...too quiet! She did well with what she was given acting wise but I wish Elsa (and all of the characters really) were more fleshed out. Steph McKeon is the star - it's literally like they picked Anna up out of the film and put her on the Drury Lane stage - absolutely brilliant. Good supporting cast - I thought Oliver Ormson was fine, but really liked Craig Gallivan as Olaf and Obi as Kristoff!
Now. The design for this show is frankly some of the best I've ever seen in a show. What they have achieved with video is unlike anything I've ever seen before and it's THRILLING. I sort of don't begrudge the fact you can't get in the stalls for under £100 after press night because your money is well and truly on display in front of you! It's mind-blowing some of the stuff they did, and I was open mouthed at it multiple times. Really loved the extended Ice palace from Broadway too - it really fills the stage and works really well!
Side note - the Drury lane refurb is absolutely phenomenal and incredibly well done. Get there early to wander round - it's beautiful.
A solid 4 stars from me, and I can see me being a repeat visitor for this, which I wasn't expecting!
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Post by marob on Sept 3, 2021 23:47:58 GMT
I’ve not seen the film, so this was one of those shows I was on the fence about seeing, and probably wouldn’t book for. Then I read the reactions on here and decided to go for it. Very glad I did as I loved it last night. Walking back to the hotel I kept realising I was smiling to myself. It was the perfect show to end my London theatre binge on. Though it does look like Love Is an Open Door is not going to leave my head anytime soon…
Incidentally, they were filming again last night.
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56 posts
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Post by mhumphries on Sept 4, 2021 7:41:02 GMT
Kinda feel this show needs a disclaimer…
Warning! May be in close proximity to stereotypical over excited asian fan girls!
Jesus, I thought they were a myth, I seemed to be sat in-between three groups of at least 5 of them and they would not shut up, laughing, crying, screaming, never ending hush whispering, bouncing up and down in their seats.
One joy though, hearing a very up there own ass couple complaining to an usher ‘we don’t pay over a £120 each for seats to be near those kind of people’.
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Post by marob on Sept 4, 2021 10:06:43 GMT
The fangirling is definitely not restricted to Asians - two women on one side of me were constantly whispering (and singing 😠) to each other and one on the other side just sobbed for most of the show.
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7,491 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 4, 2021 10:17:13 GMT
Kinda feel this show needs a disclaimer… Warning! May be in close proximity to stereotypical over excited asian fan girls! Jesus, I thought they were a myth, I seemed to be sat in-between three groups of at least 5 of them and they would not shut up, laughing, crying, screaming, never ending hush whispering, bouncing up and down in their seats. One joy though, hearing a very up there own ass couple complaining to an usher ‘we don’t pay over a £120 each for seats to be near those kind of people’. Did you like the show though?
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7,491 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 4, 2021 10:19:08 GMT
I'm just doing some paperwork and listening to the OBC cast recording and currently at Hygge. Now I know this song is going to be stuck in my head all day. Damm!!!!
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6,305 posts
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Post by danb on Sept 4, 2021 10:33:53 GMT
My gorgeous tickets just arrived for next weekend! Shiny!!!!
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Post by marob on Sept 4, 2021 10:54:25 GMT
I'm just doing some paperwork and listening to the OBC cast recording and currently at Hygge. Now I know this song is going to be stuck in my head all day. Damm!!!! I take it that’s “not hygge.” 😉
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2021 11:06:36 GMT
I was surprised at how good this was last night. Maybe it was because of the lukewarm reviews from the Broadway production, but whats on stage at Drury Lane, really is magical. I welled up during Let It Go, and i'm not really sure why! Mind you the woman next to me did too. The staging is excellent. Sorry Dreamgirls, but you have just lost your title of the best crystal curtain in a musical. All the cast were excellent and I suspect that Craig Gallivan will win best supporting for Olaf. He really is adorable and wether your looking at Craig or the puppet, they are both doing exactly the same facial expression.
At one point I thought it had taken quite a while just to get to the Coronation scene, but then all of a sudden we're at Let It Go and the end of Act 1. I really enjoyed Hygge and certainly all the adults around me appreciated it too. If I had 1 criticism, it would be to shorten 'bit if a fixer upper' as it goes on too long, and all the while Anna is meant to be dying. And yes, I also welled up at the very end, which i thought was really well staged.
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7,491 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 4, 2021 11:09:17 GMT
I'm just doing some paperwork and listening to the OBC cast recording and currently at Hygge. Now I know this song is going to be stuck in my head all day. Damm!!!! I take it that’s “not hygge.” 😉 Phew, just had a shower and cleared by brain. 😀 I'm off to see Joseph now so this afternoons song will be Go Go Joseph.
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7,491 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 4, 2021 11:14:45 GMT
Just had an e mail to say they are taking bookings for afternoon tea at The Lane. OK it's £49 but the menu is really interesting and not your usual afternoon tea menu. You even get a different tea with each course. I think that's my birthday sorted out.
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Post by jamesxxx on Sept 4, 2021 21:28:02 GMT
Bit of advice. The end seats of the front row royal circle are priced £39.50 with a note saying have to lean forward. Seats next to them are very top price sometimes £130. How "bad' do you reckon these would be.
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355 posts
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Sept 6, 2021 1:13:39 GMT
you have a different lighting designer
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1,423 posts
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Post by showtoones on Sept 6, 2021 3:49:45 GMT
Does Sam Barks do all of the shows? With a five show weekend me thinks they will give her a show off? Maybe Sat matinee?
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5,265 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 6, 2021 5:46:34 GMT
you have a different lighting designer Random
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355 posts
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Sept 6, 2021 5:49:32 GMT
you have a different lighting designer Random The one on Broadway was Natascha Katz the one on London is Neil Austin. That I found that very interesting. I wonder how much difference between the two are.
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Post by Boob on Sept 6, 2021 6:24:47 GMT
Neil Austin really is the best of the best.
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355 posts
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Sept 6, 2021 7:05:13 GMT
Neil Austin really is the best of the best. yes
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355 posts
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Sept 6, 2021 9:46:18 GMT
Has anyone seen both versions?
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Post by fiyerorocher on Sept 6, 2021 10:15:01 GMT
Has anyone seen both versions? Both Broadway and London? I have, but I really liked it on Broadway while most people seem to have been disappointed, so I'm possibly not the best person to make comparisons :')
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355 posts
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Sept 6, 2021 10:35:45 GMT
any major differences between the two?
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Post by fiyerorocher on Sept 6, 2021 10:43:22 GMT
any major differences between the two? To my memory, not that many - new sets in a few places, and a new song. But I think others may disagree with me. Perhaps I'm misremembering it on Broadway. But I definitely remember going in to it not expecting much and being incredibly pleasantly surprised, and later very glad to hear of the West End production opening.
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1,901 posts
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Post by LaLuPone on Sept 6, 2021 12:18:36 GMT
There’s more pairs of £40 seats at the side of the front stalls on sale, only for this coming Thursday as far as I can see. Just picked up a pair for after the Waitress tour matinee, god I’m excited!
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1,196 posts
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Post by theatrefan77 on Sept 6, 2021 12:37:34 GMT
This was quite good, much better than I expected. The staging is simple but effective, quite magical really. Great cast. Samantha Barks was excellent and looks stunning. I'd be happy to see it again.
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