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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2019 12:55:48 GMT
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2,452 posts
Member is Online
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Post by theatremadness on Nov 4, 2019 13:05:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2019 13:32:12 GMT
Ugh. It's just not that deep. It's a simple plot with a banging score, the singing is glorious and you'll come out with a smile on your face. Does anyone even care about Shenton thinks anymore?
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4,593 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 4, 2019 13:54:32 GMT
The Guardian loves it
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2,563 posts
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Post by viserys on Nov 4, 2019 16:18:45 GMT
I'm astonished by the incredibly high moral horse the Time Out bloke is sitting on. So every guy who's been dumped by his girlfriend, realizes he misses her and wants to win her back is now a sociopath and two guys who are dreaming of love and haven't had much luck yet are now incels?
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111 posts
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Post by appoul on Nov 4, 2019 16:29:07 GMT
I agree with the Guardian reviewer: "Oliver Ormson as Rob successfully combines the character’s self-regard with a baffled charm that put me in mind of Hugh Grant". Some scenes in the vinyl store reminded me of Notting Hill.I enjoyed the show, too. I sat in row D and do avoid it if you're not very tall. Row E seems to be the best option--but I was also jealous of the sofas!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2019 16:29:27 GMT
I'm astonished by the incredibly high moral horse the Time Out bloke is sitting on. So every guy who's been dumped by his girlfriend, realizes he misses her and wants to win her back is now a sociopath and two guys who are dreaming of love and haven't had much luck yet are now incels? Oh dear. What a shame he has chosen to go down that route, like WOS and others have. Odd because Andrej seemed to be having a whale of a time at the show. Hmm.
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86 posts
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Post by confessor on Nov 9, 2019 9:53:05 GMT
I caught this at the Thursday matinee, only around half full unfortunately, but I really enjoyed the show. I have the cast recording but hadn't listened to it for a while and forgotten how good some of the songs are. Cast were great, comedy was well delivered and I liked what they did with the space available staging-wise. It's the first time I've been to the Turbine Theatre and the sound of passing trains is quite intrusive during the quieter moments I found, but I'd happily return to the venue.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2019 14:15:29 GMT
I caught this at the Thursday matinee, only around half full unfortunately, but I really enjoyed the show. I have the cast recording but hadn't listened to it for a while and forgotten how good some of the songs are. Cast were great, comedy was well delivered and I liked what they did with the space available staging-wise. It's the first time I've been to the Turbine Theatre and the sound of passing trains is quite intrusive during the quieter moments I found, but I'd happily return to the venue. Yes, probably one of the biggest gripes I have with the space. I know that other theatres have the same issue but its quite loud and often here. I was rather concerned that the ceiling was going to cave in at any second, but that's anxiety for you.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Nov 10, 2019 10:54:24 GMT
24 hour £15 TodayTix deal on this
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2,379 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 10, 2019 22:43:02 GMT
Really enjoyed this today, the cast have a great energy and Oliver makes a strong lead. Gorgeous vocals from Shanay Holmes as always, and Eleanor Kaye too. A decent audience turnout as well (although I did get my ticket from a seat-filling site).
Running time just under 2.5 hours (finished at 5.30 but started about 5 minutes late)
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3,472 posts
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Post by showgirl on Nov 15, 2019 4:44:36 GMT
I enjoyed this at yesterday's pretty full matinee and agree that the cast are very energetic. I liked the way that so many of them had their opportunity to shine, though some of the men (the creepy Ian, bullish Barry and TMPMITW) had to wait until the second act for this. I didn't take to Olvier Ormson and found his facial expressions one-note and a little wearing. I know that the character of Rob is meant to be a bit of a s**t, but unlike Hugh Grant, who has been mentioned in this context, on this evidence, Oliver Ormson lacks Hugh Grant's ability to do "charming cad" - but in fairness, that's not what Rob is anyway. Some of the lyrics were a little feeble, as has been mentioned, but the words were very apt and made me laugh - a lot. I liked the venue, too: my first visit to the Turbine, though as others have said, it looks very like similar spaces under railway arches, eg the old Southwark Playhouse, the Unions old and new, Waterloo East and the Vaults. This is probably my favourite of all those, based on how it has been fitted out (plenty of loos, too!), though not in terms of access. I chose to travel to Battersea Park station and to walk from there, as I was pushed for time after seeing a film in the West End and thought walking further or getting the bus would take too long. As FrontroverPaul found, the steps and lift down to the riverside path at the southern end of Chelsea Bridge were closed, but I had only to double back and take a previous turn into the development and knowing that the theatre is under a railway arch is a helpful guide. The show turned out to be just what I needed as I'd already had a pretty punishing Pilates lesson at 7.30 am and whilst walking to the theatre from the station, I slipped on some wet leaves and fell really heavily on my right elbow and hip, so I arrived quite shaken up and dishevilled and thought it might hurt to sit down. But not at all: in no time the fall was forgotten and I had a big smile on my face.
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117 posts
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Post by eliza on Nov 17, 2019 10:27:14 GMT
Wanted to say thank you to everyone for your posts on the show, I'm going in 2 weeks and was slightly put off by some of the reviews but it's good to know that people here enjoyed it much more. And the recommendations of how to get there are much appreciated!
I've noticed a few of you saying don't go for row D though, which I did and I'm very short so I wonder if they'll let me swap our seats?
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3,472 posts
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Post by showgirl on Nov 17, 2019 14:12:30 GMT
It would be worth asking about the seat, eliza, though if possible arrive early enough to do this before the foyer gets too busy and most of the seats have been allocated. The box office staff all seemed very friendly and helpful, though possibly not as focused on individual tasks as they might have been had they not all been doing everything (issuing tickets, taking drink orders and payments, making drinks) rather than each doing one of those things. When I went, my seat was one that was allocated on arrival and it would have been fine, but when I went to take it, I found someone sitting in it and she was one of a pair of friends who were together but had been seated separately. So presumably they had hoped that the person due to occupy that seat wouldn't mind, and I didn't, as it meant I got an aisle seat instead.
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540 posts
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Post by freckles on Nov 17, 2019 15:26:59 GMT
I saw this on Saturday (matinee) and really enjoyed it. I liked the original novel and hadn't really enjoyed the film adaptation, but felt that this interpretation, although departing a little from the original source material, was affectionate and kept the humour and tone and most of the best bits. At the start, I was worried it was just going to be played as a rom-com, but from the Top 5 Break-Ups number, I knew I was going to love it.
The cast is superb, switching roles seamlessly and demonstrating immense vocal versatility. Almost everyone got a moment to shine and away from that, the harmonies and backing were top notch. It's funny and has lots of musical references, I really enjoyed the afternoon.
The Turbine Theatre is lovely, although agree that the staff seem a bit disorganised and it felt a bit like the cinema when you just want to book a seat/collect a ticket and the person in front of you orders refreshments, which the person on the till has to go away and make! I didn't realise there was a seating area upstairs until I was on the way out; the lobby is a bit small and quickly gets crowded so a lot of people were waiting outside before the show. Luckily it was a fine day.
I did like the venue though and am interested to see what they put on in the future. I can confirm that Row E is a perfect spot for this show, although the sofas did look comfy. Beanbags did look a bit too close.
I walked from Victoria (about 20 mins) although there was a direct bus practically door to door(44). I intended to catch this back, but Chelsea Bridge looked so pretty, all lit up, so I walked back too.
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4,593 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 20, 2019 8:22:17 GMT
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87 posts
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Post by greenswan on Nov 20, 2019 9:02:51 GMT
I agree with that. Saw the matinee last Saturday. Probably under less than ideal circumstances as travel was even more lengthy than could be expected with both Circle and District Lines closed. The venue could be good - but the box office set up is quite unprofessional and the chairs not comfortable for a longer show.
I went into this with vague memories of a rather charming book, so predisposed to be pleased. The musical itself - the music was forgettable, the fairly non-existent plot boring and the dancing terrible even for this sort of venue. The acting - they tried. I’d say I agree with the gist of the TimeOut review: The main role seems miscast - way too intense. I thought the second half picked up a bit e.g. with the Springsteen number but not enough to rescue it, so overall it’s a no from me.
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Post by clair on Nov 20, 2019 9:31:35 GMT
Saw this last week and really enjoyed it. I hadn't read the book or seen the film so went in blind, perhaps that's better who knows. The amount of energy from the cast was wonderful, they seemed to be enjoying it and that always helps as far as I'm concerned. Would agree row E is great for view and although it was a bit disorganised it was in such a fun and friendly way that it certainly wasn't a problem, thought the front of house staff were lovely and were so helpful, makes a nice change from some of the bigger places!
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111 posts
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Post by appoul on Nov 21, 2019 12:32:25 GMT
I thought it might be useful for some people to say that although there is no cloakroom at the theatre, the staff were happy to accommodate small suitcases of at least two members of the audience when I saw the show. I didn't know this would be possible as I had been told on the phone that there is no cloakroom and used a left luggage service before visiting the theatre.
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404 posts
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Post by dlevi on Nov 21, 2019 19:54:43 GMT
I went to the matinee this afternoon and midway through the second act the power went out ( and with a power station so near by...) In any event they cancelled the rest of the performance. I liked what I saw though, While it made sense to put the show back to the original UK setting ( as in the book) , the score was written for the US setting and so most of the musical references are US based, rather than US. The performances are lively and the staging is energized. There were about 50 people in attendance and we all were having a pretty good time. The staff was terrific especially on e young man who sold me my ticket, thenn my programme and then was the usher as well as keeping the audience entertained for the first 15 minutes or so of the power failure. Give that young man a raise !!!
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