Funny Girl - Paris

Ah, you've confirmed the one thing I hadn't been able to! We'd had planned to maybe see this, but I wasn't sure if it would be in English or not!

I wish all involved success, but will it last the course, that is the question?

I'd completely missed that An American With Paris was on, so unfortunately booked a visit before it opens. If anyone spots shows like this performed in English, please do start a thread and share.

That one looks like it's an almost all American cast, a lot of them from Broadway or the US tours.

Sorry - busy week! I don't think the folding seats were on sale when I went to G&D and I didn't inspect them at the Marigny, but they had similar at the Chatelet (pre-refurb anyway) and I've sat in one, so... I guess they're best described as space-savers, giving a wider aisle when not in use but extra capacity when needed. You can see what they look like folded in this pic - media.vogue.fr/photos/5c950fdc3d44a04947cbfc2b/master/pass/000_Par3727845.jpg - and when unfolded you have just a seat and a back, no arm. Also, at least in the Chatelet on the side block, excellent leg room because of the stagger.

Exactly! Never noticed them at Bridge or Dorfman... unobservant as well as forgetful. Life is a challenge.

And a rehearsals one....

I saw Guys and Dolls there in May, sitting in BB3 on front row - stage was just below eye level, so nothing missed though, as always, further back may give you a broader view of choreo etc. Depends on your preference. Others have recommended avoiding the very centre seats on the front row as there is a bulge around the conductor's place which limits leg room. BB5, 7 etc or the equivalent house right removes this issue.

A wonderful charming show.

Made a quick visit to Paris yesterday and saw both performances. The first was from the front row, in one of the Premium seats (around 100 euros). Exactly the same seat I sat in for Guys and Dolls. As you'd expect, the view is wonderful.

I decided to go back but only in a cheap seat, so went for one of the 20 euros restricted view seats at the extreme side Circle. You can actually see most of the stage, but the main restriction is you can't read the French surtitles, which obviously isn't an issue if you want to watch this in English. As it happened, when the doors are closed they invite people to move to fill the better seats, so I was able to scout over to a second row centre seat in the Circle (which would have been Band A). Another perfect view as it's a small theatre and a chance to see the dance routines from a distance. Legroom isn't perfect here though. There was one front row Stalls seat free, but it would have been pushing it to run down to a different level.

Both shows were reasonably full despite chaos with more unrest in central Paris. The area surrounding the theatre was cordoned off, requiring a long walk around to find police willing to let you through. The entry point changed between the matinee and evening performance. And, all of the local Metro stations were closed. Although I recommend the show completely, I'd suggest not going on a Saturday if possible, Paris is just too chaotic (and prices are cheaper during the week).

An excellent staging. Christina Bianco was a revelation, not the typical ugly Fanny, but small and cute, able to do full justice to all the songs. Ashley Day, complete with moustache, looked the part (although I was thinking Gaylord Ravenal when he entered at the start in a top hat). He doesn't get much chance to show off his dancing in this one, but certainly shows anger and emotion. And I loved Matthew Jeans as Eddie.

The version of the show is (at least I assume, having never seen it) the original production, not the revival. So it is different from the Menier version, particularly in the second half. There's a song "Find Yourself A Man" I hadn't come across before and Nick Arnstein's sung requests for Fanny to give him space are not there.

The highlight has to be the performance of "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat" complete with a tap dancing routine (and for 42nd Street fans, you get to see Billie Kay dancing away here too - this is a show that really goes all out to showcase glamorous women).

Running time is close to three hours, so it's a long one. As I say, plan lots of potential routes if you plan to attend on a Saturday. It is worth the trip and there are December dates when you can also catch the international tour of An American In Paris.

The front row stalls doesn’t seem to be on sale. Is it day seats? Anyone know what the legroom fir the second row is like for 6’3” fellas?

Extended until March

The things I’ve seen of Christina Bianco from this look fantastic - I really hope this is the start of her career as a musical theatre leading lady. She’s a Mame or Dolly I could actually get excited about (in a few years time).

It is the other end of the Champs Elysee - near Elysee Palace - a good walk but do-able I think. It's easily identified on Google maps.