375 posts
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Post by Theatre Fan on Feb 17, 2020 0:17:14 GMT
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149 posts
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Post by tonylony on Feb 17, 2020 0:38:45 GMT
Ugh. I was hoping something interesting would go into the Lyric.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2020 0:55:46 GMT
Well this probably means that Hadestown transfer is out the window.
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6,232 posts
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Post by Jon on Feb 17, 2020 1:54:31 GMT
It's got a great creative team with Hall and Cooke as well as Arzine Kene, after 11 years of Thriller, this is already an improvement.
I'm surprised the Lyric won't be reopening until February but perhaps they're doing quite extensive work or there is something coming in the Autumn that is a limited run.
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Post by ncbears on Feb 17, 2020 2:47:17 GMT
More here and distinguishing this from One Love and an even earlier iteration. NYTimes Article I'm not sure what to make of the claim that this is not a jukebox musical, unless they are distinguishing jukebox musical (e.g. Mamma Mia, &Juliet) from a biomusical (Tina, Beautiful, Jersey Boys)
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Post by daber on Nov 25, 2020 12:04:38 GMT
In light of Six extending at the Lyric Theatre into April now, does anyone have any news on this. Not surprised if it is off the agenda during current times but was looking forward to this.
Sorry mods if a thread already exists but could not find it. Please merge if there is one.
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1,714 posts
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Nov 25, 2020 12:07:48 GMT
I hope we're not going to be waiting in vain.
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Post by daber on Dec 1, 2020 9:41:13 GMT
Announced today. Starting on 28th May 2021 at the Lyric. Booking until December
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Post by johnie21 on Dec 1, 2020 9:41:54 GMT
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4,567 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 1, 2020 9:53:41 GMT
opening May 2021 is optimistic
Anyone know when the first vaccination is?
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Post by TallPaul on Dec 1, 2020 14:46:20 GMT
Are there any online rumblings about Lee Hall writing the story of someone who, for many, is an icon? Maybe nobody has noticed...yet. At least the production has the involvement of the Marley family.
Matinees on both Saturday and Sunday, and a slightly earlier evening performance on Sunday night, which I think we are going to see more.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2020 11:01:55 GMT
opening May 2021 is optimistic Anyone know when the first vaccination is? Next week.
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Post by johnie21 on Dec 5, 2020 11:58:45 GMT
Is anyone watching or going to watch this show. I’ve booked for the 5th of June. So excited. Haven’t seen Arinze Kene in shows does anyone know what he is like? I also wonder if we will have 2 people playing him like how Tina the role is shared.
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Dec 5, 2020 14:40:08 GMT
Is anyone watching or going to watch this show. I’ve booked for the 5th of June. So excited. Haven’t seen Arinze Kene in shows does anyone know what he is like? I also wonder if we will have 2 people playing him like how Tina the role is shared. He's got an amazing upper body.
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Post by Figaro on Feb 18, 2021 16:15:25 GMT
Pushed back to October, Six extends to August.
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Post by Mark on Sept 30, 2021 9:33:34 GMT
Starts tomorrow! Anyone booked?
Just seen this will have £25 rush on Todaytix
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 2, 2021 10:00:07 GMT
Not too sure what to make of this one.
I did manage to get a late Rush ticket, tempted by the promise of front row Stalls. Unfortunately, I arrived at the theatre to find TodayTix had sold the seat several times over (again!) and was moved to side mid-Stalls, amongst a very interesting group of people.
It may have been a blessing in disguise, as there is a pre-show with a DJ/comedian in a booth who interacts with a lot of people at the front of the theatre. I think I must have a different sense of humour, so I am quite happy not to have been chosen to participate. They also take the unusual approach of introducing the cast members by (actor) name at the start.
The show itself is jukebox style, with a largely static set and actors representing Bob Marley at different ages. The songs are integrated well. You can really feel the speaker vibrations. A strong cast. It does feel like a high level overview of a man with a remarkable story. There is a difficult balance to strike between telling the story of a personally flawed individual, a political movement and maintaining a party atmosphere.
As I say, the audience was interesting. Lots of heckling, attempts at singing along, probably a record number of mobile phone beeps. Laughing at moments I just couldn't work out why they were funny (e.g. waving a gun around and threatening to shoot). An aside, one of my theatre hates are gunshots. There are lots in this production, but they are quiet recorded effects and should not cause any distress.
Most of the people around me were associated with the show in some form or another. I saw the producers nearer the front. A lot of people were moving between seats and sharing conversations and some were clearly famous (based on the reaction of other audience members), but I couldn't easily place them. I presume a group near me were relatives of Bob Marley but seeing this in finished form for the first time. Very mixed reactions as this is clearly a personal issue but I think there was general approval.
We had a show stop about an hour in, which people treated like a first interval. As with all the ongoing conversations throughout the show, I heard probably more than I should have done as an audience member which I won't disclose, but the lead role is a demanding one. Once people returned to their seats, we had a real interval a few minutes later (finish time was 10:30pm, which I suspect will become 10:15pm).
I must say, about 30 minutes in I thought I would never see want to see this again. By the end, I decided I would see this again, partly because I just didn't have the best experience to tke it all in (largely due to the unique atmosphere of people surrounding me but I do thank the theatre for still finding me a seat despite the TodayTix mess up), but also because I feel the show improved a lot as it went on. I do think this will be a hit.
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Post by johnie21 on Oct 2, 2021 12:18:20 GMT
Do you have a song list from the show? Also is the show like how Tina is with the story about them and with songs telling the story or is it like how thriller was. Like a concert tribute show? Seeing this next Saturday matinee looking forward to it
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3,028 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 2, 2021 12:20:47 GMT
Do you have a song list from the show? Also is the show like how Tina is with the story about them and with songs telling the story or is it like how thriller was. Like a concert tribute show? Seeing this next Saturday matinee looking forward to it It's worth seeing. Yes, there is a story to it. Like most of this type of musical, there were people there who just wanted the hits and to sing along, but they're performed differently. My memory isn't good enough for a song list, but all the well-known songs were there (plus a few I didn't immediately recognise, but not many).
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375 posts
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Post by Theatre Fan on Oct 25, 2021 19:52:59 GMT
Now booking till 18th September 2022 x
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Post by greeny11 on Oct 26, 2021 5:04:25 GMT
Saw this on Sunday - programme says 2 hours 15 minutes, but it's closer to 2 hours 40 minutes based on Sunday. I thought this was OK, but not amazing. The cast did a great job, and we had the alternate Bob (Michael Duke) who did a great job as Bob. The songs were good, No Woman No Cry and One Love being my favourites. The story felt rushed to me, and there were parts of the story that seemed to be skipped over or rushed, as there were several moments where I was left confused by what was happening because the previous scene showed Bob in a completely different light - I'm thinking of the scenes with Bob and Rita/Cindi. I'm not sure I would see it again, but it was OK.
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Post by talkingheads on Oct 27, 2021 22:05:31 GMT
Does anyone know the day seat situation for this? Or if there are rush tickets on TodayTix?
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Post by amp09 on Oct 27, 2021 22:39:02 GMT
Does anyone know the day seat situation for this? Or if there are rush tickets on TodayTix? Yes to Rush tickets for this. Picked up end of row B in stalls yesterday, so pretty decent seats available.
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Post by david on Dec 4, 2021 0:02:44 GMT
As a last minute £25 rush ticket purchase from TT due to the cancellation of MR this evening, being sat at the end of row B (B5) in the stalls next to the DJ booth and speakers, tonight’s show was worth every penny. No obstructions to see the stage and with plenty of legroom to enjoy the show you really do get the concert atmosphere sat here which really made the night.
I’ll admit I’m no big reggae fan and wasn’t particular familiar with Marley’s music walking into the auditorium but by the end of the show even this board member was on his feet dancing, singing and clapping along to the last few songs. Whilst the set wasn’t that impressive consisting of two blocks of speakers with a few additional bits and pieces such as a recording booth and the book seemingly a bit disjointed in telling the story but what did blow me away was just the vocal talent of the cast assembled accompanied by a wonderful 8 piece bandand the energy from them. Arinze Kene was just superb singing BM’s songs along with Gabrielle Brooks as Bob’s wife Rita singing No woman No Cry being the standout song for me.
Even from the pre-show DJ bit, there really was a fantastic atmosphere in the auditorium with a very respectful audience during the show and a great party / concert atmosphere by the end. As jukebox musicals go, a great audience tonight with no incidents of bad behaviour to report.
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Post by Mark on Dec 4, 2021 0:15:07 GMT
Great review david - also unfamiliar for the most part with Bob Marley and his music so this write-up makes me think there's an enjoyable show in there!
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Post by johnie21 on Dec 4, 2021 8:14:41 GMT
As a last minute £25 rush ticket purchase from TT due to the cancellation of MR this evening, being sat at the end of row B (B5) in the stalls next to the DJ booth and speakers, tonight’s show was worth every penny. No obstructions to see the stage and with plenty of legroom to enjoy the show you really do get the concert atmosphere sat here which really made the night. I’ll admit I’m no big reggae fan and wasn’t particular familiar with Marley’s music walking into the auditorium but by the end of the show even this board member was on his feet dancing, singing and clapping along to the last few songs. Whilst the set wasn’t that impressive consisting of two blocks of speakers with a few additional bits and pieces such as a recording booth and the book seemingly a bit disjointed in telling the story but what did blow me away was just the vocal talent of the cast assembled accompanied by a wonderful 8 piece bandand the energy from them. Arinze Kene was just superb singing BM’s songs along with Gabrielle Brooks as Bob’s wife Rita singing No woman No Cry being the standout song for me. Even from the pre-show DJ bit, there really was a fantastic atmosphere in the auditorium with a very respectful audience during the show and a great party / concert atmosphere by the end. As jukebox musicals go, a great audience tonight with no incidents of bad behaviour to report. Yes Gabrielle Brooks Is a stand out. I also loved Shanay Holmes voice too!! The musical is amazing and there defo is a great show in there! I hope extends again after September 2022! It deserves a long run for Bob Marley Fans and newcomers! I also hope a Cast Recording is made!!
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Post by david on Dec 4, 2021 8:28:45 GMT
Great review david - also unfamiliar for the most part with Bob Marley and his music so this write-up makes me think there's an enjoyable show in there! Thanks Mark. I’d definitely say GUSU is worth a punt with the TT rush option if you want to give it a go for this one. There has definitely been really good rush seats available for this one.
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4,943 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Dec 4, 2021 9:29:51 GMT
Gabrielle Brooks was one of the ensemble in the original production of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, then returned to the world-famous Crucible Theatre to play Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, rather than reprise her role on Shaftesbury Avenue.
It's good to read that she's now playing a leading lady, to some acclaim, right next door.
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Post by YemceeA on Jan 5, 2022 6:04:18 GMT
Strange how few reviews are up for this one. Figured I share my (admittedly) strong feelings.
Get Up, Stand Up! @ The Lyric Theatre (17 October 2021 Evening Performance)
It was a spur of the moment decision to snag a ticket to a late preview performance of Get Up, Stand Up!, the new Bob Marley jukebox musical. I’m not intimately familiar with Marley’s story (and am rarely thrilled by bio-musicals regardless of the subject), but figured that at the very least, it would be an enjoyable way to learn about the legend and listen to some good tunes. Woof.
The show starts off with a bizarre and unexplained monologue from a DJ trying to rile up the crowd from a repurposed box in the stalls. Imbuing some energy into my Sunday evening audience proved a challenge. I blame the awkward transitions and lighting cues that bring the show to a lethargic start. We never see or hear from this man again. Next, the cast enters one-by-one reciting their names as well as the roles they will be playing. Is this establishing the company as an ensemble that will collectively tell this story? Are we meant to understand the piece as meta-theatrical and self-aware? Should we resist suspending our disbelief that Bob Marley is actually onstage in front of us? I don’t know. That’s the last we see of that concept, as we move swiftly through a disoriented bit of music before the narrative finally begins.
I think this best illustrates my problem with the show. There are lots of ideas floating around, some sound, a few wildly misjudged, but none met with any commitment. Lee Hall’s libretto is piecemeal and unfocused. Disjointed scenes discuss various aspects of Marley’s life (upbringing, infidelities, politics, health problems, and navigation of the music industry) without a strong through line to connect the dots. It’s unclear what story is being told, and therefore the characters are difficult to invest in. Clint Dyer’s direction is all over the place; static, emotionally vacant book scenes are interspersed with loose, weakly constructed musical numbers. The transitions between are largely nonexistent, making it difficult to tell when the characters are singing as themselves and when they are suddenly in a concert setting. A startling lack of musical buttons makes it equally hard to know when to applaud. Frankly, the whole flow of the show is wet. The second act features a series of theatrical devices that left me totally baffled. Ghosts, flashbacks, strange sound effects, BLM footage, and the momentary appearance of Bob Marley triplets had me wondering just how much weed was being smoked during tech. None of these ideas are revisited, and very few of them make any sense within the larger context of the production.
On a positive note, two very strong central performances provide moments of reprieve. Gabrielle Brooks brings the house down with a rousing “No Woman No Cry”, and Arinzé Kene takes on the titular role with confidence, enthusiasm, and reverence. His work shines most in “Redemption Song” when the rest of the production is put on mute, Kene placed downstage-centre to deliver a tender rendition that has the whole crowd singing along. For a few minutes, there is a real synergy between the stunning music, eager audience, and simple storytelling. It’s a great shame that in the rest of the show, such moments are rare.
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Post by Seriously on Jan 5, 2022 11:11:52 GMT
Excellent review YemceeA.
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