140 posts
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Post by FJ on Oct 14, 2022 23:29:31 GMT
As much as I enjoyed myself this evening, there is definitely work to be done to tighten this up in previews.
There are some amazingly catchy up-beat songs, some fantastic ballads, but there are also definitely a few songs which I think fell quite flat, especially at the beginning of act 2.
I’m so glad the first half is really over the top and camp, I think the entire cast were fantastic, the choreography was great and really love the staging.
But I have to say I was getting bored for the first 20 minutes of act 2, and I think it really loses pace, and could do with a couple of songs dropped and scenes trimmed.
There is so much potential for this show, and as others have said above Andrew Rannells is fantastic, and Katie as Tammy is sublime. But i’m booked to see it once again in previews and then later in the run and I’ll be very interested and excited to see what changes get made.
In comparing it to the first preview of Groundhog Day a few years ago, which turned in to the open dress rehearsal, I have to say I think Groundhog Day was a stronger piece at this first stage. And then it went on to not be a big hit on Broadway.
But I have everything crossed for Tammy Faye, and I’d say a solid 4 stars for a first preview, with the hope it could climb to 5 with some changes.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 15, 2022 5:09:20 GMT
This was fantastic tonight! For a first preview of a brand new show, it's in great shape. I think there is definitely some work to be done, especially towards the end of Act 2, but wow, really impressive. Watching Katie Brayben's performance as Tammy Faye, made me think of Ellen Green as Audrey. I can't see it being done better. She was that good. She deserves a much better moment to shine in the final bows. The final song, which i'm not sure the show needs and feels tacked on, was a bit too much like 'take me to heaven' from Sister Act. I wasn't disappointed as such, but Andrew Rannells is too Andrew Rannells/Book of Mormon, and there were a few moments that felt VERY BoM-ish. It's not a bad thing, but when you have Katie Brayben totally transformed as Tammy Faye, it was a little distracting. Overall, The score was great, which surprised me after hearing Devil Wears Prada. It has a gospel sound and really uplifting, but saying that, one of my favourite songs was Satellite of God, sung by Zubin Varla as Jerry Fulwell, which has a darker side to it. There is a song in Act 2, He Promised Me, that was a huge highlight for me, but it needs a button for the big applause it deserves. The 11 o'clock number If You Came To See Me Cry was good, but i felt it just needed something a bit more to make it the song it's trying to be. It scary that the politics in the show are so relevant in America today. Trump getting the evangelical endorsement that helped him win, Jerry Fulwell Jr and his recent 'pool boy' scandal and Billy Graham's son Franklin Graham was only recently touring the UK spreading the same hate his father was. This will 100% transfer and Katie Brayben will win every award going, including the Tony Award if she transfers with it. Andrew Rannells can only play Andrew Rannells. Very happy to hear such positive reports already. Particularly that the score isn’t as bad as one would expect from Elton John. Can’t wait to see Katie Brayben pick up another Olivier
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 15, 2022 7:42:04 GMT
It’s sold out
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Post by kathryn on Oct 15, 2022 8:08:41 GMT
So pleased to see good initial reactions for this!
You never can tell how a show will run long-term - there’s plenty of great shows that were never Broadway hits - but this does sound promising for a future life, given the sold-out Almeida run and the Names involved, as long as there is a theatre available to transfer to.
I don’t know why anyone would expect an Elton John score for a show in 70s and 80s America with gospel overtones would be bad - that’s his era, it’s right in his wheelhouse.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Oct 15, 2022 8:26:59 GMT
It was created for the West End, and was going to go straight to the West End until Goold requested an Almeida run first. It’s not a case of “will it transfer,” it’s a case of “it would have to flop really hard for the West End transfer that’s already contracted to be cancelled.”
Ditto the Broadway run.
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7,531 posts
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Post by alece10 on Oct 15, 2022 8:27:53 GMT
This is indeed great news as, let's be honest, us board members are quite a critical audience so to see from 1st preview it's getting 4 and 5 stars it's got great potential. I'm due to see it on Friday and very much looking forward to it.
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Post by G on Oct 15, 2022 8:40:29 GMT
Katie Brayben (who I did not know of before) and Andrew Rannells were amazing in this. Special mention also to Zubin Varla as Jerry Falwell. The cast is so full of energy - the {Spoiler - click to view}big dance number as Tammy and Jim got kicked out of their network was stunning. Earworms for me are ‘If you came to see me cry’ and the {Spoiler - click to view}erm the ‘Jesus put it in me’ song among others - the latter clearly has a South Park/Book of Mormon vibe (for me, one of the BoM moments that Bobbie remarked on above). I also felt that the final number as the cast took their bows did not fully do justice to the cast members - it’s a bit confusing to be listening to a number and clapping along to the song, but then having to clap clap clap much faster as audience members take their bows at various spots in the song - I felt that they got less of a cheer than they would have otherwise. The set and lighting work very well. I got quite starstruck about having to ask Jake Shears and the person he was sitting with to make way for us to squeeze through to our seat - after having scanned the front and back of the stalls to see if there was an alternative path. They made a friendly comment which I did not register as I was fully going ‘OH MY GOD’. Not entirely sure about the proper etiquette when one is fanboying - should one acknowledge knowing who the other person is (for a split second a muffled ‘big fan’ and head nod while squeezing through was a viable option in my head) or feign indifference? I went for the second option in the end, thank god, and I think most people did - hopefully that made it a less awkward experience for them. Hoping for the cast recording, there surely will be one at some point and I hope that is soon…? The songs definitely work and it would be a shame not to have one.
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18,829 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 15, 2022 9:06:06 GMT
Really? Handling cash is faster that a card transaction nowadays? I think not!
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7,531 posts
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Post by alece10 on Oct 15, 2022 9:13:10 GMT
Really? Handling cash is faster that a card transaction nowadays? I think not! Returns always used to be cash only.
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Post by alece10 on Oct 15, 2022 9:14:37 GMT
Katie Brayben (who I did not know of before) and Andrew Rannells were amazing in this. Special mention also to Zubin Varla as Jerry Falwell. The cast is so full of energy - the {Spoiler - click to view}big dance number as Tammy and Jim got kicked out of their network was stunning. Earworms for me are ‘If you came to see me cry’ and the {Spoiler - click to view}erm the ‘Jesus put it in me’ song among others - the latter clearly has a South Park/Book of Mormon vibe (for me, one of the BoM moments that Bobbie remarked on above). I also felt that the final number as the cast took their bows did not fully do justice to the cast members - it’s a bit confusing to be listening to a number and clapping along to the song, but then having to clap clap clap much faster as audience members take their bows at various spots in the song - I felt that they got less of a cheer than they would have otherwise. The set and lighting work very well. I got quite starstruck about having to ask Jake Shears and the person he was sitting with to make way for us to squeeze through to our seat - after having scanned the front and back of the stalls to see if there was an alternative path. They made a friendly comment which I did not register as I was fully going ‘OH MY GOD’. Not entirely sure about the proper etiquette when one is fanboying - should one acknowledge knowing who the other person is (for a split second a muffled ‘big fan’ and head nod while squeezing through was a viable option in my head) or feign indifference? I went for the second option in the end, thank god, and I think most people did - hopefully that made it a less awkward experience for them. Hoping for the cast recording, there surely will be one at some point and I hope that is soon…? The songs definitely work and it would be a shame not to have one. I agree about the clapping along to the music at final bows. Happens a lot and the actor doesn't get the recognition they would otherwise have got with no music.
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Post by kathryn on Oct 15, 2022 9:21:50 GMT
Not entirely sure about the proper etiquette when one is fanboying - should one acknowledge knowing who the other person is (for a split second a muffled ‘big fan’ and head nod while squeezing through was a viable option in my head) or feign indifference? I went for the second option in the end, thank god, and I think most people did - hopefully that made it a less awkward experience for them. 😁 I call it the ‘cool Londoner’ face. Giving off that vibe of ‘who, me? Did I notice the celeb? Well, of course, but we get them all the time around here. Only tourists make a fuss…’ (And I have literally seen a tourist make a fuss over a celeb who everyone else was studiously pretending not to have noticed…)
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Post by shownut on Oct 15, 2022 9:47:27 GMT
Going early November and cannot wait!
Was there a song list in the programme? Can anyone share them or post a photo of the listing?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by FJ on Oct 15, 2022 10:01:17 GMT
I also felt that the final number as the cast took their bows did not fully do justice to the cast members - it’s a bit confusing to be listening to a number and clapping along to the song, but then having to clap clap clap much faster as audience members take their bows at various spots in the song - I felt that they got less of a cheer than they would have otherwise. Completely agree and meant to say this as well. The last number didn’t really work fully I don’t think, maybe needs a bit of tweaking, and not a fan of a combined finale number and bows in general either, i always wish they’d just separate them out.
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Post by jampot on Oct 15, 2022 11:29:27 GMT
Going early November and cannot wait! Was there a song list in the programme? Can anyone share them or post a photo of the listing? Thanks in advance! Yes there is...not sure how to upload a pic here but you can dm if you like...
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Post by shownut on Oct 15, 2022 12:34:49 GMT
Going early November and cannot wait! Was there a song list in the programme? Can anyone share them or post a photo of the listing? Thanks in advance! Yes there is...not sure how to upload a pic here but you can dm if you like... Thanks! Sent you a message via this forum that allows sharing of images. Cheers! :-)
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 15, 2022 13:08:32 GMT
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Oct 15, 2022 15:59:56 GMT
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Post by shownut on Oct 15, 2022 16:09:06 GMT
Thanks for the song list!!
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Post by SomeOtherMe on Oct 15, 2022 17:07:53 GMT
A few seats are currently available online for tonight’s performance, if anyone can get there in time - disappearing fast though!
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Post by nottobe on Oct 16, 2022 11:12:05 GMT
I caught the second preview of this last night. I went in with no knowledge of the Tammy Faye and had not looked at any comments of the first preview before. This was my most anticipated show of the autumn and I really enjoyed it. First of all the cast are all top notch. I was very excited to see Andrew Rannells perform and he did not disappoint. Yes maybe his performance leaned into his own personality but it was a joy to watch and act two got a bit deeper. Katie Brayben was also great as Tammy and lead the show wonderfully. I also really loved Zubin Varla and Gemma Sutton's performances. Goold cements himself as one of our great directer with his classic lively, exciting movement filled direction with Lynne Page's wonderful choreography. Now onto the text itself. I found James Grahams book to be very engaging and full of his classic style and humour. For me Jake Shears lyrics while good, where not as deep or clever as I would have liked. The songs where all very enjoyable and Elton Jones music was nice on the ears, however I was expecting a bit more from the lyrics since this has been in development for some time. As I said I went in knowing nothing about the story so had a great time learning but am not sure how much is added if you do know the story. Overall I would say that through previews this will be a great show and I did have a great time. It was quite a long show too finishing at 10:20 so I would imagine it will shorten over time.
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Oct 17, 2022 5:32:55 GMT
Katie Brayben (who I did not know of before) and Andrew Rannells were amazing in this. Special mention also to Zubin Varla as Jerry Falwell. The cast is so full of energy - the {Spoiler - click to view}big dance number as Tammy and Jim got kicked out of their network
I do not know why but I found that funny, very funny. I presume its book of mormon funny
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Post by danb on Oct 17, 2022 6:24:06 GMT
Twitter appears to be making fun of some rather baffling ‘trigger warning’ notices meant to protect any delicate flowers lucky enough to be going to see it. Notices warning about getting a ‘booboo’ if they trap their fingers in doors or to blow into their hot coffee to cool it down first, are still being prepared.
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Post by pomegranate on Oct 17, 2022 6:58:28 GMT
Twitter appears to be making fun of some rather baffling ‘trigger warning’ notices meant to protect any delicate flowers lucky enough to be going to see it. Notices warning about getting a ‘booboo’ if they trap their fingers in doors or to blow into their hot coffee to cool it down first, are still being prepared. Content warnings about homophobic language, cancer, and HIV/AIDS are hardly baffling. Maybe they ought to add a trigger warning about trigger warnings for you?
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Post by kathryn on Oct 17, 2022 7:19:46 GMT
Trigger warnings are an interesting phenomenon.
There’s research showing that they can actually make people more anxious when they are used, because it means that they spend the duration worrying about when the triggering things will appear and how they’ll react when it does. Whereas if they don’t know it is coming, the actual reference comes and goes so quickly that they don’t have time to get that anxious.
But I understand that does not apply to people who literally faint at the sight of (even fake) blood, or emetophobes, or people who can’t stand sudden loud noises like gunshots.
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Post by danb on Oct 17, 2022 7:32:25 GMT
Twitter appears to be making fun of some rather baffling ‘trigger warning’ notices meant to protect any delicate flowers lucky enough to be going to see it. Notices warning about getting a ‘booboo’ if they trap their fingers in doors or to blow into their hot coffee to cool it down first, are still being prepared. Content warnings about homophobic language, cancer, and HIV/AIDS are hardly baffling. Maybe they ought to add a trigger warning about trigger warnings for you? Likewise trigger warnings for people not sharing your opinion… My point was more about what people should assume based on the writers and the source material. You’d have to be pretty ignorant and ill informed not to be expecting those things.
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Post by max on Oct 17, 2022 8:13:30 GMT
Content warnings about homophobic language, cancer, and HIV/AIDS are hardly baffling. Maybe they ought to add a trigger warning about trigger warnings for you? Likewise trigger warnings for people not sharing your opinion… My point was more about what people should assume based on the writers and the source material. You’d have to be pretty ignorant and ill informed not to be expecting those things. Outside New Wimbledon Theatre after 'Sunset Boulevard' I heard a woman say: "I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't that. I thought it was just going to be a nice story". She was clearly impressed, possibly there for Danny Mac, and seen many musicals where many songs end up with the cast with their hands in the air. Amazingly a lot of people still think that's what a Musical usually is. In this case people could well be attracted by the Elton John angle alone, and make assumptions. I'd hope that people are attracted to theatre who don't know the stuff we do, or even imagine they might want/need to do a bit of research beforehand.
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Post by Fleance on Oct 17, 2022 8:43:43 GMT
Loved the show and everything about it, including the "curtain calls" and running time. I'm tired of 1 1/2 hour shows without interval. Tammy Faye is a great night at the theatre!
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Post by danb on Oct 17, 2022 10:01:52 GMT
Likewise trigger warnings for people not sharing your opinion… My point was more about what people should assume based on the writers and the source material. You’d have to be pretty ignorant and ill informed not to be expecting those things. Outside New Wimbledon Theatre after 'Sunset Boulevard' I heard a woman say: "I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't that. I thought it was just going to be a nice story". She was clearly impressed, possibly there for Danny Mac, and seen many musicals where many songs end up with the cast with their hands in the air. Amazingly a lot of people still think that's what a Musical usually is. In this case people could well be attracted by the Elton John angle alone, and make assumptions. I'd hope that people are attracted to theatre who don't know the stuff we do, or even imagine they might want/need to do a bit of research beforehand. So, they were expecting something lighthearted and straight about a pair of famed crooked television evangelists by a pair of very out and vocal homosexual creatives? I don’t get your point Max? Are you saying that we don’t have a responsibility to research what we see before we see it?
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Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 17, 2022 10:07:14 GMT
Except they're not famous outside the US? I doubt most people in Europe - especially under the age of 40 - ever even heard her name before the Jessica Chastain movie, which was far from being a hit
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Post by inthenose on Oct 17, 2022 10:21:33 GMT
Is this “sympathetic”? They defrauded people of millions and millions of dollars…
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