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Post by alece10 on Nov 17, 2021 19:27:12 GMT
Admin. Can we have a vote thingie for this show please?
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18,870 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 17, 2021 20:04:55 GMT
Poll added!
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Post by critchyboy on Nov 17, 2021 21:21:46 GMT
In the interval at the moment and absolutely loving it. Perfection.
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Post by alison on Nov 17, 2021 21:22:53 GMT
With this talk of alternating row entrances in the upper circle, if anyone who has been already/going soon in the upper circle would be willing to share anything they remember about where the aisles are that would be much appreciated.
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Post by rosie on Nov 17, 2021 21:33:42 GMT
OK I think you've all sold this show to me now! I did see the studio 54 show with Alan Cumming back in maybe ? 2014 and it does sound similar and Ive also seen a very dark production of it furtherback than that but its subject matter IS dark. Music and songs brilliant though and sounds like Eddie and Jessie gove incredible performances.
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Post by critchyboy on Nov 17, 2021 22:39:47 GMT
Just out. An incredible production performed entirely in the round. The Playhouse has been transformed and I am providing no spoilers for that!
The show is wonderful - a fantastic partnership in Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley both turning out engaging and devastating performances. Jessie in particular is sublime.
The supporting cast are equally wonderful. Not a single weak link anywhere.
Just wonderful - go see it!!!
I was sat in Row H in the Stalls - perfect view (though missed two appearances of the MC and Sally in the boxes as the Dress Circle overhang cut that part off), the rake is amazing and the legroom the best I’ve ever had in a theatre, save for sitting on the front row!!!
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Post by saral on Nov 17, 2021 22:48:17 GMT
Just out. An incredible production performed entirely in the round. The Playhouse has been transformed and I am providing no spoilers for that! The show is wonderful - a fantastic partnership in Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley both turning out engaging and devastating performances. Jessie in particular is sublime. The supporting cast are equally wonderful. Not a single weak link anywhere. Just wonderful - go see it!!! I was sat in Row H in the Stalls - perfect view (though missed two appearances of the MC and Sally in the boxes as the Dress Circle overhang cut that part off), the rake is amazing and the legroom the best I’ve ever had in a theatre, save for sitting on the front row!!! Do you mind if i ask if you were central in row H? I also have H and hadn't realised the mixing desk was behind us and wasn't sure if it was distracting?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2021 22:55:19 GMT
Just out. An incredible production performed entirely in the round. The Playhouse has been transformed and I am providing no spoilers for that! The show is wonderful - a fantastic partnership in Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley both turning out engaging and devastating performances. Jessie in particular is sublime. The supporting cast are equally wonderful. Not a single weak link anywhere. Just wonderful - go see it!!! I was sat in Row H in the Stalls - perfect view (though missed two appearances of the MC and Sally in the boxes as the Dress Circle overhang cut that part off), the rake is amazing and the legroom the best I’ve ever had in a theatre, save for sitting on the front row!!! Maybe you've never been there, but i can't believe any theatre has better legroom than the Barbican. That legroom... *insert chefs kiss gif here *
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118 posts
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Post by critchyboy on Nov 17, 2021 22:58:11 GMT
[quote timestamp="1637188787" source="/post/402414/thread" Do you mind if i ask if you were central in row H? I also have H and hadn't realised the mixing desk was behind us and wasn't sure if it was distracting? I was H15 - just next to the sound desk (which I hadn’t realised) didn’t hear anything from there at all during the show. No problems.
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Post by critchyboy on Nov 17, 2021 22:59:43 GMT
Maybe you've never been there, but i can't believe any theatre has better legroom than the Barbican. That legroom... *insert chefs kiss gif here *[/quote]
Nope! Not visited there yet, but really this was spectacular legroom!! And a shelf running along the back of the two in front to put drinks on!!!
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Post by saral on Nov 17, 2021 23:03:20 GMT
[quote timestamp="1637188787" source="/post/402414/thread" Do you mind if i ask if you were central in row H? I also have H and hadn't realised the mixing desk was behind us and wasn't sure if it was distracting? I was H15 - just next to the sound desk (which I hadn’t realised) didn’t hear anything from there at all during the show. No problems. Fab, we are 13 and 14, thanks for the confirmation
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2021 23:15:31 GMT
Maybe you've never been there, but i can't believe any theatre has better legroom than the Barbican. That legroom... *insert chefs kiss gif here * Nope! Not visited there yet, but really this was spectacular legroom!! And a shelf running along the back of the two in front to put drinks on!!! [/quote] A Shelf for drinks? on the back of peoples seats?? That really can't be what it sounds like... someone is going to be very upset if they get a babycham down their back. Im so intrigued by this production now. I might even paint my nails green! Cant wait till tomorrow. Tomorrow belongs to me. And the other hundreds of people seeing it tomorrow night.
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 17, 2021 23:15:32 GMT
Just out. An incredible production performed entirely in the round. The Playhouse has been transformed and I am providing no spoilers for that! The show is wonderful - a fantastic partnership in Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley both turning out engaging and devastating performances. Jessie in particular is sublime. The supporting cast are equally wonderful. Not a single weak link anywhere. Just wonderful - go see it!!! I was sat in Row H in the Stalls - perfect view (though missed two appearances of the MC and Sally in the boxes as the Dress Circle overhang cut that part off), the rake is amazing and the legroom the best I’ve ever had in a theatre, save for sitting on the front row!!! Maybe you've never been there, but i can't believe any theatre has better legroom than the Barbican. That legroom... *insert chefs kiss gif here * It's not QUITE that good but there is a lot of room!
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Post by catcat100 on Nov 17, 2021 23:42:10 GMT
Was there tonight in the upper circle and the legroom was definitely not of Barbican proportions. A 11 which was an aisle seat but had a post in front on the left with lighting clamped to the front of it which blocked about 10% of the stage and prevented you from poking knees and feet through. At 5 11 watched most of show at an angle.
Also didn't have any wine at bar type thing on that floor and other normal bars were very busy. £14 cocktail bars weren't busy.
Design of the floor is a bit weird. very steep rake so reasonable view. Split into 3 sections with middle bit alternating entrances. Row a from both sides, b from right only, c from left, and so on. Looks to be because of the very steep rake.
As for the show, quite enjoyed it, certainly on the darker side. Performances from all the main actors very good, particularly Sally.
Something a bit funny with the sound which meant it came from behind a couple of times and just didn't feel right.
4.5 stars for me, can't quite stretch to 5.
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Post by andrew on Nov 18, 2021 1:40:51 GMT
That was incredible. And I feel like it will only get better and better with time, it needs a bit of work with the lighting but it's already in a great shape for something so unique and inventive. There was only one thing that I didn't like and that was... {Spoiler - click to view} Omari Douglas. I felt like he was truly miscast and was never believable to me as Cliff. Really good voice and nice effort with the American accent but maybe for another role.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 18, 2021 2:16:35 GMT
Well, I liked it but I didn't love it {Spoiler - click to view} There is an awful lot to enjoy and the cast is pretty strong. I think the show was let down a little by the direction: when the book is so episodic you need a strong vision to hold it together, and I think it was often missing. It's definitely a slow burner and it takes a little while to find its footing. I thought it really started to work in the scene that precedes "Perfectly Marvellous", while Willkommen and Sally's first two songs were thrown away. After that it works much better and the crescendo toward the end of act 1 was thrilling.
Act 2, on the whole, is in much better shape, but I found the title song completely cringeworthy. It's not really Jessie Buckley's fault, it's just overwrought and overdirected. It reminded me of Imelda's Rose's Turn toward the end of the run of Gypsy but ten times stronger in the worst of all possible ways. If there is a song that really needs the singer to stand and sing it, that's Cabaret. There are much more subtler ways to convey a breakdown than the three-act one-woman opera currently going on during the title number. Honestly, in the past three months I've seen so much stuff that was just too over-directed, and I don't know if it's because directors don't trust the material or simply think that the audience is a bunch of morons. "Cabaret" is a perfect showtune with a clearly delineated structure and evolution, you really do not need all that ACTING™️ to get the message through. Part of the problem is the staging in the round, that always forces actors to turn around every two seconds in the most unrealistic way. But seriously, just trust the material and tone it down a little. It has worked wonderfully for 55 years, just allow it to work its magic.
Also, I think Eddie Redmayne was very good but also somehow underused? As in, in every scene he hides behind a different elaborate costume and make-up, in this production the role of the Emcee doesn't need to rely on the performer's charisma as much as in other versions of the show (most notably Mendes'). That's a pity, because atm Redmayne is very good, but hundreds of other actors could deliver pretty much the same performance. If you have an actor of his calibre you should definitely put him to better use.
It's a three and a half production that could get much better, and I hope they'll do good use of all the previews. I have a ticket for next week and I'm tempted to return it and revist it in a few months.
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wick3
Auditioning
live in USA but travel to London just to watch live theatre!
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Post by wick3 on Nov 18, 2021 3:09:35 GMT
Wow! What an experience! I’m still processing everything. Last time I saw a Cabaret production was back in 2015 at Studio54. Yes, they checked for my NHS covid test before entering the theater and they gave me a sticker to cover my smartphone camera lens. Also got a token for a free drink (shot of schnapps, cola, or beer). I sat in rear stalls and saw 98% of the show (didn’t see some of the things happening in the circle.) overall I’m happy with my seat. I thought most tables were for 2 but I saw a table or two that could only seat 1 person. Cast is amazing! No spoilers from me though I’m still processing Buckley’s “Cabaret” near the end. Also, I enjoyed the pineapple song “it couldn’t please me more” and noticed more sexual innuendoes. Some parts are heavy and I don’t have plans to see it again soon but I do plan on buying another ticket sometime later in its run. Thanks for sharing! I booked the last row of the stalls, is the overhang affecting the view much? I sat in row P and the overhang didn't affect the view for the most part. There were a few entrances/moments on the circle that I couldn't see due to overhang. BTW, since you're in the last row, feel free to sit on your jacket in case there's a tall person sitting in front of you (though row P is a step higher than row O.) I did notice for the title song that Buckley mainly faced the other side so from where I was sitting I mainly saw her backside for most of the song (though I definitely felt the impact of that song regardless due to what she was doing onstage!) Not sure if that will change since I watched the 2nd preview.
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Post by shady23 on Nov 18, 2021 8:55:44 GMT
I have to admit I booked this just because of the "names" but hearing the reviews I am so glad I did as it would be impossible to get one of the cheaper tickets now I imagine.
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Post by hairspray57 on Nov 18, 2021 11:27:04 GMT
I wonder if they acknowledge in the script that Cliff is a black man? Feels a mistake if they don’t as it would take away some of the gut wrenching realism of parts of the story.
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Post by tal on Nov 18, 2021 11:43:12 GMT
I wonder if they acknowledge in the script that Cliff is a black man? Feels a mistake if they don’t as it would take away some of the gut wrenching realism of parts of the story. I don't think they explicitly changed anything in the script to acknowledge that, at least I didn't notice. But that added some extra layers to the story which made the show more fresh, at least for me. Cliff is very well received as an American tourist in Berlin for most of the show, and you can't help but think how that would be totally different in not a long time after that.
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Post by tal on Nov 18, 2021 11:46:59 GMT
I wonder if they acknowledge in the script that Cliff is a black man? Feels a mistake if they don’t as it would take away some of the gut wrenching realism of parts of the story. I don't think they explicitly changed anything in the script to acknowledge that, at least I didn't notice. But that added some extra layers to the story which made the show more fresh, at least for me. Cliff is very well received as an American tourist in Berlin for most of the show, and you can't help but think how that would be totally different in not a long time after that. Wait, now I am not sure anymore. I have a line in my mind "black and gay, I couldn't possibly be both" or something like that. But I can't remember if I heard that in Cabaret or somewhere else.
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Post by alece10 on Nov 18, 2021 12:37:39 GMT
I don't remember any reference to him being black.
But I swear when he was showing Sally the train ticket to Paris it had a QR code on it!
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Post by rosscoe on Nov 18, 2021 13:28:06 GMT
No reference made that he wasn’t white. My trip got extended by a few days. So hoping to win the lottery Friday or Saturday. I really need to see this again. That’s that good.
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 18, 2021 14:30:31 GMT
I wonder if they acknowledge in the script that Cliff is a black man? Feels a mistake if they don’t as it would take away some of the gut wrenching realism of parts of the story. I don't think they explicitly changed anything in the script to acknowledge that, at least I didn't notice. But that added some extra layers to the story which made the show more fresh, at least for me. Cliff is very well received as an American tourist in Berlin for most of the show, and you can't help but think how that would be totally different in not a long time after that. Indeed. A caucasian American would have had a certain level of white privilege in Berlin in the 30's. Detail like this doesn't seem to matter in casting anymore though...
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Post by hairspray57 on Nov 18, 2021 15:35:13 GMT
I don't think they explicitly changed anything in the script to acknowledge that, at least I didn't notice. But that added some extra layers to the story which made the show more fresh, at least for me. Cliff is very well received as an American tourist in Berlin for most of the show, and you can't help but think how that would be totally different in not a long time after that. Indeed. A caucasian American would have had a certain level of white privilege in Berlin in the 30's. Detail like this doesn't seem to matter in casting anymore though... In fact it would have enhanced the show to add a few references in. Nothing major but a few looks and couple of lines of dialogue. This is why I don’t think a women of colour playing Maria in the Sound of Music would work through. As they can’t just have a few looks or references - having the Nazi’s want a man married to a non white women softens the evil of them.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 18, 2021 16:56:04 GMT
There's a 25£ ticket on sale for tonight if you're quick
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177 posts
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Post by tal on Nov 18, 2021 16:59:41 GMT
There's a 25£ ticket on sale for tonight if you're quick I wasn't quick enough, it's gone.
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wick3
Auditioning
live in USA but travel to London just to watch live theatre!
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Post by wick3 on Nov 18, 2021 17:17:58 GMT
BTW, during "Married" who was singing the German lyrics (female voice)?
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7,560 posts
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Post by alece10 on Nov 18, 2021 17:27:25 GMT
BTW, during "Married" who was singing the German lyrics (female voice)? I think it sounded like AJ Casey
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Post by JJShaw on Nov 18, 2021 17:37:07 GMT
So according to twitter this and Moulin Rouge only have six lottery tickets per performance?! My hopes of getting to see this just plummetted! I did think there would be many but six, and you can only get them in pairs, that truly is a lottery!
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