Oklahoma! - Young Vic / Wyndham’s

At curtain call yesterday there was a bit of a special acknowledgement from the cast (not spoken just gestured) to Liza that did make it feel like it was her final performance - I didn’t really understand why but now it makes sense.

I caught the Saturday matinee with a front row rush ticket, seeing the show for the first time since cast change. A rather unique group of people with lots of covers on. I did wonder if I would get to see George Maddison as Curly, as he's been on for recent shows, but can never complain about seeing Arthur Darvill.

Rebekah Hinds was on as Ado Annie (instead of her normal role as Gertie Cummings) and was excellent and full of energy. I don't think she's been on in that role many times before and I feel privileged to have been included in the performance (inevitable as the only man sat on the front row). Brianna Ogunbawo was on as Laurey and I thought she seemed so much more confident that the last time I saw her.

Sally Ann Triplett was faultless as the new Aunt Eller. It is odd to see someone else in that role. She no longer fires a gun at the start of act two and they have a stagehand come on to fire it.

They've managed to tighten everything up somehow, so this is all done in 2 hours 50 minutes. I can't see any obvious cuts. Personally, I don't mind if this runs long, as I can listen to that music all day...

Can you explain what you mean by a stagehand coming onstage? Were they costumed as the rest of the cast or were they in stage crew attire?

Yes, as dippy said, although I don't think the woman who came on was wearing a headset at the point. I noticed as I don't like to be surprised by gunshots, so I know exactly when this normally goes off. I don't want to read too much into this as there are many reasons why people may not choose or be able to fire a gun on stage.

Well. Only just caught up with this last night. No idea how things will have changed/developed since its days at The Young Vic but I thought the concept interesting - taking the show back its bare-bones - and the cast give it their all - but, boy-o-boy is this indulgent. The nearly 3 hour running time is mainly due to the snails pacing throughout; huge pauses in almost every scene, every character 'making their mark' - so why not pause 10 seconds before saying a line? Why not a 5 second pause mid line? Maddening to watch. Where are the creative team to give it all a good kick-up-the-backside? (Unless, of course, this is what the director wanted?!?)15 minutes could easily have been lost with a quicker, more engaging pace. 
Two long scenes in complete blackout. Why? Some very weak performances made it even harder to get engaged. By the time of the last scene - with some characters covered in blood singing a reprise of the title song - audience members were openly laughing. Not with the characters. At them. Several people left mid second-half. 2 stars.

Beat me to it

Any clues as to when?

How long is Anoushka Lucas staying for?

Count me in! Loved Nashville & went to several live shows. Sam is the full package and will totally fly in this.

It's been interesting to read the comments on this announcement in some UK country music groups that I'm in. Quite a few people in the groups have already seen the production and they've all unanimously said its dreadful and they can't bring themselves to watch it again even for Sam! It makes me wonder if this is a common opinion amongst general theatregoers who perhaps went expecting a more traditional production?

I enjoyed it at the Young Vic, I'll be interested to see Sam in it.