259 posts
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Post by theatrenerd on Oct 13, 2022 14:07:45 GMT
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Post by inthenose on Oct 13, 2022 19:48:10 GMT
Time lapse of the get-in
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1,199 posts
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Post by Steve on Oct 13, 2022 19:55:27 GMT
Large Totoro had a malfunction during his second appearance tonight, and was declared "unwell," precipitating a production stop. Some spoilers follow. . . Luckily, Medium Totoro was available at the last minute, as a stand-in lol It's a shame, as Large Totoro is a big part of the magic of the production, being impossibly large (about 2 and a half adults tall), which renders Mei, played by an adult, as looking like a tiny girl (per the film) in comparison. Medium Totoro is about 1 and a half adults tall, and it is easier to imagine how he can be operated lol. It was nice to see both of them, though the bigger one will always be better if he works. What he failed to do today was jump, so I imagine that's quite technically hard to accomplish for such a big thing. It's the interval now, and the production itself, overall, is quite magical. Much more so than most shows, in my opinion.
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4,564 posts
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Post by Mark on Oct 15, 2022 9:39:57 GMT
Going tonight - front row dayseat. Have never seen the film nor am I familiar with what the piece is about, but the comments on here and the gorgeous production images sparked my interest!
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614 posts
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Post by jamb0r on Oct 15, 2022 14:47:44 GMT
Going tonight - front row dayseat. Would you mind sharing any tips for getting the day seats? I’ve tried a couple of times this week but been unsuccessful. When I click on ‘check dates & book’ on the Barbican website the date has still shown as ‘sold out’ for a good few minutes after 10am (even with constant refreshing of the page) then eventually it turns into a clickable button but by the time I get in at about 10:06 there’s no day seats available, and even checking back regularly over the next 10 minutes they don’t show up. What time did the seats show up for you today? Am I doing something wrong? Or are they just selling out instantly? Thanks!
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4,564 posts
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Post by Mark on Oct 15, 2022 15:12:56 GMT
Going tonight - front row dayseat. Would you mind sharing any tips for getting the day seats? I’ve tried a couple of times this week but been unsuccessful. When I click on ‘check dates & book’ on the Barbican website the date has still shown as ‘sold out’ for a good few minutes after 10am (even with constant refreshing of the page) then eventually it turns into a clickable button but by the time I get in at about 10:06 there’s no day seats available, and even checking back regularly over the next 10 minutes they don’t show up. What time did the seats show up for you today? Am I doing something wrong? Or are they just selling out instantly? Thanks! They were actually on there a good couple of minutes early today!
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Oct 15, 2022 19:56:22 GMT
Large Totoro had a malfunction during his second appearance tonight, and was declared "unwell," precipitating a production stop. . That is incredibly cute
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4,564 posts
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Post by Mark on Oct 15, 2022 21:22:07 GMT
This was a lot of fun. Visually it is stunning, making full use of the Barbican stage. I loved the puppetry and stage effects, and the performances of the two young girls. Also, kudos to the wonderful singer. The story is a simple one and does slow at times, I do think there’s still some tightening to do. I particularly didn’t understand the hospital bus cat?? The final number and curtain call is particularly fantastic! The audience loved it, lots of children in the audience who seemed to really enjoy it. If this were to transfer, the only place I can really see it going is the Gillian Lynne, and even then it would likely need some major modifications. Randomly during big Totoros appearance in act two there were a pair of scissors hanging off him! View from the front row was fantastic so can highly recommend the dayseats. From speaking to someone next to me they refreshed from 10 to the hour on the seat plan and they just appeared (the whole front row)
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Post by hadeswasking on Oct 15, 2022 21:38:12 GMT
What a two show day I just had.
Started off with the bands visit where I was thinking theatre doesn't get better than that. That gave me the character based story I was wanting, afterwards I was craving spectacle and boy did this deliver.
This is magnificent. Pure spectacle. Every time any sort of puppet was on stage the audience were in a complete trance. The cutest show on the west end currently.
The extended cat bus sequence was actually one of my highlights.
The orchestrations are stunning and the singing, Oh my! What a voice!
It did take a little bit for me to get used to the adult actors acting as children. Mostly the shouting, but that was quickly forgotten about as I was so engrossed in this world and the both the girls are incredible, especially during the second act.
The set is also just gorgeous. Subtle projections but no overuse! Take notes disney!
The first act was long but it did fly by for me, so I can't complain much.
I was also front row and the view was perfect. I could see every single thing that went on and only had to stretch my neck a few times to see the floor.
I don't think I'll get to visit this again living outside of London. I hope it does have a future life! Spirited Away transfer next?
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Post by hadeswasking on Oct 15, 2022 21:41:57 GMT
The first time I've also caved to merch that isn't a programme. That takes A LOT!
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Post by hadeswasking on Oct 15, 2022 22:21:33 GMT
P.P.S
The barbican has really great pizza!
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Post by inthenose on Oct 16, 2022 10:14:20 GMT
The first time I've also caved to merch that isn't a programme. That takes A LOT! I’ve got my eye on that green t-shirt…
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264 posts
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Post by squidward on Oct 16, 2022 17:10:04 GMT
The first time I've also caved to merch that isn't a programme. That takes A LOT! I did the same with a soft toy for my daughter and then whilst googling I came across another UK based store selling all the soft toys from the film/ show ( authentic merchandise) at about half the price that I’d paid. I think Studio Ghibli are setting the prices for some of the merchandise sold at the souvenir stand, rather than The Barbican and I did feel a bit miffed at the massive mark-up. For anyone tempted to buy the soft toys in particular at the show, I’d strongly advise doing a Google for authentic Ghibli merchandise selling in the UK ( this obviously doesn’t apply to the merchandise that relates to the Barbican production - mugs,keyring, posters, etc).
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483 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Oct 18, 2022 21:58:25 GMT
Logged on at 17:45 today (press night) and there was a £25 stalls seat there so I nabbed it and jumped on my bike. Very glad I did, this was wonderful. Agree some of the pacing is a bit slow at points but the whole spectacle of it really won out for me.
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885 posts
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Post by lonlad on Oct 18, 2022 23:11:31 GMT
Wonderful first half and then it sort of goes to pieces in the second. The ending makes NO sense at all on any level except the most crassly manipulative and is rushed and hasty with it; I wasn't alone in not even realising it was the ending. But the first half, I must say, is bliss.
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614 posts
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Post by jamb0r on Oct 19, 2022 9:13:01 GMT
For anyone trying for day seats a couple of tips after my successful purchase this morning: If a date is sold out it doesn't allow you to click on the link for that date to see the actual seat map (the link will just say 'sold out'). This means that by the time the day seats become available by the time you've waited for the link to work the seats might all be gone. To get around this check regularly a few days in advance for the date that you are after, as sometimes single returned seats pop up which then enable the seat map to be seen, and you can save the URL/address of that page. Then on the actual day you can just go straight to the URL of the page even if the button for that date is showing as 'sold out' I kept clicking the 'refresh' button on the page (not using my browser's refresh button) every second since 9:55am, and the front row became available for purchase for £25 at 9:57 (Thank you Mark for your tip that they became available early when you were trying!). So definitely don't wait until 10am to try! EDIT: To go along with my first point, on the calendar tonight is showing as 'sold out' so you can't click on the link to see the seat plan, however if you go directly to the link to to today's performance you can see there are still some day seats left for tonight which I am presuming haven't been sold because most people can't access the actual page while the link on the calendar is showing as 'sold out'
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Post by inthenose on Oct 19, 2022 12:21:35 GMT
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Post by inthenose on Oct 19, 2022 12:24:16 GMT
@burlybear - could we have a poll please?
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6,318 posts
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Post by Jon on Oct 19, 2022 12:30:19 GMT
The RSC are keeping mum about a further life for Totoro but I think it'll happen whether it be a transfer or a return to the Barbican.
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562 posts
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Post by jadnoop on Oct 19, 2022 12:58:22 GMT
How are the accents in this? As someone who's part-Japanese, this film is a v fond part of my childhood, so I'm in two minds about going. On the one hand, I've got no doubt that the visuals will be great (Improbable's work in a couple of ENO operas was fantastic), and I think my daughter would enjoy the puppetry. On the other hand, I'm conscious that sitting through such a quintessentially Japanese story in English might be v weird, especially if they're doing American accents (from clips I've seen online they use American actors for the film's English dub) or if the story has been tweaked too much to fit a more Western or modern context. If they are using any of the original songs, are they still sung in Japanese?
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Post by pomegranate on Oct 19, 2022 13:40:09 GMT
How are the accents in this? As someone who's part-Japanese, this film is a v fond part of my childhood, so I'm in two minds about going. On the one hand, I've got no doubt that the visuals will be great (Improbable's work in a couple of ENO operas was fantastic), and I think my daughter would enjoy the puppetry. On the other hand, I'm conscious that sitting through such a quintessentially Japanese story in English might be v weird, especially if they're doing American accents (from clips I've seen online they use American actors for the film's English dub) or if the story has been tweaked too much to fit a more Western or modern context. If they are using any of the original songs, are they still sung in Japanese? I think the actors use their native accents - so some Japanese, mostly English and I think I noticed only one American! There are songs in both English and Japanese. Not sure how faithful it is to the film because I’ve never seen it - but I thought this was utterly charming!
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4,962 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 19, 2022 14:36:12 GMT
@burlybear - could we have a poll please? @burlybear is busy having his fur shampooed and set, or summat. Will @tallpaul do? 🙂
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Post by inthenose on Oct 19, 2022 14:37:05 GMT
@burlybear - could we have a poll please? @burlybear is busy having his fur shampooed and set, or summat. Will @tallpaul do? 🙂 Thanks very much
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Post by andypandy on Oct 20, 2022 14:22:35 GMT
Had a peek this morning and seems the online rush through Barbican is front row for £25. If anyone is going and can assess the stage height would be appreciated! Barbican online? Today Tix? I can't find rush info. Please advise.
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Post by hadeswasking on Oct 20, 2022 14:28:04 GMT
Had a peek this morning and seems the online rush through Barbican is front row for £25. If anyone is going and can assess the stage height would be appreciated! Barbican online? Today Tix? I can't find rush info. Please advise. On the barbican website. They appear before 10am and they just show as normal seats on the seatplan but at the reduced price.
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2,962 posts
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Post by crowblack on Oct 21, 2022 21:03:04 GMT
BBC news at 10 are doing a feature on it tonight
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Post by inthenose on Oct 21, 2022 22:16:28 GMT
BBC news at 10 are doing a feature on it tonight Available on BBC iPlayer - feature starts at 26:12. Just over three minutes, quite a nice little fluff piece including brief interviews with the two lead actresses, Joe Hisaishi and Basil Twist. Some nice clips from the show including the dust sprites!
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2,962 posts
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Post by crowblack on Oct 22, 2022 11:54:00 GMT
BBC news at 10 are doing a feature on it tonight Available on BBC iPlayer - feature starts at 26:12. Just over three minutes, quite a nice little fluff piece including brief interviews with the two lead actresses, Joe Hisaishi and Basil Twist. Some nice clips from the show including the dust sprites! Yes, though they're keeping Totoro under wraps for now (fwiw, I am making a topiary Totoro at the mo, but need a bigger ladder for the top!)
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3,059 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 22, 2022 13:08:20 GMT
They still had rush available at 1pm today (for a 2pm start). Nearly went for it but was cutting things a bit too fine. Will definitely see this soon though, all the reviews are very positive.
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Post by jlnyc on Oct 22, 2022 18:44:12 GMT
I'll be in town from the US November 9-14. I'm planning on day seats, but in case that fails, can anyone confirm whether the Barbican runs a returns queue?
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