Upcoming Trip in the fall

The Ferryman and Young Frankenstein are the best shows for your last 2 shows.

Great guide for show times.
www.theatremonkey.com/daybydayindex.htm

I was disappointed by Young Frankenstein - unless you know the type of humour it is and are sure you'll find it funny, then I would skip it.

You have to see 42nd Street- best musical production currently in the West End in my opinion, it's just joyous.

Here's a little secret about the Donmar Warehouse standing spaces - they don't actually mind if you go to the side and stand next to B13 or B34. You just have to be behind the railing, next to the pillar, and not standing on any stairs. If you're short, it makes a WORLD of difference to the visibility. The only snag is that when they come up just before curtain to gather a few lucky standees to be seated in empty stalls seats, you're too far away to get involved with that.

www.theatremonkey.com/DONMARstalls.htm

Did you see the reduced version, Tibidabo?  On both my visits so far (more to come), I was grinning for 2 1/2 hours non-stop.

My advice to anyone is to put 42nd Street at the top of their list. I genuinely worry that the West End will not see any musical this big again. In the future, it will all be about projections and computer controlled effects.

Well, in that case you weren't grinning non-stop.

On the subject of spending a penny, Gorka is 'In The Money' tomorrow night. Shame you'll miss it! Rumour is, he's courting Gemma.

This is the type of pedantry up with which I will not put.
Now you're getting a weeny bit personal...

The food's not great at the Menier. I'd recommend this place which is right next door - www.flatironsquare.co.uk/

Thanks EVERYBODY! I had a wonderful trip and saw seven shows in 4 days.

42nd Street was ok. It was great to see that many people in a production, but to me the costumes looked on the cheaply made side (the tights weren't even period and seamed!). The book is also flimsy and full off weird "grab and kiss girls because I can!" and the lead playing Marsh was terrible.

The Ferrymen was absolutely exquisite. I was able to get a day seat around 11:30am and was so happy I did. I was just in awe of everything, down to how well-behaved that baby was! Not one peep or staring out to the crowd.

Ink was incredibly-well done. I found myself rooting for the most evil man alive all through act one somehow.

Everybody's Talking about Jamie was so good and really surprised me. I thought it would be full of Alyssa Edwards tonguepops and "yaas mawwwwma!" and those ugly eye makeup goggles Priscilla used, but it was very charming. I got my rush ticket around 10:30 on a Thursday. I'd gone by the day before but it was press night. The kind box office worker said I'd be fine coming later in the day most days, but the weekends tend to go quickly close to 10.

Follies was incredible and much better than how the filmed version came across. It's my favorite musical of all time so I'm going to always cry even if I have issues here and there.

I thought YF was awful, really. NONE of the main cast made me laugh and all seemed to be waaaaaaay over-playing it. I think it comes down to the British not having the "Borsht-Belt style comedy" that Brooks requires. Everyone seemed to be panto-mugging. Some of Brooks's improvements worked better than in NYC and others did not. I did laugh at one member of the ensemble who I assume is the Victor understudy based soley on his mustache.

I also didn't care at ALL for this production of Barnum. I mean, the ensemble is working the butts off and doing some fun lifts and throws, but the space prevents them from doing any really fantastic tricks or magic. Mrs Barnum was stiff, and the actor playing Barnum was just...dull. No charm, no spark, no charisma. His voice wasn't that great and he fell three times on his one trick. It's the first preview so I'll forgive him not being at 100% but, to me, you'd not do that trick if you couldn't do it backwards the morning of, ya know? My main issue is basically how the book/score have never been that great and productions have always relied on spectacle. Take that away and you realize how weak the book is.

Hello again! I'm going to be in London next week on another theatre trip. I already have a few tickets purchased but was hoping this wonderful collective mind could help me decide between a few as well as help with any information about day seats (get there early, fairly easy, no policy, etc). I'm trying to avoid the TodayTix lotteries since they don't let you know until later in the day when it might be too late to get a day seat to anything else. I'm pretty open and love musicals and plays of all kinds and have already seen the "big" musicals that have been running more than a year.

I'm definitely seeing/have tickets to Company, The Wild Duck, and Fiddler on the Roof as well as I know my friends are rushing Jamie for me and I'm 100% day seats for The Inheritance. I'm also going to get day seats for Heathers, getting there extra early since it's closing week. I also am going to try for the Friday before day seat deal for the Tuesday mat of Hadestown, but I also already saw that here in NYC and didn't love it.

Does anyone have information on Caroline, or Change? The original production is so special to me I definitely want to check this out in London, but there's no policy listed. Does this theatre generally offer day seats? Or should I just bite the bullet and pay around 40 GBP for it now for a so-so seat?

The Tina musical's lottery site seems to be down and I've heard they don't always offer day seats. Has anyone had luck with day seats?


On my list are Switzerland (although that's coming to a theatre in NYC I usually get comp tickets for), A Very Very Dark Matter, The Funeral Director, A Guide of the Homesick, and The Height of the Storm. Any other recommendations or must-sees based on this list? I don't Shakespeare and am not in love with True West, but if it's spectacular I'm open to it.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Knowing sooner is great, but I'd still basically be in line at the box office at 10am to get a day seat when the TodayTix rush opens, but it's good to know so I could maybe get a matinee for one and evening for another at the same time.

My friend who's going around the same time as me bought those TodayTix Inheritance for £25, but I might just do day seats for those unless you think the seats would be much better via this sale. I'm getting around row L on the aisle (and I love my aisle seats).