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Post by originalconceptlive on Mar 3, 2020 8:39:22 GMT
I don't think there has been a thread about this yet? It's going to be a world premiere with some big names involved - Jodi Picoult, and also Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel of Olaf's Frozen Adventure. octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/the-book-thief/(I didn't love the film to be honest; it was okay. Haven't read the book.)
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Post by bluemoon on Mar 6, 2020 20:06:47 GMT
Yes I’m looking forward to this- it’s a big scoop for the newly revamped theatre - a world premiere in Bolton, who’d have thought!
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Post by SageStageMgr on Mar 8, 2020 14:40:05 GMT
A long time ago before I started working in theatre, I ran theatre review blogs and regularly visited the Octagon. Incredibly underrated venue which put on some wonderful stuff, which I reviewed very favourably. I'm not sure if he's still there but the AD David Thacker was working miracles. I can't imagine it's easy to attract serious talent (Clare Foster was phenomenal in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Hired Man"...) to the sticks, but he managed it.
It must be near impossible to get "proper" press in and I really wonder how many fantastic productions have played to tiny regional rep audiences when they could've been so much more.
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Post by david on Mar 8, 2020 14:45:26 GMT
A long time ago before I started working in theatre, I ran theatre review blogs and regularly visited the Octagon. Incredibly underrated venue which put on some wonderful stuff, which I reviewed very favourably. I'm not sure if he's still there but the AD David Thacker was working miracles. I can't imagine it's easy to attract serious talent (Clare Foster was phenomenal in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Hired Man"...) to the sticks, but he managed it. It must be near impossible to get "proper" press in and I really wonder how many fantastic productions have played to tiny regional rep audiences when they could've been so much more. I’ve only started going to the Octagon in the last few years, but totally agree with your comments about the theatre. A great venue and the productions I’ve seen have really been great to watch. Hopefully more of the same when it reopens. |
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Post by jojo on Mar 14, 2020 17:16:21 GMT
Not seen the film, but loved the book.
I'll be interested to see what they do with it.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 21, 2020 10:53:13 GMT
This was due to be staged in March 2021 at the Octagon Theatre, however an email from the venue this morning confirms it has been postponed.
The theatre will re-open following its refurbishment in December 2020 with an alternative programme beginning in early 2021 to be announced.
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Post by david on May 5, 2022 9:58:28 GMT
Now running at the Octagon theatre 17th Sept - 15th Oct 2022.
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Post by Mark on Sept 8, 2022 3:33:15 GMT
High hopes for this - saw Between the Lines off-Broadway today and it has the same writers - and the score was brilliant. Hopefully they can do the same again here.
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Post by david on Sept 16, 2022 15:21:21 GMT
Having booked for the 1st preview tomorrow and then I had to move the ticket due to train strikes which have been postponed and now strikes may be announced for my new date a quick phone call this afternoon to the theatre this afternoon means I’m back seeing this tomorrow night now. A big thanks to the Bolton Octagon box office staff for sorting it out at such short notice.
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Post by david on Sept 17, 2022 23:09:31 GMT
There is something special about viewing the opening preview about a brand new piece of theatre. Everybody is sat in the auditorium not knowing anything about it and going on that journey together. Tonight’s viewing of The Book Thief certainly didn’t disappoint and quite honestly I wouldn’t of known it was the first preview based on what I watched. Having had to move my ticket back and forth due to train strikes, it was definitely worth the work. I ended up with a much better seat than I had originally booked for, but quite honestly the auditorium isn’t that big that I don’t really think you could end up with a bad view wherever you sat.
With a run time of around 2 hrs 25 mins ( Act 1 -75 mins and Act 2 around 50 mins with a 20 min interval), the evening flew by and was a really slick show with only a few mic drops. The production team have done a really great job in bringing the novel to the stage. There isn’t anything fancy about the staging with only a few props like doors on wheels, benches to help set the scenes. There is a small set to represent the cellar in the Hubermann’s House. The stage is on two levels which also houses the 4 piece band.
Costumes were all period pieces. One issue I did have early on with this show is that despite being set in Germany, there wasn’t any attempt to use a German accent with any of the characters. This meant you got a mix of Mancunian and even a Scouse accent for the entire show.
A lot of the work to help set the different scenes and move the plot forward is done by the Narrator Ryan O’Donnell who also takes on some roles as other characters. The two kids who played Liesel and Rudy (these roles are shared out between 4 kids ) really give top notch performances. For the adult cast, Danielle Henry as Rosa Hubermann was the standout for me. Dressed up in her 1930s gear and speaking in a Mancunian accent, I was at times convinced she could iof come from an old episode of Corrie. A real battle axe character.
The music and lyrics from Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson provided a nice mix of both emotional numbers and a few comic numbers just to bring a little light relief to proceedings. Whilst the score was fine, I didn’t feel that there was a big standout number. The band had a nice mix of instruments - flute, clarinet, drums, violin, viola and keyboards. The sound mixing was spot on tonight and I didn’t have any issues with hearing the cast sing.
Overall, a really thoroughly enjoyable show.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Sept 18, 2022 8:56:16 GMT
I love the book, and also enjoyed the film.
I won't be able to get to Bolton though. It is early days, but is there any chance of a London transfer do we think?
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Post by david on Sept 18, 2022 9:31:11 GMT
I love the book, and also enjoyed the film. I won't be able to get to Bolton though. It is early days, but is there any chance of a London transfer do we think? I’d like to think a London theatre might pick this up. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 18, 2022 18:19:42 GMT
For those of us who don’t know the source material, what is the premise of this?
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Post by david on Sept 18, 2022 21:26:15 GMT
For those of us who don’t know the source material, what is the premise of this? The story (set in Nazi Germany) is about a young German girl (Liesel) who goes to live with a foster family when her family are killed. With her new family, she learns to read and starts to steal books that the Nazi's are wanting to destroy. She learns about the power of books (and starts to write her own story) and language with the help of a young Jew (Max) that her foster family are hiding from local Nazi officials. The story is narrated by an unknown individual who we learn is the personification of Death. Throughout the story we see the horrors of both war and the evil of the Nazi regime (through the eyes of Liesel and her young friend Rudy) and the impact it has on people and society. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 22, 2022 11:24:44 GMT
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Post by karloscar on Sept 22, 2022 12:34:18 GMT
Listening to Jodi Picoult's interview she's quite dismissive of Broadway saying only jukebox shows and bad movie adaptations succeed, and that nothing is epic or deals with serious issues. Only one Tony winner of Best Musical since 2014 has not had an original score and that's Moulin Rouge, and Fun Home, Hamilton, The Band's Visit, Hadestown and A Strange Loop are not exactly light weight material.
Comparing your own new show to Les Mis might be asking for trouble. The song they played sounded incredibly bland and derivative.
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Post by bluemoon on Sept 28, 2022 13:59:59 GMT
Saw this on Saturday night, it’s getting rave reviews and I can see why, a really strong cast , musical numbers are strong, but without any ‘standout’s’ simple but powerful set and staging- surely this must tour? If you can get yourself to Bolton I’d throughly recommend, the small and intimate setting of the Octagon theatre makes this a moving and powerful show to remember
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 26, 2022 23:55:45 GMT
Does anyone know if this show is getting a further life?
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Feb 6, 2023 10:07:21 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 6, 2023 16:13:04 GMT
Can anyone comment on what the score is like ? Please and ta
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Post by kz on Feb 7, 2023 22:11:48 GMT
I remember really quite enjoying this at the time but can't remember much about the score. There was one pretty, gentle song, I think called "Hello Stars" which I think was reprised and felt quite impactful at the time, given the context and symbolism. Other than that, I can't remember much more, sorry!
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Feb 7, 2023 22:20:37 GMT
I remember really quite enjoying this at the time but can't remember much about the score. There was one pretty, gentle song, I think called "Hello Stars" which I think was reprised and felt quite impactful at the time, given the context and symbolism. Other than that, I can't remember much more, sorry! Snippet of Hello Stars here... |
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Post by kz on Feb 7, 2023 23:01:23 GMT
Aw thank you. Just as lovely as I remembered.
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Post by sam22 on Sept 9, 2023 10:29:48 GMT
I really want to see this. Any news on whether any other stops might be added?
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Post by Rozzi Rainbow on Oct 8, 2023 17:50:10 GMT
I saw this in Leicester on Friday evening, knowing nothing about it beforehand. I haven't read the book or seen the film, all I knew was the setting for the show. I really should have thought about that further as I hadn't twigged it was going to be so intense right from the start!
I was pleased it was a musical rather than a straight play, as at least the songs broke up the intensity a bit. The only one I can remember now is Hello Stars as mentioned above, but the show doesn't need any big stagey numbers.
Overall I found it very powerful, and all the cast were excellent, especially the children given the content. I don't think I'd rush to see it again, but that's no critique of the show, it's just a lot to have to deal with!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 14, 2023 17:00:07 GMT
I am just on my way back from seeing the last matinee of this at the Curve in Leicester today.
I read the book years ago, and also saw the film adaptation, both of which were my reason for going to see this. It really is a beautiful show, that packs a huge emotional punch. I was in floods of tears by the end, but had been tearing up throughout. It is a fantastic adaptation of the novel, as well as a time capsule into what it was like for people at this particular moment in history.
The music is gorgeous. This score does not have standout numbers, but rather an intricate tapestry of songs that weave in and out of book scenes. There were melodic lines, harmonies, and lyrics that sent shivers down the spine. I particularly enjoyed the opening number, the song in the library of the Major’s wife, the Act of 1 and 2 finales, the ‘Writing Letters’ number and of course ‘Hello Stars. I hope they release a cast recording at some point, as I would love to hear this again.
The direction and staging were excellent. Projection and lighting were very well used here. The choreography in particular is a real highlight. Some of the stage pictures will stay with me for a long time.
This deserves a West End transfer, and I very much hope it gets one.
5 stars.
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