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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 12:51:21 GMT
If this is tomorrow (Tuesday), I note it is now designated on the OV website as 'guest night' - whatever that means. Are you sure that's not a typo and they mean ' guess night' instead? As in, "guess what the ending might be like"? |
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Post by showgirl on Sept 10, 2018 14:03:53 GMT
I’m going tonight so will report back but I’m now prepped for no ending!!! This has gone on for so long that if they do at last have an ending, you'd be entitled to complain about the unexpected extra time and scene(s)! |
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Post by Stasia on Sept 10, 2018 14:22:59 GMT
Still you paid them to see a full show, not 80% of it.
Imagine paying full price for a pair of jeans and getting one leg 20 cm shorter than the other. "Sorry, this is work in progress, you are not getting the full leg covered but you should be grateful for getting this unique opportunity of trying our amazing new model@
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 14:40:47 GMT
I would just like to chime in here. - I am truly shocked by all these negative comments. I’m guessing not many of you have seen the show because otherwise you would think differently. I went on the Thursday matinee and I am not friends or family and I gladly gave the most genuine standing ovation I have ever given. It was an honour to be there and witness the magic that happened onstage. This musical is mammoth! And for two cast members to be called upon to take on two new roles, one of them being the leading lady who barely leaves the stage, and learn what they can within 3 days is outstanding. Yes, they had books (which you hardly noticed because the dialogue flowed so well and they performed as if they didn’t have books in their arms) and yes, there were microphone issues but none of it mattered. Why? Because this production is truly that good. It’s fresh, raw and feels unbelievably British, which I think is fantastic. I have booked another ticket for the closing night and yes I’d like to see a completed show but at the same time, I’d be just as happy to see what I saw again, just more polished. I didn’t realise the theatre community was full of such negativity towards new British work or any work for that matter.
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Post by danb on Sept 10, 2018 14:45:10 GMT
I would just like to chime in here. - I am truly shocked by all these negative comments. I’m guessing not many of you have seen the show because otherwise you would think differently. I went on the Thursday matinee and I am not friends or family and I gladly gave the most genuine standing ovation I have ever given. It was an honour to be there and witness the magic that happened onstage. This musical is mammoth! And for two cast members to be called upon to take on two new roles, one of them being the leading lady who barely leaves the stage, and learn what they can within 3 days is outstanding. Yes, they had books (which you hardly noticed because the dialogue flowed so well and they performed as if they didn’t have books in their arms) and yes, there were microphone issues but none of it mattered. Why? Because this production is truly that good. It’s fresh, raw and feels unbelievably British, which I think is fantastic. I have booked another ticket for the closing night and yes I’d like to see a completed show but at the same time, I’d be just as happy to see what I saw again, just more polished. I didn’t realise the theatre community was full of such negativity towards new British work or any work for that matter. New member you say...welcome along. But I can’t agree with you I’m afraid; for all of the reasons that people have already said. If your show isn’t ready cancel it...reschedule it, but for Gods sake, at least finish it! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 14:50:52 GMT
I would just like to chime in here. - I am truly shocked by all these negative comments. I’m guessing not many of you have seen the show because otherwise you would think differently. I went on the Thursday matinee and I am not friends or family and I gladly gave the most genuine standing ovation I have ever given. It was an honour to be there and witness the magic that happened onstage. This musical is mammoth! And for two cast members to be called upon to take on two new roles, one of them being the leading lady who barely leaves the stage, and learn what they can within 3 days is outstanding. Yes, they had books (which you hardly noticed because the dialogue flowed so well and they performed as if they didn’t have books in their arms) and yes, there were microphone issues but none of it mattered. Why? Because this production is truly that good. It’s fresh, raw and feels unbelievably British, which I think is fantastic. I have booked another ticket for the closing night and yes I’d like to see a completed show but at the same time, I’d be just as happy to see what I saw again, just more polished. I didn’t realise the theatre community was full of such negativity towards new British work or any work for that matter. It's very simple - people have paid good money to see a professional production and they are perfectly entitled to expect a full show. Illness is unavoidable. A show not being ready is avoidable, or at least should lead to the good grace to cancel or comp the show until a full performance is possible. Not having an ending sorted and still charging people full price to see it is embarassing and unprofessional. I was intrigued by this and intending to book, but I won't be going near it unless/until I know I'll actually get to see the whole show. |
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Post by andrew on Sept 10, 2018 14:53:53 GMT
Some of the most memorable and fun moments of theatre are when things go horribly wrong but with everyone comes together and still puts on a show. Think of the splash Rufus Norris made as an emergency understudy a week or two ago. Coming out and saying "we haven't got this ending together yet" and then cracking on standing centre stage, scripts or whatever in hand, narrating things that are happening, and finishing would've been spectacular. A missed opportunity.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 14:56:40 GMT
I'm extraordinarily easy-going in real life and am always happy to roll with whatever punches happen in a theatre, but I have to say I completely sympathise with people being unhappy about not getting a complete show. As has been pointed out, there's no reason why they can't just stand on the stage and sing the finale without any of the staging or whatever it is that makes it unsafe to perform at the moment. People will *understand*, but you need to give them something *to* understand. I'd be interested to know how generous they're being with refunds for this one...
(I don't doubt for a second that people who've enjoyed what they've seen have been genuine, but I am very glad I didn't book an early performance.)
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Post by foxa on Sept 10, 2018 15:07:40 GMT
Welcome llreelcell - I'm going to see this Thursday night (after the performance I had previously booked for was cancelled) and nothing I've heard has made me wish I wasn't going. It sounds like an event if nothing else - and that's one of the exciting things about live theatre.
BUT this is a forum where people express their varying opinions - we aren't Stepford Wives who have to blandly comply or agree with each other or praise everything - and being disappointed that a performance is, for several performances, cut off 15-20 minutes before its end with no attempt to convey what that ending might have been doesn't seem a shocking complaint. From those who have seen it, there has been a lot of admiration for the Dunkirk spirit of the cast who sound like they are doing amazing work and people have noted the standing ovations. I wouldn't say that this board is full of negativity towards British or other theatrical work - if you stick around, you'll see it's full of enthusiasts.
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Post by sf on Sept 10, 2018 15:12:05 GMT
As has been pointed out, there's no reason why they can't just stand on the stage and sing the finale without any of the staging or whatever it is that makes it unsafe to perform at the moment. People will *understand*, but you need to give them something *to* understand. Absolutely (and I'm seeing it next week). I'd be fine with them doing the last scenes concert-style if necessary. Having paid (admittedly not that much) for a ticket and travelled a fair distance (at significantly greater cost than the theatre ticket) to see it, I would NOT be OK with being told that they just aren't going to perform the ending. I'm looking forward to seeing it for myself, and I wish them well, but to do that demonstrates a fundamental lack of respect for the audience.
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Post by danb on Sept 10, 2018 15:14:09 GMT
It kind of reminds me of when we did a musical version of ‘Hamlet’ at the ‘Piecrust Players’ but the lad playing Hamlet only learnt the first four acts, so we just ended things with a singalong of ‘Ophelia’ sung to the tune of ‘Cecilia’ by Simon & Garfunkel/(The Vamps if you’re under twenty). Some of the purists left muttering about ‘desecration’ and it being a ‘romping travesty’ which I assumed to be positive comments. Perhaps they should get Dr Hook in to finish things off with a blast of ‘Sylvias Mother’?
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Post by westendcub on Sept 10, 2018 16:58:24 GMT
Agree with you on this, I have seen works in progress (‘Prom Queen’ & ‘Son Of Rambo’ most recent) and it’s perfectly acceptable for some scenes to wither not being fully written yet or rehearsed to stage but in effect they are claiming there is a ending but they can’t stage it for safety then why not sing it, read from scripts and explain what plans to happen on stage!
However ending or not I am looking forward to this tonight and I love supporting new domestic shows!
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Post by latefortheoverture on Sept 10, 2018 18:17:35 GMT
looked on the OV website and saw that all performances are now being listed as previews and the tickets sales for the Thursday mat are shocking! Such a shame might still go catch it but it looked so promising but feel like the understudy dramas and the abrupt ending situations will knock on this production.
Does anyone know if the understudies are still on or if principals are all back now?
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Post by Rukaya on Sept 10, 2018 20:05:09 GMT
A friend of mine is there tonight and apparently, it's the first night they're doing the entire show, ending and everything! I'm seeing it next week, can't wait.
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Post by westendcub on Sept 10, 2018 20:10:06 GMT
Quick interval post!
This is incredible powerhouse & masterclass musical theatre!
Tonight we are getting the whole show, believe the hype everyone!!
More to come post show!!
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Post by Mark on Sept 10, 2018 21:52:16 GMT
Quick interval post! This is incredible powerhouse & masterclass musical theatre! Tonight we are getting the whole show, believe the hype everyone!! More to come post show!! Just booked on the basis of this post for Sat evening. Hope act two lived up to your expectations! |
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Post by westendcub on Sept 10, 2018 22:07:20 GMT
Well that a fantastic night at the theatre!
So I’ll begin with some of my observations, Act 1 is tight & perfected but Act 2 needs some more work and needs to tighten up. I found the middle of Act 2 losses it’s way & loses pace (irony being the final 15 mins is when it finds its pace & spark back!). With Act 1 at 1.20 hours & Act 2 at 1.23 hours (got out at 10.45) I really hope it’s Act 2 they make the changes in because this is a show of great quality, vibrancy and it’s bursting with talent.
There’s some amazing moments of soul, rap and rousing musical numbers (Act 1 closer is stunning) & it has that feel of ‘Hamilton’ but in a positive way of telling about important moment in our history in a diverse and accessible way to unite all types of audiences.
The performances are excellent but wow I must hand it to Beverley Knight (that voice) and this is the best I’ve seen her (she’s treaded the boards and found her way).
There are changes to be made but this has a great energy & I definitely see this to have further life beyond this run at ‘The Old Vic’ & I look forward to the day there’s a cast recording.
So glad I got to see it from start to finish and I look forward to others experience and of the changes ahead but I think it’s an exciting domestic musical that’s one to watch (there so much potential with this material and telling of history).
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Post by firefingers on Sept 10, 2018 22:40:03 GMT
Thanks for the update Westendcub! Glad the show is in better shape. Did anything about the last 15 minutes scream "impossible to stage" then, or was it similar to the rest?
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Post by showgirl on Sept 11, 2018 3:28:52 GMT
looked on the OV website and saw that all performances are now being listed as previews and the tickets sales for the Thursday mat are shocking! S I also noticed that the whole run was now showing as previews (unprecedented in my experience) and that sales were poor for the matinee this Thursday but on the latter point, weekday matinees of this show seem generally unpopular (so far) and though they are usually at 2.30 pm, this week's is at 1 pm for no apparent reason, so really awkward for anyone wishing, as I always do, to see a film beforehand. The latest posts are really encouraging but could anyone please provide the approximate running time for the full version? If it's long I will have to go for a matinee. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2018 5:57:01 GMT
The latest posts are really encouraging but could anyone please provide the approximate running time for the full version? If it's long I will have to go for a matinee. With Act 1 at 1.20 hours & Act 2 at 1.23 hours (got out at 10.45) |
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Post by showgirl on Sept 11, 2018 6:53:57 GMT
Thank you both, @baemax and westendcub; don't know how I missed that but clear that I need to book a matinee. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2018 6:59:43 GMT
That's probably safest. I've already booked an evening show, so I'll just keep my fingers crossed that they manage to tighten it up over the next couple of weeks, or at least that the show is so good I won't mind getting out at such a late hour.  |
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Post by ali973 on Sept 11, 2018 8:56:34 GMT
So what is so special with the ending that they couldn't perform due to safety concerns?
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Post by southstreet on Sept 11, 2018 9:29:20 GMT
I also went last night and whilst I enjoyed big chunks of it, I am not surprised that they apparently completely cancelled press night now and that the whole thing is just one big preview, because whilst there is a lot of potential there, they are far from ready IMO.
The cast was amazing, not a single weak link among them, I couldn't fault their commitment or talent.
It is more varied than Hamilton in musical style (and I definitely was reminded of both Hamilton and Color Purple at several points musically as well as staging wise) but I feel overall the score wasn't as memorable. It had a lot of funny lines but the sound issues (mic cues missed, voices being drowned out by band, crackling, etc.) meant I missed a fair bit of the lyrics.
I feel the narrative still needs a lot more work, the characters are all still fairly one-dimensional, even though maybe being able to hear more of the lyrics would have fleshed them out a bit more. But overall none of the characters got enough definition to really make me care about them and strangely I felt the focus for most of the show was much more on Emily and Christabel Pankhurst than on Sylvia.
And the much anticipated ending.... I seriously don't see any other reason than them not being ready, as to why it hasn't been performed before last night. Yes there were a few boxes moved around that they stood on, but there were plenty of boxes around beforehand, too. I expected something really technically elaborate, seeing that they gave 'safety' concerns as their reason for not showing more than half of act 2 previously (it was apparently 40 minutes last week and nearly one hour 25 mins last night). But again, I felt the ending was more about Emily and Christabel than Sylvia from a factual point of view celebrating the fact that women got the vote in 1918, when what Sylvia fought for didn't come into effect until 1928 and that got just a passing mention.
Anyway, I am excited to see what they make of it and if they bring it back (hopefully after a lot of rewrites and tightening) it could really be something special. For me it's just not ready yet.
That said, they got a huge standing ovation at the end, so what do I know. LOL
P.S.: I think the midweek matinees this week and next week were added after the cancellations of the shows last week, so they are probably quiet because they haven't been on sale long.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2018 10:49:12 GMT
Apparently the ending was just a title card saying "Note: Sylvia Pankhurst died on her way back to her home planet"
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