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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 11:30:19 GMT
What I don't really understand, given that the press night last night was only a concert performance, as cast illness prevented a full staging, is how there are reviews of the full version in today's Times, Telegraph and Guardian, as well as Time Out. They went to see it over the weekend? I thought the whole point was that the first time it would be ready for critical scrutiny was yesterday. Yeah, it's not really a secret that reviewers will often visit a show a little earlier than press night, and press night is more of a review embargo than a deadline for the finished product these days. I think some reviewers go earlier in previews *and* to press night, for whatever reason, but if you're lucky enough to be making a living out of your writing, there's a good chance you don't really have the time to do that. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 11:32:34 GMT
Surely it changed from a dance show to a full blown musical a while ago - Beverley Knight has been involved for a while! Not sure that's a good enough excuse for not being ready...more like it just wasn't ready full stop but they just didn't want to cancel altogether as that would have meant refunding too many people.
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Post by kathryn on Sept 18, 2018 11:34:51 GMT
Hmm, I wonder if I can find how it was described at the Anniversary Variety night. I'm not sure if I still have the flyer....
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Post by dani on Sept 18, 2018 11:39:37 GMT
it's not really a secret that reviewers will often visit a show a little earlier than press night I get that, but it seems perverse in this case, where my understanding is that the press night got pushed back because the show wouldn't be ready till a certain date. So they pushed the press night back but then allowed some critics in before the date when the show would be ready? That's sending out very mixed messages. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 11:48:27 GMT
In October last year, it was announced as "A musical dance production" www.nytimes.com/2017/10/24/theater/old-vic-london-matthew-warchus.htmlLooking back in this thread, the cast was revealed around March / April. The Old Vic described it in late June as "a modern musical which combines dance hip hop, soul and funk to shed new light on a remarkable story at the heart of the Suffragette movement" |
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Post by princeton on Sept 18, 2018 11:58:27 GMT
The Telegraph review says that: "The Old Vic has been admirably honest in admitting that the show isn’t yet ready" seems that they've only been admirable honest to the press. The Sylvia page of their website still only has vague phrases such as: "be there at the beginning" "first lease of life". You have to go to the news section to find the acknowledgement that "what we are sharing with you today is a work in progress" - and I, as someone who has already booked to see this, certainly haven't received an email from the Old Vic explaining that I'm now seeing something which is far from its finished state.
Also the Stage is reporting that "The run is due to continue until September 22, and will be shown as a work in progress with lower ticket prices, the Old Vic said." I don't know abut others but I haven't been told that my tickets are going to have their price reduced.
Theatregoers are usually pretty understanding about the problems inherent in developing new productions and accepting of unexpected cast illness - however they are intolerant of poor communication - particularly when it transpires that the press has been fully informed - but the ticket buying public told almost nothing.
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Post by Steve on Sept 18, 2018 12:05:44 GMT
I've just discovered that one of the main producers is Cornley Polytechnic Dramatic Society. It explains a lot. Thing is, like all shows Cornley Polytechnic have produced, this is another great one. The only thing it's missing is Henry Lewis playing Winston Churchill, as his characterisation as a great big blagger, who is secretly a mummy's boy hanging onto the apron strings for dear life, and being bossed about by Clemmie too, would be much funnier if Lewis played the role.
That said, I'm so glad Billington saw through the chaos to realise that this could be what we all want, a great big beautiful British musical hit.
It just isn't ready, far too many storylines bumbling around ill-defined characters. But by God, the music is ELECTRIC! And the hip hop dance stylings fully give additional life to that life. Of course, if you don't like hip hop, or r and b, and all modern music sounds the same to you, you will never like this, but the music is the sort that would have young people flocking back to this for repeat visits. Unlike Hamilton, in which Miranda's style is so distinctive that you could pick one of his songs out of any line-up, the eclectic music here sounds like other popular songs, frequently quoting other popular songs the way hip hop generally does. Time and time again, I heard quotes of other songs, be it Dizzee rascals's "Fix up look sharp," or Jay Z's "99 problems," and I heard squeaks of excitement and appreciation from young folks in the audience about how this musical then responded to those quotes. I simply don't know enough of the titles to place them all, but this musical is part of the now, alive in it's conversation with music, and the younger members of the audience felt that.
I will be seeing this again before it closes, possibly in the concert version, as I wasn't as smart as Baemax, booking for the very last performance. I'm sure that last night will be legendary, and I hope Baemax and others who are there can fill us in and tell us all about it.  |
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Post by westendcub on Sept 18, 2018 12:44:45 GMT
I certainly lucked out in seeing the 1st full public run through with all the main cast (I was rescheduled from the week before!).
As I said I thought Act 1 was electric & was a marvel, it was the Act 2 that was very uneven, plodding & needed lots of cutting & more character development but I stand by that this as potential to be a big hit!
Of course I only paid £10 via PWC for my ticket meaning I didn’t fork out top rate which I can completely understand the dissatisfaction that this musical turned into a WIP with little communication.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 14:29:05 GMT
What I don't really understand, given that the press night last night was only a concert performance, as cast illness prevented a full staging, is how there are reviews of the full version in today's Times, Telegraph and Guardian, as well as Time Out. They went to see it over the weekend? I thought the whole point was that the first time it would be ready for critical scrutiny was yesterday. Yeah, it's not really a secret that reviewers will often visit a show a little earlier than press night, and press night is more of a review embargo than a deadline for the finished product these days. I think some reviewers go earlier in previews *and* to press night, for whatever reason, but if you're lucky enough to be making a living out of your writing, there's a good chance you don't really have the time to do that. Yes, long gone are the days when critics would be sat on the aisle and would be rushing out during the curtain call. Probably a good thing as it spreads out the pressure with them attending on different performances. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 14:32:12 GMT
Yeah, it's not really a secret that reviewers will often visit a show a little earlier than press night, and press night is more of a review embargo than a deadline for the finished product these days. I think some reviewers go earlier in previews *and* to press night, for whatever reason, but if you're lucky enough to be making a living out of your writing, there's a good chance you don't really have the time to do that. Yes, long gone are the days when critics would be sat on the aisle and would be rushing out during the curtain call. Probably a good thing as it spreads out the pressure with them attending on different performances. Also means that the writing (for some haha) is better in that they have a few days to really pull it together rather than thrashing it out (ooh matron) overnight as in the olden days. Or as us poor fringe reviewers do for runs so short they have to in order to make it worthwhile. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 18, 2018 16:47:43 GMT
All the Thursday matinee tickets have reappared as available - like magic!
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Post by showgirl on Sept 18, 2018 18:18:41 GMT
Curiouser and curiouser!
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Post by showgirl on Sept 18, 2018 18:21:59 GMT
I've just discovered that one of the main producers is Cornley Polytechnic Dramatic Society. It explains a lot. Of course, if you don't like hip hop, or r and b, and all modern music sounds the same to you, you will never like this Oh crumbs, that stuff isn't even music as far as I'm concerned because I can't hear any melodies. It's the sort of annoying noise attention-seeking young people, usually male, blast from their cars with the windows open. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 18, 2018 20:17:35 GMT
I've just discovered that one of the main producers is Cornley Polytechnic Dramatic Society. It explains a lot. I feel this is an insult to Cornley. They've always managed to finish their shows (even if in a state of chaos)! Thing is, like all shows Cornley Polytechnic have produced, this is another great one. The only thing it's missing is Henry Lewis playing Winston Churchill, as his characterisation as a great big blagger, who is secretly a mummy's boy hanging onto the apron strings for dear life, and being bossed about by Clemmie too, would be much funnier if Lewis played the role. That might actually get me to go & see this show. Having read this thread for the last few weeks, I don't think anything else would! |
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Post by Seriously on Sept 18, 2018 23:54:04 GMT
I'm amazed The Old Vic is allowing the director back!
When she's responsible for the book, the additional music, the lyrics, the choreography and the direction... it's pretty much her fault when it's not ready, and they're handing back money to the public.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2018 0:27:30 GMT
Everything is pure guesswork unless anyone goes on the record here, with attributable comments.
Anyone prepared to put up?
What role have 14-18 played, for example? How much support or otherwise came from the Old Vic? If a company with a strong track record of delivering productions then the logical question is why now? All questions going begging as far as I can see.
Enough axe grinding and ill informed speculation, anyone actually ‘know’ anything?
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Post by zahidf on Sept 19, 2018 6:25:48 GMT
Everything is pure guesswork unless anyone goes on the record here, with attributable comments. Anyone prepared to put up? What role have 14-18 played, for example? How much support or otherwise came from the Old Vic? If a company with a strong track record of delivering productions then the logical question is why now? All questions going begging as far as I can see. Enough axe grinding and ill informed speculation, anyone actually ‘know’ anything? The time put review is the reviewer going on record as to what they were emailed. (Ditto telegraph) |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 19, 2018 9:17:15 GMT
This all sounds like a mess.
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Post by zahidf on Sept 19, 2018 9:27:27 GMT
Everything is pure guesswork unless anyone goes on the record here, with attributable comments. Anyone prepared to put up? What role have 14-18 played, for example? How much support or otherwise came from the Old Vic? If a company with a strong track record of delivering productions then the logical question is why now? All questions going begging as far as I can see. Enough axe grinding and ill informed speculation, anyone actually ‘know’ anything? The time put review is the reviewer going on record as to what they were emailed. (Ditto telegraph) time out review even! |
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Post by Snciole on Sept 19, 2018 9:37:15 GMT
Why are the Old Vic commissioning hip hop dance shows in the first place? As a musical it makes sense but this is not the venue for a dance show. Peacock and Sadlers Wells are perfectly acceptable dance venues?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2018 10:39:04 GMT
Anyone know what format today's performance are taking?
Going this afternoon but not sure worth travelling to London if not getting the staged version....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2018 10:58:06 GMT
Normal performance according to their twitter
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2018 12:01:34 GMT
Normal performance according to their twitter Great, thanks! I shall report back... |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2018 15:35:19 GMT
I shall be at 'Sylvia' tonight (they rescheduled my ticket from one of the cancelled performances) so they'd better have sorted themselves out. But then, I'm not sure what they expected by handing over the reigns to Katie Price. Thank God she's still not married to Peter Andre or else we'd have had to have put up with him in it too.
I've known three Sylvias in my lifetime. None of them were particularly nice. Let's hope tonight changes that.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 19, 2018 16:17:13 GMT
Anyone know what format today's performance are taking?Going this afternoon but not sure worth travelling to London if not getting the staged version.... Said no-one ever, about a musical, until Sylvia came along. |
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