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Post by alicechallice on Nov 17, 2023 13:53:19 GMT
Poll added in anticipation of tonight’s first performance. Do we need a separate spoiler thread for this like we had for Harry Potter? Definitely. |
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Nov 17, 2023 17:15:53 GMT
I’m in tonight, will endeavour to remember all that happens (I groaned loudly when I saw the run time email). Also looking forward to scouting out the merch…
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Post by interval99 on Nov 17, 2023 17:16:31 GMT
Not got tickets for the previews but walking pass the phoenix theatre and the new bar/foyer looks superb and vast improvement to the front. Goes right across the road side and is glass fronted.
They were getting things ready and seems they have the merchandise up and running. Could not see the prices but the list showed t-shirt, adult hoodie, tote bag, keyring, scarf, magnet, beanie hat, bookmark, mugs and your very own plush soft mini toy of a demigorgon.
The souvenir programme caught my eye as looks to be large square booklet and quite a few pages thick certainly looked more than double normal show brochure thickness.
Have a good time anyone seeing it this year and hope you don't get stuck in the otherside forever or ripped apart by a demigorgon. (And that the play is scarier than the tube ride in is likely to be)
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 17, 2023 17:48:23 GMT
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Nov 17, 2023 18:42:48 GMT
First bit of advice: merch lines are enormous, be prepared to queue!!!
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Post by Rory on Nov 17, 2023 18:48:17 GMT
First bit of advice: merch lines are enormous, be prepared to queue!!! Any posters on sale? |
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Nov 17, 2023 18:50:32 GMT
First bit of advice: merch lines are enormous, be prepared to queue!!! Any posters on sale? Not at the downstairs stand I ended up at. But that one wasn’t selling tshirts either! |
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Nov 17, 2023 19:10:35 GMT
Stickers given out for our phone cameras - ‘In 1959 there were no social media spoilers’
(I’ll hold off posting until interval now!!)
Editing this post doesn’t count: we didn’t get let in until gone 20 past, and there was definitely drilling happening at about 5 past!
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19,651 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 17, 2023 19:22:29 GMT
Stickers on phones. Oh dear. I mean, it’s presumably not desperation because they’re not suffering on sales but my god… do not do that. It’s soooo naf.
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Nov 17, 2023 21:18:53 GMT
Non spoilery interval post: holy sh*t. This is going to be very popular with fans. And apparently the Duffer brothers are here?
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Nov 17, 2023 23:33:13 GMT
(Again no spoilers)
That was good! Not sure what non TV fans would get from it but then I’m not sure why you’d go if you didn’t know the series? Cast acting their socks off, especially the younger set. I’m going to try to book to see it again, even with the run time - with the delayed start and a brief hello from the director we got out at 11:10 ish, so when it runs smoothly I think it’ll be around 11.
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Post by theatre2023 on Nov 17, 2023 23:36:28 GMT
For a first preview they’ve done a phenomenal job. Not a technical hitch in sight with some amazing magical moments. But there is a flaw. You need to be a fan of the TV series to ultimately appreciate and understand the show.
For the uninitiated - the plot isn’t enough as a standalone story. For the fan - it’s a faithful prequel to the TV series that will no doubt have them grinning from ear to ear as the back story of Stranger Things unfolds before their very eyes.
However - no matter in which group you find yourself, both are going to leave the theatre somewhat unfulfilled … wishing for a much needed climax which sadly doesn’t materialize.
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Post by crowblack on Nov 17, 2023 23:47:42 GMT
wishing for a much needed climax which sadly doesn’t materialize. Maybe that'll come with the strike-delayed TV season 5? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2023 23:47:44 GMT
that set looks amazing. Like really well done. I wonder what Stephen's direction is like. Saw Billy in NYC and it really was amazing
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Post by theatre2023 on Nov 17, 2023 23:51:08 GMT
that set looks amazing. Like really well done. I wonder what Stephen's direction is like. Saw Billy in NYC and it really was amazing Not to give anything away - but if you’ve followed Stephen’s career there is certainly a nod to one of his past shows in Stranger Things :-) He was at the theatre door as folks were exiting - thanking patrons for coming. He also apologized profusely for the shows delayed start whilst folks were waiting to be let into the venue. He really comes across as a “nice guy” |
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Post by yeahyeahyeahs on Nov 17, 2023 23:53:12 GMT
So what time did it start tonight?
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Nov 17, 2023 23:53:43 GMT
wishing for a much needed climax which sadly doesn’t materialize. Maybe that'll come with the strike-delayed TV season 5? Yeah I’d say it feels like it’s expecting audiences to immediately go home and start watching the series again (it’s me, I’m audiences) but it could do with a bigger onstage bang to finish it up. |
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Nov 17, 2023 23:54:26 GMT
So what time did it start tonight? 7:45 ish. Largely I think because they didn’t open the auditorium until less than ten minutes before it was due to start. |
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Post by Steve on Nov 18, 2023 0:53:24 GMT
For a first preview they’ve done a phenomenal job. Not a technical hitch in sight with some amazing magical moments. But there is a flaw. You need to be a fan of the TV series to ultimately appreciate and understand the show. For the uninitiated - the plot isn’t enough as a standalone story. For the fan - it’s a faithful prequel to the TV series that will no doubt have them grinning from ear to ear as the back story of Stranger Things unfolds before their very eyes. However - no matter in which group you find yourself, both are going to leave the theatre somewhat unfulfilled … wishing for a much needed climax which sadly doesn’t materialize. I agree with the sentiments of this post. When writers respect the canon of their show, as the Duffer Brothers evidently do, there is only so much you can do in a prequel with established characters. Within these restrictions, I can't imagine a more fulfilling prequel for show aficionados, with great special effects, multiple humorous moments and characterisations, and a weighty central drama. Louis McCartney, as Henry Creel, does a phenomenal and nuanced job of carrying a lot of the dramatic weight, while Isabella Pappas, Oscar Lloyd and Christopher Buckley as Joyce Maldonado, James Hopper Jr and Bob Newby, respectively, are very faithful, funny and entertaining in their portrayals of these much loved characters. In supporting roles, Calum Ross's wired Walter Henderson and Max Harwood's goofy Alan Munson are a hoot. The run time was 3 and a half hours (with half an hour being the interval itself, during which Daldry told us a lot has to happen behind the curtain), as predicted above by someone smart, although it may be shorter eventually if the affable and brilliant Stephen Daldry decides to cut some of the fat (though show superfans will be loathe for that to happen, I know lol). For me, an easy 4 stars even at the first preview. I'll say more later in the other thread.  |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 18, 2023 8:46:40 GMT
that set looks amazing. Like really well done. I wonder what Stephen's direction is like. Saw Billy in NYC and it really was amazing Where is a photo of the set? |
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Post by theatre2023 on Nov 18, 2023 8:59:45 GMT
that set looks amazing. Like really well done. I wonder what Stephen's direction is like. Saw Billy in NYC and it really was amazing Where is a photo of the set? Perhaps referencing the production photo that was released yesterday. It doesn’t show set but lots of projection use. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 18, 2023 16:00:47 GMT
I wondered that- but that’s as you say very much all projection and not the set
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Post by james123 on Nov 18, 2023 17:35:07 GMT
V. much looking forward to this. Seeing next week. Never watched the TV series, however. What could I do to best prepare.
If anything. Thanks folks.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Nov 18, 2023 17:42:45 GMT
V. much looking forward to this. Seeing next week. Never watched the TV series, however. What could I do to best prepare. If anything. Thanks folks. Ermmmm maybe binge watch the 34 eps before then |
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Post by Steve on Nov 18, 2023 22:15:54 GMT
V. much looking forward to this. Seeing next week. Never watched the TV series, however. What could I do to best prepare. If anything. Thanks folks. The best thing to do is to watch the show, as suggested, as the production really will be difficult to appreciate without knowing the show. If you don't have the time, on YouTube, the "Man of Recaps" channel recaps the whole show in three wonderful humorous videos. He really is the best recapper in the business, as he never misses an important plot point and he's very funny. Typically you'd watch that channel to remind yourself what you've already seen, but in your case, if needs must lol.  |
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