364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Nov 29, 2023 12:21:49 GMT
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 2, 2023 14:52:41 GMT
What an absolutely fantastic show. At the interval and it is superb. Can't wait for the second half - high energy, insanely talented kids.
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111 posts
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Post by theatregod on Dec 2, 2023 16:57:40 GMT
You feel like you are in the action - Leeds playhouse has done it again, with their brilliant creative time.
Orchestra superb - all live, Jenny - out of this world when she sings.
5stars!….
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19,657 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 2, 2023 17:28:53 GMT
I saw a quote by one of the creatives saying something about every seat feeling like it’s at the centre of the action. I’m assuming this is just because it’s in the round, or is it because the cast going out into the audience or something?
Poll added.
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5,795 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 2, 2023 20:17:50 GMT
Very surprised they’ve been allowed to do this when Chichester and Cam Mack are staging it next summer.. !
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 2, 2023 21:42:26 GMT
An easy five stars from me. What a SUPERB production! I drove a 460 mile round trip to see this and would do it again tomorrow. I can't think of any weak spots - an absolute joy. Dark, brooding, spilling into tsunami waves of ensemble joy. High energy, some of the most talented kids you'll ever see on a stage. Steve Furst has made some brave character choices which are rewarded - probably the best Fagin I've seen. Doesn't play for laughs (though they happen), avoids the usual clichés and brings shape, definition and depth to the role. And plays the violin beautifully too. So many superb performances in this show and a brutally scary Bill Sykes - refreshing to see a show where they don't dilute the gritty bits and certainly don't pull punches. I didn't think the Sam Mendes Palladium version could be bettered... well, it might have a challenger in this production. Go and see it!
EDIT: just had an afterthought... The genius of Lionel Bart really shines through in this show and made me contemplate why so much mediocre rubbish like "The Witches" makes it to the stage. Going through the song list in the programme with my daughters was literally like reading a "greatest stage hits" compilation list. Lionel Bart, whilst departed, can 'consider himself' immortalised by this show.
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 2, 2023 21:43:25 GMT
Very surprised they’ve been allowed to do this when Chichester and Cam Mack are staging it next summer.. ! Chichester will need to be REALLY good to match this production. |
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 2, 2023 21:44:43 GMT
I saw a quote by one of the creatives saying something about every seat feeling like it’s at the centre of the action. I’m assuming this is just because it’s in the round, or is it because the cast going out into the audience or something? Poll added. Both - it's in the round and the cast use every bit of space going. If you're front row, mind your feet and stay alert! |
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Post by venoose on Dec 3, 2023 8:32:54 GMT
I saw the matinee performance yesterday and I’m still processing the whole thing. What an absolutely amazing, atmospheric, energetic and fresh production this is!
I really hope everyone can make the journey to Leeds and see this, you won’t regret it.
Oh and Jenny Fitzpatrick is a star. She had me sobbing three times.
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 3, 2023 11:11:45 GMT
I saw the matinee performance yesterday and I’m still processing the whole thing. What an absolutely amazing, atmospheric, energetic and fresh production this is! I really hope everyone can make the journey to Leeds and see this, you won’t regret it. Oh and Jenny Fitzpatrick is a star. She had me sobbing three times. Me too - that moment after Bill hit her before "As Long As He Needs Me". Her quivering bottom lip and jaw - I really felt her pain. And the way she looked at him in his song "My Name". Like she absolutely adored him. She took the roof off with her performance yesterday - a pitch perfect and brilliant Nancy. |
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Post by backtothetheatre on Dec 4, 2023 13:21:29 GMT
I’ve read that this is immersive. Is there audience interaction or is it more like Newsies?
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 4, 2023 17:16:39 GMT
I’ve read that this is immersive. Is there audience interaction or is it more like Newsies? It's in the round and spills into audience spaces. No audience interaction but if you're in the front row then there's quite a bit of dashing about in chase scenes. |
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111 posts
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Post by theatregod on Dec 7, 2023 10:23:31 GMT
5 stars reviews
I wonder if this will extend or transfer/tour
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4,955 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 7, 2023 10:36:11 GMT
I regret not booking for this. Looks different to the twee version that CM bungs around.
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 7, 2023 23:22:43 GMT
I regret not booking for this. Looks different to the twee version that CM bungs around. It's a really great production - well worth seeing. |
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1,819 posts
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Post by stevej678 on Dec 10, 2023 10:24:46 GMT
Saw this yesterday evening as part of a two-show day in Leeds and it's truly spectacular.
Frankie Hart was playing Nancy, having made her debut as 1st cover for the role the previous evening. She was brilliant and brought the house down with her As Long As He Needs Me. It looked like she was taking in and soaking up every moment of the rapturous standing ovation the cast received at the bows. Rachel Clare Chan was covering Bet and Martha Pothen as Mrs Sowerby.
The atmospheric scaffolded set, how they bring the action out into the auditorium (Newsies style), the characterisation and portrayals of Fagin and Bill Sykes, the infectious energy of the company, the breathtaking choreography, the sense of danger and menace that hangs in the darkness... The execution of every aspect of this outstanding production is simply flawless. I'd Do Anything and Consider Yourself are standout moments but the staging of Who Will Buy makes that a highlight too. This is an Oliver reimagined and like no other.
And where to begin with the talent they've unearthed for the principal child roles and throughout the diverse young ensemble? Felix Holt in particular is a revelation as Dodger.
All in all, this was a day of two very different but equally outstanding shows. If anyone is heading to Leeds in the.coming weeks, I can 100% recommend making a day of it and seeing both Oliver and the equally outstanding Robin Hood: The Rock and Roll Panto at City Varieties Music Hall, around 10 minutes walk from Leeds Playhouse. Both shows have been receiving five-star reviews and the hype is real!
Surely this production is going to have a future life? It's hard to imagine how any other version of Oliver planned for the West End or elsewhere could live up to this. It's a thrilling, exhilarating, heart wrenching triumph for Leeds Playhouse. Let's hope Cameron Mackintosh is reviewing the situation and ready to do anything to bring it to London or on the road. If not, I'd do whatever it takes - even pick a pocket or two - in order to see this in Leeds.
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490 posts
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Post by bimse on Dec 10, 2023 11:40:52 GMT
This is a spectacular and atmospheric production, and although I initially had reservations , it really suits the “in the round” production, which I doubt could be replicated elsewhere. Superb and engaging performances all round, but Chris Bennett and Jenny Fitzpatrick are easily the finest Bill Sykes and Nancy I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a few. I might have to return just to see them again.
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19,657 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 10, 2023 11:44:03 GMT
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe originated at Leeds Playhouse and was originally in the round but has toured in different configurations since. Maybe there’s a tour in Oliver! although if the rumour about a CFT production next year subsequently transferring is true then maybe not.
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111 posts
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Post by theatregod on Dec 10, 2023 17:37:16 GMT
This version has to be mounted into Chichester and then find a theatre in London for a few years. It’s a brilliant production!!
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1,442 posts
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Post by theatrefan62 on Dec 10, 2023 18:43:43 GMT
This version has to be mounted into Chichester and then find a theatre in London for a few years. It’s a brilliant production!! It does seem a bit awkward that this production is getting such raves, but its another production that already has a transfer planned. I'm surprised Cameron allowed two productions in the same 12 month period |
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1,819 posts
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Post by stevej678 on Dec 13, 2023 17:04:16 GMT
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Post by damaskanddark on Dec 13, 2023 17:48:09 GMT
Jesus, if they're hoping that trailer will entice people to see the show... It looks awful.
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2023 23:51:08 GMT
Jesus, if they're hoping that trailer will entice people to see the show... It looks awful. Terrible trailer for a brilliant production. |
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4,955 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 15, 2023 11:02:59 GMT
Not the best trailer but interesting that one of the kids knocks Olivers bowl onto the floor and so he asks for more. I've never seen that before
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34 posts
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Post by wanderingranger on Dec 22, 2023 9:00:58 GMT
Last minute booking tonight. Can’t anybody advise what the view is like from CC29 - CC31?
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