|
|
Post by cjguk on Dec 13, 2023 18:47:33 GMT
I struggle to see how anyone could rate this 1 or 2 stars. Even if you hated the concept, if you were being totally honest with yourself, you couldn’t deny the magnificent orchestra, the flawless vocals of all of the leads and just the care that this has been constructed with. You’d be looking from 3 stars upwards surely? I gave it 2 stars and was being totally honest, not sure why you would struggle to accept someone elses opinion just because it doesn't suit what you think. Whilst the orchestra was good, I didn't enjoy the concept (just my opinion) and the vocals certainly weren't flawless on the night I saw it, in fact someone were downright bad. I wanted to like it but didn't and not everyone would rate what I think as a 5 star production in the same way as I do |
|
|
|
Post by danb on Dec 13, 2023 18:54:36 GMT
I struggle to see how anyone could rate this 1 or 2 stars. Even if you hated the concept, if you were being totally honest with yourself, you couldn’t deny the magnificent orchestra, the flawless vocals of all of the leads and just the care that this has been constructed with. You’d be looking from 3 stars upwards surely? I gave it 2 stars and was being totally honest, not sure why you would struggle to accept someone elses opinion just because it doesn't suit what you think. Whilst the orchestra was good, I didn't enjoy the concept (just my opinion) and the vocals certainly weren't flawless on the night I saw it, in fact someone were downright bad. I wanted to like it but didn't and not everyone would rate what I think as a 5 star production in the same way as I do I’m sorry that you feel personally attacked. |
|
1,970 posts
|
Post by sf on Dec 13, 2023 19:02:31 GMT
I struggle to see how anyone could rate this 1 or 2 stars. Even if you hated the concept, if you were being totally honest with yourself, you couldn’t deny the magnificent orchestra, the flawless vocals of all of the leads and just the care that this has been constructed with. You’d be looking from 3 stars upwards surely? "Magnificent orchestra"? They play very well. The sound design is excellent. The score leans heavily into a sound and a style that depends on a large, lush string section; there are two, sometimes three violins in place of seven in the band in the original production, and seven violins playing together produce a sound that you cannot recreate with just two or three. It sounds like what it is: a cut-down orchestra in which the strings are bolstered by synthesised string pads played on the keyboards. For what it is, there have been plenty worse, but it is not magnificent. |
|
1,396 posts
|
Post by BVM on Dec 13, 2023 19:03:49 GMT
Three categories of one star givers IMHO:
- people who genuinely thought it was terrible
- people who were unable (whether open or closed minded) to go with it’s departure from the original
- the really unusual people who give one star early doors without even seeing it to make a misguided point and try and influence the trajectory of the debate
I do think there is a separate debate to be had on what a one star review means though. Does it mean it was a heinously terrible evening of unabated misery and you wish you’d never been. Or does it just mean one was totally unmoved and left feeling nothing very much, but one wasn’t offended and it was still kinda worth leaving the house.
IDK 🤷🏻♂️
|
|
|
|
Post by danb on Dec 13, 2023 19:50:08 GMT
There are actually 4. You’re missing ‘musicians with an axe to grind’.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2023 19:59:25 GMT
I don't think I've ever seen a show that was deeply, truly worthy of 1*. Even shows I've walked out not being a fan of still all have enough merit and SOMETHING going for them.
|
|
1,970 posts
|
Post by sf on Dec 13, 2023 20:18:25 GMT
There are actually 4. You’re missing ‘musicians with an axe to grind’. Two violins One viola One musician doubling violin/viola. That's not enough to provide the sound the score requires without electronic assistance. |
|
5,150 posts
|
Post by Being Alive on Dec 13, 2023 20:19:17 GMT
I don't think I've ever seen a show that was deeply, truly worthy of 1*. Even shows I've walked out not being a fan of still all have enough merit and SOMETHING going for them. I would recommend Mates In Chelsea at the Royal Court if you want to see something that is 1 star 😂 |
|
|
|
Post by underratedvocalist on Dec 13, 2023 20:46:21 GMT
Where did all these haters suddenly come from? Sure, some people have not liked it, but y'all popped up real fast lol
|
|
8,109 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Dec 13, 2023 21:13:05 GMT
Where did all these haters suddenly come from? Sure, some people have not liked it, but y'all popped up real fast lol And most of them have probably not even seen it. I know there were a couple of 1 stars when it first opened and yet they didn't feel the need to share why they gave it 1 star. |
|
|
|
Post by danb on Dec 13, 2023 22:02:37 GMT
I get musicians being disgruntled at their work being taken away by machines; it’s a valid grievance. I thought it sounded ghastly in ‘Cinderella’, like the music from a fairground carousel on a wonky speed setting…but it was barely noticeable to me in ‘Sunset’ due in part to the string laden score. Whilst it sounded great at the ENO, it’s a huge room and wasn’t always loud enough for me. But sound-wise, this was everything I wanted.
|
|
|
|
Post by marob on Dec 14, 2023 0:08:11 GMT
Really enjoyed this tonight. Took me a little while to warm to it, and I think it definitely helped that I’d seen the ENO and Curve productions. Would probably have been a bit lost otherwise like I was at the stripped-back JCS.
Nicole Scherzinger was really good, a very different Norma, kinda sending herself up at the start, but I thought she was pretty good as it went on and got darker, so that by she’s smearing herself in blood it’s quite chilling.
I saw Tom Francis when the Hope Mill Rent was online, and live in the ensemble of What’s New Pussycat? (That show had such a great cast!) Was disappointed not to be able to see him takeover Romeo in & Juliet but seeing him in this was definitely worth the wait. Will be looking forward to whatever he does next.
I’ve read people raving about the start of act 2 on here for the past few months and thought it doesn’t sound like that big a deal once you know what’s coming. I was wrong. Far more elaborate than I was expecting, with a hell of a lot of steps to navigate, especially while singing. Seriously impressive. And as I was sat next to the doors it was weirdly thrilling when he heads down the stairs to the stalls. You’d think I’d never seen an actor go through the audience before lol.
|
|
19,677 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 14, 2023 6:06:53 GMT
And as I was sat next to the doors it was weirdly thrilling when he heads down the stairs to the stalls. You’d think I’d never seen an actor go through the audience before lol. Same. The doors opened and I was like “Oh my god he’s actually there” as if I’d not just watched him descending the stairs I’d come down myself. Just to add, the carpets in the Savoy were filthy. I mean seriously dirty especially on that stairway down to the stalls. Would it kill them to get the Bissell out? |
|
3,430 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2023 6:22:34 GMT
People who give this show 1 or 2 stars probably also overload food with salt before they've taken the first mouthful.
|
|
653 posts
|
Post by ptwest on Dec 14, 2023 7:05:24 GMT
I saw this back in September when it was still in previews so things may have slightly changed since I saw it but I honestly found this one of the hardest shows to rate ( other than Bat Out Of Hell which was a straight choice between deciding if it was genius or the most appalling thing I’d ever seen) . The cast: easily worth 5 stars, Nicole worth the price of admission on her own! . How it sounded, easily worth 5 stars, how it looked including the video and the showpiece moments , easily worth 5 stars. And yet, for me the elements of the cast, the set and the directorial choices didn’t fully gel, I found myself being taken out of the world of Sunset Boulevard rather than immersed in it. It all felt a bit jarring. So I came out feeling a little bewildered. I knew what I’d seen was brilliant so why didn’t I enjoy it more? Probably if I’m being honest with myself what would have made me happy would have been this cast using something similar to the original staging, although I got past that with the very stripped back Coliseum version. I guess what I’m saying is I can see why the majority of people on here are raving about it and im delighted that it’s become so successful as the cast and team deserve it to be, but for me it didn’t quite hit the mark.
|
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Dec 14, 2023 7:06:20 GMT
I struggle to see how anyone could rate this 1 or 2 stars. Even if you hated the concept, if you were being totally honest with yourself, you couldn’t deny the magnificent orchestra, the flawless vocals of all of the leads and just the care that this has been constructed with. You’d be looking from 3 stars upwards surely? I gave it 2 stars. I hated the concept, the meta jokes, the costumes and the staging. I liked some of the cast and the Act II opener, hence raising it to 2 stars. Having seen about six of his productions, I can safely say Lloyd’s style is not for me. I enjoyed Piaf in 2008, when his schtick was new to me, but everything I’ve seen since has been the same in style, choices, look, moments. I love Sunset Boulevard you see. If this had been a new piece with some of the use of technology and strong performances in a more fitting context, I probably would’ve enjoyed it. But this stripped the meaning of the piece, and turned it into “A Jamie Lloyd Production”. A fact he proudly shows in the “opening credits”. Let the staging service the material. I don’t go for these auteur directors (Lloyd, Van Hove) because see one and you’ve seen them all. This is why I gave it 2 stars and I stand by my opinion. |
|
1,396 posts
|
Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 7:13:14 GMT
Where did all these haters suddenly come from? Sure, some people have not liked it, but y'all popped up real fast lol And most of them have probably not even seen it. I know there were a couple of 1 stars when it first opened and yet they didn't feel the need to share why they gave it 1 star. Exactly this. People saying it’s gonna be terrible before first preview then 1 star ratings mysteriously appearing within seconds of opening. Same kind of people as the haters who conveniently eavesdrop and “overhear several” other patrons at a show agreeing with their turkey diagnosis. The BS/fantacism is obvious to most a mile away…. |
|
1,396 posts
|
Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 7:16:31 GMT
And as I was sat next to the doors it was weirdly thrilling when he heads down the stairs to the stalls. You’d think I’d never seen an actor go through the audience before lol. Same. The doors opened and I was like “Oh my god he’s actually there” as if I’d not just watched him descending the stairs I’d come down myself. Just to add, the carpets in the Savoy were filthy. I mean seriously dirty especially on that stairway down to the stalls. Would it kill them to get the Bissell out? God don’t even get me started about the carpets and ATG carpets in general. Went New Wimbledon to see that Great Women thing a couple of weeks ago and the carpets were probably harbouring the next global pandemic. Vile. Piccadilly also had next level disgrace carpets before Moulin Rouge when they were finally cleaned or replaced. Though no doubt they’ve deteriorated again! |
|
1,396 posts
|
Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 7:19:49 GMT
I get musicians being disgruntled at their work being taken away by machines; it’s a valid grievance. I thought it sounded ghastly in ‘Cinderella’, like the music from a fairground carousel on a wonky speed setting…but it was barely noticeable to me in ‘Sunset’ due in part to the string laden score. Whilst it sounded great at the ENO, it’s a huge room and wasn’t always loud enough for me. But sound-wise, this was everything I wanted. I think this. I also fully get musicians being disgruntled (like seriously why wouldn’t you be) but synthesised backing strings (with solo real violin/viola on top) are SO good now that 95% people can’t tell and in the other 5% many (including me) love the sound. ENO orchestra 4 times bigger but overall in there it sounded worse. Size really isn’t everything in MT orchestration and sound. How many were there in The Adelphi pit?! |
|
3,430 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2023 7:20:23 GMT
Same. The doors opened and I was like “Oh my god he’s actually there” as if I’d not just watched him descending the stairs I’d come down myself. Just to add, the carpets in the Savoy were filthy. I mean seriously dirty especially on that stairway down to the stalls. Would it kill them to get the Bissell out? God don’t even get me started about the carpets and ATG carpets in general. Went New Wimbledon to see that Great Women thing a couple of weeks ago and the carpets were probably harbouring the next global pandemic. Vile. Piccadilly also had next level disgrace carpets before Moulin Rouge when they were finally cleaned or replaced. Though no doubt they’ve deteriorated again! Agree - the New Wimbledon is a beautiful but filthy theatre. |
|
1,396 posts
|
Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 7:22:16 GMT
I saw this back in September when it was still in previews so things may have slightly changed since I saw it but I honestly found this one of the hardest shows to rate ( other than Bat Out Of Hell which was a straight choice between deciding if it was genius or the most appalling thing I’d ever seen) . The cast: easily worth 5 stars, Nicole worth the price of admission on her own! . How it sounded, easily worth 5 stars, how it looked including the video and the showpiece moments , easily worth 5 stars. And yet, for me the elements of the cast, the set and the directorial choices didn’t fully gel, I found myself being taken out of the world of Sunset Boulevard rather than immersed in it. It all felt a bit jarring. So I came out feeling a little bewildered. I knew what I’d seen was brilliant so why didn’t I enjoy it more? Probably if I’m being honest with myself what would have made me happy would have been this cast using something similar to the original staging, although I got past that with the very stripped back Coliseum version. I guess what I’m saying is I can see why the majority of people on here are raving about it and im delighted that it’s become so successful as the cast and team deserve it to be, but for me it didn’t quite hit the mark. And I think everyone would totally get this! What does that come out as a star rating though?! |
|
1,396 posts
|
Post by BVM on Dec 14, 2023 7:23:38 GMT
You can add cleanliness to reasons I love The Curve! Considerably less money than ATG yet 100% cleaner!
|
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Dec 14, 2023 7:27:09 GMT
I get musicians being disgruntled at their work being taken away by machines; it’s a valid grievance. I thought it sounded ghastly in ‘Cinderella’, like the music from a fairground carousel on a wonky speed setting…but it was barely noticeable to me in ‘Sunset’ due in part to the string laden score. Whilst it sounded great at the ENO, it’s a huge room and wasn’t always loud enough for me. But sound-wise, this was everything I wanted. I think this. I also fully get musicians being disgruntled (like seriously why wouldn’t you be) but synthesised backing strings (with solo real violin/viola on top) are SO good now that 95% people can’t tell and in the other 5% many (including me) love the sound. ENO orchestra 4 times bigger but overall in there it sounded worse. Size really isn’t everything in MT orchestration and sound. How many were there in The Adelphi pit?! 24 in the orchestra. I thought the orchestra sounded decent at the Savoy production. The smaller pit band was the least of my concerns. Disagree on the above poster describing the vocals as “flawless” though. They certainly weren’t at the performance I attended last month. Betty struggled, as did Artie and several supporting characters. Leads were all good though. |
|
1,997 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Dec 14, 2023 8:32:23 GMT
Agree that the guy playing Artie was very average in all aspects.
|
|
1,471 posts
|
Post by mkb on Dec 14, 2023 9:51:41 GMT
People who give this show 1 or 2 stars probably also overload food with salt before they've taken the first mouthful. ...Same kind of people as the haters who conveniently eavesdrop and “overhear several” other patrons at a show agreeing with their turkey diagnosis. The BS/fantacism is obvious to most a mile away…. There seems to be obsession with some people in trying to prove the greatness of this show that now extends to trying to denigrate or deny that others did not enjoy it or thought it poor. The first of the comments above is just an unpleasant attack, no more. There was a similar thing happening in reverse with Cinderella when some posters could not accept that some of us genuinely loved it. Surely it's not hard to understand that people have different tastes and interests? |
|
