Sunset Boulevard – Savoy Theatre 2023/24

[happysooz2]

Dec 14, 2023 7:05:24 GMT ptwest said:

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.

Great post. ‘I can see why people like this but it just wasn’t for me’ is an underrated and very nuanced position. 100% here for it.

[theatregoer22]

Dec 14, 2023 17:21:37 GMT andrew said:

I want to go back for a second watch but it's just too expensive. Got a great deal the first time round and couldn't bear spending £200 on a seat that's worse. I'm just completely jealous of everyone who seems to have been 6-10 times over the run!

I'd imagine it's probably fairly competitive, but you could try the TodayTix Lottery.

[happysooz2]

Dec 14, 2023 23:06:06 GMT theatregoer22 said:

Dec 14, 2023 17:21:37 GMT andrew said:

I want to go back for a second watch but it's just too expensive. Got a great deal the first time round and couldn't bear spending £200 on a seat that's worse. I'm just completely jealous of everyone who seems to have been 6-10 times over the run!

I'd imagine it's probably fairly competitive, but you could try the TodayTix Lottery.

I’ve tried every single week since week one. But I’m going for two seats so you might have more luck trying for a single. Not sure if many/any on the board have been successful with this. I’m desperate to see it again and may just need to bite the bullet.

[iamluisfelipe]

Few days late but Nicole spoke about the cast recording and the transfer

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001svqp (It starts at 01:04:07)

She also praised Rachel Tucker and the rest of the cast.

[chernjam]

Dec 15, 2023 0:41:02 GMT iamluisfelipe said:

Few days late but Nicole spoke about the cast recording and the transfer

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001svqp (It starts at 01:04:07)

She also praised Rachel Tucker and the rest of the cast.

Thanks for sharing this - I really enjoyed hearing the interview in full.  Really want a definitive yes (and when) the cast recording will be coming and when this is coming to NY

It's amazing too, closing out the interview with the BS version of With One Look. It was the only album of hers I've ever purchased (Back to Broadway) which was released on the day Sunset was originally having its world premiere June 29th (which got pushed back till July 12 because of the set problems)  Back in 1993 that was my first hearing of anything from Sunset and I must've listened to those two tracks hundreds of times waiting for the score

[jm25]

In fairness, I went into this having never liked any of Jamie Lloyd’s work. In fact I think it’d be fair to say I’d actively disliked every production of his I’d seen - on both sides of the Atlantic.

But I booked this because I think Nicole is fantastically talented and I’m a fan of ALW’s work. And I’ll try most shows at least once to give them the benefit of the doubt.

It just so happened that this ended up being one of the best (if not the best) things I’ve ever seen on stage. If it had been just Jamie Lloyd’s attached then I might not have booked (though even then, the £20 Spotlight tickets would have been to pass by). But the point is there can be any number of reasons why people might book to see a show they might not necessarily like on paper. If they give it a fair shot and still don’t like it, fair enough - it doesn’t diminish how much I enjoy it; and at least their opinion is based on having seen the show and not just hearsay or preconceptions.

[danb]

I went into it thinking I would loathe it. ‘Sunset’ to me was all about opulence and over-indulgence, both on and off stage. I went to hear Nicole sing it and the positive comments about the sound design. I left absolutely gob-smacked that so little could be directed to look so good. I hadn’t seen any Lloyd so wasn’t aware of his reliance on the same techniques. The bitterness that has been attached to JL directing this how he directs everything seems a little hysterical to me.

“This sprout tastes like sprouts”

“Yes, its a sprout”

“But I don’t like sprouts”

“Why did you eat it then?”

“In case it didn’t taste like a sprout”

“But you knew it would taste like a sprout…you chose to eat it knowing that. Why are you criticising a sprout for tasting like itself? You knew what you were putting in your mouth?”

(Festive analogy…yay me!)

[viserys]

I'm generally a Jamie Lloyd hater myself, I was properly angry at his ridiculous Seagull and had sworn to not ever see a production by him again. But then I read so many comments here along the lines of "I normally don't like Jamie Lloyd, but.... (this was great/amazing/etc)" that I decided to give it a try after all.

So I think it IS fair to say that you might try the sprouts again despite knowing you generally don't like them, because someone might have changed the recipe a little or came up with a different way to prepare them (to stay with the analogy) and then come back and say "nope, still didn't work for me".

What I don't understand is why people who didn't like a certain show a) need to keep repeating how much they disliked it (we get it the first time round) and b) feel the need to back their opinion up by bringing up friends who agreed with them. Whether these friends are real or imaginary doesn't even matter, I just don't know what it's supposed to achieve. A parity of numbers, so it's not my one negative opinion versus ten positive opinions here but rather eleven negative opinions of me and my possibly imaginary friends to outweigh the ten positives?

[ceebee]

Dec 15, 2023 8:29:28 GMT viserys said:

I'm generally a Jamie Lloyd hater myself, I was properly angry at his ridiculous Seagull and had sworn to not ever see a production by him again. But then I read so many comments here along the lines of "I normally don't like Jamie Lloyd, but.... (this was great/amazing/etc)" that I decided to give it a try after all.

So I think it IS fair to say that you might try the sprouts again despite knowing you generally don't like them, because someone might have changed the recipe a little or came up with a different way to prepare them (to stay with the analogy) and then come back and say "nope, still didn't work for me".

What I don't understand is why people who didn't like a certain show a) need to keep repeating how much they disliked it (we get it the first time round) and b) feel the need to back their opinion up by bringing up friends who agreed with them. Whether these friends are real or imaginary doesn't even matter, I just don't know what it's supposed to achieve. A parity of numbers, so it's not my one negative opinion versus ten positive opinions here but rather eleven negative opinions of me and my possibly imaginary friends to outweigh the ten positives?

100% this.  It's like some people feel if they bang on enough about how they feel, it somehow validates their opinion more.  Perhaps they are actually the sprouts.

[danb]

Dec 15, 2023 8:29:28 GMT viserys said:

I'm generally a Jamie Lloyd hater myself, I was properly angry at his ridiculous Seagull and had sworn to not ever see a production by him again. But then I read so many comments here along the lines of "I normally don't like Jamie Lloyd, but.... (this was great/amazing/etc)" that I decided to give it a try after all.

So I think it IS fair to say that you might try the sprouts again despite knowing you generally don't like them, because someone might have changed the recipe a little or came up with a different way to prepare them (to stay with the analogy) and then come back and say "nope, still didn't work for me".

What I don't understand is why people who didn't like a certain show a) need to keep repeating how much they disliked it (we get it the first time round) and b) feel the need to back their opinion up by bringing up friends who agreed with them. Whether these friends are real or imaginary doesn't even matter, I just don't know what it's supposed to achieve. A parity of numbers, so it's not my one negative opinion versus ten positive opinions here but rather eleven negative opinions of me and my possibly imaginary friends to outweigh the ten positives?

Which takes me back to my original post about the 1 & 2 star reviews. If you’ve already written your review in your head before seeing it it’s just an essay, not a review. If your overwhelming need to punish ‘x’ show despite numerous individual elements being 5 stars within it, it isn’t an honest review, it’s a hatchet job. If you can honestly review each element of the show and only come up with 1 or 2 that you like it is a fair & honest assessment. If you review a show based on your initial ‘feel’ after 90 seconds and it not meeting your own expectations that’s on you surely?

The pair of middle aged gentlemen sat next to me ran through a whole host of emotions that they felt the need to express to each other loudly, from initial disgust, it being weird, to silence, then their rapt undivided acceptance from ‘With One Look’ onwards. I couldn’t shut them up in the interval. They had expectations, which they had the emotional intelligence to manage as the show went on leading to them being blown away by the end. They could just as well not have done and disappeared at the interval; several did. I was just heartened to see their journey and the way they let themselves be drawn in.

[danb]

Dec 15, 2023 8:29:28 GMT viserys said:

I'm generally a Jamie Lloyd hater myself, I was properly angry at his ridiculous Seagull and had sworn to not ever see a production by him again. But then I read so many comments here along the lines of "I normally don't like Jamie Lloyd, but.... (this was great/amazing/etc)" that I decided to give it a try after all.

So I think it IS fair to say that you might try the sprouts again despite knowing you generally don't like them, because someone might have changed the recipe a little or came up with a different way to prepare them (to stay with the analogy) and then come back and say "nope, still didn't work for me".

What I don't understand is why people who didn't like a certain show a) need to keep repeating how much they disliked it (we get it the first time round) and b) feel the need to back their opinion up by bringing up friends who agreed with them. Whether these friends are real or imaginary doesn't even matter, I just don't know what it's supposed to achieve. A parity of numbers, so it's not my one negative opinion versus ten positive opinions here but rather eleven negative opinions of me and my possibly imaginary friends to outweigh the ten positives?

Exactly! But they still have to try them. They also need to recognise that just because somebody has tossed them in a beurre blanc with pancetta & chestnuts, they are still sprouts and they willingly take the chance that they’ll still hate them 🤣

[viserys]

That sounds delicious  

[ceebee]

Sprouts, pancetta, beurre blanc. Yum. A good combo. Like scallops, chorizo and cauliflower puree.

[jm25]

Veering off topic (or back on topic? 😂), I wonder if they are still tweaking the mechanics of how the Act 2 opener is shot.

I was at the show last night and noticed that the camera frame rate seemed to increase around when Tom walked through the doors of the foyer. It gave a motion smoothing sort of effect and made the camera movement feel much faster, especially as they headed down the stairs. I noticed it at my last visit a couple of weeks ago too. I certainly don’t recall the camera movements feeling quite so fast in earlier visits but I’m far from an expert on these things and am not sure if I’m imagining it!

Obviously it’s not a major change either way but I’m just so impressed with that whole sequence and am intrigued by the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it.

[normasturban]

Consider me one of the people that was rolling my eyes when this was announced, prepared to hate it and was promptly silenced by the time Rachel Tucker sang With One Look and never looked back.

I’ve seen it four times since.

[danb]

That would be the best way to ensure he always hit his mark on time. If you have slack to fill/or are late, changing the frame rate would enable you to hang back/catch up without it being too noticeable.

[JustJ]

OMG OMG OMG
I saw this last night. INCREDIBLE.
I would rush back to see this again but the lack of availability and dynamic pricing on what is left steers me away.
It is such a shame it is so limited here in London, but I am certain this is not the last we have seen of it.

My only gripes with the production was the ensembles costuming... don't ask me why, it just took away from the 'slick-ness' of it all.

I am already thinking which 'name' could take over from Nicole for a return of this production. Lady Gaga, yes please!

[ceebee]

Dec 15, 2023 11:37:28 GMT jm25 said:

Veering off topic (or back on topic? 😂), I wonder if they are still tweaking the mechanics of how the Act 2 opener is shot.

I was at the show last night and noticed that the camera frame rate seemed to increase around when Tom walked through the doors of the foyer. It gave a motion smoothing sort of effect and made the camera movement feel much faster, especially as they headed down the stairs. I noticed it at my last visit a couple of weeks ago too. I certainly don’t recall the camera movements feeling quite so fast in earlier visits but I’m far from an expert on these things and am not sure if I’m imagining it!

Obviously it’s not a major change either way but I’m just so impressed with that whole sequence and am intrigued by the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it.

Isn't this more likely to be either gimbal stabilising or a latency correction between video and audio?

[ceebee]

Dec 15, 2023 12:15:24 GMT JustJ said:

OMG OMG OMG
I saw this last night. INCREDIBLE.
I would rush back to see this again but the lack of availability and dynamic pricing on what is left steers me away.
It is such a shame it is so limited here in London, but I am certain this is not the last we have seen of it.

My only gripes with the production was the ensembles costuming... don't ask me why, it just took away from the 'slick-ness' of it all.

I am already thinking which 'name' could take over from Nicole for a return of this production. Lady Gaga, yes please!

Hurrah! You like sprouts too!

[jm25]

Dec 15, 2023 12:04:35 GMT danb said:

That would be the best way to ensure he always hit his mark on time. If you have slack to fill/or are late changing the frame rate would enable you to hang back/catch up without it being too noticeable.

Interesting! Glad I wasn’t imagining it. The last two times I’ve been it has been exceptionally busy outside (Tom was practically weaving in between people as he was going up the steps by the pub last night) so that would make sense.

[jm25]

Dec 15, 2023 12:15:24 GMT JustJ said:

OMG OMG OMG
I saw this last night. INCREDIBLE.
I would rush back to see this again but the lack of availability and dynamic pricing on what is left steers me away.
It is such a shame it is so limited here in London, but I am certain this is not the last we have seen of it.

My only gripes with the production was the ensembles costuming... don't ask me why, it just took away from the 'slick-ness' of it all.

I am already thinking which 'name' could take over from Nicole for a return of this production. Lady Gaga, yes please!

Lady Gaga would be such a fantastic choice. Doubt it’d ever happen but she’s a big fan of musical theatre so we can dream!

[jm25]

Dec 15, 2023 12:22:48 GMT ceebee said:

Dec 15, 2023 11:37:28 GMT jm25 said:

Veering off topic (or back on topic? 😂), I wonder if they are still tweaking the mechanics of how the Act 2 opener is shot.

I was at the show last night and noticed that the camera frame rate seemed to increase around when Tom walked through the doors of the foyer. It gave a motion smoothing sort of effect and made the camera movement feel much faster, especially as they headed down the stairs. I noticed it at my last visit a couple of weeks ago too. I certainly don’t recall the camera movements feeling quite so fast in earlier visits but I’m far from an expert on these things and am not sure if I’m imagining it!

Obviously it’s not a major change either way but I’m just so impressed with that whole sequence and am intrigued by the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it.

Isn't this more likely to be either gimbal stabilising or a latency correction between video and audio?

I don’t think it was to do with stabilisation as there was definitely a “speed” effect, but the latency correction would make sense.

Amazing how much work and planning is involved in just that one sequence.

[ThereWillBeSun]

Dec 15, 2023 12:15:24 GMT JustJ said:

OMG OMG OMG
I saw this last night. INCREDIBLE.
I would rush back to see this again but the lack of availability and dynamic pricing on what is left steers me away.
It is such a shame it is so limited here in London, but I am certain this is not the last we have seen of it.

My only gripes with the production was the ensembles costuming... don't ask me why, it just took away from the 'slick-ness' of it all.

I am already thinking which 'name' could take over from Nicole for a return of this production. Lady Gaga, yes please!

I think; if I was to critique anything it would be their costuming...

One cast member had an Apple Watch 😅 I understand Norma's costume - the interview someone kindly linked said it's a classic, simple piece but with extravagant material (looking wet / sheer onstage)

I forgot to mention the young Norma - I loved that concept.

I'm still thinking about this show so for me - I think this was my show of 2023. I loved the filming aspect made Norma look manic as the show progressed and you could see how heartbroken Betty and Joe's friend were.

Jamie Lloyd is a bit hit and miss, I wasn't blown away by The Seagull but that was my first play I had watched.

This, was my favourite production by far. It's so interesting seeing different viewpoints on Theatre Board.

What a brilliant space this is to converse. Less sniping please at board members - I think every opinion is valid, art will polorise at the end of the day.

Gosh. I really want to see this show again!!!!

Btw : The filming sped up I noticed and this was my first time ^^

[theatreloverlondon]

Omg this is such a Gaga role

[Deleted]

Put me down as another one who went in sceptical about JL being involved. I don't think I'd have 'got' it if I didn't have the movie and previous, more extravagant productions for reference but Nicole, Tom and David does Sunset? How could I pass that up?