The Little Big Things - @sohoplace / NT At Home

[Jon]

I was there also and have to admit I was booked it on a whim as it was on the TodayTix London Theatre Sale and needed a reason to finally go to @sohoplace and glad I did as it was a genuinely good musical that manages to be uplifting, inclusive and funny.

Did like how it had actors with disabilities in key roles with Ed Larkin as older Henry,Georgie McGonigal as Katie and Amy Triggs as Agnes plus the use of sign language in some of the songs. In terms of standouts, it's a toss up between Amy Triggs and Linzi Hateley but the cast were great overall.

I did like @sohoplace as a venue although it was a bit cold in the auditorium.

[stageyninja83]

Definitely also in the 'I loved it' camp. Incredibly funny, great staging, stellar cast, little tear in my eye towards the end. What more can you want! Best new musical I've seen in a while.
Henry and his whole family were in and I kept catching myself looking in their direction to see their reaction. They seemed to be loving it!
One tip, I'd say best to sit in the circle for this one! They make use of colour on the floor which would be harder to see from the stalls.

[Jon]

Sept 2, 2023 23:33:20 GMT stageyninja83 said:

Definitely also in the 'I loved it' camp. Incredibly funny, great staging, stellar cast, little tear in my eye towards the end. What more can you want! Best new musical I've seen in a while.
Henry and his whole family were in and I kept catching myself looking in their direction to see their reaction. They seemed to be loving it!
One tip, I'd say best to sit in the circle for this one! They make use of colour on the floor which would be harder to see from the stalls.

I saw Henry but hadn't realised his entire family were there.

Nica Burns was in as well. 

[mattnyc]

Now I’m really excited to see this in a couple weeks!

[alece10]

For a first preview this musical is in extremely good shape, apart from starting about 20 minutes I couldn't tell this was a preview. Even the sound, which is usually an issue in previews, was great.

This was honestly one of the best things I have seen in a long time. I think the last time I felt so uplifted by a musical was Come From Away.

This is definately an ensemble musical and I really could not pick out a "star" performer here. Very strong cast and some great voices.

The musical is very funny with some brilliant dialogue with some real laugh out loud lines. The physio gets the best and funniest lines for sure.

Even though it was funny it was also quite an emotional show and I noticed many of the audience members with tears in their eyes at times, myself included. Tip - take a tissue.

Simply staged and great use of lighting and video projection onto the floor. It is in the round, or square in this instance and its played to all 4 sides equally. I was sitting in Row C of the stalls so had a great view but I don't think it would matter where you sat.

As for the songs, I really liked the style of music and the big ensemble numbers were fantastic. Its a show that needs a cast recording and soon. I think after seeing it a couple of times a few of the songs will stick in my head. I noticed one man in the audience mouthing all the words. Probably the man who wrote the lyrics and there were a lot of creatives in the audience.

Loved it when they used sign language during some of the musical numbers.

Act 2 has a couple of real goosebump moments as already mentioned, but no spoilers from me.

Fantastic audience reaction at the end and several of the cast were visibly emotional.

It was a very "stagey" audience and extremely well behaved. Lots of them seems to know each other as there was lots of waving and blowing kisses before the show started. Nica Burns was sitting 3 seats away from me and at the end she was standing at the bottom of the stairs saying goodbye to everyone.

I'm definately booking for this again and I really hope it does well as it so deserves it.

On a footnote I had problems getting any phone signal outside the theatre and again inside. So coudn't bring up my ticket details. Had a feeling they are used to this so sent me to box office and I got a proper printed ticket, so a bonus there. I don't think it was just me as FOH staff said it is was quite normal and a woman standing next to me in the bar had the same problem. Luckily their WiFi is good. So heads up if you are going, maybe get your tickets up on the screen before.




Very easy 5 stars from me.

[theatre2023]

Amazing to have such positive word of mouth so soon - bodes well.

Just a reminder that there are still 15 GBP tickets available using the link posted earlier for this weeks performances.

May just be your best Theatre bargain of 2023 :-)

[danb]

Can I be a bore and ask how long it is please?

[alece10]

Sept 3, 2023 9:26:39 GMT danb said:

Can I be a bore and ask how long it is please?

[bove
I've put some rough timings on the previous page.

[mrbarnaby]

These reports have convinced me to book a ticket! Wasn’t at all interested before.. but now am. Thankyou!

[Mark]

I’ve also just to see it tomorrow with a friend after the great feedback from Saturday.

[danb]

Likewise.

[ShoreditchTom]

Also seeing it this week - excited by the reviews! A couple of people have compared to Come from Away which I liked but also Dear Evan Hansen which I wasn't a fan of - are either of those comparisons fair? Appreciate it's better to form my own judgement etc but was just curious!

[stageyninja83]

Sept 3, 2023 11:48:17 GMT ShoreditchTom said:

Also seeing it this week - excited by the reviews! A couple of people have compared to Come from Away which I liked but also Dear Evan Hansen which I wasn't a fan of - are either of those comparisons fair? Appreciate it's better to form my own judgement etc but was just curious!

I didn't see any comparison between this and DEH which, like you, I also didn't care for.
This has a lot of humour but also a lot of heart. I can see why people compare to CFA in that sense.

[FJ]

Sept 3, 2023 11:48:17 GMT ShoreditchTom said:

Also seeing it this week - excited by the reviews! A couple of people have compared to Come from Away which I liked but also Dear Evan Hansen which I wasn't a fan of - are either of those comparisons fair? Appreciate it's better to form my own judgement etc but was just curious!

I sort of see the DEH comparison, but only because of the musical style of a couple of the songs. The story/nature of the show is more like CFA. And I guess it’s similar to both in the sense that it’s sort of a small company ensemble show. But it’s really not that similar to either and pretty unique so I wouldn’t worry about how you felt about the others.

[intoanewlife]

Sept 3, 2023 7:40:29 GMT alece10 said:

For a first preview this musical is in extremely good shape, apart from starting about 20 minutes I couldn't tell this was a preview. Even the sound, which is usually an issue in previews, was great.

This was honestly one of the best things I have seen in a long time. I think the last time I felt so uplifted by a musical was Come From Away.

This is definately an ensemble musical and I really could not pick out a "star" performer here. Very strong cast and some great voices.

The musical is very funny with some brilliant dialogue with some real laugh out loud lines. The physio gets the best and funniest lines for sure.

Even though it was funny it was also quite an emotional show and I noticed many of the audience members with tears in their eyes at times, myself included. Tip - take a tissue.

Simply staged and great use of lighting and video projection onto the floor. It is in the round, or square in this instance and its played to all 4 sides equally. I was sitting in Row C of the stalls so had a great view but I don't think it would matter where you sat.

As for the songs, I really liked the style of music and the big ensemble numbers were fantastic. Its a show that needs a cast recording and soon. I think after seeing it a couple of times a few of the songs will stick in my head. I noticed one man in the audience mouthing all the words. Probably the man who wrote the lyrics and there were a lot of creatives in the audience.

Loved it when they used sign language during some of the musical numbers.

Act 2 has a couple of real goosebump moments as already mentioned, but no spoilers from me.

Fantastic audience reaction at the end and several of the cast were visibly emotional.

It was a very "stagey" audience and extremely well behaved. Lots of them seems to know each other as there was lots of waving and blowing kisses before the show started. Nica Burns was sitting 3 seats away from me and at the end she was standing at the bottom of the stairs saying goodbye to everyone.

I'm definately booking for this again and I really hope it does well as it so deserves it.

On a footnote I had problems getting any phone signal outside the theatre and again inside. So coudn't bring up my ticket details. Had a feeling they are used to this so sent me to box office and I got a proper printed ticket, so a bonus there. I don't think it was just me as FOH staff said it is was quite normal and a woman standing next to me in the bar had the same problem. Luckily their WiFi is good. So heads up if you are going, maybe get your tickets up on the screen before.




Very easy 5 stars from me.

We seem to have very similar tastes, so I am gonna give this a go!

Thanks x

[alece10]

Sept 3, 2023 12:31:21 GMT FJ said:

Sept 3, 2023 11:48:17 GMT ShoreditchTom said:

Also seeing it this week - excited by the reviews! A couple of people have compared to Come from Away which I liked but also Dear Evan Hansen which I wasn't a fan of - are either of those comparisons fair? Appreciate it's better to form my own judgement etc but was just curious!

I sort of see the DEH comparison, but only because of the musical style of a couple of the songs. The story/nature of the show is more like CFA. And I guess it’s similar to both in the sense that it’s sort of a small company ensemble show. But it’s really not that similar to either and pretty unique so I wouldn’t worry about how you felt about the others.

Agree. I wanted to say it was similar to CFA and DEH but then realised it isn't apart from music style (slightly poppy) like DEH and uplifting and funny like CFA but that's about it comparison wise.

[alece10]

Sept 3, 2023 12:33:11 GMT intoanewlife said:

Sept 3, 2023 7:40:29 GMT alece10 said:

For a first preview this musical is in extremely good shape, apart from starting about 20 minutes I couldn't tell this was a preview. Even the sound, which is usually an issue in previews, was great.

This was honestly one of the best things I have seen in a long time. I think the last time I felt so uplifted by a musical was Come From Away.

This is definately an ensemble musical and I really could not pick out a "star" performer here. Very strong cast and some great voices.

The musical is very funny with some brilliant dialogue with some real laugh out loud lines. The physio gets the best and funniest lines for sure.

Even though it was funny it was also quite an emotional show and I noticed many of the audience members with tears in their eyes at times, myself included. Tip - take a tissue.

Simply staged and great use of lighting and video projection onto the floor. It is in the round, or square in this instance and its played to all 4 sides equally. I was sitting in Row C of the stalls so had a great view but I don't think it would matter where you sat.

As for the songs, I really liked the style of music and the big ensemble numbers were fantastic. Its a show that needs a cast recording and soon. I think after seeing it a couple of times a few of the songs will stick in my head. I noticed one man in the audience mouthing all the words. Probably the man who wrote the lyrics and there were a lot of creatives in the audience.

Loved it when they used sign language during some of the musical numbers.

Act 2 has a couple of real goosebump moments as already mentioned, but no spoilers from me.

Fantastic audience reaction at the end and several of the cast were visibly emotional.

It was a very "stagey" audience and extremely well behaved. Lots of them seems to know each other as there was lots of waving and blowing kisses before the show started. Nica Burns was sitting 3 seats away from me and at the end she was standing at the bottom of the stairs saying goodbye to everyone.

I'm definately booking for this again and I really hope it does well as it so deserves it.

On a footnote I had problems getting any phone signal outside the theatre and again inside. So coudn't bring up my ticket details. Had a feeling they are used to this so sent me to box office and I got a proper printed ticket, so a bonus there. I don't think it was just me as FOH staff said it is was quite normal and a woman standing next to me in the bar had the same problem. Luckily their WiFi is good. So heads up if you are going, maybe get your tickets up on the screen before.




Very easy 5 stars from me.

We seem to have very similar tastes, so I am gonna give this a go!

Thanks x

Does that mean I can now call myself an influencer? 😀

[intoanewlife]

Sept 3, 2023 14:12:36 GMT alece10 said:

Sept 3, 2023 12:33:11 GMT intoanewlife said:

We seem to have very similar tastes, so I am gonna give this a go!

Thanks x

Does that mean I can now call myself an influencer? 😀

HA!

No you just have good taste usually x

[jamb0r]

I’ve also booked for Tuesday based on these initial reviews - the producers should be giving you lot commission!

[intoanewlife]

Sept 3, 2023 15:03:22 GMT jamb0r said:

I’ve also booked for Tuesday based on these initial reviews - the producers should be giving you lot commission!

I'm going Tuesday as well.

[alece10]

I'm more worried that you won't like it. So I'll be eagerly awaiting your reviews next week.
(But I secretly know you will like it).

[intoanewlife]

Sept 3, 2023 15:31:10 GMT alece10 said:

(But I secretly know you will like it).

After the Next to Normal stanning in this place I am cautious but optimistic lol

It seems however that with that particular show most of the people who are raving about it have either seen it before or know the show inside out and are excited to finally see it.

[stageyghost]

I went to see this last night and was blown away with how polished it was for a first preview. They must have had a lot of time to get it to this level, and I'll be back post previews to see how it's changed.

The show really takes you on a roller coaster of emotions-from laughter to tears and everything in between. A few differences from the original Henry Fraser book but the story transfers perfectly to stage and works well in the round. I was sceptical about a musical in Soho Place as it's quite a small space compared to traditional proscenium west end venues, the minimalistic set with the odd few surprises thrown in uses the space well and the view is extremely clear to all the seats in the house, the space commands an almost mini 'Arena' feel at times with all the people on the different levels and lights all the way around.

The video floor looks fantastic and not something I've seen in theatre before-with this in mind the view from the circle was really good. So I can recommend that or the level above for those looking to book. The Sound was good, but it's a shame you can't see the orchestra as they must be hidden away under the stage. It has all the bells and whistles that you come to expect from a Luke Sheppard musical...and yes that does mean confetti.

It's so refreshing to have a brand new British musical in the west end, the score and orchestrations are fantastic and you do really get ear wormed. I hope they release a full soundtrack for this as some of the numbers are pure hits, and I'm still humming them today! The cast is one of the most diverse and talented in the west end in my opinion, a mix of disabled and non-disabled people that as a company deliver an outstanding performance. You can feel the support they offer to one another and every aspect of the show seems to be considered to ensure that all those in the company shine as bright as there fellow members-it's an absolute delight to see and pulls on the heartstrings that finally we may have a true inclusive musical that's born in London and loved worldwide.

[Jon]

^ I think the orchestra are in a room within the theatre rather than under the stage.

[alece10]

Mods, can we have a voting thingy please.