The Little Big Things - @sohoplace / NT At Home

[BVM]

Sept 7, 2023 12:28:04 GMT partytentdown said:

Presumably the real people had sign-off of the script at the writing stage so they are happy with how they are portrayed?

I’m certainly assuming this. The programme notes certainly make out it was very collaborative.

[intoanewlife]

Sept 7, 2023 10:15:49 GMT BVM said:

Sept 5, 2023 23:06:22 GMT intoanewlife said:

Well it was nice to finally see the inside of Soho Place...

My friend and I merely hated the show, while my other half hated it with a passion.

Act 1 was watchable enough to make us stick around, but Act 2 was like Chinese water torture.

The cast ranged from fantastic to average and some of the directorial decisions were frankly mind-blowing.

The staging and lighting were ok, but none of the music stood out for me.

It is clearly a 'for the masses' show and I have very little doubt it'll probably find a large doting audience, but it really should not be mentioned in the same breath as the rather good DEH or absolutely phenomenal CFA as it is not even a close to either of them on any level.

1/5

LOL, so, errr, a bit like Come From Away then?!

(FWIW I found the staging as good as Come From Away, the lighting better and the music much better! But then melody is of course subjective!)

Both those shows are indeed 'for the masses', but they are also very good which separates them in a major way from this one.

I didn't like CFA the first time I saw it, but I did think it was brilliantly directed and performed and I learned to appreciate it for what it is on subsequent visits.

While it had one excruciatingly toe curling moment (the pilots song) considering the subject matter it pulled it off without being cheesy or embarrassing and handled some sensitive issues with class and dignity in ways that this certainly does not. With this I spent the whole night veering between bursting into what would've been totally inappropriate laughter or trying to hide under my seat from embarrassment. 

I don't want to be too down on it as it's a new show, it's British and the cast all work their buns off.

Maybe if they cut a good hour of absolute crap out it, made it one act straight through and turned it into something even remotely resembling reality I'd give it another look.

It's a great story and a valiant effort, but for me nothing in it rings true in favour of manipulating the audience with cliches, embarrassingly bad 'fantasy' and generic music/musical theatre troupes.

[anthony40]

Wow!

[Someone in a tree]

i really liked this and i was misty eyed in the final 20 minutes or so. As others have said, i think it could of got darker at points to make the emotional journey stronger but it was still a rewarding night out.

Great to see physical disabilities up front and centre.

[doornumberthree]

I think there is a great show in here, but there’s definitely a lot that can (and should be) changed or scrapped.

Admittedly, I didn’t realise how true to Henry’s life this was, I think it could do with 80% of the brothers songs gone/some of the acting - especially from Cleve September was incredibly amateur and took me out of it so much. The youngest brother was the strongest of the three, and I thought there was some lovely moments with him and Henry that made me cry.

It took me a good while to get into it, I feel there’s so much from act one that could be cut. It was during the doctors song that I started to enjoy it. Malinda Paris was a huge standout for me.

I feel like the lyrics need a lot of work - Linzi’s song at the beginning especially could be brilliant if it had some more work done on it.

I hated the choreography but at the same time, think the songs that incorporated BSL are so beautifully done.

I liked how they handled different aspects of disability in general, as a disabled person myself, it really felt well handled. I actually really loved Linzi’s portrayal of the mother - it all felt very real, my own mother has dealt with me being in hospital/in a wheelchair and I thought they did a great job of showing the very real emotions that come up. I just think her song needs work.

I feel like there’s some scenes needed to resolve the parents issues - just having Henry say something along the lines of “you will stay together in the future” didn’t give me enough - there was a moment at the end before they take the sheet off the painting where even a few lines of dialogue could have been added.

I think overall, it was a wonderful watch for me. I laughed, I cried (a lot)

Is it perfect? No. But did I have a great time at the theatre? Yes, and I would like to see it again. I enjoyed it far more than awful Dear Evan Hansen, which has been brought up for comparison in this thread a lot. It was much better to me than another show I loathed which was Newsies, which was one of the worst things I’ve seen all year.

I think the fact that we have such an inclusive cast and we are having disabled peoples stories told by disabled actors, in an accessible theatre (for the actors) and where disabilities aren’t being used for inspiration p0rn is a huge triumph for theatre in general. I think it’s a very special little show and I was incredibly glad to have seen it.

[ShoreditchTom]

Selling 2 tickets for tonight via the Noticeboard!

[Being Alive]

Unfortunately this does have a lot of faults in it, some of which cannot be changed because it's a true story.

I would merge all the brothers into one, possibly two but I understand they're real people so it's not so straight forward.
It's also fairly 'on the surface' with some moments of depth, particularly in Act 2, which I think needs some real looking at.

Saying that though, I cried at this in a way I don't often cry at shows - like, I tear up at things, but I don't outright sob all that often, and I SOBBED multiple times tonight.

Linzi Hateley is absolutely fantastic in this - her act 1 number a highlight and she's just such a warming presence on the stage, and I wouldn't be surprised if a supporting actress nom was announced when we come round to it next year.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not, and it's not really going to improve without a substantial overhaul of act 2 to add some depth, but I can't give it any less than 4 stars because of how it made me feel.

I hope it has a successful run, and I'll be going again.

[mrbarnaby]

Well this was wonderful last night. Deeply moving and fabulously performed.

First my negatives- the music isn’t as good as I was hoping. Only one song stuck in my head and the rest were all forgettable. Linzis big song was a snooze but I guess they can’t cut it as it’s her only musical moment in the show?
Didn’t like the 3 brothers at all.

I also struggled to hear what people were singing a lot of the time.

Now the positives- everything else.
A fantastic lead performance from Ed Larkin- funny, powerful and very moving.

Other standouts were Gracie McGonical , Malinda Parris and Amy Trigg who landed some huge laughs.

Unlike others- this didn’t remotely remind me of Come From Away, but there are definite shades of Dear Evan Hansen in the score and the feel at times.

Amazing audience reaction, I really hope this gets the rave reviews it deserves. It’s something very special.

[theatrelover123]

I feel like it’s a 3 star show. I hope it gets 3 star reviews. But who knows?

[kz]

Have just seen the matinee and I'm definitely in the love it camp. It packs a huge emotional punch. Well, it felt like a run of big emotional moments and I was a weepy mess by the end, as were most of the people around me. It would have been good to have more exploration of the characters of the family members and I'm not sure there were any songs that will stay with me but, in the moment, they really captured the energy and emotion they were going for. Amy Trigg was excellent and got lots of big laughs. Linzi Hateley was a bit underused but great to see her on stage on any capacity. Finally, it was wonderful to see such a diverse audience.

I'm off to see Next to Normal this evening. Could possibly be one of the most emotional days of theatre I've ever had!

[westendfan1]

Rather random question for anyone who's seen the show - what was the third item on a plinth before the show started, other than the boat and the rugby ball? I didn't notice at the time, and I can't make it out from the photo I took.

[Mark]

Sept 10, 2023 10:39:14 GMT westendfan1 said:

Rather random question for anyone who's seen the show - what was the third item on a plinth before the show started, other than the boat and the rugby ball? I didn't notice at the time, and I can't make it out from the photo I took.

Passport

[ShoreditchTom]

Andy likes it

[Being Alive]

Sept 10, 2023 11:14:31 GMT ShoreditchTom said:

Andy likes it

He was sat just across from me on Friday - one of the first to stand at the end.

[Mark]

He's always been a big supporter of new musicals, glad to see that he enjoyed it.

[anthony40]

You know, despite the fact that I was at Next To Normal last night, to get to Tottenham Court Road I have to walk right past The Little Big Things. The show had ended and there were audience members waiting at the stage door. I saw Linzi Hatelely talking to a small group of people.

[intoanewlife]

Sept 10, 2023 11:14:31 GMT ShoreditchTom said:

Andy likes it

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, the defense rests...

[westendfan1]

Sept 10, 2023 10:42:58 GMT Mark said:

Sept 10, 2023 10:39:14 GMT westendfan1 said:

Rather random question for anyone who's seen the show - what was the third item on a plinth before the show started, other than the boat and the rugby ball? I didn't notice at the time, and I can't make it out from the photo I took.

Passport

Thank you! That makes sense.

[intoanewlife]

Sept 9, 2023 13:09:41 GMT mrbarnaby said:

but there are definite shades of Dear Evan Hansen in the score and the feel at times.

It actually felt more like Jamie to me than DEH.

With the physio and doctor filling in for the 'always 'avin a larf' Mothers friend and the drag queen.

I didn't get any DEH from it at all.

[robertb213]

Musically it sounds similar to DEH but not in any other sense.

[FJ]

Had the pleasure of seeing this a couple more times this past week. I've now sat on all three levels (including the front row and back row of the whole theatre) and while I think the first balcony offers the best view, there really does not seem to be a bad seat in this amazing theatre.

I've been able to appreciate the smaller details and notice a few minor changes they've made through the previews so far (though all very minor).

My biggest takeaway has been how well directed I think this is. Fran's song 'One to Seventeen' near the beginning, is a perfect example of how the cast play to all sides, all levels, all seats throughout the show. Even in the second balcony you can see the cast making eye contact with you and including the whole audience in the storytelling and that really helps to make this space seem perfect for this show.

There's been a couple of tweaks to the lighting design in 'Silence of the Sea' which makes it all the more impactful now and the whole way that song is staged means it's quickly becoming one of my highlights of the show.

I think from the off Jonny Amies has been amazing in the role of boy Henry, but I've really noticed a huge change in Ed Larkin really growing into his role, really brilliant performance from him.

Really hope this does well with the critics as I think it really deserves it.

[nick91]

I love it so much, definitely one of the best musicals I've seen in many years. One simple story, very clever direction, beautiful staging, great music, awesome actors (Jonny Amies and Ed Larkin are brilliant and I believe they're gonna be even better during time) and the result is incredible. So beautiful, so touching. I can't wait to see it at least one more time and really hope it's gonna stay in West End for much longer (and we get more songs released).
 

[eoghan31]

A stunningly designed production. Joyously uplifting storytelling. A sublimely talented cast. Theatre was buzzing with anticipation and once the house lights went down and the actors took to the stage you found yourself being pulled into the story of Henry Fraser. It never went down the route of mawkish sentimentality. Perhaps some liberties were taken with the characterisations but where it succeeded was how it maintained the bond of the family unit throughout and the steel within to make something positive from a tragic life changing accident. The two actors playing Henry Ed Larkin and Jonny Amies were exceptional. I simply do not have words to describe how their performances resonated and how they connected with a heartbreaking realism. Linzi Hateley illuminated the stage with the warmth she has always graced a stage with and this role gave her not only the opportunity to remind us of her glorious voice but the sheer scope of her acting. Equally Alasdair Harvey gave a wonderful interpretation of a father struggling in so many ways. Every production element which has gone into the musical could not be bettered. Direction has ensured all sides are played to a factor which only on occasion I have seen work. The music and lyrics do what so few new musicals do and that it to work with the book in advancing the story with lyrics providing humour, gritty realism and music which was punchy and melodious. The physical production of design, sound and lighting just stunning. Again though you keep going back to the actors and of the role of the casting director who has brought together 12 inclusive actors to premier one of the best new British musicals I have seen in years.

[mrbluesky]

Saw this on Saturday and loved it! 

The show was in fine form already, and what a cast! Everyone fits their role perfectly, particularly the two Henrys - though Ed Larkin was really really good, and found Jonny Aimes incredibly moving, especially in his solo in Act Two where young Henry describes the accident. Linzi Hately and Alsidair Harvey as the parents were fantastic together, and I will be very surprised if they don't nab some nominations at the Oliviers next year. 

The brothers could be cobranded into one, but I actually like that each of them gets their 'moment' with Henry, and their song in Act Two was great! Loved Malinda Parris and Amy Trigg, who got some proper laughs, and thought the ensemble were great. 

All in all, loved it!! 

In fact, loved it so much I did something I've never done - walked out at 10PM, hopped onto Nimax's website and rebooked for this Friday! 

Suspect this will be a big hit! 

[mattnyc]

Is the theatre still jumping on people to check bags etc?