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Post by Steve on Jul 22, 2024 22:13:54 GMT
Interval. A very full Lyric with a really enthusiastic audience. My partner has just left (along with a fair few others) but I am *actually* dead and I cannot wait to see what the second act brings -it Is so terrible, but I can’t look away. Lol Fingers crossed you found Harry, and his dreadful boyband's, gig a good laugh in the second half!  |
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jul 22, 2024 22:16:01 GMT
Loved this tbh, lots of fun and catchy songs.
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Post by Jon on Jul 22, 2024 23:30:42 GMT
It's fascinating how Vegemite the show is, people either love it or hate it.
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Post by Dave B on Jul 23, 2024 10:13:40 GMT
If you are thinking of leaving at the interval, unless you are in anguish and utterly loathing this, I would strongly strongly suggest not leaving. You ain't seen nothing yet and it is GOING PLACES and those places, to borrow Jon's phrase, are batsh*t. The last 10 minutes are a mind-boggling joy. I had such a blast at this. Part of it is watching a car crash and part of it is just the sheer... wow/chutzpah factor. The main thing for me is that the show can't tell the difference between getting a laugh and being laughed *at* and if you can go along with this then oh man, it is so enjoyable. Mary Malone as Jules is an absolute star and along with Denise Kurup (as Edna's mom) give the impression that they are in on the joke and are so prepared to just go with it. Everyone else feels like they are taking it so seriously and sometimes can be really good, notably, Jasmine Elcock as Edna and Terique Jarrett as Salty, but it feels like a level of seriousness that doesn't entirely fit with the show - a couple of more knowing winks would really help. It is so terrible but I'm so glad I went. A couple of times it is properly funny and at least two of the off-colour lines are WAY off colour (this is not a kids musical). More than once I just could not help laughing. My partner left and the guy who was next to her.. well I was really surprised he came back and more than once I could see him looking at me judging me for laughing. I have no idea why he came back at the interval. Quite a few left per herself, she waited at the bar and watched numbers leaving! Also, huge queues of teens waiting to get pics with the cardboard cutout of Harry and things like that. Queues for the merch desk both before and after which had glossy oversize programmes and other bits. Press night is tonight and I am really looking forward to the reviews. We ain't got a poll which is good as I have no idea how I would rate it. I am very much coming down as cult hit.
I'm a little behind Dr Tom as I'll hit 100 shows this year tomorrow evening. This might well be one of the worst thing I've seen this year but I enjoyed it so much and it has left a memorable evening. Might say more about me than about the show... My better half is still boggled this morning that I a) stayed and b) enjoyed it so much. She thinks I'm winding her up.
Finally could someone please explain the cameo to me? {Spoiler - click to view}
There was a large reaction to a brief clip of a woman on the video screen but I haven't got a clue. My only guess is Harry Style's actual mom?
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Post by Jon on Jul 23, 2024 10:18:17 GMT
The cameo is Maria Friedman, it's a knowing wink to MT fans but also she's Sonia Friedman's sister |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 23, 2024 10:39:13 GMT
Maybe I was tired and having a bad day, or maybe it was the sound quality, but there are review comments here with things that I just don’t remember. I don’t think I fell asleep.
I guess I’ll have to try again on a day when I’m feeling alert.
I’m just eagerly awaiting Mr Barnaby’s review!
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Post by flouise on Jul 23, 2024 10:43:58 GMT
I'm very intrigued by this! I really rated Mary Malone in The Prince so I'm not surprised that she's a standout here.
I think I'll try and get a last minute ticket at some point when I'm in the need for something in a bit silly!
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Post by stevej678 on Jul 23, 2024 10:54:59 GMT
Is the Lyric Hammersmith as much of a sauna at the moment as it usually is at this time of year? Tempted to watch this for a laugh but not if it's as unbearably hot in there as it can be.
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Post by Dave B on Jul 23, 2024 11:06:14 GMT
Is the Lyric Hammersmith as much of a sauna at the moment as it usually is at this time of year? Tempted to watch this for a laugh but not if it's as unbearably hot in there as it can be. It was surprisingly okay last night. I had expected the worst was pleasantly surprised. |
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Post by stevej678 on Jul 24, 2024 9:02:40 GMT
Five stars from WhatsOnStage! "An extraordinary, heartfelt show". |
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Post by PineappleForYou on Jul 24, 2024 10:57:34 GMT
Definitely stronger reviews so far than this thread had led me to expect from this:
Whatsonstage: *****
London Theatre: *****
iNews: ****
The Stage: ****
I'm guess this is a show with a very specific demograph in mind which might not bode well if they want to bring it to the masses.
Could we possibly get a poll added because I'm now super curious if the consensus here agrees with the reviews?
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Post by Mark on Jul 24, 2024 11:10:59 GMT
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Post by strawberrypie on Jul 24, 2024 11:18:50 GMT
Honestly surprised by those reviews - I am pretty much the target audience on paper (hell, I can probably be classed a Fangirl irl) but I absolutely hated it and if I hadn't been with a friend who enjoyed, I would have left at the interval.
I found the acting over the top panto-like at times, the tone of voice was all over the place for me (it was trying to be edgy for about 5 seconds with various anal/anus references, but most of those came out of nowhere), the songs were unmemorable, the plot paper thin with no real conclusion or consequence. The accents were all over the place and the jokes became repetitive.
I found it pretty cringe, all be told and neither charming nor funny.
2 stars from me (just)
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Post by Jon on Jul 24, 2024 11:19:03 GMT
Definitely stronger reviews so far than this thread had led me to expect from this: Whatsonstage: ***** London Theatre: ***** iNews: **** The Stage: **** I'm guess this is a show with a very specific demograph in mind which might not bode well if they want to bring it to the masses. Could we possibly get a poll added because I'm now super curious if the consensus here agrees with the reviews? For the Lyric Hammersmith, it's a big success to get new people who may have never stepped foot in their venue. I wonder if the ones who weren't keen aren't someone who ever experienced manufactured pop or were fans? The humour of the show is something which I loved but understand it's not for everyone. |
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Post by pomegranate on Jul 24, 2024 16:16:11 GMT
Honestly surprised by those reviews - I am pretty much the target audience on paper (hell, I can probably be classed a Fangirl irl) but I absolutely hated it and if I hadn't been with a friend who enjoyed, I would have left at the interval. I found the acting over the top panto-like at times, the tone of voice was all over the place for me (it was trying to be edgy for about 5 seconds with various anal/anus references, but most of those came out of nowhere), the songs were unmemorable, the plot paper thin with no real conclusion or consequence. The accents were all over the place and the jokes became repetitive. I found it pretty cringe, all be told and neither charming nor funny. 2 stars from me (just) As an Aussie, I thought the accents were pretty good! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 24, 2024 19:52:33 GMT
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Post by anthony40 on Jul 24, 2024 20:24:03 GMT
Honestly surprised by those reviews - I am pretty much the target audience on paper (hell, I can probably be classed a Fangirl irl) but I absolutely hated it and if I hadn't been with a friend who enjoyed, I would have left at the interval. I found the acting over the top panto-like at times, the tone of voice was all over the place for me (it was trying to be edgy for about 5 seconds with various anal/anus references, but most of those came out of nowhere), the songs were unmemorable, the plot paper thin with no real conclusion or consequence. The accents were all over the place and the jokes became repetitive. I found it pretty cringe, all be told and neither charming nor funny. 2 stars from me (just) As an Aussie, I thought the accents were pretty good! Ah, another Australian! |
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Post by zahidf on Jul 24, 2024 23:16:38 GMT
I enjoyed this a lot! Very funny and the songs were good
In terms of future life, I think it's best bet for the west end is to get a former boy band member to play 'Harry'. That way, they can get some publicity and attention
The actor playing Harry is good at the moment, but he hasn't got LOADS of stage time, so I think can be swapped out for the west end.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 24, 2024 23:31:18 GMT
I mean, I remember Robbie Williams getting on his tour bus and pointing his middle finger at me when I was 15. The rest of Take That were there also.
When I was at university, I was in acquittance with someone in a manufactured boy band. He was pleasant. He couldn't sing, but the boy band had had some top 20 hits by then but were soon on the way out. I'm struggling now to find any evidence they existed. Hopefully the tapes of my interview for the student TV station have been long since erased.
I have a story about a Boyzone member too, but I may save that for if I ever make it onto Only Connect.
Ultimately, I'm familiar enough with boy band culture and formation to where I should have found Fangirls funny. I didn't. I'll have to try again.
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Post by Jon on Jul 25, 2024 0:04:49 GMT
I enjoyed this a lot! Very funny and the songs were good In terms of future life, I think it's best bet for the west end is to get a former boy band member to play 'Harry'. That way, they can get some publicity and attention The actor playing Harry is good at the moment, but he hasn't got LOADS of stage time, so I think can be swapped out for the west end. I think for Harry, the actor has to be youngish, it wouldn't work with someone in their 30s or 40s. Caroline, Edna's Mum is easier to stunt cast although it's not a big role. |
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Post by showgirl on Jul 25, 2024 2:45:59 GMT
V interesting item on R 4's Front Row this Monday, with writer Yve Blake & director Paige Rattray, which covers various aspects of the show, including casting & the need to ensure that the actors could do authentic Australian accents. It's the first item after the intro and goes up to about the 14th minute of the broadcast - link below. I'm due to see today's matinee, which I booked 10 months ago, so given the varying views here I'm approaching it with a mixture of apprehension and anticipation. However, it's evidently selling well, as a few days ago the matinee wasn't very busy whereas it's far more booked up now. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0021b1x |
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Post by kathryn on Jul 26, 2024 12:01:28 GMT
I He couldn't sing, but the boy band had had some top 20 hits by then but were soon on the way out. I'm struggling now to find any evidence they existed. . Do you remember their name?? There’s a Smash Hits FB page that posts up archive issues, so there might be some evidence of their existence there. (And I am the right age to be familiar with an embarrassing number of boybands from the 90s.) |
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Post by Jon on Jul 26, 2024 12:07:00 GMT
I He couldn't sing, but the boy band had had some top 20 hits by then but were soon on the way out. I'm struggling now to find any evidence they existed. . Do you remember their name?? There’s a Smash Hits FB page that posts up archive issues, so there might be some evidence of their existence there. (And I am the right age to be familiar with an embarrassing number of boybands from the 90s.) I wonder if it's 911? or the short lived boyband Northern Line? |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 26, 2024 14:04:51 GMT
Do you remember their name?? There’s a Smash Hits FB page that posts up archive issues, so there might be some evidence of their existence there. I'm not meaning to be a tease here, but the name was close to "A1", who were much more successful. I was thinking "The One" but that search brings up various other groups. I'd have met him in 1999, but the group had disbanded by then. I wish I'd paid more attention, but this was the era of Pop Idol, reality TV and the like. |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jul 26, 2024 15:44:00 GMT
Was in yesterday and had to leave 15 mins before the end.
Originally sat somewhere else but the spotlight was shockingly bad - blinding us on the right hand side of the stalls. Painful.
The heat was unbearable- even moved but felt really faint.
Lyric Hammersmith sort it out. The cafe / space is amazing. Shan’t be going back - twice is enough with the same bad experience.
I thought the humour reminded me of Chris Lilley - (Summer Heights High) absolutely bonkers and ‘Harry’ absolutely nailed it 👏
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