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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 15, 2017 0:23:56 GMT
Yes I was there too. The performances were great, especially the two leads (Daisy Maywood as Fran is adorable) but I found it lacking. Especially the first act which never really got going for me. The opening of act 2 revved things up considerably with a very funny comic turn by Alex Young as Marje but wow it was long and the momentum was lost once again. I made it 2hrs 55.... thats a marathon for a piece with a pretty flimsy story line.
Liked the design and the laid back 60's vibe. Ensemble all very good.
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Post by westendcub on Jan 15, 2017 0:27:15 GMT
I was there tonight, I had a nice evening but a show I will quickly forget I saw.
The score is brilliant that goes without saying but boy oh boy this was clunky.
The transitions throughout the show were jarring, please can someone tell them to cull the plant pots. It was so distracting to hear so much banging around off-stage and hope they tighten this up during previews.
All I can that it was pleasant enough but it's not a Southwark standout and sadly they made the best big number 'Turkey Lurkey' too low-key.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 15, 2017 0:29:07 GMT
Threads merged
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Post by westendcub on Jan 15, 2017 0:32:02 GMT
Yes I was there too. The performances were great, especially the two leads (Daisy Maywood as Fran is adorable) but I found it lacking. Especially the first act which never really got going for me. The opening of act 2 revved things up considerably with a very funny comic turn by Alex Young as Marje but wow it was long and the momentum was lost once again. I made it 2hrs 55.... thats a marathon for a piece with a pretty flimsy story line. Liked the design and the laid back 60's vibe. Ensemble all very good. Yes I was there too. The performances were great, especially the two leads (Daisy Maywood as Fran is adorable) but I found it lacking. Especially the first act which never really got going for me. The opening of act 2 revved things up considerably with a very funny comic turn by Alex Young as Marje but wow it was long and the momentum was lost once again. I made it 2hrs 55.... thats a marathon for a piece with a pretty flimsy story line. Liked the design and the laid back 60's vibe. Ensemble all very good. Shame didn't know you was there this evening I am in total agreement with your post, the act 2 opener was good and I did laugh out loud but it was overlong and the material just didn't warrant it to be! A bit of a mis-step for Southwark with this one I am sad to report. |
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Post by alece10 on Jan 15, 2017 0:33:32 GMT
Should have remembered my forum badge seeing that there were a few of us there tonight.
OH and they are still doing strange things with seats. Booked the day it went on sale and booked an aisle seat. Was sat tonight 3 seats in from the aisle.......
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 15, 2017 0:35:14 GMT
That's a shame Cub, maybe next time eh. The ensemble was quite beary wasn't it!
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Post by westendcub on Jan 15, 2017 0:37:37 GMT
That's a shame Cub, maybe next time eh. The ensemble was quite beary wasn't it! Yes I liked the ensemble bear that had been in Billy Elliot for 11 years and also thought the big boss (aka silverfox) was handsome devil!! Shame they weren't in that good a show!! |
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Post by daniel on Jan 15, 2017 0:39:26 GMT
Looking forward to seeing this in a few weeks, a mate of mine is in it  |
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Post by tmesis on Jan 15, 2017 12:53:15 GMT
I loved this but before the pros....
cons...
During yesterday's matinee the theatre was freezing
Get a better trumpeter in the band - a very important instrument in Bacharach and he was all over the place
The guy playing the Doctor gave a great comic performance but projected his song badly
pros...
Excellent stylish and versatile set
The two leads were terrific with fab voices and great chemistry
Even though long it didn't drag for me with a sharp, witty book and excellent songs (the whole thing felt a bit like an early Sondheim musical, although not on that level and obviously the musical style was inimitable Bacharach)
I love the understated ending which nevertheless carries quite an emotional punch.
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Post by alece10 on Jan 15, 2017 13:34:30 GMT
I loved this but before the pros.... cons... During yesterday's matinee the theatre was freezing Get a better trumpeter in the band - a very important instrument in Bacharach and he was all over the place The guy playing the Doctor gave a great comic performance but projected his song badly pros... Excellent stylish and versatile set The two leads were terrific with fab voices and great chemistry Even though long it didn't drag for me with a sharp, witty book and excellent songs (the whole thing felt a bit like an early Sondheim musical, although not on that level and obviously the musical style was inimitable Bacharach) I love the understated ending which nevertheless carries quite an emotional punch. Agree about the doctor not projecting his voice. Was hard to hear him when singing. It was ok temperature wise in the evening which surprised me as I'm usually boiling there. |
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Post by tmesis on Jan 15, 2017 14:41:56 GMT
Agree it's usually too hot rather than too cold there - in fact when at a performance of Titanic there a few years ago it was so hot they had to stop the show as the string players' fingers were slipping on their instruments. In fact, I think they subsequently refused to play and they finished the performance with keyboard only!
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Post by firefingers on Jan 15, 2017 15:07:48 GMT
Agree it's usually too hot rather than too cold there - in fact when at a performance of Titanic there a few years ago it was so hot they had to stop the show as the string players' fingers were slipping on their instruments. In fact, I think they subsequently refused to play and they finished the performance with keyboard only! Yep the majority of the band did indeed walk out due to the heat, which friend on the show found ironic as the band went down with the ship on the actual vessel, but jumped ship on that performance. Air conditioning was improved and then they put in extra pipping just to the band area on that show to improve things. Problem with the aircon is it enters under seating bank on far side opposite the entrance, so temperature can vary massively around the room. |
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Post by theatreian on Jan 15, 2017 15:49:21 GMT
I was there Saturday night in one of our theatre weekends fitting in Rent on Friday night, and Dreamgirls on sat matinee. Have to say enjoyed Promises Promises the best . A fantastic cast with a great score. Was on Row A . It was both funny and charming, and well staged. The 2 leads were outstanding.Go and see it if you get a chance.
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Post by japhun on Jan 17, 2017 10:35:09 GMT
Am wondering if the people who have posted so far saw the same show that I did.
This was clunky, amateurish and WAY TOO LONG (over 3 hours at Saturday matinee). I rarely post here, but have to say something because the music was overpowering and I couldn't hear the male lead throughout almost the entire second act. Looking around, I saw people sleeping, heard scattered and light applause at the end of each song and thought the set was atrocious- the door shimmied and got stuck several times and the bedroom hit it really hard once in the second act.
I don't want to go on and on, and am trying not to be annoying, but this was by far the worst production I have seen at the Southwark since I moved to London in 2013 (and I have seen the vast majority of musicals there). To say this was better than Dreamgirls and Rent made me literally laugh out loud.
The highlight of the entire show is the first scene of the second act, which could have been omitted and contributed almost nothing to the overall story line.
Am just wondering if anyone else felt the same way as me...I just found the whole thing super amateurish- especially the scene transitions and the set that way too ambitious for a small theatre (have never seen so much of the set by the doors as you walk in and the stern warnings about no admittance...those with weak bladders would definitely miss parts of the 3 hour plus show if they had to step out!)
Anyway, that's enough from me. Really wanted to like this, but didn't.
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Post by PalelyLaura on Jan 17, 2017 13:02:30 GMT
Seeing this tomorrow - quite nervous now!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 17, 2017 13:07:48 GMT
Im actually remembering it more fondly "after the fact". Also bearing in mind I'd just seen the matinee of School Of Rock which couldn't have been more different.
I think if can get the run time down it will be fine. The cast are very engaging and the leads great. If there are sound/set issues then that's what previews are there for isn't it?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 13:20:36 GMT
Im actually remembering it more fondly "after the fact". Also bearing in mind I'd just seen the matinee of School Of Rock which couldn't have been more different. I think if can get the run time down it will be fine. The cast are very engaging and the leads great. If there are sound/set issues then that's what previews are there for isn't it? Director was sitting next to my hubby at Sat evening preview and she was huffing, tutting and scribbling furiously throughout the scene changes. They should basically lose the doors and the pot plants. |
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Post by westendcub on Jan 17, 2017 13:28:06 GMT
Those plant pots need to go ASAP...awful!!
I have to admit it's the at the bottom of the rankings of the musicals seen at Southwark...'Carrie' remains at the top followed by 'Xanadu'!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 13:39:39 GMT
Those plant pots need to go ASAP...awful!! I have to admit it's the at the bottom of the lid or the musicals seen at Southwark...'Carrie' remains at the top followed by 'Xanadu'! Grey Gardens number one for me, followed by your favourites Xanadu & Carrie. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 17, 2017 14:10:22 GMT
(have never seen so much of the set by the doors as you walk in and the stern warnings about no admittance...those with weak bladders would definitely miss parts of the 3 hour plus show if they had to step out) On Saturday a woman must have been desperate. She was sat on the left side of the stage so couldn't feasibly make it to the proper exit without literally walking across the stage. So she went backstage through the door on the left! Just marched into the wings, bold as brass!  That must must have been a nice surprise for the actors, especially if anyone was getting changed. |
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Post by japhun on Jan 17, 2017 14:12:46 GMT
Those plant pots need to go ASAP...awful!! I have to admit it's the at the bottom of the lid or the musicals seen at Southwark...'Carrie' remains at the top followed by 'Xanadu'! Grey Gardens number one for me, followed by your favourites Xanadu & Carrie. I loved In the Heights (more than at Kings Cross Theatre), Xanadu and Side Show (which was better than the one I saw on Broadway!). The potted plants- RIDICULOUS- soil was all over the desk in one scene and the actor had to set his cup in it. Terrible haha AND THE DOOR- I thought it was going to get to every time it went down- the scene transitions in Promises, Promises were wayyyyy too long. Really poorly done. |
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Post by japhun on Jan 17, 2017 14:38:40 GMT
(have never seen so much of the set by the doors as you walk in and the stern warnings about no admittance...those with weak bladders would definitely miss parts of the 3 hour plus show if they had to step out) On Saturday a woman must have been desperate. She was sat on the left side of the stage so couldn't feasibly make it to the proper exit without literally walking across the stage. So she went backstage through the door on the left! Just marched into the wings, bold as brass! That must must have been a nice surprise for the actors, especially if anyone was getting changed. hahaha I mean... the first act felt like it was never going to end. I was looking at my watch constantly and the lady next to me was clandestinely playing Words with Friends on her phone under her jacket. I started looking back at the sound and lighting and saw the girl on the lighting board rolling her eyes and looking very frazzled. SO much to work on... |
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Post by alece10 on Jan 17, 2017 14:45:56 GMT
Those plant pots need to go ASAP...awful!! I have to admit it's the at the bottom of the lid or the musicals seen at Southwark...'Carrie' remains at the top followed by 'Xanadu'! Grey Gardens number one for me, followed by your favourites Xanadu & Carrie. Grey Gardens and Xanadu for me mainly because they were the campest things I'd ever seen. |
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Post by alece10 on Jan 17, 2017 14:50:39 GMT
(have never seen so much of the set by the doors as you walk in and the stern warnings about no admittance...those with weak bladders would definitely miss parts of the 3 hour plus show if they had to step out) On Saturday a woman must have been desperate. She was sat on the left side of the stage so couldn't feasibly make it to the proper exit without literally walking across the stage. So she went backstage through the door on the left! Just marched into the wings, bold as brass! That must must have been a nice surprise for the actors, especially if anyone was getting changed. I saw that too and then started to work out if there was a better escape route. There literally is nothing so it really was her only option. Mind you at a performance of Night Music at the Menier years ago a man was so desperate that the went behind the side curtain and relieved himself there. Much to the horror of the cast who were also behind the curtain. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 17, 2017 15:15:55 GMT
So she went backstage through the door on the left! Just marched into the wings, bold as brass! Well, being the venue owner's wife, I'm sure she felt entitled. That's the problem with folk today Monkey. Entitlement! |
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