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Post by ceebee on Feb 2, 2024 18:12:52 GMT
Please could the five-star reviewers reveal themselves?! Yup. I'm one of them. |
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Post by corblimey on Feb 2, 2024 19:06:19 GMT
Sat in my seat waiting for the show to start ,excited and I only saw it on Tuesday!
Great view from Row B first seat with loads of legroom.
Noel Gallagher is in watching tonight!
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Post by mattnyc on Feb 2, 2024 19:55:15 GMT
The votes here are fascinating and making me even more excited to see this next month.
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Post by corblimey on Feb 2, 2024 23:34:03 GMT
Had a great time once again ,went down really well tonight
Cast are so incredible and love it when they all sing altogether.
Never thought I’d hear one of my favourite ever songs Drive performed live as I never will by The Cars now.
Noticed they corrected the date on the newspaper in the Mrs T/Mr G scene in Act 2.
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781 posts
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Post by rumbledoll on Feb 3, 2024 10:21:57 GMT
Please could the five-star reviewers reveal themselves?! *raising a hand* present!  I vote 5 stars only when I am swept away with emotion so much that I don’t even notice the little imperfections or a couple of lines I would have changed. It’s completely irrational, you see. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 3, 2024 10:50:22 GMT
It's good. It's a fairly traditional jukebox musical which has a better selection of songs than most to work with (the 60, 70s, and 80s are all represented). They are integrated into the plot well and performed well.
The first half is stronger than the second. It runs very long (2 hours 45 minutes), and I presume they're still making a lot of changes as there were a few line slips.
The book itself is weak, as is the framing device, preaching to the converted, lots of characters introduced but it's not clear why they're there (and their subplots just fizzle out). The cast are uniformly excellent, particularly when performing the songs from the era. The Queen set is sensibly sprinkled throughout. There isn't much of a set. For most of the show, the cast sit on chairs at the back, coming forward as needed, and there are projections. The highlight is easily Mrs Thatcher, the Hamilton parody scenes, and it's almost as if someone is using this show to rehabilitate her in the public eye. There are times when talking about the horrors of the era that Miss Saigon style visuals may be needed, as opposed to just talking around the edges (and swearing).
I'm pleased to report the audience was well behaved. Very little singing along. They even largely refrained from responding from the attempts of those on stage to get hand waving and clapping going. I could tell that some were waiting for a mega-mix at the end, but that didn't come (just as well, as the show is too long already).
In many ways, this reminds me of the Old Vic and Sylvia, in that there's a lot of potential here, but it feels like there was some workshopping missed along the way.
Despite my misgivings, I'd happily see this again based on the strength of the music. I had a bad pillar restricted view seat (good legroom though), booked solely to use up a credit voucher. I'd like to see this from nearer the front. This could easily transfer as it will sell based on the strength of the music and subject matter. I do feel there's a gem of a show hidden away here, just waiting for someone to set it free.
I've gone with 3 stars in the poll. I imagine it will be 3.5 stars within days, and could hit 4 stars.
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Feb 3, 2024 11:03:48 GMT
Will be interesting to see the reviews on this show after press night, but it's starting to ignite. I was at a concert last night and chatting to a couple of people who had "heard good things" about this show. Sales are good. It might just be one of those shows that is good enough for people to forgive some of the contrived scripting. I'm going again tonight as it is relatively easy for me to get to.
Very much looking forward to hearing Jack Shalloo's (Midge) fantastic "Vienna", Joel Montague's (Harvey) mindblowing "Pinball Wizard" and utterly moving "Against All Odds", Abiona Omonua's (Amara) sensational "Blowing In The Wind", Danielle Steers (Marsha) and Ashley Campbell's (Jim) rocking "Dancing In The Streets".
The anthems in this "We Are The World" / "We Are the Champions" / "Message In A Bottle" / "We Will Rock You" / "Summer of '69" take the roof off. So many great songs in this - those listed are not even 1/3 of what gets covered. Has anybody seen the band Status Quo'ing their guitars in Olly Dobson's lively "Rockin' All Over The World"?
What would I change after my second viewing on Tuesday? The big reveal of the band had been stripped out - they were visible from the outset, whereas on opening preview a panel lifted up to show them on stage (which I felt was a nice touch, as when it started I felt disappointed that the musicians were going to be out of sight). I liked this moment as it added to the sense of occasion/concert feel. I think Maggie T's scenes need a couple more props to indicate No.10 (a big black door perhaps) as the background screen dominates and the headlines are a little distracting. For some reason, I'd like to see "Mrs T/Mr G" done on a platform or in a "Two Tribes" style boxing ring with an "Eye of the Tiger" guitar intro before they go into the rap sequence.
Some songs don't land well (probably because it is just snippets shoe-horned in - particularly "Everytime You Go Away" and "True". "All You Need Is Love" is sweetly sung by Jason Battersby but underplayed - it worked with Elvis Costello because he is charismatic and had 70,000 willing backing singers. I think the intention is for the audience to join in (like they did in the stadium) but it ends up falling a little flat. Also, Freddie Love (Skye) was used much more in the first preview and seemed to suffer from some of the cuts. This is a shame because they had a magnetic presence and sass, very much in the vein of Freddie Mercury (they also sang a couple of Queen tracks).
It's interesting watching this show evolve.
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1,254 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Feb 3, 2024 13:49:53 GMT
Will be interesting to see the reviews on this show after press night, but it's starting to ignite. I was at a concert last night and chatting to a couple of people who had "heard good things" about this show. Sales are good. It might just be one of those shows that is good enough for people to forgive some of the contrived scripting. I'm going again tonight as it is relatively easy for me to get to. Very much looking forward to hearing Jack Shalloo's (Midge) fantastic "Vienna", Joel Montague's (Harvey) mindblowing "Pinball Wizard" and utterly moving "Against All Odds", Abiona Omonua's (Amara) sensational "Blowing In The Wind", Danielle Steers (Marsha) and Ashley Campbell's (Jim) rocking "Dancing In The Streets". The anthems in this "We Are The World" / "We Are the Champions" / "Message In A Bottle" / "We Will Rock You" / "Summer of '69" take the roof off. So many great songs in this - those listed are not even 1/3 of what gets covered. Has anybody seen the band Status Quo'ing their guitars in Olly Dobson's lively "Rockin' All Over The World"? What would I change after my second viewing on Tuesday? The big reveal of the band had been stripped out - they were visible from the outset, whereas on opening preview a panel lifted up to show them on stage (which I felt was a nice touch, as when it started I felt disappointed that the musicians were going to be out of sight). I liked this moment as it added to the sense of occasion/concert feel. I think Maggie T's scenes need a couple more props to indicate No.10 (a big black door perhaps) as the background screen dominates and the headlines are a little distracting. For some reason, I'd like to see "Mrs T/Mr G" done on a platform or in a "Two Tribes" style boxing ring with an "Eye of the Tiger" guitar intro before they go into the rap sequence. Some songs don't land well (probably because it is just snippets shoe-horned in - particularly "Everytime You Go Away" and "True". "All You Need Is Love" is sweetly sung by Jason Battersby but underplayed - it worked with Elvis Costello because he is charismatic and had 70,000 willing backing singers. I think the intention is for the audience to join in (like they did in the stadium) but it ends up falling a little flat. Also, Freddie Love (Skye) was used much more in the first preview and seemed to suffer from some of the cuts. This is a shame because they had a magnetic presence and sass, very much in the vein of Freddie Mercury (they also sang a couple of Queen tracks). It's interesting watching this show evolve. Doesn’t sound like it deserves 5 stars in a poll then? |
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Post by toomasj on Feb 3, 2024 13:52:41 GMT
I don’t think there is anything that would get me back to this. As I said it made it angry - almost Liam Neeson angry. I just can’t look past how bad the book was; posters earlier in the thread likened it to a GCSE project. I entirely agree. I love so many of the songs, but as always with these concert style jukebox musicals (Rock of Ages, for instance) I’d rather stay home and watch YouTube videos of the original artists. I’ve never been one for tribute bands and cover artists, so I had similar issues with numerous other biographic musicals like Beautiful.
The ones which have I personally have enjoyed such as Piaf, Over the Rainbow or Jersey Boys either lean heavily into the drama of the piece or provide wit and humour in the writing to support the excellent music.
I can honestly say, hand on heart, that whilst this is nowhere near the objective “worst” show I’ve seen - the performances are competent enough and obviously the songs are superb - I can’t recall ever genuinely hating or getting angry about what I was watching.
The only thing I can think of which comes close is the Phantom remake, but even then the core show is still good, just less than we had before. I really didn’t enjoy but gave it 2* for the production, not the piece.
Fair enough for those who love this and can look past its faults (I note even the biggest fans of this seem to recognise issues with the book and the narrative style) but if I wanted an angry lecture I’d go to my Grandparents house and bring up politics.
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Feb 3, 2024 15:17:18 GMT
"Doesn’t sound like it deserves 5 stars in a poll then?"
I am more interested in evolution rather than perfection. Evolution is exciting. Perfection always leaves me wondering where "more" can come from.
So yes, a deserved five stars.
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Post by hannechalk on Feb 3, 2024 16:00:35 GMT
In the ‘My Generation’ scene I physically cringed so hard I thought my penis would travel up through my body and fall out of my mouth. And I thought I’d reached peak cringe earlier during Mrs T / Mr G. This incredibly talented cast can do so much better than this utterly confused show. Just delete the script and keep the songs (but remove the over-reliance on Queen’s back catalogue while you’re at it). Book of Mormon meets We Will Rock You meets karaoke night at a northern Labour club on a Friday night, in a show written by Ollie Plimsolls from the Legs Akimbo theatre company. Still, lots of dudes in their 60s had a great night out waving their arms in the air and pretending they were at a real gig, so maybe that’s its audience. 2/5 Yes! OMG - You've reminded me that I sat there thinking: 'this is what Legz Akimbo would do if given a West End stage - transferring from their school gyms and village halls tour'. I'm 48 and I can recall a performance by a group called Legs Akimbo in primary school in the Netherlands. It was... an experience. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Feb 3, 2024 16:36:01 GMT
"Doesn’t sound like it deserves 5 stars in a poll then?" I am more interested in evolution rather than perfection. Evolution is exciting. Perfection always leaves me wondering where "more" can come from. So yes, a deserved five stars. Thanks. Yes. As I thought. Not 5 stars at any of the times it’s been seen. But MAY be 5 stars once it has evolved. It’s just a different barometer used compared to everybody else here. Got it. Thanks. |
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Post by ceebee on Feb 3, 2024 17:46:49 GMT
"Doesn’t sound like it deserves 5 stars in a poll then?" I am more interested in evolution rather than perfection. Evolution is exciting. Perfection always leaves me wondering where "more" can come from. So yes, a deserved five stars. Thanks. Yes. As I thought. Not 5 stars at any of the times it’s been seen. But MAY be 5 stars once it has evolved. It’s just a different barometer used compared to everybody else here. Got it. Thanks. I really don't want to argue with you. One can award five stars for many reasons. I'm not looking for perfection. It's the same reason I believe in 6 and 7 star hotels. I'm perhaps looking at how this show made me feel, which is personal to each of us. There are quite a few people on this forum who gave it five stars, so why not step back from trying to be smart about my own particular reasons. Feels like I'm living in your head rent-free, which I never asked to do. Focus on what brings you joy, instead of nitpicking over the minutiae of other people's opinions. You'll be happier for it, I promise. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2024 18:04:54 GMT
Thanks. Yes. As I thought. Not 5 stars at any of the times it’s been seen. But MAY be 5 stars once it has evolved. It’s just a different barometer used compared to everybody else here. Got it. Thanks. I really don't want to argue with you. One can award five stars for many reasons. I'm not looking for perfection. It's the same reason I believe in 6 and 7 star hotels. I'm perhaps looking at how this show made me feel, which is personal to each of us. There are quite a few people on this forum who gave it five stars, so why not step back from trying to be smart about my own particular reasons. Feels like I'm living in your head rent-free, which I never asked to do. Focus on what brings you joy, instead of nitpicking over the minutiae of other people's opinions. You'll be happier for it, I promise. That...that was them acknowledging your reasons and moving on. They weren't coming for you. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Feb 3, 2024 18:18:13 GMT
I really don't want to argue with you. One can award five stars for many reasons. I'm not looking for perfection. It's the same reason I believe in 6 and 7 star hotels. I'm perhaps looking at how this show made me feel, which is personal to each of us. There are quite a few people on this forum who gave it five stars, so why not step back from trying to be smart about my own particular reasons. Feels like I'm living in your head rent-free, which I never asked to do. Focus on what brings you joy, instead of nitpicking over the minutiae of other people's opinions. You'll be happier for it, I promise. That...that was them acknowledging your reasons and moving on. They weren't coming for you. Thank you. Yes it was. Shame it was misunderstood ;(  |
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Feb 3, 2024 18:31:50 GMT
That...that was them acknowledging your reasons and moving on. They weren't coming for you. Thank you. Yes it was. Shame it was misunderstood ;( Apologies if I misunderstood - a couple of recent posts towards me have been unnecessarily snarky. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Feb 3, 2024 18:34:11 GMT
Thank you. Yes it was. Shame it was misunderstood ;( Apologies if I misunderstood - a couple of recent posts towards me have been unnecessarily snarky. Sorry. No. They haven’t. |
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Post by ceebee on Feb 3, 2024 22:21:48 GMT
Tonight ran 19.34 - 22.10. Not many more changes - some more use of colours on the video screens; the "SOS Message In A Bottle" lettering on the screens has been dropped - instead "SOS" fades in at the end of the song. Less distracting but less impactful in my view.
Getting slicker with every performance and the audience tonight LOVED it.
Great to see so many people (cast, band and audience) enjoying themselves.
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Post by alessia on Feb 4, 2024 13:00:49 GMT
In the ‘My Generation’ scene I physically cringed so hard I thought my penis would travel up through my body and fall out of my mouth. And I thought I’d reached peak cringe earlier during Mrs T / Mr G. This has me spit my coffee 🤣🤣🤣 I have a cheap ticket for this and now look forward to the cringey parts 😂😂 |
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Post by westendgirls on Feb 4, 2024 18:31:30 GMT
I think if they wanted to tighten up the book then have it more as a celebration of the day. Focus more on stories of people that went (the young couple) or were involved (not turning it into a tribute show so someone like Coldstream Guards guy) and less on the political slant (Mrs T and Jemma)
Going in and not knowing the story, I thought it would be more around a group of friends trying to get tickets and getting there on the day.
I didn’t expect to be patronised. As I said above I did love it but my takeaways were the music and the story of how it all came together. I was less interested in the “My Generation” slant
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Post by punxsutawney on Feb 4, 2024 20:05:47 GMT
Sorry to report this is a comfortable 1 star for me, in spite of mostly wonderful performances from those in it. It was very popular in the room however, so I imagine this will go on to have another life after this OV run in one way or another.
For me, the book was a mess. I don't understand what the story they wanted to tell here was - is it the story of how Bob Geldof set-up Live Aid (or Band Aid, for that matter, since that takes up just as much of the show), or is it the story of the people around Live Aid? The show doesn't seem to want to decide that, and the result is something paced awfully, leaping to and fro with weak characters and far too many of them. The character introductions was an awful section, went on way too long, and introduced a number of totally irrelevant individuals. Also didn't understand why you would introduce "Bob", "Midge", or "Margaret" with first name only as if it was some sort of sly nose tap. The show was filled with moments of brutal, formulaic cliche which had me grimacing to my partner. The moral grandstanding just does not work, it is too precisely on the nose while also managing to not *actually* state a stance on any current issues, something underlined by how awkward the Thatcher segments were in an attempt to appeal to those on either side of the aisle and alienate neither.
Also thought the staging was phenomenally underwhelming - camera usage is definitely jumping the shark, and this is the worst case yet. The cameras (located in the boxes?) are totally unnecessary and allow any conventional setting or staging to be shunned in favour of a giant screen with some lame graphics, and occasional props. The Live Aid guitar prop was effective, but totally underused.
It's a show I considered leaving halfway, and one I wish I had. I imagine this will be largely mauled by critics regardless of the life it goes on to lead afterwards. If it's a good moneymaker for the Old Vic and keeps them able to do more interesting work for years to come, then I guess I can swallow the bitter pill of them putting their names to this out of character flop.
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Post by punxsutawney on Feb 5, 2024 22:36:14 GMT
Another point that has just re-crossed my mind that had left it when I wrote my review yesterday - there does not seem to be any effort put into avoiding the singalong, arm-waving types in the crowd. This just seems extremely reckless to me - it's not just setting the precedent for this show, but telling certain audience members it is okay to do that at a time where this is a hot-button issue.
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Post by max on Feb 5, 2024 23:31:25 GMT
Another point that has just re-crossed my mind that had left it when I wrote my review yesterday - there does not seem to be any effort put into avoiding the singalong, arm-waving types in the crowd. This just seems extremely reckless to me - it's not just setting the precedent for this show, but telling certain audience members it is okay to do that at a time where this is a hot-button issue. I hated the show, but I slightly disagree here. A man next to me noisily ate a bag of crisps (and got shushed by others near the start), then tried to sort-of-quietly eat a chocolate bar, then brought a drink out (reasonable actually). By the middle of Act2 he started singing some lines by being slightly ahead of what was to come. I couldn't be bothered to tut or stop him - the show is fundamentally confused in its tone and format, so why spoil his enjoyment of what he perceived it to be, when I already loathed it? The script is awful, I found the use of three black performers/characters extremely questionable. They should have junked the script, played to its one strength - the underused but clever mash-ups** - and presented it as a stand-up-if-you-want-to gig at the Eventim Apollo. It doesn't make sense for the show to harp on about a rock'n'roll maverick who only got results by breaking the rules, and then expect the audience to sit tidily in well behaved rows. But they went and put a school play in between the songs, which does suggest a sit-down theatre experience - where you'd expect to get the different audience behaviour you talk of. ** Excellent job by Matthew Brind on these, he's the sole creative who could have raised this higher. Imagine music only, plus archive, plus verbatim memories, woven with the songs put in dialogue with eachother. Could have been good. |
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Post by toomasj on Feb 6, 2024 5:01:39 GMT
The more I think of it, the more I think it might be intentionally bad - ala Diana: The Musical. I have a strong feeling this will be absolutely mauled by the real critics (newspapers) and will get raves from the bloggers.
I think word of mouth is so important and I imagine lots got enjoyment from the badness.
I made this same point about Diana: The Musical and a couple of people shut me down. It was just me. The show is a serious piece.
Then comes the concert with all the cast KNOWING what kind of show they’re in and openly gurning at the audience. A camp classic - a musical deliberately written to be a mess.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out this is a deliberate parody.
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Post by punxsutawney on Feb 6, 2024 9:41:52 GMT
Another point that has just re-crossed my mind that had left it when I wrote my review yesterday - there does not seem to be any effort put into avoiding the singalong, arm-waving types in the crowd. This just seems extremely reckless to me - it's not just setting the precedent for this show, but telling certain audience members it is okay to do that at a time where this is a hot-button issue. I hated the show, but I slightly disagree here. A man next to me noisily ate a bag of crisps (and got shushed by others near the start), then tried to sort-of-quietly eat a chocolate bar, then brought a drink out (reasonable actually). By the middle of Act2 he started singing some lines by being slightly ahead of what was to come. I couldn't be bothered to tut or stop him - the show is fundamentally confused in its tone and format, so why spoil his enjoyment of what he perceived it to be, when I already loathed it? The script is awful, I found the use of three black performers/characters extremely questionable. They should have junked the script, played to its one strength - the underused but clever mash-ups** - and presented it as a stand-up-if-you-want-to gig at the Eventim Apollo. It doesn't make sense for the show to harp on about a rock'n'roll maverick who only got results by breaking the rules, and then expect the audience to sit tidily in well behaved rows. But they went and put a school play in between the songs, which does suggest a sit-down theatre experience - where you'd expect to get the different audience behaviour you talk of. ** Excellent job by Matthew Brind on these, he's the sole creative who could have raised this higher. Imagine music only, plus archive, plus verbatim memories, woven with the songs put in dialogue with eachother. Could have been good. The Old Vic is a traditional theatre and at no point is this marketed at anything other than a theatre show - while I understand what you're trying to say, I don't think the average person will see a difference between this and any other show. They will just think "oh, they didn't stop us from singing along at JFOD, so I guess we can do it at every show!". |
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