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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2024 21:42:45 GMT
I saw Michael Crawford in Barnum in 1982 and he was fantastic. His dedication on learning all the circus tricks was very impressive and it’s no wonder the show was a sellout. A very hard working and gifted performer Michael was an amazing physical performer with Barnum and of course as Frank Spencer. Plus a fine actor and singer. A big charity supporter too. His knighthood is overdue. |
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 6, 2024 19:06:44 GMT
They just had Motsi Mabuse discussing this on The One Show.
Unfortunately, I missed the first 10 minutes but she was explaining how it will be 'interactive' with jugglers as you walk into the theatre, with a giant elephant outside.
I love Barnum, I really do. I have the original Broadway cast recording with Jim Dale and Glenn Close and the Michael Crawford version on DVD.
I even contemplated travelling to see this production until I fund out where the theatre was. And then tonight Motsi explained that the performers were actor/musicians and for me that was the nail in the coffin! I can't be doing with actor/musicians. Whilst I acknowledge their talent and skill, I find musical instruments on stage being played by the actors to be too distracting.
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Post by ruthieh on Jun 6, 2024 21:23:33 GMT
Oti, not Motsi.
But honestly, give this a chance. What this tiny theatre did with LOTR last summer was truly amazing, and if they can work that magic again with Barnum, this will be a spectacular show!
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Post by ceebee on Jun 30, 2024 21:53:19 GMT
So, I was initially reluctant to go and see this but a combination of the excellent trailer of "Come Follow The Band" (which feels like the Watermill have yet again wrung a band that sounds twice the size it actually is) along with my admiration for the Watermill means I've taken the plunge on a preview and if I enjoy it I will book again. Might not sound like a big deal but it's a 230 mile round four hour trip for me. Is anybody else going this week?
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Post by ceebee on Jul 2, 2024 20:52:10 GMT
Anybody at first preview tonight?
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Post by danb on Jul 2, 2024 21:08:30 GMT
Sounds glorious! (On the video…I’m not there).
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Post by ceebee on Jul 3, 2024 23:41:14 GMT
Wow. Second preview, so the cast and crew are still fine tuning things but this has the makings of an absolute smash all over it.
What a cast, led by the irrepressibly charismatic and energetic Matt Rawle as PT Barnum. The entire cast is fantastic - for acting as well as musicianship. Standouts for me aside from Rawle were Monique Young as a multi-dimensional Charity, Penny Ashmore as a brilliant (and often amusing) Jenny Lind, Tania Mathutin as Joice (stunning voice), Josh Barnett as James Bailey/Ringmaster - a pivotal role and he really drives the pace and performance. The circus performers are excellent, notably Kiera Brunton who is mesmerising on-stage.
There is so much that is great about this production - I wasn't keen when they announced it, but I'm so glad I went because it has the makings of a hit. On leaving, I overheard comments such as "...fantastic... outstanding...the best production I've ever seen at the Watermill...".
Oh, and Oti Mabuse's choreography is excellent - I've no idea how they manage it on that tiny stage.
For a second preview, it's in great shape. If I was giving notes I'd be wanting the sound sorted out as some vocals got lost to brass and drums - the drummers might need to drop it down a notch. Also, the end was messy - I couldn't work out if it was a tech/stage management hitch, or if it was just under-rehearsed, but I'd put my house on tonight's ending being reworked, as there was an audience ready to erupt with applause that wasn't quite sure if the show had ended.
The orchestrations are beautiful played by some really accomplished musicians. Two pianos/keys, numerous drums/percussion, whistles, flutes, piccolo, various sax, trombone, trumpet, glockenspiel, xylophone, double bass, euphonium.
This production is an absolute joy - the two hours flew by. What a cast, what a production. It'll be five stars by press night.
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Post by thedrowsychaperone on Jul 4, 2024 9:29:36 GMT
Pretty desperate to see this, but the Watermill seems like such a pig to get to from Sunny Suffolk
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Post by ceebee on Jul 4, 2024 9:34:27 GMT
Pretty desperate to see this, but the Watermill seems like such a pig to get to from Sunny Suffolk I know the feeling - I got home at midnight last night after a tedious drive on the M4 and M25 through roadworks etc. All I can say is that it is worth it and I would return tonight if I could - it is such a joyful production with music that fills the whole theatre and grounds. They need to work on building the atmosphere outside beforehand but I think that will probably happen during previews. Inside the theatre it is an explosion of energy, colour, brilliant musicians and some excellent acting. I looked around a few times last night and literally the whole audience was beaming. Without being disrespectful to the average Watermill patron, I swear last night knocked twenty years off of some of the audience - this production can't fail to lift your spirits and make you smile. It is every bit as good as The Lord of the Rings but in a very different way. |
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Post by tmesis on Jul 4, 2024 12:26:36 GMT
Really looking forward to seeing this on Monday night.
To be honest any production at The Watermill is a treat as the place is so idyllic, with lovely, welcoming staff running the place.
Also the journey's quite quick for me from Surrey.
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Post by PineappleForYou on Jul 6, 2024 22:37:45 GMT
Just got back from seeing this tonight.
This is excellent. First time seeing Barnum and I think the material is very lightweight, underwritten and has poorly aged. However, this production is a near prefect to how it could be performed in my opinion!
There is not a weak aspect here from the design and lighting to the direction and acrobatics. It looks beautiful and sounds fantastic. It will certainly have a good summer at the Watermill. I can also report that the ending has been fixed and worked very well tonight.
The pre-show in the garden is just not working at the moment though. A lot of the Watermill patrons do the pre theatre dining which means not many people are out in the garden before the show. Consequently, this makes the vibe quite flat. It also shows how difficult crowd work is. I think it might be beneficial to have a ringleader character giving a bit of charm and energy to make this aspect work. At the moment the pre-show doesn't add anything.
However, don't go for the "immersive" aspect. Go for the best of theatre craft on display here. Would certainly recommend.
Can a poll be added?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 7, 2024 21:21:14 GMT
Poll added 🎪
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Post by tmesis on Jul 9, 2024 14:46:07 GMT
This was my third time seeing Barnum. The first was the Chichester Festival production which was underwhelming, the second was the Menier version which was seriously hampered by a piss-poor Marcus Brigstocke in the title role - probably the worst leading man in a musical I’ve ever seen. In contrast Matt Rawle was excellent last night, he really did have the charisma the part needs (and unlike Brigstocke he could do the tightrope walk.) The two female leads were also super - Monique Young had great chemistry with Rawle and Penny Ashmore was a funny Jenny Lind with an impressive coloratura voice and some nifty harp playing.
The whole thing looked marvellous on The Watermill’s tiny stage with lots of energetic activity and impressively inventive choreography. The pre-show entertainment was somewhat hampered by a typical British summer evening of torrential rain but they effectively brought much of it indoors.
So definitely the best Barnum I’ve seen by a long way. So why didn't I enjoy it that much?
Well…
It’s just not a very good musical and I’m surprised it gets revived as often as it does. The story doesn’t really engage you - it’s just a turgid retelling of Barnum’s life with no story arc at all and a feeble ending. Also, the score is not Cy Coleman’s best; nothing like as good as City of Angels or, especially, Sweet Charity.
But don’t let me put you off. If you love Barnum go see - it’s a great production and has a unique atmosphere, greatly enhanced by The Watermill’s wonderful ambience.
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Post by ceebee on Jul 10, 2024 13:15:00 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 10, 2024 13:27:02 GMT
18 performers on that tiny stage. Wow. You get a lot bang for your buck.
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Post by ceebee on Jul 10, 2024 13:30:09 GMT
18 performers on that tiny stage. Wow. You get a lot bang for your buck. Yeah, it feels a little tight at times - there were points where I had no idea how they did the choreography that they did. I've decided that the Watermill is actually a tardis, as I've no idea how they shoehorn everything in. This is an excellent production of a show that I was indifferent to originally. I've booked in to see it again and ticket sales are probably slightly better than Lord of the Rings at the same stage. |
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Post by ceebee on Jul 11, 2024 14:47:20 GMT
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 11, 2024 15:49:03 GMT
She barely has a criticism of it apart from the show glossing over the ethics of circus, then it only gets three stars? Typical Guardian, all over the place. |
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Post by ceebee on Jul 11, 2024 16:34:20 GMT
She barely has a criticism of it apart from the show glossing over the ethics of circus, then it only gets three stars? Typical Guardian, all over the place. I thought that - I saw the three stars at the beginning but by the end was like: "Oh, so you enjoyed it then..." |
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Post by ceebee on Jul 11, 2024 17:07:50 GMT
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Post by ceebee on Jul 19, 2024 22:33:22 GMT
Saw this excellent production again this evening. Every bit as superb as it was in previews. Grab a ticket - well worth the journey!
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Post by theatre22 on Jul 19, 2024 22:40:57 GMT
Saw this excellent production again this evening. Every bit as superb as it was in previews. Grab a ticket - well worth the journey! I was looking at tickets for this today. On the dates I could go I can only get the £25 tickets in the circle slips. I’ve not been to the theatre before. Would the view from these seats be ok for this production? |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 19, 2024 23:22:31 GMT
So this is actor/musician as traditional there in Newbury, the Watermill Theatre doesn’t ask for much, an actor tightrope walking whilst playing the trombone - no doubt the actor has to dance on the tightrope also - that is a proper treble threat
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Post by ceebee on Jul 20, 2024 19:43:14 GMT
Saw this excellent production again this evening. Every bit as superb as it was in previews. Grab a ticket - well worth the journey! I was looking at tickets for this today. On the dates I could go I can only get the £25 tickets in the circle slips. I’ve not been to the theatre before. Would the view from these seats be ok for this production? yes these are fine - you'll be above the stage and legroom is tight but you'll still enjoy it! |
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Post by ceebee on Jul 20, 2024 19:45:32 GMT
So this is actor/musician as traditional there in Newbury, the Watermill Theatre doesn’t ask for much, an actor tightrope walking whilst playing the trombone - no doubt the actor has to dance on the tightrope also - that is a proper treble threat He doesn't play the trombone but he does walk the tightrope. Not sure what your point is. Matt Rawle leads an excellent cast of actor musicians. Have you actually seen it or are you just bitching? |
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