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Post by BVM on Jun 1, 2024 18:22:05 GMT
I’m not sure whether this is because of previews or that people have called ahead, but when we got into the auditorium many of the tables were reserved, which I didn’t think was possible. I can’t say with certainty, but it believe there were some 1-2 groups sharing a table of 4-5. The raked theatre seats were around 7 or 8 wide at the front. Unless I’m mistaken I think they were like that all the way up. I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house given the way they’ve staged it, although perhaps avoid the seats closest to the wall/sound desk as they might be a little too much to the side. I was hoping to get a table, but in retrospect I think I might have had a better view from the raked seats as the principle actors did seem to play to the front more. Thank you :-) |
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Post by aloysius on Jun 2, 2024 6:33:43 GMT
I was there for the first preview as well, sat on one of the cabaret tables (or should that be Cabaret?) One of the benefits of that is they give you the occasional free shot! There isn't really that much immersiveness though, other than a bit of pointing and smiling at you. That's one of the things they can and should develop during the preview period. I also do slightly resent the fixed price of £40 a ticket in previews when they were basically using it as a tech run through. The 🎤 issues should've been sorted before they'd allowed paying punters through the door. Final gripe: it's a lot for a musical whose band consists of one man pressing play on a machine!
But moaning over - it is a very fun production of a musical that has a special place in many a gay's heart. Frances Ruffelle is inspired casting - her rendition of Friendly Fire is pitch perfect and maybe speaks to her career as much as Billie's? - and Courtney Bowman is a superb talent who I'm pleasantly surprised to see in something like this. I also very much enjoyed David Muscat's over the top villianry. Connor Carson is also very convincing and has a lovely voice. The staging is impressive and I think by the end of the run this will be a very slick production indeed.
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Post by sandrasue88 on Jun 2, 2024 12:17:14 GMT
I enjoyed the first preview Friday and met several Pethead friends. The vocals were mixed too quietly for me. J Harvey has written a few extra lines and the final song is now For every moment. There was great energy from the cast, Frances Ruffelle has Billie pretty much nailed, Glenn Adamson is well cast as Dave too and the other leads and tbe principals will warm up and settle into their roles as the run progresses. As we were sitting at a cafe table I thought there would be much more close up interaction, but it was minimal!
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 3, 2024 20:19:55 GMT
I saw this yesterday abd whilst I enjoyed it, it wasn't great. Frances Ruffelle is doing a weird Bjork impression and the accent went in and out, though 'Friendly Fire' was a highlight.
I'm assuming they're using backing tracks for the music? Alot of the vocals couldn't be heard that well and were drowned out by the music.
Glen Adamson as Dave didn't seem to have the best voice, surprising considering his previous shows. Courtney Bowman was excellent as Shell. Connor Carson seemed to have a great voice (to match that body) and would have liked to have seen him as Dave instead.
Some of the new material didn't land at all most lines were met with a deathly silence. The new final number 'For the Moment' works well lyrically, but doesn't have the oomph and energy that Positive Role Model or even Vocal had.
I'm going again soon and hope that it's in better shape than it currently is.
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Post by Deal J on Jun 4, 2024 11:06:18 GMT
That's exactly how I feel bobbievanhusen - I enjoyed it, but it wasn't great. I've realised most of the issues I have are with the work itself, and not this production. It's the book for me, the dialogue can feel forced at times, perhaps even reductive if I'm using that word correctly. There's very little subtlety, I don't think it trusts the audience enough to understand what's going on, I'm sure we can understand Dave's confusion and struggles accepting his sexuality without the constant "I'm straight" / "You're gay" / "Am I gay?" back-and-forth in the dialogue. Let the actor show their feelings, or as Russell T Davies often says with writing, "Show, don't tell". Similarly with the "I love drugs" / "Drugs are bad" stuff which can feel at times like a Legz Akimbo production! But like I say, that's not the fault of this current production. Most of the cast here are excellent, Frances Ruffelle is superb - even though the character of Billie Trix can get very annoying by the end, Frances’s performance is always entertaining and surprisingly physical. Courtney Bowman is a real talent as Shell, her voice is very powerful - this is particularly helpful given the sound issues that seem to have hounded these previews so far. I’m less enamoured by Glenn Adamson, I didn’t feel his Dave had sufficient chemistry with either Shell or Lee. Kurt Kansley played Vic well, his interpretation of Vampires is a surprisingly dark highlight. David Muscat is hilarious as Bob, relishing in how hideously filthy the character is. I was most impressed with the dancers (Billie’s Babes - Beth Curnock, Cian Hughes, and Jamie Tait). With a relatively small performance space and a lot going on, it could have felt crowded and messy, but they are really well choreographed and work very well together. The lighting and staging are both good – as sandrasue88 said, the audience interaction is minimal (which I presume we were supposed to read as m.i.n.i.m.a.l. 😉 ), although I think the cast might adapt to how responsive you’re being (in addition to the green/play and red/stop cards) as near the end one woman had a dancer thrusting his pelvis into her face! Perhaps they knew each other. They certainly do now! |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 4, 2024 23:55:03 GMT
I've realised most of the issues I have are with the work itself, and not this production. It's the book for me, the dialogue can feel forced at times, I think that's especially true of the new material for this production. I find most of the Bob Saunders stuff just too OTT. Yes he's meant to be a slimey character, but not every line has to be an inuendo or crass comment. There was a new line that Vic has 'You could look like Stephen Hawking and people would still get a boner' Really? I asked Jonathan Harvey if he would ever go back and take a look at the book for CTH, as it was not a good experience for him the first time round and he replied that he updates it for every production, apparently. I felt Ruffelle missed alot of the laughs in the character - though i did like that in the opening 'My Night' she sang on the beat of the track, instead of just talking over it as background music' Again, she had a line that wasn't in previous productions 'I can smell your count...try' though that isn't how it's pronounced in the show. It wasjust not needed, and I'm far from being a prude. It was all trying a bit too hard. |
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Post by ShoreditchTom on Jun 5, 2024 9:39:17 GMT
Not seen this yet but the Stephen Hawking line has always been in there right back to the original production!
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Post by ShoreditchTom on Jun 5, 2024 15:04:11 GMT
Also "I love the smell of your country" was also in the original! See 1.38 here:  |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 5, 2024 17:59:55 GMT
My bad.
Maybe it stuck out more in this production because of the way she said I can smell your count...try.
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Post by Deal J on Jun 6, 2024 7:37:40 GMT
My bad. Maybe it stuck out more in this production because of the way she said I can smell your count...try. You're right, it sticks out more in this production. Billie pretty much shouts the first syllable and leaves a longer pause before adding the last syllable. I prefer the original version as the inneundo is there if you want to find it, it's more cheeky. This new delivery has no subtlety... though I suppose that makes it fit with the rest of the book! |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 6, 2024 10:11:01 GMT
Every review I've read of this production says how bad the book is, and alot of them aren't fans of the songs either. I wish JH would let someone else have a go at the book. I'm sure there is a much better musical in there somewhere.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 6, 2024 15:38:44 GMT
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Post by fleshpuppet on Jun 10, 2024 9:41:01 GMT
What a great venue for this production - and credit to the staff for making it so welcoming. I really enjoyed the staging, and try as I might - with my table seat and green card turned up - the most attention I got was a Babe stumbling over my foot.
The book is still clunky, the plot contrivances big enough to hang the impassioned ballads and belters on. If you’re not going to buy into Straight Dave and Shell’s relationship, you might as well have these two. With the fitting coiffure of Armand and the couture of B*witched, Adamson’s voice is at least a good match for Bowman even on the still-icky Nine Out Of Ten.
Ruffelle leads the ensemble with aplomb, easily a match for Frances Barber, which serves to be much more palatable given recent controversies. Kansley’s Vampires is fangtastic and Carson is the best Mile End Lee by a long mile. The finale now suffers from Positive Role Model>Vocal>For Every Moment syndrome (mourners can pay their respects here: .
On Saturday evening, the mics and mixing were still wobbly, but it all adds to the fringey, frothy fun - and for my money, this is the best London version since the original. And how do I rate? An eight? Will nine out of ten do?
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Post by d'James on Jun 10, 2024 11:59:44 GMT
I’ve been so busy with Starlight that I haven’t had a chance to post my thoughts about this, which I saw on Friday.
I really enjoyed the songs, performances and costumes. My only problem is the script; it just seemed lazy writing to be shocking for the sake of shocking without any nuance or innuendo, which makes it less funny in my opinion.
I had no idea about the show before, but this was a good production to introduce me to - I think. It’s a nice little venue and the staff were just as lovely this time as last time I went (Eugenius). I do think the red/green cards are a waste of time though; if you don’t want interaction, don’t sit on those tables.
Anyway, I was in London from Spain for less than 48 hours to see Starlight, then I found out Frances Ruffelle was in this and had to book tickets. If it wasn’t for Starlight, I wouldn’t be a fan of Frances so it felt right.
I doubt it, but is there another soundtrack out there so I don’t have to have one with Frances Barber on it?!
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Post by BVM on Jun 10, 2024 12:10:08 GMT
I’ve been so busy with Starlight that I haven’t had a chance to post my thoughts about this, which I saw on Friday. I really enjoyed the songs, performances and costumes. My only problem is the script; it just seemed lazy writing to be shocking for the sake of shocking without any nuance or innuendo, which makes it less funny in my opinion. I had no idea about the show before, but this was a good production to introduce me to - I think. It’s a nice little venue and the staff were just as lovely this time as last time I went (Eugenius). I do think the red/green cards are a waste of time though; if you don’t want interaction, don’t sit on those tables. Anyway, I was in London from Spain for less than 48 hours to see Starlight, then I found out Frances Ruffelle was in this and had to book tickets. If it wasn’t for Starlight, I wouldn’t be a fan of Frances so it felt right. I doubt it, but is there another soundtrack out there so I don’t have to have one with Frances Barber on it?! I really wish there was. Loved the OLC of this for years but now find it really hard to listen to her without being reminded of all the awful things she's said about trans people. I also now have this problem with the Norris Cabaret CD which features James Dreyfus (that does of course have loads of other recordings thankfully!) |
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Post by d'James on Jun 10, 2024 14:26:47 GMT
Forgot to say that the Turbine Theatre really should house a revival of Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 10, 2024 21:53:33 GMT
Forgot to say that the Turbine Theatre really should house a revival of Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens. OMG. That's exactly what the friends I went with on Saturday night said!
Seen this twice now. Unfortunately i think it's the worst production of the 3 i've seen, but it's still good to see it.
On Saturday, Glenn Adamson was optioning up on most of his songs, but his voice does sound better in the higher, beltier range. Frances Ruffells' accent, from wherever it's meant to be from, again came and went and she's not landing all many of the laughs there are to be had. Courtney Bowman and Connor Carson still have the best voices but this time Kurt Kansley made a much bigger impression with Vampires. The last number is still plodding.
It was a pretty drunk audience on Saturday night, with some audience members commenting loudly or talking back to the cast on stage. It got a bit awkward when someone got up to dance with the cast at the end, only it hadn't ended yet.
The staff at The Turbine are super friendly and really make you feel welcome to the venue.
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Post by Paulw on Jun 12, 2024 7:41:19 GMT
I saw this last night and have to say I was disappointed, I had been looking forward to this since it was announced but it was sadly lacking.
As pointed out in previous posts there were mic and lighting issues, the music is too loud and the mics just aren’t loud enough still, the lighting cues were strange leaving the cast delivering lines in the dark! However the cast give it there all and they don’t appear to have cut any corners there and can only work with the material they have been given. 3 Stars for me unfortunately.
As a side not are they out with the buckets collecting every night or was last night just a 1 off? This seems to be coming more and more frequent occurrence in theatre which I hope isn’t a trend that is setting in, its great they do charity collections but with cost of living and the increase in ticket prices its a bit much begging for donations after!
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Post by BVM on Jun 12, 2024 9:15:11 GMT
Extended for another month. Almost doubling the length of the run!
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Post by jay78uk on Jun 19, 2024 14:23:41 GMT
Attended last night. Very excitingly, Neil and Chris in audience. Sat at a cabaret table which was great fun… enjoyed chatting with audience members at adjacent tables… venue had a lovely vibe. My partner, who doesn’t know the show, adored it, feeling it very much captured his adolescence and the struggles many young people had, and no doubt have, struggling with their sexuality outside our big cities, a theme very much revisited in the song ‘New London Boy’ on the Pet Shop Boys’ latest album. I enjoyed the show too, but found the sound a bit muddy and the plot weak. However, I loved the endless jokes and the wonderful score, which is top notch from start to finish. Battersea is a great, but rather expensive, place to spend an evening… great to explore the power station and the promenade. Great night out.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Jun 19, 2024 18:47:47 GMT
I went to see this for the Sunday matinee, and realised afterwards I'd been sat behind Frances Ruffelle's dad!
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Post by TallPaul on Jun 19, 2024 19:09:00 GMT
I went to see this for the Sunday matinee, and realised afterwards I'd been sat behind Frances Ruffelle's dad! Mr Sylvia Young? |
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 19, 2024 22:39:45 GMT
Not sure what you mean, because I've never heard of Glenn Adamson. Do you perceive him as more butch or less butch than how the character has been previously portrayed?! Very butch! He's just lead the Bat Out of Hell tour as Strat! (Although now am thinking about it, am re-appraising this....) Also very MT/rock type voice. Think he'd done things like American Idiot etc beforehand. He's just not someone that in a million years would have crossed my mind for Dave but fascinated to see it. I saw it tonight and absolutely couldn't stand him. Felt he was totally miscast, unconvincing, unlikeable and zero vulnerability. |
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Post by BVM on Jun 20, 2024 8:39:29 GMT
Very butch! He's just lead the Bat Out of Hell tour as Strat! (Although now am thinking about it, am re-appraising this....) Also very MT/rock type voice. Think he'd done things like American Idiot etc beforehand. He's just not someone that in a million years would have crossed my mind for Dave but fascinated to see it. I saw it tonight and absolutely couldn't stand him. Felt he was totally miscast, unconvincing, unlikeable and zero vulnerability. Oh Dear! How was rest of show? I’m finally going next week! |
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 20, 2024 12:50:46 GMT
I saw it tonight and absolutely couldn't stand him. Felt he was totally miscast, unconvincing, unlikeable and zero vulnerability. Oh Dear! How was rest of show? I’m finally going next week! I liked it. I didn't think it was going to be so "low fi" - having never been to the Turbine. It was an improvement on the last version I saw (at the Union) from a production/direction aspect. Frances was worth the ticket price alone. An absolute tour de force performance. She fits the role like a glove. The guy playing Mile End Lee would have been far better as Straight Dave. It works well as a period-piece now. It captures the 90's hedonistic/DGAF attitude and the pre-9/11 positivity of the club/gay scene. I forgot how amateurish the book is. It has excellent jokes and one liners, but little else going for it. Can't believe this is the same person who wrote Beautiful Thing!! I love the songs and it was great to hear them live. I enjoyed all the cast except for the aforementioned actor... Lewbearbrown off of TikTok/Instagram was very charismatic as Flynn. It was a shame they didn't have the budget for more ensemble, but the three present did a stirling job. |
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