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Post by rustycharlie on Dec 4, 2024 9:44:33 GMT
This was my thought. I'm used to the very mean-spirited guy who learns to love that Zero Mostel played. I really enjoyed his performance. I found him a guiding witty humorous force amongst all the farce. If he had been similarly showy and more OTT it would have been collectively too much of the same type of humour. Agree entirely. I really liked Andy Nyman's Max. He obviously was unwell on Saturday, but I thought his portrayal was a perfect contrast to all the madness going on around him and I think in a smaller production like this it worked really well. However, I never really liked Nathan Lane's Max very much, so.............! Really enjoyed the whole thing. Obviously saw a preview and wanted to return later in the run to see how it all settled down, but all sold out at present, so will return if / when it transfers! |
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Post by thedrowsychaperone on Dec 4, 2024 9:48:34 GMT
Watched last night and slightly middling for me (another big fan of the Drury Lane production)
Was entertained enough and never found myself bored and eye-rolling, but I thought Marc Antolin was just so wonderful that it's managed to squeeze the whole thing up to 4*s from me!
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Post by Peter on Dec 4, 2024 10:50:40 GMT
This was my thought. I'm used to the very mean-spirited guy who learns to love that Zero Mostel played. I really enjoyed his performance. I found him a guiding witty humorous force amongst all the farce. If he had been similarly showy and more OTT it would have been collectively too much of the same type of humour. Interesting - I saw the original at Drury Lane with Lane and Evans and found the humour (and acting style) quite relentless in that incarnation. I felt quite beaten by the end, they only just stopped short of actually screaming THIS IS FUNNY at the audience. I might be tempted to give it another go with a more restrained approach, though also worried that the material won’t support that take (c.f. Henry Goodman and his firing from the Broadway production for exactly that reason!) |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 4, 2024 11:29:38 GMT
I’m worried about seeing this now. Love this show and can’t take it being bad.
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Post by matthew90 on Dec 4, 2024 11:34:03 GMT
I really enjoyed his performance. I found him a guiding witty humorous force amongst all the farce. If he had been similarly showy and more OTT it would have been collectively too much of the same type of humour. Interesting - I saw the original at Drury Lane with Lane and Evans and found the humour (and acting style) quite relentless in that incarnation. I felt quite beaten by the end, they only just stopped short of actually screaming THIS IS FUNNY at the audience. I might be tempted to give it another go with a more restrained approach, though also worried that the material won’t support that take (c.f. Henry Goodman and his firing from the Broadway production for exactly that reason!) I think it does and I really enjoyed myself. I also really loved Imelda's version of Dolly as it was also more grounded amongst the farce - still very funny, but more realistic as a human so you rooted for her. My hypothesis would be - I imagine those who liked that style of Dolly would enjoy this version of Max? |
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Post by Steve on Dec 5, 2024 0:10:03 GMT
Saw this tonight and thought it was terrific, as enjoyable on average, for me, as the original production and better than the 2015 tour, which was not as strong across the board. Of course, this is not as razzle dazzle in the big numbers as at Drury Lane, but I love the intimacy of the Menier, and the performances are wonderfully well-judged and very funny. Tonight, Babani said three performers were taken ill, and the stage manager was ill as well, but thank goodness none of the principals were off, swings stepped in for the missing minor roles (Hana Ichijo was off, for one) and thank goodness the lighting designer was able to step in for the stage manager. Trevor Ashley and Harry Morrison were unrestrained, balls-out, belly laugh funny, in a lineup where there is not a weak link, and everyone is funny. Some spoilers follow. . . Contrary to reports above, I found nothing harsh whatsoever about Andy Nyman tonight (perhaps his approach has evolved to be more smiley and relatably warm, as he certainly was not cruel like Zero Mostel in the film, although it wouldn't have been bad if he was, as Mostel was funny-mean). Although a slight hoarseness suggested he had been recently ill, Nyman was human, in-the-moment, zany and loveable, an excellent anchor for the show, and he had a palpable chemistry with Marc Antolin's adorably coy and neurotic, albeit equally warm and human Bloom. Joanna Woodward may be shorter than a typical Ulla, but her wacky charisma, her slanted Swedish pronunciations, her effervescent mischievousness made for a fantastic, funny and free radiant sprite of an Ulla, utterly entertaining in her interactions with the two main characters. She "strooted" her "stoof" with delightful audience-friendly abandon! Only Harry Morrison and Trevor Ashley were even more out there:- Morrison's Nazi writer is like an explosive hilarious Henry Lewis caricature, snarling with reactionary rightwing fury, yet constantly surprisingly regressing to a simpering wimpering repressed cuddly childhood persona, before turning manically murderous again; Trevor Ashley is an unparalleled Roger De Bris, as camp and as maniacal as Divine, one of the funniest and most out-there characters I've ever seen on stage. He has marvellous chemistry with the equally camp, though more subdued, Raj Ghatak as Carmen Ghia, and I couldn't take my eyes off him, unable to stop laughing at his antics. So, yes, "Springtime for Hitler" at the Menier may be disappointingly small in it's staging (compared to the original), but Ashley's central exuberant unrestrained ultra-campness makes the whole number feel ten times bigger, ten times wilder, and ten times funnier, regardless. I'd simply love to see this again, and I hope it does transfer and gets even more unrestrained at the edges, anchored so ably by the comedic warmth and believable bond of its two wonderful leads. 4 and a half stars from me tonight.  |
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Post by paultw on Dec 5, 2024 12:15:52 GMT
The last time I saw this on stage was the Nathan Lane /Lee Evans show 20 years ago. I was up in the balcony then but enjoyed the spectacle.
I actually enjoyed this production more because of the intimate theatre space and being just a few yards from the acting.
I greatly enjoyed it and got the impression everyine else did ( though sometimes I stand up at the end to see the cast members, a kind of forced standing ovation!).
I wouod have thought this would transfer, but then I thought the hugely enjoyable The Boy Friend with Adrian Edmondson here at the Meniere a few years back would as well, so what do I know. Very over the top and camp. Enjoyed the Nazi pigeons. Highlight the Springtime for Hitler sequence.
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Post by partytentdown on Dec 6, 2024 10:06:45 GMT
I've posted two tickets for January 21st on the noticeboard if anyone wants 'em!
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Post by geraldine64 on Dec 6, 2024 16:19:54 GMT
There will hopefully be two tickets going onto the Noticeboard for the matinee tomorrow, if anyone is interested.
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Post by AGlitzyFinale on Dec 7, 2024 3:01:58 GMT
Saw this yesterday and it was my first exposure to the material so don’t have the context for the Drury lane production referenced a lot.
I really enjoyed it. The set, while small and not particularly elaborate, was exactly what I expect from a theatre of this scale and while it would definitely need to be built on for a transfer I had no issues with it in this space.
Harry Morrison as Franz was easily the highlight for me, he was absolutely hilarious, other stand outs were Trevor Ashley and Marc Antolin.
Reading through this thread I wanted to add that at no point did I feel like this show needed to be bigger to be effective in its comedy or storytelling, springtime for Hitler was large enough in the context of the rest of the production to still stand out in its spectacle. It made a good use of the space it had.
Overall it was an enjoyable trip to the theatre and the rest of the audience seemed to enjoy with lots of laughter throughout and a partial standing ovation at the end.
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Post by shownut on Dec 7, 2024 8:11:36 GMT
I went last night and hands down, it was the most fun I have had at the theatre in quite some time.
I thought the production was spot-in in every way including design, direction, sound, choreography and most of all, a first rate cast who know how to deliver the laughs.
I sincerely hope it transfers so I can can catch it again.
Caught the original on Bway, in the West End and even a Parisian production last year - this was certainly the best since the stellar original.
I am very curious waht is happening in the former restaurant space which is now under renovation. Anyone have any ideas?
Easy ***** from me.
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Post by alece10 on Dec 7, 2024 8:58:28 GMT
I was also there last night and had a great time. Although I know the film and the music very well this was the first time I have seen it on stage.
Very, very funny and some great songs and dance numbers.
Sitting on the front row you can see that the set is a bit on the cheap side but considering the size of the cast and band they cant afford everything. I would guess if this transfers (which it definately should) then the sets will be scaled up quite a bit.
Cast were excellent and, as other people have mentioned, the highlights for me were Marc Antolin, Harry Morrison and Trevor Ashley.
Audience seemed to enjoy it and were very vocal.
It looks like the Menier is back on form after being in the wilderness for a while so I really hope it does well.
It was an easy 5 stars from me.
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Post by Paulw on Dec 7, 2024 10:14:35 GMT
It’s now on Rush for £30
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 7, 2024 11:39:36 GMT
There’s a ticket for todays matinee on the Noticeboard
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Post by theatre22 on Dec 7, 2024 11:46:18 GMT
There’s a ticket for todays matinee on the Noticeboard Thanks for posting this for me. |
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Post by Steve on Dec 7, 2024 12:51:16 GMT
Very nice of them to put a sold out show on Rush. I wonder how many tickets have been held back for that? :0 |
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Post by lt on Dec 7, 2024 13:11:07 GMT
Very nice of them to put a sold out show on Rush. I wonder how many tickets have been held back for that? :0 They did the same for The Cabinet Minister which was also sold out. Personally, I support this initiative it gives those who don't have a ton of cash the chance to see shows like this. Wish more theatres did this. Although I do appreciate this may not work for people who are not local to London |
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Post by theatre22 on Dec 7, 2024 13:47:34 GMT
There’s a ticket for todays matinee on the Noticeboard I’ve been able to ask the Mernier to try and sell so it is now available online. |
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Post by Paulw on Dec 7, 2024 13:50:35 GMT
Very nice of them to put a sold out show on Rush. I wonder how many tickets have been held back for that? :0 I really don’t know, I was looking through for something for tomorrow and noticed it so just passing information on. I wonder if it’s either the behind the post restricted view ones or they have like 2 pairs taken from the production seats on there and that’s it! |
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Post by columbus53 on Dec 8, 2024 8:23:19 GMT
Saw this last night.
Wonderful show and very very funny. The rest of the audience seemed to love it. The actors were clearly delighted to see the audience response at the end.
I’m glad they spent the money on the costumes which were fantastic. Basic set didn’t matter.
Most fun I’ve had at a theatre for a long while.
Definite 5 stars.
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Post by martinlnmartin on Dec 9, 2024 13:33:38 GMT
Saw this last night. Wonderful show and very very funny. The rest of the audience seemed to love it. The actors were clearly delighted to see the audience response at the end. I’m glad they spent the money on the costumes which were fantastic. Basic set didn’t matter. Most fun I’ve had at a theatre for a long while. Definite 5 stars. Agree! Laughed all night! Out of the 17 shows I saw on this trip to London, this version of The Producers was by far my favorite (even more than the Bway original). The cast is hilarious and the staging and dancing is fun and witty and fabulous. Love the intimacy of this theatre. Highly recommend! Five stars! |
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Post by pineapple4you on Dec 11, 2024 8:33:53 GMT
I think they'll be happy with these reviews:
Broadway World: *****
The Arts Desk: *****
Independent: ****
Telegraph: ****
Whatsonstage: ****
Guardian: ****
Standard: ****
The Stage: ****
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Post by Steve on Dec 11, 2024 8:55:51 GMT
I think they'll be happy with these reviews: Broadway World: ***** The Arts Desk: ***** Independent: **** Telegraph: **** Whatsonstage: **** Guardian: **** Standard: **** The Stage: **** WOW! Also: Theatre Weekly: ***** The Times: **** TimeOut: **** The Reviews Hub: **** Jonathan Baz: **** The Financial Times: **** Nothing below 4 stars that I can see! Can you imagine how FUNNY you have to be to avoid even the dourest publication awarding 3 stars or less! |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 11, 2024 9:33:38 GMT
Now I’m excited again to see it, was starting to sound like a dud when previews started
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Post by thedrowsychaperone on Dec 11, 2024 10:16:51 GMT
Sounds like after a few previews and after the cast shaking off their illnesses, they've really been able to give the show a kick up the bum. Would love a return visit, I think it's a rare show where I've liked it the more I've thought about it as the days have passed since seeing it. Hope it transfers and gets a bit of breathing space which a few of the larger numbers maybe needed to fully win me over.
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