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Post by ali973 on May 10, 2016 19:32:36 GMT
I'm not sure honestly, but I would say buy the cheapest possible ticket online and just move if you really want to, but having been last week, I honestly feel that the stalls at the New London don't have any bad seats. But I'm sure you'll be able to move anyway.
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Show Boat
May 10, 2016 20:30:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 20:30:56 GMT
Bend it actually had quite good run
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Post by horton on May 10, 2016 20:38:17 GMT
Bend it actually had quite good run Not if any investor hoped to get ANY money back. I remember when producers were fighting to get the Palladium for musicals- Oliver! and Joseph almost created pandemonium when they opened there. Saturday Night Fever had a very respectable run as did Chitty. What do we have now? |
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Post by viserys on May 10, 2016 20:49:20 GMT
SNF and Chitty were both based on very popular movies and SNF especially with all the dancing was a GOOD choice for a stage adaptation (unlike so many of the recent flops). Joseph was probably both a mix of ALW at the height of his fame and this being the first "big" production of his first show plus a (then) very bankable pop star. If you'd do Joseph or a similar star vehicle at the Palladium now with someone like Harry Styles, I'm sure it would also be selling out for months to come.
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Show Boat
May 10, 2016 21:05:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 21:05:20 GMT
Bend it actually had quite good run Not if any investor hoped to get ANY money back. I remember when producers were fighting to get the Palladium for musicals- Oliver! and Joseph almost created pandemonium when they opened there. Saturday Night Fever had a very respectable run as did Chitty. What do we have now? I got my cheque in April!!! |
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Post by Seriously on May 10, 2016 21:46:28 GMT
Not if any investor hoped to get ANY money back. I remember when producers were fighting to get the Palladium for musicals- Oliver! and Joseph almost created pandemonium when they opened there. Saturday Night Fever had a very respectable run as did Chitty. What do we have now? I got my cheque in April!!! Do they still make cheques these days? |
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Post by steve10086 on May 10, 2016 21:49:37 GMT
I got my cheque in April!!! They gave refunds for sitting through "Bend It Like Beckham"? Where can I apply for mine? |
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Post by Phantom of London on May 10, 2016 23:22:56 GMT
Not if any investor hoped to get ANY money back. I remember when producers were fighting to get the Palladium for musicals- Oliver! and Joseph almost created pandemonium when they opened there. Saturday Night Fever had a very respectable run as did Chitty. What do we have now? I got my cheque in April!!! Did it bounce? |
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Show Boat
May 10, 2016 23:28:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 23:28:25 GMT
I got my cheque in April!!! Did it bounce? Paid for 2 week holiday for 6 people! |
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Post by wickedgrin on May 10, 2016 23:37:11 GMT
Paid for 2 week holiday for 6 people! Skegness is lovely in April. Butlins do some great out of season deals. |
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Post by crabtree on May 11, 2016 7:31:22 GMT
Very sorry to see that Showboat is closing early. A truly classy piece of theatre - a wonderful production of an epic show. Sorry to the company that the audiences were not there. It's their loss.
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Post by cathyfromlex on May 11, 2016 10:07:58 GMT
I timed my trip to London last month so I could see this and I'm so glad I did! I'm still thinking about it and only wish it were possible for me to see it again. What a wonderful cast and show!
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 11, 2016 11:02:04 GMT
I feel a bit sorry for this very good cast but remember they have already had a successful regional run
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Post by loureviews on May 11, 2016 11:24:16 GMT
A friend pointed out that it has had next to no publicity which might also account for its London failure.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 12:04:59 GMT
I feel a bit sorry for this very good cast but remember they have already had a successful regional run Indeed! can't help but think a tour would have been a better bet-though I don't think the set was practical for that, with the New London being the best fit for sets designed for the shape of The Crucible's space. (make of that what you will in terms of what may follow...) |
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Post by steve10086 on May 11, 2016 12:12:32 GMT
I must admit I had absolutely no interest in seeing this show at first. It's only because my in-laws are visiting for a weekend, and I know they like the old traditional musicals, that I thought this would be something good to take them to. Now I've read up on the history of the show a little I am looking forward to seeing something that has an important place in musical theatre history. But initially, if it didn't appeal to a musicals fan, who is it going to appeal to?
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 14:09:23 GMT
The Kenneth Branagh and Michael Grandage seasons both seemed to manage to attract younger attenders, as well as older ones (although not me, thank you kindly for the offer). So it is possible to get some young people to see historic theatre in London's Westy Endy. But it's surely unlikely to happen with a stand-alone show launched in London with very little notice and with no obvious angle of appeal to anyone not already aware of the historic musical.
However, it always surprises me when I encounter them, but I've often observed that there does seem to be a small but ever-replenishing supply of young fogies who feel comfortable with old classics and suspicious of new work. I always remember a music student attending a drama school production of August Osage County with her acting student boyfriend and asking him why they never put on "proper" plays, such as Shakespeare! She also asked him, just as the lights were going down, whether she should applaud the actors on their entrance.
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Post by ali973 on May 11, 2016 15:33:56 GMT
The article is very basic thinking.
The show didn't do well because it's a relic. Sound of Music did just fine. South Pacific at the Barbican was packed, as far as I remember.
The writer also refers to it as a real "classic", why, yes it is, but I think Show Boat has by far more resonance in popular parlance in America than it does in the UK.
I've said this before, it didn't do well because it is simply not necessary to have. I would think that The King & I would fare much better when it comes to London.
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Post by mallardo on May 11, 2016 15:54:40 GMT
I've said this before, it didn't do well because it is simply not necessary to have. I would think that The King & I would fare much better when it comes to London.
And why is The King and I necessary to have? I don't follow your logic.
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 11, 2016 15:58:40 GMT
I don't know if King and I will do much better. I'd say Guys and Dolls is a much more well known name and that isn't flourishing
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Post by ali973 on May 11, 2016 16:01:22 GMT
I think King & I have some elements that are still of interest and still of relevance.
First of all, its score is simply better, more recognizable and more popular. Casting wise, it typically is more exciting as its leads tend to be at least star cast within the theatre community, if not also well known to the general public.
It's definitely more lavish and visually appealing, and gets more notices for its look and feel.
Theme wise, I think it plays into topics that are still very relevant such as its East meets West basis.
Overall, I just think that a show like the King & I gets a warmer welcome and is one of those in demand revivals be it on Broadway or the UK.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 16:14:32 GMT
I wouldn't say any show is *necessary*. Theatre as a whole, and the arts generally speaking, are absolutely essential to life, but I can't think of a single show that is utterly necessary in its own self.
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Post by mallardo on May 11, 2016 16:25:56 GMT
I think King & I have some elements that are still of interest and still of relevance. First of all, its score is simply better, more recognizable and more popular. Casting wise, it typically is more exciting as its leads tend to be at least star cast within the theatre community, if not also well known to the general public. It's definitely more lavish and visually appealing, and gets more notices for its look and feel. Theme wise, I think it plays into topics that are still very relevant such as its East meets West basis. Overall, I just think that a show like the King & I gets a warmer welcome and is one of those in demand revivals be it on Broadway or the UK.
Okay, now I get it. Not sure I agree though. What sells King And I is that it's a big successful Broadway production with, presumably, a big Broadway star ( who may not mean much here, but still...). I don't think its relevance counts for much.
And I might argue with you about the relative merits of the two scores.
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Post by ali973 on May 11, 2016 16:51:24 GMT
^ This is just THIS upcoming production of TK&I.
There was a production at the Royal Albert Hall with Maria Friedman (and I believe Daniel Dae Kim (who I believe is the current King on Broadway..and he is a total babe), and prior to that the Elaine Paige version at the Palladium. Sure, that was back in 2000 but as you can see, it still returns with a certain level of confidence and success.
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Post by ali973 on May 11, 2016 16:53:43 GMT
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