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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 18:32:30 GMT
The king and I is a classic loved by generations, frequently revived either on tour or in london, the movie is one of the classic screen musicals that is often on tv and easily available on dvd. Millions know and love it's songs and story
Showboat just simply is not in the league as the king and I and other shows in the wider public conscious. I'm a theatre fan and only saw the movie of show boat for the first time last year because I happened to see it was on a random satellite channel (personally found it a bit boring). Whilst it maybe important in the history of musical theatre, the truth is it has simply been eclipsed by many other shows
There was nothing to draw the public to the show, no star, not a classic show (in their eyes) that they know and love and no general buzz. Reviews these days mean less and less, unless they come with a lot of buzz (e.g. mormon). Merrily had the same problem
Add in the lack of deals to draw an early audience and it was more or less dead on arrival.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 7:24:42 GMT
Saw this again last night. The news hasn't diminished the performances of the cast, they remain uniformly strong! Stand-outs were Malcolm Sinclair as Captain Andy, Chris Peluso as Gaylord and Rebecca Trehearn as Julie.
It was pretty packed - and the circle was open and a hugely appreciative audience too!
4 months notice isn't bad so I hope audiences will embrace it and go and see this wonderful show!
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 12, 2016 10:11:07 GMT
The good news is that Wednesday and Thursday matinees are now all half price until the end of June. You can pick up a seat from just £9.75 or a premium one for £45 at the official site www.reallyusefultheatres.co.uk. Wow thanks for this. Can't really complain about west end prices when you can see a world class production of a classic musical for less than the price of a couple of beers in the pub. |
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 13:48:08 GMT
Many thanks, Monkey. Have just booked.
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Post by Being Alive on May 12, 2016 14:30:35 GMT
Am look at A4 in the stalls at £19.50. Is it worth paying the lowest price band or wont i see anything?
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 14:53:27 GMT
I sat in AA1 - front row, right at the far edge.
It was generally fine and I didn't feel I missed anything - only problem was one scene in the second act where a piano is on stage which blocked part of the stage. So I would think A4 would be absolutely fine.
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Post by youngoffender on May 13, 2016 9:22:53 GMT
Excuse my ignorance of West End economics, but if a show is performing so poorly that you have to announce its premature closure a few weeks after press night, why is that closure three and a half months away? Mike Reid's Oscar Wilde musical would have killed for such failure.
I suppose contractual commitments are a factor, but perhaps it’s also a last-ditch strategy to remind people that the show exists, and jolt the assumed hordes who were procrastinating about dates in November to book before it ends. It’s a risky gambit if so, as the show’s closure 'four months early' may put a millstone of unwantedness around its neck and only further deter punters. In hindsight, opening booking to January was wildly optimistic - better surely to have sold tickets for the summer to start with, and then have the option to extend if it caught fire.
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Post by basdfg on May 13, 2016 9:27:17 GMT
The half price tickets are being advertised now. Advert in last night's Evening Standard mentioning them.
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 13, 2016 9:34:33 GMT
It's been half price at TKTS including Saturdays ever since first previews
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2016 9:41:34 GMT
Excuse my ignorance of West End economics, but if a show is performing so poorly that you have to announce its premature closure a few weeks after press night, why is that closure three and a half months away? Mike Reid's Oscar Wilde musical would have killed for such failure. I suppose contractual commitments are a factor, but perhaps it’s also a last-ditch strategy to remind people that the show exists, and jolt the assumed hordes who were procrastinating about dates in November to book before it ends. It’s a risky gambit if so, as the show’s closure 'four months early' may put a millstone of unwantedness around its neck and only further deter punters. In hindsight, opening booking to January was wildly optimistic - better surely to have sold tickets for the summer to start with, and then have the option to extend if it caught fire. Obviously sales aren't abysmal, otherwise they'd have just given 2 weeks notice, no? Either that or the theatre have another show lined up but don't want it dark for an extended period - School of Rock? |
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7,052 posts
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Show Boat
May 13, 2016 17:50:12 GMT
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Post by Jon on May 13, 2016 17:50:12 GMT
I assume the producers have looked at the advance and decided that it's best to cut the run short rather than limp along until January.
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Show Boat
May 14, 2016 20:26:54 GMT
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Post by liverpool54321 on May 14, 2016 20:26:54 GMT
Caught the matinee today and really enjoyed it. Would say at least 3/4 full including circle.
First time I have seen Showboat so aside from the film did not know what to expect. It's a bit old fashioned and at times more operatic than musical, but I thought they got the balance about right with what felt like a light touch approach to the production. Judging by the audience it clearly appeals to those of an older age. They should perhaps have considered a special deal to attract youngsters.
Cast were great as was the set design. Full use of downstairs made by the cast.
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Show Boat
May 14, 2016 21:19:27 GMT
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Post by laura on May 14, 2016 21:19:27 GMT
Also saw the show this afternoon. One of my favourite musicals and I wasn't disappointed.
Circle was open but lots of empty seats scattered around. Shame as great show that deserves a more successful run than it seems to be having.
I think Frank was understudied but disappointed with the New London for not mentioning anywhere Exactly who was on (no notice at the box office, around the theatre or in the £6(!) programme). Also, no announcement before it started. Unless It was a full cast , anyone else think this is wrong and does a great disservice to the covering understudies? I thought theatres had to announce either on paper or on mic any covers, no???
If anyone knows of what understudies were actually on today I'd be most appreciative.
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Show Boat
May 14, 2016 21:46:38 GMT
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Post by daniel on May 14, 2016 21:46:38 GMT
Also saw the show this afternoon. One of my favourite musicals and I wasn't disappointed. Circle was open but lots of empty seats scattered around. Shame as great show that deserves a more successful run than it seems to be having. I think Frank was understudied but disappointed with the New London for not mentioning anywhere Exactly who was on (no notice at the box office, around the theatre or in the £6(!) programme). Also, no announcement before it started. Unless It was a full cast , anyone else think this is wrong and does a great disservice to the covering understudies? I thought theatres had to announce either on paper or on mic any covers, no??? If anyone knows of what understudies were actually on today I'd be most appreciative. Dale Evans was on as Frank today, in place of Danny Collins. |
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 14, 2016 22:25:05 GMT
Also saw the show this afternoon. One of my favourite musicals and I wasn't disappointed. Circle was open but lots of empty seats scattered around. Shame as great show that deserves a more successful run than it seems to be having. I think Frank was understudied but disappointed with the New London for not mentioning anywhere Exactly who was on (no notice at the box office, around the theatre or in the £6(!) programme). Also, no announcement before it started. Unless It was a full cast , anyone else think this is wrong and does a great disservice to the covering understudies? I thought theatres had to announce either on paper or on mic any covers, no??? If anyone knows of what understudies were actually on today I'd be most appreciative. When I went the understudy notice was on a printed sheet to the right of the entrance. Not exactly prominent but I saw it as I went in |
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Post by cathyfromlex on May 14, 2016 23:08:29 GMT
^Yes and when I went I was given a piece of paper as I went up the stairs.
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Post by basdfg on May 14, 2016 23:24:04 GMT
^Yes and when I went I was given a piece of paper as I went up the stairs. I thought that was what they were doing as the sheet has been photographed on twitter |
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 17:50:59 GMT
Also saw the show this afternoon. One of my favourite musicals and I wasn't disappointed. Circle was open but lots of empty seats scattered around. Shame as great show that deserves a more successful run than it seems to be having. I think Frank was understudied but disappointed with the New London for not mentioning anywhere Exactly who was on (no notice at the box office, around the theatre or in the £6(!) programme). Also, no announcement before it started. Unless It was a full cast , anyone else think this is wrong and does a great disservice to the covering understudies? I thought theatres had to announce either on paper or on mic any covers, no??? If anyone knows of what understudies were actually on today I'd be most appreciative. There were definitely lots of notices when I went last week; and also in the programme. I believe Danny Collins is off for the next two weeks with Jekyll & Hyde, so assume Dale Evans will be on? |
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 18:05:48 GMT
Does anyone know where the entrance to the Stage Door is?
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Post by viserys on May 15, 2016 18:14:27 GMT
When you're in Parker Street by the entrance with your back to Drury Lane, there's a little passage to the left around the corner of the theatre. It should be there. At least it was while Cats was still around.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 18:17:09 GMT
Much obliged, viserys.  |
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Post by raiseitup on May 15, 2016 20:14:04 GMT
This is amazing
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 20:18:44 GMT
Are they doing a cast recording for this?
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Post by Michael on May 15, 2016 20:34:15 GMT
Do they mean bored, or does board have another meaning that I'm not aware of? |
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Post by shady23 on May 15, 2016 20:35:47 GMT
As the show is closing early I would very much doubt there will be a cast recording, although the songs from the Sheffield Crucible run were recorded professionally as EP played one on her show recently.
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