Sondheim on Sondheim - Alexandra Palace October 24

[ladidah]

Mine say 6pm, hopefully people arrive early

[Afriley]

Ah good. Maybe just mine/my batch has it wrong then…

[Afriley]

Start time now 615, with a runtime 25 mins longer than advertised at 2 hrs 35.

Total shambles.

[ladidah]

Didn't see that mentioned anywhere

Mile long queue for the programme.

[Afriley]

It was on a printed sign they then took away so at this point - who knows! 😂

[ladidah]

2 mins to go and still loads of empty seats

[apubleed]

First act done - it’s surprisingly well performed and polished. Yes a couple moments but overall this is well done so far.

[Afriley]

Yep agreed. Jack Wolfe is criminally underused so far, but when his voice is allowed to soar it’s gorgeous.

The ladies are outstanding.

Clive Rowe so far the only weak link for me.

[unseaworthy]

Oct 20, 2024 16:59:03 GMT ladidah said:

2 mins to go and still loads of empty seats

Did the empty seats fill up?

[argon]

Forget Jake Gyllenhaal we have a George Jack Wolfe

[Afriley]

Classy affair overall. Quaint, with some gorgeous vocals and a lush orchestra (and even some very decent choreographed numbers once or twice!).

Standouts for me were Jak Malone (the voice! The stage presence! The comic timing!), and Georgina (the woman can *belt* so effortlessly it’s simply unfair). Jack Wolfe’s one solo was ethereally gorgeous and it’s a shame he was so underused. His voice has a beautiful, beautiful youthful quality but also power.

Never saw Clive before but does he always have this arrogant and downright unfunny presence on stage? None of his comedic moments worked at all and were totally cringeworthy.

Please also allow for the shambolic logistics. It was 35 mins longer than advertised, starting at 18:08 ish and finishing at 20:47 (not 20:15). This meant I nearly missed my last train alas. Not a theatre I will ever go back to if I can help it.

[david]

Well, I really enjoyed that one at the AP tonight, though the walk up the hill to the venue less so. First time at the venue and the times I’ve seen it on tv / in books, they haven’t done it justice. A stunning piece architecture with sone great views of the city as well. As a gripe, not having any accessible toilets preshow without a walk to the boating lake wasn’t great . Though I can’t fault the FOH team, who I found to be very friendly and helpful.

As a concert, a really nice mix of traditional and less frequently heard songs from Sondheim’s catalogue. The 13 piece orchestra sounded great with great vocals from the majority of the cast. Of the cast, the 4 ladies definitely hit the mark for me along with Jack Wolfe who should have had more songs with that stunning voice of his. Jak Malone also gets a shout out for his performance. With MT concerts sound mixing can be very hit or miss, but tonight from where I was sat in row G on the side, I certainly didn’t have any issues hearing the concert. Of the two acts, I felt Act 1 was really good, but Act 2 took the evening to the next level.

It was also great to meet up with fellow board member FrontroverPaul after bumping into him in Birmingham a few weeks ago.

[khiar]

Can only echo the comments already left - Jak sparkled (literally and figuratively) whenever he was on stage, Jack was brilliant when he had a chance to be, but so under-used. Didn't care for Clive at all unfortunately but thought everyone else was lovely.

A wide selection from across Sondheim's career - Pacific Overtures was the only major gap I noticed.

One more tiny quibble: would it kill them to put up an actual screen for the projections? From where I was sat, there was a column jutting out in the middle of the faces most of the time. An even surface would have been much better.

But overall I loved it, I laughed I cried etc, though I was expecting an early night and I hope the timing changes didn't screw anyone over.

[apubleed]

It felt like a nice after party/follow up to ‘old friends’ keeping the spirit alive all these months later!

[greatauntedna]

Clive’s Sweeney Todd was great!

[ladidah]

Wasn't for me, partly due to the venue being a nightmare to get to where I live.

I didn't enjoy some of the songs at all, and I felt so many gaps/songs I would have rather heard. The Old Friends show was far supervisor for me. I found the cast quite uneven, Jak Malone was head and shoulders better than everyone else. I also found their costumes so distracting, sequin blazers, office dresses and then seemingly a green dress from H&M.

I loved Clive in Baker's Wife, but he was suited here at all, his Sweeney Todd was not good.

[Someone in a tree]

Oct 20, 2024 21:00:32 GMT khiar said:

Can only echo the comments already left - Jak sparkled (literally and figuratively) whenever he was on stage, Jack was brilliant when he had a chance to be, but so under-used. Didn't care for Clive at all unfortunately but thought everyone else was lovely.

A wide selection from across Sondheim's career - Pacific Overtures was the only major gap I noticed.

One more tiny quibble: would it kill them to put up an actual screen for the projections? From where I was sat, there was a column jutting out in the middle of the faces most of the time. An even surface would have been much better.

But overall I loved it, I laughed I cried etc, though I was expecting an early night and I hope the timing changes didn't screw anyone over.

So the film is projected onto the walls of the theatre?

[david]

Oct 21, 2024 7:20:44 GMT Someone in a tree said:

Oct 20, 2024 21:00:32 GMT khiar said:

So the film is projected onto the walls of the theatre?

Yes it was Someone in a tree. 

[Someone in a tree]

Oct 21, 2024 8:01:49 GMT david said:

Oct 21, 2024 7:20:44 GMT Someone in a tree said:

So the film is projected onto the walls of the theatre?

Yes it was Someone in a tree. 

Thanks for confirming.

The wall projections could be atmospheric. Only been once before and i found the venue to fascinating* and im looking forward to revisiting

*i suspect an immersive Follies would work well

[david]

Oct 21, 2024 8:06:08 GMT Someone in a tree said:

Oct 21, 2024 8:01:49 GMT david said:

Yes it was Someone in a tree . 

Thanks for confirming.

The wall projections could be atmospheric. Only been once before and i found the venue to fascinating* and im looking forward to revisiting

*i suspect an immersive Follies would work well

I thought the whole thing worked really well at the AP. I agree putting Follies on there would be a great idea. It would definitely bring a nice atmospheric touch within the auditorium. 

[Someone in a tree]

The bare brick walls partially covered with decorative plaster that is peeling off is so appropriate. Beautiful

[jek]

Back in 2019 I went to see Shadwell Opera's production of Oliver Knussen's Where The Wild Things Are are Ally Pally. It was a fantastic venue for the wild rumpus to erupt (both on stage and off, as balloons were launched around the auditorium). I think it helps that it doesn't feel precious or stuffy. Good toilet provision too.

[harlow]

For those at the concert last night, do you remember any of the specific songs and who sang them? Am I right in thinking Jack Wolfe did something from Sunday? I would love to hear his take on 'Being Alive' or 'Someone is Waiting'.

[jotmai]

Oct 21, 2024 11:26:45 GMT harlow said:

For those at the concert last night, do you remember any of the specific songs and who sang them? Am I right in thinking Jack Wolfe did something from Sunday? I would love to hear his take on 'Being Alive' or 'Someone is Waiting'.

Jack sang Finishing the Hat, followed by Beautiful (with Jenna). 

[ladidah]

His mic seemed a lot quieter than everyone else's for me?