7,251 posts
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Post by Jon on Aug 2, 2023 18:57:40 GMT
Given Kevin Wallace and Middle Earth Enterprises are involved with this production, I imagine there will be discussions regarding a future life but they would have to make changes. Both producers were there when I saw it; I would imagine there is potential to scale this production up. Their dilemma is that by removing the actor-musician element that has borne so much success for this revival might undo the intimacy that has been achieved. My preference would be for the Watermill version to incorporate whatever changes might be required and revived in 2024 with a view to transferring or touring thereafter. I wouldn't remove the actor-musician element, just the outdoor bits and make it a tad shorter. |
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Post by ntherooh on Aug 2, 2023 22:05:40 GMT
Did anything change in the script? I recall most negative reviews bashing the script and boringness of the show in the west end. And now it’s getting raves scaled down. I thought the epicness and designs were the saving grace last time, but it feels like the piece stands better on its own without them?
I would love to see a grand version like the original once again, but its starting to feel like thats never gonna happen again.
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 2, 2023 22:18:11 GMT
Did anything change in the script? I recall most negative reviews bashing the script and boringness of the show in the west end. And now it’s getting raves scaled down. I thought the epicness and designs were the saving grace last time, but it feels like the piece stands better on its own without them? I would love to see a grand version like the original once again, but its starting to feel like thats never gonna happen again. Yes, the script has been trimmed. Less portentous dialogue, less epic "showstoppers", a more intimate staging so the audience is more emotionally invested in the journey. I saw the original several times, and my view is that this version is better. This production is a concentrated epic in a very small space. The slightly claustrophobic staging adds to the piece versus the grandiose expansiveness of Drury Lane. Without wanting to sound trite, this Watermill version is a standalone masterpiece in its own right, albeit an imperfect masterpiece. |
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Post by lemur on Aug 2, 2023 22:23:10 GMT
Booked my tickets for September, can't wait! Did anyone go the restaurant and café there, and if so how was it? Looks like there is a few themed dishes which shouldn't get me so excited but it does!
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 2, 2023 22:39:21 GMT
Booked my tickets for September, can't wait! Did anyone go the restaurant and café there, and if so how was it? Looks like there is a few themed dishes which shouldn't get me so excited but it does! You might need to book the restaurant depending on your day. There are 'stall' options too in the garden areas and the bar. Enjoy - it's a great production. |
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Post by ruthieh on Aug 3, 2023 6:31:59 GMT
Booked my tickets for September, can't wait! Did anyone go the restaurant and café there, and if so how was it? Looks like there is a few themed dishes which shouldn't get me so excited but it does! We ate from the cafe. I had hog roast and salads which were delicious and my daughter had chips, which were also done perfectly. Very reasonable prices. You will need to prebook the restaurant. Which I’ve done for my next visit! |
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 3, 2023 11:06:55 GMT
Booked my tickets for September, can't wait! Did anyone go the restaurant and café there, and if so how was it? Looks like there is a few themed dishes which shouldn't get me so excited but it does! We ate from the cafe. I had hog roast and salads which were delicious and my daughter had chips, which were also done perfectly. Very reasonable prices. You will need to prebook the restaurant. Which I’ve done for my next visit! Thanks for the recommendation - I'm back on Saturday so will try the hog roast! |
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 6, 2023 8:31:50 GMT
Congratulations to Sioned Saunders who stepped up magnificently to perform the role of Galadriel yesterday as well as fulfilling the role of on-stage MD. Thanks for enabling this magnificent show to go ahead - and after all the rain, it was beautiful and exciting to end the show in a somewhat soggy but rain-free Shire! We beat the weather!!
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Post by ruthieh on Aug 6, 2023 8:35:44 GMT
Congratulations to Sioned Saunders who stepped up magnificently to perform the role of Galadriel yesterday as well as fulfilling the role of on-stage MD. Thanks for enabling this magnificent show to go ahead - and after all the rain, it was beautiful and exciting to end the show in a somewhat soggy but rain-free Shire! We beat the weather!! Saw that on socials…fair play…and all with a small baby too 👏🏻👏🏻 how was the hog roast? |
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 6, 2023 9:20:04 GMT
Congratulations to Sioned Saunders who stepped up magnificently to perform the role of Galadriel yesterday as well as fulfilling the role of on-stage MD. Thanks for enabling this magnificent show to go ahead - and after all the rain, it was beautiful and exciting to end the show in a somewhat soggy but rain-free Shire! We beat the weather!! Saw that on socials…fair play…and all with a small baby too 👏🏻👏🏻 how was the hog roast? Thanks for asking - a little bit dry but it was all indoors so I guess it's a bit trickier to manage... the apple sauce was nice! The cast did well yesterday - preferred my preview performance last week. |
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 6, 2023 15:58:46 GMT
How about a cheeky little run at The Other Palace in London after the current run, or is that wishful thinking?
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Post by westendboy on Aug 6, 2023 16:17:33 GMT
How about a cheeky little run at The Other Palace in London after the current run, or is that wishful thinking? I'd love to see this come to London, but speculating on what venue it could potentially run at is difficult. The Other Palace would be appropriate for this production, but that would probably mean sacrificing the outdoor sections at the beginning and end. I'd say this is an issue with most London venues, as a part from Regents Park, most venues, to my knowledge, don't have outdoor spaces to perform. Hell, Regents Park itself is outdoors only, so that could potentially mean a major overhaul would be required. |
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Post by toomasj on Aug 6, 2023 16:26:46 GMT
How about a cheeky little run at The Other Palace in London after the current run, or is that wishful thinking? I'd love to see this come to London, but speculating on what venue it could potentially run at is difficult. The Other Palace would be appropriate for this production, but that would probably mean sacrificing the outdoor sections at the beginning and end. I'd say this is an issue with most London venues, as a part from Regents Park, most venues, to my knowledge, don't have outdoor spaces to perform. Hell, Regents Park itself is outdoors only, so that could potentially mean a major overhaul would be required. It would just be reworked to be done indoors, not the end of the world. With the generally very good reviews and the show selling extremely well, I think a transfer is certainly possible. The real question would be financial viability of renting an expensive London venue. Take “The Woman in White” revival at the Charing Cross Theatre; it flopped dreadfully despite being a very good production. It was doing small, discounted houses in an already smallish venue, and lost its investment easily. Anything larger than a handful of performers/musicians brings the running costs up significantly, and if 100 people turn up having paid £15 each, soon enough you’re running at a loss. Finding a home for it which is both financially viable to make a profit and leveraging contacts with said venues may be an issue. I know that their Assassins was shopped around for a London transfer but nobody would take it. |
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 6, 2023 18:24:49 GMT
What set me thinking was this new version is designed to work both externally and internally... so yesterday evening the intro section was indoors cos it was peeing down with rain, but the closing scenes were taken outdoors as the rain had cleared. This production could easily work indoors only - I think it could also work at Regent's Park for a short summer season, though could it fill it? This show seems best suited to an intimate venue despite the epic feel, and could work really well at TOP.
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 7, 2023 21:38:20 GMT
Note for anybody interested - new inexpensive rear circle seats added, so previously sold out shows on certain dates might now have availability. Worth looking if you are restricted by budget or date.
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1,064 posts
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Post by David J on Aug 7, 2023 22:14:10 GMT
Note for anybody interested - new inexpensive rear circle seats added, so previously sold out shows on certain dates might now have availability. Worth looking if you are restricted by budget or date. Just to say I don’t know how they work the sound system in the watermill theatre but last time I was there (to see the first half of the suspicions of me whicher) I sat towards the back of the circle for the first time. It was obvious they had micked the stage up for those at the very back Except the audio they had was distractingly bad. Very dead. So I’m watching the characters speak not far away but listening to them as if they’re speaking through loudspeaker from a sound booth I hope thets not the sound system they use for all their productions |
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Post by lemur on Aug 7, 2023 23:05:27 GMT
Thanks all for the replies - I've made a reservation before the show.
Seriously excited for this, I've always looked forward to going to the theatre but I feel like a kid at Christmas. I was really glad to see quite a good amount of access performances as well, for a small theatre and limited run. Better than some major West End shows who I've had squabbles with!
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 8, 2023 6:39:44 GMT
Note for anybody interested - new inexpensive rear circle seats added, so previously sold out shows on certain dates might now have availability. Worth looking if you are restricted by budget or date. Just to say I don’t know how they work the sound system in the watermill theatre but last time I was there (to see the first half of the suspicions of me whicher) I sat towards the back of the circle for the first time. It was obvious they had micked the stage up for those at the very back Except the audio they had was distractingly bad. Very dead. So I’m watching the characters speak not far away but listening to them as if they’re speaking through loudspeaker from a sound booth I hope thets not the sound system they use for all their productions I've sat at the front and very back for this production. The sound is perfect throughout, though my preference is to be closer to the stage. |
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 8, 2023 6:41:25 GMT
Thanks all for the replies - I've made a reservation before the show. Seriously excited for this, I've always looked forward to going to the theatre but I feel like a kid at Christmas. I was really glad to see quite a good amount of access performances as well, for a small theatre and limited run. Better than some major West End shows who I've had squabbles with! Yes - while I have no need for access performances myself, the Watermill certainly offers a broader range than many other theatres, which is to their credit. Hope you enjoy your visit lemur. |
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Post by wanderingranger on Aug 8, 2023 18:07:19 GMT
Could anybody advise as to the seats in front of the control box? Marked N1 on the seating plan. Are they decent seats with hood views or are they extremely far away?
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3,556 posts
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Post by ceebee on Aug 8, 2023 22:04:47 GMT
Could anybody advise as to the seats in front of the control box? Marked N1 on the seating plan. Are they decent seats with hood views or are they extremely far away? Furthest point back from the stage but you'll be around 12 metres away with reasonable view fir the price. If cost-conscious, midway down the gallery sides looks a good bet to get the projections, higher level action but also have a good view of the main stage. |
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Post by David J on Aug 9, 2023 6:20:23 GMT
I saw the show yesterday
The musical director was on again as Galadriel. The show stopped for a few minutes during Moria and it was announced the actress had taken ill. She did a good job and the audience applauded her rapturously
Sitting p22 was a great view. If you can get a seat in the slips you can’t go wrong with it
We were outside for the start but as it rained during the show we stayed inside for the end. The outdoors stuff was fine but you wouldn’t miss anything if this was done indoors
This is certainly the cliff notes version of lord of the rings. The first act is fellowship of the ring and then they smush together the fall of Isengard and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields together
The folksy music is charming and I enjoyed the battle music as much as I remember listening to the original cast recording (wish I saw this at Drury Lane with a full orchestra) but the songs are forgettable. Apart from galadriels songs and chanting here and there. It did make the 3 hour + show feel long.
The balrog was a let down for me. I wasn’t expecting too much but seeing what they did with shelob later (the best set piece of the show) a floating head of the balrog would have been better than what they do here
The highlight performances were Frodo, Sam, Gandalf and Gollum giving his inner Andy Serkis
3.5 stars for me. The efforts of the cast and some of the sets is what carry the show
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214 posts
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Post by BoOverall on Aug 9, 2023 22:48:49 GMT
Saw this tonight from slip seats above the stage. What a wonderful theatrical experience from a very strong cast and crew. A proper treat.
I was so impressed at what was achieved in this intimate space and while I rather liked the Drury Lane version, this was more powerful for me. Ok, I felt the balrog effect was a bit weak so that scene fell a bit flat, but there was so much else to applaud (Shelob: wow). And the glorious ensemble singing: I don't think I could ever tire of "Lothlorien".
I really look forward to returning.
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Post by JustJ on Aug 10, 2023 12:07:47 GMT
I am going to see this on the weekend! Any recommendations on where to stand/ sit for the outside part of the show?
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34 posts
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Post by wanderingranger on Aug 10, 2023 13:39:27 GMT
Saw this tonight from slip seats above the stage. What a wonderful theatrical experience from a very strong cast and crew. A proper treat. I was so impressed at what was achieved in this intimate space and while I rather liked the Drury Lane version, this was more powerful for me. Ok, I felt the balrog effect was a bit weak so that scene fell a bit flat, but there was so much else to applaud (Shelob: wow). And the glorious ensemble singing: I don't think I could ever tire of "Lothlorien". I really look forward to returning. I’ve booked the slips for October 15, can you expand on the view from these please? Was it a good view? Could you see everything from where you were? |
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