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Post by aksis on Nov 26, 2016 8:34:43 GMT
Not much to add there.
I really liked Callum Howells and Katherine Kingsley was more of a female presence than Scarlett Strallen.
There were some points that I felt the stage was really crowded and it looked a bit messy and I experienced a lot of distraction when they were moving around the set behind the scenes. I do think this had more to do with being on row A though so am curious how the others experienced that.
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249 posts
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Post by theinvisiblegirl on Nov 26, 2016 23:36:42 GMT
I loved this tonight, it was just so charming and lovely.
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Post by Ruby Sue on Nov 28, 2016 9:32:30 GMT
I hate to ask that age old question but what was the running time when you saw it? It's not up on the website yet & it'd be good to know if it's going to be a sprint to London Bridge afterwards!
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Post by synchrony on Nov 28, 2016 11:34:40 GMT
I saw it on Saturday night and it finished at about 22:40. Yes, I did literally sprint out of the door to make it to Kings Cross in time for the train home. I really, really wish that shows wouldn't start later than 19:45.
I thought it was a sweet, pleasant show. I enjoyed watching it, but it did feel a bit dated. I didn't realise that "You've Got Mail" was based on it. A bit saccharine for me (I'm too cynical), but I was glad I saw it. I liked the set and really liked Katherine Kingsley, who I thought was the best of the cast. Could hardly find a greater contrast between that and 'Lazarus' which I'd seen right beforehand!
To my amusement, the guy sitting next to me had seen the 'Side Show' matinee and said he thought it was so dull that he'd nearly fallen asleep! Must have seen a completely different show to me, because I loved it and found it far more emotionally impactful and compelling than 'She Loves Me'.
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Post by Mr Snow on Nov 28, 2016 15:37:54 GMT
I thought it was a sweet, pleasant show. I enjoyed watching it, but it did feel a bit dated. I didn't realise that "You've Got Mail" was based on it. Its a little more complicated than that. Wiki You've Got Mail is based on the 1937 Hungarian play Parfumerie by Miklós László and its adaptations.[2] Parfumerie was later remade as The Shop Around the Corner, a 1940 film by Ernst Lubitsch, which in 1949 was adapted as a movie musical, In the Good Old Summertime by Robert Z. Leonard starring Judy Garland, and finally in 1963 as a Broadway musical with She Loves Me by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (composer and lyricist, respectively, of Fiddler on the Roof). You've Got Mail updates that concept with the use of e-mail.[3] Influences from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice can also be seen in the relationship between Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly — a reference pointed out by these characters actually discussing Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet in the film. |
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Post by alece10 on Dec 1, 2016 0:06:59 GMT
What a lovely show. So sweet and perfect for Christmas. I really enjoyed it. Great cast of 16 and 8 in the orchestra. Katherine Kingsley steals the show for me.
Set in beautiful and one of the best ive seen at the Menier. Great costumes too.
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Dec 1, 2016 0:08:52 GMT
Another transfer likely?
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7,060 posts
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Post by Jon on Dec 1, 2016 0:50:40 GMT
I don't think it would that well in the West End, theatre availability is another factor, most are booked until late Spring |
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Dec 1, 2016 2:22:49 GMT
It feels too Christmasy to do well beyond the holidays. But it's a great little show with a not so great leading lady.
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5,812 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 1, 2016 9:22:54 GMT
Can't believe that Strallen isn't delivering in this... how is this possible?!
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8,103 posts
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Post by alece10 on Dec 1, 2016 9:40:30 GMT
Can't believe that Strallen isn't delivering in this... how is this possible?! Matter of opinion really. I thought Scarlet was great. Good comic acting and the most beautiful soprano voice. But we can't all like the same things. |
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Post by geertm on Dec 1, 2016 11:57:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 11:13:23 GMT
Well I thought it was delightful and I'd happily go again. It's not a match for the recent Broadway version (or that amazing cast) and it still needs a bit of settling in and tightening up but it's a gorgeous little show on its own. I kind of agree with ali973 on Scarlett Strallen - she does seem a bit overly mannered at the moment but I do think she'll warm up as the run goes on. It's a wonderfully talented ensemble though and the leads are on the whole terrific and very different which is great. Kingsley and Tighe are no match for Jane Krakowski and Gavin Creel for my money (Krakowski was seriously robbed at the Tonys) but they do a sterling job and 'Ilona' is a highlight.
Katherine Kingsley probably comes out of the four leads best and it's easy to see why - I could do with her toning down the cockney a notch or two but she's glorious to look at, has a figure to die for, a glorious voice and a real gift for comedy.
Also, special mention to Alastair Brookshaw as Sipos and especially (completely) Callum Howells as Arpad who hops, skips, jumps and cycles away with the entire thing from under everyone's noses. It's quite one of the most adorable, heartwarming and delightful performances around.
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Post by CG on the loose on Dec 2, 2016 11:40:00 GMT
Was there last night - loved it... can't compare to the Broadway version nor add much to Ryan's excellent review above, but it really hit the pre-Christmas spot  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 13:13:51 GMT
What's the set like?? I know set is hard for the Menier as it's such a small space but do they do it well?
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5,148 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 2, 2016 13:18:45 GMT
I'm so excited to see this tomorrow. Scarlett Strallen is a hero of mine and Katherine Kingsley is COMEDY GOLD!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 13:33:36 GMT
What's the set like?? I know set is hard for the Menier as it's such a small space but do they do it well? It is rather clever for the space. They have 4 sections on revolves, one side is the outside of the store and the other side is the inside of the store. They spin around and meet creating either the street outside or the shop. There's also a scene in the cafe where they use the outside of the store windows and some other bits of scenery drawn in from the sides. They also use the front of the stage for Amalia's bedroom which is a bit cramped and I'd guess not especially a good view if you're sat on the far left of the audience facing the stage. I've read that back a few times and I realise it probably doesn't make much sense at all but I can't think of other ways to describe it so it'll have to do for now until someone else describes it better. Also the two scenes at the beginning of Act II might be a bit difficult if you're sat on the far end of either row I'd guess. |
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Post by talkstageytome on Dec 2, 2016 13:48:16 GMT
So glad to hear so many great reviews about this show. The score is one of my faves and I've been looking forward to this since I booked this summer. Seeing it tomorrow night (I never miss the Menier's xmas musicals!)!  |
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Post by alece10 on Dec 2, 2016 17:32:16 GMT
I think it's the best set the Menier has had.
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Post by CG on the loose on Dec 2, 2016 21:25:03 GMT
I think it's the best set the Menier has had. I agree. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 21:32:54 GMT
I am there now
It's such an awful musical
The audience reaction is muted and subdued
The casting is lovely
The singing good
The staging nice
The songs are all terrible
And fhe story goes on and on
Sorry folks but this would not last one hour in the WE
Tellingly it's not sold out either which is unusual for the Menier Xmas musical
It's just not a good or memorable musical
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 2, 2016 21:33:22 GMT
That's not really saying much. The sets there have all been pretty appalling.
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5,812 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 2, 2016 21:34:46 GMT
Hate to say it but you DID think Bend it was good. There are lots of people who think this is a good musical. I am there now It's such an awful musical The audience reaction is muted and subdued The casting is lovely The singing good The staging nice The songs are all terrible And fhe story goes on and on Sorry folks but this would not last one hour in the WE Tellingly it's not sold out either which is unusual for the Menier Xmas musical It's just not a good or memorable musical |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 21:38:05 GMT
Hate to say it but you DID think Bend it was good. There are lots of people who think this is a good musical. I am there now It's such an awful musical The audience reaction is muted and subdued The casting is lovely The singing good The staging nice The songs are all terrible And fhe story goes on and on Sorry folks but this would not last one hour in the WE Tellingly it's not sold out either which is unusual for the Menier Xmas musical It's just not a good or memorable musical It really isn't I am sorry But if you listed it to lay people They won't have heard of it It's not Les Mis Or Phantom And please don't drag Bend It Like Beckham into it It's irrelevant That was a new show a new musical There is reason why She Loves Me has not had any meaningful London revival It's not commercially viable and it's dated I asked 20 friends And none had even heard of this show This IS a board where people think Wicked and Sister Act are high art |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 2, 2016 21:39:51 GMT
Yes but a good musical is a good musical- no matter if it's old or new.
And this ISNT in the west end. It's in a small theatre and will do good business there I'm sure.
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