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Post by inthenose on Feb 5, 2022 13:56:43 GMT
I saw this for the first time last night (Friday). Not sure why it took me so long but I wish I hadn't bothered. Dated, racist, juvenile and mostly unfunny with it. Probably edgy and acceptable when it opened, but for me no longer. No complaints with the performances as the cast were excellent, but the material needs an update. Or let it die. Having said that, the theatre was full with hardly a mask in sight and a lot of people were absolutely loving it. They were mostly very drunk though. Especially the lady who ran out through the fire exit to throw up. Firstly, thank you for your thoughts, I really enjoyed reading a review of a show which doesn't get coverage on here. Secondly... gross! I like a drink or two when I see shows, but I don't understand the logic of getting smashed before seeing a show - I want to be present! There have been a few stinkers I wish I was not present though, but I'm not made of money with the bar prices at the interval! As for the show, personally I quite like it - a few sophomoric laughs and some catchy tunes ("Turn it Off" and "Man Up" spring to mind). Some of the jokes don't land for me, but it's more the quality of the writing than any moral objection I have. They didn't land for me ten years ago either. Speaking as a mixed race man, I personally didn't take any offence, but that's not to say some will. I certainly wouldn't call the show "racist". I don't think there is any malice towards African people. Crude stereotypes, sure - but one could argue the appropriateness (or not) of the negative depiction of Cunningham (implied to be autistic), or the negative depiction of a religious group (Mormons) or so on. I don't think black people or any other minority are teased any more than any other group, in my opinion. But those are just my thoughts. Thanks again for sharing! |
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Post by ceebee on Feb 5, 2022 14:16:32 GMT
I'll let you know my thoughts as I'm in this afternoon on a cheeky TodayTix deal. I lived it first time, was bored second time. Third time lucky?
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Post by ceebee on Feb 5, 2022 17:30:24 GMT
Well, I can't fault the cast - they are superb. The material hasn't aged well, even with the updates. What once seemed edgy and shocking feels a bit passé these days. That said, the audience seemed to enjoy it hugely. For me, whilst I appreciated the effort of the cast and band, I'm not sure this show is adding much value to the west end. The house was full though - how many theatres can claim that at the moment?
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Post by christya on Feb 7, 2022 10:57:11 GMT
At one point they used to be able to say this show had never had an unsold seat. Not sure if that's still the case, but if it's even close it'll be around for a while. I remember one of my early visits, I was sitting close to the back of the stalls and they actually squeezed two extra people in by bringing in chairs against the back wall.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2022 11:12:35 GMT
For me, whilst I appreciated the effort of the cast and band, I'm not sure this show is adding much value to the west end. What does that even mean? What show's do you believe do add value to the West End? If a show is selling out or even near capacity, it's adding great value by people coming in, spending money and having a good time. |
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Post by barrowside on Feb 7, 2022 11:31:05 GMT
Whether we like certain shows or not, it is vital that these great West End theatres are open with shows running. Especially now after so many of the houses have been restored, they really are jewels in London's crown.
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Post by ceebee on Feb 7, 2022 21:40:25 GMT
For me, whilst I appreciated the effort of the cast and band, I'm not sure this show is adding much value to the west end. What does that even mean? What show's do you believe do add value to the West End? If a show is selling out or even near capacity, it's adding great value by people coming in, spending money and having a good time. I guess you are right. I just think the tone and subject matter is sh*te. But if that's what folk want to see (and I paid for my ticket) then who am I to judge? You are right tbfl. I stand corrected. |
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Feb 7, 2022 22:24:33 GMT
I saw The Book of Mormon on Broadway in March 2011 and while I was an avid South Park viewer, this stage show was uncomfortable. My friend back then loved it. I didn't feel the need to return until I was recently in London and great seats were available for cheap and I heard that they had made changes to the libretto. 11 years on, and the show has an amazingly good cast, but I could wait another decade before returning.
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Post by ladidah on Feb 8, 2022 8:46:02 GMT
I really enjoyed it, I am a big South Park fan.
Weirdly enough, even though I must have seen it a decade ago - not interested in going again.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 8, 2022 9:15:30 GMT
I saw The Book of Mormon on Broadway in March 2011 and while I was an avid South Park viewer, this stage show was uncomfortable. My friend back then loved it. I didn't feel the need to return until I was recently in London and great seats were available for cheap and I heard that they had made changes to the libretto. 11 years on, and the show has an amazingly good cast, but I could wait another decade before returning. Once in a lifetime was too much for me. I think it’s horrible. |
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Post by anita on Feb 8, 2022 10:23:51 GMT
Love it.
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Post by alece10 on Feb 8, 2022 11:17:03 GMT
I've seen it several times over the years and one of the first I saw when theatres reopened.
I love the show.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2022 0:40:13 GMT
Add me to the list of people who love it, along with my 80 year old, church going mother, who hates even the word 'crap' who came out saying she's never laughed so much in the theatre.
There was a guy on twitter who wrote a long essay about how offended he was by everything in the show, tried to shame all the actors in it, anyone who had been in it previously, trying to shame anyone who enjoyed it, how he, as an HIV+ man was ridiculed by what was on stage... but he also wrote that the reason he went along to see it, was to laugh at the Mormons and their beliefs. He couldnt even see the double standards in what he wrote. Unbelievable.
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Post by cartoonman on Feb 11, 2022 20:13:37 GMT
Saw this this afternoon with a group of OAPs. I can understand that some sensitive people might be offended but everyone in my party really enjoyed it and I could hear them laughing. The more able ones got up to give it a standing ovation. I really enjoyed the show. Very good dancing and singing.
Got to the theatre early so thought I would have a coffee, no coffees, so asked for a pale ale in the bar, £5 a can, the bartender would only take a card. I only had cash.
I would tell my friends to see it.
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Post by mrnutz on Feb 12, 2022 10:03:39 GMT
I'm definitely not sensitive or easily offended, I just don't find repetitive jokes about AIDS, maggots in scrotums or the mispronouncing of African names particularly amusing.
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Post by andrew on Feb 12, 2022 10:33:31 GMT
I saw it in 2014 and wasn't offended, but didn't find it nearly as funny or as clever as I'd been led to believe. I certainly think it's praise even at that stage was slightly unearned, and it being "outrageous" with some giggles got confused with it having quality. It's been a while but I recall finding the production quite cheap looking for something that was charging (at the time) eye-watering prices, and the score was fairly weak outside a couple of key songs. The opening number is fun, Hasa Diga Eebowai is the best number in the show (mainly because it's quite an effective parody of Hakuna Matata) and I still remembering watching Andrew Rannells' Tony Award performance of I Believe and thinking it was spectacular. It's a shame the other 80% of the show is so weak, but enough people seem to laugh through it that I'm in the minority with just not rating the show. I can't even imagine if I'd find anything funny anymore as times and tastes have moved on in the last decade, but it certainly feels like a show which has had it's moment. Looking at the box office availability, it seems to be incredibly well sold for the next week or so then very much unsold a week or two later, not sure if that implies lots of offers/deals/TodayTix/Rush/TKTS activity or just that BOM patrons are last minute people, but money is still being made somehow.
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Post by Seriously on Feb 12, 2022 11:18:53 GMT
I loved every second of it when I saw it a few years ago.
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Post by basi1faw1ty on May 9, 2022 22:18:55 GMT
Caught this tonight. Very crude and naughty, but very much enjoyed it. Felt myself laughing at all the wrong things and doing the whole "hahaha *gasp* ohhhh *tut tut*" thing. The dance numbers are very well done.
Sat in row P stalls and actually the view wasn't bad. Can't see the top of the stage but nothing happens up there anyway.
Got discounted tix for this via Headout, and the auditorium was full to bursting even on a Monday evening, so like it or not, it continues to rake in them pounds.
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Post by inthenose on May 10, 2022 6:10:00 GMT
Caught this tonight. Very crude and naughty, but very much enjoyed it. Felt myself laughing at all the wrong things and doing the whole "hahaha *gasp* ohhhh *tut tut*" thing. The dance numbers are very well done. Sat in row P stalls and actually the view wasn't bad. Can't see the top of the stage but nothing happens up there anyway. Got discounted tix for this via Headout, and the auditorium was full to bursting even on a Monday evening, so like it or not, it continues to rake in them pounds. Do you happen to know who you saw in the cast? Thank you |
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Post by Dr Tom on May 16, 2022 10:39:46 GMT
Caught the Saturday matinee for the first time in a while and managed to get a rush seat at the end of the front row (still a perfect view).
It is interesting to see other people's reactions. I had a young guy, 16 or 17, sat next to me with his parents, and he didn't seem to get the humour at all. Not that this is the type of show I'd want to see with my parents at that age. Humour now is TikTok, so I guess the target audience for The Book of Mormon now is much more likely to be in their 30s or above.
Ben Tyler was on as Elder Price and was excellent. A continual smile and he went closer to kissing Steven Webb than anyone I can remember. Excellent vocals too.
Jed Berry from the UK tour cast was in London as Elder White. Otherwise, I think the main leads were on, although the website is not terribly helpful as it suggests Haydn Oakley is still in the cast and doesn't credit anyone as the Doctor.
Anyway, I find this is one of those shows that always puts me in a better mood, however juvenile it may be!
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Post by basi1faw1ty on May 18, 2022 16:38:40 GMT
Caught this tonight. Very crude and naughty, but very much enjoyed it. Felt myself laughing at all the wrong things and doing the whole "hahaha *gasp* ohhhh *tut tut*" thing. The dance numbers are very well done. Sat in row P stalls and actually the view wasn't bad. Can't see the top of the stage but nothing happens up there anyway. Got discounted tix for this via Headout, and the auditorium was full to bursting even on a Monday evening, so like it or not, it continues to rake in them pounds. Do you happen to know who you saw in the cast? Thank you Sorry for the belated response!
I'm pretty sure I had all the main cast except Nabalungi and Elder Price who had their understudies/covers take over (played by Amandla Elynah and Ben Tyler respectively).
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Post by kathryn on Jun 3, 2022 13:02:04 GMT
I’ve just booked tomorrow’s matinee for this - had TodayTix voucher on the verge of expiry.
Not seen it for several years so it’ll be interesting to see if it holds up to a repeat visit.
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Post by kathryn on Jun 4, 2022 16:38:23 GMT
Well, just as funny as ever. Perhaps more so - I know a bit more about Mormonism now so caught more of the jokes.
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Post by FJ on Aug 13, 2022 9:05:16 GMT
I saw Tom Xander post on insta that he will be leaving soon. Does anyone by any chance know when exactly as he hasn’t stated a date. He’s the best Elder Cunningham I’ve seen and I want to rebook before he leaves! I’ve seen quite a few new cast members on social media say they are joining September 5th so I imagine the last performance before that will be a lot of the current casts final performance. |
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Post by ncbears on Oct 2, 2022 17:37:54 GMT
A small oops on Broadway
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