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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 16, 2016 16:25:49 GMT
The producers would have poured the champagne down the drain last night, theses aren't good reviews, the ones that hold any weight were poor. I haven't seen the Telegraph one yet, but don't expect it to be any better and the Daily Mail if you use a word stronger than 'blimey' Quentin Letts tends to throw a hissy fit.
What it does tell me that, this country doesn't do profanity well, especially if it is an exported kind, this reminds me of Book of Mormon where it got tepid reviews here despite getting rave reviews in New York, the reviews went against what people who saw the show here and certainly people who have now moved on to Theatre Board raved about Book of Mormon seemed to rave.
With these reviews past experience tells me to go by my own instincts and I expect to still enjoy this, albeit I now expect to get my ticket for a lot cheaper.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 17:43:01 GMT
These reviews aren't going to help a show that's already struggling to sell tickets, that's for sure. It's going to be reliant on word of mouth, so fingers crossed people who've enjoyed it shout it from the rooftops.
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Post by stevej678 on Feb 16, 2016 19:17:51 GMT
I am sorry but that is not mixed it is quite clearly a negative selection of review That's an interesting conclusion when there's an assortment of reviews from one star to four star, with twice as many four star reviews to one star. Did anyone seriously think the likes of Letts would be dishing out five star raves for this? I'll look forward to seeing Hand to God even more if it gets slated in the Daily Mail on Friday - that would count as a great endorsement in my book! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 16, 2016 20:32:38 GMT
There were some very good reviews but from the lightweights the ones that matter were poor 2 stars.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 21:29:51 GMT
Does a four star review really sell tickets?!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 21:45:34 GMT
Does a four star review really sell tickets?! One won't, but a bunch of them might. |
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 16, 2016 22:19:34 GMT
A whole bunch of 5 star reviews didn't shift tickets for Bend It Like Beckham! I don't think official reviews matter as much as the critics would like to think. I think word of mouth of people that have seen the show recommending it and Twitter and social media from paying punters have more influence today.
Having said that a show that opened before "social media" and that was almost universally slated by the critics when it opened went on to be one of the most successful shows of all time - the show being Les Mis of course!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 22:35:39 GMT
I agree word of mouth is hugely valuable when it comes to selling a show. But given they're struggling to sell tickets already, and that the people on here who are keen to go aren't necessarily hugely representative of the wider theatregoing audience, I'm not sure where that word of mouth is going to come from.
And they don't have a huge name like Matthew Perry, which I'm guessing will mean the disappointing reviews for his show won't much matter.
With all that in mind then, yes, having some positive quotes and an impressive bunch of star ratings might not be considered a bad thing!
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Post by CG on the loose on Feb 16, 2016 23:22:12 GMT
Was there tonight - found some of it very funny, but not as much of it as I hoped, and generally thought the cast far stronger than the material. Would hesitate to recommend as I think reactions to it will vary hugely (as suggested by the wide-ranging reviews) and where some will find it hilarious, others will be left completely cold. I fall somewhere between the two extremes - glad I've seen, no desire to see again.
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 17, 2016 1:13:54 GMT
Critics aren't important, especially in London, they just add an huge expense to a marketing bill. The reviewers that see the show don't give the stars out, it's the arts desk editor ( except for Michael Billington) and they can add an extra star if they smell there is an handsome marketing budget. It is a farce.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 1:40:13 GMT
3* Times I am sorry but that is not mixed it is quite clearly a negative selection of review I am seeing this next week but as they are giving away tickets already it doesn't bode well We all know a recent new show which received a raft of 5 star reviews and is closing These really are tough times for new shows and this show should never have entered the commercial WE It is going to flop big time A limited run at Tricycle or Dorfman would be more appropriate Two 'reviews' in that list aren't useful as they are just blogs with little reputation, blogs like Exeunt and Artsdesk are, like, WOS ones with more of a reputation, and reviewers who are known quantities. Artsdesk gave this three stars but no Exeunt review (and they don't give stars any more I don't think). |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 9:10:34 GMT
There were some very good reviews but from the lightweights the ones that matter were poor 2 stars. Critics aren't important, especially in London, they just add an huge expense to a marketing bill. The reviewers that see the show don't give the stars out, it's the arts desk editor ( except for Michael Billington) and they can add an extra star if they smell there is an handsome marketing budget. It is a farce. ..... so the critics that matter gave the show 2 stars except critics don't matter? Rrrrright..... |
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Post by raiseitup on Feb 17, 2016 11:34:50 GMT
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 17, 2016 11:35:26 GMT
Critics like the Guardian and Evening Standard hold more weight, than West End Wilma, but critics aren't as powerful as they once were, if they were Book of Mormon would be closed by now.
Surprising that the Daily Telegraph liked this with 4 stars.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 12:53:21 GMT
A quick web analysis of UK rankings -
#6149 - Thestage - 240000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 2 minutes 31 seconds
#8535 - London Theatre Guide (Londontheatre.co.uk) - 150000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 4 minutes 41 seconds
#9268 - Whatsonstage - 170000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 1 minute 29 seconds
#26942 - Theartsdesk - 120000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 53 seconds
#65719 - Britishtheatreguide.info - 25000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 44 seconds
#78530 - Exeuntmagazine - 15000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 1 minute 41 seconds
#98564 - Westendframe - 20000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 34 seconds
#83168 - thereviewshub - 20000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 37 seconds
#198195 - Broadwaybaby.com - 6000 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 38 seconds (note that during Edinburgh it soars to 50000 visits for August)
#237286 - Westendwilma - 4500 monthly visits (January) - average time on site - 18 seconds
For what it's worth we appear to have a ranking but no data per month as yet -
#169078 - Theatreboard.co.uk - Not enough data for monthly visits and average time taken on site
A few comments on those figures (which would likely change a little from analysis site to analysis site) - London theatre guide does very well on time spent, I think because it's a very good resource to find out what shows are on and when, a one stop shop for looking at what to see. The Arts Desk does well but its wider remit to cover other arts probably inflates those figures for its theatre coverage. Although a lower page view number Exeunt cements its position as a place to go for analysis and thoughtful reviews by its longer time that people stay on the site. West End Wilma looks like a vanity project, they may as well just get a megaphone and walk around the west end. These are for desktops, there may be some differences for mobiles etc.
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Post by Stasia on Feb 18, 2016 7:41:28 GMT
These are for desktops, there may be some differences for mobiles etc. Very interesting reading, thanks! But I think, it is a bit pointless without the information about visits from mobiles. For example, we now have better half of our visitors getting to our pages from the mobile devices. And when we do Facebook advertising, we have 3/4 of the new subscribers from the mobiles |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2016 12:14:35 GMT
Just rocked up to the box office at 12:15 and got a front row day seat for the matinee today  4 hours later ... Thoroughly enjoyed it! Amazed by the lukewarm press reviews. Relatively busy but by no means full Probably wins the 2016 award for most pointless interval in a play (musical award goes to Close to You) |
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Post by littlesally on Feb 21, 2016 17:24:06 GMT
So glad I ignored the poor reviews. Saw it yesterday with 9 friends and everyone loved it.
It was much less shocking than I'd expected. And not so many laugh out loud moments.
It flew by and the pace didn't flag for a moment.
We were on 2nd row stalls (AZ) and I'd recommend siting as close to the stage as possible.
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 23, 2016 3:39:05 GMT
Off to see this on Wednesday - a £25 matinee seat front stalls! Always look forward to forming my own opinion after the decidedly mixed reviews!
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Post by geweena on Feb 23, 2016 21:51:52 GMT
Saw this tonight after managing to nab 2 front row day seats at 5.40pm. The stage is high for sitting in the front row but it really didn't matter much for this at all. I'm only 5'2 and didn't miss a thing.
Got to say, I really enjoyed this. Some great comic moments an I thought the cast did great - with Harry Melling a standout!
Might go again if tempted back with a cheap ticket offer, but I agree that It would definitely not be everyone's cup of tea.
I described it to my mum as Avenue Q gone evil and with less singing!
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Post by sam22 on Feb 24, 2016 11:04:26 GMT
Just got a day seat for the matinee, £25 rather than £15 I was expecting though? Looking forward to it
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Post by drmaplewood on Feb 24, 2016 11:21:25 GMT
Just got a day seat for the matinee, £25 rather than £15 I was expecting though? Looking forward to it Hm maybe £15 was just for previews. Seems optimistic to raise the price by 66% when the reviews haven't been amazing. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 11:37:03 GMT
I paid £15 for a day seat on Saturday. Maybe different on Weds matinees as all seats are £25?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 11:39:49 GMT
The "Hand to God" website says day seats are currently £25 at all performances.
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Post by sam22 on Feb 24, 2016 12:43:53 GMT
Oh thanks HG. I have actually got row G as he gave me a choice. I think he said any seat is £25 for the matinee. Don't know if that's an advertised offer or just if ask for day seats but worth remembering
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