406 posts
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Post by MrBunbury on May 21, 2023 9:38:48 GMT
I was there last night too and I thought it was fantastic as I remembered. I took a friend who did not know the movie and she loved it as well. Sincerely I did not notice any major difference due to lack of the revolve. My only personal note is that I feel Carlyss Peer brought more warmth in Rita's role in the original production compared to Tanisha Spring and the ending was less moving for me than the first time for that reason. But it remains a wonderful clever musical.
For a moment I thought that the first "doctor" was Tim Minchin...
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on May 21, 2023 10:25:58 GMT
I was there last night too and I thought it was fantastic as I remembered. I took a friend who did not know the movie and she loved it as well. Sincerely I did not notice any major difference due to lack of the revolve. My only personal note is that I feel Carlyss Peer brought more warmth in Rita's role in the original production compared to Tanisha Spring and the ending was less moving for me than the first time for that reason. But it remains a wonderful clever musical. For a moment I thought that the first "doctor" was Tim Minchin... Me too - a cross between Tim Minchin and Bill Bailey! |
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Post by andrew on May 21, 2023 13:05:23 GMT
One of my nitpicks would specifically be {Spoiler - click to view}
The emotional high-point of 'Seeing You' is when it swells for the second chorus. In the new revolve-less staging for most of that chorus there's just waiters sort of spinning tables around and then 5 cast members sort of staring at the snow for a while. I want the whole cast on stage singing their guts out and holding hands, confetti falling, all that stuff. It's a weird juxtaposition of staging and music at the absolute climax of the show. |
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Post by mattnyc on May 21, 2023 13:18:53 GMT
You guys are making me so excited. Had to come back to New York the day before previews started for this but back next month where I’ll see it a few times. One of my favorite musicals ever so reading first thoughts has me relieved it’s still just as good as I remember it.
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1,306 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on May 21, 2023 14:28:48 GMT
Got to wait a week, g'dammit, having booked Lehman Trilogy final performance for last night ...
Tim Minchin is doing a one night show in London on 4 June (Sunday evening), tickets on sale tomorrow. Info via facebook, don't know what theatre or prices (or how high the stage is, etc).... Not his usual comedy show, he says, some Matilda and anything else that takes his fancy.
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5,139 posts
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Post by Being Alive on May 21, 2023 22:34:23 GMT
Still thinking about how much I enjoyed this - went in blind and Seeing You completely knocked me sideways in a way I didn't think theatre still could.
Phenomenal song.
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1,132 posts
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Post by Stephen on May 22, 2023 11:27:05 GMT
Got to wait a week, g'dammit, having booked Lehman Trilogy final performance for last night ... Tim Minchin is doing a one night show in London on 4 June (Sunday evening), tickets on sale tomorrow. Info via facebook, don't know what theatre or prices (or how high the stage is, etc).... Not his usual comedy show, he says, some Matilda and anything else that takes his fancy. Managed to get in fast and snap a front stalls seat for his gig. The ticket availability went straight in to the red and now a queue in place. Fear not…Tim has said he will play more dates if this one sells out. Which it will as soon as the website gets through the queue! |
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1,306 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on May 22, 2023 11:47:56 GMT
Well, I looked .. at the spinning wheel for Nimax Theatres and the wait for Ticketmaster to kick in, and - well, lucky I didn't have my heart set on it, although still disappointed. Odd seats popped up here and there but it's a journey in on the train the day after a strike and a hotel .... Congrats Stephen on your front stalls and enjoy.
I had front row for Tim in Oxford, years ago, mad entertaining and utterly delightful bloke.
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1,306 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on May 22, 2023 11:49:10 GMT
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on May 22, 2023 11:52:36 GMT
Still thinking about how much I enjoyed this - went in blind and Seeing You completely knocked me sideways in a way I didn't think theatre still could. Phenomenal song. I also feel the same about "Night Will Come" which simply took my breath away on Saturday night. |
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1,306 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on May 22, 2023 12:33:39 GMT
Ticketmaster now showing Friday 9 June *Not On Sale Yet?* for Tim Minchin (I will post on the Tim Minchin thread in Performers rather than derail this one). But Friday 9 June - says the Lyric but - it's Aspects night at the Lyric?
JUN
09
Friday 19:30Fri19:30
Open additional information forLondon Lyric Theatre An Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin and His Piano 09/06/2023, 19:30
LondonLyric Theatre An Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin and His Piano
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5,139 posts
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Post by Being Alive on May 22, 2023 13:48:58 GMT
11th June added.
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1,306 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on May 22, 2023 15:13:09 GMT
And the 18th, and 23 July. More on the Performers thread. And the lovely prices! The man is a gem. £30.50 and £51.75. 90 minute show, no interval.
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Post by Matt on May 22, 2023 22:39:53 GMT
Saw this for the first time tonight, it was good but definitely overhyped by many over the years, and that meant that from the first minute I was waiting for something incredible, but at the end I just got a good show with some great quick changes and effects. It probably took 2/3 of the first act before I really started enjoying it. I couldn’t be sat any further away, so the only reason I’d go again was to sit a lot closer, but other than that I think I got everything I needed from it tonight.
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Post by mattnyc on May 22, 2023 22:43:55 GMT
Overhyped to one person is appropriately hyped to many many others.
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Post by Matt on May 22, 2023 22:50:11 GMT
Overhyped to one person is appropriately hyped to many many others. I know it’s all about opinions but I’ve seen many people call it perfect, the best show ever, faultless etc. I think that’s definitely overhyping. It just made me think I was getting something I didn’t. |
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1,217 posts
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Post by nash16 on May 22, 2023 23:05:05 GMT
I think this show in particular is over hyped because we’ve had so few BIG shows recently that tick a lot of boxes, and it’s also Previews where everyone is obviously very excited for the revival to finally be here.
I went early on in its first incarnation and was surprised by the absolute love for it subsequently during that run. It IS very good, but it still didn’t fully hold together or really pull me through with it. And save one song, the rest just…served a function.
Having said that, I’m excited people are excited and coming back from this rejig of it with positive comments as they really need this version to work to get it across the river and making some money for the Old Vic, or back on the great white way (where it can make even more). And sometimes people just need/want a show to love.
If the reviews drop in terms of their love for it, it may cause it future problems.
But it’s safe commercially at the Old Vic: musical based on a well loved film. Easy!
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Post by intoanewlife on May 22, 2023 23:40:47 GMT
I saw this and Bandstand on Broadway on the same day and had the same opinion on both of them.
They both had brilliant first acts that I loved, but both totally lost me in the second act.
While this didn't quite reach the level of terrible that Bandstand did by its conclusion and still had some great moments of direction and choreography in the second act. Much like Matilda, it didn't seem to know when to finish and everything that I had enjoyed about Act 1 became annoying as hell by the end of Act 2.
There is no doubting it's a good show (half of it's a great show), but I certainly have no desire to see it again.
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Post by frauleinsallybowles on May 23, 2023 0:02:46 GMT
Does anyone know if there will be any offers/concessions on this? I’ve been looking at the Old Vic site and a lot of the tickets seem to be on the pricey end for me!
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Post by capybara on May 23, 2023 0:44:49 GMT
Saw this for the first time tonight, it was good but definitely overhyped by many over the years, and that meant that from the first minute I was waiting for something incredible, but at the end I just got a good show with some great quick changes and effects. It probably took 2/3 of the first act before I really started enjoying it. I couldn’t be sat any further away, so the only reason I’d go again was to sit a lot closer, but other than that I think I got everything I needed from it tonight. I’m glad it wasn’t just me. I was also there tonight and thought it was fine and enjoyed some of it. However, personally, I just never felt emotionally invested or connected with the story or its characters. And the score was pretty bland. I don’t know, maybe I was just expecting something more and I totally get that I’m in a minority, but left feeling pretty underwhelmed. Three stars. |
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Post by shownut on May 23, 2023 7:05:54 GMT
Caught last night's preview and thoroughly enjoyed it. Is GHD perfect? Not at all. But I did find it highly imaginitive and wildly different from just about any other musical I have seen.
I saw the ill-fated Broadway production and I think the show has definitely improved with a bit of slimming down and tightening. There were a couple of changes to orchestrations, particularly in "If I had My Time Again" that I wasn't nuts about, but the show's quirkiness and heart is still intact (as is "Playing Nancy" which is true theatrical marmite. I still like it, my three guests hated it. Oh well).
Andy Karl is still turning in a top-notch comedic performance that should earn him the same same hosannas he recieved the first time around and the supporting cast were all fine, nothing exceptional to shout about but all very good and on point for this very early preview.
Not sure what they have in mind in terms of a future for this production but well-done to The Old Vic for bringing it back.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2023 7:37:06 GMT
why has this never been done in Australia?
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on May 23, 2023 7:43:01 GMT
I very much enjoyed this last night. All very smooth. I did see the previous version but I couldn't pick up on what has changed. I don't necessarily feel that I'd rush back soon though unlike some other shows. I do think this will sell very well for the limited run.
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on May 23, 2023 7:53:24 GMT
Does anyone know if there will be any offers/concessions on this? I’ve been looking at the Old Vic site and a lot of the tickets seem to be on the pricey end for me! Depending on reviews, I'd expect dynamic pricing to kick in and decent midweek stalls seats to come up around £60. |
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Post by alexander on May 23, 2023 7:58:53 GMT
Spoiler heavy:
Saw it tonight - I adore this show like nothing else. Saw it twice in its first run at the Old Vic and have caught some footage of the Broadway run. Here are my thoughts:
I understand that the original staging with 5 revolves was terribly complex and troublesome but I think a little is lost by not having at least 1. The nature of the show is so cyclical and it helped so much with transitions. It also means that you get less of the ensemble on stage in the climax of songs like Hope (there’s no longer multiple versions of Phil killing himself which was originally so effective).
I find the the new choreography very hit and miss. They’ve knocked Philanthropy out of the park (now including a reprise of “If I Had My Time Again” which works so well) but Stuck isn’t even a patch on the original snappy, inventive choreo in my opinion. The movement overall is well considered but the cheerleading sequences are a little flat.
I think there’s heavier use of video projection which is used effectively on the surrounding flats.
I was surprised by some of the lyric changes, some I couldn’t figure out why they were changed or if they were even an improvement e.g the “my doctor said one day my heart would stop tickin’, unless I cut down on that chicken” is now about Camembert / eating too much cheese?
The joke about Phil demanding a big van at the beginning is also gone (before the miniature van comes on stage). I don’t understand why this was cut?! This humour felt so appropriate for the show. I remember there being more takes of Phil being a dick on the screens at the beginning originally, maybe they’re trying to make him a little less of a dick?
I’m almost certain that Days 1, 2 & 3 have been trimmed a little, particularly Phil’s wake up call, I imagine this is in the interest of making this whole first part of the show a little more efficient.
I was particularly interested in the changes made to “There Will Be Sun”. The costume changes from “cute small town community” to “old fashioned, traditional” takes it from wholesome to a little more creepy which I imagine is the intent? The song has also been trimmed down a little which I found a LITTLE bit of a shame. Though the bits trimmed lended themselves to the more wholesome community vibes.
I personally wish Phil’s hidden preparation for reappearances in the bed during “Hope” were less lit but that’s nitpicking as someone who knows what will happen.
Overall I bloody loved it. It undoubtedly needs the preview period to get to where is needed but that’s a given. Andy Karl is 10/10 as usual. Tanisha’s vocals are gorgeous. The supporting cast are great, I think with more shows the comic timing will improve too.
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