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Post by andrew on May 29, 2023 15:22:24 GMT
However, the bit that muddled me the most was when it got to what I have always thought was the last day that starts with the longer TV report. After that he runs around all day helping people ending up at the banquet. I always assumed that this was one day that he's perfected the timings of over time. The day starts before dawn with Phil waking up (looked online and the event starts at 4am, mad!), sunrise is at 7:25am, then after that he's on the go all the way through to the evening. I'm going to make these times up but it went something like 11, 2, 9, 12 (midday), banquet. I guess the times jumping around mean it's lots of different days and we're just seeing him perfecting each individual moment. I think I would prefer it if it was all just the one day and the time went in order. Where are you getting the times from Dippy? I'm struggling to remember but is the clock at the back on stage for those sections? It seems really heavily implied that the last section is all this one perfect day and that's what makes Rita change her mind about Phil, he proves he is a good man at last and the cycle breaks. I think getting uptight about Phil's hypothetical age is a bit much, I'd advise people who're concerned about this don't look too hard at Doctor Who and The Doctor's various entanglements with people centuries younger than them. |
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Post by danb on May 29, 2023 15:26:20 GMT
However, the bit that muddled me the most was when it got to what I have always thought was the last day that starts with the longer TV report. After that he runs around all day helping people ending up at the banquet. I always assumed that this was one day that he's perfected the timings of over time. The day starts before dawn with Phil waking up (looked online and the event starts at 4am, mad!), sunrise is at 7:25am, then after that he's on the go all the way through to the evening. I'm going to make these times up but it went something like 11, 2, 9, 12 (midday), banquet. I guess the times jumping around mean it's lots of different days and we're just seeing him perfecting each individual moment. I think I would prefer it if it was all just the one day and the time went in order. Where are you getting the times from Dippy? I'm struggling to remember but is the clock at the back on stage for those sections? It seems really heavily implied that the last section is all this one perfect day and that's what makes Rita change her mind about Phil, he proves he is a good man at last and the cycle breaks. I think getting uptight about Phil's hypothetical age is a bit much, I'd advise people who're concerned about this don't look too hard at Doctor Who and The Doctor's various entanglements with people centuries younger than them. …or the ‘rules’ around the amount of regenerations a time lord is allowed. 😬 |
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Post by kathryn on May 29, 2023 18:14:37 GMT
I can get behind the plot for the sake of entertainment, but that means he would be around 70 odd hitting on a young woman. Does he not physically or literally age then? (Soz I’ve never seen the movie). I personally don’t read the show literally. Although the central premise of a guy being stuck in the same day for decades is terrifying (and ridiculous of course) - I read the show primarily as the metaphor about being mentally stuck and how we can all benefit from stopping for a moment / actually being mindful rather than living life by going through the motions. It’s a lifetime of lessons condensed into a single day, and whilst the single day premise is great for entertainment purposes - I do find myself seeing it as a lifetime In the real world. For that reason this show hits me emotionally…incredibly hard. Yes, it’s a metaphor. Phil’s not the only one in the show who is stuck and learns how to move on. Rita moves on from her ideas about men and romance, too. And then there’s the way the minor characters move on because of Phil changing their lives in small ways. |
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Post by dippy on May 29, 2023 18:54:50 GMT
Where are you getting the times from Dippy? I'm struggling to remember but is the clock at the back on stage for those sections? It seems really heavily implied that the last section is all this one perfect day and that's what makes Rita change her mind about Phil, he proves he is a good man at last and the cycle breaks. Yeah, it's on the weather symbol structure thing that flies in, there's a clock with digital hands in the middle. I'm glad you think it's all one day too. To me it's stronger if it is all on one day than seeing snippets of different days. We all know he's had to perfect everything to do it all in one day so I'd want to see that successful day. |
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Post by danb on May 29, 2023 20:19:24 GMT
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Post by londonmzfitz on May 30, 2023 14:45:50 GMT
Went Saturday. Man, I'm overjoyed to be able to see this again. It is such a fun piece, love the music, love the staging, love the performers. I was in Stall B14 - had one of the flags flying past into the auditorium at the start, much to the consternation of the young man on stage. My son and his flatmate were in B18 & 19, said the view was great (I'm in one of those next week). The death scenes were very different to the 2016 staging, kinda miss it, having to properly stretch the imagination back then, but lots of gasps around me at a couple of the new scenes. Great buzz in the Theatre - I'm really hoping for big starry reviews when it opens next week. Saturday night was pretty much perfect, flying flag and one tiny glitch with the Sherriff's holster aside.
"Playing Nancy" - what a lovely song. But - in my head every time I woke through Saturday night/Sunday morning .. Nobody Cares. Argh! and - If I Had My Time Again - what riches! Can't wait for my next visit(s).
Great bar at The Old Vic too - cocktails after the show, "late-night basement bar is open after the show until 12am Mon–Wed and 2am Thu–Sat". Tequila Old Fashioned recommended. Fabulous evening.
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Post by danb on May 30, 2023 15:07:07 GMT
Is there anything ‘wrist-slashy’, cos that’s my thing and I don’t want to pull a whitey sat on a high stool? I am not the show.
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Post by alexander on May 30, 2023 15:45:23 GMT
Is there anything ‘wrist-slashy’, cos that’s my thing and I don’t want to pull a whitey sat on a high stool? I am not the show. Only a reference by the brief mention of “razors” in the lyrics. As for the rest, it’s more suggestive than anything explicit. |
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Post by ronnette on May 31, 2023 9:09:47 GMT
Extended by a week.
Tickets on sale at noon.
I had 12th August booked as it was the final night and just called up to swap to the 19th and was told to call back at 12.
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Post by christya on May 31, 2023 11:42:28 GMT
I thought about swapping, but decided to just go twice.  If they move the closing date again, I'll swap that one. So, front of circle on 12th, front of stalls on 19th so far. Suits me. |
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Post by fiyero on May 31, 2023 11:56:50 GMT
I saw an early preview and decided to go again but my only spare slot was matinee on the 19th of August. So nice of them to extend just for me!
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Post by og on May 31, 2023 20:06:55 GMT
Tim Minchin is in the house tonight. Kinda exciting despite all the people feeling the need to stare and titter, just let him relax and enjoy it.
A few changes that I’m missing. They have to work harder without the revolve but it mostly works. Nobody Cares and the cat chase was very flat, which was a scene I loved in the original version.
Tanisha is absolutely stealing the show so far, and deservedly. She deserves a lot of recognition. Looking forward to act 2!
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594 posts
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Post by og on May 31, 2023 22:03:18 GMT
The almost perfect musical returns.
A couple of minor hiccups in staging, Phil quite obviously getting back into bed in those moments he shouldn’t be and a few props astray. I suspect everyone’s pretty tired from an intense preview period, but still, what a show.
Night Will Come hit very hard for me tonight. Some magic moments. But also some moments where things just needed taking up a notch marginally. Notably sound, couple of times I’d have liked to have been taken away with it, have the band punch but it was all vocals. Big shame as previous comment seem to indicate a loud band.
During its first run I had argued quite vehemently that Playing Nancy didn’t work where it was, happy to eat my words seeing this a few years down the line.
Big shame they cut down one of the chorus’ from There Will Be Sun, two verses just stitched togther didn’t work for me and set it off to a bumpy start. Hope I can return to this somewhere down the line soon.
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Post by ceebee on May 31, 2023 22:39:11 GMT
The almost perfect musical returns. A couple of minor hiccups in staging, Phil quite obviously getting back into bed in those moments he shouldn’t be and a few props astray. I suspect everyone’s pretty tired from an intense preview period, but still, what a show. Night Will Come hit very hard for me tonight. Some magic moments. But also some moments where things just needed taking up a notch marginally. Notably sound, couple of times I’d have liked to have been taken away with it, have the band punch but it was all vocals. Big shame as previous comment seem to indicate a loud band. During its first run I had argued quite vehemently that Playing Nancy didn’t work where it was, happy to eat my words seeing this a few years down the line. Big shame they cut down one of the chorus’ from There Will Be Sun, two verses just stitched togther didn’t work for me and set it off to a bumpy start. Hope I can return to this somewhere down the line soon. Yes, Night Will Come was a standout for me too. I'd love to see Andrew Langtree win an award for this role. That song for me was a showstopper. |
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jun 1, 2023 0:16:54 GMT
Saw the original version back in 2016 and enjoyed it much more than this time. Without the revolve it doesn't really work for me, some scenes didn't flow like in the previous version. I also missed Peter Darling's choreography which was glorious, didn't care much for the new one. Finally Andy Karl looked a bit strange and somehow different. My friend thought he's had plastic surgery.
Overall, it was a mildly entertaining evening, but this production is nowhere near as good as the 2016 original.
This new production is more like a cheap touring version of a great show, which is a great shame.
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Post by stagebyte on Jun 1, 2023 12:02:09 GMT
No other comparable tickets available.  We’re in London anyway. So we’ll going in to see what it looks like and will complain on the day if it’s any way not acceptable. Thanks everyone for your help |
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Post by ceebee on Jun 1, 2023 12:42:13 GMT
No other comparable tickets available. We’re in London anyway. So we’ll going in to see what it looks like and will complain on the day if it’s any way not acceptable. Thanks everyone for your help Hi Stagebyte - another option is to look at availability a day or two before and phone up the lovely Box Office who are always pretty helpful. The prices at the moment are peaking with demand and then lowering slightly a day or so before (i.e. £150 seats are dropping to £100; £120 dropping to £70). I can see it selling out after press night as more buzz drives sales, but at the moment availability is pretty good. |
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Post by danb on Jun 1, 2023 13:09:25 GMT
I’m not sure why stagebyte should be busting their ass to do anything. They booked a ticket with a clear view and been given one with a whacking great pillar in the way as a result of the Old Vics’ incompetence/disorganisation/lack of care. The ball is in their court to provide a seat of similar quality. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jun 2, 2023 8:16:47 GMT
During its first run I had argued quite vehemently that Playing Nancy didn’t work where it was, happy to eat my words seeing this a few years down the line. Ditto. My comment at the time - you come buzzing back from the bar full of lols and then - *BAM* - Rita is there to shame you for sniggering at her .. If I was seeing it fresh I might feel the same, but knowing it's coming I am ready for it. Took a friend who quietly commented on the poignancy of that one song - |
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Post by og on Jun 2, 2023 8:26:05 GMT
During its first run I had argued quite vehemently that Playing Nancy didn’t work where it was, happy to eat my words seeing this a few years down the line. Ditto. My comment at the time - you come buzzing back from the bar full of lols and then - *BAM* - Rita is there to shame you for sniggering at her .. If I was seeing it fresh I might feel the same, but knowing it's coming I am ready for it. Took a friend who quietly commented on the poignancy of that one song - I think a familiarity helps, but also I think I've come into it a little maturer. I was of the thinking Act2 needs a big flashy number to wake people up. You get a tease of that with the entr'acte, but then you slam in to Playing Nancy. Act 2 is darker in tone, the fun of being stuck in the loop has gone, Phil becomes more desperate and is challenged by his situation, so any big Chorus routine number is going to contradict what follows. Having a number for someone else brings your perception from just Phil to other people in a similar emotional situation. |
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Post by jamb0r on Jun 2, 2023 9:30:24 GMT
Third time seeing this new run last night and noticing a few little changes they’ve been putting in throughout previews:
I love the new light up ‘PHIL’ top hats
At the beginning of each day when Phil looks out the window and you could faintly hear some announcements being played they now have 2 of the cast come on the sides with megaphones to say these lines which is much clearer
At the end of act 1 there are now some giant Gobblers Knob flags that drop from the ceiling that Phil rips down (I’m pretty sure these weren’t there before)
After a third viewing of this new iteration I am completely fine with all of the changes that have been made except for one - the top down car chase scene. It just isn’t working like it used to. There used to be completely different house puppets that were used for this section, and the actual car chase had a bit of jeopardy where you could see the car getting stuck in dead ends and then outsmarting the police. Now you just get a bit of wobbling about for a few seconds and that’s it. This was so imaginative when they first did it I feel like if they’re not going to do it properly it’s not really worth doing it at all.
Also missing a final bit of singing (there will be sun) at the bows like they did in the previous run, though I guess that’s something they could easily add at the end of previews
Tim was also in last night
Also asked the box office to change my closing night ticket to the new date, the same seat I had before is now in the next price band so had to pay more which I wasn’t thrilled about.
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Post by og on Jun 2, 2023 10:58:09 GMT
With the car chase it doesn’t help the puppet section when they play it so far down stage, you can see everyone doing their thing, sticks and everything.
It used to be further upstage and harder to make out the actors, the theatricality of it was tighter as a result.
That fairground waltzer scene is completely unnecessary without the revolve now, before it really made sense, now it’s just 2 minutes of “oo look fairy lights and these chairs spin” there’s no real choreography to it. Cut it and restore the full ‘There will be Sun’ at the top of the show.
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Post by jamb0r on Jun 2, 2023 11:25:42 GMT
With the car chase it doesn’t help the puppet section when they play it so far down stage, you can see everyone doing their thing, sticks and everything. It used to be further upstage and harder to make out the actors, the theatricality of it was tighter as a result. That fairground waltzer scene is completely unnecessary without the revolve now, before it really made sense, now it’s just 2 minutes of “oo look fairy lights and these chairs spin” there’s no real choreography to it. Cut it and restore the full ‘There will be Sun’ at the top of the show. I have to disagree with the waltzer scene. I think they’ve improved it throughout the previews - last night when I was watching it I could really see how they had lit up Phil’s face from within the ride car, and you could see how he was staring at Rita with admiration with a big smile on his face while she was enjoying herself. It really felt like at that moment he had fallen totally in love with her. It’s probably the most beautifully staged scene in the show too with the curtain lights |
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Post by David J on Jun 2, 2023 13:39:49 GMT
I'm going to book this but I'd love to know {Spoiler - click to view}
Do they still have the guy in the Groundhog suit appearing during a dance sequence playing on a drum kit during the second act? |
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Post by jamb0r on Jun 2, 2023 13:45:34 GMT
I'm going to book this but I'd love to know {Spoiler - click to view}
Do they still have the guy in the Groundhog suit appearing during a dance sequence playing on a drum kit during the second act? Yes! It gets a big laugh every time |
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If they move the closing date again, I'll swap that one.
We’re in London anyway. So we’ll going in to see what it looks like and will complain on the day if it’s any way not acceptable. Thanks everyone for your help 
