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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2017 11:58:47 GMT
Went to first preview. Started 15 mins late. Ist half was 1 hour 25 mins. Interval stretched to 30 mins. 2nd half was 40 mins so ended at 10.35. I enjoyed it. Was in good shape for first preview. Some good dance sequences and singing. Staging seemed well thought out to me. I particularly liked the lighting effects once the sun had gone down. Some of the dancing will tighten up as it progresses. Hope others enjoy it. I'm seeing the show at a matinee. Kind of upset because it means it will be light throughout the entire show now so won't see any lighting or anything. Is it not as good seeing a matinee? Never been here befkre |
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Post by theatremadness on May 20, 2017 12:08:07 GMT
Went to first preview. Started 15 mins late. Ist half was 1 hour 25 mins. Interval stretched to 30 mins. 2nd half was 40 mins so ended at 10.35. I enjoyed it. Was in good shape for first preview. Some good dance sequences and singing. Staging seemed well thought out to me. I particularly liked the lighting effects once the sun had gone down. Some of the dancing will tighten up as it progresses. Hope others enjoy it. I'm seeing the show at a matinee. Kind of upset because it means it will be light throughout the entire show now so won't see any lighting or anything. Is it not as good seeing a matinee? Never been here befkre I've seen a few matinee shows at Regent's Park, JSC, Crazy For You, Into The Woods, and they were all as wonderful as each other. I'm sure some productions would be even more special in the evening, Into The Woods springs to mind first and foremost, but it definitely doesn't take away from the quality of the show and I'm sure you will have an equally as brilliant a time in the afternoon as you would in the evening at On The Town!  |
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Post by bellboard27 on May 20, 2017 12:10:56 GMT
Went to first preview. Started 15 mins late. Ist half was 1 hour 25 mins. Interval stretched to 30 mins. 2nd half was 40 mins so ended at 10.35. I enjoyed it. Was in good shape for first preview. Some good dance sequences and singing. Staging seemed well thought out to me. I particularly liked the lighting effects once the sun had gone down. Some of the dancing will tighten up as it progresses. Hope others enjoy it. I'm seeing the show at a matinee. Kind of upset because it means it will be light throughout the entire show now so won't see any lighting or anything. Is it not as good seeing a matinee? Never been here befkre It's not an issue. The Open Air Theatre has a different atmosphere during the day which is great also. I'm sure the show will deliver! |
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Post by TallPaul on May 20, 2017 12:13:10 GMT
Went to first preview. Started 15 mins late. Ist half was 1 hour 25 mins. Interval stretched to 30 mins. 2nd half was 40 mins so ended at 10.35. I enjoyed it. Was in good shape for first preview. Some good dance sequences and singing. Staging seemed well thought out to me. I particularly liked the lighting effects once the sun had gone down. Some of the dancing will tighten up as it progresses. Hope others enjoy it. I'm seeing the show at a matinee. Kind of upset because it means it will be light throughout the entire show now so won't see any lighting or anything. Is it not as good seeing a matinee? Never been here befkre You'll be fine. Lighting...schmighting, as I'm sure they don't say in New York. One thing you do need to be aware of is the sun. If it's a sunny day, and depending on your seat, it can get very, very hot. When I went to a matinee, I sat in my 'proper' seat for the first half, but by the interval I had to admit defeat and move to a seat in the shade, despite complaining in another post about people who change seats! |
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Post by westendcub on May 20, 2017 22:09:58 GMT
Was at this musical this evening with Anthony40.
Always a pleasure to see a show at Regents Open Air theatre in the eve, going light to dark is a treat (just remember to bring layers as when the sun goes it's get chilly and remember you can bring along refreshments).
So overall I enjoyed this musical, the story (let's face it there isn't one!) is not it's strength neither are some of the characters (the character 'Claire' is one of the worse) and it's a light hearted farce but this production boasts some great numbers, a good cast (cute men in the ensemble), good set and some outstanding choreography neatly directed!
In fact the show is at its strength when no word is spoken and it's a pure dance sequence (it had a ballet feel in those moments) Act 1 contains a lovely Gay sailor moment and it's the only true moment of heart and Act 2 the dream sequence is a treat!
Act 1 could do with a trim (cut some dialogue and less of 'Claire') but Act 2 is tight and they have right in it's in preview.
Lizzy is great once again (she is a pleasure to see on stage), I was impressed with Danny Mac he can act, dance and what a lovely tone and singing voice.
It's an enjoyable yarn, not an essential musical to see by any means but not a bad yarn to spend a few hours with.
3 Stars ✨
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Post by ctas on May 20, 2017 22:52:48 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed this. The music is probably one of my favourite scores, and there's some lovely songs that were cruelly omitted from the film. The atmosphere as it got dark was really quite magical. I find McOnie's choreography a little samey at times but the dream ballet in the second act and the Lonely Town sequence were just lovely. I've always liked Lizzy Connelly before but found her vocals in her first number a little weak, but otherwise she was fab. The new talents in this are brilliant, especially Miriam-Teak Lee as Claire. Can't believe she hasn't even graduated from drama school! Danny Mac was a lovely singer and terrific dancing from everyone. The plot's a bit thin, the script a bit hokey (and I always hated the fiancé character and his continued refrain) but it's a fantastic night out. Already plotting a return trip.
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Post by theatremadness on May 23, 2017 15:41:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2017 7:00:17 GMT
Thank u for the help.
Also, does anyone know if this theatre has a stage door? Would love to meet some of the cast!
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Post by theatremadness on May 24, 2017 10:20:57 GMT
Opening night now postponed until 31st May!
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Post by freckles on May 24, 2017 12:43:42 GMT
Opening night now postponed until 31st May! This is a shame, I wonder who is indisposed? Such lovely weather this week for open air performance. I saw the show on Monday and enjoyed it. The numerous set changes were a bit clunky but it's early days and hopefully that will get slicker. The dancing is glorious and I loved all the sailors, plus Claire and Hildy. The comic characters let it down a bit, I know it all gets a bit cartoonesque, but they seeemed very unsubtle. Madame Dilly was particularly poor. A solid production and I'm sure it will be popular. I could happily watch it again. |
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Post by CG on the loose on May 24, 2017 13:02:44 GMT
Opening night now postponed until 31st May! This is a shame, I wonder who is indisposed? Such lovely weather this week for open air performance. I saw the show on Monday and enjoyed it. The numerous set changes were a bit clunky but it's early days and hopefully that will get slicker. The dancing is glorious and I loved all the sailors, plus Claire and Hildy. The comic characters let it down a bit, I know it all gets a bit cartoonesque, but they seeemed very unsubtle. Madame Dilly was particularly poor. A solid production and I'm sure it will be popular. I could happily watch it again. I believe the show itself is back on from tonight, with understudy, but they've postponed the press night presumably to give their mystery incapacitated lead a chance to recover and wow the critics! |
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Post by freckles on May 24, 2017 13:08:19 GMT
This is a shame, I wonder who is indisposed? Such lovely weather this week for open air performance. I saw the show on Monday and enjoyed it. The numerous set changes were a bit clunky but it's early days and hopefully that will get slicker. The dancing is glorious and I loved all the sailors, plus Claire and Hildy. The comic characters let it down a bit, I know it all gets a bit cartoonesque, but they seeemed very unsubtle. Madame Dilly was particularly poor. A solid production and I'm sure it will be popular. I could happily watch it again. I believe the show itself is back on from tonight, with understudy, but they've postponed the press night presumably to give their mystery incapacitated lead a chance to recover and wow the critics! I suppose it will be apparent tonight who it is, then. Yesterday the understudy wasn't ready, I guess they've had an intense 48 hours! |
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Post by anita on May 24, 2017 13:44:44 GMT
The incapacitated lead isn't Danny Mac as he's posted he's on tonight.
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Post by PalelyLaura on May 24, 2017 18:22:53 GMT
Jacob Maynard playing Chip tonight.
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Post by Steve on May 24, 2017 20:17:37 GMT
Jacob Maynard playing Chip tonight. Ooh, hello out there, PalelyLaura Poor Fred Haig has broken his foot, Timothy Sheader announced.  I remember when I broke my foot, the doctor said it would take 6 weeks to get better, so I should imagine Jacob Maynard is in this for a long haul now. As it happens, Jacob Maynard is the highlight of my show so far. He's so likeable and sweet, and watching Lizzy Connolly's Hildy make mincemeat of him is just adorable! |
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Post by Steve on May 24, 2017 20:23:49 GMT
It's also lovely to see Lizzy Connolly's Xanadu castmate, Samuel Edwards, as Ozzie, every bit as much the dopey loveable big lug that he was in Xanadu lol.
Just a lot of fun all round, with constant dance and humour.
It's very warm, though I'm ready in case it gets cold, as it's getting dark now, and white blossom is drifting down onto the stage like snow.
Danny Mac is a lovely thoughtful romantic presence to counterbalance the more comedic personas of his two fellow sailors.
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Post by theatremadness on May 24, 2017 20:37:17 GMT
Broken his foot?! Oh that's sad to hear, and how sorry I feel for Mr Haig!! As Steve says, I unfortunately don't see him clawing back much stage time in this show. They seem to have been plagued with injuries after Jeremy Taylor had to leave the show a few weeks ago before opening. Seems like Danny Mac is the only male lead who has survived this show!
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Post by theatrefan77 on May 24, 2017 21:10:59 GMT
So sorry to hear about Fred Haig. He was my favourite out of the three leads when I saw the show on Saturday. Thought he was excellent and had great comic timing. Hope he recovers soon
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2017 21:33:53 GMT
This show really has had the worst luck!
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Post by Steve on May 24, 2017 22:46:35 GMT
So sorry to hear about Fred Haig. He was my favourite out of the three leads when I saw the show on Saturday. Thought he was excellent and had great comic timing. Hope he recovers soon I see in the programme that he has a part in the National's forthcoming "Follies." Fingers crossed it's a good part, and I look forward to seeing him then. |
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Post by PalelyLaura on May 24, 2017 22:58:57 GMT
Sorry to have missed you Steve! Must remember to wear my Theatreboard badge more often.
Really enjoyed this, lovely show. Hardly any plot but lovely music and dancing. Jacob Maynard was excellent especially considering he only had 24 hours to rehearse. Feel so sorry for Fred Haig though.
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Post by Steve on May 24, 2017 23:29:08 GMT
So I really loved this tonight. A vibrant light-hearted song and dance show that really lifted my spirits in these dark times. Some spoilers follow. . In the first half, the songs and comedy were the strength of the piece. In the second half, I loved the dance and Drew McOnie's choreography. Storywise, the whole show is just an excuse for exuberance, a great night out watching people enjoy a great night out "on the town." I was struck about how feminist the piece is, how ahead of it's time it must have been with every woman knowing exactly what they want, and pursuing their desires regardless of what anybody else thinks. And McOnie ensures that this production is additionally progressive, by featuring a beautiful gay dance liaison, as well as by (inadvertently) casting three mixed race couples. It's beautiful. Performances were great across the board. I like broad comedy, so Maggie Steed's lecherous cynical drunken Madame Dilly was a highlight, getting a good laugh out of me every time she made an appearance. So too did I love Lizzy Connolly's uber-bolshy Hildy. Connolly is one of the best stage comediennes we have, and while this show doesn't give her the same opportunities to run riot that she had, in say, "Vanities," nonetheless she's a gem. And her stage partner, the promoted understudy, Jacob Maynard, is simply wonderful, as good at reacting to her predations as he is at expressing an infectious and loving joie de vivre in every scene he's in. Only at the beginning was it evident that he was playing the role of Chip for the first time, as he struggled to synchronise his dance steps with his fellow sailors (and even that made me warm to him in the circumstances), but thereafter, you could have told me he'd been playing the role for months and I'd have believed you. He's charismatic, charming and loveable, a total find! Miriam-Teak Lee, as Claire, the partner of Samuel Edward's Ozzie, hits the high notes with verve, and coupled with her fierce red outfit, has a real spark of electricity about her in her interactions with the always affable Edwards' Ozzie. Indeed, towards the end of the piece, the foursome of Maynard, Edwards, Connolly and Lee, performing and dancing to the song "Some Other Time," was the peak moment of my night's enjoyment. Danny Mac's Gabey, the lead, has an old fashioned romantic Gene Kelly charm about him that perfectly blended with the vivacious, youthful exuberance of Siena Kelly's Ivy. And Mark Heenehan was superbly dry and funny as the cuckolded Judge. Meanwhile, Maynard's replacement, former Billy Elliot, Leon Cooke, performed wonderfully in the ensemble, despite having been cast a mere 24 hours earlier. He will be adding more bits to his performance throughout the week, Sheader told us. All in all, I had a tremendous forget-all-troubles entertaining night out, and that was wonderful. 4 and a half stars. |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 12:43:08 GMT
Man next to me walked out after 30 minutes. Gosh. Even parsley waits until the interval. |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 16:26:18 GMT
yes it does, but it's gated and not directly on the street, so you would have to wait on the pavement for them to come out. thank you for that. Do you know if cast members (Danny Mac etc) would come out of the stage door here to meet fans? |
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Post by Peach on May 25, 2017 16:58:06 GMT
You'd be better off lingering in the on site bar than the stage door.
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