Company

[CG on the loose]

Oct 13, 2018 14:16:13 GMT wickedgrin said:

I personally don't like sitting at the back (almost at any price) as I never feel engaged with the production and my enjoyment of a show always seems better the closer I am!

Totally with you re not sitting at the back. Completely changes the show for me.

[welsh_tenor]

Well I bloody loved this! Out dancing now in Soho so very quick thoughts...

* Patti - nothing to say. STAR
* I’m not getting married - highlight of the show - the singing, acting and staging were off the scale!
* Singing Vicar - amazing!!
* Overall I felt that Bobbie was the narrator of the show, I was drawn to everyone’s story rather than it being Bobbies journey.
* The seats in the Gielgud are awful (dress circle row D)
* The audience felt a little like Wicked cast change night - Patti said her drink line and small groups started cheering which was clearly pre-planned and felt forced!
* Bobbie needs to be a belter.... the end felt very weak and breathy! Fantastic, but could be more of a climax...
* Richard Fleeshman clearly been working out!
* I’d be interested to know in the original how it would be received today.... the scene between Andy and Bobbie would have been bordering on #metoo rapey as Bobby started undressing the air stewardess!

A brilliant night though, need to try and see it again!

[luvvie23]

Oct 13, 2018 10:27:57 GMT @ryan said:

Well. Someone call the police and arrest Rosalie Craig. She commits the most heinous crime of making 'Being Alive' seem like a filler and worse still, underwhelming. I don't know if she's bored singing it but I was bored hearing it. I've seen more feeling from a deep fried calamari. She's very attractive and has a nice voice and even has a few nice moments but she's just so bland that Bobbie fades into the background for me and I just didn't care about her at all.

But aside from that, it's a great show on the whole and the "turn off your mobile phones" message is genius. Fans of the staging of 'Angels in America' will be in heaven because it's pretty much the same staging just with a few songs thrown in. There are boxes flying all over the place (the person with the winch must be on double time) and there's an angelic bit that is shamelessly stolen from 'Pity' at the Royal Court too. There are some bits I'd cut though. David and Jenny for a start and Peter and Susan for seconds (although Richard Henders as David is one of the strongest singers on the stage), both couples are completely dull and slow things down. I'd also cut the scene directly after 'Barcelona' with lots of Rosalie's which goes on for what seems like the length of time it would take to actually get to Barcelona.

On the plus side though, Jonny B is gorgeous (and his buns look teeth-chompingly delicious when he's doing the cha-cha), very manically funny and really rather touching during his big scene. And what a scene. 'Getting Married Today' almost steals the show and if Jonny B doesn't get the Best Supporting Actor Olivier next year, I will riot. Richard Fleeshman is totes adorbs too. Not only does he strip down to his underpants to show us all just how much time he spends at the gym (those guns really should come with a licence) but it's really quite the sweetest, loveliest performance and he does it all so effortlessly. His trio with George Blagden and Matthew Seadon-Young (also great) performing 'You Could Drive A Person Crazy' is also one of the show highlights. Finally, Mel Giedroyc and Gavin Spokes (best of the male singers without a doubt) as Sarah and Harry are hysterical, it's a brilliant scene and I will never be able to think of jiu-jitsu again without laughing. Probably not the reaction martial arts experts would really like.

And Patti. Well she's utterly, completely, wholly and fabulously magnificent. The best singer on the stage by a country mile and as she told us many years ago as Evita, full of 'star quality'. 'The Ladies Who Lunch' is just sublime, overactive jaw and all. Quite rightly, that scene, that number and Patti herself get the biggest cheers of the night without even getting off a chair. As it should be. AND she does the 'What Would We Do Without You' choreography too. Nobody else need turn up for the Best Supporting Actress Olivier as it's all sewn up. I'll drink to that.

Oh and look out for the conductor getting into the spirit of the thing during 'Side By Side/What Would We Do Without You'. It's rather cute.

Oct 13, 2018 10:44:40 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Day seats are "box office discretion." Usually front row plus whatever else they choose to sell.

[Deleted]

So finally I am gonna attempt to gather my thoughts! First things first, we were sat in the Dress Slips, the closest to the stage and it was a great view. You miss one or two brief moments on the very side, but nothing too significant to plot, mainly just Ensemble stuff but its like you are onstage and you can see the faces of everyone and the detail in set and costume so well!

Now the show, god this show! This show is maybe one of the best shows I have ever seen to be truthful. I absolutely loved it from start to finish! I am very hit or miss with Sondheim but I thoroughly enjoyed this score, with a few standout moments I will mention later on.

The cast were obviously the reason alot of us were so eager to book, and boy were they amazing, everyone was fabulous. I won't mention everyone but a strong shoutout to the whole cast for doing great. But the standouts for me were clearly Mel, Jonathan, Patti, Richard and Rosalie, and heres hoping all will have Olivier nominations come award time, which is likely as those roles have all been nominated at the Tonys before!

Mel was brilliant. Hilariously funny, I didn't expect her to be as great as she was at all! Sounded great, looked great, her moment with Gavin Spokes was brilliant! Richard was actually, if not for Jonathan, the standout of the show for me. I just thohght his character was so dimwitted but he played it in such an innocent way that you couldn't help but fall in love with him, he was such a sweetie. It made the moments like the end of the Butterfly story so fabulous! Also special shoutout to his fabulous silver sequined shirt in the nightclub scene and how fabulous he looks in his pants in Act 2, wow! Rosalie was great too. The issue I had with her, I think someone mentioned it prior, but she felt more an observer rather than on her own journey at certain points, but otherwise she looked great, sounded great, acted great, nailed Being Alive. The issue she faced is obviously she was first announced and we were all excited but then other cast members were announced and she became the least of the names. But she held her own!

Now then, these two... Patti LuPone. What more is there to say?! Her solo in Act 2 was ons of the show stoppers of the night, she was so fabulous and not even standing up or looking like it was difficult! She looks amazing in her costumes, she is very funny with her asides and she chews up the scenery in the best way. It felt an honour to watch her live and I'm so thrilled I finally have.

But clearly, as everyone has said, the show belongs to Jonathan, they are probably etching his named onto that Olivier as we speak. He was absolutely amazing in his Not Getting Married Today number, working very well with Alex (who was also fabulous!). It was truly the show stopper of the show and the audience went crazy after. You can just tell how much he works for his performance too. In the Ensemble numbers, just watch him. He is that character the whole show, even in those numbers, he never breaks! Its rather amazing to see actually considering his charcter is so high energy all the time! I loved him, I will go back for him alone. And also, deserves a shoutout for the sequined silver trousers he wears in the club scene! Right hand side of the stage, on the end, best costume piece in the whole show! On the note of him and Alex too, I loved that there was no big deal about them being a gag couple, it just was a gay couple in a group of friends.

Another standout for me was the set. It was very Angels but I didn't care! The way it moved, side to side, up and down, it was quite amazing to see how it moved and worked. It was really something! And the reveal of the Orchestra truly made me gasp. Amazing!

Pretty much full house, very responsive audience, especially for You Could Drive a Person Crazy, Not Getting Married Today, Side By Side, The Ladies Who Lunch and Being Alive. Standing ovation all round. God I love this show so much, I will absolutely come back asap. Cast recording needed, and if it does not win big at the Oliviers I will riot.

5*

[welsh_tenor]

Can I ask question about the staging and the theatre please? In one of the scenes where the box rises from the floor, would that have been something already in the theatre that the show decided to use? Or would they have adapted the stage somehow to ensure the box could rise up?

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2018 13:10:46 GMT welsh_tenor said:

Can I ask question about the staging and the theatre please? In one of the scenes where the box rises from the floor, would that have been something already in the theatre that the show decided to use? Or would they have adapted the stage somehow to ensure the box could rise up?

Can only assume, but it's a strong intuition based on what I've seen at the Gielgud before..
I remember in Curious Incident the front 10ft of the stage 'folding' down to create the tram track space so there is substage space for production, but nothing 'in-house'. So the hydraulics for the two lifts would have been hired in for Company.

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2018 13:10:46 GMT welsh_tenor said:

Can I ask question about the staging and the theatre please? In one of the scenes where the box rises from the floor, would that have been something already in the theatre that the show decided to use? Or would they have adapted the stage somehow to ensure the box could rise up?

Love going on a little internet dig for people, like this.

Heres the fabricated lift caddy, both lift elements in one structure.

http://instagr.am/p/Bmaty75HqjX

if you go back in time on the Company Instagram to the timelapse of the production get in and you're very quick you can see it get flown in and down.

[Deleted]

And here she is in action welsh_tenor

[orchestrator]

Oct 14, 2018 14:32:03 GMT @remark said:

And here she is in action welsh_tenor

I love that Serial Shusher posted the video of the rather noisy lift!

[welsh_tenor]

Oct 14, 2018 14:32:03 GMT @remark said:

And here she is in action welsh_tenor

This is amazing, thanks for digging it out!!

[Deleted]

I’ll be back with a proper “review” when I’m not on a coach, but while I’m stuck in traffic...

I knew I’d love it, but I didn’t realise how much I would love it. This musical has been engrained in my heart and mind since the Doyle/Esparza version. Having “grown up” with it and now “grown into it” as a *cough* thirty-something woman it’s a piece that anyway resonates (that’s right Sondheim old guard women like the original too)

But this, this was like someone reached into my mind, and put everything that’s thrown at me, everything I think, on stage. And it was bloody marvellous. It veered between hilarity “oh yes I’ve been there” to heartbreak “oh yes I’ve been there” to sheer joy.

The ending, weirdly captured the exact same feeling Elliott did with Angels- that of feeling a bit ripped to shreds but also full of hope and joy.

A few specifics: Not Getting Married is a brilliant as everyone says. Patti is giving the full LuPone and you for sure get your money’s worth. Fleeshman rocks a uniform and out of it.

Oh and the man literally says the line “I’m a flight attendant” so can we put that debate to bed now?

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2018 21:00:00 GMT @kevinuk said:

Anyway, back to Company... do we think we’ll get a cast recording, or a recording of any kind at all? For such a limited run, I’d be surprised if they didn’t try and find a way to make a little bit more money... especially with it being the first production with the gender swap, such a brilliant cast and with the reactions it’s getting.

It really was a brilliant production. My only niggle is that I can’t really figure out why they changed the gender of the 3 possible partners too. Not that I complain... Richard was perfect casting.

I sincerely hope so! These days they record the audio multi-tracks for every performance and with a number of other shows recently releasing 'live' cast recordings (Dreamgirls, Young Frankenstein, Grinning Man, etc) there's no reason not to fork out the extra cash to get the audio mixed and released.
It would be great to have this edition immortalised, for many reasons including the new orchestrations and to monetise the short run longer term.

There looks to be some support on Twitter for a Cast Recording too, so heres hoping the producers see it and take note.

[MrsCondomine]

Everything I'd want to say about this has already been said, but can anyone help out this poor pleb who didn't get the reference in the pre-show announcement?

(I'm a straight play woman, usually... my Sondheim extends to knowing all the songs from Gypsy but nothing else.)

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2018 8:17:34 GMT MrsCondomine said:

Everything I'd want to say about this has already been said, but can anyone help out this poor pleb who didn't get the reference in the pre-show announcement?

(I'm a straight play woman, usually... my Sondheim extends to knowing all the songs from Gypsy but nothing else.)

It's from the fact LuPone has (now at least twice) stopped a show to shout at an audience member for using a phone. 

[Deleted]

I don't remember the wording, but I'm pretty sure it's a reference to when Patti was in Gypsy on Broadway and stopped the show to shout about an audience member who was filming the performance.

[MrsCondomine]

Thanks guys. I thought it might be some lyric reference that I was racking my brains to get...

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2018 8:33:31 GMT MrsCondomine said:

Thanks guys. I thought it might be some lyric reference that I was racking my brains to get...

Nah it's also just become a running joke in musical theatre that Miss Patti will come get you if your phone is on. Like a musical theatre bogey man. But more fabulous 

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2018 8:38:18 GMT @emicardiff said:

Oct 15, 2018 8:33:31 GMT MrsCondomine said:

Thanks guys. I thought it might be some lyric reference that I was racking my brains to get...

Nah it's also just become a running joke in musical theatre that Miss Patti will come get you if your phone is on. Like a musical theatre bogey man. But more fabulous 

Indeed. I've even seen several Broadway actors (musical and non) interviewed when the subject of audiences and mobile phones comes up and they're referenced going "The Full LuPone". 

Not a name my arse, Simon Sondwho!

[sf]

Oct 15, 2018 8:29:16 GMT @baemax said:

I don't remember the wording, but I'm pretty sure it's a reference to when Patti was in Gypsy on Broadway and stopped the show to shout about an audience member who was filming the performance.

And also a later incident when she was in a play at Lincoln Center - at one performance a woman in the front row was texting, and Patti grabbed her phone and took it off her.

[MrsCondomine]

Oct 15, 2018 12:09:42 GMT @emicardiff said:

Millennial aren't allowed opinions though. Because we're all teenagers. Despite you know, teenagers not really being Millennial anymore and most of us pushing, well ironically around Bobbie's age in Company.


Also, many would argue that say, a Game of Thrones Cast member would be recognisable and sell tickets. But just ask the director of Foxfinder how well that went (actually don't she'll bite your head off but that's another story)

Did someone try this? Was there blood spilled in the auditorium?!

The casting for this run of Foxfinder was quite funny - guy from Got! The boring non-redhead from Poldark! One of the ones that's not Helen George* or Pam Ferris from Call the Midwife! Nothing can save that play, short of bringing in A listers with a gift for pathos and an army of fangirls.

I'm still trying to think of something to say on the subject of Company that isn't repeating what everyone else has said -  although I'm glad RC's been given the lead. She's got an, um, unusual voice, right? Verging on a bit raspy and reedy sometimes. I like her though.


*NOT that George can act, of course.. and don't bring her up in front of the Strictly fans over on the Guardian... they hate her.

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2018 12:41:23 GMT MrsCondomine said:

Oct 15, 2018 12:09:42 GMT @emicardiff said:

Millennial aren't allowed opinions though. Because we're all teenagers. Despite you know, teenagers not really being Millennial anymore and most of us pushing, well ironically around Bobbie's age in Company.


Also, many would argue that say, a Game of Thrones Cast member would be recognisable and sell tickets. But just ask the director of Foxfinder how well that went (actually don't she'll bite your head off but that's another story)

Did someone try this? Was there blood spilled in the auditorium?!

The casting for this run of Foxfinder was quite funny - guy from Got! The boring non-redhead from Poldark! One of the ones that's not Helen George* or Pam Ferris from Call the Midwife! Nothing can save that play, short of bringing in A listers with a gift for pathos and an army of fangirls.

I'm still trying to think of something to say on the subject of Company that isn't repeating what everyone else has said -  although I'm glad RC's been given the lead. She's got an, um, unusual voice, right? Verging on a bit raspy and reedy sometimes. I like her though.


*NOT that George can act, of course.. and don't bring her up in front of the Strictly fans over on the Guardian... they hate her.

My thoughts on that director are best left unsaid (ah f*** it she's leaving South Wales and will never look back, let's just say she didn't endear herself to many) 

[Deleted]

I've heard some stories of a few theatre fans cheering when Patti says "I'd like to propose a toast", in the know of what is to come next. Can't say I cheered but I certainly slapped the sh*t out of daniel's leg and whispered "it's time!!" 😂😂

[MrsCondomine]

Oct 15, 2018 14:38:47 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

I've heard some stories of a few theatre fans cheering when Patti says "I'd like to propose a toast", in the know of what is to come next. Can't say I cheered but I certainly slapped the sh*t out of daniel 's leg and whispered "it's time!!" 😂😂

Full-blown applause and whooping from some guy near my seat when I saw it, he sounded like Damian from Mean Girls which made it funnier/less annoying than it might have been.

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2018 14:38:47 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

I've heard some stories of a few theatre fans cheering when Patti says "I'd like to propose a toast", in the know of what is to come next.

Ummm . . . 

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2018 14:50:36 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Oct 13, 2018 20:09:58 GMT @happysooz said:

So the £19.50 ones are a deal then?

TOO RIGHT. Grab them before they go up again... (as the actress said to the archbishop).

I had to trawl, but got some for December!!

I love this board.