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Post by stevej678 on Jan 4, 2017 10:35:21 GMT
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Post by firefingers on Jan 4, 2017 12:37:16 GMT
Hmm... I wish then luck selling that.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2017 14:17:54 GMT
Depends on who else they cast I suppose.
I suggest Ramin Karimloo or Studley Fraser or someone like that so that I can take the show literally and run my fingers over them during the 11 o'clock number.
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 27, 2017 16:09:45 GMT
30% off top price preview tickets, now £22.50  |
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153 posts
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 12, 2017 12:47:43 GMT
Anyone seen this yet? I plan to do the matinee on Saturday. Ticket sales to date seem to be very very poor.
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4,955 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 12, 2017 14:58:58 GMT
An article on radio 4 earlier was talking about how Braille is on the decline. quite apt ...
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151 posts
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Post by gra on Apr 12, 2017 15:44:33 GMT
Saw this last night.
Afraid it's probably going to get mauled by the critics.
Definitely a 'work in progress'
Wooden dialogue, terrible rhymes in the lyrics,forgettable music.
Costumes were so similar (black for the sighted, white for the blind) that it was difficult to differentiate between the characters. The lighting was fairly dark throughout (deliberate to underline the theme?),sometimes making it difficult to follow.
Even the production was nothing special.(more chairs and stairs again!)
Maybe unfair to criticise too much as this was only the second preview, but doubt much can be changed to save this.
The cast worked hard and there were some good performances despite the confines of the piece.
So sorry to write this as I had every hope of discovering a new gem of musical theatre.
Will be interested to hear if other forum members have different views.If you can get a deal go and support the cast.It must be miserable playing to a half empty house!
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4,955 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 12, 2017 15:45:33 GMT
Chairs and stairs. I love it!
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Post by clair on Apr 12, 2017 16:01:17 GMT
Saw it on Monday - open dress rehearsal instead of 1st preview! It felt like a work in progress as already stated - somehow it didn't get to my emotions and seemed more like telling facts through music rather than a full blown story. The costumes meant that it wasn't always easy to determine who was who and I rather disliked the idea of black and white for the blind and sighted as being too clinical.
Re the set - first time I've come out of a show with motion sickness. I do think that had a bearing on my lack of enjoyment, did it really need to turn so often?
I'm glad I saw it and do try to support new musicals, however, my ultimate feeling is that this could be good but needs far greater development and depth than it currently offers.
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151 posts
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Post by gra on Apr 13, 2017 0:54:55 GMT
Relieved that Clair shares many of the points I made.
I agree about the revolving set (sets of stairs leading to a raised platform) Apart from being employed far too much, it had to be turned manually by the actors which proved distracting.
So disappointing!
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153 posts
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 15, 2017 21:24:21 GMT
Having read the earlier comments I wasn't sure what to expect this afternoon. But we came away having really enjoyed it. In some ways it had helped seeing the comments above as it had allowed me to think through the basis for black and white, and the extremely dark lighting throughout the theatre.
In some ways it's an immersive experience as the auditorium is very dimly lit before, interval and after. For me the contrast of black and white worked. This is a musical with a mission and there is a lot said in it about the way blind people were viewed as "abnormal". Keeping all the blind children all in white, and "normal" people all in black helps to emphasise the contrast between the two. I'm guessing the spinning house which serves as the blind institution, is also deliberately white to relate it to being blind.
Some nice tunes and good singing. In terms of style, it reminded me a bit of Les Miserables, albeit on a much reduced scale. Large part of cast are children and despite the odd cue mistake they do a great job as it's not always easy to find where you're supposed to be when the building you are in is turning. Seventeen year old Jack Wolfe is the real star of the show. Sings well and portrayed the right emotion for the role of Braille.
As for the revolving stage set, we both agreed that at times it felt like half s turn was sufficient, but we weren't too bothered by it. We also liked the lower stage at the front which was the domain of the children. Again emphasising the way they were looked down upon. We were sat in the balcony so looking almost down on the stage. I expect the view and perspective is different from the stalls.
My wife chatted to the guy who runs the theatre and he explained that with this being a new musical they have allowed a long preview time to see what works and what needs to change. I suspect it is already different from the first couple of shows and by the time they get to press night we may find a bit less spinning.
I would say only 1/3 to half full today. Front section was pretty full and a number opted to sit at the front of rear section. They will be hoping for a good press night to sell seats going forward. Some decent videos might help as it's very hard from the current publicity to know what to expect.
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151 posts
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Post by gra on Apr 16, 2017 13:00:37 GMT
Glad you enjoyed it liverpool54321.
I understand what the production, setting, lighting and costumes were trying to achieve, but felt it made the plot and characters more difficult to follow.
As I said before, I was disappointed that I couldn't warm to it more, and it does deserve to get a good audience.
Totally agree about Jack Wolfe. Didn't realise he was only 17. Thought he'd just graduated from Mountview.
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153 posts
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 17, 2017 10:45:13 GMT
Think I stand corrected. Yes, he is has recently completed course at Mountview. I got confused by the age his agent says he can portray! One to keep an eye on in the future.
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Post by d'James on Apr 19, 2017 23:11:43 GMT
Any deals for this that anyone knows of? Not sure I want to pay too much after the reviews here. I wish it was on TodayTix like other recent shows at The Charing Cross Theatre. Any idea what turning up at the Box Office on the day would be like for getting a discount? I checked for some dates next week and it looked like there were about four seats sold?!
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Post by d'James on Apr 20, 2017 14:40:50 GMT
Annoyingly, the Ticketmaster one has just expired. Press night is Monday, so wait until after that, perhaps. Great. Thanks. I wondered why that wasn't on sale. |
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 24, 2017 22:21:04 GMT
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 24, 2017 23:35:39 GMT
Then it has to be really really bad! I was only thinking the other day that I have not seen anything less than 4 and 5 stars from Shenton in ages and everything can't be that good - clearly it isn't! |
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 25, 2017 15:04:14 GMT
Others so far: 1* in The Guardian, 1* in Time Out, 2* MusicalTheatreReview, 2* BritishTheatre.com, 3.5* ReviewsHub
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Post by clair on Apr 25, 2017 15:08:24 GMT
It certainly isn't that bad! I'm still planning on going a second time once it's settled in a bit and I know to sit non centrally re the set.
The cast were amazing, any cast who gets through an open dress with only one stop have to be good, even more so when that includes kids.
My comments when I first went were meant as constructive feedback - hence giving reasoning for things - and I would hope that came across. To be this negative is astounding as the show in no way deserves it
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1,502 posts
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Post by foxa on Apr 25, 2017 16:12:46 GMT
Yeah, I haven't seen this yet but was thinking about going because I've enjoyed work by both the director and designer before and the cast sounds like they are good. I think the title is absolutely terrible and maybe the concept isn't right, but I can't believe it is anywhere near as bad/dull as stuff I would consider 1 star (yes, show in Edinburgh which was just an hour of blankly listing names and dates, I'm looking at you.)
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151 posts
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Post by gra on Apr 25, 2017 17:46:09 GMT
It certainly isn't that bad! I'm still planning on going a second time once it's settled in a bit and I know to sit non centrally re the set. The cast were amazing, any cast who gets through an open dress with only one stop have to be good, even more so when that includes kids. My comments when I first went were meant as constructive feedback - hence giving reasoning for things - and I would hope that came across. To be this negative is astounding as the show in no way deserves it I also saw it early in the run and predicted on this forum the critics would maul it. But I'm going again tomorrow afternoon to support this. There is much to enjoy in the performances and in my view deserves more than 1 or 2 stars and more balanced reviews. |
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Post by westendcub on Apr 25, 2017 20:06:48 GMT
The trouble is, it's really at an off-off Broadway "development type" stage, and some people are viewing it as the finished item. It isn't, it's in incubation. Take it that way, and it's worth a visit. I'm off on my hols on Friday but this is definitely on my agenda to see upon my return (I'm at 'The Girls' tomorrow eve finally!!) |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Apr 25, 2017 20:15:18 GMT
The trouble is, it's really at an off-off Broadway "development type" stage, and some people are viewing it as the finished item. It isn't, it's in incubation. Take it that way, and it's worth a visit. I know somebody that is involved in this production. It's not in incubation or development stage. It's had A LOT of development and rewrites and changes for several years. It is being sold as a final production in its casting and staging and it is charging full WE prices for the show, rather than a 'work in progress' set of prices. Which is a shame. Some shows are just not great I guess. |
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151 posts
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Post by gra on Apr 25, 2017 21:09:50 GMT
The trouble is, it's really at an off-off Broadway "development type" stage, and some people are viewing it as the finished item. It isn't, it's in incubation. Take it that way, and it's worth a visit. I know somebody that is involved in this production. It's not in incubation or development stage. It's had A LOT of development and rewrites and changes for several years. It is being sold as a final production in its casting and staging and it is charging full WE prices for the show, rather than a 'work in progress' set of prices. Which is a shame. Some shows are just not great I guess. Not West End prices. You can get best non premium seats for £26 if you put in OFFER10 on checkout. As most of the seats are unsold, you have an excellent choice. Think this is just until April 30th at the moment, but would be surprised if similar deals were not available throughout the run. |
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 26, 2017 11:51:39 GMT
^ Genuine question - those shows you mentioned which have "trial runs" in smaller theatres, is it/was it clear that the shows are being tested out with the possibility of being re-worked to then open "properly" on Broadway?
With The Braille Legacy, there has been nothing at all in any press, interviews or reviews to suggest that this particular production is still in development stage and should be treated as such. The Charing Cross is also not a theatre known to house shows in development stage that would then be re-worked to transfer to a larger theatre, in fact, it's just been announced today that they'll be housing a transfer of Yank! from Manchester themselves. As for changing a lot in previews, we all know that's nothing new and I don't think that should be used as a definition for a show in development stage! The prices may not be West End, but they are in line with the prices for other shows (that were to be considered "finished", at it were) at the same theatre, no? Unless I'm incorrect, of course! I, personally, don't see where anyone would have been lead to think that this production is anything other than the finished product, unless they were told otherwise, which I don't believe anyone was?
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