62 posts
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Post by demonbarber on Feb 20, 2017 13:23:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 13:30:53 GMT
Oh heavens to Betsy. I know it saves money and I know it allows a bigger band and I know they are talented but if I see one more show where one of the cast picks up a trumpet or a triangle mid-song I might just have to storm the stage and put a stop to the whole thing. I thought we'd got past that kind of nonsense. Like employing Shane Richie in shows. Heavens if this goes on, the next thing we know, someone will have the great idea for Evita to pick up a violin and do the instrumental in 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' by herself.
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4,955 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 21, 2017 9:15:16 GMT
One of those shows I've never seen. Sounds very saccharine. Is that right?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2017 9:55:26 GMT
Saw it at the Watermill and seem to remember it being rather good. Not saccharine... Worth a go, if you've never seen it.
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Feb 23, 2017 5:55:35 GMT
I've stopped going to The Union. I booked for every new show they had but I left at the interval at too many shows which is such a shame. Same price as Southwark Playhouse but only half the production standards. Cardboard sets to no microphones? Now the new theatre has an annoying staircase stage right. Who designed that? Although the new venue has better facilities I rather preferred the old place.
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4,970 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 1, 2017 21:10:39 GMT
Saw it at the Watermill and seem to remember it being rather good. Not saccharine... Worth a go, if you've never seen it. Very lucky. That transferred to the National (think it was a last minute thing, as something got pulled) and went on to win the Olivier, when nominations get announced on Monday for the said award, you will notice standards have dramatically improved. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 21:26:38 GMT
Saw it at the Watermill and seem to remember it being rather good. Not saccharine... Worth a go, if you've never seen it. Very lucky. That transferred to the National (think it was a last minute thing, as something got pulled) and went on to win the Olivier, when nominations get announced on Monday for the said award, you will notice standards have dramatically improved. I don't think I saw that original production, Phantom. The version I saw was in 2007 (thanks to Wiki for reminding me...) Still rather good though, and very cleverly staged. |
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4,970 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 1, 2017 21:32:19 GMT
Thought the original did come from the Watermill.
Saw a version at the Tabard Theatre, 3-4 years ago. I enjoyed it for what it was, ideal for the fringe.
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67 posts
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Post by orchestrator on Mar 1, 2017 22:02:23 GMT
Saw it at the Watermill and seem to remember it being rather good. Not saccharine... Worth a go, if you've never seen it. Very lucky. That transferred to the National (think it was a last minute thing, as something got pulled) and went on to win the Olivier, when nominations get announced on Monday for the said award, you will notice standards have dramatically improved. Via Scarborough, I think. The Trevor Nunn Company at the National. Beat The Lion King to win the Olivier for Best New Musical. Nothing to do with Cameron Mackintosh. |
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1,254 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Mar 31, 2017 9:50:49 GMT
Has anybody seen this yet? Tempted to book for previews but not sure
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4,970 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 31, 2017 22:31:32 GMT
It's no coincidence this is on at Easter.
If you can get past adults playing farmyard animals and a generally flimsy story, there are some gems in the score. What's lacking in the the production values, which is dictated by the shows budget - which being in a below 100 seat theatre reflects that, is made up by tremendous imaginative of improvisation that is always more evident on the fringe and especially this production.
3 Stars.
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153 posts
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 3, 2017 20:23:04 GMT
This seems to have had some very good reviews. Time to get cracking and book tickets.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2017 8:37:58 GMT
Well. It's amazing what you can do with a budget of £3.46 and couple of pairs of marigolds.
It's odd. At times it feels like an extended episode of 'Play School' just without Big Ted and Hamble. Some catchy little numbers and a cast who (in the words of that great philosopher Donna Summer) work hard for the money. The costumes don't always suggest what animal they are supposed to be though which distracted me somewhat. It's like trying to work out the Countdown conundrum while the numbers game is going on. Ellie Nun is great as Ida and Liam Vincent-Kilbride lovely as Ugly, and his costume changes as he turns into a swan are rather clever.
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1,345 posts
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Post by tmesis on Apr 8, 2017 23:40:30 GMT
Attended tonight's Saturday evening performance and there was an audience of only 14!!!
So I started off feeling really sorry for the actors but as the evening wore on, and I found myself not enjoying it much, I felt it was all they deserved.
Some nice songs with witty lyrics and a great three piece band - I also found the production, allowing for the tiny budget, clever and inventive but the acting and most of the singing was p*** poor. It needs much sharper characterisation to bring off such an arch, and somewhat fey, story.
The actor/musician element (something I hate, but it can work) added absolutely nothing to the evening apart from out of tune saxophone playing and really approximate, excruciating trumpet playing from one guy (it was also redundant since they had such a good band anyway.)
I've seen some great musicals produced at The Union (particularly when they were over the road) but they now seem to be totally eclipsed by Southwark Playhouse on all levels (apart from comfort of seats!)
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153 posts
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 16, 2017 18:39:59 GMT
Easter Sunday so seemed appropriate to visit Honk. Looked like a full house. Definitely one of the hardest working bunch of actors I've seen. Most were multi tasking, with both acting and playing instruments. We came away having really enjoyed it, including my 91 year old mum whose first experience of theatre was Charles Laughton in Peter Pan!
I wasn't sure what to expect in advance and was expecting it to be something mainly for the kids. Very few kids in the audience and clearly a show for all ages. Songs aren't memorable but good play on words. For me, given the staging limitations, budget etc, I thought it was done very well. Loved the snow scene. I can understand earlier comment about uniforms making it difficult to distinguish who was who, but the script ensures everyone gets introduced.
I've only been three times to the new theatre and in each the staircase was used as part of the set. Personally I don't have a problem with this. I presume the upstairs acts as dressing room area. Very hot in there today. I've yet to do a summer visit. Hope they sort some sort of cooling system soon.
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