1,132 posts
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Post by Stephen on May 25, 2018 15:37:52 GMT
Seeing this tonight on a Today Tix Ticket. Wondering about the orchestrations? Do we get to enjoy some nice live band or is there a lot of click? And if so are they visible?
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1,132 posts
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Post by Stephen on May 26, 2018 23:32:04 GMT
Had a BALL. Really wasn’t expecting much from this especially as I’m not really a big dance person. Having read reviews on here I was worried it would be like the stage version of Dirty Dancing but alas it is not.
From when the cheesy ballroom music began playing the auditorium I was hooked. It’s all just wonderful camp fun.
I haven’t seen the movie yet so can’t compare the two but loved the seamless transitions from scene to scene and the dreamlike cinematic approach to the staging and lighting design. Thought it really suited the piece. There are some lovely touching moments which are terrifically staged.
I’m not a big Will Young fan so when I heard that his is the only character singing I was sceptical. I’m glad to report that this approach really works and he plays the narrator well and is very funny in the part. I was also happily surprised by his voice which suits most of the songs.
Zizi Strallen is excellent as Fran and plays the transition from shy assistant to dance champ with ease.
The entire cast have such energy which is really infectious beyond the fourth wall from the beginning. The final number in act one has to be the slickest production number I’ve seen for a long time.
A solid 4* from me.
Interesting side note...ATG are allowing and encouraging glass inside the auditorium at the Piccadilly now. Can any board members comment on this decision?
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Post by d'James on May 26, 2018 23:44:08 GMT
The ‘alas’ threw me but your review has made me consider seeing this show. I would go on a night when Will is off though.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2018 7:29:32 GMT
I went a couple of weeks ago, having bought tickets when booking first opened on the strength of the film, some of the creatives involved and generally positive comments on here about the WYP production.
My heart began to sink when Theatreboarders’ comments about this revamped production were far from favourable and the reviews appeared, and I started to regret having paid full price, reminding myself it’s not always good to be so quick out of the starting blocks...
I needn’t have worried. With expectations low, then lowered even more with the thought of attending what could turn out to be a Will Young show, I wasn’t expecting the excited buzz in the foyer that always helps to make an evening an enjoyable one.
I loved it too! Will was rather good (I’m not too proud to eat my words) at easing us into a world where Camp is the order of the day, and by the end of show I’d come to the decision that his voice rather suited the songs, and the songs rightly belonged to one singer, and I could easily have listened to Time After Time time after time...
The dancing was spot on, from the ensemble, from Fernando Mira, and most definitely from the two leads Zizi Strallen and Jonny Labey. I’m suprised more hasn’t been made of the latter’s performance, who is a perfect match for his more famous Fran: his dancing is completely entrancing, and he is more than completely easy on the eye. Another Charlie Stemp... The chemistry between the two leads was totally infectious, and the way they smiled at each other as they grew together was really touching, bringing a tear to my eye at least. Even though I knew the plot anyway I was willing him to ditch the bitch and show Fran the way to win, as they won each other’s hearts.
The show won mine.
I came out feeling good, and have found myself singing Time After Time ever since...
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4,171 posts
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Post by anthony40 on May 27, 2018 8:23:52 GMT
That'a a great review caiaphas.
When my sister and I saw it, the audience were loving it, singing along and there were standing ovations- it feels like its come full circle because there were standing ovations in the cinema too when the film was first released.
I reckon this will prove to be a slow burner.
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Post by iamamazing on May 28, 2018 10:03:23 GMT
Hi guys does this show do day seats yet thanks 😊
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on May 28, 2018 10:18:50 GMT
Hi guys does this show do day seats yet thanks 😊 According to an excellent source (http://www.theatremonkey.com/dayseatfinder.htm), they do, but not guaranteed.
I haven't seen any reports of which seats you get, but I did day seat once for Annie in the same theatre and got a decent mid-stalls seat. I suspect it depends what's unsold at the time.
Otherwise, TodayTix do rush seats (usually mid Dress Circle, sometimes rear Stalls).
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20 posts
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Post by fridayfan on May 28, 2018 19:49:00 GMT
I've seen people say they've had day tickets in the front stalls too, probably best to go for 10a.m.
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270 posts
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Post by stageyninja83 on May 28, 2018 23:55:55 GMT
Hi guys does this show do day seats yet thanks 😊 Went on Saturday at 10am and got row N stalls in the centre of the row. Decent view. |
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Post by iamamazing on May 31, 2018 8:27:54 GMT
Hi guys does this show do day seats yet thanks 😊 Went on Saturday at 10am and got row N stalls in the centre of the row. Decent view. Thank you 😊 |
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2,242 posts
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Post by richey on Jun 3, 2018 22:27:56 GMT
A friend was at the evening show yesterday and apparently there was a complete power failure just before the finale.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2018 11:09:50 GMT
Both Jonny Labey and Zizi Strallen were indisposed at last nights performance and their respective understudies went on.
Sadly for some, Will Young still went on as planned.
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1,561 posts
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Post by showtoones on Jun 12, 2018 13:52:15 GMT
Both Jonny Labey and Zizi Strallen were indisposed at last nights performance and their respective understudies went on. Sadly for some, Will Young still went on as planned. Why do people take the piss out of Will Young? Is he meant to be bad? |
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Post by fridayfan on Jun 15, 2018 9:09:34 GMT
He isn't bad, he's just in a very unfortunate position where he is the very obvious mis-structuring of the show. Added to that, he has to sing most of the score, on a stage full of MT talent who could do it far better than he could. In your opinion. Some of the comments on here are personal and nasty, nothing to do with the part itself. I’ve heard Zizi and Jonny sing and neither are strong singers, and they don’t hold a candle to Will Young’s voice. Will doesn’t have a theatrical voice thankfully, as that would sound bad with these songs. |
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Post by d'James on Jun 15, 2018 9:18:37 GMT
Hmmm. From the trailer I wouldn’t say his voice suits these songs either.
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660 posts
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Post by Oleanna on Jun 15, 2018 9:48:05 GMT
He isn't bad, he's just in a very unfortunate position where he is the very obvious mis-structuring of the show. Added to that, he has to sing most of the score, on a stage full of MT talent who could do it far better than he could. In your opinion. Some of the comments on here are personal and nasty, nothing to do with the part itself. I’ve heard Zizi and Jonny sing and neither are strong singers, and they don’t hold a candle to Will Young’s voice. Will doesn’t have a theatrical voice thankfully, as that would sound bad with these songs. Zizi Strallen isn’t a strong singer!? |
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311 posts
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Post by showoff on Jun 15, 2018 10:00:54 GMT
He isn't bad, he's just in a very unfortunate position where he is the very obvious mis-structuring of the show. Added to that, he has to sing most of the score, on a stage full of MT talent who could do it far better than he could. In your opinion. Some of the comments on here are personal and nasty, nothing to do with the part itself. I’ve heard Zizi and Jonny sing and neither are strong singers, and they don’t hold a candle to Will Young’s voice. Will doesn’t have a theatrical voice thankfully, as that would sound bad with these songs. It's funny you would say 'in your opinion' and then seem to state as fact that Zizi and Jonny are not strong singers. Ironic really, I'd listened to Will the entire show, and when Zizi sang her one line I had tears in my eyes at the thought of what I had been robbed of for over two hours, the experience of hearing her beautiful voice life the monotony of Will's voice blend the songs into the same thing over and over. So, again, in YOUR opinion, not in those of us who do not have Will tinted glasses. |
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2,242 posts
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Post by richey on Jun 15, 2018 11:30:07 GMT
Just had an e-mail offer for ATG card holders. £10 off top three price bands plus a free 'Tina Sparkle' cocktail 😃
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631 posts
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Post by ncbears on Jun 16, 2018 17:44:54 GMT
This did not sell me on getting tickets...sigh. I so wanted to love this. As an aside, it looked, to me, like the dancers were having to hold back due to the quality of the stage - probably not a lot of give?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2018 8:39:11 GMT
This did not sell me on getting tickets...sigh. I so wanted to love this. Me too - I love dancing but that was awful, there wasn't much in the way of proper ballroom or Latin in that at all (I agree the stage clearly didn't help). If Will Young is going to sound and sing like that then I am definitely out - that accent is so grating. It seems to have lost all the old charm of the film. |
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 17, 2018 9:38:24 GMT
I know you shouldn't judge a show with a clip from West End Live but that was just awful. WEL is supposed to promote the show after all, but that really discouraged me from going. I thought the dancing was shoddy and Will Young was dreadful. What was he wearing?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2018 9:55:30 GMT
It’s almost slightly frustrating that this has Drew McOnie’s name attached to it. I LOVE his work and would have no desire to see this were it not created by him.
Waiting for a deal to see if there’s a good show in there somewhere.
Agree though. Will with that accent. Awful!
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 17, 2018 10:50:37 GMT
Yeah I agree that entire performance was SO weird and did absolutely nothing to sell the show to me. I thought Will's vocals were actually fine, but he looked like he felt so in the way, even during that performance, and yes his accent was a little grating, but his attempts at off-the-cuff comedy hosting were even worse. Really cringe. Not a great effort, team SB!
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Post by d'James on Jun 17, 2018 10:58:13 GMT
I couldn’t make it through the video so there’s no chance for me at the show.
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1,089 posts
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Post by tonyloco on Jun 17, 2018 11:22:09 GMT
Gosh! Poor old Strictly Ballroom and poor old Will Young. I have watched only part of the Strictly Ballroom clip from West End Live and agree it was pretty awful, but then so was the clip of Bat Out of Hell, a show which I admire hugely – and I also enjoyed Strictly Ballroom in the theatre.
I might be wrong, but after seeing those two clips I did wonder what is the value of West End Live if the staging facilities give such a poor impression of those two shows at least? Maybe the atmosphere of actually being there in Trafalgar Square gave a different experience to the large audience that was present, and maybe it has been better in past years, but if that is so then I wonder whether it is a good idea to put those clips up on YouTube or wherever they are when they are quite possibly going to give a false impression of the shows and put people off buying tickets.
BTW, can anybody tell me precisely what is the aim of West End Live?
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