4,177 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jun 12, 2019 8:47:06 GMT
It's a great show. Love that it's made it's way to the West End.
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Post by biscuitrich on Jun 12, 2019 10:41:51 GMT
Glad that this gets its chance in the WE. Lovely little show at the Menier
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2019 19:32:32 GMT
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879 posts
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Post by daisy24601 on Jun 15, 2019 18:16:31 GMT
Seeing this tonight, having read the books several times I'm excited to see what it's like on stage.
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879 posts
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Post by daisy24601 on Jun 16, 2019 8:18:10 GMT
I'm sorry to report I didn't like it that much. I don't really like kids singing anyway so maybe I'd prefer it if it wasn't a musical. But the main issue for me was the comedy of the books (I was in fits of laughter reading them) just doesn't translate to the stage. For example, the red sock saga is very funny in the book, I didn't find it at all funny in the show. Also they're cramming a whole book into two hours, so these side stories seem very rushed, don't make much sense and the plot feels a bit all over the place.
The audience seemed to enjoy it anyway and the boy playing Adrian did a fantastic job.
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Post by Seriously on Jun 16, 2019 15:12:21 GMT
Am I right in thinking this has been in development for 7 years?
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4,177 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jun 16, 2019 15:41:12 GMT
Am I right in thinking this has been in development for 7 years? Yes. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2019 15:16:11 GMT
Todaytix has front row tickets for £13.75 (ho ho) till the end of June
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438 posts
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Post by Rukaya on Jun 18, 2019 15:45:16 GMT
Stupidly didn't book while TodayTix had the £15 offer, has anyone seen any deals? Would go for the front row tickets but SeatPlan reviews say that the stage is too high and I don't fancy breaking my neck for this show! 😂
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781 posts
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Post by latefortheoverture on Jun 18, 2019 21:27:00 GMT
Yes- also saw them £13 front row seats. Will take a punt at them, what's to lose?
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 19, 2019 0:49:18 GMT
I booked some £13.75 front row sat matinee going to give it a go at that price a bargain ... going in cold not read any reviews and see how it is and report back 👍 Now what to see evening  |
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736 posts
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Post by dippy on Jun 19, 2019 1:18:27 GMT
Thanks for the info @xanderl got myself a 13 3/4 pound seat.
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 22, 2019 16:23:11 GMT
Just come out of the matinee went in cold read no reviews or anything and I blooming enjoyed it !!! A solid 3.5 out of 5 maybe a 4 just for the lad who played Adrian. Today bravo 👏. Like others have said I’m not humming any tunes right now but enjoyed them in the show and it kept the show moving .... such a talented cast not one weak performance and boy can they sing 🎶 .... great comedy moments too the 80s music in interval keeps atmosphere going .... front row only £13.75 what a bargain ... really hope it finds an audience .... was almost full house this afternoon great audience response. Weill done one and all
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8 posts
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Post by hedda4897 on Jun 22, 2019 18:03:42 GMT
I also went to the matinee today. Really enjoyed it. Terrific cast. I think I enjoyed it more when it was on at the Menier a few years back. I thought the Menier was a better fit for this musical. Still really recommend it.
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1,132 posts
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Post by Stephen on Jun 22, 2019 21:47:10 GMT
Caught it tonight on a last minute booking (literally to have a break from the mental busy West End before I went home) and I didn’t really enjoy it. If Matilda didn’t exist then I’d probably have found it smarter and more enjoyable but it can’t compete with the wit of lyrics and appropriately nifty tunes.
It was probably better at the Menier as has been pointed out and even in the small Ambassadors I felt a little short changed with a cast of ten and a small band (sounded good given the size)
I found it surprisingly unfunny apart from the Nativity scene which was a nice bit of fun.
I don’t want to sound like Scrooge as I’m usually up for silly fun...it just didn’t work it’s magic on me tonight.
On the plus note I like the Ambassadors. I haven’t been since Stomp years ago and like that I can grab a bargain at the very back of the stalls and not feel miles from the action. I didn’t find the theatre anywhere near as grubby as has been previously reported.
It’s two stars from me I’m afraid.
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631 posts
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Post by ncbears on Jun 22, 2019 23:02:30 GMT
I was at the matinee on Saturday as well. Left West End Live after Six performed. I had purchased a day seat around 10 - got D9 - terrific seat. I had a blast and really enjoyed this. The West End live performance gave me a little hope - but the sound was so poor that I didn't really get a taste for it, so everything I saw on stage felt fresh and new. I've never read nor, frankly, heard of the books. So, it was all fresh to me. Yes, it is not as sharp or witty or poignant as Matilda, but I enjoy broad humour. The nativity scene truly was a highlight. I was a little surprised at how "mature" much of the piece, including choreography and staging, was. There were a lot of pre-teens in the audience. I usually subscribe to the idea that "if they understand it, they are old enough to see it. If they don't understand it, then there's no problem" - that said, there might have been some interesting discussions after the show!
I purchased a program to try and figure out which child actors I saw. Box Office said they don't give out that information even after the performance, but I could go to the stage door - which I did not do. So, I THINK I saw Nicholas Antonious-Tibbetts as Adrian; Rebecca Hardin as Pandora. Jeremiah Waysome was Nigel and Jack Gale was Barry. I though Pandora was excellent - if a little bit of Veruca Salt in the performance. Adrian had a charming clumsiness to him and a nice command of the stage. The adults were uniformly excellent. Lara Denning was hysterical in her Doreen song - New Best Friend. Andrew Langtree as George got very poignant - and reminded me of the dad in Curious Incident. John Hopkins as Mr. Lucas constantly brought a smile, even if a little too much Adolpho from The Drowsy Chaperone. I was a little surprised at the lyrics to Royal Wedding and the Thatcher comments - I have some UK friends in the US who would have been shocked. One, in particular, gasped audibly at Merry Xmas, Maggie Thatcher when she saw Billy Elliot. I can only imagine her reaction to Royal Wedding.
All in all, I'm glad I went - thank you all for the positive comments. It is a show I would not likely see in the States!
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438 posts
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Post by Rukaya on Jun 22, 2019 23:30:48 GMT
I was at the matinee on Saturday as well. Left West End Live after Six performed. I had purchased a day seat around 10 - got D9 - terrific seat. I had a blast and really enjoyed this. Didn't know they were doing dayseats, good to know! How much did they cost, if you don't mind me asking? Thanks in advance! 😊 |
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 22, 2019 23:38:05 GMT
I was at the matinee on Saturday as well. Left West End Live after Six performed. I had purchased a day seat around 10 - got D9 - terrific seat. I had a blast and really enjoyed this. Didn't know they were doing dayseats, good to know! How much did they cost, if you don't mind me asking? Thanks in advance! 😊 I didn’t know They did day seats either would be interested how much ? Theatre was practically full which is good 👍 |
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631 posts
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Post by ncbears on Jun 22, 2019 23:47:42 GMT
Well, I don't know if they actually do day seats. I just asked "do you have any day seats" and that was what was offered. I paid 25 pounds which is more than the TodayTix price referenced in this thread, but I haven't joined TodayTix as yet. Another person got a seat on the aisle for Row D for same price. I think I got the seat I did because I was a single and there were family groups on either side. D9 was a terrific seat. Just the right distance from the stage, but you could see all the fun set dressings and not miss any action downstage.
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 23, 2019 0:09:33 GMT
I was at the matinee on Saturday as well. Left West End Live after Six performed. I had purchased a day seat around 10 - got D9 - terrific seat. I had a blast and really enjoyed this. The West End live performance gave me a little hope - but the sound was so poor that I didn't really get a taste for it, so everything I saw on stage felt fresh and new. I've never read nor, frankly, heard of the books. So, it was all fresh to me. Yes, it is not as sharp or witty or poignant as Matilda, but I enjoy broad humour. The nativity scene truly was a highlight. I was a little surprised at how "mature" much of the piece, including choreography and staging, was. There were a lot of pre-teens in the audience. I usually subscribe to the idea that "if they understand it, they are old enough to see it. If they don't understand it, then there's no problem" - that said, there might have been some interesting discussions after the show! I purchased a program to try and figure out which child actors I saw. Box Office said they don't give out that information even after the performance, but I could go to the stage door - which I did not do. So, I THINK I saw Nicholas Antonious-Tibbetts as Adrian; Rebecca Hardin as Pandora. Jeremiah Waysome was Nigel and Jack Gale was Barry. I though Pandora was excellent - if a little bit of Veruca Salt in the performance. Adrian had a charming clumsiness to him and a nice command of the stage. The adults were uniformly excellent. Lara Denning was hysterical in her Doreen song - New Best Friend. Andrew Langtree as George got very poignant - and reminded me of the dad in Curious Incident. John Hopkins as Mr. Lucas constantly brought a smile, even if a little too much Adolpho from The Drowsy Chaperone. I was a little surprised at the lyrics to Royal Wedding and the Thatcher comments - I have some UK friends in the US who would have been shocked. One, in particular, gasped audibly at Merry Xmas, Maggie Thatcher when she saw Billy Elliot. I can only imagine her reaction to Royal Wedding. All in all, I'm glad I went - thank you all for the positive comments. It is a show I would not likely see in the States! It is difficult as they don’t tell you who’s on but am sure it was Rufus kampa. As Adrian who was fab Rebecca. As pandora Jeremiah as Nigel and jack gale as Barry took us a while and we were on front row lol 👍 agree with your comments too |
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637 posts
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Post by AddisonMizner on Jun 23, 2019 5:54:43 GMT
Are there any offers around for this?
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 23, 2019 16:07:13 GMT
Are there any offers around for this? TodayTix have the £13.75 front row tickets in their app. I missed them first time around, but they've added another batch of dates, so have booked for July. Not much in the way of offers as this is selling well. |
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8,098 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jun 23, 2019 18:20:18 GMT
Anyone know what the legroom is like in those front row seats?
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 23, 2019 21:46:39 GMT
Anyone know what the legroom is like in those front row seats? Fantastic I’m 6 ft and could stretch my legs right out prob about 3ft easily before the stage 👍 |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2019 23:36:40 GMT
It was always a classic book and if they have translated the humour from that onto the stage with some decent songs then it should be a hit.
I loved the TV series in the mid 1980's starring a young Dame Julie Walters and the late great Beryl Reid.
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