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Post by musicalmarge on Dec 11, 2017 10:56:04 GMT
Did you go and see it or not Marge? Seeing the masterpiece that is Barnum next week! Hoorah... “The colours oooooof myyyyyy lifeeeeeeeee!”.... |
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Post by Jan on Dec 11, 2017 12:36:02 GMT
It is quite a different situation when the venue receives public subsidy, then in my view they have a duty to provide lots of affordable seats (and not just rotten restricted view ones). It's more complicated than that nowadays because many subsidised companies are now co-producing with commercial producers and originating productions in the West End - for example, Headlong's Labour of Love. In general I am uneasy about such coproductions, I question the motives of both sides. Maybe things have improved since the frankly disgraceful arrangements which lead to NT’s “Jean Seberg” and RSC’s “Carrie”. In any event the subsidised half of the arrangement should insist on fair ticket prices to reflect taxpayer backing. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 11, 2017 13:20:08 GMT
Did you go and see it or not Marge? Seeing the masterpiece that is Barnum next week! Hoorah... “The colours oooooof myyyyyy lifeeeeeeeee!”.... I actually literally just LOL’d at that  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 11, 2017 13:25:48 GMT
I don't think any other fringe venue runs a restaurant which is actually pretty decent. Ahhh yes, the main course was barely passable and totally overshadowed by the delicious accompaniments. However the tablecloth was nice so I’m booking again for next week. |
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Post by showtoones on Dec 11, 2017 15:32:05 GMT
Everyone is bashing this show - look it's not perfect but Marcus did the best job he could. I don't blame him at all....any actor has a set of skills that they offer to a casting director. He was hired as they thought he was good for the role. I found him charming and likable. Yes - he did the tight rope twice when i saw it, but again, he has a set of skills and he was hired for them. It is more the fault of the Menier and the casting people. You can't make someone that different that what they are.
I found the whole show charming though - the set and costumes great and LPP, who I didn't care for in Side Show was superb in this.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2017 15:50:45 GMT
Everyone is bashing this show - look it's not perfect but Marcus did the best job he could. I don't blame him at all....any actor has a set of skills that they offer to a casting director. He was hired as they thought he was good for the role. I found him charming and likable. Yes - he did the tight rope twice when i saw it, but again, he has a set of skills and he was hired for them. It is more the fault of the Menier and the casting people. You can't make someone that different that what they are. I found the whole show charming though - the set and costumes great and LPP, who I didn't care for in Side Show was superb in this. I agree... I thought he was likable and did a fine job. Its just the fact the show and cast around him are so impressive he is sort of sidelined. Also, I should add, having seen it just two days ago, it feel like witht the tightrope, they have made the falling part of the show now. When he fell the first time, the music stopped as he fell and he made a few lines thwt felt very scripted abiut never making it to the end goal in life on a first attempt or something. It feels like what has happened is he couldnt do it in previews, and because a fuss has been nade of it, they have made it seem a part of the show to give him a few goes at it and make it work. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2017 15:55:00 GMT
How many times did Jim Dale and Miss Crawford get across the tightrope without falling off?
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Post by abitoftap on Dec 11, 2017 16:11:31 GMT
Brian Conley took a few goes on the tour of the Chichester production. (and he wasn't very high!)
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Post by sf on Dec 11, 2017 16:41:52 GMT
Brian Conley took a few goes on the tour of the Chichester production. (and he wasn't very high!) At the performance I saw, he nailed it first time. |
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Post by tmesis on Dec 11, 2017 16:48:44 GMT
Well, I think some people are cutting Brigstocke way too much slack - he was p*ss-poor. It's just not good enough at the Menier where they have, in the past 10 years or so, produced some of the best music theatre in London.
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Post by sf on Dec 11, 2017 17:12:04 GMT
...an overpriced basement fringe theatre experience in south London... It isn't a basement (though the toilets are in the basement). Have you ever been to the Menier? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2017 17:26:09 GMT
Well, I think some people are cutting Brigstocke way too much slack - he was p*ss-poor. It's just not good enough at the Menier where they have, in the past 10 years or so, produced some of the best music theatre in London. Nope, don't agree. And thats not cutting him slack. Could he get across the tightrope no, but othet than that, it was a fine performance in my opinion. To say he was piss poor in my opinion is unfair, but you do you. |
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Post by musicalmarge on Dec 11, 2017 19:03:16 GMT
...an overpriced basement fringe theatre experience in south London... It isn't a basement (though the toilets are in the basement). Have you ever been to the Menier? Ah yes you’re right. I always think of the wooden stairs and walking down into the auditorium. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2017 22:20:42 GMT
And all the oompa loompas who trod those very steps in bygone years.
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Post by CG on the loose on Dec 13, 2017 15:22:34 GMT
I was there last night and have no idea why they cast Marcus Brigstocke - he wasn't awful but he wasn't great either. I found him sadly lacking in charisma which robbed the show of its heart. He very nearly made it across the tightrope first time, did on the second attempt, and willing him across was the only time all show that I felt any connection to him! That said, the production makes good use of the limited space, Laura P-P was fabulous, the ensemble tireless and engaging and the score awoke happy memories of the Palladium production that made the evening rather more enjoyable than it might otherwise have been.
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Post by broadwaylover99 on Dec 13, 2017 18:00:09 GMT
Has anyone sat in what they're calling the restricted view seats? What are they like?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2017 18:04:57 GMT
Has anyone sat in what they're calling the restricted view seats? What are they like? I did. I'm not gonna lie to you, if you like a clear view of the whole stage, its not for you. There is a thick pillar not directly in front of you, but about a metre in front of the front row. I was on the third row so further back. It blocks about half of the smaller ring in the centre of the room HOWEVER because the cast never stop moving, and really do make an effort to move around constantly, it isn't that big an issue, there is barely one number that happens on that platform, and even then, they only are brief moments. When the cast sre talking, even to one another, there is an active effort to move around the whole space. I think no matter whrre you sit in the theatre, you are blocked at some point by other performers anyway, or their bscks are turned away from you. So its just based on personal preference. I was fine with the view.  |
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Post by stevej678 on Dec 17, 2017 12:01:22 GMT
There's so much to admire about this production. The Menier have clearly gone to a lot of effort with their theming of the bar and the auditorium itself certainly looks the part as a big top with the audience in the round. I enjoyed the interaction with the cast before the show. They seemed to mainly target younger members of the audience who looked completely enchanted by the close-up tricks.
The full ensemble numbers like Join The Circus, Black and White, and Come Follow The Band are a whirlwind of energy that are quite a spectacle to behold. It was great to see Bethany Huckle again after enjoying her performance so much in Half A Sixpence. Celinde Shoenmaker's vocals were show-stealing while Laura Pitt-Pulford was terrific as always.
So many elements of this production are worthy of five stars. It's baffling why they chose to undermine all of this by casting Marcus Brigstocke as Barnum. This isn't Sarah Harding levels of ineptitude by any means but it's clear from the opening number that Marcus is out of his depth and there's a gulf between him and everyone else in the company.
He's most comfortable when adlibbing with the audience and comes across as charming enough but crucially there's never any sense that he's the greatest showman. He looks more like a lost little boy surveying all around him in starry eyed wonder and admiration. At least he actually tries to sing though, unlike Brian Conley talking his way through every song on the recent tour.
While Marcus didn't derail the production completely for me, there's no doubt this could have been truly sensational with a stronger performer in the titular role. All of the other elements are in place. I still left the Menier feeling exhilarated but when the greatest showman is no longer the star attraction in his own story you know that something has gone wrong somewhere down the line.
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 17, 2017 12:45:15 GMT
Brian Conley took a few goes on the tour of the Chichester production. (and he wasn't very high!) At the performance I saw, he nailed it first time. I saw him twice at different venues. First show took two goes (bit of joking around with the audience about distracting him after the first attempt). And, the second show, he got across first time. I suspect Brian Conley nailed it most of the time. |
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Post by musicalmarge on Dec 21, 2017 23:10:03 GMT
The worst show I’ve ever seen at the Menier. The person who cast the Marcus Brigstock thingy in the lead role needs to be shot - he can’t sing or act and was like a dork rather than a showman! He fell off the tightrope three times and has a big bum. Dreadful...
Bad staging, a two legged elephant, an over acting ensemble (ok the acrobats and lead woman Laura Pitt-Pulford were good) but the production was badly directed, had restricted sight-lines and the narrative and story that was just lost.
What a shame. 4/10
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 6, 2018 1:06:47 GMT
As the old adage goes - give someone enough tightrope and they hang themselves.
My issue with Marcus and that he sung, but I couldn’t her him sing, despite being in the small Menier and he being miked, his voice had no strength to it. He fell off the tightrope 3 times, but not going to be critical of that, as it is a very hard thing to do and near impossible you have to sing too, so no mean feat, but not being able to sing is unforgivable. However other parts of this production were very decent, I thought Celinde Schoenmaker was breathtaking and Laura Pitt Pulford puts a smile on anybodies face.
3 Stars
If I was at acting school I would definitely learn to tightrope walk and juggle, it might just land you that role and make you a Star.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 6, 2018 1:24:04 GMT
See Michael Crawford tightrope walk, move to about 9:30, if he slips he would’ve broken bones for sure.
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Post by anita on Jan 6, 2018 10:22:50 GMT
He got across on the second attempt on Wednesday but I agree with you Phantom - he is no great singer. However I still enjoyed the show as the ensemble are great.
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Post by danb on Jan 6, 2018 11:06:15 GMT
The worst show I’ve ever seen at the Mernier. The person who cast the Marcus Brigstock thingy in the lead role needs to be shot - he can’t sing or act and was like a dork rather than a showman! He fell off the tightrope three times and has a big bum. Dreadful... Bad staging, a two legged elephant, an over acting ensemble (ok the acrobats and lead woman Laura Pitt-Pulford were good) but the production was badly directed, had restricted sight-lines and the narrative and story that was just lost. What a shame. 4/10 Shame that such a fan of the venue doesn’t know it’s name...MENIER!!!! 😂 |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 11:41:12 GMT
The worst show I’ve ever seen at the Mernier. The person who cast the Marcus Brigstock thingy in the lead role needs to be shot - he can’t sing or act and was like a dork rather than a showman! He fell off the tightrope three times and has a big bum. Dreadful... Bad staging, a two legged elephant, an over acting ensemble (ok the acrobats and lead woman Laura Pitt-Pulford were good) but the production was badly directed, had restricted sight-lines and the narrative and story that was just lost. What a shame. 4/10 ... you make that sound like a bad thing?! |
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