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Post by wickedgrin on Sept 29, 2017 9:32:14 GMT
As money and time are finite (especially over the Christmas period) I am always rather delighted when a show and casting is announced which does NOT appeal. Money saved. I cant get to see everything I would like to as it is - choices have to be made.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2017 9:43:40 GMT
I like a lot of people involved but I don't love anyone enough for Chocolate Factory prices in a short Christmas trip. Ah well at least that's a decision made then!
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Post by herrstiefel on Sept 29, 2017 10:03:01 GMT
A bit underwhelmed by this announcement. Love the supporting cast, but not so sure about the leading man.
Well, at least the set menu for my meal deal tickets looks promising.
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Post by dazzerlump on Sept 29, 2017 17:58:04 GMT
Lpp and Celinde have won it for me, glad I booked earlier in the week now, and I managed to get a meal deal for the first time ever!
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2,051 posts
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Post by Marwood on Oct 2, 2017 8:07:03 GMT
I like Marcus Brigstocke as a stand up comedian (although I've only seen him live once), but I don't think he's the right person for this: I think this looks like a car crash waiting to happen so will be giving this a miss.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Oct 2, 2017 15:02:30 GMT
Given how long it takes to learn the necessary circus tricks necessary for a traditional production of the show, they are either planning something not very circus-y or have had the cast in place/training for some time and kept it quiet.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2017 12:50:44 GMT
Well they're all practising as we type. Except I don't think Marcus Brigstocke has quite got the hang of this juggling lark . . .  Other people are in it too: Oh What A Circus |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2017 12:55:34 GMT
^ Dare we mention the rather unflattering rehearsal gear?
No, let's keep quiet and pretend we haven't noticed...
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Post by theatreian on Nov 14, 2017 15:37:14 GMT
Dare we mention the rather unflattering rehearsal gear? No, let's keep quiet and pretend we haven't noticed... As Dame Edna once said: Very wise to dress for comfort rather than appearance!! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2017 23:36:53 GMT
I will be the lone tall American at the first preview on Sat. Look me up if you also are there.
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Post by The Lost on Nov 24, 2017 11:35:16 GMT
I will be the lone tall American at the first preview on Sat. Look me up if you also are there. I'll be the lone tiny Brit. I will look out for you  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2017 17:53:02 GMT
I do not normally leave at interval, but having played Barnum at university I could not bear to watch someone so miscast any longer. I know it is the first preview but it was such a soulless, poorly sung performance that it dragged down the good bits from the chorus.
Overall, there are some clever bits of staging that no doubt will only improve in time, and some impressive choreography and stunts given the confines of the space.
But a lead who is so off-pitch at times and so obviously working hard takes you out of any real satisfaction with what works already. Sigh.
LP-P and Celinde both in good voice.
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Post by herculesmulligan on Nov 26, 2017 9:05:28 GMT
What a shame you thought that. I went yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The space looks amazing, the stunts and tricks were fab. A really energetic show with loads of lovely moments and ideas. Obviously not a masterpiece but a LOT of fun. And in surprisingly good shape for a first preview I think
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2017 22:00:00 GMT
I'm looking forward to seeing Dominic Owen back on stage, he was own of my favourite parts of Wonderland!
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Post by bcnyc on Nov 28, 2017 18:11:25 GMT
I was the average-sized American at the first preview. Wow...this was so miscast and poorly done. He was charmless, unfunny, and had zero charisma. The one big trick he does he messed up three times and kept starting over. To me, he shouldn't have attempted it during a preview if he couldn't do it backwards that morning, ya know? This production is also lacking. The book and score have never been strong and rely on magic and tricks and spectacle and they just can't do that in their tiny space. The ensemble works their butts off and does some impressive tosses and lifts, but not at the "wow circus!" level to really wow the audience.
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Post by dippy on Nov 28, 2017 18:49:08 GMT
I saw Barnum in Chichester and it's one of the few times I've seen a musical that I've wondered why on earth I went. I've been wondering if I should give this a go, I possibly would if it was cheaper but if other people are of the same opinion I think I might just stay clear of this show.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 28, 2017 19:25:20 GMT
I went along to that last tour already knowing I hate pretty much all things circus, and it did nothing to dispel that. The book is also weak as water, and there isn’t a memorable tune in the whole thing except Come Follow The Band. Doesn’t sound like Mr Brigstocke is going to convert many people.
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Post by musicalmarge on Nov 29, 2017 20:18:01 GMT
This reading is not good! Word of mouth from what I hear has been bad too.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2017 20:53:05 GMT
Oh wow, I was mulling over late December options, but this has done nothing to encourage me!
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Post by dazzerlump on Nov 30, 2017 13:13:35 GMT
I'm not going until Feb, Plenty of time for improvement...right?
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Post by ensembleswings on Nov 30, 2017 17:21:39 GMT
I'm not going until Feb, Plenty of time for improvement...right? Exactly what I'm thinking/hoping, I've got tickets for the end of January! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 18:03:48 GMT
I'm not going until Feb, Plenty of time for improvement...right?
Week before Christmas for me..... enough time for improvement?
I comfort myself that it has to be better than the dire Chichester production: it does have Laura P-P after all.
Fond memories of the lovely Michael Crawford production so many years ago now.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 18:57:33 GMT
I'm not going until Feb, Plenty of time for improvement...right? Wrong. You can’t polish a turd... right? Right.  |
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Post by sf on Dec 1, 2017 0:19:20 GMT
The Menier are doing the "original" version of the show, so the second half in particular will be very different to the last Mackintosh tour. So it won't include "Barnum's Lament". That's a plus... although not enough to encourage me to buy a ticket. (What would make me buy a ticket? If it was a completely different show with a book by somebody else - and the book for 'Barnum', even in the original version, is so bad that I really do mean anybody else.) |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2017 12:41:49 GMT
You can’t polish a turd... right But you can roll it in glitter. That's something Val Singleton would never have done. Janet Ellis on the other hand... (But even rolled in glitter, there's still the problem of the smell  ) |
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