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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 28, 2018 21:05:26 GMT
Well. I thought it was just delightful. And so very funny too. The supporting cast are fabulous, Lucy Thackeray's voice is a thing of wonder and her chemistry with Dean Nolan is fabulous. Even better though are Beverly Rudd and Jos Slovick as Beryl and Stanley. They are HI-larious and Jos Slovick in particular has such a lovely voice when he's plucking on his ukulele. There are so many moments which are incredibly inventive and beautifully realised and I think that all of the slapstick going on around Alec and Laura makes their tale even sadder. Oh and there's a bit with a curtain and a train that I almost gave a standing ovation to it was so glorious. Don't turn up two minutes before the show is due to start though as you'll miss the cast all dressed as cinema ushers and giving us a few songs which is smashing. Go see it. Go see it. Go see it. All above echo my comments. Charming little thing with delightful comedy. Loved the music. Could have drunk a bucket of tea after. To go with my currant bun which was fresh, dontcha know. Loved my row A seat 18 centre block, one seat away from Alec. Loved "Fred" showing people to their seats "Let me torch you in" |
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Post by NeilVHughes on Mar 28, 2018 22:04:36 GMT
Nothing more to add, feel good from the minute you enter in a way only Emma Rice can create, can go one better than londonmzfitz, sat in A14 next to Laura, a £20 bargain. |
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Post by grannyjx6 on Mar 30, 2018 21:42:09 GMT
I've just looked at tickets for a Saturday matinee and they START at £51 so I think I'll give it a miss.
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Mar 30, 2018 21:45:52 GMT
I've just looked at tickets for a Saturday matinee and they START at £51 so I think I'll give it a miss. Look on TodayTix, they have rush seats for £20, or advance seats from £23 and £42.50. If you use my referral code KGGMS you'll save another £10 off that as well 😁 |
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256 posts
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Post by grannyjx6 on Mar 30, 2018 22:12:39 GMT
I've just looked at tickets for a Saturday matinee and they START at £51 so I think I'll give it a miss. Look on TodayTix, they have rush seats for £20, or advance seats from £23 and £42.50. If you use my referral code KGGMS you'll save another £10 off that as well 😁
Thank you Robert.
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Mar 30, 2018 22:14:30 GMT
You're welcome! I'm going myself on Sunday, really looking forward to it! 😁
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Apr 1, 2018 17:02:20 GMT
I echo a lot of the opinions already posted, in that I mostly enjoyed this and thought it was great. The acting was strong, the projections worked really well, and Jos Slovick was in fantastic voice. The only bits that didn't work for me were the moments of physical which tip-toed into slapstick/farce and jarred with all the other good stuff going on. It was like sometimes it was trying to spoof the film rather than pay tritube to it. But, those few moments aside, I would definitely recommend it. Comfy seats too 😁
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Post by Boob on Apr 7, 2018 9:47:05 GMT
There are some on this Board who, when they don’t like a production, get quite wound up about it. Most of the time, when a production does not click for me, I tend to feel bored and disengaged – deflated more than anything else. Very rarely I have a different reaction. I saw this yesterday afternoon and gave myself time before posting to allow a bit of space to check my reaction. After quiet reflection I have concluded that I hated it. I mean I really hated it. Viscerally hated it. I physically reacted to it - muscles clenching, heart rate rising. At some points I had to close my eyes and do breathing exercises to calm down (I could not leave without disturbing people). Is it meant as a parody (only Jim Sturgeon managed an accent that was not a caricature)? A poor man’s 39 Steps? If so, even that doesn’t work. If it is not a parody, then it is a travesty. I went in in a good mood and liked the build up before curtain up, so all was set for an enjoyable afternoon. But it was not to be. I think the initial trigger was when Beverly Rudd first opened her mouth as Beryl. Everything about her performance made me want to vomit. By the end, with her last scene, I ended up closing my eyes and putting my fingers in my ears to try to blot her out. But it is not just her. Clearly, my reaction is different to many others (both in the audience and on this Board). And I am happy for that. Maybe I'm the only one! Afterwards I wandered through the snow to The Great Wave. Not the greatest production, but at least I had a positive end to the day. I have to confess, I had exactly the same reaction to this production. Had I been sat on an aisle, I would have left during the show as it got under my skin in the most excruciating way. Emma Rice's direction can be magical (I adored Romantics Anonymous, Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Tristan & Yseult) - here, I found it largely pointless, over-egged, self-indulgent and juvenile. Jos Slovick does have a wonderful voice, though. Also, am I the only one who thinks that the Empire is actually not the best venue for this show? Apart from being in a cinema and the lovely work they've done de-grotting the foyer, it's a bit of an atmosphere vacuum as a performance space - not helped by the fact the house felt about 40% empty. |
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 7, 2018 10:10:26 GMT
Boob I didn't really find the atmosphere lacking. Perhaps as when I went there was a reasonable crowd there. Personally I was happy to see one of London's historic theatres used as a theatre again and I suppose this production is appropriate given that the venue is now a cinema and the production draws on cinema and includes film within it. Anyone interested in the history of the old Carlton Theatre, its transformation as a cinema, etc. should have a look here: www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/CarltonHaymarket.htm
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Post by daisy24601 on Apr 14, 2018 21:40:12 GMT
Caught up with it on Sunday afternoon, and liked it enough to give it the full "Monkey treatment." So, there's listings, opinion and seating advice with plan and map on my site now.
Beverly Rudd I'd say is worth the ticket price alone, and the whole thing is a lovely bit of time-travelling nostalgia. True, some of the revolutionary techniques it used back in 2007 seem a bit passé now, but it's a load of fun, I think, and a very versatile cast.
Oh, and forgot to add, the central block row A £20 seats are a total steal. Low stage, only look up a couple of times, right in the action and unlimited legroom. Go for the low numbers side first, I think. Just came here to ask about row A, thanks, I will go for them! Better at the side section than the middle do you reckon? |
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Post by jadnoop on Apr 17, 2018 1:48:38 GMT
To those that have been to this, are there programmes?
I went to a preview and there were none, but it wasn't clear if they had run out temporarily (or weren't quite ready), or if there was no plan for them. Cheers.
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879 posts
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Post by daisy24601 on Apr 19, 2018 15:09:06 GMT
Far better in the middle section than the sides. If you must go sides, go as close to the centre block as you can. Thanks, had to go for the side in the end because the middle section was all sold. |
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Apr 24, 2018 17:15:52 GMT
Guys, I have a Brief Encounter ticket for May 3 19:30 to sell. Row A stalls, a bit to the side. Booked for £23, giving away for 18. Please message me or just send my way soneone who might need it! Thanks!
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Post by theatrelover123 on Apr 24, 2018 17:38:00 GMT
Guys, I have a Brief Encounter ticket for May 3 19:30 to sell. Row A stalls, a bit to the side. Booked for £23, giving away for 18. Please message me or just send my way soneone who might need it! Thanks! “Giving away.......for 18”. Worth putting this on the noticeboard where tickets sales should be posted. |
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Apr 24, 2018 18:08:33 GMT
Guys, I have a Brief Encounter ticket for May 3 19:30 to sell. Row A stalls, a bit to the side. Booked for £23, giving away for 18. Please message me or just send my way soneone who might need it! Thanks! “Giving away.......for 18”. Worth putting this on the noticeboard where tickets sales should be posted. Will do, thanks for reminding me! |
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2018 23:14:47 GMT
Extended for a week until 9 September (prior to a world tour next year)
Also a fab new trailer has been released
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Post by stefy69 on May 11, 2018 5:52:43 GMT
Extended for a week until 9 September (prior to a world tour next year) Also a fab new trailer has been released Stunning trailer, thanks for the alert. |
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Post by Mr Snow on May 19, 2018 7:54:31 GMT
Sorry to be a party pooper but found this very ho hum. Was it a comedy? A pastiche? Ground breaking? Charming? Heart rendering? A. You do get bits but None of the above really.
Plus to be frank if you are going to put new songs alongside classics form the 30’s they’d better be rich and strong, merely pleasant will not do. One lyric mentioned Brando who was 14 in 1938. Then to bring in an electric guitar and rock beat. Oh dear.
On the plus side, almost enough to save the evening the really beautiful singing of Jos Slovic who thankfully is given most of the songs.
Saw their Flying Lovers of Mtensk earlier this year and loved it. It had lots of things that were weak or missing here. Real charm, tenderness, lightness of touch, and purpose.
Q Why do their shows get listed in plays on here? I think stylistically they fit the Musicals category far better.
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Post by Mr Snow on May 19, 2018 13:19:53 GMT
Why do their shows get listed in plays on here Because it really is a play, and the music is more "incidental" than driving the plot, I'd say. I take your point. But if I was being argumentative you could say the same about nearly every Musical before Showboat or Oklahoma. But the sun is shining and I'm never argumentative (well, hardly ever  ). |
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Post by hal9000 on May 19, 2018 14:16:21 GMT
It wasn’t really romantic in the manner in which the film was swooning in it.
I didn’t feel much for the lovers in this at all; but it also had that quality, thanks to the setting, that you are looking in a window and peering into these strangers lives, and that the same could be happening in station tea rooms everywhere.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2018 6:31:50 GMT
I loved Kneehigh’s rather wacky Umbrellas of Cherbourg some years back, although I don’t think many did as I remember paying £20 through lastminute’s website and the front dress circle seat included a decent three course meal somewhere before the show! So I was looking forward to this yesterday after reading all the positives on here, expecting something a bit different just as Umbrellas had been. And it was. Not often do you feel you get treated to the whole package when you go to a show these days, but we had a Haymarket cinema looking glorious with roses around the doors, and ushers and usherettes complete with little button hats entertaining us in the foyer to get us in the mood. We had a huge cinema screen which swallowed up the characters, a piano doubling as a counter in the station tea room, leather armchairs wheeled in on luggage trolleys and a film of a man and a woman in a boat which became real before our eyes. There was singing, a little bit of dancing, puppets, swaying movements to the sounds of the sea, a heartbreaking story of an opportunity missed and slapstick comedy involving a child’s scooter. At one point there were even people swinging from chandeliers! The actors and musicians were spot on. Special mention must go to Jos Slovick whose name I know from my Soho Cinders CD. Why don’t we hear more of him? All I missed was an interval during which I could have sampled a china cup of tea and a bun (“fresh this morning”) served from the back just like they did in tonyloco ’s day. I jest- in fact the ninety minute- no interval- playing time suited this entertainment perfectly and made a lovely afternoon out with a friend. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, I know that, but it’s certainly the kind of thing that appeals to me. Why isn’t there ever a dashing chap like Jim Sturgeon on hand when you get that annoying bit of grit in your eye...? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2018 10:31:04 GMT
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Post by caa on Jul 7, 2018 7:56:45 GMT
Just had an email saying its closing on 22nd July
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 10:04:10 GMT
What a shame. I liked this, didn't love it, but liked it a lot and thought it would have some sort of popular appeal.
Wonder what made them decide to extend by that extra week, if clearly it wasn't selling enough?
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3,303 posts
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Post by david on Jul 15, 2018 17:48:11 GMT
Having decided to skip this when it first toured at Salford’s Lowry theatre earlier on this year as I wasn’t too sure about it, but the positive reviews that the production has had by people on this board, I decided to take @theatremonkey ’s advice and book the A14 seat for the matinee today. For £20, it was an absolute bargain and great value for 90mins entertainment for a Sunday afternoon’s theatre viewing. Apart from being sat on stage, I couldn’t be any closer to the performers. Though imagine my surprise when the two leads sat next to me. I certainly wasn’t expecting that!
For me, the standout performances came from Bev Rudd and Lucy Thackeray. To see them two was worth the ticket price alone and gave a great double act. I was really impressed with the musical interludes and enjoyed listening to Jos Slovick interpreting the songs.
The use of the projections was really effective and blended well into the live action parts. I think being sat front and centre helped with some of the more visual gags such as the model steam train and the toy dogs used later on.
It was well attended for the matinee and it’s a shame that it’s closing next week as I think that compared to some of the more in your face (shows like BOOH)currently playing in the WE, sometimes it’s nice just to sit back and enjoy shows like BE as an alternative.
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