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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2016 23:13:21 GMT
Just seen this from one of those £15 seats- probably one of the best £15 seats I've ever sat in! No neck craning and it's a brilliant view. It's very close and quite intense at times sat there but I really excellent way to experience the show I think. Is it a bit like watch tennis thou? |
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Post by talkstageytome on Oct 28, 2016 0:32:43 GMT
Is it possible that this extends? Sadly I won't be doing the trip on the dates that I originally planned Don't know exactly, but there'd have to be a cast change, as Michael Esper is going straight into The Glass Menagerie. |
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Post by charliec on Oct 28, 2016 7:11:37 GMT
Just seen this from one of those £15 seats- probably one of the best £15 seats I've ever sat in! No neck craning and it's a brilliant view. It's very close and quite intense at times sat there but I really excellent way to experience the show I think. Is it a bit like watch tennis thou? Not hugely, or at least it didn't feel that way. There are only a few moments where I had to look around a bit to get the full picture, so much of it happens right in the middle of the stage. |
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Post by rumbledoll on Oct 28, 2016 7:19:23 GMT
Just seen this from one of those £15 seats- probably one of the best £15 seats I've ever sat in! No neck craning and it's a brilliant view. It's very close and quite intense at times sat there but I really excellent way to experience the show I think.
Thanks for reporting back, great news! Was a bit worried about the height of the stage myself.. Going on Nov 12, can't bloody wait! 
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Post by drmaplewood on Oct 28, 2016 7:31:11 GMT
Met a couple on the tube last night who had just been to see it and said I would like it "If you like musicals" very dismissively.
Why you would go to a musical if you don't like musicals is anyone's guess but I guess the Bowie factor will do this.
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Post by rumbledoll on Oct 28, 2016 8:25:19 GMT
Well, I don't generally dig musicals but I've seen at least 4 for various reasons (mainly out of love for/interest in a certain actor/writer/composer). Same reason here, not to mention Ivo Van Hove directing it. Have high hopes though, but still expect smth weird (good weird, not bad weird  ) |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 9:01:28 GMT
Met a couple on the tube last night who had just been to see it and said I would like it "If you like musicals" very dismissively. Why you would go to a musical if you don't like musicals is anyone's guess but I guess the Bowie factor will do this. There was an article on Danny Boyle in the Guardian some time last year, where he mentioned he'd wanted to get a David Bowie musical off the ground but been denied. Most of the commenters went on to bang on sniffily about how of course David Bowie would never ever EVER let his music be used for *spits* a musical. But as Lazarus was already announced in the US at that point, it struck me as rather more likely that Danny Boyle had been told no because Enda Walsh and Ivo van Hove had already been told yes. I do regularly find myself hoping all those sniffy snobs are now thoroughly aware that Lazarus exists. |
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Post by rumbledoll on Oct 28, 2016 9:10:04 GMT
Even curiouser things happened recently like Bowie writing a song for SpongeBob The Musical (which might not see a light of day thiugh) or Dylan giving his stuff(which everyone thought he'd never do) for that new musical at The Old Vic.
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Post by charliec on Oct 28, 2016 9:51:12 GMT
Met a couple on the tube last night who had just been to see it and said I would like it "If you like musicals" very dismissively. Why you would go to a musical if you don't like musicals is anyone's guess but I guess the Bowie factor will do this. That's interesting. I took my sister last night who doesnt really enjoy musicals and she really loved the show and properly connected with it whereas I love musicals and I didn't really connect with it. The performances are good, I was particularly impressed by Michael Esper and will probably book The Glass Menagerie because he's in it now. Staging/ lighting is really different and interesting and I like the orchestrations, its all just a bit too bonkers for me story wise. I think if you feel a strong emotional connection with the world of Bowie then you will fidn this affecting, but it just didn't do anything for me really. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 10:13:07 GMT
I saw it on the second preview so still bedding in and getting used to the space but the performance was fully up to speed and looked and sounded very good. I don't think it's for 'people who like musicals' however. It being a sequel of sorts to The Man Who Fell to Earth it has a dislocated arthouse feel to the story and production that is not your typical musical fare, keeping the audience at a cool distance. It is Bowie's story, characters and choice of collaborators so what we see is what he wanted and that should be fine with Bowie fans who know and expect something to be not quite what they imagined.
I also sat on the front row, off to the side and the view was perfect, a massive bargain for £15. The lack of a high stage may make viewing from further back less effective though, although I can't say for sure as I wasn't there!
After I'd seen it I sorta liked it, now after a couple of days I like it a lot more.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 10:38:28 GMT
I'm so excited for this my bum hurts!
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Post by charliec on Oct 28, 2016 11:06:48 GMT
Just to pass on a warning from someone. Apparently there is over 5 minutes of intense strobe lighting and video, so epileptics should be aware. Yep there is, its very intense if you are in the front row. I saw a couple of people who had to be taken out sat outside being seen to after the show. |
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Post by sophie92 on Oct 28, 2016 12:01:37 GMT
I also sat on the front row, off to the side and the view was perfect, a massive bargain for £15. The lack of a high stage may make viewing from further back less effective though, although I can't say for sure as I wasn't there! If you're in the cheap seats at the back, be prepared to listen but not watch. I could just about see everything (when those in front actually sat still) from row ZA, but I know those in the very back few rows basically couldn't see anything. |
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Post by ali973 on Oct 28, 2016 15:15:26 GMT
Kind of reminds me of Fela! A perfect musical for people who don't like musicals, and a nightmare for people who do.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 17:36:00 GMT
The cast album has just charted at number 10. Presumably it's Bowie fans wanting the final three tracks her recorded, still pretty impressive for a cast album to make the top ten these days. Seeing it tomorrow and as a life-long Bowie fan I cannot wait.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 17:42:53 GMT
5 mins of strobe in one go, or 5 mins over the course of the show? (Migraine sufferer triggered by light - short bursts of strobe aren't pleasant but can be coped with; a long burst like that and I'd be in hell.)
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Post by charliec on Oct 28, 2016 19:00:16 GMT
It's one burst.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 21:28:39 GMT
Hmm. Bet they won't refund, either. Oh well - I'll invest in some painkillers on the way in...
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Post by viserys on Oct 29, 2016 14:48:22 GMT
It's what I'll do, bright glaring light is a sure-fire trigger for migraine for me too... and I'm also in the front row.
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Post by Ade on Oct 29, 2016 21:49:47 GMT
Just out of the evening performance. Didn't love this I'm afraid to say, though the majority of the audience lapped it up. Liked the design and the music was sung well but that's as far as it goes for me really. I couldn't get on board with the narrative (or lack of) and I'm normally a fan of anything remotely like this. As others have said if you're in the back third expect to listen not see for the most part. I'm normally pretty easy going when it comes to seats and head-dodging but the rake just isn't sufficient in here and so I missed large chunks of what was happening - I was in row ZD and am 6 feet if that helps put it in context. Also, with the trains sounding their horns, helicopters above and sirens outside, I can't help thinking that building theatres in glorified marquees isn't the way forward...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 22:12:18 GMT
Or just close your eyes for the duration. Problem is, I find strobe leaks in even under closed eyelids. I might have to also clamp my hands over my eyes and just look like a wally for 5 minutes! :-) |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 22:13:34 GMT
If looking like a wally is what it takes to get you safely through the show, then you GO for it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 22:58:02 GMT
Thought it was good, especially the young girl, but it never really soars. I was waiting for THAT moment which never comes. It is cleverly shoe-horned into The Man Who Fell To Earth, which I thought would be problematic given the ending, I'll give it that. Still glad to have it in London.
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Post by talkstageytome on Oct 30, 2016 11:14:08 GMT
Saw this last night. Don't really know how to describe it, but both me and my sister absolutely loved it! For the first 10 mins or so, I was very dubious, but once I'd gotten used to the disjointed scenes and strangely stilted dialogue I was able to really get into it. Was never a Bowie fan really (as I've mentioned before, I bought the seats as a birthday present for my sister, a Michael C Hall fan) but loved many of the songs. The title song really stood out. What a unique voice that Michael C Hall has. Lovely, touching performance too, especially when he shared the stage with Sophia Anne Caruso, who, in my opinion, stole the show! So amazing to think she's only 15! As far as the story goes... I mean.... I honestly don't really know! Unsure on what the 'villain' was really all about? But I loved his performance too, and he got some amazing moments in the latter part of the show! {Spoiler - click to view} But he just sort of wandered off at the end? What's going on there? Do we have to wait for a part two or something?  The ending was very striking. And the lighting and projections were both excellent! I feel like I need to see this again to understand some bits, but at those ticket prices I think we'll have to wait and see! I went with my housemate and her boyfriend who both enjoy traditional West End shows, but this was a bit too 'out-there' for them I think. They liked it, but were a bit unsure of how to react to it. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 11:38:07 GMT
If looking like a wally is what it takes to get you safely through the show, then you GO for it. Tee hee! Some would say it's never stopped me in the rest of my life ;-) |
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