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Post by HereForTheatre on Nov 18, 2017 22:36:58 GMT
I saw this today. I loved it and didn't expected it to be so funny, I actually physically laughed which doesn't happen often with me at shows, even actual comodies. Loved it.
Btw Zak Efron was sat in front of me. Yes, Zak Efron. And he seemed to love it. I wonder why he was there.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2017 22:38:53 GMT
Have you got any reliable figures to show that they’re always half empty or is this just another rant with no proper backing? Parsley again rants to try to get a rise out of people like Donald Trump. There are shows that people like besides 42nd Street. And you wonder why you get shade thrown at you? Kudos to Nica Burns for bringing in something fresh and new. Just because you don’t like it, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have merit. Your act is getting tired. Didn’t say I didn’t like it or that it doesn’t have merit Read carefully please It’s just misplaced in the WE At the prices they are trying to charge Which people are not paying Bringing it into a commercial house is actually a disservice to a New show particularly a musical Showing something like this at the NT or YV Would mean it actually gets more support from audiences and likely higher tickets sales |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2017 22:42:10 GMT
Kudos to Nica Burns for bringing in something fresh and new. Just because you don’t like it, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have merit. I actually really like that Nimax often transfer shows in that wouldn't get looked at by other theatre owning companies. Dead Funny, Urinetown, Hand to God, just to name a few off the top of my head were all in Nimax theatres and I like that they are given the opportunity to refresh the West End with different and unique shows, despite them not always being huge commercial runaway hits. I'd much rather constant variety than the same stagnant 'hit' shows that just make the West End look stale. Bringing it back, Im very much looking forward to seeing a original new musical and I hope its still around in January when I'm back! I think people who want quality And originality And intellect Don’t go to the WE for it |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2017 22:42:16 GMT
I really enjoyed it. I'm glad it wasn't what I expected it to be. The score is a bit samey, and Act 1 is way too long, and there is a scene or two that needs cutting down, the one in the drag queen shop really, well, dragged! The guy playing lead was fantastic, and the girl playing his bestie had an amazing voice. Her song Beautiful moved me alot. And the guy playing the bully was fantastic. I didn't get the ending I wanted from him, but it is what it is. Id recommend it. Its a great show, if slightly flawed. Go for the Act 1 finale moment alone, iconic!  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2017 22:49:48 GMT
I really enjoyed it. I'm glad it wasn't what I expected it to be. The score is a bit samey, and Act 1 is way too long, and there is a scene or two that needs cutting down, the one in the drag queen shop really, well, dragged! The guy playing lead was fantastic, and the girl playing his bestie had an amazing voice. Her song Beautiful moved me alot. And the guy playing the bully was fantastic. I didn't get the ending I wanted from him, but it is what it is. Id recommend it. Its a great show, if slightly flawed. Go for the Act 1 finale moment alone, iconic! Glad you enjoyed My party also found it great fun And particularly loved the school ensemble |
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 22:56:09 GMT
The book writer does scripts in Hollywood. Maybe he knows/works with/wrote for ZE and invited him?
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Post by Dan213 on Nov 19, 2017 0:34:54 GMT
At the prices they are trying to charge Which people are not paying Bringing it into a commercial house is actually a disservice to a New show particularly a musical Showing something like this at the NT or YV Would mean it actually gets more support from audiences and likely higher tickets sales “Which people are not paying” Again you have no figures to back this up. They have had a number of full houses this week. It’s fine to be constructive, but at least have the facts/figures behind it to back it up. If you’re just going to pluck things out of thin air that have no factual basis then it’s just a waste of a post |
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 19, 2017 1:16:49 GMT
This musical cannot be accused of doing anything by half measures, the campness was pretty much full on, bit like Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, which didn’t do it for me, this show equally lays it on thick. But then whooosh in the second half the show became humane when the excellent Josie Walker sang ‘He’s My Boy,’ this was even my poignant because it came after a dreadful song called ‘Beautiful,’ which reminded me of ‘Glorious’ from Bend It Like Beckham, another song that comprised of just repetitive lyric, to make things worse they reprise ‘Beautiful’ straight afterwards, however even though the song was banal, it was sung “beautifully” by Lucie Shorthouse, who was very enjoyable. The end of act 1 - I thought was done excellently with the big projection and the song Over The Top is very enjoyable and sets up the second part.
Jamie reminded me all of Billy Elliot, Phantom, Les Mis, Hairspray, and Kinky Boots etc, by which I mean when you examine the heartbeat of the show and peel back the trimmings, it is a simple story with acceptance at the core, which has proven to be a proven successful formula in musical theatre, I found the ending to be unplausible and a bit whimsical.
I mentioned Josie Walker and Lucie Shorthouse earlier, I also found Tamsin Carroll and Mina Anwar gave very good support, but in truth this show really belonged to one actor and that was John McCrea who left me cold at the start but I really warmed to him, as he gave an assertive commanding performance, but also displayed real raw vulnerability and tenderness. He will be nominated for an Olivier next year and the musical should also get nominated despite not being the best score and the book being uneven in places, the later can be still doctored.
A nice size theatre for this show, that will give it a fighting chance to have a decent run.
I am torn as this show is too good for 3 stars, but not good enough for 4 stars, if the score was a tad better it would be worthy of 4 stars.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 1:27:21 GMT
Oh and the dress Jamie wore to the prom was horrible. I wanted a long, sequined, fabulous, wow number, and it was just very "first holy communion". 😂😂 I was somewhat dissapointed by the ending, for two reasons. It does basically just end. But also, at the interval and during Act 1 I thought it was setting up something to happen in Act 2, and the girls next to me did as well, and I am somewhat dissapointed it didn't happen as it would of been real interesting: {Spoiler - click to view}
I really thought the twist would be that Dean (the bully), would turn out to be gay as well, and the reason he picked on Jamie so much is becaue he had feelings he doesn't know how to express. And there was a scene where I thought it was coming in Act 1 but it didn't. I kinda wish that was explored a little bit more, as I think it would of added another interesting layer to the story. Just me? |
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Post by Mark on Nov 19, 2017 8:24:01 GMT
A shame to read that since the third preview they haven't "fixed" the ending and that it still just "ends"
This needs a big finish...
I think the marketing for this needs to change a bit too. Get those drag queens on the posters!
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Post by HereForTheatre on Nov 19, 2017 9:07:25 GMT
Oh and the dress Jamie wore to the prom was horrible. I wanted a long, sequined, fabulous, wow number, and it was just very "first holy communion". 😂😂 I was somewhat dissapointed by the ending, for two reasons. It does basically just end. But also, at the interval and during Act 1 I thought it was setting up something to happen in Act 2, and the girls next to me did as well, and I am somewhat dissapointed it didn't happen as it would of been real interesting: {Spoiler - click to view}
I really thought the twist would be that Dean (the bully), would turn out to be gay as well, and the reason he picked on Jamie so much is becaue he had feelings he doesn't know how to express. And there was a scene where I thought it was coming in Act 1 but it didn't. I kinda wish that was explored a little bit more, as I think it would of added another interesting layer to the story. Just me? Yeh I expected the 2nd act to open with her appearing on stage at the drag show. Also ditto on the Dean thing. |
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Post by lonlad on Nov 19, 2017 9:29:09 GMT
Oh dear -- I went with considerable hopes but it's pretty dreadful, alas, though lord knows its heart is in the right place, but that's the easy bit: art is the hard part. And for all that they bang on about this being a New Original British Musical as if gravity has just been reinvented, the show is startlingly unoriginal in just about every possible way: there's even a shamelessly FOLLIES-esque number where poor Josie Walker (a character who herself could be a kindred spirit to the beleaguered Mum in BLOOD BROTHERS) looks back on her younger self ..... yawn. Just as you half expect the three seen-it-all drag queens to launch into "You Gotta Get A Gimmick" from GYPSY. Frankly, the cast all play it with a lot more conviction than the hoary material deserves, and I suspect the critics will be kind only because the show is so relentlessly on the side of the angels that to pan it would be like being mean to a puppy or a kitten. A truly missed opportunity.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Nov 19, 2017 15:10:22 GMT
I agree that the end coud have made more of an impact but also feel like the first act closer almost made up for it because it was iconic. I loved it and it was really well done.
I agree that it set up an expectation for the 2nd act though that never happened and i also agree that the stuff at the drag shop went on too long.
I do think some of the songs were a bit too poppy with a lot of lyrics just on repeat but i still really enjoyed the songs. Randomly as well i loved the instrumental in between scene changes.
The humour just connected with me. As i said, it takes a bit to make me laugh at shows and this really made me lol. I thought the book was actually really good for this and some of the stuff just sounded funnier when said in a Sheffield accent.
Also i developed a crush on the guy who plays Dean. Hateful character but...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 15:17:53 GMT
Yes! The guy playing Dean was really cute! I wanted more of him, I missed him when he wasn't on stage. There was another thing I had a slight issue with, which was Jamie when he kissed him in Act 2. I felt it was really inappropriate, it didn't sit right with me. I almost thought, if Dean punched him there and then, id would be totally on his side, because it is low level sexual harrassment, and I really didn't like it. It just didn't feel right to me.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 19, 2017 16:23:14 GMT
The humour just connected with me. As i said, it takes a bit to make me laugh at shows and this really made me lol. I thought the book was actually really good for this Can't agree more. I'm rarely making any sound. At most I'd smile. Some bits actually made me LOL. I'm leaving London on Saturday and am mostly fully booked but I'm going to find a time to see it again just in case it doesn't last until March when I'm back again. I've been listening to the concept album this afternoon. I hope they do a cast recording. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 16:54:29 GMT
The humour just connected with me. As i said, it takes a bit to make me laugh at shows and this really made me lol. I thought the book was actually really good for this Can't agree more. I'm rarely making any sound. At most I'd smile. Some bits actually made me LOL. I'm leaving London on Saturday and am mostly fully booked but I'm going to find a time to see it again just in case it doesn't last until March when I'm back again. I've been listening to the concept album this afternoon. I hope they do a cast recording. According to Dan Gillespie Sells, this is the plan soon. |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Nov 19, 2017 17:15:40 GMT
Maybe it would have been a bit too cliche to have {Spoiler - click to view}
Dean turn out to be acting out because he was closeted. Though more so than him just realising the error of his ways and accepting Jamie at the end? Maybe not. Actually i think that could have been fleshed out a bit more. It seemed a bit too quick and easy and maybe a bit OTT that his character would go from what he was like the whole show to accepting him and agreeing to dancing with Jamie in just one scene, it seemed a bit much. |
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Post by sf on Nov 19, 2017 18:50:59 GMT
Oh and the dress Jamie wore to the prom was horrible. I wanted a long, sequined, fabulous, wow number, and it was just very "first holy communion". 😂😂 I wouldn't say it was horrible (in Sheffield, they have changed it since), but it was relatively plain, and I think there's a reason for that: the show is about Jamie learning to negotiate the space between embracing a combatively camp drag-queen persona and cross-dressing as himself. He isn't going to the prom as Mimi Me, he's going as Jamie New. There's no act there, and no artifice - and so no sequins or feathers. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 19:00:03 GMT
Oh and the dress Jamie wore to the prom was horrible. I wanted a long, sequined, fabulous, wow number, and it was just very "first holy communion". 😂😂 I wouldn't say it was horrible (in Sheffield, they have changed it since), but it was relatively plain, and I think there's a reason for that: the show is about Jamie learning to negotiate the space between embracing a combatively camp drag-queen persona and cross-dressing as himself. He isn't going to the prom as Mimi Me, he's going as Jamie New. There's no act there, and no artifice - and so no sequins or feathers. Nope. It was just horrible. Even if they wanted to go simple and demure, it was horrible. Horrible choice. Cut the dress. The boy is already pale enough and has bright white hair, don't wash him out with that awful white number with matching shoes. |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Nov 19, 2017 19:29:10 GMT
Maybe it was based on the one Jamie actually wore?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 19, 2017 20:38:46 GMT
The dress was red at the Crucible, if I remember correctly. With huge red heels. It wasn’t very nice, but I took that to be on purpose. He didn’t borrow it from Dior did he.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 20:58:39 GMT
The dress was red at the Crucible, if I remember correctly. With huge red heels. It wasn’t very nice, but I took that to be on purpose. He didn’t borrow it from Dior did he. The drag club dress is red here, but the one he wore to the Prom was this white thing. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 19, 2017 21:29:16 GMT
It’s totally in the wrong place It’s not a commercial show It has a good message and heart Unfortunately that would have been much audible If this show had been at the YV or NT Yet Again I don’t know who these stupid And misguided producers are When was the last time you went to the Apollo and see the Gents queue for the bathroom, snake out past the concession stand and to the steps down to the bar, this tells you a lot about the demographic of the audience and this theatre happens to be on the side of Soho. So this could be a big draw for the pink pound and do well on that strength. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 21:37:39 GMT
Heres the thing. Its a tough show to label and that could be a detriment. Because I assumed it was just a drag show, but if you look at for example this and Kinky Boots, for alot of people (meaning general public ) they would naturally go Kinky Boots over this because its know, its already had a long run qnd it still gets great word of mouth and has a large fanbase. It needs to steer more toward the Billy Eliott crowd in order to really run. Which can only be done really through promo at this point in order to get em in. How is it selling, do we know?
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Post by Jon on Nov 19, 2017 21:43:16 GMT
Heres the thing. Its a tough show to label and that could be a detriment. Because I assumed it was just a drag show, but if you look at for example this and Kinky Boots, for alot of people (meaning general public ) they would naturally go Kinky Boots over this because its know, its already had a long run qnd it still gets great word of mouth and has a large fanbase. It needs to steer more toward the Billy Eliott crowd in order to really run. Which can only be done really through promo at this point in order to get em in. How is it selling, do we know? Kinky Boots and Billy Elliot have the advantage of being based on films, Jamie unfortunately I don't seeing becoming a long runner, at best it'll probably do a year. |
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