Bananaman

[Ruby Sue]

Yes - the first 3 previews were cancelled.

On Twitter they said it's currently running at 2 & a half hours including interval so should come down around 10pm.

[QueerTheatre]

Well i can't tell you what time the show came down - but act 1 felt like a lifetime.

I'll excuse the dodgy sound, and a few off key notes due to the early preview, but no amount of previews will fix this score, or the rest of the show. From what i saw, at least in act 1 the show unsure whether its a straight musical or a parody, and trys to get by on 'low budget charm' for all the tricks/effects, but instead it just comes across cheap, tacky & embarrassing.

Oh there's also the worst effing puppetry i have ever seen.

In case you cant tell - I really hated this!

[westendcub]

I’m somewhat down the middle in my thoughts on this musical after attending last night.

I’d say my friend and I enjoyed our night, were entertained but not completely blown over or statisfied with the end result, it really is a mixed bag of a show and I don’t see the critics being too kind to this.

Being this was the first public Preview there are some sound mixing issues that I am sure will be resolved but it did mean some of the ensemble numbers (generally the songs that excel in this show) at times were inaudible and the 1st preview some lights cues were missed but that’s the point of previews to iron these out prior to opening.

The cast are all talented and clearly having a ball getting to ham it (by not being in a pantomime) and that chemistry does shine through and it’s a pleasure of a cast to spend a few hours with.

Act 2 feels more polished and I think the trimmings need to come in Act 1.

There’s some good songs but alas some unforgettable songs with a jarring score, it never levitates the material which is a shame with a game cast and a show that’s not meant to be taken too seriously.

I did enjoy as always Jodie Jacobs as ‘Crow’ and personally like the puppetry and enjoyed some in-jokes. A positive to mention is that this show does have genuine comedic laugh out loud moments.

As mentioned the score is so so but for me the let-down is the set. I see a good mix of Off West-End shows that use simple sets in small spaces (i.e Bridewell, Charing Cross, Upstaira at the Gatehouse, Pleasance, The Other Palace and Southwark Playhouse itself!) and sometimes less is more. The set is already cheap and wobbly but had they spent some time on a more creative set they wouldn’t fall into half the messy transitions they have made. All I need to say is ‘the stairs’!!!

It’s a fun night, I enjoyed elements of it and it’s cast. I do think it will improve but I don’t think it’s quite the camp professional fun that was ‘The Toxic Avenger’ and ‘Xanadu’ and that set is it’s biggest downfall.

I do however now have a big crush on tall ‘Bananaman’ - Matthew is so cute!

Fun but with many flaws!!

[gra]

Sorry, but I thought this was extremely disappointing.

I know this afternoon was only the second preview but, apart from the hardworking cast, I found little to recommend it. The music and script were merely adequate and the show needs heavy trimming (particularly Act 1) The show started 10 minutes late, making the first act 1 hour 20.

It doesn't help that in this space once the show starts there is no exit until the interval, therefore no chance of toilet breaks for the very young children.

I'm afraid I was bored for much of this and judging by audience response so were others.

I really wanted to enjoy this!

[daniel]

I'm starting to wish that I'd opted for the refund rather than reschedule following the cancellation.

*feverishly attempts to remain open minded*

[robertb213]

Saw the matinee of this today. Well, Act 1, as unfortunately I decided to leave at the interval.

It just didn't work, there was only one memorable song and the set/staging did the production no favours at all. The cast can't be blamed at all, they threw their all into it, but the source material is just not very good. Although I did love all the 80s cartoon theme tunes being played before the show started! And thankfully thanks to the Southwark Playhouse's PAYG package it kinda feels like I got it for free (and it only worked out at £12 anyway).

Probably a case of 'well, it sounded a good idea on paper...'

[Phantom of London]

I was also at today’s matinee.

This was well acted and had plenty of heart, but also it was pretty much terrible also.

This was a solid 1 Star from me, so therefore glad I only paid £12 on PAYG.

[ellie1981]

Oh dear. And we just booked tickets this morning for 2nd Jan. wish I’d read this thread first! I was optimistically hoping it would be in the same spirit as The Toxic Avenger, just more family friendly.

[Deleted]

I'm in my 30s, used to watch the cartoon and read the Beano religiously (though the two didn't merge until I technically outgrew 'em), recognised all but maybe two of the kids TV themes from the '80s that were playing before and during the show, and I honestly loved it. Don't go in expecting art, go in committed to two and a half hours of silliness, a plot with the depth and sense of a comic strip, a cast of terrific voices, and just let it happen. Maybe I was helped by this miserable thread (high expectations are often disappointed, but low expectations are so often exceeded), maybe I was conveniently *exactly* the target audience, but I had a great time and was very happy with my decision to attend.

[robertb213]

Dec 28, 2017 23:19:35 GMT ellie1981 said:

Oh dear. And we just booked tickets this morning for 2nd Jan. wish I’d read this thread first! I was optimistically hoping it would be in the same spirit as The Toxic Avenger, just more family friendly.

Uh oh! Hopefully you'll enjoy it like @baemax did. I too was hoping it would be similar to The Toxic Avenger as I really enjoyed that, and it definitely is more family friendly than that was. That show definitely had stronger songs but who knows, maybe I just wasn't in the right mood today. Hope you enjoy it anyway 😁

[gra]

I was surprised that the show made little attempt to encourage audience interaction.

The afternoon I attended, half the audience were kids 5 to 9 years, and I would have expected much more enthusiasm from them. Instead many were restless and obviously not totally engaged.

A shame because the cast is talented and worked hard.

[zahidf]

6.5/10 for me

Was fun and some good songs/good acting, but was over long by a lot. Cut 30 mins id say!

[BurlyBeaR]

It will be a shame if it bombs because I like the idea of a steady supply of daft musicals of the Xanadu and Toxic Avenger ilk. This has been in the pipeline for an awful long time too. Was it on the old board that we first saw the “coming soon” artwork?

Of course it’s a fine line between bad and intentionally bad.

[BurlyBeaR]

This production is part of our TheatreBoard Ratings trial. If you’ve seen it, rate it.

More info here www.theatreboard.co.uk/thread/4120/new-2018-theatreboard-ratings

[ellie1981]

Waiting for this to start soon. Get there early - they play nothing but 1980s kids show theme tunes as people are taking their seats.

[ellie1981]

Well I thoroughly enjoyed that. Lots of kids there probably between the ages of 7-10 and they were loving it too.

It’s good to have something silly to kick off the year. Very tongue in cheek with just a couple of adult innuendos. Extremely talented cast; some songs were better than others and I think there were just 3 standouts, mainly coming from the brilliantly played Dr. Gloom.

I’d recommend it if you’re prepared to have a laugh for an evening and for the nostalgia factor if you’re a child of the 80s.

[Deleted]

I don't suppose Mark likes it...

[robertb213]

I have to agree - while I didn't hate it, it's one of the weakest things I've seen in a long time 😔🍌

[djp]

Well the 4-7 year olds liked it. Think panto without ugly men dressed as ugly women and someone who was something once in the eighties - plus  good singers.

The first act goes into a timeloop and takes about 3 songs too many to stagger to the interval. The book writer was overpaid.

But Act two is much better. More action, bigger bananas, better jokes, of true panto awfulness,  for the adults.

Its also got some really good performances - particularly by the baddies, and its got Jodie Jacobs singing, which is always a plus.

Impossible to rate, as some will find act one snooze inducing, but  kids of all ages may love it. And its less than a fifth the price of the Palladium rip off panto alternative.

[daniel]

#BananaGate

[shady23]

What apeeling behaviour!

[Deleted]

Good job it was only one woman, imagine if there had been a bunch of them!

[daniel]

shady23, @baemax, taxi is on its way!

[Seriously]

Did this really happen, or did they just set it up for publicity?

[Phantom of London]

Was Theatremonkey there, if so stands to reason!!! 🍌🍌🍌🍌🐒🐒🐒🍌🍌🍌🍌