5,863 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 15, 2021 20:14:00 GMT
Not a great start, being given dirty looks by a young man due to me wearing a mask. I’m going to wear a mask, and I don’t care what others do Pull the mask down briefly and mouth A S S H O L E at him. |
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Post by isabel on Sept 15, 2021 20:14:46 GMT
Something happened near me In the Stalls. Had some cast members sat near me & suddenly they all ran out . Assume someone had to go on
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 20:15:26 GMT
Something happened near me In the Stalls. Had some cast members sat near me & suddenly they all ran out . Assume someone had to go on Ah that explains the talking I could hear behind the curtain then! And the people in front of me in the toilet queue talking about someone being a bit overcome. Not sure what I think of the show overall so far, but I could do without some of the screaming in random places... |
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Post by inthenose on Sept 15, 2021 20:16:58 GMT
Sounds like a bit of a disastrous reopening...
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Post by isabel on Sept 15, 2021 20:19:00 GMT
Sounds like a bit of a disastrous reopening... Why ? |
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Post by inthenose on Sept 15, 2021 20:21:25 GMT
Sounds like a bit of a disastrous reopening... Why ? Late start, poor Covid protocols, lacklustre performances. My friend is there and says it's the worst state she has seen the show in, was tempted to leave at the interval. Oh, and she says some of the audience are absolutely intolerable and keep trying to insert themselves into the show, by screaming out. |
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Post by isabel on Sept 15, 2021 20:23:40 GMT
Everyone had their own opinions. Personally I’m really enjoying myself. After 18 months of hell its nice to enjoy myself
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 20:24:40 GMT
Late start, poor Covid protocols, lacklustre performances. My friend is there and says it's the worst state she has seen the show in, was tempted to leave at the interval. Oh, and she says some of the audience are absolutely intolerable and keep trying to insert themselves into the show, by screaming out. Late start was inevitable, Covid protocols were thorough - everyone's pass was checked. They can't enforce masks sadly. I do agree on some of the performances though, there is something missing. And yes, the fangirls and boys are here in full force and intolerable! |
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190 posts
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Post by tsxmitw on Sept 15, 2021 20:26:52 GMT
The audience is on a par with Kerry’s last. Haven’t heard an audience at Wicked like this for YEARS.
Standing ovation at the overture and when Glinda’s bubble came down. Oh and Laura got a standing o on her entrance.
Lots of mid-song applause, after the opening bars of The Wizard and I, when Laura started singing the first verse of Defyint Gravity - and when she stood up with her cape on for the timpani roll.
Everyone obviously went ballistic at the end of Defying Gravity.
Cast is alright - Sophie just doesn’t do it as Glinda for me and even on re-opening night, she couldn’t get the laughs.
Laura has a gorgeous voice and belt but is dead behind the eyes. Bearing in mind of course, this is their first show back and they may need more time to bed in.
Alistair Branner is surprisingly brilliant and looks like he’s really enjoying himself.
Looking forward to part 2!
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Post by isabel on Sept 15, 2021 20:27:09 GMT
I’m surrounded by them & they doing my head in
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Post by inthenose on Sept 15, 2021 20:31:38 GMT
The audience is on a par with Kerry’s last. Haven’t heard an audience at Wicked like this for YEARS. Standing ovation at the overture and when Glinda’s bubble came down. Oh and Laura got a standing o on her entrance. Lots of mid-song applause, after the opening bars of The Wizard and I, when Laura started singing the first verse of Defyint Gravity - and when she stood up with her cape on for the timpani roll. Everyone obviously went ballistic at the end of Defying Gravity. I'm sorry but it sounds absolutely ghastly... Standing ovation during an Overture? I'm sorry, but it just smacks of "look at me, I'm a super fan, I've seen the show 100 times and refer to all the cast by their first names". The obnoxious cheering and whooping and trying to get noticed by the cast is exactly what I don't want from a performance of Wicked. Still, I'm glad you're having a great evening 🤣 |
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190 posts
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Post by tsxmitw on Sept 15, 2021 20:34:18 GMT
The audience is on a par with Kerry’s last. Haven’t heard an audience at Wicked like this for YEARS. Standing ovation at the overture and when Glinda’s bubble came down. Oh and Laura got a standing o on her entrance. Lots of mid-song applause, after the opening bars of The Wizard and I, when Laura started singing the first verse of Defyint Gravity - and when she stood up with her cape on for the timpani roll. Everyone obviously went ballistic at the end of Defying Gravity. I'm sorry but it sounds absolutely ghastly... Standing ovation during an Overture? I'm sorry, but it just smacks of "look at me, I'm a super fan, I've seen the show 100 times and refer to all the cast by their first names". The obnoxious cheering and whooping and trying to get noticed by the cast is exactly what I don't want from a performance of Wicked. Still, I'm glad you're having a great evening 🤣 I know what you mean. There were very obviously a lot of super fans, former cast and family in the audience and I think there was a collective effort among the die hard devotees to recreate the scenes from the Broadway opening - which they succeeded in doing. |
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840 posts
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Post by stuartmcd on Sept 15, 2021 20:41:21 GMT
It sounds like the audience is trying to one up Broadway. Screaming and cheering for the sake of making noise rather than actually appreciating what is happening on stage. Though I’m sure everyone is loving it and does appreciate the cast but what’s the point if you can’t even hear what they’re even saying.
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5,863 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 15, 2021 20:45:09 GMT
The audience is on a par with Kerry’s last. Haven’t heard an audience at Wicked like this for YEARS. Standing ovation at the overture and when Glinda’s bubble came down. Oh and Laura got a standing o on her entrance. Lots of mid-song applause, after the opening bars of The Wizard and I, when Laura started singing the first verse of Defyint Gravity - and when she stood up with her cape on for the timpani roll. Everyone obviously went ballistic at the end of Defying Gravity. Cast is alright - Sophie just doesn’t do it as Glinda for me and even on re-opening night, she couldn’t get the laughs. Laura has a gorgeous voice and belt but is dead behind the eyes. Bearing in mind of course, this is their first show back and they may need more time to bed in. Alistair Branner is surprisingly brilliant and looks like he’s really enjoying himself. Looking forward to part 2! PART 2? Is there a sequel? |
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5,863 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 15, 2021 20:46:19 GMT
I think anyone going to see the first show back is just asking for trouble. This show is usually ruined by hysterical over excited fans anyway, so they must be absolutely exploding tonight.
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2,418 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Sept 15, 2021 21:06:46 GMT
TheatreCafe have posted the opening 2 minutes on their Instagram if anyone wants to watch. I'm all for enthusiasm but it does seem overkill. And such a shame to not hear the 'It's good to see me, isn't it' line.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Sept 15, 2021 21:10:49 GMT
The audience is on a par with Kerry’s last. Haven’t heard an audience at Wicked like this for YEARS. Standing ovation at the overture and when Glinda’s bubble came down. Oh and Laura got a standing o on her entrance. Lots of mid-song applause, after the opening bars of The Wizard and I, when Laura started singing the first verse of Defyint Gravity - and when she stood up with her cape on for the timpani roll. Everyone obviously went ballistic at the end of Defying Gravity. I'm sorry but it sounds absolutely ghastly... Standing ovation during an Overture? I'm sorry, but it just smacks of "look at me, I'm a super fan, I've seen the show 100 times and refer to all the cast by their first names". The obnoxious cheering and whooping and trying to get noticed by the cast is exactly what I don't want from a performance of Wicked. Still, I'm glad you're having a great evening 🤣 I understand being excited for a show...but it's just pretentious. My regret will always be seeing Wicked for the first ever time (Halloween matinee) in 2008. Screaming fangirls and fanboys. Couldn't hear anything. I also found Heathers at the Other Palace to be exactly the same. It's all a bit too much! |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Sept 15, 2021 21:27:37 GMT
Not a great start, being given dirty looks by a young man due to me wearing a mask. I’m going to wear a mask, and I don’t care what others do You have to do what makes you feel comfortable. And shame on him for trying to intimidate. He had no right to make you feel this way and he can actually do one. This pandemic is far from over and anti-maskers need to respect the fact that others feel more comfortable having more protection. Me? I am going to be doing what makes me feel comfortable for my own mental health and wellbeing. I give zero beeps about how people perceive me, it's totally their issue, not mine. Also - I'm not a smoker, pollution - I'm actually liking masks for other reasons than a worldwide pandemic. (!) Bar this rubbish experience at the beginning - I hope you enjoyed the show :-) (At least you have a mask to hide any distain towards over overexuberant audience members!) ;-) |
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Sept 15, 2021 22:06:59 GMT
I wouldn’t like the whooping and cheering on a regular basis (found it OTT at Heathers, for example), but honestly I think tonight was a very different kettle of fish so I really enjoyed all the extra buzz! But I was row B so possibly a different experience to anyone further back?
I think everyone on stage was crying by the end of the bows, let alone the speech.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 22:15:47 GMT
But I was row B so possibly a different experience to anyone further back? Yes, further back every time all you lot at the front screamed we couldn't hear a thing! And there were a few irritating drunk fans at the back screaming all the time and laughing so loudly at every single line I'm sure they could be heard on stage, which didn't help! It was too much, I can't honestly say I enjoyed tonight all that much. It was lovely to see a show get such a rapturous reception coming back, but I can't help but compare it to Come From Away's first night, where the audience were equally appreciative (if not more so) but far more respectfully and not attention seeking in the way the superfans were tonight. It's a show that attracts a different level of maturity and it was painfully obvious to me tonight. Although on tonight's performance this isn't a vintage Wicked cast, overall it isn't a terrible one either. If I wasn't bored of this show now I would be interested to see them in a few months. Alastair Brammer is a very good Fiyero, Morrible was good (sorry, I didn't get a programme so don't know who she was!) and Laura came into her own in Act 2. She and Sophie need more time to gel, it's the acting that needs to go up a notch, not their vocals. I just think quite a few of them were nervous tonight and need a bit of time to get back into it properly. |
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Post by isabel on Sept 15, 2021 22:23:31 GMT
That’s me done with Wicked now. Found myself daydreaming during parts of the show tonight.
Found Sophie very unfunny & I had some idiots next to me who kept screaming at random times.
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130 posts
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Post by sb on Sept 15, 2021 22:25:10 GMT
Phew … I am so glad I am not alone in my thoughts. I really wish I never bothered attending the show tonight.
I was also very tempted to leave in the interval. I fully appreciate the cast have been out of their routine for so long and need more time to adjust, but the main issue for me was Laura and Sophie. They didn’t seem interested or bothered, just going through the motions.
And the fans were pathetic, get a grip! You don’t need to scream and shout after the first few bars of each song … the cast know you are all enthusiastic, now let them get on with it.
Kim Ismay seemed to have a handle on it, she just carried on and I applaud her for that. I honestly think Kim was the strongest cast member tonight, but I did always love her as Morrible on the tour.
Wicked is a wonderful show (pardon the pun) and it will bounce back once everyone has found their feet. I see Laura and Sophie haven’t had any photos together, I wonder how long Sophie will be with the show.
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101 posts
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Post by filendile on Sept 15, 2021 22:25:18 GMT
Bootlegs from tonight already posted on youtube. Devil works hard but wicked fans work harder etc etc
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Post by bubblesmcgee on Sept 15, 2021 22:25:26 GMT
But I was row B so possibly a different experience to anyone further back? Yes, further back every time all you lot at the front screamed we couldn't hear a thing! And there were a few irritating drunk fans at the back screaming all the time and laughing so loudly at every single line I'm sure they could be heard on stage, which didn't help! Hey, I kept any and all whooping for the curtain call  There was a couple in the row behind me who were there for the very first time - they had no idea it was the reopening until someone told them. They did seem to enter into the spirit of things though… but I wouldn’t have taken someone for the first time tonight myself! One for the fans. |
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Post by Negamuse on Sept 15, 2021 22:31:39 GMT
I think this is number 9 for me and I've never seen an atmosphere like tonight. Cast and audience all radiating "we're so happy to be back" and everyone giving it their all.
Any other day and I could see the argument about "screaming superfans" but tonight felt special in the room. I have seen shows where people have tried to interrupt with enthusiasm and this absolutely was not that. Yes there were some pauses at obvious moments but then people would go back to listening like they wanted to cheer the balloon into the air but then didn't want to break the spell.
It wasnt just a few people either it was kind like everybody involved including the audience knew it was as much a celebration than anything else. We were up in the dress circle and the ovations were going on up there too, it felt like everyone was invested in giving energy to the cast and the cast to a one looked like they were having a blast. I thought the performances were great tonight, im sure other shows will have a different vibe and we'll get ones that stand out for other things. This show was what it needed to be and could never have been anything else and I'll remember it forever as I'm sure will everyone that was there
Yeah it started late and they could've opened the doors from the bar a little earlier than they did, not gonna cry over that.
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