3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 21, 2022 18:24:48 GMT
Regarding security, do they still have metal detectors you have to walk through and empty everything out of your pockets?
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Post by digne on Jul 21, 2022 18:26:18 GMT
I left home early after the reviews here, but I joined the small queue outside at 19:01 and was inside queueing for a drink at 19:05. They also only quickly glanced into my small handbag. I did see people off to the sides of the queue going through a metal detector so no idea how all this is organized.
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Post by musicbox on Jul 21, 2022 22:47:22 GMT
I left home early after the reviews here, but I joined the small queue outside at 19:01 and was inside queueing for a drink at 19:05. They also only quickly glanced into my small handbag. I did see people off to the sides of the queue going through a metal detector so no idea how all this is organized. The more I read here, the more I'm starting to feel like I just had a very bad spell of luck last night. I only had an e-ticket on my phone and my drivers licence in my pocket, but was searched and made to go through a metal detector, after standing in a huge queue behind people emptying their bags. It's a shame because I really liked the show and would like to see it again with Keala, but I don't know if I could be bothered with the entrance fiasco again. |
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 22, 2022 19:42:39 GMT
Could someone who’s been this week let me know what time it finishes please? Going tomorrow night! Thank you.
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Post by frauleinsallybowles on Jul 22, 2022 22:19:23 GMT
Started about 10 mins late tonight and finished 22:20. Keala still off unfortunately
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Post by musicbox on Jul 22, 2022 22:52:38 GMT
I ended up going to this again tonight as my friend got cheap rush tickets and I didn't want a rubbish venue experience ruin a show that I really liked.
I was really anxious about security again before going, but I'm really happy to say that my experience tonight was pretty smooth. We realised that the entrance door on the far left didn't have a metal detector, so we went to that one and got in instantly with no search and my bottle of water still in my hand, so I'd suggest doing the same if you can.
I really enjoyed the show again but was disappointed that Keala was still off as the chance of maybe seeing her was my main reason for going back so soon - surely she must be ill? She hasn't mentioned it on any of her social media.
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Post by mattnyc on Jul 22, 2022 23:48:07 GMT
Overheard at the show last night from a production member, Keala has Covid. I heard she’s feeling ok and hopes to be back by press night.
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Post by xanady on Jul 23, 2022 7:40:55 GMT
A naff show in the venue from hell?
No,ta👎
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on Jul 23, 2022 9:14:26 GMT
How different is this production to the original London one?
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19,657 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 23, 2022 13:54:55 GMT
Posts removed. Let’s not snipe at people for having a different opinion please.
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Post by hadeswasking on Jul 23, 2022 14:31:45 GMT
Considering the price of tickets a week ago, I got an incredible deal on TodayTix for mid-August.
Never seen Sister Act before but after seeing The Drifter's Girl, I can't wait to see Beverley Knight on stage again!
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 24, 2022 8:07:48 GMT
Saw this last night and overall I really enjoyed it. Far far more than I did the CRH/Alexandra Burke production s few years ago.
I don’t think it’ll ever be my favourite musical as there’s not really many memorable songs, and I’d agree there’s a few sections that were pure cheese and not my cup of tea so could definitely be cut. Curtis’ song in the first half for one.
Production wise they’ve thrown a lot more at it and it looks great, nice staging and some simple but pleasing set pieces. What made it was of course Beverley Knight who’s effortless and flawless in equal measure - incredible vocals and they had the sound just right so her voice was loud and clear and filled the auditorium - not easy in there! And Jennifer Saunders was great too, funny, and her singing was better than I expected. Lizzie Bea got the biggest audience reaction for Life I Never Led, but my favourite moment was probably the uplifting end to Act 1 with Raise Your Voice followed by a reprise of Take Me To Heaven.
Keala was still off, and although we’re convinced Lesley Joseph started the show, she must’ve had to go off and her understudy step in as we didn’t see her again after the opening. No announcement was made at the interval to explain her role was now being played by someone else, as I’ve seen done at other shows previously. Additionally, there is no ‘real time’ cast board (or if there is I couldn’t find it), just some big pre-printed cards around the bar areas, so there didn’t seem to be any way of knowing which cast members were actually on, which always irritates me!
Agree with everything said about the venue, although queues were thankfully ok when we arrived. The circle bar was poor though, lots of lines to get served but then you reach the front and find yourself jostling to get served with people from the line next to you as there’s not a barperson per line… not enough staff as per! Otherwise it’s a beautiful venue despite its scale definitely being more suited to concerts and comedy than theatre.
We were row D of the circle and on the centre aisle of block 8, but wouldn’t want to be any further back as could only just see faces clearly from there.
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19,657 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 24, 2022 9:08:08 GMT
You have to wonder how on earth Whoopi was going to sing those songs. Well, she couldn’t clearly so what was planned before must have been totally different.
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 24, 2022 9:39:25 GMT
You have to wonder how on earth Whoopi was going to sing those songs. Well, she couldn’t clearly so what was planned before must have been totally different. We said the same afterwards! Can only think she’d have ‘spoken-sung’ them and milked the comedy-factor. |
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Post by musicbox on Jul 24, 2022 16:13:20 GMT
and although we’re convinced Lesley Joseph started the show, she must’ve had to go off and her understudy step in as we didn’t see her again after the opening. No announcement was made at the interval to explain her role was now being played by someone else, as I’ve seen done at other shows previously. I feel bad saying this because I know she’s older and has had a long career, but Lesley was noticeably bad during both shows I seen this week. I’m not sure if she’s trying to do an American accent, it started out with a slight American twang but within about 5 minutes reverted to her own speaking voice. She also looked really awkward during the full nun songs and I noticed the first time I seen it that at one point she twirled left when everyone else went right and then started laughing to herself. I know it’s quite early on in the run though so maybe she’ll get better. Also I fully agree about the bar! There were three staff members for the entire stalls, so the queues were massive and many had to go without being served when the 5 minute call was announced - it’s just a horrible venue in general in my opinion. |
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19,657 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 24, 2022 18:57:50 GMT
and although we’re convinced Lesley Joseph started the show, she must’ve had to go off and her understudy step in as we didn’t see her again after the opening. No announcement was made at the interval to explain her role was now being played by someone else, as I’ve seen done at other shows previously. I feel bad saying this because I know she’s older and has had a long career, but Lesley was noticeably bad during both shows I seen this week. I’m not sure if she’s trying to do an American accent, it started out with a slight American twang but within about 5 minutes reverted to her own speaking voice. She also looked really awkward during the full nun songs and I noticed the first time I seen it that at one point she twirled left when everyone else went right and then started laughing to herself. I know it’s quite early on in the run though so maybe she’ll get better.Also I fully agree about the bar! There were three staff members for the entire stalls, so the queues were massive and many had to go without being served when the 5 minute call was announced - it’s just a horrible venue in general in my opinion. Doubt it, she was the same in Manchester. This run did not start at the Eventim Apollo, she has had ample time to get better. I’m afraid she just isn’t very good hence my comment upthread about her taking on the Mother Superior role. I mean, as Mary Lazarus she’s sort of hidden to an extent but as a primary role? No. |
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Post by danb on Jul 24, 2022 19:44:56 GMT
Feeling the need to step in and defend the Apollos honour here. It is a fantastic room to see live music, be it seated or standing, upstairs or down. Yes the bars are totally inadequate and yes the security staff are either over zealous or apathetic beyond belief. It doesn’t stop it being a gorgeous auditorium with amazing acoustics. The issue clearly lies with the staffing and cost cutting required to make it a ‘viable’ financial operation.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jul 24, 2022 21:03:24 GMT
Just been looking at tickets and see there are some for £290! £290!!
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 24, 2022 21:47:00 GMT
Feeling the need to step in and defend the Apollos honour here. It is a fantastic room to see live music, be it seated or standing, upstairs or down. Yes the bars are totally inadequate and yes the security staff are either over zealous or apathetic beyond belief. It doesn’t stop it being a gorgeous auditorium with amazing acoustics. The issue clearly lies with the staffing and cost cutting required to make it a ‘viable’ financial operation. Yes, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen a couple of concerts here and both were great with perfect sound. Plus the design and decor in the lobby, bar areas and auditorium is beautiful. I’m just not sure it’s suited to hosting theatre - or to do so successfully the staff could do with a briefing on the (likely) slightly difference audience demographic. I don’t suppose there’s any more bar staff at any other type of event so I’ve no idea how they cope with queues that are probably even longer than the ones I saw and waited in last night! |
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Post by stagey on Jul 24, 2022 22:45:19 GMT
Saw this this afternoon after getting £30 stalls Row H tickets on TodayTix earlier this week. Really enjoyed myself, remember seeing the awful CRH production a few years ago and whilst I can’t fully remember it I knew I hated it so went into this knowing vague story but still open minded and really loved it. Such a fun, uplifting show with a great little fun story and whilst the songs are the most memorable, there are some catchy ones in there.
Knew Beverly Knight was scheduled to be off today and thought that might’ve been why there was so many seats on offer for this date earlier in the week. However it was sold out today still. Sandra Marvin was really good as Deloris but I did find it hard to fully understand her in some of the songs/dialogue? Not sure if anyone else had found this before. But she looked like she was having the time of her life on stage which was lovely to see and I think she’s a great choice for the tour, I do wish I had gotten the chance to see Bev though as I can totally hear her singing those songs and acting that part amazingly so that’s a real shame but alas today was the only real free day we were able to visit before the end of the run.
Jennifer Saunders was great - audience lapped her up. Really made the role her own and was great fun. Clive Rowe also really great - didn’t realise he had such a lovely voice! Lizzie Bea also was excellent and loved her solo number. Keala and Lesley were both off today - would’ve really liked to have seen Keala perform as feel she would’ve been great and intrigued to see just how Lesley was after the reviews on here so shame they were both off alongside Bev
Felt a few of the songs could’ve been cut and just added to the running time, such as the 3 gangsta’s song in the second act. Also didn’t really get why there was the fake “mess up” with Saunders saying “pitchy” - it felt forced the fake laughing and didn’t really go. Besides that the direction was really good
The set was amazing and really filled the big stage as did the costumes - it’s a real fun show this time round and really makes you smile and have a good time. I’m sure it’ll do amazing on the road - the audience loved it.
Glad I got to see it especially for so cheap. Fun afternoon and can imagine the reviews for Beverly and fill cast on press night being good and this having a good summer run in such a huge venue
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Post by danb on Jul 25, 2022 5:35:37 GMT
“I’m just not sure it’s suited to hosting theatre - or to do so successfully the staff could do with a briefing on the (likely) slightly difference audience demographic. I don’t suppose there’s any more bar staff at any other type of event so I’ve no idea how they cope with queues that are probably even longer than the ones I saw and waited in last night!“
It coped with endless runs of ‘Riverdance’, had seasons of ‘Summer Holiday’, ‘Doctor Doolittle’ and Cliff’s ‘Heathcliff’ amongst others. I can’t believe that the promoters or producers of any of these shows would allow such practices, nor the venue want to miss out on such vital bar sales. It’s covid related hospitality staff shortages I’m afraid.
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Post by sph on Jul 25, 2022 12:38:21 GMT
Is it because there's less staff available, or because theatres are trying to hire as few as possible to save money?
I would also imagine working the bar on certain shows might be a little unpleasant these days, given audience behaviour since Covid.
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Post by danb on Jul 25, 2022 18:32:11 GMT
It’s both. People from above slash labour margins in an attempt to maximise profits and the labour market is so buoyant that they can have their choice of any job they want (within reason).
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165 posts
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Post by Paulw on Jul 28, 2022 19:14:33 GMT
Saw this last night for press night and have to say what a shambles........
Getting in security were awful and very rude I got shouted at by one of them as I didn't understand where he was saying to go to get in, I have never been spoken to like that on a night at the theatre. Not a great start!
It got a bit better once in and I had a great seat in row N (with the extra legroom) which was fairly centre stage and had a great view with some lovely people sat next to me on one side and a nightmare on the other. The show itself caused applause at some strange times as people were appearing and half way through songs which was annoying.
A good watch and can't really add to what has already been said but having never seen this before I found it a little disappointing that none of the original film score was used at all and it felt it was crying out for it.
Well worth seeing as both leads were amazing in their own ways.
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Post by Boob on Jul 29, 2022 9:15:49 GMT
I saw this yesterday and although I was disappointed that Beverly Knight was not scheduled to be performing, I thought Sandra Marvin was absolutely fabulous (baby). Can’t really imagine a better Deloris. Keala and Lizzie also great. I had a fun time, but my praise sort of ends there.
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