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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 1, 2017 21:24:35 GMT
Barlow is probably fiddling the books.. making up advance sales or something.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Feb 1, 2017 21:27:21 GMT
The "GB Army" will be travelling down at weekends but those midweeks may be a struggle.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 21:31:51 GMT
Its a shame so early in the run it is already playing at half full and a lot of those there are in for free... this may not even be around as long as BILB if it keeps going like this. They should really have a shorter preview period, get the reviews out there and get performing and promoting with the CAST on TV rather than rolling out Gary and his piano everywhere. Doing that will give the show its own fan base and individuality rather than guarantee an audience on Barlow who only show up on weekends.
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 1, 2017 21:33:18 GMT
He's not going to be there though is he?
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Post by anniel on Feb 1, 2017 21:43:08 GMT
I saw this on Saturday for the second time (Leeds last year) and really enjoyed it again. Joanna Riding is simply brilliant and it really does capture the idea of grief and loss.
And it is very funny at times too.
The audience were so enthusiastic about the Calendar scene and cheered every month.
I do agree that it isn't great art but there are some great songs and great performances and it is a really uplifting and inspirational night out. You come out feeling that it is possible to change the world - the women's stories are authentic and real and surely a great night out at the theatre can cheer you up in this difficult world.
I hope it does really well and keeps all of those fine actresses in work!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 22:40:03 GMT
But isn't Half A Sixpence not filling their theatre and still extending until September? Not sure if it's a similar situation to this show though
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 22:48:13 GMT
But isn't Half A Sixpence not filling their theatre and still extending until September? Not sure if it's a similar situation to this show though I think it's too early to predict the fate of The Girls. Half a Sixpence was most definitely a slow build. At first, it did struggle to sell, but with the huge amount of promo gone into it, it is not full every night, but it is still getting a lot of people in and there are people paying those expensive prices to see it! Give it a month or two, we will get a better idea of where it goes. Usually a huge extension is a sign that a show may be struggling unless it is a juggernaut musical like Les Mis or Wicked. Most newer shows tend to extend by 3/4 months and seems to work in their favour. Like, Sixpence only extended 4 months from May to September, so it isn't that extreme an extension. I'm guessing The Girls will extend until July as the ATG website implies. And from then, it will extend through Summer and go from there.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 8:25:54 GMT
At the interval now, I'm actually enjoying it. More than I thought I would, at least. It's not perfect, but I think it has heart. Worryingly quiet though...can't see the other levels but we're in the Dress Circle and it's half full at best, and they're papering. I think this is a show that is going to need good word of mouth to fill the non-coach trip performances! What did you think by the end? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 17:05:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 17:12:11 GMT
Oh great.
... with a piano, no doubt.
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Post by daniel on Feb 2, 2017 17:30:43 GMT
So I have to say, despite the seeming negativity on here, this actually surpassed my expectations and I really enjoyed it. It's by no stretch perfect, and the music is all a bit samey, but I think it's a really solid show.
I had no prior experience of the Calendar Girls other than knowing the general subject so I can't comment on how this fares against the play/film, but I thought the show was charming and had a real heart to it. People were sobbing left right and centre and there was a full standing ovation at the end.
Early days, but I think that if they get their advertising right, this could do a respectable run. I can't see it doing more than 12-18 months if I'm honest - potentially it could run less than that, but with good word of mouth and lots of coach parties they should have a fairly decent run.
4 stars.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 17:34:07 GMT
I have no bad blood to the show itself, I honestly just wish they would notice they have a hugely talented cast and they should use them to get the word out!  |
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2,775 posts
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Post by daniel on Feb 2, 2017 17:36:44 GMT
Just to add, looking at how this is selling, I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped their Monday night in favour of an extra midweek matinee.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 17:39:45 GMT
Just to add, looking at how this is selling, I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped their Monday night in favour of an extra midweek matinee. This. This would be a smart move. |
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Post by infofreako on Feb 2, 2017 17:42:19 GMT
I have no bad blood to the show itself, I honestly just wish they would notice they have a hugely talented cast and they should use them to get the word out! Thats one of my big issues. Even now theyre wheeling Barlow out at every opportunity rather than letting the cast show what they can do |
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Post by daniel on Feb 2, 2017 17:47:24 GMT
Yeah the cast really were brilliant, and it's actually refreshing to see a show cast on talent rather than trying to find some washed up C-list "celebrity" who can hardly do the job.
Get the Girls on the telly rather than Gary!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 18:00:06 GMT
I just hope it runs a year at least. For the cast, if anything else. Poor Sophie Louise-Dann has been seriously screwed over with Made in Dagenham undeservedly closing so soon and Bend It Like Beckham being the state it was. I hope this one works out for her. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 18:08:48 GMT
I just hope it runs a year at least. For the cast, if anything else. Poor Sophie Louise-Dann has been seriously screwed over with Made in Dagenham undeservedly closing so soon and Bend It Like Beckham being the state it was. I hope this one works out for her. Agree with this. Hope it runs longer than BILB. Sophie was great in MiD so I hope this works out for her too. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 18:09:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 18:15:25 GMT
Observation... have they decided to make every audience member in this promo middle aged to fit the ages of the characters in the show or is this generally the audience of people that are going to see the show? Because if it doesn't tap into that younger audience demographic, it may have a major loss in the whole "repeat viewing"/fanboy or girl ratio which makes a lot of long runners run!
... and, is that Gary singing in the background or a cast member? If Gary... great. 
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Post by daniel on Feb 2, 2017 18:23:03 GMT
Observation... have they decided to make every audience member in this promo middle aged to fit the ages of the characters in the show or is this generally the audience of people that are going to see the show? Because if it doesn't tap into that younger audience demographic, it may have a major loss in the whole "repeat viewing"/fanboy or girl ratio which makes a lot of long runners run!
... and, is that Gary singing in the background or a cast member? If Gary... great. :/
I think a bit of both... |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 18:27:26 GMT
Observation... have they decided to make every audience member in this promo middle aged to fit the ages of the characters in the show or is this generally the audience of people that are going to see the show? Because if it doesn't tap into that younger audience demographic, it may have a major loss in the whole "repeat viewing"/fanboy or girl ratio which makes a lot of long runners run!
... and, is that Gary singing in the background or a cast member? If Gary... great. :/
I think the main demographic is middle aged woman/husband and wife demographic. They seem to be going towards WI members, coach parties etc - every show has its own demographic |
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Post by longinthetooth on Feb 2, 2017 18:54:41 GMT
My local paper is advertising four coach trips between March and June.
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Post by Mark on Feb 4, 2017 18:02:59 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon!
The score is a mix-match. Some standout numbers (Dare is catchy!) and some not so great (the vodka song?!?! I get it has a payoff moment but it wasn't necessary)
Joanna Riding and Claire Moore lead this well. Joanna's heartbreaking moments and numbers (Scarborough) contrasted well with Claires comedy as Chris. The end of act one - brilliant.
Claire Machin has a standout moment in act one and she completely kills it, and Sophie Louise Dann is equally fantastic and nails her number in act two, even if the writing lets down the song slightly. These two ladies were the highlight for me - perfect casting
Of course, the "photograph" scene is as hilarious as you could hope for.
Hope to return eventually and see it from the stalls if they ever start doing dayseats but upper circle was just fine for this. Of course I'm not exactly the target market for this show but everyone around me seemed to absolutely love it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2017 23:23:56 GMT
Anyone else seen the London version yet?
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