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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 19:03:41 GMT
Wow. This used to be just for nurses and on one day of the week. It's valid until some time in June and July Presumably as they think it will close then |
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Post by Mark on Apr 10, 2017 20:45:34 GMT
There's been some good dynamic pricing kicking in too with some upper circle seats down to £15
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 21:08:14 GMT
£10 best seats for NHS staff all shows mon to Thursday including matinees How do you know this? On their Twitter at the moment it just says Tuesdays and to bring a friend |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 21:23:40 GMT
£10 best seats for NHS staff all shows mon to Thursday including matinees How do you know this? On their Twitter at the moment it just says Tuesdays and to bring a friend Because I saw the offer circulated to staff Says to bring NHS ID |
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Apr 10, 2017 21:30:51 GMT
Saw this tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Came out humming the songs, and had a lot of smiles and a *lot* of laughs. I genuinely engaged with the characters, and thought the performances were all really good.
Wasn't necessarily expecting much from it, but really enjoyed my evening.
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Post by lewis on Apr 10, 2017 23:30:46 GMT
Saw this tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Came out humming the songs, and had a lot of smiles and a *lot* of laughs. I genuinely engaged with the characters, and thought the performances were all really good. Wasn't necessarily expecting much from it, but really enjoyed my evening. How was jenny gayner who was on for Annie? |
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Apr 11, 2017 10:27:33 GMT
Saw this tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Came out humming the songs, and had a lot of smiles and a *lot* of laughs. I genuinely engaged with the characters, and thought the performances were all really good. Wasn't necessarily expecting much from it, but really enjoyed my evening. How was jenny gayner who was on for Annie? I thought her acting was incredibly strong, I found her very believeable and she really caught me emotionally. Singing-wise, there were some moments early on that I thought were a bit weak, and I was thinking that I would have loved to hear Joanna Riding sing Annie's solo in the first act - conversely, I thought she was then much better in the songs in the second act that gave her a chance to really sing out with some big notes. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2017 20:49:14 GMT
New trailer
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2017 20:53:19 GMT
Oooo Joanna doesn't sound great in that. Just me? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2017 22:48:27 GMT
What a bizarre trailer. People know the calendar girls for getting naked in a calendar. Stop focusing on sunflowers and focus on the nudity. The imagery and marketing for this show are way off.
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Post by boq1984 on Apr 12, 2017 23:00:40 GMT
At the evening performance tonight - have been intrigued by it, like the clips I've seen and worked well as a Mothers Day present.
Sad to see that the Upper Circle was closed and Dress Circle was maybe half full, front if stalls looked full but don't know for further back - must have been a fair few upgrades.
It is sad because it's a really lovely feel good show. The comedy is excellent especially when there is some real emotional moments sewn alongside it. It's a show with real heart it got me involved, I was emotionally invested and came out on a real high. I would like to see it be around for a while but if tonight is a reflection on ticket sales I fear this may not be the case.
The songs I'm a bit indifferent about - some very catchy numbers and some instantly forgettable but they have there purpose and are entertaining.
Both Joanna Riding and Clare Moore off tonight but understudies were good - would like to see Joanna and Clare though. Cast are great and clearly love the piece they are in.
My Mum loved it and cried a river. Hope ticket sales pick up and the advertising does its job. Think it has been said before that some may see it as a show for women but really don't think this is the case. I just fear that in some financial hard times people especially tourists will go for the big well known shows with either names or songs they know. Really want it to find its audience, I for one would gladly go back.
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Post by greeny11 on Apr 13, 2017 5:36:16 GMT
I was there last night and the stalls were far from full, lots of people moved forward. Have to say I really enjoyed it - I thought the cast were great, especially the 6 Calendar Girls. However, I don't quite understand why they were all nominated for best leading actress, when Annie and Chris get way more stage time than the others. Thought Jenny Gayner and Shirley Jameson (the 2 leads tonight) were great, but the standouts for me were Claire Machin and Sophie-Louise Dann. Score was a mixed bag, but I did really enjoy Yorkshire, Dare, the song about Ruth and her Russian friend, and Sunflower, which was my favourite song of the show.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 8:23:52 GMT
Despite people's opinions on the actual show itself, I can't help but think that the 'brand' of Calendar Girls has been absolutely exhausted and that is why it's not appealing to the Public. My hunch is that this will announce closure for September.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 9:03:21 GMT
I want it to make at least a year!
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Post by zak97 on Apr 13, 2017 9:29:06 GMT
I also went last night, and contrary to many, I absolutely loved and enjoyed it. I think what this musical offers is 'heart', I know it is a clichéd saying, but there really isn't much else like this on offer in the West End. In some ways I can semi identify why all ladies were Olivier nominated, but at the same time I definitely did feel like it was Chris and Annie with the others all equally supporting - I guess it would have been more controversial to nominate Joanna and Claire as a pair and then Michele, Sophie, Debbie and Claire together.
Moving toward the show, as I mentioned, it just offers warmth, positivity and empowerment, irrespective of gender. Many emotionally touching moments, but also a lot of humour, I especially loved Ben Hunter as Danny, he plays the awkwardness brilliantly, and is very well matched by Josh Benson as Tommo.
Joanna and Claire weren't on, instead Jenny Gayner and Shirley Jameseson. You really wouldn't have known they were understudies, both brilliant singers and actresses. Sophie Louise Dann was a particular highlight as the slutty snob Celia. I loved the realness of Debbie Chazen's Ruth, and the comedy of Claire Machin.
The music, again, I thought was really nice. When watching the Oliviers, I hadn't considered the emotive power of 'Yorkshire' until it is reprised. Watching Jenny as Annie at that moment was truly heartbreaking. But whilst only a couple of songs didn't stick in my head, I really do not care. Not every song in this show has to be big, catchy and belty to make an impact - Sophie Louis Dann's number definitely did, as did Michele Dotrice's and Sunflower - but rather sometimes a bit of simplicity helps capture emotion better. I would rather shed a tear than go out humming the tunes but wondering what I had been watching. For me, Scarborough is a perfect example of this, I can remember a recurring rhythm, but that's it. I do remember, however, being completely caught up in the lyrics.
What I think is so good about this show is that the characters are reflections of real identities. Single parent, an elderly woman, the role of alcohol, perceptions about figure, all issues which pertain society. The Girls, quite literally, challenge society's expectations about what is the appropriate action for women, for certain body sizes, for certain ages. That is what is so empowering.
I won't deny Act 2 could do with a bit more of a dramatic punch, I felt like a lot of that was used up in Act 1, that said I loved the story arch of Act 2.
I will be going back on Monday, hopefully with Joanna and Claire on, and I would hope with more seats sold. I was lucky, and I won't deny being slightly pleased to have been upgraded from a £15 grand circle seat to the front row of the dress. But having experienced the intimacy of the piece now, I would happily sit in the grand, and the cast really put their all into their characters and deserve to play to more than a half full stalls and dress.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 10:11:54 GMT
Funnily enough, I actually found Act 2 alot better than Act 1. Both good, but I thought the first act took a while to get going but once it got there it was great. It makes me sad that this is only playing to two levels and even they aren't full in the middle of Easter week. Where the hell is this advance dveryone was getting excited about? If the advsnce was that amazing, surely it wouldn't be playing to houses this empty this early in the run? I don't underdtand maths of the situation, but even if everyone in teh theatre were paying full price on two levels that aren't even full, that still wouldn't be enough to run on right? And even then, we know there has been discounting at comps going about.  |
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Post by zak97 on Apr 13, 2017 10:19:56 GMT
What I found most concerning was that based on the ATG website about 100 grand circle seats were sold and about half the dress was sold. But even with upgrades to the dress, it barely looked half full. I know some seats are allocated to ticketing agencies etc., but were that few seats really sold? I am glad though that there was pretty much a full standing ovation.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 11:45:33 GMT
What I found most concerning was that based on the ATG website about 100 grand circle seats were sold and about half the dress was sold. But even with upgrades to the dress, it barely looked half full. I know some seats are allocated to ticketing agencies etc., but were that few seats really sold? I am glad though that there was pretty much a full standing ovation.Are you sure that was a standing ovation and not just people up and running to get out quick before they were hit by the tumbleweed?  |
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Post by zak97 on Apr 13, 2017 15:39:12 GMT
What I found most concerning was that based on the ATG website about 100 grand circle seats were sold and about half the dress was sold. But even with upgrades to the dress, it barely looked half full. I know some seats are allocated to ticketing agencies etc., but were that few seats really sold? I am glad though that there was pretty much a full standing ovation.Are you sure that was a standing ovation and not just people up and running to get out quick before they were hit by the tumbleweed? People in the dress were actually leaving quite slowly last night, and no it wasn't the zimmer frames holding them back |
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Post by stuartmcd on Apr 17, 2017 10:47:56 GMT
I was in two minds about seeing this show but decided to go to the matinee on Saturday 15th and was pleasantly surprised. The cast are absolutely charming. You can't help but fall in love with them and it was a lot funnier than I expected it to be. The calendar scene towards the end was hysterical! I was sat towards the back of the stalls and couldn't notice many empty seats but I don't know what the upper levels were like. The audience really seemed to be loving it and I heard a lot of positive comments around me.
I found the music to be a bit hit and miss at times but I would quite like a cast recording. There's nothing really groundbreaking with the music here but it was enjoyable on the whole and I left the theatre humming Yorkshire.
It may just be me but the projected clouds on the backdrop looked a bit juddery. Anyone else?
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Post by zak97 on Apr 18, 2017 8:52:57 GMT
Went again last night. Brilliant as it was the first time. Joanna and Claire were on - just perfect. They have a different vibe to Jenny and Shirley, who are also extremely impactful emotionally, so it's good to see the story is in safe hands regardless of who is on. Frazer Hadfield was on for Tommo, who was good but unsurprisingly lacked some of the charm that Josh Benson gives the character (although that would come with playing the character regularly). Sophie Louise Dann was brilliant again, as was Ben Hunter and Chloe as Jenny - Protect Me Less is definitely one of my favourite parts. I didn't mention the set last time I went, but I think it's perfect. It's simple, but unique and beautifully designed, and in no way detracts from the story.
Sadly for the box office I was upgraded again, from Grand Circle to Stalls this time. I was row L, and in the right hand block there was only two of us on the row. Backward from row L was very sparse, but generally the front half seemed more or less full. Didn't see the state of the Dress Circle. Gladly though there was another instant standing ovation, as deserved.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 9:54:25 GMT
Went again last night. Brilliant as it was the first time. Joanna and Claire were on - just perfect. They have a different vibe to Jenny and Shirley, who are also extremely impactful emotionally, so it's good to see the story is in safe hands regardless of who is on. Frazer Hadfield was on for Tommo, who was good but unsurprisingly lacked some of the charm that Josh Benson gives the character (although that would come with playing the character regularly). Sophie Louise Dann was brilliant again, as was Ben Hunter and Chloe as Jenny - Protect Me Less is definitely one of my favourite parts. I didn't mention the set last time I went, but I think it's perfect. It's simple, but unique and beautifully designed, and in no way detracts from the story. Sadly for the box office I was upgraded again, from Grand Circle to Stalls this time. I was row L, and in the right hand block there was only two of us on the row. Backward from row L was very sparse, but generally the front half seemed more or less full. Didn't see the state of the Dress Circle. Gladly though there was another instant standing ovation, as deserved. I saw Frazer Hadfield cover Ben Hunter when I went and he did a great job with it, Josh Benson was one of the highlights of the show for me though, I thought he was fantastic! |
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Post by daniel on Apr 21, 2017 12:22:47 GMT
There are now £15 seats in the Upper Circle on all dates, and £29.50 front/side Stalls on weeknights.
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Post by zak97 on Apr 22, 2017 8:45:52 GMT
Judging by some of Michele Dotrice's tweets she isn't happy that her character is being photoshopped out of the posters. Initially I thought she was throwing some shade but her replies suggest she is being serious.
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Post by d'James on Apr 22, 2017 9:05:12 GMT
Judging by some of Michele Dotrice's tweets she isn't happy that her character is being photoshopped out of the posters. Initially I thought she was throwing some shade but her replies suggest she is being serious. It's odd. I think the picture looks better without her, in that they're more evenly spaced, so they should just pick a different picture. I can't imagine how awful that must make you feel when they've actively cut you out. (In fairness, in the original she actually looks photoshopped into it.) |
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