1,578 posts
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Post by anita on Oct 10, 2024 9:34:43 GMT
I'm there tonight.
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176 posts
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Post by unseaworthy on Oct 10, 2024 9:57:10 GMT
Please let us know what you think |
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Post by darvsplanet on Oct 10, 2024 22:43:07 GMT
Just got back from the first preview and thought it was absolutely amazing. The theatre is still small enough that it hasn’t lost the intimate feel from Southwark Playhouse.
There have been quite a few changes including 2 new songs and a change (musically) to the ending (which I didn’t think quite hit as much as the previous version but still brought me to tears).
The set is great and fits perfectly in the space. (Note that there is a raised platform stage left that is obstructed for the back half of the circle but nothing that important would be missed)
I was nervous having absolutely loved Jamie Parker’s performance that it would feel lacking without him but John Dagleish was amazing as Benjamin Button, he will not disappoint and I would definitely put him in the running for nominations come awards season.
The audience also seemed to love it, while there were only 3 points for applause each one was raucous and the response going into the interval lasted longer than I’d ever seen at a show before.
It hasn’t lost any of its magic in the transfer. Would absolutely recommend!
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Post by mattnyc on Oct 10, 2024 22:57:57 GMT
So happy to read that - I can’t wait to revisit this show in a couple weeks.
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105 posts
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Post by highonahill on Oct 11, 2024 7:09:40 GMT
Just got back from the first preview and thought it was absolutely amazing. The theatre is still small enough that it hasn’t lost the intimate feel from Southwark Playhouse. There have been quite a few changes including 2 new songs and a change (musically) to the ending (which I didn’t think quite hit as much as the previous version but still brought me to tears). The set is great and fits perfectly in the space. (Note that there is a raised platform stage left that is obstructed for the back half of the circle but nothing that important would be missed) I was nervous having absolutely loved Jamie Parker’s performance that it would feel lacking without him but John Dagleish was amazing as Benjamin Button, he will not disappoint and I would definitely put him in the running for nominations come awards season. The audience also seemed to love it, while there were only 3 points for applause each one was raucous and the response going into the interval lasted longer than I’d ever seen at a show before. It hasn’t lost any of its magic in the transfer. Would absolutely recommend! Ah I can't wait! Going tomorrow. Looking forward to new songs. I loved all the previous ones so what a hard choice for the creatives to cut ones that didn't land exactly how they wanted, yet know they would likely disappoint some with their removal. I am sure it's like having to choose a favourite child... |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Oct 11, 2024 9:06:12 GMT
Going tomorrow too!
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Post by thedrowsychaperone on Oct 11, 2024 9:54:01 GMT
VERY excited, and will keep an eye out for other Theatre Boarders there tomorrow night!
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175 posts
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Post by james1969 on Oct 11, 2024 11:17:09 GMT
Is the stage as high as it was for Kathy and Stella ?
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141 posts
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Post by blobble84 on Oct 11, 2024 19:33:28 GMT
Is the stage as high as it was for Kathy and Stella ? I’ve not seen it, but I asked the box office when I saw Kathy & Stella and they said that the stage had been built up to flatten the rake so they could move around on chairs without falling off… but that for Benjamin Button the stage should be returned to normal. |
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Post by capybara on Oct 11, 2024 20:48:51 GMT
Is the stage as high as it was for Kathy and Stella ? Back to normal height, apparently. |
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Post by Adalea on Oct 11, 2024 22:13:04 GMT
Loved this show tonight.
I was sitting close to the front, I'd say the stage was roughly eye height, not too bad. I was expecting way worse based on the comments here.
John was great as Benjamin. His acting was great across all the different ages. Elowen feels a bit different from the previous version. The star of the show is the ensemble however. So much energy and passion. I don't know how they remember all these random numbers and dates...
Also agree with the previous poster, the applause before intermission was the longest I've ever seen.
There are quite a few changes, some work better than others. I want to think a bit more about those and let them settle before I comment on them. I still love this show so much, one of my all time favourites, and I'm so excited it's back.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Oct 11, 2024 22:24:54 GMT
I have a feeling I will be seeing it more than once!!! So excited!
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529 posts
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Post by jampot on Oct 12, 2024 10:12:55 GMT
Just got back from the first preview and thought it was absolutely amazing. The theatre is still small enough that it hasn’t lost the intimate feel from Southwark Playhouse. There have been quite a few changes including 2 new songs and a change (musically) to the ending (which I didn’t think quite hit as much as the previous version but still brought me to tears). The set is great and fits perfectly in the space. (Note that there is a raised platform stage left that is obstructed for the back half of the circle but nothing that important would be missed) I was nervous having absolutely loved Jamie Parker’s performance that it would feel lacking without him but John Dagleish was amazing as Benjamin Button, he will not disappoint and I would definitely put him in the running for nominations come awards season. The audience also seemed to love it, while there were only 3 points for applause each one was raucous and the response going into the interval lasted longer than I’d ever seen at a show before. It hasn’t lost any of its magic in the transfer. Would absolutely recommend! Interesting that's its changed again (version 3) we prefered version 1 ..so will will be interesting to see it again.. |
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Post by Adalea on Oct 12, 2024 14:08:21 GMT
A few changes I noticed from the last version: {Spoiler - click to view}Benjamin and little Jack are now working on a ship instead of the mines. Love this change, it fits much better with the whole Cornwall theme. Instead of a mine disaster, his ship gets damaged by bombs which provides a clearer explanation why both he and Jack join the army. (Also some really cool staging for the ship disaster!) Later on, when Benjamin is looking for a cure, he encounters Jack again. In the old version, he stole his watch to sell. He doesn't do this anymore, which is a good change, it felt out of character. The downside is that he now doesn't quite feel desperate enough for the next scene to make sense. Those were the two biggest changes I noticed. A few more changed lines and details, but it's been a while and my memory isn't all that great so I'm not sure about some. And agree with the previous poster, the ending felt a little less impactful (a lot less sniffing to be heard around me). I wrote in my previous comment that Elowen feels different. The character and her lines didn't change much, it's mainly that the actress changed. Molly had a such a warmth in the role. Clare just plays her differently, which doesn't need to be a good or bad thing. Does anyone know what songs were cut? Did the opening song change? |
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4,171 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 12, 2024 16:06:10 GMT
Anyone know where I can buy a poster for this production?
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Post by darvsplanet on Oct 12, 2024 16:21:05 GMT
A few changes I noticed from the last version: {Spoiler - click to view}Benjamin and little Jack are now working on a ship instead of the mines. Love this change, it fits much better with the whole Cornwall theme. Instead of a mine disaster, his ship gets damaged by bombs which provides a clearer explanation why both he and Jack join the army. (Also some really cool staging for the ship disaster!) Later on, when Benjamin is looking for a cure, he encounters Jack again. In the old version, he stole his watch to sell. He doesn't do this anymore, which is a good change, it felt out of character. The downside is that he now doesn't quite feel desperate enough for the next scene to make sense. Those were the two biggest changes I noticed. A few more changed lines and details, but it's been a while and my memory isn't all that great so I'm not sure about some. And agree with the previous poster, the ending felt a little less impactful (a lot less sniffing to be heard around me). I wrote in my previous comment that Elowen feels different. The character and her lines didn't change much, it's mainly that the actress changed. Molly had a such a warmth in the role. Clare just plays her differently, which doesn't need to be a good or bad thing. Does anyone know what songs were cut? Did the opening song change? The new songs I noticed (at first preview so may still change) were The Western Wind which replaced ‘Matter Of Time I’ as the functional opening number (Rag Ty Yw Tre is too short to really count), also ‘Will You Go?’ Replaced ‘If I Run’ in the first act. There’s then the changes to the reprises at the end and a reprise of The Western Wind which opens act 2. |
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2024 17:35:09 GMT
Absolutely loved this show this afternoon. Beautiful, moving, funny, poignant. So glad I went - will be going again.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Oct 13, 2024 10:57:02 GMT
When I tell you that I was an emotional wreck during the show and after the first matinee preview…stunning.
They haven’t rested on their laurels and have reworked the show - I respect that so much.
Only critique - one or two jumped lines (can be forgiven - it’s previews) and Clare Foster’s Westcountry accent was very lacking and stood out; I felt like Molly had more warmth. (!) IMO the ensemble and John Dangleish are all exceptional.
His predecessor Jamie Parker broke me (as well as in Next to Normal!!!) but John equals. Both different takes and I love them both. He looks quite tall so when he was at the beginning of the show compared to when he means Elowen - it contrasts so beautifully and whether this was a conscious casting choice; unsure but I appreciated that.
I would love this to be included in awards season. Because it truly deserves all the plaudits tenfold.
I want to see this again!
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Oct 13, 2024 10:57:26 GMT
Absolutely loved this show this afternoon. Beautiful, moving, funny, poignant. So glad I went - will be going again. I was in too! |
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176 posts
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Post by unseaworthy on Oct 13, 2024 13:38:07 GMT
Following flops at the Garrick and Young Vic, it is wonderful to have a musical opening that sounds so exciting. I can't wait to see it!
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4,020 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 13, 2024 15:41:26 GMT
I'm impressed some people can say what changes to songs have been made. I was saw it at Southwark in 2019 & the only music that stuck with me in the intervening 5 years was the repeated "A Matter of Time" refrain. Some of the songs did sound familiar last night but I couldn't say for sure which were in the original & which are new. The overall plot seems to be pretty much the same but I have no idea about details. I thought John Dalgliesh was very good in the title role. I was very pleased to see Clare Foster again, as it's been a decade since I last saw her in a musical & 7 years since I last saw her in anything. It was nice to see two members of the original cast are still with the show, though I wonder if Philippa Hogg minds that she no longer gets to play half of the role of Elowen (I see she's an understudy). One advantage of the expanded cast is the wooden puppet has been ditched, thank goodness (I do not like puppets in general). Goodness knows how they'll manage once the winter illness season gets going as it appears from the programme there are no swings and a very complicated network of covering.
I don't think I've ever seen anything at the Ambassador's before & I can't say I'm too keen on it. It felt rather cramped overall. It feels like whenever I think I've found the smallest loos in a theatre another one comes along & somehow manages to be even worse! I also thought the show was rather over-amplified in the big ensemble numbers for the small auditorium, as I'm someone who doesn't like music to be too loud.
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Post by thedrowsychaperone on Oct 14, 2024 8:40:26 GMT
For me, this is the best musical in the West End currently and one of the best British musicals in God knows how long.
Me and my partner BAWLED throughout act 2, and she never cries at anything!
I haven't stopped thinking about it and have already booked to return, I can't recommend it enough.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 14, 2024 12:01:08 GMT
Managed to get a Rush ticket tonight (Row C Dress Circle) so looking forward to seeing this based on all the strong reviews, especially as I missed this previously. A nice early start time too (19:00), although I'm sure that will throw a few people.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Oct 14, 2024 21:48:11 GMT
For me, this is the best musical in the West End currently and one of the best British musicals in God knows how long. Me and my partner BAWLED throughout act 2, and she never cries at anything! I haven't stopped thinking about it and have already booked to return, I can't recommend it enough. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hear hear. I was on the cusp of bawling in Act 1 but Act 2 with (THAT SCENE) burst into tears and was even upset outside the theatre. I just have a connection with the show which I won’t go into on the internet but finally twigged why it makes me sad. Dawnstar - I LOVED the driftwood puppet from Benjamin Button 1:0 🤣 I agree about Philippa and great to see she’s alternate Elowen. I do know she’s a creative associate so may be more invested that way. I think the other cast member is the actor who plays Button’s dad? Side note: Molly Osbourne has been cast in Othello (Broadway) opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Denzel Washington (!!!) which may explain why she didn’t continue with the show. (But who knows what goes on about closed doors - happy the world will see her talent - she is a star) |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Oct 14, 2024 21:48:52 GMT
Managed to get a Rush ticket tonight (Row C Dress Circle) so looking forward to seeing this based on all the strong reviews, especially as I missed this previously. A nice early start time too (19:00), although I'm sure that will throw a few people. They do a cheeky 1:30pm Tuesday matinee - ta very much. |
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