253 posts
|
Post by frankubelik on Oct 15, 2024 6:28:06 GMT
Very enjoyable with an impressively hard working and committed ensemble. Taking nothing away from them but I wished the two leads had better voices and I did feel many of the songs sounded the same. Cannot recall a single one! I also found it a little long.
|
|
|
|
Post by Oobi on Oct 15, 2024 6:58:11 GMT
A few changes I noticed from the last version: Hm… I like the idea of changing Benjamin’s job, although I hope they rewrote Jack’s dad joke to fit the theme. And I’m not gonna pass judgement on the new songs until I hear them. But personally I really don’t like the sound of the watch change. Writers shouldn’t be afraid to have their characters fall low! There’s something so gorgeously poetic about this particular character “stealing time”. Gonna see this next week - super looking forward to it! Adored it at Southwark Playhouse Elephant. |
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 15, 2024 7:56:56 GMT
I'm off to see this again on Saturday. It is one of the best shows I've seen in a long time. I'm a sucker for actor-musician productions, but this takes things to a new level.
|
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Oct 15, 2024 8:18:51 GMT
And, my verdict is this is a charming show, performed fully by talented actor-musicians. It is a small theatre and the Dress Circle view was perfect. The seats are packed into the Dress Circle, to the extent that you can’t even walk around the back if you’re sat at the side opposite the entrance. There is a secret door that will get you to the other side (rather than trying to get through a tightly packed row), but you need an usher to take you right outside the building and back in.
Some people did get caught out by the start time. A lot of the front row of the Stalls came in about 20 minutes in. A few people didn’t return for the second half. I can see that the style of the music, staging and story wouldn’t appeal to everyone.
John Dagleish is fantastic as Benjamin Button. He even gets to play guitar during the finale. Clare Foster stands out as well, but it’s a strong cast all around, especially considering how seamlessly they switch between acting and playing a variety of instruments.
I didn’t emotionally connect as much as others are reporting, but I certainly admire the production. I think I would have preferred this to be 10 minutes shorter. I’ll likely go back before this closes, but I also didn’t leave thinking I have to arrange multiple viewings. So, I’d rate this at four stars, with full understanding what many would give this five stars.
Don’t forget to pick up your free badge (button?) from an usher on the way out. Most people walked straight past.
|
|
4,955 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Oct 15, 2024 8:54:14 GMT
Is the stage still 6ft high ?
|
|
|
|
Post by thedrowsychaperone on Oct 15, 2024 9:37:50 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) Molly was also at the show on Saturday night and was on her feet whooping along to the bows etc. |
|
|
|
Post by thedrowsychaperone on Oct 15, 2024 9:40:09 GMT
Is the stage still 6ft high ? I was second row and didn't miss a thing (and the stage is quite impressively raked) Maybe a bit too much head tilt for my liking, but I didn't really notice it in the moment. |
|
4,020 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Oct 15, 2024 13:10:03 GMT
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? As I said, I don't like puppets in general! The other original cast member is Matthew Burns. It's Benedict Salter who plays Roger Button. I see both are understudies for Benjamin Button. |
|
|
|
Post by forfivemoreminutes on Oct 15, 2024 14:15:29 GMT
Oh Phillipa is alternate? Does she have scheduled days?
|
|
105 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by highonahill on Oct 15, 2024 16:47:37 GMT
Before I posted here, I wanted to gather my thoughts, think about the three versions I've seen (very envious of anyone who first discovered it at Salisbury!) and make them coherent. I've also wanted to find the programmes from 2019 & 2023 to just compare and clarify a few things. Really insignificant point, but our group all missed the FOH experience of The Pickled Crab that was set up at Southwark Elephant but understood that would have been completely impossible to do in the tiny space of the Ambassadors. I am so in awe at the talent both on and off-stage that has come together to create this show. I still loved it, so unvoiced fears were unfounded, I was still emotionally connected with silent tears rolling, especially all through act 2. I have a return visit already booked on the 29th and another to plan - both with friends seeing it for the first time as well as another trip with the family. {Spoiler - click to view}
I loved the new songs. Did I love them as much as the ones they replaced? Time will tell.
The one I missed most was 'If I Run'. I thought that song brought out the urgency of Elowen and Benjamin's desire to be together, but their search being thwarted by a chain of events that meant they didn't find each other. I didn't get that same message with 'Will You Go?' - at least on the first listen. I'd love to understand the creative choices behind that, as I'm sure they're justified!
I do hope there's a cast recording soon but I'd also love bonus tracks of the songs from the other public versions that they've abandoned on the way. It was also odd to hear very similar lyrics but a different melody in the opening ‘The Western Wind’ replacing the original ‘Matter of Time 1’, but the new song does a better introduction of the characters and gives the incredible ensemble an extra opportunity to shine.
I seem to remember the Act 2 scenes with Benjamin searching for a cure were longer, more made of each doctor/psychiatrist/healer etc.
Definitely some tweaked lyrics, to be expected, I sense those at the beginning of ‘Time’ were different - less generic, more referencing Benjamin and Elowen’s situation, but really need to hear these again to be sure!
I really liked the new jokes that gave a sense of Little Jack's character and his malapropism with phrases. Missed the 'A flat miner (minor)' joke which of course wasn't there because working in the mines was replaced with the toiling on the ship. But the programme still has a scene callled 'A Flat Miner' which has confused me a bit because I can't see what that relates to in the current incarnation.
I know that's what previews are for, to tweak and iron out all these changes and consolidate the final piece - it will be so interesting to see it again after press night. I am also a big fan of thrust/traverse stages and fringe venues. For me, it's just makes for a more magical, intimate experience. The Ambassadors does a good job of retaining the feel because it's so tiny, but I love performances where the cast don't have to be facing front the whole time because the audience is all around them. It's hard to explain and doesn't make sense written down (!) but I feel more immersed *because* the performers are not always facing me. Like I've stumbled on a reality being played out in front of me with storytelling happening that would go on without me being there... And that's just a personal preference (a thought, not a fact ⏳). So I guess to sum up, right now (pending more viewings) last year's Southwark set-up had the edge for me (I saw it 3 times in the end; including the matinee on the last day when we decided not to go home and booked the last three seats for the evening in the interval instead!). My husband and 21yo son still marginally prefer the magic of the first Southwark outing in the Little with the cast of 5 and the puppets. But we all agree it is the best show we've ever seen together in so many ways. Not least through the messages that Jethro Compton and Darren Clark wanted to convey of home, belonging and acceptance. I took a photo of our group of 7 - husband, adult children, their partners and my bestie on Saturday outside the theatre before the show and captioned it "'My' Button fam". So when I read Darren's words in the programme last night I teared up again: "it's about taking nothing for granted, about filling our lives with people who fill our hearts and about making the most of the time that has been given to us". And that's why I believe this show has touched me so deeply every time I’ve seen it. |
|
126 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by matttom0901 on Oct 15, 2024 20:57:18 GMT
Oh dear, I’ve mixed feelings about the new production. I just saw it at the Ambassadors and it didn’t resonate with me as much as the Southwark Playhouse one, which I completely and unconditionally loved.
For me, the new production lacked the magic, whether it’s due to changes in songs, distance from the stage or the change in the leading actors.
All I can say is that I rated the SPE production 5/5 and the Ambassadors 3/5.
|
|
105 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by highonahill on Oct 16, 2024 14:37:30 GMT
Oh dear, I’ve mixed feelings about the new production. I just saw it at the Ambassadors and it didn’t resonate with me as much as the Southwark Playhouse one, which I completely and unconditionally loved. For me, the new production lacked the magic, whether it’s due to changes in songs, distance from the stage or the change in the leading actors. All I can say is that I rated the SPE production 5/5 and the Ambassadors 3/5. Where did you sit? I'm sure distance from the stage has a big influence for me for enjoyment, for all but the very spectacular/effects driven shows I would rather be as close as possible, so would be interested to hear your thoughts. |
|
|
|
Post by capybara on Oct 16, 2024 15:23:27 GMT
Anyone able to advise where the rush tickets are?
|
|
|
|
Post by usbuzzer on Oct 16, 2024 15:51:07 GMT
Anyone able to advise where the rush tickets are? I wanted to try buying them today to see and they were not available at all. I mean, you couldn’t try for it, you could only see „set alert” |
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Oct 16, 2024 17:15:43 GMT
Anyone able to advise where the rush tickets are? Mine was Dress Circle row C, 3 or 4 seats in. I’m not sure if they are set positions. |
|
126 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by matttom0901 on Oct 17, 2024 7:24:20 GMT
Oh dear, I’ve mixed feelings about the new production. I just saw it at the Ambassadors and it didn’t resonate with me as much as the Southwark Playhouse one, which I completely and unconditionally loved. For me, the new production lacked the magic, whether it’s due to changes in songs, distance from the stage or the change in the leading actors. All I can say is that I rated the SPE production 5/5 and the Ambassadors 3/5. Where did you sit? I'm sure distance from the stage has a big influence for me for enjoyment, for all but the very spectacular/effects driven shows I would rather be as close as possible, so would be interested to hear your thoughts. Stalls, row H. At SP, I was in the first row both times I attended the show and they were basically in my face, which I loved. After a few days since the show, I think it’s the rewrite that didn’t work for me really |
|
1,826 posts
|
Post by Dave B on Oct 18, 2024 22:41:15 GMT
Not quite as magical as last time in Southwark but still hugely enjoyable. Had front row, a slight more head tilting than I would have preferred but I'll certainly take it for the close-up seats.
The star of the show is the ensemble however.
I could not agree with this more, all are fantastic throughout and it really is a joy to watch them all.
|
|
|
|
Post by usbuzzer on Oct 19, 2024 9:03:29 GMT
Any news on what are the rush seats for this?
|
|
|
|
Post by Always@thetheatre on Oct 19, 2024 10:06:11 GMT
Any news on what are the rush seats for this? I got rush for the matinee today. Row C of the circle |
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 19, 2024 22:57:06 GMT
Saw this again Saturday matinee - just as good as the first time I saw it. A wonderful piece of storytelling.
|
|
105 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by highonahill on Oct 20, 2024 8:15:38 GMT
Where did you sit? I'm sure distance from the stage has a big influence for me for enjoyment, for all but the very spectacular/effects driven shows I would rather be as close as possible, so would be interested to hear your thoughts. Stalls, row H. At SP, I was in the first row both times I attended the show and they were basically in my face, which I loved. After a few days since the show, I think it’s the rewrite that didn’t work for me really Fair enough, I'm sorry it wasn't as magical for you this time round. I was in row G last week. Return visit already booked is in D. I too like to be immersed, the closer the better for me but I was holding out to remind myself how much I'd have to look up at the Ambassadors. A friend went yesterday and said she didn't get neck ache and would sit there again. First time of seeing it, on the strength of me raving about it for 5 years (she works in theatre) and she said "One of the best shows I've seen. Cried quite a lot. I need to see it again". |
|
|
|
Post by Always@thetheatre on Oct 20, 2024 8:27:31 GMT
Saw the matinee of this yesterday. I had no idea it was set it Cornwall, so that was a nice surprise. I was totally blown away by it. What a stunning piece of theatre. I can't stop thinking about. Takes a lot to make me cry and this got me 😭.
We got rush tickets in row c of the circle and the view was brilliant
|
|
187 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by greenandbrownandblue on Oct 20, 2024 8:35:59 GMT
I was also at the matinee. Thought it was very good - lovely music and performances. Also effective staging, atmospherically lit.
One thing that did irritate me was the repetitive use of "xxx days, xxx minutes, xxx seconds". I understand that time is a central theme, but I found it very laboured.
|
|
|
|
Post by iwanttix on Oct 20, 2024 8:40:13 GMT
I saw this yesterday matinee and adored it. It wasn't on my list of something I wanted to see, but my friend was more enthusiastic to see it so got us rush tickets. What a special little musical it was. I was in awe of the cast with their talent of acting, singing, playing instruments and switching everything up. The music was great and the style was brilliant for me. If I'd paid full price I'd have been more than happy to have spent the money. This is definitely something I want to go and see again.
|
|
156 posts
|
Post by meister on Oct 20, 2024 16:02:14 GMT
Agree with all the positive comments on this - really great ensemble production. Such a talented bunch!
Anyone know when the press night is?
|
|
