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Post by Steve on May 17, 2019 16:38:53 GMT
Can anyone give any information on the seating arrangement for this? I've only been in the larger auditorium at Southwark before. Is the smaller one arranged as one block of seats or is it thrust/traverse/in the round? Given the seating is unreserved do I need to arrive really early to get a decent seat or would the view be fairly similar from all the seats? Dawnstar,
It's thrust for this, like the current main house set up, but much smaller. I got there with 15 minutes to go and there was a long queue already, snaking right through the space into the furthest room. As it happened, I got a front facing seat anyway, as early arrivers are loathe to sit right next to one another, and typically leave single spaces free out of politeness to each other. If you have a choice, go for front facing seats, but not the most central ones, so as to avoid characters staged in the centre from blocking your view of musicians and actors behind them.
As regards your aversion to "Six," be aware that the celtic folk rock style of this show is very different to the varied pop music styles of "Six." What you are dealing with here is cellos and violins plucked for fun, accordians, insistent percussion and drums, happy clappy people in flat caps and bowlers, and the periodic sudden drop out of all instrumentation to allow communal acapella to establish an unmediated direct human connection between yourself and music.
The purpose of my "Six" comparison is to point out that this does not feel like a conventional musical, but like a gig. Like in "Six," you may feel like you stumbled into a pop concert by accident, and specifically, in this case, a Mumford and Sons style celtic folk concert.
The second act does involve more conventional storytelling, which is where the show starts to feel like "Once."
Showgirl,
"Benjamin Button" can seem a silly story, as people don't live backwards, so what's the point? And here, it feels even sillier than the film (at first) because they don't have the special effects to suggest how a fully grown old man (they use an adult sized puppet lol) can be born of a woman.
But don't let the film bother you. Here, the folk rock covers up the thin dramatisation of the early story, and the Cornwall setting, and all-new-plot-developments of the second half, really make this feel completely different to the film.
The only connection between this and the film is that a man does live his life in reverse. If you can get over the silliness of that conceit, then I feel that this show does a MUCH better job than the film of making the case for the preciousness of every minute of our short lives.  |
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Post by Dawnstar on May 17, 2019 17:55:02 GMT
As regards your aversion to "Six," be aware that the celtic folk rock style of this show is very different to the varied pop music styles of "Six." What you are dealing with here is cellos and violins plucked for fun, accordians, insistent percussion and drums, happy clappy people in flat caps and bowlers, and the periodic sudden drop out of all instrumentation to allow communal acapella to establish an unmediated direct human connection between yourself and music.
The purpose of my "Six" comparison is to point out that this does not feel like a conventional musical, but like a gig. Like in "Six," you may feel like you stumbled into a pop concert by accident, and specifically, in this case, a Mumford and Sons style celtic folk concert.
It certainly would be an accident: I've never been to a gig/pop concert in my life! I'm not really sure what Celtic folk rock sounds like either. Riverdance? Oh well, if I go in with low expectations then they're more likely to be at least met. |
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Post by distantcousin on May 17, 2019 18:29:40 GMT
Great to read this. I am definitely put off. Loved the film. HATED Once - one of the worst shows I've ever seen, and from what I saw of "Six", it didn't look like my cup of tea. I'll save me money on this one!
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Post by jampot on May 17, 2019 19:09:14 GMT
Great to read this. I am definitely put off. Loved the film. HATED Once - one of the worst shows I've ever seen, and from what I saw of "Six", it didn't look like my cup of tea. I'll save me money on this one! Six isnt my cup of tea either and for me makes no connection to this piece..Just simple lovely folk music telling an enchanting story. Done on a small but very creative scale with great performers...Take the tissues.. |
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Post by Dawnstar on May 18, 2019 22:25:11 GMT
I found this really interesting. While on one level it's specifically about a man living in reverse, it's also about how to live your life in general. Excellent performances from the five cast-cum-musicians. Folk music isn't a genre that I listen to but I found the score pleasant & thought a couple if songs had lovely melodies. The only thing I wasn't keen on were the puppets but then I have a general dislike of puppets. Oh and I wasn't quite sure why the role of Elowen was split between 2 actresses when Benjamin was played by 1 actor but I guess the creative team must have had a reason. I was pleased to see James Marlowe again & to see Joey Hickman, whose name I know from him being the MD for TCAABR but who I've not seen in anything before.
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Post by stevej678 on May 20, 2019 9:19:52 GMT
Five star rave from WhatsOnStage. Four stars from The Telegraph. Two stars from The Times. |
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Post by jampot on May 23, 2019 11:17:22 GMT
Nice trailer up on youtube now...
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Post by stevej678 on May 23, 2019 12:52:19 GMT
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Post by lou105 on May 23, 2019 17:08:18 GMT
I know we've discussed this before, but why start so late! I really want to catch a matinee of this when I have an evening show booked, and 150 mins running time with a 3.30 start is really frustrating. I'll probably still go but it makes it all so much more of a rush than it needs to be.
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Post by Mark on May 23, 2019 17:30:50 GMT
This is GREAT! Like, really excellent. I loved the music and the style, the storytelling was so engaging. This won’t be the last we see of this show - quite honestly it’s just too good for such a short run. Great cast. Musical lovers get yourself to this!
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Post by showgirl on May 23, 2019 18:29:31 GMT
I know we've discussed this before, but why start so late! I really want to catch a matinee of this when I have an evening show booked, and 150 mins running time with a 3.30 start is really frustrating. I'll probably still go but it makes it all so much more of a rush than it needs to be. Maddening, isn't it? As is their bizarre policy of having weekday matinees on Tuesdays. My matinee slots are under so much pressure, both for long shows like this and because many theatres (eg Hampstead, Royal Court etc) offer concessions for matinees. There just aren't enough days with matinees to fit in everything I want to see and when I do book them, trying to pair them with another play or show in the evening which doesn't start or end too late (and, at weekends, doesn't clash with rail or tube engineering work) is an endless juggling act. |
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Post by Mark on May 23, 2019 20:10:35 GMT
I think the shows start later so as not to clash with the shows in the larger house.
I quite like the Tuesday matinees, means I can see something if I’m in London on a Tuesday - I saw Ain’t Misbehavin’ the Tuesday before.
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Post by Dawnstar on May 23, 2019 23:00:13 GMT
I know we've discussed this before, but why start so late! I really want to catch a matinee of this when I have an evening show booked, and 150 mins running time with a 3.30 start is really frustrating. I'll probably still go but it makes it all so much more of a rush than it needs to be. I managed to see it this past Saturday matinee then get to the ROH for a 7pm curtain. It was a bit tight but that was because I stage doored. If you head off to the WE as soon as it finishes then there should be plenty of time to get there. |
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Post by showgirl on May 24, 2019 5:32:51 GMT
I think the shows start later so as not to clash with the shows in the larger house. I quite like the Tuesday matinees, means I can see something if I’m in London on a Tuesday - I saw Ain’t Misbehavin’ the Tuesday before. I get the "not clashing" issues with the main house but the easy answer, especially with longer shows, is to move the start time forward, not back. Many other offending venues (eg the Arcola, CFT, the NT) could help some of their patrons by doing the same. At least at the Park Theatre it's 7.30 pm and 7.45 pm. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 29, 2019 16:10:23 GMT
Really loved this. Great story with stunningly beautiful songs. I'm chanting for a recording to be made .
The cast are so talented and take multi tasking to a whole new level (I'm sure they would of also done my laundry if I had asked them).
My one gripe is the puppetry. James Marlowe played many different ages so well and I'm sure he could of played the older BB with ease. The puppets for children, well I've seen a lot livelier kids, yeah they just didn't work for me.
This production will deservedly have have a life after southwark.
Go and see
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Post by Dawnstar on May 29, 2019 17:41:46 GMT
My one gripe is the puppetry. James Marlowe played many different ages so well and I'm sure he could of played the older BB with ease. I agree with this, especially as he was doing the voice while manipulating the puppet. I basically just ignored the puppet as much as possible & looked at him instead. |
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Post by jamb0r on May 30, 2019 22:45:43 GMT
This totally blew me away this evening! Definitely one of the best musicals I’ve seen so far this year. Really hope this has a life after this run (and with this cast - they were perfect!).
I need a cast recording already! I can’t get those songs out of my head!
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Post by japhun on Jun 1, 2019 16:22:38 GMT
This completely caught me off guard! I booked it ages ago and had forgotten about it until this week when it appeared on my calendar. When I read the words 'A Celtic Musical' my mind went to Once and I immediately had a bad taste in my mouth. Then the show started and I WAS IN AWE. What an amazing piece of work. I so wish that I could see this one again, but I am sure I will somewhere other than Southwark. Outstanding performances...and that score! Can we please get a recording of this?! Definite 5 stars from me! |
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Post by lou105 on Jun 1, 2019 17:42:46 GMT
Another fan here! And can we just have a moment to commend the programme? I don't always buy one but this was £1 (yes one) with lovely artwork, photographs, background, song list, scene list, and full bios for creatives and tech, as well as cast.And interesting information on the costs of the production. I hope it lives on.
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Post by jamb0r on Jun 1, 2019 17:56:42 GMT
Completely agree with your comment on the programme! I was so surprised at the quality of it for only £1! I found the cost article especially interesting - I don't think I've ever seen any other show provide that kind of information so openly before?
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Post by xanady on Jun 2, 2019 19:44:00 GMT
Programmes for a squid? Wow! All credit to them.People are sick of feeling ripped off at the theatre so any little measure like this should be welcomed.
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Post by sparky5000 on Jun 2, 2019 22:30:55 GMT
Tempted to go to this next week given the great reviews but for those who’ve seen it do you need to be a fan of the movie, because the movie wasn’t really my thing?!
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Post by jampot on Jun 3, 2019 6:25:31 GMT
Tempted to go to this next week given the great reviews but for those who’ve seen it do you need to be a fan of the movie, because the movie wasn’t really my thing?! No |
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Post by lou105 on Jun 3, 2019 15:57:45 GMT
I found the cost article especially interesting - I don't think I've ever seen any other show provide that kind of information so openly before? I've just found a quote from Jethro Compton where he said that it's widely believed that all fringe productions exploit actors, and he wanted to be straight about the finances for this. For those who haven't seen the figures, he's put in money and also taken out a personal loan as part of the the funding. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Jun 3, 2019 17:46:35 GMT
Tempted to go to this next week given the great reviews but for those who’ve seen it do you need to be a fan of the movie, because the movie wasn’t really my thing?! I've never seen the film but after seeing the musical I read the short story & looked up the plot of the film and, apart from the basic of a man called Benjamin Button ageing backwards, the 3 versions have pretty much nothing else in common with each other. |
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