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Post by conciergekey on Jan 5, 2023 19:54:34 GMT
First post, howdy.
I saw the new cast just a little over a week ago, but have seen the OBC and subsequent replacements in NYC, as well as the US tour. I'm super familiar with the show in various incarnations.
Truth be told, I felt the West End cast was crunched into a smaller space and some of the leads weren't entirely up to the job. I did enjoy Jamie Muscato's voice. He had good breath support and nice control. His acting arc wasn't massive, but he was able to handle the singing with no problem. That was nice.
Melissa James: Not a fan. Was pitchy, not well supported as a singer, didn't have the belt and felt like she was given zero direction as to whom Satine is. It shocked me that this is who they came up with of all the talent on the West End.
Ben Richards's Duke wasn't menacing. He had no heat. He was also smaller than Satine, which felt odd when they played scenes.
Matt Rixon as Zidler needs to be the glue that holds the story together. A good actor realizes that in the prologue, when both Zidler and Christian's eyes meet when talking about Satine, there's room for a real moment of understanding and sadness. That wasn't there. Everything was played broad, played at either end of the spectrum. Rixon raised his voice to Satine so many times in his line readings that I never believed he genuinely cared when Satine fell sick. Zidler is an incredibly tough role to play because he treads a fine line of being so many different things. This performance felt felt very one note to me.
The EQ of the show was much quieter than Broadway and the tour. The vocals were very face-front, while the band was dialed way back, which for me hurt the musicality of the whole thing.
Tempos were slower in some parts. I've never heard a more unexciting Pitch Song. All comedy was lost at this speed. Cues were stuck in molasses.
I already have plans to see Aaron's return to the Broadway cast, but wanted to see how it's been treated across the pond. While it resembles the original show in some ways, it's very, very different. I hope the people who love this production are someday able to travel to NYC and see the company there.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 5, 2023 22:54:41 GMT
So overall you loved it?
What is EQ when it’s at home?
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 6, 2023 11:23:40 GMT
Summat to do wi' sound, innit?
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Post by conciergekey on Jan 6, 2023 21:27:00 GMT
Summat to do wi' sound, innit? That would be correct. The actual dynamics of the sound. What sound designers work hard to replicate in every theatre they work in. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 7, 2023 0:32:58 GMT
Summat to do wi' sound, innit? That would be correct. The actual dynamics of the sound. What sound designers work hard to replicate in every theatre they work in. But what does it stand for? |
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Post by appoul on Jan 7, 2023 0:45:03 GMT
That would be correct. The actual dynamics of the sound. What sound designers work hard to replicate in every theatre they work in. But what does it stand for? Equalizer perhaps? |
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Post by conciergekey on Jan 10, 2023 18:02:17 GMT
But what does it stand for? Equalizer perhaps? Equalization, yes. The sonic dynamics of manipulating sound. Sound design. |
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 10, 2023 18:37:01 GMT
Could someone go and give the sound design at Newsies a talking to because its inaudible
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Post by showtoones on Jan 10, 2023 21:05:40 GMT
Why does Melissa James miss so many performances? Her scheduled off day is Monday but on West End covers, it's always being played by Tanisha or Melissa Nettleford. I know it's a demanding role but perhaps they should drop her down to 5 or 6 shows per week?
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Post by ceebee on Jan 10, 2023 21:50:10 GMT
That would be correct. The actual dynamics of the sound. What sound designers work hard to replicate in every theatre they work in. But what does it stand for? Emotional quotient. |
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Post by conciergekey on Jan 10, 2023 23:15:53 GMT
Why does Melissa James miss so many performances? Her scheduled off day is Monday but on West End covers, it's always being played by Tanisha or Melissa Nettleford. I know it's a demanding role but perhaps they should drop her down to 5 or 6 shows per week? There's been the same problem with the lead Satine in NYC. Ashley Loren is absolutely beautiful with a stunning voice, but she's been out for literally 30-45 days at a time, leaving her cover, Oyoyo Joy, as lead. Joy is more than capable, but I really do miss Loren. Her pop belt is fantastic. |
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Post by jacob on Jan 14, 2023 21:00:29 GMT
honestly one of the best theatre experiences for me earlier today -caught Tanisha Spring‘s second to last performance as Satine and had a Christian swap after act 1 ..  the spectacle of this show is truly something else and the costuming / choreography is just immaculate. It’s sometimes style over substance for sure, but the show is still intriguing and 1000% immersive ! remembering that it’s still supposed to mirror the film.. so the ‘random ’ moments are absolutely warranted 😭 anyways will try and get back to see this if I can find a cheap ticket -although the cancan lottery seats I had earlier were insane |
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Post by stepha on Jan 16, 2023 10:08:45 GMT
On Friday afternoon, I had a quick look at ticket availability and got £15 standing tickets for this for Saturday evening at the back of the Royal Circle so just sharing my thoughts on the standing tickets. I've seen this before, and I wouldn't want the standing tickets for a first viewing (unless you can't afford anything else - then, go for it!). The view is fine - the overhang means that you can't see the top of the stage, but you don't miss any of the actual show (and you can have a walk down to the front of the circle before the performance starts to see the bits of the staging that are cut off from your view.
You cannot see much at all of the Finale when everyone stands up.
Honestly, the number of people going in and out was astonishing - it was like a classful of toddlers, so we were frequently bumped into or disturbed by people using their phone torches to light the way.
However, for £15 I'd say its worth it (although I forget I'm not so young anymore so my back didn't thank me!!)
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jan 16, 2023 10:16:42 GMT
You cannot see much at all of the Finale when everyone stands up. Yeah I've done standing room twice and for the Finale each time, I walk over to the stairs on the side and watch from there instead. |
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Post by keekio2 on Jan 16, 2023 10:30:34 GMT
Does anyone know who’s taken over from Tanisha
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Jan 16, 2023 11:22:24 GMT
Vanessa Ela Young I believe
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Jan 16, 2023 14:30:50 GMT
On Friday afternoon, I had a quick look at ticket availability and got £15 standing tickets for this for Saturday evening at the back of the Royal Circle so just sharing my thoughts on the standing tickets. I've seen this before, and I wouldn't want the standing tickets for a first viewing (unless you can't afford anything else - then, go for it!). The view is fine - the overhang means that you can't see the top of the stage, but you don't miss any of the actual show (and you can have a walk down to the front of the circle before the performance starts to see the bits of the staging that are cut off from your view. You cannot see much at all of the Finale when everyone stands up. Honestly, the number of people going in and out was astonishing - it was like a classful of toddlers, so we were frequently bumped into or disturbed by people using their phone torches to light the way. However, for £15 I'd say its worth it (although I forget I'm not so young anymore so my back didn't thank me!!) In 2019 I paid $50 to stand in NY and it was amazing. The location was in the back of the orchestra and the cast was active throughout our area. Seats were available for the second act so that was a relief. |
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Post by sophie92 on Jan 16, 2023 17:28:33 GMT
Vanessa Ela Young I believe Confirmed by Tanisha on an Instagram story |
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 11, 2023 15:18:31 GMT
Made my second visit to the show last night with a table seat (a ticket lottery win) and this is so much more engaging from up close. You can really appreciate the set design and the costumes. You also very close to lots of scantily clad female dancers, which may or may not be a selling point (I will just say there it was an experience).
The main revelation though is Jamie Muscato as Christian. Sensational, and I've got to say this is the best performance I've ever seen from him. Vanessa Ela Young as Satine was excellent too.
The theatre was pretty full and the audience well behaved too, which is a good thing. Very nice to see recent ArtsEd graduate Yandrick Agius camping things up on stage as well.
As for the table seats, I wouldn't recommend the very first row. A lot of action takes place behind you with the extended stage and you're very shut in. Second row was better, but as I mentioned, very close. The tables are tiny and really it is just a row of free standing chairs, which can't be moved as there's no space. They aren't the most comfortable place to sit either. But it's worth it for the experience. I'd definitely choose these again if another lottery win ever comes through (full price would stretch my budget just a bit too far).
Putting pricing aside, I'm reminded of an overheard breakfast story from my recent NYC visit, with a couple from London very excited about the single show they'd chosen to see during their trip (and which they'd never seen before). It was Moulin Rouge. I suspect somehow they had no idea the same show was playing in London, with an excellent cast, and at a fraction of the ticket price. But somehow you just never seem to appreciate things on your doorstep in quite the same way.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 11, 2023 23:51:42 GMT
I forgot this show was even on 🤣
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 12, 2023 18:50:12 GMT
I know they do the lottery for this (which I’m signed up for), but do they do day seats as well?
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Post by sophie92 on Apr 13, 2023 10:08:37 GMT
I know they do the lottery for this (which I’m signed up for), but do they do day seats as well? They don’t do day seats, but they do dynamic price so sometimes there are cheaper tickets (less than £50) available in the Royal Circle and Stalls, usually singles rather than pairs. Also, if you’re able to stand, when the show is sold out or close to sold out, they release standing tickets for the back of the Royal Circle and Stalls (price varies between £15 and £20) |
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Post by JustJ on Apr 24, 2023 10:11:09 GMT
I went back to see Moulin Rouge last week and it really does seem to just get better and better!
I can't help but think the producers must be kicking themselves that they went the way they did casting the leads when the show opened in London. Jamie Muscato is out of this world in the role of Christian! Those vocals 🤤
For anyone who hasn't seen the show yet - my advice would be to aim for seats close to the stage to feel completely immersed in the spectacle. Just a shame the ticket prices are still SO high!
It is a great night out and I will certainly be returning.
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 24, 2023 10:16:53 GMT
I'm sure a great cast would elevate this, but it's just such a bad musical I don't know as I can bring myself to go back (unless they cast a spectacular pair of leads and which point I might get tempted)
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Post by mattnyc on Apr 24, 2023 13:59:46 GMT
I saw this again last week also (on Broadway), given a comp seat third row center right up by the stage and have to say I loved every second of it. I’d seen it before (5x actually to see different casts) but only from the mezzanine or Dress Circle and it was…fine. But up close is a totally different beast. If you’re able to see if from that close you get so so much more out of it.
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the spectacle of this show is truly something else and the costuming / choreography is just immaculate. It’s sometimes style over substance for sure, but the show is still intriguing and 1000% immersive ! remembering that it’s still supposed to mirror the film.. so the ‘random ’ moments are absolutely warranted 😭 anyways will try and get back to see this if I can find a cheap ticket -although the cancan lottery seats I had earlier were insane 
