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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 23, 2016 21:32:28 GMT
It read as if you meant London audiences.. ah yes, London critics are miseries..
And I mean no disrespect to regional audiences... and certainly have no negative opinion on more 'senior' audience members!
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Post by groupbooker on Oct 23, 2016 22:51:16 GMT
No disrespect taken Mr B thanks.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 23, 2016 23:19:05 GMT
This has had some very mixed reviews.. particularly criticising the score. Will it come into London? Would be a huge risk as I'm sure it needs a relatively decent sized theatre to cover costs and the only one that might be free is the Palladium
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Post by stevej678 on Oct 24, 2016 7:15:54 GMT
This has had some very mixed reviews.. particularly criticising the score. Will it come into London? Would be a huge risk as I'm sure it needs a relatively decent sized theatre to cover costs and the only one that might be free is the Palladium WhatsonStage 4* The Stage 4* Reviews Hub 3.5* The Times 4* Telegraph 3* Musical Theatre Review 4* Not sure I would describe the above as "very mixed reviews". |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 24, 2016 7:34:23 GMT
I think the 'London Miseries' have 1. A greater choice of shows on offer to see and compare against and 2. Have to pay a lot more money to see these shows, so are perhaps not as easily pleased as those who only have touring shows to see. London has more than it's fair share of utter rubbish. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 24, 2016 8:03:05 GMT
Don't I know it! It's why I hardly see anything anymore. But we have a huge choice of good/rubbish on our doorstep. Aanyway!
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Post by stevej678 on Oct 29, 2016 10:28:11 GMT
I really enjoyed this at Salford Lowry last night.
The set and costumes are absolutely first rate. In particular, I thought the anthropomorphism of the creatures is very cleverly realised - swallows dressed as air stewardesses anyone?
While the score possibly lacks a real standout 11 o'clock number, it's still consistently strong. The best of the songs tend to go to the more incidental characters. The Hedgehog's Nightmare, The Wassailing Mice, and One Swallow Does Not A Summer Make are all excellent, while the entrance of The Wild Wooders is another highlight and perhaps the moment where the show is at its most spectacular.
All of the leads give strong performances. I much preferred Rufus Hound in this to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, while Thomas Howes has Ratty to a T. Perfect casting. Abigail Brodie as a Swallow, Horse and Mouse stands out amongst the ensemble, particularly as a Horse pulling Toad's caravan and later a barge, with subtle expressions and knowing looks to the audience aplenty. It was clearly the Hedgehogs who stole the audience's hearts though, earning the loudest cheers at the curtain call.
Overall then, this is looking in great shape. It strikes me as stronger than both Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and particularly Aladdin and certainly has the production values worthy of a West End transfer if a suitable theatre can be found. The stalls and circle were both full last night, with just a few empty rows towards the rear of the balcony. While there were a fair amount of children in the audience, there were just as many unaccompanied adults so perhaps the claim in the programme that the story appeals across generations does ring true.
It's a couple of hours of fun escapism but it's not quite flawless. The first half sags a little when we first meet Badger so a little trimming here would help. However, with a cast of 50, a 14-strong orchestra and little evidence of expense being spared, what's refreshing is that this isn't an exercise in style over substance. The charm and quintessential Britishness of the story shines through, with the spirit and heart of the novel captured exquisitely on stage. Hugely impressive.
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Post by djdan14 on Oct 29, 2016 11:18:09 GMT
I really enjoyed this at Salford Lowry last night. Thanks stevejohnson678. I had completely forgotten I booked a ticket for this ages ago for tomorrow afternoon until you prompted me about it being at the Lowry. The perils of box office collection! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 30, 2016 17:50:05 GMT
Saw the matinee today. What a gorgeous, fun production. I loved the design, which is like observing the goings on through a droplet of water with the way everything curves inwards. Huge sets, trains, barges, fast cars and numerous interior and exterior scenes. Also liked the choreography which had a contemporary twist, in fact the whole thing was very modern, all tweeness avoided. Those swallows as retro air stewardesses....fab, and we had the brummy hedgehog family trying to cross a road with traffic whizzing by, and Portia the otter eating worms like jelly sweets from a paper bag. The score is nice but the songs a bit forgettable, except maybe for A Friend Is Still A Friend which gets reprised several times. All the leads are great but the role of Toad is perfect for Rufus Hound, he attacks it with huge bravado. David Birrel (last seen in Manc as a terrifying Sweeney Todd) was excellent as grumpy Badger too. The "friendship" between Mole and Ratty is portrayed charmingly. All in all a lovely afternoon. Hope it does well.  |
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Post by djdan14 on Oct 30, 2016 19:12:34 GMT
I was there this afternoon too and second all this. Set, design and cast all excellent. This has not just been made for a few weeks stint and should and will be seen in the West End shortly I feel.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Oct 31, 2016 16:24:45 GMT
I wonder if an open ended west end run is suited to it. Perhaps as a Sadlers Wells Christmas filler to replace The Snowman or Matthew Bourne
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Post by Jon on Oct 31, 2016 17:10:40 GMT
I wonder if an open ended west end run is suited to it. Perhaps as a Sadlers Wells Christmas filler to replace The Snowman or Matthew Bourne It's probably too big and expensive to be go somewhere like the Peacock or Sadler Wells |
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Post by djdan14 on Oct 31, 2016 20:14:27 GMT
Just reading back through the programme, and there is an advert for the cast recording which is mentioned as coming soon.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 31, 2016 20:56:03 GMT
"I am Squirrel hear me roar" lol. Just remembered that.  |
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 31, 2016 21:03:04 GMT
Is it too expensive?
I kind of know what you mean though, but the main cost the sets, costumes and conceptulation has been paid for now. So if it didn't get offered a house that would all be a right off. Obviously the backers want to get a decent theatre with an open run.
If they don't, then they would have to take second best like Sadlers Wells or London Colesium for a limited run.
Cannot get it out of my head that this will go in the Piccadilly.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2016 22:18:16 GMT
It's a got a house for next year.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2016 22:29:22 GMT
It's a got a house for next year. Adelphi ? |
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Post by annon on Oct 31, 2016 22:34:48 GMT
Something else is going there !!!!
It's got a much bigger theatre
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2016 9:14:56 GMT
Something else is going there !!!! It's got a much bigger theatre Kinky Boots is closing?! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2016 13:03:21 GMT
Something else is going there !!!! It's got a much bigger theatre Kinky Boots is closing?! Not for a while. |
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Post by westendwendy on Nov 1, 2016 15:37:44 GMT
Going to the Palladium from next Spring I hear - how exciting.
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 4, 2016 16:57:37 GMT
Yep, Palladium Summer 2017
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 4, 2016 18:34:50 GMT
Mentioned in today's Evening Standard.
Which seems to beat odds with Rufus Hound starring in What The Butler Saw at the Theatre Royal, Bath until 01st April prior to the West End. So he won't be available until August, assuming this production gets a West End Theatre straight away or he pulls out of this one, to star in the Willows.
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Post by firefingers on Nov 4, 2016 19:13:19 GMT
Mentioned in today's Evening Standard. Which seems to beat odds with Rufus Hound starring in What The Butler Saw at the Theatre Royal, Bath until 01st April prior to the West End. So he won't be available until August, assuming this production gets a West End Theatre straight away or he pulls out of this one, to star in the Willows. I suspect the cast have only been contracted for the tour and perhaps given first refusal on the transfer, so the choice will be down to Hound as for what to do. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 4, 2016 20:09:25 GMT
Seems a very inefficient and costly way to go about things. Assemble the cast, rehearse it, then tour it for a couple of weeks before putting it in mothballs for 6 months. Then repeat the whole process for the west end?
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