1,736 posts
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Post by fiyero on Feb 10, 2023 18:39:36 GMT
FOMO (helped by my recent backstage tour including the Olivier auditorium) means I had a look at the Friday rush today and wouldn’t you know I managed to snap up a lovely pair for next Saturday’s matinee. Can’t wait.
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Post by edi on Feb 11, 2023 12:12:07 GMT
Whilst I am not familiar with the Sheffield references, still this story is relevant to any city - there are similar communities and stories. I don't need to know the story of those specific Sheffield buildings, there are many of those anywhere.
Really enjoyed it yesterday, the story and the songs. It does feel like a play with songs and for the better.
I had a few niggles, like hard to understand the initial accents & some of the choreography felt a little overdone & busy. But I had no issues with the sound system, title song (first after the break) sounded great and was my favourite.
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Post by edi on Feb 11, 2023 21:26:16 GMT
I've been thinking about this show all day, and I just wanted to add to my comment above that there is something very beautiful about this show. There is something very touching about how this show tells these very everyday stories. And the songs remind me of Leonard Cohen's melancholic poems, and every single character had a beautiful singing voice. For me Samuel Jordan was a standout, such an understated yet touching portrayal of the character and lovely singing voice.
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Post by mattnyc on Feb 11, 2023 21:52:27 GMT
You guys are making me so excited to fly in and see this in a few weeks!
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216 posts
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Post by benny20 on Feb 11, 2023 22:18:36 GMT
You'll love it. The songs are great as is the story but the cast and vocals are superb
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Post by alessia on Feb 12, 2023 6:24:42 GMT
I thought this was excellent. From someone who hardly ever goes to musicals, I loved it - the stories are interesting and the way they are interwoven into the space works really well. The acting is great and so is the music/singing. There is nothing negative I can think of, it is just really wonderful.
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Post by nottobe on Feb 12, 2023 12:52:02 GMT
I caught this last night and echo all the other praise. Richard Hawley is someone I am aware of but I have to say I did not know his music before hand, nor am I a Sheffield native. I loved all the interweaving stories and really cared about all the characters, especially to Joy. Chris Bush has just managed to write such a clever script. The songs were also a great addition in mirroring the characters emotions. The staging and direction was also very exciting and energetic and there was so much to watch, I especially loved the ending of act one. Overall I have would whole heartily recommend it and am sure it will be the big contender at the Olivier's, sorry Tammy Faye but this was better. And yes I would say this is a musical. The end did annoy me a bit {Spoiler - click to view}
Why did Poppy run back to Nikki? Nikki had very few redeeming features and it just felt a bit weak. It would have been a stronger ending if Poppy actually left her but hey ho, maybe a Richard Curtis ending felt necessary. |
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253 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Feb 12, 2023 15:05:57 GMT
Sorry to all the above but whilst I liked the staging, this left me cold with no engagement with any of the characters. Songs felt like an addition and did not help what was there in the story. Too long and indulgent IMO. Not sure why the posting found the direction exciting when it was a unit set where nothing happened!
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Feb 12, 2023 15:11:50 GMT
I liked this, but not quite to the rave levels everyone else seems to be having. I would have enjoyed it equally with fewer or none of the songs because I think the characters and the story is the strong part of the show.
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Post by shownut on Feb 12, 2023 16:18:40 GMT
I liked this, but not quite to the rave levels everyone else seems to be having. I would have enjoyed it equally with fewer or none of the songs because I think the characters and the story is the strong part of the show. I would agree. Several of the book scenes were fine but the score was a stretch in terms of connection to the story (at least from where I was sitting) and the staging quite busy but not necessarily tied to the action. Would have been far more impactful as a play imoho. |
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Post by shownut on Feb 12, 2023 16:19:28 GMT
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Feb 12, 2023 19:09:06 GMT
I see the songs in this as more of a sound track, which I can see why they say it makes it a play with songs. The songs often heighten a moment for the characters as opposed to moving the story on. I still reckon it will get Olivier nods for best musical though, and in my opinion it should win. Ive seen it twice and been thoroughly moved by it both times.
Question for anyone that remembers it when it originally ran in Sheffield a few years ago, did they change Poppy's first solo this time around? I recall the last version of her song being calmer and more reflective, and not laying her hurt out there as much as this one does.
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Post by shownut on Feb 12, 2023 19:25:50 GMT
For those already giving it Oliviers, I think it will have a hard time beating THE BAND’S VISIT and TAMMY FAYE has its share of fans as well.
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Feb 12, 2023 19:43:35 GMT
For those already giving it Oliviers, I think it will have a hard time beating THE BAND’S VISIT and TAMMY FAYE has its share of fans as well. I agree, I adored both of those too. Best musical is a tough category this year. Great performances worthy of awards in all three shows too. |
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Post by alessia on Feb 12, 2023 20:26:03 GMT
I caught this last night and echo all the other praise. Richard Hawley is someone I am aware of but I have to say I did not know his music before hand, nor am I a Sheffield native. I loved all the interweaving stories and really cared about all the characters, especially to Joy. Chris Bush has just managed to write such a clever script. The songs were also a great addition in mirroring the characters emotions. The staging and direction was also very exciting and energetic and there was so much to watch, I especially loved the ending of act one. Overall I have would whole heartily recommend it and am sure it will be the big contender at the Olivier's, sorry Tammy Faye but this was better. And yes I would say this is a musical. The end did annoy me a bit {Spoiler - click to view}
Why did Poppy run back to Nikki? Nikki had very few redeeming features and it just felt a bit weak. It would have been a stronger ending if Poppy actually left her but hey ho, maybe a Richard Curtis ending felt necessary. Spoiler! That ending with Poppy and Nikki did also bother me- I'd forgotten about it when I wrote my comment. |
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Post by nottobe on Feb 13, 2023 15:33:52 GMT
The cast recording has just been released on digital platforms, where ever you stream your music. Here is a link to it on Spotify
I have to say the more I think about this the more I am tempted to go again.
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1,120 posts
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Feb 13, 2023 22:58:52 GMT
Certainly a rapturous response at press night this eve.
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1,245 posts
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Post by joem on Feb 13, 2023 23:03:42 GMT
Tend not to go to the same productions more than once as a rule but having a spare night I used the excuse that I'd seen this in Sheffield so wanted to check out how it translated to the London stage.
Happy to report it hasn't lost any of the energy from the Crucible and the audience seem to have no problems with the Sheffieldisms which some forecast - never thought they would, audiences are cleverer and more adaptable than often given credit for. They hugely loved this tonight, it was press night, but bizarrely the National decided to cut the standing ovation very short by switching on the house lights. Mr Hawley was in attendance, beaming like Mr Punchinello whilst being congratulated by all and sundry.
Had the "privilege" of being the first person to buy the cd at the National shop apparently.
Definite hit. Love this.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Feb 14, 2023 0:24:43 GMT
Downloaded the album and there's some ear worms! Glad to hear it's had a fantastic reception.
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Post by Nelly on Feb 14, 2023 9:15:06 GMT
They hugely loved this tonight, it was press night, but bizarrely the National decided to cut the standing ovation very short by switching on the house lights. This happened at the first preview as well, only one bow and that was it, they were gone. I thought they could have come back on for one more bow and to take in the ovation. |
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Post by cartoonman on Feb 14, 2023 9:39:14 GMT
I have been going to the NT for years and the cast taking a bow always seems to be limited. I don't know if its NT policy or just the cast wanting to get home.
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Post by luvvie23 on Feb 14, 2023 11:25:52 GMT
Surprised at 4 stars from the Standard and Stage. Thought it was easily bagging 5 stars!
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Post by shownut on Feb 14, 2023 11:38:32 GMT
Surprised at 4 stars from the Standard and Stage. Thought it was easily bagging 5 stars! Aside from posters on this board (and a couple of critics), I haven't heard much praise for this show. I texted several industry pals who were there last night expecting they would share in the hosannas here but so far, not the case. They were unanimous in stating the audience was extremely receptive in its reaction but likewise in their consensus that the show was really not their cup of tea. I should add that most are non-British so I have to wonder if it is a UK thing....perhaps it doesn't appeal to those who know little about Sheffield and who may have struggled with the references/accents? Curious if any non-UK posters here found it to be all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips. |
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5,138 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 14, 2023 11:48:32 GMT
A couple? When I was at school, admittedly a very long time ago, 'couple' meant two, rather than across the board. I'd be interested to know what your industry pals thought about TOMMY FAYE. |
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Post by luvvie23 on Feb 14, 2023 11:54:14 GMT
Surprised at 4 stars from the Standard and Stage. Thought it was easily bagging 5 stars! Aside from posters on this board (and a couple of critics), I haven't heard much praise for this show. I texted several industry pals who were there last night expecting they would share in the hosannas here but so far, not the case. They were unanimous in stating the audience was extremely receptive in its reaction but likewise in their consensus that the show was really not their cup of tea. I should add that most are non-British so I have to wonder if it is a UK thing....perhaps it doesn't appeal to those who know little about Sheffield and who may have struggled with the references/accents? Curious if any non-UK posters here found it to be all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips. |
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