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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2017 16:08:54 GMT
It has definitely had the intention at least of extending since the last booking extension, as Leanne has holiday booked from 29 January - 03 February, even though it is only booking through 27 January. Whether we see this extension play out is yet to be seen.
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 26, 2017 16:15:47 GMT
I liked it. Alternate Jerry was on - good dancer but didn't think he'd acted it well enough.
Leanne Cope though, bloody hell. I could watch her dance for days - totally stunning. Sings well (even though she's not trained) and plays a wonderful Liise.
(Someone needs to get Jane Asher out of this asap - interesting she decided she was French every 7/8 words otherwise didn't bother!)
Projections and set were BEAUTIFUL. honestly, I loved the pieces that flew in to make Paris and that lit up. It's beautiful.
Dominion stage feels slightly too big? Am I alone in that? Also it didn't feel particularly full. Probs 2/3 if that - lots empty in the circle.
I don't know as I'd go again (which is my usual sign as to how much I've enjoyed something) but I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 26, 2017 16:29:35 GMT
I would agree with your appraisal tonyloco. One viewing was enough for me and I did see it from the front row of the stalls. The book and plot does not change from the front row!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2017 16:31:40 GMT
I liked it. Alternate Jerry was on - good dancer but didn't think he'd acted it well enough. Leanne Cope though, bloody hell. I could watch her dance for days - totally stunning. Sings well (even though she's not trained) and plays a wonderful Liise. (Someone needs to get Jane Asher out of this asap - interesting she decided she was French every 7/8 words otherwise didn't bother!) Projections and set were BEAUTIFUL. honestly, I loved the pieces that flew in to make Paris and that lit up. It's beautiful. Dominion stage feels slightly too big? Am I alone in that? Also it didn't feel particularly full. Probs 2/3 if that - lots empty in the circle. I don't know as I'd go again (which is my usual sign as to how much I've enjoyed something) but I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars She has been scheduled to leave next weekend for a while now.  |
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Post by tonyloco on Aug 26, 2017 17:34:51 GMT
I would agree with your appraisal tonyloco. One viewing was enough for me and I did see it from the front row of the stalls. The book and plot does not change from the front row!! Thanks wickedgrin. Definitely glad I asked! |
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Post by tonyloco on Aug 26, 2017 17:39:23 GMT
I really have problems with the technology of this website. I don't understand why my response to wickedgrin ended up inside his quote and not below it. Does anybody give seminars for elderly theatregoers on how to use this thing properly or do I just keep blundering on and hope it works?
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Post by dippy on Aug 26, 2017 18:50:07 GMT
Well I'm going to stick up for An American in Paris for a minute. It's no way near a favorite show of mine but I think the dancing is impressive. I much preferred it on a second viewing to the first time (todaytix row S first time, front row second time).
However I saw "Crazy for You" last weekend and I absolutely hated it, one of my least favorite theatre trips ever and luckily almost forgotten since I remember the American in Paris version of the songs better. Ok, maybe it's that specific production of Crazy for You but I can't see myself liking any version of it. "Crazy for You" seems much more obviously a juke box musical that "An American in Paris".
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 26, 2017 19:18:27 GMT
I also don't like this show. I've tried- and it just leaves me cold. I sat there wishing I was watching a much better musical using GershwinS music but performed with more oomph- Crazy for You. I had a similar reaction: seeing An American In Paris made me start missing Crazy For You (the Regent's Park production) all over again. I felt much more emotionally invested in the Crazy For You characters & whether their romances would work out than I did for the AAIP characters. And I was sitting the centre of the front row for AAIP so it wasn't due to being at a distance from the acting, as I couldn't have been any closer. |
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Post by tonyloco on Aug 27, 2017 7:51:50 GMT
Thanks to theatremonkey for editing my post. I am definitely not going back for a second look at AAIP as some of you have wisely pointed out that the book and the structure will be the same no matter where I sit and I will still be annoyed that the ballet is totally abstract although it is very well danced. But I don't want the show to close prematurely either because that will mean a lot of performers will be out of work – in fact that scenario rather closely mirrors '42nd Street' when Dorothy Brock breaks her ankle at the opening preview of 'Pretty Lady' – a clear case of life imitating art, or is it the other way round?
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Post by sf on Aug 27, 2017 13:37:10 GMT
Personally I was sorry/grateful (I saw it back in March at a late preview). It was beautiful to look at, there was nothing wrong with the performances (by the sound of it, Ms. Asher's work may have deteriorated since then), Leanne Cope was wonderful, and the ballet was gorgeous. And I wasn't moved for a second by any of it.
And the orchestra, I'm afraid, sounds thin. There are several fewer players in the pit than the show had on Broadway, and the Broadway orchestra was on the small side for this kind of music. Producers these days seem to assume audiences can't tell the difference between a string section and *a violin* (or worse, synthesised strings). Some of us can - and some of us also know ticket prices have risen way faster than inflation over the past 25 years, and musicians' pay rates haven't.
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Post by tonyloco on Aug 27, 2017 14:02:34 GMT
Hmm. Very interesting point sf makes about the make-up of theatre orchestras. As someone who has worked for many years in the classical record business, I should be able to distinguish between several violins, one violin and synthesised strings, but sadly that is not something I am particularly sensitive to. I saw 'Les Mis' at the Palace and then I went to see it at the Queens after there had been one hell of a fuss about the orchestra being reduced and synthesisers replacing some of the original instruments but I thought it still worked well enough and the new orchestra supported the show and the singers perfectly well. Coming back to AAIP, I did not feel the orchestra was inadequate for that music, but maybe the fault lies with me and not what I am listening to, and perhaps I have been brain-washed by hearing too many theatre orchestras using synthesisers to notice the difference. I did however notice how rich and full the strings sounded at Oklahoma! so there is hope for me yet. But I can't imagine producers employing that many strings in the pit for a commercial run of any musical. I wonder how many strings there were at the Coliseum for Carousel? That sounded good to me.
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Post by tonyloco on Aug 27, 2017 15:36:34 GMT
I've just checked the programmes. The Carousel programme does not list the make-up of the orchestra. AAIP shows two violins, one cello and one double bass, plus one piano and one 'keyboard' in an orchestra of 13 players. 42nd Street has 18 players of which only one is strings, being a bass, but for the nature of the songs, I think the good complement of reeds and brass is about right and there are no 'keyboards' apart from the piano. On the Town had 15 players including two violins, and two 'keyboards' as well as a piano. So it looks as if AAIP at 13 players is the meanest, particularly compared with 18 at Drury Lane. Point well made, sf!
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Post by tmesis on Aug 27, 2017 18:01:03 GMT
I greatly enjoyed AAIP but still prefer Crazy For You, which is a much better structured show. I didn't feel the orchestra sounded thin and I'm usually very sensitive to that - I particularly hate it when they have one or two violins that are amplified to death, with excruciating artificial ambience, as that's going to fool anyone into thinking it's a full section!
42nd Street is still was the best trad. musical in town.
ps. Just about to hear a nice full complement of strings - Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at the Proms.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 28, 2017 6:15:10 GMT
At least it won't be on for too much longer- Bat out of Hell is in talks for the Dominion. As far as I'm concerned that's not something to celebrate in the slightest, in fact it's just depressing. I agree, but it would only be for a limited season. Before Frozen possibly moves in. |
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Post by viserys on Aug 28, 2017 8:24:16 GMT
Why would Bat out of Hell aim for a limited season only? It's been a surprising success in London with great word of mouth and it could certainly play for years the way WWRY did - filling a gap in the tourist market especially for all those who prefer rock music to the kind of pop music you get at Mamma Mia or Thriller Live.
Meanwhile first reports of Frozen from Denver make it sound like a bit of a damp squib and certainly not the huge hit Disney is clearly anticipating, so who know how well it well actually fare on Broadway (and beyond)?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 28, 2017 12:32:43 GMT
Why would Bat out of Hell aim for a limited season only? It's been a surprising success in London with great word of mouth and it could certainly play for years the way WWRY did - filling a gap in the tourist market especially for all those who prefer rock music to the kind of pop music you get at Mamma Mia or Thriller Live. Meanwhile first reports of Frozen from Denver make it sound like a bit of a damp squib and certainly not the huge hit Disney is clearly anticipating, so who know how well it well actually fare on Broadway (and beyond)? Because Bat out of hell will then be toured around Europe. Just because Frozen isn't (possibly) any good , doesn't mean it still won't be a huge hit- look at Aladdin.. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 13:12:38 GMT
Aladdin however did have better word of mouth and many (myself included) enjoyed it. So far the Frozen situation is feeling a bit like Little Mermaid. Early days but its not off to a great start
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 13:17:23 GMT
Wait, I thought Aladdin was doing well? Is it not?
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Post by anthony on Aug 30, 2017 14:48:26 GMT
and don't forget promo code FQWDM for a bonus tenner off 
Thank you Daniel, will give it a go.
Thanks  Used your code to see Dream Girls last week. This app could be dangerous for my wallet. Just booked to see Apologia tonight and then tomorrow will hopefully see an American in Paris (was hoping to see it earlier in the week, but then got a cold over the weekend  !). So you should have your tenner now |
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Post by daniel on Aug 30, 2017 16:02:57 GMT
Thank you Daniel, will give it a go.
Thanks Used your code to see Dream Girls last week. This app could be dangerous for my wallet. Just booked to see Apologia tonight and then tomorrow will hopefully see an American in Paris (was hoping to see it earlier in the week, but then got a cold over the weekend !). So you should have your tenner now Thanks so much anthony, indeed I do have it  saving up to use in New York next May! |
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Post by ada92 on Aug 30, 2017 19:55:38 GMT
I also used your code to see Dreamgirls today - didn't think it would be my thing but Karen Mav had me blubbing at the end of the first act.......
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Post by daniel on Aug 30, 2017 23:22:19 GMT
I also used your code to see Dreamgirls today - didn't think it would be my thing but Karen Mav had me blubbing at the end of the first act....... spoiling me rotten! Thanks ada92 glad you enjoyed Dreamgirls and Karen! |
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Post by Seriously on Aug 31, 2017 3:19:26 GMT
I went to see it at the Queens after there had been one hell of a fuss about the orchestra being reduced and synthesisers replacing some of the original instruments but I thought it still worked well enough and the new orchestra supported the show and the singers perfectly well. You may have heard the dreaded "Sinfonia" machine then! |
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Post by tonyloco on Aug 31, 2017 10:45:09 GMT
You may have heard the dreaded "Sinfonia" machine then! Yes, that name rings a bell (pun probably intended!). To be honest, after all the hoo-ha I was expecting it to sound like a fairground organ but it seemed perfectly decent. Has that device, whatever it was, now been replaced by other things? |
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Post by BGLowe on Aug 31, 2017 17:22:54 GMT
Caught this yesterday afternoon - stalls A17/18. They are sold as restricted view but I thought it was excellent and we didn't miss much. That being said I was left a little cold by this. After act 1, I wasn't enjoying it much. The second act was better. Ashley Day danced well but I found his acting so hammy and unnatural. Leanne Cope was good but didn't blow me away. Stand out for me was David Seadon-Young - a great singer with great acting. The dancing was good, albeit somewhat long ad times, but the lack of book really bothered me. I don't mind dancing providing it moves the story along - this just seemed random and shoe horned in. I'm glad I've seen it but it wasn't for me.
That being said my mother loved it. Different strokes for different folks!
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Used your code to see Dream Girls last week. 
!). So you should have your tenner now 
saving up to use in New York next May!
