3,564 posts
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Post by showgirl on Jul 15, 2019 18:41:11 GMT
The 8 pm start is a real pain as what with the risk of rail engineering work on Sundays, that only leaves the Saturday matinee for me. However, at least that starts helpfully late at 3.30 pm, so plenty of time to fit in even a long film first.
Whilst I realise that they want people to eat in the restaurant first, surely that has far too few tables to accommodate more than a small percentage of the audience, even if they all wished to dine there, so why not bring forward the evening performance to a more sensible and usual 7.30 pm?
Most people who want to eat before a play or show expect to fit in with the performance time, not the reverse and there are now plenty of alternative dining options in the area.
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Post by missthelma on Jul 15, 2019 19:00:08 GMT
Gosh I am dreading this. Booked prior to the casting announcement and now can't shift the tickets. I have taken to booking an EXTRA seat so as not to have to be so terribly cramped which is of course wasteful but a choice. So many productions have been ruined for me because of the seating and heat - last year's SPAMILTON a case in point. Roll on Saturday........................... Have to confess when I had the funds I would do the same at the Chocolate Starfish, even doing that I was still uncomfortably close to the person next door. Now having no spare money for such indulgence and frippery for the most part I avoid this theatre.
And indeed as alece10 says the aisle seat tends to leave one buttock almost entirely unsupported!
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jul 15, 2019 19:22:35 GMT
For the first time in my life I have double booked myself and find myself having booked this and Joseph on the same night. I guess a refund is out of the question but anyone know how accommodating they are to swapping tickets?
I really don't want to be stung with a load of silly charges either. I'd rather the seat goes empty if that is the case.
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Jul 15, 2019 21:00:33 GMT
Gosh I HATED this tonight and left in the interval (again) why don’t they cast actors that can sing in the UK? The lead guy Edward Baker-Duly was TERRIBLE and cracked many times (and not good looking either or any sex appeal) why on earth wasn’t Michael Xavier cast in this role? It needs excitement and chemistry and tension as the score is so tedious...
Sadly I didn’t think much of Jenna Russell either - her voice doesn’t match the score and is nowhere near the sheer soprano 10/10 magnificence of O’Hara. She was remotely average and low rent in her singing unlike everything else she has been in before. In this she is dreamy, pitchy and toothy. A real disappointment and both miscast I'm sorry.
A dull dull DULL boring show with great staging the only good thing going for it - sadly not even Trevor Nunn could save this stinker. The entire audience were sooo bored and terrible feedback at the interval. The Broadway soundtrack this is NOT. 3/10
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 21:19:47 GMT
it's an over exaggeration to say that Jenna Russell can't sing.
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Post by apubleed on Jul 15, 2019 21:21:46 GMT
I'm a little nervous now....I saw the OBC on Broadway so very interested in comparing. But yes O'Hara is a vocal powerhouse,as was Pasquale (well captured on the OBC recording). The sexual tension between them was oozing from that stage. If they can't sing the part, and there is no sex appeal, it would make for a much more boring evening. But I'm still going to keep an open mind.
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Jul 15, 2019 21:29:10 GMT
it's an over exaggeration to say that Jenna Russell can't sing. Please read what I said Jenna can sing. She’s been great in many roles. Just not this one. My main issue was with the male performers with lack of vocal range, timbre or stage presence. |
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jul 16, 2019 0:55:15 GMT
Finished at 22.48 tonight. Theatre was pleasantly cool. My seat A32 by the post had a perfect view, just had to move my feet quickly a few times as the table moved out. Didn't feel cramped at all.
I was hooked from the opening number. Loved the score, felt both the leads performed well. I haven't seen the film and didn't guess where the storyline was heading. The opening of the second act really surprised me so I won't elaborate. I wasn't aware of any lines being fluffed or unexpected noises and would never have guessed it was only the second preview.
Hoping it will follow Fiddler into the Playhouse
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781 posts
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Post by latefortheoverture on Jul 16, 2019 1:07:44 GMT
Anxiously looking forward to this on Thursday!
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264 posts
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Post by squidward on Jul 16, 2019 1:36:58 GMT
Gosh I HATED this tonight and left in the interval (again) why don’t they cast actors that can sing in the UK? The lead guy Edward Baker-Duly was TERRIBLE and cracked many times (and not good looking either or any sex appeal) why on earth wasn’t Michael Xavier cast in this role? It needs excitement and chemistry and tension as the score is so tedious... Sadly I didn’t think much of Jenna Russell either - her voice doesn’t match the score and is nowhere near the sheer soprano 10/10 magnificence of O’Hara. She was remotely average and low rent in her singing unlike everything else she has been in before. In this she is dreamy, pitchy and toothy. A real disappointment and both miscast I'm sorry. A dull dull DULL boring show with great staging the only good thing going for it - sadly not even Trevor Nunn could save this stinker. The entire audience were sooo bored and terrible feedback at the interval. The Broadway soundtrack this is NOT. 3/10 I’m 100pc I’m agreement with Musical Marge on this one. I’ve never really understood the fuss about Jenna Russell and I’ve yet to see her do anything that was more than serviceable. She and Edward Baker-Duly didn’t chime in a romantic way for me at all and given that relationship is st the centre of this story, it was game over for me very early on in the proceedings. In my humble opinion, Jason Robert Brown’s best work by a mile was ‘Parade’ and the rest of his output has been on diminishing returns ever since. I was taken to see the show by a friend, so couldn’t escape at the interval, but I definitely would have made a bolt for the exit at that point if I could have done. Believe me Musical Marge, you didn’t miss anything in the second half that would have changed your thoughts about the production. Presumably the MCF have got their eye on a transfer for the show but even with more dynamic leads, I can’t imagine this would last very long if it did make it into the west end. |
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Post by Fleance on Jul 16, 2019 2:04:32 GMT
Not a great show, but a good, lush score. Looking forward to seeing it next month. Also looking forward to Once on this Island at the Southwark Playhouse.
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Jul 16, 2019 8:07:00 GMT
A quick domestic question - does the Menier have a cloakroom for leaving overnight bags? Thank you 😄
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591 posts
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Post by lou105 on Jul 16, 2019 11:16:39 GMT
And this is off topic but don't make the mistake I once made of putting a bag in a (hideously expensive) railway station Left Luggage office which closed at 11. Just made it on time but this looks like a late finish.
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8,103 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jul 16, 2019 11:31:10 GMT
A quick domestic question - does the Menier have a cloakroom for leaving overnight bags? Thank you 😄 Yes it does have a cloakroom. You can leave coats bags etc with the box office and there is no cloakroom charge. Just a jar on the counter if you wish to tip. But you can leave an overnight bag no problem. Its preferable as not a lot of space in the theatre itself. |
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Jul 16, 2019 12:37:00 GMT
Thanks all 🙏
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Post by partytentdown on Jul 16, 2019 13:36:07 GMT
I have a £25 ticket for this tonight that I can't use, will accept any decent offer!
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Post by mrkringas on Jul 16, 2019 14:51:35 GMT
Jenna sounds terrific in this part. She is not going to replicate what Kelli did with the score. She makes it her own, is truthful with a lot of shade and completely engaging. She looks great too and is the sole redeeming feature.
However casting someone opposite her who cannot meet the demands of the score, cracks multiple times and has repeated off key moments was not a smart play. At least know your limits and get the composer to give you some option downs like Jonathan Bailey in L5Y.
Xavier is a dull choice too etc but surely there were other alternatives.
The biggest problem is that no one hacked the book in half after broadway as its full of surplus supporting characters. When you throw in the terribly fussy and distracting staging.. well its a disappointment that detracts from the lead.
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8,103 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jul 16, 2019 15:20:14 GMT
Nice 2 page interview with Jenna in tonight's Evening Standard. She talks about Bridges and how she turned down the role a few years ago when she was in Eastenders. She also talks about Sondheim and British musicals in general.
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Post by apubleed on Jul 16, 2019 15:25:51 GMT
So true:
"There’s an American slant to the musicals Russell has performed in. What does she think about the British musical theatre scene? “We’re getting there. The talent is there but I think in the US they nurture it more. I just wish there was a more protected environment for new writing that isn’t trying to be a massive commercial venture.”"
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2019 16:55:33 GMT
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3,333 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 17, 2019 6:38:32 GMT
I saw this in New York a few years ago. My opinion then was it was a pretty mediocre musical, with a lot of similar songs and without much to draw you in. The only saving grace was the acting and singing masterclass from one of the best leading ladies in the world.
This version doesn't benefit from such stellar talent. Both the leads are serviceable, both have good voices and can handle the score. Edward Baker-Duly, in particular, drew me in and I can see why a middle aged lady like Francesca would fall for him.
I enjoyed this more than in New York, but sometimes seeing a show for a second time helps. In this case, you know not to expect the most advanced plot (I see it as a cross between Brief Encounter and Once, but without the charm of either). There are emotional moments and the cast really get that across, particular when Francesca talks about her home town of Naples. And this was definitely generating debate with people leaving regarding if she made the right choice.
It is too long as 2 hours and 50 minutes (thanks for air conditioning).
It is selling well and the theatre is cramped. I was on the front row last night, arriving closer to start time than I would normally and people had moved along to fill my spot on the bench. They did (reluctantly) shift, but it was very cosy with the two people either side, which didn't bother me, but I was surprised the good looking guy on one side didn't prefer to shift along for more body contact with his girlfriend. In the second half, people took their correct positions and I had a decent amount of room.
It was also an audience where you could see very mixed levels of connections with the material. The aforementioned guy was a fidgeter, but his girlfriend was obviously into the show. On the other side, the woman next to me spent most of the second half asleep (woken only by clapping - which for this version occurs only every few songs) and her partner didn't bother to turn off the light on his smartwatch. Unusually for a show of this type, there was no standing ovation.
Finally, the set and staging. It is complex, hidden away as if it was very simple.
Initially, it is seating on two sides of a square empty wooden style block, used for various projections. There are various concealed doors and windows and props come on through a turntable, or pulled on runners under the floor. This didn't always work, so you saw several pulling doors open, loud bangs from backstage (particularly in the second half), a fridge that wobbled most of the time and a chair falling over when the leg got caught in the gap in the floor left for the runner. It looks good when it works, but it really is a set design fail.
I would say go if you can emotionally connect to this type of material (mid life crisis). I can't see it working for younger audiences. And you may get lucky and see the perfect performance. They still have a week to get this right before press night. But if you go in with the right mindset, both the leads are perfectly serviceable.
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Post by mrkringas on Jul 17, 2019 9:28:02 GMT
Jenna sounds terrific in this part. She is not going to replicate what Kelli did with the score. She makes it her own, is truthful with a lot of shade and completely engaging. She looks great too and is the sole redeeming feature. However casting someone opposite her who cannot meet the demands of the score, cracks multiple times and has repeated off key moments was not a smart play. At least know your limits and get the composer to give you some option downs like Jonathan Bailey in L5Y. Xavier is a dull choice too etc but surely there were other alternatives. The biggest problem is that no one hacked the book in half after Broadway as its full of surplus supporting characters. When you throw in the terribly fussy and distracting staging.. well its a disappointment that detracts from the lead. I should add that Gillian Kirkpatrick is great as the neighbour as is the understated and engaging woman who does "Another Life". Its the husband I just didn't care for. The balls to the wall opening to Act 2 (dissonant style not the performers) and much of the material that looking down the cast list for broadway it felt as if it was all there to justify a full production with a wider ensemble rather than the intimate chamber musical this is desperately trying to be. Also if you make a fuss about a portrait v landscape framing choice for a photograph then make sure your tech designer does not undermine key dialogue during a final moment. And cut the fantasy moment near the end Trev. |
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106 posts
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Post by helso1 on Jul 17, 2019 11:31:49 GMT
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1,083 posts
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Post by andrew on Jul 18, 2019 10:41:37 GMT
Anxiously looking forward to this on Thursday! I've never been more nervous about seeing a show, I want to like it so much, and the reviews have been so mixed. I'm also watching it tonight, see you there. |
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781 posts
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Post by latefortheoverture on Jul 18, 2019 11:18:42 GMT
Anxiously looking forward to this on Thursday! I've never been more nervous about seeing a show, I want to like it so much, and the reviews have been so mixed. I'm also watching it tonight, see you there. Also the same here; want to like it. It appears to be a marmite one! |
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