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Post by robertb213 on Aug 18, 2019 22:24:00 GMT
Sadly the person who filmed this recording focused more on Kelli and Steven so I haven't been able to easily determine much of the staging and set. They seemed particularly interested in the bits where Steven's shirt is either off or open. Outrageous behaviour.
But yes I did like the projections in the Menier!
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Post by latefortheoverture on Aug 18, 2019 23:10:12 GMT
Two new leads, or even just a different Robert, could have done wonders. Not just to the potentially stunning score, but to critic and audience response and could have easily been chucked into the playhouse for a couple of months after Fiddler. Shame. Hopefully, Trevor realises that a formal audition process is kind of helpful!
I wonder if anyone mentioned that lack of chemistry, and/or portrayal of Robert in this production? It's not hard to see, no doubt Jason Robert Brown had a comment about his score being murdered every night!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Aug 19, 2019 10:32:48 GMT
Two new leads, or even just a different Robert, could have done wonders. Not just to the potentially stunning score, but to critic and audience response and could have easily been chucked into the playhouse for a couple of months after Fiddler. Shame. Hopefully, Trevor realises that a formal audition process is kind of helpful! I wonder if anyone mentioned that lack of chemistry, and/or portrayal of Robert in this production? It's not hard to see, no doubt Jason Robert Brown had a comment about his score being murdered every night! I agree with everything you have said! My first thought upon seeing the production was how JRB had allowed this casting when he has a reputation for being so particular with how his music is presented. Surely he would have preferred two leads who could have done the score justice? Or was he just glad to see the piece done over here regardless? It is a shame that due to this, it seems all hopes of a transfer have vanished. As I said in my original view, had there been two people who sang the score well, my response to it would have been so much different. Hell, what happens if they still transfer it, but bring Kelli and Steven over if available? (Not going to happen, but one can dream). |
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Post by dazzerlump on Aug 19, 2019 15:38:10 GMT
Its such a shame as I adored the production. Yes I know the singing wasn't to the standard of the OBC in some roles, but the whole performance really connected with me. I would have loved to get down to see it again before it closes.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 19, 2019 15:50:37 GMT
Firstly why has no one mentioned that the male lead is Kevin Bacon?
And secondly don't listen to the OBC if you are going to see the show and then try to compare. You cant do it. Its like only ever listening to Angela Lansbury singing Sweeney and then going to see it with anyone else in and say its not as good.
I knew some of the songs before as last year I went to a Jason Robert Brown concert at The London Palladium and they did a few numbers from the show but I have never seen the film so really didn't know the show at all.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and find it hard to understand why some critics gave it 2 stars and some people on here totally hated it. Each to their own I guess.
Great staging and amazing use of the small space. OK the scenery did clunk a bit from time to time but it was damm clever. I was in Row A by the aisle and the table so had to keep moving my leg every time it shot out onto the stage.
Musically I really liked the score and the band played beautifully.
Great ensemble and sang it well.
Don't know why people gave Ed so much stick for his voice, I thought it was fine and just had issues with a couple of the highest notes.
Jenna gave a great performance as always and acted the socks off it. Nothing wrong with her voice either and she was being her and not trying to be Kelli O'Hara.
It did drag a bit and I looked at my watch a couple of times towards the end of Act 2. Probably could have cut 20 mins or so without making much difference to the story.
Its not a musical that I would probably revisit but really glad I saw it and had a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon.
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 19, 2019 15:54:04 GMT
Firstly why has no one mentioned that the male lead is Kevin Bacon?  ?? |
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Post by alece10 on Aug 19, 2019 16:18:59 GMT
Firstly why has no one mentioned that the male lead is Kevin Bacon? ?? Looks just like him. Thought he was going to get an EE phone out any minute. |
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 19, 2019 16:46:24 GMT
Oh, I get it. You're suggesting the male lead looks like Kevin Bacon
Your comment suggested it was, thus the question mark
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Post by alece10 on Aug 19, 2019 17:07:35 GMT
Saw it yesterday from A43, right in the corner near the door. Perfect view as I could see whichever way the actors were playing to. Jenna Russell was just astoundingly brilliant. I'd pay that ticket price just for that performance. Edgar Baker-Duly had the women and gay men around me drooling. The show, well, the music didn't grip me like "13" and "Last 5 Years" and the book didn't justify 2 hours 40 (they have got it down a bit). I was a bit "was that it?" when it became apparent there was no clever twist. Very well done, loved the way they used the enormous stage space, but I can't see it working in the West End either. There's just not enough of it and it didn't really move me very much. Worth seeing, but I've seen it and wouldn't rush back for anything other than Jenna. Cant believe we were sitting in the same row yesterday. Wish I had known would have said hello. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 19, 2019 17:32:32 GMT
Edgar Baker-Duly had the women and gay men around me drooling. I liked Edward Baker-Duly. Remember him from The King And I and just realised I recognised him from Grange Hill as well. Very realistic for the part. Good looking, in the way a middle aged woman would go for with an affair and his back story. Realistic. He played the role perfectly. It has zero chance of transferring. It’s not that strong a show. You can tell by how long it lasted on Broadway. But the Menier leads have done a great job. |
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Post by apubleed on Aug 19, 2019 17:56:45 GMT
Edward Baker-Duly had the women and gay men drooling? Were they all members of the AARP? Steven P had everyone drooling.
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 19, 2019 18:05:36 GMT
I didn't drool at Edward, sadly.
I would, however, let Steven buy me an ice cream.
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Post by sf on Aug 20, 2019 8:24:48 GMT
Jenna Russell was just astoundingly brilliant. I'd pay that ticket price just for that performance. She's the reason I'm going back to see it again before it closes - not a casual decision given that the train fare from here costs more than the theatre ticket. |
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Post by foxa on Aug 20, 2019 15:40:02 GMT
And I'm seeing this tonight (in what I fear might be very restricted view seats D31/32.)
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Post by sagiirl on Aug 20, 2019 20:25:25 GMT
And I'm seeing this tonight (in what I fear might be very restricted view seats D31/32.) I too have D31 waiting to hear how restricted as I may phone them up and change my seat if they allow it |
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Post by firstwetakemanhattan on Aug 20, 2019 22:52:18 GMT
And I'm seeing this tonight (in what I fear might be very restricted view seats D31/32.)
Hello from across the way at D21 Foxa! Great seat as others have said on here.
So, I thought this was pretty good, nice, forgetable songs, I thought the singing by the two leads was alright, and you know what, I actually liked the story, kinda. Yes its over long, and the end seemed never to come, but I dont really have any complaints at 25 quid. Jenna Russell was a powerhouse, on stage for almost the entire show, the ending seemed a little rushed, whilst going on forever if that makes any sense, covering a lot of ground quickly, but just.would.not.end
Got out at 22.50, whats with the 8pm start time?
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Post by foxa on Aug 20, 2019 23:03:18 GMT
I was in D32 and daughter in D31 and there was some restriction in each - but D31 was the better of the two. Though I think Row D is a bit better than row C where Stasia was because you are further away from the pillar so can look around it more easily, there were some annoying important moments missed/obscured, including a significant embrace; one bit where I could only see Edward's leg while he sang and a scene on a bar stool where I had to really lean to see the singer. My daughter in D31 said she missed a lot of the telephone calls that were performed far stage left - so not big acting moments, but a bit annoying not to see one of the two people on stage. You do get a good view of the projections. For £25, it was okay, but more restricted than any other seat I've sat in at the Menier.
On the plus side, I have a restaurant recommendation for you. We ate at Bar Douro, a tapas place in Flat Iron Square about two minutes' walk from the Menier, and it was v. good.
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Post by foxa on Aug 20, 2019 23:06:51 GMT
Hello from across the way at D21 Foxa! Great seat as others have said on here. Hi back firstwetakemanhattan! Oh about the musical - I thought it was very flawed, but we enjoyed ourselves. As manhattan said above - it seemed the ending would never come! But I was interested to see it - and now I have. |
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Post by Stasia on Aug 21, 2019 3:26:10 GMT
I was in D32 and daughter in D31 and there was some restriction in each - but D31 was the better of the two. Though I think Row D is a bit better than row C where Stasia was because you are further away from the pillar so can look around it more easily, there were some annoying important moments missed/obscured, including a significant embrace; one bit where I could only see Edward's leg while he sang and a scene on a bar stool where I had to really lean to see the singer. My daughter in D31 said she missed a lot of the telephone calls that were performed far stage left - so not big acting moments, but a bit annoying not to see one of the two people on stage. You do get a good view of the projections. For £25, it was okay, but more restricted than any other seat I've sat in at the Menier. On the plus side, I have a restaurant recommendation for you. We ate at Bar Douro, a tapas place in Flat Iron Square about two minutes' walk from the Menier, and it was v. good. I seriously hated the director for unnecessarily making these seats much more restricted than he could. He had the whole stage free! |
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Post by musicalmarge on Aug 21, 2019 7:34:18 GMT
Edward Baker-Duly had the women and gay men drooling? Were they all members of the AARP? Steven P had everyone drooling. Drooling at my watch to LEAVE! Hahaha |
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Post by Mark on Aug 22, 2019 23:05:36 GMT
Saw the show tonight. Firstly, very happy that when we picked up our tickets we were upgraded to great central seats.
I previously saw the Broadway production.
The show is great - I loved Jenna and thought she played the role brilliantly. Her vocals were also exceptional - different to Kelli of course but I really thought she suited the part well.
Edward Baker-Duly Was fine for the most part, but didn’t reach the soaring vocals of Steven Pasquale. A few notes missed. One Second and a million miles seems to have been lowered in key. I did really like his “It all fades away” though.
Remainder of the cast were fine, but this really is a show of the two lead roles.
Staging - excellent, another really strong production for the Menier. Reaction from the audience was very good. Can’t see this transferring, whilst it has sold fairly well it isn’t the golden sell-out hit you come to expect at the Chocolate Factory.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 25, 2019 7:54:56 GMT
The piece is way too long and the score is very samey. It's basically a two hander set around a kitchen table but yet the writers and creatives give us all these distractions.
The band sounded terribly over amplified.
One of the over most designed pieces I've had the misfortune to sit through. What the feck was the truck? Revolves and sliding panels are all very good when needed. Here they are noisy and clumsy but provide a welcome distraction from the lack of chemisty on stage.
On the plus side I loved Jenna Russell. What an actress?
Not another Barnum or Paradise Found but its a another negative for the Chocolate Starfish.
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Post by jampot on Aug 25, 2019 8:07:13 GMT
Saw the matinee yesterday and really enjoyed this. Loved everything about it from the fun set to the lighting. Great music too, perfectly balanced. Cast in fine form with the leads standing out. Edward Baker-Duly (who I thought was Kevin Bacon briefly) in pieces at the bows..not seen that before..may take a second look 4/5
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Post by alece10 on Aug 25, 2019 8:50:20 GMT
Saw the matinee yesterday and really enjoyed this. Loved everything about it from the fun set to the lighting. Great music too, perfectly balanced. Cast in fine form with the leads standing out. Edward Baker-Duly (who I thought was Kevin Bacon briefly) in pieces at the bows..not seen that before..may take a second look 4/5 Thank you. Glad you saw the Kevin Bacon likeness. Seems like we are the only 2. |
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Aug 25, 2019 11:55:01 GMT
Has anyone got opinions on F 47 and 48? I just want to know what I'm in for in terms of restriction since most people seem to have only been talking about D and E (though I saw someone mention the couple of seats in front being alright and just being a side view so I'm hoping these should be similar).
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