82 posts
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Post by ada92 on Jul 16, 2017 16:58:23 GMT
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376 posts
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Post by sherriebythesea on Jul 18, 2017 23:18:30 GMT
I've been hitting the tourist trail pretty hard since arriving Sunday. Today was rough. I strained my calf muscle while walking all though Tower of London, and that was on my good leg. So I'm slowly limping around, phone reception goes all wacky and I can't pull up map to theatre. Leg so bad I couldn't wonder around looking for it, even though I knew I was close what with all the other theatres around. Finally got it figured out and work my way over there. Big class of wine and nice conversation with some people that let me share their table.
Got in my seat (A1 Stall is fantastic), the music started and I smiled and laughed the whole time. All cares and pain were forgotten. It took me back to all of the depression era corkscrew comedies that used to play late at night on the TV when I was a kid
Trying to figure out if i can fit more more trip there before I have to go home
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904 posts
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Post by lonlad on Jul 18, 2017 23:48:18 GMT
"Corkscrew comedies"? That seems a very odd description for this archetypal backstage story, which truly is a tale as old as time (and BRILLIANTLY done in this production)
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376 posts
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Post by sherriebythesea on Jul 19, 2017 21:00:19 GMT
"Corkscrew comedies"? That seems a very odd description for this archetypal backstage story, which truly is a tale as old as time (and BRILLIANTLY done in this production) I really need to re-read what I write before I hit "post". I meant screwball comedy. Maybe I was wishing I had a corkscrew in my room for that nice bottle of wine I bought? The female lead part probably wasn't written strong enough to qualify as a true screwball, but I hope you know what I meant now. Those depression era films were so wonderful and this production gave me that same type of escapism that I really needed last night. I loved that show and, as I said before, it raised my spirits and made me forget my achy woes. |
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121 posts
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Post by theatregeek on Jul 20, 2017 12:06:01 GMT
I've been hitting the tourist trail pretty hard since arriving Sunday. Today was rough. I strained my calf muscle while walking all though Tower of London, and that was on my good leg. So I'm slowly limping around, phone reception goes all wacky and I can't pull up map to theatre. Leg so bad I couldn't wonder around looking for it, even though I knew I was close what with all the other theatres around. Finally got it figured out and work my way over there. Big class of wine and nice conversation with some people that let me share their table. Got in my seat (A1 Stall is fantastic), the music started and I smiled and laughed the whole time. All cares and pain were forgotten. It took me back to all of the depression era corkscrew comedies that used to play late at night on the TV when I was a kid Trying to figure out if i can fit more more trip there before I have to go home Hope you're feeling better now - I'm sure the show must have helped! Isn't it just fantastic from the first note to the last? I sat in the front row too and loved it there. Get back in there, support these huge shows, there are not enough of them these days! Enjoy the rest of your trip.
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5,144 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 20, 2017 13:31:48 GMT
Wow. Wow. Wow. What a show. This is twice the musical that An American in Paris thinks it is, but sadly isn't.
It no doubt helps that I was sat on the front row, but in all my years, I don't ever recall seeing, or hearing, anything so big:
Big orchestra, including a harpist. A harpist in a West End pit!!!
Big sound.
Big chorus.
Big production numbers.
Big set.
Big finale.
Big smiles, all around.
Gabrielle Lewis-Dobson was playing Peggy Sawyer, very well.
Sheena Easton was a revelation. When 'Julian Marsh' walked in front of the house curtains to announce that she's indisposed, some wag shouted "hurray" back. Just shows how she 'owned' the part.
Plenty of spittle action from Tom Lister.
The young man playing Billy Lawlor was absolutely dripping. I don't think I've ever seen so much perspiration on stage. Everytime he spotted during the dance routines, another half a pint was splattered across the stage, down into the pit and onto the MD.
The energy of those 'kids', as ALW would call them, is incredible. I don't think I'd have the stamina to do that once a day, never mind twice!
After the curtain call, half the audience made for the exits, but the other half walked towards the stage, just to look down, in mouth open amazement, at all the musicians.
If this doesn't run and run, I'm through with theatre.
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716 posts
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Post by theatre-turtle on Jul 20, 2017 14:16:06 GMT
Stuart Neal (plays billy) was dripping with sweat when I saw it too but to be fair he does a huge amount of the singing and dancing and much of it is in heavy costume - for example in Dames he's wearing full black tie and a top hat.
The ladies wear comparatively little so have more 'breathable' outfits. Interesting double standard that.
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5,144 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 22, 2017 12:47:24 GMT
Why bother paying hundreds of pounds every year to join a gymnasium? Just become a musical theatre star instead!
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82 posts
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Post by ada92 on Jul 22, 2017 13:01:25 GMT
If only.... They themselves have to pay hundreds to the gyms be ABLE to carry on in Musical Theatre!! Haha
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5,144 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 22, 2017 13:08:55 GMT
What was that line from Fame?
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Jul 23, 2017 7:13:50 GMT
I will admit to being disappointed at not seeing Sheena. Finally got to see her last night. I loved her, though the person I was with preferred CJ Johnson. I thought Sheena's acting was fine and, of course, her singing is so powerful. I'm glad I got to see her. And Miss Halse truly was amazing. She was like a little pocket rocket flying around and captured the 1930s/40s Hollywood naive earnestness of, say, a young Leslie Caron perfectly in the first act. And we didn't get her last night. Really disappointed. She is a true star and, though the understudy did a reasonable job, she really wasn't a patch on Miss Halse, neither technically with her tapping nor with her acting, stage presence or star quality, which made it more difficult to buy into the whole story. She also needed to get a screwdriver and loosen her taps on all her shoes as the sound they made wasn't hollow enough. (It's a fine line in tap exams/competitions, loosening your taps more than your dance partners and getting a richer noise than they do, or going that bit too far and having the tap actually fall off!) At the curtain call she flew around that vast Drury Lane stage as if she were on spreels And that was another difference. There was an ease about Miss Halse's dancing that was missing last night. But, like everyone else, I agree that the show belongs to the ensemble. This hasn't changed. Close up their smiles were smiles of joy at being there, not the cheesy, jazz-handy smiles of stage school. They still look happy and fresh 3 months on. I didn't mention the men last time and after this visit I need to address that. Slick and brilliant. All of them, with particular mention to Stuart Neal as Billy, Tom Lister as Julian and Graeme Henderson as Andy, who reminded me so much of Robert Glenister close up. We got to see a bit of a rushed change in the wings before In the Money as someone had accidentally hitched back a tab. It must be exhausting every night. The girls even have at least 3 different pairs of tights to contend with, and for Peggy and the 4 or 5 main girls that also includes getting those microphone wires inside them. It makes me tired even thinking about having to contend with that every night! It's still a great show and for those who haven't seen Clare Halse as Peggy I seriously suggest a return visit if you want to see truly outstanding tapping. |
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4,178 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Jul 23, 2017 7:17:56 GMT
What was that line from Fame? You've got big dreams. You want Fame. And when fame comes it'll start right here, in sweat. or something to that effect |
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Post by Mr Snow on Jul 23, 2017 8:19:34 GMT
Went back last night after catching a preview.
Took ME 10 minis to get back to speed, This show really is a wonder and the leads have grown into their parts.
"Musical Comedy the greatest words in the English language".
For 2.5 hrs I really believed it.
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653 posts
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Post by ptwest on Jul 23, 2017 8:54:26 GMT
"You've got big dreams. You want fame. Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying: in sweat."
Thats how it was in the TV series anyway....
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4,178 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Jul 23, 2017 9:01:45 GMT
"You've got big dreams. You want fame. Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying: in sweat." Thats how it was in the TV series anyway.... That's it. God bless Debbie Allen |
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Jul 23, 2017 9:09:22 GMT
Good heavens.....13 series of Grey's Anatomy and finally...... THAT's where I've seen her before! Thanks anthony40. (Preferred her in Fame to Grey's - maybe that's why I didn't recognise her.) |
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1,307 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jul 24, 2017 10:17:57 GMT
I was at Saturday night's performance too. From those lovely A0 / A1 seats. Yes, Gabrielle has big "shoes" to fill as Peggy, but if you didn't know she was the understudy I doubt you'd be disappointed. She did seem tired at the end (not unnaturally) and didn't seem to have the speed that Clare Halsey has on my previous 2 visits with that fab last number.
Tom Listers spittle action - my friend was icked out by. Love seeing people making for the orchestra pit at the end.
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5,144 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 24, 2017 12:45:59 GMT
"You've got big dreams. You want fame. Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying: in sweat." Thats how it was in the TV series anyway.... Thanks everyone. Alternatively, there is also: "Men sweat, women perspire, dancers glow." I like to think I'm reasonably fit, for my age, but I wouldn't even make it halfway through the opening number! What a company. I was in complete awe. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 19:55:43 GMT
I am pleased to advise
The show is doing well
It has now caught the tourist market
Hoards of them
Balcony open for both shows today
Most levels 90%
No papering
No blatant discounted offers
After a rocky start
A massive investment
And huge theatre to fill
The hard work and lavish dedication
Are paying off
🎉🎉
Very diverse audience
Massive group of Chinese students
A black family near me from age 8 to 80
Many Spanish tourists
French friends
It's so hard to capture this sort diverse audience
Part of the reason why lots of new British shows
Flop and close
Is because tourists and groups aren't interested
Everyone's talking about Jamie
Being a case in point
Along with BILB
The Girls
Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Full monty
Etc
Etc
The list goes on
Can see it from miles off
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 21:54:35 GMT
Full chorus complement this evening
All leads on
Except Mac/Doc
Show is looking and sounding better than ever
My guests tonight loved it
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19,695 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 26, 2017 22:02:19 GMT
Part of the reason why lots of new British shows Flop and close Is because tourists and groups aren't interested Everyone's talking about Jamie Being a case in point Along with BILB The Girls Umbrellas of Cherbourg Full monty Etc Etc The list goes on Can see it from miles off If you can see it from miles off why did you invest in BILB? |
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1,218 posts
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Post by nash16 on Jul 26, 2017 22:15:02 GMT
Does anyone know if Clare Halse publishes her holiday schedule anywhere? Thanks in advance.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 22:17:54 GMT
Does anyone know if Clare Halse publishes her holiday schedule anywhere? Thanks in advance. No unfortunately I can see why you wouldn't want to go when she isn't on Send her a tweet Or failing that tweet her understudy To check dates |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 22:21:09 GMT
Part of the reason why lots of new British shows Flop and close Is because tourists and groups aren't interested Everyone's talking about Jamie Being a case in point Along with BILB The Girls Umbrellas of Cherbourg Full monty Etc Etc The list goes on Can see it from miles off If you can see it from miles off why did you invest in BILB? Fendi HAUTE Couture |
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19,695 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 26, 2017 22:35:12 GMT
If you can see it from miles off why did you invest in BILB? Fendi HAUTE Couture Is that code for "I f***ed up and lost all my money because my judgement isn't all I'd like it to be"? |
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