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Post by apubleed on May 5, 2024 8:45:03 GMT
The energy at the show is wild at the moment. Feels like the OG cast are counting down the days and enjoying the final time they have together + award wins.
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Post by sophia on May 7, 2024 13:04:04 GMT
Strange that the original cast have their last performance this Saturday, the new cast start next Monday and this hasn’t been officially announced yet… All we’ve had are social media posts naming the four new cast members, with no mention of dates at all.
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Post by fiyero on May 7, 2024 13:08:00 GMT
Strange that the original cast have their last performance this Saturday, the new cast start next Monday and this hasn’t been officially announced yet… All we’ve had are social media posts naming the four new cast members, with no mention of dates at all. I was just going to ask if there is an official cast change date announced yet? Not used to such short announcements! |
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Post by mkb on May 7, 2024 13:39:32 GMT
The talk of an imminent cast change, and the unexpected availability of good stalls seats on a Monday night, prompted me to re-book a show I rated a solid five stars in its "work-in-progress", pre-preview outing at the Southwark Playhouse in July 2021. It was also an opportunity to tick off the one remaining West End theatre that I had never attended.
The Fortune Theatre is small and boutique, but it's quite quaint in its own way with a few Art Deco hints. What I noticed most was how close everyone is to the stage, whichever level they are sat in. I think next time I go here, I will definitely strive for front circle with its superb immersive view.
As for the show, last night we had four of my original Southwark Playhouse cast plus Holly Sumpton as Jean. Unfortunately, Holly was unwell -- although this had not noticeably affected her performance -- and she was replaced after a slightly extended interval by Geri Allan. There was some witty ad-libbing ("Have you changed your hair?") and a few other lines, that the audience loved. While I appreciate this show has its very excited fans, there were one or two attention-seekers in the stalls who wanted to make the show about them rather than the actors on the stage, with regular whooping and fiercely exaggerated laughter that became a tad annoying.
The first act lived up to my recollection of my previous experience: all great fun, but much tighter and with West End professionalism and budget slapped on. The second act seemed to dip mid-way, compared to previously. Perhaps I enjoyed that section more first time around because I was seeing it for the first time, or maybe they have changed too many things? Faith was restored by the Glitzy Finale, that sent me out smiling.
Five stars still, but only just now.
Act 1: 19:32-20:45
Act 2: 21:12-22:14
(Extended interval due to cast member change)
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Post by capybara on May 8, 2024 10:31:52 GMT
Insane how four of the OG cast are leaving in three days, yet there has still been no official announcement from the show/producers.
I feel desperately sorry for the new cast who, in any other show, would be able to enjoy the anticipation leading up to their debut performances but for some reason are not being afforded that level of respect here.
I also feel sorry for paying customers who don’t know what specific emojis mean on Twitter or have the inside info to know when the old cast is leaving and the new one is starting.
I’ll be there on Saturday night to wave off the departing cast but the way this has been handled is completely shambolic.
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Post by andrew on May 8, 2024 10:44:11 GMT
The Waitress producers walked so that Avalon could run.
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Post by jm25 on May 8, 2024 10:51:15 GMT
I was able to catch this one more time yesterday with the current cast. I'd been expecting to see Holly Sumpton on as Jean but due to her being unwell on Monday Claire-Marie Hall was back a day early, meaning it was the full OG cast in. The show is such a joy and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to see this cast one more time. They're all supremely talented but Jak Malone really is a special talent.
Agree with everyone's comments re. the awful lack of info about the cast change. Poor all round and not fair on any of the actors involved. That said, looking forward to seeing the show again at some point with the new guys!
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Post by mkb on May 8, 2024 14:54:39 GMT
...it was the full OG cast in. ... What does "OG" mean? The context suggests "original" them something beginning with "g" that has me stumped. Google says it's "gangsta" which is clearly not right. Chambers offers "own goal"! |
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Post by Dave B on May 8, 2024 15:15:24 GMT
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Post by jm25 on May 8, 2024 15:26:52 GMT
...it was the full OG cast in. ... What does "OG" mean? The context suggests "original" them something beginning with "g" that has me stumped. Google says it's "gangsta" which is clearly not right. Chambers offers "own goal"! Ha! To be fair I believe the G does technically stand for "gangster" - though I usually just see it used to mean original. Merriam-Webster: someone or something that is an original or originator and especially one that is highly respected or regarded |
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Post by Matt on May 8, 2024 15:58:10 GMT
Hmmm this is quite an odd thing to publicly put out there. Seems like another daft move from Avalon, showing their cards but with a not-so-much good hand:
“ The rumours are rife that Operation Mincemeat is coming to Broadway.
But here is the truth…
The Broadway industry is split. Some people, including significant investors and producers, say the show is “too British”, and some that Broadway has become too expensive. (London cost £2mil vs Broadway $13.5m) Our supporters, including many American press and public, don’t agree - and think the show will go gang-busters.
On our side, we’re looking at the stats: a year ago, 2% of our London audience was American. Today we’re up to 11%. And we’ve just picked up 2 Olivier Awards…
Listen. We really want to bring the show to Broadway. But we need the American ticket-buying public to tell us - is the show “too British” or can we join the ranks of Six, Les Mis, and Oliver… to name a few that have successfully crossed the pond?
Please help us by answering our questionnaire… And if we make it over - we’ll give you priority access to tickets.
Fingers crossed! 🤞
P.S. If you know any American patriots who have seen the show and might not be on this list, do share!”
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Post by jm25 on May 8, 2024 16:04:10 GMT
Just got the same email and also thought it was very odd. Seems a tad unprofessional?
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Post by capybara on May 8, 2024 16:07:22 GMT
I am so confused by what’s going on with this show at the moment…
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Post by osdtdg on May 8, 2024 16:07:51 GMT
A few odd decisions going on here; no announcement for cast change (supposedly, or rather very likely happening this weekend) and then this as if they want to put all the risk (and subsequently blame) of the potential transfer on the fans who answer the survey. Very weird and indeed, unprofessional
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Post by jm25 on May 8, 2024 16:10:34 GMT
I'm not USA based but have just taken a look at a few of the questions. Do you generally struggle to understand UK accents, did you understand the dialogue, did you understand the lyrics, etc.
Also a question on whether any of the following would be considered "too British" for an American audience: Les Mis, Oliver, Six, Mary Poppins, Billy Elliott, Me and My Girl.
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Post by Mark on May 8, 2024 16:24:52 GMT
A very unusual email. I’ve been told a venue has already been booked for the transfer.
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Post by Being Alive on May 8, 2024 16:28:39 GMT
Dumbest. Email. Ever.
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Post by capybara on May 8, 2024 16:32:20 GMT
Avalon are making this wonderful show and talented group of creatives look so amateur. I just don’t get it.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on May 8, 2024 16:33:31 GMT
Insane how four of the OG cast are leaving in three days, yet there has still been no official announcement from the show/producers. I feel desperately sorry for the new cast who, in any other show, would be able to enjoy the anticipation leading up to their debut performances but for some reason are not being afforded that level of respect here. I also feel sorry for paying customers who don’t know what specific emojis mean on Twitter or have the inside info to know when the old cast is leaving and the new one is starting. I’ll be there on Saturday night to wave off the departing cast but the way this has been handled is completely shambolic. Not being formally announced doesn't take anything away from the anticipation leading up to a first night. Just because someone's name is on a press release doesn't make it more exciting. It has nothing to do with respect.
99.9% of the paying public won't have a clue about who the originals were, or who the new cast are. 99.9% of the public won't care either.
It's hardly shambolic.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on May 8, 2024 16:35:28 GMT
I said in the feedback that it’s a weird survey and desperate marketing.
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Post by capybara on May 8, 2024 16:38:46 GMT
You do start to wonder if the two things are linked here.
Clearly they wanted to announce the original cast taking the show to Broadway at the same time as the new cast.
Has the transfer fallen through? The email makes it sound as though investors have got cold feet and the survey feels like a desperate attempt to drum up support.
I hope it’s just a really mealy-mouthed piece of marketing for advance sales ahead of a big Broadway transfer announcement but all the weirdness does make one wonder…
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Post by jm25 on May 8, 2024 16:42:11 GMT
Even if they're inundated with a flood of positive responses... is that really going to convince investors when the people being surveyed are those on the mailing list?
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Post by Matt on May 8, 2024 17:10:50 GMT
Even if they're inundated with a flood of positive responses... is that really going to convince investors when the people being surveyed are those on the mailing list? And has this public plea for help given them the ick? |
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Post by dip on May 8, 2024 17:12:24 GMT
"Someone get a mug with this fine fellow’s face on it, stat! @seanannigans91 as Charles Cholmondeley & others. Pleased to reveal he and our new recruits will be stationed from 13 May. Standby for more news"
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Post by Figaro on May 8, 2024 17:23:30 GMT
Does anyone think that a transfer is confirmed, they are just using this as a marketing ploy?
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