114 posts
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Post by rosscoe on Nov 13, 2021 0:17:47 GMT
I can’t remember the last time I was so disappointed in something , yes the effect are great, sadly the rest of the show is a chore to sit through . Roger Bart had at least tired to create a character, as said above that ACT TWO opener is well pointless. Here was a great 1 hour 40 minute film turned into a bloated mess. If that spent as much time on the songs as getting the effects right , this should have been something really special. Honestly a huge disappointment.
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345 posts
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Post by johartuk on Nov 13, 2021 11:50:12 GMT
There was a BTTF performance just now on the Lord Mayor's Show broadcast (BBC1) - 'Marty' (Ollie Dobson) and the DeLorean with 'Marty' singing 'The Power Of Love'.
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Post by danb on Nov 13, 2021 12:07:20 GMT
I can’t remember the last time I was so disappointed in something , yes the effect are great, sadly the rest of the show is a chore to sit through . Roger Bart had at least tired to create a character, as said above that ACT TWO opener is well pointless. Here was a great 1 hour 40 minute film turned into a bloated mess. If that spent as much time on the songs as getting the effects right , this should have been something really special. Honestly a huge disappointment. Alas, yes, the music in this musical appears to have been at the bottom of their list. |
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on Nov 13, 2021 14:05:13 GMT
There was a BTTF performance just now on the Lord Mayor's Show broadcast (BBC1) - 'Marty' (Ollie Dobson) and the DeLorean with 'Marty' singing 'The Power Of Love'. Yeah, was that sung live or mimed? Sounded live, and impressive. Some West End performers can do that I guess, while others need to be in their theatres on stage…….. |
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153 posts
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Post by geweena on Nov 13, 2021 20:23:30 GMT
What seems to be the situation with Olly Dobson - it looks like he has been missing quite a few shows at the moment? Does he have a certain number of shows off per week?
He isn’t on again tonight but was promoting the show on the Lord Mayors parade today?
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129 posts
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Post by critchyboy on Nov 18, 2021 2:29:04 GMT
Caught the show this afternoon on a £25 day seat from TodayTix - quite the bargain! Row K of the stalls - a perfect seat to take it all in.
Stays fairly faithful to the film except for a few changes and I loved the special effects. The last race in the car to the clock tower was a particular highlight for me!
Cast great - main two were on and are a great duo. George McFly also a standout.
Some great songs in there, others a bit ‘meh’ but pleasant and serviceable enough.
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540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Nov 21, 2021 19:27:16 GMT
Caught this by chance this afternoon after re checking rush tickets at 12 pm Row G dress circle great seats but boy that new air con blows right down your neck !
Totally agree with others. Great effects esp with the screen etc …. But basically the car seems same as chitty just a different car on top was s bit wobbly today and to tbh after all the hype I expected a little bit more spectacle for the last flight but then I suppose any light effects would give the game away and from our seats I believed me I looked we weren’t able we to see anything we shouldn’t wonder if u can from middle stalls ?
I really think they should cut at least 2 songs and maybe. Re write a couple of does feel 20 mins too long
An enjoyable afternoon the 2 main actors were great
Roger Bart really is the star of the show
Not sure if it was just today but even power of love sounded a bit weak ?
I do think like others a play with music 🎵 would have been much better 3/5 from me
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Post by v2david on Nov 24, 2021 22:17:46 GMT
Just got back from seeing this one this afternoon. I had low expectations, so I was actually pleasantly surprised. The special effects were amazing. My biggest issue with the show is the actual songs. Some of them I thought were excellent, but some of them really made it look like a High School play. I think they should drop a few of the songs and perhaps replace them with more dialogue.
TIghten up the show a little bit. The parts (and songs) which work, work REALLY well. The parts which don't drag down the rest.
That being said, I am still giving it ****. It was probably a *** play, but the ending was so exhilarating that it pushes all of the negativity away. This isn't a great musical, but it was a lot of fun.
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Post by v2david on Nov 26, 2021 1:12:37 GMT
Totally agree with others. Great effects esp with the screen etc …. But basically the car seems same as chitty just a different car on top was s bit wobbly today and to tbh after all the hype I expected a little bit more spectacle for the last flight but then I suppose any light effects would give the game away and from our seats I believed me I looked we weren’t able we to see anything we shouldn’t wonder if u can from middle stalls ? The effect from the middle stalls was simply amazing!! I don't suggest on sitting in front in the stalls though as the stage is very high.
This is a really interesting play as when it is great is so damn great. And the few times it is bad, it is really bad. It is so damn inconsistent! What does it want to be? I am starting to think perhaps this would have been better if it hadn't been a musical (except for the songs originally in the movie). But there ARE a few songs which are really great. It's just the rest are BELOW average.
Yeah, I still gave it **** because the ending was beyond exhilarating. But the honest truth is this thing needs a lot of work. It's like they throw everything and the kitchen sink at the viewer hoping something sticks. But they don't have to do that as they already have a few scenes which make it a sure thing.
Very interesting to see if this evolves or not. (But I guess if they didn't change much during the break from Covid, chances are they aren't planning on doing much now).
P.S. Power of Love DOES seem weak. It just drags. How can you mess up the biggest hit? Also want to add the actors were all stellar.
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Post by v2david on Nov 26, 2021 1:23:28 GMT
Roger Bart had at least tired to create a character, as said above that ACT TWO opener is well pointless. Here was a great 1 hour 40 minute film turned into a bloated mess.
I actually enjoyed the Act 2 opener. While it perhaps has no business being in the play, I will say it is one of the few enjoyable songs along with the Act 1 closer.
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527 posts
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Post by Hamilton Addict on Nov 27, 2021 13:00:50 GMT
It would seem that the release of the cast album has been postponed. The initial release date was on November 26th, but both iTunes and Amazon are now listing a February release date. Maybe they felt it wasn't ready, but it seems strange that they've done this without an official announcement.
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1,132 posts
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Post by Stephen on Nov 28, 2021 0:28:47 GMT
Went last night. A lot of my thoughts echo the criticisms already mentioned. I will add that we had Mark Oxtoby on as Doc Brown. Despite my initial disappointment at not seeing Roger Bart (I'm unlikely to return to see this again) Mark was fantastic in the role! I thought that he and Olly Dobson were excellent. The standout performance for me was Hugh Coles as George McFly. The audience LOVED his portrayal. Excellent. There were a lot of fans in which was fun to be a part of as a big fan of the films myself. As a very jumpy person startled by most loud noises I was glad that this wasn't too in your face. Most pyros are silent and the thunder sound effects not too crazy! The only sudden startling one was when {Spoiler - click to view}
the delorean first appears where a loud noise and bright lights distract from the mechanism launching the car out of the darkness. The final 20 minutes are visually impressive and particularly exciting. |
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1,561 posts
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Post by showtoones on Dec 6, 2021 21:48:05 GMT
Why is it that whenever I check west end understudies on Twitter Olly always seems to be out. It seems that his understudy is in more than he is.
I wonder if he just can’t sing it 8x week
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Post by mattnyc on Dec 6, 2021 23:01:21 GMT
Yeah this is now the 4th time I’ve had a ticket for this show and Olly has been out. Obviously people are allowed to call out but they need to but it’s a bit ridiculous with him.
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1,561 posts
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Post by showtoones on Dec 6, 2021 23:09:46 GMT
Yeah this is now the 4th time I’ve had a ticket for this show and Olly has been out. Obviously people are allowed to call out but they need to but it’s a bit ridiculous with him. He shouldn't be scheduled to do all of the shows because he clearly isn't able to do all of them, for whatever reason. Maybe it's health or another reason and I am not saying it isn't justified, but he just can't be counted on to be there. Will should just be Marty "at certain performances". |
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Post by mattnyc on Dec 8, 2021 13:23:46 GMT
Stopped by the box office to hopefully catch Olly today and they told me he’s still out. “He’s very ill”, the nice man who works there said.
That’s not even close to the first time I’ve heard that when inquiring about him being in, though.
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 22, 2021 12:08:17 GMT
I saw this on Sunday at the matinee. My first visit since this transferred.
Very little to add to my thoughts from Manchester. It is a real spectacle, if anything tighter than Manchester, but it is still a bit too long and could do with trimming in the first half.
My rush ticket (mid Stalls) was excellent value, but the rake is not good. I was lucky to have a young (and bored) child in front of me so the view was decent. Sunday wasn't sold out.
It was also cover central, with covers for Doc, George, Biff and Linda. All were very good, especially Mark Oxtoby with a mad take on Doc Brown. Great to see ArtsEd graduate Joshua Clemetson in the ensemble too.
Don't think I will rush back, but still a good fun afternoon.
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Dec 27, 2021 14:25:18 GMT
Cancelled today and tomorrow....today's matinee cancelled 90 minutes before curtain. People on Twitter are NOT happy.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2021 15:21:57 GMT
Cancelled today and tomorrow....today's matinee cancelled 90 minutes before curtain. People on Twitter are NOT happy. Are theatre people on Twitter ever happy? |
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Dec 27, 2021 15:31:48 GMT
Cancelled today and tomorrow....today's matinee cancelled 90 minutes before curtain. People on Twitter are NOT happy. Are theatre people on Twitter ever happy? Maybe not but a lot of them have travelled 2-3 hours to find out they're not getting a show, they're allowed to be a bit miffed. |
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1,132 posts
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Post by Stephen on Jan 7, 2022 17:07:55 GMT
Is 18th February now confirmed as the cast recording release date or was that a rumour? I think it was moved back?
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1,054 posts
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Post by David J on Jan 8, 2022 23:09:07 GMT
Saw this in the afternoon and have to agree with the the more critical reviews
Watching this there was a general feeling that this barely justifies its existence as a musical
The main problem is that it is chock full of unremarkable songs that bloats a 2 hour film into a 2 hour and 45 minute unmemorable musical. What moments of simple dialogue scenes that could drive character development and story gets swamped by these endless songs
Could this have worked as a musical? Of course. But Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard lack the creativity here to conceive that. Was you get is an pale imitation of the film with songs thrown in. They don’t even hide it when Marty gives a knowing look at the audience before strumming the guitar on the amplifier at the start
It was telling that the highlight for me was the chase with the bullies by the end of act 1. When there was actual business going on and it became a stage adaptation trying to do its own thing
The other highlight was Roger Bart as Doc bringing some humour to proceeding and . Even if it’s a mixture of imitating the character and doing the same schtick he did as Carmen in The Producers, yelling words and so on
The others did a good job recreating the characters onstage. Especially Will Haswell who was on as Marty McFly
I suppose I went to see this for the production values. Frankly I expected more. I too felt the car was slow on the contraption in the finale and in the end it’s the same effect you get at the London Palladium and the other Qdos/Crossroads pantomimes
And there were other set pieces that I felt were lacking. Particularly the Goldie Wilson number with that simple frame. Moments like that where I thought “Is that all you’ve got?”.
I felt some of the projections looked a bit on the murky side. I saw Life of Pi in the evening and the projections looked better in my opinion
This isn't awful. I just came out of this thinking there’s a better musical in this that was never realised. It’s just Back to the Future the experience, with added songs
2.5 stars from me
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 9, 2022 17:02:09 GMT
Ten minutes stoppage this afternoon after the washing line song...
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3,426 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jan 9, 2022 18:47:19 GMT
Well, I took my daughters to this today - they've never seen the film and 1985 is the dark ages to them. They loved it. Interesting to get their view, having not watched the film - to them it stood up well as a great theatre experience. I hope this show (along with the rest) can ride out the empty seats and return to full houses once again.
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1,578 posts
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Post by anita on Jan 10, 2022 10:51:51 GMT
Is 18th February now confirmed as the cast recording release date or was that a rumour? I think it was moved back? That's what it says on Amazon. I have it on order. |
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