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Post by Jon on Nov 21, 2019 15:40:48 GMT
IIRC from the WSS Royal Exchange thread, neither can transfer as the West End rights aren’t available due to the upcoming Broadway production
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 16:09:55 GMT
Am I correct in thinking this is completely different to the Manchester Royal Exchange version? And that neither production have plans to tour or come to London? Please and thank you. You are right and I would think that one of them is aiming for town (most likely Curve because the pros arch set up is easier to transfer) but that's a guess. Cool - thanks! Not seen this show since I was a kid in the 80s (in a fairly average production at the Bristol Hippodrome) so would like to see it. Love Jamie Muscato so a shame I can't get to Leicester (although I am still protesting their removal of the central stalls aisles anyway lol) |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 22, 2019 6:47:38 GMT
You don't half exaggerate, BB! It's nowhere near 90 minutes, more like 75...which is one minute for each year since the train was built. Goodness! Fact checking now hmmm? see below 🙂  |
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Post by thenightowl on Nov 22, 2019 7:54:23 GMT
Am I correct in thinking this is completely different to the Manchester Royal Exchange version? And that neither production have plans to tour or come to London? Please and thank you. From what I remember at the Curve new season launch night when they discussed West Side Story they mentioned being able to use the whole stage space for the set and weren’t constrained to make sure it fits into another theatre. At the time they were also talking about the transfer of White Christmas and how the Dominion Theatre has a smaller stage than Curve. It was implied that White Christmas was designed so that it had the potential to transfer whereas West Side Story won’t be. I’m really looking forward to this production as it’s my favourite ‘classic’ musical. Interestingly I think the last professional production I saw was at the old Haymarket Theatre back in 2002/2003. |
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Post by TallPaul on Nov 22, 2019 13:58:36 GMT
Let me get this straight, BurlyBeaR . At 6:42 this morning, rather than listen to Steve Allen's review of the papers, or make a start on your advocado on toast, you were checking train times, just to (wrongly) prove a point. If you'd been to an evening performance of West Side Story in Leicester, you would not arrive in Sheffield to catch the 22:47 departure, and the 3:24 departure does only stop once en route to Manchester Piccadilly, though in Huddersfield, rather than Stockport. That's 2-0 to TallPaul, isn't it, the same as the result dahn t'Lane this Sunday afto?  |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Nov 22, 2019 14:16:22 GMT
#traingate
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19,670 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 22, 2019 14:37:29 GMT
Let me get this straight, BurlyBeaR . At 6:42 this morning, rather than listen to Steve Allen's review of the papers, or make a start on your advocado on toast, you were checking train times, just to (wrongly) prove a point. If you'd been to an evening performance of West Side Story in Leicester, you would not arrive in Sheffield to catch the 22:47 departure, and the 3:24 departure does only stop once en route to Manchester Piccadilly, though in Huddersfield, rather than Stockport. That's 2-0 to TallPaul, isn't it, the same as the result dahn t'Lane this Sunday afto? I think you’ll find I never said which train takes 90 mins, just that trains can take 90 minutes, all clearly evidenced by my piccy. As for the time, the early 🐦 catches the 🐛. Or in this case, the early 🧸 catches the TallPaul out on train times! |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Nov 23, 2019 9:26:29 GMT
Anybody wanting a last minute trip or cheap way of seeing the show , there's a public dress rehearsal at 2.15 today for the grand total of £1 a ticket. I've been to them before, you get the full show as normal and they are quite interesting to be at because all the tech desks and creatives are around.
On sale via the Curve website at 11am.
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Post by ABr on Nov 23, 2019 10:06:57 GMT
Anybody wanting a last minute trip or cheap way of seeing the show , there's a public dress rehearsal at 2.15 today for the grand total of £1 a ticket. I've been to them before, you get the full show as normal and they are quite interesting to be at because all the tech desks and creatives are around. On sale via the Curve website at 11am. I've been to a couple of them, when I lived in Leicester! They are great value for money, as AndyH said you get to see the full show, as it would, but they do make you aware that they might need to stop for any reason, so to bare with them! If anyone can make it, I would thoroughly recommend it! |
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Post by xanady on Nov 23, 2019 10:45:01 GMT
^Yes,I saw the £1 dress rehearsal for An Officer And A Gentleman and whilst part of the stalls still had the directors’ table laid across a few rows and a lighting/sound board in situ taking up some seating,it was still really good.Nikolai came on stage at the start to say there might be some stops for technical reasons,but in the end it ran through without any probs.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Nov 23, 2019 10:47:36 GMT
^Yes,I saw the £1 dress rehearsal for An Officer And A Gentleman and whilst part of the stalls still had the directors’ table laid across a few rows and a lighting/sound board in situ taking up some seating,it was still really good.Nikolai came on stage at the start to say there might be some stops for technical reasons,but in the end it ran through without any probs. I was there too! |
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Post by CG on the loose on Nov 23, 2019 11:38:34 GMT
Checked my email just in time and snagged what looks like the last £1 ticket for this afternoon! I'd better get dressed...
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 23, 2019 23:05:58 GMT
I'm seeing this next Thursday, 2 pm matinee, and have booked the 5.13 pm train back to London (for Dear Evan Hansen at 7.30 so had to be that train.)
Would appreciate anyone who sees the show before me posting the running time. The 2 pm start is unusual making me wonder if it is an extra long production though might be to assist school parties.
Incidentally when I've telephoned theatres with similar enquiries, or even asked on arrival, the shows always seem to finish later than they say.
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Post by justafan on Nov 23, 2019 23:47:33 GMT
Show came out tonight just after 10pm -From a 7.35ish start - had forgotten how short the second act is and bearing in mind this was first performance no doubt minutes will be cut from run time - I loved it - Ellen Kane’s choreo is amazing in my opinion - but then I don’t think I’ve not loved anything I’ve seen that Nikolai Foster has done at the Curve
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Post by CG on the loose on Nov 24, 2019 3:27:17 GMT
I'm seeing this next Thursday, 2 pm matinee, and have booked the 5.13 pm train back to London (for Dear Evan Hansen at 7.30 so had to be that train.) Would appreciate anyone who sees the show before me posting the running time. The 2 pm start is unusual making me wonder if it is an extra long production though might be to assist school parties. Incidentally when I've telephoned theatres with similar enquiries, or even asked on arrival, the shows always seem to finish later than they say. The run times posted on the doors this afternoon were Act 1 - 1hr 15 mins, Act 2 - 45 mins, plus 20 minute interval. I didn’t check how close to time it ran but I see from justafan ’s post it was pretty much on the nail this evening. You should be fine for your train and DEH |
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Post by thenightowl on Nov 25, 2019 0:02:39 GMT
Managed to catch the public dress rehearsal yesterday afternoon and what a show! Probably my favourite Curve production to date.
Fantastic lighting, set and cast. Great use of the full Curve stage and the 16 piece orchestra sounded stunning. Very strong cast all round. Tony (Jamie) has a beautiful singing voice and hearing him sing Maria was a real treat!
Booked already to see it again close to the end of the run but wondering if I should make of the most of it being on my doorstep.
A beautiful production!
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Post by sophie92 on Nov 25, 2019 9:01:20 GMT
Loved it. Cast are all brilliant, and Jamie Muscato & Adriana Ivelisse as Tony & Maria lead them wonderfully.
I felt that it was a very atmospheric production, all the technical elements are working very well together. Ellen Kane’s choreography is great.
Anyone sitting at the front of the stalls, prepare for a slight neck ache! There’s a three level building set piece that uses the full height of the stage, so if you’re near the front of the stalls there is some looking up (only one scene really uses the third level and having to crane your neck up is worth it, at least it was for me during the PDR)
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 26, 2019 10:54:49 GMT
This is a good show. Not quite up there with the Royal Exchange version, but different enough that it's worth seeing both.
There's a large stage area, band sounding good at the back. Much of the set is created with large cage style walls which are moved about (and there's an important scene essentially set inside what looks like a pro wrestling style steel cage). A lot of dark lighting and mist used too.
There is also a three story set, elaborate, which houses all the main indoor locations, the shop, the bedrooms etc. This is great on the lower level. On the middle level, you really can't see much (there was a nudity warning, which I think was Anita in the bath, but I couldn't see from my vantage point) and a top level which I have no idea what was on it and I suspect was only visible from the Circle, thankfully the action from that level took place leaning over the front.
Front row view is close, but you want to avoid the edges as legroom is terrible and the way the cage curves you'll have a very restricted view. My seat was one of the only ones without a speaker in front, although I did have a Jet hanging over the end of the stage onto my lap.
There are some odd choices here. The Jets way outnumbered the Sharks and coming across as much more unlikable than usual. The use of a load of (I presume) theatre students as extras. I wasn't keen on how they staged Gee, Officer Krupke, which is normally a highlight. And the final scene is odd, dark and slow, with Chino in the distance on a pile of rubbish. There was also about a 2 second delay between the gun being pointed, then lowered, then a pyro going off (I think Damian Buhigiar had to reach down and activate something), but they may as well just use a recorded gunshot.
I found Somewhere difficult at the front as well due to a combination of bright lights and mist setting my eyes watering. It was danced well and drew on the themes from earlier in the show. But yes, front row isn't as good as normal for this production due to the staging.
Some great choices too. A talented cast, particularly Carly Mercedes Dyer as Anita. It has Isaac Gryn as Action and he looks ready to explode all the way through. I liked Beth Hinton-Levers' vulnerability as Anybodys. And Jonathan Hermosa-Lopez as Bernardo brings the sex appeal. Jamie Muscato sings as beautifully as always. And I did like the tender way they showed the relationship between Baby John and (I think it was) Big Deal.
It is a short show, but stay after the bows and you get to watch the orchestra play out for a few minutes. And it is good to see these different interpretations of West Side Story finally getting staged. Worth a visit during the short run at the Curve.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 26, 2019 11:50:36 GMT
My stalls seat on Thursday is near the centre of the front row and I've been contacted by Curve asking if I wish to move because "the sightlines from your seats may be restricted for a few short moments during the performance...identified during technical rehearsals..."
I know whenever I book a front row seat there's always the chance of (eg) speakers very close, not seeing feet on stage, conductor directly in front, reduced legroom, sharp look up, glaring lights, missing a few moments etc. None of that would ever make me want to sit anywhere else if I can get central front row but it's not for everyone
Nice to be asked though; impressive customer service.
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 26, 2019 13:23:55 GMT
My stalls seat on Thursday is near the centre of the front row and I've been contacted by Curve asking if I wish to move because "the sightlines from your seats may be restricted for a few short moments during the performance...identified during technical rehearsals..." That may explain something I forgot to mention, which is why there were a few empty seats in the centre of the front row last night. |
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Post by sophie92 on Nov 26, 2019 13:42:48 GMT
And the final scene is odd, dark and slow, with Chino in the distance on a pile of rubbish. There was also about a 2 second delay between the gun being pointed, then lowered, then a pyro going off (I think Damian Buhigiar had to reach down and activate something), but they may as well just use a recorded gunshot. It was such a shame that the gunshot didn’t work last night because it is so effective when it does work. They obviously have the back up plan in place, but I wonder if they might consider changing it/bringing in a recording now because those few seconds of delay did kill the tension a bit. |
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 27, 2019 0:07:34 GMT
Caught third (?) Preview tonight and overall enjoyed it, but feel like there was something missing from it.
The positives: design is great. Loved the clever use of the big piece that had all the locations built in to it, that worked well. Thought the orchestra was fantastic - for a score like this, having 17 players makes a lot of difference to the feel you get. Cast all sound very good overall, with Carly Mercedes Dyer being the absolute star as Anita. Both 'America' and 'A Boy Like That' were fantastic.
The negatives: it felt very apparent that they'd gone for singers and dancers who sort of act, because no one apart from Carly gave a strong acting performance. Jamie Muscato has the voice for Tony, but I got NOTHING from his acting. Likewise, the girl playing Maria is not a good actress (the scene where she is told Bernardo has died is... Not good) and she's also not particularly strong vocally - I was never confident that she was gonna hit those super high notes.
The use of the young company was TERRIBLE. They got shoehorned in a couple of times - once for a really bad dance break out of Somewhere. Just didn't work for me.
The second half so felt very flat - I cry at anything in theatre (even stuff that isn't sad) and I didn't at what should be one of the most tragic endings to a show ever. It just felt like it lost its way in act 2 and didn't really recover.
I'd give it 3 stars, but I have a feeling a lot of critics will pick up on the fact that a lot of the performances are not consistent in all three areas. Most of them excel in one or two, with only one triple threat (Carly as Anita)
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Post by winonaforever on Nov 29, 2019 12:32:33 GMT
Trekked all the way to Leicester to see this yesterday (all for the sake of seeing Jamie M, who was well worth the long train journey!) Also really enjoyed seeing Carly Mercedes Dyer, who I liked a lot when I saw her in Ain't Misbehavin' at the Southwark Playhouse.
Interesting to see the Curve for the first time. I'd like to go back there sometime, just wish it wasn't so far from London...
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Post by Dawnstar on Nov 30, 2019 17:55:52 GMT
Interesting to see the Curve for the first time. I'd like to go back there sometime, just wish it wasn't so far from London... Isn't Leicester only about an hour from London by train? I think that's pretty close! I've seen half a dozen productions at the Curve over the years & Leicester is 1h45 by train from me. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 30, 2019 18:56:31 GMT
Interesting to see the Curve for the first time. I'd like to go back there sometime, just wish it wasn't so far from London... Isn't Leicester only about an hour from London by train? I think that's pretty close! I've seen half a dozen productions at the Curve over the years & Leicester is 1h45 by train from me. Ha it is. On the way back now from Leicester and is a bloody nightmare as no trains between Bedford and Market Harborough,so added 90 minutes to my journey, so missed the start of West Side Story and intended to see Richard III at the Globe on the way back, so won’t now make that and no point going if you miss the start as that is the best bit, with Richard’s great speech. yeap should be an hour if you get the fast Sheffield train, but do check for engineering work, I wish I did! |
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