4,171 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Jul 30, 2022 17:02:34 GMT
|
|
362 posts
|
Post by JJShaw on Aug 4, 2022 21:48:16 GMT
Having gone in with not-so-great expectations I found myself thinking this is a solid 3 star production.
To me, it felt very much like an "out of town tryout" to the scale you used to see in America when they'd try Boston, San Diego Globe etc. with a full production knowing things would change later. In that instance I thought the direction was great, the score was between nice and good songs, some ideas worked and some did not.
I loved the puppetry in the teaser photos and I thought they were great in person too, did think Pongo (? The male dog) had been cast quite young compared to Purdy, and from recollection Cruella only had one scene with Dom and Danielle which if any bookwriter had a pass over would pick up as very odd and just gave Cruella such a disconnect.
Similar to Charlie... Chocolate Factory: there isnt actually much plot (watched the movies in 2020 lockdown and they're so short and just have loads of filler) so there are some moments that are clearly there to just... pad it out a smidge.
Loved end of act one, a couple other songs I thought were really well done, tight, smart, funny, purposeful. Opener of act two was great but why were they all sneezing?
Someone at RPOAT must have a pup kink, between the dogs in Legally Blonde and the black dogs in act two with what i can only describe as pup play fetish wear... no judgement!!
clearly a big family pleaser based on the title, a near sold out matinee, but its the summer holidays and its something to do, and to be fair to them it was a very nice show. Again solid 3*. Would be more than happy for it to be refined, I'd say about 60% worked and that 40% is between minor tweaks and total revamp.
|
|
4,171 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Aug 6, 2022 14:19:51 GMT
Am going tonight.
Thank you weather Gods!
|
|
4,171 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Aug 6, 2022 19:52:45 GMT
I’m here right now and I’m loving it.
It’s intermission.
It’s not perfect but it’s got great potential.
|
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Aug 6, 2022 22:18:52 GMT
I’m here right now and I’m loving it. It’s intermission. It’s not perfect but it’s got great potential. Bet you enjoyed the second half even more! It really finds its paws after the interval. |
|
4,171 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Aug 7, 2022 10:42:31 GMT
Well that was fun!
Looking around it was a full house.
I was there grinning throughout and wearing my Disney 101 Dalmatians T-shirt- if I can't wear it there, where can I, eh?
The set was great too, with the 0 in the 101 being a red dog collar.
The fact that the letter in the Dalmations could be turned around to form the flat, or Cruellea's lair was very clever.
It's evident how much thought has gone into this production.
(If truth be told) I am bot a huge fan of actor musicians on stage but for this it worked. This is truly an ensemble show.
I LOVED the puppets. So clever! The Shar Pei was an unexpected surprise. I also LOVED the pink tap-dancing poodle- she was a highlight!
Cruella- very good but she sounded like she has come off the set of Eastenders! Perhaps bit more villainous! But the reaction when she drank the poison was very clever.
I also like the Act 1 Finale with Cruella crowned with the long flowing white mink with the spots.
The decision to bring on an actual Dalmation puppy in the finale was inspired. There was an audible gasp throughout the audience.
Hopefully with a bit of tightening this will be given another life, another chance to shine. Maybe even a cast recording?
|
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Aug 9, 2022 14:48:57 GMT
Any ticket deals floating around for this other than Today Tix?
|
|
376 posts
|
Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Aug 9, 2022 15:26:49 GMT
Selling a ticket for tonight on the noticeboard
|
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Aug 9, 2022 22:14:21 GMT
Any ticket deals floating around for this other than Today Tix? Londontheatredirect.com have a special offer SAVE UP TO £36 ON TICKETS Valid all evening performances 8 - 27 August 2022 Book by 17 August 2022 £78 reduced to £50, £72 reduced to £40 & £66 reduced to £30 The theatre is also selling MATINEE GRASS BANKS At matinee performances, spaces will be available to purchase on our Grass Banks for £15 each, subject to dry weather conditions. These are located on the side of the auditorium, and spaces can only be purchased on the day, in person at the box office from 12noon, and with a maximum of two tickets per customer. More info on OAT website Thank you very much! |
|
4,171 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Aug 10, 2022 7:57:34 GMT
If you do go, as I said in my review, the tap-dancing pink poodle in the second act is a highlight!
|
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Aug 10, 2022 9:07:22 GMT
If you do go, as I said in my review, the tap-dancing pink poodle in the second act is a highlight! Oh, I've already seen it! I thought it was a great show so fancy a second bite! |
|
4,955 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 13, 2022 15:10:40 GMT
It takes a wee while to find it's pace (but then so does most Rogers&Hamerstein's) but in the end I thought it was fab. Loved Kate Fleetwood, she is amazing in this killer role.
The updating worked really well, some people really will do everything to find fame. With its breaking the 4th wall, topical references and humour on child and adult levels it really has a lovley nod to panto dotted throughout.
I would very happily watch this again.
|
|
1,481 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Aug 13, 2022 22:38:50 GMT
Very underwhelmed. Not a single memorable tune. Could hardly understand a word anyone said. Best bit was the real puppy!
|
|
|
|
Post by hels on Aug 14, 2022 14:50:54 GMT
Saw this last week, loved it! Kate was fab in character, two nephews bounced off each other v well (one was understudy, playing role for first time, v funny). Puppets excellent, and in that heat! Some may have seen Emma Lucia (Perdi voice) as the lead in Once in 2020 before Covid stopped the show: that voice - beautiful!
|
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Aug 17, 2022 0:05:24 GMT
Saw this again tonight. It has bedded in nicely - a really good show. I wonder if any early visitors have revisited... A couple of earworms after this second viewing. A recording of the music would be lovely.
|
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Aug 21, 2022 3:26:50 GMT
1x free ticket still available on noticeboard for coming Thursday matinee 2:15pm.
|
|
|
|
Post by nottobe on Aug 24, 2022 10:35:46 GMT
I saw this last night and had a fun time watching it. Yes it is not a perfect musical and I found act 2 slowed in momentum a bit but it is still a cleverly staged show with fun songs. The puppets were a bit odd at first but you grew to believe them. Kate Fleetwood was very good as Cruella but the whole cast put on a great show. I myself did enjoy the satirical level but I do think they went a bit far with Cruella's dog racism as it is a family show.
|
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Aug 24, 2022 12:39:32 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Aug 25, 2022 7:14:52 GMT
Meant to see today’s matinee. *looks out of window*
Nope.
|
|
5,138 posts
|
Post by TallPaul on Aug 25, 2022 9:17:12 GMT
By this afternoon the weather will be perfect for a Regent's Park matinee...not sunny, but dry and warm.
|
|
3,426 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Aug 25, 2022 9:34:43 GMT
Meant to see today’s matinee. *looks out of window* Nope. Enjoy - will be sunny. Hope you like it! |
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Aug 25, 2022 21:34:27 GMT
Didn’t really get into this tonight. Had a very good and heavily discounted ticket. The lower levels were pretty full.
Think it was sensible to update the context but this wasn’t terribly witty and there were children around who were bored stiff. Didn’t help that there some inaudible songs (not that the plot was difficult to follow).
I agree with others that there was more charm to the second half (along with more plot holes). Strongest song was a version of Any Old Iron.
Glad I saw this, but can’t imagine It having much more of a life in its present form.
|
|
212 posts
|
Post by sprampster on Aug 25, 2022 21:55:06 GMT
Really wanted to enjoy this but such a missed opportunity lots of it really inaudible from row D which really shouldn’t be the case
Why the need to drag everyone into the social age just didn’t work
Standing by exit I literally watched around 70 people leave at the interval and in the end I followed which I don’t enjoy doing but just didn’t work for me
|
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Aug 26, 2022 6:38:13 GMT
Matinee was cancelled anyway 🤪
|
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Aug 26, 2022 6:39:45 GMT
“Hi there Unfortunately, due to illness within the Company of 101 Dalmatians, we are not able to continue with our matinee performance today, Thursday 25 August. We are in the process of contacting all customers. We will be spending the afternoon re-rehearsing the show to accommodate for those who are unwell, so that we can proceed with this evening’s performance as planned. If you have tickets for today’s matinee performance, Thursday 25 August, please email boxoffice@openairtheatre.com to either exchange tickets to a future performance of 101 Dalmatians (which closes on Sunday, 28 August), or request a refund if you are unable to reschedule your visit. You may also call our box office on 0333 400 3562, but please be aware that wait times may be long due to the number of customers affected by today’s news. If you did not book your tickets directly with the Open Air Theatre, please contact the company through which you made your original booking. We apologise for any inconvenience that this will cause. The Box Office Team Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Box Office: 0333 400 3562 www.openairtheatre.com 2022 Season: Legally Blonde | 101 Dalmatians | Antigone |
|
