1,861 posts
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Post by NeilVHughes on Oct 31, 2019 21:28:41 GMT
As I was in Battersea this morning, it would have been rude not to have gone to the matinee.
Having read the book and seen the film was well versed on the story and was intrigued to see how it would fare as a musical.
In all I really enjoyed it, the mix between spoken and sung was just about right, the only criticism, some of the songs could be shortened as they could be repetitive and made the whole production a bit too long and sag in places. I’m sure this could be easily resolved if it gets a further life. (Running time 2½ hrs with an interval)
The band and cast were excellent and seemed to be really enjoying themselves and not really constrained by the small size of the theatre.
Sat on one of the sofas, recommended, extremely comfortable, most probably the best seats in the house.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2019 23:28:34 GMT
Saw this tonight. It really was very good. First time visiting the Turbine, I like it. You can see they are really trying. I had low expectations for the show but I need not. The entire cast are very, very strong. Oliver Ormson; charismatic and a cracking voice. Eleanor Kane; just gorgeous! And she plays the guitar?!?
When I saw the size of the stage, I did think it could go so wrong. But the space was used very well, the stage never felt crowded. Really fun and catchy score. I would buy a cast recording! There's very little story and I didnt feel for any of the characters, didn't particularly connect with any of them. But I laughed alot and clapped loudly. Would absolutely recommend the show.
The theatre itself, you can see there hasn't been much money spent front of house, which is fine! Because who knows, this theatre could be closed in a couple of years. It does feel like a pop up venue. And the location isn't the easiest to get to. The Thames Clipper is a lovely way to get to the theatre but fairly expensive. There are 3 bus routes that stop just around the corner. I took the 44 from Victoria to Battersea Park/Chelsea Gate, if it's not gridlocked like it was tonight, it will take 5/10 minutes.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend you go and see this! Seating; I would sit on the sofas or even the beanbags, on the right hand side (stage left) I would avoid Row D as there's no elevation above the row infront but every row after is raked. However, the seats are fold up and not very comfortable at all.
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Post by xanady on Nov 2, 2019 10:26:39 GMT
On a solo trip to the matinee today from Finchley whilst the fam are at Jamie and looking forward to visiting this new venue.In this day and age with all the Arts cuts,it’s great to see new ventures like this springing up.Good luck to them!
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2,678 posts
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Post by viserys on Nov 2, 2019 10:27:42 GMT
Would someone PLEASE give a better description of the beanbags? I want to know what I've let myself in for  |
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124 posts
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Post by terrylondon79 on Nov 2, 2019 10:36:08 GMT
Would someone PLEASE give a better description of the beanbags? I want to know what I've let myself in for They not bad. Good value for price. Comfortable to sit on, once you've swished it to suit! Ones on right of stage probably better as although low stage you still looking up from the bean bags. |
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2,678 posts
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Post by viserys on Nov 2, 2019 10:43:02 GMT
Excellent, I'm in A8 on the right side. Thanks!
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Post by xanady on Nov 3, 2019 10:41:55 GMT
Have totally fallen in love with this wonderful little theatre after my first visit yesterday afternoon.Set in the railway arches,it had a very laid-back and chilled-out feel to it.
Got the tube to Vauxhall on the Victoria line then out of Exit 4 and down Nine Elms Road.There is a shuttle bus then into Circus West Village,but I walked.Haven’t been to Battersea for years, but the re-development is coming along nicely.Lots of nice looking restaurants.
Got a coffee in the theatre and sat upstairs in the seating area where I could hear the cast doing what sounded like a very lively and exuberant warm-up ready for the show.Lots of gales of laughter and good-hearted banter going on which always suggests a company at ease with itself.
The set is very immersive with the bean-bags literally at the edge of the raised platform stage.They looked very comfy as did the sofa seats.
This is a wonderful musical.Very warm and funny script.Songs are hummable and the cast worked really hard in the space.Not a single weak-link in the company.The set design was packed with lots of intricate detail.
Had to get back to the WE so took the Thames Clipper river bus back to Westminster which took 16 minutes and was good fun.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 3, 2019 14:34:37 GMT
I'm at the Turbine for today's matinee from a sofa seat. It's an easy 20 minutes walk from Victoria, I just headed to the coach station and then kept going towards Chelsea Bridge along Ebury Bridge Road, crossed the bridge, the first steps down were closed so needed to walk on about 50 yards, left turn and from the riverwalk path the theatre is very prominent. Auditorium not opening till 14.50 but comfy seats in a waiting area plus a bar.
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Post by edi on Nov 3, 2019 19:52:44 GMT
I saw this musical this afternoon. It was a very energetic and fun musical. The small cast works hard, the singing is probably stronger than the acting but there is not much depth needed for the acting anyway. The story is very light hearted and relatable. The music is fun too and it utilizes various musical styles so it never gets boring. Mostly energetic fast tuneful songs with a few ballads. The band was great too. I was very impressed with the sound system, the music sounded great and I could hear most of the lyrics clearly.
Getting there for me was easy as I live very near to the theatre, but I think the easiest way would be to get off the tube either at Sloane Sq, Victoria or Vauxhall and walk 20 mins.
Recommended.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 4, 2019 10:30:51 GMT
I'm at the Turbine for today's matinee from a sofa seat. It's an easy 20 minutes walk from Victoria, I just headed to the coach station and then kept going towards Chelsea Bridge along Ebury Bridge Road, crossed the bridge, the first steps down were closed so needed to walk on about 50 yards, left turn and from the riverwalk path the theatre is very prominent. Auditorium not opening till 14.50 but comfy seats in a waiting area plus a bar. If only all theatres had sofa seats near the front the world would in a tiny way be a better place ... I just loved sitting there, had half of a super-comfy three seater sofa in perfect line with the stage. The bean bags have quite a look up to the stage and the main seats are very basic. If there are any sofa seats left I'd definitely recommend them. I know both the book and film well and moreover I was part-owner of a secondhand record shop back in the 1980s so I could identify with several of the scenes. The young cast of 11 performed so well the show deserves to be a huge success. Some catchy songs, a nice blend of comedy and pathos and the fabulous Shanay Holmes, future superstar. The set looks great but the records used are almost all the kind that a shop like that would never stock. A customer is ridiculed for wanting to buy a Celine Dion CD but other customers are looking at LPs such as Des O'Connor and (Feathered) Bird Songs ! This may be intentional but I would have liked to see some rock, punk and indie records to add a touch of nostalgic reality I enjoyed the first act but felt the show peaked in act two when Lyle Lovett, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young came into the story. Second visit planned. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2019 12:55:48 GMT
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Nov 4, 2019 13:05:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2019 13:32:12 GMT
Ugh. It's just not that deep. It's a simple plot with a banging score, the singing is glorious and you'll come out with a smile on your face. Does anyone even care about Shenton thinks anymore?
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4,961 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 4, 2019 13:54:32 GMT
The Guardian loves it
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2,678 posts
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Post by viserys on Nov 4, 2019 16:18:45 GMT
I'm astonished by the incredibly high moral horse the Time Out bloke is sitting on. So every guy who's been dumped by his girlfriend, realizes he misses her and wants to win her back is now a sociopath and two guys who are dreaming of love and haven't had much luck yet are now incels?
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139 posts
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Post by appoul on Nov 4, 2019 16:29:07 GMT
I agree with the Guardian reviewer: "Oliver Ormson as Rob successfully combines the character’s self-regard with a baffled charm that put me in mind of Hugh Grant". Some scenes in the vinyl store reminded me of Notting Hill.I enjoyed the show, too. I sat in row D and do avoid it if you're not very tall. Row E seems to be the best option--but I was also jealous of the sofas! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2019 16:29:27 GMT
I'm astonished by the incredibly high moral horse the Time Out bloke is sitting on. So every guy who's been dumped by his girlfriend, realizes he misses her and wants to win her back is now a sociopath and two guys who are dreaming of love and haven't had much luck yet are now incels? Oh dear. What a shame he has chosen to go down that route, like WOS and others have. Odd because Andrej seemed to be having a whale of a time at the show. Hmm. |
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90 posts
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Post by confessor on Nov 9, 2019 9:53:05 GMT
I caught this at the Thursday matinee, only around half full unfortunately, but I really enjoyed the show. I have the cast recording but hadn't listened to it for a while and forgotten how good some of the songs are. Cast were great, comedy was well delivered and I liked what they did with the space available staging-wise. It's the first time I've been to the Turbine Theatre and the sound of passing trains is quite intrusive during the quieter moments I found, but I'd happily return to the venue.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2019 14:15:29 GMT
I caught this at the Thursday matinee, only around half full unfortunately, but I really enjoyed the show. I have the cast recording but hadn't listened to it for a while and forgotten how good some of the songs are. Cast were great, comedy was well delivered and I liked what they did with the space available staging-wise. It's the first time I've been to the Turbine Theatre and the sound of passing trains is quite intrusive during the quieter moments I found, but I'd happily return to the venue. Yes, probably one of the biggest gripes I have with the space. I know that other theatres have the same issue but its quite loud and often here. I was rather concerned that the ceiling was going to cave in at any second, but that's anxiety for you. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2019 10:54:24 GMT
24 hour £15 TodayTix deal on this
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 10, 2019 22:43:02 GMT
Really enjoyed this today, the cast have a great energy and Oliver makes a strong lead. Gorgeous vocals from Shanay Holmes as always, and Eleanor Kaye too. A decent audience turnout as well (although I did get my ticket from a seat-filling site).
Running time just under 2.5 hours (finished at 5.30 but started about 5 minutes late)
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3,563 posts
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Post by showgirl on Nov 15, 2019 4:44:36 GMT
I enjoyed this at yesterday's pretty full matinee and agree that the cast are very energetic. I liked the way that so many of them had their opportunity to shine, though some of the men (the creepy Ian, bullish Barry and TMPMITW) had to wait until the second act for this. I didn't take to Olvier Ormson and found his facial expressions one-note and a little wearing. I know that the character of Rob is meant to be a bit of a s**t, but unlike Hugh Grant, who has been mentioned in this context, on this evidence, Oliver Ormson lacks Hugh Grant's ability to do "charming cad" - but in fairness, that's not what Rob is anyway. Some of the lyrics were a little feeble, as has been mentioned, but the words were very apt and made me laugh - a lot. I liked the venue, too: my first visit to the Turbine, though as others have said, it looks very like similar spaces under railway arches, eg the old Southwark Playhouse, the Unions old and new, Waterloo East and the Vaults. This is probably my favourite of all those, based on how it has been fitted out (plenty of loos, too!), though not in terms of access. I chose to travel to Battersea Park station and to walk from there, as I was pushed for time after seeing a film in the West End and thought walking further or getting the bus would take too long. As FrontroverPaul found, the steps and lift down to the riverside path at the southern end of Chelsea Bridge were closed, but I had only to double back and take a previous turn into the development and knowing that the theatre is under a railway arch is a helpful guide. The show turned out to be just what I needed as I'd already had a pretty punishing Pilates lesson at 7.30 am and whilst walking to the theatre from the station, I slipped on some wet leaves and fell really heavily on my right elbow and hip, so I arrived quite shaken up and dishevilled and thought it might hurt to sit down. But not at all: in no time the fall was forgotten and I had a big smile on my face. |
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Post by eliza on Nov 17, 2019 10:27:14 GMT
Wanted to say thank you to everyone for your posts on the show, I'm going in 2 weeks and was slightly put off by some of the reviews but it's good to know that people here enjoyed it much more. And the recommendations of how to get there are much appreciated!
I've noticed a few of you saying don't go for row D though, which I did and I'm very short so I wonder if they'll let me swap our seats?
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3,563 posts
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Post by showgirl on Nov 17, 2019 14:12:30 GMT
It would be worth asking about the seat, eliza, though if possible arrive early enough to do this before the foyer gets too busy and most of the seats have been allocated. The box office staff all seemed very friendly and helpful, though possibly not as focused on individual tasks as they might have been had they not all been doing everything (issuing tickets, taking drink orders and payments, making drinks) rather than each doing one of those things. When I went, my seat was one that was allocated on arrival and it would have been fine, but when I went to take it, I found someone sitting in it and she was one of a pair of friends who were together but had been seated separately. So presumably they had hoped that the person due to occupy that seat wouldn't mind, and I didn't, as it meant I got an aisle seat instead. |
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Post by freckles on Nov 17, 2019 15:26:59 GMT
I saw this on Saturday (matinee) and really enjoyed it. I liked the original novel and hadn't really enjoyed the film adaptation, but felt that this interpretation, although departing a little from the original source material, was affectionate and kept the humour and tone and most of the best bits. At the start, I was worried it was just going to be played as a rom-com, but from the Top 5 Break-Ups number, I knew I was going to love it.
The cast is superb, switching roles seamlessly and demonstrating immense vocal versatility. Almost everyone got a moment to shine and away from that, the harmonies and backing were top notch. It's funny and has lots of musical references, I really enjoyed the afternoon.
The Turbine Theatre is lovely, although agree that the staff seem a bit disorganised and it felt a bit like the cinema when you just want to book a seat/collect a ticket and the person in front of you orders refreshments, which the person on the till has to go away and make! I didn't realise there was a seating area upstairs until I was on the way out; the lobby is a bit small and quickly gets crowded so a lot of people were waiting outside before the show. Luckily it was a fine day.
I did like the venue though and am interested to see what they put on in the future. I can confirm that Row E is a perfect spot for this show, although the sofas did look comfy. Beanbags did look a bit too close.
I walked from Victoria (about 20 mins) although there was a direct bus practically door to door(44). I intended to catch this back, but Chelsea Bridge looked so pretty, all lit up, so I walked back too.
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