Chess

[Snciole]

I've been reassured that it is a bad performance of a good song but I hate it all, frankly.

[Snciole]

This from 2015 makes me slightly less sad Head to leave the production.

[distantcousin]

Apr 6, 2018 11:21:39 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Apr 5, 2018 18:56:22 GMT distantcousin said:

I'm still waiting for discount ticket offers....

How long are they likely to hang on?

Funny you should ask... Out of interest, I checked the "cheaper" midweek date I booked months ago, and that hadn't sold much even just after MB was announced. Looking yesterday, most of the stalls and dress circle had gone, and "dynamic pricing" had kicked in, taking the remaining stalls seats (right at the sides) from £75 up to £125. Much of the next two decks had also been re-priced upwards.

In short, I'm not really holding my breath at the moment.

GRRRRRRRR! (but thanks for your professional opinion)  - so maybe I should just take the plunge and book a ticket...

[distantcousin]

This is fun!

[BurlyBeaR]

Grade, Ball and Linnet (sounds like a musical hall act) on the Norton R2 show yesterday. Its “fully realised”, not semi staged. The staging is “extraordinary” apparently.
Possibility of a tour after the Coliseum run, but it would have to be redesigned (I wasn’t convinced by this answer, listen and see what you think).


www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09yx3k8

Starts 1hr 30.

[chess]

[Deleted]

Gawd!

Reminds me of this:

[chess]

Apr 15, 2018 10:50:59 GMT @caiaphas said:

Gawd!

Reminds me of this:

Brilliant 😂

[ali973]

It's like a less inventive Lothlorian from Lord of the Rings.

[richey]

Well I've succumbed to temptation and got a restricted view seat in the dress circle for the first Wednesday matinee.

[9mirrors]

Apr 15, 2018 10:54:12 GMT chess said:

Apr 15, 2018 10:50:59 GMT @caiaphas said:

Gawd!

Reminds me of this:

Brilliant 😂

The same thing was used in the Stockholm 2001/2 Stockholm production in the instrumental opening of the You And I scene straight after The Deal - symbolic of how fragile the Anatoly/Florence relationship was, plummeting to near disaster.

[Scswp]

Just checking the ENO website. I would like to see this, but the prices are very high and I’m restricted for dates. There seems to be a fair amount of seats left. Do people think these will sell at this value before it opens or is it likely that these will be reduced at TKTS on the day? I know it’s a risk, but what was the selling pattern like for Sweeney Todd, Carousel and Sunset Boulevard at the ENO? What do people think? Am I best to take the risk and wait in the hope prices will drop? Or does the ENO not reduce rates at all?

[Deleted]

Apr 15, 2018 19:05:52 GMT Scswp said:

Just checking the ENO website. I would like to see this, but the prices are very high and I’m restricted for dates. There seems to be a fair amount of seats left. Do people think these will sell at this value before it opens or is it likely that these will be reduced at TKTS on the day? I know it’s a risk, but what was the selling pattern like for Sweeney Todd, Carousel and Sunset Boulevard at the ENO? What do people think? Am I best to take the risk and wait in the hope prices will drop? Or does the ENO not reduce rates at all?

Only ones I've ever seen were for Bat Out Of Hell they sometimes reduced premium to top price non premium on the day!

[longinthetooth]

I took a chance with Carousel during its final week, and bagged a Dress Circle ticket from TKTS for £50 (originally £115 or thereabouts).

[theatreian]

Another Chess tweet.

Sir Tim Rice
✔
@sirtimrice
Very enjoyable visit to @chessthemusical rehearsal this afternoon. Cast in top form, good spirits @mrmichaelball @cassidyjanson @timhowar @alexandramusic inter alia under ruthless command of brill @laurenceconnor1 roll on Apr 26 at Coliseum

Starting to get a bit excited about this now after hearing the interview on the Graham Norton radio show.

[sf]

Interesting interview with Michael Ball (link below), talking about his vocal approach to the role - which, reading between the lines, he seems to be taking very seriously, which means there's at least a 35% chance of his various chee-eee-eeesy vocal mannerisms not becoming too intrusive.

One interesting piece of information: he approached the producers about the role at the start of this year, so a good couple of months after tickets went on sale.

Be warned: the link is from the Daily Express, so you may need to hose yourself down with disinfectant after visiting their website.

Michael Ball on Chess

[theatreian]

I must admit despite what some including myself have said about this production and its casting and other problems I'm starting to feel more hopeful. I read the above article from the Express and heard the interview and I am optimistic about the production. I hope it is a real spectacle and I am sure the score will sound fantastic. Please don't let me be proved wrong!!!

[BurlyBeaR]

I’ve been enthusiastic from the start, me and my pal are on the front row of the stalls and I cannot WAIT, But I do think it’s been handled terribly and I’ve enjoyed ‘commenting’ on the shenanigans 🙂

[distantcousin]

Apr 16, 2018 22:04:25 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I’ve been enthusiastic from the start, me and my pal are on the front row of the stalls and I cannot WAIT, But I do think it’s been handled terribly and I’ve enjoyed ‘commenting’ on the shenanigans 🙂

Blimey  - you're keen! I still think it's ludicrously expensive but I've had some theatre tokens so I'm going to use them - I only reserve them for shows I can't get a discount on. I'm a tight b*tch!!

[Deleted]

I do find it slightly funny how everyone justifies their misgivings with this production with an "at least it'll be wonderful to hear the score played be a massive orchestra....!"

For me Chess is in the main an 80s pop score. Yes I admit there are a few sections which would benefit from a big sweeping strings section - but IMHO the majority of it would sound awesome played by a heavily synthesised 8 piece band.

That's why I really hope this production will have more to offer than just the orchestra.

[BurlyBeaR]

Apr 16, 2018 22:14:02 GMT distantcousin said:

Apr 16, 2018 22:04:25 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I’ve been enthusiastic from the start, me and my pal are on the front row of the stalls and I cannot WAIT, But I do think it’s been handled terribly and I’ve enjoyed ‘commenting’ on the shenanigans 🙂

Blimey  - you're keen! I still think it's ludicrously expensive but I've had some theatre tokens so I'm going to use them - I only reserve them for shows I can't get a discount on. I'm a tight b*tch!!

My pal gets the access rate and was kind enough to ask me as his partner in crime 🙂

[distantcousin]

Apr 16, 2018 22:21:23 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Apr 16, 2018 22:14:02 GMT distantcousin said:

Blimey  - you're keen! I still think it's ludicrously expensive but I've had some theatre tokens so I'm going to use them - I only reserve them for shows I can't get a discount on. I'm a tight b*tch!!

My pal gets the access rate and was kind enough to ask me as his partner in crime 🙂

Fab. My friend used to do a similar thing for me. Got us into The Book Of Mormon, no problem, and cheap. Unfortunately she's moved to Australia now!

[distantcousin]

I'm looking forward to the staging mainly, and the new script. They're the reasons I'm going.


I doubt the actual performances will entirely convince because there is so much miscasting/mismatching of actors, given the motley crew they've been left with.

Poor Murray backing out was the final straw!

[tysilio2]

Apr 17, 2018 19:55:45 GMT distantcousin said:

I'm looking forward to the staging mainly, and the new script. They're the reasons I'm going.


I doubt the actual performances will entirely convince because there is so much miscasting/mismatching of actors, given the motley crew they've been left with.

Poor Murray backing out was the final straw!

Well that's going to be an interesting vocal experience! Nikki Sixx as Florence or Svetlana?? (and strictly it's Mötley Crüe)

[distantcousin]

Apr 18, 2018 8:53:25 GMT tysilio2 said:

Apr 17, 2018 19:55:45 GMT distantcousin said:

I'm looking forward to the staging mainly, and the new script. They're the reasons I'm going.


I doubt the actual performances will entirely convince because there is so much miscasting/mismatching of actors, given the motley crew they've been left with.

Poor Murray backing out was the final straw!

Well that's going to be an interesting vocal experience! Nikki Sixx as Florence or Svetlana?? (and strictly it's Mötley Crüe)

now THAT I would pay double for!!