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Post by kathryn on Oct 28, 2022 8:03:40 GMT
I see what you mean viserys, I guess I just find it confusing, because those musicals don’t sound like generic ‘musical theatre’ to me at all either. I am a musical midget, mind. I don’t expect to come away from seeing a show for the first time being able to hum half the songs because I just don’t have that ability - I have to hear music quite a lot before it will lodge itself in my brain. (Though I do have snatches of See You in Heaven still in my head right now.) I’ve lost count of the number of lauded original musicals that I’ve been meh about (Wicked and In The Heights being two examples) when I first saw them, without the music sticking with me, only to realise that I like them when I hear snippets of the music again or listen to the cast recording. (There’s a reason why modern pop music recycles bits of old songs into new ones, and tends to use the same chord progressions and groove - familiarity/recognition really helps people enjoy a song.) |
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Oct 28, 2022 10:03:04 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed this yesterday. Zubin's 'Satellite of God' was a particular highlight for me, but the entire show and cast were great!
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 29, 2022 12:54:28 GMT
Peoples, I managed to exchange my ticket for the cancelled performance on Tuesday night to today’s matinee
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 29, 2022 20:00:51 GMT
Well, what fun that was!
Firstly, thank you for all of the likes to my previous post.
The seat I was allocated was perfect! Smack bang in the centre- the perfect view.
I don't know a great deal about American TV evangelism.
It wasn't something regularly televised when I was growing up in Australia. I mean I was certainly aware of Tammy Faye through some interviews, but that's about it.
So it was great to see their raise to fame and their ultimate demise. Also the mechanics going on behind the scenes plotting to being them down.
And there's so much there- flamboyance, extravagance, overspending, affairs, homosexuality, - I could go on.
Such ripe material for a musical.
The music was great. Despite hearing it for the first time, I found myself tapping my foot.
I'd love a cast recording.
There was an incredibly hard working ensemble covering many roles. There were also a couple of laugh out loud laughs.
I loved the costumes, wigs and lighting.
The staging was simple bit effective. Some slick choregraphy.
Great to see Andrew Randell actually performing- BTW, his fringe, didn't move.
But this show belongs too Katie Brayben's show. She is just sensational.
I caught the matinee today and the nouse was full!
This show is in a terrific condition. If this doesn't transfer I'll be shocked!
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Post by austink on Oct 30, 2022 6:43:05 GMT
Saw this yesterday afternoon and overall enjoyed it. I had been hearing people say Act II was better than Act I but would say it is very much the other way around. With so much of the story spent at the finale of Act I and the killer performance by Katie Brayben, I found it didn’t have anywhere to go and Act II was a much more muddled affair with some great production numbers but without as much going for it. The ending is enjoyable but rather a non event and not sure that it gets us to a great finale. Zubin’s performance and Act I number were a stand out otherwise and very much enjoyed Amy Booth-Steel’s performance throughout. Andrew Rannells was ok but nothing really special, and he could be easily swapped out of the role for a transfer in a show entirely dependent on Katie. The amount of money spent of wigs (hair and makeup should get their own bow) and the costumes make it very clear that this show is designed to transfer. I would give it a weak 4 stars but with room to improve.
Comedy bad audience behaviour of an problematic cancelled A list Hollywood actor next to us who was on their phone googling about the show in Act I (buy a programme dear) and had a friend that brought a small buffet into the show in Act II.
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Post by kathryn on Oct 30, 2022 9:32:02 GMT
Comedy bad audience behaviour of an problematic cancelled A list Hollywood actor next to us who was on their phone googling about the show in Act I (buy a programme dear) and had a friend that brought a small buffet into the show in Act II. You’re going to need to be more specific - there’s way too many problematic A list Hollywood actors to guess who that might be. 🤨 |
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Post by danb on Oct 30, 2022 10:36:46 GMT
Spacey?
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Post by elfie1984 on Oct 30, 2022 11:08:23 GMT
Saw this last night and absolutely loved it. One of the most exciting pieces of theatre I’ve seen in a while. I’d go as far to say as one of the top five most enjoyable theatre experiences I’ve ever had. It felt so human and full of joy. It also feels very relevant to the current political climate, and with the Tammy Faye film seems well timed.
The first act was particularly joyous and a lot of fun, I laughed a lot and found myself smiling throughout, thoroughly captivated. The second act was much more focused on the downfall of PTL and did feel less focused on Tammy specifically - I think I would have liked to have seen more of her response and struggle with what happened developing over time. If there’s any tightening up I would say it’s the second act that needs it, my attention went at points, though it was still very enjoyable with some powerful moments.
Katie Brayben performance is phenomenal. It’s going to win awards for sure. Andrew Rannell’s performance is very similar to other things I’ve seen him in but his role seems to be more about supporting Tammy’s evolution, though I did appreciate his character’s vulnerability towards the end of act 2 showing some depth. Zubin Varla and Amy Booth-Steele were other particular stand outs but the whole cast gave it their all. Very strong performances all round and a real ensemble piece. It seemed they all really believed in the piece and were having fun.
The book is strong with witty and clever writing and I loved the direction, along with the set design - the use of projection really complemented the set, reminding you that everything we were witnessing was broadcast and the different boxes the cast appeared from and how they lit the set was so effective. Loved those aspects.
The music and lyrics are enjoyable and well performed. I can’t remember any melodies but I would definitely listen to a cast album. I responded to the songs whether they were comedic or emotional and they served the story well. Some work could be done to refine these. Comedic songs in Act 1, end of Act 1 Katie Brayben emotional belting was epic and final songs in Act 2 were great. Did anyone find the song with Zubin’s character convincing the board director and his wife of his plan like ‘Easy Street’ from Annie? I’d give that a rewrite because it could be a really powerful moment and seemed a bit of a miss, particularly for how dark Zubin’s character was. The manipulation could be made even more insidious than comical. Throughout though, Zubin did an amazing job with his material.
Even though it does need some work, I’d honestly see this again tonight, I enjoyed it that much. Would currently give it a 4 star but it’s got potential for 5 stars. Hopefully, some bits can be reworked to elevate it because its potential really is so exciting (which you can probably tell from my comments). So great to see an original musical delivering like this at this stage in its development. I’m absolutely rooting for its future.
West End transfer seems pretty definite, particularly with the reviews and audience responses - someone mentioned recently that Phoenix is possible for a venue after Come From Away finishes, though does anyone know if anything’s confirmed to go in there after Noises Off ends in March 2023? Would be a good venue in terms of it still feeling fairly intimate, reflecting the Almeida.
As an aside, MickeyJoTheatre makes some interesting comments in his review on YouTube which articulated a lot of my own feelings.
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 30, 2022 11:37:51 GMT
Comedy bad audience behaviour of an problematic cancelled A list Hollywood actor next to us who was on their phone googling about the show in Act I (buy a programme dear) and had a friend that brought a small buffet into the show in Act II. You’re going to need to be more specific - there’s way too many problematic A list Hollywood actors to guess who that might be. 🤨 Really? I was in the foyer for about an hour waiting for return ticket and I didn't see any A list Hollywood actor. I'm normally really good at that sort of thing. |
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Post by londonpostie on Oct 30, 2022 12:10:19 GMT
I don't see much of this kind of theatre so I'm in not in a position to say much. I enjoyed it, huge energy and commitment by the performers, amusing and cynical, honest and earnest. Won't be whistling any of the tunes, though huge admiration for Katie Brayben wringing out everything she could.
Felt very developed, expensive, the pathway to Broadway set.
Of course, the West End will come first, though we were pondering the target demographics and how it will land in New York, which is always a fun conversation. The journey won't be as fraught as Tammy's though will be fascinating to follow.
A Brucie bonus from me for the echo of Mrs Slocombe in Tammy's friend/assistant (Jan?), absent her pussy >>
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Oct 30, 2022 12:13:00 GMT
James Franco was in. He got “cancelled” (for sexually harassing and assaulting a large number of women and teenage girls) but dunno if he’s A list?
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Post by austink on Oct 30, 2022 12:17:28 GMT
James Franco was in. He got “cancelled” (for sexually harassing and assaulting a large number of women and teenage girls) but dunno if he’s A list? Without commenting, I had thought someone with two golden globes was A list. 😬 |
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Post by kathryn on Oct 30, 2022 12:30:10 GMT
The Golden Globes are a bit of a joke. They're voted for by less than a hundred journalists, who are known to respond well to jollies and hobnobbing. Famously ‘The Tourist’ got nominations after flying the voting body out to Venice for a ‘screening’.
They make for good pre-Oscars publicity because the ceremony is televised and tends to be entertaining (much funnier hosts than the Oscars, and they serve drinks to the attendees) so gets good ratings. But no-one in the industry would consider them a credible awards ceremony - they are pure PR.
Having said that, Franco was A list for a while there. Not so much now.
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Post by austink on Oct 30, 2022 12:33:13 GMT
True but we had his botching the hosting of the Academy Awards. Can edit to “formerly A list” The Golden Globes are a bit of a joke. They're voted for by less than a hundred journalists, who are known to respond well to jollies and hobnobbing. Famously ‘The Tourist’ got nominations after flying the voting body out to Venice for a ‘screening’. They make for good pre-Oscars publicity because the ceremony is televised and tends to be entertaining (much funnier hosts than the Oscars, and they serve drinks to the attendees) so gets good ratings. But no-one in the industry would consider them a credible awards ceremony - they are pure PR. Having said that, Franco was A list for a while there. Not so much now. |
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Post by kathryn on Oct 30, 2022 13:12:18 GMT
I’d mercifully managed to block all memory of the Oscars hosting job from my mind…
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 30, 2022 18:23:59 GMT
I don't know a great deal about American TV evangelism. It wasn't something regularly televised when I was growing up in Australia. I mean I was certainly aware of Tammy Faye through some interviews, but that's about it. Your knowledge is doing much better than mine. Until reading the reviews, both professional & on here, I was under the vague impression that Tammy Faye was a Country & Western singer. Fortunately I haven't booked for the show! |
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Post by alece10 on Oct 30, 2022 19:26:42 GMT
I don't know a great deal about American TV evangelism. It wasn't something regularly televised when I was growing up in Australia. I mean I was certainly aware of Tammy Faye through some interviews, but that's about it. Your knowledge is doing much better than mine. Until reading the reviews, both professional & on here, I was under the vague impression that Tammy Faye was a Country & Western singer. Fortunately I haven't booked for the show! Maybe you were thinking of Tammy Wynette who was a big country and western star. |
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Post by alece10 on Oct 30, 2022 19:32:46 GMT
Bit of random trivia for you.
Billy Graham who features at the start of the musical was a huge evangelist preacher in the 70s and, I believe, had a couple of audiences with the Queen when he was in England. He did some services at Wembley Stadium and were huge events. Anyway I had an American relative who was part of his team and when he was over in England with Billy Graham he came to visit us in Cornwall. I was a teenager at the time and I remember the family were all quite excited.
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 30, 2022 19:58:07 GMT
Your knowledge is doing much better than mine. Until reading the reviews, both professional & on here, I was under the vague impression that Tammy Faye was a Country & Western singer. Fortunately I haven't booked for the show! Maybe you were thinking of Tammy Wynette who was a big country and western star.
Quite possibly. Given I really dislike evangelism & proselytising, I'm quite happy not to have encountered Tammy Faye before.
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 30, 2022 20:29:24 GMT
when he was over in England with Billy Graham he came to visit us in Cornwall You may think that is random trivia, but your brief meeting of someone who has raised tens of millions in the name of religion could form the basis of books and films. If you were to go to the US and tell them your family hosted Billy Graham, people would be desperate to touch you and feed off your aura. Note, that response does not reflect my personal feelings towards evangelist preachers. I feel the impact of religion in the US is very well balanced in this musical for a UK audience. It will be very controversial some US audience members (after all, I remember reading opinions about how controversial the most recent revival of Pippin was). |
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Post by kathryn on Oct 30, 2022 20:50:03 GMT
Well, the Sunday papers seem to have confounded the right-wing/left-wing theory of reviewer responses: Quentin Letts gave it 4 stars in The Sunday Time and Susannah Clapp gave it 3 in The Observer.
Clapp compared it unfavourable to Jerry Springer: The Opera. Not the only critic to do so. I am not sure why - given James Graham’s always humanising approach - but some people seem to have expected a biting satire.
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Post by danb on Oct 30, 2022 21:08:13 GMT
Is it just straight up storytelling then rather than biting satire? Is it all naturalistic or are there elements of abstraction or fantasy?
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Oct 30, 2022 21:32:26 GMT
Is it just straight up storytelling then rather than biting satire? Is it all naturalistic or are there elements of abstraction or fantasy? There are moments of both abstraction and fantasy but it isn’t a send-up of religion - more of a reflection on human temptation and institutional fallibility |
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Post by Steve on Oct 30, 2022 22:55:20 GMT
Bit of random trivia for you. Billy Graham who features at the start of the musical was a huge evangelist preacher in the 70s and, I believe, had a couple of audiences with the Queen when he was in England. He did some services at Wembley Stadium and were huge events. Anyway I had an American relative who was part of his team and when he was over in England with Billy Graham he came to visit us in Cornwall. I was a teenager at the time and I remember the family were all quite excited. In 1989, my sister's non-religious school thought that a school trip for 11 and 12 year old girls to see Cliff Richard live in London would be a great idea.
Unfortunately, Cliff was not the real main act, and Billy Graham, who was the real main act, told the girls that they and their families were all going to hell. The girls on the school trip were all (and I mean all of them) in inconsolable floods of tears for the entire night.
All the parents were furious with the school for not doing more research into this "free" Cliff Richard concert.
My sister is still traumatised by memories of that school trip to this day lol!
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Post by n1david on Oct 31, 2022 7:42:18 GMT
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