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Post by crabtree on Oct 24, 2021 10:39:46 GMT
Whatever the precise mechanics of the bed were, it was the speed that it was connected and disconnected that was impressive, and the deliberate staging of getting the cast to walk behind that screamed 'fooled ya!'. And the broom, well I suspect several were involved, and it's certainly not the broom that is suspended in the flying scenes. all wonderfullly impressive sleight of hand, and so much more fun that Wicked's raucous, bombastic and clumsy Defying Gravity.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 24, 2021 10:47:30 GMT
Wicked could change that one scene to have her flying out over the audience and people would repeat visit in droves. I know some purists would complain about the show being changed but that effect is absolutely pants and deserves to be updated.
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Post by crabtree on Oct 24, 2021 10:52:20 GMT
Yep the Wicked moment is so overproduced for such little effect. Poppins showed how it could be done.
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Post by danb on Oct 24, 2021 11:24:09 GMT
Wicked could change that one scene to have her flying out over the audience and people would repeat visit in droves. I know some purists would complain about the show being changed but that effect is absolutely pants and deserves to be updated. They did experiment with it in try outs if I remember rightly, but Stephanie Block hurt herself and they struggled with it so did what they did. I’m sure when the Curve get their hands on it in 2028 she’ll be all over the place shooting fireballs. |
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Post by alicechallice on Oct 24, 2021 11:32:17 GMT
The bed had a big arm that was connected to the back of it, we could see it from the angle we were sat. Nothing underneath.
We could also see the brooms getting swapped round and different ones being handed to DP during ‘A Step in the Right Direction’
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 24, 2021 11:52:50 GMT
Wicked could change that one scene to have her flying out over the audience and people would repeat visit in droves. I know some purists would complain about the show being changed but that effect is absolutely pants and deserves to be updated. They did experiment with it in try outs if I remember rightly, but Stephanie Block hurt herself and they struggled with it so did what they did. I’m sure when the Curve get their hands on it in 2028 she’ll be all over the place shooting fireballs. 🙄 honestly these Divas and their safety fears. Just climb on the broom and sing dear. |
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Post by danb on Oct 24, 2021 12:12:01 GMT
“Ten foot…fifty foot…it makes no odds…you’re off the floor either way, now crack on so we can get to lunch”
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Post by PhantomNcl on Oct 25, 2021 9:53:43 GMT
Wicked could change that one scene to have her flying out over the audience and people would repeat visit in droves. I know some purists would complain about the show being changed but that effect is absolutely pants and deserves to be updated. {Spoiler - click to view}
I was watching a review of the new Hamburg production of Wicked yesterday and they said that Elphaba now rises up on wires rather than the lift, and flies out above the audience Poppins-style! |
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Post by richey on Oct 25, 2021 12:06:52 GMT
Wicked could change that one scene to have her flying out over the audience and people would repeat visit in droves. I know some purists would complain about the show being changed but that effect is absolutely pants and deserves to be updated. {Spoiler - click to view}
I was watching a review of the new Hamburg production of Wicked yesterday and they said that Elphaba now rises up on wires rather than the lift, and flies out above the audience Poppins-style! Yep there's a clip here |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2021 12:07:38 GMT
Witches Of Eastwick set the gold standard of flying. Mary Poppins copied the same rig. It deserved the applause it got.
Video starts at the flying sequence
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Post by danb on Oct 26, 2021 12:22:08 GMT
{Spoiler - click to view}
I was watching a review of the new Hamburg production of Wicked yesterday and they said that Elphaba now rises up on wires rather than the lift, and flies out above the audience Poppins-style! Yep there's a clip here That is what she needs to do to make it truly special, and that looks great with the tattered dress floating under her. I wonder how conspicuous the rig is? |
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Post by grannyjx6 on Oct 26, 2021 23:05:43 GMT
I saw it tonight and to be honest it went on a bit too long, to the point that quite a few people left after the under the sea scene. Start time was 7.30 pm and it finished at 10.10 which is longer than a lot of adult shows I’ve seen. The special effects were clever and at the rear of the circle looked flawless. If my grandchildren hasn’t been on holiday, I would probably have taken them, but at 5 and 6, there would have been a lot of wriggling I think.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 27, 2021 12:28:47 GMT
Sam Lupton makes his Emelius debut today.
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Post by TheWanderer on Oct 27, 2021 22:52:29 GMT
Payed a visit to the Lyceum tonight (my local theatre). Was sat in stalls row N. My second visit to the Lyceum in the past month where they’ve not been selling programmes, which I find slightly frustrating. Not many in masks, despite the ushers threatening a refusal of service at the bar without a mask.
The show was enjoyable on a whole. I wouldn’t say there was a particularly memorable song however the cast were brilliant all round. The broom moment was mind-blowing, as was the bed (the first and second time round, but after that it became a little ‘samey’). Lupton was brilliant and I wouldn’t have known it was his debut (thank you to the previous poster). My first time seeing Diane and she was absolutely brilliant, she was so believable and powerful tonight. It’s definitely a show I’d recommend watching, but not one I’d return to time and time again.
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Post by drowseychap on Nov 11, 2021 2:26:35 GMT
Caught the show tonight in Birmingham I agree with most of the other posts think it would work better in smaller theatres from , upper circle everything looked tiny
really don’t think it’s a children’s show we had 2 8yr olds behind us no interest didn’t understand story parents constantly explaining loudly whats going on constant opening of sweets popcorn plastic bottles crinkling kicking backs of our sets for an hour ignored our pleas to please keep quiet ..... at 9.50 pm we had a toddler crying ruining the last 15 mins ...... I mean really !!
Staff allowed us to move for second half. Theatre was only about 3/4 sold. But at £75 for stalls seats even upper circle mostly £30-£45. And dress circle £50 It’s very £££
So we managed to relax and enjoy the second half very creative and inventive show. Good illusions but agree 15mins too long overall
Slight mishap with flying through window which revealed the illusion
The bed was good couldn’t see how from where we were upper then dress circle .... but didn’t go as high. As in the trailers wonder if it depends on theatre s
Like I said I think in a smaller theatre where u are closer. And can feel involved and immerse yourself. Into the show and see the small set I think I’d have enjoyed it more as on paper it’s right up my street gave it 6-10. Tonight
May have been higher without interruptions in first half. And if upper circle had not been -1 degrees 🥶lol
I too wasn’t sure about the ending ?? Or why they chose it that way I did as it unfolded and thought ok that’s fine. But then as it went on I thought. The last bit unnecessary ? Just my humble thoughts 💭
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Post by mkb on Nov 11, 2021 3:14:53 GMT
I don't know who played the youngsters Carrie and Paul tonight at the Alex in Birmingham, but what exceptional talents. And such calm professionalism coping with an early difficulty: during the prologue transition from London bedroom to the South coast, the evacuees are handed pre-laced shoes to slip into. Carrie and Paul each struggled to fit a heel into one of their shoes. I found myself panicking vicariously, fearing their loose shoes would go flying off. Despite knowing they have no upcoming stage exit, both young actors, with considerable presence of mind, displayed no such anxiety or distraction, with Carrie fixing her footwear after a couple of minutes and Paul after about five. It is 50 years since I saw the film of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and I can honestly say I remember nothing of it. So, tonight's show was like a first-time experience. Boy is the book bonkers! (It reminded me of Salad Days in that regard.) I am assuming copious quantities of hallucinogens were required to create this story. Luckily, I love bonkers, so found myself having a ball, both the metaphorical one and the Beautiful Briny kind that opens the second act. The puppetry from the ensemble cast is delightful, and the stage magic is class-leading. The broomstick-through-the-window effect is very cleverly worked. Even better is the bed-through-the-arched-wall illusion where the far side of the wall is shown to be solid and without break whenever it is in view but is not of course . The choreography required by the cast and unseen crane technicians must be quite something. They made a substantial challenge look so easy. Crucial here too is the work of the lighting wizards: even from my front row seat, they ensured that what was meant to be hidden on stage, stayed hidden. And how refreshing to see that all flying was achieved freely, without any awkward attachment of safety harnesses and the like. If there were any, they went unnoticed. Maybe it was because it was the first night at this venue, but the sound mix was not quite right: the music was far too quiet overall, yet the vocals were quieter still, and often inaudible. However, I very much enjoyed the use of the harp in the score: such a wonderful instrument to hear played live. Both the set design and costumes are highlights, coming together in peak excellence during the Portobello Road number. B&B has much to appeal to kids and adults of all ages. A heartily recommended four stars. Act 1: 19:33-20:39 Act 2: 21:02-22:08 |
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Post by mkb on Nov 11, 2021 3:24:30 GMT
... But at £75 for stalls seats even upper circle mostly £30-£45. And dress circle £50 It’s very £££ I paid £23.75 for front-row stalls using the ATG Theatrecard 50%-off first-night offer, so looks like I had a bargain. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2021 5:48:35 GMT
I’d love a cast recording for this, are there plans for one?
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Post by sprampster on Nov 11, 2021 10:18:19 GMT
... But at £75 for stalls seats even upper circle mostly £30-£45. And dress circle £50 It’s very £££ I paid £23.75 for front-row stalls using the ATG Theatrecard 50%-off first-night offer, so looks like I had a bargain. Hey how was the view from there. Was it too close? Always sat in the Dress Circle at the Alex before. Saw Bedknobs in Canterbury but wouldnt mind seeing upclose and they have ROW B centre for the matinee on Friday any thoughts? |
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Post by mkb on Nov 11, 2021 10:41:31 GMT
View was near perfect from Stalls A21: low stage and not too close. The only downside is that you occasionally have visibility into the wings or of the above-stage lights. You would probably need to be about five rows back to avoid that.
There is ample legroom on the front row, enough for people to walk past without needing to stand up. The conductor might be slightly intrusive in the two central seats as she protrudes about one foot above stage level. Row B should be fine as the people in row A will block her.
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Post by drowseychap on Nov 12, 2021 1:50:39 GMT
... But at £75 for stalls seats even upper circle mostly £30-£45. And dress circle £50 It’s very £££ I paid £23.75 for front-row stalls using the ATG Theatrecard 50%-off first-night offer, so looks like I had a bargain. You certainly did well friends of mine did that too and got front row I don’t have atg card I did get a discount with the I’m a hero campaign ... but anything In the stalls was still out of my price bracket I’m afraid |
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Post by sprampster on Nov 12, 2021 10:32:11 GMT
Anyone in Birmingham today and wants a deal for the matinee . Code is BROOMTEN and will give you best available seats for £10.00 each
I thank you x
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Post by anita on Nov 23, 2021 15:49:51 GMT
Dartford tomorrow & 2 performance on Thursday code BED20 give you any seat for £20.
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Post by anita on Nov 23, 2021 16:15:28 GMT
Well that was a waste of time. Tried to book & only allows credit cards despite saying you can book with debit cards. I refuse to use my credit card since they've closed the local branch.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 23, 2021 22:14:41 GMT
Well that was a waste of time. Tried to book & only allows credit cards despite saying you can book with debit cards. I refuse to use my credit card since they've closed the local branch. That's one of my local theatres and I've never had any problems booking with a debit card, might just be a glitch. The box office people there are very helpful (if you can get through on the phone...) |
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