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Post by Laineee on Apr 9, 2016 16:47:29 GMT
Have also just come out of today's matinee, and not sure I can add too much to what others have said. So glad I made the decision to switch Painkiller for this. La Close might not be the best singer to grace a west end stage, but boy is she mesmerising. And when she hits that sweet spot with her vocals.....  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2016 17:21:07 GMT
The best part about Glenn getting these amazing responses is reading back to when loads of people were doubting her... |
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Post by liverpool54321 on Apr 9, 2016 18:53:06 GMT
Also at the matinee today. Not a big fan of ALW and never seen Sunset Boulevard before but really enjoyed the whole show. I was more drawn to the non Glenn Close music scenes but can see why people on here have commented about how great it sounds with a full orchestra and she is a bit of a star. For me the stand out voice was Siobhan Dillon. Not sure if I have seen here before but will keep an eye out in future. I thought the staging worked really well and most of the time I was oblivious to the fact it was only semi staged. Might have to persuade my mum to go buy a ticket.
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Post by Marwood on Apr 9, 2016 21:05:05 GMT
I was also there in row C of the balcony last night - I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would (I'm always put off a bit when things are hyped as much as this has been, as if it's a challenge for me to like it regardless of what happens). I thought Glenn Close was excellent (as were Siobhan Dillon and Fred Johanson) - although I thought Michael Xavier was maybe the weakest link - nothing wrong with his performance, his singing was OK, but some of his spoken lines were performed a bit too hammily for my liking.
While I would have liked to have sat a bit closer to the performers to see their facial expressions, I'm quite happy to have 'only' paid £25 for the balcony, the sound quality up there was excellent, and while I couldn't see much of what was projected at the back of the set (or see what happened to Xavier when he dropped off stage) I generally had a good view of what was going on.
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Post by goergoerson10 on Apr 9, 2016 21:36:10 GMT
Something you may all find interesting...a very reliable source of mine has confirmed that the show has been a huge financial hit.
He has said that it took six million pounds in advance sales. The max it can make for the run is eight million, so - in his words - "sales post-opening night were not something they were worried about."
Given this and La Close's undisputed triumph, I think we can safely say that the show is back in the public's eye, where it belongs, dears.
With kind regards,
Goer Goerson.
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Post by Sue on Apr 9, 2016 21:40:31 GMT
Good news, GG!
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Post by drowseychap on Apr 9, 2016 21:58:04 GMT
Just out of tonight's performance I saw the original production back in the day and secretly did hanker a little for the original set .... Saying that I did love the staging tonight and all the little touches loved the film images and the end screen ... I got the youngNorma esp liked her during perfect year ..... Have they changed the body ? Because tonight it just floated down from the roof and away as Joe sank to the bottom of the pool ? I thought it worked well ....... No weak performances tonight lovely to see miss Dillon finally getting the recognition she deserves. Huge ovations tonight ... Glen close was fantastic a master class of acting you are aware as she walks on you are about to witness something really special ..... Yes I've seen stronger singers but never a better whole package ..... For £31 row j upper circle we had a great view didn't miss anything and could still see expressions .... May be 5 rows closer would have been even better but £20 more each ?? It's down to personal choice and bank balance ..... After tonight I would go again and maybe find the £20
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2016 22:55:08 GMT
Based on Instagram, she is now signing at the stage door after the show.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 9, 2016 23:25:08 GMT
I've deduced that young Norma must have been played by Carly Anderson of Xanadu fame which is a bit of a shame because she has a lovely voice which we don't get to hear. She understudies for Siobhan Dillon too.
I suppose she could have come on and said "G'day mate! They call me Noooooorma!"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2016 23:39:28 GMT
O. M. Gosh. This was terrific. Glenn Close is beyond sensational in this. I'm sure there are many people who could sing it better than her but no-one could be a better Norma Desmond as a whole than her. Even her entrance had me going all dreadfully American and giving her a round of applause!  I'm not sure if she'd be eligible for awards season next year but I can't imagine there will be a better musical performance than this in the forthcoming year. I got goosebumps and a tear in my eye when Hog Eye turns the spotlight on Norma and shouts "Let's get a look at you", 'As If We Never Said Goodbye' was heartstoppingly glorious. I also don't think I've ever heard or seen an ovation like the one tonight. The rest of the cast were all brilliant particularly Fred Johanson and Siobhan Dillon who was a great Betty and especially Michael Xavier. I thought he was a great Joe, stunning voice and a strong leading man (and especially gracious to La Close at the curtain call too). And the orchestra sounded really amazing too. Oh, and I shall be having many sweet dreams for some time to come of the X-Man in his trunks. A big thank you to whoever's decision that was. I'm going to sell my grandmother for another ticket so if anyone wants a former debutante nazi with impeccable manners and a martini glass that's never empty, please let me know. |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Apr 9, 2016 23:45:08 GMT
O. M. Gosh. I'm going to sell my grandmother for another ticket so if anyone wants a former debutante nazi with impeccable manners and a martini glass that's never empty, please let me know. Sure, I could do with one for my mantle |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2016 23:46:49 GMT
O. M. Gosh. I'm going to sell my grandmother for another ticket so if anyone wants a former debutante nazi with impeccable manners and a martini glass that's never empty, please let me know. Sure, I could do with one for my mantle You're welcome to her. We believe she was Hitler's second choice should Eva Braun have turned him down. |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Apr 9, 2016 23:55:32 GMT
Sure, I could do with one for my mantle You're welcome to her. We believe she was Hitler's second choice should Eva Braun have turned him down. Oh wonderful. A nice historic relic. |
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Post by chernjam on Apr 10, 2016 1:15:47 GMT
I love Sunset - and just hearing that it opened with this fanfare, and advance ticket sales is great news... but I am a bit saddened that it HAD to be with Glenn Close. At this point it's almost completely solidifying a type-casting that's going to be hard to break. There's news that they want to bring her back to NY (so I guess the workshop that took place with Donna Murphy is going nowhere) and film the movie with her - it's sad to me that this show is going to be more remembered as "Glenn Close's Sunset Blvd" rather than Andrew LLoyd Webber's (especially since it's one of his best scores)
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Post by drowseychap on Apr 10, 2016 2:19:59 GMT
One thing that did annoy me tonight was the audience applauding before the end of the last note ..... Does it happen most nights ? It always seemed to start in the same section of the theatre ? W o l. & n s g bye esp annoying waiting with bated breath she certainly went for it tonight but then was drowned out by applause  ? |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 10, 2016 6:21:02 GMT
Slightly over the top, no? I love Sunset - and just hearing that it opened with this fanfare, and advance ticket sales is great news... but I am a bit saddened that it HAD to be with Glenn Close. At this point it's almost completely solidifying a type-casting that's going to be hard to break. There's news that they want to bring her back to NY (so I guess the workshop that took place with Donna Murphy is going nowhere) and film the movie with her - it's sad to me that this show is going to be more remembered as "Glenn Close's Sunset Blvd" rather than Andrew LLoyd Webber's (especially since it's one of his best scores) |
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 10, 2016 6:25:14 GMT
It's sad to me that this show is going to be more remembered as "Glenn Close's Sunset Blvd" rather than Andrew LLoyd Webber's (especially since it's one of his best scores) I don't agree. At no point have I ever thought of this as anything other that an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, not a star vehicle for Glenn Close. |
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Post by waybeyondblue on Apr 10, 2016 12:15:50 GMT
Just out of tonight's performance I saw the original production back in the day and secretly did hanker a little for the original set .... Saying that I did love the staging tonight and all the little touches loved the film images and the end screen ... I got the youngNorma esp liked her during perfect year ..... Have they changed the body ? Because tonight it just floated down from the roof and away as Joe sank to the bottom of the pool ? I thought it worked well ....... No weak performances tonight lovely to see miss Dillon finally getting the recognition she deserves. Huge ovations tonight ... Glen close was fantastic a master class of acting you are aware as she walks on you are about to witness something really special ..... Yes I've seen stronger singers but never a better whole package ..... For £31 row j upper circle we had a great view didn't miss anything and could still see expressions .... May be 5 rows closer would have been even better but £20 more each ?? It's down to personal choice and bank balance ..... After tonight I would go again and maybe find the £20 This, except that we were in row C middle of the stalls. I'd forgotten what it was to see an actor do a musical. A really unique evening. |
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Post by fiyero on Apr 10, 2016 19:21:32 GMT
One thing that did annoy me tonight was the audience applauding before the end of the last note ..... Does it happen most nights ? It always seemed to start in the same section of the theatre ? W o l. & n s g bye esp annoying waiting with bated breath she certainly went for it tonight but then was drowned out by applause ? It's happened both times I went. I hate it too! |
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 10, 2016 19:45:12 GMT
Well this in undoubtedly going to go down in the history books. I wasn't even born when Glenn did this first time round, so I only have the CD and YouTube to compare it to. But for me, she outsang and outacted herself last night. With One Look was incredible - powerful beyond words - and then As If We Never Said Goodbye brought the majority of the audience (certainly stalls) to their feet. She is absolutely extraordinary. I laughed when people were comparing this to Imelda, but it really is that good. Xavier is brilliant, I couldn't think of anyone else who would play this, and no one as well. - Wonderful voice, and particularly enjoyed the beginning of Act 2  - yes, I'm one of those - no shame. Really really great. Siobhan Dillon was glorious, just a shame she hasnt got more to do. I have NEVER seen a standing ovation like it. People cheering before the end of Glenn singing the last note, and then screaming hands over their heads in the curtain call. She had 5 curtain calls - it was that good. And I got my programme signed at stage door - but basically got crushed in the process. Glenn got on the roof of her car to be able to sign more programmes. Legend. If you dont have tickets, GET. SOME. NOW. This is being advertised as Theatrical Highlight of 2016 for a reason. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 10, 2016 21:25:52 GMT
Get off the fence. Did you like it or not? |
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Post by PalelyLaura on Apr 11, 2016 14:00:31 GMT
Off to see this tonight. Not a major fan of GC, like ALW but have never seen or heard Sunset Boulevard before, so no idea whether I'll enjoy it or not, but I'm quite excited!
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 11, 2016 14:41:52 GMT
I saw this. 7/10. Glen can't sing it. She cracked 7 times. You pray she reaches the high notes and belting endings, she's off the beat and it all feels very eggshells. A super show but not the theatre wow night out I expected.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2016 14:47:38 GMT
Considering the role, I'd rather have someone who can act the crap out of it even if their best singing days are behind them than someone who can hit every note perfectly but not plumb the psychological depths. It fits the character. And Glenn Close may not be hitting all the notes, but she's hitting everything else.
I do wish people would wait for the songs to finish before applauding though. You don't get a medal or free membership of the Glenn Close fanclub if you're the first one to clap, and you're drowning out that fabulous orchestra. :/
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2016 15:03:04 GMT
I do wish people would wait for the songs to finish before applauding though. You don't get a medal or free membership of the Glenn Close fanclub if you're the first one to clap, and you're drowning out that fabulous orchestra. :/ OMGosh. That orchestra was just scrumptious. The moment when you first see them lit behind the screen and the overture starts. Oh my. I do agree a little about the applause before the end of the song but even I have to admit I had to restrain myself from giving a one man standing ovation when La Close sang "I've come hoooooooooooome at laaaaaaaaaaast". I think a little involuntary clap happened. And perhaps a squeal. My bad. |
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I'm not sure if she'd be eligible for awards season next year but I can't imagine there will be a better musical performance than this in the forthcoming year. I got goosebumps and a tear in my eye when Hog Eye turns the spotlight on Norma and shouts "Let's get a look at you", 'As If We Never Said Goodbye' was heartstoppingly glorious. I also don't think I've ever heard or seen an ovation like the one tonight.
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- yes, I'm one of those - no shame. Really really great.
