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Post by theatreian on Nov 17, 2024 23:26:11 GMT
With earlier posts noting really poor audience behavior, I was at the Saturday matinee and have to say audience behaviour was very good. |
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Post by drowseychap on Nov 18, 2024 1:10:17 GMT
The early start this morning for the train trip down to Birmingham for today's show (and who doesn't like a bit of Sunday theatre?) was so worth it for this one. It was a fun and camp 2.5hrs of musical theatre and definitely ticked all the boxes I want from a Jukebox musical - a big, loud and in your face production brought to the stage by a great cast - I really couldn't fault any of them. A fantastic bunch of actors and band delivering those STEPS songs with plenty of energy and humour. I found it to be a well paced production and time just flew by with each Act at roughly an hour long. The book by Stephen Kitchener I would say is alright and was at least is coherent in its structure (with likeable characters) and offers far more than the more recent I Should Be So Lucky did. Though quite honestly I am not looking too deeply for any kind of intellectual engagement with these kind of shows. I am just after the fun factor here where I can just switch my brain off and have a great time and this show does that in spades. I really liked the way the creative team have used the songs, particularly Heartbeat and One For Sorrow in bringing a bit of emotional depth to the show thanks to the brilliant vocals from Rebecca Lock. I am just glad that the whole songs were used rather than just snippets that you get with some jukebox shows. With STEPS in the audience this afternoon it really was a bit of a surreal experience seeing them in person and at the mega-mix at the end with them sitting at the front singing and bopping away it was definitely something special to treasure from this visit. With earlier posts noting really poor audience behavior, I really was expecting the worse, but surprisingly we got through the show without any sing or dance along moments until the mega-mix with us all on our feet and dancing away. As a show, it is definitely one I would be rebooking for on any future tour. Rating - 4 stars You were in extra good company today too apparently Dame Judy Dench was in !!!! She was in Friday too … the Dame a Steps fan  Or has she come to cheer on Finty 🎵or maybe both lol |
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Post by properjob on Nov 18, 2024 8:01:44 GMT
With earlier posts noting really poor audience behavior, I was at the Saturday matinee and have to say audience behaviour was very good. Not where I was! I've seen a lot worse but I dread to think what this is like at an evening show. |
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Post by lou on Nov 18, 2024 20:21:43 GMT
I went to a Wednesday evening show and was dreading audience behaviour. I was hugely impressed at how good they were. Engaged in a good way and saved the interaction until the end.
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Post by theatrenerd on Nov 19, 2024 10:06:19 GMT
You were in extra good company today too apparently Dame Judy Dench was in !!!! She was in Friday too … the Dame a Steps fan Or has she come to cheer on Finty 🎵or maybe both lol I would pay good money to watch Dame Judi Dench recite the lyrics of 5,6,7,8. |
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Post by d'James on Nov 19, 2024 13:16:05 GMT
You were in extra good company today too apparently Dame Judy Dench was in !!!! She was in Friday too … the Dame a Steps fan Or has she come to cheer on Finty 🎵or maybe both lol I would pay good money to watch Dame Judi Dench recite the lyrics of 5,6,7,8. Maybe this’ll tide you over: |
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Post by theatrenerd on Nov 19, 2024 16:31:14 GMT
I would pay good money to watch Dame Judi Dench recite the lyrics of 5,6,7,8. Maybe this’ll tide you over: Fantastic! 😂 |
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 19, 2024 22:26:56 GMT
Steps joined the stage tonight after the megamix and performed Stomp with the cast.
Tour being announced tomorrow, kicks off in Manchester in September 2025.
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Post by ncbears on Nov 19, 2024 22:48:19 GMT
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Post by stevej678 on Nov 19, 2024 23:05:55 GMT
Steps joined the stage tonight after the megamix and performed Stomp with the cast. Tour being announced tomorrow, kicks off in Manchester in September 2025. The tour actually starts in Aylesbury but the audience will certainly be kicking off in Manchester! |
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Post by theatreian on Nov 19, 2024 23:13:43 GMT
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Post by stuart on Nov 19, 2024 23:58:52 GMT
Wow. What a night.
The show is incredible. It is funny, full of heart and written by a true Steps fan. The gasps that went up among the crowd when the opening lines of Paradise Lost were sung? Goosebumps. Well done Shaun Kitchener. I cried too many times - not because of the story but just hearing those songs in a new context. If you’ve been a long time Steps fan, you know it’s been their dream to hear these songs in a musical and I think it all just got to me in the first act.
Seeing them sing Stomp at the end was the icing on the cake. I was just expecting a speech so when Claire opened her mouth for the opening line I was awestruck.
A lot of the celebrities were open to chatting too. Pete Waterman was taking selfies with everyone (myself included), James from My Dad Wrote a Porno was very approachable, Craig Revel Horwood seemed a big attraction for the mums, Danny Beard was just being Danny Beard.
Also - attended the fan party beforehand and met lots of great folk even though I was by myself. And - I won a signed Everybody Dance poster and programme in the raffle!
A great night. So glad I made it down. To the point that I’m now back in my hotel seeing if I can make another trip to Birmingham before the end of the run.
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Post by craig on Nov 20, 2024 10:34:28 GMT
Seeing this on the 29th. A lifelong Steps fan but my musical theatre tastes tend to be a bit more adult. I normally don't bother with jukebox musicals, but I'm so pleased to hear this is hitting the spot for people. I'm really looking forward to it. New theatre visit for me too, which always sparks joy!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 20, 2024 10:57:12 GMT
Poll added
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 20, 2024 11:52:38 GMT
For me, in the hierarchy of jukebox musicals, this is better than Mamma Mia, I Should Be So Lucky, Now That's What I Call A Musical, but not quite as good as Priscilla or & Juliet. The songs fit well, it's a funny script, it's just a thin story. I also felt the choreography was lacking (odd given that Steps were famous for their routines), and some of the biggest bangers felt musically underpowered. But overall more good then bad, it's certainly a lot of fun and the 4 leads are great. If nothing else it's a fantastic showcase for Rebecca Lock.
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Post by d'James on Nov 20, 2024 11:58:19 GMT
Only two nights in Aylesbury?
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 20, 2024 12:07:05 GMT
Aylesbury will be treated as previews for the new cast prior to properly launching in Manchester where the press will see it. They did similar for the Bonnie & Clyde tour earlier this year, it started with a couple of nights in Leicester just to iron out any issues.
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Post by stevej678 on Nov 20, 2024 12:08:04 GMT
On sale now to ATG+ members (for Manchester anyway, I assume other venues too). General sale from 1pm.
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Post by anthony40 on Nov 20, 2024 12:28:48 GMT
Lots of coverage on Twitter about this show
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 20, 2024 13:49:35 GMT
I could have predicted you'd use "Better Best Forgotten", hehe! |
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 20, 2024 16:58:58 GMT
Aylesbury will be treated as previews for the new cast prior to properly launching in Manchester where the press will see it. They did similar for the Bonnie & Clyde tour earlier this year, it started with a couple of nights in Leicester just to iron out any issues. Yes, they'll also be in the theatre from the beginning of the week using it as their tech space from I'd imagine the Sunday or Monday, hence only a few performances at the end of the week. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Nov 20, 2024 23:34:14 GMT
Just watched the gala night curtain call. Full of energy and colour.
I will catch this at some point!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 21, 2024 0:00:11 GMT
Featured on the bbc local news North West Tonight 6.30-7pm with an extended interview with the group, and then again on bbc The One Show at 7pm with an interview with Claire and Lee.
How is that not the bbc advertising this show?
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Nov 21, 2024 0:15:48 GMT
Featured on the bbc local news North West Tonight 6.30-7pm with an extended interview with the group, and then again on bbc The One Show at 7pm with an interview with Claire and Lee. How is that not the bbc advertising this show? The same could be said of the Graham Norton show most weeks. Most of the Hollywood and UK a listers are there primarily to promote something,usually a film or album. Of course getting both Claire and Lee on The One Show could only be surpassed by Paul and Ringo guesting together... |
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Post by d'James on Nov 21, 2024 12:31:13 GMT
Featured on the bbc local news North West Tonight 6.30-7pm with an extended interview with the group, and then again on bbc The One Show at 7pm with an interview with Claire and Lee. How is that not the bbc advertising this show? You’ve really not seen any other shows/people getting coverage on the BBC? |
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Or has she come to cheer on Finty 🎵or maybe both lol 
