728 posts
|
Post by sophie92 on Jul 29, 2021 5:18:10 GMT
Anyway, how does the bowing order go here? The last version had ensemble, Luke and John, Captain and Pursar, Eli and Evangeline, Erma, Evelyn, Hope, Billy, Moonface, Reno. I’m assuming it’s remained the same. Wasn’t sure at first if Lindsay would get the second to last bow over the leading man, but the video I’ve seen looks like he got it. I’m not 100% sure if I’m remembering correctly, but I think the only change is Eli & Evangeline bowing after Hope, before Billy. Ah, just seen a video on Instagram that shows just that. |
|
333 posts
|
Post by stuart on Jul 29, 2021 7:45:58 GMT
On reflection, do we think that Megan Mullally would’ve been able to do the level of tap that Sutton seems to be doing? I just can’t picture her in the role.
|
|
4,786 posts
|
Post by Mark on Jul 29, 2021 7:47:31 GMT
Well this was a real treat last night! Packed house absolutely lapping it up and falling in love with Sutton Foster. She had the audience wrapped around her fingers.
The two big production numbers are the standout, just amazing to look at.
For all the set is fairly simple, this feels like a big and expensive production. It's been 11 years since I saw it in New York so couldn't tell you if anything had changed.
A great night out. Shout outs of course to Sutton Foster but also a really great turn from Carly Mercedes Dyer who brought the house down with her number.
|
|
|
|
Post by happytobehere on Jul 29, 2021 8:10:56 GMT
Does anyone know what time the show ends? I’m just trying to plan my journey home!
|
|
4,786 posts
|
Post by Mark on Jul 29, 2021 8:13:53 GMT
Does anyone know what time the show ends? I’m just trying to plan my journey home! It was around 22:10 |
|
5,148 posts
|
Post by Being Alive on Jul 29, 2021 15:39:03 GMT
On reflection, do we think that Megan Mullally would’ve been able to do the level of tap that Sutton seems to be doing? I just can’t picture her in the role. I think she'd have been a really wonderful Reno, but I imagine the big dance numbers would have differed a little... |
|
316 posts
|
Post by ABr on Jul 29, 2021 15:56:48 GMT
On reflection, do we think that Megan Mullally would’ve been able to do the level of tap that Sutton seems to be doing? I just can’t picture her in the role. I think she'd have been a really wonderful Reno, but I imagine the big dance numbers would have differed a little... I always imagined that Megans 'Reno' would be similar to how Patti played it, which either way I would have been going to see it! Getting Sutton was just an added bonus, due to the change in circumstance! |
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Jul 29, 2021 16:03:06 GMT
Finally booked for this. Can't wait, it's going to be really special. I saw Sutton Foster in Shrek on Broadway and she was the only enjoyable part of an absolutely dour night out. I really can't wait. Love me some Sutton Foster!!! T&T triple threat from the old school - there are very few who can do it well. (Clare Halse is just about the best I can think of otherwise).
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Jul 29, 2021 16:03:16 GMT
Heading into town now for this evening’s show. Excited is an understatement!
|
|
375 posts
|
Post by Theatre Fan on Jul 29, 2021 16:04:10 GMT
Will they replace Sutton for the final week, or just have alternates on instead? What do we think?
|
|
5,812 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 29, 2021 17:34:57 GMT
Will they replace Sutton for the final week, or just have alternates on instead? What do we think? Pretty sure they will just have the understudy on. Makes absolutely no sense to spend all that money rehearsing someone in and making all of those (surely very expensive) costumes for one week. |
|
5,148 posts
|
Post by Being Alive on Jul 29, 2021 20:54:44 GMT
Agreed - Vivien Carter is the understudy and is a super performer so I think she'll do a great job.
|
|
1,255 posts
|
Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 29, 2021 21:06:54 GMT
I’m sure she’s fabulous but I have EVERYTHIng crossed that Sutton is on Tuesday night. I will cry if not  |
|
5,812 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 29, 2021 21:26:04 GMT
I do not envy her for having to fill Sutton’s shoes!
|
|
4,984 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Jul 29, 2021 21:57:19 GMT
I wonder why they offered this show to Megan Mullally over Sutton Foster in the first place? Was it money? I thought it was very gracious of Sutton to take the role and didn’t see it as an insult being an afterthought. If it was money, then the producers must have splashed a lot of money for Sutton, as they had no real choice, once Megan became indisposed.
Saying that Sutton is worth every penny and more.
|
|
4,984 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Jul 29, 2021 21:58:34 GMT
Sutton deserves the Olivier Award. I cannot see Aimee Atkinson winning the Oliver for Pretty Woman, nor Samantha Barks for Frozen, whoever is playing the lead female in Moulin Rouge? Is very possible. Carrie Hope Fletcher I cannot see winning for Cinderella, as the Olivier committee don’t seem the sort that would go for Carrie, I guess they’re not your young social media generation. Back to the Future and Prince of Egypt don’t have a leading female.
I would think and hope Sutton has this in the bag, you don’t see tap dancing like that every day on a London stage. she is a true treble threat.
It is great after theatre being dark for 16 months I can talk about awards, especially as there has been a recent Olivier Awards.
|
|
|
|
Post by happytobehere on Jul 29, 2021 22:18:42 GMT
I’ve never been to the Barbican before - do they sell programmes/other merch?
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Jul 29, 2021 22:36:17 GMT
WOW WOW WOW.
What a night! Full review tomorrow as I’m still just basking in the glow.
|
|
3,427 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jul 29, 2021 22:42:24 GMT
WOW WOW WOW. What a night! Full review tomorrow as I’m still just basking in the glow. I defy anybody to see this show and not react like this. It offers unbridled joy and entertainment in abundance. Deserves to win every bloody award going. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2021 23:18:44 GMT
Absolutely would love to see this! Does anyone know of anyway to get cheap tickets as the tickets are fairly expensive! Would do rush but ideally need 3
|
|
65 posts
|
Post by Marcus on Jul 29, 2021 23:28:45 GMT
Saw the show tonight and what a JOY it was to be back inside a full theatre again.
The show itself is gorgeous and perfect for this climate. Joyful, silly and fun.
The cast are great, Robert Lindsay in particular is funny and seems to be loving it.
There aren’t enough superlatives for Ms Foster who commands the stage so beautifully. Standing ovation at the end of Anything Goes was amazing. The tap to high effortless belt!!
Came away with a massive smile on my face just from the sheer joy the cast seemed to be having.
Carly as Emra, perfect!
Only thing I wasn’t so sure of was Nicole-Lily who may have been having an off night but vocally seemed to struggle.
I will certainly be going back for seconds of this!
|
|
544 posts
|
Post by amp09 on Jul 29, 2021 23:38:07 GMT
Absolutely would love to see this! Does anyone know of anyway to get cheap tickets as the tickets are fairly expensive! Would do rush but ideally need 3 Fromtheboxoffice were doing deals up until it opened. Doesn’t look like it’s still available. Dynamic pricing is in place so best to keep checking in. I got a ticket for £45 that was £90 a few days before - single seat though, so you may not get that good a deal with dynamic pricing for 3 seats. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2021 7:43:13 GMT
I can’t not stop thinking about last night.
WOW WOW WOW truly a phenomenal cast.
I was so excited to see Sutton but also didn’t go in with massive expectations, Truly one of the best things I have seen!
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Jul 30, 2021 10:14:41 GMT
I'm still smiling from ear to ear after last night. I'd been to see Death Drop at the Garrick a couple of months ago, and it was lovely to be back in a West End theatre, but I do really consider this as my theatrical return post Covid and I could not have asked for a warmer welcome back.
Firstly, the crowd! Oh, the joy! What an absolute buzz in the cavernous Barbican space before the show. Champagne corks popping, people dressed up to the nines, friends and families reuniting in a shared experience. It was just a beautiful start to the evening. And there were more gays than I've seen anywhere outside of a Kylie concert.
As for the show... We were sitting in Row B of the stalls and so had amazing close up seats. I'm looking forward to seeing it again from further back just to take in the spectacle from more of a distance. It's hard to say how excited I was to see Sutton Foster in this role. My expectations were very high, and they were surpassed. Sutton as Reno is one of those magical pieces of theatrical alchemy where everything just aligns. Perfection. Her warmth, her familiarity with the role, her presence, her stamina, her generosity to allow her castmates to shine... The breadth of her performance was staggering and goes so far beyond what is really even required of the role. It can't be overstated just how funny she is - probably the funniest performance in a show filled with spectacular comic performances. Unlike most of her fellow comics, she also takes on a leading lady vocal performance and has to lead the ensemble in the major dance numbers too. A performance for the ages. Just... wow!
Robert Lindsay was hilarious and his chemistry with Sutton was phenomenal. I can only assume they have got on very well off stage because you can't fake chemistry like that. Samuel Edwards sang beautifully and managed to keep up with Foster. Carly Mercedes Dyer stole every scene she was in which is no mean feat in this cast. I've made an appointment to follow her career. She was sensational. I'm still howling! Felicity Kendal took a fairly small role and ran with the comedy to milk every laugh she could out of it. I love Felicity and it was so lovely to see her. Gary Wilmot put in a lovely performance too, if a little more understated than some of the crazy going on around him. Haydn Oakley also deserves a special mention. You were really rooting for poor old Evelyn throughout and Gypsy In Me was an unexpected, sidesplittingly funny highlight.
The show itself looked and sounded glorious. The set design was simple, effective and expensive looking. The detail was gorgeous. The orchestra sounded wonderful too and the sound mixing was generally excellent. You're The Top, Friendship, Anything Goes, Blow Gabriel Blow, Gypsy In Me and Buddie Beware were all show stopping excellence. The title track received a glorious standing ovation and the electricity as the first chords struck up was palpable in the room. It was a moment I will never forget. My partner and I just looked at each other, shocked, at the end of the song, amazed at what we had just witnessed. The tapping was incredible and the stamina and camaraderie displayed on that stage was a special sight to behold. Would definitely recommend seeing it up close if you're looking at repeat visits and were further back first time.
Ensemble wise, I thought Jordan Crouch, Jack Wilcox and Alexandra Wright were all worthy of special mention but the whole troupe was sensational. It wouldn't be half the show without this level of talent and commitment from the ensemble.
It feels a bit mean to single anyone out for criticism, but Nicole-Lily Baisden didn't cut the mustard in such a strong cast for me. I know it's a bit of a thankless role in such a comedic show, but her Hope had no real chemistry with Billy. Her voice, though pretty, cracked a few times and just didn't stand up to Edwards' vocals. That said, she looked beautiful and she's comparatively inexperienced, so I'm sure she will grow in the role as the run progresses.
If you're swithering over whether to see this or not, just get it booked. It's the perfect pick me up and one of those productions I'll just never forget.
|
|
8,103 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Jul 30, 2021 12:46:33 GMT
When is press night? Looking forward to reading the reviews.
|
|
