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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2016 9:33:45 GMT
I also enjoyed it. Very much so. Here you have a true community, so much so that there is no separate narrator, slickly switching characters and moods - and who would have thought a show about parenthood would suddenly become topical (including one particularly knowing response to a line about childlessness)?
The ingenuity is the joy, which means it may well be even better for someone who knows the show and sees what they are doing with the material, but it stands on its own, feeling as if a travelling troupe of itinerant performers had just pitched up in town.
Just one particular observation as to the organic nature of the production, the set is as though you are in a world created from a piano, the woods being the strings, the proscenium arch the keyboard etc., all of this when the piano being because it's what the music, and therefore the whole musical, emanates from.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2016 14:41:12 GMT
Pleased to say that I enjoyed this, as did my two companions - I was a bit worried about having booked for them from some of the earlier comments.
It certainly was the most stripped down musical show I have seen, and I can understand why it wouldn't appeal to everybody. For me it helped having already seen a larger version of the show as a comparison, but my friends who hadn't seen it seemed to enjoy it for what it was.
A couple of things didn't quite work for me: the doubling of the ugly sisters felt a bit messy to watch, and a few of the songs lost some of their tunefulness to my ears. On the other hand, the baker, Jack and Cinderella in particular had lovely voices which were a joy in a small venue. I loved the use of basic props, and there was a lot of fun with a cast member standing in for Milky White.
Also had the Hazelnut Meringue as recommended by Foxa - delicious! A good day out.
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Post by jek on Jul 22, 2016 7:50:33 GMT
We went to this last night to celebrate the end of the academic year for my daughter (Year 10 is over!) Really loved it - intelligent, inventive and full of joy. I'm not going to be very good at explaining this but it's a kind of 'New Yorker' magazine production. A bit hipster; a bit Park Slope, Brooklyn. I realise that this will make some people hate it but it hit the spot for us.
Have been watching the online videos of Vanessa Reseland (the witch) in her Glitter Rock band Wifey. For those of us in middle age she appears to be as cool as Debbie Harry. She is the only member of cast new to the London production - and even she was an understudy in New York. It really is a tight knit company who you can imagine spend a lot of time together off stage.
My daughter said that it was second only to Assassins (also at the Menier) in favourite trips to the theatre. And, pleasingly, where we were sitting, there was a lovely cool breeze in the theatre. Had expected it to feel very sticky in there but clearly they are able to get air circulating. A real bonus for the last few days.
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Post by alece10 on Jul 22, 2016 12:37:08 GMT
We went to this last night to celebrate the end of the academic year for my daughter (Year 10 is over!) Really loved it - intelligent, inventive and full of joy. I'm not going to be very good at explaining this but it's a kind of 'New Yorker' magazine production. A bit hipster; a bit Park Slope, Brooklyn. I realise that this will make some people hate it but it hit the spot for us. Have been watching the online videos of Vanessa Reseland (the witch) in her Glitter Rock band Wifey. For those of us in middle age she appears to be as cool as Debbie Harry. She is the only member of cast new to the London production - and even she was an understudy in New York. It really is a tight knit company who you can imagine spend a lot of time together off stage. My daughter said that it was second only to Assassins (also at the Menier) in favourite trips to the theatre. And, pleasingly, where we were sitting, there was a lovely cool breeze in the theatre. Had expected it to feel very sticky in there but clearly they are able to get air circulating. A real bonus for the last few days. The theatre has air conditioning. It was installed a few years ago. Before it was like a sauna in the summer |
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Post by stevej678 on Jul 24, 2016 19:34:52 GMT
This was right up my street, wonderfully creative and inventive storytelling and stuffed to the brim with heart and charm.
It's fitting that a story all about community is told by a cast that has a tangible rapport. Their chemistry is clear to see. The travelling troupe of performers vibe about the whole production reaps great rewards.
I particularly enjoyed Emily Young's impish Red Riding Hood, Andy Grotelueschen’s bell-toting, very funny Milky White, and Claire Karpen's Cinderella who sang as beautifully as every princess should. There's really not a weak link amongst the ten strong company.
All in all it was a perfect Sunday afternoon, starting with a lovely meal in the Menier restaurant before enjoying the sold-out performance.
This was my first experience of Into the Woods. It's hard to imagine receiving a better introduction.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 25, 2016 7:59:15 GMT
This is truly amazing
As initiviative as the Open Air theatre production
A fresh perpective with lots to say
Sounds and looks amazing
The dark second act works really well, as all the panto / Disney gloss is non existent
"Running Away" was my highlight
Is anyone mourning the loss of the slotted spoon and knotted rope lyrics?!
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 30, 2016 22:38:01 GMT
I saw the Olivier winning Regent's Park production a few years ago, where the atmosphere and location elevated the piece, coupled with some great performances. A couple of years back I saw a fringe production and felt thoroughly underwhelmed and tonight was another stripped back muddle, when a show is so bare the score and book has to stand up to scrutiny, there for everyone to perhaps grimmace and frown, there are a handful of good songs, but in reality with the libretto it came across as crass and pretentious.
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Post by mikey on Jul 31, 2016 8:28:34 GMT
I really loved this production. Already booked tickets to go again. One of the funniest nights of theatre I've had. The actor playing Milky White had me in stitches!
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Post by Scripps on Aug 8, 2016 21:52:09 GMT
I liked a great deal of this, particularly the bit where Little Red Riding Hood scratched the wolf's chest.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 22:20:16 GMT
Are their any more tickets available for this or is the run completely sold out?
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Post by CG on the loose on Aug 9, 2016 5:46:59 GMT
Currently sold out, but from previous experience the Menier put any returns on sale online, so it's worth keeping an eye on their website for a last-minute ticket.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 9, 2016 7:16:53 GMT
Worth trying for returns on the night especially if you are just looking for a single.
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Post by lou105 on Aug 9, 2016 11:11:20 GMT
Just had a look and a few tickets have gone on for this week, if you can take the £45 price tag.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 9, 2016 17:54:23 GMT
Harry hepple is taking over as Baker :-)
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Post by alece10 on Aug 9, 2016 19:27:02 GMT
Harry hepple is taking over as Baker :-) Love Harry Hepple. He was great in Pippin. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 10, 2016 7:08:49 GMT
He is great - Boy meets girl is such great telly
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Post by alece10 on Aug 10, 2016 7:11:33 GMT
He is great - Boy meets girl is such great telly I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and told him how much I liked boy meets Girl. He was really pleased. Hope it gets a nod come award time. |
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Post by alece10 on Aug 11, 2016 7:24:36 GMT
Saw this last night with the 3 new British cast members. All are excellent and Harry Hepple is always a joy to watch.
I was very impressed with Stefan Lloyd-Evans who I had not heard of before. Really great voice.
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Post by TheOneOnTheLeft on Aug 18, 2016 12:20:35 GMT
Saw this and loved it! After having seen the Regent's Park production I had thought that nothing could ever come close to it, but this production is just as inventive and moving in completely different ways. The staging is so clever and the use of the various musical instruments by the small cast makes it sound surprisingly well. The new cast members fit in perfectly.
(On a side note I was happy to see a smaller production in this little jewel of a theatre again instead of a too big show shoehorned into the stage as I felt with Funny Girl.)
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Post by AddisonMizner on Aug 24, 2016 8:12:19 GMT
I saw this on Saturday afternoon, and absolutely adored it. Highly inventive, imaginative, clever, witty and emotional. I don't think I'll ever see a better production.
5 stars.
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Post by CBP1 on Aug 27, 2016 23:52:36 GMT
Saw this tonight. Absolutely loved it. I have nothing but the film to compare it to but I thought it was perfect. Hilarious and dark in just the right measures, and the entire cast was brilliant. With this and Groundhog Day in the space of a week I'm in musical heaven.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 11:34:50 GMT
Are their any more tickets available for this or is the run completely sold out? It's transferring. There will be tickets available then! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 11:37:10 GMT
Are their any more tickets available for this or is the run completely sold out? It's transferring. There will be tickets available then! Is it really though, there seems to be an endless list of things that are transferring that never happen. In this instance though, the Vaudeville would be a perfect theatre for it. |
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Post by lolli on Aug 28, 2016 16:42:05 GMT
David Ian is attached to this production, so maybe a transfer is likely. Vaudeville?
Would think a West End production would do well - after the popularity of the film which is constantly on Sky movies.
Still think the National should do a production in the Olivier.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Aug 28, 2016 16:44:30 GMT
Ooh, I really hope it will transfer, I'd hate to miss this.
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