19,661 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 15, 2023 14:29:25 GMT
Poll added
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144 posts
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Post by lou on Aug 15, 2023 14:36:46 GMT
I’ve a ticket on the notice board for 9th September matinee. Last chance before I return it to the box office  |
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Post by theatre2023 on Aug 15, 2023 21:15:27 GMT
Just left the second preview of N2N emotionally shattered. The sheer wave of energy that pummels you in the final minutes is incredible. The exact same sensation I experienced watching it on Broadway all those years ago … it’s that good.
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Post by matildaswinton on Aug 16, 2023 9:22:31 GMT
Was there last night as well. Excellent. Beautiful. Loved it. I know the show, but was with someone who went in blind and they thought it was great and ultimately hopeful.
Thoughts on Dan: his voice is great, but he’s pretending he’s not in a musical. He’s working against the music, while everyone else is using it. It’s like Anne Hathaway or Hugh Jackman acting too hard in Les Mis to the detriment of the intended score. You’re in a musical, bro. Act through song, not against it. Lots of breathy sighs and running fingers through hair on musical rests, as if we need to fill the music with drama.
Still, this production is great, he’s great, and I feel like that issue is the creatives’ job to fix with a bit of encouragement.
Speaking of creatives, a woman in overalls who worked for the production in some capacity with a chopstick in her hair (blocking our view) was being so distracting, getting up to talk to ushers, bothering audience. I know it’s a preview, but girl, don’t sit 2nd row and treat it like a dress. People are paying 5 pounds less, but it’s still money.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 16, 2023 19:23:16 GMT
Went to the first preview of this and found it impeccable really - incredible cast and band, the sound design needs fixing yes - at moments I needed to be hit more by guitar and drums (it is a rock score after all) and at moments I needed to hear more vocals. Having had a couple of days to reflect I think my favourite thing about it is the pace - the director has REALLY nailed it. The songs drastically fluctuate in tempo which really aid the bipolarity of Diana’s brain and the journey of the characters, and the build build build of act 2 to the drop and twist at the end, and then the punch of the final song really meant Light had so much more weight and presence - and I sobbed mostly because of the emotional release that came from the song (Light) after a massively emotional push-pull throughout the show, particularly act 2. Incredible work for a first preview but pace was clearly a priority throughout the rehearsal process.
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111 posts
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Post by mrbluesky on Aug 16, 2023 21:25:17 GMT
Just saw tonight’s show.
Just wow. Perfect cast, incredible direction.
Will type more once home, but safe to say the Donmar have nailed this one.
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Post by doornumberthree on Aug 16, 2023 21:47:42 GMT
I was back for the third preview today, and there’s been some changes - 95% of the projections are gone, the staging has changed in small places (no more Dan and Gabe running around the revolve) but the growth already in Caissie’s Diana - she’s somehow even more incredible with so much more depth (when she had so much)
Diana and Natalie’s relationship is even more heartbreaking, I noticed that Eleanor has some mannerisms so similar to Caissie - not sure if an intentional choice or not (as it’s more noticeable to Monday’s show) but it is a fantastic little subtle reminder that she just wants her mother to love her.
I hadn’t noticed entirely on Monday, but something Jack does, which I LOVE, Is that he doesn’t look at the audience until act two in the I’m Alive reprise on the lyrics ‘I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m death defied’ after the reveal in act one, he becomes less teenage boy like and more ethereal, and then he loses his etherealness at the end. It’s a brilliant choice.
Jamie Parker is getting much more confident with the score and singing with the band, there’s still a way to go, but his characterisation is so beautifully crafted, that his vocals not being quite there yet don’t bother me except for during some harmony lines.
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Post by toomasj on Aug 16, 2023 22:15:27 GMT
Are there any line changes from the original production? I saw it four times in the States, with Alice Ripley, Jessica Phillips and Marin Mazzie on Broadway, then with Pearl Sun in the tour. I realise it’s not a replica and is an original staging, but I’m really hoping the text, lyrics and songs are completely untouched. Same question for the arrangements/soundscape.
A few more weeks to wait!!!
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Post by shownut on Aug 16, 2023 22:22:19 GMT
Was there tonight and I agree with most of what has been written here already. The show is a bonafide artistic smash with a dynamic tour de force performance from Caissie Levy that is thrilling, raw and worthy of the hosannas about to come her way from critics and audiences alike.
I would not be at all shocked if this show transferred AND made its way back to Broadway to pick up some Best Revival/Performance Tonys.
My only quibble? A member of the creative team who clearly thought nothing about pulling focus from the actors while he chatted at several points to his assistant, often gesticulating to pull the focus even harder. I know there is work to do in previews but it really shouldn't be at the expense of the paying audience. My anger got the best of me and I had a few choice words for him at the interval. Creatives really should either stand at the rear, sit at the lighting or sound desk and carry out their work without causing distraction. It ruined an otherwise amazing theatregoing experience.
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Post by jaqs on Aug 16, 2023 22:32:43 GMT
Loved every second tonight. Thought the whole cast was incredible. Worth the wait.
It was weird having a revolve in the Donmar but felt like it was used well. The lighting was lovely.
I felt the band were too loud at times, it’s a tough sing and the cast shouldn’t be drowned out.
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Post by intoanewlife on Aug 16, 2023 22:33:51 GMT
My anger got the best of me and I had a few choice words for him at the interval. Which will pale greatly in comparison to what they will cop next Friday if they even try that sh*t with me x |
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782 posts
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Post by rumbledoll on Aug 16, 2023 22:47:00 GMT
I like the story overall, yet songs seem a bit repetitive, shallow and shouty to me. Maybe I need to see more musicals to understand how they work structurally, but so far it’s the loudest, most sketchy and abrupt score I’ve heard..
Performances are beautiful and incredibly moving though. This is a lot for everyone and I like how each member of the family has their say on how unfair this illness and this tragedy has been on them.
As for Jamie, I do agree this type of singing does not complement his vocals, but the fact that he indeed has a wonderful voice can be confirmed by anyone who’ve seen his Sky, High Society or BBC Proms on Lesser. I hope Benjamin Button transfers it sound like a kind of show I would have enjoyed more.
I’d say 3,5 from me so I won’t vote until I decide, who knows it might grow on me..
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Post by doornumberthree on Aug 16, 2023 23:15:19 GMT
Are there any line changes from the original production? I saw it four times in the States, with Alice Ripley, Jessica Phillips and Marin Mazzie on Broadway, then with Pearl Sun in the tour. I realise it’s not a replica and is an original staging, but I’m really hoping the text, lyrics and songs are completely untouched. Same question for the arrangements/soundscape. A few more weeks to wait!!! I saw it over 10 times on Broadway and saw Alice, Jessica and Marin too, I look forward to seeing your take on Caissie. I think she’s my favourite all rounder. I didn’t think anyone could knock Marin off the top spot for me for Dianas but she’s done it. Most of the script is the same - off the top of my head the only changes are that Henry now says ‘X is a disaster’ referring to the recent change of twitter’s name. Dan says depression forums instead of depression chat rooms. Gabe isn’t in a tux in I dreamed a dance… I can’t think of anything else different off hand. |
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Post by toomasj on Aug 16, 2023 23:22:54 GMT
Are there any line changes from the original production? I saw it four times in the States, with Alice Ripley, Jessica Phillips and Marin Mazzie on Broadway, then with Pearl Sun in the tour. I realise it’s not a replica and is an original staging, but I’m really hoping the text, lyrics and songs are completely untouched. Same question for the arrangements/soundscape. A few more weeks to wait!!! I saw it over 10 times on Broadway and saw Alice, Jessica and Marin too, I look forward to seeing your take on Caissie. I think she’s my favourite all rounder. I didn’t think anyone could knock Marin off the top spot for me for Dianas but she’s done it. Most of the script is the same - off the top of my head the only changes are that Henry now says ‘X is a disaster’ referring to the recent change of twitter’s name. Dan says depression forums instead of depression chat rooms. Gabe isn’t in a tux in I dreamed a dance… I can’t think of anything else different off hand. Thank you very much for the extra info. Very excited, Caissie sounds absolutely wonderful. Would you say the arrangements/general sound is the same? |
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Post by doornumberthree on Aug 16, 2023 23:40:12 GMT
I saw it over 10 times on Broadway and saw Alice, Jessica and Marin too, I look forward to seeing your take on Caissie. I think she’s my favourite all rounder. I didn’t think anyone could knock Marin off the top spot for me for Dianas but she’s done it. Most of the script is the same - off the top of my head the only changes are that Henry now says ‘X is a disaster’ referring to the recent change of twitter’s name. Dan says depression forums instead of depression chat rooms. Gabe isn’t in a tux in I dreamed a dance… I can’t think of anything else different off hand. Thank you very much for the extra info. Very excited, Caissie sounds absolutely wonderful. Would you say the arrangements/general sound is the same? Yes! Completely! Literally the only difference is that they’ve lowered the key for Jamie for some of Dan’s stuff, but it’s not too noticeable and won’t be once the sound balance gets sorted. |
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Post by apubleed on Aug 17, 2023 6:06:35 GMT
I like the story overall, yet songs seem a bit repetitive, shallow and shouty to me. Maybe I need to see more musicals to understand how they work structurally, but so far it’s the loudest, most sketchy and abrupt score I’ve heard.. Performances are beautiful and incredibly moving though. This is a lot for everyone and I like how each member of the family has their say on how unfair this illness and this tragedy has been on them. As for Jamie, I do agree this type of singing does not complement his vocals, but the fact that he indeed has a wonderful voice can be confirmed by anyone who’ve seen his Sky, High Society or BBC Proms on Lesser. I hope Benjamin Button transfers it sound like a kind of show I would have enjoyed more. I’d say 3,5 from me so I won’t vote until I decide, who knows it might grow on me.. I think what I'd say RE: the score is like many musicals (or music in general), if you're hearing it for the first time it can be hard to really hear all the melodies and patterns click. If you listen to the OBC recording once and then see it again it will probably feel quite different. I think there are a number of beautiful melodic songs (e.g. I Miss the Mountains, A Light In the Dark, How Could I Ever Forget, So Anyway, Light). Yes there are some loud songs too (e.g. I Don't Know, I'm Alive, Didn't I See This Movie, The Break), but I think dramatically it's why it works so well because look at the emotion that is trying to be conveyed in those moments. It's impossible for me to unlearn the score now, but I personally don't consider it repetitive (I would not say the same thing about many ALW shows). For those that know it, I guarantee that, like me at the first preview when they heard band members rehearsing certain passages before the show started, they knew exactly which moment and which song they were from. |
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19,661 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 17, 2023 7:44:32 GMT
We have several tickets available on the Noticeboard for this.
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782 posts
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Post by rumbledoll on Aug 17, 2023 8:37:30 GMT
I like the story overall, yet songs seem a bit repetitive, shallow and shouty to me. Maybe I need to see more musicals to understand how they work structurally, but so far it’s the loudest, most sketchy and abrupt score I’ve heard.. Performances are beautiful and incredibly moving though. This is a lot for everyone and I like how each member of the family has their say on how unfair this illness and this tragedy has been on them. As for Jamie, I do agree this type of singing does not complement his vocals, but the fact that he indeed has a wonderful voice can be confirmed by anyone who’ve seen his Sky, High Society or BBC Proms on Lesser. I hope Benjamin Button transfers it sound like a kind of show I would have enjoyed more. I’d say 3,5 from me so I won’t vote until I decide, who knows it might grow on me.. I think what I'd say RE: the score is like many musicals (or music in general), if you're hearing it for the first time it can be hard to really hear all the melodies and patterns click. If you listen to the OBC recording once and then see it again it will probably feel quite different. I think there are a number of beautiful melodic songs (e.g. I Miss the Mountains, A Light In the Dark, How Could I Ever Forget, So Anyway, Light). Yes there are some loud songs too (e.g. I Don't Know, I'm Alive, Didn't I See This Movie, The Break), but I think dramatically it's why it works so well because look at the emotion that is trying to be conveyed in those moments. It's impossible for me to unlearn the score now, but I personally don't consider it repetitive (I would not say the same thing about many ALW shows). For those that know it, I guarantee that, like me at the first preview when they heard band members rehearsing certain passages before the show started, they knew exactly which moment and which song they were from. Yes I get the difference between listening to smth for the first time and knowing the entire score by heart but I’ve seen a couple of musicals and the ones I liked always had catchy tunes that I could not get out of my head just after. I believe Guys & Dolls is a very good example. You can’t help singing these songs walking out of the theatre. In here it’s a almost like a mix of different genres and these songs (with a couple of exceptions) do not sound self-sufficient to me. I don’t know if I am explaining it clearly enough.. Just not enough melody for me.. Musicals I’ve seen and enjoyed as a reference: Once, Memphis, Guys and Dolls, High Society, Matilda, Tammy Faye. Not so much: Gypsy, Any Sondheim, Tailor Maid Man. But this one reminds me of American Psycho somehow which I did not understand at all (even though the story works perfectly well for me in the movie). |
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782 posts
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Post by rumbledoll on Aug 17, 2023 8:42:07 GMT
Interesting comment in here that they lowered the key for Jamie but I felt not enough as he clearly was struggling with higher notes.
I got to agree I’m too rather buffled why he was chosen to play this part as it doesn’t serve nor him nor the show.
Still I glad I saw him, it’s been ages…
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Post by danb on Aug 17, 2023 9:05:35 GMT
”But this one reminds me of American Psycho somehow which I did not understand at all (even though the story works perfectly well for me in the movie).”
Huh? N2N reminds you of ‘American Psycho’ (whose movie version was a convoluted mess that refused to commit to its protagonist actually being a psychopathic murderer, unlike the magnificent book it was based on?). Tonally? Directorial-ly? How do they compare?
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Post by shownut on Aug 17, 2023 9:31:53 GMT
Interesting comment in here that they lowered the key for Jamie but I felt not enough as he clearly was struggling with higher notes. I got to agree I’m too rather buffled why he was chosen to play this part as it doesn’t serve nor him nor the show. Still I glad I saw him, it’s been ages… I know I may be in the minority here, but I felt his challenges vocally, in a strange way, fit the character. It reflected a fragility/vulnerability that would be true to the character, especially in Act Two. Sure, I adored Brian D'Arcy James in the role but I didn't think Jamie embarrassed himself or let the show down at all. |
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782 posts
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Post by rumbledoll on Aug 17, 2023 9:36:28 GMT
Interesting comment in here that they lowered the key for Jamie but I felt not enough as he clearly was struggling with higher notes. I got to agree I’m too rather buffled why he was chosen to play this part as it doesn’t serve nor him nor the show. Still I glad I saw him, it’s been ages… I know I may be in the minority here, but I felt his challenges vocally, in a strange way, fit the character. It reflected a fragility/vulnerability that would be true to the character, especially in Act Two. Sure, I adored Brian D'Arcy James in the role but I didn't think Jamie embarrassed himself or let the show down at all. Well, if it wasn’t done by purpose but still works you think that’s good. I don’t think he lets down the show at all (I only meant he’s a bit out of his element in this), on the contrary I believe he’s very touching in the part (I also loved the humour he found in the character) and it suits him well acting wise at least. |
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Post by singingbird on Aug 17, 2023 9:39:03 GMT
I saw this last night. I have been wanting to see it for years and have owned the OBC recording for a long time, but always found it a little hard to get into. I've always liked some moments from it, and some individual numbers, but felt as though I had to see it live to really get it. I think I'm going to be in a minority when I say that seeing it live, however well directed and performed (and it definitely was), I still don't really get it! I feel frustrated because the subject matter really really grabs me and I think it's brilliant that a musical has tackled a situation and theme that is usually the preserve of tv dramas or independent films, but not musicals. I honestly don't know another musical that feels quite like this.
But I think my problem is that it always feels a bit like it's playing it safe to me. It's too much like realism which sits at odds with what I feel musicals are naturally good at. My favourite bits (e.g. the My Favourite Things reference, the doctor-as-rock-star) are the bits that break away from this, but I just wish this line was pushed further. I find the characters remain largely static, or, at least, just go round in circles - the central situation just doesn't really go anywhere. I also find a lot of the songs to be lacking in subtlety or subtext. Most of the time characters are just stating how they feel, which is the complete opposite to, say, The Band's Visit (same director, same venue) which I adored. I prefer songs that work through subtext (an example, I think, would be Ring of Keys from Fun Home - a story set in a similar time and place, about the issues within an American suburban family - but with a very different approach to describing it through song.) But I know this is just me - we can't all love everything. And I really do think it was extremely polished and accomplished. If I hadn't already known the plot through the cast recording then there are a couple of audacious plot points that would have gripped me, which would have helped, but as it was I felt quite unengaged. And I didn't like the way it built up to a final scene where the company all stood and sang straight out to the audience about facing the future, which just feels like a huge musical theatre cliché to me. So 2 stars from me, I'm afraid, but I'm glad so many people love it and are finally getting to see it over here.
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Post by intoanewlife on Aug 17, 2023 11:59:36 GMT
”But this one reminds me of American Psycho somehow which I did not understand at all (even though the story works perfectly well for me in the movie).” ‘American Psycho’ (whose movie version was a convoluted mess that refused to commit to its protagonist actually being a psychopathic murderer, unlike the magnificent book it was based on?). The film was exactly the same as the book, it was left up for the reader/viewer to decide if it was all real or not. |
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Post by toomasj on Aug 17, 2023 12:24:10 GMT
From my perspective, I love reading the more negative reviews because they all seem to say things like the piece itself wasn’t for me, but the production and cast were fantastic.
As a huge lover of the piece, this is music to my ears. If people can go and not really enjoy the story, but recognise a quality cast and good production that’s a brilliant sign!
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