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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Sept 23, 2023 16:46:45 GMT
Just on my way home from this. I've loved this musical for a number of years ever since my sister showed a bootleg of the Broadway production (Sorry! Although tbf at that point I was pretty certain we'd never see it this side of the Atlantic). I'm happy to say that this production more than lives up to my expectations from this show.
Although after years of growth and time with the piece I do have a fair few reservations about the writing and pacing, few would deny the sheer emotional force behind this show and its score. Yes it's somewhat relentless, but then again that's exactly how mental illness feels. The show is rough around the edges but it's raw and affecting in a way few other shows are.
In this particular production, the performances were phenomenal from pretty much the entire cast and it was very efficiently staged. The band and sound mixing were also top notch which is not always guaranteed with a rock score like this (e.g. I loved A Strange Loop but it definitely helped knowing the cast recording going in to supplement any words I missed due to the less than stellar sound). Overall, a pretty much perfect production of a less than perfect show but one which is very close to my heart, so it's 5 stars for me.
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637 posts
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Post by AddisonMizner on Sept 23, 2023 20:11:15 GMT
I saw today’s matinee, and it was a real surprise. I thought that it was simply sublime!
Rock scores are not typically my thing (as some of you on here may have guessed), but this really worked for me. I have known of the show since its original Broadway run, and remember buying the cast recording at the old Dress Circle shop following a recommendation from a member of staff there. I liked the score, and a few of the songs were standouts, but the whole thing really shines in the context of the actual show. Songs come out of the dramatic moment and develop the character and plot. Some of the lyrics are really quite profound in what they are trying to say about families, mental health and life generally.
The book is very strong, contrasting dark, heavy moments with those of lightness and levity well. The story captivates from its first moment to its last and does not let-up on momentum. The piece packs a real emotional punch. It is so far removed from my own lived experience, and I didn't really feel much in the first act, but I was in bits for most of the second, struggling to talk when the lights came up.
The way that all threads are joined together is beautiful - the relationship between Natalie and Henry that in some ways reflects the early relationship of Diana and Dan, triggering memories for Diana.
The theme of mental health, and how one family members’ struggles with it touches others is wonderfully explored, with the presence of Gabe on stage being a physical manifestation of this. He is threatening to be ‘seen’ by anyone of the characters at any moment. Dan quite obviously sees him but is trying to block him out, showing how he has suppressed his own grief in order to help Diana and stay strong for the family. This ultimately falls away when Diana leaves him, and he finally has to face his own demons and acknowledge Gabe. Natalie also almost succumbs to her own problems and worries that history is going to repeat itself with her. There is a lovely moment when Gabe touches her hand, and there is a slight moment of recognition, showing the mark her parents have left on her, and what may happen in her future. The scene between Diana and Natalie in the second act was a much-needed moment of connection and catharsis between the two.
The cast were uniformly excellent, with Cassie Levy as Diana, Jack Wolfe as Gabe and Eleanor Worthington-Cox as Natalie being particular standouts. The production and set were simple, but effective. I liked how the band were revealed at moments of mental instability and trauma showing the ‘noise’ within the character’s heads. The circular revolve was a representation of themes within the book. There was also some really effective use of lighting.
Again, I absolutely loved it and it is quite possibly the best thing I have seen all year. Musical theatre writing at its finest! An easy five stars, and I really hope this transfers.
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Post by strawberrypie on Sept 23, 2023 22:49:08 GMT
Bit of a technical mishap during today's matinee: {Spoiler - click to view}The remote controlled trigger for the blood didn't work. So we only got the voice over for Diana's suicide attempt, not the visceral visual effect. Poor Jamie Parker continued to mop up the perfectly clean floor, but I think people probably got what it was meant to be.
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5,148 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 23, 2023 23:16:05 GMT
Something weird happened this evening too - Jamie was still clearing up when the music started for Didn't I See This Movie and didn't run off until Caissie had actually started singing and he's usually gone way earlier than that
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Post by toomasj on Sept 24, 2023 0:12:02 GMT
Something weird happened this evening too - Jamie was still clearing up when the music started for Didn't I See This Movie and didn't run off until Caissie had actually started singing and he's usually gone way earlier than that They’re probably ordering a part from White Light or something and had to rework tonight’s show! Interesting though. How did Caissie react - carry on as normal? |
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5,148 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 24, 2023 0:26:07 GMT
She hadn't started coming down the stairs yet, she literally got to the end of the first line and he ran off once he'd got the towels in the bag.
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Post by toomasj on Sept 24, 2023 0:31:26 GMT
She hadn't started coming down the stairs yet, she literally got to the end of the first line and he ran off once he'd got the towels in the bag. I forgot to note this in my review, but Dan’s face was heartbreaking in this scene. The sigh - he was crying (does this happen every night?). It was probably the most poignant moment of the show; and that’s saying something. |
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195 posts
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Post by tal on Sept 24, 2023 2:50:06 GMT
Bit of a technical mishap during today's matinee: {Spoiler - click to view}The remote controlled trigger for the blood didn't work. So we only got the voice over for Diana's suicide attempt, not the visceral visual effect. Poor Jamie Parker continued to mop up the perfectly clean floor, but I think people probably got what it was meant to be.
I was there too, and almost freaked out thinking they had changed the scene from the last time I saw it. But yeah, it seems it was just a mishap. My friend was seeing the show for the first time, and she reported she understood what the cleaning scene meant and thought the whole way of the scene was on purpose. |
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637 posts
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Post by AddisonMizner on Sept 24, 2023 11:39:08 GMT
Bit of a technical mishap during today's matinee: {Spoiler - click to view}The remote controlled trigger for the blood didn't work. So we only got the voice over for Diana's suicide attempt, not the visceral visual effect. Poor Jamie Parker continued to mop up the perfectly clean floor, but I think people probably got what it was meant to be.
I was there too, and almost freaked out thinking they had changed the scene from the last time I saw it. But yeah, it seems it was just a mishap. My friend was seeing the show for the first time, and she reported she understood what the cleaning scene meant and thought the whole way of the scene was on purpose. It was my first time seeing the show. Watching and reading reviews I was told about this moment, and thought that I had missed it. I then realised it must usually happen in this particular moment, as I thought it was a little strange at the time when seeing him clean. However, looking back, I think it actually worked without the effect as it was like Dan was having his own mental episode. |
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Post by lotster on Sept 24, 2023 15:41:30 GMT
I have put a pair of stalls tickets for Wednesday 27th September at 7:30 pm on the Noticeboard.
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519 posts
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Post by theatreliker on Sept 24, 2023 19:07:47 GMT
I was disappointed the Donmar don't give refunds. I've got credit in return but as things sell out quickly I don't know realistically if I'll be able to use it.
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352 posts
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Post by Scswp on Sept 25, 2023 5:04:22 GMT
I was disappointed the Donmar don't give refunds. I've got credit in return but as things sell out quickly I don't know realistically if I'll be able to use it. I actually think many patrons are quite willing to accept a credit note. However, if you hold your ground, they have to return your money if a credit note is of no use to you. There may not be another production that you wish to see at the Donmar. They cannot refuse to refund your money when they effectively ‘broke the contract’ by cancelling the performance. |
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526 posts
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Post by danielwhit on Sept 25, 2023 18:59:55 GMT
Single ticket for Wednesday 27th evening on the Donmar site now.
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Post by lotster on Sept 26, 2023 18:30:52 GMT
The pair of tickets for Weds evening I put on the Noticeboard are now sold.
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19,675 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 26, 2023 18:34:05 GMT
The pair of tickets for Weds evening I put on the Noticeboard are now sold. Thanks, I’ve taken your notice down. |
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Post by westendwhistledown on Sept 27, 2023 9:52:27 GMT
any word on a cast recording?
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Post by jarnew on Sept 27, 2023 12:50:18 GMT
any word on a cast recording? Would be a dream! Unfortunately seems like a rarity in the West End these days. With most of the shows that already have a Broadway cast recording especially, they seem to just not bother even though I'd love for the West End cast to be immortalized as well. |
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Post by thecursedexpress on Sept 27, 2023 14:00:05 GMT
any word on a cast recording? Would be a dream! Unfortunately seems like a rarity in the West End these days. With most of the shows that already have a Broadway cast recording especially, they seem to just not bother even though I'd love for the West End cast to be immortalized as well. I hope Next to Normal has a similar fate as Heathers, had a sell out off west end and then transferred to West End and cast recording happened. Tbh I want a WE transfer more at this point. |
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Post by dexter on Sept 28, 2023 18:20:36 GMT
Carolyn Maitland's portrayal was nothing short of phenomenal. Her voice and acting were extraordinary.
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Post by doornumberthree on Sept 28, 2023 22:36:36 GMT
Carolyn Maitland's portrayal was nothing short of phenomenal. Her voice and acting were extraordinary. 1000% agree! |
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Post by westendwhistledown on Sept 29, 2023 9:24:16 GMT
Did she go on at last!?! I saw her at the understudy performance and she was unbelievable! Had clearly put so much work in!
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5,148 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Sept 29, 2023 9:28:50 GMT
Did she go on at last!?! I saw her at the understudy performance and she was unbelievable! Had clearly put so much work in! Only the understudy run I think |
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Post by doornumberthree on Sept 29, 2023 10:57:48 GMT
No she hasn’t been on outside of the cover run
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Post by westendwhistledown on Oct 1, 2023 21:14:48 GMT
Heard today that the show will transfer in 2024 and take the current cast with it?
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5,148 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 1, 2023 21:20:25 GMT
Heard today that the show will transfer in 2024 and take the current cast with it? Hasn't this been the general rumbling the whole way through, we just haven't heard where yet? I know at the beginning of the run they actually didn't have a theatre booked, but that's perfectly possible to have changed as we get to the end |
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