Next to Normal - Donmar / Wyndham’s

[lonlad]

Is Lizzy also doing tonight? Fun photo of the cast on Tuesday greeting Carly Rae Jepsen backstage - but no Eleanor in the photo.

[pancakehaus]

Sept 19, 2024 14:26:43 GMT lonlad said:

Is Lizzy also doing tonight? Fun photo of the cast on Tuesday greeting Carly Rae Jepsen backstage - but no Eleanor in the photo.

Yes, I think she's doing both shows today. In her instagram story about it, she said "some final Natalie shows for me today".

[fclou]

Sept 19, 2024 11:37:48 GMT lonlad said:

Yes, I think this week is getting a lot of repeat visitors as often happens at the end of a musical with a considerable fan base. That said, several people walked out Monday during it and others were heard muttering at the interval about how "heavy" it was. Let's hope everyone makes it through the remaining shows- the emotional toll on them must be considerable, given this show particularly.

TBH. wish I could go again - I regret waiting so long to see it.

No one left that we saw 

[lonlad]

Weren't you there on Tuesday? The walkouts on Monday (when Jack was off, though that had nothing to do with it) were quite noticeable and very useful since they enabled some friends to move down two levels to the stalls. One of those who departed was seated two along from me and then there was a couple in front and another on the other side: one of those two couples left quietly during the first act. Then again, not every musical ends its first act with electroshock therapy ....

[geeky101]

Sept 19, 2024 14:26:43 GMT lonlad said:

Is Lizzy also doing tonight? Fun photo of the cast on Tuesday greeting Carly Rae Jepsen backstage - but no Eleanor in the photo.

That photo I think would have been from last week; Eleanor was there on Tuesday.

As was I, in the front row... to be honest: I'm still recovering. This could possibly be the best thing I've ever seen (it was certainly the most intense, aided by my proximity). The show itself is unbelievably well crafted and directed, and for me, deals with the more trying plot aspects extremely well. Performances are stupendous without exception; in particular, the vocal and acting-through-song masterclass given by Caissie Levy and the sheer acting chops on Jamie Parker (how do they put themselves through that eight times a week? With brilliant attendance records too. Mad!). I was and remain astounded. To echo all the praise on here further regarding Jack Wolfe and Eleanor Worthington-Cox, who are stars not only of the future, but now. Cleaner vocals, you will not find, and heart-wrenching characterisations. Sterling support from Trevor Dion Nicholas and Jack Ofrecio too of course, as well as the brilliant-sounding band.

Also. It was LOUD and hectic sound-wise. Proper concert vibes. Which I guess is by design and an apt representation of Diana's mind at times, but one of my ears blocked towards the end of Act 1 in protest! Haven't felt that in a theatre before.

Happened to catch Marisha Wallace and Simon-Anthony Rhoden heading backstage afterwards as well for a chinwag. Everyone clearly wants their fix just in time.

[mrnutz]

Saw the matinee yesterday after first seeing it during the original run at the Donmar.

How lucky we were to have this show and this cast in London.

Jamie Parker's vocals were vastly improved from when I saw him at the Donmar - found him lacking then, but flawless now.

It's a shame the blood effect was lost to many in the stalls (I was in Row F). It had a huge impact on me the first time around, but this time, it was only seen as Dan mops it up.

5/5

[happysooz2]

I’m grumpy with myself that I lost track of when this closes and I missed out on rush today. Will try again tomorrow. Pockets not deep enough for rack rate.

[emceesmitty24]

I saw the show for the second time last night, and I can safely say that this show never ceases to amaze me and make me cry simultaneously. I am glad I got to see Caissie as Diana. Between her and Carolyn, it's like you get a whole different story. I am sad to see this one go, but hopefully, we will see this transfer to NYC. My friends over there are keeping their fingers crossed for a transfer at some point. Also, I can't wait for the pro shot. If we can't have a cast recording, at least we will have a pro-shot preserving the perfection this cast has. Wishing everyone involved in this production the best for their last two shows today!

[ceebee]

I was there last night too - another great show!

[lonlad]

I was there Thursday, my fifth time. Utterly sensational - Jack vocally on fire, and how Jamie and Caissie sustain those performances I will never know. The West End is diminished by the show's departure but how lucky we were to have had it across two separate runs. Roll on Broadway in 2025/6 !

[ThereWillBeSun]

I actually feel quite sad this show is closing. Saw final matinee at Donmar last year (7 October) and was in last week at the Wyndham’s. 💔 I am so happy that this has been recorded / documented. Wishing all the cast an amazing final day - they all look like they need hugs! 😭

[apubleed]

I woke up feeling that same missing you'd feel towards a towards a person that is gone.

[anywherespace]

So sad to see this production go. I’ve loved keeping up with this thread and seeing how blown away people who go in not knowing the story end up being.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but after doing a quick search of the popular shows on here, I believe this is the musical with the most five star ratings in a poll (although not the highest percentage of five star ratings), so it can definitely be branded as a theatreboard.co.uk success (which I would argue is a far higher badge of honour than any paper.)

I don’t suppose anybody has any further news on a potential Broadway transfer or when the pro-shot will be released? Failing that I’d love to know where any of the cast are headed next, and I’ll definitely be keeping up with Jack Wolfe and Eleanor Worthington-Cox’s careers which are sure to bring more triumphs. I know EWC had teased perhaps getting to play her ‘dream role’ soon in an interview, which I’m sure would be very exciting.

[Dr Tom]

Sept 22, 2024 12:00:13 GMT anywherespace said:

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but after doing a quick search of the popular shows on here, I believe this is the musical with the most five star ratings in a poll (although not the highest percentage of five star ratings), so it can definitely be branded as a theatreboard.co.uk success (which I would argue is a far higher badge of honour than any paper.)

This was good, I completely agree. It certainly sold well in the closing weeks, but not so well throughout. I’m very curious about the poll results though and how much gaming of the system goes on. We don’t have that many active members.

[wefox]

Just added another “5 stars” vote for the count
An interesting show with a superb cast. Even if they do it again, it will be hard to surpass this cast. Very glad it was recorded

[dan]

Oof that final performance was emotionally charged! The audience was pumped and the cast were giving EVERYTHING. Some of them looked so overwhelmed with the reaction and perhaps just that knowledge it was the last time they’d be doing this together. I feel so grateful to have caught this five times (Donmar included). If I was closer to London I think that number would easily have been squared!
I’m curious to see what choices were made in filming it and hoping for great quality and choices! They’re all amazing, but my god Caissie and Jack… I know it’s in the writing too, but how he almost makes himself both so invisible but present is extraordinary. And those voices 🥰

[ceebee]

I was late to the party on this but saw it six times in the end. A show I'll never tire of - I wasn't sure if I could return after the first time as it punched me hard like no other show ever has. Where my initial feelings were one of fear of my own emotional layers being peeled back by a razor sharp mandolin, I learned to love this show for the cathartic experience it became. It felt so crazily real that it could be biographical, yet my sanity always stayed safely in check and I reminded myself that it was just a show. But what a show. I can't thank the cast and director enough for helping me understand my own emotions better, and for enabling my children to better understand their own journey as well as that of their mother. There was light.

[ThereWillBeSun]

Sept 22, 2024 14:21:58 GMT wefox said:

Just added another “5 stars” vote for the count
An interesting show with a superb cast. Even if they do it again, it will be hard to surpass this cast. Very glad it was recorded

Same - think it counts as I saw a diff Diana and the transfer 😜

160 five ⭐️’s!

[annette]

Sept 22, 2024 15:09:23 GMT ceebee said:

I was late to the party on this but saw it six times in the end. A show I'll never tire of - I wasn't sure if I could return after the first time as it punched me hard like no other show ever has. Where my initial feelings were one of fear of my own emotional layers being peeled back by a razor sharp mandolin, I learned to love this show for the cathartic experience it became. It felt so crazily real that it could be biographical, yet my sanity always stayed safely in check and I reminded myself that it was just a show. But what a show. I can't thank the cast and director enough for helping me understand my own emotions better, and for enabling my children to better understand their own journey as well as that of their mother. There was light.

My feelings definitely mirror yours CB.I saw the show on Broadway first,knowing the subject matter but not exactly how it was going to be interpreted. My own life experience while not identical has many similarities to the narrative in the show.

At the end of Act One I had a back ache and realised that was from gripping the handrail in front of our seats tightly throughout. I couldn’t move from my seat and I was very tearful,something I very rarely am at the theatre. The second act had exactly the same effect as the first. My husband and I were so moved that we could barely look at each other at the end of the show.

it took me a long time to be able to listen to the OBC recording and when it finally came to the UK,I was very skeptical about seeing a different cast and whether I’d end up in the same state as I did in NY. The NY experience certainly stayed in my head for many years and felt both cathartic and relatable,sometimes in an optimistic way.

I needn’t have worried about the UK cast,who I thought were universally excellent and I did end up being just as emotional as I did during the Broadway production. In fact Jamie Parker’s interpretation of Dan felt more viscerally affecting than J.Robert Spencer’s portrayal of the character on Broadway.

I don’t know whether the writers Tom Kitt or Brian Yorkey have similar real life experiences,but if not,I have no idea how they managed to capture the raw emotion and effect on mental health/relationships a tragedy of this nature can wreak on a family.

It’s extremely rare to see such truth regarding this life experience played out in a show or film.

I knew it was too niche and dark to be a long running west end hit,but I’m so glad UK theatregoers got an opportunity to see it after all these years.

[jaggedlittlepie]

Closing night was a phenomenal show, this cast really is something special! Bring on the pro-shot.
It will be interesting to see if the current branding is continued for the film/a Broadway transfer. I feel the donmar branding captured the production far better; there were many times at the Wyndham's that I overheard audience members suprise at how dark the show was, and thinking there were a lot of trigger warnings just "because every show has them nowadays".

[dan]

I think I might be a little lone wolf in enjoying the branding and imagery!

[blamerobots]

I did notice how on TodayTix they totally ditched the mural imagery and just used press photos and such. Might be the best way instead of the odd way it was promoted before.

[42ndBlvd]

HBO is developing a film adaption.

[blamerobots]

Wow!

[42ndBlvd]

Sept 24, 2024 15:47:43 GMT 42ndBlvd said:

HBO is developing a film adaption.

There have been talks of a film ever since the show premiered but it seems it might actually happen now. I heard they had a director but I'm not sure who.