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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 12, 2018 8:18:07 GMT
I was there for the evening performance (so missed the many Theatreboard members in the afternoon). I saw this earlier in the run and it's still in great shape.
If you've not been to the New Theatre Wimbledon before, I recommend it. Very easy to get to in zone 3 and five minutes walk from the underground station. It's actually easier to get to from the Earls Court area (where I tend to stay when I'm about for work) than many theatres in central London. Seemed pretty busy too.
The cast were all in fine voice, particularly the three leads and the presentation was top notch.
As theatrefan77 said, some of the cast don't look like they could have known Norma for 20 years, but I guess that's just an area where suspension of disbelief is needed based around the ensemble has been constructed.
Worth a visit before it closes as I think it will be a while before this tours again. I did glance at what was available for closing week in Sheffield and the stalls are sold out most nights and there are only seats at the back left on the other levels.
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Post by giovanni on Apr 12, 2018 9:26:02 GMT
I was there for the Wednesday matinee and there was a decent crowd in the stalls. I saw it previously in Southampton, so I knew what to expect - though Danny didn't perform there. Here, however, he was good. Very good indeed. If I must, I'll pat Ria and Adam on the back as well.
As to the actors - and their ages - the production has to use them in different roles. As an audience we must suspend reality in many cases. After all, are we really expecting a car chase on-stage? Whether Jonesy or Hog Eye were played by young actors, or have or don't have hair, shouldn't really matter.
I'm still trying to come to terms with this being a touring production, only spending a week in each venue. It's so much better than many West End productions I've seen.
All in all, a quality piece of work.
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Post by LaLuPone on Apr 13, 2018 16:04:56 GMT
Finally got to see this after the snow disaster in Cardiff snd it was definitely worth the wait and the trip to Wimbledon! It’s such an amazing score as I’d discovered from listening to the Original London Recording and it sounded all the better from being played by the 16-piece orchestra. I was very impressed by all four leads, Danny Mac nailed it acting and singing-wise I thought and I’m sure he’ll get lots more leading man roles in the future. I thought Ria was brilliant in every way, I’ve never seen such great acting in a musical in my 2 short years of theatregoing besides maybe Sheridan in Funny Girl but I suppose nothing else really enables you to let loose like this. I was nearly moved to tears by Ria’s acting of just how desperate and derranged Norma is at the ends of both acts and I don’t think there was a hint of “camp” in her portrayal at all, which I had been worried about before. Her vocals were great too but it sometimes sounded as if she were losing her voice, she seemed sometimes to be straining to reach the higher notes. I was worried that she wasn’t going to hit the last note in With One Look but she did, and brilliantly so, both times so maybe it was all in my head. I can see why she could be losing her voice though after 9 months on the road WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE SHOW, I don’t think that can ever be praised enough! The set I thought was so good for a touring production like everyone else has said and I thought the projections worked well too. The matinee was very full of seniors which showed me that I’m probably not in the show’s target audience (I’m 17) but nonetheless it’s definitely in my top 10. Shame we probably won’t get another production for years.
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Post by daniel on Apr 13, 2018 16:09:50 GMT
Finally seeing this tomorrow afternoon, very much looking forward to it  |
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2018 20:26:39 GMT
The matinee was very full of seniors which showed me that I’m probably not in the show’s target audience (I’m 17) Midweek matinees are almost always full of seniors, so I don't think that's any indication. I've only ever seen evening performances of this, but although this one does skew old, it's mixed, and there are definitely younger Danny Mac fans who attend. Forgot to say before, the Wimbledon audience very really well behaved (just one phone going off during the finale, but at least it was way upstairs out of the way). |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 13, 2018 21:32:48 GMT
9 months on the road WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE SHOW, I don’t think that can ever be praised enough! I know, right? That’s a trooper for you. Puts some of the current big names to shame. Nice to hear you enjoyed it! |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Apr 14, 2018 6:08:37 GMT
Not to take anything away from her, as it is still amazing in every way, but just for fullness, the understudy did cover her once.
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Post by Rukaya on Apr 14, 2018 9:04:54 GMT
I saw this last night and really enjoyed it! Shame to see the theatre not so busy on the weekend, I'd booked for the front of the upper circle and got a nice upgrade into the dress circle. The audience was still very responsive to the performances though thankfully!
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Apr 14, 2018 11:34:35 GMT
The matinee was very full of seniors which showed me that I’m probably not in the show’s target audience (I’m 17) Midweek matinees are almost always full of seniors, so I don't think that's any indication. I've only ever seen evening performances of this, but although this one does skew old, it's mixed, and there are definitely younger Danny Mac fans who attend. Forgot to say before, the Wimbledon audience very really well behaved (just one phone going off during the finale, but at least it was way upstairs out of the way). I was sat right behind this woman - her phone went off FOUR times, at least. First time, she ended the call and shoved it down into her handbag. Second time she got it right out and tried to turn it off, but I could see from behind her that she hadn't managed to actually turn it off. So obviously it rang again. And then again. I very nearly grabbed it off her and turned it off, but she got it back in her handbag in time. I didn't have the heart to actually say anything to her afterwards, she seemed very shaken up by the whole thing and was clearly punishing herself enough without me having a go! I thoroughly enjoyed the show though, thought it was absolutely superb. Danny Mac really surprised me, I thought he was excellent, and Ria Jones is similarly really good - early on I thought she verged close to caricature, but later on she really captured the emotion of the part. It's staged fantastically (especially for a touring production), and a particularly highlight is As If We Never Said Goodbye in that regard. Not very full though, sadly. I was in the Dress Circle, in those Row K seats that are weirdly cheap at Wimbledon, so about halfway back, and there was nobody behind us apart from four people in the very back row. And nobody in the sides at all. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 14, 2018 13:11:27 GMT
I was sat right behind this woman - her phone went off FOUR times, at least. Sorry to hear it was that often. I only noticed it right at the end, but I was near the front of the stalls. Sometimes it's one of these lessons people have to learn by themselves when their phone goes off. Although a lot of people don't seem to have a clue how to put their phone on silent (another pet peeve of mine is people say holding their phone on a train having a conversation by text and they still leave the "message arriving" sound on). To be fair, I always turn my phone completely off and I was shocked to find it on when I left the theatre a few weeks ago (luckily on silent and it didn't go off). All I can think is I must have caught the switch somehow. Shame it wasn't full upstairs. Looked fairly full downstairs, but that's midweek theatre for you. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 14, 2018 13:41:37 GMT
I was sat right behind this woman - her phone went off FOUR times, at least. Although a lot of people don't seem to have a clue how to put their phone on silent (another pet peeve of mine is people say holding their phone on a train having a conversation by text and they still leave the "message arriving" sound on).Or subject people to their keyboard “click” sound when they’re typing 😖😖😖 |
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Post by daniel on Apr 14, 2018 16:31:09 GMT
Just come out of the matinee, thought I should share my thoughts.
Ria Jones...blinkin' 'eck, what a performance! Sorry, Glenn who?! She absolutely owned every inch of that stage. Such a commanding performance, she had the acting performance down to a tee, and the vocal chops to match. She deserves every plaudit for what is one of the strongest performances I've seen in some time.
Really enjoyed Danny Mac too. Thought he acted and sung well - only seen him in panto before this...a slightly different ball game.
I think Adam Pearce has an amazing versatility and range to his voice - it's quite impressive the notes that he manages to reach! I did think his diction could have been better at points, but on the whole a good performance.
Absolutely blown away by the orchestra too. It's a beautiful score and possibly one of ALW's finest - it's so refreshing to have a touring production with an orchestra large enough to perform the work as intended, and do its composer justice. Utterly glorious.
This was my first experience of Sunset Boulevard and overall I enjoyed it. The first half did drag a little but there was a better pace in Act II. Great performances, liked the set and use of projections, and a fantastic score.
Four stars.
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 14, 2018 16:39:40 GMT
So I caught this last and I gotta say, overall I was pretty impressed.
I know this should inside out and back to front.
I've seen Patti LuPonne with Kevin Anderson, Betty Buckley with John Barrowman, Elaine Paige with Alexander Hanson and Glenn Close with Michael Xavier.
I have the original B & Film on DVD, hardback books and both cast recordings.
So I've seen the grand opulence of sets with the floating stage and now this stripped back version which I thought worked well.
In terms of performances, for me, Danny Mac and Ria Jones were the standouts. The guy playing Max was also good, quite formidable.
Of the four leads, the weakest link was the girl paying Betty. Good voice, but I've heard better and acting was pretty wooden.
Costume, lighting, make-up and movement were all good and I like the way the modified the grand staircase and the use of projections for Norma mansion, and the body floating in the pool.
I spoke to both Ria and Danny who were not only nice, friendly and personable and seems genuinely appreciative of the compliments.
In terns of the score, one of Lloyd-Webber's best.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 14, 2018 18:18:42 GMT
It’s a shame they’re not going into London’s glittering west end for a short run, but I guess Glenn put paid to that. It’s definitely good enough, and certainly better than some of the shoddy tours that have ended up there.
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Post by foxa on Apr 14, 2018 18:29:07 GMT
I'm enjoying reading all the love for this - I was so pleasantly surprised by how good it was. I've been humming 'Girl Meets Boy' ever since I saw it. I see Danny Mac is going to be in a one-night production of A Little Princess at the Southbank Centre: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/128779-little-princess-2018 |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2018 18:07:38 GMT
Has anyone heard of a future life for this production?
I'd love there to be but realistically lots of half full houses so guess it's not comercially tempting.
Really sad. Think it's the last we'll see of Sunset for a very long time!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2018 18:15:20 GMT
Has anyone heard of a future life for this production? I'd love there to be but realistically lots of half full houses so guess it's not comercially tempting. Really sad. Think it's the last we'll see of Sunset for a very long time! No idea but I'd guess it will probably go on retirement for quite a while afterwards. Should the movie ever eventually get produced, depending on its reception, I can see it getting a vastly less-comprehensive run in some form, probably not the Curve production though. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2018 18:32:14 GMT
Has anyone heard of a future life for this production? I'd love there to be but realistically lots of half full houses so guess it's not comercially tempting. Really sad. Think it's the last we'll see of Sunset for a very long time! No idea but I'd guess it will probably go on retirement for quite a while afterwards. Should the movie ever eventually get produced, depending on its reception, I can see it getting a vastly less-comprehensive run in some form, probably not the Curve production though. Think you're right. Though is my hunch that the film will never happen. Glennis already too old and if they don't make it now she will be ridiculously too old.... |
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Post by tonyloco on Apr 15, 2018 18:41:27 GMT
Finally got to see this after the snow disaster in Cardiff snd it was definitely worth the wait and the trip to Wimbledon! It’s such an amazing score as I’d discovered from listening to the Original London Recording and it sounded all the better from being played by the 16-piece orchestra. I was very impressed by all four leads, Danny Mac nailed it acting and singing-wise I thought and I’m sure he’ll get lots more leading man roles in the future. I thought Ria was brilliant in every way, I’ve never seen such great acting in a musical in my 2 short years of theatregoing besides maybe Sheridan in Funny Girl but I suppose nothing else really enables you to let loose like this. I was nearly moved to tears by Ria’s acting of just how desperate and derranged Norma is at the ends of both acts and I don’t think there was a hint of “camp” in her portrayal at all, which I had been worried about before. Her vocals were great too but it sometimes sounded as if she were losing her voice, she seemed sometimes to be straining to reach the higher notes. I was worried that she wasn’t going to hit the last note in With One Look but she did, and brilliantly so, both times so maybe it was all in my head. I can see why she could be losing her voice though after 9 months on the road WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE SHOW, I don’t think that can ever be praised enough! The set I thought was so good for a touring production like everyone else has said and I thought the projections worked well too. The matinee was very full of seniors which showed me that I’m probably not in the show’s target audience (I’m 17) but nonetheless it’s definitely in my top 10. Shame we probably won’t get another production for years. Hello lewisv1733. I liked your post on 'Sunset Boulevard' and, if I may go off thread, can I please ask you – at the age of 17 and after just two years of theatre-going – to let us know what are your top ten musicals? |
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Post by LaLuPone on Apr 15, 2018 18:54:35 GMT
Finally got to see this after the snow disaster in Cardiff snd it was definitely worth the wait and the trip to Wimbledon! It’s such an amazing score as I’d discovered from listening to the Original London Recording and it sounded all the better from being played by the 16-piece orchestra. I was very impressed by all four leads, Danny Mac nailed it acting and singing-wise I thought and I’m sure he’ll get lots more leading man roles in the future. I thought Ria was brilliant in every way, I’ve never seen such great acting in a musical in my 2 short years of theatregoing besides maybe Sheridan in Funny Girl but I suppose nothing else really enables you to let loose like this. I was nearly moved to tears by Ria’s acting of just how desperate and derranged Norma is at the ends of both acts and I don’t think there was a hint of “camp” in her portrayal at all, which I had been worried about before. Her vocals were great too but it sometimes sounded as if she were losing her voice, she seemed sometimes to be straining to reach the higher notes. I was worried that she wasn’t going to hit the last note in With One Look but she did, and brilliantly so, both times so maybe it was all in my head. I can see why she could be losing her voice though after 9 months on the road WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE SHOW, I don’t think that can ever be praised enough! The set I thought was so good for a touring production like everyone else has said and I thought the projections worked well too. The matinee was very full of seniors which showed me that I’m probably not in the show’s target audience (I’m 17) but nonetheless it’s definitely in my top 10. Shame we probably won’t get another production for years. Hello lewisv1733. I liked your post on 'Sunset Boulevard' and, if I may go off thread, can I please ask you – at the age of 17 and after just two years of theatre-going – to let us know what are your top ten musicals? Yes of course! Right now it’s: 1. Wicked 2. Miss Saigon 3. Rent 4. Hairspray 5. Into The Woods 6. Dreamgirls 7. Sunset Boulevard 8. Grease 9. Legally Blonde 10. Little Shop Of Horrors So it is mostly modern musicals I’m afraid and not really ones that would be considered “high art”! I do my best to try and see some “classical” ones though like Evita and Funny Girl and I’m sure I’ll see Les Mis and Phantom live at somepoint plus I’ll probably go to Company later in the year for Patti LuPone. |
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Post by LaLuPone on Apr 15, 2018 19:05:37 GMT
No idea but I'd guess it will probably go on retirement for quite a while afterwards. Should the movie ever eventually get produced, depending on its reception, I can see it getting a vastly less-comprehensive run in some form, probably not the Curve production though. Think you're right. Though is my hunch that the film will never happen. Glennis already too old and if they don't make it now she will be ridiculously too old.... In my programe from the New Wimbledon (which I assume would have the same layout in all venues anyway) there’s a piece with Christopher Hampton talking about his journey with Sunset and at the end he’s quoted saying “I delivered the screenplay of Sunset Boulevard - The Musical a couple of months ago, which Paramount will make next year with Glenn Close as Norma”. If this is true then “next year” means this year because this piece was probably written for the start of the tour. |
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 15, 2018 19:07:13 GMT
Think you're right. Though is my hunch that the film will never happen. Glennis already too old and if they don't make it now she will be ridiculously too old.... In my programe from the New Wimbledon (which I assume would have the same layout in all venues anyway) there’s a piece with Christopher Hampton talking about his journey with Sunset and at the end he’s quoted saying “I delivered the screenplay of Sunset Boulevard - The Musical a couple of months ago, which Paramount will make next year with Glenn Close as Norma”. If this is true then “next year” means this year because this piece was probably written for the start of the tour. Lets wait and see, it may just be, the perfect year |
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Post by robertb213 on Apr 15, 2018 19:20:00 GMT
Hello lewisv1733. I liked your post on 'Sunset Boulevard' and, if I may go off thread, can I please ask you – at the age of 17 and after just two years of theatre-going – to let us know what are your top ten musicals? Yes of course! Right now it’s: 1. Wicked 2. Miss Saigon 3. Rent 4. Hairspray 5. Into The Woods 6. Dreamgirls 7. Sunset Boulevard 8. Grease 9. Legally Blonde 10. Little Shop Of Horrors So it is mostly modern musicals I’m afraid and not really ones that would be considered “high art”! I do my best to try and see some “classical” ones though like Evita and Funny Girl and I’m sure I’ll see Les Mis and Phantom live at somepoint plus I’ll probably go to Company later in the year for Patti LuPone. I think it's fantastic that someone your age is getting into the theatre. I don't mean this as patronising at all, I genuinely think it's brilliant and a great sign that theatre won't die with us oldies 😉 you also have great taste in musicals! |
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Post by tonyloco on Apr 15, 2018 21:25:06 GMT
Yes of course! Right now it’s: 1. Wicked 2. Miss Saigon 3. Rent 4. Hairspray 5. Into The Woods 6. Dreamgirls 7. Sunset Boulevard 8. Grease 9. Legally Blonde 10. Little Shop Of Horrors So it is mostly modern musicals I’m afraid and not really ones that would be considered “high art”! I do my best to try and see some “classical” ones though like Evita and Funny Girl and I’m sure I’ll see Les Mis and Phantom live at somepoint plus I’ll probably go to Company later in the year for Patti LuPone. Thanks Lewisv1733. That's pretty much what I was expecting but I continue to be surprised at how popular 'Wicked' is. I wouldn't say 'Funny Girl' is a classic – in my book the classics are things like 'Guys and Dolls', 'My Fair Lady' and 'West Side Story'. But whatever you like or don't like, I just hope you get as much pleasure from musical theatre for the rest of your life as I have had in the past 70 years, starting with 'Annie Get Your Gun' in 1947! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 16, 2018 7:52:10 GMT
Depressingly, in ten years or so, someone will be referring to Wicked and Legally Blonde as “classics” 😖🙄.
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