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Post by mattnyc on Dec 31, 2021 17:25:39 GMT
It will need to run that long due to the renovation of the space (and cost of renovating back) and the reduced seating capacity.
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Post by Boob on Dec 31, 2021 17:28:23 GMT
It gets my vote for keeping it as it is. A vast improvement on a problematic theatre.
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Post by shambles on Dec 31, 2021 17:47:46 GMT
I wish they’d have cast Andrew Garfield, he’d have been much better than Redmayne. Or Ben Whishaw. Or JAKE GYLLENHAAL I thought you hadn't even seen Redmayne perform yet? Anyhow, this was his pet project |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 1, 2022 10:10:47 GMT
I wish they’d have cast Andrew Garfield, he’d have been much better than Redmayne. Or Ben Whishaw. Or JAKE GYLLENHAAL I thought you hadn't even seen Redmayne perform yet? Anyhow, this was his pet project Oh yes, I have. Didn’t like him at all, just too much of A PERFORMANCE for me. And his voice is horrible. Jessie Buckley is wonderful though. The whole thing feels very pleased with itself and I’m not sure why, it is not a patch on Mendes production IMO. It may actually improve upon recasting- certainly as far as the Emcee is concerned. I’m just Not sure it’s a good enough production to survive unless they get decent star replacements. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 1, 2022 11:08:03 GMT
I wonder what peoples reactions would be to this without all of the “immersive” stuff in the theatre. I don’t mean the reconfiguration, deciding to do it in the round is part of the production but are we to believe that the dim corridors, schnapps glugging, crowded antechambers and dressing of the auditorium is also part of the production? Do I really need to think I’m IN a Berlin dive-bar to believe the story that’s being told ABOUT a Berlin dive-bar? We’re supposed to use our imagination aren’t we? It’s all sounding very Disney theme park and what with Cabaret (AT THE KIT KAT CLUB AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT!) and a similar thing going on at Moulin Rouge are we seeing the start of a trend of style over substance?
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Post by alece10 on Jan 1, 2022 11:23:10 GMT
Lovely IG post from AJ Casey just now saying that this time last year she was delivering 200 parcels a day at £9.35 an hour and last night she was "wiggling her ass" in front of John Legend at the Kit Cat Club.
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Post by viserys on Jan 1, 2022 11:52:06 GMT
It’s all sounding very Disney theme park and what with Cabaret (AT THE KIT KAT CLUB AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT!) and a similar thing going on at Moulin Rouge are we seeing the start of a trend of style over substance? Some sort of "pre-show" is nothing new though, I remember ages ago at the Lord of the Rings musical, the Hobbits were already on stage and interacting with people in the front rows of the stalls as well. Hair is another show where I've seen performers mill around before to interact with people. When it comes to old shows, I guess producers and creatives are just desperate for some sort of new angle to entice people to see a well-known classic again - whether it's the immersive stuff or complete re-interpretations like the new Oklahoma! on Broadway, van Hove's West Side Story or the re-located Carousel at Open Air Theatre. In this case I'm sure Eddie and Jessie would have lured people into the theatre no matter what the staging is like, but it's probably a similar thought process. |
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Post by jaqs on Jan 1, 2022 20:39:39 GMT
I think it all added to the atmosphere, but wasn’t necessary.
The production would stand alone without it, and I could have done without the weird interval phone calls to the table.
I’ll probably never go to a club again in my life, but it was nice to have a little throwback to when I wasn’t old and irrelevant.
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Post by alece10 on Jan 1, 2022 21:43:44 GMT
I think it all added to the atmosphere, but wasn’t necessary. The production would stand alone without it, and I could have done without the weird interval phone calls to the table. I’ll probably never go to a club again in my life, but it was nice to have a little throwback to when I wasn’t old and irrelevant. What was the thing with the phones? We had a phone on our table but nothing happened with it and I didn't notice anyone else using one. |
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Post by jaqs on Jan 1, 2022 21:47:43 GMT
A few rang and before the show and during the interval.
I answered ours and they asked if it was our first time in the club and if we liked it. I may not have been the most responsive person, so others may have had better conversations.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 1, 2022 21:55:24 GMT
A few rang and before the show and during the interval. I answered ours and they asked if it was our first time in the club and if we liked it. I may not have been the most responsive person, so others may have had better conversations. I wonder what poor so and so has been given the job of making the calls. Hideous. |
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Post by alece10 on Jan 1, 2022 22:33:46 GMT
A few rang and before the show and during the interval. I answered ours and they asked if it was our first time in the club and if we liked it. I may not have been the most responsive person, so others may have had better conversations. Ah right. Thought there must have been some reason for them rather than decoration. Maybe they weren't working the night I went which was the 2nd preview. |
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Post by n1david on Jan 1, 2022 23:10:10 GMT
Mine rang pre-show and I was told how smart we both looked and thanked us for making the effort. I was asked if we wanted someone to entertain us and should they send "a girl or a boy". I said please send us a boy but none arrived...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2022 1:23:01 GMT
There used to be a restaurant called Caspers in Soho, and every table had a phone on and you could call and chat with the people sitting there. It was fun. They also had these shower type cubicles where dancers would gyrate in the water.
A few times someone called and sang 'Sitting all alone like that, you happened to catch my eye' (lyrics from The Telephone Song) despite not sitting on your own. Yes it was always the showqueens, but that was half the fun. These days i'm sure someone would say it was harassment or creepy, when it was none of those things at all. The phones were what Casper's was known for and that was the reason you went.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 2, 2022 15:38:58 GMT
I have no issue with a pre show/immersive thing if it’s done well and I don’t have to interact with a performer or get dragged up on stage!
It certainly sets an atmosphere when you walk in, and seeing as it’s so easy just to stay at home and watch tv these days, it’s no wonder that theatres what a more immersive experience for audiences.
I could have done without some of the more irritating moments of the Cabaret pre-show (as in a particularly annoying cast member). I just wish that it had all been lit more atmospherically. Was way too bright, should have felt much dingier I think.
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Post by Boob on Jan 2, 2022 17:51:52 GMT
All felt rather drama school improv in nice frocks to me. Also could have done without the contemporary lounge music played over the speakers. But I liked the live music in the downstairs Stalls bar.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 2, 2022 17:55:58 GMT
There’s a ticket on the Noticeboard for Cabaret if anyone is interested.
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Post by westendfan on Jan 4, 2022 18:06:39 GMT
I have tickets for this on Saturday, I’m hoping to still go. Tried not to read too much about the show to spoil it but I understand it’s immersive and the actors get very close to the audience etc. I’d be all for it pre-covid times but i’m just really weary now and not sure it’s the best idea to go 😕
For anyone that’s been recently can you please let me know how close people get/comfortable you felt? I’m sure I’ll forget about it once i’m there and just enjoy it as I don’t want to miss out. Im in the stalls Row H btw. Thanks.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 4, 2022 18:25:26 GMT
I have tickets for this on Saturday, I’m hoping to still go. Tried not to read too much about the show to spoil it but I understand it’s immersive and the actors get very close to the audience etc. I’d be all for it pre-covid times but i’m just really weary now and not sure it’s the best idea to go 😕 For anyone that’s been recently can you please let me know how close people get/comfortable you felt? I’m sure I’ll forget about it once i’m there and just enjoy it as I don’t want to miss out. Im in the stalls Row H btw. Thanks. If you sit in the table seats by the stage you run a high risk of being tampered with.. as it were… but regular rows further back you will be fine. (Unless you are right on the sides) I was pleasantly surprised at how many were masked when I saw it, however about 80% of those sat drinking at tables didn’t have a mask on once. |
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Post by alece10 on Jan 4, 2022 18:27:33 GMT
I have tickets for this on Saturday, I’m hoping to still go. Tried not to read too much about the show to spoil it but I understand it’s immersive and the actors get very close to the audience etc. I’d be all for it pre-covid times but i’m just really weary now and not sure it’s the best idea to go 😕 For anyone that’s been recently can you please let me know how close people get/comfortable you felt? I’m sure I’ll forget about it once i’m there and just enjoy it as I don’t want to miss out. Im in the stalls Row H btw. Thanks. I was at one of the tables by the stage and felt fine. Bear in mind everyone has to prove negative test result before they can get in and they do check everyone. You are more at risk on the journey in to London to be honest. If you are worried I would say go in a little later then your entry time as the bar area gets very crowded with people whilst waiting for the auditorium to open. You could hover around outside until the crowd clears a bit if you prefer. But I would say don't miss out if you can as you will have a great night. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 4, 2022 18:30:11 GMT
I would absolutely say NOT to get there for the pre-show. It’s not that interesting and why spend more time in a crowded space than usual? I got there 5 mins before curtain up and it was more than sufficient. Got a bit of the pre show.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Jan 4, 2022 18:36:45 GMT
If you're in row H you'll be absolutely fine, no one will get near
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Post by westendfan on Jan 4, 2022 18:37:33 GMT
That’s really helpful, thank you so much for your responses. I think I’ll take your advice and get there just before curtain up. Thanks everyone 😊
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Post by Rory on Jan 4, 2022 21:25:10 GMT
That’s really helpful, thank you so much for your responses. I think I’ll take your advice and get there just before curtain up. Thanks everyone 😊 We were in Row E of the Stalls and no-one could get near us! |
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Post by dazzerlump on Jan 5, 2022 16:09:55 GMT
That’s really helpful, thank you so much for your responses. I think I’ll take your advice and get there just before curtain up. Thanks everyone 😊 We were in Row E of the Stalls and no-one could get near us! Im in row E of the stalls when I go (20,21 I think?), how did you find it? The reviews Ive seen on seat plan are not glowing because there's little to no rake from the row in front. |
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