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Post by alece10 on May 24, 2022 15:12:18 GMT
I think my brain will explode.
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Post by Jon on May 24, 2022 15:19:02 GMT
Are they a bit “transparent” like holographic projections we’ve seen before? Or do they look like solid flesh and blood? I genuinely could not tell that there were not actual people on the stage when looking at the stage itself. There even is a real band standing somewhat near the ABBAtars and I wouldn't say the difference showed in any way. The big screens show the CGI, but only because there are close ups of their faces- the girls singing in particular as CGI and teeth/mouth movements just doesn't work, but it's lightyears ahead of Ugly Sonic. Ugly Sonic isn't the best example because that was just a bad design choice but I agree about CGI teeth and mouth movements. |
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Post by theatreian on May 24, 2022 15:38:18 GMT
I think my brain will explode. Thank goodness I only have to wait until Friday. Couldn't stand it much longer! |
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Post by Sam on May 24, 2022 15:46:10 GMT
I genuinely could not tell that there were not actual people on the stage when looking at the stage itself. There even is a real band standing somewhat near the ABBAtars and I wouldn't say the difference showed in any way. The big screens show the CGI, but only because there are close ups of their faces- the girls singing in particular as CGI and teeth/mouth movements just doesn't work, but it's lightyears ahead of Ugly Sonic. Ugly Sonic isn't the best example because that was just a bad design choice but I agree about CGI teeth and mouth movements. It's only because I watched Rescue Rangers yesterday and Ugly Sonic's teeth were a big feature. |
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Post by alece10 on May 24, 2022 15:57:38 GMT
I think my brain will explode. Thank goodness I only have to wait until Friday. Couldn't stand it much longer! I'm envious. I've got another week to wait. |
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Post by theatreian on May 24, 2022 21:30:55 GMT
Not sure who saw the item on the concert on the itn news, excitement is at fever pitch now! Also a now removed video appeared on abbavoyage twitter giving the number of songs in the concert from each album.Doesn't give away which songs just the number of songs from any album and I think some are the deluxe versions too.
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Post by karloscar on May 24, 2022 21:45:56 GMT
Director and choreographer Baillie Walsh and Wayne McGregor gave an interesting interview on Front Row tonight which gives more detail of how they created the show than any other source so far. Well worth a listen.
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Post by anthony40 on May 25, 2022 8:21:00 GMT
I am going on Monday night
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Post by cherokee on May 25, 2022 14:14:18 GMT
For anyone who's been, is there decent mobile/4G reception in there? I'm hoping to meet up with different sets of friends who are arriving at different times and are in different sections of the arena. Will we be able to communicate?
Failing that, is there an obvious location where we could meet? A merchandise stall? Or are there several of them?
Thank you!
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Post by partytentdown on May 25, 2022 16:51:13 GMT
For anyone who's been, is there decent mobile/4G reception in there? I'm hoping to meet up with different sets of friends who are arriving at different times and are in different sections of the arena. Will we be able to communicate? Failing that, is there an obvious location where we could meet? A merchandise stall? Or are there several of them? Thank you! Phones were banned during the previews but that may well change after opening night. There is one main merch stand and a couple of smaller ones but they were quite crowded. The front of house area isn't enormous though so maybe just aim for the area inside the main entrance, or at the back of the standing area if you're going into the arena separately. |
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Post by harry on May 25, 2022 17:26:54 GMT
For anyone who's been, is there decent mobile/4G reception in there? I'm hoping to meet up with different sets of friends who are arriving at different times and are in different sections of the arena. Will we be able to communicate? Failing that, is there an obvious location where we could meet? A merchandise stall? Or are there several of them? Thank you! Phones weren’t allowed to be used inside the arena so hard to be certain but the front of house area had phone reception if I remember rightly. I think they were testing out how best to get people through security so the exact way they send you through might be different when it opens officially but basically outside the entrance we were split by dance floor / not dancefloor to go through one of two security check stations but then it all joins up again in a big open space with the bars/food stalls/merch shop etc. It’s not so huge that you won’t be able to find each other I wouldn’t have thought. At the back of this area is a big ramp up through a huge doorway to the arena (if I remember rightly, this is the only way in and you’re then sent off down different ways depending on exactly where you’re sitting/standing) so I guess arranging to meet at the bottom of that at a certain time is a pretty safe bet. |
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Post by interval99 on May 25, 2022 17:59:29 GMT
Definitely avoid Twitter at the moment if you want to avoid seeing the set list before this weekend.
Any info on the merchandise they are selling, there a fair range on the voyage web site but there had been talk of the ABBA water bottle and a souvenir brochure for sale and be nice if they have some exclusive items there.
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Post by partytentdown on May 25, 2022 19:39:37 GMT
Definitely avoid Twitter at the moment if you want to avoid seeing the set list before this weekend. Any info on the merchandise they are selling, there a fair range on the voyage web site but there had been talk of the ABBA water bottle and a souvenir brochure for sale and be nice if they have some exclusive items there. There was a metal water bottle for sale at the bars that you could use to fill up from the water fountain. The brochure was £15 and looked A5 size but quite thick, more like a book. |
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Post by callum on May 25, 2022 19:52:29 GMT
Bottle was £4.50… very reasonable and wish I got one tbh!
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Post by alece10 on May 25, 2022 19:54:27 GMT
I'm definitely getting a water bottle if it's that price. Going on holiday soon so will be great around the pool knowing no one else will have one.
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Post by fiyero on May 25, 2022 20:39:47 GMT
I saw the water bottle on the bar pre-ordering and am tempted. Looks like the logo is printed but otherwise similar to the Pantoland one I have!
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Post by Jon on May 25, 2022 21:20:10 GMT
Bottle was £4.50… very reasonable and wish I got one tbh! I saw the bottle on Scott Bryan's Instagram and I'd buy one as well! |
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Post by callum on May 25, 2022 22:26:42 GMT
Setlist spoilers below based on some twitter discussion I’ve seen - please only read if you’ve been to a rehearsal performance. On Monday night’s rehearsal the biggest song omitted from the setlist was Super Trouper, alongside Take a Chance On Me and Money Money Money. Instead we had the less-famous and unexpected Summer Night City and When All Is Said and Done, for example.
I’ve read that these were done to test audience reaction, and there may be some switching around of the setlist with the band recording mo-cap for more songs.
Did those who attended another performance to Monday have a different setlist? Wondering how this will affect the final setlist for opening on Friday.
Additionally, I didn’t think The Winner Takes it All was necessarily the obvious choice for the encore (though didn’t mind it personally) - are different songs being tested as the final song too? |
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Post by callum on May 26, 2022 9:08:50 GMT
Also - intrigued to see whether the no phone rule will continue. It's a cliche to say but enjoyed it so much more than other concerts I've been to where everyone has phones.
A lot of photos/videos wouldn't properly be able to capture the illusion - the marketing for this has been tip-top and very controlled so I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to limit as much as they could.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 26, 2022 9:48:29 GMT
Also - intrigued to see whether the no phone rule will continue. It's a cliche to say but enjoyed it so much more than other concerts I've been to where everyone has phones. A lot of photos/videos wouldn't properly be able to capture the illusion - the marketing for this has been tip-top and very controlled so I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to limit as much as they could. Already covered further up the thread. Phones are allowed and photos/recording is allowed “for personal use only”. |
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Post by harry on May 26, 2022 10:12:59 GMT
I’d be v surprised if there are set list changes at this stage. I’d assume that all the “beta testing” of the set list happened long ago when they were still working from story boards or very basic ideas, way before ILM spent all the time and money making everything in the show look like it does now. Happy to be proved wrong but I think those “rehearsals” were much more about testing out how the audience move around the building (and getting some film footage of people watching the show) than making major changes to the show itself.
In other news, do we think the ABBA Voyage marketing strategy included scheduling a major news story involving their music 2 days before opening night?! The posters are EVERYWHERE in London, and just when I thought we’d reached saturation point the band name is splashed all over the headlines too. I wonder if Boris got an invite to the opening? And if he’d dare show his face at it!?
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Post by partytentdown on May 26, 2022 10:21:51 GMT
I think it was common knowledge that they have filmed a lot more songs that could be swapped in at a later date, but as poster above mentions it's unlikely they will be making major changes to this iteration this close to opening.
The 'rehearsals' were to capture footage for marketing etc and help raise word of mouth.
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Post by interval99 on May 26, 2022 10:35:24 GMT
Also - intrigued to see whether the no phone rule will continue. It's a cliche to say but enjoyed it so much more than other concerts I've been to where everyone has phones. A lot of photos/videos wouldn't properly be able to capture the illusion - the marketing for this has been tip-top and very controlled so I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to limit as much as they could. Already covered further up the thread. Phones are allowed and photos/recording is allowed “for personal use only”. Ticketmaster sent an email last night advising update for tonight's show advising a policy change and stating to keep the ABBATARS a surprise for future audience they request phones are away for the concert but photos of the outside and concourse are ok. Should find out if this is a ongoing choice and how strictly it's enforced if they send emails to the board members going on Friday and this weekend. The preview audiences seem to have liked enjoying the show without the sea of screens so it's good if it happens but would have been better for them not to have promoted personal photography as an option for so long on the website in the lead into the launch. |
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Post by anthony40 on May 26, 2022 11:52:07 GMT
I am London based and last night I attended an event at the British Library called ABBA in the Archives, which as also streamed online, and it was Carl Magnus Palm- author of any ABBA biographies in conversation with Kit Green. Not growing up in London, I had no idea who Kit Green was but being an ABBA fan, I was certainly aware of who Carl Magnus Palm was. So, surrounded by many die-hard ABBA fans, from America and Australia (as well as the UK)- all part of the ABBA fan-club who had flown over for tonight's concert I was there with my ABBA-The Album Tote bag, lots of fun it was and very interesting too. Even got my ABBA hardback book signed. Please click the following link to watch on your PC, laptop or mobile device. For the best experience, we recommend viewing on a PC or laptop. www.blplayer.co.uk/eventlink/438/NwSLJCNv8XLskcKThis event can be watched at any time until Friday 27th May at 19.00 BST, using the same link. |
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Post by alece10 on May 26, 2022 12:46:03 GMT
Anyone going on Friday, I'd be grateful for any info on what merch they have.
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