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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Oct 5, 2018 22:31:41 GMT
I saw this on Tuesday night, and I'm afraid I don't share the prevailing opinions on here. Thought it was quite mediocre really, and didn't really know what it wanted to be. Elements of pastiche of other shows, elements playing it relatively straight, elements playing for comedy. I expected a wafer thin plot, and I can cope with that if it's propping up a bunch of good songs, but it isn't here. A couple of excellent songs (the last two, in particular), and some very forgettable ones.
The (very annoyingly chatty, but quite astute) girls behind me said that it felt like a workshopping production, both in terms of the music and songs, and the way it was slightly shambolically staged, and they were right. It felt unfinished and shoddy, could do with some cutting, re-writing, and someone to actually write some endings to the songs, many of which just fade away or get interrupted.
Excellent cast for the most part (though I hated the guy playing Lord Hector), the standout is clearly Laura Baldwin, who draws the eye every time she's on stage.
I'm glad it's doing well, and is getting a transfer - I'm actually quite intrigued to see how it works on a bigger stage, it felt very cramped, and the stage design with the stairs did it no favours - but overall not for me.
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 6, 2018 18:34:24 GMT
I'm not at all sure if this wil be my thing or not so I've decided to give it a go next Saturday. I've only paid £15 for a ticket so I supose if I hate it I won't have wasted too much money.
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Post by Stephen on Oct 6, 2018 18:36:54 GMT
From the advertising to some of the word of mouth I really didn't think it would be my thing. Cut to me dancing like a child at the end with the biggest grin! Just go along with it and you'll likely love it!
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 6, 2018 19:32:34 GMT
^I hope so. I'm mostly interested in it because there are cast members who I've liked in other shows (Rob Houchen, Emily Tierney, Simon Thomas). It's the music I'm dubious about, as I understand it's 80s pop & despite being born in the 80s I can't say I'm keen on the music.
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Post by david on Oct 6, 2018 19:43:08 GMT
I went to see it a few weeks ago as a Sunday matinee, and like Stephen said, it’s just great fun from the minute you walk into the auditorium with the preshow music to the show itself. It definitely doesn’t take itself seriously, and like me, you will probably be clapping and dancing along in your seat it’s that infectious. It’s definitely earned it’s transfer. All the cast are great and if nothing else, Neil McDermott as the villain is worth the ticket price alone. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2018 20:15:37 GMT
Another one who didn’t think I’d be into it and...well I’ve seen it twice now.
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Post by ctas on Oct 6, 2018 22:06:53 GMT
Saw this tonight and sometimes I found it downright bizarre but it was a lot of fun!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2018 9:17:28 GMT
Going to be very intrigued by the new West End transfer cast. So many strong cast members have signed up to do other things. Neil and Laura are doing panto. Scott is doing Seussical at the Southwark Playhouse. I’m sure there’s going to be other people with prior engagements too. I can imagine they are a bit annoyed they didn’t know sooner, it was probably a last minute opening at the Ambassadors. I don’t know whether I’ll be seeing the transfer, I feel like I want my lasting memory of the show to be with this cast.
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Post by fansylvanians on Oct 7, 2018 14:38:49 GMT
Going to be very intrigued by the new West End transfer cast. So many strong cast members have signed up to do other things. Neil and Laura are doing panto. Scott is doing Seussical at the Southwark Playhouse. I’m sure there’s going to be other people with prior engagements too. I can imagine they are a bit annoyed they didn’t know sooner, it was probably a last minute opening at the Ambassadors. I don’t know whether I’ll be seeing the transfer, I feel like I want my lasting memory of the show to be with this cast. There's not long to recast and rehearse though! It's only 20 days until it reopens at the Ambassadors. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2018 15:13:23 GMT
Going to be very intrigued by the new West End transfer cast. So many strong cast members have signed up to do other things. Neil and Laura are doing panto. Scott is doing Seussical at the Southwark Playhouse. I’m sure there’s going to be other people with prior engagements too. I can imagine they are a bit annoyed they didn’t know sooner, it was probably a last minute opening at the Ambassadors. I don’t know whether I’ll be seeing the transfer, I feel like I want my lasting memory of the show to be with this cast. There's not long to recast and rehearse though! It's only 20 days until it reopens at the Ambassadors. Exactly. Maybe they will start the run with this current cast and recast during the run? I can imagine that may be the case. |
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Post by stageyninja83 on Oct 7, 2018 16:42:04 GMT
There's not long to recast and rehearse though! It's only 20 days until it reopens at the Ambassadors. Exactly. Maybe they will start the run with this current cast and recast during the run? I can imagine that may be the case. I know that Neil is doing the first few weeks at Ambassadors before heading to panto so could be the case for the others that have later plans too. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2018 19:06:33 GMT
Exactly. Maybe they will start the run with this current cast and recast during the run? I can imagine that may be the case. I know that Neil is doing the first few weeks at Ambassadors before heading to panto so could be the case for the others that have later plans too. Perfect. Get in fast and get those £25 tickets. |
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Post by Stephen on Oct 8, 2018 0:25:53 GMT
I've been told that "half the cast aren't going with it"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2018 5:35:31 GMT
As soon as it was announced I suspected the casting would be an issue, it feels very much a "theatre has been freed up, grab it and go asap" without thinking too much about the logic with it regarding the casting haha.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Oct 8, 2018 7:40:41 GMT
Maybe some of the original cast can make a return then, that might ease the situation I'd they already know the show. Either way, i'm sure it will work out and be fine.
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Post by zak97 on Oct 8, 2018 10:34:42 GMT
Is it known if Rob Houchen is transferring?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2018 10:16:06 GMT
Both Neil and Emily are going to be on the Club Tropicana tour from January, so any hope of extension at the Ambassadors is unlikely unless another cast change occurs.
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Post by partytentdown on Oct 11, 2018 12:16:56 GMT
The West end run has been cancelled.
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Post by helso1 on Oct 11, 2018 12:42:20 GMT
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Post by westendwahwah on Oct 11, 2018 12:42:20 GMT
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Post by cheesy116 on Oct 11, 2018 13:12:44 GMT
Wow I didn't expect that, a shame for all cast and crew involved and for the theatre staff who now have no work on the run up to Christmas.
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Post by Mark on Oct 11, 2018 13:18:02 GMT
😭😭😭. I skipped on seeing it again last week because I was going to go next month  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2018 14:40:45 GMT
Wow, that was unexpected. Although I did seem a bit too ambitious and spur of the moment a decision in truth. A shame, I'd of liked to see it.
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Post by raiseitup on Oct 11, 2018 14:56:31 GMT
What a shame! Fingers crossed they can find a future life for it somewhere, it's one of my fave shows of 2018.
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Post by fansylvanians on Oct 11, 2018 16:25:42 GMT
The West end run has been cancelled. It solves the casting problems I suppose. Hopefully they'll manage to get it into the West End next year. |
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