Guys and Dolls - Bridge Theatre

[sky]

George Ioannides is amazing! Could not tell at all that last night was only his second time as Sky, really phenomenal performance.

[mattnyc]

If anyone is there and can tell me if he’s in for the matinee, I’d appreciate it.

[harry]

May 17, 2023 13:51:05 GMT sky said:

George Ioannides is amazing! Could not tell at all that last night was only his second time as Sky, really phenomenal performance.

I haven’t seen Andrew, and as I said above I didn’t totally fall in love with this production as some have, but I couldn’t complain about the understudy. If the notices weren’t up I would have thought he was the principal.

[mattnyc]

Andrew is out tonight. *sigh*

[foxa]

They used to do quite good food at the Bridge, but on the website it looks like they are only serving drinks now - is that right? And if so, can anyone please recommend someplace good but casual for a pre-matinee bite?

[alece10]

May 19, 2023 12:06:56 GMT foxa said:

They used to do quite good food at the Bridge, but on the website it looks like they are only serving drinks now - is that right? And if so, can anyone please recommend someplace good but casual for a pre-matinee bite?

There is an Ivy next door.

[frankubelik]

Had a few bad experiences there, now prefer The Coal Shed. Much better.

[foxa]

Thank you for the dining recommendations. Went a bit more downmarket and ended up at Honest Burger which was fine.

Finally got to see this after booking all those months ago. We were up in the cheapest seats (£19.50 last row of Circle 2) and they were great - would definitely sit there again. A lot of Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat,etc. was angled perfectly for us.

LOVED the production. Two understudies were on - and they were big roles, Sarah Brown and Nicely Nicely - but the show is so strong that there was no discernible dip. Was glad I knew from this forum about the interval entertainment, which we really enjoyed. Loved Marisha Wallace and Andrew Richardson. Can understand why people would return to see this production more than once.

[darreno]

Caught the standing matinee of this on Thursday last week, really enjoyed it. I tend to stay away from the traditional musicals once I've seen them once, but this time I'm very glad I went.

Attended with a friend who had performed in it many years ago so an extra excited buzz. There were a lot of theatre school and regular school teenagers there which made for a great energy.

Anything with Marisha Wallace is worth the ticket price alone but the whole cast are superb, very well put together.

I can understand why people seated would be distracted by the movement of people on the floor and it's not a show that draws you in and grips you, both in terms of story and even more so considering the way it is staged but none of that takes away from it being a great day out.

[vernongersh]

Late to this - finally caught it the other night - and it is excellent. Marisha Wallace is giving an excellent performance. The entire ensemble was excellent. But this production is innovative, exciting and vibrant. The reason we all enjoy the theatre. I actually have never seen the show before (obv knew most of the music).
5 Stars and a Must See'

[A.Ham]

Really want to go see this in the next couple of weeks - does anyone know if Marisha usually does all 8 shows a week (barring the usual exceptions) or has any holiday dates coming up?

[alece10]

Have to admit I was wary about going to see this as I didn't like the immersive idea and I saw Daniel and Marisha perform one of the songs on TV and wasn't that impressed, but last night made me change my completely. Loved the show.
I was sat in the stalls and had a great view (only downside was that for quite a bit of she show I was looking at peoples backs).
Loved the staging and the stages rising and falling, I also spent quite a bit of time watching the crew and how they moved props and audience around the place. It must have been a logistical nightmare to get it right and all done so quietly.
Superb cast with some great singing. All 4 leads were impressive. Daniel Mays comedy performance was perfect, why have I never heard of Andrew Richardson? Checked the programme and he seems to have done mostly plays but what a great voice. Reminded me of Frank Sinatra/Harry Connick and he was very handsome. Celinde Schoenmaker has such a lovely voice, but I think it was Marisha Wallace who stole the show with a really powerful performance. Have to also mention Cedric Neal as Nicely, Nicely who nailed Rocking The Boat.
So nice to also hear a big orchestra who sounded amazing.
Loved the interval act and the "dance off" at the end. They need to release that number.
The people on the floor were having such a great time and I was slightly envious but, the same with Abba Voyage, i'm far too old to be standing and dancing.
Well behaved very middle class audience, guess that's what you get south of the river

[A.Ham]

Thanks alec10 for your post - I’ve just booked a rush ticket for tonight (standing) so great to hear how good you thought the show was.

I’m a bit unsure about the standing but for £25 vs the price of a good seat it seemed worth giving it a go! I know the show from seeing the Simon Lipkin/Oliver Thompsett/Rebel Wilson version at the Phoenix but this sounds very different, which I’m excited to see.

[alece10]

Jun 3, 2023 9:10:22 GMT A.Ham said:

Thanks alec10 for your post - I’ve just booked a rush ticket for tonight (standing) so great to hear how good you thought the show was.

I’m a bit unsure about the standing but for £25 vs the price of a good seat it seemed worth giving it a go! I know the show from seeing the Simon Lipkin/Oliver Thompsett/Rebel Wilson version at the Phoenix but this sounds very different, which I’m excited to see.

I also saw that production and this one is very different.
You will love the floor standing but don't stand too close to the raised stage during the Havana number unless you don't mind getting wet.

[A.Ham]

Thank you Alec! Any tips for where best to stand from anyone who’s seen it already?

In a previous post in this thread someone mentioned along the long edge with the orchestra on my right so that’s my current plan but if anyone has any better or more specific advice please shout 😀

[ceebee]

Jun 3, 2023 9:19:02 GMT A.Ham said:

Thank you Alec! Any tips for where best to stand from anyone who’s seen it already?

In a previous post in this thread someone mentioned along the long edge with the orchestra on my right so that’s my current plan but if anyone has any better or more specific advice please shout 😀

Yup - long edge, band to the right, stay in that corner quadrant close to stage lines and you'll be well placed.

[A.Ham]

Jun 3, 2023 9:44:49 GMT ceebee said:

Jun 3, 2023 9:19:02 GMT A.Ham said:

Thank you Alec! Any tips for where best to stand from anyone who’s seen it already?

In a previous post in this thread someone mentioned along the long edge with the orchestra on my right so that’s my current plan but if anyone has any better or more specific advice please shout 😀

Yup - long edge, band to the right, stay in that corner quadrant close to stage lines and you'll be well placed.

Thank you so much!

Also, do I need to be heading in when ‘doors open’ or is there not that mentality from the audience like there would be at a concert?

Having said that, I’m planning on getting there fairly early anyway as my ticket is box office pickup.

[ceebee]

Jun 3, 2023 9:46:12 GMT A.Ham said:

Jun 3, 2023 9:44:49 GMT ceebee said:

Yup - long edge, band to the right, stay in that corner quadrant close to stage lines and you'll be well placed.

Thank you so much!

Also, do I need to be heading in when ‘doors open’ or is there not that mentality from the audience like there would be at a concert?

Having said that, I’m planning on getting there fairly early anyway as my ticket is box office pickup.

I'd go in early - ive seen it a few times and I've observed a couple of people staking out their proposed spot. I'd start lower right quadrant (band to your right) then cross in the interval to the diagonal opposite about half way down the long stalls section with band on left - this will place you well for "luck be a lady", "sit down" and "marry the man" plus the finale. Enjoy - it's a great show.

[A.Ham]

Thank you again! That’s brilliant, will report back tomorrow on how I get on 😀

[alece10]

For anyone who has been standing am I right in thinking they were selling pretzels from a trolly before the show?
And the smell of those hot dogs in the interval, so tempting but I resisted.
I do think they could have sold cheesecake and strudel though.

[ceebee]

Jun 3, 2023 11:21:56 GMT alece10 said:

For anyone who has been standing am I right in thinking they were selling pretzels from a trolly before the show?
And the smell of those hot dogs in the interval, so tempting but I resisted.
I do think they could have sold cheesecake and strudel though.

Yes,they sell pretzels. The plastic prop ones look nicer but the real thing was fine. Plus Lady Luck lager too.

[ThereWillBeSun]

Jun 3, 2023 8:52:56 GMT alece10 said:

Have to admit I was wary about going to see this as I didn't like the immersive idea and I saw Daniel and Marisha perform one of the songs on TV and wasn't that impressed, but last night made me change my completely. Loved the show.
I was sat in the stalls and had a great view (only downside was that for quite a bit of she show I was looking at peoples backs).
Loved the staging and the stages rising and falling, I also spent quite a bit of time watching the crew and how they moved props and audience around the place. It must have been a logistical nightmare to get it right and all done so quietly.
Superb cast with some great singing. All 4 leads were impressive. Daniel Mays comedy performance was perfect, why have I never heard of Andrew Richardson? Checked the programme and he seems to have done mostly plays but what a great voice. Reminded me of Frank Sinatra/Harry Connick and he was very handsome. Celinde Schoenmaker has such a lovely voice, but I think it was Marisha Wallace who stole the show with a really powerful performance. Have to also mention Cedric Neal as Nicely, Nicely who nailed Rocking The Boat.
So nice to also hear a big orchestra who sounded amazing.
Loved the interval act and the "dance off" at the end. They need to release that number.
The people on the floor were having such a great time and I was slightly envious but, the same with Abba Voyage, i'm far too old to be standing and dancing.
Well behaved very middle class audience, guess that's what you get south of the river

I was there last night too! I was in Gallery 1. Blew my mind re the logistics with the moving stages; so well done. First visit to this venue. Completely agree with everything you've said. Marisha and Celine was so good. I liked how Celine gave Sarah Brown a bit of gumption; she seems quite a beige character; and enjoyed the vocal choices. Marisha's outfits were STUNNING. I would also add the cocktails were divine - the Manhattan in particular. Yes, glad I went to this!

[asps2017]

Is this eligible for the Oliviers? Have they become a SOLT venue yet? Needs to be!

[alece10]

I'm very new to Twitter and only have about 2 followers (probably by mistake). Mostly use to to find out what is going on in the world of musical theatre and have only actually Tweeted a couple of times.
Anyway I did a tweet yesterday saying how much I loved Guys and Dolls especially the disco version of Guys and Dolls at the end with Marisha Wallace and said it should be released.
And just seen that Marisha bloody Wallace has liked it!!!
I'm going to frame it and keep.

[ThereWillBeSun]

Jun 3, 2023 21:47:10 GMT asps2017 said:

Is this eligible for the Oliviers? Have they become a SOLT venue yet? Needs to be!

Funny thing, I was musing aloud to my friend about this earlier this week. Agreed. The venue reminds me of the Troubadour but I much prefer it. Less 'air hanger (ish'