Guys and Dolls - Bridge Theatre

[moorhunhe]

I went last Thursday to the matinee show, and I think it's the fullest I've seen the theater out of the 4 times I've been.
The standing crowd was very alive.

I got my ticket via the Todaytix sale, and paid 35£ A42. Normally restriced view, but the lifts were broke so there was no wheelchair users on the platform. (I think that was the main reason there weren't any)
But even if there were, I feel from that seat I was mainly looking more to the right and don't think it would have bothered me if someone was there.

Was hoping to see Celinde before her last shows today, but sadly she wasn't on for that show. (turns out I've only seen her once on stage out of the 4 times).

I also feel that the more I see it, just when you think the perfmance couldn't get more intense, it gets more intense! (might just be me)

2 more shows on the agenda in October for my birthday, once with some colleagues (who hear me talk about it loads and need to know what I'm on about) and once with the boyfriend (will do standing then).

[Dave B]

Andrew Richardson and Marisha Wallace just arrived together this evening.

[fiyero]

I went to the matinee. First time in the stalls and the only seemed about half full. I was the other side of the dance floor and couldn't see the upper sections. Pit looked fairly full.
Fab show. Celinde showed off her bump near the end (is the relevant line in marry the man today?) but I didn't notice before that.
Hope she gets a fab send off this evening!

[Dave B]

So fourth time for me. We had booked this when we thought it was the last night before they announced a cast change and one last extension, we have the final night booked now too.

It's still great, I think it might still have slight tweaks and changes, the staging of Cuba was different than last time with some audience right in the centre of the dance floor.

Other than that, it was an evening for Niall Buggy and in particular Celinde Schoenmaker. She got extended applause for ever number and while some pieces less physical, she more than goes for it (still in heels!) and her voice is great. A couple of moments with the evening getting to her and the cast, a slight one during If I Was A Bell and then a couple of pauses and loud cheers just before the start of Marry The Man Today. The line 'have a baby' has her now ripping her Mission Overcoat open and is great.

Flowers and big applause at the end with the rest of the cast paying tribute to her, I thought really classy from Owain Arthur who didn't take a bow at all himself but either pointed at or applauded Celinde. A few tears around. Big cheers for Niall Buggy at the start of the dance party and then a couple of moments with the cast keeping it for themselves and for people leaving. Looks like one of the hotbox girls and one of the crew might also be leaving as there was a big fuss made over them.

After a moment or two, Marisha Wallace and Andrew Richardson (who had both moved into the standing area after the interval) joined in. A brief dance with Marisha and Timmika Ramsay at the centre and then Andrew Richardson charges in, bearhugs George Ioannides and the two of them then do a snippet of the Cuba dance scene ... and the temperature in the place spikes!! Lots of cast with phones out and guests, I assume Celinde's partner joining her in the dance circle for a minute too. They did after a few minutes break the circle up and invite the audience in to dance too.

Seemed like a good send off, while as I say I have the last night booked, I do have a suspicion I might fit in another visit. There are regular offers and while there were certainly a number of people in tonight having thought it was the last night or knowing it was Schoenmaker's last night - it was far from full. Maybe slightly over half - plenty of space on the floor (not quite as much as a weekday matinee I did a while ago) but easy to move around and stand anywhere you wanted for any particular scene.

Looking forward to my next visit

[ceebee]

The pause before "Marry the Man" was because she corpsed after saying "yeeeah!" - not for the first time on that line either, I saw her do it with Marisha too.

It was a wonderful evening and send off for her and the cheers were richly deserved. The theatre was around 3/4 full - despite there being spaces on Gallery 1 and Stalls and me offering to pay the difference to switch seats, box office said "no".

Brainless decision really - I was offering them the difference in value (around £40) for an alternative seat that was free with less than ten minutes to go. You'd think they would welcome additional revenue and also having people filling gaps in the sightline of the actors. As it was, Gallery 2 - A45 seat was excellent.

[keyspi]

Aug 31, 2024 23:07:10 GMT ceebee said:

The pause before "Marry the Man" was because she corpsed after saying "yeeeah!" - not for the first time on that line either, I saw her do it with Marisha too.

It was a wonderful evening and send off for her and the cheers were richly deserved. The theatre was around 3/4 full - despite there being spaces on Gallery 1 and Stalls and me offering to pay the difference to switch seats, box office said "no".

Brainless decision really - I was offering them the difference in value (around £40) for an alternative seat that was free with less than ten minutes to go. You'd think they would welcome additional revenue and also having people filling gaps in the sightline of the actors. As it was, Gallery 2 - A45 seat was excellent.

I reckon you could have potentially switched seats during the interval, nobody would have checked your ticket at that point

[FrontroverPaul]

Sept 2, 2024 11:06:22 GMT keyspi said:

Aug 31, 2024 23:07:10 GMT ceebee said:

The pause before "Marry the Man" was because she corpsed after saying "yeeeah!" - not for the first time on that line either, I saw her do it with Marisha too.

It was a wonderful evening and send off for her and the cheers were richly deserved. The theatre was around 3/4 full - despite there being spaces on Gallery 1 and Stalls and me offering to pay the difference to switch seats, box office said "no".

Brainless decision really - I was offering them the difference in value (around £40) for an alternative seat that was free with less than ten minutes to go. You'd think they would welcome additional revenue and also having people filling gaps in the sightline of the actors. As it was, Gallery 2 - A45 seat was excellent.

I reckon you could have potentially switched seats during the interval, nobody would have checked your ticket at that point

I'll be on my fourth visit to Guys and Dolls next week always in the same (recently mentioned)  seat stalls A42.  A41 is priced almost double and it's never been occupied on my visits until....

Same applies to A33 next to much-dearer A34.  Both priced £57.50 compared to £97.50 but usually £35 when there's a promotion like the current theatre week one.  For two on a budget I'd recommend A42 and A43 or A33 and A32. These four seats are designated restricted view due to the wheelchair platform in front but you really don't notice it and it's not always booked anyway.

[Dave B]

Sept 2, 2024 11:06:22 GMT keyspi said:

reckon you could have potentially switched seats during the interval, nobody would have checked your ticket at that point

My partner was struggling with standing and as there were seats around, I suggested she just sit down on her way back in after the interval and she did so. Just before the second act started, FoH spotted her sitting there and I saw them having a brief chat before he led her out the doors.

I assumed that he wasn't allowed to let her sit and instead was going to show her where she could sit outside and watch on the screens for bit.

Turns out, I was WAY off base. Not wanting to cause a fuss, she had sat at the first available seat which was a slightly restricted view behind a pillar. FoH had simply led her out and back in the other door where he gave her a much better seat because he didn't want her to miss any of the action.

Not the first time we've had a great experience with Bridge staff.

[ceebee]

I'm clearly too honest in trying to pay to upgrade. Next time, I'm sitting in the band section.

[Dr Tom]

Gina Beck is always fantastic. No change from the norm here.

I did make the Thursday matinee with a good ticket deal. First time in the standing area for a while. Nice and comfortable with plenty of space to move about (although the crew are keen to move everyone forward). Gina gave me a flyer as well.

The top level was closed and they could probably have closed the middle level as well, but still lots of energy from both the cast and the audience. Frankly though, this is worth seeing for Gina Beck alone. She plays a very innocent Sally Brown, and her voice is perfectly suited for the songs.

Enjoyed this so much more than last time and I'm sure I'll fit in a few more viewings before January. Hopefully attendance will pick up. Nice coat check staff too (I did want to say some words of reassurance to the recent graduate I recognised, but I never know what to say).

[bumble78]

Want to book tickets to see this with the Theatre Week discount. Have seen that Gallery 1 seats seem to be recommended but a bit confused because people talk about a 'bend'. Can someone share their views of what seat numbers are recommended? looks like a lot of availability and the second row in Gallery 1 is a little cheaper so was thinking of going for that - but can pay for the first row if that is better.

[Rory]

Show stop tonight. Hoping whatever the issue is can be resolved!

[ceebee]

Sept 8, 2024 19:21:15 GMT bumble78 said:

Want to book tickets to see this with the Theatre Week discount. Have seen that Gallery 1 seats seem to be recommended but a bit confused because people talk about a 'bend'. Can someone share their views of what seat numbers are recommended? looks like a lot of availability and the second row in Gallery 1 is a little cheaper so was thinking of going for that - but can pay for the first row if that is better.

track back through the thread - this was covered a while ago.

[unseaworthy]

Sept 11, 2024 20:06:43 GMT Rory said:

Show stop tonight. Hoping whatever the issue is can be resolved!

Did you find out what the problem was?

[Rory]

Sept 12, 2024 9:28:45 GMT unseaworthy said:

Sept 11, 2024 20:06:43 GMT Rory said:

Show stop tonight. Hoping whatever the issue is can be resolved!

Did you find out what the problem was?

Yes, one of the platforms failed to work around 15 minutes before the scheduled interval. After about 5 or 10 minutes of trying to fix it, they said they would take the interval at that point, then they restarted it at the exact same point, and they then just did a brief pause where the interval would normally be. I was just relieved that it wasn't cancelled as I had waited so long to see it.

I thought it was great. Timmika Ramsay was superb and I can just imagine what Marisha Wallace would have been like in that role, having seen her as Ado Annie in Oklahoma!
Gina Beck was superb too with such a wonderful voice.
Unfortunately though, George Ioannides was off and whilst his understudy had a great voice, I thought he was totally wooden in the role. Ironic when the character keeps talking about chemistry. Wish I'd seen Andrew Richardson in this. But overall, really excellent and delighted to have seen it at last! The design and staging were inventive and outstanding.

[westendgirl]

Not many empty seats last night and a very enthusiastic audience. (Annoyingly there was one girl in the standing area who was standing as close to the stage as possible and performatively singing along to every song throughout the show, which I found a bit distracting.) This was my first time back since the big cast change and I was really impressed with everyone. Particularly enjoyed Jonathan Andrew Hume’s Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.

[ceebee]

Sept 15, 2024 12:53:31 GMT westendgirl said:

Not many empty seats last night and a very enthusiastic audience. (Annoyingly there was one girl in the standing area who was standing as close to the stage as possible and performatively singing along to every song throughout the show, which I found a bit distracting.) This was my first time back since the big cast change and I was really impressed with everyone. Particularly enjoyed Jonathan Andrew Hume’s Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.

I had somebody similar at Barnum mouthing all the lyrics and pulling focus. A talented ventriloquist dummy perhaps but not actually on stage so really ought to respect the actors' space.

[A.Ham]

You'd like to think that when someone is so close to the performers (especially so at this particular show where you're literally touching the stage edge), people would be slightly more aware of their behaviour... wishful thinking I know! It must be so distracting for the cast, especially if the audience member isn't word perfect.

[thedrowsychaperone]

Saffi Needham's Adelaide debut last night and all accounts say she was phenomenal.

[ceebee]

Saw this from the standing area last night - wow, this show is still in fine form and a decent sized audience there to enjoy it too! The cast remains very strong and in my view this remains one of the best shows in London.

[moorhunhe]

I went to yesterdays matinee show with 2 of my colleagues, a bit of an early birthday day-out for me also.
Because they hear me talking about these shows all the time, they wanted to come along.
I am a bit biased, as I've been following Jonathan Andrew Hume's career since 2006, but having seen Guys and Dolls 5 times now since April, I will not get tired of seeing this show, I really do enjoy it so much.

Both colleagues were very impressed with the entire show and all the cast, they really enjoyed themselves.
And Nicely Nicely Johnson doing the Carlton dance-moves at one point cracked me up big time 

It was a first for me to see the 2 new cast members, I'm awful with real names sometimes, but the new Miss Sarah has such an amazing voice.
There were 3 understudies as far as I could tell (Nathan, Charlie and Benny).

Me and the boyfriend have booked November 7th, with standing tickets! I'm very excited (and nervous, lol).
As it's my birthday in 3 days, so it's a bit of a late present as we had some things going on and were supposed to book it for October 24th, but anyways ...

I was also gonna get a discounted ticket via TodayTix as I noticed last night they were doing cheapish front row seats again, but I just wanted to get to bed, and when I looked this morning the deal was over 

I might go beginning of December, as I know Jonathan will be off, so I can see someone else as Nicely Nicely Johnson (we very much support understudies).

[showtoones]

Oct 13, 2024 12:02:06 GMT moorhunhe said:

I went to yesterdays matinee show with 2 of my colleagues, a bit of an early birthday day-out for me also.
Because they hear me talking about these shows all the time, they wanted to come along.
I am a bit biased, as I've been following Jonathan Andrew Hume's career since 2006, but having seen Guys and Dolls 5 times now since April, I will not get tired of seeing this show, I really do enjoy it so much.

Both colleagues were very impressed with the entire show and all the cast, they really enjoyed themselves.
And Nicely Nicely Johnson doing the Carlton dance-moves at one point cracked me up big time 

It was a first for me to see the 2 new cast members, I'm awful with real names sometimes, but the new Miss Sarah has such an amazing voice.
There were 3 understudies as far as I could tell (Nathan, Charlie and Benny).

Me and the boyfriend have booked November 7th, with standing tickets! I'm very excited (and nervous, lol).
As it's my birthday in 3 days, so it's a bit of a late present as we had some things going on and were supposed to book it for October 24th, but anyways ...

I was also gonna get a discounted ticket via TodayTix as I noticed last night they were doing cheapish front row seats again, but I just wanted to get to bed, and when I looked this morning the deal was over 

I might go beginning of December, as I know Jonathan will be off, so I can see someone else as Nicely Nicely Johnson (we very much support understudies).

What are the cast understudies in December if you know? Dates please…

Thank you!!

[moorhunhe]

Oct 13, 2024 18:35:45 GMT showtoones said:

Oct 13, 2024 12:02:06 GMT moorhunhe said:

I went to yesterdays matinee show with 2 of my colleagues, a bit of an early birthday day-out for me also.
Because they hear me talking about these shows all the time, they wanted to come along.
I am a bit biased, as I've been following Jonathan Andrew Hume's career since 2006, but having seen Guys and Dolls 5 times now since April, I will not get tired of seeing this show, I really do enjoy it so much.

Both colleagues were very impressed with the entire show and all the cast, they really enjoyed themselves.
And Nicely Nicely Johnson doing the Carlton dance-moves at one point cracked me up big time 

It was a first for me to see the 2 new cast members, I'm awful with real names sometimes, but the new Miss Sarah has such an amazing voice.
There were 3 understudies as far as I could tell (Nathan, Charlie and Benny).

Me and the boyfriend have booked November 7th, with standing tickets! I'm very excited (and nervous, lol).
As it's my birthday in 3 days, so it's a bit of a late present as we had some things going on and were supposed to book it for October 24th, but anyways ...

I was also gonna get a discounted ticket via TodayTix as I noticed last night they were doing cheapish front row seats again, but I just wanted to get to bed, and when I looked this morning the deal was over 

I might go beginning of December, as I know Jonathan will be off, so I can see someone else as Nicely Nicely Johnson (we very much support understudies).

What are the cast understudies in December if you know? Dates please…

Thank you!!

I don't know any others I'm afraid.  For Nicely Nicely Johnson it will probably be TJ Lloyd for the entire week (last week of November/first few days December).

[ceebee]

Oct 13, 2024 18:43:47 GMT moorhunhe said:

Oct 13, 2024 18:35:45 GMT showtoones said:

What are the cast understudies in December if you know? Dates please…

Thank you!!

I don't know any others I'm afraid.  For Nicely Nicely Johnson it will probably be TJ Lloyd for the entire week (last week of November/first few days December).

TJ Lloyd is superb as Nicely - very different to Jonathan but just as good and his "Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat" is utterly memorable. He has such an expressive face and a voice to die for.

[moorhunhe]

Remind me to never go to the evening show again 

It was my birthday last Tuesday (15th) and it wasn't a great day, had a dentist appointment (petrified), and after the boyfriend said "what do you want to do for the rest of your day" and I said "Guys and Dolls".
But he thought I was kidding? 

It's the first thing that popped into my mind wanting to do something fun still.
Got home, turned on his computer to check trains.
And he still thought I was kidding ...
Eventually, an hour before we had to get the train, bought the 2 cheapest tickets they had left and booked the train, got ready and left.



Detective Brannigan was played by TJ Lloyd.
And I think Charlie was an understudy too.


The standing area looked good and full, and seating wise I think it's the busiest I've seen it.
I've only seen matinees so far, and there's always so many empty seats.

Had a great night, until we got on the tube and stood still for too long due to a broken down train in front, and when moving again having to run out to get into Euston, only just catching the last train home.
Not doing that again, lol, the anxiety is very real.
(it would have been absoluteley fine if the tube wasn't delayed, guess I didn't think of all the scenario's  )

Oh well ... that was show number 6 over and done with