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Post by og on Feb 1, 2022 12:03:35 GMT
Written and composed by Tim Firth (Calendar Girls the Musical, Kinky Boots and The Band) Starring Michele Dotrice (Some Mother’s Do ‘Ave ‘Em, Vanity Fair, A Very English Scandal) Directed by Joyce Branagh A brand new musical comedy about the greatest challenges currently facing humanity: how to help your children, how to fight loneliness…and where to hide your biscuits. When builder Ray and his son Neil embark on a very personal renovation project, it unlocks a bank of memories – and with the arrival of some unexpected help, it also takes an extraordinary turn. Part of the Storyhouse Originals series. This runs at Storyhouse, Chester May 11 - 28th 2022 www.storyhouse.com/event/now-is-good?fbclid=IwAR1yCFy4f1u1IYfyGd2hzkpMsc3BZhK5g1N9s87MFpWMPBGuOqCeeqQx3C0 |
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Feb 15, 2022 2:43:47 GMT
"£10 of the general admission price for this show will be treated as a donation to Storyhouse, in the event of a Covid related cancellation. Bookers will be offered the chance to request a refund."
I think that wording is ambiguous . It can be read that automatic refunds will be made if the show is cancelled excluding the £10 which will only be refunded on request - which is reasonable. Alternatively it can be read that any refund will have to be requested but the £10 won't be returned - which is more contentious. Also what if there isn't a Covid relate cancellation?
Ticket prices are still reasonable with a generous 60+ discount and I've already booked. However if one tries to reject the extra £10 - for which there is a button - a booking cannot be made at all so it's a compulsory donation which is an unusual requirement.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2022 9:13:42 GMT
Not keen on the artwork, looks like a 70’s sitcom!  |
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Post by cezbear on Feb 15, 2022 9:19:22 GMT
Not keen on the artwork, looks like a 70’s sitcom! That can't possibly be the artwork, surely you jest... |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2022 10:40:39 GMT
Shouldn’t Ms Dotrice be on the poster anyway? She’s star billing it seems.
Goodness aren’t we miserable? A new British musical and we (well, me actually) are picking spots off the poster. It DOES have a significant impact on appeal though I’m afraid. The art for the other show at the story house is very bland, probably not developed yet, and it’s appealing to me more than this is so far. But yes, good luck to them, it could be the next big hit.
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Post by ladidah on Feb 15, 2022 13:29:04 GMT
Looks like the poster for a children's entertainer.
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594 posts
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Post by og on May 7, 2022 8:55:51 GMT
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19,676 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 7, 2022 9:25:25 GMT
They’ve re-thought the artwork  |
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Post by marob on May 11, 2022 21:56:38 GMT
Just noticed they’re live-streaming two performances of this on 21st and 28th for £16. Nice to see streaming hasn’t been completely abandoned.
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Post by notmymuse on May 12, 2022 12:48:58 GMT
Has anyone seen this yet? I'm going next week and looking forward to it.
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Post by benny20 on May 12, 2022 14:29:39 GMT
Has anyone seen this yet? I'm going next week and looking forward to it. |
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Post by benny20 on May 12, 2022 14:30:34 GMT
I'm there next Wednesday. Wasn't it first preview last night?
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Post by Seriously on May 12, 2022 18:12:33 GMT
I saw the opening night. It's beautiful and heartwarming. A very witty script, akin to Alan Bennett, with some beautiful melodies, stunningly orchestrated and played. It reminded me of seeing London Road for the first time and realising I was seeing something special.
If you've ever had to look after an elderly relative, this will really tug at the heartstrings.
Whilst everyone shines, the character of Ivy, played by Michele Dotrice, really steals the show.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on May 19, 2022 0:10:04 GMT
I really wanted to enjoy this new musical, having travelled from Kent to Chester to see today's matinee but I was very disappointed. The cast are great, especially Michelle Dotrice but the material...
The storyline is implausible, feeling like a succession of barely connected scenes shoehorned together with minimal plot progression. It's not dramatic nor engaging and only occasionally amusing - never laugh out loud funny. With a couple of exceptions the musical numbers are half-sung dialogue. The leading man dies between acts one and two, with not even a mention of him feeling unwell leading up to his demise. He was about to move into his new home which is an old bank being converted for him by his health & safety officer son for no obvious reason. Two characters suffer falls through roofs but recover almost instantly, a lady in a mobility scooter can suddenly walk again, and a group of school children appear in scenes including a mock wedding more suited to a pantomime. A hint of romance between their teacher and the son isn't developed at all.
So it's one for and one against at the moment, looking forward to a third opinion !
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Post by benny20 on May 19, 2022 8:09:02 GMT
Sadly did not enjoy this too much. Bit of a mess. I get what is trying to be said about people getting old and ill etc and getting left behind. But fir a musical although no big numbers, the majority of the cast are not singers and that is being kind. The plot is all over the place, a jumble of ideas all added together. I did enjoy the performances though and the set is very good. Music a bit reminiscent of Calendar Girls at times as you would expect without the Gary Barlow effect. Orchestra arrangements however lovely to hear. Hope it can have a life again with some changes.
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Post by marob on May 19, 2022 8:44:26 GMT
I saw a preview last week and while it’s not by any means bad, it's not great either unfortunately. I felt the same way about This Is My Family, the only other Tim Firth show I’ve seen.
I quite liked the plot of the disused bank giving isolated people a new lease of life, taking its inspiration from Storyhouse’s own history as an empty Odeon before becoming the theatre/cinema/library/community centre it is now. (Though I’d agree the lady ditching the mobility scooter was an odd way of expressing that.)
I also quite liked the staging. I think I’m right in saying that, apart from The Wizard of Oz a few Christmases ago, all of Storyhouse’s own productions have been in the much smaller two-tier thrust stage configuration, with pretty minimal staging, so it was nice to see a fairly large set for a change.
Ultimately I feel it’s an ambitious misfire. You can add me to the Michelle Dotrice fan club though.
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Post by Seriously on May 20, 2022 12:17:39 GMT
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Post by FrontroverPaul on May 20, 2022 12:28:23 GMT
Always nice to see a positive review, especially when the matinee I attended was only about 25% full and lost some of the audience at half time. The finer points of the show as described in that review clearly passed me by. |
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Post by richey on May 23, 2022 12:59:50 GMT
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Post by notmymuse on May 23, 2022 15:00:04 GMT
Afraid I joined the ranks of people who left at half time. I was excited for this as I've liked Tim Firth's previous stuff but this just about passed the time, that's the best I can say. Things brightened considerably with the older 2 women (and I'd rather it focus on them), but I found the scenes with the children cringey and the decision to cast actors who can't really sing was a strange one. The actors were trying their best with the material, but weren't given a lot to work with. A pity.
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