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Post by regza on Jul 15, 2023 13:55:51 GMT
I'd like to complete my set of "Les" actors - still missing Harry Newby. Anyone know what performances he does besides Saturday matinees?
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 16, 2023 13:34:35 GMT
I was very impressed just now by the ability of the woman next to me to snatch a falling paper in mid air from above my head - and (just) avoid elbowing me in the face!
I did feel slightly mad having 6 of the remaining 17 shows booked, but the girls behind me have all 17 booked (mostly in some of the more expensive seats), so I consider myself much more sane! Plus, whoever booked cast change at Jersey Boys for the same week as Newsies closing was just making things difficult.
You can tell everyone is having fun this weekend. Jack Bromage is doing random muscle poses. I’m even picking up on some of the complete professional Josh Barnett’s mouthed lines.
They added a new swing for the final four weeks. Henry
Rhodes has been rushing through his covers. Friday, he got zip wire. Yesterday (and today) he has got the pirouette solo. He looked so happy at the end.
I’ve been in almost the same seat in Flushing for all three shows I’ve been to this weekend (Friday evening, both weekend matinees), which is odd. Although Saturday matinee, someone had claimed my seat, so I just sat in another, right in the zone where you can smell the Newsies based on deodorant brand before they run past you (I’ll refrain from comparisons as that would be even weirder than the rest of the comment).
I did get to see Owen Stringer’s debut as Crutchie, which ends my run of 100% seeing Matthew. Owen was very good (and very different).
Mukeni, Spencer, Jack and George did a very cute dance together yesterday to end the show.
It’s amazing how many people lose programmes and phones down the seats.
End random interval notes. I’m sure I can think of more!
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Post by justafan on Jul 21, 2023 14:25:58 GMT
If anyone is interested I have a ticket for the matinee next Thursday (27th) that I can no longer use. The seat is Flushing AA4 - I don’t want any money for it - just want it to go to a good home. Start time is 2.30. It’s an e-ticket so I can forward it on
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 21, 2023 15:17:57 GMT
If anyone is interested I have a ticket for the matinee next Thursday (27th) that I can no longer use. The seat is Flushing AA4 - I don’t want any money for it - just want it to go to a good home. Start time is 2.30. It’s an e-ticket so I can forward it on If no one has claimed this yet, I gratefully will please. I was already trying to get a ticket for that show and there's very little left. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 21, 2023 15:37:32 GMT
In case anyone is interested, the fan performance on Wednesday had a full and enthusiastic audience. In fact, a father behind me was telling his daughter than she should become a dancer as they're rich and famous!
The questions were interesting and mostly to the creative team. Several people asking about politics, strikes and historical context. People were filming so I expect there were videos floating about. The big announcement was along the lines of "there's a future life planned for this production", but that could be interpreted in different ways.
It was also the first full cast show I've spotted in a long time!
It's always amusing going for the tube how quickly some of the cast manage to escape to the Metropolitan line (and do their best to avoid the fans, but it's not easy, I'm pretty harmless).
Yesterday, I was in The Bronx, the furthest to the outer wall I think I've ever sat. There are still things to pick up on from that angle, even some rarely successful pickpocketing from Albert (the ever professional Jacob Fisher). Michael had excellent newspaper aim, thanks Michael. One of the prop newspapers bounced off me at the end, but I suspect that one wasn't deliberate. I didn't spot where it came from as I was looking the other way. That did get returned. Only downside of the seat was some very bright lights (although having been on a few larger stages myself this year for speaking engagements, I've got used to them).
Jack Bromage was on super form as well. There are so many little fun things he does.
I'm in The Bronx again tonight, but that's it for the week (unless any excellent late seats appear online - which is unlikely as this is very well booked up now until closing - if only the sales had been like this all run).
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Post by fiyerorocher on Jul 22, 2023 2:00:11 GMT
The big announcement was along the lines of "there's a future life planned for this production", but that could be interpreted in different ways. It's going on tour, I believe. Although they're obviously going to have to adapt staging. |
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Post by margoc on Jul 23, 2023 4:29:38 GMT
The big announcement was along the lines of "there's a future life planned for this production", but that could be interpreted in different ways. It's going on tour, I believe. Although they're obviously going to have to adapt staging. Or a theatre closer to the west end?! |
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Post by madeleineruth21 on Jul 23, 2023 13:35:39 GMT
I got a last-minute ticket to this evening’s performance. Seat isn’t great, but hoping I can move as it’s not sold out. I loved the filmed version on Disney+, so I’m super excited!
Random question, but does anyone know why the Sunday evening performance starts at 5:30pm (rather than 7:30pm)? Presumed it was to maybe due to the last train being earlier on Sunday, as Wembley is kinda far out? Not sure though.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 23, 2023 13:53:21 GMT
I got a last-minute ticket to this evening’s performance. Seat isn’t great, but hoping I can move as it’s not sold out. I loved the filmed version on Disney+, so I’m super excited! Random question, but does anyone know why the Sunday evening performance starts at 5:30pm (rather than 7:30pm)? Presumed it was to maybe due to the last train being earlier on Sunday, as Wembley is kinda far out? Not sure though. I don’t know, but most shows doing two shows on a Sunday are doing the 1pm/5pm type times now, especially when they’re aimed at a younger audience. I presume it helps with travel arrangements. Looks like there’s only one unsold seat left (other than the ones they always hold back in reserve). Enjoy! And a fast recovery to Archie who was limping really badly at the end of Friday’s show and I see hasn’t been on this weekend. I also have to give credit to Samuel Bailey for his ability at bouncing a newspaper off my head! |
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Post by fiyerorocher on Jul 23, 2023 15:24:28 GMT
It's going on tour, I believe. Although they're obviously going to have to adapt staging. Or a theatre closer to the west end?! I was told it's a tour |
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Post by Figaro on Jul 23, 2023 20:16:15 GMT
Why did the next to me start crying when she was given a newspaper then was very distractingly whimpering until the interval?!
Is this normal behaviour when once gets a newspaper?!
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Post by ceebee on Jul 23, 2023 21:01:04 GMT
Why did the next to me start crying when she was given a newspaper then was very distractingly whimpering until the interval?! Is this normal behaviour when once gets a newspaper?! Former paperboy with ptsd? |
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Post by intoanewlife on Jul 23, 2023 21:07:45 GMT
I got a last-minute ticket to this evening’s performance. Seat isn’t great, but hoping I can move as it’s not sold out. I loved the filmed version on Disney+, so I’m super excited! Random question, but does anyone know why the Sunday evening performance starts at 5:30pm (rather than 7:30pm)? Presumed it was to maybe due to the last train being earlier on Sunday, as Wembley is kinda far out? Not sure though. Probably because the kids attending have to get up early to go to school the following morning. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 24, 2023 8:29:32 GMT
Why did the next to me start crying when she was given a newspaper then was very distractingly whimpering until the interval?! Is this normal behaviour when once gets a newspaper?! I wouldn't say normal, but it's amazing how people react when they feel they've been noticed. I could write an essay on newspaper reactions. The people who sprint to grab them when the lights go down (or even get up before the end of the first half). The people who ignore them. The people who read them, then leave them under their seat. Even the people who tear them up. |
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Post by viserys on Jul 24, 2023 8:38:12 GMT
Maybe it was someone who had failed to get one before and knew chances were running out and was just super relieved?
I was very sad that despite sitting in the front row for Bat out of Hell several times, I never caught one of the note sheets that were "flying up from the orchestra pit" when the car was pushed into it as I wanted it so badly for a collage on my wall. A kind soul later gifted me one as they had caught a second one during a repeat visit.
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Post by ceebee on Jul 25, 2023 10:49:40 GMT
Maybe it was someone who had failed to get one before and knew chances were running out and was just super relieved? I was very sad that despite sitting in the front row for Bat out of Hell several times, I never caught one of the note sheets that were "flying up from the orchestra pit" when the car was pushed into it as I wanted it so badly for a collage on my wall. A kind soul later gifted me one as they had caught a second one during a repeat visit. Two out of three ain't bad. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 28, 2023 11:50:07 GMT
I got to see both of yesterday's performances from the front row of Flushing. Thanks to justafan for the matinee ticket, where I also had a nice chat with the lovely lady sat next to me, who was supporting her son in his final Jack performance. She was very proud of George, deservedly so, and he delivered a flawless and emotionally charged performance.
It was musical chairs both performances as the Fansies negotiated new seats during the interval. The Matt Nation splinter group were out in force! Lots of rumours of a West End transfer much sooner than expected going around as well, but I'll leave that speculation to others.
The afternoon performance was down to two female ensemble (plus two leads), so had the unique experience of a mixed gender Brooklyn, and various other changes and split tracks.
I couldn't resist going tonight, so I booked a day seat through TKTS, and I've managed to keep up my record of never sitting beyond the third row. Unfortunately, this is third row of Manhattan, right on the inside and apparently on a foldable chair, which is where I'll be unless anyone feels really charitable. At least it is the only section I've never sat in. Hopefully some of my favourite Newsies might pop across and keep me company (note - they're all my favourites).
Apart from that, on Sunday I'm in the second row of Flushing for the matinee, and the third row of The Bronx for the closing performance.
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Post by theatreian on Jul 28, 2023 16:51:38 GMT
I couldn't resist going tonight, Sounds like you will miss this. How many times do you think you have seen it? |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 28, 2023 18:22:14 GMT
I couldn't resist going tonight, Sounds like you will miss this. How many times do you think you have seen it? If I said today was my 40th visit, people would think me insane, so I’d better not. I did also grab a late appearing fourth row seat in Woodside for the matinee tomorrow. I can’t make the evening though. So it will be 43 and done! All this considering I saw the first national tour of Newsies in LA a few years back and didn’t really take to it then at all! |
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Post by cezbear on Jul 28, 2023 19:41:39 GMT
Sounds like you will miss this. How many times do you think you have seen it? If I said today was my 40th visit, people would think me insane, so I’d better not. I did also grab a late appearing fourth row seat in Woodside for the matinee tomorrow. I can’t make the evening though. So it will be 43 and done! All this considering I saw the first national tour of Newsies in LA a few years back and didn’t really take to it then at all! I always enjoy your reviews Dr Tom, your enthusiasm is infectious! |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 28, 2023 19:57:20 GMT
Seat R4 review then, nowhere near as bad as Seat Plan suggests. It’s a normal aisle seat. View is fine for me, but shorter people may be annoyed. You miss the front of the stage. I know the show well and can still make out who people are.
There’s a lot of stuff that happens in the audience that I’ve never seen before and it’s good to see the choreography from the front side. I wouldn’t want to sit any further back though.
The crowd is a lot quieter from here. Sound quality is good.
The audience is really annoying. Talking, kissing, nearly elbowing me in the face. Lots of photographers. Thankfully one was spotted eventually and had their phone checked during the interval.
There is a House Full sign, but quite a few prime seats free. In this case, I’ve stayed in my allocated seat solely so I can see the show from this angle.
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Post by theatreian on Jul 28, 2023 21:05:41 GMT
All this considering I saw the first national tour of Newsies in LA a few years back and didn’t really take to it then at all! Well it just shows you doesn't it. Don't think you are insane at all. I remember when I lived nearer to London going to see the same show several weeks running. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 30, 2023 13:28:20 GMT
Emotional. Some people are so upset that the whole row is shaking. And it’s only the interval of the matinee.
I’m glad I have tissues.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 30, 2023 17:59:35 GMT
Only five standing ovations in the first half. I was expecting more!
Apologies to the rest of the row if I was the person shaking the seats during Santa Fe. Barely a dry eye in the house.
I’m in my scheduled seat in The Bronx, third row, which is probably the best view in the place. I’ve been in my favourite seat in front row Flushing three times this week (slightly different to the one I booked). I’ve left it empty tonight, even though no one claimed it for the first half. Sorry Spencer, I’m not meaning to cheat on you!
Both the male swings joined Seize The Day, so nice! Even better, I’m not sat with the Henry Rhodes fan club like earlier in the week (much as I can see why he has a fan club).
Lots of random Jack Bromage moments too. Some of his moves have been replaced by kisses. I even heard a “you’ve never done that before”. He’s so funny!
Second half, here we go!
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 31, 2023 12:10:33 GMT
What can I say? One of the best closing performances I’ve ever seen, complete with a respectful audience. Five more standing ovations in the second half, including the inevitable one for the bows. A long speech from the director, where he invited everyone associated with the show onto the stage. Unusually, I got my phone out with the crowd and filmed the bows for the final three performances I attended. I’d forgotten how hard it gets to hold a phone in position for 10 minutes (despite having done filming with much heavier cameras for TV productions in the past). I was expecting an emotional end, but I’d say this was a happy end, especially the announcement that “Newsies will return next year”. I did hear someone talking to her friend on the phone, giving them the news that they’d need to save up money to go to London again, but I don’t think the announcement clarified where, so this could easily be the tour that's been discussed. For the evening performance, I got to sit behind the lovely Samuel Bailey’s equally lovely boyfriend, who I recognised from his front of house duties at another theatre. They had all five of the Brooklyn team on stage together for the only time this week. Seems like a few people had been ill, but glad they were able to get the full crew out the final performance. There were some very tearful actors. All I can say about the matinee and one of my favourites is I’m thankful he could hide under his hat while he composed himself. Well done to everyone concerned. Somehow this show never gets old. I’ll leave this thread for now with a video grab from the end of the Sunday matinee of a very happy Mukeni having been thrown randomly into the air by Jack into the arms of Spencer, with George escaping in the background!  |
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