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Post by theoracle on Sept 25, 2023 22:49:19 GMT
Oh I loved this. We had the wonderful Harry Apps covering for Jac Yarrow and he was superb. Will be booking a return trip to see Jac asap! Harry Apps is terrific! I saw his Marius and thought he would be someone to watch out for. A pity to hear Jac has gone off so early in the run though |
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Post by LaLuPone on Sept 25, 2023 22:53:51 GMT
Could be something pre-planned but yes hope Jac is okay, his attendance was near-perfect at Joseph in general.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Sept 25, 2023 23:02:56 GMT
he really is! I'll be very sad to see him do nothing in the background next time I go  It was very sweet as well, Lea and Bernadette pulled him to the front to do his own bow (and I'm sure half of the audience were very confused about that). Anyway, haven't left the theatre with a grin that big on my face in a long time. Can't even remember the last thing I saw that I was so enthused about. |
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Post by seeseveryshow1 on Sept 25, 2023 23:28:27 GMT
Thrilling evening - musical theater heaven. Catnip for fans of Sondheim and all the remarkable performers. Enthusiastic audience. In NY, the Act 2 female ensemble “Broadway Baby” and many of the second act numbers (“Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” and “Gotta Have a Gimmick”) would have received show-stopping standing ovations. The only one tonight was a partial SO for Lea Salonga’s “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” Bernadette’s “Losing My Mind” was as brilliant as ever, maybe even more touching with the passage of time.
Well-paced, directed and produced. Did they really use parts of an old Les Miz set? If so, it served well particularly in the West Side Story sequence.
In an evening of gold medal worthy performances, I was most taken with Salonga’s Mrs. Lovett. She transformed herself into the character and I wondered whether that was actually Lea doing the number (the lead in to and all of “A Little Priest”.)
I noticed a couple of minor lyric changes or additions here and there, particularly in “I’m Still Here”. I’ve also never heard a more perfectly rendered “Not Getting Married Today”.
The show at the Gielgud is a gift. Not to be missed.
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Post by anthony40 on Sept 26, 2023 9:57:41 GMT
Does anyone know, does Bernadette do the Stage Door?
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Post by couldileaveyou on Sept 26, 2023 10:18:29 GMT
Does anyone know, does Bernadette do the Stage Door? She came out on Saturday evening for the very first time (according to the stage door guy), but I don't know if she does it regularly |
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 26, 2023 10:49:13 GMT
I enjoyed this last night much more than I expected. This far exceeded the quality of the recorded performance for me (although I can't compare it with being there live). Harry Apps did really well and I'm glad he was acknowledged at the end, although I didn't see any signs to say that Jac was off. Also, is Jac's role really so small in the usual show, or were any of his sections covered by other cast members?
Lea Salonga easily stole the show. The whole production is so much more than a concert. I don't think all of the vocals were as consistent, but these are tough songs. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the cast have scheduled rest days as the run continues.
I do plan to go back later in the run. It's a rather niche show (as demonstrated by some of the audience who clearly didn't know the songs), but you can never fault the music, and this all flows so well in this concert format.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Sept 26, 2023 11:06:27 GMT
Does anyone know, does Bernadette do the Stage Door? I went on the first matinee and not many people came out - Bonnie Langford was the only Big Name person who left the building. People were stood there for a good hour hoping for Bernadette or Lea |
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Post by BVM on Sept 26, 2023 11:08:44 GMT
Does anyone know, does Bernadette do the Stage Door? I went on the first matinee and not many people came out - Bonnie Langford was the only Big Name person who left the building. People were stood there for a good hour hoping for Bernadette or Lea Reminds me of this! |
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Post by LaLuPone on Sept 26, 2023 11:11:48 GMT
I went on the first matinee and not many people came out - Bonnie Langford was the only Big Name person who left the building. People were stood there for a good hour hoping for Bernadette or Lea Reminds me of this! I LOVE this skit!!! How veryy dare you |
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Post by BVM on Sept 26, 2023 11:13:14 GMT
I LOVE this skit!!! How veryy dare you Me too! Used to find all the Derek Faye ones funny. No idea if would be acceptable today. Possibly not! |
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Post by mkb on Sept 26, 2023 14:56:52 GMT
I LOVE this skit!!! How veryy dare you Me too! Used to find all the Derek Faye ones funny. No idea if would be acceptable today. Possibly not! It's a shame that it was the same joke every week, but, when you haven't seen it for a few years, it is very funny. Thanks for the reminder; made me chortle a lot. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 26, 2023 15:10:19 GMT
The best one ever was the Christmas panto with Una Stubbs. Step-Kick Step-Kick Hands Hands Hands POSE! All in the wrist dear, all in the wrist.
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Post by BVM on Sept 26, 2023 15:12:12 GMT
The best one ever was the Christmas panto with Una Stubbs. Step-Kick Step-Kick Hands Hands Hands POSE! All in the wrist dear, all in the wrist. "And to think! I've bent over backwards for you people!" Yeah that one was brilliant :-) |
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Post by toomasj on Sept 26, 2023 16:19:27 GMT
I went on the first matinee and not many people came out - Bonnie Langford was the only Big Name person who left the building. People were stood there for a good hour hoping for Bernadette or Lea Reminds me of this! Love a bit of Bonnie. |
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Post by david on Sept 27, 2023 0:49:58 GMT
Day 2 of my trip concluded with a 5⭐️ evening watching the concert. A truly magical time at the Gielgud theatre. Having originally bought a Grand Circle ticket, based on reviews here, I decided to upgrade the ticket last minute and got a decent deal from the box office team with a row K stalls seat. The upgrade was worth every penny to see that fantastic cast and 14 piece orchestra perform Stephen’s amazing collection of work.
Jac was off at this performance and Harry App as his cover. It was great to finally see the likes of Bernadette and Lea on the West End Stage. Lea was sensational (the Sweeney Todd section was fab) in her numbers and Bernadette’s “Losing My Mind” a real highlight of the evening. Though quite honestly the whole evening was sensational and just a joy to be part of. Every cast member I would say was just amazing whether performing a solo or part of an ensemble.
I will say seeing Bradley in THAT costume was something that definitely wasn’t on my 2023 theatre bingo card. It will be hard to shift that image any time soon.
Loved the use of the Les Mis set, it really did add something to the Sweeney Todd and WSS sections.
A great atmosphere in the theatre tonight with a vast range of ages coming together to celebrate the life and work of Stephen Sondheim.
This concert is a definite high point in my 2023 theatre year.
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Post by mattnyc on Sept 27, 2023 2:35:49 GMT
Bradley should be required to wear that costume in every single show he does from now on.
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Post by toomasj on Sept 27, 2023 4:49:10 GMT
Bradley should be required to wear that costume in every single show he does from now on. How come? |
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Post by frankubelik on Sept 27, 2023 6:56:55 GMT
Terrific. I loved the simplicity of the staging, letting the content do the work and mostly the performers served this extremely well. In fact I found the wonderful barrage of quality somewhat overwhelming. Bernadette remains such a generous and warm performer and Lea sounded great. A very special evening.
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Post by 141920grm on Sept 27, 2023 9:29:07 GMT
Bradley should be required to wear that costume in every single show he does from now on. How come? I believe the people who find him attractive, find him very attractive in this specific outfit (or rather the lack of it) |
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Post by eoghan31 on Sept 27, 2023 9:45:54 GMT
Stunning in its staging, absolutely glorious in where it took you with a cast led by two musical theatre icons. Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga open the show with a warmth which reached every corner of the auditorium. What makes this show so special is how everyone on that stage are given the opportunity to perform and all do so with a bar set by the two leads. In total 39 classic Sondheim songs are sung, acted and brilliantly interpreted. The huge smiling image of the man himself dominates the stage from above and I suspect is truly doing so as this was a dream cast. The joy they give through his songs is unmeasurable. Musical theatre at its finest and a production from Cameron Mackintosh which is spectacular and respectful in every way.
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Post by kelly52 on Sept 27, 2023 21:13:42 GMT
Saw this last night. Thoroughly enjoyed it on the whole.
However (I guess everyone is different) I couldn’t get Bonnie Langford. What on earth is she doing in a Sondheim review? She is simply not a gifted actress. A performer? Yes, definitely. Actress? No way. Not one ounce of truth in anything she did and for this material that’s critical. I’m Still Here was cringy. It really took me out of a wonderful evening.
Bernadette Peters may not have the voice anymore but everything she does is genuinely from the soul and she is absolutely invested in the material, so it works.
Rest of cast are exceptional, older ladies especially. Claire Burt really blew me away with Ladies Who Lunch. Would love to see her tackle Bonnie L material.
Thought Jason Pennycooke was delightful as were all the guys.
Slick and classy night out. Busy theatre but I imagine this is not going to sell massively as it’s all a bit stagey and niche, so look out for some hefty discounts as the weeks go on.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 28, 2023 0:17:27 GMT
Saw this last night. Thoroughly enjoyed it on the whole. However (I guess everyone is different) I couldn’t get Bonnie Langford. What on earth is she doing in a Sondheim review? She is simply not a gifted actress. A performer? Yes, definitely. Actress? No way. Not one ounce of truth in anything she did and for this material that’s critical. I’m Still Here was cringy. It really took me out of a wonderful evening. Bernadette Peters may not have the voice anymore but everything she does is genuinely from the soul and she is absolutely invested in the material, so it works. Rest of cast are exceptional, older ladies especially. Claire Burt really blew me away with Ladies Who Lunch. Would love to see her tackle Bonnie L material. Thought Jason Pennycooke was delightful as were all the guys. Slick and classy night out. Busy theatre but I imagine this is not going to sell massively as it’s all a bit stagey and niche, so look out for some hefty discounts as the weeks go on. YES YES YES to the Bonnie comments. |
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Post by kyvai on Sept 28, 2023 1:14:08 GMT
There is a lot to unpack there. It's a show involving murder & cannibalism. I'm extremely squeamish. It's hardly surprising that I can't cope with it. I'd never see Assassins either. Into The Woods is my limit of gruesomeness in terms of Sondheim. Honestly, whilst it is semi-staged, it is not graphic at all. Depending on quite how easily triggered your reaction is, if otherwise you do really want to see this, why not get an aisle seat near an exit, you can always make a quick quiet getaway if you need to. Content description to help you decide if you can manage it: The Les Mis side set pieces are used to give the impression of Victorian London. Characters are dressed in costume Mrs Lovett chops a small piece of fake meat on a table (which doesn’t move or squish at all, and this is before she meets Sweeney so it’s not depicting human meat) and hits dough/the table a few times as well with some loud thumps. Sweeney flicks a blade around a bit in his hand, he also mimes shaving a customer with it, and mimes cutting the customer’s throat, but there is no blood at all, the customer just goes limp in the chair/closes his eyes. The Sweeney Todd section is towards the end of the first act, it starts after “Send In The Clowns” and there are only two songs after it - “Ladies Who Lunch” which provides a nice rapid change of mood, and then “Sunday” which is done very well, and then you have the interval. |
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Post by Fleance on Sept 28, 2023 2:23:57 GMT
A friend sent me his review of the show, which I haven't seen:
Talented cast, lots of exciting numbers. But too long and kind of exhausting - every moment shouldn’t be a climax. Still in previews, so I imagine they will do some trims and fix the sequencing.
Lea Salonga is the real star - she stops the show with "Everything’s Coming Up Roses." Unfortunately, the show should have stopped then, but didn’t. Bernadette looks amazing at age 75 in a sleeveless gown, but her vocal diminution is brutally exposed in several numbers. Hopefully, this will be addressed as well.
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It was very sweet as well, Lea and Bernadette pulled him to the front to do his own bow (and I'm sure half of the audience were very confused about that).
