943 posts
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Post by vdcni on Dec 29, 2023 22:31:52 GMT
Anyone else going to closing night?? I'd love to but left it too late and the remaining tickets are insanely expensive |
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Dec 30, 2023 22:39:23 GMT
Was in tonight for the penultimate time. Almost a full house, it was electric. By the end I felt like I was at Glastonbury. The cast are well and truly having fun with it now in their numbers. But at the bows wow, they were taking it all in. The first show I’ve been at where when they do the whole ”do you want one more song !!??” shtick we started cheering ”ONE MORE SONG ONE MORE SONG PLEASE” Bernadette was cracking up at us. Oh I will miss this special special show 💔
Ps. Clare cracked during Not A Day Goes By… again 🥲
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Post by jaybird89 on Dec 30, 2023 23:05:05 GMT
Went to see this for my second and likely final time before I head back to reality for work in the new year, what a glorious evening again.
There really isn't much else to say that hasn't been said before but it is truly a glorious show made me laugh and cry and just to see such a talented cast all really giving it their all is amazing and the wonderful orchestra on stage as well.
I will be sad to not get to see this again but I'm so grateful we got to experience this to see so many fabulous performers all in one place performing the songs of the fabulous Stephen Sondheim I couldn't have asked for anything else to help end what has been a bit of a rubbish year for me on a high.
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Post by musicbox on Dec 31, 2023 0:33:43 GMT
I also seen this again tonight for what will probably be the last time, I had an amazing night in row B of the stalls - it was incredible to be so close!
Bernadette was in really good voice tonight compared to the last time I saw it, the fact that she's still doing so well with this many shows is really to be applauded in my opinion. I also noticed Clare's vocal crack, it was pretty almighty and I think it may be a psychological thing with her now as she hits the same note perfectly in the very next line. She's absolutely brilliant and a highlight of the show, so I hope she doesn't put herself down about it!
Random, but does anyone know who the man in the front row was that Lea was ecstatic about? He was an older man sitting right in front of me who definitely looked like he could've been a family member. She noticed him during the bows and got emotional, it was a really lovely and human moment.
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4,171 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Dec 31, 2023 11:24:27 GMT
I am at today's matinee. Final show for 2023!
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4,171 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Dec 31, 2023 18:41:35 GMT
I just got back and I'm gushing!
I am speechless (in a good way!). Completely without speech!
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4,955 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 31, 2023 19:00:33 GMT
Off topic, i wonder what Bernadette did for Crimbo and will do for NYE?
Dinner with Cameron ?
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138 posts
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Post by appoul on Dec 31, 2023 19:53:58 GMT
I first saw this on Thursday evening. What an amazing cast! Bernadette had possibly a cold, she coughed a little but how capable she was of turning that fragility into an aspect of her performance. I was totally charmed by her! Bonnie Langford, Christine Allado, Clare Burt were all wonderful--and how I adoreJoanna Riding! Gavin Lee is also a favourite of mine. Lea Salonga is such a strong performer. I loved every single moment she was on stage. Plenty of roles await her. I do hope she will be given opportunities to perform them.
I went back on Saturday for the matinee. Originally I was planning to see Pacific Overtures but as it was the last day of my London trip (and I had already booked Guys and Dolls for my evening slot) I decided I had to treat myself to a second visit to Old Friends. And how right I was. I had a better seat (row J thanks to TodayTix) and Bernadette was stunning. I could see every single detail of her performances and my admiration has now grown even stronger.
How privileged I consider myself for having seen this twice. How envious I am of anyone who has seen it more than twice!
Happy New Year, by the way!
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253 posts
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Post by frankubelik on Jan 1, 2024 0:45:10 GMT
Pretty amazing on second visit. I remain unimpressed by Mr Pennycooke but despite a few variants to numbers (Clare not hitting the top notes - a choice I feel) and B milking some business it remains the best thing of 2023. An embarrassment of riches.
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 1, 2024 2:50:31 GMT
Off topic, i wonder what Bernadette did for Crimbo and will do for NYE? Dinner with Cameron ? Crimbo she was in Paris. Her step daughter got married. |
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Post by apubleed on Jan 1, 2024 11:11:59 GMT
Clare chose not to sing "rise" much in 'Ladies Who Lunch' yesterday, she usually does though so I think her voice must be a bit challenged atm? Entire cast sang "Auld Lang Syne" at Certain last night. What a way to end the year!
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Post by bigredapple on Jan 1, 2024 17:45:20 GMT
Would love to catch this again and was considering trying rush tix for closing night as it would be a special vibe
What are my chances, would I be better to just rush a regular show?
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 1, 2024 17:49:32 GMT
Would love to catch this again and was considering trying rush tix for closing night as it would be a special vibe What are my chances, would I be better to just rush a regular show? Oof. Maybe just rush for a regular show. Or atleast for the matinee and evening show on Saturday |
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4,171 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Jan 1, 2024 19:16:19 GMT
So, as mentioned, I caught this yesterday.
Wow! What a show. I was so happy, tapping my foot and grinning from ear-to-ear.
I saw the original one-off concert at the Sondheim theatre honoring the great man himself at the news of his passing.
(As far as I’m aware) the full cast was on. The orchestra felt full and rich.
It took a couple of songs, possibly from I’m Not Getting Married to Into The Woods for the audience to really get into it.
I Know Things Now and Hello, Little Girl were well received, however Agony didn’t get the laughs that it normally does.
As the show progressed the audience rapture became even more enthusiastic till at the end there were standing ovations.
I overheard both Janie Dee and Claire Burt at the stage door comment on how great the audience were.
Bernadette Peters- I (finally) have seen her in something!
I did see her about 25 years ago perform a concert at the Sydney Opera House- which she still claims to be a career highlight for her- and have since seen her perform a concert at the Royal Festival Hall.
For someone her age, she has an amazing body! Under her dress you could see her right knee was strapped, but she was out there doing her thing.
Loosing My Mind and Send In The Clowns- such poignancy and heartfelt- wiping tears away from her eyes.
Lea Salonga- I have never seen her in anything. Of course, I am aware of her and (yes, I know she was in Miss Saigon) however, when I first came to London in the early 90’s she had already left the show.
What a voice! Loving You, the whole Sweeney Todd sequence and Roses’ Turn- bloody hell! She made it look effortless!
I must admit I don’t know Claire Burt but The Ladies Who Lunch was well delivered. As was The Little Things You Do Together.
Bonnie Langford- I do know her and she’s so dynamic!
Let’s not forget Joanna Riding- Sensational in Not Getting Married and You’ve Gotta Get A Gimmick!
By nature, I’m not a crier however the whole Sunday sequence, got to me a little. It’s my favourite musical.
Although I was in the stalls, I was dead centre in Row R so the overhang of the balcony blocked both the projection of the painting and each of the characters within it.
As she was in the original Broadway production and created the role of Dot, I couldn’t help but wonder what Bernadette Peters must have been thinking.
Similarly, when each actor came on stage at the end and looked up at the projections of Sondheim. Given that she knew him personally and professionally, it must have been difficult!
As correctly stated by apubleed, the whole cast crossed arms and sang Auld Lang Syne" at the curtain call.
At a certain point they projected the names of all of Sondheim’s show, including shows that weren’t touched upon on the show, bringing to the forefront the gravitas of Sondheim’s body of work.
I actually (genuinely) felt so fortunate to be sitting in a theatre, on the other side of the world from where I come from, seeing both Ms Peters and Ms Salonga and the cream of the UK’s musical theatre world celebrating the works of a man who has given the world so much, and for me personally so much insight into musical theatre – it was an emotional rollercoaster and a ‘pinch me’ moment in my life that I will not forget in a long time!
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Post by bgarde on Jan 2, 2024 18:19:51 GMT
Felt so privileged to have seen this today. I was incredibly moved and felt quite overwhelmed by the end. Left on an absolute high with spirits raised on a wet and windy London day. Bernadette performing Losing My Mind and Send in the Clowns will stay with me for a while
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Post by Courfeyrac on Jan 2, 2024 18:42:24 GMT
Also caught this afternoon's performance, and was well worth the admission to see Bernadette live. What an amazing performer. The rest of the cast were great as well. The Sweeney Todd section as a highlight - even with a slightly familiar looking section of 1830s Paris stepping in as London!
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Post by greeny11 on Jan 2, 2024 19:27:16 GMT
Also caught this afternoon's performance, and was well worth the admission to see Bernadette live. What an amazing performer. The rest of the cast were great as well. The Sweeney Todd section as a highlight - even with a slightly familiar looking section of 1830s Paris stepping in as London! Thought it looked familiar! I too was at this afternoon’s performance, though I was there more out of curiosity as I am not on a Sondheim fan particularly (loved Company but fell asleep during Follies). I really enjoyed it, Lea and Bernadette were both superb. Janie’s solo number made me laugh (what show is it from?), and also enjoyed Bonnie’s solo. Loved the orchestra as well. Joanna Riding was terrific as well. |
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Post by appoul on Jan 3, 2024 0:17:48 GMT
At the show tonight. Bernadette was in EXCELLENT voice. Only unusual thing is she didn’t do the final dance and ending of Broadway Baby. They made it seem like her character had enough and walked off the stage. Young ensemble member was in her place. This happened at both performances I saw (28 and 30 December). I wonder whether Bernadette will be doing the final dance again this week. |
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Post by Fleance on Jan 3, 2024 0:49:57 GMT
Also caught this afternoon's performance, and was well worth the admission to see Bernadette live. What an amazing performer. The rest of the cast were great as well. The Sweeney Todd section as a highlight - even with a slightly familiar looking section of 1830s Paris stepping in as London! Thought it looked familiar! I too was at this afternoon’s performance, though I was there more out of curiosity as I am not on a Sondheim fan particularly (loved Company but fell asleep during Follies). I really enjoyed it, Lea and Bernadette were both superb. Janie’s solo number made me laugh (what show is it from?), and also enjoyed Bonnie’s solo. Loved the orchestra as well. Joanna Riding was terrific as well. If you are referring to "The Boy From...," it's from a 1966 off-Broadway show called The Mad Show. Lyrics (for that song) are by Sondheim, music by Mary Rodgers. (Other lyricists were involved in the show as well.) Peter Harvey, whom I know, was set and costume designer. I believe Linda Lavin introduced the song, which was later used in Side by Side by Sondheim.
As you may know, it's a parody of "The Girl from Ipanema," which was hugely popular at the time. (And I loved Janie's performance as well!) |
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Post by ladidah on Jan 3, 2024 7:45:37 GMT
I'm going to have to go for the 3rd time soon. Every time I go a new song grabs me.
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Post by apubleed on Jan 3, 2024 8:43:32 GMT
At the show tonight. Bernadette was in EXCELLENT voice. Only unusual thing is she didn’t do the final dance and ending of Broadway Baby. They made it seem like her character had enough and walked off the stage. Young ensemble member was in her place. This happened at both performances I saw (28 and 30 December). I wonder whether Bernadette will be doing the final dance again this week. Also still injured on 31st December and you could see something over her knee at the moment. |
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 3, 2024 11:53:47 GMT
Yes and I noticed the last time I went that when she joined Lea for children will listen she came on through the wings as opposed to the steps. Probably to put less pressure on her knee
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Jan 3, 2024 18:35:13 GMT
Glad people are running to see it before it closes  the first time I’m seeing standing tickets being sold for this show!! |
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Post by jaybird89 on Jan 3, 2024 20:51:01 GMT
Oh how I wish I could see this one more time I think the memory of this show will stay with me for a very very long time.
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Post by Rory on Jan 3, 2024 22:17:03 GMT
Sweet Jesus, that was fantastic! Just out. Full house and electric atmosphere. As far as I could tell, only Clare Burt was out. Jo Riding did Ladies Who Lunch superbly.
Pure unadulterated joy! If they could only bottle it!
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the first time I’m seeing standing tickets being sold for this show!!