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Post by catcat100 on Oct 8, 2022 23:33:40 GMT
Sorry, should have said, it's not one of the ghibli films that i can remember seeing so couldn't say how close the storyline was.
Its not the paciest of plays I've seen but that's part of the fun.
Its a full use of the stage, goes back a long way and uses the sides.
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Post by inthenose on Oct 8, 2022 23:45:22 GMT
So excited. Tell me about the catbus! This is selling out so fast, tempted to book a second visit before I even see it, as I think I’m going to adore it. And how do they depict the soot sprites?
So many questions!
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Post by inthenose on Oct 8, 2022 23:46:32 GMT
Also, is the music live?
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Post by Jon on Oct 8, 2022 23:50:43 GMT
Will be interesting to see if any of the theatre owners are interested in taking Totoro to the West End should the run sell out completely. It's quite tricky as the Barbican is fairly big stage wise but I could envision this at either the Gillian Lynne or the Shaftesbury.
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Post by FJ on Oct 9, 2022 9:39:56 GMT
Saw this last night having never seen the film.
Really enjoyed it.
The only thing I’ve seen at the Barbican before is Anything Goes and so this was really nice to see something utilising the whole stage. The set and staging was incredible, I don’t think as it is it would currently fit on many other stages, so would have to be scaled back quite a bit for a transfer I’d imagine.
The singer was brilliant, and the way they staged the musicians at the back and the puppetry were amazing.
All the actors were also great, but as the poster said above it can feel a little slow in places. I think the first half was better with more of the ‘wow moments’ and was also a lot longer than the second half, so act 2 seemed to end quite abruptly to me, not knowing the story.
Also, considering the amount of technical puppetry aspects, this seemed to be absolutely flawless for a first preview.
A definite 4 stars. But I think i preferred The Ocean at the end of the lane, but this definitely had a much bigger spectacle.
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Post by squidward on Oct 10, 2022 2:01:18 GMT
I’m a massive fan of the movie and I really wanted to love the stage adaptation, but came away feeling really disappointed.
To my mind, it’s not really an adaptation for the theatre, but more of an attempt to replicate the film on stage.
It has some nice moments, but it’s way too long (2.5 hrs at the first preview) and is painfully slow at times. Where the film has the luxury of a relaxed pace because there’s always something beautiful on the screen to look at, this principle doesn’t apply to dead air in the theatre, especially when the reason for it are actors pushing unwieldy props on and off from the sides of the stage.
Speaking of the cast, the standard was a bit variable ( first preview nerves perhaps?) but the two actresses playing the sisters at the centre of the story were excellent, as was the actor playing their neighbour’s son.
The puppetry wasn’t as inventive as I’d hoped, but I think I may be in the minority with this opinion as the rest of the audience broke into applause every time a new character appeared.
I hope the Director will make some judicious cuts across the board because I didn’t expect to be looking at my watch throughput most of the second half and wishing it would end.
The only comparison I can think of a successful TV animation to a stage adaptation is Tina Landau’s Broadway production of The SpongeBob Musical ( as opposed to the tour). Landau totally got the spirit of SB and the other residents of Bikini Bottom, tore up the rule book from the original cartoon rule and re-invented the world in a really genius way without losing all that was great about in the original TV show. The theatre had also been decorated with found objects from the bottom of the sea which really set the scene perfectly the minute you stepped into the auditorium.
Something like that could have been placed around the auditorium to have the feel of the Sisters new world/ Totoro’s home. I think it would have been a great start to the show with something less static than the cartoon/puppetry flat with the title of the show on it with moving letters.
I feel MNT could have benefitted with a fresh, innovative take on the original but perhaps Studio Ghibli wouldn’t have countenanced that
In my opinion, it just didn’t have the magic that the film has, nor did I feel moved by it at all, whereas the film has some very poignant moments.
I think it could be very well received by the critics given it’s good thing to see the RSC collaboration with a company as majestic as Studio Ghibli and maybe audiences less invested in the movie will love it. It’s definitely a well intentioned try, but a wasted opportunity to my mind.
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Post by Dave B on Oct 10, 2022 15:18:11 GMT
Just in case anyone else gets nearly caught out ...I'm glad I just checked. This starts at 19:00!!I have just texted herself to suggest we don't meet there just after seven after all and that I'm going to get an earlier train  |
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Post by Mark on Oct 10, 2022 15:24:39 GMT
Had a peek this morning and seems the online rush through Barbican is front row for £25. If anyone is going and can assess the stage height would be appreciated!
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Post by inthenose on Oct 10, 2022 15:33:56 GMT
There is one seat for the 27th, one seat for the 29th, five seats for Mon 31st, otherwise it’s sold out until November 1st, which is the next show with reasonable availability.
Where do I find the day seats?
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Post by Mark on Oct 10, 2022 15:37:07 GMT
There is one seat for the 27th, one seat for the 29th, five seats for Mon 31st, otherwise it’s sold out until November 1st, which is the next show with reasonable availability. Where do I find the day seats? Well I checked on the Barbican website this morning at around 10:15 and there was a lonely seat in row A of the stalls available. They are released 10am |
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Post by FJ on Oct 10, 2022 16:38:17 GMT
Had a peek this morning and seems the online rush through Barbican is front row for £25. If anyone is going and can assess the stage height would be appreciated! I sat front row on Saturday and the view was great. Stage about eye level, so you just miss seeing the actually stagefloor (though i'm quite tall) but for me the view was perfect. Loads of legroom, stage is about 4ft in front. I was A12, so a bit off to the side but though the view was fantastic and would definitely sit there again, and really amazing value for £25! |
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Post by inthenose on Oct 10, 2022 17:02:51 GMT
Do they just show up then on the regular seating plan at 10am?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 10, 2022 21:03:21 GMT
Will be interesting to see if any of the theatre owners are interested in taking Totoro to the West End should the run sell out completely. It's quite tricky as the Barbican is fairly big stage wise but I could envision this at either the Gillian Lynne or the Shaftesbury. The Shaftesbury is not a big stage at all 🤦🏼♂️ |
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Post by Dave B on Oct 11, 2022 8:35:58 GMT
Couple of technical issues last night lead to a slightly late start and then another during the interval meant we didn't get out until 21.58. As per my close shave above, a notable number of late entries allowed just after 19.30 so again let me stress a 19.00 start!
I enjoyed this, my partner loved it - we are both Ghibli and Totoro fans so knew the story etc going in. For me, it feels like the heart of the story has taken a backseat to the spectacle. I came away full of admiration, the puppetry, set and staging are all great but it hasn't managed to bring the story along quite so well. I'm way more interested in Totoro and friends in this production than I was in their impact and meaning on the girls as I was in the original. The pacing is also all over the place and it feels like it comes to a sudden stop, the ending 100% needs a little work just to even it out. It still felt like previews which is fair enough, a lot of cues just off the mark, give it another couple of weeks and I assume it will be really slick.
Having said that, there are some really great moments, the first appearance of Totoro is fab, the bus stop scene is fab, the first bus and indeed the second bus (you know what I mean) is brilliant and so well done.
£6 programme and plenty of merch available. Very full house, no badge  |
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Post by joem on Oct 11, 2022 21:52:23 GMT
Big fan of the Ghibli moves (though disappointed they now under control of one of the evil empires) so was looking forward to this having only seen on stage the adaptation of "Kiki's Delivery Service" at the Southwark Theatre (very good).
Beautifully done, plenty of visual and aural action going on to keep the audience entertained and a very committed and happy-looking cast act the story out with gusto. The puppetry is top-notch and unselfconscious and the effects are enthralling. Totoro and his minions/sidekicks is a treat. The music blends in perfectly as well. Don't see why this couldn't transfer successfully to the West End for a good spell and nice to see the Barbican hosting a hit.
Full house, very enthusiastic audience. No programme despite have a voucher and definitely no badge 😡
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Post by theatrenerd on Oct 13, 2022 14:07:45 GMT
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Post by inthenose on Oct 13, 2022 19:48:10 GMT
Time lapse of the get-in
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Post by Steve on Oct 13, 2022 19:55:27 GMT
Large Totoro had a malfunction during his second appearance tonight, and was declared "unwell," precipitating a production stop. Some spoilers follow. . . Luckily, Medium Totoro was available at the last minute, as a stand-in lol It's a shame, as Large Totoro is a big part of the magic of the production, being impossibly large (about 2 and a half adults tall), which renders Mei, played by an adult, as looking like a tiny girl (per the film) in comparison. Medium Totoro is about 1 and a half adults tall, and it is easier to imagine how he can be operated lol. It was nice to see both of them, though the bigger one will always be better if he works. What he failed to do today was jump, so I imagine that's quite technically hard to accomplish for such a big thing. It's the interval now, and the production itself, overall, is quite magical. Much more so than most shows, in my opinion.  |
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Post by Mark on Oct 15, 2022 9:39:57 GMT
Going tonight - front row dayseat.
Have never seen the film nor am I familiar with what the piece is about, but the comments on here and the gorgeous production images sparked my interest!
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Post by jamb0r on Oct 15, 2022 14:47:44 GMT
Going tonight - front row dayseat. Would you mind sharing any tips for getting the day seats? I’ve tried a couple of times this week but been unsuccessful. When I click on ‘check dates & book’ on the Barbican website the date has still shown as ‘sold out’ for a good few minutes after 10am (even with constant refreshing of the page) then eventually it turns into a clickable button but by the time I get in at about 10:06 there’s no day seats available, and even checking back regularly over the next 10 minutes they don’t show up. What time did the seats show up for you today? Am I doing something wrong? Or are they just selling out instantly? Thanks! |
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Post by Mark on Oct 15, 2022 15:12:56 GMT
Going tonight - front row dayseat. Would you mind sharing any tips for getting the day seats? I’ve tried a couple of times this week but been unsuccessful. When I click on ‘check dates & book’ on the Barbican website the date has still shown as ‘sold out’ for a good few minutes after 10am (even with constant refreshing of the page) then eventually it turns into a clickable button but by the time I get in at about 10:06 there’s no day seats available, and even checking back regularly over the next 10 minutes they don’t show up. What time did the seats show up for you today? Am I doing something wrong? Or are they just selling out instantly? Thanks! They were actually on there a good couple of minutes early today! |
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Oct 15, 2022 19:56:22 GMT
Large Totoro had a malfunction during his second appearance tonight, and was declared "unwell," precipitating a production stop. . That is incredibly cute |
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Post by Mark on Oct 15, 2022 21:22:07 GMT
This was a lot of fun. Visually it is stunning, making full use of the Barbican stage. I loved the puppetry and stage effects, and the performances of the two young girls. Also, kudos to the wonderful singer. The story is a simple one and does slow at times, I do think there’s still some tightening to do. I particularly didn’t understand the hospital bus cat??
The final number and curtain call is particularly fantastic!
The audience loved it, lots of children in the audience who seemed to really enjoy it. If this were to transfer, the only place I can really see it going is the Gillian Lynne, and even then it would likely need some major modifications. Randomly during big Totoros appearance in act two there were a pair of scissors hanging off him! View from the front row was fantastic so can highly recommend the dayseats. From speaking to someone next to me they refreshed from 10 to the hour on the seat plan and they just appeared (the whole front row)
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Post by hadeswasking on Oct 15, 2022 21:38:12 GMT
What a two show day I just had.
Started off with the bands visit where I was thinking theatre doesn't get better than that. That gave me the character based story I was wanting, afterwards I was craving spectacle and boy did this deliver.
This is magnificent. Pure spectacle. Every time any sort of puppet was on stage the audience were in a complete trance. The cutest show on the west end currently.
The extended cat bus sequence was actually one of my highlights.
The orchestrations are stunning and the singing, Oh my! What a voice!
It did take a little bit for me to get used to the adult actors acting as children. Mostly the shouting, but that was quickly forgotten about as I was so engrossed in this world and the both the girls are incredible, especially during the second act.
The set is also just gorgeous. Subtle projections but no overuse! Take notes disney!
The first act was long but it did fly by for me, so I can't complain much.
I was also front row and the view was perfect. I could see every single thing that went on and only had to stretch my neck a few times to see the floor.
I don't think I'll get to visit this again living outside of London. I hope it does have a future life! Spirited Away transfer next?
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Post by hadeswasking on Oct 15, 2022 21:41:57 GMT
The first time I've also caved to merch that isn't a programme. That takes A LOT!
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