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Post by anxiousoctopus on May 19, 2022 23:06:19 GMT
The new play about Spike Milligan by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman is transferring to the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford in September after a sell-out run at the Watermill earlier in the year!
I’ve been hoping for news of it transferring since I wasn’t able to get to its previous location!
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Post by showgirl on May 20, 2022 4:08:42 GMT
Ditto, and Oxford was announced as a venue some weeks ago but I could find zero info about a tour and contacted all the sources I could think of for info, none of whom replied - shame. So now it's coming to Guildford I shall book but when public booking opens next week.
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Post by alicechallice on May 20, 2022 8:20:08 GMT
It’s also playing Theatre Royal Brighton in October.
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Post by NeilVHughes on May 20, 2022 9:09:04 GMT
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Post by anxiousoctopus on May 20, 2022 10:54:07 GMT
The thread name needs to change to 'Spike' the play UK Tour (or something similar), idk how to do that myself.
But oh my god I am so happy it's been picked up for a proper tour!
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Post by TallPaul on May 20, 2022 12:29:52 GMT
The thread name needs to change to 'Spike' the play UK Tour (or something similar), idk how to do that myself. We ask one of the nice Moderators...or BurlyBeaR .  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 20, 2022 12:31:32 GMT
😡
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Post by anxiousoctopus on May 24, 2022 11:29:25 GMT
I'm trying to book a ticket for the run in the Salisbury Playhouse. Does anyone have any experience with this theatre and know where the best place to sit? Front row is the cheapest price bracket, does that mean it's obstructed?
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Post by jampot on May 24, 2022 12:14:53 GMT
I'm trying to book a ticket for the run in the Salisbury Playhouse. Does anyone have any experience with this theatre and know where the best place to sit? Front row is the cheapest price bracket, does that mean it's obstructed? My local theatre..I booked the 21.00 seats further back..but its not a terrible view from the front row. Its just priced accordingly. Depends on the stage layout etc..Could miss a bit...But not a neck breaker... |
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Post by showgirl on May 25, 2022 3:59:39 GMT
All set for Guildford in September now. Thank goodness the tour calls there and for their new "Early Bird" booking deal which has replaced the old system requiring you to wait until the week of the show before you could access a concession, and then only for a matinee. I still only want matinees due to trains but this way they get the money months upfront and you get the certainty of a decent seat - on the aisle in my case.
Also not a bad thing for the venue as public booking went live for several new productions at once so I actually booked the £15 deal for 3 of them. As they had more matinees than usual (3 per week instead of the usual 2), I take it these plays are expected to be more popular with that audience, which is fine by me as it increases my booking options.
The only downside is that booking so far ahead leaves you liable to subsequent date changes/tour cancellations. Last autumn, of 3 productions I had booked well in advance using the Early Bird scheme, only 1 went ahead as planned. 1 was eventually cancelled, but the theatre initially announced only that the tour had been postponed and without offering the option of a refund at that stage, though they eventually followed up by saying it had been cancelled and sending a refund. The 3rd one they moved from November 2021 to this June, and during a week when I am normally away, which indeed I am again so I'll have to miss out - and of the 3, that was the play I most wanted to see. Swings and roundabouts as ever with making a commitment so far ahead.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jul 16, 2022 20:45:59 GMT
They’ve announced the full cast:
Robert Wilfort - Spike Milligan
Patrick Warner (Mischief Theatre) - Peter Sellers
Jeremy Lloyd (Comedy About A Bank Robbery) - Harry Secombe / Ballard / Peter Brough
James Mack - Dennis Main Wilson / Peter Eton / Critic 1 / Spivvy Man / Sergeant
Ellie Morris (Mischief Theatre) - June / Spike’s Mum
Robert Mountford (Cancelling Socrates) - BBC Exec / Critic 2 / Spike’s Dad
Tesni Kujor (Dance To The Bone) - Myra / Barmaid / Nurse / Fan 2
Margaret Cabourn-Smith - Janet / Critic 3 / Female Reporter
Peter Dukes - BBC Announcer / Midlands Announcer (Cover Peter Sellers / Birch / BBC Exev / Critic 2 / Spike’s Dad / Doctor / Fan 1)
Sam Ducane - Doctor / Fan 1 (Cover Spike Milligan / BBC Announcer / Midlands Announcer / Peter Eton / Dennis Main Wilson / Critic 1 / Spivvy Man / Sergeant)
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jul 16, 2022 20:48:28 GMT
I’m sad John Dagleish isn’t playing Spike Milligan anymore. He was cast as Spike when the tour was first announced, but he seems to have had to withdraw
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Sept 21, 2022 11:34:47 GMT
This just had its press night at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre, so hopefully we’ll be seeing more footage, photos and reviews soon!
Currently has had very positive reviews, so I hope it does well! Although I’m unsure if younger theatre reviewers / bloggers will find it confusing if they’re not familiar with the Goon Show or Spike Milligan (I say this as a 25 year old!)
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Post by showgirl on Sept 23, 2022 4:01:36 GMT
I saw the 2nd of 3 matinees in Guildford yesterday and thought it was great fun, though I was never a fan of the Goons or any of the following popular comedy programmes such as Monty Python and have always perceived them as men being silly and irritating. Plus the Goons were before my time anyway and something I associated with my parents' generation. Instead, I booked on the strength of reviews for the original production and absolutely loved this, so imo you don't need to be a Goons fan to enjoy it. I'd have liked to see the actor originally cast as Spike as unlike the other characters, his replacement didn't seem a great likeness but I'll never know what I missed and it didn't affect my enjoyment. The only disappointment was that the audience was smaller than usual - and than you'd expect for this type of show - but the usher did say that she thought the extra midweek matinee had split the attendance over the two days. The staging was really lively and entertaining, too; I would say the whole show provided wonderful escapism, except for the constant reminders of war.
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Post by ruthieh on Sept 28, 2022 6:47:18 GMT
Saw this last night at Oxford Playhouse. Really wish I’d seen it at the Watermill, as I can only imagine how that intimate stage would have benefitted this. But a good play, very well done. Afterwards a Q&A with Ian Hislop and Nick Newman which was very informative and entertaining. They clearly love their classic comedy!
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Sept 28, 2022 12:33:38 GMT
Saw this last night at Oxford Playhouse. Really wish I’d seen it at the Watermill, as I can only imagine how that intimate stage would have benefitted this. But a good play, very well done. Afterwards a Q&A with Ian Hislop and Nick Newman which was very informative and entertaining. They clearly love their classic comedy! I really hope it comes closer to my city so I can go to the Q&A! Currently booked to see it but can’t get there on the opening day because of trains! |
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Post by mkb on Sept 28, 2022 12:56:46 GMT
It's such a pity that plays like this only do the Waitrose tour. Would love to see it, but nothing within 50 miles of me.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Oct 9, 2022 21:04:09 GMT
Saw this a few days ago and I really enjoyed it! I was a bit unsure at first but it warmed up really quickly during Act One. I highly recommend anyone who is even passingly familiar with old BBC comedy, or who enjoys silly humour. There are obviously references for Goon Show fans, but they’re constructed so they’re funny even if you’ve never listened to the show.
It has its dark moments, there’s content warnings on the door for gunshots, explosions and a suicide attempt (being that Spike suffered PTSD because of the second world war), but (in a very Spike Milligan fashion) it bounces back to comedy quite quickly (although it doesn’t dismiss the issues, don’t worry).
The cast are very funny and are having a great time, the dynamic between Spike, Harry and Peter is perfect and extra points to Jeremy Lloyd for being a complete dead ringer for Harry Secombe (physically and vocally). Janet the sound effects woman is amazing, and ‘The Critics’ section is hysterical.
The only people I think who wouldn’t enjoy it are those looking for more heavier drama - this show has a lot of silliness, gags and a few purposefully corny puns (which is what you’d expect in a play about Spike Milligan).
The tour has been selling really well, I hope it extends (or perhaps makes it to the West End for a short run. Might work at the Ambassador’s theatre?)
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Post by kyvai on Oct 10, 2022 9:48:36 GMT
It sounds really fun, I’d definitely see it if it came into town.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Nov 26, 2022 11:05:34 GMT
Nick Newman (one of the writers) mentioned on Twitter to be holding out hope for a West End run or some kind of further life for the show, and I really hope that happens. It's been selling extremely well and getting great reviews (consistent 4 and 5 stars) so it's definitely possible!
Idk about theatre availability but it would definitely work in one of the smaller theatres like the Ambassadors
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