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Post by ladidah on Aug 14, 2023 13:33:59 GMT
Gotta say, I’m really shocked to be reading negative reviews on this from people here. I went last night (perfect night for outdoor show with a beautiful breeze) and loved pretty much every single thing about it. Having seen great and awful productions of this show I know just how easy it is to mess it up and after some of the recent OAT offerings, I was fully prepared for the worst. But the set, the cast, the…everything were just brilliant I thought. I’m sorry that others here didn’t see what I saw in it but I can tell you I don’t remember a time I felt such a palpable love from an audience at curtain call. There’s a difference between a standing ovation and a rousing ovation of love being shown to the cast and that’s what I witnessed last night. So hopefully more people go and enjoy it and see what myself and a lot of others yesterday saw. I agree, I completely loved it - and you really felt the audience did too. |
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Post by elfie1984 on Aug 15, 2023 9:47:42 GMT
So it sounds like the key to being able to let yourself enjoy this production is not having seen the Menier one. I saw the Menier production multiple times and absolutely loved it. However, for me, whilst it was slick and such fun, the vulnerability I saw between Albin and George was stronger in the Regents Park production. For me (and I expect others may disagree from the comments on here), Regents Park had more heart and depth. Whilst Douglas Hodge was very good, I don’t feel he completely captured the queer experience, where there were moments when, as a queer person, I just connected with the nuances in Carl’s performance. All a matter of opinion, but I don’t agree that the Menier production, whilst excellent, is above and beyond this one. |
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Post by harry on Aug 15, 2023 10:35:02 GMT
So it sounds like the key to being able to let yourself enjoy this production is not having seen the Menier one. I saw the Menier production multiple times and absolutely loved it. However, for me, whilst it was slick and such fun, the vulnerability I saw between Albin and George was stronger in the Regents Park production. For me (and I expect others may disagree from the comments on here), Regents Park had more heart and depth. Whilst Douglas Hodge was very good, I don’t feel he completely captured the queer experience, where there were moments when, as a queer person, I just connected with the nuances in Carl’s performance. All a matter of opinion, but I don’t agree that the Menier production, whilst excellent, is above and beyond this one. This was exactly my experience - loved the Menier one (saw it at the Chocolate Factory and then again with its original West End cast) for its humour and spectacle and Douglas Hodge gave a great character performance but it felt like a fluffy, jolly fun night out. This one has so much heart, warmth and truth - it’s maybe less laugh out loud funny but much more touching and for that it pips the last production for me. I really felt waves of love coming from the audience for Albin and Georges by the end - not just the actors and their performances, but for these characters and what they stood for. Just seen on Twitter/X that they’ve added a week at the end too - might have to do a late September return visit… |
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Post by sfsusan on Aug 16, 2023 22:45:17 GMT
I had never seen a stage production of this, just the movie Birdcage. I thought this was much, much better... with more heart and more humanity. I didn't warm to Georges at first and on reading these comments, realized it's because his performance in the first act was that of a cruise ship entertainer or 1950s Vegas lounge singer.
But in the second act, his emotions came across much more, especially when watching Albin perform Best of Times. I thought their no-longer-young relationship was quite touching and believable. Us older folk don't show affection in the same way as we did when we were young, but it's no less heartfelt. (Maybe more so for being of long duration, through time and trials.)
I do wish the Dindon character had been introduced sooner, somehow. Not enough time was spent on getting him to the point where he'd agree to sneak out in drag. (By the way, the audience tonight definitely reacted badly to his nastier comments with gasps and I think a few boos.)
I was in Row B and would definitely recommend sitting farther back to avoid looking up for so long.
But still, I really liked the show, as did most of the audience (I heard comments of "excellent" and "brilliant" when walking out). And the weather cooperated beautifully. The first act was accompanied by birds in the nearby trees chirping and singing, which meshed with the lyrics of one of the songs quite nicely.
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Post by ladidah on Aug 17, 2023 14:13:58 GMT
Having a bad day, so have booked to see this again tonight
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Post by ladidah on Aug 18, 2023 7:15:30 GMT
The show is even better than a few weeks back. The audience was so loud, it was wonderful. Craig Armstrong was on as the Politician Father and he was a lot more cruel and people gasped at how awful he was to his wife!
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 18, 2023 7:32:56 GMT
Did the weather affect last nights performance at all?
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Post by ladidah on Aug 18, 2023 8:24:41 GMT
No, weather was great  |
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 18, 2023 8:43:17 GMT
No, weather was great Excellent! I only ask because I'm within walking distance of Regents Park and I went to bed early last night and when I did, had to close the window because of the gale that was blowing outside! |
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Post by ladidah on Aug 18, 2023 9:34:11 GMT
Oh no, it was fine. I loved hearing the wind whistle through the trees
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Post by frosty on Aug 18, 2023 11:09:52 GMT
Put me in the 'loved it' camp. I saw the production with John Partridge a few years back and this is leaps and bounds better. I've booked to see it again in the final week of the run in September...hoping for an Indian summer!
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Post by richey on Aug 18, 2023 14:59:35 GMT
New trailer just released from OAT
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Post by FJ on Aug 18, 2023 22:51:28 GMT
Think that was my 6th or 7th trip to the OAT and the first time it’s rained.
Thought the slight drizzle during act 1 might be all it amounted to but then boy did the heavens open in Act 2. I haven’t seen the show before but I’m guessing there was only about 10 minutes left when they had to abandon it which was a shame.
The cast did phenomenally well to carry on for most of Act II whilst it rained almost continually. And a particular highlight was the two drag queens given mops to mop the back of the stage during The best of times.
Hopefully I’ll make it back to see the full show in the next few weeks (does anyone know how the weather ticket exchange works if you booked through someone like TodayTix?)
But absolutely loved the show nonetheless. Went in knowing nothing and thought it was fantastic. The set was great, the band sounded brilliant and every member of the cast were amazing.
This production really made me appreciate how awful Legally Blonde last year actually was.
5 stars and can’t wait to get back to see the whole show on a (hopefully) dryer day.
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Post by curiouskc on Aug 20, 2023 18:29:33 GMT
Think that was my 6th or 7th trip to the OAT and the first time it’s rained. Thought the slight drizzle during act 1 might be all it amounted to but then boy did the heavens open in Act 2. I haven’t seen the show before but I’m guessing there was only about 10 minutes left when they had to abandon it which was a shame. So am I right in thinking that they will keep going through light rain/drizzle and only cancel/abandon the show over heavy rain? I ask because the night I have planned to see it this week looks like it'll be potentially drizzly but not heavily raining. I don't mind getting a bit wet in the crowd but as I am not local to London I'd hate for it to be cancelled/cut short. |
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Post by toomasj on Aug 20, 2023 18:31:52 GMT
Think that was my 6th or 7th trip to the OAT and the first time it’s rained. Thought the slight drizzle during act 1 might be all it amounted to but then boy did the heavens open in Act 2. I haven’t seen the show before but I’m guessing there was only about 10 minutes left when they had to abandon it which was a shame. So am I right in thinking that they will keep going through light rain/drizzle and only cancel/abandon the show over heavy rain? I ask because the night I have planned to see it this week looks like it'll be potentially drizzly but not heavily raining. I don't mind getting a bit wet in the crowd but as I am not local to London I'd hate for it to be cancelled/cut short. This is correct. They’ll carry on as much as possible, with show stops to dry the stage where needed. If the rain is persistent and heavy they cancel. |
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Post by jamb0r on Aug 20, 2023 18:49:19 GMT
Was also there on Friday for the abandoned performance. I made the smart decision to get some rain ponchos on amazon in advance which were perfect for the drizzle which they powered through for about an hour of the show. We were probably 90% of the way through before they had to abandon, and I was actually secretly thrilled. I loved the 90% we saw SO much I am very excited to see it all again for free next week thanks to the weather exchange policy! I wasn’t sure if they had a limit where if you see ‘most’ of the show the policy doesn’t apply, but it doesn’t look like it - our tickets were rebooked with no hesitation.
Definitely one of my highlights of the year so far, and one of the best things I’ve ever seen at this theatre.
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Post by romeo94 on Aug 20, 2023 20:22:46 GMT
Is there any audience participation from the front row?
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Post by sprampster on Aug 20, 2023 20:32:10 GMT
Saw the show on Friday night where the last 10 minutes were rained off and delighted that today got two free tickets due to the exchange policy to revisit
La Cage has always been special to me due to my first experience watching the Broadway Tony awards on Channel 4 and being transfixed ! For those old enough I am sure there was a documentary featuring the like of Stephen Lubmann and Betty Legs Diamond where they featured the London Cagelles and a backstage awards night for the best Cagelle ? please does anyone else remember this ?? Xx
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Post by sph on Aug 20, 2023 20:41:54 GMT
Is there any audience participation from the front row? Not exactly. Sometimes Albin, as his drag persona Zsa Zsa, will comment on members of the audience, sometimes in the front row, as a real drag queen would during a cabaret performance. |
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 24, 2023 23:01:47 GMT
Adding a really solid 4 star review to this.
Carl Mullaney, as others have said, is wonderful (and I imagine will be nominated when we get round to awards). He takes a little while to warm up, but by mid act 1 he's in his stride, and I Am What I Am gets him a well deserved standing ovation (my friend and I were in tears). Act 2 perfectly pitched - wonderfully warm and endearing.
Billy Carter a proper delight as Georges too - they make a lovely pairing.
Debbie Kurrups accent was 50 shades of bananas, and I didn't like the son and his fiance (didn't think either of them could act, but lovely dancers!), But otherwise loved this.
The Cagelles were great, grounded in realness and brilliantly talented (fab routines from Stephen Mear as ever) - and what a fabulous design.
About time Regents Park had something good on again, it's been too long.
Will probably go again!
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Post by curiouskc on Aug 25, 2023 7:29:57 GMT
I saw the show last night in perfect weather (dry and cool with the sun going down at the ideal time just as Act 1 is ending). I found it utterly joyful and heartwarming. Truly excellent cast, fabulous costumes and choreography - I wish it were a long running show so I could recommend that everyone see it next time they are in London. Very glad that I got the opportunity!
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Aug 25, 2023 8:46:18 GMT
I'd never seen this show before and only knew 'I Am What I Am', but wow I loved it! The big ensemble numbers (although they weren't advancing the plot) were such spectacles. I have no idea how all those guys were jumping into splits and high kicking high enough to knee their own faces lol. I also was a big fan of the two leads. I'm quite short and front row was actually fine. I was looking up the entire time, but it wasn't high enough to give me a neck ache and there wasn't really any obstruction.
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Post by sph on Aug 27, 2023 0:05:01 GMT
I didn't like the son and his fiance (didn't think either of them could act, but lovely dancers!) Yes, but they're both very much new musical theatre graduates giving it "tits and teeth" rather than an acting performance, but that will come in time I think. I know what you mean though! |
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 27, 2023 10:09:45 GMT
I didn't like the son and his fiance (didn't think either of them could act, but lovely dancers!) Yes, but they're both very much new musical theatre graduates giving it "tits and teeth" rather than an acting performance, but that will come in time I think. I know what you mean though! Oh 100% - didn't get a programme but struck me as ArtsEd kids who can kick their legs behind their head but have minimal acting ability (see the entire ensemble of Newsies) |
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Post by ladidah on Aug 27, 2023 16:41:54 GMT
I agree about the couple, but Anne's role is a pretty hard one to make fun!
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