abs2512

freckles, on 22 March 2013 - 07:40 AM, said:

i agree completely. This is  just a fun night out and it delivers, it's not shakespeare, nor does it want to be. I had the best of times in the prince of wales.

I was wondering what the automation was too? Can only think of the platforms perhaps or maybe there was something in Spooky Mormon Hell? But it seemed a very basic set.

I think there's too much obsession from reviewers with "what is the show actually saying?".

It's fun, it's lighthearted, it's naughty, has bits of satire & spoof, but it's a musical for goodness' sake & I think some people just need to lighten up.

Bab's you are a Goddess but at those prices I think I will stick to your CDs

My apologies lesterf, Ticketmaster have now put up £65 tickets (+ almost 8 quids worth of fees). I wonder how much of the place will be at the £65 range though... And a seat in the upper tier at the 02 isn't worth that anyway, she'll be teeny tiny, more like Barbra Streis-ant.

I'll get my coat.

I loved Stephane's Cosmo. I really enjoyed Daniel in the part as well but this role is just perfect for Stephane. He's very funny and his singing and dancing is fantastic. I've seen him in various shows since 1999 and always thought he's at his best when he gets to combine humour and great dancing (like in this show).

How were Louise Bowden and Stephane?

Steffi, on 25 February 2013 - 02:05 PM, said:

Exactly.  I don't understand why the correct number of seats cannot be reserved in the stalls, then if people decline you can open them up to public sale afterwards!

As much as I think it is good to give the public a chance to "mingle" amongst the nominees I still don't understand how it wasn't possible to reserve enough seats for the nominees in the stalls.
If I had planned this event I would simply have reserved a seat plus one for each nominee. Even if tickets go on sale before the shortlists are announced it is clear how many nominees there will be in each category so there must be a rough idea how many seats will be needed should every nominee (plus one guest) attend.
In order to make sure those seats can still be sold on in case nominees can't make the event there should simply be a RSVP deadline for the nominees. Just tell everyone in order to secure a seat in the stalls they have to RSVP by a certain date, otherwise they might face being seated elsewhere.

But don't let nominees turn up on the night just to find out they are sitting in the upper circle!

I enjoyed this a lot - saw it in previews about a week before opening. We were fortunate enough to have front row seats - not on the stage, where some people were definitely splashed and the reactions from the audience there were quite amusing to some of the more dramatic scenes - one lady's reactions to a brutal killing and Macbeth seemingly addressing her were amusing.

James McAvoy was outstanding, as hoped for and even his character's stammer from Three Days of Rain made a comeback. On a superficial note, he certainly introduces a new line in "distressed" knitwear. He brought a ruthlessness to the role, but also captured the light and shade in a mostly "bang, flash, bang" production. I thought Claire Foy was quite hesistant but still fine and but I always got the impression that Lady Macbeth is seen as more controlling. Personally, I found Jamie Ballard far too shouty although others seem to disagree - I would say though, this was during the previews. When I saw this a week ago, I thought the critics might be divided, but it seems to be 4* across the board.

As for the production, as well as the bloodiest one I have seen, maybe Jamie Lloyd overdid the soundtrack/strobe lighting, which then made the quieter scenes almost too slow. On the thread, there seems to have been quite a lot of criticism of his style (or lack of style) but I have found his productions of The Pride, Three Days of Rain and Donmar (Piaf, Passion and even Polar Bears - yes!) very good at focussing on the characters and with excellent support from the lighting/set design. Perhaps though he was overwhelmed by the Olivier stage on She Stoops to Conquer, but this marks a welcome return to form.

Thats true but some of the issues are why some shows were considered to be ok for the shortlist in the first place. An arena tour? I mean seriously

With regards to the regional production. Touring shows are considered regional I guess because they are in the regions, often designed to be and few people have access to a regional producing house (e.g Chichester, Sheffield, Leicester).  BUt maybe splitting the award in two would open things up more.

I watched the awards on the streaming and I thought the worst thing was the presenters - if the awards are meant to be a joke, then get presenters who treat them like a joke, but if not...!! The swearing was completely unnecessary as were the insults to people who "just wanted to watch people being given awards". Could have been better if they'd streamed the performances, too

I've seen this show 3 times already; the last was this production at the Riverside 2 years ago.

We're taking friends to see it on 24 Feb. It is utterly charming; as has been said, the audience must suspend beilef for a couple of hours. Do that, and a magical time will be had by all.

Highly recommended (and I am a theatregoer pure and simple - I have nothing to do with the production, in case you ask).

and his hard-working assistants!

Well that was an incredible performance. Never seen anything like it. The whole cast really blew the show out the water. Big applause for Katherine Kingsley and Daniel Crossley. There were no speeches but there was extra water kicked over the first few rows and being on the front I got a good soaking! I will really miss this cast they all work so well together and I think the next cast have a lot to live upto!

abs2512, on 11 February 2013 - 02:48 PM, said:

Fully agree with this post. I've seen the show many times, and saw Francis as 'Don' on my 5th visit a few months back. Although he was technically good, I didn't really enjoy his performance - especially having seen Adam on many occasions before. Francis danced all the numbers beautifully and his acting was good, but I felt like he sometimes struggled singing and dancing at the same time. And he definitely did look too young. Like you said, If it'd been my first time seeing the production and I had no one to compare him to, I'd have loved his take on 'Don'. But Adam is just so 'right' for the part, that I couldn't help missing him throughout that whole show. Speaking of Francis, I do really like him in the ensemble. His facial expressions in some of the scenes are brilliant!

Katherine is probably the main reason I've been seeing the show much recently and keep going back. I really don't think anyone can top her 'Lina'. She manages to make every performance unique and funnier than the last! She's absolutely brilliant and it's going to be sad to see her leave the show on Saturday.

Daniel Crossley, as well. He is such a fun and energetic performer and his 'Make Em Laugh' is always a highlight. I'm sure Stephane Anelli will be good though.

I can't believe I'm only seeing this cast twice more. Saturday's going to be weird.