fringefan

Is anyone else getting a little fed up with online booking systems which automatically add a "voluntary" or "suggested" donation which you then have to remove before proceeding to pay, if you don't wish to make it?

No doubt some of you will think I am being mean and I know every theatre is endlessly trying to raise funds, but I do donate to charity anyway, both regularly to some and on an ad hoc basis to others; in any case, I like to decide for myself which causes to support and this trend makes me feel I'm being badgered and is therefore an irritant rather than an incentive to support.  And some theatres already write rather too often to make the same request - soon there will be no escaping it!

In a couple of cases I was even driven to contact the theatres concerned to ask not to receive any more mailshots asking for money.  If theatres want to send these, maybe there should be a separate opt-in/out box when signing up to mailing lists, just as there is now for other types of marketing material.

Seems the Union Theatre has managed something special here:  not only in mounting the production itself but its UK premiere.

Surprised again to find no thread for this charming and very lively musical.  As with A Class Act at the Landor, it has a large cast (14) for the space and an orchestra of 4 alongside.  It really is great fun, however preposterous the plot, and I can't imagine any fan of musical theatre failing to enjoy it.  And as the theatre is currently under threat, all the better to support it just now.

Once again I've given up searching for a thread about this musical or thinking someone else was also bound to wish to comment.

Yet another gem from the Landor, performed with verve and vitality by the cast of 8 and accompanied by an orchestra of 4.  It was both humorous and touching by turns and the (true) story had me hooked as much as the music.  

I'm quite picky about musicals and have loathed some which others have loved recently (e.g. Mack + Mabel), but this won my heart.  I'd go again if it wouldn't mean missing something else.

I saw the first preview last night and had no idea this would be such a hoot.  I was struggling with tiredness (it doesn't finish until gone 10 pm), but it's worth trying to stay awake for!  A few fluffed lines but otherwise firing on all cylinders - I predict a hit.

Also, by sheer coincidence, a great contrast to Rutherford & Son, which I saw at the matinee.  I know it has been much-praised, but it didn't live up to my expectations.  This was definitely the order in which to see the two, though, i.e. long, serious family melodrama followed by family farce.