oh dear! is all i can say about it - it will run for less performances than gone with the wind. it had so much potential - looking at the credits of cast and creative team - if it is still here at christmas i would be surprised!

the book is the problem - it is basically a musical within a musical. i was expecting it to be dramatic and moving - instead it was totally unmoving and a waste of the talented cast

i dont think i can find one positive adjective to describe it - i was bored from the start. there were the four swing sitting in the audience tonight, and they looked at each other as the lights went up and pulled an oh my god face at each other!

i think it was the director who was running round the auditorium during the performance running in front of people - if he has to do this - he could avoid doing it during the action and move during the scene changes

Well Millie beat me to it! Here's what I was about to say in a new thread:

Saw the first preview tonight (4 November). Actually I have no idea what I thought of this show so I'll stick to technical comments for now:

Fabulous singing - I caught only two wrong notes (which I thought was terrific for the first time in front of an audience).

Ditto fabulous music - well done to the orchestra.

I thought there was too much cast for that size revolve. I know the theatre is a bit horrid, but it seemed like far too much space wasted on the sides and over-crowding in the centre.

Along those same lines, the dance choreography was very good - perhaps not enough of dance and too much flashy arm work. Which is not to say the flashy arm work wasn't good (it was - especially Salome), but I thought the production would have benefited from more dancing. But see above on the size of the revolve.

Leila Benn Harris has a stunning voice and sang effortlessly through her bridge - but had an audible gulping when breathing in which was really distracting. Was this first night jitters - has anyone heard her before? I thought she hit the high notes just beautifully.

Peter Polycarpou stole the show for me, he was wonderful.

Kudos to two of the cast who were perfectly frozen through two of the "let everyone be frozen" tableaux - Sevan Stephan who held a very awkward position for what seemed like forEVER during Daniel's solo "The Last Laugh" in Act II and Unknown Ensemble Guy imitating a table but on two legs and one hand during "I Surrender" also in Act II.

Act II tighter than Act I, and more emotional. I would say the production needs some tinkering to bring it together.

Apparently this production kills off a/some character(s) who were not killed in Plymouth. Who died in Plymouth (please use spoilers when posting a response)?

So, what did I think. Dunno. I hate to say it, but I can't see it lasting in this economy. It has lovely music, lovely singing, some great acting, some not-so-great acting that might iron itself out in the next couple of weeks, very funny in parts, really gutting in parts, super depressing in parts, oddly uplifting in others. Worth seeing and I expect I'll see it again when it's out of previews.

But really, I don't know what I thought of it.

So lemme get this straight...

The New London has a new musical. Not a jukebox affair, a new one. It has a revolving set. The cast are doing their very best. But the book is terrible. It'll be a surprise if the show lasts.

We've not gone back in time, have we?

I also saw this tonight and found act one to be incredibly slow. The pace was all wrong. And I was a bit confuse din act one about what i was watching. However act tow was incredible the last twenty minutes just take your breath away. I was in tears and it was so incredibly clever and moving. I think the pace needs sorting out, the actors need to settle in their roles more, ditto about peter, truly phenemonal, and within a few weeks this show could ptentially be amazing. goign back tomorrow on a freebie so will give my twoo cents worth about improvements tomorrow.

Yep, there was a Time Lord standing in the back of the auditorium. How did you guess?

Come on now....! It was the first preview. I'm so so glad there are also positive reactions on here - there is so much pressure on this show, for so many reasons, so I for one am all behind them, and can't wait to see it. Maybe it needs time to settle into itself, revisit the book, adjust the pace.... but thats exactly what previews are for...! You wouldn't be paying £30 if it was a finished show.

All the best to the cast and crew.

So let me get this straight...

The New London has a new musical... hurrah
It's not a jukebox affair... hurrah
A new one.... hurrah
It has a revolving set... hurrah
The cast are doing their very best.... hurrah

But the book is terrible... hence previews

But the thing is, this ISN'T a new musical, it's it London Debut, yes, but it has been peformed twice before, which makes me think that they will not make any changes in previews! I always had fears for this show, and baed on what you lot have said, thoe fears may well be justified!

Oh it's so sweet when people are naive...

It is not the same as the production in Plymouth. Heavily rewritten. Completely new design concept. Completely rechoreograped. Some new musical numbers.

Of course there will be changes in previews. Give the sodding show a chance.

But that doesn't make any sense.
Why would they not make any changes in previews?
As I understand it, it has been performed as a workshop, then a try-out in Plymouth. It has now made it to the West End. That seems like a completely logical path to me and I'm sure that major changes were made at each stage in that journey.
Do you think they would have bothered wasting money on the workshop and tryout if they didn't want to learn from them and make changes?
From what I've been told the show is entirely different from the Plymouth production. Re-written, new songs, new design - lots of changes.
That gives me hope that any problems there were with the first preview will be worked on. I won't see it until after press night, so I hope so!
I agree with SB - Hurrah for a new musical (which it is!)!!!

So is this show worth watching then?

you people drive me CRAZY...

BACK OFF, the show is in previews....

Sick of these people who rush to first previews just to comment and be negative

There is so much bad will out there, I imagine mostly from failed performers or people who didn't get the job towards shows right now.

The question is will it sell to joe blogs public? I Don't care about whether Luvvies like it or not, it's the ordinary people who treat themselves to a night at the theatre that count.

You people are closing shows left right and centre right now

The above post is very naive.

"There is so much bad will out there, I imagine mostly from failed performers or people who didn't get the job towards shows right now."

The standard reply in the book used when someone is critical of a show. Why do people STILL pull this old hat out of the bag? It's getting very boring. Most of the time, it's not true at all and it has nothing to do with bitter out of work actors feeling the need to spread misery via the net. It's got to do with fans of the theatre (whether in the business or not) spending their hard-earned money and then being dissappointed with what they saw. £30 is still a good batch of money for most average earners.

We all know it's a preview. However, even previews of The Producers for example were getting rave "informal" reviews. You can definitely see the potential of a show even if it's still previewing and making changes. Either the bulk of the production is set and worth positive comments (admitting that a change here and there, cutting a song here and there might help) - or it is not (i.e. Gone with the wind).

I agree that what matters is that joe public will like this show and not "theatre luvvies" however, in the current credit crunch climate a show has to be pretty exceptional to survive and run and make a profit. Barely any shows in the West End right now are making a profit and that includes the "big names".

"You people are closing shows left right and centre right now."

What a ridiculous comment. What's closing shows is the fact that due to job losses and fear of this, people are not able to afford the theatre anymore like they used to. This includes large bulks of tourists staying away and making the industry suffer. Just look at Broadway - 4 musicals closing now, including big runners. What is also closing shows is - bad writing (GWTW) and bad or lack or marketing (Drowsy Chaperone).

Oh, grow up!

For this to be true the Joe Public masses out there would have to be following, and blindly believing, the luvvies "who rush to first previews just to comment and be negative" !

If any producers are closing shows, as you suggest in the final sentence, because of a handful of negative comments posted on a message board and read by a few hundred people, then perhaps they should not be in the theatre business at all.


PS I am neither a failed performer nor someone who didn't get the job towards (sic) shows

Can anyone confirm how much of the original Masada score has been re-used? Or maybe type up the song list?

I saw the first preview last night. It got an enthusiastic standing ovation. I was unexpectedly moved to tears by the story. The music is just gorgeous.

Does it have some problems to iron out? Of course. That's what previews are for. I won't be a critic today, I wasn't expecting a perfect show-- that's why my preview ticket was discounted.

Overall, I have to say it's definitely worth watching.

Yes. I'll be seeing it again for certain.

"This way out please... This way out please"

Just in case people were wondering, the guest posting above me WASN'T me.

Back to the talk about the show. I'm very excited to go see the show next week, I think a few people being overly critical on here need to remember that if you go to a preview performance, especially a first preview, you shouldn't be expecting a totally fluid, strong show straight away.

Where do you buy these 30£ seats? Do they sell front row? Are there good seats left?

Sorry, my bad! I didnt look into it as the story didnt grip me so i guessed it was the same as i know it played in Plymouth, I really should research it more! SORRY!

going back a few posts.....of course changes will happen in preview but if the book stinks at this stage it isn't going to be miraculously cured!!!!

I agree for goodness sake give it a chance, all the best to the cast and crew I hope this is a great success.

Because they have unusually small brains.

It will be interesting to see how this fares. My view is this - a NEW musical in the WE - Hurrah!! However, you can tell generally from a preview what a how is going to be like. Workshops are for re-writing the book and major re-working, previews should be for minor tweaking only. You cannot re-write the show in preview. I saw GWTW at this theatre in preview and knew it was doomed despite the talented cast. Lets hope Imagine This does not go the same way but I imagine it will need all the luck in the world!

Prologue:

The Last Day of Summer (Rebecca, Daniel, Company)

Act I:

Imagine This (Daniel, Company)
Masada Prologue (Rebels)
Rufus' Letter to Caesar (Rufus)
Free [Jerusalem Sequence] (Rebels)
When He Looked In My Eyes (Tamar)
Salome's Lament (Salome, Slave Girls, Roman Soldiers)
Hail (Silva, Tamar, Roman Soliders)
No More (Pompey)
Free [Reprise] (Rebels)
Rebels' Prayer (Tamar, Naomi, Rebels)
Masada (Eleazar, Tamar, Rebels)
I Am the Dove (Naomi, Tamar)
Hail [Reprise] (Silva)
Far From Here, Far From Now (Silva, Tamar)

Act II:

To Touch A Cloud (Daniel, Company)
The Last Laugh (Daniel)
Don't Mind Me (Pompey, Aaron)
Writing on the Wall (Rufus, Roman Soldiers)
I Surrender (Tamar, Silva, Eleazar)
Far From Here, Far From Now [Reprise] (Tamar)
Passover Prayer (Jeremiah, Rebels)
The Choice (Eleazar, Tamar, Naomi, Rebels)
To Touch a Cloud [Reprise] (Company)
Imagine This [Reprise] (Company)

Totally agree. Very few shows are rewritten or indeed changed that much during previews. A few cuts here and there maybe... a few tweaks but nothing drastic.

Generally speaking if a preview smells bad, a few weeks down the line it's gonna be a stinker!

Would be interested to hear any exceptions.

This show also has a remarkably shortly preview period, more akin to an established musical "settling in" rather than a "new" show (albeit one that has been tried and tested before).

I still hope this show is a success, but having heard the lyrics, I very much doubt it will be one.

This is simply not true. Many shows have quite major re-writes, choreographic changes, numbers cut etc.. for all manner of reasons. And as for examples of shows changing during previews - We Will Rock You, Lord of The Rings, Our House, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, Spamalot and now Imagine This. And most of those have gone on to do very well after perhaps, although not in all cases, not getting great receptions upon opening.

Again, can't wait to see Imagine This in the new year.... I heard opening was a great success.

Ok so i posted a mini review yesterday after seeing the first preview and i said it was slow in partrs etc, but that isnt me moaning thats me saying there a problems but they can be sorted. However seeing tonights performance i felt that the pace was far improved and the show has a beeter feel to it already. the only proble is the facct that you are watching a musical about jewish history putting on a musical about jewish history if that makes sense. I see why they have done it but it just doesnt work. many peope are confused as to whether they are seeing imagine this or masada the musical. i also felt the performances were not as moving tonight. i dont know whether this was me seeing it already or the cast didnt have the adrenaline that they had the night before due to it being first preview. I also noticed some bocking had changed, choreography had changed, and gone were the men walking round the theatre holding computers sliding thioings about on their screens. im guessing adjusting lighting or soound but who knows. Anyways will be going back again but not for a few weeks to see how it has improved.

I'm just back from seeing the show tonight. A few comments:-

The opening sequence doesn't quite work but apparently there's a lot of work going on during the days so that may be remedied. I thought that design wise the show is brilliant, lighting was good and for once in a musical sound was exceptional.

Cast wise hats of to Peter Polycarpou and Simon Gleeson gets a rave for the biigest set of lungs on a West End stage in recent times - what a voice!!! The ensemble work realy hard and vocally this show is superb.

Even with a clunky book in the first half (guys do we need so many Jew quips at the beginning) the second half moved me immensely. I've read people here didn't get the show within a show concept - it was very clear tonight - do we really need to dumb down an idea - lyrically I also found the show very intelligent. This isn't a juke box musical - it's a new musical and should be supported.

I don't think that the problems are insummountable, that's why they have hired some of the best creative talent available. Let's give them the space to do their jobs.

Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to a second visit.

Where do you buy these 30£ seats? Do they sell front row? Are there good seats left?

Wll I'm just back from seeing the secnd preview of this and I thought it was amazingly moving and uplifting. I am a great believer that the musical genre can be about so much more than happy-clappy nights in the theatre and I think this show totally proves it - I wasn't a big fan of Marguerite to be honest but I think this has so much more emotional centre.

Design wise the show is amazing - I am not a fan of the New London theatre but the show does really work in there and hats off to Eugene Lee - what an effort!

Casting - amazing. Peter Polycarpou is just 100% wow...nothing else to say really. Simon Gleeson also great and Leila Benn Harris is fantastic - I loved her Christine also but I definitely think her voice is more suited to this role.

Now...the book...I know nothing about Jewish history nor have I seen any of the other incarnations of the show or read the synopsis...but I understood what was going on - it seems perfectly clear to me!

The music is also fantastic and as someone has already mentioned they have finally got the sound right on a musical!!!

All in all....wow!!!! I don't get the negative comments - sure there are a few issues but on the whole this is a well designed, extremely moving, well choreographed show performed by a fantastically talented cast with great music....I advise everyone to go and see it - you won't be disappointed!

I simply don't get why people post "reviews" straight after the first preview. It beggars belief. And then to come back and do it again after the second preview. And why book to see it twice if you think it doesn't work? And why plan to come and see it again in a few weeks time if you still have a problem with the basic concept of a musical about Jewish history putting on a musical about Jewish history? Why wouldn't you just spend your money on a ticket to something else instead? Unless, of course, the truth of the matter is that you have been working front of house...

Actually I was offered comps and i LOVED the show. I never said i didnt. All i said was what i thought could be improved. By changing the pace etc. Minor things that are easy top rectify. My point about the musical within a musical comment was thye hadnt really advertised it in the synopsis as that. so you expect it to be all about the jews in the ghetto were in reality only about 40 percent is. the rest is masada the musical.

I was interested to find out more about this new musical after seeing advertisements for it so went to it's excellent website to listen to the music samples there and the sound of them and an interesting story line encouraged me to think 'as long as it is still running into February 2009 I will go and see it' !!!

All the very best to the cast and crew.I truly hope Imagine This proves to be a success in the West End

Today's 7.30pm performance is on the list at tkts: £50 seats at £27.50.

That might encourage more people to try it.

(Or might it be better to wait till it's settled in?)

If half price tickets are already available it's unlikely it WILL be settling in.

Hi there! Thought I would add my thoughts on the First Preview - despite having recovered from two Gin and Tonics at a price of £18.00 - not acceptable and never again!!

I have the double CD of Masada, which I consider one of the MOST wonderful, heart wrenching scores and orchestrations of all time and have honestly waited years for this material to surface as a musical over here. Thank you Mr Levy! Comparisons to Les Mis and Napoleon etc were inevitable for me. I also have the Songs From Imagine This CD and had strong expectations..... So much, to travel from Leeds for the first preview. Annoyance that it was so late for Producers to decide on seating in front of row M - we booked seats on the front row ONLY a week before, costing us more train fare.

ANYWAY! I've heard the phrase 'It doesn't know what it wants to be' so many times, but it has never been so fitting to me. My thoughts are that the Producers/ Director were wanting to produce a serious piece of theatre to reflect the subject matter. That is fine. However, despite being 'in the know' on the cleverness of the parallels, the plot was not very clear. I can't imagine that most of the audience understood it either. Despite it being 'deep', I had no interest in the characters, there was a lot of 'faux' acting that would not have stood up to the standard of a non musical piece alone and the 'body popping' generals were surreal! I tried to merit the piece as a straight piece of theatre, but could not.

The staging was not as inspiring as the 'blogs' had hinted at and didn't switch the two eras as magically as I had hoped - ie it was the same staging. We even had to really crick our necks to catch most of the performances on the left of the stage.

Having read the Whatsonstage article, I was aware that the backers were sold on the music alone. I REALLY do understand why. However, this does appear to be secondary. I appreciate there is a small band, but all orchestrations have been dumbed down SIGNIFICANTLY and are totally monotone throughout - no 'umph' or drama whatsoever. Despite being sold as a 'musical', the music has definately been a secondary priority . The opportunity for strong stand alone pieces and crowd pleasing finales were interrupted mid stream. 'I am The Dove' was interrupted twice by stage activities - I was looking forward to Sarah Ingram (I loved Exile of the Heart, Napoleon), along with 'I Surrender''s finale being stifled/ negated. (Did really enjoy the trio, though). It's like the producers or directors did not want recreate traditional musical cliches. That's fine if the piece stood up to being a proper piece of straight theatre in its own right.

However, for me, there were a couple of 30 second segments, that I thought stood out - two small musical reprises performed by the male lead - reminiscent of JVJ on the revolve and reminded me of the lush Masada score - I would have loved more of this! Also, the female lead delivered really well. The new material was varied and in one part very reminiscent of a Ragtime track..

Finally, if the piece is to have artistic integrity as a straight piece, then I don't think it delivers. However, if it is to be sold as a musical AND a 'love story' for general consumption of masses, as it DOES, I think it delivers even less. I have been moved by musical theatre many times, but not on this occassion.

My biggest dissapointment is that the wonderful music, that may have originally been sold to backers, has been disguarded - I am SO grateful I have the CD's.

Is this a straight play? Is this a Musical? Does the marketing 'honestly' advertise the piece? Are they trying to get the public in on the basis of it being a popular musical or love the story? Does it sit alone as being realistic as a play in its own right? The first preview was none of these. I do not think 'tweaking' will remedy this.

Musical or straight play? - I would decide and concentrate on one of them....

Although I totally respect the opinion and understand that it is possibly a musical that clicks with some people and doesn't with other - I couldn't agree with the previous poster more on many of his comments.

I rather liked the way that the play interweaved the two musicals and despite the fact that I though 'I am the Dove' could have done without the interruption I liked what they did with it and I thought Leila Benn Harris' rendition of the song afterwards more than made up for it. I felt for the characters too - especially Daniel - I don't get how you couldn't. Perhaps the daughter should have been developed more tightly.

I personally thought the plot was perfectly clear - yes you have to concentrate but I personally know nothing of the stories this is based on and yet found it perfectly easy to follow. I did see the 2nd preview though so perhaps it has been tightened up a little.

I do worry though that in an attempt to appeal to the masses they have tried to make this more accessible by shying away from making this a totally serious piece of theatre and yes, perhaps the advertising is not ideal in places - it was not exactly what I expected but was an extremely moving piece of theatre nontheless and I will be going back again soon.

Disappointed to hear the orchestrations aren't very exciting. Chris Walker is one of the best orchestrators around, in my opinion.

While some of the music on the Imagine This demo is gorgeous, it's so over-acted and over-sung and " Hammy American Earnest Musical Theatre" than I can barely listen to it. I was hoping it would be played more "straight and honest" in London...

I'm really disappointed to see all these negative reviews on here - I saw this last night and thought it was one of the most beautiful pieces of new musical theatre I've seen in a long time. The cast were excellent(especially Peter Polycarpou - his big solo in Act II was gripping, i don't think anyone in the whole auditorium moved a muscle throughout) and the two young leads were earnest and passionate without being twee or irritating.

The first 15 minute section were absolutely captivating - it set up the story perfectly. introducing the characters, their backgrounds and how they came to be in the ghetto, creating a powerful sense of foreboding. I do see what someone said earlier about fitting so many people on the revolve but I think they handled it really well. I think any issues with the pacing must have been fixed during the daytime rehearsals, although I do agree with a previous poster that some of the Jewish jokes in the first act could go - we get that they're Jewish, and it does feel rather like you're being bashed over the head with the fact at times!

I loved the music as well - I had "The Last Day of Summer", "Imagine This" and "Mesada" running through my head all last night, and the latter two brought tears to my eyes, especially in the emotional reprises towards the end. Vocally the cast were excellent - there were a few timing issues here and there but they will ironed out in the days to come. I understood the plot perfectly - ther ewere obviously parallels between the Masada story and the situation of the actors in the ghetto, but it was very clear when they were 'in' the play and when they were in 'real life', as it were.

I would beg anyone reading this thread not to be put off going by the negative comments here - obviously it's not going to be everyone's 'cup of tea' because nothing ever is, but this is a passionate and brave new show that deserves our support. It was obvious that the cast were completely commited to their roles and meant every single word they were singing/speaking.

And to those who say that it's obviously not doing well because they're offering it at the TKTS booth - well of course they need to do everything they can to get people through the door! It's not based on a book/film, it hasn't had 12 weeks of publicity on the TV, it hasn't come over from Broadway and it doesn't have an ex pop star or 'anyone off the telly' in it (apart from Peter Polycarpou, but he doesn't count ). I really hope that people go and see this and enjoy it as much has I did - the cast alone deserve that much.

The orchestrations are very different from the album. I saw a preview two nights ago, and I also own the concept CD. I happen to love "Hammy" musical theatre, as you refer to it... but I also really enjoyed the new direction they took with it. The orchestrations are paired down (they must be, mustn't they, since they don't have a symphony orchestra to work with). They take into account the time period of the piece (WWII)-- the music reflects that setting much more than the album does. I saw Tim Sheader's "Romeo and Juliet" at the Regent's Park theatre, and absolutely loved it. I also felt that "Imagine This" was handled beautifully. He's a director to watch.

I agree with some posters that the story is slightly confusing in places, but the show is still in previews, and I'm sure they'll be working on it over the next two weeks. The night I attended, the audience seemed very moved by the second act in particular. I saw many people wiping away tears as we left the auditorium.

Overall, the show is a triumph and I do with them the best with it. I am looking forward to watching it again after it opens.

does anyone know what the ticket sales have been like for the show???

Here here - finally someone agrees with me!

I think it is one of the best new shows on the London stage in a long time and will be definitely going back to see it again.

Really interesting to see so many different views on this production. Just shows how different we all view the same show.

Just one question - is it possible for people close to the show to register as 'guests' to preserve the integrity of the show with positive comments?

It's perfectly possible for people to post comments as 'guests' in order to boost publicity for a show - indeed, that's happened several times on here (the most famous one being where staff at a well known entertainment venue on the South Bank masqueraded behind various 'Guest' usernames and posted several glowing reviews under different guises for their production of The Wizard of Oz). They were busted though, as the moderators here can trace the IP address of each post and can tell when people are making multiple posts from the same computer - and quite right, too!

However, it's just as easy for someone involved with a production to register as a proper user and post positive reviews, but it's likely they'll get caught out. It's just a shame that people seem to be so much more willing to believe bad reviews than they are good ones - I have no connection with the show at all, just saw it and thought it was great

Id just like to say that it wasnt the national but another famous entertainment landmark on the southbank!

And yes we can trace IP adresses and have done on numerous occasions, and where possible we will let people know if this is the case!

Oops sorry my bad, have edited my previous post

Of course I can't speak for all registered members, but any rave reviews and/or devastating critiques of any show submitted by unidentified "Guest" tend to be suspect in my book. There are "guests" who post consistently under recognized Guest-names time and again - those I will pay attention to. But for Random Unidentified who never shows its face again - unless it is a hugely balanced review, I don't rate it much.

This is me, however. Don't know what others do.