Reader Reviews
Imagine This (New London Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Of course it has faults but, and this is the brilliance of the piece, it entrances children and adults alike. I have seen it twice before at the NT. Last Tuesday, when I took a friend's two sons, i felt the staging at the NT had the edge, but that is really a small criticism when the strength of the play is in the magnificent puppet horses and the performance of Joey's young owner, Albert Narracott, played movingly by Robert Emms, whose unfaltering faith in finding Joey alive in France is inspirational and gives the story its heart - a triumph. - rds | 19 Feb 10 |
| I saw it by pure chance and loved it so much I went to see again. All credit to the cast and production team for putting on the most memorable show I have ever seen. - p christophers | 11 Feb 09 |
| Cant even begin to argue with people that have given bad reviews, I dont even have the energy Thought the show was INCREDIBLE, its not faultless but leagues above many other west end shows that have had such long runs/or are stil running now Cast were amazing, set brilliant and the title song was heart wrenching The audience apperaed to love it yesterday The standing ovation was so deserved It is a TRAVESTY that this is closing - Sam | 19 Dec 08 |
| How can reviewers get it so wrong, so often? Look around you at the end, at how moved the audience is. Les Miz was canned by the critics, and the audiences came in droves to see and love it. Wicked received very poor reviews (as documented in the documentary Show Business), and is playing throughout the world to packed houses. Please see this show before it sadly ends its run this week. - Mark Dooley | 18 Dec 08 |
| I thought the show was excellent, the set was superb and the music captivating - I'm really looking forward to the cd being released. Yes, it is an emotive subject but very sensitively handled and protraying a basic human trait - where there's life, there's hope. We have the benefit of hindsight where history is concerned but I want to believe that there was always hope and a disbelief that anyone could have been so evil as the nazis were. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of musicals. - Joy Taylor | 16 Dec 08 |
| Fantastic music, fantastic story, brilliant show. So sorry to hear it is closing. - Marceline | 15 Dec 08 |
| I was really disappointed when I heard the show posted early closing notice and went to see it Thursday 12 December. Funnily enough, I was only aware that I already had the music CD on my shelf when I visited the internet site and listened to some of the song extracts: the studio recording is called "Masada" and I was really looking forward to seeing and hearing these great songs performed live on stage. Although I really appreciated the cast and all the effort that went into creating the show, I unfortunately have to say it did nothing for me. The story was confusing, there were too many German generals and soldiers screaming in German (could anybody understand what they were saying?) and to see a group of Jews die twice (!) within 10 minutes is not really what I want to see in a West End show to be honest. My personal favourite was Michael Matus, although in my view he has almost re-created his role as Benoit in "Martin Guerre", but he was great to watch and to listen to. The most anticipated song for me was "Far from here, far from now", but again, it did not trigger that sensation I had when I first heard it on the CD. Is the story still current I ask myself? Maybe it isn't and this may be the reason why the public is not too keen to go and see it. It was the first time ever for me to experience a West End theatre so empty (about a third of the seats were occupied) and I guess this did not help to create an atmosphere. I do feel for the cast and the fact that they are going into unemployment just before Christmas, but this does not help the fact that I did not really enjoy the show and wouldn't have recommended it to anyone. Sorry. - Juergen, Cheltenham | 14 Dec 08 |
| Unquestionably the best show I have ever seen. Superbly produced and directed. The writing is as near perfect as any musical in history and the music is sublime. I have never seen such incredible performances and reaction from the audience, who all gave standing ovations even at the interval.People were literally begging for more at the end, on their knees actually begging. It is a crime that this show is closing, I would really like to invest a lot of money in it to ensure its future success. The critics are all blind fools. I of course have no vested interest in the show. - Hteb | 12 Dec 08 |
| Despite the poor reviews i went in with an open mind and was pleasantly suprised. The production definatly did justice to the story it was portraying and is completely different to any other West End production i've seen (Maybe a reason why it was criticised so badly). It was a great representation on the suffering and mentality of Jews during WW2 and reminds you that people actually suffered in this way. You should definatly try to see this before it closes despite what the critics have been saying as this show they've got completely wrong as seen by the much deserved standing ovation they recieved at the end. - Austin | 11 Dec 08 |
| OK, so the subject matter is not feel good, and I suspect that's why people are criticising it so heavily. However, go with an open mind (and maybe a tissue if you're a softy like me!) and I believe you'll thoroughly enjoy it. I went last night - the cast are very good and tell the story beautifully. It's such a shame it's closing - marketed to the right audience I think it would last. Thank you. (and no, I have no shares or invested interest in the show Johnny Fox!). - Laura | 10 Dec 08 |
| OK, so the subject matter is not feel good, and I suspect that's why people are criticising it so heavily. However, go with an open mind (and maybe a tissue if you're a softy like me!) and I believe you'll thoroughly enjoy it. I went last night - the cast are very good and tell the story beautifully. It's such a shame it's closing - marketed to the right audience I think it would last. Thank you. (and no, I have no shares or invested interest in the show Johnny Fox!). - Laura | 10 Dec 08 |
| Oh, and "Eve Adam" your writing's familiar ... isn't your passport name Eve Polycarpou? As uncovered on the West End Whingers site, or as you were credited on Birds of a Feather season 5, Episode 6 appropriately entitled "Dead Loss" ... Tsk, tsk. - JohnnyFox | 09 Dec 08 |
| It might have integrity, heart and commitment, but when did you last come out of a theatre humming integrity? When it gets music, lyrics and dialogue that are actually enjoyable, and a couple of bankable stars, it could be back. Until then, Shalom and good night. - JohnnyFox | 09 Dec 08 |
| Just heard the show has been given a notice to close...Sure some of the people who have given their backstabbing comments will be delighted...Feel very saddened by some of the heartless things that have been said...especially those spiteful comments of "Closing Early...Imagine That. Good riddance!" by one Stephanie. What goes around comes around dear... So many people who were expecting to be working for at least the next few months will now be unemployed from December 20th and all through Xmas and well into the New Year. I believe the show 'Imagine this' to be one of the bravest shows on a London stage for a very long time....It has integrity, heart, and commitment...Very important characteristics, much lacking in our dear Britain and indeed our precious world...Yes, it is set in a Warsaw Ghetto, yes it is a play within a play which also tells the story of Jewish sufferance...However, at this point I believe our narrow-minded critics fall short of the overall picture..This is a story for everyone. ....'Imagine this' is about people everywhere. It is about courage, pride, truth, principles, humanity and love... Are we so scared to believe these qualities are still attainable? 'Safely' favouring trivia like 'I'm a celebrity..' and listening to judges/critics bullying another celebrity, who has given his heart and time for charity? Surely the point is lost..It's not about being the best dancer...Otherwise, the public would have voted differently..It's about generosity, spirit, humour and more than anything, appreciation of life.... I was lucky enough to be at the press night of 'Imagine this' and I stood spontaneously at the end of the show, with an entire packed New London theatre audience,screaming through floods of tears at the immense feeling of hope... Hope...for the future of the unity of our cosmos, with which we have hope for our world...with which we have hope to love life and indeed ....live it!!! 'Imagine this' has a brilliant score, challenging the usual West End musical. The choreography is exciting, innovative and intimate in its understatedness. The staging and lighting give the sense that anything indeed is possible...The performances have a great energised universality... Through Peter Polycarpou's fresh, truthful and sonoric portrayal of Daniel (Eleazar) Warshowski, he displays a heartfelt leader whose choices leave us all thinking about our individual and collective morals and our personal duty to respect our world, our lives and our part in each other's. Imagine that!!!!!! - Eve Adam | 09 Dec 08 |
| "There's no doubt it will succeed in the long term." But certainly not in its current form. The show will have to be completely re-written, as the "play-within-the-play" device, plus a number of other "compromises" will have to be excised. The show in its current form was not ready for the West End, let alone Broadway. Nothing against a "Holocaust" musical, but you have to be up to the challenge. As offensive and trite as this version was, it is only for the best that it is closing. - Martin | 07 Dec 08 |
| If it's closing early that is a great pity and no doubt largely due to general reviews which are a sharp contrast to the majority audience response- most shows end in a standing ovation.It's a quite exceptional show in it's ability to artistically tell a story of personal & community aspirations expressed in the darkest of settings.The music,lyrics,acting, dancing, story-telling all contribute to a profound and moving show.There's no doubt it will succeed in the long term. - cath | 07 Dec 08 |
| Closing Early...Imagine That. Good riddance! - Stephanie S. | 07 Dec 08 |
| Sometimes it is a pleasure to be proved wrong! After reading some of the press reviews of Imagine This I went along expecting it to to be prety awful. I am pleased to say that I was deeply moved and frequently exhilarated. The score is constantly stirring and intermittently haunting, the storytelling is gripping, and the staging is downright magnificent. There isn't a single weak link in the cast, and indeed the performances of Peter Polycarpou and Leila Benn Harris have a near classical strength and intensity. On the downside I would cut the Salome number in Act 1 and the voguing Roman soldiers(!) in Act 2, and there is a problem in the fact that the Masada play-within-a-play which occupies much of the running time is alot less interesting than the inhabitants of the Ghetto, about whom we come to care very deeply. Also, it is a shame that, richly enjoyable though it is, the score doesn't have more of a Middle European flavour. Nonetheless, this is an imaginative, stylish, frequently beautiful show that manages never to seem to be trivialising such difficult subject matter. Timothy Sheader is clearly a director to watch, and the set and lighting designs are stunning. I must also report that the audience the night I saw it gave the show a massive standing ovation. I would love to see this show prove its critics wrong as it's clearly a crowdpleaser, and there is too much genuinely good work here to go to waste. - Pawel Wanta | 06 Dec 08 |
| Tricky one, this. Imagine you're a producer with a new show to launch on the brink of the worst recession for thirty years, amid plummeting audience figures, in an unpopular theatre, with a cast of mostly unknowns. About the Holocaust. And it's a backstage musical. This in itself could be a comedy to put The Producers in the shade, but it says something about the central theme of indomitable spirit that has clearly infected the investors, production team and cast as "Imagine This" defies its assault by the broadsheet critics and cheap jibes at its soft target from bloggers (like myself) to limp bloodied but unbowed into its second month in the West End. I met two of the American small-scale backers who had flown over for the premiere, seduced into contributing to the $10 million investment by a DVD of the less-than-stellar production in Plymouth. They had been told that the show would start to pay back after 26 weeks of sellout performances. Yeah, right, at a time when nothing less than David Tennant or Harry Potter in the nuddy can spontaneously erect a 'House Full' sign ... Blind faith is another pervasive theme of the production. In 1942, a bunch of actors are among the thousands corralled into the Warsaw ghetto and, with historical improbability straining at its stays, are encouraged by the Nazis to put on a musical pageant about the fall of Masada (in 73AD when the Romans laid siege to the Judaean mountaintop settlement and the Jews committed mass suicide rather than be captured). Each actor plays both a Warsaw Jew and a Masadist (?) or Roman, and the ludicrous dual romantic sub-plot involves a spunky Jewess falling for the local Nazi commander, and a Judaean firebrand being bedded by the Roman general. The Roman general/Polish resistance fighter left me cold, being played by diminutive Australian Simon Gleeson whose speciality seemed to be spitting every line whilst keeping his carefully trimmed beard dry, but the stomping Nazis who stopped just short of homoerotic fantasy still pulled focus. Call me old fashioned, but in a musical you're naturally going to favour the tall blond leading men over the whiny and runtish kosher munchkins. In the Warsaw scenes, there's just a whiff of promise that this plot might pick up where Cabaret left off. Yes, I know there are four years between Kristallnacht and the foundation of the Warsaw ghetto and Berlin isn't Poland, but historical continuity isn't this show's strongest point and I was referring to the variety of musical styles Cabaret manages to embrace, whereas Imagine This is mired exclusively in the minor key, plangent, Kletzmer wail that pervades so much 'Jewish Music'. But unfortunately most of the hours are given over to the Masada thing, and therein lies the show's failure. One of the rules of 'backstage musical' going right back to 42nd Street is that the audience is interested more in the actors' personal dramas than the show they're supposedly performing. Go on, name any of the shows that Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney ever put on in that barn. Exactly. The other argument for focusing on the Warsaw episodes is that the whole Nazi/victim thing has got previous form. From both Cabaret and Sound of Music we know that the good and tuneful get shat on by the Germans, and understand the stock characters of the sympathetic SS officer and the morally weak collaborator. Both here, natch, but not given the stage time to develop their characters beyond the superficial, because we're busy raising barricades and waving an awful lot of red banners (wonder where they got those ideas) so as not to let the Romans climb up the the mountain top and start to blow Gabriel blow. Sorry, touch of the 'Anything Goes' creeping in ... I must be one of the few audience members (there were about 300 of us last night) who has been to both Masada and Auschwitz, and I can tell you that it's the Holocaust stuff that schticks in your memory, not some 1st Century Judaean Jonestown massacre, and therefore makes the better material for a musical. My suspicion is that this production, which has a lot in common with Martin Guerre, will be called off for major revisions and come back re-branded and re-packaged (and hopefully re-cast with a couple of faces you could put on a poster) for a more successful run. It should, because the production values are high, the lighting and staging are very effective - again, moreso on the Warsaw front with dramatic lighting changes and so much gunfire and crashing of metallic scenery that we could have been making the last act of Major Barbara in Undershaft's cannon foundry. I liked some of the music: the anthemic title song, and one with something about clouds, but it's pretty monothematic and whilst the score contains some good Boublil-and-Schoenbergesque marching tunes, it needs better ballads and more variety. The introduction of the otherwise valuable actor Michael Matus (the 'village idiot' from Martin Guerre) as a camp slave is too "Up Pompeii" crude for the quality of the production, and this whole area needs a substantial re-write. Lyrics universally need more work: this was the second musical in a week to rhyme 'virgin' with 'submerge in' and frankly Sondheim does it better ... Peter Polycarpou works tremendously hard to hold the cast together, channelling David Kossoff , and mostly succeeds. I didn't enjoy Leila Benn Harris as a part-time Christine in Phantom, but she's on much safer ground here as the love interest of the freedom fighter, just needs to be given some better songs. Incidentally, Masada was constructed by King Herod. Did you know his wife was called Doris? Now there's a Jewish momma waiting to be discovered in a musical ... www.blowstar.blogspot.com - JohnnyFox | 06 Dec 08 |
| The music is derivative, dull and uninspiring and the lyrics could have been written by a 16 year old. Hank old bean, you're a plant. The show sucks BIGTIME! - Stephanie | 06 Dec 08 |
| are you all talking about the same show. Go see the musical if you like a great love story set in an unusual but true setting with outstanding lyrics and original music, you won't find better. - hank schneider | 06 Dec 08 |
| Saw this on Monday on a special £30 offer. Unfortunately the theatre had only about 100 audience members who at the end stood up to applaud and cheer. I did not as I thought although the acting and singing from the whole cast was good there is something wrong with this musical that does not quite gel especialy the Massada sub plot which I found rather boring and what was all that banging of poles around the stage during every dance routine about. Great set though but I am sorry to say it will not last. There is a £25 offer if you quote RF12 when booking. My partner enjoyed it though so maybe it was just me. - ILS | 04 Dec 08 |
| But who ARE Dale Winton and Alan Carr? - Stephanie | 04 Dec 08 |
| A quote from the Nantucket News blog: The Theatre Workshop and Stephanie Speakman presented “Stage by Stage: An Evening of Songs and Celebration” on Wednesday, July 2, at the home of Stephanie Speakman. The show starred Simon Gleeson and Natalie O’Donnell, accompanied by Nantucket’s Diane Lehman. The evening benefitted Theatre Workshop’s Summer Resident and the Musical Theatre Conservatory Company. ... still claim you've no money in the show, Ms. Speakman? And it's just a coincidence that in the photos you've got your arm round Simon Gleeson whose work you are independently praising on here? B*llocks, as they say in Nantucket - or something that rhymes with it. - JohnnyFox | 02 Dec 08 |
| Being a 15 year old you wouldnt imagine me being too interested in this musical... but it did blow me away! the acting,costumes,comedy and sadness of the musical made me want to concentrate even more! Ive bought another ticket to go and watch it with my mum this time and cant wait to experience it with her. - Kezzie Shanahan | 01 Dec 08 |
| "If you want to feel good, go to see IMAGINE THIS". That statement sums up everything that's wrong with the show. - U.M | 01 Dec 08 |
| You really are a moron aren't you Christine? - Graham | 01 Dec 08 |
| I saw Imagine This on Friday and was completely blown away by it. How could the critics have got it so wrong? The show was inspiring, moving, funny and of course sad. The music was amazing, the singing sublime and the choreography was wonderful. What a refreshing change from most of the shallow so called ‘feel good’ productions peddling their wares on the West End. If you want to feel good, go to see Imagine This. It will move you and give you hope. The subject matter is almost secondary to the human themes of courage over adversity, unity with your fellow humans and love which can blossom anywhere. Don’t miss this and tell your friends. - Christine | 01 Dec 08 |
| I saw Imagine This on Friday and was completely blown away by it. How could the critics have got it so wrong? The show was inspiring, moving, funny and of course sad. The music was amazing, the singing sublime and the choreography was wonderful. What a refreshing change from most of the shallow so called ‘feel good’ productions peddling their wares on the West End. If you want to feel good, go to see Imagine This. It will move you and give you hope. The subject matter is almost secondary to the human themes of courage over adversity, unity with your fellow humans and love which can blossom anywhere. Don’t miss this and tell your friends. - Christine | 01 Dec 08 |
| Although the concept of this show is quite strange, it is utterly compelling. I have to confess that a couple of bits of the Masada story bored me a little. I feel very strongly about the fact that theatre critics have the power to close a show, sometimes after only a few weeks, with their harsh criticism. This show is amazing. The music is fantastic and the cast are brilliant. Anyone thinking of going should do so. Do not be put off by the critics and listen to the public who have actually seen this show. It is obviously that the cast are already concerned because whilst waiting outside, after the matinee, we had the chance to speak to about 6 or 7 cast members. All of them said "Tell your friends". When you think of all the musicals that are out there now, that have been revived again and again, surely the fact that a brand new musical such as this should at least be given a chance. THIS SHOW IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND DEFINITELY THE MOST POWERFUL MOVING PRODUCTION I HAVE EVER SEEN. - Jackie Bennett | 30 Nov 08 |
| Who is Alan Carr?Who is Dale Winton?Why and which role would they play better?Certainly the acting,energy and singing could not have been any better.Thank goodness for fresh talent! - Stephanie Speakman | 29 Nov 08 |
| This show is brilliant but a bit too serious and boring. It would be better if a real star was taking over the main part like Alan Carr or Dale winton. - Jane | 29 Nov 08 |
| Apologies. The below should have been a 5star review - Richard | 27 Nov 08 |
| Imagine This truely is THE musical which polarises opinion. I personaly found it an excellent piece of original refreshing theatre, with a book that at least attempts to stimulate. Peter Polycarpou is noble and understated in his role, with Simon Gleeson and Leila Benn Harris also displaying stunning voices. The score is varied with the title song, 'Hail', and particularly 'Far From Here' real standouts. Naturally the subject matter is going to cause controversy, but I guess people know beforehand what it's about, and IMO it was treated with respect (i get the feeling from some reviews that people's minds were made up before the curtain was raised, although everyone is entitled to their opinion)and certainly didn't find it offensive. The middle of the first half, where we go deeper into the Masada story, seems overly long, and my one criticism is that at the time it appeared rather slow, with not enough attention paid to the Warsaw Jews. However the second act, which is much better paced, does highlight why the weight of Act 1 is where it is - the plight of the Warsaw Jews is better known than the Masada Jews, and to fully understand the parrallels between the two, we need to understand the rebellion of Masada. Ultimately the show is about choices, and is both powerful and moving. Its definetly worth a visit, and far exceeded my expectations. - Richard | 27 Nov 08 |
| Stephanie Speakman,Harry H,AR,and co.have no vested interest in this show. And I'm Adolph Hitler. How did you manage to give no stars U.M.? - Adolph | 27 Nov 08 |
| What a truly great show,in contrast to the trivial banality of subject matter out there today.(I had vowed to stop going to theatre after Wicked)The music is heart stopping,the choreograghy innovative and the poignant story line handled with finesse.If the critics condem a show my natural reaction is to give it a go and I was not disappointed here,nor was apperantly the rest of the audience who gave it standing ovations both nights I saw it.The cast is superb and fresh faced,throwing their all into the production,none more so than Simon Gleeson as the hard knocking freedom fighter.I admire all who dared and dipped into their pockets to bring this brave show to the stage. - Stephanie Speakman | 26 Nov 08 |
| - | Hope, inspiration found in the holocaust? It can't get any more offensive than that. Everyone gets shot, except for our pair of lovers who magically get away? Perhaps a reward for singing the schmaltziest song in the show? I agree, the ignorance of those defending this piece of junk is mind-boggling. But I guess if you don't know or care about how things really happened, you need a sugarcoated version of history. To each his own. Imagine that! - U. M. | 25 Nov 08 |
| - | Hope, inspiration found in the holocaust? It can't get any more offensive than that. Everyone gets shot, except for our pair of lovers who magically get away? Perhaps a reward for singing the schmaltziest song in the show? I agree, the ignorance of those defending this piece of junk is mind-boggling. But I guess if you don't know or care about how things really happened, you need a sugarcoated version of history. To each his own. Imagine that! - U. M. | 25 Nov 08 |
| - | Can nobody else spot the five-star "reviews" of people with a vested interest in the show? - Sally Bundock | 25 Nov 08 |
| WHY, WHY, WHY is it, in this age of the regurgeatated pop song musical, do people not embrace this truly 'New Musical'. The songs, set and ideas are all original and address in both an easy and sensative manner, this terrible event in the worlds history to a young audience some of whom who have no link to WWII. The songs are bright meaningfull and poinient in their approach, with the wonderfull Peter Polycarpou leading the way. The comparisons are there with Les Mis but this is a standalone musical in its own right and wipes the floor with the 'musicals you already know the words to' that have flooded the west end in recent times. The critics are wrong this time as they were with Les Mis, lets hope this musical marches on with the audience voting with their hearts and word of mouth. - Harry H | 25 Nov 08 |
| The ignorance of these reviewers, Lindsey in particular,is stupefying.If they are too lazy or unable to read about what actually went on in the Warsaw ghetto and Treblinka, they should keep their offensive and naive ideas to themselves. This IS rehash-lite you fool. IMAGINE THAT - AH | 25 Nov 08 |
| the president of iran threatens to blow up israel and yet the critics are afraid of the subject of the holocaust where 6 million people died.this is about change in the west end.no more disney-lite rehash.hope & reality rules! - lindsey | 24 Nov 08 |
| Stunning! - AR | 24 Nov 08 |
| Powerful, moving, fantastic music - amazing performances (especially Peter Polycarpou and Leila Benn Harris), well choreographed. This is what the west end has been crying out for! (Meant to give this a 5* rating!) - Cambridge | 24 Nov 08 |
| Powerful, moving, fantastic music - amazing performances (especially Peter Polycarpou and Leila Benn Harris), well choreographed. This is what the west end has been crying out for! - Cambridge | 24 Nov 08 |
| A deep and powerful musical,at last a new musical that actually deals with issues. stunning score, some fantatstic aspects. really loved it - johnny | 23 Nov 08 |
| Who on earth decided to put this on? It's really well staged, there are some great performances, the music is listenable if rather derivative of Lez Miz et al and the idea of linking the Warsaw ghetto with Masada is a good one BUT a musical is absolutely the wrong vehicle for the story. The attempts at funny jar, much of the lyrics are dreadful and it's just impossible to enjoy packaged in this way......but it is better than Gone With the Wind - and a lot shorter! - GarGar | 22 Nov 08 |
| Oh dear this was very disappointing. I had high hopes for a new musical here after Gone With the Wind but this was equally dismal.The book was absolutely awful with some of the clunkiest dialogue imaginable.Good principal performances could not lift this show out of its glutinous mire of saccharine. The concept of a musical in the Warsaw Ghetto is a difficult one but the show got off to a good start. Unfortunately it went formuleaic and deteriorated after ten minutes into camp posturing. The music for the most part was unmemorable and though sung well enough, other than the title number there wasn't much to hang onto. So much hard work and such an unsatisfactory conclusion. Very disappointing for all concerned. Peter Polycarpou gives a truly star performance. He needs a better vehicle to show off his talents. A great set too. - Stuart | 21 Nov 08 |
| A great show with a little bit of history lots of passion amazing music and voices. Don't miss this show - Sue | 21 Nov 08 |
| Such a shame - you can see the amount of work that went into the production - and the music is on the whole very good. Plaudits too for set design and lighting. However, the book is a mess and they have somehow managed to render dull, what should be a very moving story. - JC | 21 Nov 08 |
| This show is incredible! I am shocked by the negative reviews. It has some of the most beautiful, memorable music I've heard in years. The story is well researched, original, and exciting. I saw it the night after opening and many were moved to tears, including myself. It will not appeal to some-- it is very dramatic and a serious subject matter. But there are moments of levity that help to balance the story. I agree the book could use a little work, particularly some dialogue that could be more subtle. But it's nothing that would deter me from recommending this show wholeheartedly. I recommend learning a little about the ghetto Warsaw and the uprising before going to the show, I did and it enhanced my experience greatly. Read some poetry written by people who were in the ghetto, you will see their spirit reflected in the characters of Imagine This. Wonderful show. - RC | 21 Nov 08 |
| I met two of the American backers this week, seduced by a DVD of the Plymouth production into contributing to the $10 million investment. Apparently it needs 26 weeks' full houses to start paying back. Arguably it has something in common with Oklahoma!, whose first reviewer cabled from out-of-town to her boss Walter Winchell ... "no legs, no jokes, no chance!" To quote - JohnnyFox | 21 Nov 08 |
| saw it and now regret it - it's really, really bad, but not even in a so-bad-it's-funny way (poss. due to subject matter) - slough | 20 Nov 08 |
| Like 'Springtime for Hitler' trying to be deep and meaningful done in the style of the worst possible 80s mega musical. There's no sense of authenticity and it's patronising, trite and unbearably offensive to those who actually did suffer through this horrific period of history. - Catkin | 20 Nov 08 |
| Great show, go see it, ignore the critics, they never seem to get it right. Rare to read any good reviews these days, you begin to wonder if critics actually like the theatre at all!! - Ricardo | 20 Nov 08 |
| This show is fantastic. Yes it's controversial, yes it's unknown but yes it is worth seeing. A very emotional musical but the music is brilliant, the songs are original, the choreography is amazing and the cast are all great. I can understand people not liking it because you leave the theatre feeling quite emotional but its very refreshing to see a new musical about such an important part of history rather than a recycled story that keeps reappearing. Go see it and good luck to all involved. - Katie | 20 Nov 08 |
| Great show - fantastic acting. Well done! - H Martin | 20 Nov 08 |
| Are people insane? What show did they see? Have they ever seen any other? This is a REALLY bad show and deeply insulting both to the memory of the ghetto fighters but also any intelligent audience member. The only justice is that it will be off in weeks or maybe even days. - Jenny T | 20 Nov 08 |
| A superb show. The casting is extremely strong with Peter Polycarpou giving an absolutely outstanding performance. The music is so lush and memorable and the story is actually remarkably deep and clever. All in all a very moving visit to the theatre and I am very pleased the risk was taken to put on this fantastic show. - AA | 20 Nov 08 |
| Surprised at some of the mean spirited reviews. Yes, the book is not out of this world but the production and performances and the SOUND of that choral singing kept me really involved. Thought it was a brave thing to put on in the current climate and refreshingly new. Hope it won't be shot down in flames. We might as well have BUDDY and JOSEPH ad nauseam - Patrick R | 19 Nov 08 |
| Is this the worst musical in history? Perhaps not, but it certainly should be had up for Trade Description and called MASADA. It is not about the Warsaw Ghetto as advertised but instead a quasi biblical farce, al la UP POMPEII. Everything about the show is misconceived, the book is worthy and boring beyond words and the lyrics are deeply embarrassing to hear. There are two musical numbers of any note and they can both be heard online at the official website. Otherwise the score is bog standard drivel with two of the worst principle boy/girl panto duets I've ever heard. The direction is leaden and the choreography risibly inappropriate, witness Salome (yes Salome) and her mates doing a DV8 number. How is it possible to get it all so terribly wrong? My heart goes out to the amazing cast who all work overtime and appear totally exhausted, not least Peter Polycarpou who manfully carries the dead weight of this turkey. - Coral | 19 Nov 08 |
| Oy Vey! - joesmith | 19 Nov 08 |
| Well this is a difficult one. On the plus side i was drawn to this by the wonderful Mr Polycarpiou. I dragged a friend along who slept through most of it. It is a cliche and there are amateur dramatic moments, particularly from the daughter character who should know better bearing in mind she has starred as christine in phantom apparently! The bible play section does seem to take over the whole production. If i was a betting man i would find it hard to see if this will sink or swim in the west end. It could go either way. The music is ok. The t-shirt is great! The new london theatre is well overdue for refurbishment and still looks like you are stepping back in time for all the wrong reasons. I'm glad i have seen it but wonder why the ticket prices for the back row of the stalls are £50. Anybody know a reason why the ticket prices are not better divided? I hope this unbiased opinion helps some people. I am a regular theatre goer. - Pavlos | 16 Nov 08 |
| A ghastly, misconceived mess of a musical. With such a dramatic, moving and well-documented source material as it's inspiration, this should have a straight-forward enough story to get right. And yet, what we are presented with - for £60, top price - is a bloated school play, with a naive teenager's approach to emotions, relationships and the menace of the Nazis. The "musical-within-a-musical" makes it's parallels clear within about 5 minutes, and yet goes on to hog the majority of the 2 and a half hour running time, to such an extent that any latecomers might fear they've wandered into the wrong theatre. Both the Jews and the Nazis are presented as stereotypes, cliches with no depth whatsoever, and it is an insult to the people whose real life courage inspired the story. Another great clunker for the New London - how these musicals make it to the West End beggars belief. On the positive side, the design and lighting is excellent, and the cast give it all they can in the circumstances. But we can well do without Peter Polycarpou's faux tears at the curtain call. - Tom H. | 12 Nov 08 |
| I have just seen the second preview of this new show on bonfire night but with all the bangs and crashes that were going on I thought that they were indeed fireworks inside the theatre which did frighten a few patrons,having said this it was the only downside of this unique,well acted,well sung with a great score and musical numbers which soared through the roof.The story within a story reminded me of another great musical Man of La Mancha,but there was indeed more sadness attached to this one.Leading Man Peter Polycarpou himself a West End Veteran drove the show along with a largly unknown cast who seemed to relish the number of challenges which Imagine This had.Each of the leadimg cast members had dual roles to play.The initial story based in the Warshaw Ghetto's in 1942 and the second story which the fictonal company were performing before they were captured by the Germans,having been imprisoned and looking for insperation to lift the impending gloom they decided to finish the'play'with the enemies approval.This took the acting to a differant level as the story was set in Jerusalem in 70AD.The dual stories had similar plots with the Jews sufferance in both stories.Leila Benn Harris's character played the part of Peter Polycarpous daughter who falls in love with Simon Gleeson and the musical number duet the pair sang,Far From Here Far From Now,made my hair stand up.There were numerous performaces deserved praise namely Steven Serlin,Richard Cotton,Michael Matus,Gary Milner and Sarah Ingram but all the company were first class,they'grafted'there a---- off.Other great songs which stood out were To touch a cloud,Masada and the shows theme song Imagine This.I came out of the theatre feeling emotional but somewhat uplifted similar to the Les Mis'feelings'.To sum up I would advise anyone who wants to see good acting,good music and good singing alongside a story that matters then Please 'Go'I don't know how it will go down with the critics as sometimes that gang don't know a good show when they see it.Beleive me I have been watching musicals all of my life and i've seen allsorts but this is one of the better one's.I'm a paying theatregoer like you most probably are so take my advise and 'go see'. - Mick Fiddler | 07 Nov 08 |
| I have just seen the second preview of this new show on bonfire night but with all the bangs and crashes that were going on I thought that they were indeed fireworks inside the theatre which did frighten a few patrons,having said this it was the only downside of this unique,well acted,well sung with a great score and musical numbers which soared through the roof.The story within a story reminded me of another great musical Man of La Mancha,but there was indeed more sadness attached to this one.Leading Man Peter Polycarpou himself a West End Veteran drove the show along with a largly unknown cast who seemed to relish the number of challenges which Imagine This had.Each of the leadimg cast members had dual roles to play.The initial story based in the Warshaw Ghetto's in 1942 and the second story which the fictonal company were performing before they were captured by the Germans,having been imprisoned and looking for insperation to lift the impending gloom they decided to finish the'play'with the enemies approval.This took the acting to a differant level as the story was set in Jerusalem in 70AD.The dual stories had similar plots with the Jews sufferance in both stories.Leila Benn Harris's character played the part of Peter Polycarpous daughter who falls in love with Simon Gleeson and the musical number duet the pair sang,Far From Here Far From Now,made my hair stand up.There were numerous performaces deserved praise namely Steven Serlin,Richard Cotton,Michael Matus,Gary Milner and Sarah Ingram but all the company were first class,they'grafted'there a---- off.Other great songs which stood out were To touch a cloud,Masada and the shows theme song Imagine This.I came out of the theatre feeling emotional but somewhat uplifted similar to the Les Mis'feelings'.To sum up I would advise anyone who wants to see good acting,good music and good singing alongside a story that matters then Please 'Go'I don't know how it will go down with the critics as sometimes that gang don't know a good show when they see it.Beleive me I have been watching musicals all of my life and i've seen allsorts but this is one of the better one's.I'm a paying theatregoer like you most probably are so take my advise and 'go see'. - Mick Fiddler | 07 Nov 08 |
