Which musical/theatre show in London?

[sjj84]

Saw The Lion King a couple of years ago, bearing in mind I'm a miserable tt and even I thought it was good.
Also saw Billy Elliot last year, wasn't as bad as I was expecting, however the seating is very cramped, don't think I'd go back to that theatre again.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Eric Mc said:

A couple of weeks ago I went to see the London production of "Oliver". Technically it could not be faulted - but to me there were lots of issues around the way some of the characters were portrayed and some amendments to the dialogue which were additional to the original script did not sit well. I was not impressed with Griff Rhys-Jones' interpretation of Fagin either.

I saw it a little while back when Rowan Atkinson was playing Fagin and it has to be said that he stole the show!

[Eric Mc]

NiceCupOfTea said:

I saw it a little while back when Rowan Atkinson was playing Fagin and it has to be said that he stole the show!

Perhaps he did. Rhys- Jones certainly didn't.

He took far too many liberties with the character - asides to the audience - topical jokes etc. It was far too much like a pantomime performance than proper acting.

I've seen "Oliver" performed on stage a number of times - and I've even acted in it as well - so I know what it SHOULD be like. So, the messing about with the part didn't work for me. The depiction of the Sowerberies (the undertakers) wasn't that great either. Mr Sowerberry seemed to me to be based on Basil Fawlty.

Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 30th January 19:25

[staceyb]

Alternative suggestion would be to go and see Cirque du Soleil's Totem at the Royal Albert Hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mxb7V57hQs&fea...

[llewop]

fizz47 said:

It's been about 15 years since I last went to see theatre or a musical so have decided to go with my o/h. What recommendations do you guys have?

So far have been thinking about the following:

Blood Brothers
Thriller Live
Lion King
Stomp
Wicked

Where should I purchase the tickets from as there seems to be various sites all selling the same thing. Prices also vary considerably between type of seats. Is the price difference really worth it? Are upper stalls really that bad?

Edited by fizz47 on Sunday 30th January 13:47

Everyone's taste is different, my tuppence:

Blood Brothers - really was indifferent to the performance I saw a few years back (wife was underwhelmed too and she loved it when she had seen it before)
Thriller live/Lion King - not seen, no comment
Stomp - saw a version of this in Kiev, assuming London is similar - very very different to anything else you have ever seen and a damn good show.
Wicked - very good - seen it twice (Mrs is rather partial to the leading man (but he finishes this week ) very good, some nice songs etc

Others have mentioned Chicago - I'd happily see that again, very good.
Jersey Boys - story of Frankie Valli - a very good combination of the story and some great songs
Legally Blonde has good reports if your O/H's opinion is what will win you points on the night!

O/H usually uses www.Ticketmaster.co.uk or www.Seetickers.com

price differences can be very artifical - there are sometimes huge difference in the price of adjacent seats because one has a slight obsured view or limited legroom.

[jimmystratos]

Really looking forward to Woman in Black in a couple of weeks. Saw it in Edinburgh 25 years ago and have always wanted to see it again.
Cirque du Soleil had some bland reviews - is it worth the humungous price?

[Eric Mc]

It always amazes me how differnt the same show can be depending on

who produced it
the cast
the orchestration

Musicals are like that - they can vary hugely depending on so many variable factors.

[Mutt]

jimmystratos said:

Cirque du Soleil had some bland reviews - is it worth the humungous price?

I went on Thursday. Some of the acts are impressive, but I found myself wondering, more than once, "What's the point?".

But hey, if you're not too worried about the money it's not a bad way to spend the evening.

[maniac0796]

I saw the Lion King many years ago

The fact it's still going is probably a testiment to how good it is.

[alfa pint]

Eric Mc said:

alfa pint said:

Absolutely despise musicals as being bland, middle class, cheesy tunes ste. Proof being that the Simpsons and Family Guy can knock up a show tune just about every episode that's just as bland and 'catchy' as anything by ALW /Tim Rice et al.

Go and see War Horse. The puppetry is amazing. The story is pretty damn good. It's moving and it's real theatre. She'll love it, you'll love it. You'll feel cultured while enjoying yourself.

One of the best things about Sarah fkwit Kennedy retiring is not having to re-tune the radio at 720am because of some fking awful showtime slot.

It always amazes me that people who seem to despise musicals want to contribute to threads about them.

There are over 1,000 musicals available since the genre was invented about 100 years ago (300 years ago if you include opera and operetta) so to write them all off as being cheesy and middle-class reflects your ignorance of the medium.

I like opera. It's sang by proper talent (generally) and most of the compositions are pure genius. I even like stuff like HMS Pinafore and the Pirates of Penzance et al. It's the pure middle of the road musical I despise because of its blandness and air of easy pleasing to all. It's why it's called 'easy listening' music.

[Eric Mc]

alfa pint said:

I like opera. It's sang by proper talent (generally) and most of the compositions are pure genius. I even like stuff like HMS Pinafore and the Pirates of Penzance et al. It's the pure middle of the road musical I despise because of its blandness and air of easy pleasing to all. It's why it's called 'easy listening' music.

And which particular musicals do you regard as "middle class" and what is your definition of "middle class" music?

I find it a very strange atitude to have.

Musicals cover a vast range of styles, themes and ideas. What's "middle class" about the War in the Pacific, the opening up of the West, corruption in the US legal system, the pogroms against the Jews in early 20th century Ukraine? All these themes have been covered by mainstream musicals.

How do you define "Middle Class" music anyway? Conversely, what's Working Class music - or Upper Class music for that matter?

Very very odd.

[CypherP]

Eric Mc said:

Sammo123 said:

Thriller is an excellent show, but I would also recommend Chicago! Lots of scantily clad ladies dancing around

"Chicago" is excellent - although I prefer the original version to the re-written version which is curently running. However, despite their best effotrs, the current version is still good with very relevant messages about the fallibility of the courts and the effect of media on the application of justice.

And the scantilly clad girls - of course

Took the OH to see this at the Cambridge Theatre in Covent Garden last week and was a brilliant night out. The theatre is small and subsequently even the upper stalls are fairly close to the stage. We went on a Monday evening and got upgraded to centre circle tickets that were more expensive and covent garden has plenty of choice for drinks/dinner before or after as well.

Plus, hot women, little clothing and some great voices. Very worthwhile

[Eric Mc]

If you liked Chicago, you should try and get to see a production in its original format (the original 1975 version).

It is even more sarcastic and hard hitting in its criticism of legal manipulation.

[Neil H]

Have you seen Les Miserables? That would be my first recommendation if you haven't seen it.

[CypherP]

Eric Mc said:

If you liked Chicago, you should try and get to see a production in its original format (the original 1975 version).

It is even more sarcastic and hard hitting in its criticism of legal manipulation.

Will have to look out for that. Having never seen the original or the re-made film for that matter, I had no idea of the storyline. My OH did, but hadn't seen the production. I thought they did a fantastic job. Certainly had a lot of humour, impressive acting/singing and what I did like about the Cambridge Theatre was the location of the band and how they integrate with the story, particular the conductor.

Very clever and would recommend to anyone. I'll keep my eyes peeled for someone doing a more original version.

[GPT]

nsmith1180 said:

Blood Brothers, Definately Blood Brothers.

Fantastic show in a great venue.

+1,000,000

[Justayellowbadge]

Funny, I saw Chicago a few years ago and it is the only time, ever, I have left a theatre in the interval.

Didn't expect that, usually like Fosse, but it was so bad on the night.

[spaximus]

If people are interested in musicals and shows, maybe they should consider the very good amateur productions that are performed all over the country all the time. The West End is not the be-all and end-all of musical theatre in the UK.
Of course, with their ability to spend big budgets on the technical aspects of productions they sometimes are, despite all the money spent, not always that fantastic.

I concure with Eric, here. Our local am dram do fantastic shows. Some time the singing is better than what you pay top dollar for. Some will consider these as inferior but when you factor in that they do this part time and turn out two or three shows a year it really is marvelous

[Eric Mc]

Justayellowbadge said:

Funny, I saw Chicago a few years ago and it is the only time, ever, I have left a theatre in the interval.

Didn't expect that, usually like Fosse, but it was so bad on the night.

I wonder if you would you have preferred the original 1970s version? The revival (post 1995) has been quite substantially changed in comparison - especially regarding costumes and production.

I've seen the show performed on four separate occasions, once by a theatre school - twice by amateur societies - and once by the London production. The best version was the theatre school followed by one of the amateur productions. I ranked the London production 3rd of the bunch.

[Eric Mc]

spaximus said:

If people are interested in musicals and shows, maybe they should consider the very good amateur productions that are performed all over the country all the time. The West End is not the be-all and end-all of musical theatre in the UK.
Of course, with their ability to spend big budgets on the technical aspects of productions they sometimes are, despite all the money spent, not always that fantastic.

I concure with Eric, here. Our local am dram do fantastic shows. Some time the singing is better than what you pay top dollar for. Some will consider these as inferior but when you factor in that they do this part time and turn out two or three shows a year it really is marvelous

I have to say I am biased in that I have been involved with an amateur company for 25 years. Despite the bias, I know from our audience comments and reactions that we put on extremely good shows and we are often asked if we are professionals.
Our next production is "Jesus Christ - Superstar" in March.

http://www.cfaos.co.uk/