Giving you our take on some of the new shows opening in London theatres - with a special focus on the National Theatre's output. Frank, straightforward, honest opinion. Speaking plainly with one extra word.
Thank you for your review and for managing my expectations! The original production still stands alone in excellence in my memory. Can’t wait to see this show now and will try my best to treat it as a stand alone and not compare too much!
Thanks for watching. You will need to be quick though as the run at the Roundhouse closes tomorrow (1st September) so best book right now! Appreciate your comment. SX
I'm really intrigued by this. Never heard of Fuerza Bruta before, which should help improving the viewing experience as I've got nothing to compare it to. I love the whole "21st century circus" vibe, bringing us fresh, new experiences instead of the usual clowns and jugglers we've seen a million times before.
Definitely worth checking out but you’ve only got a couple weeks until it closes on the 1st. If you do manage to catch it, let me know what you think. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment SX
George: Once upon a time, I was a prince without a care. My life was like a fairytale, with me, the royal heir. But now I'm not so sure. What once seemed bright is glowing dim. My fairytale has gone from Disney light to Brothers Grimm. Where is my happily ever after? Can I be certain it's on it's way? They say I'm top of my class. Are they just kissing my ass? Where is my happily ever after? Owen: Last year, this cottage was filled with laughter, But now, I'm just living day to day. My smile once shined like the sun. Now, what I'd give for a gun. Where is my happily ever after? Meghan: It's getting hard to convince myself that I still have a plan. Kate: Who knew when I married a prince, Meghan/Kate: He'd turn out to be just a ma~an!? William/Harry: Where is our happily ever after? It seems my princess has gone astray. She's not at all like our mum. When will our own kingdom come? Meghan/Kate/William/Harry: Where is my happily ever after? Charles: Where is my happily ever after? This endless waiting is all that I've known. I know it sounds a bit mean, But please, God. Don't save the queen. I want my happily ever after. Camilla: Elizabeth: Where is my happily ever after? Philip: Heerrr! Heeeh! Her! HEH! HEEEEH! Elizabeth: I guess it's time to put Charles on the throne. Philip: Heeh! Heh! Heeh! Her! HEH! Heh! Elizabeth: But give Camilla the crown? Philip: Huh!? Elizabeth: I'd rather throw the bitch down. Philip: Grrrr! Elizabeth: 'Twould be my happily ever after. Charlotte: It's getting harder to quit. Just who am I trying to outsmart? Sebastian: When will Miss Kathy admit, That I have the look and the voice for the part? George: Do I have the look and the voice for the part? Greg/Doug: Where is your happily ever after? Household Staff: Where is our happily ever after? Doug: I need some loving behind the scenes. Greg: God, it feels like I'm serving TWO queens! Kevin: But soon, revenge will be mine. The end of the Windsor line! I'll see them soon hanging from every rafter! All: Where is my happily ever- Where is my happily ever- Where is my happily ever after!? Philip: Huuuuuuh!
I don't disagree. But then, when have awards ever made sense! I think - and hope - Mr Wolfe has a great future ahead of him. I appreciate your comment and thanks so much for watching. SX
This sounds like a really interesting musical. The trailer is very poor though, and initially put me off watching it, but seems to get a lot of rave reviews fortunately.
It's certainly not a light and fluffy musical and you're more likely to leave pondering thoughts on life and death than humming a jolly tune. But it's worth an evening of your time, most definitely. Let me know what you think if you do go to see it (and the same goes for People, Places and Things too). Thanks for watching and I appreciate your comments. SX
Me and my daughter loved the performance. I’m a fan of PJ. Given that you don’t know her body of work you picked an odd video ref. She has an eclectic range (including as a novelist - she recently wrote a book in Dorset dialect). I wouldn’t call anyone who wasn’t into her music ‘unintelligent’ but maybe it’s not yr style - that’s fine. I thought the actors did a terrific job and the live onstage music contributed to the atmosphere. What a multi- talented bunch! Am reading the book to judge the translation (bought the playtext) so holding off on that but 3 hours flew by, we loved it and gave a standing ovation! Wish we could get the soundtrack!
I'm genuinely pleased that you and your daughter loved the show, as I suggested fans of Harvey would. No album yet, but RU-vid has a demo of her singing Eugene Alone from the show. Re: video ref - her eclectic style makes it hard to find something fitting. The clip is from the period my colleague (a Harvey fan) thought similar to London Tide. Thanks for watching and I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Maybe our opinions will be similar on a future show SX
I watched the play last night and while not quite as negative as you overall I also absolutely hated the songs. Just awful dirges. I've never been a PJ Harvey fan and this made me extra baffled by her appeal.
This was incredible!! I love the name of the it. I cannot fathom why you would say the name of the show would be an issue. The whole point is it's a queer show, if it alienates a wider audience, that's quite ok. This is a celebration show.
But alienation doesn’t sell tickets. And putting on a show costs money so selling tickets is important. I gave the show five stars though so only a minor comment.
If I put that down to my accent, do you think I might get away with the slip @nicolabaker551 lol?! Good spot. My head is hanging with shame. I would offer you a priz but I have been informed it's actually Hexam (no h) and rules is rules tee hee. Thanks for watching and appreciate you taking the time to comment. Take Care SX
I have never met a human being who doesn't like PJ Harvey music. The majority people I know never heard about her, and a minority likes very much. Concerning the play, I didn't watch because I live very far away from London, so, I can't have an opinion. But PJ Harvey discography from 1992 to 2023 is wonderful.
Thanks so much for your comment. As I hope I made clear in my review, fans of Harvey may well like this show. I do find it astonishing that you have "never met a human being who doesn't like her music". On this show alone, google finds The Independent and The Spectator calling it "dirge-like" , whilst The Standard said it was "ceaselessly repetitive, deadeningly slow and stolidly unchanging." The world would be much poorer if we only knew people who shared our view on the arts :-) SX
I don't. I say that the musical uses repetitive hooks in its soundtrack. As Lloyd Webber does. Which is true. But thanks for watching. (PS It's "Webber". And he's not done too badly for himself lol!) SX
I watched this production and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s true that it has little plot. But I disagree that it has nothing to say. I found it inspiring at many levels and I left the theatre with hope about aging and afterlife. So often I leave a theatre showing new work and feel nothing but confusion or political lecturing. This was a pleasant uplifting time that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m 60 and I agree that this probably only appeals to an older audience.
I saw it last night and agree with you, within its conventionality there were many subtleties of characterisation which gave it real depth. It's a clever play in many ways. It's not so straightforward as it seems - interesting that we never actually see the "big party" which is supposedly the lynchpin of the whole weekend. Also, I'll pedantically point out it's not a hundred-odd years old, it's 86 years old - and it's not revered, it's barely been staged over that time and has been revived once only on the West End. I'd urge people to go and make up their own minds.
I'm genuinely pleased you enjoyed it. As I said, there is definitely an audience for this sort of play which is likely why the NT continues to put something like this on stage each year. Thanks for watching Alan - and I truly appreciate your comment. SX
Thanks mellon. I'm glad you enjoyed this production. And I would always urge people to go and make up their own minds if they think a show appeals. I am also a huge advocate for pedantry so never be ashamed about correcting details - though if I may borrow the pedant pipe, here I do state Dear Octopus was written in 1938 (86 years) and I am comparing the dialogue used to "the sort of dialogue we see in hundred year old plays we call classics". Thanks for watching and I appreciate the discourse. SX
It’s not back at the National I’m afraid. But it is transferring to the Weat End next month. It’s at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and press night is 38th February . SX
@@Armadillo312 The theatre says it is suitable for 12 and over. Assuming your children are teenagers, then it is your call. This show contains adult themes and strong language, including some scenes depicting physical violence, alcohol abuse and death. There are flashing lights, haze and loud sound effects.SX
@@1extraword Thanks. Much appreciated. I couldn't find any info on the official website, but I now see that LW theatres has some info. My kids are 10 and 12 by the way.
You’re welcome Re: Frozen. The musical only opened in August 2021 in the West End so hasn’t the longevity to compete on box office takings yet. The Broadway production won one major award (for puppetry) but had only 4 nominations for the West End and didn’t win any. It was listed in two of the ‘best’ listing sources we used - coming third and ninth in those lists. So by the multiple criteria we used, you can see why Frozen didn’t make the Top 15. SX
Indeed they have all played the role in a professional national or touring production . I am intrigued to know which one you mean by the rock n roll version though? SX
Lea Salonga's rendition is the perfect blend of voice technique and emotion. Rufelle's and Barks', while excellent, do not measure up to Lea's. Lea set the standard for how this song should be sung. Nobody has come close.
Because I could only fit 28 out of over 100. I’m sorry to have missed your favourite performance. Perhaps I should do another version with another 28? Let me know who else you think should be included . SX
I haven't seen the current touring production and cast but believe it is just as strong. It's playing at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's West End after a year long tour but only for another week. The last performance is next Saturday 25th so best book quickly 😊😊SX
wow. you can see the immense impact lea's performance in the role had on the subsequent interpretations of the character, especially in the diction. almost more than the actor who originated the role. Lea's interpretation of Eponine was *the* interpretation of Eponine going forward
@@douglasduff4466 Lea's rendition is the greatest of all time. It was perfect, flawless blend of vocal technique and emotion. Perfect pitch, beautiful vibrato, mixing, timing, enunciation, etc. were just immaculate. Maybe you just don't like Asians???
Not as far as I know. I don’t believe they have released the soundtrack at all. As you may have seen if you google the song title, this is one of only three results you get that you can play. I think the show was probably too controversial. SX
