Posted: 11/30/21 at 12:29pm
Do any shows in the west end actually mandate masks? The compliance is indeed very low. Maybe it'll change because of Omicron.
Posted: 11/30/21 at 12:49pm
Wick, I’d say maybe 10% of the theatre was wearing a mask. Maybe less.
A mask mandate was just today reimposed here in the UK. What it means for theaters, I’m not sure. I think it’s the same as it has been but can’t find anything specific. I did just get a note from The National Theatre that for my performance this week, masks are required at all times for everyone.
Posted: 12/2/21 at 9:45am
When I watched A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Old Vic two weeks ago, the only area where they mandated masks were the front row seats on the stage (6 seats on both sides so total of 12 seats). There was an usher right there with several black kn95 facemasks and when I took my seat, he gave me one and kindly asked I wear it during the show. Everyone in the stage front row complied and wore the black facemask throughout the show. This makes sense to me given how close we were to Scrooge and other cast members.
Posted: 12/2/21 at 10:19am
For those who have been, any seating recommendations? Dress circle or stalls?
Posted: 12/2/21 at 10:57am
I usually like stalls but sat in front dress circle for this for budget/availability reasons and I thought it actually was surprisingly good because it felt like you had a good overview of the atmosphere of the theatre and what is happening on stage. That said, if you want to be close to the action or more engaged with the immersive experience at different parts of the show you should be down in the stalls.
Try to get on the 'real' side of the stage (you'll know it because it has three levels as opposed to two)....even though it is 'in the round' and they make an effort so there isn't a bad view, I STILL felt like I was getting more of the attention than the people on the other side (maybe because there is more people on the 'real' side).
Posted: 12/2/21 at 11:17am
I agree with binau. I sat in the rear stalls (stage side) and felt the actors sang more towards the 'real' side of audience (the one with 3 levels). I noticed this most during the title number "Cabaret" since Jessie Buckley mainly faced towards the audience with 3 levels (so yes I mainly saw her backside but at that time it was very 'crazy/maniac' and she did look back towards the stage side from time to time but most of the time she faced the 'real' side (one with 3 levels.)
Posted: 12/2/21 at 12:04pm
This is casting to die for. Esp. interested in Buckley's take on Sally. Buckley can sing like nobody's business. Does she sell Sally's songs the way a great talent can (think Liza) "own up" Sally's modest talents (Natasha) or navigate this problem in her own inimitable way (as Dame Judi did in her own inimitable way). I strongly suspect the Dench approach and would love to hear from Jordan and others who have seen it re: this question.
Buckley is one of the great talents of her generation. She can do anything.
Updated On: 12/2/21 at 12:04 PM
Posted: 12/2/21 at 12:13pm
henrikegerman said: "This is casting to die for. Esp. interested in Buckley's take on Sally. Buckley can sing like nobody's business. Does she sell Sally's songs the way a great talent can (think Liza) "own up" Sally's modest talents (Natasha) or navigate this problem in her own inimitable way (as Dame Judi did in her own inimitable way). I strongly suspect the Dench approach and would love to hear from Jordan and others who have seen it re: this question.
Buckley is one of the great talents of her generation. She can do anything."
I've seen it a couple of times, and my two cents is that she goes for the middle way. As in, it is well sung but she tones down her great singing skills so you have a Sally that is fairly good but not a supreme talent that would look out of place in a ****hole like the Kit Kat Klub. For instance, they don't go for the full belt ending of "Maybe This Time" but the quieter version of the Mendes revival, and even Don't Tell Mama and Mein Herr are sung well enough but without the vocal fireworks that Buckley displays, for instance, in Wild Rose.
Posted: 12/2/21 at 12:20pm
I would completely agree with that take on her portrayal. I’m not usually a fan of a Sally who you think “What is she doing there? She should be a Star!!”, so if the actress is a phenomenal singer I prefer them to tone it down, which is what Buckley does here. I personally just feel it serves Sally better that way.
Posted: 12/12/21 at 8:48pm
Sparkling reviews!
Posted: 12/13/21 at 7:34am
Those are some money reviews.
It seems very improbably there could be a transfer with how immersive (read: expensive) the production is. Shame. But you gotta imagine folks are considering it with these reviews.
Posted: 12/13/21 at 2:48pm
Eagerly waiting for the announcement of a cast recording...they've also got tickets on sale now till October so I guess they plan for the show to stick around. Curious if they have any stars lined up or if they think the show can stand on its own.
Posted: 12/13/21 at 9:07pm
I’m excited this extended into summer. Any thoughts on sitting in the rear of the dress circle? I don’t think I can afford a higher price point since I’m already seeing 3 shows while I’m there, but if it’s not worth £70 to sit back there, I might wait to see if I can get tickets last minute while I’m in town.
Posted: 12/13/21 at 9:13pm
I saw it 3x the past couple weeks and sat in the front and the rear of the Dress Circle and it’s fine back there.
Posted: 12/14/21 at 8:53am
binau said: "Eagerly waiting for the announcement of a cast recording...they've also got tickets on sale now till October so I guess they plan for the show to stick around. Curious if they have any stars lined up or if they think the show can stand on its own."
I think that they invested too much money into the whole theatre revamp to leave it up to chance so soon with non-celebrity casting. But ditto, I'd love a cast recording
Posted: 12/14/21 at 9:12am
Yeah, they’re going to need to maintain an actual “Star” cast to pay for the show, once those two leave. Remember this theater now has a very reduced seating capacity due to the redesign and those £300 seats are still going to need to be sold to offset that.
Posted: 12/14/21 at 1:45pm
Will there be a cast album though? I can easily see them leaving the whole thing a mystery.
Posted: 12/27/21 at 4:04pm
So pleased to read that the Kit Kat Club reopened this evening.
Updated On: 12/27/21 at 04:04 PM
Posted: 12/27/21 at 4:06pm
I wish this would come to New York.
Posted: 12/31/21 at 3:13pm
Saw this last night and was utterly in awe at the quality of it. The direction was intelligent and creative, the lighting exquisite, the design exactly what I'd hoped and more, and the performances impeccable. Buckley's performances of 'Maybe This Time' and 'Cabaret' alone are worth going to this for. Honestly I thought this was one of the best things I'd seen in the West End in 30 years of theatregoing. I avoided the previous West End revival and never warmed to the Sam Mendes one, so I'm so glad there's a production I can point to (aside from Hal's, which I never saw live anyway) and say - this is it. The money they're asking for is insane but I was lucky to get stalls seats before the prices skyrocketed. I would love a cast recording of this. I thought ANYTHING GOES would have no competition for best musical revival this year, but clearly that's not the case.
Posted: 12/31/21 at 5:35pm
Seeing this in late February, and I haven’t been this amped up about a show since Yerma. Cannot wait!
Posted: 1/6/22 at 10:52am
Is there nudity in the show at all ? Is it family friendly ?
Posted: 1/6/22 at 1:03pm
any idea how long redmayne and buckley are scheduled to be in the show?
Posted: 1/6/22 at 1:10pm
flinger072 said: "any idea how long redmayne and buckley are scheduled to be in the show?"
The website says "casting to be announced" for bookings from March 21 so that would be probably be a safe guess.
Posted: 1/6/22 at 2:23pm
One Play said: "Is there nudity in the show at all ? Is it family friendly ?"
No nudity at all, it's a bit raunchy but I can't see it being a problem for anyone older than 12
