My London Theatre Reflections

[ArtMan]

Posted: 11/22/10 at 8:19am

I went to Paris and London the week of November 11-18 and caught four shows while in London. Here are my refections (not reviews) of the shows I saw. November 15, I took the advice from the guys on the Westend Board and saw War Horse. I am not really a play person, so impressing me would be a feat. This show is actually brilliant. I strongly recommend it especially now that it is coming to Broadway. The story is moving, acting and music great and especially the puppetry used, is fasinating to watch. If you catch it in London, there is not a bad seat in the New London theatre. I sat in the front row of the uppers and had a great view. (15 pounds/$23. What a bargain!) November 16, I saw Deathtrap. As I mentioned earlier, not really a play person. But wanted to see some of the newer shows since my visit in March 2010. I got a front row day seat for 25 pounds/$39. Again a great bargain. A quick tip. I guess it depends on the show...but people do not line up early for the specials in London like in NY. I got there at 8am and was the only one there until the box office opened. Around 9:30, the box office people took pity on me and let me sit on the couch inside. Anyway, I was already familiar with the play, since I had seen the movie. Jonathan Groff is in this along with Simon Beale (famous London stage actor) and Estelle Parsons. The acting was great and I was entertained. Jonathan, although a sweety at the stage door, seems to be having a problem with spit/projection. I mean alot. There were times I felt it was coming my way. A big glob ended up on the back of Simon Beale's shirt. I am sure there are some of you that would not have minded this...but I am not one of them. After the show I spoke to some girls from the States at the stage door. They new him just from Glee. I was told "you know he doesn't have much stage experience" I laughed..and said..."he's primarily a stage actor". These girls had never heard of Faye Dunaway, Warren Beatty or Bonnie and Clyde. I was referring to the Oscar winner Estelle Parsons. So there you go. November 17, matinee Oliver. There is a website for London theatre called TheatreMonkey that breaks down seating among other things, and gives great tips on buying. I purchased a restricted (due to bar) front row upper seat for 17.50 pounds/$29 seat that I learned about from this site. First the view was excellent and there was no restriction from the bar. A great seat. My concerns going into the theatre was the tons of kids attending the performance. At least 60% of the theatre was small school kids. To my suprise, the children were very well behaved, probally more so than the adults. There was a lady to the side of me who constantly raddled her bag. Anyway, the show is very well done. I believe it is a Cameron McIntosh(sp) production. The sets were great, acting and singing first class. This is the type of show that you would want a further away seat. It was great fun. I strongly recommend it, but it is finally closing I think In January 2011. The evening performance was Flashdance the Musical. This was another show that sells day seats. I decided that I would get there closer to box office opening. Which when I arrived at 9:55 am, I walked up the same time as two girls. So arriving early, would have been a waste of time. I got the front row for 26 pounds/$40. I was a little concerned about being that close for a musical. But it is set more intimate. The front row was perfect. Also there was a catwalk that came around the front row. Every member of the cast was at times an inch from me. At times I was concerned during the dancing, that someone would mess up and kick me in the face. But that never happened. There were times the cast included me into the show. Speaking directly to me or singing to me. The show is alot of fun. This is not Sondheim theatre. But I had alot of fun. And really recommend it. (Of course, I also enjoyed Women On The Verge). Well, hope you enjoyed reading my reflections. Art

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 11/22/10 at 8:51am

Sounds like you had fun here in the UK
Flashdance is a lot of fun, braindead but fun lol

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/22/10 at 11:23am

Haha, so funny. I am in London right now, and I'm seeing 3 of the 4 shows you saw on your trip. (I saw War Horse on my trip). Good to know about the Deathtrap day seats. I might go try those right now.