Next To Normal WEST END - News & Discussion Thread — Page 8

It’s free on the PBS app right now. I’ve only gotten through act 1 so far, but I’m loving it. I’ll echo the dislike of the replacements for swear words, but nature of the beast. Having only ever seen the original production, I’m really enjoying this new interpretation and staging. I was worried the show would feel too of its time with its humor and treatment of mental illness, but this production does a great job of making it feel modern. I’m loving the two ladies, but not sold on the men just yet.

I thought the west end cast did a stunning job. It’s such a heart breaking show to get through. Cried several times and it brought back so many memories of Alice and Marin. Wish they did a transfer, Caissie and Jamie would of def bring some awards home

I was so mad when they announced Cassie Levy was in Ragtime because I have been praying for a Next to Normal Broadway Transfer for Months

The next revival of this show NEEDS to cut "He's Not Here" good lord.

Very good production. I prefer it to the original production, honestly. The daughter's boyfriend is adorable but can't pull off an American accent to save his life. I also missed the silverware throwing!

Updated On: 5/10/25 at 10:23 PM

I am most impressed at the actual quality of the filming. The angles. The lighting. The close ups. Watching the show on film feels closer to what it felt like at the donmar than the actual west end transfer - it’s not obvious from the film but the stage was so high and it took some of the intimacy away. It’s all back now on film!!

Updated On: 5/11/25 at 03:39 AM

I did notice her mic a few times and thought they could have hidden it better. Agree the swearing should have just been bleeped. Can you really not even say “sucks” on PBS?? I thought Jamie Parker acted the part well, but his singing really didn’t do it for me.


As someone who was not that familiar with this show other than the cast album, I was blown away by it and cried several times. If there’s one criticism I have, it’s that Diana and Dan both come off as a bit one dimensional. We learn a lot about their history and about how her disorder is impacting them both, but we don’t really get much color on their characters. They reference Dan going to work, but do they ever say where he works or what he does? Seems like Diana doesn’t work, but does she have any friends, or how does she spend her days? I get that the point is that her disorder and depression is all-consuming, but the whole show seemed a little vague on details in a way that I think keeps the characters at a bit of a distance, if that makes sense. Do they ever even say what city they live in?

minor quibble, and it’s possible I just missed some of this detail. The show is incredibly well written and effective, and I hope this production transfers.

I've always thought this show was a bit of a maudlin melodrama without much of a "point," but this production feels more like a 21st century gothic ghost story and in that approach, I think it works. Jack Wolfe is fantastic and brings something really special to a fairly abstract role.

Updated On: 5/11/25 at 01:25 PM

theatrekid3302 said: "TotallyEffed said: "theatrekid3302 said: "I was so mad when they announced Cassie Levy was in Ragtime because I have been praying for a Next to Normal Broadway Transfer for Months"


I should give up hope, right?"

If we keep the public pressure on them to make a revival I think it will happen. I can see a scenario where Cassie does Ragtime in the Fall and then starts Next to Normal on the spring."



lol oooooookk kid!

I really loved this and think I also prefer it to the original production, although I missed some cast members. That said, Eleanor Worthington Cox was a revelation for me. The definitive Natalie in my eyes.

Elphaba2019 said: "nativenewyorker2 said: "Considering she is doing The Lost Boys in the spring



so unless her role is so tiny she can run to the Palace and back during “I’ve Been or “Heys 1,2 and 3” it’s not happening"

She just did it in the industry presentation they could always go with someone else they haven't announced the official casting yet"

Oh honey

CATSNYrevival said: "Great production and beautiful performances, but the censoring was incredibly distracting to me. Not sure if they plan to release this elsewhere but I’d love to see it again without the dubbed curse words."

The full uncensored filmed version is indeed available.

The uncensored one has a timestamp on the corner of the video. It’s just as distracting as the censoring. Still have to wait for an official release.

Updated On: 5/12/25 at 09:56 AM