london theatre

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 7th, 2002, 11:15 AM

#21

Dave

Guest

Posts: n/a

Most of the big plays will travel in the US, so if you live near a city, I would wait and see them here. On the other hand, there are always a bunch of smaller ones that might not get to a lot of other places. We have seen some really good ones that we would not have been able to see in the US. We just saw "The Play Wot I Wrote." Very funny comedy with a constantly changing guest star that is not announced in advance, so it's a surprise who its going to be. "Stones in his Pocket" was great. It got to NY, but only for a short time. Go for the lesser plays. (More likely to get half price. The half price doesn't have a listing that you can rely on in advance, since its on an availability basis that day.)

Apr 7th, 2002, 12:43 PM

#22

janis

Guest

Posts: n/a

Actally - I avoid road shows in the states since I can see the "real" thing in London for far less. example - a few years ago I saw the first run of River Dance in London for 26 GBP (about $35 at the time) in the Stalls. This was the full price - not 1/2 price. When the touring company got to my hometown similar seats were $75. An example of shows available at the TKTS 1/2 price booth on a recent Friday: MATINEE Chicago Fame Full Monty EVENING Art Blood Brothers Caught in the Net Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) Constant Wife Fame Full Monty Gagarin Way Humble Boy An Inspector Calls Iolanthe The Island Julius Caesar King Lear Kiss Me Kate Lady Windermere's Fan (25 % off) My Fair Lady (25 % off) My One and Only Noises Off Shockheaded Peter Stomp Stones in his Pockets Taboo This is Our Youth Vagina Monologues Winter's Tale Woman in Black The York Realist This was on a Friday - on other days there are usually even more choices.

Apr 7th, 2002, 02:37 PM

#23

shirley

Guest

Posts: n/a

I tend to go to the smaller shows that I know will not be coming my way. I guess it depends on where you live in the States.

Apr 7th, 2002, 02:42 PM

#24

Patrick

Guest

Posts: n/a

There are many road shows coming to South Florida, but most are second and third rate compared to the productions I see in London. I agree, that I'd rather see them there -- at a lesser price than they charge here for the lower quality production.

Apr 7th, 2002, 06:33 PM

#25

Guest

Posts: n/a

Is it best to get to the 1/2 price ticket booth early, and are the lines long? Can you buy for a performance that day only, or maybe for the next day?

Apr 7th, 2002, 08:38 PM

#26

janis

Guest

Posts: n/a

R: There is usually a queue any time of the day. But not to worry - it always moves very fast. They do not "search the house" for specific seats - but only offer the best availabe so the line does not get bogged down by ditherers. You can only but tickets there on the day of performance - not in advance for the next day. If you want future tickets it is best to go directly to the specific theatre's box office.

Apr 27th, 2002, 12:30 PM

#27

Myer

Guest

Posts: n/a

Patrick, I would be tempted to agree with you about the South Florida road shows. Except. We saw Mamma Mia last night at the Broward Center. Sixth row seats. Fantastic. The cast was excellent. The show was great!!!! If it's better in NY or London I can't see how. Just see it if you are an ABBA fan. Actually the story is really made up to fit an ABBA concert. Cutesy. Forget 1/2 price shows. SEE IT!!!

Apr 27th, 2002, 01:42 PM

#28

Patrick

Guest

Posts: n/a

Now, you've really upset me, Myer. Last week my banker offered me a free pair of orchestra seats to Mama Mia at Broward Center (I guess Bank of America is a patron and he was given these), but I had an obligation and turned them down. We've already booked for Mama Mia in London in early July -- a repeat for us as we saw it there two years ago. Friends also saw this tour at Broward and are raving about it, including one couple who saw it in London and found this production much better, particularly the lighting, sets, and costumes.

Apr 27th, 2002, 08:42 PM

#29

Alma

Guest

Posts: n/a

Saw Blood Brothers in June. The most enjoyable show I can remember seeing. It was a Funny/Sad Musical that was beautifully done. I was pleasantly surprised.

Apr 27th, 2002, 10:35 PM

#30

Wayne

Guest

Posts: n/a

Maybe my tastes are different, but I think you should go to the musical "Buddy" if you like upbeat, fun type music and a lighthearted plot. It's the story of Buddy Holly set to music, with all his hit songs. The posters and ads say it will have you dancing in the aisles, and it's true!! The music is infectious.

Apr 29th, 2002, 03:09 AM

#31

Myer

Guest

Posts: n/a

Patrick, Hate to upset you but positive upset is far better than negative upset. My daughter bought me the Mamma Mia CD. By the accents it appears to be from the London production. I think the show I saw at the Broward centre was better than the CD. I did however play it all weekend. I'm not sure what you meant by the sets being better. This is an ABBA concert. Nothing more!!! I can see going to NY next spring and selecting MM as one of the shows to see.

Apr 29th, 2002, 04:24 AM

#32

Patrick

Guest

Posts: n/a

Huh? In London, Mama Mia does have a bit of a story line taking place in Greece, and there are stage sets -- mainly one big revolving piece that becomes several locations on Greece. There is a set to represent the pensione that the mother runs, etc. You say it is an Abba concert, nothing more. Surely you jest! That may be the primary thing, but there are sets and costumes aren't there? And there is dialogue giving the audience the story, isn't there? My comment referred to the fact that in London that big piece seemed rather amateurishly built and was getting a little dilapidated when I saw the production. A friend of mine who is a former Broadway technical director mentioned that the sets and staging at the Broward production of Mama Mia were outstanding, so I assume there are some sets?

Apr 29th, 2002, 04:55 AM

#33

Keith

Guest

Posts: n/a

"Mamma Mia" is great, but for the best versions of the songs just buy Abba's "Gold" - nothing beats the originals!

Apr 29th, 2002, 10:16 AM

#34

Myer

Guest

Posts: n/a

I probably agree with Keith. Patrick. The story line is the same at the Broward. The mother runs a cantina in Greece, girl doesn't know who her father is, one of three guys, etc, etc. Yes, there is 'some' dialogue. However, it is just an excuse. I'm not complaining. The show was great and I expect to see it again somewhere. The set is probably the same as what you saw. The main part rotates from the cantina to whatever is required. There are steel anchors protruding from the wall that are rusty (I assume intentional to show that she is just scaping by). Great show!!!! I'll probably still buy the ABBA CD even though I have the Mamma Mia CD.