618 replies to this topic

[craftymiss]

I saw this for the second time last night & really liked it.  Staunton was superb and Ball excellent too. I enjoyed Lucy Barker's performance as Joanna as well. The one thing I did notice was that there were many seats empty. Maybe it was because they had only just re-opened but I have heard it has been quite for a while. My youngest son wanted to go to SD so we wandered around & the door was mobbed; lots of Ball fans waiting for him

[Reich]

poster J, on 15 August 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

I also saw the matinee today, and have to say I was really disappointed.  Maybe I came in with too high expectations given all the good reviews, but the only person who impressed me was Imelda Staunton, who I thought was a brilliant Mrs Lovett.

Michael Ball was ok, but didn't make me go 'wow', same with the ensemble, and I thought some of the other leads were quite out of tune at points, wasn't that impressed with any of their vocals.

I don't know if it's because I was sitting towards the back of the stalls, but I thought the standard of diction in general was pretty poor - I frequently struggled to make out what was being said or sung, and the sound balance was way off at times as the music drowned out soloists.

The set design was clever and the lighting good, but there was nothing in this production that would make me rush back, which is disappointing given the calibre of the cast.

i totally agree

[JaszyR91]

I'm going to see this in a few weeks and I was wondering if there's any merchandise/what is it like/how much is it? because I usually get a keyring or something small from shows I see - I've got quite a collection!

[Anthony]

For merchandise- what's available and how much check out the website

http://sweeneytoddwestend.com/

[mrtheatre123]

poster J, on 15 August 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

I also saw the matinee today, and have to say I was really disappointed.  Maybe I came in with too high expectations given all the good reviews, but the only person who impressed me was Imelda Staunton, who I thought was a brilliant Mrs Lovett.

Michael Ball was ok, but didn't make me go 'wow', same with the ensemble, and I thought some of the other leads were quite out of tune at points, wasn't that impressed with any of their vocals.

I don't know if it's because I was sitting towards the back of the stalls, but I thought the standard of diction in general was pretty poor - I frequently struggled to make out what was being said or sung, and the sound balance was way off at times as the music drowned out soloists.

The set design was clever and the lighting good, but there was nothing in this production that would make me rush back, which is disappointing given the calibre of the cast.

I agree 100% , was expecting too much i think after all the hype, Michael Ball was good but not as good as i had expected, saw him in Hairspray a few years ago and thaught he was much better in that, Imelda Staunton was BRILLIANT, loved her, great comic timing and grat performance, but the rest of the leads i thaught were very weak for a west end show. Set design was clever as you said but a bit simple for my taste, I know something like sweeny isnt going to have a flashy set or anything but think a lot more could be done with it, i loved the gothic look in the film version and think that could have been Incorporated a bit more to the set of the show.

[jamescrispy94]

mrtheatre123, on 16 August 2012 - 12:57 PM, said:

Set design was clever as you said but a bit simple for my taste, I know something like sweeny isnt going to have a flashy set or anything but think a lot more could be done with it, i loved the gothic look in the film version and think that could have been Incorporated a bit more to the set of the show.

The sets for Sweeney have always, while still in the Victorian era, reflected on the industrial revolution (an idea by Hal Prince when he directed it in 1979) which is why it's not the gothic looking Victorian cobblestones, brick walls, lampsts and fog like you'd see in Oliver! or anything by Dickens.
This production however is still industrial yet had a kick up to the depression of the 1930's hence the flashy "Lovett's Hot Pies" sign and black shop shutters. The show is also a transfer from Chichester, a theatre with a thrust stage, which is why it's simpler and fixed.

[kevinyork]

Saw this Weds eve.  Really enjoyed it over all I thought Michael and Imelda were great.  Liked John Bow but thought Peter Polycarpou a little weak and not menacing enough.  Did not like the girl who played Joanna (screetchy voice) or the lad who played Toby (too old and tall and with a weak voice).  Also, I have to say a top price stalls row r ticket gives a pretty poor view of the show.  Little rake towards the stage and the chair in front was not offset so the head of the woman in front obliterated 50% off scenes for me and made me feel remote from the performnce.

However, the programme did not list Jason Manford as being in it so when Pirelli was on I assumed it was someone else only to see from the cast list in the foyee in the interval that it was Jason.  Well done.  He can sing, act and do the accents,

[London-phan]

Hi, just wondering if anyone is thinking of seeing the show tomorrow night as I have a pair of tickets available. My friend who I was going with now can't make it so I was hoping to sell the tickets. They are great seats in the stalls row F seats 13 & 14. They are top price £67.50 tickets on special offer for £35 each so that's what I'm asking for them. Would prefer to sell as pair but don't mind selling separate if I need to. Let me know if you're interested. Obviously with it being tomorrow I would have to meet you to give you the tickets as I have them in hand.
Thanks

[JaszyR91]

I saw this yesterday and it was fantastic!
I was hoping to get a souvenir brochure but they had all sold out (on the website also).
Does anyone know where I'd be able to get one?

[David J]

I saw this yesterday afternoon, and I too was disappointed to find that the souvenir brochures have sold out. I was at the Dress Circle in July and noticed that they did have a batch of brochures. Since it is temporarily opening up again, I will be looking out for one later this year.