backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Going to Ronnie Scott's in a week's time, then to La Traviata at the Royal Opera House the week after. With Harry Hill at the Greenwich comedy festival in between. Grand fun all round...
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Last night me and the Mrs went to see Kiss Me Kate (the Cole Porter musical around Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew) at The Barbican Theatre. Great fun…great jazz infused music, and great dancing (what my Mrs really enjoys). We had great seats, though looks like most seats give a great viewing experience.
Rlburnside
Challenge Tour Pro
What did you think of Ronnie Scott’s and who did you see?
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Not been beefore so had no real idea what to expect - so was very pleasantly surprised. I think we had (give or take) the best seats in the house - corner table for two in the premium seats. (Most tables seemed to mean at least one person had to to turn round to see the stage).
We specifically went one of their 'Blues Explosion' nights. Band were exceptional - and all individually brilliant, especially the guitarist, the bassist and the sax player. Vocalists were Acantha Lang, who I enjoyed immensely, and Sarah Jane Morris, a bit less so, but she did knock out a couple of great Janis Joplin numbers.
I'd defo go again.
Going to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tomorrow night 
We saw this when it was in Newcastle. Wonderful evening, full of happiness. The only weak spot for me was the Child Catcher. We had an Eastenders actress and she just wasn't scary. That character / actor changes so hopefully you have someone different. Otherwise, look forward to it and enjoy, it was a real pleasure.Going to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tomorrow night
Elaine C Smith is playing the Child Catcher!!
Excellent, you stand a chance then
. The one we saw was the weak link in the production. The rest of the cast, Caractus, Truly, the kids etc were all brilliant.
Rlburnside
Challenge Tour Pro
Yes we saw Blues Explosion nights brilliant band and great venue, only downside was we were seated between bar and stage although it was a great view it was a small table for four and the couple had a meal.
Next time I go I would make sure I book the seats you had.
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Think we were lucky. Am pretty sure the table we were on would have had three/four people on it under different circumstances.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Mrs has won two tickets for Hamilton next Tuesday evening in a ballot. OK - middle of front row of stalls - middle good; front row not so great. No matter - only cost us £10 each. Mrs has seen it before and loved it. I think I can cope with not being able to see below the waist of any of the cast at the back of the stage, and not see beneath the knee rest of time. Close up we can get fully immersed.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
..and so…Hamilton @ Victoria Palace…front row seat but by myself as my wife as gone up Chesterfield to be with her mum. She’s already seen it so isn’t bothered about missing out. Bit weird. Coming up to London to the theatre by myself. Anyway - curtain up in 10mins - looking forward to it.
Crazyface
Tour Winner
Looked dreadful on TV, in fact switched it off. Cinderella on the other hand with Jason Manford in Manchester was brilliant. Second year for us going to watch. The wife goes to see many theatre stuff. She, literally, gave it a standing ovation.
I love a panto. I reckon I'm on about 25 consecutive years worth, and I saw others before then. My favourite funnily enough was also in Manchester. Ken Dodd was the star and he was as brilliant as you would hope for. Occasionally kept to the script, frequently went rogue. Was wonderful.
Panto is just a great event, all ages happy and laughing. And yes, we have tickets already for the panto in Newcastle for next December
Neilds
Assistant Pro
Saw the Palladium panto (Julian Clary, Jane Macdonald, Nigel Havers) last week. It was really funny but not exactly family friendly
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
It was excellent…
I’ll add..bits of story delivered through rap and hip-hop I found weren’t that easy to follow…but in general that didn’t matter as the story developed to make clear the gist of what had been said/sung.
I think also the fact that sitting in the front row and pretty much slap bang in the middle, I was very close to the cast…literally 6ft away at times. As a result the experience was very involving and I could see very clearly the facial expressions of each of the cast and at times it felt I was a bystander overhearing conversations. That in itself added to the experience.
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The Last Laugh, an imagining of Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse in a theatre dressing room. Very good. All three have their characters to a tee, the Bob Monkhouse guy in particular had every look, movement and mannerism. The lines were great, the timing spot on. A nostalgic look back.
It's touring the country, worth looking out for if you like that era of comedy.
It's touring the country, worth looking out for if you like that era of comedy.
Rlburnside
Challenge Tour Pro
I didn’t enjoy Hamilton thought his wife had a weak screechy voice, at times I thought there were to many cast on the stage at the same time, some of the songs were hard to follow and took away the experience of the show.
I could easily have left at the interval but the wife enjoyed it.
larmen
Head Pro
My theory was that in the west end they must all be great because they are cast from a vast talented pool.
But our Elisa last year was awful as well. The burm song did burn our ears.
So was Washington, but he was replaced at the interval due to illness, so maybe he had an off day for that.
Crazyface
Tour Winner
Thanks for this. Tickets purchased. It's gonna be an all dayer in Manchester. Can't wait!
