Reviews by KarenI got a Rush Ticket from to say is saving well over 50% on face value.
From the “pre-show” announcements, all the way through to the ending, this was far more hilarious than I imagined. It included many moments adapted from the film but with some changes such as more topical impressions, updated technology.
10/10
I got a reduced price seat from the London Theatre Seat sale. It was a restricted view due to a pillar but as there were empty seats in the bay I was able to move so that pillar wasn’t a problem (the two on stage still blocked a bit as did the structure when the cast slid some its in the pit.
I wasn’t familiar with the story except knowing it was a comedy, but despite this was able to follow the general plots and even got some of the jokes.
It has familiar Shakespearian comedy elements including disguises, unrequited love and couples separated be circumstances beyond their control.
There was a very appropriate sound effect from a very young audience member for a line about an infant mewling (although thankfully they did not provide an example of puking.
It rained a bit so I was pleased I hadn’t gone for the cheapest option – as in addition to standing for over 3 hours they also got a bit wet. The sun then made an appearance and some of us got free paper sun visors if the stewards could see we were in the sun.
It was quite long and although I didn’t get rained on, there isn’t much of room and despite bringing my own cushion I found a wooden bench without a back uncomfortable.
6/10
This comedy based around the true story of Colonel Blood’s a plan to steal the Crown Jewels is slightly bawdy but still amusing.
The staging can cause problems for quite a few at times when there is interaction with the audience with at least half the circle and upper curve being unable to see what is going on despite not officially being in restricted views. The running time wasn’t accurate and it was far closer to 2.5 hours than the advertised 2.
Despite the problems it was an enjoyable show.
7/10
I got a good seat (well over half price) through TodayTix’s Rush Tickets. It was slightly to the side but I didn’t feel I missed any action and the rear stalls are very well tiered.
The auditorium was nice and cool on a hot day but the stairwells and toilets were like ovens on a hot summers day.
I came to this show not knowing too much about it – I was just aware of the name and a couple of songs. It was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the story, performances, dancing, songs and humour.
10/10
This is a musical comedy parody of the hit Netflix show Stranger Things. There are a lot of in jokes so it is best if you have watched the show. It focuses on season one but there are elements from later ones dotted about too. There is a limited cast who all play multiple roles which you just have to try to ignore.
For those who remained in the auditorium in the interval they played theme tunes from various kids shows from the 80s.
The the theatre was a bit basic with no raised stage, but the seats were ok and all were discounted due to previews. There were no programmes or merch for sale – there was a QR code for a free program, but it wasn’t working.
8/10
I managed to get a discounted seat in the balcony from TKTS online. The balcony had a separate entrance so I didn’t see much of the theatre.
The seat was pretty good for a balcony as you could still see the performers faces – and also a chandelier and 2 lighting technicians.
The performers did a very good job with the show, and I have manged to tick of a show I hadn’t seen before a d a theatre I hadn’t visited before.
The show is about various people linked together by love, but the senses chopped and changed a lot with some very short scenes.
6/10
This was a gentle comedy about 2 couples who have known each other for decades and then over 3 acts secrets and resentment comes to the surface.
This was my first visit to Jermyn Street Theatre. It doesn’t have the same amount of discounted ticketd as other West End theatres, but the top price was £30. The seats are well tiered but the stage is the floor so you may miss things on the floor if you have people in front of you.
7/10
This was my 5th time seeing this show. It is still hilarious. It included understudues or “thunderstudies” on as Annie, Jonathan, Sandra, Max and Dennis who did great as did everyone.
10/10
I got a reduced price stalls ticket from TKTS online.
This is a stage adaptation of the book that was also adaped into a film. It is described as a “play with music” rather than a play or music as it has a live band who play incidental music and songs a different points.
This is a love story about 2 sheep ranch hands in 1960s America who fall in love with each other at a time and place where that is considered wrong.
It is a short play (about 90 mins with no interval) and the theatre is “in the round” meaning sometimes performers have their back to you and sometimes props block your view.
Photography is banned in the auditorium for this production, but apart from issues anything “in the round” has the view was good.
7/10
I got a £25 Rush Ticket from to say is to see the second performance of this revival. It was a good seat slightly to the side a few rows from the front of the Royal Circle.
The munchkins were quite tall for munchkins, the special effects tended to focus on projectors with some limited scenery, and Toto had assistance from a puppeteer. However, it was still an entertaining show.
There were a couple of small possible mistakes. At one point when running around with her companions Dorothty appeared to fall over, and later in the second half in the melting scene, the victim clearly walked off stage rather than disappear through any trapdoor (but that was possibly linked to a bigger problem that occurred.
A couple of minutes into the second half there was a show stop. The problem was with the Wicked Witch of the West’s castle and she was left standing on it when it didn’t move like it should have done.
A man came on stage to say there was a technical problem. The auditorium lights stayed off, and the Witch walked off stage, then after a few more minutes, a company manager came on to say it was a problem with a piece of scenery that wouldn’t move and they were trying to get it working.
The lights came up a bit and then after a few minutes, Jason Manford came on still in his Cowardly Lion costume and did a bit of stand-up to entertain the audience for the next 10-15 mins until he was that the show could continue.
There was less scenery after that (not sure if that was how it was meant to be or if that was due to the problems) but it continued and Jason Manford got a well-deserved ovation at the end in addition to some possible in jokes added about how hard he had been working.
8/10
