Free Theatre/Concert Tickets Discussion Thread

[jeanelle]

Last night we went to see Viva Forever, a show I'd probably never have booked tickets for, but free, hey. I've read the press critics' reviews and although there is truth in their comments we really enjoyed it. The show is lavish with a large cast, loads of costume changes and a great set. The main players were excellent and there was a lot of comedy with superb timing. I didn't remember a lot of the songs but they were performed well, there is a lovely close to the first act with the three lead females singing together. Also there is a singalong/dancealong finale. Altogether a slick West End production.

Initially I was a bit disappointed that this clashed with Bernie, but having read the reviews of that on the board I think we got the better option.

[cliveas]

Viva Forever got panned by the critics but it's actually got quite a good response from what I've seen of audience reviews. It's not exactly unique for West End musicals, the most extreme example probably being We Will Rock You; which is still going strong despite originally being slated by the critics.

[canadian_turtle]

Viva Forever is nothing like We Will Rock You imho, in fact if it needs to be compared to anything on the West End right now I think it's more a watered down version of Mamma Mia!, but way worse as they take themselves too seriously in between the songs and don't just go along with the cheese fest.

We Will Rock You used to be a pretty good show with a very strong score that mostly everyone loves singing along too (well, everyone but the critics). Viva Forever doesn't use as many songs and the ones they do use are largely sung only briefly or rearranged making it harder for the audiences to get into the spirit (with exception of "Wannabe", "Don't Stop Me Now" and "Spice Up Your Life" which are of course therefor repeated again at the end of the show)

Anyway, I saw the show too last night and thought it was absolutely dire. I've actually heard nothing but bad reviews from the general public and assumed that because I had such low expectations I would be pleasantly surprised. Boy was I wrong...

The book is rubbish and filled with tasteless and misjudged jokes (repeatedly making fun of cancer patients and critising the body images of the size 6/8 actresses on stage, really?!?), and the performances were amateuristic at best with terrible acting skills on display and even worse singing voices.

The only bit I liked was the re-arranged version of "Viva Forever", which was now acoustic and sung by a male voice (partly in Spanish too!) but it was ruined as soon as the character of Viva joined in as she arguably had the worst voice of the lot on stage. I was mostly bored throughout the performance and it was painfully obvious that the four lead girls were as well.

I can only be grateful that our tickets were comps as I do not want to throw a single pound at this awful production. 1/10


On the opposite end of the scale I saw The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Saturday, which is easily one of the best plays I've ever seen.

It's an incredibly apt adaptation of the book (which is very good indeed) and the experience is heightened in the theatre with very clever and impressive staging making it a beautiful production overall.

Luke Treadaway is brilliant in the surprisingly physical role of Christopher and highly deserves his Olivier nod, I really hope he wins it. 10/10

[cliveas]

Interesting to see such diverse reactions.

I certainly didn't mean to suggest that it was another WWRY! Apart from anything else anyone comparing the music of The Spice Girls to that of Queen is due a visit from men in white coats IMHO!

Also my comments regarding audience reviews was not based on any sort of scientific sample. However I do have several amateur reviewers that have raved about the show on my Twitter feed. One person who has been back and back(!) has commented a lot on the changes that have been made. I hate to think how bad (in some people's opinion at least) it must have been before them!

[canadian_turtle]

Sorry, I misread your comment comparing the critic reviews vs the audience reviews for the two shows as comparing the two shows themselves

Have been reading the Whatsonstage forums and have spoken to people in person about the show - all of whom found it dreadful. Interesting to hear there's actually someone who's going to the show again and again! Wonder if it was the guy in front of us who had a Viva Forever screensaver on his phone, lol

[cliveas]

Sorry, I misread your comment comparing the critic reviews vs the audience reviews for the two shows as comparing the two shows themselves

I did also say that WWRY was probably the most extreme example as well. If I haven't made it clear I haven't seen Viva myself, like jeanelle I wouldn't p*y for it (have done so and probably will again for WWRY). Must admit to being intrigued by the reactions to it though.

[canadian_turtle]

Definitely don't p*y for Viva Forever! The fact we didn't either was its only saving grace.

I used to love We Will Rock You, it was really rather clever and fun originally but I do think it's been dumbed down in recent years. I most recently pa*d for it at the end last year and likely will again in October when it's cast change but after that I think it's been enough for me (I have seen it 10 times over the last 5/6 years already anyway).

[raj101]

We Will Rock You = Queen (awesome music, written by a talented band)

Viva Forever = Spice Girls (music written by a ghost writer and sung by a group who can play one instrument between them).

nuff said.


When will we get a musical of REM?

[cliveas]

We Will Rock You = Queen (awesome music, written by a talented band)

Viva Forever = Spice Girls (music written by a ghost writer and sung by a group who can play one instrument between them).

nuff said.?

Absolutely. It was never meant to be a comparison between those two, there is none.

When will we get a musical of REM?

Great idea. Love REM and would also love to see how a writer would incorporate their songs! I do hope they take "I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs" literally.

[raj101]

We Will Rock You = Queen (awesome music, written by a talented band)

Viva Forever = Spice Girls (music written by a ghost writer and sung by a group who can play one instrument between them).

nuff said.?

Absolutely. It was never meant to be a comparison between those two, there is none.

When will we get a musical of REM?

Great idea. Love REM and would also love to see how a writer would incorporate their songs! I do hope they take "I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs" literally.

His lyrics are magical, just magical. I think I know most of them off by heart.

sorry, I am hating on the Spicers 10 years too late lol.