General Chat

Funny innit - this is the 2nd of Lynda's threads to be 'phantom' nudged in 2 days. Apparently this thread was added to at 23.13 - nothing there now! BUT - its a great thread!! We treated my in-laws to tickets for Mamma Mia for Xmas and they went last week. They said it was FANTASTIC - so now I am trying to book up for hubby's birthday. Maz. XX

Hoping to take my mum to see 'The Vagina Monologues' soon for her birthday. I've read many positive reviews and hope to see Sharon Osbourne narrating. Has anyone seen it? becx

Ive heard that sharon & har daughter have flown home to the states, & pulled out of the show due to her daughter needing medical attention. Elaine x

In case anyone is interested - I have just come back from Scarborough after having seen 2 plays at the Stephen Joseph theatre. The first one was 'Unless' by Carol Shields and Sarah Cassidy. Myself, hubby and two friends all agreed that a better title would have been 'Useless':)) It's about a woman who has what appears to be the perfect life - loving partner, three bright daughters, good friends and a successful career as a writer. But her comfortable life is shattered when her eldest daughter quits university and goes to sit on a street corner in a busy city. The rest of the play is about everyone trying to work out why. The concept sounds fine but it was very wierdly done. The second one was Alan Ayckbourns 'Private Fears in Public Places'. It was VERY enjoyable, mainly due to the fact that Alan directed it himself and he always has the perfect cast and of course knows exactly how he wants it done. The story is really just a study of 6 different people whose lives are linked through circumstance but it was very funny. If anyone is interested, we are going again in June to see the latest John Godber play 'Going Dutch', which John will also direct and the new Alan Ayckbourn play 'Improbable Fiction' which Alan will direct. Cheers - Chrissie x

Sounds good Chrissie....if I lived nearer I would love to see the new Ayckbourne play. XX BC

We try to go up there at least once a year BC - we stay in a very reasonable but nice hotel. If you ever want the details let me know. Chrissie xx

I saw Miss Saigon at Southampton, also Chicago, and on the 14th I'm off there again to see Starlight Express - can't wait. Wowed at We will rock you in London too! But the funniest play I ever ever ever saw was Having a Ball by Alan Bleasdale - hilarious - tears rolling down my face!! Its set in a waiting room of a vasectomy clinic and one of the patints wives is an out and out drunk - if you ever get the chance to see this play - miss it at your peril!!! Locally, we have a travelling troupe called the forest forge theatre company, they bring theatre to village halls and community centres. They are fantastic - one that sticks in my mind is John Buchans 39 steps - they only had for props - 1 x stepladder, 3 other ladders, an armchair a broom and a clothes horse, but they managed to re-create the forth bridge, a railway carriage and a bedsit type room - excellent excellent excellent!!! Blimey - that was a long winded post - sorry!! Lucy x

I think, its fantastic that they still have travelling troups, Lucy. It is an age old tradition and when I was small it was the highlight of our year when the travellers would come to town to entertain us....so romantic.... BC

Don't apologise Lucy - that was really interesting. I would like to see Miss Saigon but I'm worried about the sad ending:))

Went to see the mousetrap. It was the ..AAAARGHH!!!!

Being serious. We recently saw'Jail house rock'. I am not an Elvis fan but the show was so good.

Chrissie - I would urge you to see Miss Saigon, the ending isn't the bit that had me crying - it was the opening scene of part 2 - blubbed me eyes out I did!!!! But I also noticed most of the males in there were sniffing well too! Lucy x

Thanks Lucy - perhaps I'll risk it then:))

Hiya all Haven't been to the theatre for a while now, but see you all talking about Miss Saigon, can't wait for it to come locally. Saw it in the West End 3 times, once with a tour of backstage, remarkable it was. If you get a chance to see it you MUST go if you can, very sad, but beautiful music. It is based on Madam Butterfly. Lynda

Hello everyone, Went to see Miss Saigon last night at the new (ish) theatre in Milton Keynes (which is excellent by the way). Hadn't seen it before, and didn't really know the story. Very impressed... good performances by the whole cast, especially the chap who played 'The Engineer'. Excellent stage management/props, the use of a screen to show the helicoptor was very effective. For anyone that hasn't seen it... very sad ending !! Very emotional moment for many there I think. Paul

Am excited now...going to see Starlight Express next Saturday and really looking forward to it. Lucy x

Anybody seen'You never can tell' A Bernard Shaw play? It's on locally in September and wondered whether to book it. Lynda

Sorry Lynda - just checked with hubby and he doesn't know it. This will at least bring it to the top though in case anyone else has seen the play :)) Chrissie x

I am very excited!!! Went to a May Fayre the other day and managed to win the 'name the cuddly cat' competition! Prize also included 2 tickets to see any play at the Kenneth Moore Theatre in Ilford. Will be going with a girl friend to see 'On the Razzle' - a comedy by Tom Stoppard adapted from an original Austrian play! Going on 1st July, something to look forward to!! Wonder if anyone else has ever seen/heard of it?? Maz. XX

Hi all, Well I'm back from my 'jolly' now - Starlight Express at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton - it was brilliant - very energetic, very colourful, wonderful performances by the whole cast. We were all given 3D glasses to use because there were some bits of film to watch and I'd never used them before - well - they are amazing - thought things were gonna hit me!!! All in all I would recommend the show 5* Lucy x