Surprising hits and misses

Gary Naylor Profile Photo
Gary Naylor
#1Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 1/20/16 at 5:26pm

Seeing 100+ productions ever year, I'm always surprised by how many don't promise much, but deliver a great evening (and the reverse too!). Have any examples (and explanations) that come to mind? 

carriesparkle
#2Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 1/21/16 at 7:47am

The Facebook 'On This Day' facility reminded me about the opening night of Thriller - Live! I didn't think it would take off at all. Just call me Nostradamus.

nataliealana
#3Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 1/21/16 at 1:50pm

I can't believe Thriller is still running. 

I went to see jukebox musical Love Me Tender and loved it. I had zero expectations. 

ggersten Profile Photo
ggersten
#4Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 1/21/16 at 3:14pm

In recent times, the failure of Stephen Ward, I think, was surprising.  Well, not after you see the show - but in the runup and buildup, it looked to be a hit - despite its tawdry subject matter.

I think it's surprising that the Miss Saigon revival is ending after only 18 months or so.  

I think it's partially surprising that Charlie is a hit (or may be a hit - who knows whether it is actually making any money given reports of closed balconies and seat movements) - partially, because the name has appeal, but I have yet to meet anyone who liked the show.  

 

nataliealana
#5Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 1/21/16 at 4:56pm

I loved Charlie! It's not my favourite musical in the West End by any means but I've seen it twice and really enjoyed it.

 

devonian.t Profile Photo
devonian.t
#6Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 1/23/16 at 12:29pm

ggersten said: "I think it's surprising that the Miss Saigon revival is ending after only 18 months or so. "

Cameron envisaged 5 years in London.  This revival has to be seen as under-achieving.

Gary Naylor Profile Photo
Gary Naylor
#7Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 1/29/16 at 12:41pm

I loved A level Playing Field last year, despite its very young cast and "devised" development. On the other hand, I was left cold by The Winter's Tale, which the critics loved.  

Whileshesleeps
#8Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 2/1/16 at 10:28am

Miss Saigon is a surprise that it hasn't had a longer run, great reviews, which were well deserved but sensible to close whilst it still has respectable audience levels. However, even from before it opened its claims of box office records were clearly not founded as you could always get tickets easily. Wasn't the production planned as one easy to transfer to a touring format.

I actually liked Stephen Ward, both the score and overall production, but for the life of me couldn't think who the target audience was.I think its the only time I've ever seen a show in its first few weeks playing to a matinee audience of all about 250 and been asked to sit where I wanted in the stalls

rosscoe(au) Profile Photo
rosscoe(au)
#9Surprising hits and misses
Posted: 2/3/16 at 12:22am

It really was a pity about Stephen Ward, the recording has some great stuff on it. Sadly closed a week or so both I got to see it , maybe twenty years from now someone will revisit it and find a way to make it work 


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