Closer to Heaven - London 2024

[Wish]

OMG. She is the girl I was fallen in love in mid-90s after her video Lonely Symphony! And these Union Jack panties... These memories...

[Sandy Shaw]

I enjoyed the first preview tonight and met several Pethead friends. The vocals were mixed too quietly for me. J Harvey has written a few extra lines and the final song is now For every moment. There was great energy from the cast, Frances Ruffelle has Billie pretty much nailed, Glenn Adamson is well cast as Dave too and the other leads and tbe principals will warm up and settle into their roles as the run progresses. As we were sitting at a cafe table I thought there would be much more close up interaction, but it was minimal!

[greenmile]

Frances performing Friendly Fire:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18JpBl2EM0o

Ummm, well that's certainly a take on that song.

[Old Soak]

Well, The Guardian don't seem to like it much:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/c ... 098c&ei=22

[jasonjohn]

The Guardian review is a little light on reasoning for such a low score. Fine if you think the shows "flaws" are "uncorrected", but why can't she go into any detail? Is it the merely "adequate" songs? Lack of "sexual tension"? As a review I'd give it one star for reasoning, lol.

(CTH isn't perfect, or to everyone's taste - but it's "adequate" enough for a pass mark, I'd say!)

Four stars here: https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/clos ... -shop-boys

[jasonjohn]

Each time it's been put on I think there've been script and song changes - the addition of Vocal for example.

Why Am I Dancing? might be a nice finale ... the central chacter's been through some sh*t, he's looking back but thinking forward! It's a sad song, has a "sun's setting" vibe, but is also sweet and hopeful

[new_love]

I’ve been invited to press night tonight to review. Never seen it before. Hope it lives up to my expectations

[TallThinMan]

Well, The Guardian don't seem to like it much:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/c ... 098c&ei=22

Here’s the proper link: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/artic ... ne-theatre

[new_love]

Well, The Guardian don't seem to like it much:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/c ... 098c&ei=22

Here’s the proper link: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/artic ... ne-theatre

Maybe I need to liven up the review!
From a neutral stance of course

[Gabby]

Got to say, I agree that CTH was (and clearly still is) missing a certain something a real hit musical would have. It's a fun night out but definitely needed some work (beyond the songs).

I was just rewatching "Gimme Gimme Gimme" the sitcom by Jonathan Harvey, and it's kind of similar - fun in its own way, but when you boil it down, it's not really all that good.

I still think a reworking of it in a new city (I'm still pitching for Toronto) with some neat current and local references would liven it up.

[jasonjohn]

yeah Gimme Gimme has everything going for it, decent characters, witty comments, good actors, decent production, but nothing too memorable story-wise.

I think N&C took interest in JH after his success with Beautiful Thing. Worth a watch if you haven't seen the movie adaption of that, it's pretty good.

[GalataPSB]

[psbfannyc]

I enjoyed the first preview tonight and met several Pethead friends. The vocals were mixed too quietly for me. J Harvey has written a few extra lines and the final song is now For every moment. There was great energy from the cast, Frances Ruffelle has Billie pretty much nailed, Glenn Adamson is well cast as Dave too and the other leads and tbe principals will warm up and settle into their roles as the run progresses. As we were sitting at a cafe table I thought there would be much more close up interaction, but it was minimal!

"For every moment"? From the "Musik" show? https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/lyrics/for-every-moment

If so, that is a huge improvement over ending with "Positive Role Model".

[Sandy Shaw]

I enjoyed the first preview tonight and met several Pethead friends. The vocals were mixed too quietly for me. J Harvey has written a few extra lines and the final song is now For every moment. There was great energy from the cast, Frances Ruffelle has Billie pretty much nailed, Glenn Adamson is well cast as Dave too and the other leads and tbe principals will warm up and settle into their roles as the run progresses. As we were sitting at a cafe table I thought there would be much more close up interaction, but it was minimal!

"For every moment"? From the "Musik" show? https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/lyrics/for-every-moment

If so, that is a huge improvement over ending with "Positive Role Model".

Yes, ''For every moment'' from ''Musik''...

I like Positive role model, personally.

[Sandy Shaw]

The run has now been extended to 27 July!