Have a night out at the Theatre

[Ray B]

As we go towards the dark days of winter, may I suggest a show that puts a good feeling into you.
We tend to take in a few shows at our local theatre, I don't think you can beat a live performance, be it a one man show or a full blown production.
So, if the tour has not yet been to a theatre near you, grab some tickets for the Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This fast paced show, the story we all know, takes you along the story of the car, which, when it's revealed from Caractacus Potts workshop, had the audience cheering and clapping for such a perfect reproduction. The songs took the audience along with very fine singing voices.All this is accompanied by a live Orchestra of top quality. At the end, it leaves you buzzing as you leave the theatre and into the cool night air.

[oldbluefox]

At a time when it seems a play has to encourage us to reflect on society's wrongs sometimes from ages past and awaken our social conscience it makes a welcome change to go along to the cinema or theatre and simply enjoy ourselves. Tbh I'm not into all of this social malarkey, not my scene at all, I go to be entertained.
Give me a good musical any time. On this occasion we went to the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick to see Hound of the Baskervilles which was a comedy take on the drama by Conan Doyle. With only three actors in the cast and several characters to play it was bound to turn into utter mayhem all very professionally done and thoroughly enjoyable. This is the second of these spoofs we have seen, we also saw The 39 Steps which was equally good.
As Ray says, it leaves you buzzing as you leave the theatre into the cool night air, or in our case into the afternoon sunshine as it was a matinee.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I remember years ago going to the old mobile Century Theatre in Keswick before the permanent one was built.

[oldbluefox]

All the oldtimers have told me about it

[Ranchi]

We saw 39 steps quite a few years ago at Newcastle Theatre Royal and really enjoyed it. The current version doesn’t get such good reviews.
Also saw Chitty many moons ago and was skeptics but really was amazed at the flying car.
The last show we went to was Fascinating Aida -always good value.

[Onelife]

Hi Ray, I think I speak for all of us, when I say….

Never, never, ever go away
Our hearts beat so unruly
Because we love you truly
Honest Truly, we do.

I love the theatre Ray, especially musicals… of which I’ve seen many.

[Onelife]

I've seen Chitty but won’t be going to see it again, well not with my wife, I won’t, she said I was a bloody embarrassment...what with singing along with most of the songs.... the Sound of Music was even worse, I knew all of them.

[oldbluefox]

I've seen Chitty but won’t be going to see it again, well not with my wife, I won’t, she said I was a bloody embarrassment...what with singing along with most of the songs.... the Sound of Music was even worse, I knew all of them.

And I suppose you dressed up for the Rocky Horror Show!!! Don't tell us, we can imagine

[Stephen]

Does he need to dress up for that.

[barney]

We have a pretty good theatre in Barnstaple and saw Rick Wakeman there last year plus an excellent ELO tribute band and a great Eagles tribute band.
Hamilton is coming to Plymouth next September and we already have tickets for that.
£90 each though

[oldbluefox]

£90 each?? I'd be wanting the Royal Box for that.

[Ray B]

Barney, we have Hamilton booked for next year too. The tour must move to the Norwich Theatre Royal after the run at Plymouth.
Our next visit to the theatre is for the Panto, oh yes it is. Taking the grandchildren to see Aladdin, and then during January it's Tina Turner the Musical.

[Ray B]

£90 each?? I'd be wanting the Royal Box for that.

When did you last go to the theatre or pictures Foxy.
Was it when you could get in by taking a couple of jam jars, things have moved on since then.

[oldbluefox]

How's this for a bargain? It was £25 each, bargain....and a front row seat.
We went to see Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre in London last year and only paid £45 each for good seats.

[Stephen]

£90 each?? I'd be wanting the Royal Box for that.

A taxi there and back and slap up meal afterwards as well.

[Onelife]

I've seen Chitty but won’t be going to see it again, well not with my wife, I won’t, she said I was a bloody embarrassment...what with singing along with most of the songs.... the Sound of Music was even worse, I knew all of them.

And I suppose you dressed up for the Rocky Horror Show!!! Don't tell us, we can imagine

That’s one I haven’t seen…my wife said it’s not age appropriate for me

[Onelife]

“Hamilton” is our daughter’s favourite musical.

[Portsmouth]

I'm looking to take a trip to London to see the musical about Henry V111s wives called Six
I've heard its rather fun and they even have a few shows where fans can sing along
Anyone seen it ? I'm hoping to get cheaper tickets from the half price ticket booth in Leicester Square

[oldbluefox]

Not seen that one.
We have just come back from a visit to London where we went to see Moulin Rouge. The set is magnificent and we really enjoyed it. It follows roughly the story of the film. Not to spoil it there were one or two damp eyes in the auditorium but they finish off with a wonderful finale to raise the spirits.
If you're prepared to go in the upper circle it's only £45 which is incredible value for a London show and it's a good view. Tickets bought online- matinee performance so no need for Leicester Square whose website showed tickets more expensive.

[Portsmouth]

That show seems like another one to try and see. Some of the prices to see a show can be so expensive especially if you combine that with having a nice pre-show meal. I guess that why it's good that some big shows go on tour and you can pay a bit less. Maybe upper circle is something to consider especially if you were a little way back in the stalls and you have two big people taller than you blocking your view.

[Ray B]

Love live theatre, our last visit in April to see Peter James 'wish you were dead'.
Our future bookings to look forward to are Hamilton in September, Inspector Morse- House of Ghosts, October, Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, January 26, Fawley Towers, June 26, Operation Mincemeat,October 26.
Still some wiggle room to book others.
London theatres are wonderfull with thier big stages, but provincial theatres need bums on seats as well and what better way to enjoy a night out especially if combined with a pre/after show meal.

[Portsmouth]

Love live theatre,
London theatres are wonderfull with thier big stages, but provincial theatres need bums on seats as well and what better way to enjoy a night out especially if combined with a pre/after show meal.

Completely agree, besides musicals, I will also watch a play if it looks of interest. Just wondering if anyone has been to see Abba Voyage at the Abba Arena in London. I've heard you can stand up and dance in that show.

I've recently heard about the Theatres Trust where they highlight theatres at risk due to pressures on local authority budgets, cuts in subsidy, or a lack of ability to pay for crucial maintenance and repair work.
Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre and Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock are both at risk along with some others. Such a shame when theatres have to close.

[CaroleF]

My daughter went to see the musical 'Six' about Henry VIII's wives and thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe there'll be lots of people who now know the names of all Henry's wives. I went to see a musical/play called 'Handbagged' which was about the interactions of Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher. It was really good, and that was at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre in Guildford. It was a bit like what used to be called a Review. It wasn't a straight muscial but really well done. I'm going back to the same theatre in August to see another play called 'By Royal Appointment' which is again about Queen Elizabeth but this is about her relationship with her dresser. It doesn't say so but I assume this is referring to her real dresser, Angela Kelly who seemed to have an amazingly close relationship to the Queen. Ann Reid who is playing the Queen is now 90 but still working. She has had a really long career; I still remember her playing Kenneth Barlow's first wife in 'Coronation Street' until she was killed by, I think, an electric fire falling into the bath! The Dresser is played by Caroline Quentin. The play is on tour around the country. I'm seeing it in Guildford but I know it's on in Southampton as well as other places. Looking forward to it. I've seen some really good plays in Guildford and it's such a good place to go and have a meal afterwards, we always go to a Matinee.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Not seen that one.
We have just come back from a visit to London where we went to see Moulin Rouge. The set is magnificent and we really enjoyed it. It follows roughly the story of the film. Not to spoil it there were one or two damp eyes in the auditorium but they finish off with a wonderful finale to raise the spirits.
If you're prepared to go in the upper circle it's only £45 which is incredible value for a London show and it's a good view. Tickets bought online- matinee performance so no need for Leicester Square whose website showed tickets more expensive.

While you were in London we were trashing the Lake District. Went to the Theatre on The Lake for some real culture - coffee and cake. Bleep bleep place was shut. Power cut.

[oldbluefox]

I took the key with me. You never know who's about when you're away
Did you trip over dog leads in Keswick?