Admittedly this has nothing to do with the show, but every time I hear someone say "Southwark Playhouse Elephant" out loud, it reminds me how much of a needlessly clunky name it is, when "The Elephant Playhouse" was RIGHT THERE.
Because the *Southwark playhouse* is a known theatrical company that moved to Elephant & Castle!? If you take Southwark out of the equation you lose the recognition?!?
Before this show i (with many other things) struggled to pick a favourite of all the musicals i liked but after seeing it, THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SHOW. Going to see it a second time and I’m bringing friends so i can scream with them instead of at them.
I saw this show a few days ago as part of its uk tour. I actually enjoyed it immensely. It would appear that they have tightened up some of the issues you have mentioned but they had technical difficulties with some of the mics on both days (yes I saw it twice, loved it that much) which did let some of the actors down. I was front row the first time and fourth row the second so I could hear even when the mics failed and read the gravestones. I do agree that some of the lyrics are a bit garbled and rushed and the ensemble were not always completely together but all that aside, I found it absolutely hysterical. The cast have definitely improved on their joke delivery and were even comfortable enough to pause entire scenes to allow for the raucous laughter. Even the odd prop malfunction couldn't lessen the mood. The cast are a delight and hats off to Milly Willows who played her first ever cover, stepping into the role(s) of Allie Dart on one of the shows. This show really has potential to be the huge success it deserves. A small amount of polishing and it will be there. And yes, we need a cast album! Of at least more than just 3 songs on Spotify!
Your comment about cutting out half the jokes reminded me of a story about the Marx Brothers. After making their first two films, "The Coconuts" and "Duck Soup," they were having trouble getting a third film greenlit. Chico happened to make friends with the producer Irving Thalberg, and he agreed to give them a film. However, he said, "This is film is going to half the laughs, and make twice as much money." The film turned out to be "Night at the Opera," and it was a huge hit. What he did was to cut back on their wildly scattershot approach to jokes, and to make sure there was a strong romantic storyline.
I saw this at Southampton last weekend and enjoyed it more than expected. There did seem to be sound mixing issues of some sort so couldn't always make out the lyrics with the ensemble songs or rap sections. Apart from that, i loved it. Thought the actors were all fantastic and the songs were entertaining. Both drag queens were absolutely fantastic - one of the best parts of the show. Would definitely see again.
Parody can be hit & miss with me but I'd love to see a production of this over here sometime. My Disney fanboy is just too great to not enjoy something like this even if it was horrible. I'm actually going to attempt to see the Stranger Things parody Stranger Sings next year for a similar reason.
The set designer for this show did the set design for a uni production I did of Road at The Curve in Leicester, most of my family and friends didn't really gel with the script but they all loved the set design, they're genuinely one of the best rising talents of theatre making imo
Saw it on Monday and really enjoyed it, but I thought the sound engineer may have been doing some of the lead cast members dirty as their mics seriously needed to be turned up as the band and ensemble were really overpowering.
this was only mentioned in passing, but it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the wicked book if you decided to read it!! the musical was changed pretty dramatically when adapting the book (i personally really despise the book, and quite love the musical - they really are that different). and then we’ll eventually have the musical movies, to give us even MORE adaptations of the same material lmao!!
After watching this at its newcastle stop, I do agree with you that something was sometimes off with sound levels/ lyrical pacing. It did not stop my enjoyment, but sometimes left me feeling like I was missing some of the jokes. I do, however, disagree with your opinion on River medway - boy was she good, some fantastic "over acting" really selling Ariel and strangely making her more relatable than the new film. Her musical number, while not perfect, had the cleanest lyric delivery. I also loved the plot. yes, it's a bit complex, but it's less over baked than some "official disney" musicals I've seen and had a fantastic second act.
I saw this last year on tour and loved it! Really made me laugh, but did really cringe when there were kids (like 6/7 years old) in the second row who got a full close up of the statue and the dildo-esque sea creatures who were squirting liquid out 😱
Hey Mickey I watch your reviews regularly and in general agree with you . However I thought , along with my daughter, that this was the worst thing I have seen this year . In fact we didn’t stay for the second half . It just wasn’t funny . Thanks though for all the great reviews . You can’t win them all .
I went to see this on tour yesterday and I have to admit it wasn’t my kind of thing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it for what it was but I grew a little tiresome of the sexual and explicit jokes and content which seemed to have no let up and for me, started to take away from the funniness of the show. It was a good production overall with a nice albeit static set and the cast were great (although I didn’t like the characterisation of Ariel at all, played by River Medway) and it was an enjoyable and very unique show. Likewise, I would give this show about the same score as Mickey Joe - a 2.5/3 out of 5
I saw this last night. Love parody but this is one of the worst show I have ever seen, a total mess. Some the jokes were fine but I could hardly hear them over the screaming. We left at the internal so yes maybe it improved but I couldn't stand it any longer.
As soon as I saw the title for the show my first thought was "oh like Starkid!" and then you brought them up lol
Admittedly this has nothing to do with the show, but every time I hear someone say "Southwark Playhouse Elephant" out loud, it reminds me how much of a needlessly clunky name it is, when "The Elephant Playhouse" was RIGHT THERE.
Because the *Southwark playhouse* is a known theatrical company that moved to Elephant & Castle!? If you take Southwark out of the equation you lose the recognition?!?
Before this show i (with many other things) struggled to pick a favourite of all the musicals i liked but after seeing it, THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SHOW. Going to see it a second time and I’m bringing friends so i can scream with them instead of at them.
I saw this show a few days ago as part of its uk tour. I actually enjoyed it immensely. It would appear that they have tightened up some of the issues you have mentioned but they had technical difficulties with some of the mics on both days (yes I saw it twice, loved it that much) which did let some of the actors down. I was front row the first time and fourth row the second so I could hear even when the mics failed and read the gravestones. I do agree that some of the lyrics are a bit garbled and rushed and the ensemble were not always completely together but all that aside, I found it absolutely hysterical. The cast have definitely improved on their joke delivery and were even comfortable enough to pause entire scenes to allow for the raucous laughter. Even the odd prop malfunction couldn't lessen the mood.
The cast are a delight and hats off to Milly Willows who played her first ever cover, stepping into the role(s) of Allie Dart on one of the shows.
This show really has potential to be the huge success it deserves. A small amount of polishing and it will be there.
And yes, we need a cast album! Of at least more than just 3 songs on Spotify!
Your comment about cutting out half the jokes reminded me of a story about the Marx Brothers. After making their first two films, "The Coconuts" and "Duck Soup," they were having trouble getting a third film greenlit. Chico happened to make friends with the producer Irving Thalberg, and he agreed to give them a film. However, he said, "This is film is going to half the laughs, and make twice as much money." The film turned out to be "Night at the Opera," and it was a huge hit. What he did was to cut back on their wildly scattershot approach to jokes, and to make sure there was a strong romantic storyline.
drssed like a mouse to a theatre named after and elephant to see a show about an octupus, ha very funny
Mickey you have me in stitches! (I dressed as a mouse went to a theatre named after an elephant to see a show about an octopus 😂😂)
I saw this at Southampton last weekend and enjoyed it more than expected. There did seem to be sound mixing issues of some sort so couldn't always make out the lyrics with the ensemble songs or rap sections. Apart from that, i loved it. Thought the actors were all fantastic and the songs were entertaining. Both drag queens were absolutely fantastic - one of the best parts of the show. Would definitely see again.
Parody can be hit & miss with me but I'd love to see a production of this over here sometime. My Disney fanboy is just too great to not enjoy something like this even if it was horrible. I'm actually going to attempt to see the Stranger Things parody Stranger Sings next year for a similar reason.
It sounds like it's changed a bit since I saw it at the Fringe but "somewhere between Starkid and an SNL skit" summarises the tone very well!
omg a starkid mention on mickeyjotheatre
The set designer for this show did the set design for a uni production I did of Road at The Curve in Leicester, most of my family and friends didn't really gel with the script but they all loved the set design, they're genuinely one of the best rising talents of theatre making imo
Saw it on Monday and really enjoyed it, but I thought the sound engineer may have been doing some of the lead cast members dirty as their mics seriously needed to be turned up as the band and ensemble were really overpowering.
Also I was sat at the side, I could only read Jafar’s grave. And there were certainly other bits I missed.
this was only mentioned in passing, but it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the wicked book if you decided to read it!! the musical was changed pretty dramatically when adapting the book (i personally really despise the book, and quite love the musical - they really are that different). and then we’ll eventually have the musical movies, to give us even MORE adaptations of the same material lmao!!
saw this with the fiance, we loved it
After watching this at its newcastle stop, I do agree with you that something was sometimes off with sound levels/ lyrical pacing. It did not stop my enjoyment, but sometimes left me feeling like I was missing some of the jokes.
I do, however, disagree with your opinion on River medway - boy was she good, some fantastic "over acting" really selling Ariel and strangely making her more relatable than the new film. Her musical number, while not perfect, had the cleanest lyric delivery.
I also loved the plot. yes, it's a bit complex, but it's less over baked than some "official disney" musicals I've seen and had a fantastic second act.
Merry Christmas to you and Aeron
I saw this last year on tour and loved it! Really made me laugh, but did really cringe when there were kids (like 6/7 years old) in the second row who got a full close up of the statue and the dildo-esque sea creatures who were squirting liquid out 😱
Do they have some sort of deal with Disney? I'm surprised they haven't shut it down already!
It's all clear under parody law!
oh ok excellent! @@MickeyJoTheatre
wait. WAIT. why is colette from ratatouille in this show? that threw me for a fucking loop
Hey Mickey I watch your reviews regularly and in general agree with you . However I thought , along with my daughter, that this was the worst thing I have seen this year . In fact we didn’t stay for the second half . It just wasn’t funny . Thanks though for all the great reviews . You can’t win them all .
I went to see this on tour yesterday and I have to admit it wasn’t my kind of thing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it for what it was but I grew a little tiresome of the sexual and explicit jokes and content which seemed to have no let up and for me, started to take away from the funniness of the show. It was a good production overall with a nice albeit static set and the cast were great (although I didn’t like the characterisation of Ariel at all, played by River Medway) and it was an enjoyable and very unique show. Likewise, I would give this show about the same score as Mickey Joe - a 2.5/3 out of 5
Is there a cast album of this show?
There is a concept album made after its first run
I saw this last night. Love parody but this is one of the worst show I have ever seen, a total mess. Some the jokes were fine but I could hardly hear them over the screaming. We left at the internal so yes maybe it improved but I couldn't stand it any longer.
Your voice and the image seems to be a bit off sync, Mickey.
Hi how are you doing