R2OK!

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5744 Location: Hampshire

Strictly speaking, this half-belongs in the Theatre section, but here goes anyway!

I saw the stage production at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London some months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. The songs are by Sondheim (not to everyone's taste, I know) but it worked wonderfully well. The music and lyrics were terrific, all the actors were outstanding and the plot was clever.

The show works backwards in time and is the story of the three main characters starting with how they ended up and ending with their wide-eyed bushy-tailed optimistic younger selves. I was quite choked up at the end.

When it finished its run in the West End, the final performances were filmed and the final product is being shown in cinemas nationwide. Hence the post in this section. I think it's the first West End musical to get this treatment but I might be wrong about that. I have booked to see it this coming Thursday.

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5744 Location: Hampshire

We saw it last night in a near-deserted cinema! It was wonderful to see those great performances by the original cast preserved for ever on film and we were transported back to the theatre visit. It was strange not to join in with the live audience applause on the soundtrack but seeing the actors in close-up made up for that.

Recommended to all who enjoys musicals - it will be worth your while.

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

Hello Eileen,
I saw Merrily with my brother at the Menier too and I really enjoyed it.
Did you know that it's available to download now in the Digital Theatre website?
I'm going to get it next week once my wages go in, it's been a long Christmas lol.