I don't disagree. But then, when have awards ever made sense! I think - and hope - Mr Wolfe has a great future ahead of him. I appreciate your comment and thanks so much for watching. SX

It's certainly not a light and fluffy musical and you're more likely to leave pondering thoughts on life and death than humming a jolly tune. But it's worth an evening of your time, most definitely. Let me know what you think if you do go to see it (and the same goes for People, Places and Things too). Thanks for watching and I appreciate your comments. SX

I'm genuinely pleased that you and your daughter loved the show, as I suggested fans of Harvey would. No album yet, but KZfaq has a demo of her singing Eugene Alone from the show. Re: video ref - her eclectic style makes it hard to find something fitting. The clip is from the period my colleague (a Harvey fan) thought similar to London Tide. Thanks for watching and I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Maybe our opinions will be similar on a future show SX

I could definitely see it as being appropriate for this production. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. SX

Thanks for watching @rachael1918 . I appreciate you taking the time to comment. SX

But alienation doesn’t sell tickets. And putting on a show costs money so selling tickets is important. I gave the show five stars though so only a minor comment.

If I put that down to my accent, do you think I might get away with the slip @nicolabaker551 lol?! Good spot. My head is hanging with shame. I would offer you a priz but I have been informed it's actually Hexam (no h) and rules is rules tee hee. Thanks for watching and appreciate you taking the time to comment. Take Care SX

Thanks so much for your comment. As I hope I made clear in my review, fans of Harvey may well like this show. I do find it astonishing that you have "never met a human being who doesn't like her music". On this show alone, google finds The Independent and The Spectator calling it "dirge-like" , whilst The Standard said it was "ceaselessly repetitive, deadeningly slow and stolidly unchanging." The world would be much poorer if we only knew people who shared our view on the arts :-) SX

I don't. I say that the musical uses repetitive hooks in its soundtrack. As Lloyd Webber does. Which is true. But thanks for watching. (PS It's "Webber". And he's not done too badly for himself lol!) SX

I saw it last night and agree with you, within its conventionality there were many subtleties of characterisation which gave it real depth. It's a clever play in many ways. It's not so straightforward as it seems - interesting that we never actually see the "big party" which is supposedly the lynchpin of the whole weekend. Also, I'll pedantically point out it's not a hundred-odd years old, it's 86 years old - and it's not revered, it's barely been staged over that time and has been revived once only on the West End. I'd urge people to go and make up their own minds.

I'm genuinely pleased you enjoyed it. As I said, there is definitely an audience for this sort of play which is likely why the NT continues to put something like this on stage each year. Thanks for watching Alan - and I truly appreciate your comment. SX

Thanks mellon. I'm glad you enjoyed this production. And I would always urge people to go and make up their own minds if they think a show appeals. I am also a huge advocate for pedantry so never be ashamed about correcting details - though if I may borrow the pedant pipe, here I do state Dear Octopus was written in 1938 (86 years) and I am comparing the dialogue used to "the sort of dialogue we see in hundred year old plays we call classics". Thanks for watching and I appreciate the discourse. SX

It’s not back at the National I’m afraid. But it is transferring to the Weat End next month. It’s at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and press night is 38th February . SX

@@1extraword Yeah, you're right. I got them mixed up somehow. Either theatre is fine by me anyway. 😀

@@1extraword What would you say is minimum age for this show? I'm wondering whether I could bring the kids or not?

@@Armadillo312 The theatre says it is suitable for 12 and over. Assuming your children are teenagers, then it is your call. This show contains adult themes and strong language, including some scenes depicting physical violence, alcohol abuse and death. There are flashing lights, haze and loud sound effects.SX

@@1extraword Thanks. Much appreciated. I couldn't find any info on the official website, but I now see that LW theatres has some info. My kids are 10 and 12 by the way.

And isn’t that the point lol?!? 😂

You’re welcome Re: Frozen. The musical only opened in August 2021 in the West End so hasn’t the longevity to compete on box office takings yet. The Broadway production won one major award (for puppetry) but had only 4 nominations for the West End and didn’t win any. It was listed in two of the ‘best’ listing sources we used - coming third and ninth in those lists. So by the multiple criteria we used, you can see why Frozen didn’t make the Top 15. SX

Indeed they have all played the role in a professional national or touring production . I am intrigued to know which one you mean by the rock n roll version though? SX

Thanks. Hope you enjoy the show tonight - I'm sure you will 😀

Agreed re van den Bosch. I hadn’t heard her performance before and thought it was really strong. SX

Lea Salonga is the unquestionably the best Eponine, but Samantha Banks is very good.

Lea Salonga's rendition is the perfect blend of voice technique and emotion. Rufelle's and Barks', while excellent, do not measure up to Lea's. Lea set the standard for how this song should be sung. Nobody has come close.

Because I could only fit 28 out of over 100. I’m sorry to have missed your favourite performance. Perhaps I should do another version with another 28? Let me know who else you think should be included . SX

she did really well!

I haven't seen the current touring production and cast but believe it is just as strong. It's playing at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's West End after a year long tour but only for another week. The last performance is next Saturday 25th so best book quickly 😊😊SX

@@1extraword Thanks for the reply. Yes, I realise it's only 1 more week but it sounds like it's a must see even if cast is different.

I disagree. Frances and Samantha are by far the best.

@@douglasduff4466 Lea's rendition is the greatest of all time. It was perfect, flawless blend of vocal technique and emotion. Perfect pitch, beautiful vibrato, mixing, timing, enunciation, etc. were just immaculate. Maybe you just don't like Asians???

Great to hear. Glad you enjoyed the production. SX

In my opinion, on one has come close.

#WOKE

Not as far as I know. I don’t believe they have released the soundtrack at all. As you may have seen if you google the song title, this is one of only three results you get that you can play. I think the show was probably too controversial. SX

@@1extraword that’s too bad. It’s hilarious!

Thanks Lucy. So glad you enjoyed it. That means a lot SX

I think that would have made for an excellent and most enjoyable day on the Southbank. Thank goodness you chose those two shows and sidestepped the third currently playing the NT… Your positivity may have been slightly diluted 😀

Good to hear you enjoyed it, Iain. I'm going to take a wild (google-aided) guess that you may be 'across the pond' around New York perhaps? I genuinely don't know whether this show would be successful if it were to transfer out there. Of the two comparable shows I reference, I believe Billy Elliot smashed Broadway but Blood Brothers was a much more moderate success. I really wouldn't like to put money on it either way. What do you think (assuming of course, you're not 3,164km the other way of course - though all opinions valid :-))?

@@1extraword I am very much the other way. Crete in fact (I also googled the distance so could be wrong). But in answer to your question...... I dont know. My instinct is that that it wouldn't work in the US. I think the issues, the cultural references and the jokes are very Britain-centric. Billy Elliot worked because it was first a film, perhaps. Blood Brothers has much more in common with Standing at the Skys Edge. I'm really hoping that it has a life beyond the relatively short current run. I'm very much enjoying the cast recording at the moment and really getting deep into thought about the relationship between the music and the book - its genuinely genius! Anyone still reading who hasn't seen it, I would strongly recommend avoiding the cast recording until you have see the show. I believe there is huge impact from the unknown.

Apologies for my geography gamble that didn't pay off. Could do with some of that Cretian weathe here right now :-)

@@1extraword Yup, walked the dogs on the beach today. t-shirt weather. And we've got tomatoes and cucumbers available. Just no NT.

Oh dear I am sorry about that Justin but glad you enjoyed the review. 😂 The cast recording is well worth a listen if it doesn't make you feel even worse about not seeing it. My gut feeling is that it will take residence somewhere in the West End in the next year. And it should get a good few years from that. In the meantime, keep on eye on National Theatre at Home - they may make it available for streaming over the summer. SX