Top Hat beheaded - really?

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Latest is is that they plan to try & keep it open until mid/late Sept!
There is a major show wanting the Aldwych in particular from the end of Oct.

[AnythingGoes23]

Hmmm, I've conflicting news on that!

The show has just extended to April 2013 and matinee's change to three times a week from 4th September, for which they are doing a huge marketing groups campaign. They are yet to tackle the discount's market and currently are not wanting to as those who want to see it will pay the money and the show is surviving on that and gets the added benefit one being seen to be a "premium" show in London. By no means is an extension evidence on survival, but I struggle to see why they would be spending thousands on marketing the new matinees, which don't start until September, when they are facing closure Mid/Late Sept. If that was the case at this stage they would be just discounting to fill and get all they can before closing.

The show is yet to tackle the tourist/discount field and when London is accessible to Groups and coaches the matinees will do well (hence the marketing around a third matinee)

I think give Top Hat until October, if the new matinee fails and numbers dwindle when they start discounting, I think that's when alarm bells will ring and closure will be in sight. I'd they are fine for the rest of the year. Personally I am suprised, I thought Singin in the Rain had this market and Top Hat would struggle from the Day 1...

Also Viva Forever were interested in the Aldwych for a November opening, so if they couldn't get Top Hat out...

[Princeton Returns]

I guess there is room for both, SITR has a wider appeal as it better known and loved, I suspect Top Hat will do well with American tourists too. The matinee idea is great, play to your strengths!

[ClapYo'Hands]

Top Hat have also just recorded a cast recording!

[AnythingGoes23]

I have also been informed today - they are talking closely with BBC regarding Strictly Come Dancing and going on the show regulary, working the the contestants etc ... is such a close fit boosted even more so by Tom Chambers. The boundary they are facing is it unfair promotion/glorified advertising?!

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Yes, theses are all things in the pipeline they have planned. It's early days but their is a struggle with money at the mo.
Like me, I'm sure they are thinking these bloody Olympics would just bugger off!
If they can get thru these coming few months then hopefully it will all be tip top for 'Top Hat'.
PS Ive yet to meet someone who has anything good to say about this production.

[rjm516]

Really Mama? What negative things have you heard (details)?

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Same as what people have been saying on here really.

[AnythingGoes23]

Agree re Olympics!

I don't think it's probably our crowd Top Hat are marketing to be fair.... The blue rinse crowd and older market love it!

[MamasDoin'Fine]

I take that as a compliment!

[AnythingGoes23]

[ClapYo'Hands]

^^ And I think in that respect, Singin' In The Rain has a far wider appeal.

[Mark_E]

There's no denying this is a show for the older crowd. I must have been the youngest by 20 years in that theatre last night.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Most certainly.

[rjm516]

Now I'm more conflicted than ever. To see or not to see!

[ClapYo'Hands]

Have you seen Singin' In The Rain? If not, go see that instead. There are many better musicals currently playing in London.

[bob8rich]

"Ive yet to meet someone who has anything good to say about this production"

Well you have now! lol It was fantastic. I enjoyed it a lot more than SITR (probably because I think that Berlin's score is far stronger than the rather bland Freed/Brown songs and I also felt that the lead performances had far more impact in Top Hat).

[MamasDoin'Fine]

..and there speaketh the high representative of the blue rinse brigade!

[ClapYo'Hands]

Ha!

[bob8rich]

mama, lmfao - biatch!

[MamasDoin'Fine]

mmmmmwaaah x

[rjm516]

I saw Singin in the Rain, one of my favorite shows and movies, and honestly, while I enjoyed it, I found the production seriously lacking. Mostly because I was supremely annoyed by both lead actresses. You're supposed to fall in love with Kathy Seldon as Don does, and I wanted to strangle her. There's no way he would have fallen for her given how she played their first scene. I thought the men were great. The choreography was pretty boring. The best part was getting wet. I guess if I thought SITR was not great, I would be really disappointed by Top Hat.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

I've such vivid memories of the ultra spectacular London Palladium production of 'Singin' In The Rain' that I'm afraid i would feel deeply let down by this ultra light production.
'Top Hat' just sounds like a 'posh am dram production'. That's one of the descriptions by the way that Ive been given of the production by friends who've seen it.

[Jonwo]

I thought Singin' in the Rain was quite good but Act 2 is a lot weaker compared to Act 1. I do look forward to the cast recording of both Singin' and Top Hat.

[Top Hat fan]

They've also just completed a cast recording,which should be available end of August.

[Top Hat fan]

A belated reply to rjm516 - a satisfied customer posted on theatre monkey.com : "At £15 I would get these seats every time". She is referring to the seats in the slips - movable chairs at either side of the Grand Circle, seats AA 1-6 and 7-12. Apparently you can pull them right forward and see practically everything. I've booked AA 12 for a performance in a few weeks time, so we shall see.