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theatreguys 
Sexy, sizzling and definitely not subtle, last night’s performance at Sadlers Wells was utterly sensational. Having been lucky enough to see the Car Man previously with the theatre group, a second viewing did not disappoint.
With the usual touches of Matthew Bourne’s humour and playfulness, the show was wonderfully undercut with an edginess of repressed desire and simmering violence which had us on the edge of our seats throughout.
We especially loved the mix of dance styles – the muscular athleticism of the group dances, the flamenco flicks and stomps, the drowsily lithe tango leg slides – we were utterly seduced.
Excellent seats as always, thank you. We certainly saw everything under the bonnet (!)
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Car Man
What a thrilling show. Bourne has used his regular designer, Lez Brotherston, to create a big tacky space full of cheap furniture, old cars being renovated, and what might have been a sex room where characters flit to, to satisfy their lusts. And of course, thronged with vibrant characters , and expressive lighting. Although the show is not, actually, another adaptation of Carmen, one is never far away from that work, with most of Bizet’s themes wittily re-scored to suit a different setting. BUT what would anyone who knew nothing about Carmen make of some of the scenes eg. the young modestly attired woman who comes to talk to Luca near the end, is presumably his sister Micaela coming to persuade him to come back home and abandon his wild life. What can anyone not knowing Carmen make of that scene? A witty sequence involving she sharing out of cigarettes was a nice reference to the cigarette factory of the opera. The introduction of gay sub-plots and the homoerotic groupings of some of the male dancers was another clever nod to a more modern period. I was often reminded of other shows; the aggressive body language of the men was like those of West Side Story (though NOT the choreography of Jerome Robbins),, the girls looked as if they could all break into the America number at any moment, But this show IS a new work and is thrilling to watch, with sensational dancers, huge numbers of impeccably timed pieces of throwaway moments (the tossing of balls, baseball hats, chairs, etc) and you really have to wonder: how do they do all that?
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Car Man
Second time I have seen this and it as action packed and exhilarating as first time around.
Many thanks Fredo and Mike
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THE CAR MAN
Just a note from me to say how much I enjoyed last night – it was a magnificent performance, a full house and as ever in Sadlers Wells, great view from a very comfy seat!
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The Carman
It just gets better and better. Seeing it for the second time,I realised what I’d missed the first occasion as there’s so much happening on stage.The young dancers have the the grace and athleticism which are a joy to watch. I particularly like Matthew Bourne’s excellent choreography and productions as the troupe all have their particular individual moments. In a word “Fantastic“.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for your hard work getting the group super seats.
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The Car Man.
Martin says it all but I haven’t seen it before. Outstanding.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for another delightful evening.
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The Carman,
Stunning, passionate performance from the whole cast. Great choreography, precise timing, orchestra great also…seen it before and it just gets better.
Wonderful evening,
Thanks Fredo and Mike
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Truth
We absolutely loved this play. Stephen Mangan was superb and followed by the rest of the small cast. It was very funny, fast moving and an ending which left you thinking
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The Truth
We especially enjoyed this play .Really very funny.
Michel is so indignant & outrageous with his lies.
When he discovers he has been caught out , he is more concerned about his tennis game .He gets himself into such a tangled situation.
All the cast members are so very good.
Great entertainment.
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THE TRUTH
Thank you for Tuesday’s bit of laughter. My friend and I enjoyed and it was good to see something fun. Janie Dee stood out, as expected but I felt Steven Mangan overplayed it a bit. Nevertheless a good evening preceded.
A well deserved pat on the back to you both for organising it.
Mary
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Monica and Robin.
The Truth
Stephen Mangan says the play is hard on the voice with quite a lot of ranting so he uses a nebuliser, a spray and eats quite a lot of pineapple as this all helps relax the vocal cords etc. Not surprising he needs to do all this plus the fact he is on stage virtually all night. He also comments on using microphones which he is not in favour of as he went to Rada. You pride yourself in being heard in every seat of the house.
What super way to spend an evening seeing the play with such a lot of laughs. You couldn’t fault it and it was spot on and so were all the actors. Interesting staging, fitted very well.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for taking us to all these exciting plays.
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Truth
What a fantastic evening at the theatre .Stephen Mangan was superb as the hypocritical Marcel . His demeanour and facial expressions were a joy to behold .A very strong cast a with exceptional performances by all . Shan’t give any spoilers ! Thank you for selecting another very enjoyable evening for the group . Derek navigated the diversions very well making the journey quick in both directions which was a bonus.
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The Truth
What a fabulous evening indeed. Florian Zeller has written some of the most amusing, and also profound, plays of the last 10 years or so. The Truth tantalises us, and challenges us to discover what lies under the busy and very funny manoeuvres of the characters. The star, of course, is Stephen Mangan who gets funnier and funnier, the more desperately he tries to keep all his devious plates spinning. There are so many aspects to the plot, and once the audience learns the basic mechanics of adultery, the more we await the next slip-up in the alibis. These are so cleverly plotted and often explode without warning, delivering huge gales of laughter from the delighted audience. It is extraordinary to see how Mangan manages to reach ever-higher levels of self-justification and outrage but he does! The whole cast is brilliant, but perhaps Janie Dee offers something more profound in her tearful scene at the end. Excellent seats, Fredo, and thanks. John
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Truth
This is one reason why we have the theatre. It’s the best medium through which
such an involved and devious dialogue be presented. I was willing them to open up their secrets and resolve their issues. It was condensed life with all the humour repackaged for an audience. Clever comic timing from all the actors especially Stephen Mangan and Ardal O’Hanlon who captured this essence so effortlessly.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for a great night out.
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Truth
This is one reason why we have the theatre. Through what other medium
could such an involved and devious dialogue be presented. I was willing them to open up their secrets and resolve their issues. It was condensed life with all the humour repackaged for an audience. Clever comic timing from the actors especially Stephen Mangan and Ardal O’Hanlon who captured this essence so effortlessly.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for a great night out.
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The Truth
Stephen Mangan’s Michel stole the show with an uproarious performance. His emotional unravelling during the play was brilliantly contrasted with the ever composed Janie Dee (who wins the award for the most arched eyebrow of the night) and the self restraint of best friend Paul. Sarah Hadland’s Alice was also very entertaining and kept us guessing as to who had the upper hand in their ‘arrangement’.
A punchy running time of only 90 minutes, this farce was a ‘light’ comedy that also dealt with hefty themes of truth and deception with the same ease as Stephen Mangan swigging back his sixth whisky of the night. What a joy!
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The Truth
You have to enjoy the theatre to venture out on a steamy summers evening to see a relatively short play. The Truth was certainly worth the effort. I had seen the play before at the Chocolate Menier Factory and recall my daughter and I on the front row being taken aback by a naked posterior as the lights went up. It was Michel emerging from his tryst with Alice. I enjoyed that play but enjoyed last evenings performance better. It was of course. Stephen Mangan’s wonderfully comic performance that created this. The whole play seemed to rest on humour as opposed to lust. StephenMangans character Michel was very well supported by Sarah Hadlands Alice. I loved her when in Miranda and she is a great comic actress Paul, Ardal O’ Hadland and Laurence, Janie Dee played it less flamboyantly yet they I believe were the dark horses with most secrets to hide. In all a sophisticated production with very funny bones. Thank you again Fredo and Mike and Derek from Cooks who negotiated traffic problems so well.
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The Truth
It was the perfect night out, a brilliant performance especially from Stephen Mangan, laughter throughout and enjoyable from start to finish. I didn’t want it to end. One of the best, thank you.
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The Truth
What better way to spend a very warm evening than in a cool theatre laughing at a brilliant comedy.
Stephen Mangan was so energetic and amusing ably supported by 3 excellent fellow professionals.
The scene changes worked so well. Very slick.
Thank you yet again Fredo and Mike. I loved every minute of it. Fantastic entertainment.
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Truth
What a script! What timing! What a performance from Stephen Mangan! What a laugh! What a great night out! THANK YOU.
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