is NEXT TO NORMAL better in the West End? | my ★★★★★ review of the West End musical
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
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OHMYGOD HEY!
After many years of waiting, the Pulitzer Prize winning musical Next to Normal has finally arrived in London, with last year's premiere production at the Donmar Warehouse having just transferred to the Wyndham's Theatre in the West End.
The West End production stars Caissie Levy, Jamie Parker, Eleanor Worthington Cox, Jack Wolfe, and more.
Check out today's brand new review video for my detailed thoughts about this production...
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00:00 - introduction
02:05 - history / overview
07:26 - this production
15:29 - what I loved
22:48 - the performances
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#westend #nexttonormal #theatre - Zábava
The time we waited in London to have this has completely worth it. This is the best version of the show so far. So genuine and subtle and raw at the same time.
This cast makes such a believable family and Jack Wolfe’s Gabe is so vulnerable and loveable which makes I dreamed a dance ever so persuasive and the ending a bit less daunting🥹
Saw the second preview last year at Donmar, it was absolutely amazing. Jack as Gabe was a stunning performance but there wasn't a weak link. We were lucky that the younger members of the cast spent a good half hour chatting to the few people who did stage door.
It took me my second watch (and countless times listening to the OBC) to clock that Diana and Dan are architects and they designed the house.. it does look like an architect's house off Grand Designs!
I don't feel that Dan does see Gabriel during the show. I think he has repressed his grief, because he's too focused on trying to keep what's left of his family together. If he lets his grief in, then everything falls apart and its all been for nothing. Later on in act 2, there is a moment where Dan slightly cocks his head in the direction of where Gabriel is, as if he heard something behind him, almost acknowledging him for the first time. That's when it all starts to go wrong for Dan and has his breakdown. At the end he is completely broken and now he can see, hear and feel Gabriel. His grief has completely embraced him. With regards to the set design, I'm not sure many people will get 'the brain', but I think it does show that this family and all of its dysfunction, especially with mental health, is happening in normal regular homes/kitchens, just like the one onstage,. Mental health/grief/loss happens to everyone.
I agree with you I don’t think Dan Literally sees Gabe in the same hallucinatory way that Diane does. I think he knows the whole time the Gabriel is the elephant in the room, always there but never talked about by him because in his mind if it’s not spoken of it will go away and if he’s forced to confront the grief he’s carrying then he may never come back from it. I almost feel like there is fear on his part as well that if he lets himself confront it then he will end up losing his mind like Diane. His character has so many layers. ❤
I saw the same performance you did, (I recognised you on the way in and said hello lol), it was undoubtedly the best new (to me) show I have seen in years! I was nervous what your review might say after I enjoyed it so thoroughly 😂
Also, Jack Wolfe is absolutely my new favourite theatre performer, what an absolute powerhouse!
Wow, I didn't manage to catch the show at the Donmar, but saw it last weekend on the West End. What a genuinely touching, emotional and deep show. I may have already gone back for round 2. Looks like I have a new favourite musical!
Jack Wolfe- sublime performance the voice of the West End !
Saw it tonight. I had a rough idea of what to expect having seen your previous videos about it and I was still blown away. Incredible cast, amazing staging, absolutely loved the show
I first encountered NtN during early secondary school and whilst I loved the score, I don't think that I fully grasped the nuance of the contents at such an age. However, I saw this production last week (now thankfully older and with more perspective) and was completely mesmerised by how evocative and poignant of a musical NtN truly is, which was only contributed to by its brilliant execution across all areas.
Just to contribute to the comment about Henry's lesser depth (when compared to other characters) being a positive - I agree! I was enamoured by Natalie and Henry in this iteration of NtN and I think it's because Henry is somewhat of a cathartic presence to both the audience and to Natalie, eventhough he only appears sporadically. We spend almost the entire musical seeing the disruption and disillusionment of the domestic space and we can feel Natalie's anger towards it, not because she wants that typical nuclear family life, but just because she wants something to work out for once. As she says: "I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away... But something next to normal would be okay." In some way, I think that that an example of that 'next to normal' can be seen in Henry. He's the only character outside of the family circle (as the Doctor plays an active role in the families journey) that we have access to. He has flaws that he admits to but he also comes across as sincere and grounded in an environment where everything appears to be close to falling or hanging on by a thread. He tries to understand Nat in a way that perhaps her parents don't prioritise. Even when their relationship is directly paralleled against Diana and Dan and we are confronted with the real possibility of what the future may look like, Henry almost consoles Natalie _as well as_ the audience. It's not a refusal of "That will never happen!" but rather a "It might happen. But if it does, time will be a testament."
Apologies for the rambling. This was a brilliant review. Thank you so much ! ☺
Seeing and hearing this for the first time at the Donmar last year blew me away. It was so intense, I literally was leaning forward and holding onto my seat in the last half hour. I'm not sure it could get any better but am excited to go again this month and maybe September too which says a lot as I only get to London once a month if I'm lucky but just have to see this as much as I can before it leaves.
Watched this last night - my daughter described it as an emotional rollercoaster and I can't disagree. Six immensely talented cast members and the most beautiful staging. We absolutely loved it and were pleased we'd gone not knowing too much about the show. Gabe was hauntingly beautiful - those vocals!
Your enthusiasm for this show is infectious! I'm going to try to get over to see it next month. I saw FEELING ELECTRIC in 2005 at NYMF(New York Musical Festival) with Anthony Rapp as one of the doctors. From what I remember the medical procedures played a bigger part. It was thrilling although unwieldy. When I saw it at 2nd Stage it was in its current form with less medical plot (and the song "Feeling Electric" cut) and left me feeling electric! ALICE RIPLEY!!!!! and the whole cast were amazing. I saw it quite a few times on Broadway, watching real life couple Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley playing Diane and Dan was particularly thrilling.
Don’t know how but you always seem to post riiiight when I see a production! Just watched Next to Normal tonight and it was phenomenal!
I was there with you - :) brilliant agreed. can you believe I was thinking of going to Kiss me Kate instead?
Saw this at the domar, then last week in London, both times this was fantastic ,brilliant show, cast,acting music,cast were outstanding love a cast recording asap
Was obsessed with this show on Broadway (almost as much as Rent and Tommy); have seen one large and 2 intimate productions in Australia. Loved all productions. Hope to get to London to see it again. Love Cassie.
I saw it this Monday at it was the best thing I ever saw, I cried so much. Everything was amazing, the cast, the music, the staging, I loved it so much!
I've been a fan of N2N since its Tony's performance. The fact that Natalie and her parallels - as someone who identified very closely with her - is really refreshing to see. I hope they record a proshot so we can see it over here in the US!
i'm traveling from Denmark to London to see it next week. i'm so excited:)
I'm from Melbourne but work in London 2x a year and saw about ~20 shows last year in London, and so glad I saw this once. Wish it would still be running in December its one of the few shows I want to see more than once. The cast were so exceptional, I don't think I've seen a show recently where all the cast are so on fire ... They took a great musical and elevated several levels with their performances and the fantastic musical direction.
I became obsessed with Next to Normal after your first review last year. I cant get to London, but I eagerly search for every clip of the cast of this production and the original Broadway production.
I saw it twice in three days. The best musical I’ve seen in these past two years.
Completely agree with this review. I was blown away by the production when I watched it at the Wyndham's on Tuesday. Like Mickey Jo, I found especially the rendition of I'm Alive absolutely amazing. A must-see.
i have seen the show twice when it came to Toronto a few years back For me it was the first show that I saw that dealt with mental health, addiction, and dealing/healing with past trauma. To me the cast gave an authentic and moving experience of what it is like to live with mental health and addiction issues and trying to live within a dysfunctional family
I saw it last week and I am obsessed and planning to go back soon. I have loved this show for 15 years waiting for it to come to UK and was unfortunate to not get tickets to the Donmar last year. The show is phenomenal and while everyone automatically gravitates to Caissie Levy and Jack Wolfe - I just cannot get over Eleanor Worthington-Cox and Jamie Parker's portrayal. Coming from a family where mental health was prevalent I related so much to their emotion and portrayal of that experience. Even though I know the show and music by heart, nothing emotionally prepared me for the performance I saw.
So many clever choices too. Diana in the revolve so much of the show and everyone is around her, the revolve is almost always turning (even just a little bit) when she is experiencing somekind of turmoil - the house and world is literally spinning around her heightening the feeling of being out of control. During "I'm Alive" I legitimately thought there was an audio error as it was SO much louder than the rest of the show before it clicked no this is deliberate, this is him filling her head and we're feeling the intensity and inescapability of her feeling through the volume.
I don‘t think I’ve seen this being discussed before. This is a show where you need to read the trigger warnings, but the big twist is a trigger warning in itself. How do we balance the need to warn those impacted by this without taking away the gut punch that the cake scene delivers? Trigger warnings are definitely important but this is a tricky one to navigate.
I think multi-layered information could work, whereby increasing layers of information are only revealed to those who wish to know, whilst being fully aware that the warnings will act as spoilers. That way it is their choice should they choose to read any spoilers and reduces the risk that they are revealed to other audience members
One show I went to see had trigger warnings by the entrance, that revealed that the show contained depiction of suicide. However, this was intended to be an unexpected and shocking moment in the play, so was effectively “spoiled” by the trigger warning.
I saw n2n yeeeears ago on the USA Broadway tour and adored it. It's such an incredible show. I wish I could pop over to London to see this version; it sounds amazing!
The production is gut wrenchingly beautiful and everyone on stage is absolutely excellent. I saw it at the Donmar and it crushed me completely emotionally. I literally had to stand in a corner and ugly cry for 10 minutes before I could compose myself enough to leave the theatre, and I think one reason it hit me so hard was that tiny theatre; it literally felt like I was sitting in their living room watching it all play out. I'm curious if the new theatre brings a little bit of distance, which would actually be my preference so a can see it again with a more reasonable amount of crying, haha.
This just skyrocketed my excitement even further! September can’t come any sooner!
as an American, i’m devastated that i’m not able to see this performance
Will see it when I get to London. Family friend was a backer of the original with Alice Ripley. Excellent show
I cannot wait to see this next month
I saw the show in belgium. I wasn’t okay. I sobbed for 75% of the show. It’s one of the best show I’ve ever seen.
Since I'm in the US, I don't think I'll ever get to see this show. But the clips I've heard of the songs are fantastic. I need a cast recording ASAP.
Lots of rumors about this production coming to broadway soon.
I would try to keep an eye on local theater as well. (I say finding out I missed a local production a couple of months ago...)
@@viy2959 That is a good point. Thanks for the tip!
I saw this at the Wyndham at the weekend and it destroyed me! Truly captivating but in the comments below, so few mention the tears. I managed to hold them back but the dam just burst at the interval and at the end. I guess it's okay to weep but so few seem to acknowledge this.
I saw the original Broadway production and the West End production, and the West End production is so incredibly superior. Like sooooooo superior. I only have two criticisms, and they’re simply cultural inaccuracies:
1) the set design isn’t reminiscent of suburban US. It’s very Scandinavian minimalist-much more European or wealthy West Coast chic of the mid ‘00s.
2) We don’t pay for healthcare with portable credit card machines in the US.
I have tickets for August!!!
I saw the original cast on Broadway way back when! And I’m going to be in London the first week of September trying to figure out what and how many shows to see when I visit. A part of me didn’t want to see this or other shows I’ve already seen in NY and just West End. But I saw the cast and am torn now because I was like who could outdo Alice Ripley and Aaron! But I love Caissie Levy! I adored this show when I first saw it and that was before I was diagnosed bipolar 2, now I have a slew of other neuro spicy spice. But yeah BP is no joke sometimes especially with meds.
Can you please review Your Lie In April? I’ve heard so much about that one. Always love your channel! ❤
I saw Next to Normal in Madrid in January 2017 and even though I had been told to get ready to cry, I was not prepared to UGLY cry like that. I obsessed with the show from that moment on and two years ago I saw the Immersive version they did in Barcelona, and that was an interesting concept.
The Barcelona version was an abridged one-hour version that was surprisingly successful in keeping the gist and the soul of the show. I, of course, ugly cried again.
Of course the great draw of that show was Alice Ripley, but it was Lewis Edgar who I found fascinating. His Gabriel was SCARY, I got chills down my spine every time he entered the space, and it gave me a vision of Gabriel I hadn't imagined.
I'm watching the West End production next 9 August and I REALLY can't wait.
My favorite show. 💜 I saw it twice on Broadway, once on tour, and have seen 2 regional productions (but the last time I saw it was probably over 10 years ago.) Just hearing you talk about it made me emotional and reminded me why I love this show so much. I hope this production transfers to Broadway so I can see it because it sounds incredible
Agree- favorite show of all time- saw on Broadway twice and really hope this production transfers to Broadway! The design of the set like a brain is brilliant!
I've only ever seen the bootleg of this musical, but I'd really love to watch it live. It talks so honestly about mental health issues, and the music is spectacular.
I'm not quite sure how I can comment without leaving spoilers. I cannot see the show in England in *any* way, but I have performed in a revue featuring songs from this show. With my daughter, son and I playing certain roles. (Weird how the casting director did that.) I *was* a child raising children. With hopefully no spoilers here, when my oldest was in the hospital for a severe medical condition, I had a severe allergic reaction and we were in the same children's hospital for a bit. (He's mostly fine now. He's the son mentioned previously. And an adult now.)
This show has always been incredibly close to me, and I'm glad it's being done justice.
Is this the place you were walking to when I said Hi to you the other day near the Elizabeth Line station? After I got into the train it clicked I saw you on a day I was wearing mostly MeMade (I know how to sew) and you're part of the Rotation, and sometimes I put your videos as background when I'm sewing. Not exactly what I was wearing that day, but sure I have a Halloween costume I made while listening to you ranting about Cinderella.
I would say even if you aren’t going to see it in London you should still avoid spoilers. I’ve seen 2 community theater productions and the first time I saw it was so impactful. It’s totally worth waiting until you get a chance to see it.
Y’all must have some fancy pants IKEAs over there in Britain.
saw it on bn broadway with the original cast. Incredible show incredible music.. was my favorite show until I saw Merrily a couple months ago
Wil you be making a "what to see at fringe" video?
I saw N2N US Touring production 3 times. Alice Ripleys voice was not doing too good. But she was at 2 of those performances I was at, at the 3rd, her understudy, Pearl Sun , was Diana, and She was PHENOMENAL. And I also saw a local production at the now defunct Balagan Theater, directed by Louis Hobson who was the original Dr. Madden/Fine on Broadway. To me, it's a perfect musical. Probably my absolute favorite
I think I might like this cast more than the Broadway cast
Can you review Fangirls at the Lyric Hammersmith?
I think I see BWAY transfer in the future!!!
I certainly hope so
Yes PLEASE!
Odd question … are you going to see The Marilyn Conspiracy by any chance? I live in the US and I have an old friend who’s in it. Just curious.
I saw Next to Normal years ago on Broadway (original cast) with my parents; it's one that's always stuck with me, and I find myself listening to the soundtrack regularly. My gripe with the cast in London is that they don't seem as sinister as I would like. When I listen to I'm Alive, I want to be uncomfortable and scared; I have the same feelings about Heathers, which I never saw but listen to the soundtrack regularly. I will try to see this production because I love the show, but I worry I'll be comparing. In any case, Mickey, I am so happy you could see the show and spoke so much about Next to Normal.
Jamie Parker was incredible. But. The greatest Dan ever was Brian D'arcy James at Second Stage (where the show, in its premiere, was still quite problematic).
Just a couple of weeks before I saw Next to Normal, I saw 2:22. Both shows have a similar twist. Just me? Anyhow, much as I loved Next To Normal, I spent so much of the second act trying to subtly wipe snot away from my nose. Didn't help that I was seated next to some very pretty tourists and it's hard to look cool as you're quietly blubbering away.
5:57 Harder conversations, or just different? I'm not sure you actually comprehend Dear Evan Hansen's scope. Dear Evan Hansen is not really a mental health conversation like Next to Normal is. It's more in line with social connection in general, particular within the context of the internet. Speaking as someone who knows the show well, I would think Evan Hansen is just as worthy of the Pulitzer as Next to Normal is. There wasn't really talk about the effects of social media and the internet, which is a huge cultural phenomenon, on social connection and decision making before Dear Evan Hansen appeared.
Something to note also, Next to Normal wasn't nominated for the Pulitzer, but it won it, which is a huge controversy in of itself. I think it is disingenuous to not mention that in your video.
Is this going to be too triggering if you have suffered from mental health issues?