Anyone seen ? Aint Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations

[Mike]

anyone seen this yet?

if so would you like to share your views?

as one of my lads recently enjoyed the 'Jersey Boys' show and I was wondering whether to recommend this to him

Aint Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations

 https://london.ainttooproudmusical.com/

[Owd Codger]

I would like to see this show, and that probably means a trip to the West End as I'd be surprised if it repeats the Jersey Boys success and tours Nationally.

The Temptations don't have the "pop"  back catalogue here in the UK.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

I saw that one of the USA cast members ( Melvin Frankin bass role) impressed Otis Williams so much that he signed him up for the actual Temptations group stil appearing and recording.

[Richard]

We went to see it a few weeks ago and I enjoyed it. Of course not as good as seeing the actual Temps but as a West End show it ticked the boxes. More than anything it concentrated on the tragedies that surrounded The Temps eg David Ruffin’s drug addiction etc. and their success in the backdrop. You also have to bear in mind it moves along at a fair pace as crammed in a lot of years history into a couple of hours. Of course it mostly concentrates on the hits but surprisingly included I Want a Love I Can See which I was really pleased about as it’s one of my fav  Temps tracks.

Edited May 18, 2023 by Richard

[Daved]

I saw it too and agree with Richard. Perhaps more singing and dancing than storyline compared to most shows but I enjoyed it. Was pleasantly surprised to hear Since I Lost My Baby.

[Speedlimit]

Fantastic  most of the storyline is based around the temps movie Fantastic  singers  highly  recommend  I've seen the temps a few time and was sceptical  if it would be good . It was way beyond  my expectations 10/10

[Soulboyrecords]

It's fantastic. Saw it recently. Knocked Jersey Boys into a cocked hat. 

[Owd Codger]

As a result of these comments, I've decided to take the plunge and visit London to see the West End show, just in case no UK tour follows. I think the inclusion of "Since I lost my baby" did it!

 

 

 

[Guest]

I’ve also seen it and enjoyed it a great deal. There are some fantastic voices on show and the dancing is first rate.You have fun spotting the various personalities even Johnnie-mae Matthews makes a cameo appearance. There are about twenty five songs covered but only a few in their entirety. 

Personally I thought ‘Jersey Boys’ was better but I saw ’ain’t too proud’ on the second or third night so no doubt there will be adjustments and enhancements 

[Owd Codger]

I think members of this Parish would enjoy the show .

The success of Jersey Boys stemmed from the fact that the general members of the public/ audience would know most of the songs without too much knowledge of The Four Seasons.

I'm not sure the same will apply to The Temptations. 

[Roburt]

It's getting lots of ad time on UK TV at present ... don't know if that's coz the show isn't selling out each night at present.

Just seems strange to me that so much money is being spent on TV ad promotional work when similar shows (The Motown Story, Tina Tuner Story and others) got very little or none at all. Guess the shows producers realise that lots of their potential audience lives outside London & therefore has to organise a trip to (weekend) in the big city) in order to see it.

I wish it every success & hope to go along myself real soon. 

[Soulboyrecords]

15 minutes ago, Roburt said:

It's getting lots of ad time on UK TV at present ... don't know if that's coz the show isn't selling out each night at present.

Just seems strange to me that so much money is being spent on TV ad promotional work when similar shows (The Motown Story, Tina Tuner Story and others) got very little or none at all. Guess the shows producers realise that lots of their potential audience lives outside London & therefore has to organise a trip to (weekend) in the big city) in order to see it.

I wish it every success & hope to go along myself real soon. 

We went on a Tuesday night. It was rammed

Edited May 23, 2023 by Soulboyrecords

[Owd Codger]

I've looked at ticket options, will probably opt for Stalls seats.

However, it appears that NO Grand Circle tickets are on sale. Does this mean that this area is " cordoned off" and is "dark"?

[Frankie Crocker]

Saw the show yesterday and I would recommend it. The production was slick, the singing very good, dancing well choreographed, music pretty decent coming from the House Band, all in all, well worth seeing.

We had booked tickets for the Grand Circle as soon as they were on sale but were re-seated in a loggia box with an excellent view. Clearly the theatre is not full to capacity as theGrand Circle is not in use, but the vast majority of seats were occupied.

The audience were 98% white, mainly middle-aged to old and mainly female. There were hardly any young people present suggesting a lack of interest in Motown music as far as 20-30 year olds are concerned.

For Temps fans, this would be of interest as their history was well covered and spliced in with other Motown acts. As a piece of theatre in the West End, it would be a pleasant way to spend an evening in London.

[Owd Codger]

Frankie Crocker,

Many thanks for the information above. That is very interesting and somewhat confirms my thinking. I had worked out that the Grand Circle wasn't being used.

Re Jersey Boys, I think the general "Pop" audience , whilst not knowing , or caring, about the Four Seasons history, would come out of that show with familiar songs ringing in their ears....songs made famous by the Four Seasons, Andy Williams, Bay City Rollers etc. They know the songs...and would tell friends about the great show 

I'm not sure that the Temptations back catalogue would have that effect. I hope I'm wrong...I'd love to see it tour around the UK.

I'm sure serious Motown fans,collectors etc will enjoy this show

I have booked a break to London, specifically to see this show. I will check out prices, as they seem to vary on web sites.

Thank you for your comments.

 

 

[Owd Codger]

Saw the show last night (4 July) and enjoyed it very much.

Not full by any means, but a decent sized crowd  . performers, band etc excellent.

Act 1 concentrates on the formation of group up to the firing of Ruffin. For  serious Motown fans, the inclusion of "Since I lost my Baby", "I want a love I can see" , "Wish it would rain" all welcome.

I sensed a general feeling at the interval that the "General" public were intersted in the fast paced story,  but didn't relate to most of the music.. or knew anything of thr group story...Remember The Temptations didn't tour the UK until 1971. They had no visible presence on TV or big UK hits of any note until the reissue of "Get Rrady" in 1969 and " I'm gonna make you love me". 

The second Act then contains UK hits of the early 70s which were well received, althougj the inclusion of Harold Melvin's hit is strange....many will think it's s Tempts track.

If you can, do go to see the show..it's very good.

Ticket wise, the usual agents selling reduced tickets didn't have anything on the day prior to my visit. If in London, I'd suggest buying from agents on the afternoon of the performance when specials may be on sale.

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Owd Codger