Imagine This – critics reviews
Imagine This – what the press said:
Last night was press night for Imagine This, the new musical set in the Warsaw Ghetto. Despite our best wishes I’m afraid all did not go well.
Michael Billington in the Guardian was unimpressed
“They said it couldn’t be done: a musical about the Warsaw ghetto. And, now that I’ve seen it, I know that they were right
Oh dear 
Charles Spencer in the Daily Telegraph was a bit more encouraging:
“At one level, the show strikes me as not bad at all. There are big soaring anthems, a strong love interest and a plot that undoubtedly grips. The production values, though far from extravagant, are effective enough, and though there are no star names, the performances are impressive … Imagine This has a certain integrity about it.
So far so good, but it didn’t stay that way:
Except, of course, for one inconvenient, incontrovertible and unpalatable fact – this is a musical that attempts to turn the Holocaust into entertainment.
And it got even worse by the end of the review:
Imagine This must finally be judged a manipulative and morally dubious show. In the present harsh economic climate, however, it is unlikely to trouble the West End for long.”
Benedict Nightingale in The Times wasn’t impressed either. He didn’t seem to have the same level of distaste for the choice of subject but he still wasn’t happy. He found many of the lines ‘clunky’ and said this was “accompanied by a major loss of nerve on everyone’s part”
Evening Standard critic Nicholas DeJong felt that the musical should come with a bad taste warning. He didn’t like the book or the score much either. He said:
In any case, the music and songs of Imagine This never do justice to its terrifying theme.”
So how can it be that those arbiters of blogging taste The West End Whingers loved the show? The Whingers are not known for their patience with anything below their undoubtedly high standards. They found themselves enjoying the show and it seems they were not alone:
Judging by the cheers of the audience at the curtain call and several who awarded standing ovations (probably Americans too – they’re on a high at the moment so it’s excused this time) it could prove to be the next surprise hit.
If the crowds who turn out for Les Miz (and God knows there are enough of them) aren’t deterred by the credit crunch The Whingers imagine this could be the just the fare they’ve been looking for. Imagine that.
Imagine This – have your say.
So, dear readers, what do you think? Have you seen the show? Do you agree with the critics or have they misjudged the show? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think of Imagine This.
Steady now.
We didn’t say we loved it.
We said we were “pleasantly and unexpectedly surprised”.
Sorry Andrew, I just got carried away there!
Having attended one of the last previews of “Imagine this” after sampling 6 other West End Shows this week I’d think I’ve regained a kind of overview what’s on the musical stage these days: Imagine this is one of the very few examples of an original script and the plot is cleverer as most plays having emerged recently; The parallels between Massada and Ghetto, just to mention that both the Romans and the Nazis share the same way of greeting, are mind provoking (replace Romans, Nazis, etc. with Empire in general and Jews with minorities and you have touched the timeless plot of the musical), the cast is great, choreography is stunning, stage design is effective … OK the music is mainly supportive, but again lets be fair: there is a reason why most shows over the last decades relied on already proven hits … and Sondheims are rare .. If you have the choice between Wicked and Imagine This, head for the latter ….
Imagine This is a show that supported it’s theme so well. I didn’t think I would be impressed but I was and the show carried me into the world of Poland 1940 I loved the text and the music had well written true musical harmonies which swelled into spine tingling crescendo’s the main theme of this piece is that we must never stop telling the world the story of the holocaust and that is just what this musical did. Had this been a play, we would be sending schools to see it in thousands. But because it’s a musical we all behave differently. I say get the schools to see this I think the whole experience of this musical will enrich lives for a long time to come. The critics who have only viewed this piece as entertainment are sadly lacking in how we use the stage to communicate much more than entertainment.
I agree with the Whingers, and I value their opinion over the Guardian, DT and the Times, who tend to trash any new musical that comes to the West End. The music of Imagine This is fabulous. The story was engaging. The audience was obviously moved by the story when I watched it, and many left the theatre in tears. All in all I feel it’s a remarkable production, as did my partner. I hope audiences give it a chance. I saw it based on word of mouth from some of my theatre friends. Glad I listened to them and the Whingers instead of the reviews.
I believe the show ‘Imagine this’ to be one of the bravest shows on a London stage for a very long time….It has integrity, heart, and commitment…Very important characteristics, much lacking in our dear Britain and indeed our precious world…Yes, it is set in a Warsaw Ghetto, yes it is a play within a play which also tells the story of Jewish sufferance…However, at this point I believe our narrow-minded critics fall short of the overall picture..This is a story for everyone. ….’Imagine this’ is about people everywhere. It is about courage, pride, truth, principles, humanity and love…
Are we so scared to believe these qualities are still attainable? ‘Safely’ favouring trivia like ‘I’m a celebrity..’ and listening to judges/critics bullying another celebrity, who has given his heart and time for charity? Surely the point is lost..It’s not about being the best dancer…Otherwise, the public would have voted differently..It’s about generosity, spirit, humour and more than anything, appreciation of life….
I was lucky enough to be at the press night of ‘Imagine this’ and I stood spontaneously at the end of the show, with an entire packed New London theatre audience,screaming through floods of tears at the immense feeling of hope…
Hope…for the future of the unity of our cosmos, with which we have hope for our world…with which we have hope to love life and indeed ….live it!!!
‘Imagine this’ has a brilliant score, challenging the usual West End musical. The choreography is exciting, innovative and intimate in its understatedness. The staging and lighting give the sense that anything indeed is possible…The performances have a great energised universality… Through Peter Polycarpou’s fresh, truthful and sonoric portrayal of Daniel (Eleazar) Warshowski, he displays a heartfelt leader whose choices leave us all thinking about our individual and collective morals and our personal duty to respect our world, our lives and our part in each other’s.
Imagine that!!!!!!
I was very moved by Imagine This and in tears by the end – I thought the cast were fantastic and the production simple but effective. I don’t think it will be running for long though – not because of the content but the theatre was half empty, they had to close the circle totally and that was on the 2nd night! in the current climate I think people just want to be cheered up, but I would say if you get a chance to see this go now – it is worth it.
I wrote a really long comment…..
It seems to have disappeared and when I attempted to copy it back on, I was told the comment was already there, here, so, where…has it gone??/
Great ….back on board….
RUN don’t walk to Imagine This at the New London Theatre!!!
I speak as an avid theatre goer who is tired of reruns , copycats
and mean spirited critics
I write to applaud a production and story line that courageously engages its audience on every level visual and emotional
It is a Love story that MAKES you care
Its music sounds well after you have left the theatre
The heart wrenching subject matter touched all in the audience obvious by resounding applause and standing ovation
The play, a human response to life in the inhuman environment of the Warsaw ghetto is beautifully choreographed and brilliantly directed and enjoys one of the best ensemble casts I have recently seen
(I have never before written a comment anywhere but felt obliged to do so after this moving theatrical experience)
bring tissues!!!
I saw the show opening night and can’t believe I saw the same performance that the critics saw. I LOVED the evening — I was moved and challenged and provoked and entertained. I thought the story was compelling and the songs catchy without being simplistic in the least. As a Jew, I can’t figure out what the issue is with setting this story in the Warsaw Ghetto. What better a backdrop for a story of love and hope, bravery and possibility emerging even out of the darkest night.
All I can add is to share one of my favorite quotations:
“Critics are to art, as pigeons are to statues.”
Having just booked four tickets for next weekend. I then looked at the reviews and thought I might have made a big mistake. So it is encouraging to read the reviews above.
This is a piece of musical entertainment set during a horrific period of history. Having visited Poland and the concentration camp and a father who served in the Special Boat Services during the 2nd World War. I have always known the history and the significance and importance of ‘never forgetting’. However theatre should be judged on whether it is good, whether the acting, the mustic, the setting and everything else is good.
I loved Lez Mis and have seen it twice. I shall certainly provide my review after next weekend. I now feel a lot better about booking the show. If I had read the experts reviews first I may never have booked it.
Imagine This is not a show about the Holocaust. Neither is it a show about the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. It is a show about a group of people who, during a horrible time, have to make choices and rise to a challenge. I am a daughter of two concentration camp survivors who had lived in a ghetto in Poland during the holocaust. I find this show not only appropriate and respectful, but a great vehicle to bring this subject to the attention of a younger generation. I saw the play more than once. I was surprised by the number of young people in the audience and was very heartened to find, upon talking to them, that they were engaged and moved and that they intended to go home and find out more about the two historical places, The Warsaw Ghetto and Masada. The audience, which, by the way is NOT American understand what the show is presenting and I suggest that the critics stop intellectualizing, they are simply not equipped.
***** EXCELLENT!!! AMAZING!!! One of the best play I’ve seen!! Don’t pay attention to the bad reviews. It’s really worth it!! Well performed, song, brilliant art direction, costumes, etc. It couldn’t be better! It deserves 5 stars. I’ve seen it twice and would be happy to go back!!
IMAGINE THIS is by far one of the most moving, interesting and complex musicals I have seen.
Can it be that the theatre critics in London, are, heaven forbid, anti-semitic? because as an American Jew, I saw IMAGINE THIS as a theatre piece that honored those who lost their lives during WW11. I can only think that they critics and I saw different shows. Could there be two IMAGINE THIS productions playing at the same theatre?
The audiences (I saw it twice) agreed with me, as they stood, cheering and applauding, tears running down their cheeks, in a way I have not seen in all the years I have been attending London’s theater. Yes, I am an American, and apparently that seems to be suspect, but the audience was not…believe it or not, it was an English Audience on its feet.
I suggest that you walk, run, ride, or fly to the New London theater, because if you don’t, you will be missing a wonderful and moving evening in the theater.
I’ve enjoyed reading all the comments so far, it’s amazing how different the general approval from theatregoers has been so far, compared with the critics, and also some comments elsewhere.
If anybody is actually related to members of the cast or one of the financial backers that’s fine, you can have your say but it would be best to declare any interests. Not that I’m suggesting any of the valued comments so far might be, just observing that it’s all going one way so far, which is something that can happen.
I hope the discussion can continue to develop in a sensitive and intelligent way, whether or not more diverse opinions turn up, especially opinions no matter how strongly expressed about the performance, production and creativity of Imagine This
I saw Imagine This in previews, and I really enjoyed it. I thought the songs were good and the choreography was very interesting. I think the criticism of the cast being largely unknown overlooks the bigger issue — they are excellent! Yes, the period of history explored is horrific — but art shouldn’t shy away from challenging expression. My one complaint was that I thought the male romantic lead’s motivations were guided solely by plot expediency and so some of his decisions were inexplicable from an audience’s perspective. I think the show needs a little plot tweaking, but the music is beautiful and moving.
I saw this show once in previews and on press night, and I was extremely moved by the performance and cryed both times!!!
I was dissapointed to read the critics’ reviews and feel obliged to tell others of the wonder that this show is. I thought that the performances were amazing from all cast members and I wouldn’t hesitate to go and see this musical again.
The choreography was extraordinary and the songs were wonderful (I am still singing them over a week later!) It was lovely to see something new and original come to the West End and I thoroughly enjoyed the perfomance both times.
Please do not be put off by the critics and their reviews. It seems lately that they are ready to criticise anything which is different from what has been presented in the West End previously.
The word of mouth support for Imagine This is encouraging, but it has to be said that this new musical has arrived in the West End without much of a fanfare. Maybe that’s because there aren’t any conventional big musical backers behind it. Anyway, I hope it survives long enough for the momentum to build so that people from other cities than London will be able to come and enjoy Imagine This Theatre Breaks
Today I went to see the show. I brought tickets before the reviews and after the “they said it couldn’t be done (in the warsaw ghetto), they were right” comment of the guardian reviewer I expected little and was ready to leave if necessary- but decided to go anyway with an open mind.
Breath-taking in its poignancy, funny and extremely moving.They said it couldn’t be done and they were wrong- it could- Mr guardian reviewer. It got a standing ovation at the matinee and I will be taking back my teenagers to see it.
The music was varied and beautiful, the acting and singing superb, the orchestra excellent, the story well…it needs telling. The romantic element in noway is sweetens the historical horror.
I tried to buy the cd but it’s not yet out.
I recommend it highly and am sure it be received well by future audiences (if mine is anything to go by)despite the reviews.
We loved this show and it seemed the rest of the audience responded with enthusiastic applause after almost every scene with us. There was a spontaneous standing ovation at the show’s conclusion. We saw the show Nov. 19. I guess there were so many standing we were unable to see the critics who must have been sitting.
My wife and I are ardent theatre goers. We see shows in London, Broadway, and San Francisco, and Imagine This stands up with the best of them.
check it out
I saw Imagine This on Friday and was completely blown away by it. How could the critics have got it so wrong? The show was inspiring, moving, funny and of course sad.
The music was amazing, the singing sublime and the choreography was wonderful.
What a refreshing change from most of the shallow so called ‘feel good’ productions peddling their wares on the West End.
If you want to feel good, go to see Imagine This. It will move you and give you hope. The subject matter is almost secondary to the human themes of courage over adversity, unity with your fellow humans and love which can blossom anywhere.
Don’t miss this and tell your friends.
Well worth watching. Dancing evocative, Cast very enegetic and gave it there all. I found the jokes predictable and inappropriate. Audience gave it a deserved standing
ovation.
Truly excellent production.
I am certainly not experienced in Theatre productions by any means however, this was the most moving production, thought provoking and emotional.
How someone can dare say that it should not be done is ridiculous.
Many forget the pain and suffering in the past…..this show brings to life for the audience a degree of what was suffered.
The cast were exceptional and vocal abilities excellent.
24 Year old female blubbering at the end and a standing ovation.
What a truly great performance that made me value those so brave that fell in such terrible times.
SORRY for that partial message – cranky computer –
But THANK YOU for being such a wonderful fan of the show…. the author Glenn Berenbeim (I am actually his friend– that comment of his was mistakenly send under my AOL address, but I have been passing your excellent research on…. )
All best,
Julia
SPOILER ALERT! admin
Imagine This – I’d rather not.
I went to see this on Saturday 30th November, thankfully I got my ticket half price at the cheap ticket office in Leicester Square (£60 ticket reduced to £30). It’s one of those shows that I am glad to have seen, but would never go to see it again.
Let me start with some of the positives…..the stage set is quite stunning, the special effects quite good, some great one liners and Peter Polycarpou’s along with a few others did well under the circumstances.
The negatives….The stage set is massive with a lot happening and at times difficult to see who was actually talking/singing, the Masada Romans dance routines were similar to those performed by Madonna on her live tour! I didn’t realise Romans knew how to vogue!
I would imagine certain communities would enjoy the show, to a certain extent its quite educational and would appeal to Historians and those studying History. So its a must see for certain people.
Personally (without offending anyone), the show lacked the WOW factor for me and the end couldn’t have come soon enough, so you can imagine my relief when the Nazi’s mass murdered the troupe as I finally realised I was able to go home.
I went to see the show with my daughter on 3rd Dec because I got two for the price of one tickets. I had not heard of the show and knew nothing about it, so I went with a completely open mind. Both my daughter (who is herself a dancer) and myself thought the show was absolutely brilliant. The choreography was so clever, with limited space they encapsulated exactly waht was happening and the moods of the people. The singing and the songs were amazing. They proved you did not need high profle stars. Both of us were moved to tears. When I came home I looked on the web for the reviews and was astounded that all the reviewers gave it the thumbs down. Does everything have to be bright and jolly? If you have not seen it, please go and support the suberb cast and then you can give your own opinion.
Just back home from a night out in London to see ‘Imagine This’. It was fantastic. The four of us were captivated, enthralled from the very beginning. Having visited Masada and also the death camps in Poland, this play made a connection I’d not thought about. The dialogue was amusing but convincing, the acting was first class, the staging was very good, the music was excellent and the singing was superb. How could anyone not be moved by the powerful story? The standing ovation at the end was well deserved. But why was the theatre only half-full? I’m reminded of ‘Blood Brothers’ that the critics also panned and so ran for only a few weeks, but in the meantime the public had discovered it, loved it and the later performances were packed. So it was quickly brough back to the West End and has played for years to packed houses. ‘Imagine This’ deserves to do the same. I’ve probably been to 100 West End shows and this must rank close to the top if not the best. Ignore the critics. Go and see it but be prepared to be moved to tears – not through artificial emotionalism but by the power of the story and the strength of the performances. Then tell your friends to go as I will tell mine. This show deserves to succeed. It will remain in the memory of those of us fortunate to have seen it for a very long time. And finally, thanks to lastminute.com through whom we got our front row seats for just £10. In that respect only, the critics did us a favour. We want to see it again, this time from further back to get a wider perspective.
MG,
I went to see Imagine This the other day and, like you, I was worried I might have been wasting my time. Due to my concerns I didn’t invite the number of people I had intended to and instead went with just one other. We both were moved and found it to be very worth while seeing. I don’t know if you ever saw the film Life is Beautiful a few years ago; it too received criticism for its take on the Holocaust. In both cases I think the critics missed the point of the story completely. I think it’s a difficult subject to bring to a musical but felt it was very well done and I would certainly recommend it over a number of other musicals I have recently seen. The score, although not as memorable as Les Mis, which is one of my favourites, was good nonetheless.
I am only sad I didn’t invite along everyone I had originally wanted to!
Don’t listen to the critics! This is a fabulous show, the company put their heart and soul into it and, if seated towards the front of the stalls, you feel as if you are actually part of it. This was a very moving subject which also managed to be entertaining. They thoroughly deserved their standing ovation at the end. Unfortunately the theatre was half empty so a long run doesn’t look likely, go and see it before it finishes, you won’t be sorry.
What a wonderful show, dealing with such a difficult subject with great sensitivity the whole cast delivered both powerful and moving performances. The atmospheric set and choreography was extraordinary.
Ignore the critics, this is a fantastic show, don’t miss it.
Distgusted. Disappointed. Unbelievable. Angry. Unimaginative. Manipulative. Dubious. That is how I feel about the reviews from the press.
In contrast, I was moved very deeply by this production. The acting was superb, and the music was both exhilarating at times, and haunting at others. And nothing could quite prepare me for the reprise ending of Masada.
In truth, it certainly is no Les Miserables. But in my humble opinion, it is better. And as a regular visitor to the West End, I will be very sad to see this musical leave the theatre before it’s time.
My only hope is that people will learn that you should never trust the opinion of someone whose bank account depends on surreptitious opportunistic rhetoric, where individual fame and career progression blinds to the truth before ones eyes…Otherwise, we shall see many more premature departures from the West End and be all the worse for it…
i saw the musical and i thought it was great
ok, so it wasn’t the normal stuff
but it was different, emotional and gripping
well, that’s my opinion
How could the critics get it so wrong! The singing was incredible , orchestra in a class of it’s own and the choreography truly innovative; a sign of a great musical. To top that it succeeded in getting across a difficult subject matter in a truly emotional and sensitive way. I too was in tears and joined in the standing ovation, surely you don’t need any further comment to justify that it’s worth seeing..
Went to see ‘Imagine This’ on December 20th – the final matinee performance. I was quite worried as the show had received some pretty negative reviews and I had a coach load of poeple with me. However, the show was stunning and we all came out rather emotional. I regularly organise tripsto the West End shows and ‘Imagine This’ has to be up there in the Top 10. What a shame it had to close early. I was particularly impressed with Sarah Ingram who played Sarah / Naomi. If you didn’t see the show, you missed out!
Having regrettably only seen ‘Imagine This’ the night before it closed, it is difficult for me to describe it without using hyperbole. This is simply one of the most moving, thought-provoking shows I’ve ever seen. So many forgettable musicals are currently on in the West End it is incredibly depressing that this one, which I will find very hard to forget (for it’s beautiful melodies, incredible staging and superb cast) has had to close so prematurely.
Theatregoers should make up their own minds about whether a show has merit – and as Imagine This proves, there can often be a significant disconnect between what the critics say and how the general public responds to a show.
It is unfortunate that on this and some other message boards I have seen people become suspicious because of the overwhelming amount of positive reviews posted for the show and the intimation that the producers must be posting these notices themselves. Well that’s ridiculous, it is too much to imagine that this show really has made an impression on all those who have seen it, and that the critics really did get it wrong?
It’s too bad – I got back to the States and was curious so I went to see the reviews and I was suprised, my son and I went to see Imagine This and Wicked when we were in London and between the two – with all the hype of Wicked, we both really thought Imagine This was a better show, we just felt it more, we both wished we went to see Imagine This a second time instead of Wicked. We were both hoping that it would reach the States, but with all of the negative things the critics are saying and who are these critics anyway, they must be stuffy old people, who have no absolutely no feelings when they watch something, they just sit there with a critical eye to see if anything goes wrong – they should watch the crowd and see how the crowd reacts, that’s the real reaction.
I don’t think some of these critics understand how hard it is to put on something like this.