All For One

[Lord Robert]

RE: New Show for 2016: All For One

After the official behind the scenes videos have come out I think I have the names of the crew who worked on the show.

Director and Writer: Tom Vannucci
Executive Producer: Pete Dunklee
Fight Direction and Choreographer: Phil Raybourn
Special Effects Supervisor: Dustin McGee
Stunt Coordinator: Mark Dirkse
Set Designer: Tom Cluff
Lighting Designer: Ken Billington
Costume Designer: Nicole Wee
Score Composer: Gary Lensenmayer

This team is certainly much different than the team behind London Rocks 2014 (with the exception of Ken Billington who worked on both).

 

[John]

RE: New Show for 2016: All For One

Saw this show last night with the hopes that the kinks would have been worked out...and I apologize in advance for some of the off-color language used in this post.

Awful. Absolutely awful.

So without sounding too much like a bitchy internet "critic" I will say the effects and pyrotechnics were pretty cool. They damn well should be considering it seems that's where the entire budget went.

It appears my displeasure for this show is aligned pretty consistently with everyone else's.
The audio was awful. Character's mics were too loud, extra's mics kept shitting in and out, and for the love of god the main protagonist's mic (the slutty spy) didn't work AT ALL.

The acting was mediocre, the fight scenes were painfully faux. (This might be in part to my off centered seats)
The duration was way shorter than I expected, and the whole plot was rushed. How in the Hell can you tell a tale of this magnitude with three or four scenes? Using the audience as a pawn in the pre-show narrative, of course! Because "Damn it! We spent our entire budget on fireworks and loud bangs!"

I know this whole thing may have come off a bit harsh, but this show (in my opinion) completely obliterated and shit out the standard we have learn to set for the park. Which in recent history has dropped significantly.

Bring back nightly fireworks, and toss this show. For the love of God, do it. Having this train wreck of a show on the same property as a show like Celtic Fyre is almost an insult to both theatre, and the industry.

 

[Lord Robert]

RE: New Show for 2016: All For One

Saw this show last night with the hopes that the kinks would have been worked out...and I apologize in advance for some of the off-color language used in this post.

Awful. Absolutely awful.

So without sounding too much like a bitchy internet "critic" I will say the effects and pyrotechnics were pretty cool. They damn well should be considering it seems that's where the entire budget went.

It appears my displeasure for this show is aligned pretty consistently with everyone else's.
The audio was awful. Character's mics were too loud, extra's mics kept shitting in and out, and for the love of god the main protagonist's mic (the slutty spy) didn't work AT ALL.

The acting was mediocre, the fight scenes were painfully faux. (This might be in part to my off centered seats)
The duration was way shorter than I expected, and the whole plot was rushed. How in the Hell can you tell a tale of this magnitude with three or four scenes? Using the audience as a pawn in the pre-show narrative, of course! Because "Damn it! We spent our entire budget on fireworks and loud bangs!"

I know this whole thing may have come off a bit harsh, but this show (in my opinion) completely obliterated and shit out the standard we have learn to set for the park. Which in recent history has dropped significantly.

Bring back nightly fireworks, and toss this show. For the love of God, do it. Having this train wreck of a show on the same property as a show like Celtic Fyre is almost an insult to both theatre, and the industry.

 

[Mushroom]

RE: New Show for 2016: All For One

John, you saved me from typing a couple thousand scathing words for my own review. I completely agree. I thought everything about All For One was rubbish. I'd rather see London Rocks than watch that show again, which is something I never thought I'd say.

 

[Lord Robert]

RE: New Show for 2016: All For One

John, you saved me from typing a couple thousand scathing words for my own review. I completely agree. I thought everything about All For One was rubbish. I'd rather see London Rocks than watch that show again, which is something I never thought I'd say.

It's funny that you say that Joe because if you switched the words of the shows around in those sentences, that is exactly what I would say about London Rocks 2016. But as with John: harsh but fair.

EDIT: Thanks Zachary for moving the thread!

 

[Merboy]

I heard they're working on a cross-over/mash-up show between London Rocks and All for One.

 

[Lord Robert]

I heard they're working on a cross-over/mash-up show between London Rocks and All for One.

 

[Lord Robert]

*crosses my fingers that Castle O'Sullivan's full show video will come soon* :-3

 

[The Hessian]

Went and watched the show for the first time and for the most part I was happy with it though there were a few problems. The mics had a few mess ups but for the most part worked fine and while I do agree the plot is a bit rushed it doesn't hurt the show too much and other than that I though it was a decent show though the best parts were the dock fight scene and the pyrotechnics.

 

[horsesboy]

I saw it tonight and I agree that the pyrotechnics were the best part.  I did not detect the mike issues that others have talked about so maybe they come and go.  But the fights just plain HORRIBLE even from the back fourth of the theater I could tell that they were not even coming close to hitting each other.

I do w3onder if part of this is a lack of a backup cast that can step up and fill in if someone gets hurt.  I know that Celtic Fyre has has issues with having to change up the show because of injuries and not having stand ins .

 

[Luke]

I heard they're working on a cross-over/mash-up show between London Rocks and All for One.

I would soooo burn my pass if that happens.

---

I can't watch this show anymore. Just too many technical issues.

---

Saw this show last night with the hopes that the kinks would have been worked out...and I apologize in advance for some of the off-color language used in this post.

Awful. Absolutely awful.

So without sounding too much like a bitchy internet "critic" I will say the effects and pyrotechnics were pretty cool. They damn well should be considering it seems that's where the entire budget went.

It appears my displeasure for this show is aligned pretty consistently with everyone else's.
The audio was awful. Character's mics were too loud, extra's mics kept shitting in and out, and for the love of god the main protagonist's mic (the slutty spy) didn't work AT ALL.

The acting was mediocre, the fight scenes were painfully faux. (This might be in part to my off centered seats)
The duration was way shorter than I expected, and the whole plot was rushed. How in the Hell can you tell a tale of this magnitude with three or four scenes? Using the audience as a pawn in the pre-show narrative, of course! Because "Damn it! We spent our entire budget on fireworks and loud bangs!"

I know this whole thing may have come off a bit harsh, but this show (in my opinion) completely obliterated and shit out the standard we have learn to set for the park. Which in recent history has dropped significantly.

Bring back nightly fireworks, and toss this show. For the love of God, do it. Having this train wreck of a show on the same property as a show like Celtic Fyre is almost an insult to both theatre, and the industry.

Yes!! This^^^^^^

 

[Lord Robert]

I guess I'm one of the few people who really liked Phil Raybourn's fight choreography for All For One. Sure at times it does feel fake but as a person who has done this sort of thing in drama class a lot in middle/high school, it's a tough theater technique to pull off which is why I am happy that it turned out decent IMO.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

I have heard the name "Tom Cluff" as the set designer. I did find a set designer by that name, but no up-to-date references.

 

[Lord Robert]

Tom Cluff? I don't think I've ever heard of him at Busch Gardens before, but he does have some past experience with designing theatrical shows. I think his set design for All For One is stunning to look at and it (along with the show itself) has that "Old Country" vibe that really made me smile all the way through.

 

[Lord Robert]

Sorry for the double post (again), but I found some of Tom Cluff's work previous to All For One.

http://tedwarddesign.com/Projects.html

 

[Alf33]

Seen the show for the first time last night as I haven't been able to go to the park in a while.  I'm not one to overly criticize a show as I'm not a theater person unless it's for mistakes that are very blatant.  As such I really enjoyed the show.  For me it did what a show is supposed to do and that is entertain me and it did that.  I like the set, I didn't detect any mic issues that have been previously mentioned but I will say I was wasn't paying that much attention to it between watching and trying to take some pictures which are attached.  I liked the fight scenes even if the fighting wasn't overly realistic, which doesn't bother me as I wasn't expecting the fighting to be UFC real.  I found the opening part with cast members picking out people from the crowd amusing.  The one cast member who narrated it basically gave you the set up for the show with what they did with who they picked out.  I also didn't notice any glitches with the pyro effects/sound but again I wasn't overly paying attention for it.  I think this show is a keeper and will only get better.  I'll definitely watch it again.

 

[Lord Robert]

I agree, I think Phil Raybourn did a good job with the fight direction that it's "unrealistic fighting" is part of the shows charms. If I'm being embarrassingly honest, I think I'm kind of a fan of this show that I really adore what was in it, flaws and all.

BTW: Thanks for the download of the Oktoberfest Cast Album.

EDIT: Looking at some reviews of the park on TripAdvisor, I'm really happy the GP are responding to the show quite well, this show is without a doubt returning next year.

 

[Lord Robert]

Check out this neat little "Throwback Thursday" the park's Instagram just posted. Things have definitely changed the past 40 years, no mistake about it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJjZu4gg4_U/?taken-by=buschgardensva&hl=en

 

[BBW]

I have to say, something about a Three Musketeers theme/concept does not at all sound like something that would "play" to today's audiences -- not speaking for myself, though, because I love the idea!  (But I haven't seen the show yet, unfortunately -- been to the park 3 times this year, but not in the evening.)   Anyway, surprised but really, really pleased the show overall seems to be going over well (technical issues aside) and I do look forward to seeing it.  

I guess really what I'm trying to get at is that I think choosing the Three Musketeers was a bit of a gamble (doesn't seem cool enough or hip enough or even something that kids really know about these days???) but glad it's turned out pretty well.


BTW I wish someone could explain to me why they are the MUSKETEERS but instead of their skill with muskets or other firearms they are generally renowned for their swordplay?  Always wondered that, lol.

 

[Nicole]

My understanding is that the Musketeers were a unit created to defend the monarch, and were comprised primarily of aristocrats. Although they were armed with muskets, they would also by virtue of their station and profession be excellent swordsmen. Dueling, while illegal, was still prevalent, and in fact occurs in the book.