Review: 41714 Andrea's Theatre School
Posted by MeganL,
41714 Andrea's Theatre School is the highest-priced Friends school themed set from the second half wave. The pictures of the set show a dollhouse style theatre that looks perfect for Andrea's skills and abilities, since she's always been the Friend involved with the performing arts. Like the other school sets, this one is jam packed with building details, has plenty of stickers, and just may have a special sloth guest or two who make an appearance in this review.....
Summary
41714 Andrea's Theatre School, 1,154 pieces.
£89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 | 7.8p/8.7c/8.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Another great set in this year's Friends school theme
- Fabulous dollhouse design with detailed interior and exterior
- Diverse minidolls
- Plenty of play (pun intended) value
- Each side curtain drawn back separately
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Inside the box there are twelve bags numbered 1 through 8, two 16x16 baseplates, an instruction book, and two sticker sheets. While most of the stickers are quite large, the sticker sheet itself is smaller than I would have expected. I'm excited by the reference to Elves in one of the stickers!
Minidolls
There are four minidolls in the set, and once again, we have four different skin tones, which is fantastic! I've mentioned it before, and I'll mention it again, but I do love how the Friends design team has taken the next step with diversity this year.
Andrea (obviously) is in this set and is clearly ready for dress rehearsal. I love her updo, which is a new piece this year. She's wearing a sleeveless long gown with an almost vibrant coral bodice and a sweeping vibrant coral skirt with white inset slash. I say the bodice is almost vibrant coral because the colours do not match exactly, which is a little distracting. Her accessory looks to be a pair of opera glasses.
Theatre class is taught by Professor Adrian, who looks exactly like all the dreamy high school drama teachers that I remember seeing in high school. He's wearing a jean jacket with really cool patches on the back on top of a white t-shirt with yellow stripes. His jeans and red tennis shoes are new this year but, we've seen them in a few sets already. His accessory is a bullhorn - all the better to be heard while directing during rehearsal.
Freya holds a walkie-talkie, and she appears to be one of the people working backstage. She's dressed appropriately casually with a teal jumper over bright green and coral shirts. I love her face paint, and her medium nougat hairpiece is new in this colour. Ollie rounds out the cast - his shirt with plenty of gold detailing seems to indicate that he is Andrea's co-star in this production. It looks like he's holding a script. Ollie may be the first male Friends character to have a ponytail!
Like with the other school sets in this theme, Andrea is seen talking with one of the other Friends. In this case, she's talking to Olivia, who looks to be taking her spin on the space shuttle.
Completed model
There are no small standalone auxiliary builds with this set, which is unusual for a Friends set. The set itself can be closed, dollhouse style, and the outside looks fantastic. I almost used this image for the lead image.
Assembly Theatre has fantastic detailing on the front, as seen by ornate work around the windows, and liberal use of teal ingots, new this year. On one side of the building there's Brickadilly Circus, a musical mural (no indication as to whether it's Prankzy's work), and the door to the bathroom, because of course there's a bathroom in this set. Interestingly enough, it's the first thing built in this set.
The other side of the building is the appropriately named Builder's Place, and you can see the continued detail on the exterior. Andrea and Ollie are playing to a sold out theatre, and apparently we're just in time for the final performance. I love the addition of the street lamp and mailbox on the sidewalk - that's very reminiscent of a modular building, and considering the detailing on the buildings, quite appropriate.
The other half of the building shows the marquee and the ticket office, as well as a final poster showing what the performance is. I'm excited to see Noctura from the Elves theme make an appearance here! I'm not sure that Noctura ever had purple hair (at least not in the sets), but I'm thrilled to see her nonetheless. I miss Elves!
Here's one look at the theatre closed up. Note the lovely gold detailing at the top, and I love the use of hearts along the roofline.
Turning our attention to the rear of the model, we see that there's plenty of action going on backstage. On one side there's a lighted dressing area with the accoutrements needed to get ready, and right below there's a costume closet along with a chest filled with the props needed for the performance. The bottom level has street access and houses a trash bin and a fire extinguisher.
The other side of backstage offers a variety of headgear, most of which are new to this set. A witch's hat with grey hair, an adorable cat head with cute ears, a Divine-style purple wig and a knight's helmet can all be found here. If these are used for one play, I'd be very interested in knowing the plot! The bathroom is on the ground floor.
This is the full view of the theatre's backstage - the stage backdrops are stored back-to-back so you can see one of them here - a city skyline at sunset, with a full moon. The bright red Technic cross axle at stage level can be turned to activate the trap door on stage - the minidoll performer standing will fall into the next level, surrounded by the miscellaneous props there.
The designers have done a lovely job with these props - they all have their assigned spot in the space below the stage. Special kudos for the design of the small pipe organ, which actually folds over so it can fit in the cramped area under the stage.
The two bright red Technic cross axles at the top control the mechanisms to allow the curtains to be drawn. Each side of the curtain has to be drawn separately - it's not one mechanism. It's too bad that one mechanism doesn't draw back both sides, but I expect the designer would have a challenge working that in considering the target age range and building level of the set. The mechanism does work smoothly.
Finally, let's take a look at the performance area! There's a row of seats for the audience. A sticker shows us that the minidolls are in their dress rehearsal for the performance.
Pulling back, the theatre opens up to show the stage as well as two box seats.
Pulling the curtains back, we get ready for the show. I was a little surprised that the curtains don't draw back farther. While a good portion of the stage can be seen, there's still some hidden. The other stage backdrop is shown here, a yellow castle in a sunny countryside. The cloud is hung from the centre of the set in a classic stage set up to provide dimension.
And we're ready for a special guest star!
(Note: sloth not included in this set)
On either side of the stage, priority seating is provided in boxes - two seats in each. These are the best in the house, with the sound system and lighting overhead. The decorations are lavish with red curtains and gold leaves and hearts for ornamentation.
Since there was a special guest star, there are special guests in the audience....
(Note: Sloths not included in this set.)
But considering I've heard many people talking about the Muppet CMFs in relation to this set, I'm sure these are the special guests that many were waiting to see....
(Note: Statler and Waldorf not included in this set.)
Overall thoughts
What a great set! The Friends team is really hitting it out of the park this year with some fantastic sets, and the school subtheme this year is excellent. The outside building is beautiful with plenty of details to satisfy any modular fan, and provides plenty of functionality of a theatre with the box office and front door. The back stage has plenty of opportunities for stories and lots of props to encourage imagination. The dollhouse design is fantastic, and the stage side is impressive to behold.
Getting this almost like two different sets - one set of stories happening on outside the theatre and backstage, and then a completely different venue once the stage is opened. The contrast in the two is striking and they both look terrific. It's a great display piece either way. Kudos to the designers on this set.
The Friends world is getting a lot more diverse, which is a great thing. I also like that Andrea is really coming into her own the last couple of years. She finally got her house last year, and I love that she's featured in the largest set of this theme.
At $99.99 and 1154 pieces, this would make an excellent choice for Friends fans, theatre fans, or anyone who appreciates a good set.
136 likes
35 comments on this article
May be the first friends set I ever buy.
Great review. Can't wait. Awesome set!
It's time to play the music.
It's time to light the lights.
It's time to meet the Muppets,
On the Muppet Show tonight!
It's a great set. Thanks for the extensive review.
I would be interested in building a Muppets version. It's probably best to use the building instructions and Bricklink the unique parts and see what colour options are available for the other parts.
Love the organ. Now I'm thinking of the main "Phantom of the Opera" song. (and Stadler and Waldorf laughing, of course!) Wait a minute...
Now I have a need for a Muppets "Phantom of the Opera" with Kermit as the Phantom, Waldorf and Statler as the theater owners, Fozzie as Raoul and Miss Piggy as Christine.
Mad respect for adding in Statler and Waldorf.
And again a fantastic Friends set! Love the design and there's just so much play value. Would have been absolutely perfect if Waldorf and Statler were included, but that's a minor complaint. Price wise I feel it's not as great a deal as some other Friends sets, though compared to other Lego themes this still seems pretty fair value.
Getting serious Hamilton vibes from the two actors! Also I guess that pillar box means this is a West End theatre in London?
It's a brilliant set all in all, I love all the functions built into it. It's crying out for modification to make those curtains move together though.
Thank you for the review.
@TomKazutara said:
"The Elves reverence hurts " Likewise, all the family members miss the Elves. :(
Elves the Musical.
Brilliant.
Awesome... Noctura! The Elves will return.
Great review of a lovely set! Nice to see that the big Duplo sloth has joined the family. ;)
Doth mine eyes deceive me, or doth young Oliver sport the hairpiece of Kanan Jarrus?
@SearchlightRG said:
"Doth mine eyes deceive me, or doth young Oliver sport the hairpiece of Kanan Jarrus?"
The blind samauri (Jedi)?
This set is SO GOOD, everything is good - pieces, figures, whole build and EVEN PRICE.
First Friends set I ever purchased...but for the sole purpose for displaying the Muppet minifigs. I toned down the heartsy-fartsy stuff and used a couple gears and axles to synchronize the curtains. I have Rowlf playing the organ (yeah, a little artistic license, since he normally plays the piano) in the balcony opposite Statler and Waldorf.
Great review of a beautiful set!
I'm really pleased that the set's exterior is as gorgeous as its interior! Even if it doesn't use the sort of advanced building techniques an 18+ set would, it still manages to work in a lot of lovely architectural detailing like the quoins along the front corners, the decorative frieze ornamented with white 1x1 heart tiles, and the semicircular marquee above the door.
While the architecture is not really region-specific, the set has a surprising number of British cultural influences, like the sign for "Brickadilly Circus" (previously referenced in set 10258) and the cylindrical "pillar box" on the front sidewalk. I suspect that these were personal touches from set designer James May ( @Poshhammer). Anybody have any idea what the "T.B." on the pillar box might stand for?
The interior walls are not as heavily textured, but have some lovely warm colors, and the two opera boxes provide fantastic detail on either side. The backstage area is also phenomenally detailed, with a dressing room, storage for all the various props and costumes, and stagehand equipment like spray paint and a push-broom.
Naturally, the stage itself is the highlight of the set, with interchangable backdrops, overhead scaffolds for additional set dressing, a trapdoor, and working curtains! The backdrops in particular feel very customization-friendly, and the whole set seems great at encouraging kids to put on all sorts of different plays of their own creation, and to combine with other prop and costume pieces from their own collection!
I'm definitely in the same "missing LEGO Elves" boat as a lot of the other commenters, but the Noctura poster feels more charming than bittersweet to me. Maybe she's the lead role of the LEGO Friends universe's equivalent of "Wicked"? The Yellow Castle references are a neat throwback as well.
One slightly less obvious reference that caught my eye is the poster on the lower level for the hit musical "Heartmore", as featured in the "LEGO Friends: Girls on a Mission" episode of the same name! Compare with the posters in this screenshot: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/legofriends/images/b/b3/19AndreaHeartmore02HM.png/revision/latest?cb=20190525184201
This set's mini-doll designs are likewise excellent. Maybe it's just because the posters in the front got me thinking about LEGO Elves again, but Professor Adrian's fashion sense is pretty reminiscent of many of Emily's outfits, which likewise often feature denim, striped T-shirts, and brightly-colored sneakers. His capri pants and jean jacket covered with colorful patches (which I hadn't seen all the detail of before this review) also feel slightly queer-coded to me, which is a nice touch. He definitely feels very believable as a drama teacher/acting coach!
Andrea and Ollie's period outfits are likewise very charming, and a definite departure from the more modern outfits typical of the Friends theme. One slight addendum: Andrea's updo is new for this year in Dark Brown, it's previously shown up in several sets in Black, beginning with the Minifigures Series 19 Programmer.
Freya's more artsy/utilitarian outfit suggests to me that she's a stagehand on this production — and perhaps the hair and makeup artist as well, given her own detailed makeup and hairdo! Although Andrea and her BFFs are currently spending this summer apart to pursue their individual passions, I feel like Freya and Emma would be very good friends if they ever get to meet! Also of note, Freya is one of two mini-dolls using LEGO's new Medium Tan color for their skin tone.
Good review overall! Thanks again to @MeganL for all your great LEGO Friends coverage!
The fact that the backstage is made with a lot of black pieces is a great realistic touch. It grounds the design in a way that wouldn't happen if they insisted on only using bright colors.
Great review!
@StyleCounselor said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
"Doth mine eyes deceive me, or doth young Oliver sport the hairpiece of Kanan Jarrus?"
The blind samauri (Jedi)?"
I mean, he wasn't technically blinded until the end of season two, but yeah, that's the guy.
@TomKazutara said:
"The Elves reverence hurts "
Bring back Elves!
Remember folks, elves are immortal; they can never die. Little surprised they didn't use the same piece for Ollie's script that they did for Andrea's tablet as they've used it for paper before, in 71033-1. I predict that this is going to be one of those sets that inspires a lot of MOCs as people create their own backdrops.
THAT FRICKING RIGHT PAINT ROLLER LAMP!!! COME ON!! IT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE!
I love this site, but almost every single set review has a piece in the wrong place or direction xD
Friends is so strong this year! Sooner or later, I need to get this - of course, the Assembly Theater will be put next to 10255 Assembly Square!
@SearchlightRG said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
"Doth mine eyes deceive me, or doth young Oliver sport the hairpiece of Kanan Jarrus?"
The blind samauri (Jedi)?"
I mean, he wasn't technically blinded until the end of season two, but yeah, that's the guy."
With Lucas' long-standing love of Asian culture and specifically the samurai movies as a model for the Jedi, I'm surprised it took so long to create Kanan as an homage to the blind samurai.
Fantastic review of an amazing set -- thanks so much!
I could be wrong, but I'd be willing to guess that the various bits of headgear are clever references to Wicked (the witch's hat), Cats (the cat/tiger headpiece), Hairspray (the beehive hairdo), and Spamalot (the knights' helmet). I certainly could be wrong, of course! But it seems like a possibility.
The elves must return!!
A great review on this pretty large set. Personally I do feel that the stage isn’t every large but it looks great on display
Thank you very much for this very interesting review of an interesting set!
So glad to see Noctura in there...
If I may, however, none of the hairpieces/headpieces are actually new moulds :
Andrea's is a recolor of the now rather common updo of the CMF Series 19 Programmer, the reddish brown witch hat with grey hair showed up in the 2020 Diagon Alley, the pink beehive in 2020 Heartlake City Hair Salon, and the tiger mask was available in BAM.
I read this review just to see Statler and Waldorf in their box! It's a shame Lego Friends always has to be all pink. What's wrong with normal red seats?? They are still bright, and far more realistic. I hardly think this set would fail for the target audience just because it had more realistic colours.
I wonder if we will get a modular building theatre soon?
@Brickchap said:
"I read this review just to see Statler and Waldorf in their box! It's a shame Lego Friends always has to be all pink. What's wrong with normal red seats?? They are still bright, and far more realistic. I hardly think this set would fail for the target audience just because it had more realistic colours.
I wonder if we will get a modular building theatre soon?"
Well the threate at my work has Purple seats!
Thanks for the lovely review @MeganL. Your work is always informative and fun:)
@Brickchap said:
"I read this review just to see Statler and Waldorf in their box! It's a shame Lego Friends always has to be all pink. What's wrong with normal red seats?? They are still bright, and far more realistic. I hardly think this set would fail for the target audience just because it had more realistic colours.
I wonder if we will get a modular building theatre soon?"
If this one sells, a modular theater would be the obvious choice =) With at least 2 swappable plays. Why not "Insert Brick-related Pun Here" - The Musical?
Great review, thanks! The set looks very promising and should fit in any (non friends) city, which is nice to see.
I'm just seeing minidoll Keanu Reeves. (Which is not a bad thing).
The notes in the review made me smile, thank you!
@TeaWeevil said:
"Fantastic review of an amazing set -- thanks so much!
I could be wrong, but I'd be willing to guess that the various bits of headgear are clever references to Wicked (the witch's hat), Cats (the cat/tiger headpiece), Hairspray (the beehive hairdo), and Spamalot (the knights' helmet). I certainly could be wrong, of course! But it seems like a possibility."
I can see that, with the Organ for "Phantom of the Opera" too. The guitar could be from the Back to the Future musical. (a bit obscure, I know!)
Stop with the SLOTHs.
It's not funny and in my opinion, a bit Childish.