Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Sept 28, 2016 6:47:42 GMT
The extra tickets for all dates are now on sale - a few seats at the sides of the main block.
|
|
459 posts
|
Post by drmaplewood on Sept 28, 2016 8:43:45 GMT
All gone again.
|
|
642 posts
|
Post by Stasia on Sept 28, 2016 9:52:45 GMT
This morning living in Moscow 2 hours ahead of BST was quite helpful! Grabbed front row tix for my friend and me for October while everyone in the UK was asleep Happy me!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2016 10:29:18 GMT
Well. I went into this play rather blind. Never seen it before and knew not much about it. For a bit I didn't have a clue what was going on (although it was absurdly funny in places) but once it kicked into gear I go into it more and worked it out and by the interval when I had a quick look through the synopsis on the interweb, I was well up to speed.
Nice performances all round. Freddie Fox the standout for me, he's incredibly charismatic. Not sure about his dark hair though. Didn't like that.
The audience loved it. People standing up all over the place at the end. I wouldn't go that far but enjoyable all the same. I smell a transfer though.
|
|
81 posts
|
Post by addictedtotheatre on Sept 30, 2016 12:50:33 GMT
I saw this on its first preview and thought it extremely well played, directed and written. I thought it was going to be the Tom Hollander Show but the entire cast were just as strong.
We were also treated to having Stoppard in the audience. I'd never seen the play before but thought it was dizzyingly clever. If you can, go see it.
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Sept 30, 2016 22:22:25 GMT
Enjoyed this a lot. Don't worry if you have no idea what's going on in the first scene, it becomes clear at the end. Bordeaux's post above gives a useful set of background points which I agree is all you need to know - it's about the main character's memories of encounters with those things, which gradually turn into a half remembered version of Importance of Being Earnest
|
|
1,310 posts
|
Post by tmesis on Oct 2, 2016 19:46:15 GMT
Saw this yesterday and didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The performances were generally excellent, although I thought Hollander was a little understated - he will probably be better after press night. Freddie Fox was superb, worth the admission just for him. Excellent set and tight direction (even in preview) It's just the play itself... I've seen a lot of Stoppard and this was far too clever for it's own good with lots of tediously 'knowing' jokes and puns that weren't funny. Quite a few people left at the interval.
|
|
39 posts
|
Post by cropley on Oct 2, 2016 22:58:14 GMT
Could not agree more. I don't think there has ever been a production of a Stoppard play that I have REALLY liked or enjoyed hugely. The ending of this play just seems like a copout to me to justify a lot of horribly alienating references and padding to make 90% of the audience feel stupid - and I am far from stupid. Well staged, well cast, enthusiastic production of a terrible play.
|
|
3,458 posts
|
Post by showgirl on Oct 3, 2016 3:22:59 GMT
I've said before - when we discussed the previous Stoppard at the NT, I think - that I, too, often feel stupid when watching his plays and not only do I not like to feel that (even if I am), I certainly don't wish to pay to be made to feel stupid and to leave the theatre baffled and dissatisfied. On this basis Stoppard's audience must be what is euphemistically termed a "mature" market", i.e. literally dying out, as younger people - and for once I include myself here - tend not to have had the type of education which enables them to understand all the references and in-jokes.
|
|
5,495 posts
|
Post by Baemax on Oct 3, 2016 7:29:03 GMT
See, if you look at something like Arcadia, it's full of cleverness but it somehow manages to take the audience along with it, explaining just enough to keep you engaged even if you wouldn't have understood the references without any such context. But the more Stoppard I see, the more I think Arcadia must have been a complete fluke, because he really is too clever for his own good. He almost comes across as one of those people who takes delight in using long words then sneering at people when they ask for clarification, rather than remembering that not everyone has the same vocabulary as he does and giving them a quick definition. Though that said, I enjoyed Travesties. The performances were very good all round so although I had to do a bit of googling during the interval to work out what was going on, I at least wasn't bored. Bit of advice about a helpful mindset to be in if anyone's concerned about understanding before going in, but behind a spoiler tag just in case... {Spoiler - click to view} For me, it all got a little easier to follow when I bore in mind that the play is Henry Carr's memories, and that Henry Carr is an unreliable narrator. Also it would probably help if you didn't instantly start thinking about Groundhog Day when it starts going a little bit... well, Groundhog Day. Hope that helps someone!
|
|
4,028 posts
|
Post by kathryn on Oct 3, 2016 7:58:21 GMT
I've said before - when we discussed the previous Stoppard at the NT, I think - that I, too, often feel stupid when watching his plays and not only do I not like to feel that (even if I am), I certainly don't wish to pay to be made to feel stupid and to leave the theatre baffled and dissatisfied. On this basis Stoppard's audience must be what is euphemistically termed a "mature" market", i.e. literally dying out, as younger people - and for once I include myself here - tend not to have had the type of education which enables them to understand all the references and in-jokes. It was a notably mature audience at the matinee on Saturday. I don't think I was quite the youngest one there but you could probably have counted the under-50s on your fingers and toes. I quite enjoyed it, thought it was at its best when it was aping The Importance of Being Earnest and the more political references did go over my head. Still not sure precisely what Stoppard was trying to do - other than show off! Performances were good despite the odd line-fluff. A few people left at the interval, and one woman left before the end of the first act. It almost looked like a part of the play for a second there - she sort of scuttled out hunched over as she passed in front of the stage. It drew more attention to her than if she'd just walked normally!
|
|
270 posts
|
Post by littlesally on Oct 3, 2016 9:13:54 GMT
Can't find the running time on the MCF website. Anyone know?
|
|
5,495 posts
|
Post by Baemax on Oct 3, 2016 9:28:28 GMT
It was about two and a half hours on Saturday. Still previews so could tighten up, but honestly it was already pretty pacey so I doubt it'll get much shorter.
|
|
834 posts
|
Post by bordeaux on Oct 3, 2016 10:02:56 GMT
I've said before - when we discussed the previous Stoppard at the NT, I think - that I, too, often feel stupid when watching his plays and not only do I not like to feel that (even if I am), I certainly don't wish to pay to be made to feel stupid and to leave the theatre baffled and dissatisfied. On this basis Stoppard's audience must be what is euphemistically termed a "mature" market", i.e. literally dying out, as younger people - and for once I include myself here - tend not to have had the type of education which enables them to understand all the references and in-jokes. Worth pointing out, I think, that Stoppard didn't receive the type of education that enabled him to make the jokes, in that he didn't go to university. He is self-taught. I think most of the adults enjoying the show too would have been able to get the jokes not as a result of their education at school and uni but their continued interest in whatever the play is talking about: the only key is some knowledge of The Importance of Being Earnest and its tone, plus a vague idea of what Dada and Ulysses are like. And I hope everyone has some idea of what the Russian Revolution involved.
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Oct 3, 2016 12:12:34 GMT
And I hope everyone has some idea of what the Russian Revolution involved. Which Russian Revolution? There have been so many.
|
|
834 posts
|
Post by bordeaux on Oct 3, 2016 18:47:37 GMT
Stoppard has been on tonight's Front Row (from the start) talking about Travesties, among other things. (Tues 3rd Oct)
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Oct 3, 2016 20:51:52 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 18:57:53 GMT
Tickets at west end prices
Multiple transfers
And still f*** all invested into the venue
Rank toilets and horrible public spaces and box office
Doesn't smack of artistic excellence
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 19:02:30 GMT
£39.50
To sit on a f***ing bench
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Oct 5, 2016 19:23:38 GMT
I enjoyed the play but agree completely about the crappy venue facilities.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 20:25:26 GMT
I enjoyed the play but agree completely about the crappy venue facilities. Left at the interval Have never liked Stoppard This is like constant effluent coming from the stage So bored sh*tless thought about slitting my throat to leave sooner
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 20:38:33 GMT
😔
Prayed for a fire
Anything
To get out of there
Torrential diarrhoea
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Oct 5, 2016 20:40:59 GMT
How high's the stage?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 20:46:53 GMT
There is a good reason
Why Stoppard is critically acclaimed
Yet at the same time actually rarely performed in any commercial venues
A mismatch of ideals?
More straightforward
He is sh*t
And nothing clever about his work
Conceited arrogant deluded and irrelevant So far rammed up his own arse it might be classed as a new sport
Clever?
Don't think so
Evidently I am too stupid to comprehend this revered playwright anyway
Never again
STAND UP STAND UP AND SING STAND UP STAND UP AND SING
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Oct 5, 2016 20:49:19 GMT
What is the pudding choice for Travesties?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 20:55:20 GMT
What is the pudding choice for Travesties? Pile of manure
|
|
3,458 posts
|
Post by showgirl on Oct 6, 2016 8:36:03 GMT
Definitely another which, like The Dresser, appeals far more to the professional critics. Case of emperor's new clothes or do they really see things that differently?
|
|
834 posts
|
Post by bordeaux on Oct 6, 2016 9:48:33 GMT
Definitely another which, like The Dresser, appeals far more to the professional critics. Case of emperor's new clothes or do they really see things that differently? Well, I'm not a professional critic and I love the play, though I haven't seen this production yet. It's very funny and surprisingly accessible - my wife did it for A level in her inner-city comp in the early 80s.
|
|
834 posts
|
Post by bordeaux on Oct 6, 2016 9:53:55 GMT
There is a good reason Why Stoppard is critically acclaimed Yet at the same time actually rarely performed in any commercial venues A mismatch of ideals? More straightforward He is sh*t And nothing clever about his work Conceited arrogant deluded and irrelevant So far rammed up his own arse it might be classed as a new sport Clever? Don't think so Evidently I am too stupid to comprehend this revered playwright anyway Never again STAND UP STAND UP AND SING STAND UP STAND UP AND SING But he is frequently performed in commercial venues. Next year will see yet another major production of Ros and Guil. The first production, when it transferred to a commercial venue, made a packet for the National and helped it through a difficult patch. Many of his plays have premiered at West End theatres (Night and Day, The Real Thing, Hapgood, Invisible Ink etc). The Real Thing has had a successful afterlife with other productions in the West End and on Broadway.
|
|
587 posts
|
Post by Polly1 on Oct 10, 2016 11:49:17 GMT
I feel sorry for anyone who cannot enjoy this, a magnificent production of a brilliant play. I knew nothing about Tzara, next to nothing about Joyce and only the basics about Lenin but rather than feel inadequate, I just tried to soak up everything that was being thrown at me. Granted, a good acquaintance with Importance does make the second half much more enjoyable. The performances were all outstanding, Hollander so versatile, Fox very charismatic, a special mention to Clare Foster who coped admirably with a nasty cough. Intelligent, thought-provoking, hilarious, moving - if it transfers, I shall probably go again and take Mr. Polly, no higher praise from me than that!
|
|