4,643 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Jan on Jul 29, 2016 10:55:34 GMT
I have tickets for Ivanov and Platonov too. Should I just cut my losses now, I wonder? How did this get raves at Chichester? The dialogue is clunky, a lot of the acting is clunky. I had to smile at Kostya bemoaning how overwrought his writing was. This whole darn play is overwrought, love. So it wasn't just me who disliked Sir David Hare's dialogue. The plays are set in period but the characters throw in modern Americanisms like "ditsy" and "antsy" which jar. Michael Frayn is the best adapter of Chekov, partly because he speaks Russian. We get to see his version of Platonov at Hamstead later in the year.
|
|
211 posts
|
Post by peelee on Jul 29, 2016 13:35:55 GMT
Tomorrow afternoon, Saturday 30 July at 4.00pm and for a couple of hours thereafter, BBC Radio 4 Extra is to broadcast Chekhov's 'The Seagull' as adapted by Martyn Wade. It features Diana Quick, Alex Jennings, Robert Glenister and Helena Bonham Carter, as well as Edward Petherbridge and Kate Buffery. It was recorded on location and was first broadcast in 1993. Early birds can catch it at 6.00am if they so wish: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07mcn2s
|
|
5,582 posts
|
Post by lynette on Jul 29, 2016 19:39:21 GMT
Watching The Seagull tonight. Annoying people being annoying and annoying each other. Can't decide whether to grab the gun from Kostya and put myself out of my misery, or borrow a line from a chap down the road and yell it out loud: 'there are children in Africa starving to death and you don't hear them whinging.' Ironic post? Well I don't know that Hamlet...honestly, life of privilege and what does he do? His poor mother, not her fault...
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 14:12:46 GMT
Three in a day
Loved Platonov Although bit repetitive
James McArdle FIT But a bit scrawny
Pip Carter also looking sexy in a suit
You need to have a high Chekhov threshold for sure
The man was a melodramatic bitch And most of his characters are whining sh*ts
But I love the plays
Self indulgent to the extreme
|
|
2,706 posts
|
Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Jul 30, 2016 14:39:35 GMT
Aha, I need. To Parsley spot! Saw Platonov earlier, which I enjoyed, and seeing Ivanov now (not seeing The Seagull but wanted to pick up the two earlier ones)
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 14:52:17 GMT
Aha, I need. To Parsley spot! Saw Platonov earlier, which I enjoyed, and seeing Ivanov now (not seeing The Seagull but wanted to pick up the two earlier ones) I have a lavish backpack
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 17:54:26 GMT
God
The south bank is scummy
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 18:03:16 GMT
It is good
But the error with this glut is that you see how remarkably narrow minded Chekhov was
He only had about 2 themes and agendas and a limited way of exploring them
There are plenty of merits to this trilogy
But it's a bit like reading Mills and Boon
Or Partricia Cornwell
It's the same over and over again
I have to say having the same actors in fact does not help
It reinforces the repetitive nature of it
Furthermore:
I saw a far superior Platonov at the Barbican a few years back And this Ivanov is an anaemic shadow of the Branagh triumph as part of the Donmar season
I remain to see how The Seagull fares
But doubt it will match up to the KST version at the RC
Comparisons are always inevitable and David Hare hasn't helped in this situation
|
|
4,643 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Jan on Jul 30, 2016 18:24:18 GMT
It is good But the error with this glut is that you see how remarkably narrow minded Chekhov was He only had about 2 themes and agendas and a limited way of exploring them There are plenty of merits to this trilogy But it's a bit like reading Mills and Boon Or Partricia Cornwell It's the same over and over again I have to say having the same actors in fact does not help It reinforces the repetitive nature of it Furthermore: I saw a far superior Platonov at the Barbican a few years back And this Ivanov is an anaemic shadow of the Branagh triumph as part of the Donmar season I remain to see how The Seagull fares But doubt it will match up to the KST version at the RC Comparisons are always inevitable and David Hare hasn't helped in this situation Agree Branagh version was better in all respects. His version was by Tom Stoppard, a far superior and sympathetic adapter.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 18:35:42 GMT
It is good But the error with this glut is that you see how remarkably narrow minded Chekhov was He only had about 2 themes and agendas and a limited way of exploring them There are plenty of merits to this trilogy But it's a bit like reading Mills and Boon Or Partricia Cornwell It's the same over and over again I have to say having the same actors in fact does not help It reinforces the repetitive nature of it Furthermore: I saw a far superior Platonov at the Barbican a few years back And this Ivanov is an anaemic shadow of the Branagh triumph as part of the Donmar season I remain to see how The Seagull fares But doubt it will match up to the KST version at the RC Comparisons are always inevitable and David Hare hasn't helped in this situation Agree Branagh version was better in all respects. His version was by Tom Stoppard, a far superior and sympathetic adapter. The Donmar Ivanov left me shaken The 2 plays today have hardly been earth shattering But some nice eye candy in them
|
|
5,582 posts
|
Post by lynette on Jul 30, 2016 20:19:05 GMT
The overall view seems to be that this trilogy production is disappointing. I'm going later on.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 20:34:01 GMT
The overall view seems to be that this trilogy production is disappointing. I'm going later on. Left at the interval for The Seagull Chekhov doesn't warrant 3 plays in a day Just not good enough a playwright Of note though these plays received rave 5 star reviews at CFT For my liking it's 9 hours of the same stuff over and over again With a decreasing return rate Although Platonov is the silliest of his plays It's the highlight of the 3 and so all downhill after that Even the lovely set with lake seems boring after a whole day
|
|
1,002 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by David J on Jul 30, 2016 21:24:06 GMT
The overall view seems to be that this trilogy production is disappointing. I'm going later on. Left at the interval for The Seagull Chekhov doesn't warrant 3 plays in a day Just not good enough a playwright For my liking it's 9 hours of the same stuff over and over again You think it's simply that? I've tried The Seagull three times already, and I still can't get the fuss about it. I thought maybe it's because the first two I saw, the Anya Reiss version and that Regents Park one with the overhead mirror and Hans Zimmer-esque music blasting out every now and then, just detracted from the play. Having seen this version at Chichester, the most naturalistic of the three, I've come to the conclusion that this is a play about people with problems that is just not for me. Out of interest what people think of Joshua James as Konstantin. The character was so whiney in the first two productions I saw. Here I thought Joshua James didn't resort to that and was more of a resigned Konstantin, and therefore the better for it. I definitely agree Platanov was the better of the three.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 21:29:37 GMT
Left at the interval for The Seagull Chekhov doesn't warrant 3 plays in a day Just not good enough a playwright For my liking it's 9 hours of the same stuff over and over again You think it's simply that? I've tried The Seagull three times already, and I still can't get the fuss about it. I thought maybe it's because the first two I saw, the Anya Reiss version and that Regents Park one with the overhead mirror and Hans Zimmer-esque music blasting out every now and then, just detracted from the play. Having seen this version at Chichester, the most naturalistic of the three, I've come to the conclusion that this is a play about people with problems that is just not for me. Out of interest what people think of Joshua James as Konstantin. The character was so whiney in the first two productions I saw. Here I thought Joshua James didn't resort to that and was more of a resigned Konstantin, and therefore the better for it. I definitely agree Platanov was the better of the three. I agree seagull is over rated BUT the RC was the first one I saw and it was a stupendous production I actually also didn't mind the Katie Mitchell "version" I don't think Joshua James is a very good actor
|
|
2,706 posts
|
Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Jul 30, 2016 22:01:47 GMT
Second greatest playwright after Shakespeare. The thing is, though, that he's the Jane Austen of playwrights, brilliant at universalising a very particular society. Vanya, Three Sisters, Seagull and Cherry Orchard are masterpieces but also interesting to see the other two. Not an Ivanov fan, though.
Dudn't find Parsley but did see Miriam Margoyles for the umpteenth time.
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Jul 30, 2016 22:44:45 GMT
Crucially, Chekhov was also a doctor.
|
|
982 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 31, 2016 1:14:11 GMT
It is good But the error with this glut is that you see how remarkably narrow minded Chekhov was He only had about 2 themes and agendas and a limited way of exploring them There are plenty of merits to this trilogy But it's a bit like reading Mills and Boon Or Partricia Cornwell It's the same over and over again I have to say having the same actors in fact does not help It reinforces the repetitive nature of it Furthermore: I saw a far superior Platonov at the Barbican a few years back And this Ivanov is an anaemic shadow of the Branagh triumph as part of the Donmar season I remain to see how The Seagull fares But doubt it will match up to the KST version at the RC Comparisons are always inevitable and David Hare hasn't helped in this situation Agree with you on all 3 counts r.e. Maly Theatre Platanov, Branagh's Ivanov, and KST's Seagull. They were all excellent. And had high stakes. Which is what the trilogy at the National unfortunately lack, especially in The Seagull, where nothing seems to be at stake for anyone, apart from Nina in Act 4, but even then it's too late.
|
|
4,643 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Jan on Jul 31, 2016 6:19:12 GMT
The overall view seems to be that this trilogy production is disappointing. I'm going later on. Dont worry it is worthwhile for lots of reasons, but there are some flaws. Credit to Chichester for producing it, in ambition and quality it shows the current NT up I'm afraid.
|
|
4,643 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Jan on Jul 31, 2016 6:22:49 GMT
Second greatest playwright after Shakespeare. The thing is, though, that he's the Jane Austen of playwrights, brilliant at universalising a very particular society. Vanya, Three Sisters, Seagull and Cherry Orchard are masterpieces but also interesting to see the other two. Not an Ivanov fan, though. Dudn't find Parsley but did see Miriam Margoyles for the umpteenth time. Ibsen is better. I've seen Margiyles several time too in the audience for things. I also used to live next door to her.
|
|
1,465 posts
|
Post by foxa on Jul 31, 2016 8:48:11 GMT
Oooh, I dunno, I've seen some breath-taking Chekhov, but I think it's a bit of a 'you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet your prince' situation. Quite a long time ago, I managed to get a single returned ticket to see 'The Seagull' at the RSC and it was one of the best things I've ever seen them do: Penelope Wilton getting the comic absurdity and vanity of Arkadina, while also packing an emotional punch, Justine Waddell exquisite as Nina. BUT I've also seen some grim productions including the one with John Hurt and Natasha Richardson in the West End - he seemed to be struggling with his lines and wandered off stage at one point - then at an important moment, she disappeared into a pile of cushions as she leaned back onto a chaise lounge...Also the Kate Mitchell one was ridiculously hard-going (and I organised a group of colleagues to see this who, as it progressed, kept looking at me as if I was mad, then afterwards trudged silently back to Waterloo Station.) Nina asked for a glass of water and Constantin took about ten minutes getting it (usually it's just in a jug on the sideboard, but obviously KM had researched this wouldn't be the case, so had him unlock various doors, wander down corridors, disappear off stage, time passes, he eventually reappears, unlocks and relocks doors....our lives disappearing by the second.)
The recent Vanya at the Almeida was one of the best Chekhov productions I've ever seen - we were just talking about it again the other day.
I was a bit tempted to book for the NT productions (I've never seen Platonov) but from the description above maybe not.
I've seen Margoyles twice at the theatre in the past few months. She always seems to be having fun.
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Jul 31, 2016 9:18:47 GMT
Her surname is Margolyes, pronounced Mar-go-lees.
She resembles gargoyles but doesn't rhyme with them.
|
|
2,706 posts
|
Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Jul 31, 2016 11:49:07 GMT
Second greatest playwright after Shakespeare. The thing is, though, that he's the Jane Austen of playwrights, brilliant at universalising a very particular society. Vanya, Three Sisters, Seagull and Cherry Orchard are masterpieces but also interesting to see the other two. Not an Ivanov fan, though. Dudn't find Parsley but did see Miriam Margoyles for the umpteenth time. Ibsen is better. I've seen Margiyles several time too in the audience for things. I also used to live next door to her. For me Ibsen manipulates the characters too much to enable his message, occasionally a director gets through that but I feel like I am being preached at.
|
|
4,643 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Jan on Jul 31, 2016 13:38:55 GMT
Ibsen is better. I've seen Margiyles several time too in the audience for things. I also used to live next door to her. For me Ibsen manipulates the characters too much to enable his message, occasionally a director gets through that but I feel like I am being preached at. Ibsen's great plays are more diverse (and numerous) though. Some can be preachy melodramas but not all. I'd contend The Wild Duck is more of a "Chekhov" piece but written a decade before The Seagull. And just as an example An Enemy of the People can be a far more visceral theatrical experience than anything in Chekhov.
|
|
4,038 posts
|
Post by kathryn on Jul 31, 2016 17:07:15 GMT
Saw Ivanov last week. Have to agree the Donmar/Branagh version was better, but we still quite enjoyed it, even though the main character was incredibly unsympathetic.
|
|
1,177 posts
|
Post by joem on Aug 3, 2016 21:42:43 GMT
Went to see Platonov today - the only Chekhov play I didn't know. Surprisingly funny, screwball comedy you would almost say, even if it's ending wouldn't match this description.
Beautifully staged. Directed with great panache I thought. Very pacey and, after the awkward first few minutes where lots of characters appear on stage quite quickly and it's difficult to work out who's who and how they are related, really zips along. James McCardle as the eponymous anti-hero and Nina Sosanya as the liberated widow probably steal the acting honours.
May I suggest Ibsen v Chekhov merits its own thread? The Battle of the Fathers of Modern Drama? I know where I stand on this one.
|
|
5,582 posts
|
Post by lynette on Aug 5, 2016 10:32:28 GMT
Chekhov v Ibsen. Can't have one without the other.
|
|
748 posts
|
Post by rumbledoll on Aug 10, 2016 22:17:32 GMT
Saw it as a threee-play-day on August, 3 (front row, dead center - how lucky is that?) Didn't feel nothing like a press night - such warm welcomes, stading ovation and the entire cast and crew at the curtain call after Seagull!
I found this experience fascinating - a bit tiring and overwhelming as it is but a great idea as these plays explore the similar topics and shared cast (which could not be better!) is a gem as you see them change in redically different characters in course of 1,5 hours.
Platonov (especially Act 1) is a joy, getting a bit more melodramatic as you wish for towards the end - a lot cut out from the original text and rightfully so - nobody needs these extra 12 unnecessary characters. It gets clumsy at times as Chekhov is only finding his voice as this point but still very strong piece of writing. James McArdle found a perfect pitch for his part which is likable and unlikable at the same time. Female support is all good.
Ivanov was probably my favourite. Geoffrey Streatfeild. Blimey. What a powerful performsnce! I felt absolutely exhasted by the end of it so i can't even begin to imagine the effort put into fleshing this charater out 'cause it might be the most difficult and controversial of the bunch. Tatally compelling and disturbingly beautiful. Loved how physical (body language spot on) and nuanced it was. Some funny bits too, ever briefly elevated to farce. You can see how the writing has grown over the years with The Seagull full of meaty interesting charaters. Anna Chancellor is hilarious to say the least and they form a great comedy couple with Geoffrey Streatfeild who became the different person altogether since we last saw him. Amazing delivery by Olivia Vinall at the end - never saw it played that fierce. The other standout for me was Nina Sosanya (who was in the first two shows).
Set is gorgeous an evocative of the quiet countryside at home. I don't know it if have to be fully-blood Russian to tuly appreciate these productions (not the biggest fan of Chekhov and it is hardly done with so much humour here which is a shame) but I felt in love with them. When it's staged as it is - not a dusty period Eastern drama but a study in tortured youth and human banality which is ever relavant it shines.
And yes, agree that Chekhov is a bot like Shakespeare in a way you can interpret his characters in a million various ways and make them extremely personal still stay truthful to the text.
|
|
893 posts
|
Post by vdcni on Aug 11, 2016 7:22:17 GMT
I have 2 tickets to the three show day on 3rd September B17-B18.
Anyone have similar tickets for a later 3 show day they wouldn't mind swapping as I can no longer make it?
|
|
1,119 posts
|
Post by martin1965 on Aug 11, 2016 7:56:09 GMT
Have come late to this thread. I saw these in Chichester at a trilogy saturday and have to say loved it! Olivia Vinall is luminous and is goung to be a huge star. The whole experience was fab. U agree with others that the fact the NT has imported them shows them up.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2016 14:17:16 GMT
Just enjoying some meatballs after seeing 'Platonov'. Loved it. Throw in Brian Rix and a few slamming doors and it would be perfect.
James McArdle is glorious as Platonov. He manages to make someone who is a bit of a douchebag entirely likeable. It's a really fabulous performance. Olivier nomination please.
Great supporting cast especially Nina Sosanya (now *there* is a Hester Collyer I'd like to see), Joshua James and a fabulously prissy Mark Donald as Kiril.
But really Rufus. 11.45am start? I *ask* you.
|
|