1,016 posts
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Post by andrew on Feb 3, 2017 23:24:53 GMT
Saw this a couple of days ago from middle of row D. If you're going to miss a side, you want to sit on the far left of the auditorium (low numbered seats). You also want to sit in a circle. Any circle. Anywhere in the stalls will lead you disappointed at what I'm sure was a very pretty stage floor. I won't spoil what it is (and to be honest with you I'd only be guessing as I couldn't see it at all) but everyone I overheard on the way out was complaining that they couldn't see the deck, and they didn't understand what the director was thinking. It's not important for the plot, but if you're in it for the aesthetics, you want height.
The actors and the play itself were great. I couldn't agree more with talkstagey and couldileaveyou. The second act was quite perfectly heartbreaking. Kate O'Flynn was excellent. It didn't really take off for me until the gentleman caller arrived, and then I was totally swept away.
Michael Esper I could take or leave. His accent was ropey at best, and despite being the central character and being able to talk directly to the audience, I couldn't get on board with him. Maybe that's what he wanted, but that's what happened anyway.
I got my tickets cheap on TodayTix as well, a couple of days ahead. I don't know if it was a particular deal or anything but central stalls for £32 wasn't bad. Even if I couldn't see the floor. And apparently I needed to see the floor.
Oh if I'd only seen the floor.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 3, 2017 23:34:49 GMT
everyone I overheard on the way out was complaining that they couldn't see the deck, and they didn't understand what the director was thinking. Is it a design issue, rather than direction. And really the culprit is the West End producer who decided to transfer this show to a West End theatre which we all know are inadequate by most modern standards. I admit that some have lovely candelabra, although it's best not to risk sitting directly underneath them, but they are poor places to see modern theatre.
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Feb 3, 2017 23:50:18 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed this. We had the £15 dress circle box B seats. Well worth the value. You miss a bit to the side but it's a great view of the set including reflections of the cast in the water, lights in the water, etc. Plus the usual benefits of a box for legroom, etc.
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1,016 posts
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Post by andrew on Feb 4, 2017 0:21:11 GMT
everyone I overheard on the way out was complaining that they couldn't see the deck, and they didn't understand what the director was thinking. Is it a design issue, rather than direction. I didn't correct them...
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4 posts
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Post by olly2288 on Feb 4, 2017 9:24:43 GMT
Saw this on Tuesday night and had a wonderful time. I'd got front row rush tickets on TodayTix and used a discount code so the two tickets were £15 each - fantastic. Missed a lot of the beautiful staging by being so close, but to be right up there seeing Cherry Jones in this role so close and personal was a real treat - she is the shining star of the production and totally becomes the character. I also loved Kate O'Flynn for the delicate, clever qualities she brought to the role - I liked the general dynamic between the cast, but honestly Michael Esper was all over the place, the first act in particular. He did pick it up to being actually really quite engaging, and his accent was far stronger towards the end - I think he'll grow in to this as the production goes on, as he really is a fantastic actor but something is still missing and the accent is a killer. Over all a really great night and I think this one will be a huge success.
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 4, 2017 10:58:09 GMT
Saw this on Tuesday night and had a wonderful time. I'd got front row rush tickets on TodayTix and used a discount code so the two tickets were £15 each - fantastic. Missed a lot of the beautiful staging by being so close, but to be right up there seeing Cherry Jones in this role so close and personal was a real treat - she is the shining star of the production and totally becomes the character. I also loved Kate O'Flynn for the delicate, clever qualities she brought to the role - I liked the general dynamic between the cast, but honestly Michael Esper was all over the place, the first act in particular. He did pick it up to being actually really quite engaging, and his accent was far stronger towards the end - I think he'll grow in to this as the production goes on, as he really is a fantastic actor but something is still missing and the accent is a killer. Over all a really great night and I think this one will be a huge success. Thanks for this olly2288 - I'm one who loves to be right up there, watching the actors strut their craft but was worried about booking front row for this after reading some of the comments. It certainly seems like it might be worth missing a bit of the floor for this. Food for thought. And welcome by the way.
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515 posts
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Post by callum on Feb 4, 2017 17:13:05 GMT
Saw this in Edinburgh but does Laura {Spoiler - click to view} still do that bizarre thing where she gets spat out / swallowed up again by the sofa?!
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Feb 4, 2017 18:25:46 GMT
Yes, that does still happen.
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259 posts
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Feb 4, 2017 18:29:43 GMT
Has anyone met Cherry at stage door? Did she have a good chat?
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Feb 5, 2017 12:24:17 GMT
Guys, I don't want to be melodramatic but I think I may actually be in love with this production. I've been thinking about it ever since I first saw it! I've seen 3 other shows since and they paled in comparison. I'm ruined! I know we're not a bloggy lot on this board, but I did write up my thoughts on my own blog, mostly because I've been telling everyone and their mom to go and see this show and needed some way of summing up all my feelings for them! (link - www.talkstageytome.co.uk/2017/02/review-glass-menagerie-duke-of-yorks.html ) Gosh, this was so up my street. I'd been feeling a bit down because a lot of the stuff I saw in the latter half of 2016 was just okay, but this production really cheered me up, hence the raving! (oh, and regarding the stage door, I don't know about Cherry Jones but when I walked past the theatre yesterday Michael Esper was chatting with some audience members, and when he left they stuck around waiting...)
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259 posts
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Feb 5, 2017 15:32:01 GMT
(oh, and regarding the stage door, I don't know about Cherry Jones but when I walked past the theatre yesterday Michael Esper was chatting with some audience members, and when he left they stuck around waiting...) Thanks. A friend of mine met her on Sat and got a photo with her, said she was lovely. I heard she likes a chat at stage door from a Broadway too. Can't wait to go down in March.
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 8, 2017 13:21:20 GMT
Seeing this tonight from the stalls.
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 8, 2017 13:47:15 GMT
LOL. No actually from Row D in the stalls which was only £20 (plus £3.50 fee) from the ATG website late last night. I am beginning to like this dynamic pricing malarkey!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 16:44:38 GMT
LOL. No actually from Row D in the stalls which was only £20 (plus £3.50 fee) from the ATG website late last night. I am beginning to like this dynamic pricing malarkey! Snap! Just got some front row for a week on Saturday. This Saturday's still at £59.95, so very odd, but a result.
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259 posts
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Feb 8, 2017 22:47:49 GMT
Anyone heard how Sally Field's first preview on Broadway went? Hope that production transfers to London too.
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Feb 9, 2017 1:18:02 GMT
Saw this tonight and loved it .... totally stunning
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515 posts
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Post by callum on Feb 9, 2017 1:44:26 GMT
Anyone heard how Sally Field's first preview on Broadway went? Hope that production transfers to London too. Was reading a bit on broadwayworld boards and they were a bit mixed - sounded very minimalist with only table and chair and modern dress. Something about the house lights not even going down and cast enter from the back of the theatre down the aisles too. V intriguing. Though sounds as if people were able to pick up day seats well in to the afternoon so business mightn't be booming enough to get a transfer but you never know... maybe in five years like this production!
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259 posts
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Feb 9, 2017 6:54:48 GMT
sounded very minimalist with only table and chair and modern dress. Something about the house lights not even going down and cast enter from the back of the theatre down the aisles too. V intriguing! V intriguing indeed. Thanks mate.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Feb 9, 2017 7:01:35 GMT
That description sounds a bit reminiscent of the current National Theatre Hedda Gabler, and I see that although this isn't Ivo van Hove, "Sam Gold first directed this production of Menagerie with a Dutch cast at Toneelgroep Amsterdam in an engagement that garnered rave reviews." There's a review of the Amsterdam production here - mildlybitter.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/the-glass-menagerie-ugly-truth.html
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 9, 2017 12:43:31 GMT
I thought this was wonderful. The play stolen for me by the women. Cherry Jones just amazing and an outstanding performance from Kate O'Flynn as the fragile Laura - as fragile as her glass menagerie. She was completely heart breaking.
The scene in the second act between Laura and her Gentleman caller - another wonderful performance from Brian J. Smith - was just perfection, tragic, sad and touching.
Like others less happy with Michael Esper's Tom. I did not get the sense of frustration, unhappiness and entrapment from the character - he seemed to be enjoying himself too much. I thought it might be the direction but the other characters were so spot on.
Beautifully staged, I see what others have mentioned - it might be interesting to see the production from above which would give a whole new perspective to the experience.
Highly recommended.
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155 posts
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Post by bee on Feb 13, 2017 15:43:47 GMT
I also thought this was great. It’s all good, but the Laura – Gentleman Caller scene is spellbinding, heart-rending stuff, one of those moments that reminds you why you go to the theatre, and how special it can be.
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Post by theatrewithtom on Feb 13, 2017 16:07:14 GMT
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Feb 13, 2017 16:09:59 GMT
Need to book this again at some point. I've been recommending it to everyone... my sister, people next to me in lectures at uni, randoms at bus stops.
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847 posts
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Post by bordeaux on Feb 13, 2017 16:26:00 GMT
I saw this on Saturday afternoon (Beware of Pity in the evening, so an unintended double-bill of disabled young women) and loved it too. The whole cast wonderful, though I agree with Susannah Clapp in the Observer that Cherry Jones needs to rein in her arms a bit. I managed to get an ATC ticket for £20 in row D a couple of days before the show. Perfect view, though it's said to be restricted. Certainly, the people next to me in D1 and 2 left at the interval, probably because they could see so little of the action, much of which takes place at a table stage right.
My only previous encounter with the play was the Sam Mendes one at the Donmar, mid-90s with Zoe Wannamaker, Claire Skinner and Ben Chaplin, which was also wonderful. Interesting to note, having just read a review of that production, that a fire escape also featured there at the back of the set, that time used every time a character entered and exited.
It's been ages since I've seen any Tennessee Williams and it was good to be reminded what a great writer he is. I know I've missed a couple of major Streetcar revivals in the past decade or so and the all-black Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, but it seems like an age since a big national company did something by him whereas when I started going to the theatre in the late 80s, early 90s there was a lot of him about.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2017 23:21:37 GMT
Really disappointed when I saw this. Just don't get the raves. It felt almost embarrassingly stagey in the musical interludes/dangerously-close-to-miming scenes, which really took me out of the story.
And whose idea was it to block out about a quarter of the stage on the left and stick a fire escape on the far right hand side, thus ensuring a bunch of aisle seat high numbers in the stalls are reduced to listening to a radio play for several scenes?
Also I'm guessing something clever happens on stage that you can see from the dress circle, if interval chat was anything to go by, but in the stalls I wondered just how much a menagerie deserves the name when it appears to consist of only one unicorn...
And then there's Laura. Never mind a physical disability - this Laura came across as having a reasonably severe learning disability. In past productions the character has always come across as just incredibly shy - an interpretation that seems to fit the script better than this one, I'd suggest, and one that makes the story more tragic (in my opinion).
Michael Esper struggled valiantly on, despite what appeared to be a streaming cold. I spent more time wondering why stage management hadn't provided him with more than one tissue than I did pondering the play. It's really not very pleasant watching poor actors reduced to using the back of their hand to wipe their noses on stage. He's not the first I've seen forced to do that this year. Show wise, I rather liked the lighter scenes between him and Amanda.
Cherry Jones is amazing though, she was just about the only thing that meant my evening wasn't an entire waste. She actually made me feel sympathy for her character, which is a first for me with this play.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Feb 18, 2017 17:18:47 GMT
Kind of enjoyed it but not rethinking the staging for this theatre was stupid! The pool effect is invisible from most of the stalls and I kept wondering why a shark kept appearing at random intervals until they started pointing at it saying look at the moon
From H2 the view was fine, but the person in H1 told me she couldn't see one of the people at the table. Had a nosey in the interval and from row F forwards you can't see the table at all from seats 1 and 2 so would spend about half the play looking at an empty sofa and an abstract and pointless fire escape
They do seem to have realised the problem - apparently the person in F1 was upgraded when they picked their ticket up and all of the affected seats were empty. So if you're in one of them I suggest checking at the box office. (Theatremonkey- feel free to quote on the website if useful!)
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367 posts
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Post by Ade on Feb 19, 2017 8:29:49 GMT
Kind of enjoyed it but not rethinking the staging for this theatre was stupid! The pool effect is invisible from most of the stalls and I kept wondering why a shark kept appearing at random intervals until they started pointing at it saying look at the moon From H2 the view was fine, but the person in H1 told me she couldn't see one of the people at the table. Had a nosey in the interval and from row F forwards you can't see the table at all from seats 1 and 2 so would spend about half the play looking at an empty sofa and an abstract and pointless fire escape They do seem to have realised the problem - apparently the person in F1 was upgraded when they picked their ticket up and all of the affected seats were empty. So if you're in one of them I suggest checking at the box office. (Theatremonkey- feel free to quote on the website if useful!) Interesting if they are moving people. I've paid £20 each for F 1 and 2 for when I go, but seeing the above I nipped on to see if the seats are still on sale and found a date where F2 was down as £49...
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Feb 19, 2017 8:58:50 GMT
That's interesting. F2 may be ok but F1 will be awful.
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371 posts
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Post by popcultureboy on Feb 19, 2017 9:28:10 GMT
That's why F1 is sold as restricted view and £20.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Feb 19, 2017 9:51:46 GMT
They weren't originally sold as restricted view I think - that's the problem. My unrestricted seat h2 was £20
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