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Post by david on Jun 5, 2018 22:15:27 GMT
Just come back from the NT Live showing of an Ideal Husband. This was my first one so I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of quality of picture and audio, but I have to say I was very impressed with both the presentation and the play itself. Ok, the audio cut out a few times, but it didn’t really spoil the overall presentation. Overall, I will certainly be doing more NT Live stuff in the future based on tonight’s viewing.
In relation to the actual play, well, it’s the Freddie Fox show isn’t it? He steals every scene that he is in and you can really tell that he is enjoying working alongside his Dad when they are on stage together as you see the chemistry and the respect they have for each other during the scenes. I can’t believe he’s only 29! He looks a lot younger than that but the way he carries the role with such ease is in my opinion to be applauded. Though I did love him in Travesties when I saw it at the Apollo last year.
Also, a special shout out to Frances Barber as Mrs Cheveley. She really played the baddie really well. She really hammed it up brilliantly and her scenes with Freddie at the start of Act 2 really where some great comedy moments in this production.
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Post by david on Jun 5, 2018 22:26:56 GMT
Just back from the cinema screening of An Ideal Husband and really enjoyed it. Have to agree with all the comments about Freddie Fox, he was the stand out performance, but also really liked Frances Barber and Sally Bretton. I also thought that the difference in the ages of the actors for the ages they were supposed to be didn't quite make sense but it was so good that it didn't really matter. The cinema was more or less sold out, just the odd seat empty, but the age demographic was ancient. I'm over 60 and I think I was one of the younger members of the audience. Have people who have seen this in the theatre find it was the same? I think I was the youngest there (39) in my local cinema watching the production!
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Post by Rory on Jun 5, 2018 23:19:29 GMT
I'm raging with myself. I totally forgot this was on live tonight and had intended to go!
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Post by crowblack on Jun 11, 2018 8:00:48 GMT
Any more news on this? The website still says Sinead Matthews, though apparently she has dropped out and been replaced.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2018 8:16:02 GMT
Sinead Matthews has been replaced by Pippa Nixon and Stella Gonet has joined as Miss Prism.
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Post by theatreliker on Jun 12, 2018 20:28:59 GMT
Is the Classic Spring season continuing afterwards with another playwright?
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Post by Jon on Jun 12, 2018 20:38:08 GMT
Is the Classic Spring season continuing afterwards with another playwright? George Bernard Shaw was mentioned for the second season
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Post by RedRose on Jun 13, 2018 7:04:32 GMT
Still no casting news concerning the guys. :-(
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Post by crowblack on Jun 13, 2018 13:15:16 GMT
No, it's surprising - are they having some problems with this? The other productions were high profile and flagged up some time before - surely rehearsals must be imminent?
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Post by Latecomer on Jun 14, 2018 17:35:48 GMT
Pip Carter from Mood Music would do a great job, I had forgotten what a lovely voice he has!
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Post by skullion on Jun 22, 2018 15:29:22 GMT
Just back from the cinema screening of An Ideal Husband and really enjoyed it. Have to agree with all the comments about Freddie Fox, he was the stand out performance, but also really liked Frances Barber and Sally Bretton. I also thought that the difference in the ages of the actors for the ages they were supposed to be didn't quite make sense but it was so good that it didn't really matter. The cinema was more or less sold out, just the odd seat empty, but the age demographic was ancient. I'm over 60 and I think I was one of the younger members of the audience. Have people who have seen this in the theatre find it was the same? I saw the matinee of this yesterday, I'd say the average age was about 168 in the first half rising to 173 because a couple, possibly in their late 20s/early 30s, left at the interval. A lot of empty seats, certainly towards the backs of the stalls, that led to a lovely game of musical chairs when the thing started. Never let it be said the youth dont don't know how to behave in the theatre, that mob yesterday would have given anyone a run for their money!
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Post by partytentdown on Jun 22, 2018 21:06:33 GMT
any more casting news on this?
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 23, 2018 8:55:19 GMT
any more casting news on this? Frankly, whatever the casting I just cannot sit though ANOTHER production of The Importance of Being Earnest! My life's too short!!
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Post by Rory on Jun 23, 2018 10:26:55 GMT
Yes, like Macbeth, it has been done to death recently. I also think Sophie Thompson has been miscast. Lady B will be much scattier than usual, I suspect. Now where did I put that handbag?
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 23, 2018 11:13:14 GMT
I also think Sophie Thompson has been miscast. Lady B will be much scattier than usual, I suspect. Now where did I put that handbag? Yes, I can just see her performance perfectly without actually seeing it! Then (despite her extensive range of stage work) we will get the old dears in the audience saying "ooh look wasn't she the clairvoyant in Corrie?
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Post by lynette on Jun 23, 2018 11:40:02 GMT
any more casting news on this? Frankly, whatever the casting I just cannot sit though ANOTHER production of The Importance of Being Earnest! My life's too short!! I must have missed them. There was the one that they messed about with, was that the older actors' effort? But I don’t recall any other notable production.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 23, 2018 11:54:36 GMT
Frankly, whatever the casting I just cannot sit though ANOTHER production of The Importance of Being Earnest! My life's too short!! I must have missed them. There was the one that they messed about with, was that the older actors' effort? But I don’t recall any other notable production. Well, there was the David Suchet Lady Bracknell production at the very same theatre in 2015. But, I rather meant generally that it is a play that is "done to death".
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Post by lynette on Jun 24, 2018 16:14:01 GMT
I didn’t see the Suchet. I haven’t seen a prod of this for yonks actually so was thinking of booking. I like Sophie Thompson too. It is a wonderful play, every word the right one in the right place. I don’t know why they don’t make a it set text for GCSE. Fits all the contemporary criteria- all about the place of women, you can bring in the socio economics, the importance of railways! And the language, a dream and memorable, good now they can’t take in the texts. This and Translations, all you need in an Eng Lit course.
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Post by learfan on Jun 24, 2018 18:48:40 GMT
I didn’t see the Suchet. I haven’t seen a prod of this for yonks actually so was thinking of booking. I like Sophie Thompson too. It is a wonderful play, every word the right one in the right place. I don’t know why they don’t make a it set text for GCSE. Fits all the contemporary criteria- all about the place of women, you can bring in the socio economics, the importance of railways! And the language, a dream and memorable, good now they can’t take in the texts. This and Translations, all you need in an Eng Lit course. I always thought it was on the syllabus, given the frequency of productions. Wonder why the male leads haven't been cast yet? It has a longish run so might go.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 27, 2018 23:05:09 GMT
There are more names on the website - but not the roles they are playing
FEHINTI BALOGUN JACOB FORTUNE MATT CROSBY TIM GIBSON
So between them they are Jack, Algie, Merriman and Lane at a rough guess (unless we are getting the version with the added Solicitor scene...)
Jacob Fortune is probably Jack looking at the list - but I may be wrong. I can't see him as Algie - even though I know he has played a drag queen in his youth...
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Post by crowblack on Jul 2, 2018 17:46:05 GMT
more names on the website Hi, where are these? All I can see are those previously mentioned.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jul 2, 2018 18:16:52 GMT
more names on the website Hi, where are these? All I can see are those previously mentioned. Full cast list here: www.classicspring.co.uk/show/the-importance-of-being-earnest/castseems I guessed corrected for Jacob being Jack Amazed that they feel the need for an ensemble for this piece. And an actor to play the gardener Moulton?? Who has no lines and no listed stage appearances! Anyway, no Solicitor - so not getting the extended remix version
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Post by princeton on Jul 2, 2018 18:20:57 GMT
FEHINTI BALOGUN is playing Algie JACOB FORTUNE-LLOYD - Jack GEOFFREY FRESHWATER - Lane MATT CROSBY - Merriman TIM GIBSON is playing a character called Moulton - a gardener referred to in the play but not usually seen. www.classicspring.co.uk/show/the-importance-of-being-earnest/castUPDATE: Oops Simon - I guess you were posting as I was typing. Sorry everyone for repeating the information.
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Post by lynette on Jul 2, 2018 18:22:37 GMT
Gardener? Must be about the 'spade'.
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Post by crowblack on Jul 2, 2018 19:14:04 GMT
Thanks! I couldn't find it.
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Post by crowblack on Jul 9, 2018 12:14:09 GMT
I don't know how to go about this (I haven't done it before - should I do it on the noticeboard?) but I have a ticket for this I can't use on Saturday Matinee 28th, centre front stalls.
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Post by lynette on Jul 9, 2018 17:35:23 GMT
I don't know how to go about this (I haven't done it before - should I do it on the noticeboard?) but I have a ticket for this I can't use on Saturday Matinee 28th, centre front stalls. Put it on the noticeboard as well to catch most people.
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Post by profquatermass on Jul 9, 2018 18:10:05 GMT
Frankly, whatever the casting I just cannot sit though ANOTHER production of The Importance of Being Earnest! My life's too short!! I must have missed them. There was the one that they messed about with, was that the older actors' effort? But I don’t recall any other notable production. I was thinking it was at the Open Air a couple of years ago but I see it was actually 2009. Susan Wooldridge was Lady B
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Post by peggs on Jul 9, 2018 21:00:05 GMT
Got a bit carried away on sat what with there only be a week left of ideal husband and everything and sprung out of bed (okay no, rolled perhaps) and was in the queue by 7.25. Was the queue for an hour, just watching the traffic and people and the occasional odd man who felt the need to yell at me, yes sir I was indeed up at that early hour waiting for you! I don't know if it was something about the play or perhaps that I should have had a partner to queue for me but when I was joined by others I was about half the average age and the lone woman but hey it's always nice to unexpectedly feel young. It was worth the early rise for a great front row seat and since the first row only has ends and no middle due to the curve of the stage I had oodles of legs in front of me. The play took a while to warm up as did the audience, perhaps our minds on sat mat were else where, but once it did it was all rather delightful. Frances Barber vamping it up like no one else could quite do, Susan Hampshire making each of her lines gloriously funny, Nathaniel Parker being rather dishy and distinguished and oh my the two Mr Foxes just bouncing off each other and making a wonderful double act. All rather clever and satisfyingly enjoyable. Plus most educational eaves dropping of the two elderly ladies to my left: You can't tell the young anything, so there's little point in trying Disgust at the RSC and all their modernising of Shakespeare (I think it was the modernising they objected to, they were incensed by an Antony in a shirt and Cleopatra in heels, it was not authentic they said though wasn't sure if this was not authentically Shakespearean or Egyptian) More ire directed at season of female directors (I believe because they were poor in the view and they thought they were picked merely for being women, one lady said she had walked from the Cumberbatch Hamlet when the music started on the opening scene, lack of authenticity again) baffled silence for the relative offered a theatre ticket and who'd turned it down for a hair appointment, could she not they wondered re book her hair appointment (I silently shared their derision)
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Post by dani on Aug 1, 2018 14:07:21 GMT
There has been no activity on this thread in several weeks, but I am fairly sure The Important of Being Earnest must have opened. Am wondering what people think, as I am going next month.
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