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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 10:07:29 GMT
The first preview performance is tonight... anyone going along? Seems not much has been revealed so will be very interested to see what it is like!
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Post by caa on Feb 2, 2016 11:33:01 GMT
Can't help but feel that this play is very lucky to get staged, is Matthew Perry a big enough name?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 11:56:15 GMT
That's what I said from the word go... he isn't that big a name! Friends was and still is huge, but he is one of the least famous of the bunch.
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 2, 2016 13:11:45 GMT
Mmmmm, Matthew Perry has been on everything to promote this from Graham Norton to the One Show. He is quite a good looking guy, so imagine he has his followers.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 13:44:08 GMT
It won't close early, it will just be a show that happens then scuttles away and we never hear of it again. I don't think it will extend. How is it selling at the moment?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 17:20:16 GMT
It's that Zach Braff play all over again isn't it . . .
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 22:34:44 GMT
Well the first preview is over now I believe.
House Full sign was outside.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2016 9:00:07 GMT
Well the first night reaction on social media seems to be very entertaining but sad.
Several people are saying it is very Friends for grown ups.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2016 10:45:34 GMT
Well the first preview is over now I believe. House Full sign was outside. The House Full sign is always out at first previews. Always.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2016 21:33:47 GMT
I have just seen a picture of the set and it is very dark. All the walls and the stage are black with the exception of two windows. Then five chairs that are black on the left and a white bed on the right. Cheerful.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2016 9:41:04 GMT
Then five chairs that are black on the left and a white bed on the right. Cheerful. Is that to remind people that he's always going to be known for that show with five other actors who aren't in this play? Brave.
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 6, 2016 18:35:47 GMT
Walked past the theatre an hour ago, hoping to get a day ticket and the house full sign was out!
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Post by Jonnyboy on Feb 8, 2016 20:55:32 GMT
Anyone see Sexual Perversity in Chicago? That was a great cast but I have so little memory of the play itself. I think I remember being distinctly underwhelmed by it.
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Post by justafan on Feb 9, 2016 23:39:12 GMT
Walked past the theatre an hour ago, hoping to get a day ticket and the house full sign was out! House full sign also out tonight - despite the fact that there was an empty seat next to me
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Post by lonlad on Feb 10, 2016 1:02:42 GMT
judging from the tepid applause tonight - and nowhere near sufficient to merit three bows - seems like the sold-out house isn't very impressed. can't say I blame them.
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 11, 2016 22:58:10 GMT
Saw this, this afternoon.
You worry when someone from television, tries to recreate their fame from television and use theatre as a vehicle to achieve this. A good casing point was that train wreck at the Wyndham's last year (The Mentalists), where Stephen Merchant gave an unforgettable performance, that added 200 bodies to the death toll. Good news I have never seen The Office or Friends.
Well Matthew Perry needn't worry as he has written a quite funny, tender and touching play, even though it did end like a train going into the buffets, which I mean aprubtly. Not h best acting in the West End, but wasn't bad either from all 4 artists.
4 Stars.
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Post by lonlad on Feb 11, 2016 23:36:45 GMT
Two stars from Michael Billington
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Post by lonlad on Feb 12, 2016 1:37:41 GMT
and from Telegraph and Independent
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 10:26:49 GMT
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 12, 2016 13:06:43 GMT
The Times and What's On Stage gave the best reviews, however I enjoyed it.
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Post by DebbieDoesDouglas(Hodge) on Feb 29, 2016 22:04:31 GMT
Longing for the End more like
Saw this this evening - utterly dreadful, possibly the worst play I have ever seen. Is astonishing that something in the west end has to rely on 'prostitute' and its many variations COUNTLESSLY as punchlines. Just utter drivel. Everyone involved need their Equity card taken off of the and torn up.
£74.50 for the seat I was sat in. Lucky it didn't come out of my pocket or I would have genuinely demanded my money back.
One standing ovation whom sat back down quickly when the whole audience spat at them
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Post by stanne on Mar 14, 2016 20:59:16 GMT
Hmmm - in two minds about this.
Saw it on Saturday evening, when it was pretty much sold out. Some friends came with me who live most of the year in Paris, very keen to see something in the west end; thank God, I managed to stop them from getting tickets for £125 each ( when I would have probably slit my wrists), and managed to pay "only" £47 for seats in the dress circle. (BTW absolutely NO legroom; my husband, who is 6'2" is still complaining about it now).
The first act was absolutely dire, but it did pick up in the second act, and I ended up quite enjoying it. At the risk of sounding like someone's granny, the constant swearing got me down after a while, and I was interested to hear some young Americans (early 20s) saying the same, so not just me!
I think I'd give it 3 stars, and a "could do better."
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Post by CG on the loose on Apr 25, 2016 14:31:49 GMT
Is there some 'one in one out' rule running? Matthew Perry has contracted laryngitis and will not be performing in The End Of Longing tonight... understudy Jonny McPherson gets his chance.
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Post by Steve on Apr 25, 2016 18:57:45 GMT
Is there some 'one in one out' rule running? Matthew Perry has contracted laryngitis and will not be performing in The End Of Longing tonight... understudy Jonny McPherson gets his chance. Oh no, I feel bad for that audience. Perry's presence is far more integral to this production than Glenn Close to Sunset Blvd. The best scene is the one where reality and drama meet, and "Perry" stands and gives his confessional. As a play, it's not very good. As a merging of reality and drama, performed by the man who wrote it, on themes that have ravaged his own life, it's actually quite a unique experience, a touching kind of performance art.
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Post by westendcub on Apr 25, 2016 22:12:28 GMT
Well I was in the audience tonight & can tell you that Matthew's understudy was a wonder & delivered the goods & gave an outstanding performance (standing ovation well deserved).
I only felt around 5 seconds of disappointed when it got announced this afternoon as found out this was his understudy time to take the spotlight for the first time & I would be there to see him step into the shoe's of a star attraction.
Even without Matthew there, he's writing & the characters has written means it has precense without him starring tonight.
I didn't know what to expect going on with lukewarm reviews & not much a buzz on here but I loved it.
It had a funny & relatable first half then a darker act 2, confronting at times & emotional (yes I cried!!)
Been a fan of Lloyd Owen for years & can't complain for the nakedness but I loved how his character shows depth in Act 2.
So I personally loved this show & am very much thinking of going again before it closes
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Post by andrew on Apr 25, 2016 22:28:03 GMT
I wasn't here to publish a review when I saw it on opening night. I'm glad some people here found stuff to enjoy in it, but I truly found absolutely nothing. Not funny, not new, not interesting.
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Post by Squire Sullen on Apr 26, 2016 9:18:00 GMT
Anyone else totally forget this was still running?
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Post by terrylondon79 on Apr 26, 2016 11:40:16 GMT
Lots of disappointed Matthew Perry fans needn't of worried. Understudy was good, even if he was just doing a chandler impression for two hours. Has anyone seen Matthew Perry in the role, as the whole show felt like a mediocre sitcom.
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Post by Steve on Apr 26, 2016 12:29:06 GMT
Lots of disappointed Matthew Perry fans needn't of worried. Understudy was good, even if he was just doing a chandler impression for two hours. Has anyone seen Matthew Perry in the role, as the whole show felt like a mediocre sitcom. I actually think it was quite a good comedy, in that it is full of set-ups and payoffs. Perry really learned alot by being on Friends. It isn't a very good play though, because the situation part is so phony. The prostitute, in particular, is completely unbelievable, a thoroughly adjusted, charismatic, witty, maternal and likeable human being who just happens to sell herself sexually to strangers every night. It didn't ring true for me one bit, even though I loved the actress. In fact, apart from Perry's character, there wasn't much going on in the situation part of the sitcom. Perry was wonderful, I thought, for a comedy, his languorous staccato rhythm of speaking like a depressed Clint Eastwood, delivering punchlines like a man destined for the gallows. When he finally made his confession regarding his addictions (written by him, to be played by him), life and art joined for one sublime moment, where he felt so naked on stage, and so truthful in his address, I couldn't help welling up.
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Post by Steve on Apr 26, 2016 21:08:31 GMT
The prostitute, in particular, is completely unbelievable, a thoroughly adjusted, charismatic, witty, maternal and likeable human being who just happens to sell herself sexually to strangers every night. I've not seen the play yet (that joy arrives late this week), but I think the revelation of "Belle de Jour" as a scientist, and that young Indian mathematics star who both chose that job would disprove the assertion. Going further, on the various documentaries and material read on one of my Uni courses, if someone isn't many of those qualities in what is the most "people" profession of all, I don't know they would be that successful. Theatremonkey, you think "scientists" and "mathematics stars" are "adjusted!?" I would have thought the opposite, by and large. Nonetheless, I can't wait to hear what you think of the Jennifer Mudge's character. Ask yourself if that seems like a person who regularly associates intimately with strangers, who may do unpredictable and horrible things to her. Ask yourself if there is any trace of her profession on her character whatsoever? Most people I know are at least partially shaped by their professions, in the way they behave, relate, the things they choose to talk about. I'm betting Belle de Jour has some edge to her, though zi'm probably wrong lol.
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