169 posts
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Post by caa on Feb 25, 2016 8:48:46 GMT
Really enjoyed seeing this production last night, but not convinced that the revolving set is that great an idea, I think its hard to single out any one in the cast as all were good.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 8:58:59 GMT
I think the revolving set was more effective for when it didn't revolve. For most of the show it revolved in one direction, then for the final act it revolved in the other direction before finally coming to a stop. It was a nice subtle indication of how everyone's lives had been set in motion by the arrival of the Professor and Yelena, with a subtle unwinding as things returned to how they had been before, then a final settling back into stagnation. So yeah, a nice bit of symbolism, and as someone who always sits behind a pillar I appreciated the equality of everyone being obstructed at various intervals, but very subtle and maybe not that necessary but hey.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2016 11:37:07 GMT
I thought it was a really beautiful production, but the revolving set annoyed me, especially when you knew some great acting was being hidden from view. And at least stop it from creaking so loudly! I'm sure I'm missing an important metaphor and being too literal, I usually am.
Very strong performances throughout - obviously Paul Rhys, but the two female leads really stood out - maybe more so than in any other production of this that I've seen. And Tobias Menzies in his pants was an unexpected treat.
Oddly, for me the smaller roles lost their impact - not sure why - was the text cut? I don't know it well enough to be able to tell. I'm sure I recall the old nurse and 'Waffles' (can't remember the alternative name in this version) having much more of a presence in other productions.
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1,465 posts
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Post by foxa on Mar 5, 2016 0:32:08 GMT
Really enjoyed this - certainly one of the best things I've seen so far in 2016. I had been slightly dreading it due to its length, but it was so engrossing it flew by. Paul Rhys - wonderful - as was most of the rest of the cast. Jessica Findlay Brown was terrific as Sonya (despite being far too beautiful) - raw, surprising. Her scene with Vanessa Kirby was one of the highlights. I liked the revolving set though we drew a short straw for views in two important scenes, but felt the proximity and element of surprise made up for it. And as Baemax says, I'm someone who always gets a pillar seat, so a bit of obstruction is nothing new. For one scene I was watching Tobias Menzies through a glass cabinet, but that was okay. I don't know how much longer it's on, but if you get a chance, do go.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Mar 5, 2016 22:01:29 GMT
Didn't feel long at all, we seemed to have barely started before we hit the first interval. Frustrated by the revolve at times especially when it meant I lost an important exchange behind a wooden pillar, what with sitting behind a pillar, I was somewhat pillared out but I like Baemax's interpretation of it and it was much less annoying than in Street Car since there was less to obstruct you. Turned out the Anglicizing of names didn't bother me at all, it still all felt very Chekhov and created in me the desire to shake male characters who failed to see the love struck woman in front of them. Paul Rhys very strong, rather sinking further into despair as you watched him and a nice turn in rage. Vanessa Kirby and Jessica Findlay Brown both brilliant and lovely scene together.
Profoundly irritated by man determined to get last possible bit out of ice cream tub who made excessive noise and then kept rustling, even Latecomer's best Paddington stare did not shut him up.
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152 posts
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Post by alnoor on Mar 12, 2016 14:51:27 GMT
For anyone interested---have just returned 2 tickets for 19/3/16 matinee and 1 ticket for 26/3/16 again matinee.
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478 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Mar 17, 2016 10:19:01 GMT
Enjoyed this (eventually, it took a while) and having completely written Chekhov off as “not my thing” previously, was glad to actually get something out of this. That creaky stage though! Has it been like that for the whole run?
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Mar 17, 2016 13:09:43 GMT
It certainly was creaking a couple of weeks back and had been mentioned before that so I think yes!
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433 posts
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Post by DuchessConstance on Mar 17, 2016 16:53:03 GMT
I went to one of the first previews and was creaking like mad then!
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