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Post by crowblack on Feb 18, 2018 22:45:16 GMT
Btw, I like the programme design too - nice handy size.
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Post by david on Feb 20, 2018 0:02:03 GMT
Saw this 2 weeks ago on a Sunday matinee. Overall, very impressed with the production. Saw it from row B in gallery 3 - a bargain at £25 for 2hrs great entertainment. Thought the band at the start really got the audience going and a great way to kick start the play. However I don’t think the people sat around me appreciated the volume! Visually it was great seeing it from so high up, though the atmosphere in the pit must have been something else having the actors so up close and personal.
For a Sunday afternoon, the theatre was well attended both in the pit and galleries from what I could see. Hopefully this continues for future productions.
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Post by Ade on Feb 21, 2018 18:07:12 GMT
Loving this NT Live trailer. Goes a long way to capturing the feel of the production.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2018 15:37:41 GMT
Saw it last night and I really really enjoyed it. Has standing tickets and was a bit apprehensive has have never stood for a show before but was worth it for the whole experience.The atmosphere in the pit was great and it was great to be involved in the action and feeling as though you were actually there. Stood on the outskirts of the promenade know as it looked a bit squished standing at the front but sometimes got really good positionslike when Caser enters beforehand the assissination or when they bring in his coffin, but where ever you stand in the pit you will have a good spot.At some points it wasn't quite nerve racking standing there when gun shots went off and lots of action happen during but that added to my enjoyement. The performances were all really good and liked th main four Whishaw, Fairely , Morrisey and Calden, also really like Adjo Andoh. The staging was great and it just felt great and contempry. This is how Shakespeare should be , relivint and exciting.
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 27, 2018 14:30:27 GMT
Really pleased by what everyone thinks - I’m gonna go on Sunday and stand in the pit I think - I have a very love/hate relationship with Shakespeare but this sounds like great fun.
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Post by tmesis on Mar 3, 2018 16:58:36 GMT
Just been to the matinee of this and absolutely loved it. I was in the gallery and the whole thing gripped me with its energy for the 2 hours (I actually wanted more.) I think this was Hytner's best Shakespeare production since Henry V in his early days at the NT (how much is he missed there now?) The stand outs for me were Whishaw and Morrissey. Incidentally I arrived early at The Bridge and he sat about two feet away from me, sharing a pot of tea with a couple who, I assume, had arrived early for the show.
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Post by Stephen on Mar 3, 2018 23:18:26 GMT
Thinking about going tomorrow. How loud is it exactly? Gunshots and such. Will I be uncomfortable or is it not too bad...?
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Post by NeilVHughes on Mar 3, 2018 23:40:21 GMT
The band is quite loud at the beginning and the battle scene at the end appeared to me quite realistic (read a piece last week on whether this would trigger a reaction for someone with PTSD) but no worse than a cinema soundtrack, .
My advice is be prepared for these instances and relish seeing a truly great Shakespeare production, maybe consider a seat over the promenade as you will be less immersed in all the noisy stuff.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2018 23:40:52 GMT
Thinking about going tomorrow. How loud is it exactly? Gunshots and such. Will I be uncomfortable or is it not too bad...? It's exciting. Us two middle-aged farts loved it.
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Post by crowblack on Mar 4, 2018 13:27:08 GMT
Btw, I've been looking out for the BBC adaptation of China Mieville's The City and the City, and there's a BFI preview coming up with a Q&A with David Morrissey, so hopefully the series is imminent. Some of it was filmed just up the road from us, Liverpool standing in for somewhere East European (it was Prague once, in an Alan Bennett drama with D D-L)
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Post by Stephen on Mar 5, 2018 1:48:14 GMT
I bit the bullet and saw this today!
Had a brilliant time. It was exciting and everything that I hoped it would be. It was very intense towards the end but as others have said it just adds to the thrill of it all!
Great performances and lovely being so close to Ben Whishaw...
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Post by Stephen on Mar 5, 2018 18:03:23 GMT
How loud is it exactly? Will I be uncomfortable or is it not too bad...? For several years now, I've brought wax ear plugs with me for loud productions. Cheap from Boots, they mould into your ear and reduce noise levels from "loud" to "normal." Can't tell you the number of times I've had people ask if I have spares with me. That’s a great idea! Thanks for telling me. I’ll definitely invest in some!
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Post by crowblack on Mar 11, 2018 9:48:50 GMT
They've just had a feature on it on the Andrew Marr Show this morning.
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 11, 2018 23:23:35 GMT
I. Bloody. Loved. This.
I mean, I could write for hours, but this is one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve seen in a very long time - probably ever. It made me uncomfortable to start with, as I’d never been in an audience like it (I was standing in the pit). But once Brutus and Cassius came on and did their first scene I had relaxed and was fully enthralled for 2 hours. It’s a remarkable staging (Bunny Christie’s design is amazing) and the constant moving and things happening in different places kept me on my toes, which I enjoyed. Ben Whishaw was so engaging and i loved watching the progression of Brutus. But I was blown away by Michelle Fairley as Cassius. She’s strangely daring but always as one eye looking over her shoulder.
I don’t normally enjoy Shakespeare - I sort of go out of obligation to try and see variety in theatre, but I absolutely loved this, and probably will go again! 5 stars without question.
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Post by andrew on Mar 11, 2018 23:59:14 GMT
I don’t normally enjoy Shakespeare - I sort of go out of obligation to try and see variety in theatre Not at all the the main part of your post, but this is me down to a T. (I had to look up how to write down to a T and was surprised it was just the letter, hope you learned something too.)
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Post by moelhywel on Mar 22, 2018 22:14:24 GMT
Just back from seeing this in the cinema having had to miss the performance I had a ticket for because of the snow. I thought it was really good and found the modern setting made it even more relevant to today than a "Roman" setting. I have to agree with souchyboyy about Michele Fairley as Cassius, I found her riveting. Think I may have got more out of seeing this in the cinema than the theatre as the seat I had was in Gallery 3 so I would have missed the expressions.
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Post by maggiem on Mar 23, 2018 16:52:34 GMT
I loved watching it at the cinema last night, so I've gone mad and got myself a standing ticket for 14/04 matinee. Cheap(ish) tickets on the train too for a day trip. I'm gonna "Do this"!
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Post by kathryn on Mar 24, 2018 18:42:08 GMT
Loved this today! Sat in row C gallery 1 - turned out to be a good choice as my mum came with me instead of my usual theatre buddy, and she couldn’t have stood for 2 hours in the pit.
We both loved it. It felt really dynamic and urgent.
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Post by lynette on Mar 24, 2018 23:33:17 GMT
What souchboyy said: I bloody loved this. Rufus should have sat in the rehearsals here. Not being nasty but this was set in a modern context and with guns and it worked. Why was that? I’m sure the soldiery stuff was just as dodgy as it usually is in these updates but here it all made sense. And the actors spoke the text as if they had just thought of it, freshly and with understanding. Loved Brutus. Loved em all actually. First time I can remember the conspirators being so well delineated, possibly because of the gender mix. The scene between Briutus and Cassius, the argument scene, was particularly good and this I think due to some careful cutting and sheer acting skill. Never seen it better.
I noticed how the crowd were generally millennials while those of us sitting down were baby boomers. I thought it was as if we older ones were looking on, watching the future. And helpless.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2018 11:01:08 GMT
What souchboyy said: I bloody loved this. Rufus should have sat in the rehearsals here. Not being nasty but this was set in a modern context and with guns and it worked. Why was that? I’m sure the soldiery stuff was just as dodgy as it usually is in these updates but here it all made sense. And the actors spoke the text as if they had just thought of it, freshly and with understanding. Loved Brutus. Loved em all actually. First time I can remember the conspirators being so well delineated, possibly because of the gender mix. The scene between Briutus and Cassius, the argument scene, was particularly good and this I think due to some careful cutting and sheer acting skill. Never seen it better. I noticed how the crowd were generally millennials while those of us sitting down were baby boomers. I thought it was as if we older ones were looking on, watching the future. And helpless. I think this really sums up what distinguishes a good Shakespeare from a bad one - basically it's not enough to have a concept, that concept has got to have a logic that works forensically for the whole play. I remember being particularly aware of that when I saw the NT Lear directed by S Mendes - much as I love a bit of SRB, the production itself wasn't much to write home about and a lot of that was because it felt like Mendes had just plonked it in a particular setting and then not really thought much about it after that. Hytner is bloody excellent at tightly thought through, illuminating Shakespeare.
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Post by lichtie on Mar 25, 2018 18:06:39 GMT
Saw this one today, as last part of my London theatre weekend. Free seat upgrade after they vanished my seat to a wheelchair and companion, which grey were very apologetic about. Thought it was great, made excellent use of the crowd in the pit, kept up a cracking pace, and could understand exactly what the actors were trying to get across, unlike Macbeth on Friday (OK, the much more intimate space helped a lot!). Also much better than the lacklustre RSC en-togad version last year.
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Post by peggs on Mar 25, 2018 21:21:34 GMT
Was most stressful trying to get my balloon home without bursting or losing it, but I do like a production where you leave with purloined goods!
Wow this was just crazing. Started off in pit, noting as flagged majority of the mob was more than a tad younger than me and taller but got my flag to show good will and do like a sing along where I know the words. I don't know if I picked the corner with the most bits of mob moving or it just seemed that way but it kept me on my toes and distracted me from any aching legs but the frequency of someone balling 'MOVE!' in my face and then seeing how many feet you could stand on as you hastily were herded that way or this. I don't get out much I concede but it's the most fun I've had when squashed up with a lot of strangers in ages, if only travelling on the tube was this entertaining.
For me being in the mob made it rather event theatre and the joy of not being with anyone does give one free rein to join in with enthusiasm, felt rather like being at the globe at a intentionally rowdy performance only in the dark and without the chance of rain. Some rather lovely acting, it's funny there was a lot more Caesar then I remembered, the whole thing seemed very much doomed from the start for the conspirators. On the announcement of the cast i'd initially assumed Ben Whishaw would be Mark Antony and David Morrissey Brutus I guess due to age perhaps but it worked this way round. Who'd of thought Ben Whishaw would have made a convincing grimy soldier, I mean his tactics were pretty hopeless but it was very different to anything I've seen him do before. Loved Michelle Fairley's Cassius and Adjoa Andoh's Casca. Great staging, use of music, lights and of the mob. Giving a larger purse i'd have liked to have seen it sitting down to see how different it would be, certainly I missed somethings in the mob but the thrill of that close, of being shoved out the way is hard to beat. Not for everyone I guess, but one of those productions I'd have loved to have taken someone to who though Shakespeare was all dull speechifying in togas.
Very well played the bridge. oh and the cloakroom queue whilst very long afterwards was staffed with very friendly, speedy staff so well done there.
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Post by Rory on Mar 26, 2018 8:29:41 GMT
I saw this on NT Live last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. It zipped along and had a crackling energy which translated well to screen but I would imagine to experience it live would be terrific. Standouts for me were Michelle Fairly (excellent) and Adjoa Andoh.
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Post by kathryn on Mar 26, 2018 8:33:44 GMT
Giving a larger purse i'd have liked to have seen it sitting down to see how different it would be, certainly I missed somethings in the mob but the thrill of that close, of being shoved out the way is hard to beat. I was seated and I think I want to go again and see it as a member of the mob!
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Post by RedRose on Mar 26, 2018 8:48:09 GMT
Giving a larger purse i'd have liked to have seen it sitting down to see how different it would be, certainly I missed somethings in the mob but the thrill of that close, of being shoved out the way is hard to beat. I was seated and I think I want to go again and see it as a member of the mob! I enjoyed both experiences and the NT live screening gave another great perspective of the play. Will be in the mob again for the last performance.
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Post by Marwood on Mar 27, 2018 21:38:10 GMT
Saw this tonight from the pit and thought it was truly excellent, really succeeded in being an exciting production, which doesn’t happen too often when it comes to Shakespeare these days.(well not the ones I see anyway) Not one to see in the pit if you’re not that mobile or of a nervous disposition, but I loved it. More thoughts in the next few days (I’m writing this on the train back from London Bridge)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2018 15:55:37 GMT
Urgent vital and relevant? I think not Perhaps the most patronising and dumbed down Shakespeare I have seen In some ways worse than the NT Macbeth From the clumsy and noisy staging To the shouted dialogue And the terrible Lighting and unrealistic sound effects Guns which don’t actually fire anything We just hear a “bang” coming from a totally different direction Why bother having guns Without blanks? This production will impress people Who like being herded about For no good reason And find waving flags And balloons exciting And think this amounts to excitement And sophistication I found it utterly dull And a massive misfire 2H 15M of tedium I don’t know what the idea behind it was But live theatre is not film This came across like a cheap 1970s made for TV affair It was just cringe And embarrassing Also interesting That despite the apparent (pointless) Efforts Gone into the staging And the acting talent (in name at least) No Olivier nominations Is the Bridge not eligible for these? The pit was full of school children Excited at the flashing lights And waving flags about Children are used to be bossed about And told what to do So perhaps this is the target audience My needs sit somewhat above What this production offers I think it’s the worst thing I have seen this year The “Band” At the start... f***ing dreadful Their murdering of the “songs” Was the biggest crime of the whole show So far we haven’t seen any Sellouts at The Bridge I wonder how the coming productions will fare? Interesting the AB is not sold out If it was showing at the NT Would not be the case
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Post by lynette on Mar 28, 2018 18:44:51 GMT
Parsley, I usually agree with some of your reviews if not all but on this occasion I think you are quite wrong. The band, the shouting etc were all references to our contemporary political gatherings. When I was there there were no school kids, it was a Saturday. I can imagine a whole pit of school kids might be a 'challenge' but watching from a seat at the side I found the interpretation illuminating and fresh. I didn’t notice the sound of the guns being out of place. I thought the lighting was excellent actually as was the up and down of the set. The acting was superb, come on. Ben Whishaw was an exceptional Brutus. For once the gender changes said something interesting. I’m sorry you feel differently. But that is what this Board is for, isn’t it, passionately expressed views on Theatre?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2018 19:38:11 GMT
Parsley, I usually agree with some of your reviews if not all but on this occasion I think you are quite wrong. The band, the shouting etc were all references to our contemporary political gatherings. When I was there there were no school kids, it was a Saturday. I can imagine a whole pit of school kids might be a 'challenge' but watching from a seat at the side I found the interpretation illuminating and fresh. I didn’t notice the sound of the guns being out of place. I thought the lighting was excellent actually as was the up and down of the set. The acting was superb, come on. Ben Whishaw was an exceptional Brutus. For once the gender changes said something interesting. I’m sorry you feel differently. But that is what this Board is for, isn’t it, passionately expressed views on Theatre? Yes the acting was fine As one would expect from this cast But many of the scenes were just shouting I personally have not been to any such Modern political event With a rowdy band who can’t sing And in any case People shouting in the street Having their voice heard Is not real politics It is window dressing The real politics and actual decisions go on behind closed doors It should be elegant and dignified There was also a lack of sufficient differentiation Between the “outside” And “inside” Scenes I think the acting was good enough That the Roman period setting For me anyway Would have been more effective A bit like Imperium The senate scenes were quite thrilling And much more heated Than this limp offering I also think the actors had to constantly Compete with stuff being pushed about I didn’t find the staging exciting If anyone Has seen any recent pop tours Rising and falling elements are used Much much more impressively And there was lots of “shushing” All The time For all The love this production has garnered And good reviews Bizarre it has not sold out Perhaps the arrogant pricing doesn’t help?? I felt the staging detracted from the acting And that wasn’t all perfect anyway Adjoa Andoh Seemed to be auditioning For a Panto With exaggerated facial expressions To be quite frank I am Not a 10 year old school child And for me this production Is designed to appeal to school groups And people who are scared of Shakespeare
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Post by peggs on Mar 28, 2018 19:43:16 GMT
This production will impress people Who like being herded about For no good reason And find waving flags And balloons exciting And think this amounts to excitement And sophistication That'll have been me then! Well perhaps not sophistication but definitely excitement You can't win them all @parsley and lynette you are quite right, that is exactly what the board is full, 'passionately expressed views of theatre'
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