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Post by showgirl on Feb 10, 2017 4:43:04 GMT
Am I the only member to be frustrated by seeing others say they are going to a play or show in which I am also interested, only for there to be no follow-up?
As an example, at least two people recently have mentioned seeing a touring production (of "The Verdict" - though confusingly there has also been a tour of a separate but similarly-named play, simply "Verdict"), which is visiting many more locations. However, after the event, no word of it here. I absolutely acknowledge that no-one is obliged to comment or post about anything in particular at any time, but if you have seen something and have whetted others' appetites, please at least consider saying something about it, even if only "This was great" or "Waste of time and money".
For an example of the sort of puzzled post which can result if a production is cited but with no further information, see the "Bad Behaviour" thread for yesterday.
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Post by theatremadness on Feb 10, 2017 9:39:14 GMT
You could always ask! If a poster is seeing something you think you'd like to know about but they don't follow up for whatever reason, just tag them in your post by putting an @ before their username and ask them what they thought
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Post by Baemax on Feb 10, 2017 9:50:22 GMT
Sometimes I just don't have anything to say about a show. Maybe other people have already said what I thought, or maybe the show just wasn't much of anything, or maybe I'm in "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all" mode, or maybe I'm feeling particularly ineloquent and feel like a single line post of "I saw this and it was okay" will add so little to the conversation that it's not even worth saying. I think specifically requesting that someone say something about a show (especially tagging individuals as per theatremadness 's post) is a great idea, because then people will know that their "it killed a couple of hours, I wouldn't see it again, but I don't mind having seen it once" will be part of a conversation and not the message-board equivalent of listening to other people chatting and adding a "yeah!" every now and then.
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Post by emicardiff on Feb 10, 2017 9:51:18 GMT
I think for me, if I'm honest it's because the board is very London- centric I think it's not worth posting a separate thread for regional tours or shows because I assume nobody is interested? Like last night I have a LOT of thoughts about a show which I know that nobody else is likely to see...so I figure it'll disappear into the ether.
Maybe this thread can be used to tag people as @theatremadness suggested for a 'follow up' on them going?
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 10, 2017 10:01:33 GMT
Sinners Club?
I'm seeing it in a week's time.
You never know, it could have a future life after the present two co-producing venues. The Bloody Ballad of Mary Maid toured all over everywhere over a number of years.
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Post by emicardiff on Feb 10, 2017 10:05:42 GMT
Sinners Club? I'm seeing it in a week's time. You never know, it could have a future life after the present two co-producing venues. The Bloody Ballad of Mary Maid toured all over everywhere over a number of years. yes! I actually thought of saying "Nobody except Honoured Guest is likely to see it" (as I don't think we have any frequenters of the North here?)
I loved Bloody Ballard, which is why I asked to review this one. As with many productions at The Other Room, Chapter or Sherman I always figure it's pointless commenting on here as so few people see them...anyway I digress, we can talk Sinners Club after you see it!
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 10, 2017 10:09:40 GMT
Sone of the North West England mob on this forum saw Rent at Theatr Clwyd, so there's always hope that they could return there for Sinners Club and Junkyard, the Theatr Clwyd musical offerings this spring.
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Post by emicardiff on Feb 10, 2017 10:15:56 GMT
Sone of the North West England mob on this forum saw Rent at Theatr Clwyd, so there's always hope that they could return there for Sinners Club and Junkyard, the Theatr Clwyd musical offerings this spring. This is true! Northerners reading this I encourage you to cross the border to see the goings on at Clwyd this spring!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 10:23:27 GMT
More often than is good, I see something and don't really think anything...
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Post by nick on Feb 10, 2017 10:46:15 GMT
I wonder if the admin would think about adding a 'touring and regional' section like the 'international' section. Mind you that would be an admission that the Theatre and Musicals sections are so london-centric
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Post by Nelly on Feb 10, 2017 11:06:13 GMT
So there's always hope that they could return there for Junkyard, the Theatr Clwyd musical offerings this spring. This is true! Northerners reading this I encourage you to cross the border to see the goings on at Clwyd this spring! The lighting will be good for Junkyard. ;-)
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Post by emicardiff on Feb 10, 2017 12:24:54 GMT
I think it is "London-centric" on here simply because there is more going on. In the same way the "International" section has more Broadway than anything else. I always like reading about regional theatre on here, in the plays / musicals section. Shunting them off separately, I think, would cause those seeking London only to miss something worth reading. Oh I didn't mean it in a negative way! just that there are less of us in each 'pocket' around the country so it doesn't feel of mass interest (and believe me some of the stuff I see is barely to anyone's interest but that's another story!)
I think tagging someone in the 'I'm going to see' thread if you want to hear about it after can work. And I'll also endeavour to post more reviews on here of regional stuff even if nobody reads it!
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Post by The Matthew on Feb 10, 2017 13:09:40 GMT
I wonder if the admin would think about adding a 'touring and regional' section like the 'international' section. It's been tried in the past, and what happens is that everyone says how great it'll be but as soon as they notice that the main sections are more popular they don't want to use the regional section any more.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 10, 2017 13:26:12 GMT
And there's lots of crossover between London and the other regions. As just one example, Junkyard is playing Bristol Old Vic, Theatr Clwyd and Rose Theatre Kingston.
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Post by Baemax on Feb 10, 2017 13:30:57 GMT
Personally, I even find the International board a bit of a shame. As I don't really go anywhere International, I don't check in very often, but when I do, I almost always find an interesting conversation that's worth a read even though I'll never get to see the show in question. Separating out the regions and tours as well would just compound and exacerbate for me.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 10, 2017 13:34:42 GMT
Maybe Jan Brock will use the International section to post about Bridge Theatre shows as they find its location so very remote?
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Post by showgirl on Feb 10, 2017 14:54:20 GMT
So maybe we could ensure that we highlight the fact that productions are touring, if we know this? As most tours move on weekly, they can potentially visit quite a few venues in a short space of time and people who weren't previously aware of a play or show might then hear about it and find they're in time to catch it at a subsequent stop.
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Post by foxa on Feb 10, 2017 18:18:54 GMT
Yes - I like reading about (some) productions even if I'm not going to see them. The Pygmalion touring production by Headlong, for example, recently posted in Plays sounded interesting.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 10, 2017 19:37:24 GMT
Also, even if a production isn't touring but is too distant, or is touring but not coming close, it may still merit a mental note in case future opportunities arise. For instance, Nina - for which I recently failed to bag tickets at the Young Vic - originated in Liverpool last year, so it was already on my radar as a "must see". Similarly, I've definitely registered "Flowers For Mrs Harris" as one to look out for, having had my appetite whetted by the rave reviews from Sheffield, also last year. So whilst the board can appear very London-centric, there's definitely interest in and support for productions throughout the UK - and indeed beyond.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 10, 2017 20:57:05 GMT
I wonder if the admin would think about adding a 'touring and regional' section like the 'international' section. Mind you that would be an admission that the Theatre and Musicals sections are so london-centric Over my dead body. This is TheatreBoard. Not West End Theatre Board.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 11, 2017 7:55:11 GMT
I wonder if the admin would think about adding a 'touring and regional' section like the 'international' section. Mind you that would be an admission that the Theatre and Musicals sections are so london-centric Over my dead body. This is TheatreBoard. Not West End Theatre Board. I do love the way you don't beat about the bush, BurlyBeaR - no equivocation or hesitation there!
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Post by loureviews on Feb 11, 2017 10:17:19 GMT
I used to regularly stop by the review board but now it's gone it is much harder to search through threads to find people's opinions.
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 11, 2017 11:01:12 GMT
showgirl why not start a new thread entitled 'This week I have been to....' so if people have seen something that doesn't have its own thread and don't wish to start one, for whatever reason, they could write a comment there. That would cover "It was crap, I was bored," to a longer review on a show that may not have a dedicated thread, as not enough people would see it for there to be much discussion. I'd certainly browse for ideas of what to go and see. (There's a thread on the book section on Digital Spy entitled 'What are you reading at the moment?' and I share your frustration in that people just name a book but don't say anything about it. Sort of defeats the object.)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 11:34:23 GMT
Maybe we should have a warning points (we had them on the other site, remember?! I had a warning point!) and if don't review the show u get one? Don't review three shows then ur banned!
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 11, 2017 12:18:17 GMT
Maybe we should have a warning points (we had them on the other site, remember?! I had a warning point!) and if don't review the show u get one? Don't review three shows then ur banned! Warning points? Banned? Oooooerr........Don't like the sound of that.....wasn't me Miss, innit?.....I'd only like that if I was allowed on the Warning Point Committee. Instead of a ban, how about the first one to 10 gets a free ticket to a show NOT of their choice... (My latest mission in life is to get BurlyBeaR to a panto if it's the last thing I do!)
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 11, 2017 12:49:30 GMT
Maybe we should have a warning points (we had them on the other site, remember?! I had a warning point!) and if don't review the show u get one? Don't review three shows then ur banned! We DO have warning points! But only admins and the person who has them can see them
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Post by Jan on Feb 11, 2017 13:40:56 GMT
Maybe Jan Brock will use the International section to post about Bridge Theatre shows as they find its location so very remote? I said "far from civilisation" rather than "remote", not quite the same. I will use the International section only in the extremely unlikely event I see anything in Wales.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 11, 2017 15:29:31 GMT
I said "far from civilisation" rather than "remote", not quite the same. I will use the International section only in the extremely unlikely event I see anything in Wales. Well, Broadway is also far from civilisation but that hasn't deterred theatregoers.
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 18, 2017 14:14:04 GMT
Last night we saw Tango Fire at Sadler's Wells, Peacock.
Oh my! I need to find some words....
Ok. This is my best Craig Revel Horwood impression:
Absolutely FIL-THEE Dahling! I LUUUUUUUUUUVED it!
Seriously, if you get a chance to catch this mini tour I suggest you do. It was the most breathtaking display of Argentine tango imaginable. And all from the front row of the Peacock too. All from Argentina, there was a terrific 4 piece band - piano, violin, contrabass and a bandoneón (a sort of cross between a squeeze box and an accordion.) An oak-voiced singer, Jesus Hidalgo serenaded both us and the dancing pairs and the whole thing was simply sublime.
Choreographed by German Cornejo, who was also one of the dancers, there were 5 pairs who treated us to ensemble pieces that each told a story, some cheeky and amusing and some oozing desperate passion. Then there were also pieces the couples had each choreographed themselves that verged on circus trickery, such were the intricate leg movements while carrying out complicated lifts.
Mr Tibidabo was mortified when several of the dances began on the floor under the stage, one of them right next to his right foot! He was scared he'd develop a twitch and trip them up! I was delighted when 2 of the female dancers were lifted from the floor, right in front of me, onto the stage. The younger Tibs, one of whom can dance a bit and one of whom can play a bit, spent most of the evening in complete awe at the bodies of the girls and talent of the musicians.
This show is doing a mini tour from Tuesday 21 Feb - tonight is the final night at the Peacock - to Wycombe, Brighton, Warwick, St Albans, Dartford, Bromley, Geneva and Athens and I would say catch it if you can. A long standing ovation finished the evening, with the dancers looking genuinely overwhelmed at the applause. You could not fail to be impressed. Gorgeous costumes, gorgeous looking young people, sublime music .....just go!
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Post by duncan on Feb 18, 2017 17:06:39 GMT
Picnic at Hanging Rock - Royal Lyceum
An Australian production rolls into Edinburgh for a show based on the book and film. Its cast with five females playing all of the roles and the stage has been reduced in size to heighten the tension. Its certainly different as it starts as a five person monologue, if that makes sense, until the girls go missing then it becomes the five actresses playing male and female characters as they depict scenes from the aftermath of the Picnic. Very well played by a young cast and certainly never dull at 80 min straight through with a nice scare in there as well to pep you up.
The only show I've ever seen where the Stage Manager got taken on stage to be part of the curtain call and very deservedly so. I cant explain why without spoiling the production. 8/10
Fisk - Traverse
A man stands despondent upon a small boat, is he about to kill himself? Matters are taken out of his hands when a talking fish jumps on board and proceeds to try and cheer him up.
Right then, he's clearly a metaphor for the sea and is upset about pollution (as shown by the oil tumours on his body) and various other slightly heavy handed hints during the course of the show and it’s the marine life that comes in to save him from despair to show him that even if mankind is horrible that the sea must never give up hope. In the end with the help of some gauze and a puppet baby the fish manages to ensure that the sea is reborn at the end.
It was never boring but this was a Fringe show masquerading as Theatre, with a run time of 50 minutes and 10 minutes at the start being spent with the man sitting with his hands in a bowl of water whilst crying as some sombre music plays in the background. It was OK but if you asked me whether or not you should go and see it then I'd probably say save your money. Of course in my eyes it was slightly flawed in that the fish character looked like uncannily like a Blakes 7 cast off.
6/10
Cuttin' A Rug - Citizens
Two years after their fundamentally flawed version of The Slab Boys (allowing the Director to cast his son in the lead was a major mistake) comes the Citizens production of the middle section of the Paisley trilogy by John Byrne.
With a new Director in place, Caroline Paterson formally of EastEnders, and a virtually new cast - only Scott Fletcher as Hector is retained from the previous production - this is a joyous, funny, miserable and sad piece.
Its the night of the works dance and Phil having just been sacked decides to have one last night out with his colleagues Spanky and Hector. Meanwhile Hector is in lust with Lucille but she has her sights set on better things and arrives with the University student who is working in the factory over the summer. Meanwhile two middle aged ladies deal with problems of their own, Sadie is upset that the boss has asked her clean his house whilst Miss Wilkinshaw is still tied to the apron strings of her 85 year old mother.
Over the course of the night relationships will be explored, speeches made, lights will go out, fights will take place and by the end of the piece someone will have a knife stuck in them. An earthy west coast humour ebbs through it and most will be able to recognise people from their workplace (the dreamer, the worrier, the fool and the social climber) and yet the laughs hide a dark undercurrent as one character is assaulted, ignored and eventually stabbed following what for them is a night from hell.
It was certainly overall a better production than the first of the prequel, being far lighter of touch and having a couple of characters who were harsh and abrasive first time round be more well rounded and interesting. I'm not sure if that's because of a change of director or if the script for this one is just a funnier piece.
John Byrne was also in attendance last night, sadly now looking every inch of his 77 years. A Scottish legend though and long may his slab boys paint the town red.
9/10
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