850 posts
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Post by bordeaux on May 19, 2017 6:56:56 GMT
The Guardian has a report that this is being revived by Edward Hall. Intriguing, though no casting as yet. It's about George Blake, the spy who fled to the Soviet Union and who, apparently, is still alive aged 94.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/may/19/cell-mates-play-revived-decades-stephen-fry-walkout
Plus there's a new Terry Johnson about Jack Cardiff, cinematographer. All potentially good stuff after a year or so in which little has appealed.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2017 13:26:45 GMT
Rehearsals! For those who love a bit of Geoffrey Streatfeild you'll be heaven. Plus, you also get star of 'Fresh Fields' Philip Bird too! It's only Sonia!
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Nov 23, 2017 16:22:10 GMT
Stop tempting me Ryan, I've already got as far as checkout and then restrained self once.
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5,585 posts
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Post by lynette on Nov 23, 2017 16:26:15 GMT
Booked for 20 Jan. last night I think.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2017 16:28:34 GMT
I got an email saying "if you liked Hapgood, you'll LOVE Cell Mates!". Thanks for the tip, Hampstead, I'll save my pennies.
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96 posts
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Post by harlow on Nov 23, 2017 18:40:04 GMT
I got an email saying "if you liked Hapgood, you'll LOVE Cell Mates!". Thanks for the tip, Hampstead, I'll save my pennies. Booked for this then received this email and thought 'Oh no...'
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5,585 posts
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Post by lynette on Nov 23, 2017 19:42:28 GMT
Well just realised I have double booked. This and John at the NT. Which should I keep and which return?
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Nov 23, 2017 20:26:57 GMT
Well I loved Hapgood so the email did not help me with my finance control
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3,471 posts
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Post by showgirl on Nov 23, 2017 20:33:27 GMT
Well just realised I have double booked. This and John at the NT. Which should I keep and which return? I'm not aware that Hampstead allows returns, even for sold-out productions/dates, whereas we know the NT does. So that might settle it, but maybe Hampstead has a more flexible policy for Friends, of which I wouldn't be aware?
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96 posts
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Post by harlow on Nov 23, 2017 20:34:53 GMT
Well just realised I have double booked. This and John at the NT. Which should I keep and which return? You should be able to exchange either for another date. I have done at Hampstead before (assuming you want to see both)
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5,585 posts
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Post by lynette on Nov 23, 2017 22:06:43 GMT
I’ll have a look at dates. I don’t think I can do Cell Mates earlier so that might decide it. John might go on for longer. Honestly I need a Theatre secretary! No salary, but lots of chocolate biscuits.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Nov 23, 2017 22:20:43 GMT
Honestly I need a Theatre secretary! No salary, but lots of chocolate biscuits. Tempting Lynette, tempting.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2017 12:26:38 GMT
It’s so sh*t
Utterly pointless
Left at the interval
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2017 13:41:28 GMT
It’s so sh*t Utterly pointless Left at the interval Heavens. It must have been bad. That's not like you at all P.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2017 16:52:06 GMT
It’s so sh*t Utterly pointless Left at the interval Heavens. It must have been bad. That's not like you at all P. Honestly It’s atrociously bad And it’s on all over Xmas And it’s being papered Before they had Hapgood I wonder if Hampstead are unaware to programme something relevant or at least something good At this time of year The acting is panto in nature Perhaps that’s why they have this show on
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5,585 posts
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Post by lynette on Dec 2, 2017 22:47:37 GMT
Anyone else seen it? I like to take a consensus 😳😂
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Dec 2, 2017 23:00:20 GMT
Where is it being papered please? I loved hapgood but have so far failed twice to actually buy a ticket but that's down to cost and cold nights
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885 posts
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Post by lonlad on Dec 3, 2017 0:51:56 GMT
HAPGOOD was stunning --- possibly the best Hampstead production of the past few years and that rare revival of a contemporary British play that was streets ahead of the original (which I was saw and was surpassingly dull). The shift in the play's fortunes is entirely due to the late, great Howard Davies, who directed the revival.
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3,471 posts
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Post by showgirl on Dec 3, 2017 6:55:31 GMT
I quite liked Hapgood but warily as throughout I was never entirely sure whether I was keeping up with the plot, let alone understanding it - much as with most Tom Stoppard plays.
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5,585 posts
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Post by lynette on Dec 3, 2017 11:25:37 GMT
Enough on Hapgood. The train has left the station. What about Cell Mates?
( now tell me there is a revival of Hapgood coming along...)
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850 posts
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Post by bordeaux on Dec 3, 2017 12:00:06 GMT
HAPGOOD was stunning --- possibly the best Hampstead production of the past few years and that rare revival of a contemporary British play that was streets ahead of the original (which I was saw and was surpassingly dull). The shift in the play's fortunes is entirely due to the late, great Howard Davies, who directed the revival. Stoppard deserves some credit in that he did rewrite bits to make it clearer. I preferred the original, because Roger Rees, Felicity Kendal and Nigel Hawthorne are, or sadly, were, in two cases, better deliverers of Stoppard's dialogue.
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Post by dani on Dec 5, 2017 10:06:10 GMT
There's an odd thing on the Hampstead website which says "Cell Mates has been kindly supported by the Godwin family." Which Godwin family? The one that comes to mind is the family of King Harold who lost at the battle of Hastings. I'm guessing it might not be his lot! Then I find myself thinking of director Simon Godwin. It's a two-hander anyway, right, with a not famous cast , so why does it need enhancement money?
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Post by Honoured Guest on Dec 5, 2017 10:16:42 GMT
As a guess, it may include Simon & Claire Godwin who are one of the fourteen current Creative Benefactors of Hampstead Theatre.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2017 10:20:02 GMT
It's got a cast of five who - along with crew, FOH, other staff, etc - all need to be paid whether they're famous or not, and Ed Hall has been fairly vocally petulant about the Hampstead's Arts Council subsidy decreasing this year. And even if they didn't strictly *need* the money, I doubt there's a theatre in the land that would tell a willing donor to keep their filthy unwanted pounds to themselves. Whoever the Godwin family are, they're clearly up for financially supporting the Hampstead. I wonder if they go to the random breakfasts/lunches that I occasionally get invited to, which are presumably all about wooing money out of wealthy types...
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885 posts
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Post by lonlad on Dec 5, 2017 13:46:59 GMT
Thanks Baemax for setting matters straight --- no way is this play or was it a two-hander .... !!
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885 posts
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Post by lonlad on Dec 7, 2017 23:51:05 GMT
Anyone go tonight? Keen to hear reports.
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Post by showgirl on Dec 9, 2017 5:20:57 GMT
WOW has given it an encouraging review and 4 stars; 3 from The Stage, but I can't read theirs due to the paywall.
Oh, and 3 each from the FT and another theatre site I don't frequent.
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294 posts
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Post by dani on Dec 9, 2017 12:58:48 GMT
Sorry for claiming it was a two-hander. Simon Gray is not my specialist subject.
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 25, 2017 2:27:00 GMT
Mmmmmm saw this Friday night and thought it was borderline atrocious, the Circle was shut, still unsold seats in the stalls and handfuls of people left in the interval and this is the best they could offer for Xmas, when most people are half sozzled on Sherry.
You would have thought for the Christmas period they would have but on something fun and uplifting for the holidays, such as Aychbourn’s Bedroom Farce or Relatve Speaking or Absurd Person Singular. This was a terrible choice of shows by the AD.
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Post by showgirl on Dec 25, 2017 5:53:52 GMT
Disappointing to read this, Phantom of London, but I have seen some favourable reviews and still plan to see this, since I've already booked and for me, as for many, this is the first opportunity to see this play.
As for the programming, it might be a bit hit-and-miss in the main house at present (I loved Slaves Of Solitude), but I don't think this venue has ever chosen anything intended to be fun or uplifting for Xmas/New Year - or not that I've noticed. In fact, whilst I've enjoyed many of the plays I've seen at Hampstead Theatre over the years, few, if any, would fall into that category.
And please, whilst Ayckbourn has his fans - indeed, I am one myself, depending on the play - I honestly don't think anyone needs yet another revival of those 3 much-performed works in particular. Something else from his considerable back catalogue, perhaps, but I still don't think he's really a good fit for this theatre.
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