2,974 posts
|
Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 10:17:36 GMT
Han Christian Andersen, who thinks of himself as a nice chap, yet engages in dreadful behaviour But why pick on this writer, and Dickens, a humane campaigning journalist and author? Why make them, here, crude, stupid torturers, limb-choppers, rapists, murderers, and utterly talentless? What point is he trying to make linking a Danish writer and a British writer, neither from privileged backgrounds, with atrocities in a Belgian colony in Africa? Satire, if that's what this is meant to be, needs - a the very least - a germ of truth and intelligence for it to work, and this has neither.
|
|
1,251 posts
|
Post by londonmzfitz on Oct 24, 2018 12:34:41 GMT
Han Christian Andersen, who thinks of himself as a nice chap, yet engages in dreadful behaviour But why pick on this writer, and Dickens, a humane campaigning journalist and author? Why make them, here, crude, stupid torturers, limb-choppers, rapists, murderers, and utterly talentless? What point is he trying to make linking a Danish writer and a British writer, neither from privileged backgrounds, with atrocities in a Belgian colony in Africa? Satire, if that's what this is meant to be, needs - a the very least - a germ of truth and intelligence for it to work, and this has neither. Er ... Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, etc etc. I like Steve's review. In that it didn't make me feel like a hit (silent s) for laughing - inside Dickens house has comedy! Look at how many "reads" this thread has had. People are talking about it. I saw it a week ago and it's still in my head. I've told colleagues about it and oh my word their faces as I try and explain the storyline ... Opening night tonight, can't wait to read what the press say. I think it's an interesting piece if you can view it without getting all uppity about how totally un-PC it is. "Marmite" - absolutely, I don't think there's a middle ground on this.
|
|
492 posts
|
Post by wiggymess on Oct 24, 2018 12:40:25 GMT
Han Christian Andersen, who thinks of himself as a nice chap, yet engages in dreadful behaviour But why pick on this writer, and Dickens, a humane campaigning journalist and author? Why make them, here, crude, stupid torturers, limb-choppers, rapists, murderers, and utterly talentless? What point is he trying to make linking a Danish writer and a British writer, neither from privileged backgrounds, with atrocities in a Belgian colony in Africa? Satire, if that's what this is meant to be, needs - a the very least - a germ of truth and intelligence for it to work, and this has neither. Because if you go into this thinking it's a biopic then it's, frankly, your own fault?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 12:49:15 GMT
Opening night tonight, can't wait to read what the press say. I think it's an interesting piece if you can view it without getting all uppity about how totally un-PC it is. "Marmite" - absolutely, I don't think there's a middle ground on this. I'm sure this isn't your specific intention here at all, but there is a wider recurring thing of people writing off disapproval of an offensive piece as being uppity about it being un-PC. Maybe some of the current generation *are* humourless, but more likely we just don't think someone's sh*tty racist jokes are as funny as wholesome yet surreal memes.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 12:51:36 GMT
Opening night tonight, can't wait to read what the press say. I think it's an interesting piece if you can view it without getting all uppity about how totally un-PC it is. "Marmite" - absolutely, I don't think there's a middle ground on this. I'm sure this isn't your intention at all, but there is a wider recurring thing of people writing off disapproval of an offensive piece as being uppity about it being un-PC. Maybe some of the current generation *are* humourless, but more likely we just don't think someone's sh*tty racist jokes are as funny as wholesome yet surreal memes. I bet I will love this piece
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 12:52:54 GMT
(Sorry, Parsley, I edited a couple of words into my post after you quoted it.)
|
|
2,974 posts
|
Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 13:06:16 GMT
Because if you go into this thinking it's a biopic then it's, frankly, your own fault? Oh, please! There is a difference between a satire or a surreal, grand guignol take, and something that is just an utterly random brain fart.
|
|
492 posts
|
Post by wiggymess on Oct 24, 2018 13:27:39 GMT
Because if you go into this thinking it's a biopic then it's, frankly, your own fault? Oh, please! There is a difference between a satire or a surreal, grand guignol take, and something that is just an utterly random brain fart. I didn't say there isn't. I just don't understand how you could get upset about a CLEARLY fictional representation of HCA/Dickens.
|
|
2,974 posts
|
Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 13:55:37 GMT
how you could get upset about a CLEARLY fictional representation of HCA/Dickens. There's another thread on this forum about fictionalising real people and the ethics of it. There are those who get angry about Schaffer's Amadeus, for example. If this was done in some way that, say, extracted some kernel of truth and from it spun some sort of fantastical psychedelic riff then ok - say, that there was something in their writing or in their letters that hinted at some really bizarre skeletons in the cupboard, but here, what? Why? It's not the worst thing about the play, but if you are going to go about mocking and denigrating other writers you had better make damn sure your own writing is absolutely top notch, and this isn't.
|
|
492 posts
|
Post by wiggymess on Oct 24, 2018 14:03:23 GMT
how you could get upset about a CLEARLY fictional representation of HCA/Dickens. There's another thread on this forum about fictionalising real people and the ethics of it. There are those who get angry about Schaffer's Amadeus, for example. If this was done in some way that, say, extracted some kernel of truth and from it spun some sort of fantastical psychedelic riff then ok - say, that there was something in their writing or in their letters that hinted at some really bizarre skeletons in the cupboard, but here, what? Why? It's not the worst thing about the play, but if you are going to go about mocking and denigrating other writers you had better make damn sure your own writing is absolutely top notch, and this isn't. Let's agree to disagree on this. I don't think any story, based on historical characters or not, should follow some arbitrary set of rules. I'd really hate that, and I'm glad it's not the case.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 15:11:14 GMT
God
This is BAD
It will appeal to a pathetic racist subgroup
Who might think it’s edgy And some of whom were in hysterics this afternoon And all of whom were white lower middle class males
In reality the writing is truly horrific
And Jim Broadbent
Yet again shows
He is basically a talentless panto actor (That dreadful Christmas carol)
Who has ridden on the coat tails
Of much greater actors For his entire career
Panto is at play here with his usual Whiny intonation
It will do little to enamour people to The Bridge Which is already ailing
And it will do nothing to attract diverse audiences
It’s not clever enough for a satire And not funny enough for a comedy
I noted the running time has been cut to 80 mins
|
|
1,909 posts
|
Post by sf on Oct 24, 2018 16:08:42 GMT
Well. That was really... something.
|
|
2,545 posts
|
Post by n1david on Oct 24, 2018 16:10:49 GMT
I had to return my ticket for tonight's Press Night, but I'm secretly hoping for big discounts just to get a sense of what certainly seems to be a memorable production.
|
|
|
Post by asfound on Oct 24, 2018 16:28:08 GMT
God This is BAD It will appeal to a pathetic racist subgroup Who might think it’s edgy And some of whom were in hysterics this afternoon And all of whom were white lower middle class males In reality the writing is truly horrific And Jim Broadbent Yet again shows He is basically a talentless panto actor (That dreadful Christmas carol) Who has ridden on the coat tails Of much greater actors For his entire career Panto is at play here with his usual Whiny intonation It will do little to enamour people to The Bridge Which is already ailing And it will do nothing to attract diverse audiences It’s not clever enough for a satire And not funny enough for a comedy I noted the running time has been cut to 80 mins Why do you your bad reviews always seem to make me want to see a play all the more?
|
|
1,251 posts
|
Post by londonmzfitz on Oct 24, 2018 16:36:09 GMT
Opening night tonight, can't wait to read what the press say. I think it's an interesting piece if you can view it without getting all uppity about how totally un-PC it is. "Marmite" - absolutely, I don't think there's a middle ground on this. I'm sure this isn't your specific intention here at all, but there is a wider recurring thing of people writing off disapproval of an offensive piece as being uppity about it being un-PC. Maybe some of the current generation *are* humourless, but more likely we just don't think someone's sh*tty racist jokes are as funny as wholesome yet surreal memes. Ah, but what if it was ..... (cackles) No, it wasn't honest - I get really irritated with the term "snowflake" being bandied about, as an example. I may have put my comment badly. I was thinking in terms of the review I read online from Time Out (quoted earlier in this thread but I can't blooming find it so here it goes again) - www.timeout.com/london/theatre/a-very-very-very-dark-matter#tab_panel_4 from Gaia "not funny for English people to sit there laughing about the Irish Famine" etc. That one review got me thinking ... how would Miss Saigon fare on that criteria , "Vietnam war turned into a song and dance". Phantom "Deformed murderer abducts girl and people applaud". Etc. I really want to share this link with you guys, a tenuous nod to my thoughts above. Dolphins ... www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3386868-AIBU-to-be-livid-how-dolphins-are-portrayed-compared-to-how-they-are
|
|
725 posts
|
Post by Latecomer on Oct 24, 2018 17:53:26 GMT
I was at the matinee today and enjoyed it, with reservations. I could see what it was trying to do....very eloquently put by Steve.....but have to agree with Parsley that it was quite poorly written for me. So had ambition...and not a total failure as it did take me into another world....loved the snow through the windows and the puppets....and the dialogue in the attic. I did get annoyed at the language (and I don’t normally mind swearing at all....indeed I quite enjoy it usually) and I felt it was being used throughout just to shock and get laughs....be cleverer please! Particularly distressing in a scene with young children....is this not child abuse? Quite liked that they messed with the back stories of real people.... Sorry I missed you Parsley! Oh and the young man on the front row who came in just before the start and LAUGHED really LOUD at all the inappropriate bits....how annoying was he!
|
|
2,974 posts
|
Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 17:57:27 GMT
how would Miss Saigon fare on that criteria I don't think Miss Saigon would be made now, and there were complaints at the time. We are better informed, and 'distance' no longer exists. I find it difficult to watch the comedy stoning in Life of Brian because it is still happening, and there are videos of it online. Similarly, ITV cancelled a scheduled Carry On Don't Lose Your Head the week that kidnapped taxi driver was beheaded. It's not something we can compartmentalise as belonging to the past, because unfortunately it doesn't, and the technology even primary schoolchildren carry in their pockets shows them that it doesn't - it makes it immediate and raw. They are apparently about to do another film of Oliver!, but in an era where we know more about the reality of children being forced into prostitution and see them being run as criminal street gangs will it still feel the same as the rather chocolate-boxy film we watched as kids, the teenaged prostitutes singing gaily about black eyes etc.? I rather like gallows humour, as it happens, but I've had a rather odd life with some pretty dark stuff in it and it's a way to cope - I don't like it when it's done by tourists. I think it has to be earned.
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Oct 24, 2018 18:55:32 GMT
@parsley what about Jim Broadbent's performance in London spy. Hardly talentless panto?!
Your review does make me really excited to see this one though!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 18:59:27 GMT
@parsley what about Jim Broadbent's performance in London spy. Hardly talentless panto?! Your review does make me really excited to see this one though! Thought he was the worst thing In an already flawed show
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Oct 24, 2018 19:02:50 GMT
@parsley what about Jim Broadbent's performance in London spy. Hardly talentless panto?! Your review does make me really excited to see this one though! Thought he was the worst thing In an already flawed show That's very very very disappointing to hear but isn't a discussion for this thread.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 20:18:46 GMT
I find it a bit odd that people are saying that they are excited to see a show that some have called racist. Curious I understand, but excited? Why?
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Oct 24, 2018 20:32:26 GMT
I find it a bit odd that people are saying that they are excited to see a show that some have called racist. Curious I understand, but excited? Why? I'm not excited at the prospect of an evening of racism at the theatre. I'm excited as I have enjoyed all of McDonagh's other work and have heard such mixed things about this production. I would certainly hope that nobody here would be excited by racism.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 22:32:59 GMT
Telegraph 3 stars
The Stage 2 stars “A very big disappointment”
Independent 3 stars “Lacks intellectual nuance fails to live up to expectation”
Arts Desk 2 stars “Poorly written and falls flat lacking in imagination”
Perhaps someone needs to Write a play About Martin McDonagh And how his brain was replaced by excrement After aliens took a dump in his ears
|
|
3,107 posts
|
Post by Rory on Oct 24, 2018 22:40:16 GMT
Perhaps someone needs to Write a play About Martin McDonagh And how his brain was replaced by excrement After aliens took a dump in his ears Good Lord!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 22:46:11 GMT
Perhaps someone needs to Write a play About Martin McDonagh And how his brain was replaced by excrement After aliens took a dump in his ears Good Lord! We can make the aliens from Africa And add lots of swearing of course After dwelling on it this evening It really is a pathetic c*** of a play And I cannot believe Bridge are so desperate Or the “actors starring in it” On the plus side It’s running until Jan 2019 And there are loads of unsold seats So I hope it hits the theatre where it hurts the most One wonders what the f*** has happened to Hytner Not a single major success or sell out play (Julius Caesar was the only one with overall good reviews) Aside from a Hollywood star doing a monotone Sorry I mean monologue
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 22:56:26 GMT
I also wonder
The Pygmy actress
Has no shame
Appearing in such an insulting racist and sh*tty play
She has no dignity at all
|
|
888 posts
|
Post by lonlad on Oct 25, 2018 0:30:17 GMT
Except that MM clearly thinks he's ennobling "Marjory" who is presented as some pintsized Congolese warrior on the order of Frances McDormand in Three Billboards === in his dreams, it must be said. The play is an embarrassment from start to finish: Ann Treneman in The Times loved it, which tells you all you need to know.
|
|
|
Post by Boob on Oct 25, 2018 3:01:40 GMT
I suspect the pygmy who’d been writing Martin’s plays to date died and he was forced to pen this one himself.
|
|
816 posts
|
Post by stefy69 on Oct 25, 2018 5:48:13 GMT
Excellent review for this in todays Times although they admit it will divide opinion, personally looking forward to this greatly.
|
|
1,848 posts
|
Post by NeilVHughes on Oct 25, 2018 6:02:48 GMT
Intrigued by this, if a plays popularity is measured by posts this one is extremely successful and the vitriol of some of the posts means that it is definitely not a forgettable production.
On the plus side it is only 80 minutes and have a cheap front row ticket, therefore not a lot of investment of time and money required if it is as bad as people say.
|
|