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Post by showgirl on Mar 2, 2018 4:37:12 GMT
Comparing this to God's Own Country, which everyone else loved and I hated, this does so subtly and convincingly what the film tried (and for me failed) to do by bludgeoning the audience over the head. So much in The York Realist is unseen, unspoken or both, and all the better for it. Definitely a case of less being so much more with the play.
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1,201 posts
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Post by theatrefan77 on Mar 2, 2018 8:20:23 GMT
I loved it! Absolutely heart breaking. This is so far the best play I've seen this year. Wonderful cast too. Will try to see it again before it closes.
Pity it's such a short run. It really deserves a transfer.
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3,088 posts
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Post by Rory on Mar 2, 2018 9:40:50 GMT
I loved it! Absolutely heart breaking. This is so far the best play I've seen this year. Wonderful cast too. Will try to see it again before it closes. Pity it's such a short run. It really deserves a transfer. Theatre Gods, please make a transfer for this happen!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2018 9:50:19 GMT
I loved it! Absolutely heart breaking. This is so far the best play I've seen this year. Wonderful cast too. Will try to see it again before it closes. Pity it's such a short run. It really deserves a transfer. Theatre Gods, please make a transfer for this happen! As much as I think it deserves a longer life, I think it's really quite perfect at the Donmar as it is and I don't think I'd like it to be anywhere bigger. So much of its beauty is in the small things (a look, a touch, a smile) that I don't think I'd like to be any further than 4 rows away from it to be honest.
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4,967 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Mar 2, 2018 10:01:32 GMT
I don't think I'd like it to be anywhere bigger. I'm being slightly facetious, but it is transferring to the world-famous Crucible Theatre (27 March to 7 April). Months ago, when it was first announced, I mistakenly assumed a transfer from the Donmar would go into the Studio, but it's going into the 1,000 capacity main house.
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3,088 posts
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Post by Rory on Mar 2, 2018 10:12:28 GMT
I was sorry it didn't nab the Ambassadors after Beginning. Would Trafalgar Studios not suit it? Obviously the Donmar is particularly intimate but I'd rather have the chance to see it in a bigger WE theatre than not at all, as the Donmar doesn't programme return visits.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2018 10:26:05 GMT
I don't think I'd like it to be anywhere bigger. I'm being slightly facetious, but it is transferring to the world-famous Crucible Theatre (27 March to 7 April). Months ago, when it was first announced, I mistakenly assumed a transfer from the Donmar would go into the Studio, but it's going into the 1,000 capacity main house. Yikes. Perhaps I could be wrong (I rarely am) but I'm not sure how it would transfer to somewhere so big. However, fear ye not people. Benny Batt's pecs are so magnificent that you'll be able to see them from the corner of the back row of a 1,000 seater. In fact, you'd probably be able to see them perfectly well from the lobby.
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4,967 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Mar 2, 2018 11:14:11 GMT
In fairness to Sheffield Theatres, they've added one, two and three rows of on-stage seating to try and recreate some of that intimacy.
There's a five minute podcast on both the Donmar and Sheffield Theatres websites for anybody who's interested.
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1,016 posts
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Post by andrew on Mar 3, 2018 9:41:40 GMT
I'm glad the good people of Sheffield will get a chance to experience this but yeah, a large venue will sap some of the life out of this. The Ambassador's (or a theatre of it's ilk somewhere else in the country, don't want to be greedy) would have been great.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2018 10:01:16 GMT
Loved this
Crackling with sexual frustrations
Wonderful acting and set
Quietly devastating
Amazing pecs and abs
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367 posts
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Post by Ade on Mar 3, 2018 10:12:13 GMT
So i had tickets to this the other week and had to cancel because of a cousin’s wedding. Then I got new tickets for tonight and now having to cancel because of snow. A shame because I was looking forward to seeing it but I just think it’s not meant to be.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2018 10:16:44 GMT
So i had tickets to this the other week and had to cancel because of a cousin’s wedding. Then I got new tickets for tonight and now having to cancel because of snow. A shame because I was looking forward to seeing it but I just think it’s not meant to be. Oh such a shame Has the theatre cancelled the show? If not can’t you manage to get in somehow??
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3,088 posts
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Post by Rory on Mar 3, 2018 10:16:53 GMT
This snow is a total bugger. I had tickets to see The Stranglers tonight and the gig has had to be postponed.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2018 10:23:14 GMT
Am tempted to head to the theatre and see if there are any weather-based returns for this - does anyone have a sense of how likely that is and how challenging people are finding it to get into central London?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2018 10:24:31 GMT
I am sorry for all those people missing shows due to the weather
It should all melt in the next few days
If you have to stay in
Consider watching on catch up:
Collateral (although each episode gets exponentially sh*tter than the last)
Marcella (dark TV at its best and really quite challenging to view)
Assassination of Gianni Versace
Mary Berry cooking classics
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2018 11:18:27 GMT
Ended up getting a return for this on Sat - there were quite a few so seems some people weren't risking the journey in, though as TM says London was totally back to normal and just a bit damp by then. Nothing clever to add to what's already been said - thought it was exquisite, absolutely natural, and quietly heartbreaking. Wonderful acting.
As others have mentioned, the side stalls are pretty dreadful though, with a good chunk of the set completely obscured, which is a shame as it's a great set. Also at that angle the side lights really beam straight into your eyes and dazzle you; a couple of women behind me complained at the interval and got moved. Still worth it though and glad I saw it.
I'm starting to think that turning up for returns at the Donmar is the best way to see things there, since every time I go there are empty seats despite something being allegedly sold out.
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18,846 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 5, 2018 12:11:50 GMT
In fairness to Sheffield Theatres, they've added one, two and three rows of on-stage seating to try and recreate some of that intimacy. There's a five minute podcast on both the Donmar and Sheffield Theatres websites for anybody who's interested. I was just looking at the plan for the Crucible and it looks like the extra seats aren’t actually on the stage but in that sort of “gulley” that runs between the stage and row A. Not good for shorter folk I’d imagine.
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4,967 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Mar 5, 2018 13:25:44 GMT
Not good for shorter folk I’d imagine. Or shorter folk sitting behind someone who is tall! Nobody needs to worry, though. I would never pay those prices, no matter how good a production is.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2018 17:48:00 GMT
the side stalls are pretty dreadful though Delighted you got in @abby. It is unmissable, isn't it. I saw it from D9 and only missed the pantry - but I strolled over at the interval and had a look at it, so I knew what it looked like. Didn't have an issue with the lights. Where were you? Hi TM - was in C1 right by the wall so I missed a reasonable amount of the set; but still worth seeing, really glad I managed to snag a ticket.
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3,088 posts
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Post by david on Mar 10, 2018 18:24:58 GMT
Caught this at today’s matinee. Sat in the circle C8 and was impressed with the view. I was expecting it to be worse than what it was. For £10 it was a absolute steal for a great play. I couldn’t fault any of the performances from the cast and i could have sworn I was watching an episode of Corrie at times. Great mix of both comedy and heartache.
Having lived in Yorkshire, the play will go down a storm in Sheffield as it really captures that brand of Yorkshire wit. I would love to see it have a life after the Sheffield run.
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382 posts
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Post by stevemar on Mar 11, 2018 9:49:18 GMT
I loved this - such nuanced and heartbreaking performances from all of the cast. So much left unsaid, but understood between the characters. Little nuances - John touching George’s back at the table with the family around, the nuzzle on the back of George’s neck. Grief and loss expressed silently, the restrictions of one’s mind and circumstances, and snatches of freedom. Very funny also with some great one liners - particularly in the family’s discussion of the York Mysteries. I particularly enjoyed the performance from Katie West as Doreen. The women here were fully rounded characters. Her loss and longing and recognition of the situation just as emotional. Ben Batt has such a heartbreaking face and acted with pain written on it even though his character didn’t always express this vocally, and yes, his chest is a damn fine work of art. Jonathan Bailey’s puppy dog eyes and wide eyed excitement were so sincere and affecting you just wanted to cuddle him. A great selection of knitwear and braces too. Much credit to all concerned - particularly the director Robert Hastie and write Peter Gill for such an ensemble piece where each character mattered. After a few months of some good but not outstanding plays, something to rival last year’s The Ferryman, Angels of America (Part 1) and Beginning. Would I change anything? Well, I wanted to spend more time with these characters, to find out more about John and George, and in my head had an alternative ending. But, as it was, I think it was perfect for me. The behind the scenes is rather good too. www.donmarwarehouse.com/production/6395/the-york-realist/#behind-the-scenes
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 11, 2018 10:20:25 GMT
Saw this last night and it’s quite the most wonderful play I’ve seen in a long time. Faultless performances from all but particularly Ben Batt who is just heartbreaking (and hot) Quietly devastating and incredibly moving. I never say this but I wanted it to last longer- I so wanted to be in the company of these characters for longer.
This will sure take some beating.
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3,088 posts
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Post by Rory on Mar 11, 2018 10:39:19 GMT
Have you heard any word on the grapevine about a transfer mrbarnaby? I'm busting to see this!
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294 posts
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Post by dani on Mar 12, 2018 12:02:39 GMT
I would be worried about a transfer destroying the production's amazing detail and intimacy. It might work in one of the smaller West End theatres, but I'd hate its affectingness to be lost in a space that is too large for it. All the praise for Bailey and Batt is deserved but I was also impressed with Katie West, Lesley Nicol and debutant Brian Fletcher who carries himself in a very unusual way.
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1,016 posts
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Post by andrew on Mar 12, 2018 12:45:38 GMT
I thought the whole cast were really great, it's just Bailey and Batt had more stage time.
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1,316 posts
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Post by tmesis on Mar 12, 2018 12:55:26 GMT
Interesting interview on Saturday's R2 Graham Norton show with Hastie, Batt and Nicol. It's in the last hour for iPlayer users
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2018 13:47:20 GMT
I thought the whole cast were really great, it's just Bailey and Batt had more stage time. And were the foxiest.
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Post by noboiscout on Mar 12, 2018 13:47:46 GMT
Thanks Tmesis - will listen to that interview on G Norton radio show. I loved this and have re-booked to see it this week. All the performances were great, but Ben Batt was stunning. Would have said that he blew me away, but I don't want to step on Ryan's toes.
You know it's a great performance when you are lying in bed asking why couldn't it have ended differently? Why is life so unfair? I just have to keep telling myself, it's only a play, it's only a play - although Batt's upper arms were definitely real..
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382 posts
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Post by stevemar on Mar 12, 2018 18:29:32 GMT
Interesting interview on Saturday's R2 Graham Norton show with Hastie, Batt and Nicol. It's in the last hour for iPlayer users Thanks Tmesis. Found it after a bit of a search - here’s a link www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09twdxs#play2 hours 10 to 2 hours 30. On the Sheffield Crucible site is a good trailer with short footage of the show, and interviews from Jonny Bailey, Lesley Nichol and Ben Batt www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-york-realist . The observant amongst you will even notice Ben Batt’s pecs twitch in his interview!
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535 posts
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Post by jek on Mar 15, 2018 19:16:01 GMT
Saw this this afternoon and loved it. Had no idea when I booked it a couple of days back that it was a school's matinee but - for me - that made it even more enjoyable. The young people had a very direct (not always comfortable) response to the play - I see from the programme that they will have had a workshop before attending and I would love to have been a fly on the wall during pre and post show discussions among them.
Inevitably for me the play stirred memories of seeing Brian Glover as God in the Mysteries put on at the National when I was in my late teens. Sheffield audiences are in for a treat.
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