1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on May 22, 2018 9:09:49 GMT
Certainly looks exciting and I like Tracy Letts.
I'm assuming there will be gunshots. If anyone could post a spoiler warning me of them that would be much appreciated!
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2018 9:49:16 GMT
I'm assuming there will be gunshots. If anyone could post a spoiler warning me of them that would be much appreciated! There will be several at various points during the show. If Orlando keeps the vest on.
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562 posts
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Post by jadnoop on May 22, 2018 9:56:32 GMT
Certainly looks exciting and I like Tracy Letts. I'm assuming there will be gunshots. If anyone could post a spoiler warning me of them that would be much appreciated! I've only seen the film, and it was a while ago, but assuming that it was a fairly true to the play then; Yes, some gunshots towards the end of the play
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on May 24, 2018 8:49:37 GMT
First things first. For the Orlando Bloom fans, yes, he does - you have to wait for the second act but the moment is so cleverly staged by director Simon Evans that the effect is quite startling and he carries it off with appropriate swagger.
The two ladies - Neve McIntosh (Sharla) and Sophie Cookson (Dottie)- are also required to lose their clothes. If you've seen the film you'll know when and how. In fact, if you've seen the film you'll know pretty much everything that's going to happen. It turns out to have been a very faithful adaptation.
Still, familiar or not, Tracy Letts's play seen live and up close - I was in row AA, practically in the set - has the power to shock and awe and it has been well staged and generally well played here. Bloom (Joe) starts slowly but soon begins to fill out the role and by the chaotic finale he is fully in control of things. He has the size - I never realized what a big guy he is - and charisma for the character and if he slightly underplays the menace he makes an effective case for doing so. Ms Cookson is also excellent as the child/woman daughter and her scenes with Bloom have real truth and power. Ms McIntosh too is fine. She fully commits (and then some) to her second act humiliation scene - the graphic KFC drumstick moment - which is played to shattering effect.
Alas, it's not all good news. Adam Gillen, in the pivotal role of Chris, the instigator and linchpin of the plot, is so far over the top he seems like he's dropped in from another planet. If you thought he was a tad too big as Mozart in the NT's Amadeus, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Chris is stupid and desperate but he's not mentally defective - or should not be. His sister is supposed to be the one with that issue - but not here. So grotesque is Gillen that he dominates scenes is all the wrong ways and, for a while, until one grows used to him, he totally skews the play. Why Simon Evans is allowing him to do this is a real question.
In any case the play outlasts and survives him. Killer Joe has one of the most savagely compelling finales ever and this production delivers it in spades. The play goes out on a high and the audience (full house) responded in kind - lots of bravos and standees at the bows. The Bloom fans were not disappointed.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2018 8:50:03 GMT
Well. I mean, I'm outraged. Truly outraged. I shall be writing a strongly worded letter to The Times. There's a fair bit of front bottom acting from the ladies of the cast but Orlando only disrobes from the back. Once. Granted they are buns so delicious, even Mary Berry would sink her teeth into them but even still. It's just not cricket.
Apart from that, you get some wonderful bending over acting from Adam Gillen and Neve McIntosh is rather wonderful, although seemingly in a different play from everyone else as the rest of the acting is a bit patchy, though Steffan Rhodri is quite funny I thought. Some of the accents miss Texas by about two continents but the cast all have a good bash at it. Orlando, God love him, is about as menacing as a treacle sponge but he is very pretty so I really rather forgive him. And those buns are delightful.
It was a very female heavy audience, many of whom (like my good self) were clearly there to hopefully catch a glimpse of Orlando's bloom. When we got the peachy behind on display, there was a frisson (yes, a frisson) of excitement rippling through the audience. I was almost hit in the eye by a couple of HRT patches that ricoched off the wall. I think we were all rather jealous of Sophie Cookson to be honest. At one point she gets to rummage around in Orlando's trousers like she's trying to find the best prize in a lucky dip. But then again, wouldn't we all?
I can safely say that it's quite put me off KFC though.
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4,047 posts
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Post by kathryn on May 24, 2018 9:16:39 GMT
Ahh, Ryan, you do make me laugh!
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2018 9:31:34 GMT
I'm assuming there will be gunshots. If anyone could post a spoiler warning me of them that would be much appreciated! Well. {Orlandos Bloom} Yes, there are some gun shots towards the end of the play. A character does pull out a gun before the shots so you know they're coming.
There's also a couple of very loud thunderclaps too if that has an effect as well. Particularly near the beginning when Dottie first climbs onto the top of the trailer.
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615 posts
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Post by jamb0r on May 24, 2018 9:54:26 GMT
I was also there last night, and thought this was just 'fine'. I found the first half to be pretty slow with not too much actually happening, but the second half was miles better (kicking off with Orlando's bum helped with that).
The loud noises were also REALLY loud - I'm usually not that bothered by these kinds of things, but I almost had a heart attack on 2 occasions.
If anyone is after a cheaper ticket, box A seat 5 I thought was good value for £15. There's a safety rail in front which wasn't much of an issue, and I could stand up if needed and have a completely clear view, for £40 cheaper than the person sat a few inches to my right.
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2 posts
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Post by kritic on May 24, 2018 9:56:30 GMT
Well. I mean, I'm outraged. Truly outraged. I shall be writing a strongly worded letter to The Times. There's a fair bit of front bottom acting from the ladies of the cast but Orlando only disrobes from the back. Once. Granted they are buns so delicious, even Mary Berry would sink her teeth into them but even still. It's just not cricket. Apart from that, you get some wonderful bending over acting from Adam Gillen and Neve McIntosh is rather wonderful, although seemingly in a different play from everyone else as the rest of the acting is a bit patchy, though Steffan Rhodri is quite funny I thought. Some of the accents miss Texas by about two continents but the cast all have a good bash at it. Orlando, God love him, is about as menacing as a treacle sponge but he is very pretty so I really rather forgive him. And those buns are delightful. It was a very female heavy audience, many of whom (like my good self) were clearly there to hopefully catch a glimpse of Orlando's bloom. When we got the peachy behind on display, there was a frisson (yes, a frisson) of excitement rippling through the audience. I was almost hit in the eye by a couple of HRT patches that ricoched off the wall. I think we were all rather jealous of Sophie Cookson to be honest. At one point she gets to rummage around in Orlando's trousers like she's trying to find the best prize in a lucky dip. But then again, wouldn't we all? I can safely say that it's quite put me off KFC though.
Thank you for the review Ryan. The Mrs will not be pleased about Orlando.
Regarding Neve and Sophie, any full frontal as in the movie?
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2018 15:34:32 GMT
Oh, I would also say that if you are in row A facing the stage and you're not tall, you might struggle as row AA is right in front of you and there is no rake from the looks of things so you are very much sat facing the back of someone's head. I was in row B and the people in front of me were complaining about it.
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725 posts
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Post by Latecomer on May 24, 2018 18:05:06 GMT
I was the mad woman ovating before everyone else at the end! Great seat CC4 Can't add to previous posters except to say Cookson was brilliant, loved Orlando (who wouldn't) and I have never seen storm scenes like that in the theatre......and fab set.... Laugh out loud exhilarating at the end! Restored my faith in theatre after Nightfall.... Oh and I missed Ryan! And Jamb0r! Nooooo
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Post by asfound on May 31, 2018 16:46:04 GMT
Saw the matinee just now and found the whole thing profoundly unexceptional with a rather dated feeling production. Acting was fine, although Orlando Bloom in the lead just wasn't scary, threatening or dominating enough. Joe should be a force of nature but aside from a brief glimmers of chilling psychopathy towards the end I just wasn't convinced. He seemed to be trying to act cool as opposed to just being cool, but he was better than I expected and the supporting cast were decent too.
I wasn't planning to go until a friend offered me their ticket for a cut price because I assumed the audience drawn to the stunt casting would be abysmal and I was correct on that count. I knew it didn't bode well when the Japanese tourist type next to me asked if Orlando Bloom was coming and if she could take pictures. Well I managed to shut that down but I was powerless against some out of town first timer type woman right on the stage on the right who seemed to think she was in her front room - tittering, tutting, gasping, ohhhing and ahhhing and oh noing, and answering the rhetorical question out loud (all done in an exaggerated manner of course), as well as whispering to her fat retired construction worker husband. I was willing somebody in her vicinity to shut her up but to no avail.
All in all though it was an entertaining couple of hours but didn't really bring anything new or exciting to the table.
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Post by tommy on Jun 2, 2018 13:33:42 GMT
Saw the play last week. Not sure what to make of it.. Some great acting (Bloom and Gillen in particular)and some less convincing, some good scenes but also some boring moments. Being still in previews I believe, this might still change for the better. Curious what reviews will be like.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jun 3, 2018 6:34:10 GMT
Saw this yesterday in one of the bargain row CC £15 seats. CC being the second row at the side and practically on the stage.
I'm a musicals girl and don't see that many plays but so glad I saw this. Cast were sublime and acted their socks off. I loved the set, the lighting, staging and music.
I couldn't keep my eyes off Orlando. My word, he is gorgeous!
Cast all lovely at stage door after too but, of course, full of people who hadn't actually seen the show and of people who'd been to see the other show running at this theatre that finishes earlier. Security checking what people are asking to be signed, only allowing programmes and tickets for the production which is good.
I got my photo with Orlando so am one happy bunny!
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888 posts
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Post by lonlad on Jun 3, 2018 9:02:15 GMT
Somewhat surprised by the nearly complete standing O for this last night given how slack much of the production is and that the play hasn't weathered well. (And enough with the friggin' thunder!) But the cast do give it their all, and Orlando's personal trainer should get his own ovation -- I found myself near the end wondering if O., wandering about in a tight T-shirt, is secretly nursing a desire to play Stanley Kowalski. Well, stranger things have happened. He's very good in this by the way and nails the accent, which isn't always true of some of his colleagues.
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294 posts
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Post by dani on Jun 5, 2018 10:08:47 GMT
A really mixed bag of reviews for this, ranging from 1* in The Stage and 2* in the ES to 4* from Michael Billington in the Guardian and 4* in The Times and Whatsonstage. Time Out is in the middle, as is the Telegraph.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jun 5, 2018 19:23:26 GMT
One star? That really is ridiculous!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2018 22:34:39 GMT
It's probably a fair rating really. I think I'd give Orlando one too.
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716 posts
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Post by indis on Jun 6, 2018 3:35:14 GMT
Saw this yesterday in one of the bargain row CC £15 seats. CC being the second row at the side and practically on the stage. I'm a musicals girl and don't see that many plays but so glad I saw this. Cast were sublime and acted their socks off. I loved the set, the lighting, staging and music. I couldn't keep my eyes off Orlando. My word, he is gorgeous! Cast all lovely at stage door after too but, of course, full of people who hadn't actually seen the show and of people who'd been to see the other show running at this theatre that finishes earlier. Security checking what people are asking to be signed, only allowing programmes and tickets for the production which is good. I got my photo with Orlando so am one happy bunny! where is the SD? would love to try my luck to get a photo in july 😁 did it take long for him to come out?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2018 7:18:41 GMT
Round the back. Once you come out of the front door, turn left towards Trafalgar Square, then left and left again. I imagine there'll be a fair old crowd, should make it easy to spot!
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4,047 posts
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Post by kathryn on Jun 6, 2018 8:20:51 GMT
One star? That really is ridiculous! It’s one of those fascinating 1-Star reviews where the reviewer so clearly hated the premise of the play that it kind of makes you want to see it, on the basis of anything that causes a reaction that strong must be interesting.
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894 posts
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Post by vdcni on Jun 6, 2018 21:25:51 GMT
Personally I would give this three stars. I liked the ambiguity of the first act but thought it fell apart in the second with the descent into violence and the abrupt and unsatisfying ending.
Bloom is good as are most of the rest of the cast but the main problem is Adam Gillen who seems to be in a different universe to everyone else. He unbalances every scene he's in with his odd ticks and affectations.
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3,107 posts
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Post by Rory on Jun 6, 2018 23:02:51 GMT
Personally I would give this three stars. I liked the ambiguity of the first act but thought it fell apart in the second with the descent into violence and the abrupt and unsatisfying ending. Bloom is good as are most of the rest of the cast but the main problem is Adam Gillen who seems to be in a different universe to everyone else. He unbalances every scene he's in with his odd ticks and affectations. I hate to be personal about actors but I find Adam Gillen's performances can be ridiculously OTT. I remember Charles Spencer giving him an outright rave for his performance in the UK tour of For King and Country but when I saw it, I thought he nearly toppled the whole thing. His playing style suited the role of Mozart in Amadeus but he's not one for subtlety when the roles he plays need a bit more light and shade.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jun 7, 2018 5:47:56 GMT
Saw this yesterday in one of the bargain row CC £15 seats. CC being the second row at the side and practically on the stage. I'm a musicals girl and don't see that many plays but so glad I saw this. Cast were sublime and acted their socks off. I loved the set, the lighting, staging and music. I couldn't keep my eyes off Orlando. My word, he is gorgeous! Cast all lovely at stage door after too but, of course, full of people who hadn't actually seen the show and of people who'd been to see the other show running at this theatre that finishes earlier. Security checking what people are asking to be signed, only allowing programmes and tickets for the production which is good. I got my photo with Orlando so am one happy bunny! where is the SD? would love to try my luck to get a photo in july 😁 did it take long for him to come out? Leave the theatre, turn left and then left again. You'll see crowd and barriers. Took about an hour to come out when I went but that was during previews.
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716 posts
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Post by indis on Jun 7, 2018 16:38:43 GMT
exciting 😁 would be amazing to get a selfie 🤓
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2018 7:27:09 GMT
Good performances, great set, uneven play. Oh, and row A is an absolute "no." Loved Rhodri's performance, think Cookson is Poots without quite the same attack energy, and Bloom did more than OK with a dull role. 3 stars from me. Thoughts on my site if anyone has trouble sleeping. Row A looked just dreadful to me. I hope they are really cheap tickets because I'd be surprised if you can see much from there.
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Jun 8, 2018 9:46:20 GMT
I was in AA and deliberately slumped down in my seat I felt so guilty about blocking the lady behind me in A. Agree with TM's warning - avoid A at all costs.
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Jun 8, 2018 12:14:17 GMT
Those seats are top non-premium price in A. Kind of you to slump, mallardo .
It was either that or she wouldn't have seen anything - and I'm not a big guy. Are the seats sold with any kind of warning?
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Jun 8, 2018 12:19:35 GMT
I went for the Thurs matinee. I quite enjoyed this. Of course the subject matter is unpleasant, but then if you want happy stories, life would be rather limited (incidentally I then trundled on to The Sleeping Beauty at the Coliseum for a sweet story with a lovely ending!!).
I sat in Box D. I've never been there before and would not recommend it (for anything) - right at the back, side view and neck craning!). Fortunately, the theatre was about half full. A few had seats in the back row of the stalls and FOH went and moved them all up. When a couple of us from the Box asked to be moved up we were told that, unlike the stalls seats, they could not official do it with box seats, but we could move anyway. I've no idea what in the system causes such a distinction, but it didn't make a difference. In the end, the last real row with anyone in it was Row M (and there were a few free seats in front of that).
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Post by tommy on Jun 8, 2018 13:16:48 GMT
Also got moved, however leg space seems to be comfortable in the box too I found. I went for the Thurs matinee. I quite enjoyed this. Of course the subject matter is unpleasant, but then if you want happy stories, life would be rather limited (incidentally I then trundled on to The Sleeping Beauty at the Coliseum for a sweet story with a lovely ending!!). I sat in Box D. I've never been there before and would not recommend it (for anything) - right at the back, side view and neck craning!). Fortunately, the theatre was about half full. A few had seats in the back row of the stalls and FOH went and moved them all up. When a couple of us from the Box asked to be moved up we were told that, unlike the stalls seats, they could not official do it with box seats, but we could move anyway. I've no idea what in the system causes such a distinction, but it didn't make a difference. In the end, the last real row with anyone in it was Row M (and there were a few free seats in front of that).
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