Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on May 16, 2019 9:12:10 GMT
TodayTix are doing £25 rush tickets
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Post by ftfadia on May 16, 2019 9:46:25 GMT
Strangely even at £12 I'm still on the fence about this one...would love to hear thoughts from anyone who goes!
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523 posts
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Post by vabbian on May 16, 2019 18:47:56 GMT
Eager to see this because of Elizabeth
tempted by the £12 tickets, but the site says severely restricted view, so just gonna wait and get a day ticket
They are promoting it with Manchester by the sea, which I did not enjoy! but going in open minded
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1,196 posts
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Post by theatrefan77 on May 17, 2019 23:03:48 GMT
Well, this was very long and boring. More than 3 hours and most of it was painful to watch.
Need to organise my thoughts. Not sure if it's a terrible play or just a terrible production. Maybe it's both. It was also very underrehearsed.
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Post by shady23 on May 18, 2019 6:32:20 GMT
Front row now available online for £10 plus booking fee Thank you. I have booked.
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200 posts
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Post by l0islane on May 19, 2019 12:09:03 GMT
Hmm, saw this yesterday, it's OK I guess, too long and a bit pointless. It mostly held my attention and had some nice/funny moments but I can't really recommend it. I saw it mostly for Elizabeth McGovern and she is pretty wasted and not on stage nearly enough (the poster is pretty misleading!)
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Post by nialld on May 20, 2019 10:18:56 GMT
Anyone have any experience of the 'severely restricted' front row seats yet?
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Post by theatrefan77 on May 20, 2019 11:43:15 GMT
I sat in the front row, it wasn't too bad and you have plenty of leg room The stage is higher than usual but you can still see most of it. In the classroom scenes there is no restriction really as all the actors are near the front. In the hospital scenes or at the main characters' homes you can see them from their knees up, or from the shoulders up when the sit on the sofa.
If you have seen Hamilton from the front row the view is more or less the same. There were many empty seats so we moved to row B for Act 2, no restrictions there
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Post by Phantom of London on May 22, 2019 23:40:32 GMT
If you going to get a front row seat, try and one to the side, as you have a annoying overhead projector in your way. The front row is suitable for anyone over 6ft, if not you have to take your periscope.
Saying that I thought the play itself was very enjoyable and I really liked Matthew Broderick, which surprised me, as I was kind of expecting the opposite reaction, I have encounter Matthew twice before on the other side of the Atlantic, this is the best thing I have seen him in. He barely leaves the stage and plays a very mildly mannered and docile, but assertive adult educator for evening classes in Astronomy.
You have always have one dumb person in class that asks the dumbest questions such as “is the earth and moon the same size” and when the educator says “they're not” the student replies “but they are the same distance apart.” You then have another pupil who insists on doing appraisals even if it offends, your tutor.Then you had another student who become vulnerable and exactly why I liked this play, as it shows how insidious religion is and how it plays on the core of their central nervous system and really confirmed my opinion on my own believes.
Elizabeth McGovern was outstanding in this. Jim Norton although not a big part, he will always be great in whatever he does.
Well worth a cheap ticket.
4 Stars
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Post by missthelma on May 23, 2019 11:57:02 GMT
That's an encouraging review, thank you Phantom, I was beginning to think this was a waste of even £10. Mind you if you're under 6 foot......
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on May 25, 2019 17:29:34 GMT
Matthew Broderick will divide theatre goers and critics alike. I thought his role suited his personality.
The play is by Kenneth Lonergan who just had critical acclaim on Broadway with Lobby Hero and The Waverley Gallery, which is nominated for a Tony for best revival, so a strong voice in playwrighting.
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Post by profquatermass on May 26, 2019 12:53:35 GMT
Lobby Hero is also a revival. I remember it here c2003 with David Tennant
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Post by lonlad on May 26, 2019 20:38:54 GMT
Indeed. LOBBY HERO was a Tony nominee last year for best revival just as THE WAVERLY GALLERY is this year -- both productions were outstanding, and Michael Cera was in both, as well
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Post by NeilVHughes on May 27, 2019 22:15:48 GMT
A slow play which never really ignites, which somehow paradoxically doesn’t drag.
Broderick does enough to keep your interest as he traverses his mid-life crisis which in the end lacks credibility.
Had a £10 front row seat which was not too bad as the play is primarily verbose with relatively little movement, so as long as you are not too fussed about seeing people from the knee down you should be OK.
Worth £10 but maybe not a lot more.
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397 posts
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Post by maggiem on May 31, 2019 13:25:01 GMT
I was considering this, but I'm glad I booked Hamilton instead!
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Jun 2, 2019 16:27:57 GMT
Thought this was OK but far too long. The stuff with the nurse and patient was far more engaging than Ferris Bueller going on about astronomy. And Rosalind Eleazar was much better than the two people on the poster.
Paid £20 for the row R stalls seats - great view from there although you miss some of the projection at the top of the stage.
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1,865 posts
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Post by Marwood on Jun 4, 2019 22:43:50 GMT
I saw this tonight and I’ll admit that my heart dipped when I was told it had a running time of 3 hours (it actually went on for just over 3 hours) but I enjoyed this, I’ll agree it was far too long, it’s as if Lonergan couldn’t stop himself from bunging more ideas into the pot but it kept my attention throughout (although I wasn’t really convinced by the very last scene)
I agree it’s a bit misleading the star billing McGovern gets on the posters, as she’s hardly in this. Brodericks acting style took me a while to get into what he was trying to but I was impressed, and while I didn’t want this to run a minute longer, I really thought Jim Norton was great in this, I wanted to see more of his character (and when he started swearing, it got the biggest laughs from me all night, it was as if Bishop Brennan had showed up (a bit mystified why there was no mention of Father Ted in the programme))
One last thing - the pictures on the posters and in the press make this look like it’s a light and fluffy rom com but there are some properly dark moments and themes explored in this so be a bit wary if you’re going to see this.
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Post by shady23 on Jun 6, 2019 5:39:44 GMT
Yep agree it was too long but I did enjoy it.
Was in one of the famous front row seats. Far right and there were scenes I couldn't see at all. The tops of heads if they were back of the stage of the seats. Probably more suited for those over six foot. Was still worth it for the classroom scenes. I also met Matthew outside the theatre and he was happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures so it was a good day!
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Post by tommy on Jun 9, 2019 20:31:16 GMT
After having read some comments here on the 3h duration etc, I was well surprised I enjoyed this production and didn't find it too long at all (certainly after the first part I was surprised 'already being at the interval'). Felt like watching an American movie in winter time. Not sure what to make of Mr Broderick's performance, but then he seems to have a very particular, unique acting style and he's indeed on stage for a very long time, which I'm sure makes this a very difficult part to play so subtle, he (and most of the other actors) did act so natural, which suited this production. I think Rosalind Eleazar was brilliant in this. And what a great feeling for (comic) timing Jenny Galloway always has! Happy I saw it.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 13, 2019 8:25:09 GMT
I know the reviews for this are very mixed, but I saw this last night and thought it was excellent.
It's rare for a play to hold my attention for 3 hours 10 minutes. This one did and I wasn't thinking about the finish time at all.
The front row centre seat helped. The stage is very high, but you get an excellent view of faces and you can see the acting masterclass from Matthew Broderick, particularly in the classroom scenes played out at the front of the stage (the only downside being a projector right in front of you). And you can see upper bodies for the staging further back. I'm 5'8" and was fine with the view. There were a few people in the front row who moved further back during the interval, although the theatre was pretty full.
I connected with this one as the themes mattered to me. The plot is fairly predictable, but this is a character driven piece, masterfully staged. Just the right of comedy. I must single out Rosalind Eleazar as this has to be her breakthrough performance.
Highly recommended.
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Post by jampot on Jun 13, 2019 12:48:55 GMT
I must single out Rosalind Eleazar as this has to be her breakthrough performance. Highly recommended. Yes! Rosalind was excellent...
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Post by tommy on Jun 13, 2019 18:01:11 GMT
I know the reviews for this are very mixed, but I saw this last night and thought it was excellent. It's rare for a play to hold my attention for 3 hours 10 minutes. This one did and I wasn't thinking about the finish time at all. The front row centre seat helped. The stage is very high, but you get an excellent view of faces and you can see the acting masterclass from Matthew Broderick, particularly in the classroom scenes played out at the front of the stage (the only downside being a projector right in front of you). And you can see upper bodies for the staging further back. I'm 5'8" and was fine with the view. There were a few people in the front row who moved further back during the interval, although the theatre was pretty full. I connected with this one as the themes mattered to me. The plot is fairly predictable, but this is a character driven piece, masterfully staged. Just the right of comedy. I must single out Rosalind Eleazar as this has to be her breakthrough performance. Highly recommended. I agree, couldn't believe it ran for over 3 hours, it certainly didn't feel like that to me. Given the mixed reviews, this proves how one can dislike and the other praise this production, I also loved it! Indeed Rosalind Eleazar, hadn't heard of her before, but she took the stage.
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Post by hedda4897 on Jun 13, 2019 18:44:29 GMT
I really enjoyed this play and thought Rosalind the star of the show.
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Post by foxa on Jun 17, 2019 8:28:15 GMT
A friend is hoping to see the mid-week matinee of this but can't afford full whack for the tickets. Are the £25 rush tickets from TodayTix the best deal or are there others out there?
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Jun 17, 2019 14:09:43 GMT
A friend is hoping to see the mid-week matinee of this but can't afford full whack for the tickets. Are the £25 rush tickets from TodayTix the best deal or are there others out there? If they mean this week's Wednesday matinee there's some dynamic pricing on the DMT site and stalls row Q and R are £14.75, and row N, O and P are £27.25. View from row R is excellent, sat there the other week.
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Post by foxa on Jun 17, 2019 14:12:22 GMT
THANKS! I will pass that on!
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4,950 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jun 17, 2019 15:33:01 GMT
THANKS! I will pass that on! If looking for a later date, your friend may also wish to look at fromtheboxoffice.com, which looks to be about a week ahead of DMT itself.
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Post by missthelma on Jun 19, 2019 19:23:14 GMT
Well Waitrose really are missing a trick not sponsoring this as it's the most middle class thing ever. I half expected biscotti and soy latte at the interval rather than ice cream.
But I digress, there are three or four potentially fascinating stories going on here, that you wish you could hear more about, Jim Norton's character for example, the two students who get to speak, but instead in the weird puzzle rug that is this play we get to focus on the least interesting and the one that has been flogged to death repeatedly in all forms of story telling for probably the last 50 years. Yes, the middle aged middle class white straight man's mid life crisis. As an examination of that, this probably falls somewhere in the middle ground, not offering any startling new insights and not being an offensive or particularly bad example of the type. The play is overlong, clocking in at just over three hours this afternoon and doesn't need to be. The second act is definitely better as after the first act I felt a bit non plussed and unsure what the point was. I can't honestly say I now know the point but there was a touch more dynamism after the interval.
Unfortunately for Matthew Broderick, it's the kind of character he can play in his sleep, when he is given chance to demonstrate his acting chops, he does it, supremely well in fact but this play offers him very few opportunities and I fear it will cause people to rehash the criticisms of him that are so common. Elizabeth McGovern does what she can with what she is given but her story and the marriage is another of those stories which is hinted at but not explored and you want more
There's some good and funny lines, a great set and a cast who give their all to what they were given on the page. It won't change your life but it won't ruin it either.
The stalls were about 2/3 rds full and a bit emptier post interval, not sure about rest of theatre. I managed to upgrade my front row seat to a much better one very reasonably thanks to the lovely box office staff. Side issue, have the seats in the Wyndham's always been so narrow? Or am I expanding more than I thought?
Security seemed a touch over zealous quizzing people about drinks etc.
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Post by missthelma on Jun 20, 2019 19:00:48 GMT
have the seats in the Wyndham's always been so narrow Yes. Very beautiful antique shape and lovely colour... but narrow... So then, Monsieur Monkey are you perhaps suggesting, or even insinuating that in fact it is I, who have indeed become more rotund since my last visit there?
The very idea!!! I've never been so insulted etc etc
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Post by justafan on Jun 26, 2019 19:40:30 GMT
Saw the matinee - wasn’t sure I fully understood the story but thought Matthew Broderick commanded the stage - there seemed to be raucous laughter at lines that I smiled at but didn’t think as funny as others. Despite the clear announcement and signage a mobile still went off 15mins in which peed me off. I’d bought a ticket in upper circle for £13.25 which was upgraded to row F of stalls which was perfect ... I wouldn’t have wanted to sit any further forward as that stage is very high
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