|
Post by alessia on Feb 21, 2023 13:30:36 GMT
I thought it was a terrific production. Sophie and Ben are both terrific and Sophie does achieve that rare thing of achieving empathy from the audience even though we know what she's going to do. And assuming it was Dominic Cooke's idea to have Ben play all the men in the play, it's a brilliant one and works wonderfully. I went to the box office at around 1:00 pm and got a rush ticket for £25. Was the ticket the same rush/day seat Soho Place was advertising for the previews? I don't see any info on their site although Theatre Monkey says they sell £20 tickets in person each day?
|
|
404 posts
|
Post by dlevi on Feb 21, 2023 17:55:47 GMT
I thought it was a terrific production. Sophie and Ben are both terrific and Sophie does achieve that rare thing of achieving empathy from the audience even though we know what she's going to do. And assuming it was Dominic Cooke's idea to have Ben play all the men in the play, it's a brilliant one and works wonderfully. I went to the box office at around 1:00 pm and got a rush ticket for £25. Was the ticket the same rush/day seat Soho Place was advertising for the previews? I don't see any info on their site although Theatre Monkey says they sell £20 tickets in person each day? They seemed to have stopped advertising the same day/rush policy. I happened to be in the area and walked up to the desk and asked. The post-opening price is £25 . Totally worth it.
|
|
|
Post by profquatermass on Feb 22, 2023 10:55:54 GMT
I was in a pub in Soho the other day and at the next table were two staff members from the Soho Theatre bemoaning how many angry punters they have turning up there for Medea. I guess the same thing happens the other way round. It's a really stupid name
|
|
|
Post by NorthernAlien on Feb 22, 2023 11:47:06 GMT
I was in a pub in Soho the other day and at the next table were two staff members from the Soho Theatre bemoaning how many angry punters they have turning up there for Medea. I guess the same thing happens the other way round. It's a really stupid name I have to say that SohoPlace isn't where I thought it was going to be - I only spotted it by chance coming out of TCR over the weekend. But aren't people terrible? It's all of a four minute walk between the two venues, according to google (which is generally accurate), so not too much of a tragedy for most people.
|
|
4,603 posts
|
Post by Mark on Feb 22, 2023 21:41:48 GMT
Went tonight. Got a dayseat for £25 in row B stalls - no bad seats for this I’d say. Amazingly, I didn’t know the story beforehand (purposely avoided) although clicked pretty early on what was to come. It’s a really strong production and makes great use of the space. As always, Sophie is incredible.
|
|
860 posts
|
Post by bordeaux on Feb 24, 2023 14:34:25 GMT
Any news on what will be replacing this in eight or so weeks' time? We're surely due an announcement. What I'm hoping for is another excellent production of a classic with some top-notch casting and direction. We've had Shakespeare and a Greek.... I wonder if they'll move forward and give us some Chekhov or Ibsen or something from the second half of the 20th century? First revival of a major play of the past 30 years would also be good as long as you can get a director and cast as good as the first one (Pillowman would be an imminent example). My advice would be to stick to the classics: don't follow the Almeida and Donmar down the path of exposing young playwrights who are just not ready for it to the demands of a big-name stage.
|
|
|
Post by theoracle on Feb 24, 2023 14:46:04 GMT
Very interesting interview I just came across with Marion Bailey too. Love the nods to Robertson Jeffers and she even talks about Meghan and Harry briefly. Also, I’m hoping for a musical next in Soho Place as they boasted of perfect acoustics which sadly isn’t in every west end theatre. Desperate for a revival of Nine
|
|
|
Post by teamyali on Feb 24, 2023 16:32:56 GMT
Any news on what will be replacing this in eight or so weeks' time? We're surely due an announcement. What I'm hoping for is another excellent production of a classic with some top-notch casting and direction. We've had Shakespeare and a Greek.... I wonder if they'll move forward and give us some Chekhov or Ibsen or something from the second half of the 20th century? First revival of a major play of the past 30 years would also be good as long as you can get a director and cast as good as the first one (Pillowman would be an imminent example). My advice would be to stick to the classics: don't follow the Almeida and Donmar down the path of exposing young playwrights who are just not ready for it to the demands of a big-name stage. Brian Cox is due to return to the West End this year, right? It’s just announced that the upcoming season 4 of Succession will now be its last, I guess that speeds up the time needed for him to work on Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Headlong/Jeremy Herrin has not yet announced the venue and the dates. I don’t know if there are potential transfers from Almeida/Donmar/Young Vic/Bridge this time…Guys and Dolls? (And Bridge Theatre is still NOT a SOLT member despite being an active venue for years now) Or anything from Chichester or the touring productions…
|
|
160 posts
|
Post by bee on Feb 26, 2023 16:37:33 GMT
This was excellent. A barnstorming performance by Sophie Okonedo ably supported by Ben Daniels. Really great stuff. This was my first trip to Sohoplace. I rather liked it. Comfortable seats with a good clear view (I was in the stalls, row B). Staff were pleasant and helpful. Does anyone know, is the current central stage configuration fixed or adjusted depending on the production?
|
|
|
Post by thistimetomorrow on Feb 26, 2023 21:32:29 GMT
do we know if they set aside tickets for 'day seats' every performance or if it's not guaranteed that they will have any?
|
|
|
Post by teamyali on Mar 7, 2023 4:02:40 GMT
According to Ben Daniels from his latest Insta post, there are day tickets worth £20! I don’t know if it’s only applicable on weekdays. My friend watched last Saturday night and got rush tickets for £25. http://instagram.com/p/CpdS73zIkIQ
|
|
|
Post by alessia on Mar 7, 2023 10:04:18 GMT
I wish they did the rush tickets on the app, rather than in person - how many people are able to go and queue up during the week?
|
|
3,113 posts
|
Post by david on Mar 11, 2023 11:54:00 GMT
teamyali - I’ve just been picked up a £20 day seat (stalls C6) for todays matinee. No queues.
|
|
3,113 posts
|
Post by david on Mar 11, 2023 17:50:56 GMT
I was supposed to be attending today’s matinee of “Butetown” at the Donmar, however from reading member reports, I decided to return the ticket and with the free theatre slot now available, I took the opportunity to visit London’s newest theatre for the first time. Getting to the theatre early afforded me time to have a look around and I have to say Nica Burns and her NIMAX team have done a brilliant job with @sohoplace. It’s a great venue in my opinion. There is plenty of space in the foyer area to chill out pre and post show and the auditorium itself is impressive. Walking into the auditorium, the design of it I felt it was similar to the Manchester REX with an in the round design. I was sat next to a couple from Manchester who I was talking to pre show and had a similar impression. I don’t think you would get a bad view anywhere in the auditorium.
After the 90 minute viewing of the play, I have absolutely no qualms about ditching the Donmar ticket. My £20 day seat C6 stalls ticket was an absolute steal for this brilliant 5⭐️ production so thank you to those who highlighted their availability and to the Box Office staff for the fab seat (I even had the luxury of having one of Corinth women sat in front of me, which came as a bit of a shock when she got up). Sophie and Ben are just mesmerising and completely own the stage. It really was a real pleasure seeing these two on stage. Director Dominic Cooke really has done a great job bringing this play to the stage. Along with the folk I was talking to after the show, we all agreed that we had watched something special this afternoon, and despite it being an emotionally draining play as the tension and horror of that final scene plays out, it is one we were happy to have been part of.
|
|
|
Post by adamkinsey on Mar 15, 2023 12:31:20 GMT
Fabulous. Two stonking performances and great direction by Cooke. And I LOVE this new theatre space.
|
|
|
Post by profquatermass on Mar 15, 2023 16:56:15 GMT
Also, don't miss the light display on the other side of Charing Cross Road
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2023 12:09:25 GMT
I'm intrigued by the number of spots labeled as "high seats with foot rests." Are these more like bar stools?
|
|
|
Post by starlight92 on Mar 16, 2023 13:21:18 GMT
I'm intrigued by the number of spots labeled as "high seats with foot rests." Are these more like bar stools? Yeah, you have a bar below where you can rest your feet. I was a little uncomfortable after a while but the view was good. (I was in Stalls E47)
|
|
|
Post by londonpostie on Mar 16, 2023 20:46:40 GMT
Picked up - what they said was - the last £20 day seat this morning at 11.45, though it was a strike day. A two-show day; a cheeky matinee for moi.
Front row, 90-minutes straight through: Sophie Okonedo and Ben Daniels may as well have been in my living room, standing in front of the tv with me in the armchair. Acting masterclass. Once they adjusted replacement hips, it was an impressive standing ovation from the afternoon massive, Sophie looked moved.
Agree with the general sentiment; very well staged, excellent cast. Powerful. It's a bit of a showcase for Sophie, everything kind of serves her Medea, from the cast to the direction to the theatre itself. And that's fine.
Nica Burns has done a brilliant job here: what a great addition this theatre is! It feels they could have gone another way and really maxed out the financial potential in the overall space but chose instead to serve the performance space, the art. Also feels like a personal legacy project, from a London girl steeped in London theatre.
I'll be watching keenly for future productions.
|
|
4,532 posts
|
Post by Being Alive on Mar 17, 2023 22:24:07 GMT
I had so many issues with this it's impossible to know where to start.
The entire thing is mechanical, and felt like a play and actors giving performances - there was no point where I believed any of the characters were real - because the adaptation is dreadful. Seating the three women in the audience made me roll my eyes so hard I almost passed out - what a stupid device.
Sophie Okenedo is a fantastic actress, and Medea feels like it was made for her, but I felt she was fighting the text at every turn, and I didn't feel emotionally connected to any of her characters arc.
Ben Daniels again is terrific but the decision to have him as all the men was not a wise one for me. And his slo mo walking around changing costumes - Hun move I can't see just put a coat on and get on with it.
Marion Bailey for me was the only performance that I had very few criticisms of - she was good.
I love Dominic Cooke and Vicki Mortimer, but the golden rule of 'if there's rain it's not very good' once again applies. The staircase looked nice going down below the stage I guess. But I just came away really disappointed by how mechanical the entire thing felt.
I think I'd give it 3 stars because of what the role is and how Okenedo is living with that, but I really thought this was quite poor.
Oh, and Soho Place is the singular worst designed theatre around - one staircase to get everyone up and down, the seats were BEYOND uncomfortable and cramped.
(I'm not.ally very cheerful, but this annoyed me 😂)
|
|
|
Post by londonpostie on Mar 18, 2023 8:11:35 GMT
Seating the three women in the audience made me roll my eyes so hard I almost passed out - what a stupid device. Ben Daniels again is terrific but the decision to have him as all the men was not a wise one for me. And his slo mo walking around changing costumes - Hun move I can't see just put a coat on and get on with it.
It's difficult directing for the round, I imagine: how do you keep sight lines open while serving the piece .. Shifting 3 women away from the stage, came Dom Cooke choice.
On the stairs: Building regs are beyond me though I guess the minimum requirement is based on evacuation times - in this theatre, how do you get out 600 people.
Really enjoyed this piece on the evolution of the project. A bunch of impressive people working over a decade and a half to max the potential (I like the walk into Soho Square, which itself is a much nicer environment now):
No issue with the seats.
|
|
|
Post by teamyali on Mar 19, 2023 8:54:17 GMT
They’re not stagedooring, sadly. Miss Rona might strike again! Sophie and Ben are in their 50’s (she’s 54; he’s 58) so yeah.
|
|
10 posts
|
Post by bryan99 on Mar 22, 2023 10:43:20 GMT
Really enjoyed this last night. Loved the new theatre too (apart from some aspects of the interior design which felt a bit 'cruise ship'). Thought the production was outstanding. Ben D grows in stature and presence every time you see him. I couldn't help but feel that the last couple of minutes didn't 'land'. It's such a powerful scene and yet the denouement seemed to leave things up in the air somewhat, when what you (arguably) need is a clear 'conclusion'. You literally heard half the audience go 'oh - is it finished?'. Was I imagining things? Or was it supposed to be like that?
|
|
67 posts
|
Post by ruperto on Mar 23, 2023 9:03:47 GMT
I saw this too and agree with a lot of what Being Alive said. I really wasn’t a fan of the adaptation - too florid for my taste. It had a distancing effect and IMHO didn’t fit with the modern staging. That was the biggest issue for me.
I also agree that the slow motion walking thing for Ben Daniels’s characters was odd.
As Being Alive said, Marion Bailey was very good in this.
|
|
|
Post by sfsusan on Mar 28, 2023 23:09:15 GMT
This was excellent. A barnstorming performance by Sophie Okonedo ably supported by Ben Daniels. Really great stuff. This was my first trip to Sohoplace. I rather liked it. Comfortable seats with a good clear view I completely agree. The performances were unbelievable and the show was quite intense. I was a little put off by Mr. Daniels' slo-mo circling at first, but was able to ignore it, and felt it worked quite well at the end. Looking back, it contributed to the claustrophobic, caged feeling that Medea couldn't escape her fate. And although it did end almost in mid-step, but I'm not sure the end was ambiguous... {Spoiler - click to view} it's not like Medea is going to get away, and the ending makes it clear she's not even trying to do so. It seemed like Ms. Okonedo had to make an effort to pull herself out of character at the end, to take the curtain call. She blew out a couple of breaths and then seemed to come back to herself and smile. I'm not criticizing at all, as I take it as an indication of how intense and emotional the performance is for her, she couldn't just 'switch it off' when the lights came back up. I couldn't believe how close the audience is to the stage, and how connected that felt. And having some of the performers in the audience just reinforced that, as well as emphasizing the conceit that we were the women of Corinth come to gawk at the outcast Medea. I was in E1 and loved the high seat. It could be a bit deeper (I had my coat rolled up for lumbar support, but it pushed me too far forward in the seat.) In E, at least, there were two places you could rest your foot... a small bar directly under your feet and the lower bar on the rail that separates D from E. So you had all the knee and foot room in the world and could even dangle your legs straight down or over the lower rail. They were definitely enforcing the no peanuts rule (and in that space, it would be critical). The bag check was asking "do you have any food?", the ticket check asked "do you have any peanuts?". After the show, I saw people claiming what looked like food items that they'd had to check at the door.
|
|
|
Post by thistimetomorrow on Mar 31, 2023 22:33:26 GMT
Finally saw this with day seats. Easy process, row C stalls for £20 Sophie and Ben are very very good. Wonderful to be able to see this from up close.
|
|
|
Post by solotheatregoer on Apr 2, 2023 13:25:27 GMT
Front row for this last week. Really liked the venue as well. I found the cast members in the audience a bit gimmicky to be honest but other than that, another acting masterclass. Sophie Okonedo is an outstanding Medea. She was clearly physically and mentally drained during the bows. I was surprised that only a few audience members gave a standing ovation given the gravity of her performance. She really gives her all and I thought she deserved a better reaction at the end.
|
|
50 posts
|
Post by dannimaria on Apr 5, 2023 19:59:49 GMT
I always find it so interesting how different people view different things, absolutely fascinating everyone's different preferences.
For me, I felt this was an absolute masterclass from Sophie Okenedo, she had me hooked almost immediately and I couldn't take my eyes off her, you could see she was exhausted at the end. Ben Daniels switch of parts was so interesting, to be able to flick so quickly between characters must take quite a lot mentally. I agree his slow mo around the stage was a little distracting at first but I soon got used to it.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this performance, although if you weren't familiar with the story of Medea you would possible struggle with with the beginning as it's not crystal clear immediately why Medea is doing what she is or indeed exactly what it is she's doing.
I loved Soho Place, it was my first visit and look forward to going back, although the restaurant is spendy! The best bit was sitting around the bar afterwards and my friend waxing lyrical about how fabulous BD was before accidentally letting out a huge burp, then me advising her that BD was standing right behind her having a glass of wine with friends, she turned around and he laughed and rewarded us with a huge smile! It was very funny, she was mortified XD
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Apr 7, 2023 10:22:54 GMT
Interesting they used a version from 1946 rather than commissioning a new version which is what the subsidised sector would certainly have done - if there already is a good version why not just use it ?
3* from me - Dominic Cooke channelling Katie Mitchell a bit too much for my liking and some of the moments of comedy quite ill-judged.
|
|
1,896 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Apr 11, 2023 21:21:03 GMT
They’re not stagedooring, sadly. Miss Rona might strike again! Sophie and Ben are in their 50’s (she’s 54; he’s 58) so yeah. Oh the old Covid excuse. I wonder how many years people/organisations will use this as the greatest get-out clause in modern history...
|
|