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Post by lynette on Apr 23, 2024 23:14:38 GMT
Gonna be with the earpieces ?
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Post by lynette on Apr 23, 2024 23:11:11 GMT
Does the board need some of these from the Ushers merch store? www.ushersmusical.com/-merch/p/unisex-t-shirttotally wonderful. I looked on the site and see that the large sizes are sold out 😂 the big fellas are coming for ya’all.
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Post by lynette on Apr 23, 2024 23:08:59 GMT
In two of the recent shows I've attended there has been behaviour which while not the worst has been very annoying. In a sense, when it is more borderline, it is harder to take action. One was at Guys and Dolls last night when the couple next to me kept making comments like "Where is the orchestra?" throughout the performance and despite insistent ssshing from me and other theatre goers pointedly looking at them, carried on oblivious.
Then at The Glass Menagerie, I wasn't sitting directly in front of the two men concerned, so fortunately only saw them in the corner of my eye line, but it was still very annoying and particularly so for the two women sitting directly in front of them. These two men who were clearly friends, just could not sit still for a moment, moving backwards, forwards, sideways in their seats and putting their arms up to scatch their heads. Yet strangely in the interval hardly seemed to move at all. I was so glad I wasn't sitting directly behind them and I did speak to the women directly behind them, who just said "but what can you do?"
I just don't understand why people find it so difficult to sit quietly for a couple of hours.
This made me chuckle. In the dark you behave differently and stretching, scratching wouldn’t seem intrusive. In full light, you would keep still cos people can see you. All this is instinctive and not deliberate. So, lack of theatrical experience maybe ?
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Post by lynette on Apr 14, 2024 22:25:52 GMT
Seen much less theatre than pre Covid, but happy to say I have seen most of the winners!
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Post by lynette on Apr 12, 2024 16:18:03 GMT
Have been listening to this on repeat, super excited for this one Do we think there'll be water on stage? Repress/dress really?
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Post by lynette on Apr 10, 2024 13:27:28 GMT
A disappointing evening seeing a comedy play that just was never really able to land any of its jokes. Even with Sarah Jessica Parker’s star power, Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite feels dated and, to be honest, I doubt it was even that hilarious for audiences when it debuted on Broadway in 1968. The piece consists of three individual stories played out in three seperate acts, all located in the same hotel room in the late 60s. There is one interval after the first sketch, with a short pause between the second and third. At an hour long, act one soon becomes tedious to watch. SJP teases moments of reflection as her character, Karen, contemplates how to resolve her unloving marriage. In fact, despite being at least 15 minutes too long, act one at least gives us moments of pathos among the old-fashioned comedy. However, Matthew Broderick offers little range or variation in his delivery and gives his real life wife little to work with in response to her moments of genuine humour. The second act probably works out the shortest and depicts Broderick as some sort of Austin Powers rip-off, with SJP as his ditzy love interest. It is probably the most amusing of the three stories, mainly because of the absurdity and SJP’s physical comedy masterclass. However, if it hadn’t already, Simon’s comedy completely runs out of steam by act three. It’s an extremely laboured (and irritatingly repetitive) scene of slapstick which, for me, just doesn’t come close to landing. Even SJP couldn’t do much with the material she was given by this point. The fact it’s old hat is no problem for me, I love a good Noel Coward caper. This is a weak effort and I don’t understand why it has been revived. Well, that’s a lie; I do. Because the run has pretty much sold out with the US husband and wife duo commanding astronomical ticket prices. I wasn’t going to bother but managed to grab a £25 restricted view (it wasn’t) ticket for the final week of its run. It was mildly disappointing at that price. If I’d have paid £100-£300 as many had, I’d have been livid. SJP does provide some decent moments though and I’m sure her fans will take solace from that, at least. Two stars. I sympathise. It is old fashioned. It was funny at the time. Sad really.
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Post by lynette on Apr 10, 2024 13:25:43 GMT
We have mentioned buses haven’t we? You wait etc and two Oedipuses come along at same time.
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Post by lynette on Apr 10, 2024 13:22:13 GMT
The latest thing I saw was about the casting of historical characters. People like or say they like, to see historical characters acted by their race so people in Elizabethan courts all white. Any black person would have been a servant or a musician. And there were some, we know. But not the aristocracy. ( mixed race people entered a little later I think, via slave/master relationships and are documented ) This feeds into the larger ‘thing’ about fictionalising history so that the fiction becomes what we all accept as the reality. This is probably ok if we accept the imagination of the writer as being probably true to the emotions etc of the history ( as in making what Queen Liz I might have said to her courtiers ) and also we accept that getting some history out there is a ‘good thing’. Remembering that poor RIII has been demonised because Willie was on the side of the winner, needfully in his case, we should try to seek a balance when we can but also be aware that children especially do need to see themselves out there. I went to kids’ dance show just the other day: one black dancer . One. And this a really good school that leads some kids into the profession. So we do need to get some work done here and perhaps blind casting will help. I too live for the day when colour/ethnicity/nationality/gender/faith will cease to be a talking point Me and John Lennon, eh?
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Post by lynette on Apr 5, 2024 16:06:28 GMT
I’m the only person who didn’t like the James plays. Am I?
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Post by lynette on Apr 4, 2024 21:17:14 GMT
Greg Hicks - I wondered where he had gone. I think he likes the smaller, more intimate venues. Brilliant actor. He was in Ghosts at the SWP immediately before this. For someone who has played King Lear for the RSC among many other leading roles at RSC and NT he seems to get overlooked for high-profile roles these days, or maybe he prefers smaller venues like you say. A few years ago he was electrifying as Richard III at the Arcola. Yes, I was trying to remember where that was. He was wonderful. Back in the days when you could park outside the Arcola! Maybe you still can.
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Post by lynette on Apr 4, 2024 12:42:04 GMT
Greg Hicks - I wondered where he had gone. I think he likes the smaller, more intimate venues. Brilliant actor.
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Post by lynette on Apr 2, 2024 17:24:45 GMT
Without being unkind to Lee Mengo whose work I do not know, would it not be fair to publish when he is doing it and when Sheen? Once I turned up to a play expecting Maggie Smith and she wasn’t on; I was given a refund because I didn’t want to see anyone else do the part at that time.Mean? Maybe but we do book to see performers not just the piece being offered. In fact the performer I guess drives the advance booking more than the play.
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Post by lynette on Apr 2, 2024 17:20:06 GMT
I'd like to see more general offers being made available to all theatre fans. It just seems to be the U25's who get the great offers to encourage new fans to shows. I'd like a certain amount of cheaper tickets for each show or venues like ATG do one cheaper show per West End run for their regulars. Reward loyalty as a lot of people who love shows and post on here are the backbone of theatre attendees and will give new shows a chance. Dynamic pricing I'm not opposed to as Saturday night should be more than midweek matinee and supply and demand will shift. You’ve gotta encourage the U25s. Or theatre will just dwindle away. But yes to more discounts for old ‘uns, say Monday/Tuesday nights and the matinees. Thank you
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Post by lynette on Apr 2, 2024 17:18:35 GMT
Thanks for posting this. Seems Covid responsible in the same way the Black Death was for end of feudal system 😂 scarcity of resources and people knowing their worth.
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Post by lynette on Mar 27, 2024 14:08:53 GMT
They need to employ one FOH who is a licensed door supervisor (bouncer as they once were known). They should be in a security uniform, not a velvet waistcoat and dickie bow. At the interval they should be a visible presence, patrolling the bars looking out for people who are over-imbibing. These people are trained in conflict management and have to have an additional license to work on premises selling booze. As soon as behaviour starts, FOH alert security and gets them to that part of the theatre. I bet a lot of it would just stop when this security person appeared at the end of the aisle and started watching the culprits. If it escalates they’re trained on removing people safely. “Oh we can’t afford an extra member of staff” squeals ATG or DMT or whoever owns the theatre, but they can and should be protecting their customers. The idea that this is being left in the hands of people primarily hired to check tickets and sell ice creams is beyond ridiculous in this day and age. Sounds like heaven to me but people like to be ‘on a night out’ and not observed; people will act up and challenge, drunk or not; theatres want to flog the booze for more profit; there is other stuff besides booze more difficult to police. The fact is that the unwritten rules of behaviour in public places are no longer accepted/known/adhered to.
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Post by lynette on Mar 23, 2024 0:25:58 GMT
Three mobiles at the Almeida tonight and one early doors right at the end but I think she was ill. But phones, come on people.
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Post by lynette on Mar 23, 2024 0:24:55 GMT
Classy. Thoughtful production. I loved the range of voices ( brilliant casting ) that all melded together when required. I didn’t mind the tweaks to the way it was done at the end. The usual way they do the end is a bit drawn out but this had some pace. Super way of doing the Fool. I’ve seen an older fool before but this mirror image of the king worked very well.
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Post by lynette on Mar 20, 2024 23:04:14 GMT
So it’s not a comedy but we are hoping it is?
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Post by lynette on Mar 20, 2024 14:41:11 GMT
Does anyone have any idea when the remaining shows will go on sale / dates announced? I’m aware the new season hasn’t even technically started but I’m considering going away towards the end of the year and don’t want to miss Edward II or Hamlet. Thanks. Good question. I haven’t heard anything yet.
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Post by lynette on Mar 20, 2024 14:39:47 GMT
I’m thrilled people got thru to box office. I called after struggling to get tix in the Byzantine system online and found the line closed. Eventually the site seemed to cough into clarity and I got a couple of tix. Silly money but am assuming will look cheap as the dynamically stun the punters as time goes on.
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Post by lynette on Mar 20, 2024 14:36:19 GMT
Scuse me for asking but is this a comedy?
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Post by lynette on Mar 20, 2024 14:34:33 GMT
Walking around with those placards useless. Best thing is make a cast member come in costume and tell us to switch off our phones please. Never mind breaking the fourth wall.
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Post by lynette on Mar 15, 2024 18:20:43 GMT
I had a couple of wakes during the night thinking - Connie Francis (raped in her hotel room). My bag on the table which could have been taken in a matter of seconds with my car keys, my credit cards and work credit cards. I could have been in the bath. When I've stayed before there have been students staying - in checking out yesterday there was a coach load of primary school children leaving. What if!! After I'd spoken to reception I went up in the lift with a youngish guy who could see I was in a fury - I said "I've just had a man walk in my room" - he said "the same thing happened to me yesterday, twice in fact, while I was in just a towel". Now, I've no idea if what he said is correct, maybe he thought it'd calm me down or something. I'd booked through Hotels.com as I get a discount with 10 bookings (makes sense when I book for colleagues and myself), and I've told them. I'm thinking I'll tell my brother-in-law - he is Met Police based within Wembley Park. I needed a day to cool off - I don't take pleasure in giving a bad review but Jesus, how much more vulnerable could I be with my pants around my ankles? I needed a bit more of a reaction from Reception than the "sorry sorry have a full english". I think your review on their website and other hotel booking sites will do the trick.
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Post by lynette on Mar 15, 2024 18:16:03 GMT
At the NT ( Octopus) a seat was vacant in front of us , end of a row. A woman came in interval and loitered, obviously was going for the seat. I put my coat over the back of it. Turns out I did the right thing because the seat was taken after interval by its owner who was late. ( coat/bag/person spreading services for hire)
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Post by lynette on Mar 14, 2024 16:05:42 GMT
Dinner! ?! I didn’t get dinner. Quite nice cold buffet and wine! How did you both get selected for the panel in the first place? Do you apply or do you have to ”know people”? It was a while ago but I simply answered the ad which was in the theatres on a leaflet. I sent in my application which was a letter and a list of the productions I had seen the previous year. I think they wanted to see how enthusiastic people are. That was my first application which failed then the next year I applied again , same way and was accepted after an interview. Nobody I met on the panel ‘knew anyone’, all of us ordinary punters plus the people chosen by SOLT who were industry people, a journalist, a casting agent if I recall correctly.
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Post by lynette on Mar 14, 2024 13:36:36 GMT
Rude is rude. If they can’t even acknowledge receipt then call them and ask. Not pushy, sensible. We don’t want the NT staging your masterpiece at the same time as the RSC do we? Good luck with all these submissions. By golly we need new voices.
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Post by lynette on Mar 14, 2024 13:33:44 GMT
Two things I expect from a Hotel no matter what the budget. Clean. Safe. I moved out of London 2 years ago but travel into my London Bridge office twice a week. Occasionally, once a month at least, I stay at a hotel, "do" a show and have two days back to back. Stayed at a Wembley hotel on Tuesday night that I'd stayed at 5 times previously (October 2022 - March 2023) - I stopped staying there as last room I got was a bit ropey and the exterior fabric of the building was, well, awful (they'd removed the cladding on the outside of the building and I kept thinking, they'll sort it out and 18 months on it's exactly the same). Maybe it was time for a revisit, I thought, it's only for a couple of hours sleep, I thought. Didn't go to a show after all, being really tired after a 6am start. Booked in at 7pm with the firm intention if the room was rubbish I'd ask for another. No, room was OK but hot - took my shirt off, went for a wee in bra and jeans. And heard the room door open, mens voices, and the door shut again. Oh boy did I let rip at reception (face to face) who'd put the next arriving guests into my room. I got a "sorry" and a "very sorry" in the face to face, and a call to my room later offering me free breakfast. Free breakfast offered again next morning when I saw another "manager". But I doubt I'll ever walk into a hotel room again and not put a shed load of furniture in front of the door the minute I get in. *No I didn't have the free b*st*rd breakfast! Probably lifelong trauma being mid-wee and strange men walking in... OMG TBH I think free stay forever with entire family would be inadequate compensation. And a report to the London tourist people, the hotel industry and maybe the police. If this is recorded event then police will have something to go on if anything bad happens. Not funny, not to be dismissed. The person entering your room had key/card and could have entered again at any time. Who knows if he gave it back? I watch a lot of tec/murder stuff and what looks simple often isn’t . Yes, goes the other way but why chance that?
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Post by lynette on Mar 14, 2024 13:27:26 GMT
Dinner! ?! I didn’t get dinner.
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Post by lynette on Mar 13, 2024 20:43:35 GMT
Honestly this sounds like Satre’s definition of hell.
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Post by lynette on Mar 13, 2024 20:39:57 GMT
What screen did he have to look through? The Haymarket has perspex screens dotted about the front of the Upper Circle for safety reasons. You can see one of them on the left of this image (from a reviewer on SeatPlan.com): So this is the screen they mean. I was puzzled, thought it was something to do with the show 😂 I suppose we are all chucking peanuts and ourselves over the balcony now are we, hence our protection required. I can’t see that far to the stage these days. So have to miss this one
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