463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 10, 2018 8:38:15 GMT
It is set in Maine where there can be a lot of winter. Massachusetts. The book takes place in and around what used to be Boston and Cambridge, and so does the TV series. This season we've seen the offices of the Boston Globe - with Boston Globe logos clearly visible - and what we were told was Fenway Park. I think it's filmed in Toronto. Toronto, Hamilton, and Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge. There are occasional glimpses of downtown Toronto (City Hall and Bay subway station in the first season episode where June escapes from the Red Center), the Waterford house is in Hamilton, and the bridge and the walkway along the river are in Cambridge. They've also used the conservatories in Allan Gardens in downtown Toronto, the block of Wellington Street where the CBC building is located, the lobby, the ballroom, and various other rooms in the Royal York Hotel, a couple of buildings on the UTM (University of Toronto at Mississauga) campus, and a rather nice coffee shop on Queen East called Bonjour Brioche that I used to go to quite often when I lived in Toronto (that's where the barista calls Moira and June sluts for wearing form-fitting sportswear when they were out for a run). "Little America" is the Esplanade, an area on the fringe of downtown Toronto close to the St. Lawrence Market.
I stand corrected. I've never been to the US but have cousins in Maine. They talk about visiting Boston and, for some reason, I had assumed Boston was in Maine. And you know way too much about the locations ;-) I'm tempted to riposte with the Catford locations used in the TV play Babs but it's much less exotic.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 17:41:58 GMT
That's one way of putting it.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 15:41:39 GMT
Cardinal, I suspect there are many people on here who "switch modes" and go to a diverse set of shows. There are also those who want to see Wicked every time the cast changes. Sometimes they may even be the same people.
In the last 12 months I've watched Joe Orton, Shakespeare, The Who, The Unthanks, Greenwich panto, Brief Encounter, Pippin, and Hair as well as watching missing TV at the NFT and a number of films. Enjoyed them all for different reasons. Walked out of a Globe Shakespeare because I was tired and it wasn't grabbing me.
In my opinion many people know how to be a "good audience".
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 14:49:49 GMT
Sorry that came out more critically than I intended.
I like this forum because people's comments are supported by good nature and good humour. And Hitster your comments are in that vein while mine are less so.
In my defence I teach children with autism and my wife is a wheelchair user so I take these things with too much seriousness.
Having a good moan is a human right so please carry on and ignore me.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 14:29:53 GMT
After not having a great week having ended up in hospital with a water infection, I decided to treat myself to seeing Matilda at the Birmingham Hippodrome last night. It was an amazing show but some of it was clearly spoiled by a child with issues which kept shouting out. The child was a bit better when the show started but seemed to shout out in virtually every number, he was shushed a few times by numerous people including me as well as more quietly by his parents. The child obviously had issues and they say we should make allowances but is it any different to someone turning up drunk who may be an alcoholic as that is classed as a disease. Plus seeing children perform so remarkably probably made this child's actions more noticeable and the tickets weren't cheap I paid £65 so lots of the families there would have spent over £200. The child was taken out by his family with about 30 minutes to go plus there was a near fight in the bar over queue jumping at the interval. I wish there was an easy solution to people with issues attending shows - it helps their development especially children but should a lot of others have their enjoyment spoiled by one person who sadly cannot help their actions. I almost wondered if they could listen to a show through headphones whether it might help them. The easy solution is tolerance, surely? Recently the tallest man I've ever seen came and sat in front of me, I've been squashed by very large people next to me, I've had to lean sideways to escape violent BO, an entire audience had to wait while a woman in a wheelchair was lifted into the auditorium. But also I've had to leave a performance because my wife hit her leg on arrival and the pain became excruciating, My phone has gone off, my children have fidgeted, climbed on my knee and fell asleep, I've sat in front of short people, I've had a cold and sneezed throughout a performance. I'd rather put up with some inconvenience that nevertheless allows as many diverse people as possible to experience the joy of theatre.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 13:37:52 GMT
June's story can only sustain 3 maybe 4 series. They could open it out but it would become a different series.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 6:45:46 GMT
I'm fascinated that Gilead is only about 5 years old. They created that society in FIVE years - wow they must have been ruthless - well we know that to be true.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 6:40:37 GMT
Blimey. You certainly see a lot more than me. I have to have the volume turned up to even hear what little dialogue there is. Maybe there is another Gilead rule that you have to mumble. And how come it's been winter for the last 2 series? Saying that I will no doubt watch the next series just to see if anything happens. It is set in Maine where there can be a lot of winter. Can't help with the mumbling but that's just modern TV isn't it? They do seem to have long almost silent bits then a burst of quick important dialogue. It's one of those shows where I have to concentrate and not be distracted by my phone. The looks between characters are really important unlike other programs that can be "watched" almost like radio shows.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 8, 2018 19:36:30 GMT
Never known a series to take so long to go nowhere. I presume there is a third series? I disagree. It's slow but there was a real feeling of growing unease and unrest. Gilead is getting more violent but also more desperate. It cannot continue for long. The Commanders are turning on themselves. We've seen commanders, wives, handmaids, Marthas, guards and ordinary citizens all rebelling - not any Aunts interestingly. There's also rumblings from other countries. And, despite handmaids being in the weakest position, the way June is changing - trying to rebel and then backing down - is rising to a place where she will stop backing down. I'm hoping the next series is the last with Gilead falling apart with June kicking ass.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 6, 2018 19:10:17 GMT
I do Tudor historical re-enactment and we try and be as accurate as possible - hand sewn, hand spun clothes, hair cuts, undies etc. But most of us draw a line at wedding rings. Mind you we also get a few teenagers with braces as well!!
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Jul 17, 2018 17:42:27 GMT
The all-new stories thing to me just suggests no hold-overs from story arcs in previous seasons. Absolutely no reason why you couldn't have a stand-alone Dalek episode, as I suspect they will, or at least a Dalek cameo somewhere along the lines. As long as they don't then establish a new Dalek story arc off the back of it..... But he says "All-new monsters" as well. It's probably just hype so we'll have to wait and see. There's definitely no pact between the BBC and Nation Estate. Quite the opposite - the Daleks vanished from Dr Who in the early 70s because Nation was trying to sell a rival Dalek series to the US
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Jul 17, 2018 11:28:24 GMT
I'd say no Daleks or Cybermen from what the new producer says in the Guardian:
“If you’ve never seen Doctor Who, or want to introduce your children or family and friends to it, this series is the perfect point to start,” Chibnall told Radio Times. “It was really important to me that there’s no barrier to entry. You don’t need to know about anything that’s come before. We’ve got a new Doctor, all-new characters, all-new monsters, all-new stories. It’s going to be exciting, emotional and the most enormous fun.”
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Jun 6, 2018 16:29:26 GMT
And it's on Spotify, hurray
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Apr 7, 2018 10:08:38 GMT
Just a hunch. Their songs are part of public psyche now, and could easily imagine the actors, prostitutes and all the bohemians on the fringes singing "Born This Way". Additional music WILL be included for sure as there many gaps in the story as it is. Yeah, I'm sure there will be more inclusion, I'm just dubious. Look at Strictly Ballroom - they've crowbared a number of songs in to justify some of the roles by-and-large to the detriment of the show. I hope they include some of the incidental score from the movie by Craig Armstrong as it was so lush - it's a bit of a shame he's not attached to this project moreso. Music should be safe in the hands of Justin Levine though as he was involved with the original movie. Either way, as long as the following make it in I'll be happy: Nature Boy, Your Song, The Roxanne Tango, The Show Must Go On. Hope the orchestra do the Bolero credits (maybe a slightly shorter revision) post-curtain call! Can I add Children of the Revolution as well?
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Mar 18, 2018 20:14:31 GMT
I'm aware it wasn't a well regarded production but I loved it. What do I know? Would love to see clips of that production. This shows the staging
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Mar 18, 2018 14:00:40 GMT
Want to come outside and say that? Seriously I'm a big fan of the MCF production. Meet you round the back of the theatre cafe ....! MCF great concept and I loved the characters coming out of the walls but I’m afraid it didn’t add up I'm aware it wasn't a well regarded production but I loved it. What do I know?
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Mar 17, 2018 10:08:07 GMT
But heaps better than the MCF production. Want to come outside and say that? Seriously I'm a big fan of the MCF production.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Mar 2, 2018 18:52:56 GMT
I wonder why this is getting so many 5 stars compared to the Menier one, which seems to get between 2/3 stars. Is it THAT much better? I think it was more the staging. It was one of those "marmite" shows. It was set within a video game with lots of graphics and projections and VERY loud which some didn't like. It had technical issues with the projectors that made the theatre very hot and were quite loud hence the loud music, They sorted the heat out before the end but it was too late.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Mar 1, 2018 8:41:56 GMT
Pippin had a dull costume in the Menier version as well. I'd always assumed that the rest of the cast are players but he's been imported from somewhere else to 'play' Pippin. The next in a long line of people to play the role.
Also Pippin stops being king because the leading player turns back time and stops him killing his father. A very clumsy idea. Some people must have got it as it got a laugh.
It is a weird show but I love the songs. And this cast gave it great energy even if it is rather unpolished. I saw the Menier version 4 times. But I'll only see this once although I'm glad for the once.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Feb 16, 2018 18:23:49 GMT
I get adverts for shows I've just booked for. Brief Encounter at the moment. Seems to be the usual thing for me - I buy, say, a mattress and I get mattress ads for the next six months. A bit of a waste of time if you ask me.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Feb 9, 2018 17:48:05 GMT
WhatsOnStage offer for this - use promo code WOS to get £35 seats (should be £52.50) from 2 March to 15 April 😁 Cheers. persuaded my lovely wife that she needed to see this.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Feb 4, 2018 14:26:07 GMT
Pippin? The original Broadway production ran for almost 2000 performances in the 70s, and it was definitely a huge success. The recent circus-themed revival with a gender-swap for the Leading Player didn't run for as long as the original, but it was still quite successful, running for almost a couple of years and winning the Tony for Best Revival. I was also going to suggest Pippin for the Menier Chocolate Factory revival set in a computer game, which I absolutely loved. I also caught the Broadway revival which was phenomenal, not least for 66 year old Andrea Martin's turn on the trapeze but thought the Chocolate Factory beat it hands down if we're talking reimagining. Glad it's not just me. But not a huge success. I saw it twice with half price tickets and it didn't transfer.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Jan 20, 2018 22:32:02 GMT
..... and David Almond’s Skellig. A superb read. I think Skellig is a contender for the greatest children's book ever. But Alan Garner, Peter Dickinson, Patrick Ness, Willian Nicholson (Windsinger trilogy), Wizard of Oz, The Secret Garden are all special. I loved reading 101 Dalmations and Starlight Barking out loud to my children. I still read children's books and the quality is as great as ever.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Jan 2, 2018 16:43:36 GMT
Well. The title is spot on, there's a LOT of hair on show. I didn't notice any split ends though (not until the end of act one at least, fnar fnar) so the cast obviously condition regularly. There's an obvious lack of chest and armpit hair. I pointed it out to "Claude" at the end of the show but they can't resist waxing....
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Dec 12, 2017 16:15:41 GMT
Due to illness last night’s show cancelled and this afternoon. Despite Todaytix chasing producers, they were not informed so could not inform customers. Venue tried to email customers it knew about but this did not cover Todaytix. Wasted journey. They seem to be struggling with illness. I've seen it twice. The first time both the black girls were ill and, because one understudied the other, they had to rejig the show - cut "White Boys" and "Abie Baby" was totally changed. Second time both Woof and the girl that sings Good Morning Starshine were off. I want to go again but really want to see the whole cast.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Nov 21, 2017 8:17:00 GMT
In the spirit of spreading the word for people with disability, we went to see Hair last week and asked if we could go in first as my wife is unsteady on her feet (she's a part time wheelchair user) and didn't want to get caught up in a crowd.
Also in the spirit of disclosure my daughter brought her boyfriend who hated the show.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Nov 9, 2017 17:56:08 GMT
Well the two cheapest tiers are almost sold out but the top two have plenty of spaces. Bizarrely the yellow row (one above the cheapest) are actually the best seats IMO.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 20, 2017 13:35:48 GMT
I've just been to see this. It's a good production. Some shakiness with lines (it being a preview) but nothing major. Well directed giving clarity and bringing out the humour. Some proper bad languag - the 'F' word and a must if you like old dead lady nudity which is refreshing from other productions of Orton I've seen that have often been a little coy about the awfulness of the subject matter.
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Aug 3, 2017 15:44:12 GMT
Noooooooo. Leave it alone. You can't improve on the original it will just ruin it. Yes the 1960 Roger Corman version with Jack Nicholson is quite wonderful. (sorry couldn't resist)
|
|
463 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Jul 8, 2017 17:56:16 GMT
Given the fact that it's harder and harder for anyone without connections to get any kind of a break anywhere, anyhow, I have to disagree, A break for what? She has no talent so has no place up there with the revered. It's really hard to motivate kids when they think all they have to do is get a boob job and be loud, uber-confident and presume they are better than everyone else. However, you speak of connections and that's a whole other quagmire and extremely annoying, I agree. (And not only in the performing arts, obviously.) Does the fact she's had her implants removed and now denounces it all as a dangerous practise change your mind at all? She is an excellent business woman it seems to me. She's managed to be successful in quite a number of areas including bringing up a severely disabled child. I've always wanted to hate her but whenever I've heard her speak I just can't manage it.
|
|