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Post by Jon on May 13, 2023 23:08:23 GMT
I assume Germany doesn't want to host it given their appalling entry. Quite telling that the public vote did not like the Spanish entry either.
I wonder who Australia has to host on their behalf if they were ever to win?
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Post by Jon on May 12, 2023 11:26:41 GMT
Very surprised nothing has been announced for the Savoy, although if the proposed Annie run is no longer happening maybe they’re left scrambling for something else. I could see a play going in there for a season. I'm not sure if either Matthew Broderick or Sarah Jessica Parker are available but could Plaza Suite go there? It was produced by ATG on Broadway. Another option if Jessica Chastain is available is A Doll's House.
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Post by Jon on May 12, 2023 10:59:28 GMT
Hadestown is confirmed for the Lyric Theatre.
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Post by Jon on May 11, 2023 19:55:33 GMT
Laurence Connor is either cheap, a pushover or both. Why else would he be hired by ALW, Cameron Mackintosh and Tim Rice?
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Post by Jon on May 11, 2023 18:58:01 GMT
I think for ALW to have another successful show, he needs to take a backseat. Focus on the music and have producers who are willing to say no or veto him.
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Post by Jon on May 10, 2023 22:24:10 GMT
I get the feeling some on here just want the RSC to be a closed shop....
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Post by Jon on May 10, 2023 15:21:02 GMT
Long Day's Journey is long but it's still shorter than The Iceman Cometh!
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Post by Jon on May 10, 2023 14:28:35 GMT
In regards to Ireland, I assume that the reason RTE hasn't withdrawn is because it works out fairly cheaply for the amount of coverage and a high rater.
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Post by Jon on May 10, 2023 12:56:10 GMT
The Motive and the Cue is looking to transfer to the Noel Coward according to Baz.
I could see Jack Thorne's other play When Winston Went to War with the Wireless having a further life as tickets have been selling well and possible the Donmar's production of Private Lives.
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Post by Jon on May 10, 2023 12:51:11 GMT
I wonder if it might be next week rather than this week for Hadestown bookings.
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Post by Jon on May 10, 2023 12:42:29 GMT
Who are these people who keep getting vouchers and not spending them?
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Post by Jon on May 9, 2023 22:22:19 GMT
Do Ireland deliberately send mediocre acts because they don't want to win?
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Post by Jon on May 9, 2023 21:54:06 GMT
Patricia Clarkson is good casting for Mary Tyrone. I think her last West End appearance was in The Elephant Man with Bradley Cooper.
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Post by Jon on May 9, 2023 17:41:40 GMT
Advance bookings open tomorrow - Wed 10 May - for NT Members so there must be a theatre chosen. I'm thinking Noel Coward Theatre. Remember when it was the New Theatre Oliver! started it's record breaking run in the 60s there so the stage is big enough. I think if Hadestown was going there, Delfont Mackintosh would also have allocation but can't rule it out.
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Post by Jon on May 9, 2023 16:05:52 GMT
I've always thought a prodding stick would be useful for sleepy patrons.
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Post by Jon on May 7, 2023 18:26:25 GMT
I would guess venue confirmation will be on either Tuesday or Wednesday Morning. I suspect it's the Wyndham's.
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Post by Jon on May 6, 2023 11:30:42 GMT
Wouldn't be ALW without reusing scores from failed shows.
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Post by Jon on May 6, 2023 11:27:21 GMT
The fact James Gunn has managed to stick the landing bodes really well for his stint running DC Studios.
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Post by Jon on May 6, 2023 10:40:39 GMT
Have to admit, I'm mostly watching for both the crowning itself and to see the people who were invited, spotted Ant and Dec and ALW already.
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Post by Jon on May 4, 2023 18:20:03 GMT
Fwiw, it seemed to me the great problem for the sisters was their only brother was a man of the cloth. Men, brothers, would be far more inclined to leave the rural home for either an industrialed city or the New World (for manual work), but at least they would develop the means to later bring over other family members, perhaps even introducing sisters to their male workmates. This was a familiar pattern, though not one available when your brother is a priest gone native in Uganda. Of course, two sisters did leave for London and failed to establish themselves - the lowest of low pay (cleaning), one at least falling into alcoholism and destitution. From what I have seen this started to change after WW2 when it became far more acceptable for single Irish women to leave rural communities for, certainly, London. In fact, I once lived in a Guinness Trust block of 120 bedsit/studios in Brixton, built in the 1950's specifically for single Irish women who would, by then, migrate to work in offices as well as factories (new freedoms following from contributions to the war effort in wartime factories). Guinness initially built the bedsits without kitchens as the preference then was to foster communal meal times downstairs in the purpose-built hall. There was even a doctor's practice built as part of the estate. That was 20+ years after the time of this play.
The unseen hold of the Catholic church was everywhere.
See I thought Aggie and Rose's sad outcome was realistic and also that's what happen to Brian Friel's Aunts in real life.
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Post by Jon on May 4, 2023 11:54:55 GMT
While I think the one pricing for all seats doesn't work, I do think you'd need more expensive seats to balance the cheaper seats, I'd go for a £40, 60 and £80 for Upper, Dress and Stalls which for a small venue like the Fortune would allow the show to have an extended run.
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Post by Jon on May 4, 2023 11:25:05 GMT
Having had a good click through the run last night, if you can afford £50 - £90 I suggest you get on this now as it will sell out completely in the next few days. With this and the Brian Friel, Friday Rush will also be quite a challenge for the foreseeable. I was able to get Friday Rush for Motive but that was before the reviews came out.
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Post by Jon on May 4, 2023 11:19:24 GMT
I heard from someone that performers in a show that has closed recently had had their contract renewed to run until October - only for the theatre to bring their closing date forwards. Obviously it depends on the specific contract but can theatre owners close a show before the contract end-date without any risk of getting into legal trouble for breaking a contract? It's a stop clause, I assume Access Entertainment were able to invoke it because of perhaps box office falling below a certain number over a number of weeks.
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Post by Jon on May 4, 2023 11:17:10 GMT
Can we stop blaming ATG for Operation Mincemeat's pricing when Avalon is the producer.
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Post by Jon on May 3, 2023 12:24:37 GMT
I have no doubt this will be a huge hit and get 5* reviews but it left me cold. Maybe I'm the only one since it got a rapturous standing ovation last night. I love Hamlet very much, have performed in Hamlet (but not as Hamlet), and I've watched the Burton Hamlet recording. I was excited for this. But there's just no there, there. It just felt incredibly artificial and the writing is superficial and shallow. Apart from one scene where Gielgud is alone, there was not one moment that felt like genuine emotion. Didn't see the point of having Elizabeth Taylor pop up every now and then to be sexy and to editorialise on celebrity and acting but have zero character development or even anything to do. Tuppence Middleton is a good actor but you could have replaced her with the Madame Tussauds waxwork of Elizabeth Taylor and not noticed any difference, and for God's sake is there not a single American actress in London who could have played that role? It's entertaining and has some funny sitcom-style lines. But basically a gossipy Lifetime movie. 3* from me. Trivia: John Heffernan was in an early workshop of this play. Now there's an actor who brings real emotional truth to every role he plays. Who was Heffernan playing in the workshop, I assume he was playing Gielgud rather than Burton.
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Post by Jon on May 3, 2023 12:21:39 GMT
Unsure the validity of this but I heard the Haymarket’s owners want to focus on plays now Only Fools and Horses has closed. But that might be hot air idk. Makes sense, it's a theatre that is more suitable for plays than musicals. I would imagine there are a few plays they'll try and get like The Motive and The Cue if that is planning a transfer in the future.
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Post by Jon on May 3, 2023 11:59:45 GMT
Must have missed that one!
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Post by Jon on May 3, 2023 11:49:41 GMT
The Guardian was the only non 4 or 5 star review but I get the impression they don't like much theatre.
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Post by Jon on May 3, 2023 11:11:02 GMT
I find it amusing that people want this to be filmed and released, the chances of it happening are zilch.
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Post by Jon on May 3, 2023 10:14:22 GMT
I do think it's a bit harsh to say Alison shouldn't be allowed back in a theatre.
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