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Post by emsworthian on Oct 1, 2019 8:59:32 GMT
As the cold dark days set in, its that time of the year to bring out the slow cooker for those stews and casseroles. There is nothing more satisfying in the cold weather than walking into your house to the smell of a nice stew or casserole that's been cooking all day. I know a lot of people who received slow cookers as wedding presents but then never used them. They had the idea of coming into a house full of the smell of a casserole but found that they couldn't face cutting up onions and raw meat at 7 in the morning to prepare it. Lemon haters had better keep away from my house this afternoon as my book group is coming and, as I won first prize in the domestic section of my local flower show with my lemon drizzle cake, I have been requested to bake another to the same recipe. I am quite pleased with the way it has turned out.
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Post by emsworthian on Sept 30, 2019 16:59:43 GMT
I saw the Saturday matinee and I enjoyed the staging. I thought the lighting and sound effects were very atmospheric.
I agree with NeilVHughes that it was clever the way the witches were threaded into the action; one of the witches joins the murders when they attack Banquo but lets Fleance escape so helping to fulfil the prophecy and later it is one of the witches who is the messenger who tells Macbeth that Burnham woods are approaching.
My main criticism was that there was that I could see no chemistry between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, which is the crux of the play. Both gave subdued performances certainly in the first half; I thought in the second half both were stronger. There was little voice projection from the leads; I was right at the back and during the interval several people complained that they could not hear.
I've read a number of reviews online and they seem to be divided 50-50 between those who praised John Simm's performance but found the staging gimmicky and those who loved the staging but found the leads underwhelming. I'm afraid I am in the latter camp.
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Post by emsworthian on Sept 30, 2019 6:46:15 GMT
As there another thread on plays being halted by technical problems, as NeilVHughes has suggested, perhaps this could be moved to the plays section?
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260 posts
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Post by emsworthian on Sept 29, 2019 10:29:46 GMT
The Chichester production features a glass stage and at last night's production a dagger was dropped and shattered the glass. Health and Safety ruled it wasn't safe to continue and the production stopped in the first half.
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260 posts
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Post by emsworthian on Jul 26, 2019 6:22:06 GMT
The screening tonight was extraordinary - the vocal dexterity and stamina is beyond comprehension, and gloriously informative and inventive. Truly theatre at its' best. and gorgeous to look at with that monochrome.
I came on this board to write something but I feel that Crabtree summed it up perfectly.
As I set off on a blisteringly hot evening to watch the screening (thankfully the local arts centre was air-conditioned), I thought "This had better be worth the effort." When I returned home, I thought: "It certainly was."
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Post by emsworthian on Jul 22, 2019 19:20:48 GMT
Anyone? There is a bunch of new middle aged male characters in this series. Is the BBC on an economy drive? They appear to have used just one actor for all of them. Seriously, I can't tell them apart so haven't a clue what's going on. Jeffrey Charles has been played by more actors than Gail's son in Corrie. When they were searching for Banentine(?) for about half an hour I thought they were looking for young Valentine.
Dwight's looking particularly dapper. I'd let him examine me for insanity any time.🤨 That Cornish wind has played havoc with Ross's hair. I'm glad you were confused as well as me by Bannantine and Valentine. I thought my hearing was going. It didn't help that Valentine did go missing later in the episode.
Hmm. I've been a great fan but I'm not really enjoying this latest series.
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Post by emsworthian on Jul 16, 2019 10:39:35 GMT
The very worst I've encountered is a weirdly sweet brown fudgy Norwegian cheese my Norwegian flatmate used to bring back. Ah, it's called Brunost. " It’s fair to say brunost hasn’t a huge fanbase outside Norway and it can be a challenge to non-Norwegians." And that's what 'the Daily Scandinavian' says about it. Even googling some pictures made me retch.
I've just googled it as I've never heard of it and I rather fancy it. Am I weird?
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Post by emsworthian on Jun 27, 2019 9:47:05 GMT
....and back to the show...have now watched the second episode and it is going to be a turkey of a series,I reckon..I will probs stick with it for the comedy value...
It does seem to have a "Carry On .." vibe about it, only without the jokes. I am half expecting to see Kenneth Williams turn up as a Maharaja.
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Post by emsworthian on Jun 5, 2019 15:02:55 GMT
I've never left a play or musical in the interval - although I've been tempted. I like to get my money's worth. I've never eaten frogs' legs (although I have eaten snails.)I was put off when someone said they tasted like Kentucky Fried chicken. Plus I never received the TheatreBoard badge I ordered even though my payment went through.
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Post by emsworthian on May 23, 2019 9:07:34 GMT
I saw yesterday's matinee and enjoyed it, even though the only seat I could get was right next to the band. Let me add to the praise for Kirsty Maclaren who was astonishing as Nicky, although I feel guilty singling her out as they were all good.
I did feel that the first act could have been five, or even 10, minutes shorter as I started to get bored with the family constantly debating where they were going to go on holiday when we all knew where it was going to be. However, it was a sweet musical and any production that makes me laugh out loud at least a dozen times gets my vote.
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Post by emsworthian on May 19, 2019 14:42:46 GMT
Two thoughts:
Madonna: Music unites people. Yes, Madge, everyone was united in thinking you were rubbish.
Israel now says it plans to punish Iceland's BDSM group for displaying the Palestinian flag. Wouldn't it be more of a punishment not to punish them?
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Post by emsworthian on May 15, 2019 14:51:55 GMT
I saw it last night at a local arts centre that has just started doing live screening. Hi Emsworthian - were you at The Spring? If so, we were there too [waves!]. I really enjoyed it, it was definitely the sort of play that works will in a screening, all the close ups and reactions were caught fantastically. It's a shame that a local Arts Centre has to charge the same as a mulitplex cinema for NTLive screenings, but I understand the prices are set by NTLive and aren't allowed to be changed. Looking forward to Small Island! Yes, I was. We could have had a drink together, if I had known.
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Post by emsworthian on May 15, 2019 9:13:14 GMT
I saw it last night at a local arts centre that has just started doing live screening. Sally Field was amazing. For me, if there was a weak link it was Colin Morgan - somehow I wasn't quite sure about his performance.
I was aware the cast was miked occasionally when they hugged one another and there was a thump but otherwise I was lost in the performance.
(Irrelevant but interesting - I was describing the plot to my taxi driver on my way home and how some people refuse to accept a missing person is dead and he said his father went missing when he (the taxi driver) was 26 and about to get married and nearly 40 years later they still haven't any idea what happened to him).
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Post by emsworthian on Apr 25, 2019 9:10:20 GMT
OK. You've sold it to me and I've just bought a ticket, even though the only one I could get for a date I was available is right at the end of the row, next to the band and with a restricted view.
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Post by emsworthian on Apr 11, 2019 10:24:01 GMT
I saw this at the Mayflower, Southampton, yesterday. I have to confess I never saw it in the West End but I found it an enjoyable Juke Box musical. I had no problems with the sound. Audience reasonably well behaved apart from an occasional texter next but one to me. I don't suppose you've got any idea what the view from Stalls Row Z 19 & 20 will be at the Mayflower? It's for another show, so I apologise for jumping on your comment. Just thought I'd ask It depends on the production. We sat that far back for "Cats" and it was OK but for "Phantom", we couldn't see the chandelier falling and we felt that we would have preferred to be nearer the stage.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
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Post by emsworthian on Mar 21, 2019 10:03:26 GMT
I saw this at the Mayflower, Southampton, yesterday. I have to confess I never saw it in the West End but I found it an enjoyable Juke Box musical. I had no problems with the sound. Audience reasonably well behaved apart from an occasional texter next but one to me.
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Brexit
Mar 15, 2019 10:45:38 GMT
Post by emsworthian on Mar 15, 2019 10:45:38 GMT
Robert Bathurst, who seems to specialise in playing posh twits, could be Christopher "I Object" Chope, who now seems to be spearheading a "Tories for Corbyn" movement with his threats to bring the government down.
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Post by emsworthian on Mar 14, 2019 11:31:59 GMT
I don't think it will be JRM who takes over from May. I don't feel he's coming out of this fiasco well. None of them are coming out of this fiasco well, no matter which party they're in! One person who has come out of this well IMO is Ken Clarke, a dedicated European who was prepared to compromise and vote for the deal rather than risk no deal. But they will never have him as Tory leader.
Also, Yvette Cooper has come out of it well.
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Brexit
Mar 14, 2019 10:48:26 GMT
Post by emsworthian on Mar 14, 2019 10:48:26 GMT
I don't think it will be JRM who takes over from May. I don't feel he's coming out of this fiasco well.
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Post by emsworthian on Mar 2, 2019 10:37:06 GMT
I was 485 in the queue at 9.00. I got through within 8 mins and managed to get a ticket for 8 Hotels - the only production I am really interested in this year. I'll probably get a ticket for Macbeth later on; as it is in the main theatre, I expect that will have better availability than the Minerva.
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 24, 2019 12:35:14 GMT
Regarding "Hamlet", I wondered if there has ever been a production that played the full version on certain nights but an abridged version on others?
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 17, 2019 7:54:42 GMT
I saw this yesterday and loved it. David Tomlinson had an extremely interesting life (I wish now I had resisted the temptation to google him before I saw the show). It is billed as a comedy and there is a lot of humour in it but Tomlinson had some tragic events in his life. What I found most moving was Tomlinson's basic decency and determination to be a more loving father to his four sons than his monster of a father was to him.
I never particularly rated Miles Jupp as an actor but he was excellent in this.
I note that this is billed as a Jonathan Church production, as is "The Price", currently at Wyndham's with David Suchet. How I miss the days when Jonathan Church was in charge at Chichester.
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 14, 2019 10:35:11 GMT
Thanks for the info about "Shadlowlands", Polly. I checked and it was on in the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, in 2016.
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 14, 2019 10:09:34 GMT
Hugh Bonneville as C.S.Lewis (Shadowlands) is bizarre casting. There was a very good tour a couple of years ago with Stephen Boxer which I'm pretty sure must have visited Chi so another very recent revival. Expected more from Evans after his work in Sheffield, he must be under very different pressures here - I wonder how long before he gets itchy feet. I seem to remember a production of "Shadowlands" at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, a few years ago. That might be the one that you are referring to. I think Tony Slattery had a role in it.
Why blame "the powers that be" for Evans' dud selections? Jonathan Church managed to come up with far more exciting seasons. Sure, Church had a few duds but he seems to have had a far higher hit rate than Evans so far.
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 11, 2019 8:23:41 GMT
I'm hoping to see it Saturday (provided I've recovered from my cold). I'll give feed-back.
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 8, 2019 15:06:19 GMT
Oh, no. I saw him as Tamburlaine at the National many years ago. Also, saw him talk about the history of Chichester theatre and his various performances there in a panel discussion a few years back.
He had a house near me and I did the embarrassing thing once of spotting a face in the street that looked familiar and waved at him before realising who it was and I had to dash into a shop until he had gone past.
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 6, 2019 11:07:52 GMT
Why not Hamlet with John Simm in the Minerva? I can't remember Hamlet ever being on in Chichester?
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 4, 2019 9:37:56 GMT
If it is Oklahoma, this is very tedious programming IMO. As someone else said, at least it's one not to worry about finding a date for. Hope the rest of the programme is more interesting. Wasn't there a rumour in the plays' section that CFT is doing "The Deep Blue Sea" yet again? If both of these rumours are true then this appears to be a really unimaginative season. I'm afraid I can't get excited about a newish musical about a family camping in the rain either.
I had such high hopes when Daniel Evans was first appointed.
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Post by emsworthian on Feb 2, 2019 8:07:05 GMT
One of my favourites is in Edward Behr's book "Les Miserables: history in the making". Late in the rehearsal period for the original Barbican production, Colm Wilkinson sang "Bring Him Home" for the first time. The story goes that director Trevor Nunn said " I told you that this was about God", and an unknown cast member piped up, "Yes, but you didn't tell us you'd engaged Him to sing it!" Another Les Mis anecdote. Michael Ball related in a TV doumentary how many of the cast were dubious before the show opened as to whether it would have popular appeal. One day they were rehersing on the barricades when the actor next to him turned and said: "Ooh, I'm not at all sure about all this. I'm more of a "Hello, Dolly!" man myself."
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Post by emsworthian on Jan 31, 2019 7:45:58 GMT
I'm going to the Saturday matinee of the touring production of "Art".
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