416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Apr 7, 2024 10:23:45 GMT
I saw James I, II and III at the National, James IV at His Majesty's in Aberdeen and Mary at the Hampstead.
I'd like to see James V travel to England but I'm not too hopeful.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Apr 5, 2024 9:10:21 GMT
The set for Mutiny! starring David Essex and Sinitta featured a moving galleon on stage that - when it worked - was spectacular. Unlike the musical itself!
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Apr 3, 2024 10:59:34 GMT
I saw this play a number of years ago at Trafalgar Studios and if you like Kevin Elyot you'll like this.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Apr 3, 2024 10:56:09 GMT
Ticket info now showing on-sale dates as 3-9 April (the latter being general public.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Apr 3, 2024 10:43:03 GMT
On a more positive note, a young man sat in front of us with the biggest Afro hair. After all the fuss I politely asked him was the any chance he had a hat he could wear. I felt really bad as he said that he had been trying to flatten it but he’d slip down more in his chair. I said not to do that as it could hurt his back and it wasn’t the end of the world looking round it. However, he did slide down more in the 2nd half, even though I whispered to sit up during some applause. To sum up he was an extremely polite you man and I was the ogre that disturbed him! Way back in the mists of time (2012) I attended a performance of The Duchess of Mali at the Old Vic. The guy in front of me was very tall and, to top it off (sic), he had a huge mohican hair cut. As we were in the centre of a row, I clearly I had to do hair dodging to see most of the show. At one point I had my head in my hands and - felt a lump in my throat. Twelve years later I'm cancer-free. At the time I thought he was the audience member from hell but I owe that tall guy my life.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Mar 21, 2024 13:15:27 GMT
This year is my 50th anniversary of going to the theatre and I'm seeing a show on the actual anniversary date!
Bearing that in mind, and as has already been said, I rely on my own experience of what I like and have seen before: writers, directors, actors etc. A poor production won't stop me seeing another if I've previously seen and liked it.
Many websites, especially for new plays, give a paragraph or two about what the show's subject is and unless you want to wait until it's opened, that's about all you can expect. I'm happier relying on that and, sometimes, the particular writer.
I tend not to rely on reviews or word of mouth because - no matter how you rate the critic or friend - it's still one person's opinion, and we've all seen varied reviews of the same show.
But there's no foolproof way of testing the water even after it's opened.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Mar 21, 2024 12:57:19 GMT
I LOVE the device Mrs Doubtfire uses to warn people not to use their phones etc. And won't spoil it here by saying what it is: you'll have to see the show!
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Feb 2, 2024 14:18:21 GMT
The Menier set an e-mail to members this morning:
"Coming soon: The European premier of a thrilling new play This promises to be one of the most talked-about plays of the year!"
On general public sale 13 February 2024.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jan 31, 2024 16:00:38 GMT
I have been fortunate to see this wonderful lady 5 times:
22 August 1981 Maria in The Sound of Music at the Apollo Victoria, London and again at the same venue on 3 April 1982 15 December 1993 Mrs Johnston in Blood Brothers at the Music Box, New York (with David and Sean Cassidy as the twins) 23 November 1996 Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at the Adelphi Theatre In concert on 12 May 2002 at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking and in concert again on 26 November 2006 at Drury Lane Theatre.
An amazing voice and huge selection of hit records. She really should be a Dame. Don't Sleep in the Subway is one of my favourite songs of all time - superb lyrics superbly sung.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jan 3, 2024 13:36:34 GMT
Sooner or later theatres are going to have to pipe the sound through individual headphones (like the Donmar Macbeth) with a noise cancelling facility to cut off the sound of the audience!
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Nov 1, 2023 9:55:38 GMT
Saturday matinee for And Then There Were None at Richmond Theatre - it is (surprisingly) sold out, so it's a good job I booked early, including a bit of champagne pampering in the Ambassador's Lounge.
Sunday is Rachel Tucker in concert at Cadogan Hall (when it's over I hope there are no idiots out late because of Bonfire Night!)
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jul 31, 2023 12:38:52 GMT
I saw this Off-Broadway and at the Shaftesbury. I would have gone to the concert performance but, my goodness, have you seen the prices?
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jul 24, 2023 13:44:54 GMT
I saw this last Saturday matinee and absolutely loved it.
As has been said, the singing and lighting were particularly excellent. I saw the 2022 winner of the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY) competition, Desmonda Cathabel, as Kim and she was outstanding.
I would be very surprised if CamMac doesn't give this a longer life.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jul 20, 2023 9:20:36 GMT
I first saw this during its 25th anniversary year and got the souvenir brochure.
I saw it again during its 50th anniversary year and got the souvenir brochure.
I saw it again during its 60th anniversary first UK tour and got the.....
If I live long enough I plan on going again during its 75th anniversary year and, if I can afford it by then, will get a.....
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jul 18, 2023 12:56:49 GMT
I've always enjoyed both plays and musicals but I'd never thought what proportion of each I was seeing until this thread popped up.
So far this year I've seen 12 Plays and 7 musicals.
Before Covid I would go to the theatre around 80 times a year but, as you can see, this has very much reduced. This is more because - as I've been attending theatre performances since 1974 - I've already seen a lot of what's cropping up, admittedly in different productions, and I made a conscious decision to only see repeats I absolutely adore.
I've also been lucky to do lots of travel this year (I'll have been abroad 10 times before the end of the year) so my funds are currently being diverted to other hobbies.
Looking at what's coming up I can see that I'm still seeing too many repeats, with only 6 first timers booked so far, as in: The Third Man at the Menier, A Strange Loop, Sarah Kane's Crave, Carly Churchill's Owners, Twiggy at the Menier, and Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is Going to Happen at the Bush.
I don't know if it comes across here, but I do count myself very fortunate in what I've seen and done over the years.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jul 9, 2023 9:49:49 GMT
Saw the lovely, but short interview. James opened up about how he is dealing with the mental challenges of the show and the physical ones as he is diabetic.
And Luke's comment about what he will miss after the show closes gave me a lump in the throat: "..being on the stage with this guy every night..."
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jul 5, 2023 10:43:55 GMT
I saw this on 1 July at BirmIngham Rep and McSweeney was superb. Sometimes it's easy to forget (when watching Pottery Throwdown) what a consummate actress she is.
Well worth a transfer.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jun 16, 2023 8:52:38 GMT
I went to yesterday's matinee and agree with the comments made.
The story was interesting and very moving in places. Josh St Clair as Gino Bartali was astonishing - great voice and good looking to boot. I won't say anything about his tight fitting shorts...
I'm pleased I made the effort to go.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jun 16, 2023 8:44:58 GMT
I saw her in the RSC Antony and Cleopatra in 1979 and enjoyed it. She was an amazing actress with a clear but highly recognisable voice.
I am also lucky to have a letter and signed photo of her.
I think of all the wonderful performances she's left for us.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jun 6, 2023 10:14:07 GMT
Loved this when it was on TV. So have booked tickets with 4 friends in Richmond in February.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on May 17, 2023 10:59:33 GMT
I have quite a few:
RSC which I've had for over 30 years as I lived in Birmingham at the time and went to Stratford regularly.
RNT as I moved to London and always went as often as I could - although not so much under Rufus Norris.
Donmar as I'd never otherwise get tickets. Although I declined Macbeth tickets last week as there weren't any decent ones left, I ended up getting a discounted seat as a companion through my friend's disabled membership.
Almeida otherwise I couldn't get decent seats.
Royal Court although I haven't been for about 2-3 years due to COVID and then due to programming that hasn't excited me.
Menier as I like to get good seats and I also get free programmes. I used to get a bar discount but that's sadly ended.
ATG due to no booking fees, I can easily get to Richmond and Wimbledon and I go to Brighton a lot. I travel in the UK frequently and there are many regional ATG theatres. Also I get 20% discount at the bar up to half an hour before the performance starts which is a bonus.
I also get a free Old Vic membership as I live in the Lambeth area. This gives me a discount at the bar and discount on tickets Monday to Friday. And it costs me my favourite price!
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Feb 21, 2023 11:23:44 GMT
Loved Company at the Teatro Albéniz in Madrid in December. No Spanish, though if you knew the show it was still good.
But my goodness, translating English into Spanish does add substantially to the length of the show to 3 hours!
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Feb 21, 2023 11:07:47 GMT
The book for Anything Goes was lost until Patti Lupone employed the current writers to create a new book around the old songs. Same thing happened with Stephen Fry's Me and my Girl. No-one would call those juke box musicals.
Rock Follies isn't either. It will be a theatrical production of two TV series (RF and RF of '77) that included songs. I remember seeing both series in the 70s and loved them (compared to other ITV fare at that time!) So I'll be booking to see this incarnation.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Feb 14, 2023 11:35:13 GMT
Sucker Punch is a National Theatre Partnerships production on tour March - June 2023 and was at RC in 2010.
The Children was at Chicago's Steppenwolf theatre in 2019.
I've seen 3 debbie tucker green plays and I'm not a fan.
Agree with the other suggestions, though.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Feb 14, 2023 11:14:31 GMT
I believe Old Friends has been announced for the Gielgud.
I agree the WE has become stale and I welcome the closures to inject new life into our theatre-going experiences.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Jan 10, 2023 12:01:51 GMT
This pub is a wonderful space and I have had a drink here many times.
They even did interval drinks and have an "end of interval" bell inside to warn theatregoers to return to the theatre next door.
What a pity ATG are being Luddites.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Dec 14, 2022 18:48:33 GMT
schuttep Were they dancing? I’m sure one of them said they didn’t realise they weren’t supposed to dance. I was considering writing to Hope Mill but I think the person who I took to be a manager was one of the owners (or is it former owner now it’s a charity?) and it looks like any general emails would go to him, so there didn’t seem much point. Marob - I don't remember dancing. But I did write to the Hope Mill and - you seem to be right in your prediction - the silence was deafening.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Dec 6, 2022 13:32:45 GMT
Sorry. Really long post. Went to a matinee at Hope Mill Theatre today. The seating plan made it look like I was off to one side but I found the seat was actually pretty central. Was a really nice surprise. Less nice was when a load of Scouse women came in and, with a loud ‘oh, sh*t!’ from one of them, started piling into the row behind. One of them had one of those little wheeled suitcases, which the usher tried to get them to put behind the bar, to no avail. Really boisterous considering it was only early, I was surprised to hear they were only on lemonade. The lights went down and of course they chatted amongst themselves during the little overture, which is always annoying, but I thought ‘they’ll shut up once the show starts properly.’ They didn’t. On and on they went, oblivious to the people on the front row turning and glaring at them and I noticed one of the cast giving them dirty looks too. Then one of them got up for the toilet, ignored the usher trying to take her out the back way, and went out along the little aisle in front of the stage. I made a beeline for the loo myself the moment the interval started and returned to find that the usher had had a word while I was away. Apparently they had been asked to keep quiet as the noise they were making was upsetting the cast. Much chuntering and carping and swearing about how they’ve been treated… they’re only showing their appreciation… they didn’t know it’s not a pantomime… can’t believe they’ve been spoken to like a child… One of them made a dig about the usher, referred to as ‘the her/him with the glasses.’ Another was fuming and decided she wasn’t staying, though only made it as far as the bar apparently. I was hoping they’d all follow her lead and do one, but no such luck. Then one of them started crying which attracted the attention of someone apparently on the management side. He tried to smooth it over, apologising to THEM, told them he’d get the usher reassigned to another area and was there anything he could do to get the one who’d thrown a strop to come back in. I’ve read on here before about disruptive idiots being treated with kid gloves but that’s the first time I’ve seen it in person. I’m not a confrontational person but the more I think about it, the more I wish I’d said something. Can’t believe the usher would get in trouble for asking people to stop disrupting the performance. As the second act got under way they were then moaning about how other people are aloud to laugh. As if laughing at a joke is comparable to talking all the way through the first act in a tiny venue where you’re only a few feet away from the actors. Astounding lack of self-awareness. After that they did actually shut up for the most part for act two. Apart from them it was a good show. I’m glad I was able to see it as it looks to have sold out right after I got my ticket. As a side note, the one that ran out to the toilet didn’t realise the loos are unisex and somehow missed the urinals on the wall so had the fright of her life when she came out of the cubicle to find a bunch of men peeing. 😂 I was at the same performance and the women's behaviour was appalling. I saw the usher in the interval and thanked her for her interventions. She didn't reappear during the second Act. Now I know why. The spineless manager was talking to the group and being too conciliatory. I pointed out to him I didn't agree with the women's behaviour and he tried to shut me down too! I didn't realise the usher had been actively removed so my parting shot to her outside at the end was "I think you're a hero". She was pleased. Now I know why.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Nov 28, 2022 12:09:27 GMT
For me, priority booking is very worthwhile for theatres that - more often than not - sell out eg Donmar, Almeida.
My membership level at the Menier also gets me free programmes although the bar discount I used to get has ended.
The ATG 25% bar discount is great (there are lots of ATG theatres nationally) but it's a shame it ends in the final half hour before curtain up.
And my free Old Vic Local membership because of where I live (bar discount and ticket discount) is particularly welcome.
But the concept of "rewards" as in airlines, hotels, shopping, Eurostar, even banking is a very interesting one. Clearly theatres with several shows/venues are best placed to offer them but if the Old Vic can do OV Local, maybe it's not such an outlandish idea as some are suggesting.
|
|
416 posts
|
Post by schuttep on Oct 16, 2022 13:20:16 GMT
I'd already booked to see "companion piece" Mary on 3 November so I'm actually seeing them in chronological order. Sadly it's still going to be out of order as 'Mary' needs to come after James V... Of course, you're right. Thanks.
|
|