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Post by theglenbucklaird on Apr 11, 2024 15:28:24 GMT
Joe Lycett told the story tonight on QI that he has a friend, who when bored at the theater, in a quiet moment will call out "Line!" He he Yes I was watching QI repeats yesterday. Very amusing story
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Apr 7, 2024 10:31:05 GMT
This was a night of disappointments. Firstly, Michael Sheen who *was* scheduled to perform tonight, was "indisposed". While understudy Lee Mengo is good, I was particularly looking forward to seeing Sheen, having never seen him live, and he was the main draw. Checking my spam and deleted items, there was no pre-show email at all, so I've no idea if the schedule change was forewarned or last-minute. (Sheen was supposed to be back from Thursday. Was he on last night?) The more significant disappointment was the play itself. My expectations were clearly too high and it failed to match them. I see that playwright Tim Price has experience writing for Casualty, Eastenders, Holby City and Doctors, and it shows. This is dumbed-down to lowest-common-denominator intellect levels. It feels like a piece written for kid's tv. Nye's political opponents are caricatures who would not be out of place in a pantomime, and the rest of the secondary characters are barely drawn at all. I cringed at Churchill who appears to be channelling Sydney Greenstreet rather than your actual Winston, and "deputy PM" Herbert Morrison is a grotesque parody of a villain. Meanwhile, Clement Attlee sounds like Margaret Thatcher in calm mode. Bevan and his wife Jenny Lee are the only people here with any depth to them, but even then we're very much in the shallow end of the pool. Lee, as presented, is hard to warm to, and that seems entirely at odds with the far more interesting real-life person I have subsequently read up on. A play centred on her would be intriguing. Despite being the eponymous hero, Bevan himself never quite rings true; he feels not fully formed. The scene where he persuades a strong-minded and resistant Lee into a first date by force of charm and by not taking no for an answer is excellent, and the best of Price's attempts to show us the man. But a later scene where Bevan unexpectedly supports his political opponent is weak and unconvincing. I was desperate to hear the nuanced reasons behind his thinking, because his sudden conversion to realpolitik jars. Any actual history is over-simplified. You'd think Bevan single-handedly came up with the concept of universal healthcare free at the point of use and that its implementation was his work alone. Metaphors are deployed without subtlety. I am not sure I believe that a miner striking a seam of coal with his pickaxe at exactly the right point can bring the whole lot crashing down, but you just know that Price has only written that so that Bevan can have the same metaphorical effect later. It's very lazy. And who knew that seams of coal glow green and emit an electronic buzz when touched? Thanks for that insight Mr Norris! (I know some poetic licence is allowed as events are playing out in Nye's unconscious mind, but still...) Actually, I'm being unfair on director Rufus. Some of his touches work very well. He just never seems to have a feel for what works and what doesn't -- cf. Hex -- so we get all his ideas, the good and the bad. What is exceptionally good is the final five minutes. Whatever you feel about what went before, I defy you not to be moved. I think I was blubbing partly out of pride for what had been achieved in 1948 and partly in sorrow at what the NHS has now become in 2024. Three stars. Act 1: 19:33-20:46 Act 2: 21:10-22:11 And your thoughts on the play. I agree with totally. I gave a generous score of two out of five. My wife gave it a score of one
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Apr 7, 2024 10:28:23 GMT
This was a night of disappointments. Firstly, Michael Sheen who *was* scheduled to perform tonight, was "indisposed". While understudy Lee Mengo is good, I was particularly looking forward to seeing Sheen, having never seen him live, and he was the main draw. Checking my spam and deleted items, there was no pre-show email at all, so I've no idea if the schedule change was forewarned or last-minute. (Sheen was supposed to be back from Thursday. Was he on last night?) The more significant disappointment was the play itself. My expectations were clearly too high and it failed to match them. I see that playwright Tim Price has experience writing for Casualty, Eastenders, Holby City and Doctors, and it shows. This is dumbed-down to lowest-common-denominator intellect levels. It feels like a piece written for kid's tv. Nye's political opponents are caricatures who would not be out of place in a pantomime, and the rest of the secondary characters are barely drawn at all. I cringed at Churchill who appears to be channelling Sydney Greenstreet rather than your actual Winston, and "deputy PM" Herbert Morrison is a grotesque parody of a villain. Meanwhile, Clement Attlee sounds like Margaret Thatcher in calm mode. Bevan and his wife Jenny Lee are the only people here with any depth to them, but even then we're very much in the shallow end of the pool. Lee, as presented, is hard to warm to, and that seems entirely at odds with the far more interesting real-life person I have subsequently read up on. A play centred on her would be intriguing. Despite being the eponymous hero, Bevan himself never quite rings true; he feels not fully formed. The scene where he persuades a strong-minded and resistant Lee into a first date by force of charm and by not taking no for an answer is excellent, and the best of Price's attempts to show us the man. But a later scene where Bevan unexpectedly supports his political opponent is weak and unconvincing. I was desperate to hear the nuanced reasons behind his thinking, because his sudden conversion to realpolitik jars. Any actual history is over-simplified. You'd think Bevan single-handedly came up with the concept of universal healthcare free at the point of use and that its implementation was his work alone. Metaphors are deployed without subtlety. I am not sure I believe that a miner striking a seam of coal with his pickaxe at exactly the right point can bring the whole lot crashing down, but you just know that Price has only written that so that Bevan can have the same metaphorical effect later. It's very lazy. And who knew that seams of coal glow green and emit an electronic buzz when touched? Thanks for that insight Mr Norris! (I know some poetic licence is allowed as events are playing out in Nye's unconscious mind, but still...) Actually, I'm being unfair on director Rufus. Some of his touches work very well. He just never seems to have a feel for what works and what doesn't -- cf. Hex -- so we get all his ideas, the good and the bad. What is exceptionally good is the final five minutes. Whatever you feel about what went before, I defy you not to be moved. I think I was blubbing partly out of pride for what had been achieved in 1948 and partly in sorrow at what the NHS has now become in 2024. Three stars. Act 1: 19:33-20:46 Act 2: 21:10-22:11 I saw yesterday afternoon and was equally disappointed not to see Michael Sheen. I was walking passed the National later in the evening after watching A Mirror at the Trafalgar Theatre. Had a look at the notices and he wasn’t playing in the evening either.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Mar 1, 2024 8:55:51 GMT
Still more set than it had at Drury Lane though. I was thinking better than Tim Burton's Wonka
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 28, 2024 12:17:47 GMT
he should know the nhs needs funding right Yes
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 27, 2024 10:20:57 GMT
If you are an Amex holder, the NT runs free tours every Saturday at 5.15pm. I did it this weekend and it was excellent - lasted 60 mins, went inside one of the theatres (Lyttelton on this occasion), then via the dressing room corridors to the high level walkway from the Dorfman. The guide (Chelsea) was brilliant and answered every question that came up as we went along. For the price, it's a no-brainer! Where do you sign up?
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 27, 2024 10:19:49 GMT
Offended by Dick van Dyke's British accent
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 16, 2024 17:54:01 GMT
How do you become a fully paid up Marxist? By seizing the wealth of the bourgeoisie. Are you now or have you ever been...
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 16, 2024 10:01:50 GMT
tbf, some of these turn up to the opening of curtains. As they say in my game, there's a spectrum. Particularly the host Gyles Brandreth. All his agent (who is also his wife) has to do when the phone rings is pick it up and say “Yes”. The array of male acting talent there is more interesting - several of them fully-paid up Marxists (or similar), surprised to see them hobnobbing with Royalty. Pleased to see Freddie Fox there raising his profile - he’s already said he wants to play Henry V so I don’t know why the RSC don’t get on and cast him. How do you become a fully paid up Marxist?
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 15, 2024 9:24:20 GMT
Pinter, Smiley and the Rolling Stones
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 3, 2024 17:49:51 GMT
I was at a show this week and I was behind a middle aged man and his mother. He had Down's syndrome and was clearly very excited at being in a theatre. He started conducting along with the overture and his mother did seek to calm him as best she could. He continued to be physical with his enjoyment of everything. This could have been disruptive but actually his love for the music and the story was so palpable that I was completely able to overlook it. Sometimes what might appear to be bad behaviour is just enthusiasm and passion that just can't be controlled as easily. It wasn't a relaxed performance (that wasn't an option) but it didn't really disrupt in any serious way and made me realise that I can be too intolerant at times. I was thrilled he loved the show so much. He was conducting in time with the music. He was living his best life. Long may he continue to enjoy theatre like that. I have watched the young man with Down's Syndrome next door to me grow up, and he frequently makes me smile with his expressive manner. The key is to connect - with people or surroundings. Undoubtedly he can be hard work for his ageing parents, but I've seen the joy on his face reacting to music or simple circumstance. There is much we can learn from such openness and innocence. Great post
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 3, 2024 17:48:46 GMT
I was at a show this week and I was behind a middle aged man and his mother. He had Down's syndrome and was clearly very excited at being in a theatre. He started conducting along with the overture and his mother did seek to calm him as best she could. He continued to be physical with his enjoyment of everything. This could have been disruptive but actually his love for the music and the story was so palpable that I was completely able to overlook it. Sometimes what might appear to be bad behaviour is just enthusiasm and passion that just can't be controlled as easily. It wasn't a relaxed performance (that wasn't an option) but it didn't really disrupt in any serious way and made me realise that I can be too intolerant at times. I was thrilled he loved the show so much. He was conducting in time with the music. He was living his best life. Long may he continue to enjoy theatre like that. What a lovely post
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 25, 2024 13:41:53 GMT
I quite like it although I have noticed a number of the contestants such as Emma this week have been on other shows which I'm slightly bitter about given I applied for the show and didn't get an audition! Yeah I know Emma, she applies for lots of tv quizzies. An excellent quizzer. Standard of contestant is pretty high, not a comment on your quizzing abilities. Lots of OQL/circuit contestants and as you say a fair few you will have seen on other programmes. Emma must be ranked top one hundred players now. Regularly beats (most) Eggheads and Chasers
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 24, 2024 16:42:58 GMT
Enthralled with this quiz. Never seen the US version but it is very addictive
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 23, 2024 16:48:16 GMT
A James Graham adaptation that will likely transfer and become a proper earner for the NT,
I wonder how popular it will be, it may be a bit of a museum piece. The TV series was 1982 so not many will remember it, and at the time unemployment was at a historic high of almost 12%, it was dealing with the single biggest social issue of the day. Today mass unemployment just isn't a big issue, it's near a historic low at 4%. I'm not surprised it did well in Liverpool which is where it was set but will be interesting to see if it makes much headway in London. Yeah back again at the Royal Court in April. Bleasdale, programme and the characters adored in Liverpool. Really interesting to see how it is received in London. I will have to declare an interest that the programme is at least in my top five tv programmes ever so not everyone will share my excitement. Doesn't look like Andrew Schofield is in the transfer, he was really good as George. Barry Sloane was outstanding as Yosser. Must be a great part to play.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 23, 2024 13:00:24 GMT
A very short run for Boys from the Blackstuff, maybe around 21 performances only. I see it's a co-pro with Royal Court Liverpool and Bill Kenwright Ltd. I could imagine an immediate transfer to the Haymarket between June and September. It's brilliantly done with all the main scenes from the programme. James Graham is a brilliant writer. I'll see if I can catch this again
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 10, 2024 21:57:38 GMT
On average people only spend about 12% of their total income on food (ONS figures) so highlighting that is not particularly relevant - overall inflation is more relevant in the context of pay negotiations. I've always known I eat too much but I'm definitely holding up the average
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 9, 2024 15:26:49 GMT
Some player though. Very much reminded me of myself as a footballer
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 6, 2024 22:30:22 GMT
Peace
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 4, 2024 12:54:41 GMT
I am very much aware of this, however I am yet to see it. If it's about the Post Office scandal where the till's didn't add up because of a computing software issue, with people being sent to jail, it's referred to as the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK history. Four suicides linked to the absolutely awful story
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 3, 2024 15:02:49 GMT
There are a few tickets available still for several performances, typically around £75 but starting at £33 for some. Expect a few spares to be released so check each morning, but I doubt very much that there will be hefty discounting that we have seen in previous years after Christmas. I think that Christopher Ecclestone has been exceptionally cast in this role - I love this show and have seen all of the Scrooges. Christopher Ecclestone captured something in the writing that only one other actor managed (Rhys Ifans in the original cast), and I think word of mouth plus good reviews meant that more people were happy to pay full price. I hope you can find a way to see the show this year. Rhys Ifans did it best in my opinion having not seen Ecclestone. Y'know ceebee when I looked last night there was literally nothing available but you're right now there is a selection. I look like I was wailing over nothing but I swear they weren't there yesterday! Another vote for Ifans but each production is my theatre highlight of the year
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Dec 18, 2023 11:08:09 GMT
I saw this years version on Saturday. One of my highlights of the year this play is so uplifting
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Dec 18, 2023 11:06:24 GMT
Not in the audience but having a drink at the Young Vic Saturday must have been about six pm. Outside the Young Vic a security member went inside and David Angland starring in the Homecoming came out to see a fan. Stood talking for five minutes and took selfies. More than made this young girls day, I'm not exaggerating to say this lady was so excited, shaking happy when he went back inside she needed to sit down for a few moments.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Nov 19, 2023 16:17:35 GMT
We have just watched all 4 and really don't get the negative critic reaction to it It does dwell on Diana. But she was central to the family at that period. I didn't see a drop off in script quality. The production values are as high as ever. Yes we have seen this with The Queen. But there was enough new material to justify revisiting it. My thoughts also
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Nov 15, 2023 10:13:07 GMT
Yes that is truly awful that this happened to you. I thought you were very accommodating under the circumstances and well done for keeping calm
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Nov 14, 2023 9:13:28 GMT
Does that cover the half a million on the march on Saturday? No only the neanderthal far right and those with anti semitic banners and doing anti Jewish chants. Not the vast majority of peaceful protesters. Still, love to see the scenes when the call to 'release the lion' was heard
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Nov 13, 2023 20:43:30 GMT
Keep the Cenotaph safe on Remembrance day? Actually, a lion would be a real minder for Suella's stormtroopers, in lots of ways No to feed on all the far right knuckle draggers and the anti semetic terrorist supporters. Does that cover the half a million on the march on Saturday?
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Nov 13, 2023 17:42:23 GMT
Maybe the Met hires him for the next time there is trouble. He kept the crowds away. Keep the Cenotaph safe on Remembrance day? Actually, a lion would be a real minder for Suella's stormtroopers, in lots of ways
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Nov 9, 2023 9:42:47 GMT
I sat there for Coriolanus with Tom Hiddleston and had to deal with people squealing with excitement and hyperventilating right behind me when he appeared. Sorry
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Oct 26, 2023 9:58:45 GMT
Another (and final) rant! In a previous life I used to work in retail, in Menswear and, although the style of clothes may not be to everyone’s taste, I do recognise men’s fashion trends and do try and keep my eye on the ball. I don’t know if anyone has noticed an increasing trend in men’s fashion where someone in their infinite wisdom has decided to put zippers into polo tops- long and short sleeved. Although I am Australian, I am of Mediterranean heritage and (advance apologies to those reading this post for the graphic nature of what I am about to reveal) but I have a hairy chest. Now, for those of you who don’t, let me tall you zippers and chest hair are NOT likely bedfellows! They are NOT like Velcro and are NOT compatible! So, to that person with the infinite knowledge who thought that putting zippers in tops was a good idea, I affirm that they’re not and just by adding a zipper, you are effectively eliminating a certain demographic of the market. So I see a top on the rack and think ‘oh, that’s nice’ and in the same breath realise I can’t even try it on. And wearing either a vest or an undershirt/T-shirt not only defeats the purpose but doesn’t work- those zippers go up to the neckline. BTW- before anyone suggests it, I am NOT waxing my chest or belly for fashion’s sake! Rant over! As you were. I was thinking strange rant when I originally read this until this morning having never zipped my chest hair despite being a clone of Chewbacca. As I say.... until this morning
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