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Post by rockinrobin on Aug 21, 2019 21:09:40 GMT
Any other cocktail fiends here? Me. I love cocktails (as you can probably tell, just look at my profile photo!) - perhaps except that one with mushroom-infused whisky I had in France some months ago... Yuk... Don't ever try mushroom-infused whisky, my friends. Anyway, I love a good Negroni or Singapore Sling or Margarita. I have to confess my favourite cocktail is Long Island Iced Tea but I don't pamper myself with it too often because a) it's strong, b) ironically, there are very few bartenders who can actually make it taste good and not like last night party leftovers. Food-wise though, I love dumplings in all shapes and colours - ravioli, pierogi, khinkali, I devour them all shamelessly. And Spanish croquetas. I love croquetas.
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Post by rockinrobin on Aug 18, 2019 9:42:23 GMT
I was supposed to see The Night of the Iguana yesterday but changed my plans (intuition?...) and went to see this instead. Sorry, Clive. It really hit me. I knew the story of the UpStairs Lounge but I still bawled my eyes out. I feel no shame though - everyone in my row was crying. It is a marvellous piece of theatre, incredibly touching, very funny and most importantly very well performed. It moved me deeply. I hope it gets second life.
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Post by rockinrobin on Aug 17, 2019 2:10:28 GMT
Loved it. My kind of theatre. Very intense, very physical, marvellously played. I did actually find Zubin Varla's performance very moving - his Dysart is very restrained, blocked. He is the one who clearly needs to be healed - but who is going to heal the doctor?...
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Post by rockinrobin on Aug 16, 2019 13:25:37 GMT
I won't say it's the show of the year for me but I enjoyed it last night. It's not for purists, that's for sure. It's Evita stripped bare and that, I think, makes the story more dramatic. This Eva Peron is not a good mother of the nation, not a heroine with a tragic fate, she's not "Santa Evita" - she's a young woman with too much ambition and not that much to offer. The real Eva was (in today's terms) more a popculture star than the first lady and I think this production depicts it pretty well. It's not a story about the myth of Eva Peron. It's a story of a woman who became Eva Peron. So yes, Eva in this production is... not that likeable (to say the least) but the final scenes, when she realizes she is dying, the end, finito, the fairytale is over - they're pretty moving. After all, leaving this world aged only 33 is something nobody wants. It's scary, sad and unfair. No spoilers but there is one moment when you can tell how mad she is because of what is going to happen. The only thing I hated was a lady next to me, constantly trying to film/take photos. Urrrgghhh. Why.
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196 posts
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Post by rockinrobin on Aug 15, 2019 9:35:23 GMT
Saw Hamlet last night. The weather was truly awful (and so was the overwhelming smell of chips) but much fun was had - there's a lot of humour in this production. It is, at the same time, very... elegant. The costumes are beautiful, the music is also great. And in my humble opinion David Oakes has the most impressive thighs in the history of theatre.
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Post by rockinrobin on Jul 12, 2019 13:41:30 GMT
Was there last night too, looked like Arinzé Kene was comforting Sharon D Clarke at curtain call, she seemed quite emotional (unsurprisingly!) - a really great production. He did the same when I was watching it two weeks ago! A very touching moment.
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196 posts
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Post by rockinrobin on Jun 30, 2019 9:35:17 GMT
It's delightful. It makes your cheeks hurt. I really, really needed this kind of show in my life. I saw it yesterday and couldn't help but think Andrew Scott as Garry was sort of pranking himself, making a joke on his own emploi. You can see he's having great fun playing Garry. The audience was a nightmare though. Phones going off (during THAT scene between Andrew and Enzo Cilenti!), drinks put on stage, sweets and crisps, and - urrrgghhh - bare feet.
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Post by rockinrobin on Jun 25, 2019 16:20:44 GMT
Just booked my tickets to one of the November shows. No queue, plenty of cheap seats left. Not bad at all!
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Post by rockinrobin on Jun 12, 2019 23:51:06 GMT
Ah! I LOVE Read Not Dead - to me, it's a true theatrical gem and usually great fun (perhaps except the one which was over 4 hrs long... but I had a good time anyway, even though I couldn't feel my back). It's often wonderfully bonkers since the director and the actors only have a few hours to rehearse the show so you never know what is going to happen... Even very tragic deaths of dramatis personae usually make the audience laugh hard, not to mention all the missed cues, odd selection of props (sometimes obviously purchased last minute at Poundland or handmade...) and numerous pranks. On the other hand, some Read Not Deads I've seen over the years could easily do as regular shows - staged with great precision, incredibly acted and very moving. I also love the atmosphere - RND doesn't really feel like a theatre show, it's more like a Sunday afternoon spent in a company of people you like. It's all very laid back. And - casting can be a bit of a surprise. I saw Alfred Enoch in one of the readings a few years ago, David Oakes performed in and directed quite a few... You never know!
I think every theatre maniac should go see it at least once in their lifetime because this is theatre stripped bare, raw, honest, slightly absurd and fun.
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196 posts
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Post by rockinrobin on Jun 4, 2019 18:53:46 GMT
Joining the "never learned to swim/ride a bike/drive despite numerous attempts)" club. Also, I have never attended a church mass, despite spending my entire life - or at least majority of it - in a Catholic country. I'd have no idea what to do with myself... Never watched The Godfather, Game of Thrones, all those Marvel universe films. Never been to the opera - I really wanted to go last year and booked a ticket, but then I got so unwell I ended up in A&E instead of the auditorium. I guess that was a sign...
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Post by rockinrobin on May 16, 2019 16:33:06 GMT
Ooooh, fantastic news! I love this play (it may sound weird but I do...) and sadly couldn't see it in Stratford. Delighted.
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Post by rockinrobin on May 4, 2019 12:32:36 GMT
A good production should stop me from thinking about my work, weather, bills, uncomfortable theatre seats, how hungry I feel and what I would like to eat after the show - basically should make me forget about the world outside the theatre. It happened to me when I was watching "Downstate" last week. Really good productions stay with me. I still think about them months after seeing it and I want to tell everyone who would listen how good these shows were even though they are now history. It doesn't happen often though.
(Oh, and there should also be a bit with a dog.)
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Post by rockinrobin on May 2, 2019 16:59:09 GMT
I saw it this afternoon and enjoyed it greatly. Not a life-changing experience but quite an enjoyable show. The auditorium was literally EMPTY though. There were maybe 50 of us. I can't imagine how i must feel when you're an actor and see so many empty rows in front of you... They did a great job though.
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Post by rockinrobin on Apr 30, 2019 13:55:05 GMT
Yes, booking was actually surpisingly easy (ironically, Facebook reminded me today of a selfie I took with Daniel Radcliffe 2 years ago - I know, I know...) I guess booking tickets to Lungs may be a more traumatic experience.
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Post by rockinrobin on Apr 28, 2019 9:41:41 GMT
I saw it yesterday afternoon - I think it deserves a second life. I know it's only April but it will definitely be in my Top 5 this year. Brilliantly written (I like plays that make me feel uncomfortable, that make me chuckle and feel disgusted at the same time), even more brilliantly acted. Everyone was great but Tim Hopper and K Todd Freeman blew my mind. I also have to say that the audience was incredibly focused and quiet (except a few sobs and sighs in Act 2), completely transported. Which, I guess, says even more about how good this play is.
I very much hope it returns one day.
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Post by rockinrobin on Feb 25, 2019 13:01:55 GMT
Compared to the usual hot ticket booking nightmares, this was incredibly easy. Once I booked, however, I realised I'd booked a ticket for All My Sons, for the very same date... I really need to start using a calendar, apparently I'm not so young anymore.
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Post by rockinrobin on Feb 13, 2019 22:28:10 GMT
2 hours one way, usually. By plane I live in Central Europe but I travel a lot for work so it makes things a bit easier - or more complicated, depending on the location... How often? It depends on my budget, I would say I visit the UK 6-8 times a year. I've tested all the budget airlines and all those awful airports located in the middle of nowhere (also probably most of the hotels near St Pancras). Motivation? I love theatre. That is all. I try to see shows wherever I am and I often enjoy them greatly but London is London. I think you get addicted at some point. Also, when I was a student, I thought I would never afford going to London for a week and watching a show or two every day. And here I am!
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Post by rockinrobin on Feb 6, 2019 13:02:10 GMT
Yesterday. A very intimate, immersive show, only around 40 audience members, actors walk and sit among them. Also a show that is completely sold out and received all the possible theatre awards in my country so people tend to kill for tickets to see it. Since it all takes place in a room, not an auditorium, everyone can hear your stomach rumble (involuntary bad behaviour - I was hungry), everyone can see whether or not you're paying attention. And then there's this one guy. Texting throughout the entire performance despite TWO announcements and numerous death stares. I kind of hoped one of the actors would tell him off but they didn't.
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196 posts
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Paris
Jan 16, 2019 8:57:42 GMT
via mobile
Post by rockinrobin on Jan 16, 2019 8:57:42 GMT
Im going next month and will be taking my other half to see 'Jean Paul Gautier's Fashion Freal Show' which looks to be a mix of circus, cabaret and fashion show if that takes your fancy? rockinrobin if you have any recommendations for somewhere a carnivorous celiac and their vegan partner could dine, we'll i'd probably buy you dinner myself! Oh... If you're a carnivore, that's easy. The French love meat. I'd suggest you visit Les Trublions and Le Buisson Ardent, both on Rive Gauche - very nice and not too expensive bistros with a modern twist. And Racines Des Pres - a bit more pricey but the food is fab and they do have some meat-free options on the menu. And the (in)famous Au Pied De Cochon if you love pork in all shapes and sizes! As for vegan though... Erm... Let me just say vegan is generally not en vogue in France... I will do some research though!
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Paris
Jan 16, 2019 8:39:48 GMT
via mobile
Post by rockinrobin on Jan 16, 2019 8:39:48 GMT
As for "Chicago" - apparently some songs are in English but generally it's in French with surtitles. You can find more information here: www.chicagolemusical.com/en/("le musical"!) JPG Fashion Freak Show is also very enjoyable although completely bonkers. I've seen it twice.
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Post by rockinrobin on Jan 15, 2019 22:00:40 GMT
I'm here now - sadly, not much is happening in theatre in January (well, there's Chicago...). The exhibitions are great though, I especially recommend Lequeu and Khnopff at Petit Palais (which is my favourite place in Paris anyway). If you need any restaurant hints - let me know! 😊
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Post by rockinrobin on Jan 9, 2019 11:47:22 GMT
Happy to see John Leader, Steffan Donnelly and Jonathan Broadbent in the Ensemble. Very excited about Shakespeare Within the Abbey and I will probably see A Midsummer Night's Dream because it's my favourite play by Will but the rest of the season is so-so to me. Oh, and Robin Hood-themed Read Not Dead looks nice (I obviously don't mean certain people in the photos... *blushes*)
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Post by rockinrobin on Jan 1, 2019 18:52:50 GMT
I got rush tickets for both parts on Saturday. You need to be quick though - they're gone in a blink of an eye.
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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 31, 2018 18:15:40 GMT
"Company" this afternoon. A lady next to me is texting furiously (we were in the gods so Patti LuPone couldn't see it...). "Sorry", I whisper, "could you switch it off please?" "I will when I'm finished!", whispers the lady angrily.
I wanted to step on her foot in the interval.
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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 30, 2018 10:45:38 GMT
In no particular order:
Sophie Okonedo Kaisa Hammarlund Lesley Manville Zubin Varla Louis Maskell Alfred Molina Samuel H. Levine Andrew Scott (obviously!) Matthew Tennyson
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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 29, 2018 12:52:23 GMT
Myself - again! I sat in someone else's seat last night, after the interval. It was the same row, the guy seated next to me was bald so it all seemed fine until I found out it was not the same bald guy... Wrong aisle! I profusely apologised and returned to my old seat a few metres away. Ah, the Olivier.
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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 27, 2018 11:23:12 GMT
Friday: Antony and Cleopatra Saturday: Inheritance, both parts Sunday: Dr Faustus and Swan Lake Monday: Company and Everybody's Talking about Jamie
This is going to be intense...
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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 19, 2018 15:24:51 GMT
Progress: 0%. No shopping, no gifts, no Christmas decorations, nothing. And I've only heard "Last Christmas" twice this year... I don't know why but I can't get into the festive mood this year. It's been a very busy year though, so maybe I'm just tired and need a big mug of mulled wine.
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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 19, 2018 14:38:07 GMT
I tried watching the trailer (albeit for last year's run) and ended up in tears ffs. I wouldn't last five minutes actually seeing this. Tempted though. Yup. I wasn't even too surprised by my own tears when I saw it last year (my eyes get sweaty very easily) but two gentlemen in their 40s next to me were also crying like babies. Actually I think the entire row was in tears at the end. It's one of these shows...
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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 18, 2018 15:49:11 GMT
Thank you, Ryan - I was very "meh" about it and now I need to see it!
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