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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 4, 2017 16:13:25 GMT
In my opinion (and I have many about this production) the script and writing was by far the weakest link. I would have maybe liked it more if it felt like the author (whose previous plays I liked lots) had not written a bog standard and fairly unbelievable family drama, thought it wasn't exciting or different enough and crow-barred science elements into it and tried to make innocuous parallels between the two. I don't think I would have preferred either as a full play but I certainly didn't like the amateurish mess (that felt like it was written by a brattish teenager who had big ideas about the world and our place in it) that was presented on that stage.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 4, 2017 13:13:47 GMT
This is why I love theatre and personal opinions/ reactions to theatre because I could not disagree more with any of what has been said above
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 4, 2017 13:11:51 GMT
Last night was my first trip to the Dorfman (never went when it was the Cottesloe either) and it did not disappoint. This play is excellent. I've never seen any of Kirkwood's work before, but her writing was impeccable. The family drama aspects of the play are grounded and touching - never melodramatic or straying into soap opera territory. For someone who calls himself a scientist, the accompanying commentary on communication and scientific endeavours was eye-opening and made me examine my own attitudes towards such things. The articles in the programme are also very well written - I know a lot of scientists who need to be reminded of the themes they discuss. Now, I don't study particle physics but I take an interest in it and have followed the studies that are being performed at CERN (I remember listening on the radio the day they turned the LHC on), so I was already familiar with almost all of the science that was mentioned in the play. I found that the interludes delivered by 'The Boson' were odd at first, but once I saw the parallels that Kirkwood was trying to make I actually thought they were quite clever. However, I would be interested to know how easy it is to understand for someone who isn't familiar with the science - the explanations seemed to be pitched at the right level, but it's always easy to say that when you've heard it all before. Given that one of the statements that Kirkwood is trying to make is about accessibility and communication of scientific information, I'd like to know if she's managed to achieve an appropriate level of communication in her own writing. I don't think anyone will be surprised to hear me say that Olivia Colman is amazing. She deserves every ounce of praise that is sent her way, because her performance here is remarkable. Both Olivia Williams and Amanda Boxer also give fantastic performances with their characters who are imperfect in a very different way to Colman's, but to take a troubled character like that and make her so real and believable is very impressive. It reminds me of Denise Gough's performance in Angels. Kudos to Rufus Norris for doing a production in the round so effectively - too often I've seen blocking that just looks unnatural, but here Norris has made every scene flow smoothly and naturally so that it can play to every side of the auditorium. I also disagree with those who were calling for the play to be cut down - 2hrs 50mins flew by for me, and I loved every word of it. I'm feeling very lucky right now that I've had the privilege of seeing both this and Angels - I feel like I should raise a glass to whoever started the Entry Pass scheme.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 3, 2017 18:30:00 GMT
So pleased to hear that this production is getting a transfer
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 3, 2017 18:22:35 GMT
Apart from some brilliant singing from about 6 people, especially the girl playing Raven, this show was TERRIBLE. Unforgiveably bad script, dialogue, plotline. Frankly bizarre staging at times. Like the worst bits of We Will Rock You, Lazarus and Eastenders all mashed up. Appalling dancing (what were they thinking??? It was like an end of school term dance piece to express teen angst). Overall it felt like a school child had both written it, chosen the costumes and staged it. They would have been better off playing the songs back to back concert style. Frankly astounded how this got 4/5 star reviews.
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1,189 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 2, 2017 9:53:28 GMT
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Post by theatrelover123 on Aug 1, 2017 21:26:24 GMT
Going to see this in about 2 weeks and was moved back from row AA to row A by the Box Office who emailed me to tell me of the change. I would be interested to hear what the view is like from Row A (specifically seat A4). Is Row A now the third row behind rows AA and BB?
This is what the BO email said: Since your booking was made, the production team has informed us that there will no longer be a 5-seat row AA. As you originally booked a seat in this row, we have moved you to seat A4
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1,189 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 28, 2017 11:17:31 GMT
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 28, 2017 9:37:02 GMT
Don't know if it helps you but just had a priority booking email from Atg for card holders. I've not listened to the show but loved the film, and that's a great cast. Guess i'm going to have to break my pledge to not arrange any more London trips this year :/ Looking at the ATG ticket prices it seems they wont be doing the £5 / £10 cheapies that they've done for previous shows Any chance you could PM the link please? Am a Theatrecard member, but like many others it seems, I rarely get the priority booking emails I hate to be jumping on bandwagons but I am also in the same boat in that I am an ATG Theatre card member but haven't got this email (and so rarely get them). If anybody could help with a link so that I can book my brother's bday present early that would be amazing.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 22, 2017 20:47:56 GMT
Saw the show this afternoon. HUGELY disappointed in this. In no way deserving of its 4 star reviews. Will post more another time.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 22, 2017 9:17:38 GMT
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 21, 2017 8:57:53 GMT
I would be APPALLED to possibly know the link to this specific broadcast of this brilliant show. APPALLED
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 2, 2017 12:54:20 GMT
'A yelp of existential pain'?! What the f***! How on earth was anything I said 'a yelp of existential pain'?! Panic ye not. I THINK the yelping being referred to was coming from Parsley?
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 28, 2017 16:08:42 GMT
"101.1111. Get it up to 1.11. Let me see that 11 on the dial. Keep pushing". Or something
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 27, 2017 13:30:34 GMT
BE QUICK - Enter the code CERN30 and it'll bring up sits for the previews @ £30/£32 ish Just nabbed two Damn it looks like the offer has been taken down. i was in with the code, loads of seats available, had to come out and refresh and now it's not showing ;(
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 19, 2017 22:08:12 GMT
The Play That Goes Wrong. The Treatnent. The Braille Legacy. About 5 at the Donmar. Moby Dick at the Union. King Lear at The Old Vic. We Will Rock You. The list goes on
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 19, 2017 22:03:33 GMT
I flipping loved this tonight. That is all
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 17, 2017 7:47:10 GMT
Isn't it a sad state of affairs when you have to read the programme in advance to understand what is happening in the play? And how many people would know that their experience would be better if that was done?
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1,189 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 16, 2017 21:14:29 GMT
Has anybody seen this yet? Or are planning to see it soon? Would be great to hear some thoughts soon.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 15, 2017 23:27:06 GMT
DMT+ members
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 15, 2017 23:20:56 GMT
Tickets now on sale. Same prices across the run. Premiums £85/£95. Rest of stalls £65. Back rows £45. Dress circle mainly £65. Back row of Dress, all fo Upper and all of Balcony £19.50
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 13, 2017 20:36:26 GMT
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 13, 2017 20:34:00 GMT
None of the cast will be coming with it. Based on what knowledge?
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 13, 2017 20:32:46 GMT
The excellent Irish actress Derbhle Crotty is taking over from Juliet Stevenson as Gertrude from 4 July. Drat, I was really looking forward to seeing Juliet Stevenson. To be fair, if you've seen one JS performance you've seen them all
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 13, 2017 9:44:50 GMT
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 13, 2017 9:44:03 GMT
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 6, 2017 13:25:12 GMT
I do feel a bit uneasy about the 'heffalump' comment. Yes that should be retracted as it strays into the 'insulting performers' category. 3 strikes and out, I say
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 6, 2017 13:05:30 GMT
Oh they don't hang around - plus there is little rhyme or reason as to when they are posted.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 6, 2017 12:28:00 GMT
There were about 4 pairs across different dates on the site this morning ;(
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 2, 2017 8:40:48 GMT
Yes you can return them for a credit note/ voucher but you still need to send the ticket/s back to the NT box exchanges in the post and they have to receive it 24 (or 72) hours before the date.
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