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Post by mkb on Mar 13, 2024 13:51:11 GMT
...I was told that the Company Manager doesn't listen, doesn't wait for clearance and starts the show regardless. ... What an awful person he/she sounds if true. As you can see from my post above, Saturday's show started just 1 minute after the advertised time, not even the usual 3 or 4 minutes to allow for the majority of latecomers. It's really not fair on women stuck in the queue -- it's hardly their fault if facilities are inadequate -- and people already seated who have to stand up to let people in when they're trying to watch the show. |
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Post by fiyero on Mar 13, 2024 14:07:44 GMT
...I was told that the Company Manager doesn't listen, doesn't wait for clearance and starts the show regardless. ... What an awful person he/she sounds if true. As you can see from my post above, Saturday's show started just 1 minute after the advertised time, not even the usual 3 or 4 minutes to allow for the majority of latecomers. It's really not fair on women stuck in the queue -- it's hardly their fault if facilities are inadequate -- and people already seated who have to stand up to let people in when they're trying to watch the show. Even the men's are inadequate. The one I usually use is tiny with no cubicles, my friend needed a cubicle and gave up before the show! I also noticed the 5 minute call went at 10 minutes to curtain so they were obviously trying to get everyone to sit down! |
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Post by Jan on Mar 13, 2024 14:40:57 GMT
I’m 100% in favour of starting exactly on time. It’s a 4hr show anyway and I don’t want it extended any longer. Why should the vast majority of the audience have to wait for people who couldn’t be bothered to get there earlier ?
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Post by avfan on Mar 13, 2024 15:07:13 GMT
I’m 100% in favour of starting exactly on time. It’s a 4hr show anyway and I don’t want it extended any longer. Why should the vast majority of the audience have to wait for people who couldn’t be bothered to get there earlier ? I do agree re waiting for people who don't show up on time, but she got in the Queue at 2.05pm and just made it as the lights went down. I'd say allowing 25 mins to use the toilet before the start of the show should be adequate time. |
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Post by Jan on Mar 13, 2024 15:28:41 GMT
I’m 100% in favour of starting exactly on time. It’s a 4hr show anyway and I don’t want it extended any longer. Why should the vast majority of the audience have to wait for people who couldn’t be bothered to get there earlier ? I do agree re waiting for people who don't show up on time, but she got in the Queue at 2.05pm and just made it as the lights went down. I'd say allowing 25 mins to use the toilet before the start of the show should be adequate time. So what about the people who joined the queue at 2:10 ? 2:15 ? 2:20 ? Wait for them too ? Stop them joining the queue ? Easier just to start on time, everyone got sorted out within a few minutes. |
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Post by avfan on Mar 13, 2024 15:45:33 GMT
I do agree re waiting for people who don't show up on time, but she got in the Queue at 2.05pm and just made it as the lights went down. I'd say allowing 25 mins to use the toilet before the start of the show should be adequate time. So what about the people who joined the queue at 2:10 ? 2:15 ? 2:20 ? Wait for them too ? Stop them joining the queue ? Easier just to start on time, everyone got sorted out within a few minutes. This is my last reply on it as the thread is getting hijacked re toilets, she was in the Q for 25 minutes and just made it in time which clearly means there is a lack of facilities at this theatre. |
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Post by Jan on Mar 13, 2024 18:17:02 GMT
So what about the people who joined the queue at 2:10 ? 2:15 ? 2:20 ? Wait for them too ? Stop them joining the queue ? Easier just to start on time, everyone got sorted out within a few minutes. This is my last reply on it as the thread is getting hijacked re toilets, she was in the Q for 25 minutes and just made it in time which clearly means there is a lack of facilities at this theatre. I agree but starting the show late is not the solution to that. |
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Post by mkb on Mar 13, 2024 18:37:43 GMT
This is my last reply on it as the thread is getting hijacked re toilets, she was in the Q for 25 minutes and just made it in time which clearly means there is a lack of facilities at this theatre. I agree but starting the show late is not the solution to that. Until such time as venues install adequate facilities, holding the curtain-up until front-of-house have given clearance, is absolutely the right solution. I certainly don't want to be disturbed by people coming into the row after curtain up and I'm sure the women stuck queuing don't want to be missing the show. The reality is that the extra time required is mere minutes, and sensibly run productions allow for a three minutes or so at the start and a couple after the interval when necessary, and build that into their published running times. |
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Post by tartantraveller on Mar 17, 2024 10:22:44 GMT
Saw this last night in Manchester current running time appears to be:
1h50m for act 1
20 min interval
1h35m for Act 2
I was out the theatre at 10.15pm with a 6.30pm start time. I did leave as soon as the bows were done because I had a long journey home. No pause as others have reported.
Ian McKellen is fantastic, love the element of darkness he brings to Falstaff that I've not seen before, or at least that's how I viewed it. Toheeb is fantastic as Hal, really enjoyed his performance too. For the first half being so long, it didn't drag, second half feels a bit stunted towards the end but I guess it's not like they can write more Shakespeare, they're working within the confines of what they have. In all its enjoyable. Just glad Manchester Opera house has comfy seats. Can imagine when it gets to London, it'll be hard going for some to sit that long in the noel coward theatre.
Also one technical issue with the screen going wrong that shows the text, but didn't spoil it.
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Post by Jan on Mar 17, 2024 11:28:25 GMT
I agree but starting the show late is not the solution to that. The reality is that the extra time required is mere minutes, and sensibly run productions allow for a three minutes or so at the start and a couple after the interval when necessary, and build that into their published running times. But as you know the reality is lots of venues don't delay by "mere minutes" or "three minutes" - for example the Almeida delays much longer than that, 11 minutes the last time I was there. And this production at Wimbledon would have had to delay much longer than 3 minutes. You are advocating always starting 3 minutes after the stated start time even if there are people straggling in late or who joined the toilet queue five minutes before the start time ? That is no different to me proposing to always start on time. |
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Post by david on Mar 17, 2024 12:08:44 GMT
I was there myself last night at the Manchester Opera House and it was great to finally tick off something else off my theatre bucket list in seeing the wonderful Sir Ian in a Shakespeare play. As a newbie to Henry IV, I found this production a really enjoyable and engaging watch that was coherent and well paced in its story telling over the 3hr 50 minutes run time. Walking out of the Opera House at around 10.20pm last night, I certainly didn't feel the run time though I am glad for the padded seat I had. I am glad that I got a front row seat so I could stretch my legs out and settle down to watch this. Though the only issue I had front row was despite being a good 10 feet from the stage, the pungent smell herbal cigs smoked was detectable and certainly caused a bit of throat irritation at times.
I did like the brickwork set design from Hildegard Bechtler which for me was giving off a Almeida theatre vibe and those brown curtains certainly got a good run over the play. Curtains to Robert Ike are what cameras are to Van Hove. I certainly found the digital display bits very useful in helping to both aid in the location of scenes and to provide some historical context to proceedings. The sound design was a mixed bag. The use of "Jerusalem" was particularly effective in helping to bring out the emotional bits of that particular scene though the more modern bits I wasn't a big fan of.
As for the cast, it was an absolute pleasure to see Sir Ian again on stage and his performance and the energy he brings to the role is stunning for his 84 years. To be cast alongside someone of Sir Ian's theatrical stature must be an actors dream and I am sure they will take away a lot from working with him in their own careers. Watching him sometimes it was just a slight glance or gesture from him in response to other cast members that said far more than any text could. He got the full humour out of the text as JF which landed well with the audience but also he managed to bring a darker element to Falstaff as well which i thought worked well alongside the comedy bits. For the rest of the cast I would say that Toheeb Jimoh as Prince Harry and Clare Perkins as Mistress Quickly were the particular standouts for me.
Rating - 4 stars
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Post by theatrenerd on Mar 21, 2024 10:35:39 GMT
UK tour just announced
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Post by Rory on Mar 21, 2024 10:40:22 GMT
You've got to hand it to IMcK. His commitment to touring is exceptional.
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Post by NorthernAlien on Mar 22, 2024 8:59:11 GMT
Looks closely for any venues in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland....
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Post by theatreliker on Mar 22, 2024 11:14:23 GMT
True, but it is better than some "UK tours" (Richmond, Cambridge and Brighton).
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Post by Jan on Mar 22, 2024 12:18:14 GMT
Looks closely for any venues in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.... Given that all the Welsh characters in the plays have been cut it’s perhaps better they’re not touring there. |
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Post by Jonnyboy on Mar 24, 2024 19:49:32 GMT
I saw this yesterday afternoon in Manchester. I'll admit to trying to get out of going. As the time drew nearer, I decided I couldn't face the running time. ATG wouldn't try to sell on my ticket even though the performance was sold out and I offered to lose my money if they couldn't sell it on. I know they're not obliged to do this, but it would have been the decent thing to do, given that they could easily have shifted it, and probably at an inflated price for their own profit! Anyway, I'm glad I didn't manage to get rid of the ticket! The time really went by quickly and in no way did it feel long. Scenes zipped along nicely, the staging was simple but effective, and the acting superb. I won't admit to getting everything (I never do with Shakespeare on a first viewing) but the production is accessible so I followed it well enough. The first act I felt to be stronger, with lots of humour, and battle scenes I found to be thrilling. The second act still didn't drag, though, and has some genuinely moving scenes towards the end. All in all a triumph, and £75 for my front row seat felt well worth it.  |
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Post by nottobe on Mar 30, 2024 23:13:49 GMT
So I'm booked to see this next Saturday, 6th of April at 2:30 and I've had these booked since tickets were released. However looking at the DMT website it says that the show is at 6:30 that day. Todaytix seem to have shows for both 2:30 and 6:30 on that day so I a very confused as surely it's not a two show day. Anyone know what on earth is going on?
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Post by mkb on Mar 31, 2024 3:07:19 GMT
So I'm booked to see this next Saturday, 6th of April at 2:30 and I've had these booked since tickets were released. However looking at the DMT website it says that the show is at 6:30 that day. Todaytix seem to have shows for both 2:30 and 6:30 on that day so I a very confused as surely it's not a two show day. Anyone know what on earth is going on? The DMT booking page is currently down for maintenance, but the show information page has a schedule that says Saturday is a 14:30 show only: www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/player-kingsThe 14:30 performance ends at 18:15, so, even if they wanted to do a second show, it couldn't start for another couple of hours. It's not impossible they are in some sort of transition period software-wise where the show in question is being rescheduled from the afternoon to the evening, but that would be very poor form after everyone has bought tickets. Hopefully it's just a glitch that will sort itself out. |
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Post by harlow on Mar 31, 2024 15:15:50 GMT
Editing this as I asked a question and then figured out a solution.
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Post by rumtom on Mar 31, 2024 21:18:44 GMT
So I'm booked to see this next Saturday, 6th of April at 2:30 and I've had these booked since tickets were released. However looking at the DMT website it says that the show is at 6:30 that day. Todaytix seem to have shows for both 2:30 and 6:30 on that day so I a very confused as surely it's not a two show day. Anyone know what on earth is going on? I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if this has been answered somewhere but I have tickets for Saturday (14:30) and received an email a couple of days ago which says that the show has been moved to the evening: **** Due to the changing needs of the production, it has become necessary to change the performance time of Player Kings on Saturday 6th April from 2:30pm to 6:30pm. You don’t need to do anything, as your seat details will remain the same and your tickets will still be valid for the later performance. **** |
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Post by theatrenerd on Mar 31, 2024 22:49:20 GMT
I know there's been talk of guns/weapons used in this production but are there any loud gunshots or noises?
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Post by Dave B on Apr 1, 2024 11:16:23 GMT
West End delayed two nights due to cast illness, tonight and tomorrow are off.
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Post by bordeaux on Apr 5, 2024 8:17:04 GMT
I know there's been talk of guns/weapons used in this production but are there any loud gunshots or noises? Yes there are. Running time 3 hours 50 last night. I wouldn't have wanted it a moment shorter. I loved this. It has been superbly adapted by Icke and the updating works very well. I found it took me 20-30 minutes to feel fully immersed (though that may be the usual getting used to Shakespeare's language thing) but when I was in, I was in. McKellen is outstanding, as you would expect, funny and contemptible when he needs to be. Toheeb Jimoh confirms the promise he showed in the Almeida Romeo and Juliet last year. Good acting all the way down (Robin Soans as Justice Shallow, for example), though I think the northern accents for the northern rebel lords are a mistake - they sound in most cases like southerners putting them on. Perfect theatre day for me yesterday: Chekhov in the afternoon, Shakespeare in the evening (and John Singer Sargent in the morning!). |
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Post by nottobe on Apr 7, 2024 8:58:51 GMT
I went to see this last night and for me it was a mixed bag. I have loved all of Robert Icke's productions that I have seen and personally his prodution of Hamlet was very seminal for me and my theatre going experience, remaining one of the best things I've ever seen. So I did have quite high expectations. Of course McKellen was another draw and it is always exciting to see him onstage.
I found the first half/ first play to be the better here. In it I was more engaged in the story and what was happening. I then did find the second half to be more of a challenge to watch. As said I loved Hamlet but am nowhere near a Shakespeare expert or fanatic but I did find the text to be quite difficult to follow at times and dense. I personally would have cut the Shallow moments as my mind just wondered in those moments. There were scenes I thought his went to for a bit too long too. But when the scenes worked they really worked well.
I liked the staging and personally found the curtains to be very clever and was often amazed how quickly set was moved. I also found the written plot points to be useful.
As expected the cast where all very good and served the piece well. I maybe sometimes didn't quite believe McKellen to be as nasty as he was pretending to be. Toheeb Jimoh was very good as Hal and I enjoyed the characterisation. The use of the cast as a ensemble also worked very well.
I enjoyed it but I didn't quite love it and think it could do with a bit more cutting. If I never have to see anymore Shakespeare again I don't think I'll be very sad. But I'm sure people who like this play will be glad it's getting a notable production.
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