Slave Play – Noel Coward Theatre

It's dimly lit but I could still see what was going on very clearly from the middle of Row E.

Row C, even with bad sight, I saw “everything”.

It's a nonsense anyway, sure you could take the sticker off the minute you're in your seat if you wanted to.

The question is whether the people that film know they're not supposed to or if they genuinely miss every single cue telling them not to and accidentally break the rule. If it's the latter then sure the stickers are useful, I suspect though it's the former. The only thing it does do is show an extra layer of seriousness, I'm not sure how many patrons that specifically deters who wanted to film anyway.

I think there has been a lack of understanding of how Brits react to such stuff. If you tell us something is going to be shocking/scary then lots of us will cross our arms and insist that we aren't going to be that affected, and by the way 'who are you to think you can shock/scare me?!'. While those who don't like or roll our eyes at the thought of being shocked/scared are more likely to stay away.

Anyone who has got this far in the thread won't be spoiled by me saying that there is a plot twist of sorts, and that not everything in the opening scenes is what it seems. I get why they think the play will have more power if people aren't told this in advance, and get to spot the clues in their own time, or have a big 'ahh' moment when the context is revealed. O'Harris likes the idea of people being uncomfortable, which I approve of in theory. But it requires something of a mismatch between the marketing and a lot of people who would be inclined to appreciate it.

People are of course allowed to dislike/hate/not watch any piece of writing for all kinds of reasons, but there are clearly a lot of people who have decided the whole thing and everyone involved is a terrible person based on a misunderstanding of what it's about (and a bit of bad faith reporting). It's a bit like the people who thought Ewan McGregor and Trainspotting were promoting heroin chic. 

That said, there's a new trailer which I think gives a bit more away, including that at least some bits are supposed to be funny. 

x.com/estreetprods/status/1816503834811785288

 * stickers

There was a piece on Laura Kuenssberg this morning for those interested in interviews with Harrington and Washington

Kit Harrington going the full Price Harry. Bless his cotton socks.

It’s a predictable flop

And the London audience aren’t tricked by

“Controversy”

Times have changed

There is enough conflict, inequality and confrontation

In real life

Despite this I am still surprised quite how poorly it it selling

Madonna attending, blackout nights controversy, an attempt at stunt casting and an attention seeking author

With loads of media coverage of nudity

And still a flop

I've not seen a single incidence of it papering. Has it popped up for anyone? No rumours going around of empty houses or closed balconies so I suspect it is doing just fine.

To be clear, I am not saying it is papering. I was just trying to point out, perhaps not very adroitly, that even *if* there was some papering going on, it was still very very busy last week which suggests it's doing well enough indeed. I certainly hope that's the case. We need shows like this to do well. I will amend my post above.