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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Mar 2, 2024 10:10:23 GMT
Good cast announced for this new play by Samuel Adamson (who I only know as the book writer of the wonderful The Light Princess), including Charles Edwards and Sophie Thompson.
The premise:
At St Pancras International, a woman sits at the piano and begins to play. The music captivates commuters, tourists and, following a viral clip, people around the world. Behind the music is the incredible story of a lifelong duet – the ballad of Hattie and James.
Throughout their lives, Hattie and James find themselves inextricably linked, for better or worse, and cannot help but replay the experiences that have shaped them.
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Post by lynette on Mar 2, 2024 21:18:12 GMT
Thanks for explaining. I would have thought it was a bio of Hattie Jaques and Sid James. ( which I would have been up for)
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Post by basi1faw1ty on Mar 5, 2024 9:22:12 GMT
Heheeeee!! Excited by this, if only as productions that hire C. Edwards puts them straight to the top of my priority list (shocking nobody).
Never seen Sophie Thompson or Suzzette Llewellyn act live so can't gauge their acting capabilities just yet.
Love a good intimate theatre with affordable tickets. Also feel free to correct me, but I swear I heard this was a musical rather than a play?
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Post by cavocado on Apr 7, 2024 19:06:55 GMT
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Post by rockthe on May 3, 2024 7:55:25 GMT
We saw this on Wednesday - absolutely loved it. A beautiful story and the acting was incredible.
So clever how the wonderful pianist is used.
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380 posts
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Post by jr on May 3, 2024 8:16:44 GMT
Going next week. Looking forward to it. Kiln is a bit hit and miss but at least they try different things, it's a nice theatre and affordable tickets. Bar also has normal prices.
People should go more to it, it seems it is always struggling with ticket sales.
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Post by basi1faw1ty on May 3, 2024 8:59:37 GMT
Going next week as well. First time visiting The Kiln. The tickets are such good value, I felt like I was robbing them a bit 😅
Heard lots about the acting and the piano being the best parts of the show.
Never seen Sophie Thompson act in anything (forgive me), so am intrigued by her performance style.
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Post by tommy on May 3, 2024 9:27:25 GMT
Strong performances, clever staging. Charles Edwards gives a masterclass in portraying the character of James. Wouldn't be surprised if this production will return (perhaps West End). Think it has so many elements to become a masterpiece production, however (and this could just be my feeling) it might perhaps need some slight refocus on some points to excel even more.
Certainly more than worth seeying if you can and great to discover this venue, inside it feels like you're in a nice central London venue.
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Post by jorrn on May 8, 2024 21:46:48 GMT
Saw this tonight. What a sweet, beautiful play this is, supported by wonderful acting from the small cast. It could do with some tightening up and probably runs about 15 minutes too long. Nevertheless, a strong recommend, and the audience was visibly moved by the end.
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Post by nash16 on May 9, 2024 6:59:25 GMT
Saw this tonight. What a sweet, beautiful play this is, supported by wonderful acting from the small cast. It could do with some tightening up and probably runs about 15 minutes too long. Nevertheless, a strong recommend, and the audience was visibly moved by the end. We, along with some others, were visibly moved at the interval, back to Kilburn tube. It seemed pointless to stay as the play seemed to be repeating itself in every scene, and the big bust-up seemed to come v early in the first half, making it pointless to stick around to see what had gone wrong with their friendship as we’d already been told it. Bizarre play, but endearing performances from Sophie and Charles. Not enough to stay though, sadly. And why did the wonderful pianist look so peeved every time she came on to play the piano? |
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Post by coffeeee on May 9, 2024 13:35:57 GMT
Saw this tonight. What a sweet, beautiful play this is, supported by wonderful acting from the small cast. It could do with some tightening up and probably runs about 15 minutes too long. Nevertheless, a strong recommend, and the audience was visibly moved by the end. We, along with some others, were visibly moved at the interval, back to Kilburn tube. It seemed pointless to stay as the play seemed to be repeating itself in every scene, and the big bust-up seemed to come v early in the first half, making it pointless to stick around to see what had gone wrong with their friendship as we’d already been told it. Bizarre play, but endearing performances from Sophie and Charles. Not enough to stay though, sadly. And why did the wonderful pianist look so peeved every time she came on to play the piano? I know what you mean about the plotting decisions but actually there are quite a few big leaps in the second half - perhaps too many ? - which surprised me. It wasn't perfect but that always seems too much to put on any play, expecially a new one, and I thought its handling of its themes of responsibility and regret was actually very moving and grown up and the leads were so good. Not sure Kiln was the best venue for it. Orange Tree, Donmar or Hampstead might have showcased it better. |
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Post by vickyg on May 13, 2024 15:28:37 GMT
I was painfully bored in this. Excellent performances so maybe it's just me, but I just couldn't follow the non-chronological timeline or remember anything they were talking about due to the 'tell not show' approach of the entire concept.
I was moved at the end which surprised me but the last 15 minutes couldn't make up for the rest. I seemed to be in the minority as those around me applauded heartily.
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Post by basi1faw1ty on May 14, 2024 7:49:20 GMT
Did enjoy this on Friday. I wasn't bored, helped by Charles and Sophie being so magnetic and engaging, but the constant toing and froing of timelines was a bit jarring.
I need to applaud Charles on his James, especially the younger, 16 year old James. The fragility he brought to the character made me warm to him a lot. His mannerisms (tugging at his clothing, stammering, biting nails, repetitive blinking) I loved.
I liked Hattie (as a character) far less. Sophie's acting was great, that's not the issue, it's just the character wasn't as likable for me?
The Q&A they did afterwards was good. The writer mentioned though that they didn't audition for this, just offered it out to actors.
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