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Post by osdtdg on Jun 25, 2024 8:16:47 GMT
Got some very cheap tickets to front row of the "royal" circle for this; sounds a pleasent evening for £20. Like I said above, not typically my thing, but worth a try for that cheap!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2024 11:07:21 GMT
Really enjoyed it at the Bush theatre. Fingers crossed for it.
Also a good gateway play if you'd like to introduce someone to the world of plays but they're not quite ready for People, Places and Things.
Hopefully it can kinda catch some of the heat from the rom com resurgence with things like Two Strangers / Rye Lane / Anyone But You.
And finally I thoroughly enjoyed reading the playwright's previous play 'Lava', which I read as a result of seeing Shifters. Highly recommend.
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Post by Dave B on Jun 29, 2024 7:52:28 GMT
Stage seating out at £40.
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Post by lt on Aug 20, 2024 11:53:01 GMT
Booked this on the basis of the rave reviews I'd read on this site, saw it last night and was distinctly underwhelmed. I didn't feel the script was either particularly witty or revealing, it seemed as if the playwright was hinting at some profound insight which she failed to deliver. And found myself looking at my watch a number of times, which is never a good sign.
I felt the acting was only average.
I thought that Tosin Cole was better than Heather Agyepong, but for me a weakness of both actors was how they seem to play the various stages of their characters from teenagers to adults in their early thirties in exactly the same way. Yet the body language and mannerisms of teenagers are very different.
And it's another play with onstage sitting, just what does this add? I'm really not a fan, it makes the suspension of disbelief much harder if you're looking directly at the onstage audience. Somehow it seems much obtrusive than theatre in the round.
If you are going, I would recommend getting seats close to the stage as it's an intimate story and I think being far away would be a particular disadvantage with this play. I was in row BB, which was absolutely fine, and yes, you did have to look up slightly but I didn't find it a problem.
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Post by barelyathletic on Aug 23, 2024 11:45:33 GMT
A lovely set of reviews again for this. I hope it does well, though I suspect it may struggle in the West End. Still one of the best of the year for me however, from back in February at the Bush. It's been quite a year for Lynette Linton and her West London new writing powerhouse.
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Post by westendboy on Aug 25, 2024 22:25:48 GMT
Caught this last night, also after hearing quite a lot of good reviews and I have to say, I'm glad I saw this! It refreashing to see a new play being performed in the West End that isn't a star vehicle, or an excuse to just get bums in seats, and instead it's a sincere, honest amd believable story of first love told from a Black Britsh perspective. Both Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole are excellent as Des and Dre and I personally believed that these two could be people you meet in real life. Hell, they even reminded me of people I've known! Going in, I was curious to see how Cole would fair, as my only experience with his acting was when he was a copanion on 'Doctor Who', specifically during Jodie Whittaker's tenure. From watching him on that, I didn't find his acting very good, but after seeing him in 'Shifters', it was great to see that him given material and direction that shows his capabilities. As for the story itself, it did remind me a little bit of Mike Bartlett's 'Lungs', but still has it's own identity to stand apart from plays like that. There were moments where I got a little lost, due to the jumps back and forwards in time, but once I paid closer attention, I started to follow the characters' journeys and the development of their relationship. As I stated before, this is a story told from a Black British perspective, so there are quite a few refrences to Black culture, that I don't think I've see much in theatre, let alone the West End. I'm not Black myself, but I can imagine the audience watching along with me were happy to see their culture represented on a major stage in London, which is dominated by a predominantly commercialised market that doesn't explore Black culture that much. Overall, I enjoyed my time with 'Shifters' and would recommend it, especially if you're looking for something that at least isn't just another revival, or star vehicle and just want to watch soemthing that isn't trying to be anything else. P.S. Regarding what barelyathletic said about this show potentiallty struggling, I don't think there's anything to worry about. Whilst advanced ticket sales aren't the strongest, they seem to pick up on performance days and the show is running for 9 weeks, as well as being at a relatively small theatre, so I don't think it will be forced to close early. Plus, the good publicity will help. Not sure if the same will be said for the next show, 'Barcelona', but that's for another time and another thread! |
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Post by alessia on Aug 27, 2024 6:11:15 GMT
Saw Shifters last night, and thought it was fantastic. I don't have a lot to add to the above reviews. It was really nice and refreshing to see something so different in the West End. It struck me how I'd never seen such a diverse audience here before- maybe just the Bush attracts a majority of non white audience. The audience was also really into the story, people clapped and yelled at the poignant moments as if we were watching a movie at home 🤣 they also cheered at the many references to Nigerian and Congolese culture, it was delightful. I really have nothing negative to say about this.
The theatre wasn't sold out but still buzzing and busy. My seat in second row was perfect. I think the stage seats aren't needed and add nothing to this but Lynette Linton must have wanted them to recreate the set up of the original run at the Bush.
I'm annoyed to have missed this back then, but so happy to have caught it eventually.
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Post by jampot on Aug 27, 2024 9:06:41 GMT
Saw Shifters last night, and thought it was fantastic. I don't have a lot to add to the above reviews. It was really nice and refreshing to see something so different in the West End. It struck me how I'd never seen such a diverse audience here before- maybe just the Bush attracts a majority of non white audience. The audience was also really into the story, people clapped and yelled at the poignant moments as if we were watching a movie at home 🤣 they also cheered at the many references to Nigerian and Congolese culture, it was delightful. I really have nothing negative to say about this. The theatre wasn't sold out but still buzzing and busy. My seat in second row was perfect. I think the stage seats aren't needed and add nothing to this but Lynette Linton must have wanted them to recreate the set up of the original run at the Bush. I'm annoyed to have missed this back then, but so happy to have caught it eventually. Summed up this great play..I saw at the Bush and there weren't seats on the stage.. |
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Post by alessia on Aug 27, 2024 9:37:01 GMT
I was thinking more along the lines of the Bush usually having the stage in the middle and seats all around. I'm sure there is a word for this which I can't remember :-)
I really loved this play, and I'm so glad to see have seen so many people last night who are not usual theatre goers. The atmosphere was great.
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Post by jampot on Aug 27, 2024 9:45:19 GMT
I was thinking more along the lines of the Bush usually having the stage in the middle and seats all around. I'm sure there is a word for this which I can't remember :-) I really loved this play, and I'm so glad to see have seen so many people last night who are not usual theatre goers. The atmosphere was great. "Traverse" maybe? |
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Post by alessia on Aug 27, 2024 9:46:43 GMT
ahah maybe. sounds right to me but I'm ignorant of theatre vocabulary. I'm sure the experts here will know.
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Aug 27, 2024 10:08:51 GMT
ahah maybe. sounds right to me but I'm ignorant of theatre vocabulary. I'm sure the experts here will know. In the round staging has seats on all sides. Thrust has seats on 3 sides. Traverse has seats on 2 sides opposite each other. I think Shifters was traverse at the Bush if I remember correctly so I assume it's like that now as well within the limitations of whatever theatre it's in. |
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Post by alessia on Aug 27, 2024 10:22:44 GMT
Ah thank you! that makes complete sense then. Yes it's like this at the Duke of York, seats on two sides.
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Post by coco on Aug 29, 2024 8:08:11 GMT
I would say the stage seats are more like a way to sell more tickets... Just like in People, Places and Things. But likely in this setting the stage seats wouldn't impair your experience that much compared with PPT.
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Post by lt on Aug 29, 2024 13:05:08 GMT
I would say the stage seats are more like a way to sell more tickets... Just like in People, Places and Things. But likely in this setting the stage seats wouldn't impair your experience that much compared with PPT. Having seen it from the theatre stalls, I would definitely prefer the seats not to have been there. |
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Post by Dave B on Aug 30, 2024 23:20:43 GMT
Really really liked the cast. Really liked the first 45 minutes or so, such a great and believable relationship. The music and the lighting really embrace the Constellations vibe. I think some very very smart and deliberate script work, references to African music and food that only some members of the audience get but complemented with pop culture lines (Star Wars, The Matrix) that have a more universal knowledge. I'm really struck by how well it was written for people who get the references and then I suspect very deliberately inclusive of people who won't get them by adding others.
{Spoiler - click to view}
However, once it moves into family trauma for both of them, though to different degrees, I think it goes off the boil a bit. Everyone has their issues, their backgrounds, their backstory, it felt like here this had to come up to almost ... explain why the characters are like that. But no explanation was needed. They could just be two flawed people trying to find their way in the world - just like the rest of us. It slows the story down, it moves too far away from the core of the story which, to my mind at least, is the connection and the missing connections between Des and Dre.
A very late start, after 19:45, mainly for seating latecomers. The strongly worded and reminded no readmissions policy was totally ignored with people - in the fecking front row - allowed in and out repeatedly during the show.
Fairly full theatre, at least in the stalls, a small number of empty seats around. A significantly minority white audience which is pretty rare so really glad to see Bush having the same success with those efforts in the West End.
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Post by showgirl on Aug 31, 2024 4:11:42 GMT
"A very late start, after 19:45, mainly for seating latecomers. The strongly worded and reminded no readmissions policy was totally ignored with people - in the fecking front row - allowed in and out repeatedly during the show."
Re this: I saw the play at a matinee earlier in the run & was absolutely livid about the late start (13 mins in my case), especially after all the advisory/warning emails from ATG right from the booking stage and exhortations to arrive at the theatre x mins early; also warnings in the theatre on the day. I happened to have planned to see a film afterwards and the advertised play start and running times would have given me reasonable time to travel to the cinema but the very delayed start meant I had to abandon the cinema plan.
The total lack even of acknowledgement, let alone apology from the front of house staff was infuriating and showed utter disrespect for those who had arrived and taken their seats promptly. After waiting 10 mins or so for the performance to start, I asked an usher how much longer it was likely to be and he said that FOH had been instructed by the producers to take "a relaxed attitude" to punctuality.
I should have emailed ATG to complain but for one thing, I didn't want to spend any more time and mental effort on a negative issue and for another, it's not the first occasion on which I've experienced this for certain productions so I doubt it would have made any difference.
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Post by lt on Aug 31, 2024 7:12:21 GMT
"A very late start, after 19:45, mainly for seating latecomers. The strongly worded and reminded no readmissions policy was totally ignored with people - in the fecking front row - allowed in and out repeatedly during the show." Re this: I saw the play at a matinee earlier in the run & was absolutely livid about the late start (13 mins in my case), especially after all the advisory/warning emails from ATG right from the booking stage and exhortations to arrive at the theatre x mins early; also warnings in the theatre on the day. I happened to have planned to see a film afterwards and the advertised play start and running times would have given me reasonable time to travel to the cinema but the very delayed start meant I had to abandon the cinema plan. The total lack even of acknowledgement, let alone apology from the front of house staff was infuriating and showed utter disrespect for those who had arrived and taken their seats promptly. After waiting 10 mins or so for the performance to start, I asked an usher how much longer it was likely to be and he said that FOH had been instructed by the producers to take "a relaxed attitude" to punctuality. I should have emailed ATG to complain but for one thing, I didn't want to spend any more time and mental effort on a negative issue and for another, it's not the first occasion on which I've experienced this for certain productions so I doubt it would have made any difference. Evening performance started late when I saw it several weeks ago. Seems to be happening quite regularly with this show. |
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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Aug 31, 2024 7:24:14 GMT
Seeing this tonight - I'm hoping to catch the 21:34 train back from Charing Cross, so it had better not start too late! ATG have already sent me a text to say it starts promptly at 19:30.... though after reading this, not holding my breath.
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Post by Dave B on Aug 31, 2024 7:37:55 GMT
Seeing this tonight - I'm hoping to catch the 21:34 train back from Charing Cross, so it had better not start too late! ATG have already sent me a text to say it starts promptly at 19:30.... though after reading this, not holding my breath. It was 21.31 when I turned my phone back on outside last night... I hope you have a later train option. |
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Post by theatre22 on Aug 31, 2024 8:47:41 GMT
I can’t remember if it started late when I saw it a few weeks ago but I have never been to a play before where they have let in some many latecomers at the same time about 25 mins into the show. The noise from everyone being let in was so disruptive and noisy that it must have had an impact on the actors on stage as well.
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Post by lt on Aug 31, 2024 8:47:56 GMT
Seeing this tonight - I'm hoping to catch the 21:34 train back from Charing Cross, so it had better not start too late! ATG have already sent me a text to say it starts promptly at 19:30.... though after reading this, not holding my breath. It was 21.31 when I turned my phone back on outside last night... I hope you have a later train option. It was a finish of 2140, the night I went. |
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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Aug 31, 2024 9:06:54 GMT
Seeing this tonight - I'm hoping to catch the 21:34 train back from Charing Cross, so it had better not start too late! ATG have already sent me a text to say it starts promptly at 19:30.... though after reading this, not holding my breath. It was 21.31 when I turned my phone back on outside last night... I hope you have a later train option. I do, at 22:34 - but I'd booked this for the evening hoping for an earlier return home! |
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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Aug 31, 2024 20:45:54 GMT
Well I made the train by 30 seconds! Still start 12 minutes late - plus a few (extra) latecomers, lots of rustling, a couple of phone rings, others texting on their phones, one exit from a stage seat during a tense moment, and some giggling at inappropriate moments from the back of the stalls.
Other than that... really good. It is a bit Constellations 2.0 (not helped by the fact that I saw Constellations in the same theatre in pretty much the same seat many years ago!). This is so beautifully acted and constructed (even though it could lose a few minutes here and there) and you really do become invested in their relationship. A very well deserved West End transfer - and a successful one, too, judging by tonight's pretty full house.
I used to go to The Bush fairly regularly, but haven't been since Covid. Not sure why... but judging by the two recent transfers I've seen (this and Red Pitch), I'll have to get back there asap!
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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Sept 1, 2024 10:25:46 GMT
Thinking more about this, it reminded me too of Rye Lane - a Black British romcom, two very relatable characters.
The onstage seating is completely unnecessary and I wish they'd not bothered. Because it's so imbalanced (600+ in the main auditorium, 100 or so on stage) it doesn't feel like it's truly traverse anyway but more of a gimmick.
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