5,156 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 10, 2024 17:04:39 GMT
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Post by darreno on Oct 3, 2024 23:00:24 GMT
Saw this tonight in Wolverhampton, really enjoyed it.
Seemed to be a lot of younger people there. I think it was a couple of youth theatre groups and maybe a school trip too? Quite interesting to hear their reactions at different times and they absolutely gave it a great appreciation at the end.
This is a ideal show for younger folk, with a solid moral message, touches a lot of points in a way that totally avoids preachiness, which is the pit into which so many shows fall.
Set design is excellent here, perfect for a touring show, in that it appears simple but used perfectly. Pacing is probably the strongest point here, never drags, only a few bits that feel redundant (although this is obviously subjective)
It's a very moving show, probably more so for those who might have felt 'othered' at school, and certainly for anyone who struggles with their speech and communication.
Only criticism I'd have is the scenes between the head and teacher don't really do anything for the story, whereas they could have pushed deeper into how the school system can sideline some kids who are seen as trouble. Rather than the comedy bits here, more scenes remembering his Mum might have been more effective?
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone, the sort of show I'd love to see full every night with school kids. Cast is strong, well polished show, slick, heartfelt, direct and never preachy.
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Post by ChristineH on Oct 9, 2024 21:02:42 GMT
Saw this tonight in Wolverhampton, really enjoyed it. Seemed to be a lot of younger people there. I think it was a couple of youth theatre groups and maybe a school trip too? Quite interesting to hear their reactions at different times and they absolutely gave it a great appreciation at the end. This is a ideal show for younger folk, with a solid moral message, touches a lot of points in a way that totally avoids preachiness, which is the pit into which so many shows fall. Set design is excellent here, perfect for a touring show, in that it appears simple but used perfectly. Pacing is probably the strongest point here, never drags, only a few bits that feel redundant (although this is obviously subjective) It's a very moving show, probably more so for those who might have felt 'othered' at school, and certainly for anyone who struggles with their speech and communication. Only criticism I'd have is the scenes between the head and teacher don't really do anything for the story, whereas they could have pushed deeper into how the school system can sideline some kids who are seen as trouble. Rather than the comedy bits here, more scenes remembering his Mum might have been more effective? Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone, the sort of show I'd love to see full every night with school kids. Cast is strong, well polished show, slick, heartfelt, direct and never preachy. I saw the matinee today at Blackpool Grand and concur with everything you say. An impressive, accomplished cast and highly creative captioning. There were several school groups in this afternoon, some of whom I reckon were under the 12+ age recommendation. Nevertheless, they all seemed attentive and engaged throughout and took the swearing in their stride - no annoying giggling, thankfully - although there were audible gasps when the c-bomb was dropped, and a few muffled sobs at certain moments. As you say, the unfiltered reactions from younger audience members are great. I thought the inspirational teacher/childless cat lady headteacher contrast was slightly schematic but overall the writing incorporated a range of styles and themes with both humour and emotional weight. As for the humour, I loved Roshi’s plot summary of Hamlet and the increasingly weaponised Shakespeares goading the audience with outsize quills. I didn’t know until after I’d seen the play that Ross Willis was only 20 when he wrote it, so yes, the story arc is pretty apparent from the start but it’s so creative and played with such verve and panache, you’d have to have a swinging brick for a heart not to be swept along... |
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Post by darreno on Oct 9, 2024 23:37:54 GMT
Saw this tonight in Wolverhampton, really enjoyed it. Seemed to be a lot of younger people there. I think it was a couple of youth theatre groups and maybe a school trip too? Quite interesting to hear their reactions at different times and they absolutely gave it a great appreciation at the end. This is a ideal show for younger folk, with a solid moral message, touches a lot of points in a way that totally avoids preachiness, which is the pit into which so many shows fall. Set design is excellent here, perfect for a touring show, in that it appears simple but used perfectly. Pacing is probably the strongest point here, never drags, only a few bits that feel redundant (although this is obviously subjective) It's a very moving show, probably more so for those who might have felt 'othered' at school, and certainly for anyone who struggles with their speech and communication. Only criticism I'd have is the scenes between the head and teacher don't really do anything for the story, whereas they could have pushed deeper into how the school system can sideline some kids who are seen as trouble. Rather than the comedy bits here, more scenes remembering his Mum might have been more effective? Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone, the sort of show I'd love to see full every night with school kids. Cast is strong, well polished show, slick, heartfelt, direct and never preachy. I saw the matinee today at Blackpool Grand and concur with everything you say. An impressive, accomplished cast and highly creative captioning. There were several school groups in this afternoon, some of whom I reckon were under the 12+ age recommendation. Nevertheless, they all seemed attentive and engaged throughout and took the swearing in their stride - no annoying giggling, thankfully - although there were audible gasps when the c-bomb was dropped, and a few muffled sobs at certain moments. As you say, the unfiltered reactions from younger audience members are great. I thought the inspirational teacher/childless cat lady headteacher contrast was slightly schematic but overall the writing incorporated a range of styles and themes with both humour and emotional weight. As for the humour, I loved Roshi’s plot summary of Hamlet and the increasingly weaponised Shakespeares goading the audience with outsize quills. I didn’t know until after I’d seen the play that Ross Willis was only 20 when he wrote it, so yes, the story arc is pretty apparent from the start but it’s so creative and played with such verve and panache, you’d have to have a swinging brick for a heart not to be swept along... The Hamlet summary is amazing! As a fan of Hamlet myself, she absolutely nails it. |
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