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Post by jake on Oct 12, 2024 7:59:43 GMT
Unless it has changed since I was last there the Trafalgar stage is barely raised at all. I remember thinking that I could almost have been one of Marlene's dinner guests in Top Girls (although being the wrong sex might have been an obstacle). At The Hothouse and The Homecoming I also had the same feel of being in the thick of the action. Front stalls might, in fact, be a bigger advantage than usual because I got the impression the rake is pretty shallow (though I can't remember ever sitting further back than the third row). It should be noted that the theatre HAS changed since you were last there.  You are describing the old Trafalgar Studios 1. Both Trafalgar Studios spaces have since been REconverted back to how it was prior, as it was as the Whitehall Theatre; now called the Trafalgar Theatre. It now consists of a stalls and a circle level. The stage IS elevated above the audience, and if this production has any revolve or trapdoor features, it will be raised even higher. Hopefully a future attendee can get a photo of the current front stalls area for greatauntedna Thanks for the update. I don't think I've been there since Jamie Lloyd's The Homecoming - which must be nearly a decade ago. In my defence, I did include a caveat. Both Trafalgar Studios spaces have since been REconverted back to how it was prior, as it was as the Whitehall Theatre...The stage IS elevated above the audience, and if this production has any revolve or trapdoor features, it will be raised even higher.I don't suppose a revival of Pyjama Tops is on the cards! I think they had a swimming pool on stage for that. It took up so much of the budget there was little left for costumes. |
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Post by jm25 on Oct 12, 2024 17:34:11 GMT
I thought this was dreadful. Genuinely up (or down?) there as one of the worst plays I’ve ever seen. Was practically nodding off in the first act and as for the second act… I know John Webster was known for violent plays but the entire act felt like a knock off Tarantino film gone wrong.
Others in this thread have mentioned audience laughter where there probably isn’t meant to be laughter… plenty of that at today’s matinee. That said, a smattering of people were standing by the end of the curtain call so at least some liked it.
Picked up a rush ticket in mid stalls for £25 - had some TodayTix cash to use up which meant I actually only paid £13 or so. Still feel like I overpaid…
PS. I wasn’t at the front but the stage didn’t look particularly high.
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Post by Jan on Oct 12, 2024 17:47:56 GMT
I thought this was dreadful. Genuinely up (or down?) there as one of the worst plays I’ve ever seen. Was practically nodding off in the first act and as for the second act… I know John Webster was known for violent plays but the entire act felt like a knock off Tarantino film gone wrong. Others in this thread have mentioned audience laughter where there probably isn’t meant to be laughter… plenty of that at today’s matinee. That said, a smattering of people were standing by the end of the curtain call so at least some liked it. Picked up a rush ticket in mid stalls for £25 - had some TodayTix cash to use up which meant I actually only paid £13 or so. Still feel like I overpaid… PS. I wasn’t at the front but the stage didn’t look particularly high. You’ll always get some standing when it’s Dr Who. |
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Post by theatre22 on Oct 12, 2024 22:46:36 GMT
How high is the stage? Anyone sat near the front? The stage isn’t very high and Row A is the front row. On Today Tix there was a row AA as well shown on the plan. Some looking up but that’s because there is some staging on a walkway higher up. Plenty of legroom. |
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Post by greatauntedna on Oct 12, 2024 22:54:52 GMT
How high is the stage? Anyone sat near the front? The stage isn’t very high and Row A is the front row. On Today Tix there was a row AA as well shown on the plan. Some looking up but that’s because there is some staging on a walkway higher up. Plenty of legroom. Thanks! |
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Post by lt on Oct 13, 2024 9:52:14 GMT
This is the third play I've seen at the Trafalgar Theatre this year, the others being - A Mirror and People, Places, Things - both of which were two of my favourite plays of the year. While I don't think The Duchess is as good as those, I did enjoy it when I saw it last night.
I had never seen the play before and knew nothing about it, apart from being aware that it was a Jacobean Tragedy. And no kidding about the tragedy element, one of the grimmest things I've seen and not I think a ringing endorsement of the Catholic church either...
I thought all the cast were strong and that the staging was particularly effective in the second half. The first part feels considerably lighter and while I was engaged in it, not completely absorbed, but that changed right at the start of the second half. Without giving away any spoilers, it opens very powerfully indeed and I thought the use of video was really effective - although I did think they slightly overused this, one or two clips less I felt would have had an even greater impact. The plotting and machinations through out the second half kept me completely gripped by the production and I was still thinking about it this morning.
I did read - not about this particular production - that modern audiences can struggle to take the final denouement completely seriously, which might explain some of the odd laughs from the audience at points, however, there were also audible gasps too. I thought it really packed an emotional punch. But there are also moments I think when you're supposed to laugh. For example after one bloody scene, the cardinal says he must get on with the sacrament now, which I thought was genuinely funny. At a number of points in the play, I think dark humour is used highly effectively.
And although, as I say, it was a grim watch, it was also compelling in the second half, and I'd be really interested in seeing another production in the future.
(And for those who have asked stage is pretty low.)
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Post by Rory on Oct 13, 2024 10:56:06 GMT
This is the third play I've seen at the Trafalgar Theatre this year, the others being - A Mirror and People, Places, Things - both of which were two of my favourite plays of the year. While I don't think The Duchess is as good as those, I did enjoy it when I saw it last night.
I had never seen the play before and knew nothing about it, apart from being aware that it was a Jacobean Tragedy. And no kidding about the tragedy element, one of the grimmest things I've seen and not I think a ringing endorsement of the Catholic church either...
I thought all the cast were strong and that the staging was particularly effective in the second half. The first part feels considerably lighter and while I was engaged in it, not completely absorbed, but that changed right at the start of the second half. Without giving away any spoilers, it opens very powerfully indeed and I thought the use of video was really effective - although I did think they slightly overused this, one or two clips less I felt would have had an even greater impact. The plotting and machinations through out the second half kept me completely gripped by the production and I was still thinking about it this morning.
I did read - not about this particular production - that modern audiences can struggle to take the final denouement completely seriously, which might explain some of the odd laughs from the audience at points, however, there were also audible gasps too. I thought it really packed an emotional punch. But there are also moments I think when you're supposed to laugh. For example after one bloody scene, the cardinal says he must get on with the sacrament now, which I thought was genuinely funny. At a number of points in the play, I think dark humour is used highly effectively.
And although, as I say, it was a grim watch, it was also compelling in the second half, and I'd be really interested in seeing another production in the future.
(And for those who have asked stage is pretty low.)
This makes me want to go! |
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Post by lt on Oct 13, 2024 11:08:13 GMT
This is the third play I've seen at the Trafalgar Theatre this year, the others being - A Mirror and People, Places, Things - both of which were two of my favourite plays of the year. While I don't think The Duchess is as good as those, I did enjoy it when I saw it last night.
I had never seen the play before and knew nothing about it, apart from being aware that it was a Jacobean Tragedy. And no kidding about the tragedy element, one of the grimmest things I've seen and not I think a ringing endorsement of the Catholic church either...
I thought all the cast were strong and that the staging was particularly effective in the second half. The first part feels considerably lighter and while I was engaged in it, not completely absorbed, but that changed right at the start of the second half. Without giving away any spoilers, it opens very powerfully indeed and I thought the use of video was really effective - although I did think they slightly overused this, one or two clips less I felt would have had an even greater impact. The plotting and machinations through out the second half kept me completely gripped by the production and I was still thinking about it this morning.
I did read - not about this particular production - that modern audiences can struggle to take the final denouement completely seriously, which might explain some of the odd laughs from the audience at points, however, there were also audible gasps too. I thought it really packed an emotional punch. But there are also moments I think when you're supposed to laugh. For example after one bloody scene, the cardinal says he must get on with the sacrament now, which I thought was genuinely funny. At a number of points in the play, I think dark humour is used highly effectively.
And although, as I say, it was a grim watch, it was also compelling in the second half, and I'd be really interested in seeing another production in the future.
(And for those who have asked stage is pretty low.)
This makes me want to go! You should! The £25 preview tickets I had for row L of the stalls, I thought were pretty good value too and we had an excellent view. |
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Post by greatauntedna on Oct 15, 2024 21:27:36 GMT
Great cast, confused production. Tonally all over the place. The start of Act 2 didn’t land for me.
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Post by nancycunard on Oct 17, 2024 13:13:14 GMT
This has had a real pasting from some:
1* Times
2* Guardian
2* Independent
2* The Stage
2* The I
3* Evening Standard
4* Telegraph
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Post by aspieandy on Oct 17, 2024 13:19:22 GMT
ouch!
Stick that up your dynamic pricing.
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Post by amyja89 on Oct 17, 2024 13:21:28 GMT
Absolute school trip bonanza at today’s matinee. I’m fearing the worst!
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Post by lt on Oct 17, 2024 14:21:09 GMT
This has had a real pasting from some: 1* Times 2* Guardian 2* Independent 2* The Stage 2* The I 3* Evening Standard 4* Telegraph Several slightly more positive reviews
3* Whats On Stage 4* Reviews Hub
But 2* The Arts Desk
I am much more in line with the Telegraph, while the play wasn't perfect, I did enjoy it. Prior to this, the last two productions I've seen both of which I thought were poor and were not particularly liked on this forum either, were well reviewed by the critics, the most recent being Never Let Me Go. As William Goldman used to say: "Nobody knows anything"...
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Post by parsley1 on Oct 17, 2024 14:27:07 GMT
Gosh absolutely ripped apart in the reviews
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Post by parsley1 on Oct 17, 2024 14:35:15 GMT
Another one where dynamic pricing has worked in my favour as I couldn’t afford the original prices but I just grabbed central Dress Circle Row A (£125 once the previews end) for £35 on TKTS for today’s matinee, reduced further to £32 as I had a theatre token discount voucher. Hoping Jodie’s still in it as quite a few tickets still left! (Edit: And in fact there are now £25 rush tickets back on TodayTix, also in £125 premium seats despite saying sold out earlier, which is an even better deal) Yes but it’s probably a warning a show isn’t very good When they have to dynamically price down tickets |
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Post by aspieandy on Oct 17, 2024 14:43:35 GMT
You'd have thought Dr Who might have seen this coming.
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Post by lt on Oct 17, 2024 14:43:45 GMT
Another one where dynamic pricing has worked in my favour as I couldn’t afford the original prices but I just grabbed central Dress Circle Row A (£125 once the previews end) for £35 on TKTS for today’s matinee, reduced further to £32 as I had a theatre token discount voucher. Hoping Jodie’s still in it as quite a few tickets still left! (Edit: And in fact there are now £25 rush tickets back on TodayTix, also in £125 premium seats despite saying sold out earlier, which is an even better deal) Yes but it’s probably a warning a show isn’t very good When they have to dynamically price down tickets Not necessarily, thanks to dynamic pricing I got good value tickets to A Mirror and People, Places and Things earlier in the year. |
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Post by youngoffender on Oct 17, 2024 14:58:58 GMT
From the Times review: "Long stretches feel like rehearsals from a student production." Ouch.
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Post by parsley1 on Oct 17, 2024 15:02:44 GMT
Yes but it’s probably a warning a show isn’t very good When they have to dynamically price down tickets Not necessarily, thanks to dynamic pricing I got good value tickets to A Mirror and People, Places and Things earlier in the year. Both appalling shows |
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Post by matthew90 on Oct 17, 2024 15:26:31 GMT
I saw it in previews and walked away thinking I'd just seen a GCSE drama group workshop an attempted reimagining. This production really was all over the place in terms of ideas and tones. I wanted desperately to feel emotionally engaged but ended up feeling like I was watching an 80s slasher parody by the end. The director needs to remember - Less is More.
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Post by lynette on Oct 17, 2024 16:56:51 GMT
You know me, I love a classic but I wouldn’t bother with another prod of this if you paid me. It was for a certain sort of person back when it was first put on and remains so to this day.
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Post by amyja89 on Oct 17, 2024 17:07:48 GMT
Yikes, this was not good.
My first experience of any kind with the source material, it can’t possibly be intended to elicit quite so much laughter. There are certainly obvious dark humour moments that are given their pause time, but a lot of my audience were literally laughing during scenes that the actors were barrelling through, clearly not expecting to have to pause.
As mentioned above, I had a GCSE age school trip all around me. They were mostly well behaved, but couldn’t help but erupt into mortified/titillated giggles whenever anything even remotely sexual was said/happened. Unfortunately including the sexual violence.
Thankfully, I was able to move well away from them to an aisle seat on front row of circle. Was worth the slightly restricted review to be in the company of adults on the other side of the theatre!
First part of second half was the highlight as others have stated, but one standout sequence of 20 minutes isn’t enough to save this.
Ultimately, it’s just a pretty bleak and unrewarding play for modern audiences to watch I think. I would say for modern female audiences, but one hopes that male audiences would have the exact same reaction!
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Oct 18, 2024 9:38:03 GMT
Oops just booked this, but a bit nervous now seeing all the reviews here...
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Post by Dave B on Oct 18, 2024 11:37:16 GMT
Not so much the reviews but the flowing offers that make me regret booking this. Ugh.
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 18, 2024 12:50:28 GMT
I don't know the source material, but for some reason I thought this was a tragedy. It turns out, it's a comedy, at least judging by the reaction of quite a large group of women in the rear Stalls yesterday. There were moments in the second act which you'd think no one could laugh at (one got quite a gasp from the majority), but these women still managed. All I can think is they were there to see "Doctor Who" and determined to have a good time.
As for the play, I must have found it more watchable than many. Jodie Whittaker is fantastic and I've liked Joel Fry dating all the way back to his sitcom days (even if I'm envious how he never seems to age). It helped that I got an excellent Rush seat in Row F, with no one in front and no one at one side for the first half and no one at either side for the second half. The people who didn't return missed out, as this really is a play of two halves. Yes, it's completely flawed, but there's more than enough in the second half to hold your attention.
I would never have paid the originally advertised prices for this, but there are lots of offers about at present, and I think it's worth seeing with the discounted pricing. Just approach this with an open mind.
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