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Post by Jan on Jun 27, 2024 7:42:56 GMT
For those interested in classic revivals 3-28 September the Finborough are doing The Silver Cord, a 1926 play by Sidney Howard. A rare chance to see a play by this almost entirely forgotten American author who was very famous in his day and won both the Pulitzer Prize for drama and an Oscar (for the Gone With the Wind screenplay). finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/the-silver-cord/ |
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Post by winonaforever on Jun 27, 2024 21:11:20 GMT
That sounds really interesting. I love the film.
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Post by Dave B on Sept 5, 2024 9:22:02 GMT
We saw the first preview last night. Sold out which was a good to see. Still no pub downstairs. Last time I was there in July they were actively fitting out a new bar - looks like nothing has been done since, it has just been covered in plastic.
Some very very slight line flubs but little else to show it was first night otherwise. A very warm evening inside, uncomfortably warm by the end of the the plan. Some questionable choices with the lighting, there are vertical light strips by the doors on each side so with this playing in the round, they are really bright and shining directly into the side seats - made the main scene where they are turned on very uncomfortably and would seem to suggest that no-one from the team has sat by the side. There also isn't really enough room for the seats they have put in with both people on the end of the side seats having to move a fair bit to let cast use the space as a passageway. One woman spoke to FOH and moved at the interval.
Sit face on for this. As you come in, take a seat on the longer benches facing what is often forward here.
As to the play itself, it certainly feels of it's time. Clearly I have nothing to compare it to having last played in London almost 100 years ago but I wonder if this version is played less for laughs and more seriously. It isn't very much a comedy and there are not many laughs. I'd guess that in the past it was played more broadly with Mrs Phelps being perhaps more of a caricature and lines describing her son played .. almost silly voice like? It feels like it maybe has had a tone shift from comedy to drama. It does drag a little in the second and third acts as it feels like it cycles through a little with Christina's position reiterated and reiterated. A judicious edit might have worked well here.
The cast however, all great. Alix Dunmore as Christina is really good, Sophie Ward's Mrs Phelps is excellent and as the play goes on, Dario Coates really comes into his own as Rob in particular in the last few minutes.
Running long, was suppose to be over 22:10 and while I didn't think to check what time it actually finished, it was 22.35 by the time we had got to West Brompton, less than 10 minutes away. We enjoyed and probably enjoyed it more than I'm perhaps making it sound. A strong three stars with a definite chance to settle into four stars.
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Post by kate8 on Sept 5, 2024 17:51:52 GMT
Thanks for the review Dave. I’m seeing this next week. Can I ask for a bit more info on where to sit? When I go through the door into the the theatre, sounds like I should go for the seats to my right, which is often the stage area?
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Post by Dave B on Sept 5, 2024 22:15:40 GMT
Can I ask for a bit more info on where to sit? When I go through the door into the the theatre, sounds like I should go for the seats to my right, Yes, there is one long bench between the main door and the door to the stage for the cast and two smaller ones in front. I would sit there to avoid cast getting too close and hopefully lights being ok. |
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Post by kate8 on Sept 6, 2024 6:08:55 GMT
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Post by bee on Sept 7, 2024 20:31:34 GMT
I saw today's matinee of this and loved it. It does feel a bit old fashioned at times, but at heart it has a good plot which provides you with a heroine to really root for (Christina) and a villain to despise (Mrs. Phelps), so you're quite quickly invested in the story.
The acting is marvellous, Alix Dunmore and Sophie Ward in particular are quite brilliant, but everyone does a great job.
Regarding the lighting issue mentioned by Dave B, I was sitting in the seats opposite the entrance. I felt the strip lights were a bit harsh but it wasn't too bad. However one gentleman, who had been sitting in the seats on the side was complaining about them to the FOH staff as we left, so looks like it's advisable to get there early enough so you can avoid the seating at the side.
About 2 hours 50 minutes including an interval. Matinées are at 3 pm.
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Post by kate8 on Sept 13, 2024 18:52:02 GMT
I agree with previous comments - the cast are excellent, the play is a bit too long and somewhat dated but still very enjoyable.
I sat in the area Dave suggested, which was perfect. I don’t know if the lighting problem has been resolved, but I didn’t notice anyone looking uncomfortable.
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Post by Jan on Sept 18, 2024 7:24:40 GMT
I thought this was very good. A dated American melodrama like this is tricky to stage now because although I assume it was taken very seriously at the time it is now easy for it to stray into camp and for audiences to laugh and treat it as a comedy. This is avoided here by committed but understated acting throughout and in particular by a remarkable performance by Sophie Ward as the mother who avoids the temptation to give it the full Joan Crawford. I thought a running time of 2:40 might seem long but in fact it was so engaging I didn't find it a problem. Very good set too.
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Post by Jan on Sept 18, 2024 7:31:43 GMT
.... but I wonder if this version is played less for laughs and more seriously. It isn't very much a comedy and there are not many laughs. I'd guess that in the past it was played more broadly with Mrs Phelps being perhaps more of a caricature and lines describing her son played .. almost silly voice like? It feels like it maybe has had a tone shift from comedy to drama.
Per my review I suspect the exact opposite - that originally it was treated entirely as a serious drama but now due to our modern sensibilities there are a few laughs. Sidney Howard at the time was a friend of and ranked with Eugene O'Neill. Years ago the NT did a production of O'Neill's short early sea plays. These now seemed so overwrought and melodramatic that on the opening night the audience started laughing at them. At the interval O'Neil's widow who was in the audience left in tears. |
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Post by thattheatreman on Sept 23, 2024 6:49:44 GMT
I thought this was very good. A dated American melodrama like this is tricky to stage now because although I assume it was taken very seriously at the time it is now easy for it to stray into camp and for audiences to laugh and treat it as a comedy. This is avoided here by committed but understated acting throughout and in particular by a remarkable performance by Sophie Ward as the mother who avoids the temptation to give it the full Joan Crawford. I thought a running time of 2:40 might seem long but in fact it was so engaging I didn't find it a problem. Very good set too. Looking forward to this. Finborough is my local, even though the stairs harder after my knee operation. Often worth it though. |
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Post by Jan on Sept 23, 2024 7:37:04 GMT
Still no pub downstairs. Last time I was there in July they were actively fitting out a new bar - looks like nothing has been done since, it has just been covered in plastic.
I asked them about this - they said the pub was due to open again "next month". Hard to see it being any more successful than it was in its several former incarnations over the years, it is just a dead area with the streets always near-deserted. |
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