376 posts
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Post by sherriebythesea on Apr 6, 2017 5:00:24 GMT
just got my priority booking email from Sonia! I can finally stop hitting refresh on my inbox after 3 days Mine came through at 5 am today (my AZ time). You are still my hero for figuring out why Sonia wasn't answering my tweet.
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Post by Jan on Apr 6, 2017 6:22:29 GMT
You missed Summerfolk ? You kept that quiet. It was brilliant. Of course I had tickets for and missed the Grandage Othello, Branagh Hamlet, Simon Russell-Beale R-III but I expect they were rubbish. On your previous comment about audibility, I assumed they were speaking g quietly in parts to draw the audience in, I mean the gravedigger was practically whispering and I could hardly hear although I was quite close. I have never ceased to rue having missed Summerfolk (and have mentioned it more than once before here in fact, or perhaps you're being mildly sarcastic). I can't account for it - it would have been just my kind of thing. The one that got away. Summerfolk was very good - and so much of it, it ran 3:50 when I saw it.
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4,598 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 6, 2017 17:00:03 GMT
Such a beautiful and thought provoking production that turns multiple scenes on its head. The fluidity between scenes is also stunning - NT 12th night take note!
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5,596 posts
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Post by lynette on Apr 6, 2017 19:48:42 GMT
Summerfolk absolutey best thing ever. Are we trying to make someone feel bad here? Actually it was ok. A bit sub Chekov.
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Apr 8, 2017 20:15:46 GMT
Glad to hear so much positivity surrounding this production. I managed to grab one of the free tickets so I'm seeing it next Wednesday. Hamlet's not my fave Shakespeare play but I'm really looking forward to it.
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994 posts
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Post by nash16 on Apr 8, 2017 20:40:47 GMT
Just seen the matinee. Oh, my. I finally think I have an insight into who Hamlet is, after seeing maybe a dozen or so versions. It's just magnificent and introspective and extrovert and multi-layered and 3 hours 40 fly by. Oh, and the new seats are comfy indeed. Not having to share a bench any more too, lovely. Even better, the pair next to me didn't turn up, so peaceful as well. Only questionable: was the topless scene totally necessary? Don't think so. R.e. the topless scene. Icke is now known for his subtle misogyny. I remember a previous scene of contention in The Red Barn, with similarly pointless nudity for the poor actress. He's never called out on this though. I wonder why?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 21:03:53 GMT
I didn't think the topless scene was the most misogynist thing about Red Barn by a mile.
Still thinking about Hamlet. Was definitely a strong, memorable production - despite the mumbling...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 21:12:32 GMT
I'm inttriged. Is the topless scence when Ophelia is in the bath because if it is when I saw it I noticed She looked naked but I thought it was tasteful and in a preview but she actually is exposed naked that seems a bit gratuitous and n The only other topless scene I can think of is the grave digger
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 21:26:59 GMT
I'm a straight white male who knows very little about the latest feminist ideologies and I found the bathtub scene totally unnecessary/pervy/ridiculous. But this was only one of several moments in this production where I felt similarly bemused/perplexed/exasperated...
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Post by Honoured Guest on Apr 8, 2017 22:13:38 GMT
I always wear a top in the bath ...NOT.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 22:23:02 GMT
I didn't mind the bath scene. "My boyfriend looked at me funny" is a slightly weird reason to go running to your dad in fear, it makes more sense that she be so shaken if he's snuck up on her in a totally vulnerable state in the bathroom.
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725 posts
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Post by Latecomer on Apr 9, 2017 7:15:42 GMT
I thought the bath scene was a master stroke...it made far more sense of Ophelia's descent and I didn't mind the nudity or think it was gratuitous!
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Post by Honoured Guest on Apr 9, 2017 9:43:38 GMT
Only questionable: was the topless scene totally necessary? Don't think so. This is a "Just me" comment. I believe it's your honest comment but it's all about your personal "faces" reaction and ignores the dramatic reasons for the scene and even suggests that there aren't any! There's a reason for every aspect of this production.
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2,706 posts
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Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Apr 9, 2017 10:41:59 GMT
I'm a straight white male who knows very little about the latest feminist ideologies and I found the bathtub scene totally unnecessary/pervy/ridiculous. But this was only one of several moments in this production where I felt similarly bemused/perplexed/exasperated... You may not have realised but you've registered as female (that pink icon next to your details). I'm all for gender fluidity but just in case you didn't know (as it counters your post).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2017 11:02:37 GMT
I'm a straight white male who knows very little about the latest feminist ideologies and I found the bathtub scene totally unnecessary/pervy/ridiculous. But this was only one of several moments in this production where I felt similarly bemused/perplexed/exasperated... You may not have realised but you've registered as female (that pink icon next to your details). I'm all for gender fluidity but just in case you didn't know (as it counters your post). Well, if I wrote it on an random forum, it must be true. My birthday also isn't on January 1st. And so ends my brief interaction with online forums.
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2,706 posts
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Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Apr 9, 2017 11:35:30 GMT
You may not have realised but you've registered as female (that pink icon next to your details). I'm all for gender fluidity but just in case you didn't know (as it counters your post). Well, if I wrote it on an random forum, it must be true. My birthday also isn't on January 1st. And so ends my brief interaction with online forums. Stick around, I noticed you were knew so didn't think you'd realised.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Apr 9, 2017 18:03:49 GMT
Theatre monkey you mean I missed you at yesterdays matinee? And I had my badge on and everything.
Only saw this because of all the positive feedback on here as was taking a break from Andrew Scott after getting rather tired of a lot of a bit over the top manic characters. So pleased I did, I think that's probably the best production I've seen of hamlet taken as a whole. The woman were really strong in this for me, loved Juliet Stevenson's Gertrude, probably the best I've seen her and I actually liked Ophelia, I generally loath the character but this portrayal had not a bit of the wet weekend about her. I liked the decision to chose to show us that there had been a relationship there explicitly as it made everything else more painful after that as it all feel apart. I don't know if it was due to seeing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead two days before but I really liked the actress playing Guildenstern too, for once wasn't just a nobody that you forgot. The obvious and genuine affection felt between Peter Wright's Polonius and his children also paid off, I've also seen Polonius as a rather easy character to dislike, seemingly rather careless of his children's feelings but here it felt like seeing a real father and daughter relationship. And Andrew Scott, well not irritating at all, I appreciated the often quietness of his portrayal, the lines seemingly to come like they had just been thought of.
I obviously completly missed the 'bath scene' though, sat on far left side, what happened? I assumed Hamlet and come across Ophelia and been rather rough but am guessing he yanked her out of the bath? She did look damp now I think of it.
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103 posts
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Post by sondheimhats on Apr 9, 2017 18:13:56 GMT
I admit I'm also curious about this bath scene. I missed it as well. I knew vaguely what was happening, because I'm familiar with her speech in the following scene in which she describes that encounter. But I couldn't see any of it. What exactly does he do to her?
Also, I hate to ask this very crude question, but given the earlier conversation about onstage nudity, I can't stop myself from wondering: exactly how much of her is revealed during this bath scene?
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Apr 9, 2017 18:31:37 GMT
Reading back through the thread now and wondering just how much I missed by not being able to see much in that middle section, missed most of the party (beginning) and end dancing.
This production definitely touches people though, in the 'am I a coward' soliloquy a member of the audience appeared to feel compelled to assure Hamlet that he was not, but then there was that other soliloquy where someone's phone went off......
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2017 19:05:08 GMT
I admit I'm also curious about this bath scene. I missed it as well. I knew vaguely what was happening, because I'm familiar with her speech in the following scene in which she describes that encounter. But I couldn't see any of it. What exactly does he do to her? Also, I hate to ask this very crude question, but given the earlier conversation about onstage nudity, I can't stop myself from wondering: exactly how much of her is revealed during this bath scene? I think the fashionable term is "side boob". ;-) Though it may vary from show to show of course; live performance being what it is. Hamlet reaches into the bath and grabs her arm, as I recall. She sort of half-raises and twists her upper body in response (I assume trying to pull away from him, but what I noticed more than the toplessness was how sinewy the actress's arm was - at that point all I was thinking was that she'd have given Scott a run for his money in any arm-wrestling competition!).
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371 posts
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Post by popcultureboy on Apr 9, 2017 21:38:45 GMT
We're really going to start taking this to task for a 15 second scene in a bath tub where you don't see anything explicit? Let's not forget that Angus Wright paraded around buck naked in Oresteia as well, so Icke is relatively equal opportunities on the exposed flesh front.
Has anyone else noticed that Brown Findlay has a really bruised leg in the post bath scene though? Can only assume she's really not holding back when she's punching herself in the mad scene....
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103 posts
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Post by sondheimhats on Apr 9, 2017 21:41:47 GMT
Has anyone else noticed that Brown Findlay has a really bruised leg in the post bath scene though? Can only assume she's really not holding back when she's punching herself in the mad scene.... No, they are fake bruises. I asked her after the performance whether they were real bruises or not, and she said they were just make-up. (though it only just occurred to me that she might have been fibbing, but I doubt it.)
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725 posts
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Post by Latecomer on Apr 10, 2017 6:20:55 GMT
Has anyone else noticed that Brown Findlay has a really bruised leg in the post bath scene though? Can only assume she's really not holding back when she's punching herself in the mad scene.... No, they are fake bruises. I asked her after the performance whether they were real bruises or not, and she said they were just make-up. (though it only just occurred to me that she might have been fibbing, but I doubt it.) I thought they were bruises because Hamlet had assaulted her......that was my immediate assumption at the time....
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3 posts
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Post by tink on Apr 10, 2017 14:17:23 GMT
People have mentioned £10 and £15 dress circle tickets but whenever I look they are all £60... Does my inability to find the £15 tix just mean that they've all gone now? I've seen it twice and am going again but if there are £15 tix... well, I'm sure I could manage a 4th
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 16:05:22 GMT
I'm still cogitating about this as well. My first reaction when I got to the theatre was - SEATS! It's 1000% more enjoyable not being bounced about by the person sitting next to you, so thank you Almeida!
Overall I really thought this was a brilliant production and truly illuminating and communicative - like a lot of people, I really feel like I got insights into the play that I've never had before. All of the main characters felt like real, rounded, relatable people; I actually liked the fact that Claudius was a bit bland because he was human rather than the panto villain he sometimes becomes. And the relationship between him and Gertrude felt real and affectionate - a lot of productions show it as being primarily about sex and/or power, and I liked that there was clearly more to it than that in this production (or at least the first three quarters of it). Amongst a lot of lovely touches I particularly liked the two times that Hamlet tried to hold his parents hands together - again, just a human, understandable gesture that communicated a lot very directly.
A few very very minor quibbles that in no way undermine the overall brilliance:
Mumbling - seriously, I was on row F and I struggled to hear some of the actors - it felt like the idea that truthful acting is non-projecting acting had infiltrated this production a bit.
Andrew Scott - overall absolutely excellent and I loved what he did with so much of it; but by the end, I did think his performance was becoming a bit one-note. I didn't feel as touched by his death as I have in other productions - but that might have been the length and the limits of my concentration as much as anything.
Having said that, although it is long I never felt like it dragged and my concentration didn't really falter. It's such a good, involving production that the length is non-painful and totally forgivable!
Will definitely stay in my memory and I would happily see it again if a ticket became available - though I suspect that's unlikely.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Apr 10, 2017 16:48:52 GMT
People have mentioned £10 and £15 dress circle tickets but whenever I look they are all £60... Does my inability to find the £15 tix just mean that they've all gone now? I've seen it twice and am going again but if there are £15 tix... well, I'm sure I could manage a 4th I had a look on the ATG Tickets site for a couple of random dates - didn't see any £15 tickets in the stalls or dress circle left, but there are plenty of decent £25 seats in the stalls left and £15 seats in the upper circle
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3 posts
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Post by tink on Apr 10, 2017 17:04:50 GMT
People have mentioned £10 and £15 dress circle tickets but whenever I look they are all £60... Does my inability to find the £15 tix just mean that they've all gone now? I've seen it twice and am going again but if there are £15 tix... well, I'm sure I could manage a 4th I had a look on the ATG Tickets site for a couple of random dates - didn't see any £15 tickets in the stalls or dress circle left, but there are plenty of decent £25 seats in the stalls left and £15 seats in the upper circle Thank you! I'll have a look at the upper circle - much appreciated! Save
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Apr 10, 2017 19:51:52 GMT
Me too! I was in the back corner of the stalls, so where were you, peggs? Still digesting this whole production. Oddly annoyed at myself that I never saw the Hamlet and Polonius families as "mirrors" of each other - the fates of the offspring the result of different parenting, the parable that neglect breeds misery for others, not just your own. Even more angry looking back, when I consider that pile we were all fed at the Barbican. THIS production should have been the one everybody was in line for in that way. Don't know if I want to see another Hamlet for a good while now, as the mark is now above even the Daniel Day Lewis famed NT version for me. Far left of stalls flat against the stage hence I missed some of the central back stuff. I don't think I've fully felt the importance of family in Hamlet before and yes Polonius' family was such an important part of that. Agree this was a much more illuminating production for me than the Barbican one.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 19:53:43 GMT
I have another question about this production. When hamlet is dragging the body of polonious is the curtain meant to be pulled down as when I saw a preview Andrew and Juliet both looked at each other oddly and I don't know if it was intentional but now looking back I think it was as as they didn't use the curtains for the rest. SO is it planned?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2017 9:21:50 GMT
Re: curtain, I think so- it certainly came down when I saw it 2 weeks ago and he used it as a means to drag Polonius (probably needed as Scott is comparatively small)
I also missed a fair bit by being on the extreme sides, so I'm excited to see it front on in the transfer...
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