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Post by drmaplewood on Feb 15, 2016 11:22:04 GMT
Very little queue to speak of, only 3 people in front of me when I arrived just before 10.
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Post by PalelyLaura on Feb 15, 2016 11:58:48 GMT
Very little queue to speak of, only 3 people in front of me when I arrived just before 10. Thanks v much. Looks like a viable option for me then :-)
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Post by Steve on Feb 15, 2016 18:11:13 GMT
I loved this. It's a lovely dramedy about displaced grief, and the dysfunction that stems from that grief, bookended by scenes of potent and heartfelt blasphemy. The producers missed a trick by not casting Simon Lipkin as Pastor Greg though, rather than the serviceable Neil Pearson, as my own idea about Lipkin being deeply disturbed by puppetry had me giggling, even though he wasn't playing the part. A trick missed. Anyhow, Harry Melling is the new Simon Lipkin, and boy, is he good with that sock-puppet!? The contrast between his portrayal of morose wet doormouse of a teenager, Jason, and his gobby foul-mouthmouthed furious puppet, Tyrone, couldn't have been better realised. In one scene I felt Melling channelling Bruce Campbell's Ash, in that simultaneously shocking and hilarious scene in the original "Evil Dead" movie, where Ash goes to war with his own hand. Having seen Melling's own play, and quite a few of his performances, I find him the most impressive of the young generation that emerged from Harry Potter. Janie Dee is brilliant when she breaks bad, as she did in the Royal Court's NSFW, and does again here. It's funny how realistic sex is never remotely sexy in theatre, but comedic sex is steamingly hot. Janie Dee's Margery is distant and detached, until she inappropriately vents her libido on a teenage victim, Timothy (Kevin Mains). At that point, Dee commits to the explosion of her character's world so thoroughly that I was gasping in shock and laughter! The blasphemy bookends to the play must have been shocking in America, where so many government officals and schoolchildren parrot daily pledges to a nation "under God." Here, even Bishops question whether God can be taken literally, or is merely a useful concept, and the BBC and Richard Dawkins share the grim facts periodically to make sure we don't get our irrational hopes up. But while many of us over here won't find blasphemy shocking, the play is fortunately written by a true-believer, playwright Robert Askin. The spirit of his boundary-breaking daring and naughtiness is distilled by his words into a searing expression of truths some take too easily for granted this side of the pond. By turns hilarious and meaningful, this is an excellent night out. 4 stars.
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Post by theatreliker on Feb 15, 2016 21:49:34 GMT
Well if you want a subtle contemporary American play about grief go and see Rabbit Hole. Humour is at the fore here (and not all of it hilarious) but the central story of Margery and Jason really ground it, especially those 2 scenes in the car and bedroom. A very impressive set, a very committed cast, and a fresh and exciting play/production. I agree about Jemima Rooper (and Neil Pearson) who are playing thankless roles, but this is an enjoyable show. Melling is superlative in it, and Janie Dee is (as ever) very good. It's such a weird show, quite dream like with the bright colours of the set. The short scenes mean that the characters can't really grow and there are forced jokes but I'd recommend it and the audience really enjoyed it when I saw it. As did I.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 22:52:58 GMT
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Post by charliec on Feb 15, 2016 22:55:40 GMT
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Post by couldileaveyou on Feb 15, 2016 23:04:58 GMT
that's so weird, the chubby guy always gave enthusiastic reviews to horrible plays! now, I agree that every now and then it was a bit self-conscious (I mean, the sex scene for example, very like: look at how profanous we can be and get away with it! how modern!), but I loved the show, I found it absolutely brilliant and I think it has an important message.
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Post by talkstageytome on Feb 15, 2016 23:31:19 GMT
Was shocked by this. 1* feels totally unfair and the review seems not to take note of perhaps the most important questions raised by the play. Some elements were really quite touching and felt a lot more like they justified using blasphemy etc than that found in the likes of BoM (which I also love). Also, if nothing else, the superb cast deserves a bit more praise than that given. Luckily the audience reaction on twitter is much more positive than this one review. Very shocking, but I suppose it just goes to show how polarizing a play can be! I personally loved this. Possibly the best thing I've seen in 2016 so far!
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Feb 15, 2016 23:49:42 GMT
I think Shenton's had his funny bone removed... ?
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 16, 2016 9:43:24 GMT
If Daddy Shenton hated it I will probably love it!!! I find the things he raves over decidedly "meh".
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Feb 16, 2016 9:51:08 GMT
If Daddy Shenton hated it I will probably love it!!! I find the things he raves over decidedly "meh". I just don't get his "tastes". He seems so inconsistent and a bit random in his reviews.
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1,008 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Feb 16, 2016 10:03:21 GMT
Most other reviews so far have been positive.
As I still don't really understand the rules, is this show eligible for the 2016 Oliviers?
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Post by alece10 on Feb 16, 2016 10:13:35 GMT
I went to press night last night and enjoyed it but not as much as I thought I would. Cant fault the performers especially Harry Melling and Janie Dee who were execllent. Some very funny lines but also some quite disturbing scenes. Something went wrong with the set in the first act and looked like it wouldnt move between scenes but it was sorted after a few minutes. I was sitting in the back row of the stalls and so couldnt really see the puppets properly or the facial expressions of the actors. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I was closer to the stage. i'd give it 3 stars and probably 3.5 if I was sitting nearer.
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1,209 posts
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Post by Steve on Feb 16, 2016 10:15:58 GMT
1* feels totally unfair and the review seems not to take note of perhaps the most important questions raised by the play. Yes, the review is bizarre, not because he states his opinion which he's very much entitled to, but because he seems to thoroughly get the facts wrong. He states that "the sexual politics of the play, in which the mother surrenders to violent sex with the other teenage male after rejecting the advances of the local adult pastor, is also extremely questionable, if not to say actively distasteful. Playwright Robert Askins will no doubt claim that he is challenging taboos – but he's simply parading stereotypes and peddling cliches." Stating Janie Dee's Margery "surrenders" to sex is ridiculous, and suggests a "stereotype" about female sexual passivity that simply isn't in this play. In fact, Margery utterly devours that boy in order to clear her mind of grief. The boy is left reeling in shock. By denying Margery's absolute agency, it is Shenton who is "peddling stereotypes."
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Post by raiseitup on Feb 16, 2016 11:34:15 GMT
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Feb 16, 2016 12:00:14 GMT
Wilma. Standard. The Stage. Mmmm. I'll reserve judgement until I've seen it on Sat. Word of mouth has been quite positive.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 15:40:32 GMT
3* Times I am sorry but that is not mixed it is quite clearly a negative selection of review I am seeing this next week but as they are giving away tickets already it doesn't bode well We all know a recent new show which received a raft of 5 star reviews and is closing These really are tough times for new shows and this show should never have entered the commercial WE It is going to flop big time A limited run at Tricycle or Dorfman would be more appropriate
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 16:05:20 GMT
I am sorry but that is not mixed it is quite clearly a negative selection of reviewI am seeing this next week but as they are giving away tickets already it doesn't bode well We all know a recent new show which received a raft of 5 star reviews and is closing These really are tough times for new shows and this show should never have entered the commercial WE It is going to flop big time A limited run at Tricycle or Dorfman would be more appropriate It's a limited run, of a 5 person play, in a theatre owned by one of the producers. It will do just fine.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 16:06:02 GMT
Well I for one am still very much looking forward to seeing this next week, regardless of reviews. I intend to form my own opinion once I've seen it before my own eyes.
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Post by avenueqresident on Feb 16, 2016 16:15:40 GMT
TodayTix seem to be doing a lottery for Tuesday evening performances to win £15.00 tickets
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 16, 2016 16:25:49 GMT
The producers would have poured the champagne down the drain last night, theses aren't good reviews, the ones that hold any weight were poor. I haven't seen the Telegraph one yet, but don't expect it to be any better and the Daily Mail if you use a word stronger than 'blimey' Quentin Letts tends to throw a hissy fit.
What it does tell me that, this country doesn't do profanity well, especially if it is an exported kind, this reminds me of Book of Mormon where it got tepid reviews here despite getting rave reviews in New York, the reviews went against what people who saw the show here and certainly people who have now moved on to Theatre Board raved about Book of Mormon seemed to rave.
With these reviews past experience tells me to go by my own instincts and I expect to still enjoy this, albeit I now expect to get my ticket for a lot cheaper.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 17:43:01 GMT
These reviews aren't going to help a show that's already struggling to sell tickets, that's for sure. It's going to be reliant on word of mouth, so fingers crossed people who've enjoyed it shout it from the rooftops.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Feb 16, 2016 19:17:51 GMT
I am sorry but that is not mixed it is quite clearly a negative selection of review That's an interesting conclusion when there's an assortment of reviews from one star to four star, with twice as many four star reviews to one star. Did anyone seriously think the likes of Letts would be dishing out five star raves for this? I'll look forward to seeing Hand to God even more if it gets slated in the Daily Mail on Friday - that would count as a great endorsement in my book!
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 16, 2016 20:32:38 GMT
There were some very good reviews but from the lightweights the ones that matter were poor 2 stars.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 21:29:51 GMT
Does a four star review really sell tickets?!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 21:45:34 GMT
Does a four star review really sell tickets?! One won't, but a bunch of them might.
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 16, 2016 22:19:34 GMT
A whole bunch of 5 star reviews didn't shift tickets for Bend It Like Beckham! I don't think official reviews matter as much as the critics would like to think. I think word of mouth of people that have seen the show recommending it and Twitter and social media from paying punters have more influence today.
Having said that a show that opened before "social media" and that was almost universally slated by the critics when it opened went on to be one of the most successful shows of all time - the show being Les Mis of course!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 22:35:39 GMT
I agree word of mouth is hugely valuable when it comes to selling a show. But given they're struggling to sell tickets already, and that the people on here who are keen to go aren't necessarily hugely representative of the wider theatregoing audience, I'm not sure where that word of mouth is going to come from.
And they don't have a huge name like Matthew Perry, which I'm guessing will mean the disappointing reviews for his show won't much matter.
With all that in mind then, yes, having some positive quotes and an impressive bunch of star ratings might not be considered a bad thing!
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Post by CG on the loose on Feb 16, 2016 23:22:12 GMT
Was there tonight - found some of it very funny, but not as much of it as I hoped, and generally thought the cast far stronger than the material. Would hesitate to recommend as I think reactions to it will vary hugely (as suggested by the wide-ranging reviews) and where some will find it hilarious, others will be left completely cold. I fall somewhere between the two extremes - glad I've seen, no desire to see again.
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 17, 2016 1:13:54 GMT
Critics aren't important, especially in London, they just add an huge expense to a marketing bill. The reviewers that see the show don't give the stars out, it's the arts desk editor ( except for Michael Billington) and they can add an extra star if they smell there is an handsome marketing budget. It is a farce.
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