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Post by Stephen on Nov 6, 2018 1:07:25 GMT
I didn't know what to expect givin the mixed response but on the whole I was happily surprised.
I don't think this is a great play. It certainly doesn't feel like a finished one. Right now we also don't need to find comedy in stupid racist jokes either. However, I liked the production and I liked the cast.
What I love is the darkness of McDonagh's stories and this had strong Pillowman vibes going throughout.
It was creepy but could definitely be creepier. Tom Waits is perfect as a creepy narrator!
I think this could return in the future as something even darker and a bit different...
4* production
3* play
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Post by theatrefan77 on Nov 6, 2018 7:51:01 GMT
I actually quite enjoyed this too. Not the best MacDonagh, but interesting in spite of its flaws. Booked a cheap ticket to see it again next week.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2018 14:02:40 GMT
The Bridge Theatre's stream of tweets along the lines of "hey kids it's really offensive!" seem a bit desperate
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2018 14:07:10 GMT
No one wants to see theatres constantly tweeting praise from audience members, which is why the first thing I do when I follow a theatre on Twitter is turn off their retweets. I'm pretty annoyed they've developed this loophole, and if they keep doing it, then I'm probably going to stop being passive-aggressively snarky about it and start @-ing them into my responses.
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543 posts
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Post by freckles on Nov 8, 2018 14:21:33 GMT
No one wants to see theatres constantly tweeting praise from audience members, which is why the first thing I do when I follow a theatre on Twitter is turn off their retweets. I'm pretty annoyed they've developed this loophole, and if they keep doing it, then I'm probably going to stop being passive-aggressively snarky about it and start @-ing them into my responses.
Oh, I do this too. And some performers! Annoying loophole indeed.
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1,133 posts
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Post by Stephen on Nov 9, 2018 0:28:01 GMT
For those of you, like me, that are bad with loud noises. This didn't bother me at all!
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3,319 posts
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Post by david on Nov 17, 2018 23:53:17 GMT
Having watched it tonight, I have to say I actually enjoyed it. Jim Broadbent and Johenetta Ackles were great together, but for me it was the scenes with Phil Daniels, Catherine Berrington and the kids alon with JB in the Dickens houses that were the highlight of the piece. They were some of the best bits of comedy I’ve seen on stage this year and where definitely for me the strongest parts of the play.
I did enjoy the satire and the gallows humour within the writing, though it’s more serious message about colonialism and it’s impact is probably one to chew over while having a proper read of the programme notes in the coming days.
For an 80min play, there was certainly enough on stage to keep me entertained and listening to other patrons thoughts, they seemed to enjoy it as well. The less than favourable reviews the production has had doesn’t seem to be deterring people from going. The auditorium seemed pretty full as far as I could tell from my Gallery 3 seat.
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Post by katurian on Nov 18, 2018 11:47:28 GMT
I was apprehensive to see this after the mixed reviews, but I enjoyed it very much.
I would say it's not McDonagh's best script, although it is a great production, and I can certainly understand aspects of the criticism, but I was thoroughly entertained by the dark comedy, performances and beautiful staging. Top set design!
I liked the tricksy plotting, and I think it made salient points about the history of white men guiding the narratives of the world without trying to be too worthy about it. More than anything, though, I had great fun watching it! The audience I was in seemed to, as well.
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Post by Mr Snow on Nov 22, 2018 9:13:16 GMT
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Post by zahidf on Nov 22, 2018 10:31:53 GMT
The comedy and set was good overall, but the plot was hot garbage.
The stage has an article today saying the bridge needs a proper new writing department. Hard to disagree
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Post by Jan on Nov 22, 2018 13:59:00 GMT
The comedy and set was good overall, but the plot was hot garbage. The stage has an article today saying the bridge needs a proper new writing department. Hard to disagree Is there a purely commercial theatre anywhere in the country that has a new writing department ? |
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2,496 posts
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Post by zahidf on Nov 22, 2018 14:40:40 GMT
The comedy and set was good overall, but the plot was hot garbage. The stage has an article today saying the bridge needs a proper new writing department. Hard to disagree Is there a purely commercial theatre anywhere in the country that has a new writing department ? I meant literary department rather than new writing. But Hampstead has one doesn't it? Does the Royal court count? |
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Post by Jan on Nov 22, 2018 15:20:16 GMT
Is there a purely commercial theatre anywhere in the country that has a new writing department ? I meant literary department rather than new writing. But Hampstead has one doesn't it? Does the Royal court count? Hampstead is subsidised to the tune of £750,000 a year. The Royal Court more than that (I think). So neither is commercial. Maybe The Globe or Old Vic do ? Just seems odd for The Stage to advocate something that is almost exclusively a subsidised sector function. |
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Post by zahidf on Nov 22, 2018 15:29:58 GMT
I meant literary department rather than new writing. But Hampstead has one doesn't it? Does the Royal court count? Hampstead is subsidised to the tune of £750,000 a year. The Royal Court more than that (I think). So neither is commercial. Maybe The Globe or Old Vic do ? Just seems odd for The Stage to advocate something that is almost exclusively a subsidised sector function. Ah, fair enough
I think the bridge wanted specifically to focus on new writing, to a degree, but their new writing plays are all horribly written so far. I think some form of department or oversight would be useful!
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Post by Jan on Nov 22, 2018 17:06:40 GMT
Hampstead is subsidised to the tune of £750,000 a year. The Royal Court more than that (I think). So neither is commercial. Maybe The Globe or Old Vic do ? Just seems odd for The Stage to advocate something that is almost exclusively a subsidised sector function. Ah, fair enough
I think the bridge wanted specifically to focus on new writing, to a degree, but their new writing plays are all horribly written so far. I think some form of department or oversight would be useful!
It was always going to be tough to balance quality with box office appeal in such a big theatre - the NT have all relevant literary and new play departments and even they seem to have struggled with new plays in their larger theatres. All theoretical for me, I’d like them to do more revivals and long-term I think they’ll have to. |
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Post by orchidman on Nov 26, 2018 7:28:18 GMT
Very good seats for £15 on The TodayTix Cyber Monday sale.
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Post by partytentdown on Nov 26, 2018 8:42:39 GMT
Imagine being the person tasked with flogging this horse for another 6 weeks
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547 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Nov 26, 2018 11:56:02 GMT
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Post by chameleon on Nov 26, 2018 18:18:09 GMT
Hampstead is subsidised to the tune of £750,000 a year. The Royal Court more than that (I think). So neither is commercial. Maybe The Globe or Old Vic do ? Just seems odd for The Stage to advocate something that is almost exclusively a subsidised sector function. Ah, fair enough
I think the bridge wanted specifically to focus on new writing, to a degree, but their new writing plays are all horribly written so far. I think some form of department or oversight would be useful!
I believe the LM from Hampstead was doing some work there. Which may explain some things....
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Post by stefy69 on Nov 29, 2018 7:02:31 GMT
Saw this yesterday at the matinee performance.
It seemed to have everything in it bar the kitchen sink ! I enjoyed it and there were a few laugh out loud moments, praise to Jim Broadbent and the set design both excellent. Certainly not one of Mr M's best plays but worth catching to make up your own mind.
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Post by Rory on Nov 29, 2018 8:53:54 GMT
I was supposed to be at the matinee yesterday but my plans changed unfortunately.
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Post by ctas on Nov 29, 2018 14:04:17 GMT
Belatedly, I got a rush ticket on Saturday (stalls row D, seat 5, marvellous view and lots of room) and saw this. It’s a bit of a weird one and for every moment I enjoyed there were multiple ones I didn’t. Loved the set design and the Dickens scenes.
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Post by jojo on Nov 29, 2018 19:43:51 GMT
I'm still undecided on this as I've heard so many mixed views and have heard it reduced its running time. I reckon I'll try to get cheap last minute tickets sometime, not too near the front, so I don't need to worry about the performers seeing my reaction. I usually avoid seats close to the stage for this reason, even when I'm confident I'll enjoy the show. I just can't immerse myself in the moment if I think I'll be seen! No one wants to see theatres constantly tweeting praise from audience members, which is why the first thing I do when I follow a theatre on Twitter is turn off their retweets. I'm pretty annoyed they've developed this loophole, and if they keep doing it, then I'm probably going to stop being passive-aggressively snarky about it and start @-ing them into my responses. I know what you mean. IMO, it's OK to do a handful during the early previews, especially if they are well written and interesting comments, but once it's up and running properly, it looks a bit needy. |
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 29, 2018 22:13:48 GMT
I'm still undecided on this as I've heard so many mixed views and have heard it reduced its running time. I reckon I'll try to get cheap last minute tickets sometime, not too near the front, so I don't need to worry about the performers seeing my reaction. I usually avoid seats close to the stage for this reason, even when I'm confident I'll enjoy the show. I just can't immerse myself in the moment if I think I'll be seen! No one wants to see theatres constantly tweeting praise from audience members, which is why the first thing I do when I follow a theatre on Twitter is turn off their retweets. I'm pretty annoyed they've developed this loophole, and if they keep doing it, then I'm probably going to stop being passive-aggressively snarky about it and start @-ing them into my responses. I know what you mean. IMO, it's OK to do a handful during the early previews, especially if they are well written and interesting comments, but once it's up and running properly, it looks a bit needy. Yes the running time is around 1 hour 15 mins straight though, no interval 😀 |
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Post by joem on Nov 30, 2018 0:02:33 GMT
Lovely set and staging, always a pleasure to see Jim Broadbent and Phil Daniels, impressive performance from Johnetta Eula Mae Ackles BUT - yes that's a big BUT - the premise and the plot combined to make this a farrago of nonsense, the excesses of late absurdist drama and the popular (aka gets a cheap laugh) swearing of stand-up or f***ing Bruges.
A reviewer called it "mean-spirited, muddled, idiotic and puerile"; he wasn't far wrong. This is the type of cultural misappropriation Hollywood is so fond of - "Got a great idea! Why don't we write a film about a bloody big dog and call it Beethoven?" But of course Mcdonagh's defence will, presumably, be that this is a serious play which draws attention to the colonial horrors of the Belgian Congo. Humbug.
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